Can You Bring Food Into Disney World?  What outside food and drinks are allowed in 2025!

Visiting Disney World is a magical experience but it can also be a pricey one, especially when it comes to meals and snacks throughout your day. It’s important to stay hydrated and fueled for all the energy of a day at Disney World. One of the most common questions from families planning a visit is: Can you bring food into Disney World? The answer is yes but with some important guidelines and restrictions.

Whether you’re traveling with kids, dealing with dietary restrictions, or just trying to manage your vacation budget, bringing your own food and drinks can be a smart move. Let’s break down exactly what you can bring, what you can’t, and how to make it work smoothly for your trip.

(Skip to the end for my shopping list of food to bring into Disney World)

Can You Bring Food into Disney World?

Yes, you can bring your own food into Disney World theme parks and resorts, but there are a few key differences and restrictions to know about:

• Theme Parks: Outside food and drinks are allowed with some limitations. No glass containers, alcohol, or strong-smelling foods, or foods requiring heating. Coolers must be within size limits and use ice packs not loose ice.
• Resorts: Much more flexible! You can bring full grocery orders to your Disney resort hotel and store them in mini-fridges or enjoy meals in your room or outdoor picnic areas.

Bringing your own food can be a great strategy to balance your budget, manage food allergies or picky eaters, and stay energized without long lines waiting at food vendors or restaurants. We recommend a mix of bringing your own food, making a few restaurant reservations, and leaving room for some spontaneous eats.

Can You Bring Drinks Into Disney World?

Yes, you can bring your own drinks into the parks, and doing so can save both time and money. From refillable water bottles to small coolers with juice boxes or sports drinks, Disney allows guests to bring non-alcoholic beverages with a few simple rules.

Water Bottles and Refills

Yes! You can absolutely bring your own refillable water bottles. Every park has water fountains and refill stations. This is a huge money saver in the Florida heat and it’s convenient. Make sure you label your water bottles with name and phone number. Our kids like these water bottles that don’t spill (they screw really tightly though) in bed or bags.

We like a label maker for our homeschool and it’s been worthwhile for these types of items that go missing regularly. And it helps differentiate between the same princess water bottle that both girls have.

Can You Bring a Cooler?

Yes, coolers are allowed in Disney World theme parks and resorts. You can bring a soft-sided cooler no larger than 24” x 15” x 18” (Disney security is strict on size) and use ice packs. Don’t pack loose ice or dry ice, or glass containers, and alcohol is not permitted. If you don’t want to carry it all day, use luggage lockers located near park entrances.

We have a couple soft sided coolers with ice packs we have brought with us into the park to keep our sandwiches and such a little cooler (bold colors make them easy to spot). Most non-budget resorts have a mini-fridge in rooms but use the resort ice machines if your room does not have a mini-fridge. You cannot really “freeze” anything in those mini fridges so you might have to go without ice packs in your cooler unless you stay off property or at a property that has a full fridge/freezer.

How Can I Bring Ice?

Loose ice and dry ice are not allowed. Use reusable ice packs instead. A good hack is to freeze a water bottle or juice pouch to keep food cold, then drink it later. This is helpful if you stay at property with freezer. We used the ice packs and reusable gel freezer packs (like the types for first aid) because they were more malleable and lightweight.

Are There Mini-Fridges?

All Disney World resort rooms (except a few budget options) come with a mini-fridge. In the parks, you’ll only find food storage at premium patio rentals in the water parks. Otherwise, it’s all carry-in, carry-out.

At the resort, we stored food we couldn’t fit in the mini-fridge by using a cooler with ice from the resort ice machine and replenishing the ice. We used zip-lock bags with hotel ice as improvised ice packs that prevented the melted ice water from leaking into the food.

Are Backpacks Allowed in Disney World?

Yes, backpacks are allowed but they must be smaller than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high. Just remember, you’ll carry it all day, so pack light and organize smartly. For bulky bags, lockers are available for rent near the entrance of each park.

