Ice Tea At WDW?????

[jersey shark]

I, too, am mildly aggravated by the lack of the availability of unsweetend iced tea when traveling in Canada.

If you really think about, unsweetened tea (US approach) is the better way to go....this way, the customer can sweeten the tea according to THEIR liking, with sugar, splenda, whatever. The Cdn way - your stuck with someone else's idea of what should be sweet tea! It ain't rocket science!

 

[briar_rose_59]

If you really think about, unsweetened tea (US approach) is the better way to go....this way, the customer can sweeten the tea according to THEIR liking, with sugar, splenda, whatever. The Cdn way - your stuck with someone else's idea of what should be sweet tea! It ain't rocket science!

I remember when my mum and I were at the Brown Derby last trip and I made the mistake of ordering iced tea. I swear I added about 6 packets of Splenda and it still didn't taste sweet like nestea/Canadian iced tea. And I usually drink things sweetened with Splenda so it wasn't the difference in flavour between the sugar and Splenda.

ETA: Another funny story about the differences between Canadian and American stuff from my last trip. I was really thirsty and decided I wanted a diet coke while in DTD. Well, my mum and I were right near Goofy's so I went in and asked if they sold "pop". The poor girl had no idea what I was talking about. So I was like uh... like, coke? And then it clicked and she pointed at a fridge sort of thing that I had totally missed on the way in. My mum and I still laugh about that one lol.

 

[jersey shark]

....it's all what you're used to, I guess.

....I'm convinced that there are significant differences in Cdn versus US taste buds - (for some reason, some products that you'd think would be identical are not - for example, I'm not very crazy about Cdn Diet Coke - which tastes like Coke Zero here) but, sticking with the iced tea thing - what do you do in Canada if you'd like to order diet iced tea? - you're generally out of luck.

On the bright side, I must say that I can't get enough of the cole slaw (it's all green and tangy) at Cdn KFCs - I love it and wish the US would just use the Cdn recipe on this one!

 

[Drivercan]

All over the US, (we drove down) whenever my daughter ordered Iced tea - the server would say it is not the sweet stuff.

 

[tigercat]

I am used to dealing with the unsweetened iced tea in the STates. The only thing though is I bring my own tea bags down for my hot tea. They really don't know how to make a good cup of hot tea so I prepare myself.
tigercat

 

[Hunbun]

I really had to laugh at this thread. My husband and I just returned last night from our 1st Canadian trip-to Niagara Falls-last night. We had a wonderful trip with two exceptions. #1 was lack of unsweetened iced tea. I was only able to find it at Fridays (for $3.99 a glass ) and Applebees. I am a diabetic and wonder what Canadian diabetics do when they want some tea. We ended up making hot tea in our hotel room and then pouring it over ice and adding Splenda to it. We then poured it into empty water bottles so I could have something to drink. I cannot have pop due to stomach surgery and despise water alone so I had a tough time getting enough to drink. At home I drink diet Koolaid and iced tea exclusively.

#2 Problem-excessive prices and taxes. At home in Illinois we eat at Appleby's often. In Niagara, there were three different taxes on each bill. I believe the waitress said one was a province tax, one was a local tax, and one was because it was a tourist area. We were shocked to see how the menu prices were more than doubled for the same items we ordered regularly at home. Taxes alone were $25 per day on our hotel room ..UGH

That said we were awed by the falls and the people were fantastic. I wouldn't hesitate to go back-but will bring my own tea with me next time.

Sherry

 

[tigercat]

Everything at Niagara Falls is expensive. Normally there are 2 taxes on things. The p.s.t. and the g.s.t. I have found that if I am going to Niagara Falls I will bring something to eat and drink with me because I can't afford to eat there and I go often. We live close enough that when anyone comes to visit that is one of the places they all want to go to.
tigercat

 

[NikP]

I really had to laugh at this thread. My husband and I just returned last night from our 1st Canadian trip-to Niagara Falls-last night. We had a wonderful trip with two exceptions. #1 was lack of unsweetened iced tea. I was only able to find it at Fridays (for $3.99 a glass ) and Applebees. I am a diabetic and wonder what Canadian diabetics do when they want some tea. We ended up making hot tea in our hotel room and then pouring it over ice and adding Splenda to it. We then poured it into empty water bottles so I could have something to drink. I cannot have pop due to stomach surgery and despise water alone so I had a tough time getting enough to drink. At home I drink diet Koolaid and iced tea exclusively.

#2 Problem-excessive prices and taxes. At home in Illinois we eat at Appleby's often. In Niagara, there were three different taxes on each bill. I believe the waitress said one was a province tax, one was a local tax, and one was because it was a tourist area. We were shocked to see how the menu prices were more than doubled for the same items we ordered regularly at home. Taxes alone were $25 per day on our hotel room ..UGH

That said we were awed by the falls and the people were fantastic. I wouldn't hesitate to go back-but will bring my own tea with me next time.

Sherry

If you ate your meals close to the falls, the prices in the restaurants are higher. If you drive 5 mins or more away, you can eat at the same chain restaurant for a better price. Eg. fast food at Wendys on Clifton hill is a least $1- $2 more per combo than further out on Lundys Lane. So just like at Disney, all prices are inflated. Drive further out for some normal prices.

Also a thing to note, Americans can apply to have the Goods and Services Tax they pay while here reimbursed. So save all your receipts and apply for that 6% refund. The other tax - Provincial Sales tax is 8% is lost as well as the local tourist tax. Niagara area charges this tax in order to fund their free summer entertainment and fireworks, etc.

 

[cdn ears]

Sorry but has anyone ever tried to find vinegar to go on your fries???

Other than England in Epcot you have to bring your own!!!!

If you ask for it you get that "ewwww" expression, or what are you talking about vinegar on fries???

 

[jersey shark]

Okay, call it even....Canada starts offering unsweetend iced tea (repeat - its better this way because the customer has the CHOICE of adding sugar, splenda etc...) and the US should get on the vinegar bandwagon for fries (its generally not done here except at a British pub-type place in the USA)....and it IS a nice touch

...my other wish list for Cdn restaurants would be better quality steaks and thicker, heartier soups - tough to make generalizations usually but bad beef (exception - Ruth's Chris & Mortons of Chicago - US steak places that have infiltrated Toronto) and thin soups are very commonly encountered north of the border....know of a place with a killer soup? please give me a great soup recommendation in the Toronto area, someone! btw, favorite all-time soup is the Garlic Cream soup at the Hyde Steak House in Cleveland...

...serious foodie from Jersey!

 

[cdnmickeylover]

If you go to the Half Way House at Black Creek Pioneer Village it's unsweetened iced tea (yuck!). Really wished I'd ordered the lemonade.

Hunbun -- I'm diabetic as well -- we have a diet iced tea sweetened with splenda that I drink. It's still Cdn iced tea though. As someone has already stated Niagara Falls is expensive.

Fiona

 

[trivial]

Couldn't get sweetened iced tea anywhere at WDW or on the Disney Cruise. Tossed in some packets of sugar, though, and it tasted fine.

 

[Mortlives]

Well, this has been educational. I've lived in Ontario my whole life and I had no idea that iced tea was pre-sweetened here. I'd be appalled. Good thing I only order hot tea.

Sorry, Shark, I can't recommend a steak place for you, I can't afford the steak places you go to. If you ever want a really good sushi place or peking duck, let me know.

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

I will always remember the day I learned about 'American Iced tea' I think I was about 11, and my mom didn't say anything as I ordered it, she wanted to see my response. I was like there is something wrong with my drink! Last year my friend did the same thing as I did, you should have seen her face, when she took her first drink! So funny!

LEE