We’re tackling another question from the DFB Reader mailbag today! Our reader asks:
Which counter service locations in Walt Disney World have self serve kiosks offering free refills?
This is really relevant question from a budget perspective. Since the Resort Refillable Mugs can’t be used in the parks, you might want to know where you can go to get more than one drink from the soda fountain. Let’s check out a couple of spots where you can grab multiple rounds of drinks when you’re extra thirsty.
Note: You do need to purchase a drink from these locations before filling up your cup again and again! Also, our DFB team members have checked with cast members at each location to confirm that refills are, indeed, allowed during your meal at the restaurant.
Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the places you can get mi favorito Disney Chicken Nuggets.
Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
But it’s also a convenient stop for a fountain drink as well. Enjoy unlimited refills while you dine in some of the best theming a Disney counter service restaurant has to offer. (And since it’s notoriously crazy hot in Animal Kingdom, this is a terrific spot to really cool down during your AK day!)
Restaurantosaurus Beverage Station
Locations in Epcot’s Future World
Guests give Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Land Pavilion high marks for their fresh menu options with international flair. You can also get some great comfort food here, like Rotisserie Chicken and fan favorite Strawberry Shortcake!
Menu Board
But it’s also a great place to fill up on beverages, since you can sit a spell in the AC and go back for seconds. (This is also a great spot to refill your water bottles with cold water and ice — rather than a tepid water fountain in the sun!)
Electric Umbrella, located right in the middle of Epcot’s Future World, features colorful decor, classic Disney counter service fare, and a self-serve beverage station.
Electric Umbrella in Epcot’s Futureworld
But what could be better than totally free?! That’s what you’ll find at Epcot’s Club Cool. This fun, interactive exhibit allows guests to try complimentary samples of soda flavors from around the world.
Club Cool Flavors in Epcot’s Futureworld
Go back as many times as you like — and don’t forget to try the Beverly! 😉
Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
For free refills in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head to the backlot — Backlot Express, that is!
Backlot Express
After you have a look around at all the incredible theming — check out the First Aid Kit! — stop by the tool cabinet for a refill of your favorite soda pop.
Don’t You Love the Awesome Drink Station Theming?
Downtown Disney Counter Service Free Refills
Counter Service drink refill options abound at Downtown Disney counter service spots.
We love Earl of Sandwich for their amazing sammies AND desserts! But it’s also a great place to go if you want a second Coke.
Enjoy a Free Refill to Wash Down That Italian Sandwich
And if you like a pizza pie at Wolfgang Puck Express, you’ll be happy also to find free refills. The beverage station is initially self-serve, but attentive staff will keep you hydrated as you enjoy your meal.
Grab Your First Soda, and Staff Will Keep You Well Supplied While You Dine
Our final stop on the free refill train is Cookes of Dublin. Located right beside Raglan Road Pub in Downtown Disney, this great little counter service spot offers some killer Fish and Chips in addition to other specialties. (Try the Vintage Cheddar Cheese Dip! You won’t be sorry!!)
Fish and Chips — The Original One and One
And part of its charm is — you guessed it — unlimited refills.
Self-Service Drinks Area
While you can also get refills a-plenty at resorts — especially with Refillable Souvenir Mugs — we hope this brief (ok, not so brief) rundown is helpful when you’re parched and traversing the parks in need of a cold beverage…or three.
Do you pick your counter service meal spots based upon free refills in the parks? Leave us a comment and let us know if refills are important to you!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
We don’t pick our CS based on refillables but they are certainly a bonus. I like to point that out when people say there is no good CS in AK or DHS. Fun theming, decent food, AND refillable beverages make Backlot Express and Restaurantosaurus two of our favorites for lunch. We’ve eaten at all of these places and also enjoy Sunshine Seasons and Cooke’s in particular for CS lunch or dinner.
I’m fairly positive refills aren’t really supposed to happen at Sunshine Seasons. You have to walk back through the cash registers to refill your drink, then walk back through like you’re stealing a drink. I guess if it wasn’t busy and you politely asked a CM, they’d be fine with it.
I use these locations as water bottle refill spots. No waiting. D
uck in, get my ice water and go.
You can go back for soda refills at Sunshine Seasons? I always assumed you could not because you’d need to walk past the cashiers again. Do you just tell the cashier it’s a refill?
Dave and Ryan — We confirmed with cast members and employees on site at each spot before the post was published that refills were free after initial drink purchase at all of the places we mentioned. Thanks!
we were told by separate cast members at sunshine seasons this week on separate occasions (without asking) that all of the fountain beverages were free refills… 4 coke refills later I was was getting the thumbs up and a big smile from them too
Dan — Ha! That’s awesome. 🙂
Thanks so much for the info! My husband and I definitely consider drink refill options very important when looking for a restaurant, at Disneyland or WDW. Hopefully we’ll get to WDW soon enough that these places listed are still around! Any chance of a similar post about Disneyland? Thanks! 🙂
We do the same as Allaina .
We drive to Disney so we are able to bring a 24 pack case of water for our room.
We take 2 bottles with us the the parks and use the clean water from the soda fountains to refill.
Saves a lot of money over the course of our stay because we aren’t buying water or soft drinks.
Plus it’s a lot more healthier then filling up on sugary drinks that will do nothing but make you tires and irritable.
We also bring our own booze so when we are back at the hotel laying by the pool, we again save a bunch.
I feel the need to mention, only because I’ve seen people do this; The free refills are only while you are at that restaurant at that particular time of purchase. I’ve seen people pull a used cup out of their backpack and go into a restaurant to refill that cup. Just wrong.
Maesaysfoit, I cannot say I’m surprised. People will do anything to cheat the system. One time I saw a couple at Le Cellier – of all places – and the guy decided to eat 95% of his steak before demanding he not pay for it, because it wasn’t to his liking; and this was after his wife complained about her meal and got a replacement which she ate all of. Then they were floored their meal wasn’t fully comped and instantly demanded management. While people think it’s okay to cheat the system because Disney is so big and makes as much as they do, the reality is the rest of us will just end up paying for it when they raise prices.
D-Luxe Burger and Blaze Pizza at Disney Springs also offers free refills as well as a fabulous food value for the WDW Resort.
Will add that all drinks in Magic Kingdom are equivalent to a medium while at Animal Kingdom they are larger.
A great strategic is ask for light or no ice to get more beverage.
We discovered free refills at Baseline Tap House. My husband bought a ginger ale in a CAN mind you and the bartender said he could get refills all day! We used it 4 times one day, there are many places with ginger ale!