Packing food for WDW to save $$

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

DH and I are traveling to WDW in just over a month for a quick 3 night trip. I did not purchase a dining plan and we don't plan on going to any sit-down restaurants. I am trying to keep food costs at a minimum so figured it might be smart to pack a few food items for snacks, etc. These will need to be carry-on friendly items as well although I guess I could pack a checked bag if needed since we are flying Southwest. I have never packed food before so I am at a total loss on what to do.

Suggestions?

 

[kymom99]

If you are able to pack a checked bag, I would do it. Get some Tupperware type containers and fill them with whatever you like so that they don't get smashed. I would pack some fruits and such along with salty treats. You could also do peanut butter or nutella and some bread for a quick sandwich.

 

[k1koala]

We usually bring granola bars, packages of peanuts/cashews whichever you like, the individual bowls of cereal, and similar items. I may also throw in my checked bag a package of either plain bagels or english muffins. So we will only need to buy milk for the cereal, and toast the bagels/muffins. The snacks are easy for day bag or fanny pack...yes fanny pack fits them easily. I also bring a few of the individual jif peanut butter packets. that also gives me room for souvenirs if needed for the way home

 

[pjlla]

We always bring breakfast items with us. I pack a small electric kettle (no coffee pot in room because we now usually stay at Value) with instant oatmeal/grits/cream of wheat, small disposable bowls and spoons and napkins, plus instant coffee/tea/cocoa. Plus I often bake a dozen healthy muffins and freeze them and bring them along in a shoe box size container, but bagels would work too. I also bring small individual cups of fruit when I am checking bags (too much liquid to put in a carry-on) and fresh fruit (apples and bananas hold up well if packed properly). Plus I pack some healthy snacks to carry into the parks (nuts [although I am careful not to eat these around others who might have allergies], granola/cereal bars, whole wheat pretzels and crackers, peanut butter). If I am not paying for the luggage, it definitely saves money. If I have to pay for luggage, then I do the math to figure out if we will save enough money (and time.... time is like money at Disney to me!) to make it worthwhile.

When my kids were younger and DS had more food allergies, I shipped a box ahead to our resort (stayed in a suite with a kitchenette when the kids were little) so that I could be sure he would have at least SOME healthy meals that he could/would eat during our trip... special breads, rice milk, snacks. It was pricey, but less expensive and time consuming than trying to find store near Disney that carried his special foods.

You can definitely save time AND money at Disney by bringing some of your own foods.... and I've never found that it takes away from the magic!...................P

 

[Excited Fan]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to pack a box of capri suns in your luggage with SW? Is there any types of food that not allowed checked or carried on?

 

[Minnesota!]

We are checking a suitcase with homemade trail mix, lots of mixed nuts, beef jerky, peanut butter, and some other random things...my memory is not working really well right now.

Will also pack zip lock baggies so we can carry the trail mix around the parks easier.

Saves on the "I wants" in the park (ice cream, churros, popcorn, etc.) Although, I will splurge without a second thought on the roasted almonds...my fave snack!

 

[hsmamato2]

whatever you pack, wrap it really well, multiple ziploc bags IMHO. I always bring a box of cereal, some plastic bowls and spoons,and my little tea heater/kettle. Also some teabags,etc to make my morning cup. Easy enough to toss in little oatmeal packets too, since the kids like cold cereal,and the Dh likes oatmeal better. For snacks, I packed baby carrots, mini hummus containers (it was cold weather when we flew) and various snack items to have on hand, filled about half a suitcase total,but I like having my own food with me (we stayed 2 weeks) We eat breakfast in our room, then lunch/dinner out somewhere

 

[hsmamato2]

forgot to add. you can either buy milk at hotel gift shop when you arrive, or pack a 32 oz. 'milkbox' for tea,cereal,etc. I packed my almond milk (box) and we bought a 1/2g for the guys when we got there

 

[Dawnlight]

Have you thought about shipping food down to where you'll be staying?

We were a party of 9, so shipped down breakfast and snack items. Shipping from Walmart was easy and inexpensive (may even be free at times). The packages were waiting for us when we got there and were sent to our rooms upon check-in.

We shipped peanut butter, jelly, cereal, sandwich bags to pack cereal to take with us, granola bars, chocolates, and some other items. We brought with us, in our check luggage, bagels and some other items.

As for carry-on: No liquids or things like peanut butter and jelly. We had a full container of peanut butter left, sealed, and we weren't allowed to take in on the plane. I wish I had known beforehand, as I would have packed it with our checked luggage.

 

[mrsmick4]

my kids are super picky eaters so we always bring snacks to the parks. I like to bring things with peanut butter (more filling) crackers, homemade protein bars, trail mix. Also we like the squeeze pouch fruits like applesauce (portable, easy to eat). I also freeze some go-gerts and pack those to eat early in the parks. I also make protein smoothies to drink on the way to the park in the mornings. Helps keep everyone full longer. Good luck!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Have you thought about shipping food down to where you'll be staying?

There are only 2 of us and we will only be there for three nights so I am certain I can manage to pack things in a checked bag but if we were staying a while this would be a good option.

