Just back from Contemporary/Pop Century......blatant misuse of refillable mugs

[freediverdude]

I'm starting to think that part of this problem (not all, but I think part of it), is the fact that many people from other countries visit WDW and stay at these resorts, and their customs as far as some of these mug and line-cutting and room-cramming issues are different than what we consider appropriate in the US. In some other countries, if people visiting a food court saw a soda dispenser sitting outside the registers, unattended, they would assume that the restaurant is giving away soda for free, with no purchase needed. Likewise, in some other countries, lines are considered "free for alls", where if you can push yourself to the front, you get to be first, and it's considered normal behavior. Same thing with the hotel rooms, where if the hotel operator does not seem very strict about how many occupants there can be, people try to get away with as many as they can. This is a big contrast to how most families who have been in the US for generations are brought up to behave. So I guess this puts Disney in a difficult position, where they either have to become very strict about certain issues, and end up coming off as too "controlling", for lack of a better word, to a lot of Americans, and possibly offend some foreigners, or just let it go and try to deal with it unless it gets too bad. I heard this sort of situation is what happened with the fountain in front of the Dinosaur! attraction, where they found people were actually bathing themselves in it, which would be normal in some countries. So they had to put a wall around it. Just another view of what might be happening here....

 

[annieh6]

for dandave: I don't find the humor in it. The folks who were packing a group in a room, were the ones doing the most damage (cutting in line, taking sodas in water bottles), not a very good lesson in human values and morals. I think we are entitled to air the problems we have witnessed, obviously this behavior does not bother you, but change will never happen with "oh well".

 

[Geoff_M]

I've read somewhere that Coca-Cola provides Disney with FREE products in return for being exclusive at their parks.

That's nothing more than an unsubstantiated Internet rumor that's usually repeated by people that argue that it's reasonable to expect free re-fills for life and is probably right up there with the one about Walt's body being in a tank of liquid nitrogen. I did some research on that one a year or so ago at the height of one of the "mug wars". I searched on-line beverage industry trade publication and found no reference to this "sweet" deal that WDW supposedly gets. However, I did find lots of info about the other exclusive deals that drink makers make with fast food chains. Chains that are bigger consumers of syrup than WDW can't get theirs for free, so I'm not sure how WDW would have the clout to pull it off. The usual MO for an exclusive deal is for the customer to get X cartons of syrup free for every Y cartons purchased.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
That's nothing more than an unsubstantiated Internet rumor that's usually repeated by people that argue that it's reasonable to expect free re-fills for life and is probably right up there with the one about Walt's body being in a tank of liquid nitrogen. I did some research on that one a year or so ago at the height of one of the "mug wars". I searched on-line beverage industry trade publication and found no reference to this "sweet" deal that WDW supposedly gets. However, I did find lots of info about the other exclusive deals that drink makers make with fast food chains. Chains that are bigger consumers of syrup than WDW can't get theirs for free, so I'm not sure how WDW would have the clout to pull it off. The usual MO for an exclusive deal is for the customer to get X cartons of syrup free for every Y cartons purchased.

Interesting, I have asked friends that work at Disney about this
"free" deal and as you said none of them have ever heard of it. Also interesting that very few people walk into the Burger King without making a drink purchase and filll up their 7/11 mug at the drink station.

Some just really like to take advantage of Disney's good nature.

 

[dandave]

Originally posted by annieh6
for dandave: I don't find the humor in it. The folks who were packing a group in a room, were the ones doing the most damage (cutting in line, taking sodas in water bottles), not a very good lesson in human values and morals. I think we are entitled to air the problems we have witnessed, obviously this behavior does not bother you, but change will never happen with "oh well".

Sorry you didn't see the humor in it. I guffawed myself silly.
I'm not here to teach "human values and morals". I'm here to have fun, and that includes being helpful whenever possible. I actually enjoying searching for answers- not beating problems into the dirt when I have no solutions. You take care!!

 

[jgates]

Our local Kwik Trip will let ANY mug be refilled, however, they do charge a certain amount for the refill - it is about 1/2 the amount of one in a fountain cup. Their basis - they aren't supplying, stocking etc the cups. So they pass the savings onto loyal customers. They also offer different fund-raising card stamps where you can get free refills with X# gallons of gas purchase. I would like something that worked along these lines a little better.

Also - working in a restaurant industry for over 20 years part-time, the statement about the high profits on soda is accurate. We were encouraged to sell sodas as they were in some instances the only part of the meal that was making any money! (Not saying that justifies these behaviors though!)

