-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KziIgKbnRWYOzHZ5fcY27VzZQZ5kcLccGhGZzVwelXPwZmm+EM3Y4c5v9RgBIMID
 YzZJG8obCaZGXqDsPiJePQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000884413-05-000010.txt : 20051201
<SEC-HEADER>0000884413-05-000010.hdr.sgml : 20051201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051201204037
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000884413-05-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051129
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KAYNE RICHARD A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000884413

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11012
		FILM NUMBER:		051238827

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1800 AVENUE OF THE STARS
		STREET 2:		SECOND FLOOR
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3105562721

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GLACIER WATER SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000883505
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-NONSTORE RETAILERS [5960]
		IRS NUMBER:				330493559
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1226

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1385 PARK CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			VISTA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92081-8338
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7605601111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1385 PARK CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			VISTA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92081-8338
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-11-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000883505</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GLACIER WATER SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>hoo</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000884413</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAYNE RICHARD A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1800 AVENUE OF THE STARS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SECOND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90067</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6900</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.01</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>767242</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10261</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Various</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Indirect pecuniary interest in limited partnerships.

Both reporting persons have indirect control of additional shares held by such limited partnerships and other managed investment accounts, but they do not have any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect in such shares and accordingly they are not reported here.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard A. Kayne</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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