No more loose ice starting May 1

[iowamomof4]

I think it's a slip-and-fall risk. You take something out of your cooler, a couple of ice cubes fall on the sidewalk, and it creates a slip risk.

I think it makes more sense that loose ice is difficult for security to screen effectively. Too easy to hide things in the bottom of a cooler packed with loose ice. Plus, it's a safety hazard for security to be digging through it blind.
EDIT: Especially when you add on the fact that Disney says you can get loose ice from quick service places inside the park for your cooler. Makes me think they just need you to get through security without it.

 

[danlb_2000]

Guests with ice will be required to walk through a special tunnel heated to 120 degrees. (11 degrees hotter than the rest of us are experiencing at WDW in the summer)

... or just ride the Skyliner. Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Nemo14]

This change is effective today. The smoking and stroller changes are May 1.

I assume all the hotel guests were notified of this then?

 

[Nemo14]

... or just ride the Skyliner. Sorry, couldn't resist.

wait, aren't they air-conditioned???

 

[mikejs78]

So what I have done is bring ice to keep formula / milk cold for our son (10 mos for first trip, 21 mos for second). Now, I filled up a quart size ziptop bag full of ice from the ice machine. I had no way of bringing in the formula otherwise as I can't freeze it in the hotel. How would I go about doing this now? Getting ice in the park isn't an option because the formula or milk would be bad by the time we got there.

Not sure they thought this through for parents of infants...

 

[danyoung56]

Invest in some cooling glasses, that you keep in the fridge. They have the same stuff as ice packs, only the stuff fits in a lining around the glass. Put the glass in the fridge the night before to freeze, and then keep your liquids cold all day.

 

[Mickey5150]

I can see this as Disney's way of restricting outside food and drinks without banning it. Not many freezers in WDW hotel rooms.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

So what I have done is bring ice to keep formula / milk cold for our son (10 mos for first trip, 21 mos for second). Now, I filled up a quart size ziptop bag full of ice from the ice machine. I had no way of bringing in the formula otherwise as I can't freeze it in the hotel. How would I go about doing this now? Getting ice in the park isn't an option because the formula or milk would be bad by the time we got there.

Not sure they thought this through for parents of infants...

We use Hydroflask water bottles. My 3 year old will only drink milk. Refuses to drink water or juice. The hydroflask keeps it ice cold all day. Sometimes I’ll add my own ice to the bottle as well.

 

[Walt d]

wait, aren't they air-conditioned???

Only if its cloudy and the wind is blowing ...

 

[iowamomof4]

So what I have done is bring ice to keep formula / milk cold for our son (10 mos for first trip, 21 mos for second). Now, I filled up a quart size ziptop bag full of ice from the ice machine. I had no way of bringing in the formula otherwise as I can't freeze it in the hotel. How would I go about doing this now? Getting ice in the park isn't an option because the formula or milk would be bad by the time we got there.

Not sure they thought this through for parents of infants...

You may be able to keep the ice in baggies, or you can use the bagged ice until you get to security and then get new ice inside the park. The formula wouldn't have to be off ice for long that way (unless you're rope dropping and the time from security to inside the park is around an hour).

 

[Janir]

This puts paid to my plan of a cooler container for my own cold drinks as Disney and filling it up with some ice machine ice. At least they will be my own and not $4 a bottle. Heck the wife likes warm diet soda anyways. I can stick a few water bottles in the small fridge 'freezer' but at best they will get partially frozen for each day. Well it is what it is. Parents with baby formula as mikejs78 says will have the real problem.

 

[LuvWDW2]

We use Hydroflask water bottles. My 3 year old will only drink milk. Refuses to drink water or juice. The hydroflask keeps it ice cold all day. Sometimes I’ll add my own ice to the bottle as well.

Thanks for this. I just ordered from Amazon

 

[iowamomof4]

You may be able to keep the ice in baggies, or you can use the bagged ice until you get to security and then get new ice inside the park. The formula wouldn't have to be off ice for long that way (unless you're rope dropping and the time from security to inside the park is around an hour).

I just saw a post in a FB group from Disney Destinations responding to a question (possibly on the TA site?) saying that baggies of ice will be permitted. Sorry if that sounds too much like the telephone game (a friend of a friend of a friend told my 3rd cousin that...), but I believe it. Hopefully we'll get official clarification soon, but it sounds like you'll be okay.

 

[jt04]

I figured out a Disneyesque solution.

Invent ice pack vending machines that function like the rechargeable battery vending machines. Put them in the hotels and the parks. They could be shaped like Mickey heads.

Solved.

 

[DisneyFreak]

 

[larryz]

I figured out a Disneyesque solution.

Invent ice pack vending machines that function like the rechargeable battery vending machines. Put them in the hotels and the parks. They could be shaped like Mickey heads.

Solved.

What happens when your first batch never comes back?

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Thanks for this. I just ordered from Amazon

You’re welcome. We’ve been using ours for about 5 years now. Not only at Disney but zoo trips and whatnot. Just make sure your beverage goes in the temperature you want it. If you put warm water in, then put the bottle in the fridge, it won’t cool the water because of how well insulated it is. Might be common knowledge to some but I found out the hard way when I was drinking warm lemonade the next day

 

[jt04]

What happens when your first batch never comes back?

same with the batteries. Initial charge covers cost. After that swapping is free of at minimal cost to exchange.

 

[larryz]

same with the batteries. Initial charge covers cost. After that swapping is free of at minimal cost to exchange.

You better buy LOTS and LOTS of that first stock -- and be prepared to re-order often.

In other words, I expect this will happen.

 

[ppete1975]

But this same thing happens more frequently from drink cups (especially without lids) and outdoors carts. And Disney themeselves is still encouraging guests to get cups of ice from quick service locations.

well, you have to provide free water and ice or you could have a public relations issue. Someone has heat exhaustion or gets really sick and you didn't provide water or ice it can be a bad deal.
There might even be a law.. but not sure.