"RapidFill" RFID refillable mugs coming back resort wide...

[Jonathan Swift]

Do you not think that tee shirt you buy has a huge mark up on it? Everything you buy does, at home or at WDW. Not sure why people think Disney shouldn't make money on pop for some reason, when they have no problem forking over $75 for a sweatshirt they probably paid $1 for.

Didn't you hear? They're putting an RFID chip on T-Shirts, too. When you buy a Mickey Mouse shirt now, you need to pay a copyright license fee each day on top of the price of the shirt. If you don't scan the shirt each day and pay the appropriate fee, the image on the front will disappear. I don't get why people are annoyed at this. Must be a bunch of socialists or something.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it is pretty similar to stores that put those tags on their clothes, the ones that beep if you go to close to the store doors. They are a bit of an inconvenience, but one we deal with because of a few people that steal. This is the Disney version of it. Chips in your mug because too many people had the attitude that well, Disney gets the pop for free, so why shouldn't I help myself to it even though I didn't pay for it?

I wouldn't expect any business to turn a blind eye to blatant theft, not matter how small the items. I wouldn't expect a dollar store to not care if people stuff their pockets with merchandise. Theft is theft.

 

[luvdisney00]

Didn't you hear? They're putting an RFID chip on T-Shirts, too. When you buy a Mickey Mouse shirt now, you need to pay a copyright license fee each day on top of the price of the shirt. If you don't scan the shirt each day and pay the appropriate fee, the image on the front will disappear. I don't get why people are annoyed at this. Must be a bunch of socialists or something.

 

[Jonathan Swift]

I think it is pretty similar to stores that put those tags on their clothes, the ones that beep if you go to close to the store doors. They are a bit of an inconvenience, but one we deal with because of a few people that steal. This is the Disney version of it. Chips in your mug because too many people had the attitude that well, Disney gets the pop for free, so why shouldn't I help myself to it even though I didn't pay for it?

No, you paid for the mug and you paid for unlimited use. Disney wants to redefine "unlimited" just like many Internet providers have done in the past.

I wouldn't expect any business to turn a blind eye to blatant theft, not matter how small the items. I wouldn't expect a dollar store to not care if people stuff their pockets with merchandise. Theft is theft.

I wouldn't call it theft. Using your unlimited use mug "too often" is not theft. If you're referring to using unauthorized mugs, then yes, I can see that. However, it's pretty freaking petty and bad business. If they want to lock down mugs, then give something back. Make it easier to get a drink than trekking to one or two places that have a machine. Put Coke Freestyle machines in a bunch of places, making additional beverage choices possible. Then maybe I would feel it's a fair trade. The RFID chip just takes things away and offers nothing in return.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Is it confirmed in writing somewhere that there will be limited return windows for the refillable mug? Where is this?

 

[maxiesmom]

Is it confirmed in writing somewhere that there will be limited return windows for the refillable mug? Where is this?

During the test you could get 4 refills an hour. And they had to be at least 5 minutes apart. However you could get as much water as you wanted as often as you wanted it. I think we are going off of how the test worked.

I get that some people don't like having to wait 5 minutes for a pop refill. Or that you can only get 4 refills an hour. What I can't think of is how else they can keep guests from just buying one mug, and using it for the whole family. Because we all know if the didn't put time limits on it, that is exactly what they would do.

And please don't say they shouldn't quibble over pop. It is an item they charge for, they have the right to make sure people pay for it instead of stealing it.

 

[chrispeto]

I am just curious has this RFID chip in the mugs been implemented yet? Is there anyone on this board whom has stayed at the WDW resorts so far that has had to purchase this mug. my family and I will be at the POP in August.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Posters who dont like the time between fill policy...would U .prefer paying something like $6 or $7 for the mug and 75c or $1 per fill?

I know I am probably in the minority here, but yes.....I would much rather pay for the mug and each refill than $18 for a length of stay charge with restrictions. But perhaps that is some of my SW/Universal parks training....where one refillable cup can be used for the life of the cup, and you just have to pay for your refills as you want them. And you can get those refills in the parks, where you REALLY need to wet your whistle And to make the deal even sweeter, you can also use your SeaWorld cup at Aquatica, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (or buy one cup at any of those places and use it at all others for the same minor refill charge).

I can bring my refillable cup back to Orlando and reuse it at all the other competitor parks. I can bring my refillable Great Wolf Lodge cup back to the Lodge on subsequent visits and do the same. Ditto to my Toronto Blue Jays refillable at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Just pay for the refills. It seems like a good system to me.

 

[Nancyg56]

During the test you could get 4 refills an hour. And they had to be at least 5 minutes apart. However you could get as much water as you wanted as often as you wanted it. I think we are going off of how the test worked.