 

[DMRick]

The bleeding hearts on these boards will say it is "no big deal", "after all who is losing - only WDW?" In the end we all lose.

First, let me say I would never use a non resort mug to fill up for free. I personally would not use a mug from a different resort..however I certainly see why people do, when the cm's over and over tell people not only to bring them back (in spite of what the signs say..some people really don't read signs, they go by what's told them), but last few trips they tell them they are good at any resort...I've heard them and I've even asked why they tell people that. The answer just reinforces, that it isn't something Disney wants to enforce at this time.
I personally bring my mugs back if I'm at the same resort, since I was told to (I was told at POR I could use them at any resort..but I don't)..and I do always ask at the begining of my trip, the food court manager. As stated before on these boards, the suits, when available, tell you the official policy, and then will tell you it's up to the food court manager.
We will be buying new mugs in two days at POP..and if told, as I suspect I will be, they can be brought back, they will be. I also suspect, at sometime they will go to the upc seals, but I think until that time, it's a rule they have for when THEY decide to enforce it...but at this time, they only people who seem to think it should be enforced, are people on this board. Since the people on this board aren't the decision makers at Disney..I'll go by what they tell me. And before someone asks if I ask around until I get the answer I like..the answer is no..I ask the food court manager. If they ever told me no, I would respect that.
Doris

 

[gardendame]

It seems as though a lot of people are stressing and making an issue out of a non-issue. Let the CM handle it.
IMO, if people aren't grabbing YOUR mug and taking a huge chug-a-lug out of it, then mind your own business. Obviously, people were told different things at different times about the mug. Just because they may have been told something different than what you were told doesn't mean they are in the wrong. Stealing is definitely wrong, but so is making assumptions and judging other people. None of us know what they were told about the mugs. Let the CM handle it (if THEY feel there is a need to intervene).
Now, leaving a huge mess, or cutting in line, those are things that directly effect all of us. Using a POR mug to refill at the Poly - that is a CM-call. All of the mug money goes to Disney anyhow, so how are they 'losing money'?

 

[Hawk]

Originally posted by dandave
Sorry you didn't see the humor in it. I guffawed myself silly.
I'm not here to teach "human values and morals". I'm here to have fun, and that includes being helpful whenever possible. I actually enjoying searching for answers- not beating problems into the dirt when I have no solutions. You take care!!

I enjoy our spirited electronic conversations on these boards where we can all give our opinions; and a couple jabs while we're at it . I hope we can continue to have these types of discussions while repecting the views of everybody even though we don't agree at times.

I myself learn alot from these boards and would hate to see it go downhill. I take no offense to the comments of anyone, it is their right to do as they please whether I like it or not. In this particular post, dandave and I exchanged or own views, so big deal! I enjoyed it. He must be a liberal .

Hawk.

 

[n2mm]

While I find the mug issue amusing and swore I would never post. I just couldn't stop myself this time. I've watched many a post, but always the same comments. Here are a few issues about mugs that some/maybe most of you are unaware of.

First, not only resort guest use the mugs. There are pin trading events 3 times a week at 3 of the resorts. Alot, of these weekly visitors bought a mug (as Disney suggested to them) and bring it back each week, grab dinner with their friends and pin trade. You really don't think Disney thinks they're going to buy a new mug each week? And this encourages them to have dinner at the resort. ALWAYS the correct mug.

Second, many of our CM friends eat at the food courts. They get off work from the theme parks late and stop at the different food courts to grab dinner. yes they have mugs they bring with them and use them on their weekly and bi-weekly dinner nights. ALWAYS the correct mug.

Third, Florida guest like to visit the resorts on weekends. There are great deals for the Fl guest, so it's not unusual for them to make a long weekend, sometime once a month to the resorts. And yes they bring their mugs with them. They are not going to buy new mugs every month for a 3 day stay.

And last, we visit quite often, sometime 6 trips a year depending on airfare. Yes we always bring our mugs with us for the appropriate resort we're staying at. Sometimes 2 sets if we are changing resorts. We have more than 30 mugs for a variety of resorts and do not plan to buy more, unless we stay somewhere where we don't have the mug yet (POP).

