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One of the most confusing facets of going to a theme park are the varying food policy rules that surround each park. Some parks allow food in, some have restrictions, and others won’t let you in unless it’s medically necessary. So, I figured it would make life a lot easier for everyone if I compiled as many of the food policies I could find around the United States.
Major note: These food policies are verbatim off their respective websites (not trying to plagiarize anything!).
There are (according to an article I found from 2021) over 475 amusement parks in the U.S. At this time, this is a running list as I get around to adding these food policies. I can’t get all of those parks into this list at this time, but I will at least start off with the major players and the secondary ones in this extremely competitive landscape for your hard earned dollars.
To make searching for the park you’re attending easier, press the Control (ctrl) + F (or if on Mac, cmd + F) buttons simultaneously and type in the park you’re looking for.
Periodically I will update this, but this will not be a priority compared to other blog posts at this time. However, if you have a park you’d like me to add and have the pertinent information to add, please leave a comment down below. Thank you very much for the help if you do!
Adventure Island (FL):
- No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed to be brought into Adventure Island Tampa Bay, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle. Exceptions may be made for Guests with special dietary needs, including food allergies and baby food/formula. Guest should contact Park Security when they arrive at the Park for approval to bring in special dietary foods.
- Most dining venues at Adventure Island offer cafeteria-style service with allergy-friendly options available throughout the park. Feel free to visit Guest Relations or any dining venue to receive an Allergen Card with more details on our Allergy-Friendly program and culinary options that may meet your dietary needs. While none of our restaurants are allergen-free, our team will take the utmost care to ensure that your meal is free from cross-contact. Upon arriving at your chosen food venue, please proceed directly to a cashier and request to speak with a supervisor to explain your allergen concerns in detail. The supervisor can answer your questions and take your food order, to ensure your meal is prepared without any cross-contact.
Aquatica (FL and TX):
- No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed to be brought into Aquatica Orlando, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle. Exceptions may be made for Guests with special dietary needs, including food allergies and baby food/formula. Guest should contact Park Security or Guest Relations when they arrive at the Park for approval to bring in special dietary foods.
- Located at our guest services and main meal facilities will also be Allergen Information Cards. These cards will contain similar information to what is provided through the website including tips for a safe trip, information on a suggested meal facility for your special dietary needs, as well as a chef card for you to fill out. Please pick one of these cards up when you arrive so you can receive all the information you will need to have a safe and enjoyable stay with us.
Busch Gardens (FL and VA):
- No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed to be brought into Busch Garden, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle. Exceptions may be made for Guests with special dietary needs, including food allergies and baby food/formula. Guest should contact Park Security when they arrive at the Park for approval to bring in special dietary foods.
Camden Park (WV):
- Outside vendor food is not permitted! (No pizza, McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, etc.)
- Guests may bring picnic lunches they have prepared and/or coolers into the park. Guests must check in with security and rent a Pavilion to do so.
Canobie Lake (NH):
- No outside food or beverage is allowed in the Park.
Carowinds (NC):
- No outside food or beverage is allowed inside Carowinds. Exceptions can be made for guests with special dietary needs. Grilling in the parking lot is also prohibited.
Cedar Point (OH):
- No outside food, beverages or coolers are allowed to be brought into Cedar Point or Cedar Point Shores Waterpark. Exceptions are made for guests with special dietary needs to include food allergies and baby food and formula. Guests with special dietary needs should stop at Guest Services located at the Main Gate when they arrive at the park.
Diggerland (NJ):
- Outside food and beverages are not allowed into the park except for one clear, unopened bottle of water per guest. Other exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis for baby food, food allergies and medical purposes. Baby food in its original container and baby formula in its original container or in a typical baby bottle may be brought in. Please present these items for inspection at the admission booth / security check.
- Individuals with food allergies may bring in for themselves a small meal or snack (of products not sold in the park). Please ask for a park manager at the admission booth / security check.
