Tips about Food & Beverage and Packing

If you are making your own drinks adding sugar or Kool-Aid powder to gallon water jugs, be sure to pack a funnel from home. I did this on the last trip and it made adding the powder and sugar to the containers a cinch! - Wendy Wilson

When we went to WDW on vacation last year, I packed one suitcase full of snacks and non-perishable food (i.e. mini cereal boxes, cereal bars, various pre-packaged snack packs, juice boxes). Our entire family was able to eat a quick breakfast before going to the parks, have mid-day park munchies, and late evening snacks. The suitcase was then used to bring home dirty laundry at the end of the trip. - Julie Duffy

When we went to WDW on vacation last year, I packed one suitcase full of snacks and non-perishable food (i.e. mini cereal boxes, cereal bars, various pre-packaged snack packs, juice boxes). Our entire family was able to eat a quick breakfast before going to the parks, have mid-day park munchies, and late evening snacks. The suitcase was then used to bring home dirty laundry at the end of the trip. - Julie Duffy

My wife and I like to do a "monorail meal" when we visit: We get a salad at the Polynesian, get on the monorail, then stop at Grand Floridian for the main course. Then we get back on the monorail, and stop at the Contemporary for dessert. This is for people who have visited often, want to spend time out of the parks, spend a little shopping time in each hotel and just take your time. Start early! - Ford Adam

ANIMAL KINGDOM - A lot of people just run right by Pizzafari on the way to the Safari. My friends had been there 3 times and never knew what Pizzafari even was. The building blends in with the tropical plants and trees. It is awesome inside. The most themed quick food restaurant I have seen in Disney World. When you finally take your eyes off the ceiling, floors and walls (I love the snails and frogs!) you will notice they have great food for sale. - Elaine Taddeo

When I traveled to Disney World last September, my wife (who could not go because she was very pregnant) packed our 4-year-old's clothes in gallon-size Ziploc bags. Julie, my wife, put a set of clothes (shirt, shorts, underwear, and socks) in each bag. Each morning my 4-year-old could see the bags and pick which shirt to wear for the day. The bags work great because you can squeeze most of the air out and keep the clothes dry. We also did this on the Disney Cruise in January '03. It works great! - Rusty Burns

On www.mcdonalds.com, there is a trip planning feature that will map your route and give you the locations of all McDonald's within even .5 miles. It also tells you if there is a PlayPlace and Drive-Thru. This is invaluable for those of us driving two 4-year-olds for 24+ hours. Go to the restaurant locator and scroll down to Trip Planner. - Laurie

I think a lot of times people forget (or do not know) that there is a Wal-Mart pretty close to WDW, in Kissimmee. We have been there on many of our trips, and they have a lot of great Disney T-shirts and souvenirs, not to mention that they're one of the cheapest places to buy food and sunscreen. - Christy R. Tripp

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you're driving from the airport and want a grocery stop, be sure to check out our directions page, which includes area stores: http://allears.net/pl/directions.php

Food & BeverageSouvenirs

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A tip for those times during the year when it rains every day: Each morning we packed our "rain backpack" with a poncho for everyone (four of us), as well as a couple of old ripped ponchos. But most importantly, we included a pair of water shoes or water sandals (Teva-like) for everyone. On the way to the park there was one backpack per person. However, our first stop in the parks was to rent a locker and put the "rain backpack" into a locker. Then when rain threatened or we got caught in the rain (since we had umbrellas with us) we would head to the locker to trade our sneakers for the sandals and ponchos. Then after the rain, we would switch back to our sneakers if we wanted. We also found we stayed the driest if we wore our backpacks on our chests, allowing the poncho to cover us and the backpack, and also used the umbrellas. At least for us, the umbrellas did not seem awkward or cumbersome -- it was actually easier to be careful to avoid fellow guests than having our heads heating up inside the poncho hoods that very much limited our vision. Inside the attractions we had the extra ponchos to place on the wet seats and wrap up the wet umbrellas for stuffing into the "rain backpack." Pam Knoop

If you don't want your cookies smashed and your bread turned into dough, you could pack in a hard-sided suitcase -- or do what we do. We put all of our crushable items into Tupperware or Rubbermaid bowls, and then wrap them in our clothes. Your snacks don't get smashed, and you don't have to worry about your clothes being full of crumbs. On the return trip, if I have anything breakable, I put it in the Tupperware surrounded by socks. It arrives home safe and sound. Jane

The portions at full service restaurants are typically very large. We order 1 or 2 appetizers and a dessert, or one entree and one appetizer and share. We get plenty to eat and save quite a bit on the food budget. In addition, there are no leftovers to tote around the park! - Timeless Tip o' the Week brought to you bywww.themouseforless.com and Mickey Birt

If you like a big breakfast, the best deal in the parks is at the Trail's End Buffeteria at Fort Wilderness. It has the same general menu as many of the other buffets, but no characters, plus the price is only $15.99 per adult! Also, if you want the food at Hoop-De-Doo and don't want to pay $50+ per person to go, the supper menu at Trail's End is EXACTLY the same food for about $23 per adult. - Timeless Tip o' the Week brought to you by www.themouseforless.com and Mickey Birt

Pack some bandannas in your suitcase. They don't take up much space and can be used for quick identification of your car in the parking lots (tie on the antenna), your rental stroller (tie on the handle), or your kids! Also handy as hats, napkins, entertainment (peek-a-boo, etc.). You can even sew matching bandannas for the family. - Timeless Tip o' the Week brought to you by www.themouseforless.com with the help of Jeannette and Carla

Save money by ordering water instead of sodas when you dine. It's better for you, and the savings can allow you to purchase one or more desserts to split. Everyone knows Disney has great desserts! - Jane

Bring a soft-sided cooler for your room and fill it with ice from the ice machines to keep beverages and food cold. If you use large zip-top bags to hold the ice, you will keep the contents dry and make it easier to change the ice. This is a way you can keep the fixings for a quick, inexpensive breakfast in the room, and beer or wine for the evening. - Daisimae