new blog: Disney Testing New Resort Mug Technology

[mrzrich]

All Stars has refitted their drink dispensers with some sort of Bar Code Reader

From Mice Chat:

You know the resort mugs that Disney has had for years? You could purchase them and then refill them as often as you like for the length of your stay. Well, unfortunately, too many guests have cheated the system for too long, bring the mugs back from previous visits, bringing non-Disney mugs or using "water" cups to get drinks from the fountains. Disney has begun installation on a new drink machine with software to restrict and limit use of the fountains for only currently valid mugs. Once you purchase a mug, it will allow you to refill your drink for a certain duration (which is probably longer than you are staying there) on their machines. In fact, these machines will dispense a certain amount of soft drink, from any combination every five minutes. Older mugs will not work on the new machines and will not dispense anything but ice and water for the expired mugs, just like a glorified water cup. If you buy an individual drink cup from the location instead of a mug, it will work for a certain period of time while you dine, but not for a long period after your meal. Other resorts have used the same set up (Dollywood for example) but no one has tried this system on the scale which would be required at Disney. Disney's All-Star Sports End Zone Food Court is the first and only Disney Resort to currently use this system.

It should be interesting to see how this test period works out and if it is picked up and begins to appear in more resorts. The Disney Dining Plan (regardless of type) may include mugs next year.

Machine setup is a bit different. No more "PUSH" buttons, instead just put your mug or cup against the new, longer, levers and your drink will dispense

Obviously WDI needs new signage to give directions as many guests appear confused in how to get the drink machine to work. I saw many trying to "push" where the button would be and young kids banging their mugs against the machine.

Dispensers before. Note the lack of levers. Guests would push a button instead.

 

[topolino]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2757360

 

[smitch425]

did you miss the threads posting this already???

 

[mrzrich]

Sorry, I was on call at work Sunday thru Tuesday!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hehe. We are such savvy Disney news junkies. I'm going to merge these two threads together.

 

[starwood]

How does this work if you're not using a mug? Do their regular beverage cups have chips in them as well? Are there specific drink stations to use the mug? That seems like quite a waste to me.

 

[darrengs]

They should link it to the key to the world card, this way I wouldn't need to carry the mug around.

 

[aspen37]

Here is a great video showing how the system works. They are using the paper cup. This video answered some questions I had about the system.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDzZ4h7nh44

 

[papamouse1]

Great video aspen... thanks. It explains how they will handle the single purchase cups as well

 

[Cherinva]

Personally, We like the refillable mugs. I don't drink soda though...how will this work when using the mugs for coffee or tea?