Free Drink Refills

[I❤MICKEY]

Where in the parks can you get free drink refills. Yesterday we were told when checking out at the Mexican restaurant in DL that the refills were free w/ receipt. She said basically any place we fill the drinks ourselves. So today we thought the Italian restaurant in CA by the jellyfish would be free but we were told no. Where can we get free refills?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Where in the parks can you get free drink refills. Yesterday we were told when checking out at the Mexican restaurant in DL that the refills were free w/ receipt. She said basically any place we fill the drinks ourselves. So today we thought the Italian restaurant in CA by the jellyfish would be free but we were told no. Where can we get free refills?

I would think they were talking about any refills you get during your time in the dining facility that you purchased the original drink are "free" (or included). Not park-wide, or in different parks - on different days.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

They've really cut back on the free refills. Last time I checked you were allowed one free refill during that meal visit with receipt at Pizza Port. A free refill used to be allowed at Plaza Inn also, but I haven't tried it in quite some time (maybe a year or two), so I don't know if that's still current.

 

[tarheelalum]

At the Plaza Inn I was recently told no free refills whatsoever. The lady was even kind of mean about it. In the past it was never an issue there. I guess DL is not making enough profit...

 

[az4boys]

The free refills are tricky because (in my experience) they don't tell you up front. A couple years ago we went to get another drink at pizza port and were expecting to pay for it. The cashier happened to recognize me and told me we got one free refill with a receipt. I had no idea! I don't think it was posted anywhere. After I found that out we got a refill on our other drinks before leaving!

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know that what she told you is true. If you really really feel that she was telling you that you could get refilled ANYWHERE, not just at the place you just bought stuff while you are still there, if that's what she said and it wasn't a mishearing or misinterpretation, I'd likely bring that receipt to city hall (it'll have her name on it, or at least a way for them to figure it out) and make a kind suggestion that she not tell people that.

 

[SMD]

Sounds like a case of the CM at Rancho not knowing the policy at other locations. Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta has always been strict and not allowed refills. I also experienced the one refill with receipt at Pizza Port with receipt and the same visit. At French Market my sister asked a few months ago and was told no. I have refilled a water glass at Plaza Inn, but I guess they would allow that anyway since it's water. The best bet for refills is to eat at a TS that offers them and either ask for a to go cup when you leave or pour your last refill into a souvenir mug (recommended to me by a server at BB about 5 years ago.)

 

[Imdboss]

On our trip just a week ago we got refills on soda at Rancho and Plaza Inn. Always been told no refills at Boardwalk in DCA.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

To clarify my expectation was not free refills at the park all day any location -- just the dining location while you were still eating. I was actually in line when I typed so perhaps it wasn't clear. We went back to Rancho. When we cashed out a different cashier said, "show your receipt for free refills" so it wasn't just the one cashier. I guess it will be our "go to" for the remainder of our trip.

Thx everyone.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

They're really stingy now. I used to get a free refill with no questions asked during my meal, but now even with a receipt, it's hit or miss in my experience, depending on the CM. I'm hoping your experience indicates that they're starting to loosen up again or at least that the CMs are being trained more consistently.

 

[tlovesdis]

When we ate at Rancho in June they also told us to bring back our receipt for a refill.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We've never had a problem getting a refill at those locations. We do keep our receipt to show if necessary but no one has ever given us a hard time.

 

[ashley0139]

I've never even had to show my receipt for refills at Rancho or Plaza Inn. I didn't know you were supposed to, but nobody ever stopped me. Now I guess I'll make sure I have it on me when I refill.

 

[wdwfan22]

I also didn't know you were supposed to show your receipt at Rancho. Since the machines are out in the open, I just assumed it was free refills. Otherwise I would think they should put the taps behind the counter. I just walk in, fill my cup, and walk out without waiting in line. No one has ever stopped me. I didn't know I was supposed to wait in line and show my receipt.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

I don't know why they're so stingy with refills. I heard Coke supplies the syrup for Disneyland for free. Not sure if that's true of not, but my brother in-law works for Pepsi and said you have to refill a cup at McDonald's 17 times before they start losing money on that drink. And look how much more Disney charges for the same soda!

 

[SMD]

I don't know why they're so stingy with refills. I heard Coke supplies the syrup for Disneyland for free. Not sure if that's true of not, but my brother in-law works for Pepsi and said you have to refill a cup at McDonald's 17 times before they start losing money on that drink. And look how much more Disney charges for the same soda!

Because it used to be (and may still be) against the health code in OC to touch a used glass or cup to the dispenser.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Because it used to be (and may still be) against the health code in OC to touch a used glass or cup to the dispenser.

Ahhhhh....I never thought of that! What about the fast food restaurants in OC. Do they not have self serve soda fountains?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ahhhhh....I never thought of that! What about the fast food restaurants in OC. Do they not have self serve soda fountains?

I believe cups that have tops and straws can be refilled at the drink dispensers (like in McDonald's). Cups that the customer is actually placing their mouth on the rim of the cup are not allowed.

Also, many of those drink dispensers you place the cup below it and push a button to release the drink into the cup. Not many of them still have the pressure trigger that you push the cup up against to dispense the drink.

 

[SMD]

Ahhhhh....I never thought of that! What about the fast food restaurants in OC. Do they not have self serve soda fountains?

I don't know how enforced it is, but I can definitely remember being given a new paper cup sometimes 20-25 years ago in self-serve places. I'm sure the reason that the soda machines in French Market were turned around were monetary and if they could have figured out an alternate place at Rancho del Zocalo at the time they would have done it there. But all the places that sell food at DLR get inspected, so if the rule is still on the books I can see why they still make some efforts to control it.