- Mar 13, 2024
- 8,650
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A trip to Disney World is MANY things: Magical, fun, memory defining… and without a doubt tiring. No matter how one loves the resort’s theme parks, most guests need at least one blast of caffeine to get themselves through the day (It’s me, I’m most guests), and that’s where soda comes in.
Refreshing
Disney magic is REAL, and it’s AWESOME, but it’s NOT gonna be enough to power me through my busy day of riding roller coasters, walking 10+ miles, and watching the fireworks with a DOLE Whip in hand. So I need caffeine, and LOTS of it. When I need my Diet Coke fix and know that I’ll want more than just one cup, I know exactly where I need to go to find unlimited refills in the parks!
After a busy morning of rope dropping Slinky Dog Dash, hurrying off to Tower of Terror to try to hop in the queue before the line got too long, then rushing back to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, I found myself at Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for an early lunch and rest in the A/C.
Backlot Express
Here’s the thing about Backlot Express…the food there is OK. It’s fine. It’s nothing super amazing — mostly burgers and chicken tenders, like you’d expect to find in a theme park — but there’s one BIG reason why I almost always end up at this restaurant when I’m in Hollywood Studios: The self-serve soda refill stations!
Soda refill station
When I’ve had a long, tiring morning of rushing around the park, I know that I’ll need 2-3 Diet Cokes around lunchtime in order to have the energy to keep going through the afternoon (especially if it’s hot and sunny out — that Orlando sun drains my energy so fast!).
Soda
If you’re like me, then you need to hear this WARNING: Not every fast food restaurant in Disney World has unlimited soda refills! There are only certain spots that have self-serve refill stations, so I’ve compiled a COMPLETE list here to help you get your caffeine fix the next time you visit.
Note that you can get refills on your soda if you order one at a table service restaurant, so that’s always an option if you have reservations somewhere. This list focuses on quick service (or fast food) spots.
As I mentioned before, Backlot Express tends to be my go-to for soda at Hollywood Studios. I like to grab some French fries and cheese sauce for DIY cheesy fries as I sip my Diet Coke and chill for a minute.
Backlot Express
Some other tasty menu options you might enjoy with your caffeine include a Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Burger, their Cuban Sandwich, and a Wookie Cookie.
ABC Commissary has had quite the character arc in Hollywood Studios! It used to be on my “definitely nope” list, but after a pretty major menu revamp a couple of years ago, I like it a LOT better now.
ABC Commissary
I’ve enjoyed the Shrimp Tacos and Mediterranean Salad here, but my FAVORITE Diet Coke accompaniment is the Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Connections Eatery is a gem for many reasons, including the huge dining room with lots of seating and the plethora of outlets available throughout the restaurant. Don’t even get me started on the wireless charging stations at some of the tables! So this is definitely a great spot to grab a Coke and hang out for a bit, recharging yourself along with your electronics.
Connections Eatery
If you’re looking to dine here too, we’ve really enjoyed the Hand-breaded Chicken Sandwich (it reminds us of Chick-fil-A!), the pizza, and the French Bistro Burger here. Don’t forget to end with the tasty Liege Waffle for dessert!
The soda refill situation at Sunshine Seasons is a bit weird because the refill machines are located beyond the cash registers, where you collect your food before you pay for it. Once you’ve paid, you go out into the dining area where you’ll find all the booths, tables, and chairs. However, you ARE allowed to go back into that area to get soda refills!
Sunshine Seasons
To pair with your caffeinated drink of choice, try the Oak-grilled Rotisserie Chicken, the Birria Tacos, or the Pepperoni Pizza Roll. And do NOT leave without trying the Turtle Brownie or Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie.
Regal Eagle is located in the World Showcase’s American Adventure pavilion. It offers barbecue fare inspired by various regions of the country, and we love the eats here (even though we’re kind of mad at them for taking our beloved Loaded Burnt Ends Fries off the menu).
Fill up your cup!
Still, we’ll always be down to grab a brisket sandwich or some of those tasty onion rings when we stop by to get our soda fix.
It’d be weird to talk about soda in EPCOT and NOT mention Club Cool. So we’re gonna bring it up, just with a warning.
Club Cool Flavors
Club Cool is a soda-tasting experience where you can sample different drinks from around the world (watch out for Beverly — that’s all we’re gonna say about that). However, please remember that you’re meant to sample the drinks. If you’re super thirsty and want a full-sized cup of soda (or even a float), you can always purchase one at the counter in the back, to the left of all the soda-tasting machines!
Restaurantosaurus is the Backlot Express of Animal Kingdom, meaning it’s got burgers and chicken nuggets and fries and it’s all just fine. The free soda refills are definitely a huge perk and probably the only reason why I’d eat here.
Drink refill station
However, there’s a BETTER quick service restaurant in Animal Kingdom that ALSO offers unlimited soda refills…Satu’li Canteen!
Satu’li Canteen in the Pandora land of Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite restaurants in the park, and I’d come here to eat even if the soda refills weren’t free (but lucky for me, they are).