If you’re traveling with a stroller or other mobility aid, consider wearing a small day pack for valuables and load the stroller with heavier items. Just be mindful you may choose to carry essential items into rides etc if you’re unwilling to leave them in the stroller once parked at a ride or show entrance. Body purses or waist bags are a good size for kids (and adults) to carry their own snacks. Stroller organizers and caribiners help organize the stroller for easy access.

We have more tips here for what to pack for Disney World.

What Can You NOT Bring Into Disney World?

Disney has a clear policy on prohibited items and restrictions to ensure guest safety and park enjoyment.

Prohibited Items

• Glass containers (except baby food jars)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Loose ice or dry ice
• Hard-sided coolers
• Weapons or sharp objects
• Large suitcases or wheeled carts

Items Allowed But with Restrictions

• Food: Must not require heating or reheating
• Drinks: Non-alcoholic only; no glass
• Ice packs: Allowed, but not loose ice
• Coolers: Must be soft-sided and within size limits

Some rules vary slightly depending on the park (e.g., water parks or special events), so always double-check before arrival. You can also get baby food in non-glass containers and so I suggest if you carry in baby food just don’t risk it with glass, as rules can change. We used lots of baby food pouches instead of glass containers.

Disney World resorts are much more accommodating and won’t search your belongings at a security check, but be smart – don’t bring weapons, illicit drugs, and anything illegal. We consistently saw a police dog and officer at Disney security entrances.

Why You Should Bring Food and Drinks Into Disney World

Bringing your own snacks and meals can seriously improve your park experience:

• Save money: Meals in the parks can add up fast particularly with a family.
• Allergies/Intolerances: Pack food you trust and feel safe eating.
• Speed: Avoid long waits at dining spots. Allows you to eat and get back to the fun of rides and shows!
• Health: Bring nutritious options rather than just churros and pretzels. A “pepperoni pizza egg roll” was one of the more curious food offerings for sale in Adventure Land.
• Convenience: Kids get hangry fast…and dads too! You’ll be glad you brought that granola bar.

Tips for Bringing Food and Drinks Into Disney

Here’s how to pack smart:

• Bring the basics: snacks, sandwiches, fruit, food not requiring heating or maintaining heat
• Use backpacks or soft lunchboxes; insulated soft lunchboxes help keep food cold
• Consider using ziplock bags or reusable lunch bags for using less packing space and easy identification per person
• Separate snacks and meals so snacks are easily accessible and not buried at the bottom of a bag
• Use ice packs or frozen drinks, not loose or dry ice
• Pack non-perishable and pre-packaged items
• Avoid glass containers
• Consider grocery delivery (e.g. Amazon Fresh) to your resort (or stop en route to your resort if self-driving)
• Prepare your snacks (except chilled items) and bags the night before so you’re not rushing in the busy morning.
• Tell security about food items during bag check at park entrances
• Store large items in a luggage locker, hang on a stroller, or leave them in your accommodation.
• Regularly refill water bottles
• Alternate packed meals vs park meals as the same-same food packed each day can get tiring after several days in the parks, and kids will tell you so!
• Return to your accommodation for lunch, take a break, and return to the park in the evening

What Snacks to Bring Into the Parks

Park meals can be pricey and lines long, so having snacks on hand keeps everyone fueled and happy between attractions. These snacks are park-friendly, mess-free, and pack easily.

• Trail mix
• Granola bars
• Fruit leather, dried fruit, and jerky
• Applesauce pouches
• Refillable water bottles or electrolyte drink packets

Avoid the chocolate and candy that melts and has a blood sugar level high followed by a crash. Instead, opt for healthy, low GI foods that are easily whipped out while in line for a ride and are mess-free.

Snacks & Food at Disney Resorts and Hotels

Having a few food items on hand at the resort can help you avoid the rush and cost of quick-service meals. Great for early mornings or bedtime snacks, and storing takeout leftovers.

