Can You Bring Food Into Disney World? What Is & Isn’t Allowed

Forky from Toy Story 4

Planning a trip to Disney World is an exciting experience, but figuring out what and where to eat can feel daunting. Between deciding on whether to add the Disney Dining Plan, the Epcot Festival food choices, booking table-service reservations in advance, and the crazy cost of it all, you might just want to pack a picnic and be done with it all. But can you actually bring food into Disney?  

While Disney does offer tons of delicious food options, bringing your own food into the theme parks can help save money, accommodate picky eaters, or meet specific dietary needs. Plus, a full day in the parks requires a lot of energy. That means plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you fueled! 

Let’s walk through everything you need to know about Disney’s food policy and get you ready to enjoy the parks with your favorite snacks in tow!

Disney’s Official Policy on Outside Food and Beverages

You can bring your own food into Disney’s theme parks, as long as you follow the outlined rules and guidelines.

According to Disney’s website, outside food and beverages are permitted, with a few restrictions. This friendly policy makes Disney stand out among other theme parks, which often have stricter rules and don’t allow guests to enter with outside food and drinks.

Why Does Disney Allow Outside Food?

Disney wants its parks to be accessible to everyone. They know some guests may need specific foods for medical reasons, others may have dietary restrictions, and families with little ones might need extra snacks on hand. Disney’s goal is to make the parks a welcoming place for all types of visitors, and that includes allowing outside food to make your day smoother and more enjoyable.

Pro Tip: We always bring a small stash of snacks for our kids to keep them happy while waiting in lines or taking a break. These items can be expensive in the gift shops, so this allows us to save money and bring familiar snacks that we know our kids will eat. It’s a lifesaver!

What Food and Drinks You Can Bring to Disney World?

Minnie Mouse cupcakes

Let’s dive into what you can bring into Disney World. The good news is that Disney is pretty flexible about the types of food and beverages you can bring as long as you follow a few basic rules.

Snacks and Quick Bites

You’re welcome to bring any snack items that will fit in a small bag or cooler. While not an exhaustive list, this includes things like:

  • Chips, pretzels, crackers, and popcorn
  • Granola bars, fruit snacks, trail mix, and protein bars
  • Fresh fruit and veggies (carrot sticks, apple slices, grapes, etc.)

These types of snacks are perfect for munching on while exploring the park or waiting in line. They’re also a great way to avoid spending extra money on smaller snack items at the Disney World parks. Small snack purchases can really add up over the course of a day.

Baby Food

You can bring in whatever you need to feed your baby while enjoying the theme park. Some examples include:

  • Baby food (in pouches, containers, or small glass jars)
  • Powdered or pre-mixed formula
  • Puffs, yogurt melts, teething crackers or other baby snacks
  • Pumped breast milk

Pro Tip: Each park has a Baby Care Center that offers a place for parents to feed, change, and relax with their infants and young children. These locations offer high chairs and a designated feeding area away from the crowds. You’ll even find some food items and formula available for purchase if you run out of something. 

Full Meals

Yes, you can even bring full meals into the parks! I’ve packed sandwiches and wraps in small containers for lunch, but you’re welcome to bring anything that doesn’t need to be reheated or refrigerated. Some ideas include:

  • Turkey or ham sandwiches with simple toppings (to avoid sogginess)
  • Wraps or burritos that are easy to hold and eat on the go
  • Pasta salads, grain bowls, or pre-made salads in tupperware containers

When we bring these quick meals into the parks from our hotel, we usually find a shaded spot or even a designated picnic area to sit down and eat. There’s something weirdly satisfying about enjoying a picnic with Cinderella Castle or Spaceship Earth in view!

Beverages

You can bring any non-alcoholic beverage as long as it’s not in a glass container. This includes:

  • Water bottles (great for refilling throughout the day!)
  • Juice boxes or pouches
  • Sports drinks or sodas in cans or plastic bottles

As you can see above, you can bring water into Disney World. This means you can pack store-bought bottled water or a reusable water bottle that you fill at your hotel or another location. 

Pro Tip: Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it throughout the day to stay hydrated without having to purchase bottled water. Disney has several water refill stations around the parks, and any quick-service location will give you a free cup of water if you ask.

Can You Bring a Cooler to Disney World?

Disney allows small, soft-sided coolers no larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high. This size is perfect for packing a few items without taking up too much space. We bring a small insulated lunch bag with a reusable ice pack, which keeps everything cool and meets Disney’s guidelines. 

Wheeled coolers or bags are not allowed. Disney’s parks are crowded, and wheeled bags could easily cause tripping hazards. If you’re bringing enough food for a full day, a backpack or soft cooler bag that meets the size requirements should be perfect.

