Hi Lisa,
Thank you so much for visiting planDisney with your question! We on the planDisney panel love to help guests with their questions about planning their magical
Walt Disney World and other Disney vacations.
Like you, I like to bring snacks and drinks into the
Walt Disney World theme parks. I find that this can be a real money and time saver. It is also so important to stay hydrated with all of the walking that you can do on a day in a theme park! My family tends to carry in water, as well as some granola bars, pretzels, trail mix, and other similar items that are good for providing a midday energy boost.
Disney does allow coolers and bags in the theme parks. Check out the
Walt Disney World rules page for specifics on this. As stated on that page, all coolers and bags cannot be larger than 24 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 18 inches high. You are welcome to bring in food and water with you; however, you cannot bring loose ice. Ice would need to be in bags or you could use ice packs. You can absolutely pack your cooler with snacks, drinks, and ice packs or bags of ice before you head into the theme parks. Please do note that coolers are subject to screening at security as you enter a theme park.
One tip I have often used to keep our snacks and drinks cold is to freeze one or more of the water bottles the night before. That way, it acts as an ice pack and keeps the other snacks and drinks cool. Then you also have a deliciously icy cold bottle of water to drink as the day progresses! While I do not typically bring in a cooler to the water parks, I carry my snacks and drinks in my backpack. I use a towel to wrap up the frozen water bottle to put at the bottom of my backpack, and then all the other snacks go right near it.
I hope that this information is helpful for you, Lisa. Have a wonderful time planning your magical vacation, and please do come back and visit planDisney again if you have any further questions!
~ Mona Leigh