Disney Introducing RFID Refillable Mugs Starting This Month (07/13)!

[Marionnette]

It looks like Disney has taken the next step to silence the refillable mug debates. According to this article on orlandoparksnews.com, the next generation of refillable mugs (Rapid Fill Mugs) will have an RFID chip in them that will be programmed for your length of stay or for a preset number of days if you wish to purchase fewer than 4 days.

Here are the FAQs from the article:

- What's the difference between the current Resort Refillable mugs and the Rapid Fill mugs?
The Rapid Fill mugs offer Guests flexibility by allowing them to choose one, two, or three days of refills or for their entire length of stay. The RFID (radio frequency identification) chip installed in the mug alerts Guests as to how many days they have remaining on their mug. The program was tested in 2011 at Disney’s All Star Resorts and is similar to the technology currently used in mugs sold at Disney water parks.

- Can non-Walt Disney World Resort Guests purchase and use the mug?
Yes. Anyone can purchase and use the Rapid Fill mugs at any resort self-service beverage station.

- Can the Rapid Fill mugs be used in multiple resort hotels?
Yes. The Rapid Fill mugs may be enjoyed at any resort hotel self-service beverage station.

- Can I bring the same Rapid Fill mug each time I visit the Walt Disney World Resort?
No, past mugs cannot be activated for future visits. Guests who purchase the Length of Stay option for Rapid Fill program can use the mug for fourteen (14) consecutive days after activation. Guests can extend the mug beyond the 14-day Length of Stay option as long as it’s still within the current length of stay.

- If the mug is activated for first use at 5 p.m., will the one day count until 5 p.m. the next day?
No, the day will end at 11:59 p.m. that night. Each day is a calendar day (12:01 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.), not a 24-hour period. Whenever the mug is used for the first time, regardless of time of day, the mug will expire for that day at midnight.

- Can the current water park mug be used in resorts?
No. The current water park mug is only valid in water parks, with no resort add-on option. However, Guests soon will be able to add a water park option for their mug.

- Can Guests purchase a Resort Rapid Fill mug anywhere at Walt Disney World Resort?
Resort Rapid Fill mugs may only be purchased at Walt Disney World Resort hotels with self-service beverage stations.

- If a Guest prefers not to purchase the Rapid Fill mug, can they purchase a regular mug instead?
The Rapid Fill mugs will be the only refillable mugs available at this time. Guests may choose to purchase
nonrefillable paper cups for their drinks if they prefer.

- Can mugs be microwaved?
No, the mug cannot be microwaved.

- What is the price of the Rapid Fill mug?
The prices of the mugs vary based on Guest preference for number of days for refills, as follows:

• $8.99 for 1 day
• $11.99 for 2 days
• $14.99 for 3 days
• $17.99 for length of stay (4+ days)

I know that Disney has been toying with coding the mugs so that they cannot be used over multiple trips. Remember the bar codes for the water park drink mugs? Or the beta testing of RFID mugs at the AllStar Resorts last year? Now it looks like they're serious about moving forward across all of the resorts.

At least this might mean that they will finally be changing the mug designs!

 

[EagleScout]

Interesting, thanks. I see they cannot be microwaved, but can they have any hot beverages? Most of my use for it is for morning coffee. (I also noticed that it says in faq can be used at multiple resorts, so can stay at beach club then walk over to boardwalk bakery)

 

[Marionnette]

Interesting, thanks. I see they cannot be microwaved, but can they have any hot beverages? Most of my use for it is for morning coffee. (I also noticed that it says in faq can be used at multiple resorts, so can stay at beach club then walk over to boardwalk bakery)

I don't believe that the current mugs are microwavable, either, but they can be used for hot beverages.

The ability to use the mugs at all resorts also means that DVC members who like to pool hop can now take their refillable mugs with them to the other resorts and enjoy a beverage.

 

[manning]

Darn, the downside.. No more debates on mug cheating.

 

[snoopybabe]

Rats the mugs we got last year are microwaveable & I love using it at work & then microwaving my tea when it gets cold. Will they not be microwaveable because of the RFID chip can it be removed after we leave?

 

[msd1776]

I don't believe that the current mugs are microwavable, either, but they can be used for hot beverages.

The ability to use the mugs at all resorts also means that DVC members who like to pool hop can now take their refillable mugs with them to the other resorts and enjoy a beverage.

Yes! And not feel like you are doing something wrong!

 

[Colleen27]

Same old design and a price hike to boot... Don't see getting those any time soon.