Until Disney tells us differently, and not just a CM at the beverage bar, we will continue to do this. Yes we understand "length of stay" as using the mugs during our length of stay. How will they determine when a length of stay begins or ends? We often have more than one ressie at each resort. (A CM can't have a ressie for more than 7 days, we often have to have several of them for one resort.) So would that mean we have to buy a mug for the first ressie, then check out and then check in, and buy a different mug for the second ressie. You can see why Disney doesn't want to deal with these issues, because of all of the "other" people who use the mugs. Now I would not have a problem of paying a daily fee, instead of a lenght of stay fee. But I do not want to buy any more mugs than I have too. Since we had 7 ressies last year, we would now have 15 new mugs, with with 9 ressies the year before we would now have 20 news mugs, so you see why I don't need any more mugs. (On a side note: we did give our mugs for Coronado Springs away upon our return a few years ago, because we are hoping never to go back to that resort--that's just our opinion of the resort.)

So here's a kicker, how do you know that the person with the brand new mug filling it up, did not buy that mug LAST month when they came for a weekend visit. You don't know do you.

So now the holier than thous can think about some new ways around the mug abuse...and I'm open to any suggestions that's fair to everyone, not just the resort guest, because you are not the only people who visit the foodcourts.

 

[dandave]

Good morning, Hawk!! I enjoyed our conversation, as well.
"She" might be better described as a liberal conservative, however.

 

[Geoff_M]

So now the holier than thous can think about some new ways around the mug abuse...and I'm open to any suggestions that's fair to everyone, not just the resort guest, because you are not the only people who visit the foodcourts.

Simple: Bar code activated dispensers like at the water parks. End of debate.

Also isn't doesn't do anyone any good when you attempt to disparage those that don't agree with your position. Accordingly, I don't call those that disagree with me "thieves".

 

[luvsTink]

I...a FLAMING BLEEDING HEART IF I GET ANY MORE "LEFT" I WILL FALL OFF THE PLANET LIBERAL (I still love Hawk though) .. Thinks this:
If people come on the boards and ask (over and over I might add) if they can/should bring back their mug or use it elsewhere I think it is OK to give your personal response, holier-than-thou-or not. I also like the idea of asking the food court manager, especially since there seems to be some confusion. Please note that this will be my first trip to the World and therefore I can not speak from experience. The only other response I have given to the big mug debate went something like this:
OP: can we do it?
2nd poster: as long as no one says anything
My response: I might be able to get away with a case of pop every now and then at the grocery store if I put it on the bottom of my cart, but I personally am not comfortable with that either.

My intention is to do what I think is the right thing, and assume everyone else will to. However, if you ask my opinion or my understanding, I will also assume you want it fully and honestly.

Now excuse me while I go and burn some music off the internet for free (I am against that too! LOL )

Anne

 

[MosMom]

Just a little reminder that not everyone you see filling another resort mug is stealing. I prefer the AS mugs as they fit in our cup holder on the stroller. When we last stayed at the Poly I paid for a Poly mug and unlimited use of the soda machine. I packed the mug away for a souvenier and used my older AS mug because the Poly mugs were too fat and cumbersome. We're staying at the Poly again in March and I will be packing my AS mugs but I will buy a Poly mug as well. I think the design of some of the mugs are ridiculous, the AS's have the best design hands down.

 

[kevind65]

Let me say again that I enjoy the discussions we have on these boards about this and a list of other "common" issues at WDW...I have fun with it and often interject my opinions(and that's all they are, my opinions, nothing more or less) on the matter at hand. I think there is a common theme that comes out of these types of discussions: We ALL should be more careful when forming opinions about other guest when we make a 15 to 30 second observation of them...we simply do not have enough knowledge of the whole situation most of the time to make a logical presumption of what's going on.....I think it's a problem that has evolved in our society that people spend way to much time concerned with what others are doing....Our family uses this philosophy: take care of our house first!
I'm not trying to be "holier than thou" with this statement. I'm just saying that we have learned to worry about what "we" do and not spend so much time and energy worrying about what others do...

 

[tink44]

Okay- I wasn't going to play but when I found that I read all 4 pages, I decided to put my 2 cent in.


First- when I'm vacationing, especially at WDW I couldn't even tell you what the other people at the soda dispenser are doing unless they slosh some on me while filling their sand pail. I take full advantage of Disney's magic by allowing myself to be totally blind to others shortcomings.

Second- I am raising my DD9 to be a person of character and integrity and she doesn't become confused if she thinks someone else is doing something wrong. I've already stressed to her that it's her personal choices she should be concerned about. Children are usually natural enforcers of rules for others. I've found that its something that needs to be toned down rather than accentuated by allowing yourself to be drawn into interpreting someone else's behavior.

An interpretation is definitely what it is. We've read the other posts about how what seemed like blatant stealing may be a misunderstanding.

