Can You Bring Food into Disneyland? A 2023 Guide
Visiting “The Happiest Place on Earth” and wondering, “Can you bring food into Disneyland?!
You’re not alone! This is a very common question a lot of people have when planning their Disneyland vacation.
Whether you are looking to save money, have special dietary needs, or need to feed a picky young child, I am happy to help you answer this super popular question, “Can you bring food into Disneyland?
As a Disney vacation planner and a frequent Disney park guest, I will provide you will all the information and tips you need to know, so you come to Disneyland ready and prepared.
Can You Bring Food into Disneyland?
The short answer to this is YES, you can bring outside food and beverages into the parks.
However, there are some rules to this. Keep reading to find out what is and is not allowed to be brought into Disneyland.
What Are You Not Allowed to Bring into Disneyland?
According to Disneyland California’s official website, the following cannot be brought into Disneyland Parks.
- Do not bring food or drinks that are in glass containers (the only exception is small glass baby jars)
- Do not bring food or drinks that require heating, reheating, processing, or refrigeration
- Do not bring food or drinks that have pungent orders
- Do not bring alcoholic beverages
- No bags, backpacks, or coolers larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are allowed inside the theme parks
- No loose or dry ice
NOTE: Before entering the park, you are required to go through security. And if you have bags, your bags will be searched by security. Be prepared to have your bags opened and unzipped to be searched.
Tips for Taking Food into Disneyland
Now that you know you CAN take food into Disneyland, I’m going to give you some excellent tips for bringing outside food into the parks.
We’re going to talk about the best food to take into Disneyland, how to keep your food fresh and cool, where to eat your food, and more!
What Food Should I Bring to Disneyland?
Whether you are bringing lunches, snacks, drinks, or all of the above; here are the best foods to bring to Disneyland.
Best Snacks to Bring to Disneyland
If you have toddlers or young kids you know that having snacks with you at all times can be a necessity! Snacks can help console a crying or grumpy kid quickly!
Snacks are also great to have on hand when you need a quick boost of energy or to keep hunger pains away.
Here are some excellent, easy snacks to throw in your bag for Disneyland!
- crackers such as goldfish, Cheeze-It, or wheat thins
- fruit gummies
- granola bars
- protein bars
- fruit
- nuts
- trail mix
- cubed or string cheese
Best Lunch Items to Bring to Disneyland
If you’re going to be bringing lunch to the park, here are some great, easy packable lunch options:
- sandwiches or wraps (turkey and cheese, peanut butter and jelly)
- Smuckers Uncrustables or Lunchables are quick and easy to pack for picky kids
- chips
- fruit such as grapes and cutie oranges
- Go-Gurt (yogurt)
- GoGo Squeez Applesauce
- juice boxes
- water bottles
Keeping Food Fresh & Cool at Disneyland
Loose ice is not allowed at Disneyland Parks because security has to search through your items. Security cannot easily search through a bunch of ice.
Since you are not allowed to bring loose ice into Disneyland, you’re going to have to figure out how to keep your food fresh and cool.
The most convenient and easiest way to keep your food fresh and cool is to use reusable ice packs.
Another great option is to obtain ice from a quick-service restaurant once you get into the parks to keep your food cool. Then you can throw your ice into your cooler or lunch bag.
Disneyland Picnic Area
Now that you know the best food to bring to Disneyland and how to keep your food fresh and cool, you might be wondering, “Where can I eat my food?
Many people don’t know this but Disneyland has a designated picnic area! It’s located just outside the main entrances of the Disneyland Parks. It is definitely easy to miss because it’s hidden behind thick green ledges.
If you look at the map below, you’ll see where I have circled the exact location of the Disneyland picnic area. It’s conveniently located between the main gates of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.
The Disneyland picnic area includes shaded picnic tables and benches for you to relax and enjoy a meal away from the craziness of the parks.
They also have lockers! This is such a great perk because you can store your food and coolers so you do not have to carry it all day around at the parks!
These lockers are perfect for those planning on taking large amounts of food and drinks to the parks.
The cost of these Disneyland lockers is between $12-$15 depending on the size of the locker.
Other Places to Eat Your Food in Disneyland
The designated Disneyland picnic area is not the only place you can enjoy food brought into the parks.
There are several benches located throughout both parks. Find a shady one and enjoy your lunch or snack.
You could also bring a small blanket, throw it in your backpack and find a nice, shady uncrowded place in the park to sit down and enjoy your food.
But my favorite pick for the best place to have a picnic lunch inside Disneyland Resort is Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland Park! Tom Sawyer Island is a great place to eat because it has picnic tables, and great views and the kids can run around and play while you relax!
On Tom Sawyer Island, you can choose from shaded picnic tables and picnic tables directly next to the Rivers of America. As you relax and enjoy your food, you can watch the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia cruise on by.
Other FAQs – Can You Bring Food into Disneyland?
Here are your answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about bringing food into Disneyland.
Can You Take a Backpack with Snacks to Disneyland?
Yes, you can take a backpack with snacks to Disneyland. In fact, taking a backpack to Disneyland is highly recommended.
Not only is a backpack great for carrying your food and drinks, but it’s also a great place to store any souvenirs you purchase throughout the day. It’s also a great place to stuff extra clothes like your jacket or sweater when you get too hot or ponchos for rainy days.
