Here is a tip for you from someone who just returned 
Instead of calling the phone number in the Daily Iwa to get the schedule for character meet and greets each day just take a pic of the white board you will find at the towel huts when you get your wristband each morning. If you see a favorite character is available that day, you might want to make sure you see them. The characters vary each day. If you have any friends who have already been and purchased a refillable mug, ask to borrow it
The CM at the Ulu Cafe is the one who told me I could have brought my old one after I bought a new one.
