14 US Parks & Attractions where you Can Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
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With her Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (MSREE) from Oregon Tech, Steph is supremely well qualified to write on all aspects of sustainable living. She has already achieved a zero carbon footprint and her goal is to help as many other people as possible do the same. Her other hobbies include music, yoga, swimming and horror movies.
Most major US attractions allow reusable water bottles, although glass containers are prohibited at nearly all venues. All Disney parks, Universal Studios, National Parks, and most other destinations welcome non-glass bottles with free refill options available.
We surveyed 14 popular US attractions and found they ALL allow you to bring your own water bottles, though specific policies vary. But there are some key restrictions, including the following.
Glass bottles are prohibited at all theme parks and most venues
Empty bottles are required at many sporting venues and some theme parks
Size limits apply at some concerts/sports venues (typically 20-24 oz)
Free water refills are available at most locations via water fountains or restaurants
The best materials to choose are stainless steel and reusable plastic bottles, which work at virtually all venues.
So here’s a list of where (and how) you can bring your eco friendly reusable water bottle and stay hydrated and healthy throughout your visit.
You can bring reusable water bottles to Disney World. All four parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) allow non-glass bottles with free refills at counter-service restaurants.
📝 Special notes: Policy applies to all four Disney parks
Universal Studios (Hollywood & Orlando)
You can bring sustainable bottles to Universal Studios parks (Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando, plus Islands of Adventure). All locations offer numerous self-service refill stations and free iced water at counter-service locations.
💧 Refill locations: Water fountains, drink stations throughout parks
📝 Special notes: No other outside food/drinks, plastic straws, or coolers permitted
Legoland (California, Florida & New York)
You can take reusable bottles into Legoland parks. The parks also allow outside food and small coolers.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Yes
📦 Permitted materials: Any non-glass materials
❌ Prohibited materials: Glass containers
📏 Size restrictions: None specified
💧 Refill locations: Water fountains, concession stands (free iced water)
📝 Special notes: Outside food permitted; small coolers allowed
Tip: I must confess to being a regular at Legoland, and while the parks are amazing, the food options aren’t the best. So I often take in a packed lunch, including my refillable bottle.
Busch Gardens
You can bring reusable water bottles to Busch Gardens. No other outside food or beverages are allowed except for baby formula or special dietary needs.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Yes
📦 Permitted materials: No restrictions specified
❌ Prohibited materials: None specified
📏 Size restrictions: None specified
💧 Refill locations: Water fountains, self-service drink stations in restaurants
📝 Special notes: No other outside food/beverages except baby formula or special dietary needs
Cruise Ships
Cruise ship policies vary significantly by line, with most allowing you to bring your own bottles but prohibiting glass containers.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Varies by cruise line - most said they are allowed
📦 Permitted materials: Plastic, stainless steel (varies by line)
📏 Size restrictions: Varies (some lines limit total beverages to 12 containers)
💧 Refill locations: Onboard water stations, dining areas
📝 Special notes: Policies vary significantly; some lines prohibit all outside beverages, others encourage reusable bottles
Every major cruise line I contacted said that they were happy for guests to take a refillable water bottle on board. Some of the more popular cruise lines said:
Royal Caribbean - "Refillable bottles are welcome on board."
Carnival Cruise - "Yes - a reusable water bottle will help you stay cool and hydrated during your cruise."
Norwegian Cruise - "We’ve already replaced all single-use plastic bottles with plant-based cartons, which are refillable and recyclable. But of course, you are free to bring your own reusable bottle as well."
I got a similar response from Disney Cruise. Princess Cruises does not provide free bottled water, but the tap water is fine to drink.
Las Vegas Strip Casinos
You can bring reusable water bottles into Las Vegas casinos. Bartenders will typically fill bottles for you with a small tip.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Yes
📦 Permitted materials: Not specified
❌ Prohibited materials: Not specified
📏 Size restrictions: Large bottles may not fit table game drink holders
💧 Refill locations: Bartenders (tip suggested), limited water fountains near restrooms
📝 Special notes: Can carry throughout casinos; fits in slot machine areas
Tip: If you’re playing slots then there are plenty of places to put your bottle. However, if you play a table game, larger bottles may not fit into the drink holders, so you won’t be able to put them on the table, although they can still go on the floor.