Get your drinks at Satuli Canteen!
At this spot, you can build your own bowl! You’ll start with a base of red and sweet potato hash, noodles, rice and beans, or salad, then add a protein (beef, chicken, shrimp, or tofu), and then pick a sauce to top it all off. As if that weren’t enough to make me love it, Satu’li Canteen is also the home of Cheeseburger Pods, which are bao buns that are filled with ground beef, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and cheddar cheese. YUM.
You can get free soda refills at just about every quick service restaurant and food court located at the Disney World hotels.
Refill Station at Pop Century
Some of the pool bars have self-serve soda refill stations, too!
Drink Station at Drop Off Pool Bar
And what’s even better is that you can get free soda refills throughout your entire trip if you buy a resort refillable mug!
Refillable Mug
The mugs can be refilled at ANY hotel (not just the one you’re staying at), but note that they can’t be refilled anywhere in the parks.
There are a few spots at Disney Springs — Disney World’s shopping and dining district — that offer unlimited soda refills, too.
D-Luxe Burger
D-Luxe Burger, Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy, and Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza are a few of my favorites.
We’ve talked about Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, the hotels, and even Disney Spring. So you’re probably wondering where you can get your soda fix in Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, the most popular park is also the only one without any unlimited soda refills.
Magic Kingdom
At all of the quick service spots in Magic Kingdom, a Cast Member will fill up your drink for you behind the counter, so there are no self-serve soda machines.
Many quick service restaurants in Disney World don’t have self-serve soda machines, and instead, a Cast Member fills up your drink for you. But in those situations, can you just ask for a free refill from the Cast Members?
Cosmic Ray’s
We’ve asked about the soda refill policy at many restaurants and have been met with lots of different answers. Sometimes the Cast Members are totally fine to refill our drink, and other times they’ll tell us no. Once, a Cast Member said that they could give us one refill but no more. So it seems like there isn’t really a hard-and-fast rule or policy, and it just depends on where you go and who you talk to. It never hurts to ask about refills, but just be aware that the Cast Members may tell you no.
I hope this helps as you’re planning out your Disney World caffeine strategy! Stay tuned to Magical Guides for more updates on all the latest Disney news and for tips as you plan your upcoming vacation.
What’s your favorite place to get soda in Disney World? Let us know in the comments.
Refreshing
Disney magic is REAL, and it’s AWESOME, but it’s NOT gonna be enough to power me through my busy day of riding roller coasters, walking 10+ miles, and watching the fireworks with a DOLE Whip in hand. So I need caffeine, and LOTS of it. When I need my Diet Coke fix and know that I’ll want more than just one cup, I know exactly where I need to go to find unlimited refills in the parks!
After a busy morning of rope dropping Slinky Dog Dash, hurrying off to Tower of Terror to try to hop in the queue before the line got too long, then rushing back to ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, I found myself at Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for an early lunch and rest in the A/C.
Backlot Express
Here’s the thing about Backlot Express…the food there is OK. It’s fine. It’s nothing super amazing — mostly burgers and chicken tenders, like you’d expect to find in a theme park — but there’s one BIG reason why I almost always end up at this restaurant when I’m in Hollywood Studios: The self-serve soda refill stations!
Soda refill station
When I’ve had a long, tiring morning of rushing around the park, I know that I’ll need 2-3 Diet Cokes around lunchtime in order to have the energy to keep going through the afternoon (especially if it’s hot and sunny out — that Orlando sun drains my energy so fast!).
Soda
If you’re like me, then you need to hear this WARNING: Not every fast food restaurant in Disney World has unlimited soda refills! There are only certain spots that have self-serve refill stations, so I’ve compiled a COMPLETE list here to help you get your caffeine fix the next time you visit.
Note that you can get refills on your soda if you order one at a table service restaurant, so that’s always an option if you have reservations somewhere. This list focuses on quick service (or fast food) spots.
Unlimited Soda Refills at Hollywood Studios
Backlot Express
As I mentioned before, Backlot Express tends to be my go-to for soda at Hollywood Studios. I like to grab some French fries and cheese sauce for DIY cheesy fries as I sip my Diet Coke and chill for a minute.
Backlot Express
Some other tasty menu options you might enjoy with your caffeine include a Smoked BBQ Pulled Pork Burger, their Cuban Sandwich, and a Wookie Cookie.
ABC Commissary
ABC Commissary has had quite the character arc in Hollywood Studios! It used to be on my “definitely nope” list, but after a pretty major menu revamp a couple of years ago, I like it a LOT better now.
ABC Commissary
I’ve enjoyed the Shrimp Tacos and Mediterranean Salad here, but my FAVORITE Diet Coke accompaniment is the Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
Unlimited Soda Refills at EPCOT
Connections Eatery
Connections Eatery is a gem for many reasons, including the huge dining room with lots of seating and the plethora of outlets available throughout the restaurant. Don’t even get me started on the wireless charging stations at some of the tables! So this is definitely a great spot to grab a Coke and hang out for a bit, recharging yourself along with your electronics.
