Honest question: why can't I add a water cup to my mobile order?

[nw6675]

Disney IT isn't that great, if you hadn't noticed. Why is it such a hardship to have to ask for a cup of water? And I say that as someone who always uses self checkout to avoid having to talk to anyone.

I agree, even though we seem to be in the minority of those commenting. The onus shouldn't be on Disney for someone to obtain something free. As much as people like to believe Disney has goodwill towards their guests, they really are just a business looking for the highest profits. But then, I believe restaurants should charge for water,too.

Edit: removed my last portion because I think it might be against the rules

 

[whiteness]

Disney IT isn't that great, if you hadn't noticed. Why is it such a hardship to have to ask for a cup of water? And I say that as someone who always uses self checkout to avoid having to talk to anyone.

I think many of the people that have come out against my suggestion would also benefit if it was an option. I have a hard time believing that none of you would ever click to add a cup of nice, cold, free water to your order if it was there in the app beckoning you to do it.

Furthermore, I am 100% confident that adding this as an option would increase the consumption of free water with meals. Yes, probably at the expense of soda and milk shakes. Is that a bad thing for Disney? Maybe. Is it a bad thing for guests? NO! In fact, it is a VERY GOOD thing for guests. Drinking more water and less soda is, without question, a VERY GOOD thing. If you don't think so, you probably need that free water option in the app even more than I do.

 

[Allison]

I agree that giving out free cups of water doesn't seem to make financial sense. Even if you have to go to the window to ask for it, it still doesn't seem to make financial sense.

However, I assume Disney gives out free water because Disney sees some benefit to it, even if it's not immediately obvious.

Good will, of course. And that is important to Disney, even though it doesn't always seem that way.

But I also think that keeping people healthy and hydrated is a good thing for Disney.
Being dehydrated makes people tired and grumpy. Tired, grumpy people probably don't spend as much. They probably don't make as many "happy memories", either.
Tired, grumpy children tend to cry and act out a lot, which impacts the enjoyment of others. Even grumpy adults can make the people around them, guests and cast members, miserable, too.

Finally, consider how many people visit Disney World every year. Most of those people come from places with cooler, less humid and sunny climates. They are not used to drinking enough water for spending a day walking around in Disney World.

We are probably talking about hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of guests annually that are borderline dehydrated. Most of them will be fine: just tired and grumpy. But some, especially the very young, elderly and infirm, may not be fine. Not really. Dehydration increases the risk of a lot of serious medical problems. Out of millions of visitors, some may well experience something very serious, even fatal, that could have been avoided if they had just drank more water.

Disney doesn't want their guests to get sick. Medical emergencies in the parks are bad show. Disney goes to great lengths to avoid them. Free water is pretty cheap insurance against dehydration related medical emergencies.

And, in my experience, Disney employees are all very kind and compassionate people. Even if there wasn't any financial benefit, I'm sure every Cast Member I've personally ever met would like park guests to stay hydrated and healthy, because they sincerely care about them.

Giving out free water and making it as easy as possible for guests to get it, is something nearly every individual Cast Member would personally agree with, even if it didn't make financial sense for Disney (but it probably does.)

But allowing people to add free water to their mobile order would be a "step too far" for Disney, because it might cut into their soft drink and bottle water profits?

Yes. The onus is on the customer to decide how to stay hydrated whether that be through bringing their own water, purchasing something, using a water fountain or refill station or going up to the counter to ask for a free glass of water.

 

[whiteness]

Yes. The onus is on the customer to decide how to stay hydrated whether that be through bringing their own water, purchasing something, using a water fountain or refill station or going up to the counter to ask for a free glass of water.

That doesn't mean that Disney should make it harder for their guests to make the wrong choice for their health. Disney shouldn't do that. There's a public health crisis in the USA, and a lot of it is driving by profit seeking on the part of corporations. We need to start redefining what is "acceptable" behavior for corporations, because the current way of doing things is hurting people. Disney has every right to sell flavored sugar water to guests that want to buy it, but they should put the healthier option alongside the unhealthy one, and not put up additional barriers to choosing it.

I'm sorry, people, this is just too important. Look at all of the people whose health has been ruined by a lifetime of soft drinks. We all pay a price for that, even if that person is not us. We might not have fully understood the dangers before, but we do, now. And we also know how hard it is for individuals to make good choices when they are presented with tempting alternatives. We need to make it easier for people, not harder. In every way we possibly can.

 

[FrannyFrogs]

To answer your original question... Probably because of people like me, who will request free cups of water when ordering in person, but purchase bottles of water when mobile ordering. I'm motivated by convenience, which works out well for Disney's bottom line.

 

[Allison]

That doesn't mean that Disney should make it harder for their guests to make the wrong choice for their health. Disney shouldn't do that. There's a public health crisis in the USA, and a lot of it is driving by profit seeking on the part of corporations. We need to start redefining what is "acceptable" behavior for corporations, because the current way of doing things is hurting people. Disney has every right to sell flavored sugar water to guests that want to buy it, but they should put the healthier option alongside the unhealthy one, and not put up additional barriers to choosing it.

I'm sorry, people, this is just too important. Look at all of the people whose health has been ruined by a lifetime of soft drinks. We all pay a price for that, even if that person is not us. We might not have fully understood the dangers before, but we do, now. And we also know how hard it is for individuals to make good choices when they are presented with tempting alternatives. We need to make it easier for people, not harder. In every way we possibly can.

Your question was why aren't you allowed to order free water on the app. Various reasons have been given to you.

