Want to save money on cold refreshing drinks at Universal Studios Orlando? Of course you do! It is so important to stay hydrated in Florida’s relentless heat and humidity as you are in the theme parks all day.
Universal Studios refillable cups are one of the best budget-friendly ways to be sure you are drinking enough beverages to stay cool.
In our Ultimate Guide to Refillable Cups at Universal Studios Orlando, we show you how the different types of cups work, how much they cost, what drinks you can get and explain when the Coke Freestyle cups are worth it, and when they are not.
What is a Universal Refillable Cup?
A Universal refillable cup is a special large cup that you can buy for one price and refill as many times as you want during the day. It is a tall, heavy-duty plastic cup with a lid. Designs vary and can change each year, especially with special events.
A Universal Studios cup has an RFID chip in the bottom which activates the Coke Freestyle machines found throughout the theme parks. When you place your official Universal Freestyle cup in the machine, you are able to get free sodas, lemonade, and icees.
You will need to pay a base price of $17.99 for the cup, then a $10.99 activation fee for each day you want to use it.
What is a Universal Souvenir Cup?
It can get a little confusing talking about the differences between Universal Studios refillable cups and souvenir cups. So we will make it as easy to understand as possible.
A Universal Studios souvenir cup is a decorative cup that can come in a variety of styles and designs. These souvenir cups are designed to be attractive and act as a souvenir to bring home. Some are character sippers, and some are Butterbeer mugs, in addition to other designs
A Universal Orlando souvenir cup does NOT include free refills!
The one-time purchase price of a refillable souvenir cup starts at $12.99, plus tax, and goes up from there. HOWEVER, you do not need to pay an activation fee for the cups each day after your initial purchase.
In 2023, souvenir cup refills are $1.49 plus tax.
Souvenir cups will get you discounted refills at select locations at Universal Studios Orlando, including quick service restaurants and table service restaurants. You can also get refills at permanent beverage counters, but not pop-up beverage stations, such as during the Mardi Gras food festival or beverage carts.
You will NOT be able to get a refill at a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine.
How Much do Universal Refillable Cups Cost?
At Universal Orlando Resort, the refillable cups are $17.99 plus tax, for your initial purchase.
Are There Discounts for Universal Freestyle Cups?
Some annual passholders can get a discount.
There are discounts for purchasing more than one cup at a time. If you know that your kids will fight over a cup, or you just don’t want to share a cup with anyone in your party, then buy multiple cups at the same time to get the discount. You cannot buy a refillable cup in the morning, decide you want another cup around lunch time and then get the discounted price on the second cup. They must be bought together.
Discounted prices are:
- 1 cup: $17.99, plus tax
- 2 cups: $15.99 each, plus tax
- 3-6 cups: $13.99 each, plus tax
You can buy Universal refillable cups on Ebay. As long as there is an RFID chip in the bottom, you should be able to reactivate the chip by paying only $10.99 plus tax.
If you find a Universal Studios refillable cup in a thrift store, buy it! Again, it should be able to be reactivated for a smaller fee than buying a brand new cup, as long as it has an RFID chip.
How to Use the Refillable Cup for More Than One Day
Once you buy your Universal refillable cup, it is yours to keep. However, you must pay for each day of activation.
When you purchase your cup on the first day, it will be valid until the end of the day. So be sure to buy it as soon as possible to get the biggest value.
For each additional day you would like to reuse your cup, you will need to pay a reactivation fee.
In 2023, the reaction fee for a Universal Studios refillable cup is $10.99, plus tax.
How to Use Universal Orlando Refillable Cups
It is very easy to use your refillable cup once you have purchased it. Just bring it to any Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine and set it on the base of the refill station. The RFID chip will activate the machine and allow you to pour whatever drink or drink combination you would like.
If you want ice, add the ice to the cup first. Then look at all of the drink options and flavor combinations on the touch screen. Touch the selection that you want and it will instantly start pouring into your cup.
You will not need to ask a team member for a drink refill, saving you time!
Refills are only available one time in every ten minutes. Once you have filled your cup, you will need to wait another 10 minutes before getting another refill.
We suggest using a Universal refillable cup holder for convenience during the day! No one wants to hold their cup all day long, and if there is a beverage in it, you may not want to stuff it in your bag.
Where to Buy Universal Orlando Refillable Cups
Refillable cups can be purchased at:
- Universal Studios Florida theme park
- Islands of Adventure theme park
- Volcano Bay water park
You will find many places to buy these cups as soon as you enter one of the parks.
Where Can You Get Refills?
A Universal Freestyle cup can only be used at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. You cannot use them at quick service or table service restaurants.
You can refill your Freestyle cup at:
- Universal Studios Florida
- Islands of Adventure
- Volcano Bay water park
- Universal CityWalk
Are Refills Available in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
Because The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is uniquely themed and also has all sorts of licensing agreements, you will not find any Coke Freestyle machines inside Harry Potter land.
However, if you have a refillable souvenir cup, you can pay $1.49 for refills inside Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. These refills can include lemonade, cider, tea and other beverages that are part of the program.
