New Refillable Mug Program -- Resort Wide

[eeyore0062]

Actually something akin to the fastpass system may very well work. They could set up one area that was ONLY for scanning the barcodes on the mugs. That way we wouldn't have to wait in the line with everyone else that is buying food. Also, they should have the barcode scanner in the regular lines for those who are refilling and buying food, so that way you won't have to stand in line twice.

I am sorry that this was taken advantage of, so Disney felt they had to go to this system.

 

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by exiles
Buying a mug does not qualify one for lifetime refills. Show a little class and get a new mug each time.

Where's your "environmentality"?

I'd rather keep my mug rather than purchase a new one. Less waste! I buy one for each participating resort, so I do have a little collection going. However, I'd rather buy a sticker with a bar code than a new mug each time. YMMV.

 

[Geoff_M]

The CM rattled off "The mugs are good for a lifetime at the resort they were purchased at or their sister resorts.". Then when purchasing more mugs at ASMO last fall, we didnt ask, but the CM offered the info and told us the exact same thing, meaning we could use them at any All Stars. I didnt know my life expectancy was so short.

Well, the good thing is that this means that "mug debates" should become a thing of the past.

It sounds like WDW has finally found a way to enforce their long standing policy of "One mug, one resort (including sisters), one visit". Every person that has e-mailed guest relations has gotten this policy stated to them consistently. The problem was with a good number of CM's telling people the "reality" of the situation when people asked... just like a cashier at the supermarket will say it's OK to go through the express lane with more than the posted number of items even though the corporate policy is "limit 12 items".

In the end it'll work better for everyone. No more policy interpretations by the CM on-duty at the time. No more people bringing in their "Big Gulp" cups. It will help Disney manage their Coke syrup costs (apparrently it isn't as cheap as everyone thinks if they'll willing to cough up for the scanners). Etc., etc.

 

[Traveliz]

On the barcode thing -- I have never seen this work in conjunction with a soda machine - at any rate does that mean that only person could use the machine at a time - for example - it wouldn't be possible for one person to be getting ice in the middle, one getting diet coke on the far end and one getting sprite on the other end?

Liz

 

[zulaya]

"On the barcode thing -- I have never seen this work in conjunction with a soda machine - at any rate does that mean that only person could use the machine at a time - for example - it wouldn't be possible for one person to be getting ice in the middle, one getting diet coke on the far end and one getting sprite on the other end?"

On this note...what if you sent one person to fill two cups? Can you only scan one cup at a time and then have to get back in line or can you scan two cups at a time and still have enough time to fill them before the machine resets itself?

 

[StormAlongBay]

Originally posted by Traveliz
On the barcode thing -- I have never seen this work in conjunction with a soda machine - at any rate does that mean that only person could use the machine at a time - for example - it wouldn't be possible for one person to be getting ice in the middle, one getting diet coke on the far end and one getting sprite on the other end?

Liz

I would just like to add to this...

If this scanner is somehow hooked into the dispenser, how will guests that do NOT have these new mugs with barcodes on them get their drinks? Do they have a separate dispenser then? That can't work as this would definately create more lines at the scanner ones.

Or

Do these guests now have a "use once" barcode given to them at the register?

Not looking for answers to these as Disney has not stated yet how this will work. Just bringing up more questions.

 

[Sammy]

As far as Disney losing $$ on soda refills......didn't I read somewhere on the boards that disney gets all its soda free from Coke?? I may be wrong about this, but I thought I had read that before??

 

[Geoff_M]

As far as Disney losing $$ on soda refills......didn't I read somewhere on the boards that disney gets all its soda free from Coke??

Yep, you've read that here. It's pure hear-say. You'll also read that McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, etc., etc. get their's free too. If you believe what you read on the Internet, you and I and the rest of the consumer world are the only ones that acutally have to pay for our Cokes products!!!

Update: Here's a beverage industry publication that gives a hint at the relationship between Mickey D's and Coke:
http://www.beverage-digest.com/editorial/970530.html
If the Golden Arches, with their huge leverage, ain't getting their syrup free as part of their exculsivity agreement, then how could WDW get Coke to give their products to them for free???

