Disneyland “Water” Park

This is a guest post by Dave Breiland, host of the Mousetalgia Podcast, which covers Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and everything else Disney. Be sure to check out Mousetalgia if you’re planning a Disneyland trip, especially Episode 128, which features our very own Len Testa!

For many years, people have hoped that Disneyland Resort would add an additional park! Unfortunately, there still are no confirmed reports of a third “gate”, much less the park having an aquatic element to it. However, people don’t realize that Disneyland is already a “water” park! Many people don’t realize how important it is to drink a lot of water while they are enjoying their magical moments.

Even if people do know how important hydration is, it is easy to be swept-up in the excitement. By drinking water regularly during the day, you will increase your amount of energy and help reduce fatigue. It is not uncommon for Anaheim to have numerous hot days during the summer, making this all the more important. There is the old saying that you should have 8 glasses of water per day. The Mayo Clinic explains that it isn’t quite so cut-and-dry, but it is true that “Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired. [1]” How much water do you think you are drinking in the parks?

How does one stay hydrated in Disneyland? There are several options, mostly depending on convenience. The cheapest option is using the free water available to all guests in the parks. I am sure your initial thought is using the drinking fountains. Oddly enough, you’ll find the water fountains to vary greatly in taste and temperature, but all are great options. However, you can also find nice cool water at the seating area of Rancho del Zocalo. Also, many people don’t realize that you can get a free cup of water at any counter-service restaurant, if you ask nicely!

If we are driving to the Disneyland Resort, then bringing bottled water with us is our preferred method. As crazy as it sounds, I’m pretty picky about the taste of my water and this is the cheapest way to control that! We typically bring at least a case of water, and just keep it in the hotel room. Whenever we visit the hotel room, we grab a couple more bottles to take back in the park. Disney has a pretty good recycling program, making me feel not quite as guilty about disposing of the bottles.

Perhaps the most obvious (or least obvious for some) option is to actually BUY your water from one of the carts! I’m sure you are all cost-conscious people who are laughing at the notion. Sure, you are paying a high convenience fee for the water, but it is ice cold whenever you want it. Additionally, you won’t need to carry around your stockpile of water in a bag for several hours. Considering how much you are probably paying for your overall vacation, this is a fairly minimal cost to add-in to your budget.

Overall, there is little reason to become dehydrated while touring, as you have plenty of ways to be sipping on water. If you are worried about forgetting, you can always write “WATER” on your Disneyland Touring Plan as a gentle reminder. You are likely to have more energy and a much more enjoyable adventure if you make every Disney park a “water park.”

[1] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

Photos courtesy of Klearchos Kapoutsis and Darwin Bell