 

[msd1776]

You are right about the design...I was bummed about that!

 

[sanders0460]

Does this mean we would not be getting the mugs they said were included in the MYW package when I made resort/ticket package reservations? I mean not that I'll be heartbroken, just curious.

 

[Marionnette]

Does this mean we would not be getting the mugs they said were included in the MYW package when I made resort/ticket package reservations? I mean not that I'll be heartbroken, just curious.

Mugs aren't included in regular MYW packages. If you have a dining plan included in your package, you will receive your mugs as promised.

 

[sanders0460]

Mugs aren't included in regular MYW packages. If you have a dining plan included in your package, you will receive your mugs as promised.

Ok I guess it was the dining plan I saw it was included with. Knew I saw it somewhere in our plans. Thanks!

 

[disney1990]

At that price I will be buying 12 packs of coke and powerade putting them in the refrigerator. No way I am buying 4 mugs at that price.

 

[arwood82]

I just wish they would change the mug design. I have a cabinet full of mugs with the same design.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I just wish they would change the mug design. I have a cabinet full of mugs with the same design.

Agreed.

 

[sweetdana]

I would think later they will allow codes to be used on past mugs. Getting a new mug for each trip (multi trippers) would be much less green that Disney,

I love you can refill anywhere ..

For us, split stays for us might change. We are big time muggers...(lol) and do not buy 2 mugs for our whole stay. Even if we do dp on both stays. Usually split 4/5 nights studio followed by 5/6 nights 1 bedroom. We usually get 1 mug and use through. But maybe it works out as long as we do dp through both ressies. Of maybe we give up 1 bedroom on longer trips.

 

[Marionnette]

I would think later they will allow codes to be used on past mugs. Getting a new mug for each trip (multi trippers) would be much less green that Disney,

I love you can refill anywhere ..

For us, split stays for us might change. We are big time muggers...(lol) and do not buy 2 mugs for our whole stay. Even if we do dp on both stays. Usually split 4/5 nights studio followed by 5/6 nights 1 bedroom. We usually get 1 mug and use through. But maybe it works out as long as we do dp through both ressies. Of maybe we give up 1 bedroom on longer trips.

Maybe I'm interpreting this part wrong, but the way I understood it if you buy the 4+ option, then you get 14 consecutive days of use, regardless of whether you are staying onsite or offsite or switch resorts in between those 14 days.

- Can I bring the same Rapid Fill mug each time I visit the Walt Disney World Resort?
No, past mugs cannot be activated for future visits. Guests who purchase the Length of Stay option for Rapid Fill program can use the mug for fourteen (14) consecutive days after activation. Guests can extend the mug beyond the 14-day Length of Stay option as long as it’s still within the current length of stay.

 

[captainjen]

Sorry wrong place to post this

 

[Marionnette]

The only problem that I have is that they are beginning the program at the ALL Stars Sports Resort. The people who stay there usually are the ones who can least afford to buy the refillable mugs. I think that they should have begun the program at the Grand Floridian or Board Walk. It reminds me of the signs hung in the bathroom of the Value Resorts asking people to reuse their towels "in order to go green" while at the same time the public bathroom at the Poly had real high quality face cloths rolled up in baskets for their patrons to wipe their hands on

They did the beta testing at the AllStars. In all likelihood it was because their food courts are the busiest. ASSp's food court will actually be undergoing a renovation later this summer and it will be closed until December. I don't know where you got the impression that this was being rolled out at just ASSp first. The article said that it was at the All Star Resorts.

As to the "in order to go green" comment: All of the resorts have those reminders in the bathrooms in the rooms. It doesn't matter whether it is GF CL or an ASSp std. view. The public restrooms at the deluxe resorts are open to ALL guests and they are ALL welcome to use the "high quality face cloths".

Plenty of people with lots of disposable income choose to stay at the Value Resorts. This isn't a class thing that is targeted at those who can least afford it. Disney is implementing this across all of its resorts. The All Stars will be first because they already have the system in place from when they tested it in 2011. As the inventory of non-RFID mugs is depleted, other resorts will be brought on board.

 

[Minnesota!]

we only get/use the mugs if we have a dining plan. And this just solidifies that we will never get them without them being "free". $17 for the same mug I already have? No way. Like a pp - we will continue to ship water and pop to the resort.

 

[giraffesanddinosaurs]

In trying to research this, does anyone know where the official Disney statement is regarding this rollout? I'm going to assume there is one, since this program is being referred to as a rollout and not a test phase...