There’s no denying it — Disney World can get HOT. We’re talking sweating, dehydrating, feels-like-you’re-melting HOT.
Don’t Let the Heat Get to You
We’ve got plenty of tips on how to beat the heat during the summer at Disney World and advice to make sure you don’t get caught off guard by any unexpected Florida weather. With the Florida heat, you can easily get dehydrated — especially if you’re not used to the warm weather and being on your feet all day. Staying hydrated is key to making the most of your Disney trip, and luckily most quick-service locations throughout the parks offer free cups of water to guests. But, one spot has changed just how you get it.
For many guests, no visit to the parks is complete without first stopping for a Starbucks drink and snapping a photo of their beverage of choice by the castle (or other park icon).
Photo Time!
Each Disney World park has a Starbucks location within it, and those locations have been known to give out FREE venti cups of ice water to guests upon request.
We checked at the Starbucks locations in Animal Kingdom (Creature Comforts) and EPCOT (Connections Cafe), and were told that venti waters are still free at these locations.
Starbucks in Animal Kingdom
At Hollywood Studios (The Trolley Car Cafe) we initially found that we could still get the venti cup of water for free, but you had to ask for it when you order, not at the pickup counter.
However, upon a return visit in mid/late June of 2022, we noticed that Cast Members were handing out pre-made grande ice waters, instead of waters in the larger sized cups. When we asked for a venti ice water, the Cast Member simply handed us 2 of the grande cups that had been pre-made.
Our FREE Water
BUT things are different at Magic Kingdom’s Starbucks spot (Main Street Bakery)! When we visited Magic Kingdom’s Starbucks one day and asked for a free water in a venti cup, the Cast Member said we couldn’t get the free water in a venti cup. A second Cast Member we spoke to at the time said that they did have complimentary red cups that they could use to still give guests FREE water (it just wouldn’t be the big venti ones).
Upon a return trip to Magic Kingdom, we were told again that the smaller red cups were available to give to guests with free water, but that the Cast Members had been told to charge for the venti cups.
Starbucks Water
We went back to Magic Kingdom again and tried to buy a venti cup of water, but the Cast Member wouldn’t let us buy it. During that trip, we were told that we couldn’t get the venti cup (even if we paid for it) and instead were provided with the red cup of free water. The Cast Member did, however, say that we could get as many of the little red cups as we wanted.
Our Water Cup
A Cast Member we spoke to in Animal Kingdom’s Starbucks location stated that Magic Kingdom is currently the only park not giving out free venti waters due to the greater number of guests in the park that request water.
According to the Cast Member, the venti cups are more expensive and they have a large quantity of the little red ones, which is why they’ve swapped to using the smaller red cups at Magic Kingdom specifically. The Cast Member also noted that, at this time, they have no plans to stop giving out venti cups of water for free in the other parks.
Of course, keep in mind that things can change.
FREE water in Magic Kingdom!
So what do you need to know if you’re heading to the parks and looking for free water? If you’re heading to Starbucks, be aware that you can (for now) get a venti cup of water for FREE in all of the parks except for Magic Kingdom. At Magic Kingdom you can still get free water from Starbucks, but it’ll come in a small red cup.
What if you want free water but aren’t heading to Starbucks? No problem! As we noted above, many quick service locations can also provide you with a free cup of water throughout all 4 parks. Note that due to certain mobile order changes that started when the parks first reopened, free water might not be as easily accessible from certain locations. So while you can still find free water, you might have to walk a little bit further than you’re normally used to or head to a different spot than you might have in previous trips.
You May Have to Do a Bit More Looking Around
Remember you’ll also find many water fountains throughout Disney World that you can use to fill up your water bottles. The most important thing here is to stay hydrated. We’ve seen guests really impacted by the heat and our own reporters have felt the intensity of that heat during a long day in the parks.
If you think you’ll forget to reach for that water bottle, it might be a good idea to set an alarm to remind yourself to take a sip every hour. It’s also a good idea to come prepared with a bottle of your own so you can keep that water with you at all times.
It’s important to stay hydrated.
We’ve seen supply shortages impacting things around Disney World, including some that could help you keep cool this summer — like those spray bottles. Our advice is to go into Disney World prepared for the heat. Don’t wait to get there to buy your misters, etc. as you might find that they’re unavailable or more expensive.
To read more about how NOT to be miserable in Disney World during the summer, click here. Or to see our list of 25 items you wouldn’t think you’d need in Disney World (but you do) (including a few water bottles), click here.
