Trying to stay hydrated on a budget

[cstieringer]

does anyone know if Disney has added any of those refillable water stations that are cropping up everywhere inside drinking fountains? We have additional members of our party this year (no stroller to hold a cooler) so we are looking for economical ways to stay hydrated with cold water. Because there are so many of us, I feel weird about asking the quick service people for so many cups of water between actual meal/snack purchases.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Ice water is free at any location that serves fountain drinks and they will not think twice about giving it to you. It's to their medical staffs benefit if you stay hydrated

Seriously, just hit up any fountain drink location and ask for ice water, heavy on the ice (they often keep it pre-prepared on the counter and it melts so fast, I always ask for heavy ice so it's freshly poured!)

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I agree with the PP - go ask for it! We normally ask for cups of ice - it does melt really quickly.

 

[monorailsilver]

We all carried a bag, kids too. It held our water-thermos containers, which stayed cold and we could drink anywhere, aka in line and didn't have to worry about the cup.

We also brought extra water bottles for refills.

We saved a lot of money not buying soda with meals and/or water.

 

[msmama]

When it's super hot out they'll often have water cups already filled up so it takes no time at all to ask for water (though they're usually the smaller cups). They expect it. You could always ask for the largest cup of water they have, too. Or a cup of water and a cup of ice. They're not offering water to be friendly, they're offering water because they know it's ridiculously hot and humid and they want you up and riding and buying things, not passing out from heat stroke!

I'm sure from Disney's perspective, they don't need the water fountain bottle fillers because they offer free ice water anywhere.

If you really don't want to ask for water though, you could get a large camelback backpack. I personally don't like carrying any more than I have to so if I do carry a reusable water bottle I just use the smallest one I have and refill it very very often.

The other option is the QS places that have get your own soda machines and you can fill up with water there.

 

[aaarcher86]

If you're not going to the same location for water every time, you aren't bumping into the same people.

Besides, there's tons if people doing it. They wouldn't have it available if it was an inconvenience.

 

[okeydokey]

We always filled our water bottles at the water fountains and added flavor powder as we needed. I wouldn't want to wait in line to get a water cup.

 

[dreiwhit]

My son and I use hydration bladders. They're actually military surplus, but brand new in the package, that we got off eBay years ago. We went with them instead of the much pricier Camelback models. Ours hold three liters of water, which i've found is plenty for the day. I've used Camelbacks or generic hydration bladders for almost 20 years, and i'm used to them. What we do is to fill them 3/4 full with ice and then add as much water as it can hold.

My wife and daughter used large 32 ounce water bottles last time, but they frequently ran out of water. The problem we had was that it was hard to find water fountains for a refill. The QS restaurants didn't have prepared cups of ice water and every QS restaurant had fairly long lines - I didn't want to wait in line or cut in front of folks at the counter. And, there weren't always water fountains by the restrooms.

My daughter wants a hydration bladder for our next trip, and my wife is just going to bring in bottles of water.

 

[HM]

We don't like having to carry things around the parks (and water bottles get heavy). It was great when we found out that you can get ice water at CS and some kiosk locations. Now we get water whenever we feel like we need it.

 

[elaine amj]

We typically get ours from water fountains. I hate waiting in line at QS places and they often give the small cups of water. But that's how it goes. We have started bringing in a hydration pack simply for ease. (I don't like waiting for water or looking for it when I feel thirsty. But that is just my natural impatience).

I do admit - I missed Universal's coke freestyle machines when we moved over to WDW last month. Their water tasted great and it was so easy to refill.

 

[SgtTibbs]

And with the free water from Disney you get the succulent mossy flavor of the local water supply.

 

[Vernie822]

Water is free.. no need to budget!

 

[skyyhiflygirl]

OMG, you all are carrying stuff are crazy. The mossy water was my favorite comment. I drink filtered water year round. The soda machines offer filtered water 24/7. Thankfully parks are not open that long. My working friends would hate that. So. . . . .a cup of ice water at Disney is filtered and awesome. . .also free. Enjoy.

 

[HM]

And with the free water from Disney you get the succulent mossy flavor of the local water supply.

Actually no, most places have filters and it tastes just fine. I've only had bad water once (can't remember which place, but I think it was in Epcot).

 

[bigbabyblues]

I drink a lot of water, but I don't care if it is cold, so I carry a water bottle and refill it in the fountains. My oldest son is the same way, he carries a water bottle almost all the time.

 

[dreiwhit]

Actually no, most places have filters and it tastes just fine. I've only had bad water once (can't remember which place, but I think it was in Epcot).

The water out of the fountains we actually found at Epcot tasted fine to us. The one you found must have needed some work...

I don't mind the taste of the local water. I tell my wife that the plastic taste from my camelback covers it up!

 

[VACamm]

I always ask for free ice water at every soda fountain I see ! I pour it directly into my water bottles

 

[jahber]

I've very often been told by the cashiers at QS places that I don't need to wait in line to ask for water--just go straight to the counter and ask for it. Specifically, this has happened at the ice cream/smoothie place next to Cosmic Rays and Sunshine Terrace and the America pavilion off the top of my head, and others I can't think of now. Typically, if there isn't a crowd waiting at the pickup place, I just skip the line. If there is a crowd waiting (and so the servers are busy) and I don't see any water pre-made, I'll go through the line.

 

[SgtTibbs]

Actually no, most places have filters and it tastes just fine. I've only had bad water once (can't remember which place, but I think it was in Epcot).

Good to know that's changed, last time I had it, well let's just say it must be an acquired taste.

 

[mollmoll4]

Good to know that's changed, last time I had it, well let's just say it must be an acquired taste.

Florida water doesn't taste great to me, so last trip I brought a water bottle with a built-in filter. Worked like a charm!