Never Buy Bottled Water at Walt Disney World: What You Actually Need to Bring
One of my most shared Disney tips is simple: never buy bottled water at Walt Disney World. Disney offers free ice water throughout the parks, and once you know how to take advantage of it, you can save a surprising amount of money—especially if you visit often.
If you want to learn where and how to get free water at Disney, you can check out my top 3 tips [HERE].
The most common follow-up question I get is:
“Okay, but what do I need to make bringing my own water convenient at Disney?”
That’s exactly what this post is about.
Below, I’ll walk through the items we personally use to make staying hydrated easy while spending long days in the parks. These items are not required to save money at Disney, but they do make the experience a lot more comfortable.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links to Amazon. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You’re welcome to use the links or simply use them as examples of what to look for.
1. A Good Water Bottle (Size Matters)
First things first, you will need a good water bottle.
I usually bring a 32- or 40-ounce bottle. I drink around 64–100 ounces of water a day, so a small bottle just doesn’t work for me. I don’t want to spend my whole day refilling it.
I also don’t recommend going any bigger than that. Once it’s full, it gets heavy, and carrying a massive bottle around Disney all day is not fun.
What to look for:
32–40 oz capacity
Insulated to keep water cold
Leak-proof lid
Easy to refill at quick-service locations
2. Water Bottle Carrier (If You’re Not Using a Stroller)
We have a rule in our house: no strollers after age 7. All of my kids are older now, so we don’t use one anymore.
Instead, we use water bottle carriers.
They make a huge difference. The weight is easier to manage, your hands are free, and you’re not constantly switching the bottle from one hand to the other. If you’re walking the parks all day without a stroller, I highly recommend one.
Why I love them:
More comfortable than carrying a bottle by hand
Adjustable straps
Easy access for refills
Great for teens and adults
3. Large Carabiners (A Must for Stroller Families)
If you do have a stroller, then you need carabiners. Period.
Digging around in the bottom of a stroller is annoying, and it feels like everything you need is always at the very bottom. Carabiners make it easy to clip bags, water bottles, or random stuff you pick up during the day so it’s all right there when you need it.
They’re cheap, simple, and way more helpful than you’d expect.
Carabiners make it easy to clip:
Bags
Water bottles
Souvenirs
Cooling towels
They keep everything accessible and off the ground, which makes park days smoother and less frustrating.
4. Drink Mix Packets
This is my last tip, and honestly one of my favorites.
I personally use sugar-free Liquid IV. I drink a lot of water normally, but when I’m walking around Disney all day, I know I’m not getting enough electrolytes. I usually finish my afternoon or evening with one, and it helps a lot.
My kids don’t like Liquid IV, so I pack Gatorade drink mix packets for them instead.
Is this necessary? No.
Does it save me from buying $6 Gatorades all day? Absolutely.
Call me cheap if you want, but when you go as often as we do, I’m not paying that.
These are perfect because:
They’re lightweight
Easy to toss into backpacks
No need to buy expensive park drinks
I throw a few packets into each child’s bag for the day. When they want something other than plain water, they just mix it with the free water we get at Disney.
Do You Need Any of This?
Nope.
You can absolutely save money at Disney World using free water alone.
But these items make the experience more convenient, more comfortable, and far less annoying, especially on long, hot park days.
Why I Share These Tips
My family and I have been going to Walt Disney World for over 20 years. We started with annual trips when our kids were little, and we moved to Florida almost 10 years ago.
Now we’re annual passholders, frequent Disney Cruise Line travelers, and in the parks regularly.
I wouldn’t call myself high maintenance, but I do hate being inconvenienced when I’m trying to enjoy a vacation. Everything I share is stuff we actually use—not things that sound good on paper.
Planning a Disney Trip?
We’d love to help you plan your next trip to:
Walt Disney World
Disneyland
Disney Cruise Line
Adventures by Disney
We are a registered travel agent with Best Day Travel, and our services come at no additional cost to you. We’ll help you make the most of your trip while saving time, money, and stress.
If you prefer a DIY approach, be sure to:
Sign up for our newsletter
Follow us on social media
We regularly share practical Disney tips, updates, and planning advice.