i was wondering if you all could help. i am taking dd to a huge water park on saturday fo rher b-day. i read the policy of this park. they search your bags for food because they want you to purchase their over priced junk (*fried) foods there. i always try to pack healthy snacks for day-long events like this but it looks like i am going to be subject to a search (how insane!). any suggestions?
i was thinking i would make a big healthy breakfast for everyone. try to get by on bottled water for 5-6 hours, and then go out to a restaurant with healthy choices. hope we can hang in there for 5-6 hours.
help!!! need strategies!!!

I'm wait too late to comment about this for the amusement rides - loved the feminine hygiene suggestion and remember when I got a classroom of boys to shut up when they asked me to empty my pockets - SURPRISE! when I did.

The water bottle comments reminded me of a suggestion I received and used when I flew recently. I took an EMPTY bottle for water. I had no problem getting past security with that - even at JFK - and then I went directly to drinking fountain to refill the bottle rather than spend an absorbent price for one at the airport.

Linda

Isabel,

I do not know about the park that you are going to, BUT every amusement park that we have been to in the past 6 years has said "No outside food or drinks" and "Bags will be searched". I still continue to pack the snacks in plain site, and water bottles too, I have never had anything taken from me. The only time I had a snack and water bottle confiscated was at an arena for an event. (And I was hoppin' mad, but ended up coughin' up the $3 for a water bottle that I continued to refill throughout the day at the water fountain....had a security guard try to tell me that they don't allow that.....I asked to speak to someone in managment. Told them that I am hypoglycemic and am to remain extremely hydrated and eat healthy foods throughout the day...I didn't have enough money to spend on new water bottles and snacks in their facility, and that I would never be returning for an event at their facility because it was "hazardous to my health". THey promptly gave me food vouchers to get me through the day on water bottles, and also comped me whatever snacks I needed. Since that time I have been to that arena 2 other times and have not been asked to throw my snacks away.

I would encourage you to be honest, don't try to hide food, if they tell you you can't take it in, tell them you'd like to talk to a manager.

i'd call about food allergies. I personally do have them as does ds. You could play a card I have...say.." I think a park either has to say they will accomodate w/ resteraunts (Disney is fantastic this way) or let you bring your own food." Not saying that i'd lie necessarily- as they might as for a doctor note...Also perhaps they will have some descent things like baked chips. I am constantly amazed at the things I have been finding lately that are healthy in the strangest places.... call and ask ahead.

all good advice. thanks so much! i am going to try cooler in the car, and also the femine products (wow, that is pretty cool)

sheri in va: i totally agree. what about folks with food allergies? i mean...come on. i think these categorical policies about searching are ridiculous. there are enough people who love amusement park food who will keep the businesses thriving, i am sure. should not punish the rest of us for bring in a few apples and trail mix!
thanks all!

I rarely eat a whole meal in any park. It's sooo expensive and it's hard to find better choices (although it HAS improved in the last few years).

I take a cooler and get out of the park for a while to eat. It also serves as a nice break from the hustle and noise of the park.

If I decide to cough up enough money to actually eat out, I go someplace local outside of the park. Better food, less cost, and usually I don't need to keep antacids in the car.

Our amusement park here in Denver doesn't allow outside food either (although there isn't a rigourous search that would expose something like granola bars or nuts and stuff like that in the bottom of a bag/purse). The last time I went, we did picnic out in the parking lot (they actually have a few tables out there but we didn't get one).

What kinds of snacks were you hoping to take? Since it is a water park, what if you wrapped some stuff up in the towels and then used some sort of tie/bungie cord to keep it rolled up if they wanted to take the towel out of the bag? If they find it, plead ignorance and take it back to the car.

Peg

The last time we went to an amusement park (a 6 flags place) there was one restaurant that actually had salads. We ate there.

You could probably check ahead of time and see what types of foods are available and if there really is nothing, go with Dawn's suggestion and pack a cooler and leave it in the car (and park near the picnic area).

quote:

Originally posted by fbroadie:
The tried and true method for food smuggling in concert situations is to put the food at the bottom of your purse then fill the rest of it with feminine hygine products. The when you are in the purse check lane, pick the one with the guy searching. 9 times out of 10 they will take one look at the top of your contents and not touch them.

LOVE it, and so true.

Dawn

The tried and true method for food smuggling in concert situations is to put the food at the bottom of your purse then fill the rest of it with feminine hygine products. The when you are in the purse check lane, pick the one with the guy searching. 9 times out of 10 they will take one look at the top of your contents and not touch them.

We went to King's Island in Cincy, OH a few weeks ago, and we packed a cooler and kept it in the car. You can exit and re-enter the park. So we went back to the car for lunch.

Dawn

That searching your bags for food thing sounds insane to me, esp. given that there are a lot of diabetics in the world who need to have a certain kind of food at certain times. I get searching bags for weapons or drugs, but not for food.

I don't have any advice, just agreeing with you that the policy is nutty.

I go to Great America every year. They search bags there, too. I always take a BUNCH of oranges (as I go with 20 kids) and have never had them taken away.

Personally, I couldn't go 5-6 hours and not eat. It would backfire on me and I'd REALLY, REALLY overeat at the next meal.

There isn't THAT great of food at Great America... but I'm usually there 8-9 hours and have one meal there and a dessert... since it is one meal a year... it isn't that big of a deal.

Have a great day at the park!

PS... Great America's web site says no outside food either... but in 5 years... I've never had my oranges taken away from me. However, your milage may vary.

http://www3.cedarfair.com/greatamerica/visit/visit_tips.cfm

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,

Your plan sounds good. If you get hungry, you could always have one snack in the middle of the day -- something that you really like that could be a treat and keep everyone going until it's time for dinner. You don't want to cut your visit short because everyone's hungry and crabby.