Can you get free hot water in Disneyland?

[GreenTea13]

Can you get free hot water in Disneyland again? I know long ago they wouldn't mind giving you a free cup of hot water with your meal if requested, but last time I tried back in 2018 they refused, saying they can't just give me hot water. I haven't tried asking since then since they seemed kind of offended that I asked even though we were buying food (three sandwiches at the Hungry Bear).
But I came across some articles saying that most Disney dinning locations will give you hot water for free if you ask for it. (the articles were posted this year, so they aren't old) So did Disneyland finally change their policy or are these articles wrong? I would love to know because I am very picky about my tea and like to bring my own tea to have with my meals, but I hated having to spend almost $4 just so I can get hot water and a tea bag that I won't use.

 

[DizMe]

Good question! I'm sorry, I don't know the answer, but hopefully someone else will chime in.

One thing that *might* be a possibility is heating water in the microwave at a Baby Care station, but they do have a policy not to allow people to heat up their food.

 

[starry_solo]

Depends on the location.
You can probably get it at Starbucks.

maybe some of the quick service restaurants that serve coffee too, where you can pour it out of the spigot yourself

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Can you get free hot water in Disneyland again? I know long ago they wouldn't mind giving you a free cup of hot water with your meal if requested, but last time I tried back in 2018 they refused, saying they can't just give me hot water. I haven't tried asking since then since they seemed kind of offended that I asked even though we were buying food (three sandwiches at the Hungry Bear).
But I came across some articles saying that most Disney dinning locations will give you hot water for free if you ask for it. (the articles were posted this year, so they aren't old) So did Disneyland finally change their policy or are these articles wrong? I would love to know because I am very picky about my tea and like to bring my own tea to have with my meals, but I hated having to spend almost $4 just so I can get hot water and a tea bag that I won't use.

Yes, you can get a free cup of hot water at many/most dining locations (CS and TS). Some places will ask you if the hot water is for a child. There was an incident where a parent made formula with boiling hot water at a CS location, and the baby was scalded. Of course, the parent blamed Disney. After that, it was VERY hard to get free cups of hot water anywhere in the parks. Things have since calmed down, and I haven't had any problem getting hot water when I need it.

 

[GreenTea13]

Yes, you can get a free cup of hot water at many/most dining locations (CS and TS). Some places will ask you if the hot water is for a child. There was an incident where a parent made formula with boiling hot water at a CS location, and the baby was scalded. Of course, the parent blamed Disney. After that, it was VERY hard to get free cups of hot water anywhere in the parks. Things have since calmed down, and I haven't had any problem getting hot water when I need it.

Good to hear that it's possible to get hot water without having to buy tea that I won't drink. ^_^

and I do now remember reading about that incident after I first did research into why Disneyland refused to give hot water out. A bit of an over reaction on their part (though I understand them wanting to be on the safe side), but I'm glad to hear they have changed their policy. I'll totally be bringing some tea along with me on my upcoming trip ^_^

 

[twodogs]

@WonkaKid makes his tea in the parks most Sundays. He does sometimes get push back about getting hot water, but mostly because they want to charge him for the cup, I think? Maybe he can chime in on the most helpful places to ask for hot water in DL.

 

[WonkaKid]

@WonkaKid makes his tea in the parks most Sundays. He does sometimes get push back about getting hot water, but mostly because they want to charge him for the cup, I think? Maybe he can chime in on the most helpful places to ask for hot water in DL.

That's right. I often bring my own tea and will get hot water (self-serve) at Pizza Planet. However, the water isn't the issue. It's the cup. Lately they've been better about giving me one. But about one time in five (it used to be about one in two) I'll be told that they can't give me a cup without charging me full price ($3) for it. Fortunately, there are two really nice CMs who recognize me and when I walk in they grab a water and hot water cup for me without my even having to ask. I think Coca-Cola corner and Starbucks will also give guests hot water. You can also get it self-serve at Rancho del Zocalo. But again, they can also be sketchy/touchy about the cup.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Good to hear that it's possible to get hot water without having to buy tea that I won't drink. ^_^

and I do now remember reading about that incident after I first did research into why Disneyland refused to give hot water out. A bit of an over reaction on their part (though I understand them wanting to be on the safe side), but I'm glad to hear they have changed their policy. I'll totally be bringing some tea along with me on my upcoming trip ^_^

Losing money (cost of water, cup, and employee time) and taking on the liability to get sued for something you offer to customers for free…. I would not have brought it back…

 

[AquaDame]

Losing money (cost of water, cup, and employee time) and taking on the liability to get sued for something you offer to customers for free…. I would not have brought it back…

Free wasn't the problem.. I'm sure even if they'd paid $4 they would still have tried to sue if their baby was scalded. I can't think of anywhere I've had to pay more than .25 or .50 for a cup though it is free most places... $4 would be insane.

 

[bwvBound]

I've had success getting a cup of hot water from Award Weiners in DCA.

 

[gmi3804]

I've had success getting a cup of hot water from Award Weiners in DCA.

Hot Dog water?!

 

[Lisa24jks]

If getting a cup for free is an issue, you can always bring a small insulated bottle/cup. They never give us any hassle to get cold water from places like Alien Pizza Planet, Plaza Inn, Boardwalk Pizza or Pym's with our insulated bottles, so I suspect they would not have an issue with someone getting hot water in their own cup.

 

[DizMe]

If getting a cup for free is an issue, you can always bring a small insulated bottle/cup. They never give us any hassle to get cold water from places like Alien Pizza Planet, Plaza Inn, Boardwalk Pizza or Pym's with our insulated bottles, so I suspect they would not have an issue with someone getting hot water in their own cup.

Not the same as Disneyland, I realize, but I regularly take my own insulated coffee tumbler to Starbucks. Not only are they ok with it, they give 25 bonus stars and 10 cents off your order . Since they actively encourage it, maybe they'd be ok with it at DLR.