US National Parks
You can bring reusable water bottles to all US National Parks, where they're actively encouraged as part of plastic waste reduction efforts.
📦 Permitted materials: All materials (no restrictions found)
❌ Prohibited materials: Single-use plastics being phased out
📏 Size restrictions: None specified
💧 Refill locations: Water bottle stations in key areas (Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, etc.)
📝 Special notes: Part of plastic waste reduction initiative; sold at visitor centers
You are actively encouraged to take sustainable water bottles into US National Parks since the government announced that single-use plastics will be phased out on all public land.
Plastic bottles are one of the most common items of litter found in our National Parks, which harm the environment and spoil the parks for everybody.
Water bottle stations are located in key areas throughout most major national parks, including Zion, Big Bend, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Acadia, and Yosemite.
Six Flags
Six Flags policies vary by location, with most prohibiting outside beverages but some allowing sealed water bottles or empty reusable bottles.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Policies vary by location
📝 Special notes: Most locations prohibit outside beverages, but some allow one sealed water bottle or empty reusable bottles
Concert & Sporting Venues
Most concert and sporting venues allow reusable water bottles, but policies vary significantly by venue and location.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Varies by venue
📦 Permitted materials: Varies (NYC law requires venues to allow aluminum/stainless steel)
❌ Prohibited materials: Glass (most venues), metal (some venues)
📏 Size restrictions: Typically 20-24 oz maximum
💧 Refill locations: Water fountains, concession stands
📝 Special notes: Must be empty upon entry; NYC venues required to allow reusable bottles as of 2024
Tip: Bars and concession stands will usually fill your bottle for you, but the lines for the fountains are always shorter!
San Diego Zoo
You can bring reusable water bottles to San Diego Zoo along with outside food and drinks.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Yes
📦 Permitted materials: Stainless steel and other non-glass materials
❌ Prohibited materials: Glass containers, straws
📏 Size restrictions: Not specified
💧 Refill locations: Water fountains inside park (not outside)
📝 Special notes: Outside food/drinks allowed; no coolers permitted
Great America, California
You can bring empty water bottles to California's Great America, but no other outside beverages are permitted.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Yes (empty only upon entry)
📦 Permitted materials: Not specified
❌ Prohibited materials: Not specified
📏 Size restrictions: Not specified
💧 Refill locations: Water fountains near restrooms
📝 Special notes: No outside food/beverages except sealed bottled water
Knott’s Berry Farm
You can bring empty reusable drinks bottles to Knott's Berry Farm, though no other outside food or drinks are officially allowed.
✅ Reusable bottles allowed: Yes (empty only upon entry)
📦 Permitted materials: Not specified
❌ Prohibited materials: Not specified
📏 Size restrictions: Not specified
💧 Refill locations: Not clearly specified in source
📝 Special notes: No other outside food/drink officially allowed
Tip: I have heard of many people taking various snacks and foodstuffs into Knott’s Berry Farm without any issues. But strictly speaking, their website policy does prohibit this, so you may be asked to leave them behind in a locker if you are unlucky.
The Final Word
Given that you can take a refillable bottle on a plane, there really is no reason for top US parks and attractions to deny them, so it's good to see that so many are doing the right thing.
With all of these great places to fill up your bottle for free, there’s really no excuse not to ditch single-use plastic bottles for good.
We’ve rounded up a bunch of different options so you can find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and budget.
Have I missed your favorite attraction, or are you planning to visit somewhere new and want to see it added to the list? If so, get in touch and let me know!
Until then, enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to take your bottle along for the ride…
With her Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering (MSREE) from Oregon Tech, Steph is supremely well qualified to write on all aspects of sustainable living. She has already achieved a zero carbon footprint and her goal is to help as many other people as possible do the same. Her other hobbies include music, yoga, swimming and horror movies.
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