Disneyland's food ban causes controversy

The latest rule regarding the possession of food at Shanghai Disneyland has caused controversy among local visitors.

As of Nov 15, visitors to the park could no longer bring their own food into the premises, a customer service representative from Shanghai Disneyland told China Daily USA.

The representative added that visitors can still enter the premises with baby food and non-alcoholic drinks that are less than 600 ml.

According to Shanghai Disneyland, the rules are reviewed regularly to help improve the resort's operations. Earlier, packaged food that are unopened were permitted.

While the theme park offers a wide selection of food options for people with different budgets, many visitors still complained about the prohibitive pricing.

"It costs me 85 yuan ($12.8) for a bowl of Japanese udon, and 88 yuan for a fish burger," said Ma Jie, who has been to Shanghai Disneyland twice. "If I can bring similar foods bought from a noodle soup or fast food restaurant, I'll save over 130 yuan.

"Also, in terms of food safety and nutrition, especially for children, food cooked and fruits washed by ourselves are definitely healthier than outside food," Ma added.

Other visitors, however, empathized with Shanghai Disney, saying that the new rule allows the park to standardize its management.

"More outside food means more garbage in the park. This new rule could help to solve this problem," said Li Shi, who visited Shanghai Disneyland last weekend.

"Besides, we can still enjoy our own food and drinks in the area conveniently located outside the main entrance before re-entering the park," he added.

Not all theme parks in Shanghai prohibit visitors from bringing their own food. Happy Valley, a chain theme park which opened in the city in 2009, allows visitors to do so.

caochen@chinadaily.com.cn