• Instant oatmeal or cereal cups
• Protein bars
• Crackers and cheese
• Microwaveable meals and popcorn
  You can also “pop” (see what I did there 😉 ) this into sandwich bags to take in the park with you but leave food that needs warming in the hotel.
• Coffee pods (if you’re picky on your choice!)
  Most resort room coffee machines have the Cuisinart flat single serve bag, but some deluxe resorts have Keurig K-cup machines. Disney changes it for each resort so check with reception or your travel agent.
• Reusable lightweight meal containers that are microwavable and travel utensils
  Regular takeout containers and plastic cutlery aren’t great for reheating and eating leftovers. Cutting food with a plastic knife isn’t always easy.

Do Resort Rooms Have Microwave Ovens?

Not all resorts have microwave ovens in the guest rooms but you can request one in advance of checking in. Some of the resort dining areas have microwaves available for guests. We even considered packing a small cheap microwave in luggage because we deemed it essential for reheating restaurant leftovers, oatmeal, popcorn, etc.

You may want to consider packing a small toaster, portable hotplate or skillet as well for your resort room (not in the parks). We used a toaster and electric skillet for toast and fried eggs for breakfast in our resort room but be fire-safety aware when cooking in your room.

There are no microwave ovens, hotplates, grills, or BBQs in theme parks and food that requires heating is not permitted into parks.

What Parks and Resorts Are Part of Disney World?

Walt Disney World includes:

• Magic Kingdom
• EPCOT
• Hollywood Studios (formerly known as MGM)
• Animal Kingdom
• Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach (water parks open seasonally)
• Disney Springs (retail precinct formerly known as Downtown Disney)
• More than 25 resort hotels

Rules for food and drink vary slightly. Theme parks have more restrictions due to bag checks and safety policies. Resorts are more relaxed and are great places for grocery deliveries, cooking, or assembling lunches before park days. The bell service staff at resorts will store grocery deliveries so don’t forget to tip when you pickup if you’re not there to meet your driver.

What Is There to Eat in Disney World?

From Mickey waffles to character dining, there’s a huge range of food options from quick bites and buffets, to fine dining, and everything in between. We have more to share on eats at Disney World but check out this list of favorite places to eat at Magic Kingdom.

What Is There to Drink in Disney World?

You’ll find:

• Free cups of ice water at any quick service location
• Water fountains and refill stations throughout the parks
• Expensive bottled water and soda at stands
• Sit-down restaurants (some with alcohol) in parks and resorts
• Quick Service spots with fountain drinks in parks and some dining areas in resorts, particularly budget resorts

What Food Should I Buy For Disney World?

• Trail mix without added sugar
• Protein or granola bars (low sugar)
• Fruit leather, dried fruit, and jerky sticks
• Instant oatmeal packs or cereal cups
• Your preferred coffee pods/sachets for resort room (confirm coffee machine depending on room)
• Non-frozen microwaveable meals (request a microwave when booking a resort room, or pack your own in luggage)
• Microwaveable popcorn and crackers
• Snack packs of crackers and cheese, hummus, guacamole, tuna, carrots, celery, and summer sausage
• Apple sauce pouches
• Baby food pouches
• Electrolytes for hydration in water bottle
• Soft-sided coolers
• Soft lunch boxes
• Reusable sandwich bags and snack bags
• Zip-lock bags
• Filtered water bottle or anti-spill water bottle
• Slim ice packs
• Portable hotplate and toaster
• Reusable travel utensils, microwaveable plates and containers, and mini-dishwashing liquid bottle
• Label maker

The Wrap-Up: Can You Bring Food and Drinks Into Disney World?

Yes! Disney World still allows you to bring food and drinks into the parks as long as you follow their guidelines. Whether you’re saving money, managing food allergies, or just keeping snacks on hand for the kids, bringing your own food is not just allowed, it’s smart.

Plan ahead, pack strategically, and balance your own meals with some magical Disney dining. With the right prep, you’ll enjoy your favorite snacks and unforgettable Disney treats.

About the Author

My name is Sommer and I am a retired international tour guide and former Disney cast member, having traversed the globe from Europe to Africa, to North and South America, and finishing my career in Australia and New Zealand. My Australian husband and my American self are based in Minnesota, USA to raise our family and are sharing our travel wonders with the world.

Starting October 2025, I will be an independent travel agent and can book your flights, accommodation, tours and more to your gateway of wonder! Click here for more.