Explain resort mugs to me

[debdebdebby13]

I know how Disney's resort refillable mugs work but I'm confused about Universal's mugs. Are there 2 different kinds of mugs? are they refillable for the duration of the trip but only at resorts? Or are there different mugs for the parks? I read something about paying per day? What is happening??!

 

[Bethany10]

Well, it’s been years since I’ve looked at Disney mugs but I would think they’re similar.

Resorts that have mugs (cabana bay for example) have an rfid chip in the bottom. When you purchase the mug you “activate” it for however many days you’ll be at the resort. The more days the cost per day goes down- but you pay all at once, so while 5 days might cost $20 (4 a day) 3 days might be $15 (5 a day). You pay once then the chip is active until your days are up. They’re good all over the resort but ONLY at that resort.

the reactivate daily prices you might have heard about come from the parks. You pay a flat fee per day to activate the rfid chip in that cup and it’s good for the day. If you’re in the park the next day then you have to reactivate the cup. The initial cost is high to get the cup, refills are cheaper. Again these are only active at the parks.

Hope this helps

 

[hhoope01]

This article (last updated about a month ago) might be helpful: https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/refillable-cups-popcorn-buckets-coke-freestyle

 

[shawthorne44]

Orlando Informer should be ashamed of themselves. They didn't even update the prices. In fact about halfway through I looked back to see if was really dates March 2019 instead of 2021.

Several things jumped out at me. Quotes is within the article and bold is from the universal website or personal knowledge. This is just a few that were super easy to check

"What if I need a new straw or lid? Universal will replace straws and lids at no charge. Just ask at a participating concession stand."

(personal knowledge) Current cups don't have straws. Last year's cups didn't have straws, so it is unlikely that they have them still around. They will replace lids.


"The Coke Freestyle refill program features different pricing points. If you want to purchase one, it will cost you $15.99, plus tax. "

(Website) 16.99


"If you already have a cup, extra days are $8.99, plus tax.

(Website) Extra day of refills for Freestyle® Cup - $9.99, plus tax

(Although the article don't mention that at least some (maybe all) passholders get $1off that)


One huge one is

" plus, you even get free water refills using any cup at the Coke Freestyle machines."

(Not from the website but personal knowledge) They stopped this about a year and a half ago. Even to get water from a freestyle machine, you need an active chip in your cup. There was all sorts of whining about this on the Passholder facebook group. But, the water filters in those machines are expensive beasts and people with paid-for cups were getting annoyed waiting behind all the people getting water.

Not really a data problem, but couldn't they have taken new photos? The freestyle cup gets changed every year and that cup they show is several years old. They don't know anyone that has bought the most recent cup?

Laziness. I am disgusted with myself for paying attention to them before my first trip.

 

[CheriePenguin]

Does anyone know the size of the Freestyle cups at Universal? (Both in dimensions and volume?) Trying to figure out if I can make a holder for them. In videos they look taller than the ones we got at Disney years ago.

 

[shawthorne44]

Does anyone know the size of the Freestyle cups at Universal? (Both in dimensions and volume?) Trying to figure out if I can make a holder for them. In videos they look taller than the ones we got at Disney years ago.

They are either 22 or 24 oz (I forget)
I have made holders using some fabric that my daughter said "she needed in her life" But that eventually fell apart. This was so cheap, I just bought these. They fit fine and look for reviews with Universal in the name.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RPJBPWC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1Ones made for the 24oz Yei should work too.

If your Disney cups were made by Whirley (something), and look about the same, they are the same. I know the Six Flags cups are the same basic cup.

 

[Bethany10]

Does anyone know the size of the Freestyle cups at Universal? (Both in dimensions and volume?) Trying to figure out if I can make a holder for them. In videos they look taller than the ones we got at Disney years ago.

‘I brought a flattened sonic drink cup holder with us. Worked like a charm

 

[CAPSLOCK]

you even get free water refills using any cup at the Coke Freestyle machines."

(Not from the website but personal knowledge) They stopped this about a year and a half ago. Even to get water from a freestyle machine, you need an active chip in your cup.

This was not the case in Nov 2020. Asked for a cup of water at a food kiosk and they gave me a disposable cup to fill at the freestyle machine, which dispensed the water fine. Maybe they changed it back for covid?