Hi Frank, welcome back! Thank you for bringing another
great question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
Your question about the
recent changes will surely help other Guests plan their vacations more easily in the future. Phrasing the good news in a short answer, I'll just say that
yes, you will be allowed to take your
small cooler into the Theme Parks as long as the ice inside it is contained within resealable bags.
The new rule only applies to ice that is loose within a container, and was put in place to help streamline the bag check process and help Guests enjoy the fun as soon as possible. As long as you keep your ice contained, you will be fine!
My husband and I often take a small container with sandwiches and fruit into the Theme Parks, and we like to store it inside a
rented locker to keep it away from the sun and the heat. We like that strategy to keep our backpacks light and the food fresh, as our sandwiches are not as enthusiastic about the
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as we are! Have you already tried that strategy?
If you ever need more help before the end of May is here, please, come back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. We love to share advice with such old friends like you!
May the magic be with you,
Julie