I get that some people don't like having to wait 5 minutes for a pop refill. Or that you can only get 4 refills an hour. What I can't think of is how else they can keep guests from just buying one mug, and using it for the whole family. Because we all know if the didn't put time limits on it, that is exactly what they would do.

And please don't say they shouldn't quibble over pop. It is an item they charge for, they have the right to make sure people pay for it instead of stealing it.

I actually have no problems with the limits, but the whole thing has me wondering if Disney's DDP is waning for families. The mug was included in our last plan. We did not use it at all because we stayed CL, and used that beverage station, but we saw just about everyone in the Marketplace using the mugs. I have no idea how much it costs to install the paraphernalia to implement this system, but it seems to me that Disney must believe the cost justifies the means.

I believe that the fees associated with this system may actually lower revenue, rather that raise it. If a family buys one or two mugs rather than one for the whole family since the cost increased, and each member shares it, Disney has lost not only the sale of those additional mugs, but the family used more beverages.

I am just trying to think about my own family and how we would use the mugs. I drink almost no soda, and generally just have a sip or two. I buy the mg because i like it, but with teh cost increases, I probably would pass on my own as well as my DH. We would just have whatever beverage comes with the meal, and water. my DSIl is the only one in our family who drinks enough soft beverages to justify the cost. depending on the cost, this system could actually cost Disney more than if the current system stayed in place.

 

[doconeill]

I am just curious has this RFID chip in the mugs been implemented yet? Is there anyone on this board whom has stayed at the WDW resorts so far that has had to purchase this mug. my family and I will be at the POP in August.

Disney has not confirmed this going into place yet, but I understand the fill stations have already been installed at POP, but kept under cover. I presume since the All-Stars are supposed to be first, they they are already installed there as well.

 

[Lewisc]

No, I would like to fill at will like at every other self serve soda station.

.

This was tested in the All Stars. The articles said the comp nay which made the machines wasn't just to testing the machines for Disney. The though was putting those machines in fast food restaurants in order to control the amount of soda being consumed. Some places might not offer any refills, some might only offer one and others might be unlimited or time limited.

It seems obvious Disney no longer wants one mug for a family. I was curious if anyone thought paying 75c or $1 per fill would be a better solution. I guess not.

I think the whole thing is cheesy and cheap. Disney should be going for a more luxurious "help yourself" kind of feel and not nickel and diming something that is as cheap as soft drinks. Time limits on refills....really?? They endorse coke products and I doubt coke charges them much if anything for the soda. They are making a profit on the mugs. This is just going too far.

Luxury resorts don't feature self service anything. Customers at luxury resorts are looking for service and not price.

Cheesy and cheap are customers who fill old mugs and have one mug service an entire family.

The present system was crazy. The machines were tested. Assume the technology works. Assume Disney has enough machines. The mugs hold 16 oz. Two quarts of soda an hour might not be enough if you're sharing the soda but is more then reasonable for one guest.

People talk about the terms. These are new mugs. Don't buy the mug if you don't like the terms.

 

[doconeill]

This was tested in the All Stars. The articles said the comp nay which made the machines wasn't just to testing the machines for Disney. The though was putting those machines in fast food restaurants in order to control the amount of soda being consumed. Some places might not offer any refills, some might only offer one and others might be unlimited or time limited.

Seems they may have lost the race already, given how popular the Coke Freestyle machines are now. I can go to Five Guys, Burger King or the local theater and get unlimited refills and tons of different flavors. And there are "fill-limited" versions in use on Royal Caribbean ships.

I'm actually extremely surprised that Disney didn't go back to Coke after this test and go with Freestyle machines, except that maybe they didn't want to deal with syrup maintenance.

Maybe when they finally run out of Beverly syrup, they'll put Freestyles in Club Cool...

 

[going/again]

Posters who dont like the time between fill policy...would U .prefer paying something like $6 or $7 for the mug and 75c or $1 per fill?

No I would like what was advertised and what I purchased, unlimited refills.

 

[Lewisc]

No I would like what was advertised and what I purchased, unlimited refills.

I'm assuming when this is rolled out Disney will have the appropriate language so people won't be confused as to what they bought.

Assuming Disney is no longer willing to give unlimited soda which solution would you prefer to reduce "one cup per family". Limits on refills or a charge per fill? 2 quarts of soda per hour is more then enough for personal consumption.

 

[doconeill]

No I would like what was advertised and what I purchased, unlimited refills.

You won't be able to purchase "unlimited refills" and more. You'll be able to purchase "unlimited* refills", and the rest of the terms will found following the "*".

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm assuming when this is rolled out Disney will have the appropriate language so people won't be confused as to what they bought.

