Bringing extra drinks on the DDP

[mommymanda]

Our vacation is set for the end of August. This is our 3rd trip (other two were same time of year) and happily the first where I will not need a stroller and could possibly even travel bagless

We are on the DDP and a family of five 13, 7, 5 year old.

I am trying to determine whether we should bring along a small soft cooler bag with extra drinks. Just a bottle of water and juice for each of us. Avoids the temptation of using our snack credit for a drink.

Will we need it? Hubby and I tend to bring along our mugs as we grab caffine for the bus ride to the park, and than refill at water stations through the day...but won't be as cold and kids won't drink it with the coffee taste.

I know our CS meals include a drink we can carry after if need be. However, pop is not going to be what we are wanting when the temperatures rise.

How do others deal with this? I think a small bag is a good idea, but hubby wants to have nothing to carry the trip.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Any counter service or snack location with fountain soft drinks will give you cups of ice water for free. All you have to do is go up and ask. That's what we do. We cannot stand having to lug a bag around the parks. We travel very light. Wife carries a small crossover (crossbody...whatever the heck they're called) purse, and that's it.

 

[buzzrelly]

Any counter service or snack location with fountain soft drinks will give you cups of ice water for free. All you have to do is go up and ask. That's what we do. We cannot stand having to lug a bag around the parks. We travel very light. Wife carries a small crossover (crossbody...whatever the heck they're called) purse, and that's it.

We do this too, and it works out great. Even if there is a long line with people waiting to order, the CM usually directs us to the side. The cups of water are usually already filled and waiting. DD doesn't love plain water, so she brings a tiny little Kool-Aid squirt bottle with her and it's perfect. Much easier than carrying a cooler all day.

 

[sharonabe]

We got the Brita water bottles and attached a carabiner to them. We attach them to our belt loops and use them all day by filling with the free cups of water from the CS locations.

 

[Aliceacc]

We order 2 cases of water for the 5 of us for a weeklong trip.

Each of us starts the day with a cold bottle of water. We do a mid day break, so anyone who feels like carrying one can refill for the evening. Beyond that, we buy a bottle now and then as needed. Everyone carries their own stuff.

That said, I still carry a bag (though I bought a much smaller one for this trip.) I want a place for a poncho, for a mister, and for whatever else.

My husband is a photographer when he's not teaching. So he'll have at least a small camera bag regardless.

 

[happymommy]

I carry a purse regardless of where I go, so wouldn't ever go without anything.

I get free ice water as well. Way easier than carrying it.

I'd bring a stroller for a 5 year old, but every family is different!

We find with the dining plan, we always have extra snacks left over. So, if someone wants to get a drink, frozen lemonade, whatever, we'd just use the credit for it next trip! My daughter loves iced coffee, so I'm sure she'll get a Starbucks one often!

I don't think you need to bring a cooler around with you personally.

We do get bottled water for the room, though.

 

[Cupcakesmum]

Really I wouldn't bother, especially if you don't have a stroller to stow them in. I have 4 kids and it's really not worth the pain to lug a cooler |(even with the stroler) as things heat up soooo fast in the Florida sun even in a soft cooler. Get some ice water from a CS if you really need it. I'm with your husband on this one. When we're finally liberated from the stroller I'm packing LIGHT!

 

[Nancyg56]

I agree with those who say just get your free filtered water fom CS restaurants. They provide it to whoever asks.

 

[biminibigblue]

the drinks on your CS meals don't have to be soda... you can get bottled water instead.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I tend to bring a water bottle and refill as needed.

I don't like to get a cup of water with no where to put it. But I have to use a scooter, so that means I either drink it down or drive with one hand. Neither is very appealing to me.

 

[Nancyg56]

I tend to bring a water bottle and refill as needed.

I don't like to get a cup of water with no where to put it. But I have to use a scooter, so that means I either drink it down or drive with one hand. Neither is very appealing to me.

Yes, the logistics are more difficult for you. Still teh water is free and you can fill your bottle. The bottled water was a cost that we no longer assume. Filling a bottle is so much cheaper!

 

[GillianP1301]

I carry a small backpack that has a drink holder and we bring a water bottle with us and refill as needed (just my DS & I, so easy to share). We do 3 TS most days, so we refill it when we eat and that really cuts down on the use of snack credits for beverages.

 

[12disneybee]

Florida water is disgusting
Take the cooler!

 

[NicoleLarson]

Instead of a cooler, I would take a backpack but yes, I would bring water and some snacks. It will be incredibly hot during that time. Last year, my shoes melted just walking on the pavement. I thought they broke and the sole was coming loose so I took them off on the room and when I went to grab them the next day to throw away the soles were back together, now just lopsided. Also the hot glue on my DD hairbow melted and the bow came off....that's how hot we are talking. So yeah, bring water.

 

[Duckiedee]

the drinks on your CS meals don't have to be soda... you can get bottled water instead.

This is a really great idea too. Can you get bottled water in TS restaurants? I'm just thinking - drink ice water there - bring a bottle of water (so it'll be relatively cold) with you into the parks.

My kids don't drink a whole lot of soda.