By the way, as CKmommy said-refills are free in most places in Houston while you're on the premises. In sit down restaurants they won't let your glass get empty before they come to replenish it whether it's coffee, soda, or tea.(My husband was in NY and was charged $6 for iced tea because the server kept asking if he wanted more but charged him every time)

If it's cafeteria style in Houston that means pay once and go to the dispenser however many times you want. They'll even give you a To Go cup if you want to carry your last refill with you.

Maybe it's a regional thing and they're afraid people will pass out in the heat, but cold drinks are no big issue with us. So you guys come visit us in Houston and have all the free refills you want (while on the premises- don't bring back your To Go cup.)

 

[justhat]

I don't think the bar code idea would work. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how they could activate the bar code for your entire stay when you get it at the food court. At the waterparks, all the bar codes are the same, good for the day you buy them. But how would the bar code distinguish between someone staying 2 days, someone else staying 7 days, or someone staying for 2 weeks? Also, like someone else mentioned, what about people who make 2 separate reservations for the same resort? We often do that if we can only get a discounted rate for certain nights of our stay and I imagine others do the same. What would happen then? Would I have to get a new mug for each reservation (we've had up to 4 separate reservations for a single trip at the same resort)? If that ended up being the case, I think many fewer people would be buying mugs.

 

[Hawk]

Originally posted by dandave
Good morning, Hawk!! I enjoyed our conversation, as well.
"She" might be better described as a liberal conservative, however.

Oops!

Hawk.

 

[Geoff_M]

I don't think the bar code idea would work. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how they could activate the bar code for your entire stay when you get it at the food court. At the waterparks, all the bar codes are the same, good for the day you buy them. But how would the bar code distinguish between someone staying 2 days, someone else staying 7 days, or someone staying for 2 weeks?

Simple, the bar code only needs to contain the "expiration date" of the mug and the resort(s) that it's good for.

Also, like someone else mentioned, what about people who make 2 separate reservations for the same resort? We often do that if we can only get a discounted rate for certain nights of our stay and I imagine others do the same. What would happen then? Would I have to get a new mug for each reservation (we've had up to 4 separate reservations for a single trip at the same resort)? If that ended up being the case, I think many fewer people would be buying mugs.

Simple again. If they continue to charge the same price regardless of your length of use you can show the cashier your room key and your reservation confirmation for the second half of your stay and go with your last check-out date. If they switch to "per day" rates (discounted for longer durations) then anyone (CM, pin trader, guest, etc.) could walk up to a cashier and say "I'd like a mug that's good for X days, please." The printer at the cash register station prints the appropriate water-proof bar code label on it and they slap it on the mug.

 

[DMRick]

2minny wrote

I agree with you all, some people just don't have see anything wrong with it, it's like it was never taught to them, they're not convicted when they do wrong.

You are assuming there is something wrong with what people who are reusing mugs are doing. Apparently, you have decided YOU know best, and not the food court managers or CM's, who push these mugs with the words "bring em on back on other trips..and you can use these in all our resorts". I certainly know and practice right..not wrong. I would never steal. Darn those Disney people for thinking they have the rights over the mug police to decide if at this time they are encouraging people to bring 'em back!

annieh6 wrote

It WAS the same folks who were cutting in line, had 7+ sharing a room and were stealing from the food court.

Wow. must be a boring vacation, if all you have to do is to follow people and peek in their rooms, to see how many they are hoarding in there. Gosh, I hope it wasn't us last September, when we rented two adjoining rooms..by golly, we might have all gone in one door! Hmm..there will only be two of us in one room tomorrow..I wonder if you would talk to the "owner" about us getting a bigger discount, since we won't be using as many towels, etc. It sure wasn't us cutting in line..but thanks for following the guests, so others will be aware of this.

luvsTink wrote

If people come on the boards and ask (over and over I might add) if they can/should bring back their mug or use it elsewhere I think it is OK to give your personal response, holier-than-thou-or not.

Of course our personal opinions don't mean squat..but of course it's expected the newer signs will be pointed out. However, the person who does it best, is Geoff. He seems to hit the nail on the head. He gives the rules, as he reads them, then lets you know how Disney and food court managers and cm's are handling it. His answer is always the best. No flinging of insults..just honesty. I choose to bring my mugs (since I was told I could) back (I was also told I could use them at any resort..however we own them from the resorts we go to, and I'm fine with that), and Geoff chooses not to. I don't insult him for his choice, and he doesn't insult me. In the end it's up to Disney..and if they know their cm's, etc tell ya to bring 'em back (if you call and ask, they will give you official policy, and they will also tell you it's not followed..so obviously, they know), then that's the policy I'll follow.