One of the best ways to save money at Disneyland is to drink the free water instead of paying for bottled water and other beverages. You can find the cutest themed water refill stations around the park as well as pick up free water (and ice) from most restaurants. Disneyland and Southern California has a typically dry climate, which means you might need to hydrate more than you do at home if you live in a humid or cool place. This is most true in the hottest months of summer and fall. Here's how to stay hydrated at Disneyland and where to find the best-tasting water and the most magical Disneyland water refill stations you don't want to miss! Bringing a refillable water bottle to the parks saves you money and saves the environment too. It's a win-win!
How to Find Free Cups of Water at Disneyland
You can get free water at most quick-service dining locations. If the restaurant serves fountain drinks, then it likely has cups of water. Restaurants and smaller locations that sell only bottled drinks do not. Some locations (such as Galactic Grill, Red Rose Taverne or Rancho del Zocalo) have filtered water stations, so they'll give you a cup (or a cup with ice upon request) and you can fill your own as much as you like.
A few dining locations have self-serve water at soda stations. This is actually our favorite way to refill a water bottle for several reasons. The water tastes better (to us, anyway) and you can add ice. Hop by these locations to fill your own bottle and get ice.
Disneyland Restaurants with Self-Serve Soda Stations (with water):
- Alien Pizza Planet (our favorite in Disneyland with good ice)
- Plaza Inn
Disney California Adventure Restaurants with Self-Serve Soda Stations (with water):
- Pym Test Kitchen (our top California Adventure water stop)
- Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta
Where Are Bottle-Filling Stations at Disneyland?
Around the parks, you'll find water bottle fill stations near some drinking fountains. Some of the themed fill stations are toadally cute! They are themed to the land or nearby attractions. They make it fun to fill up.
These do not tend to be cold, and — in our humble opinion — we think this water tastes better if you add some ice. So refill your water bottles that already have ice, refill a frozen water bottle or ask for a cup of ice from a nearby restaurant.
Bottle-Filling Station Locations at Disneyland Park
- Pooh Corner
- Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (two stations — one near each restroom, but our favorite is in the marketplace)
- Near King and Queen Restrooms behind Alice in Wonderland ("Drink Me!")
- Big Thunder Mountain exit
- Across from Pioneer Mercantile
- Catfish Cove on Tom Sawyer Island
- Autopia
- Toontown (one near the restrooms and one near Chip 'n' Dale's GADGETcoaster)
Bottle-Filling Station Locations at Disney California Adventure
- Near Grizzly Peak Airfield restrooms
- San Fransokyo Square restrooms
- Avengers Campus Ancient Sanctum
How to Locate All the Bottle-Filling Stations in the Disneyland App
You can also find some fill stations outside the parks. Disneyland adds new fill stations all the time. So here is how to locate them in the app in case they add some we've missed. Go to the magnifying glass to search for "Bottle-Filling Stations." Then, "Find on map." You'll be able to view all the filling stations from inside the parks to Downtown Disney, as well as the parking lots and the hotels.
How to Save on Bottled Water at Disneyland
Let's say you've forgotten your bottle and want to carry water with you. You may need to buy bottled water. But you can save a little money by purchasing the bottles at restaurants or retail locations because they are a little cheaper than at carts in the park. Plus, if you have a Magic Key or Disney credit card, you can apply discounts at the restaurants, saving even more. (Savings are about $1 per bottle cheaper for Magic Keys that get a 15% discount and about $.80 cheaper for 10% discounts). Hold onto that bottle to refill for free.
Buy Off Property
If you are planning to drink bottled water, buy a multi-pack of cheaper water at a store off property to bring with you to the parks. A pack of water bottles could cost you about the same as buying one water in the park. There are convenience stores and drug stores within walking distance of Disneyland. Find several choices (including a CVS and Walgreens) on the corner of Harbor and Katella. When you stay at a hotel near Disneyland, these are great places to stock up on supplies. Or you can have groceries delivered to your hotel.
If you freeze a water bottle, you can drink the water as it melts. Not only do you have cold water to drink for much of the day but as you refill the bottle, the remaining ice quickly cools the water you pour in. Cool water simply tastes better and goes down easier, keeping you more hydrated.
Other Drink Options at Disneyland
You might want to save your soft drinks for when you are dining at a table-service restaurant. Most table-service restaurants offer free soft drink refills. That includes the popular Mint Julep at Cafe Orleans and Blue Bayou! To save some green, ask for a drink to-go before paying your bill and heading out. You can then bring your beverage with you. Also, be sure to refill your water bottle from your ice water glass before leaving the restaurant.
If you are planning to drink soda, you can purchase a pack of sodas at a drug store or grocery store and keep them cool in your room fridge. You can bring food and nonalcoholic beverages into the park. Get a cup of ice with your meal and enjoy a cold soda! This will save you from paying them park prices for sodas.
Our Top Tips for Staying Hydrated at Disneyland
Here are a few tips for staying hydrated and drinking water at Disneyland.
- Drink more than you think you will. All that walking around, sweating, talking and screaming on roller coasters can dry you out.
- Bring resealable, no-spill cups for your kids. They'll be more likely to use them, especially if they keep the water cold, and it will keep them out of your drinks! Plus, having individual cups makes it easier to keep track of how much each tadpole is drinking.
- Ice, ice baby. Get free ice to keep the water cold. It tastes better and makes you more likely to drink it.
- Bring a wide-mouth bottle so you can fill it with ice.
- Store extra water in a locker for later or in the stroller. It does get heavy carrying water for the whole family.
- Bring cooling towels and hats.
- Take advantage of water rides, AC (in shops and some attractions) and indoor dining to stay cool.
- Consider bottles that shrink down when empty to save space.
- Freeze plastic water bottles. As the ice melts, you'll have cold water to drink. Plus frozen bottles can keep food, medicine or breast milk cold.
- Consider how heavy your bottle is. Hauling a heavy bottle in your backpack can take a toll on your body.
- Bring water with you to the park.
- On very hot days, you might drink a bottle an hour to stay hydrated at Disneyland.
- You cannot bring loose ice into Disneyland (in a cooler or bag) — however, you can bring loose ice in a cup.
- Watch out for hidden add-on costs such as glow cubes. Some drinks automatically come with them when you mobile order, but you can reduce costs significantly by ordering in person without the glow cube.
We have many more tips for saving money at Disneyland, including saving on Disneyland tickets and on hotel stays at both Disneyland Resort hotels and at hotels near Disneyland.
Related: Managing Summer Crowds and Heat at Disneyland Resort
Related: Our Top Tips for Saving Money at Disneyland
Hoppy planning!
