It looks like we are actually going to go this summer to WDW, and although I have TONS of questions, right now I have one little nagging one. I've heard about buying these Disney mugs for $12 to refill all day long, but we don't drink much pop, so I don't think it'd be worth it. We drink water, but I've also heard that bottled water is expensive there (always is, isn't it, when you need it most). Are there lots of water fountains around, or any alternative to drinking pop? Just wondering. TIA

By Jackie on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 04:28 pm:

OK, I love Disney.. But we have never stayed onsite.
We go to Publix, their local grocery store and buy bottled water to bring with us. Its much cheaper that way, then buying it there.They also have a super Walmart near by, where you can get good buys as well

By Janet on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 04:50 pm:

Do you lug everything around with you? I've read you should bring your own snacks, etc., but what do you carry it all in? (I tend to obsess over the little things! LOL)

By Sunny on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 05:10 pm:

I believe there are two different kinds of refillable mugs, but I've only had experience with the resort mugs. For $12 (or however much they are now), you can purchase a mug and get unlimited refills at the resort you're staying in. I don't believe you can refill it inside the parks, although you could always fill it and bring it with you and when you wanted, refill it at the water fountains. We've gotten them before and used them all the time. They do make nice souvenirs.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 05:29 pm:

We take bottled water and snacks in small bag that we loop on a stroller that gets left in "parking area" by each ride. Never have worried about it--our bag looks like a diaper bag--and no one has ever taken it.
Water fountains are around but water is WARM-Yuck!
The souvenir cups are more annoying to carry around and more apt to be taken if you leave in stroller.
Food is extremely over priced there. Drinks average $2.50 each!
My kids love to carry the water bottle/fans. You can get them for $5.00 at Walmart. We put ice in them so they stay cold longer and as they melt make a great cool drink.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 05:53 pm:

We've always taken snacks for when we are in for the evening, and also for breakfast. (This is pre-kids) We always got the mug because we use them a lot. We never lugged it around though - too big. We bought bottled water. BUT there are water fountains around, I think at most restrooms. One of the around the neck water bottle things is a good idea. When we're there we always say we're going to get one and never do.
I think it's worth it to buy the bottled water for convenience, but like I said, it's always been just the two of us so $ was no object then, LOL!
(Staying onsite BTW is THE BEST!!!)

By Debbie on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 08:17 pm:

We always stop and get bottled water and snacks before we go to our hotel. We also get milk and cereal to eat in our room before we go to the parks. Most of the hotels on site have small refrigerators that you can put milk and water in. Even though my dks are older (7&5) we still rent a stroller there. It is just too much walking for them. We usually take 4-6 cold waters in a backpack and just leave it with the stroller. No one has ever taken it.

I would definitely recommend staying onsite if you can. They offer extra magic hours for only Disney resort guest. This gives you extra time in the parks before and after they open/close. It isn't as crowded since only resort guests can get in. It is also so hot and humid in the summer that it is nice to be able to go back to the resort for a swim/mid day nap. It is much easier to do this if you stay on site.

We have been to Disney a few times in the last couple of years, including last Aug. So, post any questions you have. I know there are several others on the board that also go to Disney.

By Debbie on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 08:19 pm:

I almost forgot.. Janet, the mugs you are talking about are resort mugs. They are not for in the park. You can get unlimited refills, but it is for sodas only. We never get them because we don't really drink soda.

Also, I have gotten the powdered gatorade and taken it in a baggie to put into the cold water bottles. My dks love gatarade and it is nice when they get sick of drinking water.

By Imamommyx4 on Thursday, April 14, 2005 - 09:21 pm:

We bought bottled water and put them in the freezer (pour just a little out first). Then we put them in our backpack along with munchies, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. The ice melts as the day wears on and you have cold water for alot longer.
We like soda but when it is so hot outside, soda just makes you thirstier.

By Janet on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 11:16 am:

Good advice...thank you! Our girls are older (10 and 15), so strollers won't be with us. I'm thinking one of those small backpacks... something to leave our arms free. But what do you do with them while on rides? We are staying onsite. Someone told me once you can order pizza to your room, is that right?
Oh, another thing. We are planning to visit Sea World and Universal..can we stay at the WDW resort and drive over to the other places, then come back? Or do they kick you out if you're done with the WDW parks?

By Kate on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 12:47 pm:

You can stay at a Disney hotel and never go to the parks if you want. Go to Universal and Sea World all you want! Also, it's HOT and a backpack will probably be much too warm against your girls' backs. I'd advice a fanny/hip pack which can easily go on rides with you and won't be as warm. Which hotel are you staying at? We're going in August and haven't made up our minds, but it will be one of the monorail resorts.

By Debbie on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 01:20 pm:

Janet, since you won't have a stroller, you can always rent a locker for about $5.00 a day. They are located at the entrance to the park. The only thing is that you would have to back track to the front of the park whenever you wanted something out of it. I pesonally wouldn't want to do that.

I always carry a small backpack with money, tickets, etc. I just stick it in the seat next to me when I am on a ride. Or, I put it by my feet and stick my foot through the arm opening. Since your girls are older, I would just have them each carry a small backpack or hip pack with the things they want to take into the park, water, snack, sunglasses, etc. I would definitely suggest that everyone wear a hat. It is just so hot there in the summer. We are originally from Texas, and we still thought it was hot.

Like, Kate said, you can come and go from your hotel just like any other hotel.

Kate, we love staying on the monorail. The Polynesian is our favorite. We have stayed there several times.

By Lorebunde on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 03:26 pm:

We stayed at the all star twice. You purchase the mugs and keep them. Then whenever you go to the cafeteria, or whatever its called, you can just get any type of refill, soda, coffee, etc.

By Janet on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 04:10 pm:

Thanks!

By Karefl on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 04:52 pm:

Okay we live 5 min from Disney & dH works on property. We visit VERY frequently so here's my advice for what it's worth...
Yes, you can visit other parks outside of Disney property. You'll just need to rent a car b/c Disney transportation doesn't run off property. Sea World it GREAT! We have season passes for that park. I haven't been to Universal in years. I've never purchased a resort mug. You can only use them at your resort NOT in the parks. We took the Disney Cruise a couple of years ago & I didn't even buy them on the ship. We don't drink much soda. I ALWAYS stop at Publix before & get water. I can get 2/$1 there instead of 1/$2.50! We love to stay at the cabins at Ft. Wilderness! You have a fridge & freezer so you could freeze your water for parks days!
Here's a Sea World tip that my son learned at Sea World Camp last year! Take a hair comb with you. When you go to the under water viewing areas (dolphins & whales have them) put the comb against the glass & run your fingers along the teeth of it! The vibrations in the water attract the dolphins! We spend ALOT of time playing w/them when we go now. My son takes a small mirror too b/c we saw on a video that they are one of the few animals that recognize their own reflection! It's SOOOO much fun!