Yes, it’s officially autumn. And yes… it’s also just over 90 degrees in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom today.
Fall Decorations in Magic Kingdom
So, as you can imagine, we were in search of a nice, cold cup of ice water during our visit! Typically, many counter service locations offer cups of ice water by request. However, in some cases you’ll notice that things have changed… though, the MAIN thing hasn’t: you CAN still get free ice water in the Disney World theme parks. However, we wanted to give you a little heads up on the process for your next visit.
We stopped by Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café today to request a glass of ice water… and to say “hello” to Sonny Eclipse, of course, while we were at it!
It’s Sonny Eclipse!
However, we were informed that, since the location is currently serving guests through Mobile Order only, we were unable to pick up a cup of water there at that moment, as they are trying to limit the number of guests going in and out of Cosmic Ray’s when things get busy.
Mobile Order Pick Up Area at Cosmic Ray’s
As you may know, Mobile Order — the process which allows guests to pre-order and pre-pay for their food at participating Counter Service restaurants around Disney World using the My Disney Experience app — is offered even more widely around Disney World quick service locations these days in order to reduce contact and promote physical distancing as part of current health and safety measures.
Mobile Order Sign at Pecos Bill
The cast members at Cosmic Ray’s kindly directed us just a few steps away to Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies, where we were happily given two free ice waters (in the cute Mary Blair-inspired cups, no less)!
Ice Water at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
We had a similar experience at Pinocchio Village Haus recently, where we were redirected to the nearby Storybook Treats and easily picked up a cup. (Note that, if you ARE utilizing Mobile Order and would like a cup of water to drink with your meal, you can request a cup when you pick up your food.)
Now, your mileage may vary depending on location AND time of day. For instance, we were able to receive a cup of ice water recently at Flame Tree Barbecue — a counter service location in Disney’s Animal Kingdom which also offers Mobile Order, but it was late afternoon (as opposed to the busier lunch hour).
Flame Tree Barbecue
And we were able to confirm that it does indeed depend on the time of day, even in Magic Kingdom. Basically, if a location is busy with Mobile Orders, guests will be redirected to another location for water. But if things are less busy, a cast member will do their best to fill your request for a cup, if they can!
But for now, simply be advised that you may need to make an extra stop for ice water during your Disney World theme park day. And with that, it’s “So long” from Magic Kingdom!
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Almost impossible to get water in Magic Kingdom. They are rude if you not ordering anything .Obviously the drinking fountains are unsafe. $4.00 for a bottle of warm water. When we were in Animal Kingdom a cast member was walking around with a tray offering cups of ice water. The atmosphere of Epcot and Animal Kingdom is so much friendlier than the other two.
Wonder if drinking fountains could be converted to bottle filling stations (like in the gyms) and would that be a safe alternative?
When we were in the Magic Kingdom in August, we had just bought some ice cream at Auntie Gravity’s but wanted a an airconditioned spot to eat it (everyone was scattered in the various immediate areas outside in the scorching sun). When we arrived at Cosmic Ray’s we were lucky enough to be greeted by one of the managers who told us that since it wasn’t busy we could grab a table, but that normally that was a no no. We couldn’t thank her enough for being so considerate. That 20 minutes in the A/C (plus the ice cream) really recharged our batteries.
Wouldn’t you think it takes the same amount of time to refuse someone water as it would to just to hand them a cup of water?
That is why I use a 3 Liter Camopack. You can freeze it night before and it will maintain cold almost til night fall. In addition, it will serve as a natural air conditioner for you back during very warm/hot days.
HMMM — Mobile ordering and paying? How does that work if you are using Disney Rewards. My wife and I buy almost all meals using Disney Rewards. The dinging plan is no worth it for just the 2 of us.
Is Florida not open? Are these things in box and every day or so a new requirement is pulled out? Remember it is important to do the appropriate thing and not bend to the “ we’ve got to do something!” Crowd.
OK, let’s see, you’re ALREADY in there, so why not just hand over the water? It would take the same amount of time to do that as it does to redirect you to somewhere else. Sending you somewhere else will not stop the flow of people coming and asking for water because they won’t know they can’t get it until told. Sometimes these rules are beyond ridiculous and I wonder if the person who makes these policies has any common sense. SMH.
You should forward your experience to Gest Relations!
The interesting thing is that unless word really gets around or they start posting signs about it, they are still going to get just as many people coming in for it. Only now they’re just asking for it and leaving 🤪. I wonder if they’ll post on the doors about it (if they haven’t already). This is why I follow DFB.. I like to know these things before I go!! Thanks for sharing!!
Things seem to be getting more and more unbelievable in WDW as time goes by. Makes me wonder what the place will be like by this time next year.
If you bring your on bottled water can you still get a cup of ice for your refillable cup
We just got back. I found it much more difficult to get free ice water. We got told not here. but around the corner. At Sleepy Hollow it had to be ordered and wait in line for your name to be called. Maybe that’s how it always is. We bring our refillable cup and refill at lunch.
I did find there to be less friendly people in some cases on this trip. I figured I’d feel the and way with many lay-offs in question. We were there before and after the announcement.
Good info. Thanks! Going to WDW from Indiana soon.
I don’t have a Mobile ‘phone so obviously I do not have the App. How do I manage to eat, check menu’s or even book a slot to visit a park?
just another reason we will NOT be visiting DW until things are back to normal. It’s just ridiculous at this point. Too many ways to charge more money for less. Too many rules that don’t help any way. They just announced all the lay offs, but then a few days later announced the opening of mini golf. Who is going to work it if they lay everybody off. In my opinion, Disney has made a lot of mistakes during this debauchery. We are LONG time Disney fans, but I refuse to go with all the nonsense going on right now.
Rod-Pee-Bee, you can book a Disney Park Pass on computer or tablet, so you won’t need a phone for that. Instead of ordering Mobile Order food in the Parks, you’ll be able to go inside to order with a Cast Member. If you make an Advance Dining Reservation for a Table Service restaurant on the computer before your visit (or with Guest Relations the day you’re in the Park), you can request a paper menu. We’ve seen them available just about everywhere.
Wlfmsdf, that should be possible — you might still encounter the same changes to free water, though.
Lennie, you will likely need to ask to order in person with a Cast Member.
When we went to Pinocchio’s Village Haus for lunch in September, I asked for water and got it. There was no ice in it. It seems like after my request they handed my husband two cups of room temperature water. I didn’t complain, water is water.
Let’s be honest. For what a Disney World trip costs an average family, “free” water seems like it’s not really free and considering that many visitors are there during very hot weather, cold water should be free and easily available EVERYWHERE!