Need Refill Mugs for Pop Century/ Money Saving Tips

[NemoandDory]

Will be going to Disney's Pop Century next month with our (almost) 3 year old son. The refill mugs seem rather expensive.

Does anyone have used mugs they are willing to sell? Hoping to save a little money. Are they able to be used again?

Can I also bring a couple peanut butter sandwiches/apples into the parks? Any other mouse saving tips would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Nemo and Dory
(Chris and Kelly)

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, NemoandDory!

Refillable mugs have writing on them that states they are only good at the resort purchased for the length of your stay. So, according to Disney's "official" policy on the mugs, you can not purchase mugs from someone else to use during your stay.

That being said, while $11.99 plus tax does seem pretty high for a mug, remember that a cup of soda or coffee costs around $2 or $2.50, so you pay for the mug in just five or six uses. And they make great souvenirs--it's fun drinking coffee out of your mug, and remembering how much fun you had at your resort

As for the PB&J and apples, go right ahead and bring them into the parks. I always brings snacks from home with me.

Karen

 

[Bojangles]

buying 2-liter drinks in the store at Pop Century would be cheaper still. Bring a cooler and you can keep milk cold for cereal if you want breakfast in the room. Lots of tips on the budget board here.

 

[dalt01]

you are kidding right? i mean who buys used drinking cups to save a couple bucks?

 

[tjmw2727]

If the mugs are to expensive don't purchase them.

You can stop at the grocery if you are renting a car or taking a towncar. Stock up on the necessities like soda, juice and milk and get a styrafoam cooler and ice. No need for the mug or the walk to the food court to refill the mug. Then just take a mid day break and or dinner break at the resort and make your sandwiches in the room.

If you want to take sandwiches or snacks to the park just pack a small backpack and be prepared to wait in the bag search line.

TJ

 

[Dawnflower]

does anyone know what the "official" policy is on outside food being brought into the park?

 

[dalt01]

officially you cannot bring in food, however no one will say anything to you unless you set up a full fledged family picnic and even then they might not. they deal with a lot of strange things and some are just easier to ignore than make an issue out of

 

[GoofyJoofy]

I thought the official line on outside food, was that Disney did not allow it. But I have read that they look the other way if it just some small amount of snacks

 

[Dawnflower]

So basically, "officially" you are supposed to buy a new mug for each visit, and not bring food in from outside. But basically, you can do both and no-one really cares?

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Dawnflower
So basically, "officially" you are supposed to buy a new mug for each visit, and not bring food in from outside. But basically, you can do both and no-one really cares?

 

[mickey0216]

In regards to "the mug policy."

I would not say that "no-one really cares." I am sure WDW as a company does care, or they wouldn't hang signs or imprint the policy on the mugs.

My guess is that most CMs in the food courts are not interested in making a scene when someone chooses not to follow the rules.

 

[NemoandDory]

Ok... so if Im going to pay $2.00 for a cup of coffee each am, the mug is a good deal. iT CAN PAY FOR ITS SELF IN COFFEE ALONE. Didnt realize how expensive the food court is.

THANKS for all the input!

neMO AND dORY

 

[NemoandDory]

I *will* plan to bring in a couple peanut butter sandwiches and apples into the park.

Thanks again!

 

[Dawnflower]

If your just going to use if for coffee, it may be cheaper for you to request a coffee maker for in the room, and bring your own coffee. That is what DH and I always do. We are actually thinking of purchasing one of those French presses, we are just not sure if they are worth the extra work or not!

Either way, have a fantastic time in WDW!! its the best!

 

[gigi1313]

i'm not 100% sure, but i do not think value resorts offer coffee makers for the room... you'd have to bring from home, which is difficult to do when flying...

we found that two mugs for our family of four were perfect and definitely cost effective for a nine day trip... dh and i only drink water and don't drink disney tap water, so we bought bottled water and the kids had their mugs... once or twice after they were sleeping did i "borrow" a kid's mug to get a cup of coffee... so, before buying one for each member of the family, consider your drink preferences and whether you would get your $s worth out of it...

 

[ctrabada]

My DH, DD7 and I stayed at Pop during the long July 4 weekend and bought one mug to share between us. To be honest, I don't think I got my money's worth because I brought milk, juice, soda, beer and bottled water along with a cooler and tons of snacks, cereals, fruit, bread, cold cuts, etc. I used it for my morning coffee and for DD7's lemonade. Over the 3 days we stayed there, it didn't pay off. But, for longer stays, I think it's worth it, depending on your drinking habits... meaning, how often are you going to go to the food court to refill it? how long is your stay? At about $2 per drink, it's just a matter of doing the math... if you'll use it 6 or more times, then buy it; if not, then forget it.

As far as food brought into the park, I asked CM's if it was ok and no one has told me you can't do it and I've never been stopped at the gate for bringing it. I always pack a backpack with bottled water, juice and snacks. Sometimes I have brought sandwiches.

When we go to the water parks, we bring a collapsible cooler and we bring fresh fruit (which tastes so good after you've been in the water...), bread and cold cuts, plus other snacks, juices, sodas and snacks and we prepare our own lunch. You can buy a mug at the water parks for $10 and use it the whole day, but it's only good for that one day. I believe they don't have any restrictions on bringing food to the water parks, except they don't allow you to bring alcohol.

One last note.... I DO enjoy drinking my morning coffee out of my POP mug.... It reminds me of great times, so yes, for that alone it was worth it!

 

[livsea2]

If I split my stay between two resorts I should be able to use my mug at both resorts since it is the same stay right?

 

[thedisneymom]

Good question! What if you are Disney hotel hopping during you weeks vacation? Anyone?

 

[Schmeck]

Definitely get the mugs at Pop Century, because they have the frozen coke machines! I think we got at least 4 frozen cokes each day, along with coffee and tea. Of course, that was in August, when it was so hot out!

What does the quote on the mug mean? It says "Free unlimited refills from our beverage islands during the stay in which the mug was purchased" But they don't specify the 'our' - does it mean just Pop Century if you have a PC mug, or does it mean all of the resorts, since they are owned by the same company? I think Disney left it a bit too vague. If they mean for it to be used at just one resort the quote should be "Free unlimited refills from our beverage islands at the resort the mug was purchased during the stay in which the mug was purchased"

 

[mickey0216]

livsea2, thedisneymom and Schmeck - Based on the info provided in the 2nd post, by TLinden16, it appears that Disney has answered your questions:

Refillable mugs have writing on them that states they are only good at the resort purchased for the length of your stay.