Assuming Disney is no longer willing to give unlimited soda which solution would you prefer to reduce "one cup per family". Limits on refills or a charge per fill? 2 quarts of soda per hour is more then enough for personal consumption.

If they explain it completely... Then that's fair.

But if they attempt to misdirect/bait and switch... Then no-no

You point about what's adequate to consume makes perfect sense...except that its irrelevant.

If they sell them with "unlimited" or "all you can" signage... Then i call BS.

But to that point...I also smell a rat when it comes to patterns of consumption. Based on my own experience.

When I've used the mugs... I would tend to fill them up two or three times in rapid succession... Reason being is that I'm not around the fountains that much and would use the " camel approach".

I may be there near a pool at 2 pm... And then not be back for a day.

I'm not consuming more than anyone else... Just basing it around a schedule that WDW determines for me.
If I have to wait 15 minutes...I would get less usage.

And I know I don't have to buy it...but does that let the seller off the hook for a program that costs more with less
Potential benefit?

There is an argument there.

 

[maxiesmom]

And I know I don't have to buy it...but does that let the seller off the hook for a program that costs more with less
Potential benefit?

There is an argument there.

No there is not. The seller sets the terms. You can agree to them, or you can disagree and not buy the product. Simple.

The seller can also change the terms as they see fit. Note the change in the past from mugs that were good forever to mugs that were good only for the length of stay. And now to RFID mugs.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

No there is not. The seller sets the terms. You can agree to them, or you can disagree and not buy the product. Simple.

The seller can also change the terms as they see fit. Note the change in the past from mugs that were good forever to mugs that were good only for the length of stay. And now to RFID mugs.

Ok...and there's a drop in revenue as compared to inflation when more outside products are purchased and brought to Disney hotels as opposed to bought from them.

The argument I was referring to is whether this is a good program or not.

I apologize if I didnt retype all my points on this thread above... But I didnt. Not only do I not like the concept of bait and switch (which remains to be seen but my history with Disney tells me so)... Also that I completely disagree with the waste from "one time use" cups...also that the whole idea is low rent and makes Disney look like more of a nickel and dime operation.

My fault... But you just cherry picked one sentence and ran with it. Like Lou Dobbs.

Easy there, Capitalista... We can disagree and all be friends

 

[Jonathan Swift]

No there is not. The seller sets the terms. You can agree to them, or you can disagree and not buy the product. Simple.

There was this idea a long time ago that if you remove one olive from the salad served on an airplane, you could save a lot of money. The reason is not just because of the cost of olives. Those are insignificant by themselves. It's the other effects like the weight savings which translate into fuel savings, and those translate into more savings up the supply chain. So, I'm sure some bean counter at Disney looked at the numbers and thought this was a good idea. He or she gets to save the company a few ten (or hundred) thousand dollars a year in "ill-gotten" soft drinks. However, the domino effect doesn't just apply to savings projections. It applies to customer perception, too. How will they monetize the losses when people decide enough is enough and say to themselves, "To heck with this. If I wanted to be nickled and dimed, I'll stay off property!" Or maybe, "To heck with this, I'll bring my own soda from outside." (BTW, this is precisely what I did.) How are they going to calculate when a family decides to put off Disney this year due to yet another ratcheting up in cost and down in convenience? This little annoyance may be the straw that breaks the camel's back; maybe something else will down the line and this just added to it?

So yes, we are all free not to buy the product. I already don't since I feel the dining plans are worthless and so is the mug, even without the additional restrictions of use. Adding a RFID chip that will deny people service when they feel morally entitled won't help matters. It's a bad idea, but it's uncertain if Disney will realize it.

 

[Nancyg56]

If they explain it completely... Then that's fair.


And I know I don't have to buy it...but does that let the seller off the hook for a program that costs more with less
Potential benefit?

There is an argument there.

I am going to make the assumption that Disney will not misrepresent their product if they decide to change the terms of their mug. When the DDP changed, there was a lot of information to make sure that there were no issues after the purchase. I am not sure that the terms that we are discussing here will be beneficial for Disney, but who knows? I have always maintained that Disney is not worried about the repeat, knowledgeable guests. They target people who have not been there, knowing that many of them plan the once in a lifetime trips. Many of those folks may not be dissecting the value of this version of the mug vs past versions.

I also believe that any business can set term for the items they sell, and see if the market will bear it The consumer will determine the value. I don't think the seller is on the hook at all. It is a business decision. I cannot see why there would be an argument. Whether this decision is a profitable one remains to be seen.

I am generally shocked at the cost of soft drinks in general, not just withing WDW, but at any theme park or entertainment venue. I think that there may be a backlash with limits set, but perhaps not. I would not notice the limitation, so perhaps many others will not either.