Click here to see some of the factors that could impact your travel this summer
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I ran into this issue last September with Magic Kingdom Starbucks. I asked for a trenta water with my coffee order, and was offered the small red cup or it was suggested I purchase a bottle. I was very hot and grumpy when it happened (but still polite to the cast member!), so I emailed Starbucks to complain about it. The official response I got was that this is not the experience they want us to have and I was issued a Starbucks gift card. Not sure if Starbucks’ policy has changed since then as I’m sure the volume in Magic Kingdom is crazy, just sharing my experience.
I’m wondering if they are just experiencing a shortage of venti cups? As a Starbucks barista, I know we’ve had all sorts of supply chain issues, including some cups. On the other hand, the venti and trenta cups are
probably much more expensive than the little red cups.
If this story is accurate, the unintended consequence of this could be people ordering multiple red cups. Yes a red cup is cheaper than a vendi cup, but are 2 or red cups cheaper? It’s no big deal for me, I buy the bottles. However, it will be interesting to see if this is a real cost benefit over time. I suspect it will depend on the average number of red cups ordered per customer. Not sure how Disney will track that, but this solution could end up costing more.
This is nothing more then Disney’s greed ! But trying to seem caring but is it really ? You can not buy a Venti cup of water that will last awhile but here’s a small quick drink of water enough for you to make it over to the Souvenir shop to buy a $20-$40 dollar water bottle from plastic to Stainless Steel . But why not you already had to take a Bank loan to be at the park . As a Direct Quote from the Executive offices charge the guest more and they will pay , will call it adding to the experience.
We always bring a filtered refillable water bottle. The free water tastes better from the filtered bottles.
This is pretty standard at Starbucks licensed locations. Been to multiple airports, food courts, etc (not true Starbucks locations) where they do this. Usually charge about 5-10 cents for cups.
Why are water filling stations not provided at Disney? It is 2022, c’mon man.
Could the issue have anything to do with the Venti cups being plastic? Seems to me that they’d prefer to give recyclable paper cups instead. Just curious.
UNACCEPTABLE
Katie,
Starbucks policy on free water no matter the cup size has not changed. Just keep in mind that Starbucks in Disney is a licensed store and not corporate.
This change is completely understandable and justifiable from the perspective of Starbucks. These cups are known as courtesy cups, and they are providing them to you as a courtesy. There’s no rule saying that Starbucks or any other restaurant has to give us free drink cups. It looks as those these cups are actually being supplied to Starbucks by Disney for this express purpose.
Starbucks drinks are extraordinarily expensive, and thus require tight inventory controls. A dishonest worker could easily do cash sales of these Venti drinks, pocket the cash and without inventory controls could simply say they gave the drinks away as water cups. Do this a couple of times per hour and you are pocketing an extra $12-$15 per hour at the expense of the company you work for.
Again, another example of the few ruining it for the many.
Does the free water in the cups taste better (and colder) than the water from the water fountains? I tried the water fountains and it was very warm (in a couple of places) and has an odd metal taste to the water.
I’m wondering if you bring your own Starbucks tumbler if you can get the water. Since they are giving stars and 10 cent discount for actual drinks.
The whole issue can be side stepped if Disney would just put in more cold water drinking fountains for a self service experience. ThKe a step back in time when water was free for the taking. A simple fix for a simple problem that will save millions is cup cost and lost cast member time in dispensing it. Think about it…a drinking fountain, what a noville idea…
Really people? You try running a business and look at the cost of those large plastic cups versus the smaller paper cups not to mention the waste and environmental impact.
If you need that much water bring your own water bottle in filled up before entering the park. Refill it in the parks, there is water to be had at every park including some water bottle filling stations.
The complaints and comments have become so ugly and rude over the last couple of years.
Disney World just needs more water bottle refill stations and everything would be fine! I’m okay with the red cups. We had plenty of water last week during our trip. But refill stations are needed!
theres no way in the system to ring up waters in starbucks cups to purchase theres only a way to have it as an item on the receipt but there wont be a charge for it. they cannot charge for water and theyre not told to they just dont have enough stock to provide venti water cups for 30 thousand guests every day.
I recently asked at Epcot Starbucks for a water and was told I’d need to join the queue, place an order and ask for it with that.
I agree with the person who said you should plan to bring your own bottle of water into the parks. Imagine the environmental impact of all those large plastic cups – disgusting! It isn’t just you, but you times THOUSANDS more EACH day! Think about it!