Hi Sara,
Welcome to planDisney! It sounds like you have a fabulous November vacation ahead with a big group of family and friends.
Lots of things have changed at Walt Disney World in recent months to
enhance health and safety measures. But you still are welcome to bring your own snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, sandwiches or other food items as before. Please note that loose ice and dry ice are not permitted and reusable ice packs are recommended. You can find all the
Park Rules here.
Let me offer one tip from personal experience: Avoid aluminum foil or other metallic containers for your hand-packed lunches to speed your entry into the parks. Or separate anything metallic into a clear bag that can be removed easily from your tote, backpack or cooler,
Here's why. Security procedures have been modified during the phased re-opening to limit contact with security personnel. Bags are no longer searched by hand. Instead, you now carry your bags through the metal detector, removing only keys, phone and anything metal. It's quick and easy unless, like me on a recent visit to
EPCOT, you forget that you have tins of mints in the bottom of your bag. It took several embarrassing minutes for me to dig through my tote to find what was making the metal detector ding. Next time, I'll opt for mints in plastic containers!
Just a reminder, too, Sara, that masks must be worn at all times in the parks unless you are eating or drinking in a stationary position. So you and your group will want to find a table, a bench or other seating area to enjoy your packed lunches.
Thanks for your question. Please let us know if we can help in any other way as you make your final plans. Enjoy!
Wilma