Is it really worth the trouble lugging your own water?

[crisi]

We buy bottled water at the grocery store. A 24 pack is about $7 - or .30 a bottle. Throw it in the freezer (DVC). I own a "Disney bag" that will hold the water, so only sunk cost there (and I paid $11 for it at Target, not on sale).

Water puchased at Disney (assuming you are avoiding the tap water) is $2.50. We break even if we use three bottles. We can throw the other 21 away and come out ahead.

I never really got the Brita bottle thing though. It take 108 bottles of storebought water at $7 a case to break even on those.

 

[JMCDAD]

Its definetly worth it to us, and I am not the type to look for sales, or use coupons and stuff. It just makes sense for us, a family of 5 who drives and goes in July.
Last time we bought at least a case of water in Costco, I think we also bought some Sipps drinks, and then use it in the car, at the hotel, and bring a bottle each to the park in a small soft cooler. The last time we went was July 2002, and it was hotter than it even normally is, we went thru drinks like crazy.

 

[tc]

It's worth it for us. We've been using the same Brita water bottle for the last 5 trips. Just replace the filter. We don't carry a backpack, just put the Brita bottle in a neoprene bottle carrier. I refill it with ice and water through the day (both free). We both drink a ton of water through the day here in Colorado due to the dryness here, and don't change our habits when on vacation. I also have a digestion problem, and require a lot of water the ease that issue. I find myself drinking much less water if I buy the bottled water there because it's hard to spend the money on water. Having the Brita means I drink more water, feel better, and don't waste money.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

For our family of 5, it is very much worth it. Even my soon to be 4 year old drinks alot of water when outside a lot. So if I say 3 bottles a day for each of us (me and dh and oldest ds would probably drink more)

15 bottles a day at $2.00 a bottle=$30.00
30.00 times the 6 days we will be at parkds and thats an easy $180.00...we could stay an extra day with that money saved.

 

[MsMulan]

We bought the bottles that have a carrier and strap (3.88 at Wal-Mart). We are hoping to do the fanny packs, and do away with the backpack, but it still may be needed. The DS9 will need a snack or two throughout the day and I refuse to buy those. Meals I will buy in parks, but not meals AND snacks.

Where in Wal-Mart are the carrier and strap located?

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

I may be in the minority here, but no it's not worth it, especially if you don't really like water! However, you can get those neat strap things and not worry about a bag.

 

[JMCDAD]

It doesn't have to be water, you can do the same with Gatorade, juice boxes, etc.
Like I said for a family with children in the summer I think its more than worth it.
If it was just me and my wife I probably wouldn't bother.

 

[heidica]

When we go to WDW (or any theme park) we bring our platypus water bottles. http://www.platypushydration.com/product_detail.aspx?ProdID=2 They are great because they are collapsible, so when you have finished off your water, you have a thin, flat bottle that doesn't take up much space in the backpack. Also, you can freeze and boil them, without damaging them. So back at the hotel room, we freeze a bottle each night to keep the water cold throughout the day and of course re-fill as necessary. They also have a holder with strap you can carry the bottle around in. http://www.platypushydration.com/product_detail.aspx?ProdID=6. Although we don't use this, because we just put them in our backpack. You can buy 1/2 liter, 1 liter and 2+ liter size bottles. We use the 1/2 liter and 1 liter size bottles. On amazon.com the 1 liter size bottle costs $5.25. For years we always carried around a re-usuable water bottle (I am one of those that would rather spend the money on souveniors or a nice sit-down meal) and I hated how much space they took up in our backpack. So I was really happy when I found these. In the middle of summer when you are standing in line for 60-90 minutes, I personally like to have access to my water anytime I need it. Our family carries a backpack regardless of whether we pack water bottles, so it isn't a big deal for us to just add the platypus water bottles.

 

[megrod74]

heidica - thanks so much for those links! They are really great.

 

[Evil Queen]

Where in Wal-Mart are the carrier and strap located?

We found them in the sporting goods. Back aisle, against the wall. Two Wal-marts I visist had them in the exact same spot (can't speak for other wal-marts).

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks for the links jjan.