- Individuals with medical, dietary or nutritional requirements may bring in for themselves their necessary food and beverage products (of products not sold in the park). Please ask for a park manager at the admission booth / security check.
- In all cases: exceptions will not be made for food or beverage requirements based on ethnic or religious beliefs. Peanuts, peanut products, and glass containers are prohibited. All outside food must be in plastic containers.
- We also offer a handful of picnic tables and shaded areas outside of the park gates for your convenience. So as long as you keep your wristband on you may enter and exit the park as you please.
Discovery Cove (FL):
- Since meals, snacks and beverages are provided with admission to Discovery Cove, no other food, beverages or coolers are permitted.
- Our Park offers several allergen friendly prepackaged items for your special dietary needs. Please contact DCO-GuestRelations@DiscoveryCove.com if you wish to address specific dietary needs.
Disney (Disneyland – CA and Walt Disney World – FL):
- Guests are allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverage items into the park for self-consumption, provided they are not in glass containers and do not require heating, reheating, processing, refrigeration or temperature control and do not have pungent odors.
Dollywood (TN):
- After careful consideration of park policies across the nation, consultation with health and safety experts and much consideration of the welfare of our guests and employees alike, we are unable to allow coolers, food or drinks into Dollywood or Dollywood’s Splash Country. … However, guests are allowed to bring one unopened bottle of water per person.
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (PA):
- For everyone’s safety, guests are not permitted to bring coolers or outside food or beverages into Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom with the exception of one factory sealed bottle of water per person. Exceptions are made for guests with special dietary needs to include food allergies and baby food/formula. Guest should contact Guest Services or Park Security upon arrival for approval to bring in these special dietary foods. Picnic tables are provided in select locations of the parking lot for outside food consumption. Grills and open fires are not allowed.
Dutch Wonderland (PA):
- Dutch Wonderland does not permit food or drink to be brought into the Park, but we do permit one water bottle per person as well as some small snacks to be brought into the park. Picnic lunches can be enjoyed outside the park in our picnic pavilion.
Fun Spot America (GA and FL):
- At Fun Spot, we understand that birthday celebrations are special, so you’re welcome to bring your own birthday cake if you’re hosting a party with us. However, for other occasions, we request that guests do not bring outside food or drinks into the park.
Gatorland (FL):
- No food of any kind is allowed in the park, including animal feed. No coolers, picnic baskets or similar items designed to carry food or beverages.
Gilroy Gardens (CA):
- We respect that some guests are too young to eat anything not prepared at home. Baby food, snacks, small juice packs, and water are always allowed. Please restrict your snacks to one snack bag per child (ages infant – 12 years old). Snacks must be in non-glass containers (6.5 x 5.5 x 2″) and not exceeding 17 oz, a 7 x 7″ Ziploc bag, and/or a bento box style lunch box.
- Food is allowed in the park, however, courtesy picnic tables are outside for use outside of the actual park.
- Exceptions can be made for any dietary need: medical, religious or personal choice. Out of courtesy to all of our guests we ask that outside food remain in the picnic areas located outside the Front Gate.
Hersheypark (PA):
- Other than one sealed water bottle per person, Hersheypark does not permit food or drink to be brought into the Park. Guests can bring in their own refillable water bottle as long as it is empty upon arrival. Guests with special dietary needs can review our food and beverage information.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (IN):
- No food, drinks, or coolers may be brought into the parks. Exceptions include: baby food, formula, and snacks, sealed non-alcoholic beverages in plastic containers (no glass containers or aluminum cans), medically required foods for special dietary needs, soft-sided coolers, no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep. Prohibited items: picnic lunches (inside of the park), alcohol, unsealed water bottles.
- The Lakeside Picnic Shelter (which is entered from the parking lot) is available to Guests wishing to bring picnic lunches and/or snacks (grills are not provided nor may guests bring their own). The Lakeside Picnic Shelter is available on a first-come basis and may not be reserved. Absolutely no alcoholic beverages may be brought onto Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari property.