Just remember that Disney doesn’t allow loose ice, so stick to reusable ice packs or frozen water bottles.

What Isn’t Allowed

While there aren’t a ton of restrictions when it comes to bringing in food and beverage items into Disney, there are a few to keep in mind. These rules are in place to keep everyone safe and ensure a smooth experience while going through security.

Alcoholic Beverages

This one may seem obvious, but it’s important to note. Disney does not allow outside alcohol in the parks. You won’t be able to bring in any wine, beer, or canned or bottled mixed drinks. This also goes for any drinks you may have gotten from resort hotels or other areas in and around Disney. 

You can purchase alcoholic beverages throughout Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. If you’re looking for alcohol in the Magic Kingdom, you will have to book a table-service dining reservation. But if you’re hoping to enjoy a drink, rest assured, there are plenty of options in Disney World. 

Glass Containers

Disney prohibits any glass containers. The one exception to this is baby food jars. This rule is mostly for safety. Glass can break easily, especially in a crowded theme park. So, make sure to transfer any drinks or sauces into plastic or metal containers if needed.

Loose Ice

Loose ice is not allowed in Disney World. So, if you are bringing a cooler, stock it with reusable ice packs or freeze a couple of water bottles to keep things cold during the day. Frozen bottles can double as a refreshing drink later in the day as they melt — win-win!

Special Considerations

Disney World does a fantastic job accommodating guests with specific needs. If you have dietary restrictions or medical needs, you’ll find that Disney’s staff and policies are designed to help make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Dietary Restrictions and Allergies

Disney is known for its allergy-friendly menus and the staff receives training in food allergies, but if you need to bring specific snacks for dietary reasons, you’ll have no problem. You’re free to bring any safe snacks or meals that work for you.

Pro Tip: At restaurants and quick-service spots, Disney chefs are usually available to discuss dietary options if you prefer to eat in the park.

Medical Needs

For guests with medical conditions requiring specific foods, Disney allows you to bring what you need. If you need to bring additional items for medical reasons, you can explain this to the security team, and they’re generally very understanding.

Celebratory Treats

Disney loves a good celebration, but there are a few rules around bringing in celebratory items like cakes. Large, full-size cakes are not allowed, but Disney can help you order a celebration cake at select dining locations if you’re planning something special. Small treats like cupcakes or cookies are usually fine to bring with you to the parks.

Insider Tips for Bringing Food Into Disney

Statue of Walt Disney in the Magic Kingdom

After many visits to Disney World, we’ve developed a few tips to make bringing food into the parks as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Pack Light and Smart

Bring only what you’ll need for a few hours at a time. If you’re planning to stay all day, a small bag or backpack with easy-to-eat snacks and a refillable water bottle is usually all you need.

Order Groceries to Your Hotel Room

If you’d like to bring quick breakfast bars, packaged muffins, or sandwiches into the park, we recommend ordering some groceries to your hotel room. There are several grocery delivery services that will deliver to Disney World hotels and you can save a lot of money by using these options. 

Many renovated rooms at Disney resorts have small mini fridges where you can store a few cold items. Or, if your family is staying in a villa at one of the resort hotels, you will have a kitchenette or full kitchen available to you. Take advantage of the savings and have groceries delivered so you can pack food for the parks easily.  

Plan Your Picnic Spots

While there aren’t formal picnic areas in the theme parks, there are plenty of shaded benches, tables, and quieter areas where you can sit down and enjoy a packed meal or a restful snack. Some of our favorite spots include:

  • Magic Kingdom: Near the walkway around the castle, especially if you want a great view.
  • Epcot: The outdoor seating by the American Adventure pavilion offers shaded tables.
  • Animal Kingdom: The seating area by Flame Tree Barbecue has great views of the river and is relatively quiet.
  • Hollywood Studios: Near the Echo Lake area, where there are benches with good shade.

Balance Packed Food with Disney Treats

While bringing food can save money, part of the Disney experience is trying some of the unique snacks and treats. While we sometimes like to pack light meals or snacks to offset costs, we always leave room to enjoy Main Street Confectionary goodies, a Dole Whip, or one of the many iconic Disney treats!

Pack Food. Eat Your Heart Out.

Disney World makes it easy to bring your own food and snacks into the parks, which can be a lifesaver for budget-conscious families, those with dietary restrictions, or anyone who wants a little extra fuel for a day of Disney magic. 

With a little planning, bringing your own food can help you enjoy a comfortable, stress-free visit. So pack your favorite snacks, grab a reusable water bottle, and get ready to enjoy Disney your way!

About Deidre Grieves 30 Articles
Deidre Grieves is a Philadelphia-based writer, editor, and the founder of DisneyTourist.com. She spent her childhood taking family trips to Disney World and is now sharing those experiences and creating new memories with her two young sons.