Connections Eatery
If you’re looking to dine here too, we’ve really enjoyed the Hand-breaded Chicken Sandwich (it reminds us of Chick-fil-A!), the pizza, and the French Bistro Burger here. Don’t forget to end with the tasty Liege Waffle for dessert!
Sunshine Seasons
The soda refill situation at Sunshine Seasons is a bit weird because the refill machines are located beyond the cash registers, where you collect your food before you pay for it. Once you’ve paid, you go out into the dining area where you’ll find all the booths, tables, and chairs. However, you ARE allowed to go back into that area to get soda refills!
Sunshine Seasons
To pair with your caffeinated drink of choice, try the Oak-grilled Rotisserie Chicken, the Birria Tacos, or the Pepperoni Pizza Roll. And do NOT leave without trying the Turtle Brownie or Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie.
Regal Eagle
Regal Eagle is located in the World Showcase’s American Adventure pavilion. It offers barbecue fare inspired by various regions of the country, and we love the eats here (even though we’re kind of mad at them for taking our beloved Loaded Burnt Ends Fries off the menu).
Fill up your cup!
Still, we’ll always be down to grab a brisket sandwich or some of those tasty onion rings when we stop by to get our soda fix.
It’d be weird to talk about soda in EPCOT and NOT mention Club Cool. So we’re gonna bring it up, just with a warning.
Club Cool Flavors
Club Cool is a soda-tasting experience where you can sample different drinks from around the world (watch out for Beverly — that’s all we’re gonna say about that). However, please remember that you’re meant to sample the drinks. If you’re super thirsty and want a full-sized cup of soda (or even a float), you can always purchase one at the counter in the back, to the left of all the soda-tasting machines!
Unlimited Soda Refills at Animal Kingdom
Restaurantosaurus
Restaurantosaurus is the Backlot Express of Animal Kingdom, meaning it’s got burgers and chicken nuggets and fries and it’s all just fine. The free soda refills are definitely a huge perk and probably the only reason why I’d eat here.
Drink refill station
However, there’s a BETTER quick service restaurant in Animal Kingdom that ALSO offers unlimited soda refills…Satu’li Canteen!
Satu’li Canteen
Satu’li Canteen in the Pandora land of Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite restaurants in the park, and I’d come here to eat even if the soda refills weren’t free (but lucky for me, they are).
Get your drinks at Satuli Canteen!
At this spot, you can build your own bowl! You’ll start with a base of red and sweet potato hash, noodles, rice and beans, or salad, then add a protein (beef, chicken, shrimp, or tofu), and then pick a sauce to top it all off. As if that weren’t enough to make me love it, Satu’li Canteen is also the home of Cheeseburger Pods, which are bao buns that are filled with ground beef, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and cheddar cheese. YUM.
Unlimited Soda Refills at Disney World Hotels
You can get free soda refills at just about every quick service restaurant and food court located at the Disney World hotels.
Refill Station at Pop Century
Some of the pool bars have self-serve soda refill stations, too!
Drink Station at Drop Off Pool Bar
And what’s even better is that you can get free soda refills throughout your entire trip if you buy a resort refillable mug!
Refillable Mug
The mugs can be refilled at ANY hotel (not just the one you’re staying at), but note that they can’t be refilled anywhere in the parks.
Unlimited Soda Refills at Disney Springs
There are a few spots at Disney Springs — Disney World’s shopping and dining district — that offer unlimited soda refills, too.
D-Luxe Burger
D-Luxe Burger, Earl of Sandwich, Chicken Guy, and Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza are a few of my favorites.
But What About Magic Kingdom?
We’ve talked about Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, the hotels, and even Disney Spring. So you’re probably wondering where you can get your soda fix in Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, the most popular park is also the only one without any unlimited soda refills.
Magic Kingdom
At all of the quick service spots in Magic Kingdom, a Cast Member will fill up your drink for you behind the counter, so there are no self-serve soda machines.
Can You Get Refills at Places that DON’T Have Self-Serve Soda Machines?
Many quick service restaurants in Disney World don’t have self-serve soda machines, and instead, a Cast Member fills up your drink for you. But in those situations, can you just ask for a free refill from the Cast Members?
Cosmic Ray’s
We’ve asked about the soda refill policy at many restaurants and have been met with lots of different answers. Sometimes the Cast Members are totally fine to refill our drink, and other times they’ll tell us no. Once, a Cast Member said that they could give us one refill but no more. So it seems like there isn’t really a hard-and-fast rule or policy, and it just depends on where you go and who you talk to. It never hurts to ask about refills, but just be aware that the Cast Members may tell you no.
I hope this helps as you’re planning out your Disney World caffeine strategy! Stay tuned to Magical Guides for more updates on all the latest Disney news and for tips as you plan your upcoming vacation.
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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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What’s your favorite place to get soda in Disney World? Let us know in the comments.