These ideas are awesome!!! Thanks everyone. I love the idea of baking muffins and freezing them and then packing them up in a shoe box! I think I will also do cereal with bowls and plastic spoons for me to eat breakfast. Does anyone know how much an individual milk is in the food court? If it's cheap enough I'll just grab a few when we arrive and put them in the room fridge. If not, I can pack some of the individual silk's.

As for snacks in the park, how do you keep crackers from getting crunched up? That's what I am most concerned about. Or what are some snacks that are more resilient, aside from nuts (which DH doesn't really eat).

What about soda? Is it feasible to back the individual plastic bottles in a checked bag?

 

[Minnesota!]

I also just ordered a box from Amazon Prime. 4 cases of water, 2 cases of V8, a few protein bars, a few toiletries that were cheap, and a thing of Juicy Juice as a treat for the kids. All cost me $29 with shipping. Arrives on my arrival day!

 

[k1koala]

I also bring a 6 pack of apple juice as well as the carnation instant breakfast, double zip-locked for my daughter in our checked luggage. Saves lots of money for breakfast. Also if you get the $1.00 cereal bowls at the stores there is no need to pack bowls (cheerios/rice krispies or if you like sweet fruit loops,etc), and you can get spoons at the food court. Thats what I like to get. But I like the idea of the muffins as well, but how to pack them??

 

[LovesTimone]

There is Garden Grocer, that will deliver to your room. Order just what you need. For us this is the simplest, you can get water, soft drinks, adult beverages, fresh fruit...

My friends, uses a small hard sided suit case for their snacks and provision for their trips. They are a family of picky eaters. She bring individual peanut butter and jelly, and flat little bread rounds, she makes home made muffins, brownies, and cookies as well, she use one of those plastic shoe boxes, that you can pick up at Wal-Mart she does use a rubber band round both ways to make sure the top stays on, you can use packing tape as well. Juice boxes or Capri Sun she puts in large zip lock baggies just in case. Granola, cereal bars, pop tarts, individual cereal, chips, cookies, crackers, and hard candy. She said she will never try soft drinks again, it was a disaster, 2 of the 12 pack exploded in during transit. She uses a puppy pad inside to absorb liquids in case. I have heard of people using diaper for this as well.

When our DD's were little we would pick up milk in the store at the resorts, not in the food court.

 

[dcmouse]

I second using Amazon Prime Pantry! We had mostly bottled water, gatorade and soda shipped to the resort, along with some pringles and oreos. One of our favorite lunches ended up being bagels and cream cheese. I packed bagels and they sold cream cheese at Port Orleans FQ, so I'm guessing a lot of the Disney resorts have it. I brought cereal, apples, a bag of mini carrots, granola bars, fruit snacks, and stuff for peanut butter and honey sandwiches. It was SO nice not having to track down a place to eat lunch every day when the kiddos were hungry, but anxious to get on the next ride!

 

[ShanAAE]

I plan to pack a little cooler and check it. Southwest allows two free checked bags. Figure the baggage compartment is cold and with some ice packs all will be well, no different than a picnic. Going to freeze some juice boxes and gogurt for the kids to act as freezer bags. Also will freeze a brick or two of cheese as that thaws nicely. Plan to throw some lunch meat for sandwiches, grapes and carrots.
For dinner I will pack cans of spaghetti sauce and some noodles, still thinking of additional ideas.
Breakfast I will pack a box of cereal (buy milk there), oatmeal, possibly frozen egg muffins but I'm not sure on that yet.
I will pack a loaf of bread in a box so it doesn't get smashed up.
Snacks are easy. Microwave popcorn is always nice (you can use microwaves in the food court).

 

[ShanAAE]

ALSO: We may ship from amazon if the suitcase is overly heavy. The prime is always a good deal, but I've been looking at the "Prime Pantry" box... many things are priced equal or cheaper than regular stores and the box ships for $5. An option for those of us checking bags. You can have the package arrive before you

 

[ShanAAE]

Staples is good for non perishable items, sign up for their rewards (free) and they will ship to your hotel as well... they do have cases of water! Florida water can have a sulphur type smell, fine to drink but something to be aware of (plus you need a bottle to carry it in)

 

[nalajms]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to pack a box of capri suns in your luggage with SW? Is there any types of food that not allowed checked or carried on?

I freeze them and pack them with my "cold" items like cream cheese and yogurt! check luggage only. I was told by security at MCO that I could get through with frozen-solid capri suns, but once they are liquid they have to be tossed.

Does anyone know how much an individual milk is in the food court? If it's cheap enough I'll just grab a few when we arrive and put them in the room fridge. If not, I can pack some of the individual silk's.

A single serving of low fat milk at the food court will be about $1.60 - 1.99. A Quart at the store is about 2.99. A half gallon is around $3.79.

What about soda? Is it feasible to back the individual plastic bottles in a checked bag?

I have packed bottled water, but I wouldn't pack soda. If you do, triple wrap it in plastic bags!

 

[ShanAAE]

Staples and amazon have coke and pepsi products... I would ship them or pack them in a small cooler. I wouldn't want it to ruin everything else. I know they have carbonated beverages on planes but it still makes me nervous. I agree, triple bag if you throw them in!