Now the rules have changed, and I am smart enough to know that those rules now apply to my old mugs.
We stayed at POP this time and bought new mugs. They didn't tell us we could bring them back this time, and so we won't.
That said, being smart (and insinuating that someone isn't) has nothing to do with it..what the person who runs and has the say-so at the food courts say..that is what it has to do with. . Just this past September, with signs in place, the cm's at the register and the food court manager at the All Star Music were telling people to bring the mugs back. He happens to have (according to Disney "suits") the right to do that in his food court. At POR, they were telling people the mugs were good at any resort (that's the second time I heard someone being told that..although we have never done that..but I understand why someone would..after being told to). "Suits" were in the food court (discussing with planners the refurbishment still to come), and we discussed it..they too had no problem with it.
So to call it stealing, is a bit overboard, IMO. People using 7-11 mugs and bread bags..that is stealing. They were never told to bring them back.
As far as saying Disney doesn't care if mugs are re-used,..well, heck if the food court manager and the CM's say it's ok (and encourage it to get you to purchase), then really, again IMO, the people on these board have no say..apparently Disney really DOESN'T care, and if bothers others that the people who have the right to tell you to bring them back, say it, I would suggest you not look when people refill. After all, it is really up to Disney employees, not us.
And if you don't feel right refilling, even being told to bring them back, or even asking at the foodcourt, then you need to do what works best for you. Telling your children (if you are or anyone who is) that that is stealing, really isn't reading what people have been told, or what foodcourt managers have ok'd.