If you are looking for the best picnic spots at Disney World then you’ve come to the rest place! We love a good Disney World picnic, and not only is it a great way to save money but it’s also fun to sit, snack, and take a breather during a long day!
We’ve found the perfect spots in each park for you to have a Disney picnic, and they all will allow you to people watch, enjoy the parks, and relax. So keep reading and discover our favorite picnic spots, and even some tips on what to bring!
How to Have a Picnic at Disney World
Yes, you can have a picnic at Disney World, and you are welcome to bring in your own food, drinks, and snacks. Disney World is fairly chill about this, so it’s great if you are looking to save a little money on your next Disney trip by bringing your own food in.
Annual Passholders and locals love to bring in our own food too, because sometimes you just don’t want “park food,” or don’t want to sit down at a restaurant. And people with special dietary needs may also find it easier to supply some of their own food during a trip.
Disney allows you to bring in food and nonalcoholic drinks, as long as they aren’t in glass containers, and don’t require any kind of extra cooking/heating/refrigeration. The only glass containers that are allowed are small baby food jars. Granola bars, chips/crackers, sandwiches, and bottles of water/beverages are all great things to bring with you.
We have a detailed article about what food to bring to Disney, and how to do it here if you want more info!
What to Use to Bring in Your Picnic Items
You don’t just need to find the perfect picnic spots at Disney, but you also have to know how to bring in your food. Disney does allow bags and coolers, but they must obey certain dimensions. Bags/coolers cannot be any larger than 24″ long x 15″ wide x 18″ high (61cm x 38cm x 46cm). This gives you a pretty good sized bag to be able to bring in your picnic lunch.
We recommend a sturdy bag/cooler, preferably insulated. A cooler backpack is also great for bringing in your own food, and makes it easier to carry around as well before your picnic. If you want some of our specific recommendations, check out our article on the best bags for Disney here.
Just a note, Disney doesn’t allow loose ice or dry ice in any bags/coolers. Disney and I both recommend reusable ice packs for your coolers! You’ll also want to let security know that you are bringing in food, because they will check it upon entry.
Best Disney World Picnic Spots
When it comes to finding the best Disney World picnic spots, I think you should look for great views, ambiance, and space. It’s so easy to feel like the parks are packed, and people are everywhere, and it’s hard to slow down. Having a break in one of these places will help you slow down, people watch, and enjoy a different type of Disney day.
You also do not have to eat park food while at Disney. It’s fine to bring in your own food for a meal, and maybe just grab a beverage, snack, or dessert from Disney. We love quick service, snack carts, and bakeries/coffee shops for less expensive ways to indulge at Disney without breaking the bank.
Best Picnic Spot at Magic Kingdom
The best Disney World picnic spot at Magic Kingdom might be easy to figure out if you love this park – the hub grass! Sitting in the hub is the best place to have a picnic lunch at Disney, and it’s such a great place to chill, people watch, and relax on a beautiful day! You cannot beat the view of the castle, the stage, and all the people passing through the hub.
The hub grass is located right in front of Cinderella Castle at the end of Main Street, and there are openings on both the left and right sides. You can sit in front of Casey’s Corner/The Crystal Palace on the left (if you’re facing the castle), or in front of The Plaza and Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on the right.
If you’re looking to supplement what you brought with you, I suggest stop at Casey’s for corn dog nuggets, Main Street Bakery for Starbucks items, or my personal favorite, head to the left and get spring rolls at the cart right outside of Adventureland – whether it’s the pizza ones or seasonal ones, they’re always good!
Best Picnic Spot at EPCOT
The best Disney World picnic spot at EPCOT is relatively new, and has opened up after the completion of the World Celebration section of EPCOT. This is directly behind Spaceship Earth, and there’s so many tables, benches, and areas to relax that it makes it perfect for a Disney picnic. There’s even music and flowers, giving this area some great ambiance.
If you walk into EPCOT from the main entrance, head behind Spaceship Earth and you will find World Celebration. This area is well decorated, and sitting here to picnic gives you the chance to enjoy shade, take in Spaceship Earth, and even enjoy “The Dreamer” statue of Walt Disney.
This is such a great place to relax, have your lunch at Disney, and be tucked away from some of the hustle and bustle of other sections of ECPOT. It’s also a great place to sit and have a snack or coffee too, especially since you’re right by Starbucks and even pass a Joffrey’s coming in to EPCOT. An iced coffee, snack from Connections Eatery, or something from a festival booth is a great add-on to your picnic at this park.
Best Picnic Spot at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios admittedly doesn’t have a lot of hidden areas, or quiet spots, but the best Disney World picnic spot here is more about the views you’ll have while relaxing. Anywhere around Echo Lake is a great place to relax, have your picnic lunch at Disney, and take a break.
Echo Lake is on the left side of the park, and you’ll want to walk in between the Mickey’s of Hollywood and Keystone Clothiers shops to get there. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see a giant boat and a giant green dinosaur. You’ll also be right in front of where the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular takes place.
There are benches and tables you can relax at, and even a little bit of shade from trees, umbrellas, and Gertie’s giant shadow. Echo Lake is also beautiful to sit by, and you’ll be out of the main walkway that’s near the Chinese Theater. We suggest grabbing a little snack from Dockside Diner, Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction, or Epic Eats. You can’t go wrong with hot dogs, ice cream, and funnel cakes!
Best Picnic Spot at Animal Kingdom
When it comes to Disney World picnic spots, Animal Kingdom not only has the most areas to relax in, but they may also have the best place to have a picnic! There’s a giant open air theater in the Asia section of this park, and it’s got tons of seating and is right on the water.
Located in front of Expedition Everest, this giant theater and lake used to host the multiple (failed) shows at Animal Kingdom. Thankfully the area is still open, and it’s the perfect place to take a break and have a picnic lunch! There’s no shortage of bench seating here, and you’ll be able to see both the Forbidden Mountain and the Tree of Life from here, and the views are amazing.
While here, grab a drink or snack at the Thirsty River Bar. And if you’re looking for a great ending a to picnic, I suggest stopping by Anandapur Ice Cream Truck – it’s close by, bright blue and beautiful, and ice cream is always a great way to finish off a meal on a hot Disney day!
We hope that our best Disney World picnic spots and tips inspires you to have your own Disney picnic on your trip! You’re not obligated to eat a restaurant, and you can slow down on your trips and take time to enjoy the views. Disney World is beautiful, and sometimes a picnic lunch is a great way to be able to sit down and truly take it in.
Do you love having picnics at Disney? Or do you already have a favorite spot for one? Let us know in the comments!
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