Bringing your own drinks into the parks to avoid the never ending price hikes

[BridgetBordeaux]

We sometimes freeze a couple of Capri Suns and place them with some chilled ones in a backpack. We wrap 3 or 4 of them in a cotton towel as one big clump. This gives us several hours of cold drinks. The backback is only heavy until lunchtime. We eat at 11am, so the backpack is much lighter during the afternoon. We often put a Mt Dew can in one of those insulated "huggies" and then pour the still chilled drink over ice once we sit down at a QS place.

For the past 10 years, security has never given us a hard time about the cans or the Capri Suns.

 

[adamak]

I freeze at least 1 bottle of water or soda and bring another one for each person. The frozen bottle kept the other one cold. That usually ties us till afternoon and then re-fill with ice/ water. I don't like hauling bottles, but the prices are just way too ridiculous. It adds up.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

we just get the free ice water and carry a few flavor packets for if someone gets tired of it. Water bottles and cans of soda are heavy and a nuisance to carry around. It's so hot when we go, no one really needs or wants soda in the parks.

 

[StacyStrong]

I pretty much only drink water in parks unless it's a rare specialty drink.

 

[tvguy]

I was at Disneyland last week. Other than a bottle of water, we have never taken anything in.
We just budget for food in the parks or the hotel.

And actually, while prices were not at McDonald's levels, we were surprise they weren't higher. I paid $9.49 for a "Loaded Breakfast Sandwich" at the Galactic Grill, which certainly is more than an Egg McMuffin, but it was three times are big. I didn't have to each lunch that day.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We normally just carry in a bottle of water, if we are staying for more than 4-5 hours we will take a backpack with some frozen bottles into the park. We then refill while in the parks. More expensive drinks like soda/gatorade are brought in by instacart or we do a one day car rental to shop.

 

[Dakota731]

If it's not hot weather, we just drink with our meals. I have to laugh how everyone needs to have a water bottle with them every minute of every day. When we were kids (before water bottles were invented lol) we played outside constantly and never got a drink until we went inside for dinner or to bed. We even ran track in high school and just got a drink from the water fountain when we were done and never once got dehydrated. Of course during our summer visits we will purchase a water bottle in the afternoon when we get thirsty.

 

[firefly_ris]

I took a Brita water bottle with me last October, it was quite hot so I did use it then, but our other trips that were during cooler periods (December, February) I didn't need to carry anything with me, just got water with meals. I do bring water and snacks for the kids -- crackers, PB&J, etc. With the recent food increase, I guess I'll be doing more of that, and probably cancelling a few ADRs as well.

 

[SL6827]

But I will add I have also read reports of the some of the CS locations raising their prices too. This won't be limited to just snacks, water, cokes. Can you imagine what they will be when SW opens?

 

[StacyStrong]

If it's not hot weather, we just drink with our meals. I have to laugh how everyone needs to have a water bottle with them every minute of every day. When we were kids (before water bottles were invented lol) we played outside constantly and never got a drink until we went inside for dinner or to bed. We even ran track in high school and just got a drink from the water fountain when we were done and never once got dehydrated. Of course during our summer visits we will purchase a water bottle in the afternoon when we get thirsty.

I'm willing to bet you were probably dehydrated more often than you knew!

ETA- not passing out and on the way to the hospital dehydrated

 

[holden]

We go bagless so we just get the free ice water.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I wonder how long before they start charging for a cup of water or ice....

 

[maxiesmom]

I have a britta bottle I'm taking along this month. I'm hoping it gets enough of that nasty taste out of the water.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We're going to stock our refrigerator and do the most drinking in our villa. Except maybe a couple of water bottles to take to the parks.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That ran through my mind as well. I believe it could happen in the future because more people will be bringing in stuff because the pricing will have gotten to be extremely over the top. Can you imagine what it will be once SWGE opens? But ya, I wonder too if they will ever ban outside food and drink.

Disney always walks a fine line. You can look at it two ways from a business perspective-

~How much are you really losing in profit margin by people bringing in their own food and drink or even just bringing in a drink container and filling up water at water fountains, courtesy cups and drinking water at meals?

~How much business/PR impressions/etc would you lose if you restrict to no outside food and drink

Certaintly many other places don't allow outside food so that's not out of the norm it's just Disney would need to outweigh the pros and the cons.

 

[SL6827]

I believe it is going to get very "interesting" in the future. I think some people, us repeat guest, may become creative with ways in which to adapt.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I believe it is going to get very "interesting" in the future. I think some people, us repeat guest, may become creative with ways in which to adapt.

Likely no more than they already have been throughout various changes Disney has done.

 

[Aandd Beyond]

We bring in a large Tervis water bottle and grab a variety of the flavored water drops. It’s hard to make sure you stay hydrated in the parks in the summer and this is one of our favorite tricks and one we recommend to everyone who goes.

 

[buzzrelly]

I’ll just continue to drink the free water, as I have always done.

 

[SL6827]

I pretty much only drink water in parks unless it's a rare specialty drink.

I so want to try that drink at the AK, I forgot its name. Supposed to be super sweet.