Reusable mugs in the parks for ice water?

[DisneyOma]

They leave a nasty taste in your drink, even after being removed. This next trip if I get a drink with a paper straw already in it, I am going to ask for a new one with no straw in it. Seriously it makes the drink taste that nasty.

Add to that all of the trees that get cut down for these paper straws, the excess water that is consumed in the process of making them and that they can't really be recycled due to germs that can't be removed and paper straws are really bad for the environment, especially when there are compostable alternatives that feel and taste more like a plastic straw, uses fewer resources, are made from plants, more specifically food waste like corn husks, etc. that would normally just get thrown away and then they can be composted and even if they end up in a landfill, they add nutrients to the soil.

Well, that would be a really big waste of a cup and the contents now, wouldn't it?

Um, paper is made from plants too, BTW. It's also recyclable, adds nutrients back into the environment, etc.

Why not just tell the server "no straw please" when you order?

 

[yulilin3]

They leave a nasty taste in your drink, even after being removed. This next trip if I get a drink with a paper straw already in it, I am going to ask for a new one with no straw in it. Seriously it makes the drink taste that nasty.

Add to that all of the trees that get cut down for these paper straws, the excess water that is consumed in the process of making them and that they can't really be recycled due to germs that can't be removed and paper straws are really bad for the environment, especially when there are compostable alternatives that feel and taste more like a plastic straw, uses fewer resources, are made from plants, more specifically food waste like corn husks, etc. that would normally just get thrown away and then they can be composted and even if they end up in a landfill, they add nutrients to the soil.

I just don't understand how it's torture. If someone doesn't like the taste or feel forgo the straw or bring a metal or sturdy plastic one with you.

 

[jo-jo]

To the OP, the only problem with the mug is you can't close it completely. Once you get water, you have to carry it in your hand. We prefer a water bottle so we can drink , close the cap,throw it in a bag, drink more later. But back in the day, we used to carry the mugs to the park, because we were just too tired to walk aallll the way to the room, then back to the food court. Now with the rooms having fridges (in our case-DVC) we just have water and soda in the room waiting for us.

 

[ChrisParker]

Well that got interesting.

Thanks for all those things to think about! I have actually been thinking about bringing reusable straws with us. My favourite restaurant here has a sign on the tables that says, "We have joined the Straw Wars and will give straws out only when requested." HA! That might be one for Mickey to pick up.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Disneypro1]

They give you a new cup with each ice water request. No need to bring your mug in I guess. We don’t reuse any cups. I just toss them in the trash and get new every time we want water. However. The water fountains are everywhere. So often that’s how we drink water. Not going to pay for bottle water in the parks when you can get it free from fountains or food places.
As for straws. We have brought some in from McDonald’s. My wife will keep them In her small bag. We hate paper straws. So we bring our own if we have to.

 

[Disneypro1]

They leave a nasty taste in your drink, even after being removed. This next trip if I get a drink with a paper straw already in it, I am going to ask for a new one with no straw in it. Seriously it makes the drink taste that nasty.

Add to that all of the trees that get cut down for these paper straws, the excess water that is consumed in the process of making them and that they can't really be recycled due to germs that can't be removed and paper straws are really bad for the environment, especially when there are compostable alternatives that feel and taste more like a plastic straw, uses fewer resources, are made from plants, more specifically food waste like corn husks, etc. that would normally just get thrown away and then they can be composted and even if they end up in a landfill, they add nutrients to the soil.

Yeah. The paper straw thing is silly. We hate them. Nasty really they are.

 

[hetzeltj]

Yeah. The paper straw thing is silly. We hate them. Nasty really they are.

Agreed.

I just got off the Magic this month and they had some paper straws that were actually fine to use. They were drastically different from paper straws i have received in the parks I hope they bring those to the parks soon.

 

[Randomsoulshine]

Nope, San Diego zoo does not have self serve stations. Sea World has some, but many locations require their employees to handle the cups. These are setup like Disney's drink stations are setup, so I still maintain this argument is invalid.

Also, Knott's Berry Farm also does drink refills and takes the cups in the back (if you get the refillable sipper). Many fast food restaurants don't have self service stations, sit down restaurants don't either, I listed many in my previous post that didn't have self serve stations.

So, still not seeing this as a health concern when so many places that don't have self serve stations already do the refills, it sounds like a made up excuse to me in order to keep selling drinks at higher prices.

I don’t know about the parks but I’ve worked for well known food chains before and they will not let you bring a cup and ask them to fill it. You have to have the drink served to you in their cup and then you can pour it in your own. So I’m guessing there is some kind of health concern. This goes for free water as well.

 

[GaryDis]

I’ve seen water bottle filling stations such as these at places like the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks, as well as at MIT. I’m starting to see them elsewhere. They’re designed to rest your bottle below the spigot, so that they don’t make contact with the spigot. I really wish Disney (and Universal and other parks) would start installing them.

In the meantime, are there any options faster than cups for refilling a collapsible one liter water bottle?

 

[DisneyOma]

I’ve seen water bottle filling stations such as these at places like the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Parks, as well as at MIT. I’m starting to see them elsewhere. They’re designed to rest your bottle below the spigot, so that they don’t make contact with the spigot. I really wish Disney (and Universal and other parks) would start installing them.

In the meantime, are there any options faster than cups for refilling a collapsible one liter water bottle?

We have two of those at our local high school. They are great as long as the filters get changed when they need to be. High school students tend to play with them though, or put trash in the water well, and do other stupid things that show they have no respect for a good idea. they would be great at Disney as long as they were well maintained. I think they have them outside the gates at HS?

 

[GaryDis]

We have two of those at our local high school. They are great as long as the filters get changed when they need to be. High school students tend to play with them though, or put trash in the water well, and do other stupid things that show they have no respect for a good idea. they would be great at Disney as long as they were well maintained. I think they have them outside the gates at HS?

Interesting. A web search confirmed your recollection of DHS in an article dated April 3, 2019.

 

[dizneefan13]

I keep one plastic cup and use it to refill my water bottle with ice and water at a QS or filling station. Usually is a cup I get from Joffreys for my iced coffee in the morning. I wash it out in a restroom sink.

 

[goodeats]

I use a thermoflask water bottle and fill it up at the resort QS station. At MK, as noted, I believe you can only get ice water in cups. Backlot Express at HS, Dinosauraus at AK, and maybe Sunshine Seasons at Epcot (anywhere else?) has soda fountains you can refill water. So you could use the refillable mug, but as noted they don't really seal completely (I wouldn't trust it in my backpack) and they at most hold 16 oz.

The restaurants at San Diego Zoo refilled my water bottle (including ice) behind the counter directly.

 

[KimBean]

I had one of those Brita bottles last time and got tired of strangers approaching me and telling me counter service gives free water. Yes I know but this is filtered....

I stopped using them by day 2. Literally every time I filled it up.