However, there are rules about the size of the backpack you’re allowed to carry inside Disneyland. Per Disneyland’s website: bags and backpacks, with or without wheels, larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm) are not allowed inside the theme parks.
🎒For the best backpacks for Disney, be sure to check out Best Backpacks for Disney World 2023.
Don’t have a lot of time to shop for a backpack? The following Venture Pal backpack comes highly recommended by thousands of people, myself included. This backpack is absolutely amazing, super lightweight, packable, and best of all affordable!
Can I Take a Cooler into Disneyland?
Yes, you can take a cooler inside Disneyland. However, the cooler just like a backpack must be smaller than 24” long x 15” wide x 18 “ high (61 cm x 38 cm x 46 cm). An example of a cooler this size would be one that holds about 6 soda cans.
Also, loose or dry ice is not permitted inside the park. To keep food and drinks cool, reusable ice packs are recommended.
I’m loving this Disney Cooler Backpack from Amazon! It’s perfect for Disneyland and it’s a backpack and a cooler! How cool is that?
If you need to bring a large cooler to hold lunches, drinks, and more you can rent a locker in the picnic area outside the main gate.
Can I Bring a Water Bottle to Disneyland?
Yes, you can definitely bring a water bottle to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. In fact, it is an excellent idea!
You’ll be walking around a lot and will get very thirsty. And water bottles at the park are expensive!
Water fountains and water bottle refill stations are conveniently located throughout the park, so you can easily fill up your water bottle whenever needed.
TIP: Free ice water is available at quick-service restaurants throughout the parks, but it’s not always convenient and usually the lines are pretty long.
I love the following Simply Modern Disney Water Bottles. They come in kid sizes and regular sizes with a variety of different patterns. These would make for great surprise gifts for the kids or a gift for yourself for your Disneyland trip.
Can You Bring Ziploc Bags to Disney?
Yes, you can take Ziploc bags to Disney. Ziploc bags are great for storing small snacks like crackers or fruit.
Also, stuff a couple of extra Ziploc bags in your bag for the day. You never know when they might come in handy. For example, you might want to stick your cell phone in there on a water ride!
Ziploc bags are also great for keeping items cool. Go to any quick-service restaurant at Disneyland, get ice, and throw it into a Ziploc bag to keep your food or drink cool in any bag!
Other Dining Options at Disneyland Resort
So maybe you have decided taking food to Disneyland may not be right for you. Or maybe you plan on taking snacks and need to figure out your meals.
No worries, Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney all offer PLENTY of dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
➡️ For breakfast options at Downtown Disney, be sure to read Where to Eat Breakfast in Downtown Disney!
Plus, you’ll probably want to purchase one of Disneyland’s popular snacks like the Pineapple DOLE Whip, Churros, Popcorn, Mickey Pretzal, Mickey Beignets, and Mickey Ice Cream Bars !
Quick-Service Dining Options at Disneyland Resort
Quick-Service Dining is your most affordable and quickest dining option at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.
You can find a quick-service dining restaurant in each of the lands at Disneyland Resort.
And quick-service restaurants do not require reservations! All of the food is usually $14.99 and under!
Here are some, but not all of the quick-service dining options at Disneyland Park.
- Alien Pizza Planet– pizza, salad, and breadsticks; Tomorrowland
- Bengal Barbecue– spicy or sweet beef, chicken, or vegetable skewers; Adventureland
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo– chicken, vegetables; Star War’s Galaxy’s Edge
- Galactic Grill-American foods such as burgers, fries, and salads; Tomorrowland
- The Golden Horseshoe-fish and chips, chicken tenders, salad; Frontierland
- Hungry Bear Restaurant-American style foods such as burgers, chicken sandwiches, and fries; Critter Country
- Royal Street Veranda– soup in sourdough bread bowls, beignets; Royal Street Veranda
- Red Rose Taverne– American food such as burgers, chicken tenders, and pizza flatbreads; Fantasyland
Here are some, but not all of the quick-service dining restaurants at Disney California Adventure:
- Award Wieners– hot dogs, chili dogs, bacon street dogs, fries; Hollywood Land
- Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta-pizza, pasta, and salad; Paradise Gardens Park
- Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill-street tacos; Pacific Wharf
- Corn Dog Castle– corn dogs; Paradise Gardens Park
- Flo’s V8 Cafe-cheeseburgers, fried chicken, club sandwich, salad; Cars Land
- Lucky Fortune Cookery-Asian food; Pacific Wharf
- Pym Test Kitchen-Sandwiches & salad; Avengers Campus
Conclusion: Can You Bring Food into Disneyland?
Bringing food into Disneyland is a great way to save money, stick to your dietary requirements, or feed picky children.
But, bringing food into Disneyland can also be a lot of fun; especially if you utilize the Disney Picnic Area or have a picnic on Tom Sawyer Island!
I hope you have found this post, Can You Bring Food into Disneyland? A 2023 Guide helpful!
Have a wonderful time at “The Happiest Place on Earth!”
MORE GREAT DISNEYLAND READS:
Goofy’s Kitchen Review: A Disneyland Character Dining Experience – 2023
Disneyland vs California Adventure: Differences and Pros & Cons of Each