saving $$ on drinks

[disneybella]

In May, my DH and I honemooned in Disney. We spent a lot on drinks at $2.50 each since it was so hot. We're going back next month and taking my daughters. We're looking for a way to save on the drinks. Saw some people with the hydro-backpacks that you fill with ice or water. Since I won't have access to a freezer at the WL, my DH suggested we put ice from the ice machine at the hotel in the bag to melt and drink. I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this and what the experience has been. I'm concerned because I don't know if the water is going to taste ok, and if it doesn't, I won't be drinking it.
Any feedback would be appreciated!

 

[disneyag]

You might consider the Brita water bottles. They each have a filter, so you can fill them up at any WDW water fountain and have good tasting water. Some people feel that the ice/water tastes funny.

 

[beaglebiz]

dont forget you can ask for a cup of ice water atr any counter service place

 

[my3princes]

We run the wdw water through a Brita Bottle into another container. Then we can either drink it as straight water or can add gatorade powder or crystal light for flavor. It saves a lot of $$ for my family of 5.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We dont like the water either and our 3 ds will only drink it with gatorade powder or koolaid. It kills the sulfer like taste. We also usually do a buffet for lunch and order a round of drinks and transfer them into our rubbermaid chuggers and put them in our backpack. We are then good for the afternoon. Then back to the hotel for rest, swim and drink refills.

 

[crazywig]

another vote for the brita water bottle. we've saved literally hundreds of $$ using them. plus water is better for you than soda!

 

[pygmymom]

Two Brita votes here--for the sports bottle and the pitcher. We drove, so we were able to bring along bottled water, and once they were emptied, in the hotel room, I poured chilled filtered water into bottles for everyone each morning to bring to the parks. I carried the sports bottle on my bottle strap and asked for cups of ice at counter services we dined at.

My DH developed kidney stones after our trip last July because the water tasted so terrible, he didn't drink enough in the heat. The Brita bottle and pitcher really made a difference when we went this June. It was a great investment!

 

[tmli]

I plan on asking for free ice water and adding my crystal lite to it.

 

[Amirah95]

Last time I brought a few small Dixie cups and purchased a large drink at the park w/ minimal ice and I was able to split the drink between myself, DH and DD. We will not be carrying bottles or anything into the park anymore because no one wants to carry them.

 

[Poohbear123]

I just pay the 2.50 for the water there, Dasani is not bad.

 

[Clotho]

Originally posted by Poohbear123
I just pay the 2.50 for the water there, Dasani is not bad.

FINALLY! Someone who just buys the water.
Hubby and I have been turning it over in our minds lately, trying to find convenient ways to bring water in, or "fix" the water, or what have you. He just said "Let's just buy the water there".
We know it's spendy, and if we had a family, we would probably do it differently. But if we had a family, we would probably be bringing a backpack or stroller or other way of carrying that stuff. With just the two of us, breaking down and buying the water just seems the smartest way. Are there others who do the same?

 

[cooldisneymom]

Another vote for buying the water there. Being the "pack mule" of the family, it gets very old and heavy carrying water bottles. We bring them for the hotel, but in the park we bite the bullet and buy them. I can't drink the water there even filtered because I'm allergic to sulfa.

 

[Ksp]

Does anyone know where to get the Brita bottle-sized filter? (Not the pitcher...I thought there was one that was about the size of a standard bottle of water...the 8 - 16 oz size.)
Thanks!

 

[Mom2R&D]

Originally posted by Poohbear123
I just pay the 2.50 for the water there, Dasani is not bad.

We bought all of our drinks at WDW, including water, and didn't have to take a second mortgage out on the house. Convenience is everything.

 

[SkylarKD]

How long do you generally have to wait in line to buy water, or to get free ice water? (or for the water fountains, for that matter!?) I hate the thought of waiting in a line that's as long as an attraction just to get water.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Hi, As suggested from another thread! I went to Kmart last night and bought the Brita individual bottles. They were marked down to $3 (orig $6 or $7). I also picked up the extra filters. They were marked down to $2.50 and had 2 in a box. We will have 2 strollers because I have twins. Each stroller has 2 drink holders a piece.

If it was just my DH and me, I would be tempted to just wing it and buy drinks if were going in the cooler months but not in the summer. You need to be hydrated to feel good and you need to feel good to have fun!

 

[Mom2R&D]

Originally posted by SkylarKD
How long do you generally have to wait in line to buy water, or to get free ice water? (or for the water fountains, for that matter!?) I hate the thought of waiting in a line that's as long as an attraction just to get water.

We would stop at the carts for bottled water and rarely had to wait in line (we went in June). And if we did have to wait it was minimal.

To me it's worth the money to buy something cold to drink and not have to lug around water bottles.

 

[Julia M]

I'm going to be an exception here, and say that I do lug around water bottles. That's because I like COLD water. I buy water from the store, empty a bit from the top and freeze. As it slowly melts, I add additional water. Each of us carries our own water bottle, on a strap, and we either fill it up from the fountains, or buy a bottle of water to share among the family.

When the ice is finally gone, we toss the bottle. But we've usually made it through a good portion of the day.

It's not a money issue as much as it is a "coldness" issue!!

Julia

 

[gigi1313]

we bring some, we buy some... we do whatever we need to do when we get thirsty... we sometimes fill up at a water fountain, we sometimes ask for a cup of ice water at a counter service, we typically start the day w/a bottle of water from the case on ice in our room but usually by the end of the day we're buying one (and splitting it between our other bottles if they have not been lost yet or getting one for each depending on how hot and how long we've been going)... i make an attempt to be thrify but if we're thirsty, thrift goes out the window and convenience flies right in!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I have taken my own water bottle filled with water. I have also taken a can or two of Coke and asked for a cup of ice to pour it in. The cans can get heavy if you have too many. If you have a stroller with you it's not a big deal to have a few but just keep that in mind before you load several cans into what every you are carrying into the parks.