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I haven’t always been a water bottle snob. For instance, I used to assume that most water bottles were created equal. Admittedly, for many decades, that statement was very much true. But things have since changed. Advances in modern technology brought changes to the way we drink, carry and store our beverages.
Do you need a water bottle that folds into itself when not in use? There’s a solution for that. Need something that comes with a built-in carbon filter for clean water anywhere you go? We’ve got that too. Or how about a stainless steel leakproof thermos that can keep that iced water (or iced beverage of choice) cool for over 16 hours? You guessed it, that is now a thing. We have the technology! Also, thanks to lax rules at Disney about bringing your own thermoses and beverages into the park, we are spoiled when it comes to choices and selecting just the right water bottle to fit our Disney World vacation needs.
Can I bring my water bottle to Disney World?
But first, let’s answer an important question – can you bring your own water bottle to Disney? Yes! Guests are welcome to bring their own bottles, cups and mugs into the theme park as long as they are not made of glass and do not contain alcohol. And Disney makes it easy to keep those water bottles filled throughout the day with ample water fountains, water bottle refilling stations and free cups of water (available at most quick-service locations). Now, let’s get to ranking what I, an Orlando blogger who owns every water bottle mentioned on this list, think are the best bottles to take into the parks.
Note: Prices and availability are as of the time of this writing and may vary.
1. Yeti 18oz Rambler w/ Chug Cap
I have to admit, figuring out how to rank these bottles was quite a difficult task as I keep them all on a regular rotation while at the Disney parks. And there are unique advantages to each. But at the end of the day, I have to give the top spot to my beloved Yeti Rambler. This insulated water bottle will keep your water, or other beverage, icy and cool for hours on end. I also love its two-part screw-top bottle design. The leakproof black cap keeps the contents sealed throughout the day making it safe to toss into a bag without having to worry about anything spilling out.
And the bottleneck portion of the thermos can also be unscrewed and detached for easy cleaning. Plus – it’s durable (trust me, the kids will have a hard time destroying this bottle). And, importantly, it’s dishwasher safe. But here’s the cherry on top – I find it’s still slim enough to fit inside most (but not all) water bottle backpack pockets. The Yeti 18oz Rambler is currently $30+ on Amazon and available in a variety of colors and styles.
- Pros: It keeps any beverage cool for hours. It’s spillproof and easy to clean.
- Cons: The stainless steel design makes this bottle a bit heavy.
2. Mayim 18oz Collapsible Bottle
Next up we have the Mayim. While this little guy won’t keep your beverages cool for hours on end like the Yeti, it has a feature that I absolutely adore on my lighter Disney days – it collapses into itself when not in use! That’s right, the Mayim bottle goes from a standard 18oz size when fully expanded down to a compact 4.5″ size (about the size of a small DSLR kit lens). It also features a built-in clip that I often use to hook this bottle onto one of the zipper pulls of my Loungefly mini backpack between refills. It is usually $19.99 on Amazon and available in a variety of colors. However, at the time of this writing, the product was out of stock.
- Pros: It’s ultra-portable and dishwasher safe.
- Cons: It can feel a bit flimsy when full due to the nature of the collapsible design.
3. LARQ Flip Top 17oz Filtered Bottle
Next up we have the LARQ 17oz Filtered Water Bottle. This one is for all of my germ freaks out there. It’s also for those of us *cough* me *cough* who stick their nose up at Orlando tap water. This non-insulated stainless steel bottle features Dual Layer Nano Zero Filter Technology capable of filtering out heavy metals for pure, great-tasting water on the go.
I love this thing because it doesn’t matter how or where I fill it up – whether I use free ice-cup tap water from a quick-service stand or water from the restroom sink – it makes my water taste great every time. It comes with a filter that is good for up to 40 gallons (approximately 300 single-use plastic bottles) and a carabiner that makes it easy to clip onto any bag for transport. Filter replacements are sold separately.
The only thing I don’t like about this bottle is how the straw takes up so much space on the inside. It’s sometimes difficult to squeeze even a few ice cubes into this bottle. But when the alternative is gross-tasting Orlando water, I say, it’s a worthy sacrifice. This bottle is currently available in 17oz ($58) and 25oz ($68) sizes on Amazon. There is also a 32oz ($65) version but I recommend going with one of the smaller ones for portability at the parks.
Note: This bottle is not intended for any beverage other than water.
- Pros: It makes any water taste great.
- Cons: The internal straw/filter takes up a lot of space inside the bottle. It also requires a bit more hand cleaning than the other bottles on this list.
4. Stanley 16oz Trigger Action Travel Mug
Next up we have the Tik Tok famous brand – Stanley. If you don’t think you’ve heard of this brand before, I know you’ve at least seen them without realizing it. They are most well known for their humongous 40oz and 64oz insulated Tumblers. But they also make sensible-sized travel bottles that are ideal for park days. In particular, I recommend the Stanley 16oz Trigger Action Travel Mug (Amazon $25).
This travel mug is leakproof and double wall vacuum insulated, which means, like the above-mentioned Yeti Rambler, it’s capable of keeping your beverage icy cold for hours on end. It’s also leakproof and features a trigger action button sip mechanism. Plus, it’s slim enough to fit inside most water bottle pockets. Despite its many moving parts, it’s also, surprisingly, dishwasher safe.
However, being the germaphobe that I am, I always feel a bit dubious about how well the inside of the sip cap is really getting cleaned when I stick it in the dishwasher – or hand wash it for that matter. I just personally prefer simple lids. This is why I ranked the Yeti a bit higher on this list. But overall, if you’re a fan of the Stanley brand, this is a solid option.
- Pros: Keeps beverages hot and/or cold for hours.
- Cons: Despite being dishwasher safe, it’s harder to wash.
5. STOJO 20oz Collapsible Water Bottle
And last but not least we have my original love in the collapsible category – the STOJO. If you are not familiar with the STOJO brand, it’s a brand centered around creating portable, leak-proof, dishwasher-safe cups, bowls and containers. I’m currently the proud owner of two of their bowls/containers, two of their collapsible coffee mugs and the collapsible bottle pictured above.
Needless to say – I am in love with their entire lineup of products. And I frequently travel with my 20oz leak-proof silicone bottle. It collapses down to just 3.3 inches in height when not in use. It’s also made from food-grade silicone which means it’s BPA-free, BPS-free, phthalate-free, lead-free and glue-free. It’s also microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe.
The only reason it’s number five on this list is its inability to fit inside a standard water bottle pocket (due to its rounded bottom) and its lack of a true carabiner. It can be carried by the cap loop you see above but I’ve also dropped it carrying it around this way (as the weight of the contents made the cap pop off). Now I’m careful to simply hold it by its firm neck, as STOJO seems to have intended. Regardless, it’s still a great bottle to keep in your travel bag. It’s currently available on Amazon in a variety of colors for $19.95.
- Pros: Collapses to just 3.3 inches in height.
- Cons: Rounded bottom and lack of a metal clip makes it harder to store in a cup holder or pocket. The only real mode of transport on this one is tossing it into a bag.
Bonus Tip: Buy a Corkcicle at Disney Springs
And here’s a bonus tip: If you forgot to pack your own water bottle and are currently at the parks, just stop by the Disney Springs Corkcicle cart! The Corkcicle brand, like Yeti and Stanley, are known for their lineup of insulated bottles, thermoses and mugs that can keep your water cold for hours. Plus, at Disney Springs, you’ll even be able to find cute Disney-themed water bottles including designs featuring Mickey Mouse and Minnie.
Note: This brand is also available on Amazon.
What are YOUR favorite water bottles to take to Disney World? Let me know in the comments below.