Island H2O Water Park (FL):
- No outside food or drinks are allowed in the park unless for specific baby, allergy, or medical needs. However, guests are allowed one unopened plastic water bottle (20 oz or less) per person. During the day, these can be refilled with ice and water ONLY at several locations throughout the park. Soft-sided coolers smaller than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep are permitted. All other coolers are prohibited.
Kennywood (PA):
- Outside food is permitted for individual guests to bring into the park. Bulk items or a large equipment for a group lunch or picnic such as sandwich platters, cases of water, rolling coolers, etc. are not permitted. An individual may bring personal items (including food) in either a bag no larger than 15” x 15” x 15” inches or a soft cooler no larger 12” x 12” x 12” inches.
King’s Dominion (VA):
- For everyone’s safety, guests are not permitted to bring coolers, outside food, or other drinks into Kings Dominion. Three shaded picnic areas are available in the guest parking lot. Grills and open fires are not allowed. Individuals who have special diets or need items due to a medical condition are asked to visit Guest Services located at the Front Gate for accommodation.
Kings Island (OH):
- No outside food, beverages or coolers are allowed to be brought into Kings Island or Soak City Water Park. Exceptions are made for Guests with special dietary needs to include food allergies and baby food and formula. Guests with special dietary needs should stop at Guest Services located at the Front Gate when they arrive at the Park.
Knoebels Amusement Park (PA):
- Feel free to pack your own picnic. Just remember, no alcohol or glass bottles.
Knott’s Berry Farm & Knott’s Soak City (CA):
- Unopened and empty water bottles, baby food and food for guests with special dietary restrictions are permitted. No other outside food, drink or snack items are permitted in Knott’s Berry Farm or Knott’s Soak City. Items not allowed in the park include radios, stereos, luggage, and large coolers (larger than 1′ x 1′ x 1′).
Lake Compounce (CT):
- Guests are welcome to bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverage items into the park, provided they are in a soft cooler that does not to exceed 12”x12”x12”. Hard-sided coolers are not allowed into Lake Compounce.
Lake Winnepesaukah (GA):
- Alcoholic beverages and glass containers are not permitted on Lake Winnepesaukah property.
- Outside catering, fast food, or other commercially prepared food of any type is not permitted!
- Coolers with homemade picnic lunches are welcome in the Amusement Park. All coolers must stay in the Picnic Grounds.
- Grills, grilling, or any kind of food preparation is not allowed on the premises.
- Crock Pots, slow cookers, warming trays, anything that produces heat or has an open flame is not permitted.
Legoland (NY, CA, FL):
- Outside coolers, food and beverages may be brought into the park under certain guidelines (listed below). Alcohol may not be brought onto LEGOLAND property.
- Acceptable items: bottled water, small lunch snacks and meals that do not require heating, any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements, any food required for special dietary needs, baby food/baby formula, soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
- Prohibited items: coolers/bags with wheels, not to exceed 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep (allowed only for school groups), food that requires heating or refrigeration, alcohol and glass containers, hard-sided coolers, soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep.
Luna Park in Coney Island (NY):
- Alcoholic beverages purchased in Luna Park in Coney Island must be consumed on premises. No outside alcohol is permitted inside the park. All patrons are required to produce valid identification to purchase adult beverages, and no one under the age of 21 will be served. Please drink responsibly. Guests who appear intoxicated will be asked to leave and escorted from the park without refund.
Nickelodeon Universe (NJ):
- Food and beverage purchased in the center are permitted at Nickelodeon Universe during your visit. Light refreshments, snacks and beverages are available for purchase. Cakes, catered food, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside Nickelodeon Universe.
Peppa Pig Theme Park (FL and TX):
- Guests can bring food and beverages into the park under certain guidelines: bottled Water, small lunch snacks and meals that do not require heating; any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements; any food required for special dietary needs, baby food/baby formula. Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.4′ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep.