If you want to take up a campaign about health and people's choices, that is a different matter entirely.

 

[Allison]

To answer your original question... Probably because of people like me, who will request free cups of water when ordering in person, but purchase bottles of water when mobile ordering. I'm motivated by convenience, which works out well for Disney's bottom line.

Bingo.

 

[whiteness]

To answer your original question... Probably because of people like me, who will request free cups of water when ordering in person, but purchase bottles of water when mobile ordering. I'm motivated by convenience, which works out well for Disney's bottom line.

That is an honest, and accurate answer. I don't happen to agree with Disney, but that's almost certainly why they are doing it. That, and also because it would impact their soft drink sales.

 

[whiteness]

Your question was why aren't you allowed to order free water on the app. Various reasons have been given to you.

If you want to take up a campaign about health and people's choices, that is a different matter entirely.

No, I'm reacting to all of the people that have posted that it's the guest's problem, not Disney's.

Disney is intentionally not offering that as an option to nudge people into making costlier, less healthy choices. That's wrong. Disney shouldn't be doing that. They need to stop, because its harming people.

 

[pigletliz]

No, I'm reacting to all of the people that have posted that it's the guest's problem, not Disney's.

Disney is intentionally not offering that as an option to nudge people into making costlier, less healthy choices. That's wrong. Disney shouldn't be doing that. They need to stop, because its harming people.

Why is Disney more responsible for healthier choices than the guest? The guest can just as intentionally bring a refillable water bottle, buy a bottle of water, ask for a cup of water. Set a timer on your phone to ask or refill. Disney doesn't get a lot of things right, but this isn't on them.

 

[Mle8308]

When it comes to staying hydrated in a hot, humid climate, everyone has health concerns. I'd wager most people don't drink enough water while they are visiting the parks.

But sometimes people don't feel like carrying a bottle around or forget it at home (guilty on both counts.)

Again, I think that reminding guests that want a reminder to request a glass of water is not that hard for Disney to do, won't harm anyone, and may help some people. It would help me for sure. I think it's a good idea, and I haven't yet seen any convincing argument to the contrary.

If it's really a health concern then "But sometimes people don't feel like carrying a bottle around" is no excuse. Would you not carry an inhaler or an epi pen because you didn't feel like it? It's easy enough to get free water at Disney.

 

[whiteness]

Why is Disney more responsible for healthier choices than the guest? The guest can just as intentionally bring a refillable water bottle, buy a bottle of water, ask for a cup of water. Set a timer on your phone to ask or refill. Disney doesn't get a lot of things right, but this isn't on them.

Why is this so important to you? Will you be negatively impacted somehow if people are able to mobile order a cup of water with their meal? Do you have skin in this?

I do. I am 100% sure I will take advantage of that option every time it is offered, and I will personally benefit from it. Sorry if that offends you.

 

[whiteness]

If it's really a health concern then "But sometimes people don't feel like carrying a bottle around" is no excuse. Would you not carry an inhaler or an epi pen because you didn't feel like it? It's easy enough to get free water at Disney.

You are elevating a cup of free water to the level of an Epi pen or an Inhaler? That's very creative.

 

[Mle8308]

You are elevating a cup of free water to the level of an Epi pen or an Inhaler? That's very creative.

If it's for health reasons, then yes. And thank you!

 

[Marrila]

You are elevating a cup of free water to the level of an Epi pen or an Inhaler? That's very creative.

Still, it sounds like it's very important to you to have easy, regular access to free water. I'd suggest bringing a crossbody bag with a space for a water bottle. You can refill your bottle periodically. Or even buy a new one now and then.

 

[Allison]

They need to stop, because its harming people.

In all honesty, they don't need to stop. You want them to stop because of your personal feelings about soda. I get it. You don't like it and there are reasons for that. You have every right to think that and I wouldn't presume to try to change your mind.

I will point out that customers do have the option to order bottled water. So, they can make the choice of convenience by paying for water in the app or obtaining it some other way. They have options. They need to make their choice.

 

[Moliphino]

Why is this so important to you? Will you be negatively impacted somehow if people are able to mobile order a cup of water with their meal? Do you have skin in this?

I do. I am 100% sure I will take advantage of that option every time it is offered, and I will personally benefit from it. Sorry if that offends you.

I don't care either way because it makes no significant difference. There is free easy access to water all over WDW.

 

[whiteness]

OK, well, I see that people on the Disboards feel very strongly that Disney should not allow people to add a cup of free water to their mobile orders. It seems that public opinion is very strong that this would be completely unacceptable to many people in the Disney community.

Thanks to everyone for making your opinions known. And your passion and conviction has convinced me: I now also hope that Disney does nothing to make free cups of water easier to order with your meals!

 

[FCDub]

No, I'm reacting to all of the people that have posted that it's the guest's problem, not Disney's.

Disney is intentionally not offering that as an option to nudge people into making costlier, less healthy choices. That's wrong. Disney shouldn't be doing that. They need to stop, because its harming people.

Should Disney be forced to put up signs telling people to make sure they chew their food? After all, over 4,000 choking-related deaths occur in the United States every year!

That this thread veered into public health epidemics is so so so so deeply weird. Just take responsibility and remember that you need to drink water.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I know a lot of people, including my daughter, that won't request a free cup of water out of embarrassment

Well I don't think it's a lot of people but your daughter should remember they do have water fountains as well as water bottle refilling stations. Getting water at QS may be more favorable depending on someone's preference but it's not the only way to stay hydrated.