Free Water at Counter Service?

[bsiev1977]

We've never waited in line for water. We just bypass the ordering line and go right up to the counter and ask for ice water. Most cups have been extra large. Tastes great to me!

I'm not bashing you or anything like that, but is it fair for people to skip the line to get free water?

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm not bashing you or anything like that, but is it fair for people to skip the line to get free water?

It doesn't make sense to line up at the cash to ask. They will tell you to go to the counter and ask for water.

Nobody waiting for their order at the counter is affected by this. Sometimes waters are ready to go. Sometimes there is a person working the drink dispenser. Sometimes there is a person waiting on an order who fills the cup.

 

[supersnoop]

Am I the only one that thinks filling water bottles from a water fountain is a bad idea? People (especially kids) put their mouths all over those things.

Worse things happen in those water fountains. No way I'd drink out of one.

 

[bookgirl]

Am I the only one that thinks filling water bottles from a water fountain is a bad idea? People (especially kids) put their mouths all over those things.

DING DING DING

This would be why I don't drink from public fountains. 9 years in a public elementary school gives you a whole new perspective on public water fountains and bathrooms. LOL Not that in an emergency I won't drink from a fountain or use a public restroom but I will always look for an alternative.

 

[bookgirl]

I'm not bashing you or anything like that, but is it fair for people to skip the line to get free water?

They don't want you to wait in line because it makes the lines longer. If you wait in line all they do is say "just step up to the counter and ask and they'll hand you the water, you don't have to stand in line". It's more efficient to have you bypass the line so that bodies don't get stacked up and they don't have to tell you to just go to the counter.

 

[lroger01]

I remember one trip where I was in line in Toon Town to get water. The lady behind me had a bunch of kids and all of them and her were pulling bottles of water out of the iced bin. It had to be $15 worth of water. I told her you could get cups of ice water for free just by asking - and then proceeded to get a large cup of it handed to me. That lady was sooo grateful! She said she didn't know what she was going to do all week if she had to spend so much money on water for everyone. The cast member at the stand was very nice, even though I just cost her a big sale.

Also, you can ask for water almost anywhere when you're out this summer. For a business to say "no" and then have you drop over from dehydration two steps from the counter is just asking for a law suit!

 

[AlohaAnnie]

It is good to know I can just walk up to the counter to ask for ice water and refill at self serve soda fountains.

Thank you for the information on American in Epcot and the huge glasses of Ice water. It gets hot in the area.

 

[cinder-ellah]

Just got back ..... Most CM's at counter serve just handed over the cups, no problem. Most cups were large size. A few times a CM would glare at me like I was taking money out of their pockets. But I knew it was Disney policy and just smiled and said "Thank You". (Maybe they were having a bad day).
Thank you Disney for keeping us hydrated.

 

[Disneylover99]

It is good to know I can just walk up to the counter to ask for ice water and refill at self serve soda fountains.

Thank you for the information on American in Epcot and the huge glasses of Ice water. It gets hot in the area.

It's a really great option and it sure beats carrying water bottles around the park.

 

[chartle]

It's a really great option and it sure beats carrying water bottles around the park.

One issue is that when it's really hot you should be drinking constantly not glulping down a cup every once in and while.

 

[beldred]

I actually carry my resort mug with me. I'm a slow goer in the mornings and also a "sipper" when it comes to most beverages. So I fill my resort mug up with my much needed caffeinated soda at the food court on the way to the bus stop each morning. I sip it as we wait and ride the bus and then while we wait again to get into the parks. Usually I finish up sometime in line or as we go in depending on the wait. I dump any leftover ice into a bush or shrub. I keep a small carabiner on the strap of my little park purse and I just clip the mug to that when it's empty so I don't have to carry it. I don't even notice it's there most of the day. I can use it at soda stations for ice water, I pour my lunchtime soda into it when we are ready to leave lunch, and at CS without soda stations I can request an ice water and then pour it into my mug. An added bonus at night when we return to the resort, I can fill my mug up as we head to our room and everyone else has to walk to their room, get their mug, walk back to food court, etc. I'm too tired for all that at the end of the day. LOL

 

[Disneylover99]

One issue is that when it's really hot you should be drinking constantly not glulping down a cup every once in and while.

Good point.

We are not gulpers. We either get one or two waters and our family of four shares. Maybe that sounds gross to some. But that's what we do. You can each get your own straw if you want.

My husband also carries a small empty water bottle around to refill it if we are getting in line for a ride, so we have something if we get thirsty.

 

[kandb]

If you had to buy bottled water for a family to stay hydrated in the summer heat all day, it would cost $$$$$. We always get an extra large ice water when we have our meals and it lasts until the next meal. We also go up and ask for ice waters all the time. It would be a liability for Disney
to refuse giving people free water. They don't want lawsuits from people who have heat stroke.

 

[eeyore45]

You can also ask for a "cup of ice"

And also I've seen pictures of places like Tony's that have free water near the check in stand that is for anyone - self serve

Its hot - get the water, and like previous posters stated, the CM's know people come up for ice water, and they have it to hand out, don't stand in line

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I've heard that they will give you free ice water at counter service restaurants. Is this true? What was your experience? Were they happy to do it, or did they give you a "look" when you asked? Does the water taste ok? Thanks!

It is true. They have given it joyfully--no disgruntled look or anything. It tastes okay to me. But I am used to Florida water that may or may not have been filtered.

Some stands don't have a dispenser for water, so the will offer a cup of ice with lid and straw and point out the water fountain.

I learned all this here. First
Time I did it, my husband was surprised. But it is a nice tip that I appreciate.

 

[marthachick]

"But it's not on the menu!" Lol. I had told my SIL about free water before they went last year. My DBro went to order but either didn't get her any water or paid for bottled water. (can't remember which). She asked why he didn't get it and he said it wasn't on the menu.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I get free icewater at CS places all the time. It tastes OK, although it aint exactly sweet as branch water. I never have gotten a funny look. I figure they would rather give me water than see me have a heat stroke.

 

[Minniekins]

We got lots of large, free cups of ice water on our trip these last few days, especially on MK on Friday at the 24 hour day! Yes we stayed all day, 6 to 6! And Starbucks in both MK and DHS were great at giving the biggest best cups of ice water! No funny looks, always friendly, and almost sll nice big cups! I think all CS give ice water, but small snack places can't do it.

 

[BudgieMama]

If there's a nearby location that can give me ice water, with little or no queue, I'll stop there and get a cup. If not, I just use the water fountains to refill my bottle. I don't like the taste or temperature much, but staying hydrated is too important to be fussy about in that August sun!

 

[buzzrelly]

Just went in April and we got the free cups of water all over the place. Never had a problem or a long wait. though we would check out the lines and if there was a huge crowd we'd just pass by and go ask at the next place.

My daughter isn't crazy about plain water so we carry around one of those concentrated Kool-Aids or Lemonades and she squirts that into her cup to flavor the water.

I would never go back to paying for drinks again, such a waste of money.