- Prohibited Items: Coolers/bags with wheels, not to exceed 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep (allowed only for school groups); Food that requires heating or refrigeration; alcohol and glass containers;hHard-sided coolers.
Quassy Amusement Park (CT):
- No grills, alcohol or glass containers may be brought into the park.
- I sent a chat and received this response to expound: “We do allow you to bring coolers, food, and drinks … into the park. … If you are coming to the park for a birthday party, catered event, carnival, or other private events, we do not allow coolers, food, and drinks into these events.”
Santa’s Village (NH):
- Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own picnic lunches; however, glass, grills, alcohol, and narcotics are prohibited. Picnic tables are located throughout the park.
SeaWorld (FL, CA, TX):
- No outside food, beverages, or coolers are allowed to be brought into SeaWorld, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle. Exceptions may be made for Guests with special dietary needs, including food allergies and baby food/formula. Guest should contact Park Security or Guest Relations when they arrive at the Park for approval to bring in special dietary foods.
Sesame Place (PA):
- No outside food is allowed to be brought into Sesame Place, except you may bring a bottle of water or a refillable water bottle. Exceptions may be made for Guests with special dietary needs, including food allergies and baby food/formula. Guests with special dietary needs or food allergies can bring items in a cooler no larger than 12” x 12” in size. Guest should contact AllergenFriendlySPL@seaworld.com 3 days prior to their visit to make accommodations.
- Food Allergies: https://sesameplace.com/philadelphia/help/allergen-information
Silver Dollar City (MO):
- Yes. You are welcome to bring snacks, beverages and even small coolers with you into Silver Dollar City. We just ask that you exclude any glass containers or alcoholic beverages.
Silverwood (ID):
- You may bring in a soft-sided 12″ x 12″ x 12″ cooler with small snacks and/or a personal lunch. Also, you may bring in factory sealed, non-alcoholic beverages.
Six Flags (13 locations):
- Food, beverages, coolers and grills may not be brought into the theme park. The only food exceptions are for food allergies as described below and infant food, in non-glass jars. The use of grills and open flames, are strictly prohibited, in and around the property, including parking lots.
- Food Allergies: Guests who suffer from sensitivities or life-threatening allergies may bring food into the park if they do not feel comfortable with the menu options available. In this case, the food must be limited to the individual with the allergy and may contain: two sealable sandwich bags (7×8 inches) and one snack to accommodate their visit (such as a piece of fruit, or a fruit bar, or a snack that fits in a sandwich bag). One small soft-sided cooler may be brought into the park to carry these items. No outside beverages are permitted. Please see Security at screening to receive a medical sticker.
Splish Splash (NY):
- No outside foods or beverages are allowed within Splish Splash besides unopened bottles of water. (They do offer outside picnic tables if you choose to eat outside of the park gates).
Storybook Land (NJ):
- Yes. The partially-covered picnic area is available for use throughout the day. No personal grills or alcoholic beverages are permitted. You may bring picnic food that is food prepared from home. Outside commercial food is not allowed.
Universal Studios (CA and FL):
- Acceptable Items: bottled water (maximum 2 liters per guest), small snacks that do not require heating, any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements, any food required for special dietary needs, baby food/baby formula, soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep.
- Prohibited Items: glassware or glass containers, open containers or drinks containing alcohol, hard-sided coolers, soft-sided containers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep, picnic lunches; any food that requires heating or refrigeration; folding chairs.
Valleyfair (MN):
- Outside food, beverages (exception: water-see below), or coolers are not allowed to be brought into Valleyfair or Soak City Waterpark. Exceptions are made for Guests with special dietary needs, including food allergies, baby food, and formula. Guests with special dietary needs should stop at Guest Services located at the Front Gate when they arrive at the park.
- Valleyfair allows guests to bring in one factory sealed bottle of water or empty water bottle per person. Then simply refill your water bottle throughout the day.
Have a park you’d like Theme Park Bites to add? Let us know in the comments.
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