Change in Refillable Mug Program?

[littlestar]

Hi.

I read over on the Resorts board that Disney is changing the refillable mug program to where you have to have your mug scanned to get a refill and it corresponds with your length of stay.

When we stayed at Old Key West in March, we stopped at the lodge and bought two Wilderness Lodge mugs for my parents to use when they travel with us this October. It figures! At least I didn't buy more mugs for the upcoming trip. So heads up for any DVC members that don't know about this change.

 

[Granny]

I guess I'm missing the point of the post?

If refillable mugs are good during the length of your stay, what's the concern?

Just trying to clarify.

 

[DVCDAVE]

Thanks for the heads up. This is good to know. So anyone thinking about bringing their old mug on their next trip, should think twice, hence they may meet with an emabrassing situation.

 

[Beth]

Granny,

As DVCDAVE's post implies, the "old" program allowed you to bring your mug back on each trip and continue to get refills.

 

[scduckman]

We were just at VWL two weeks ago and purchased mugs. There was no mention of the mugs only being good while we were there that week. That stinks.

 

[littlestar]

The point of my post was that we bought my parents two mugs as a gift for an upcoming trip. So we wasted $20.00. We weren't staying at the Wilderness Lodge Villas when we bought them, we were staying at Old Key West.

DVC Dave - you're right, it could get embarrasing. It will probably be interesting. I guess this pretty much effects repeat guests, though. I would have felt bad if mom and dad tried it and then told me their mugs weren't good. Geesh.

 

[gary in florida]

I would find it hard to believe that they will "scan" mugs. It would be a nightmare! Did you ever see the food courts at All Star in the morning. The lines would be worst than the ones at the TOT!

 

[PamOKW]

Granny, like you I always assumed that the mug was purchased for use during your stay. Another trip, another mug. However, after reading these boards, it became apparent that many people use the same set of mugs for years. Disney has never questioned the practice in the past. But, with cost-cutting and the technology (like the scanner) to enforce it easily, maybe they will cut back on the pay $10 bucks drink for life people have been experiencing.

LittleStar, it's too bad you got caught in the transition (if it's true). If the policy is changed, you could try contacting Disney and explaining that you purchased the mugs in advance. See if they'll refund your money or set you up with the new mugs.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Logistically I can't see how Disney can scan every refill. Does anyone know how they plan to do this?

 

[Granny]

littlestar.....Oh, I get what you're saying now! I thought you meant you could only use it while you're staying there regardless of how many times you visit...I didn't pick up on the only for the current trip part.

We have used our WL mugs for 3 trips now. I don't know how the other resorts handle it, but when you refill at Roaring Forks snack bar at WL, you just walk over to the machine and fill up the cup. You don't go through line past a cashier. It would be a nightmare to go through their lines just for a soft drink refill....it would effectively kill the program.

It is bothersome that we were told by at least 3 different CM's that the refillable mugs were "good for life"! I always figured it was "too good to be true" and I guess now it is. Very disappointing!

It's not as big of a deal since we now stay at DVC resorts with refrigerators so we can keep our soft drinks cold. But we enjoyed the walk up to the main resort this last trip to get our mugs refilled.

 

[DVCajun]

I don't understand what they'll scan. There's not a bar code on the mug. Has anyone witnessed how they do this? Or maybe it's not in practice yet.

 

[tigger2esq]

several years ago I bought a refillable mug at Blizzard beach--it was only free refills for the day we were there--and it had a sticker on the mug with the date on it. On future trips we could bring back the mug and pay for unlimited refills at a reduced cost (I think it was $10 for the mug and refills and then $5 on subsequent trips just for refills). However, this only worked beucase we had to go to a CM and hand them the mug to get a refill. at the resorts--you just walk up and fill so it doesnt seem workable. also--how will a CM know what the length of your stay is when you buy the mug?? If I am there for the weekend do I pay the same price as someone who is there for 2 weeks??

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I guess you would. We will only be at the Poly for 2 days of our next trip (the weekend of course, to save points!) and I wouldn't pay $10 for 2 days worth of iced tea. I had planned to take my Poly mug back that I bought in 2000--I used it in December--and I still might. In the original post, the poster was going to All Stars and CBR and was told by a CM it was going into effect at one of those (she wasn't clear which one) and eventually resort-wide. We are less than 4 weeks out.
I still have last year's Boardwalk mug too. Mind you it isn't as convenient because the guy at the Bakery has to fill it up, but the refills are free now and I have to have tea!! The canned stuff at the store mostly has sugar in it, and the instant stuff is bleck!
Robin M.

 

[disneyma]

This is going to be real hard at some of the food courts at AS, CB, PO/DL, etc. They will never be able to scan every person at the machines unless that have a cast member sit at the machines all the time.

At OKW, BC I realize a cast member fills your mug....I can't see Disney spending extra money for scanners for mug refillls.

This really doesn't make too much sense.

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

The only change here is that now Disney is going to start tracking the mugs. As far back as I can remember, the mugs are only good for the length of the stay you purchased them. Atleast at at All Stars when we purchased ours there was a sign on the rack explaining this. Just because Disney never checked or stopped anybody from refilling on future trips does not make it right. So, this is nothing new in theary and I welcome the change. I think it's a great idea.

Scott, Peg and Tyler

 

[disneyma]

"I think it's a great idea."


Do you think it will be a great idea IF you are staying at a resort that has a food court if you have to wait in a line 30 deep to scan a refill?? Or how about if you want a bit more soda during the middle of your meal and you have to wait in line again?? Disney prides itself in making lines move....this is going to cause a huge line in bottlenecks....

I myself have no problem in buying a new mug....however....many CM have told customers that the mug is good forever.... so the policy seems to be mixed.... Seems like Disney is going to spend a lot of $$ to save 5 to 10 cents in the long run.

I think we should all hold on and wait until the official announcement comes out... I think something sound wrong with this entire story.

 

[donmil723]

When we were at BB on May 20th, you could buy a refillable mug. They put a sticker with a UPC bar code on it. You could refill it at an unmanned soda station by first scanning the bar code. Ice and soda didn't work unless you scanned your mug first. I didn't purchase one but that is what I observed. Also, last year during my stay at the BC, a B&C CM told me Disney was working on doing a 24 hour drink station where you had to scan your mug first.

I think it's fine but I hope that Disney would allow you to purchase a new bar code sticker on subsequent visits for a reduced price. The mugs are cost effective for us as we spend a lot of time at the resorts but I don't want to have a zillion of them around the house. I already have 8 CBR, 4 CSR, 4 BC, and 4 BW.

 

[MikeScott8]

This is disappointing as my fiance and I bought mugs at WL this past Jan. We only got two refills that day, we had put our deposit down the previous day and were walking around the resort checking out our new "home". and got the mugs as the CM said we could bring them back over and over.

When we go back in Jan again I plan on brining them in hopes we can at least get a cheaper LOS refill UPC (or whatever they are going to do)

Mike

 

[JudithM]

I don't know how Disney can justify or follow through with scanning mugs each time one wants a refill. when we purchased our refillable mugs at All Star Music seven years ago we were told they mugs were good forever. The sign even stated that the mugs can be refilled at other All Star resorts. We have since purchased other resort refillable mugs. I would be VERY disappointed if Disney changes the policy.

 

[Muushka]

Oh yeah! It is a great idea! We used the refillable mugs at VWL. My husband would usually get a meal or snack while there.
Now we will skip the food court all together. We will save money, and again, Disney will loose out. Why do they keep shooting themselves in the foot as far as we are concerned????

They (Disney) keep making me wonder why we sunk all that $$ into DVC .