Water bottle fill ups or free glass of water?

[Mickeybell]

My son (14) is going to Disneyland with his school band. He asked me were he can fill up his water bottle or maybe get a free cup of water. I know I have read on here that there are places to fill up a water bottle in the park but I can't remember were? I know he will rather save his money for thing like churros than buying new water bottles, lol. Thanks.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Just about any CS restaurant will give him a free cup of ice water. They cannot fill his water bottle for him, but he can get multiple cups to fill his bottle by himself. Also, there are faucets where he can fill his bottle (Rancho del Zocalo springs to mind, and he can get ice inside). First Aid in both parks will let him fill his water bottle from their water fountain. Restaurants with soda fountains, like the Plaza Inn, will allow him to fill his water bottle (it might be easier to fill a large cup and pour into his bottle). The soda fountains have filtered water.

 

[disneychrista]

I hate carrying things around the park. I just grab cups of water as needed.

 

[SMD]

The water refills are at TLT, Rancho and Mint Julep Bar. Rancho has small plastic cups. I think there used to be one in DCA at Pacific Wharf, but I couldn't find it when I was looking last week. Some of the longer line queue had drinking fountains in DL, not really in DCA. (I waited for over an hour for Luigi's 2 weeks ago and was dying for water bu the end, that's why I had the bottle to refill last week in DCA and couldn't find anywhere except the drinking fountains.) I usually just take the free cups at CS and toss it before loading a ride. I don't mind refilling them at drinking fountains if there's still ice in them. If I get thirsty again I'll grab another one, but in the meantime I don't have to carry anything. I often go to the parks with just my AP, ID, money, phone and car keys in my pockets, so that works for me.

 

[figment_jii]

All of the CS locations will give you free cup of ice water if you ask for one. You usually have to wait in line and "order" one, but on hot days, they may have trays of ice water cups on the counter. None of the CS locations where the drink stations are behind the counter will fill your water bottle for you (health code), but they'll give you a cup of water that you can pour into your bottle. The default size will be a child's cup, so it might take a few to fill your bottle (depending on the size). I've had mixed luck asking for larger sized cups of water.

There really aren't that many CS locations where the drink dispensers are not behind a counter. I know that the drink dispensers at Redd Rockett's in Tomorrowland and the Plaza Inn on Main Street are not behind a counter, so you can fill your own bottle there. Rancho also has a water dispenser with filtered water in the seating area that you can use, but you have to go inside the restaurant to get ice. That's the one I've used the most often. I hadn't noticed the one by the Mint Julep Bar before, but from the pictures it looks like it's often blocked from view by all the guests waiting for the Mint Julep Bar (I'll have to keep that one in mind next time).

 

[SMD]

It's also a health code violation to refill a bottle from the machines that aren't behind the counter. I've seen people touch the lip of their bottle to the nozzle, which is the problem. Plus, it's gross. You're better off asking for a water cup and using that. I wouldn't say all CS will give a cup of water, since I know Troubadour Tavern and Edelweiss don't have water dispensers on their machine, they will just give you a cup of ice. In both cases there is a drinking fountain very close.

 

[figment_jii]

It's also a health code violation to refill a bottle from the machines that aren't behind the counter. I've seen people touch the lip of their bottle to the nozzle, which is the problem. Plus, it's gross. You're better off asking for a water cup and using that. I wouldn't say all CS will give a cup of water, since I know Troubadour Tavern and Edelweiss don't have water dispensers on their machine, they will just give you a cup of ice. In both cases there is a drinking fountain very close.

Interesting and good to know...I wasn't really thinking of those as counter service; they strike me more like snack locations, but I can see where folks would consider those counter service places. I would guess this also means that places like the lemonade stands (like the one in Tomorrowland and NOS) and other kiosk type locations probably do not have free water available either. I've only asked at the larger/full-scale counter service locations (e.g., French Market, Jolly Holiday, Hungry Bear, Tomorrowland Terrace, Flo's, etc.) and haven't had any problems getting cups of ice water at those locations.

 

[SMD]

Interesting and good to know...I wasn't really thinking of those as counter service; they strike me more like snack locations, but I can see where folks would consider those counter service places. I would guess this also means that places like the lemonade stands (like the one in Tomorrowland and NOS) and other kiosk type locations probably do not have free water available either. I've only asked at the larger/full-scale counter service locations (e.g., French Market, Jolly Holiday, Hungry Bear, Tomorrowland Terrace, Flo's, etc.) and haven't had any problems getting cups of ice water at those locations.

The lemonade stands don't have drink machines or ice, so no luck there. Also some of the cozy cones, stands on the pier and Bug's Land don't have drink machines or ice. The soft serve window and Schmoozies only have ice. DCA could really use some of the spouts like DL has.

 

[figment_jii]

Yeah, I whole-heartedly agree about DCA!

 

[Mickeybell]

Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate the info. I will be passing it along to him. He will be going next weekend. I am so excited for him. I wish I was going too!!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There is also a water dispenser in the Starbucks at DtD. It is located on the stand with the napkins, sugar, and dairy carafes.

 

[kristabelle13]

A month ago, I inquired about filling my water bottle at Plaza Inn and the cast member said to use the machine. It struck me as odd too because that's usually a no no in Canada.

 

[az4boys]

If he wants to refill using a regular drinking fountain (not filtered), but doesn't like the taste of the water, he can take those single serve packages of lemonaid or punch.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The single packets of flavored drink powder are handy to help keep everyone hydrated. If someone won't drink plain water, filtered or not, they usually will drink a flavored beverage from a water bottle.

 

[bookgirl]

I'm a fan of a refillable bottle. I actually almost always have a refillable water bottle with me at home or anywhere I travel, I've never had any problem refilling at a soda fountain or getting cups of ice water anywhere. It has a wide mouth so that I don't ever have to touch the lip to the spigot or have problems pouring it in.

Disney Parks are really good about handing out water. Usually I just look as I walk by places and anyplace without a line I ask for ice water and pour it in my bottle. That way I always have it. If you wait until you're thirsty to ask for a drink you're usually already on your way to dehydrated.

I'd pay $3 for a Dasani before I'd use a public fountain, heck I'd pay $5 before I'd use a public fountain. I might even pay $10. I really hate public fountains.

 

[KeKy4]

If he wants to refill using a regular drinking fountain (not filtered), but doesn't like the taste of the water, he can take those single serve packages of lemonaid or punch.

We do this! We like the propel packets because they have added vitamins. We feel more hydrated than just drinking water. Especially in the summer when you're sweating!