While you can use a souvenir cup to get refills of Butterbeer, those refills will be the same purchase price as normal, not a discounted $1.49 cost.
Are Refills Available in Simpson’s Land?
Just like with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Springfield: Home of the Simpsons is a highly themed land with a lot of licensing agreements. You cannot find Coke Freestyle machines at The Simpson’s Fast Food Blvd.
What Drinks Can I Get With a Freestyle Cup?
There are more than 100 choices of beverages at a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine!
Beverages include:
- Coca-Cola
- Diet Coke
- Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
- Sprite
- Pibb
- Barq’s Rootbeer
- Fanta
- Dr. Pepper
- Mello Yello
- VitaminWater
- Fuze Iced Tea
- Minute Maid Lemonades and drinks
- Seagram’s Ginger Ale
- Hi-C
- PowerAde
- AHA Sparkling Water
You can also get ICEE drinks at some locations.
While there are not 100 beverages as seen on the screen, that number comes from the variety of flavor combinations you can make with the flavor add-ons, such as vanilla or cherry.
Can I Get Butterbeer with a Refillable Cup?
No, Butterbeer is not on the list of drink options! None of the specialty Harry Potter drinks are part of the refill program.
While you can choose to have Butterbeer refilled in your souvenir cup, it will be the same price as if you bought a new cup of Butterbeer.
Is It Okay to Share Drinks With My Family or Friends?
There is nothing stopping you from filling your refillable cup and having all your kids drink from it or sharing it with your husband.
Many people use this method as a way of reducing food costs at Universal Studios theme parks.
That is why there is a 10 minute limit on refills, so that the entire family can’t get all of their drinks all at once.
What If I Lose My Refillable Cup or It Stops Working?
Be sure to keep your receipt when buying a refillable cup! It is so important to do so!
If your cup stops working at the machines, you can contact a Universal Studios team member for assistance. They may require seeing your receipt.
If your cup is stolen, Universal is under no obligation to replace it. However, if you can show your receipt a Team Member might be able to replace it for you at no charge.
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Will the Refillable Cups Fit in the Lockers?
Many of Universal Studios’ theme park rides require you to put your belongings in free lockers at the attraction, including refillable cups.
The Universal Studios refillable cups will fit in the free lockers but ONLY if you lay them down on their side. Which means that you cannot have liquids inside or else they will leak.
You will need to empty your cup and lay it down inside the locker. Do not set your cup near the lockers thinking that it will be there when you get off the ride. It won’t.
There are paid locker rentals throughout the park that are larger. You could fit the cup standing upright inside the locker.
Can I Keep My Refillable Cup?
Yes, you can keep your Universal Orlando refillable cup!
It makes a great souvenir. If you are a frequent visitor to Universal Studios, you can reuse your cup on future visits. You will just need to pay a reactivation fee, which saves you money.
These cups can be used as drink cups at home, or repurpose them into a vase or a pen holder for your desk.
Want to recoup some of your money? Resell the cups on Ebay or Etsy.
Will My Coke Freestyle Cup Work at Restaurants at Home?
While you can find Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines at locations outside of Universal Studios, your cup does not entitle you to free refills at any other locations outside of Universal Orlando.
Do Universal Freestyle Cups Work at Universal Hotels?
No, the Universal Studios refillable cups will not work at official Universal Studios hotels on property.
However, the Universal hotels have their own version of refillable cups. These are great for when you are spending the day at the fabulous pools.
Each Universal hotel has their own cup which cannot be used at another hotel. You will not be able to use a refillable cup purchased at Cabana Bay Beach Resort for refills at Hard Rock Hotel, for example.
Are Universal Studios Refillable Cups Worth It?
If you drink soda or caffeine-free beverages and will not be bringing your own drinks into Universal Studios, then the Coke Freestyle cup is probably worth it for you.
The cost of a fountain soda at Universal Studios quick service locations is $4.29, plus tax, in 2023.
The cost of a refillable cup is $17.99, plus tax.
To make the refillable cups worth it and save money, you will need to get at least 5 fountain sodas in one day to end up saving money on the cost. Here’s the math:
- 5 sodas at $4.29 each = $21.45, plus tax
- 1 refillable cup = $17.99, plus tax
On days where you are paying a reactivation fee after already purchasing the cup, you will need to get at least three sodas a day for it to make financial sense:
- 3 sodas at $4.29 each = $12.87 plus tax
- 1 reactivation of the refillable cup = $10.99 plus tax
Honestly, that is a lot of soda or lemonades during the day! However, if you normally drink that much and are not bringing your own sodas or drinks into the theme parks, then it makes sense for you.
We personally stick with water, as it is much better for you! The great thing is that you can get free water at Universal Studios theme parks and it can be ice cold and refreshing, too!
A Universal Studios refillable cup is also great if you can share it with your family. For instance, if you have several kids that want a special treat of an ICEE or sodas in the afternoon, but wouldn’t drink 5 sodas each day to have one cup for each of them.