 

[Sammy]

okee dokee....

 

[Rock'n Robin]

One minor thing--I got a Blizzard Beach mug last year and the sticker on the mug (for the day I bought it) STILL is not completely off. I've tried scraping it with my nail, using windex and a scrubbing sponge, nothing gets the gunk off. I hope they don't put those on the mugs if/when this policy gets instituted.
Robin M.

 

[DizBearFl]

At the water parks they already have a system in place at the refill stations. When you buy the mug a barcode is placed on it. You go to a refill station- Hold your barcode up to a scanning area- green light goes on and you can fill your drink. Actually it is nice that you do not have to wait in line at the food area. especially during slow times when the park does not open all the food areas.

 

[cboudre1]

Avons Skin so Soft takes off the glue from the sticker.

 

[dcedwards]

Terk-1

Did you hear anything from Disney? I emailed them with several concerns regarding this...

1) Cost efficiency of buying the scanners, training staff, implementing a system, unhappy guests because of converstaions that have taken place in past from staff, unhappy guests from standing in line to get refills, upset staff since the guests are upset, etc. All of this vs. the .02 to .03 cents per serving of pop.
2) The crowds and amount of time to wait in line to get a refill vs. currently how you just walk up and get a refill.

I agree that guests should use the appropriate mug for each hotel/sister hotels.

But seems to me that his is carrying it to the extreme. Although this is only my opinion. Will the machine only work after a bar code has been scanned? Will they have to post an additional staff person there to ensure the proper operation of the new machines/program? What happens when bar codes fail due to being held too much, rubbed up against something that chips them, etc. Lots of scenarios to consider here.

I emailed Disney and posed these questions and let them know my opinions. If anyone else is interested I encourage you to do the same. That way they will, at least know how you feel. Often policies are instituted or discontinued based on customer opinions, so let them know...whatever your opinion is on this matter.

 

[adamak]

There is NO WAY Disney is losing money on soda. If they are, they are in biggggg trouble. In restaurant business, as I was told, liquor and refreshment makes the most profit. Even if you have only 10 people buying soda in each resort per month, Disney will still be making money.

That's said and done, the argument becomes...is Disney not gaining as much profit as they should be ? Yes. However, the money on the balace book does not equal to customer's satisfaction. Not to mention, we are actually PAYING for the mug. How often do you get the soda in your lifetime anyways? All of us have mutliple mugs. And we probably drink less than $10 worth of coke (wholesale price) during the whole stay.

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that if Disney want to do a refillable mug, don't be so stingy. Let people do whatever they want, and trust the honor system. Disney will come out OK. Otherwise, don't have the refill system at all. I'll be glad to pay the regular price if I'm rich enough......or I can stock up with my soda cans.

What's next? Arrest guests who bring in outside food to the park??

 

[Gillian]

Originally posted by DizBearFl
You go to a refill station- Hold your barcode up to a scanning area- green light goes on and you can fill your drink.

That doesn't sound so bad! Let's see what they come up with before we say how horrible it's going to be!

 

[Glenn]

Heres a twist that no one has addressed. Whats going to happen when someone walks into a foodcourt for a meal and sees reeeeeaaally long lines caused by the refills. Will it turn them off? If their driving will they consider eating outside ? How about issueing a new mug every yr. New collectable for us they go every other yr but rewards the multple/yr visitor cheaply.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by adamak


The bottom line, in my opinion, is that if Disney want to do a refillable mug, don't be so stingy. Let people do whatever they want, and trust the honor system.

How is Disney stingy? By not giving people free soda for life? I saw last week what happens with the honor system. Half the people at the snack bar were filling up whatever container they had with them at the time.


I hope they keep some kind of mug program. It's worth the money every trip to not have to go to the grocery and haul a ton of soda up to the resort room.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by gepetto
How is Disney stingy? By not giving people free soda for life? I saw last week what happens with the honor system. Half the people at the snack bar were filling up whatever container they had with them at the time.

I agree with Gepetto. I too have seen families using giant sized containers or inappropriate cups (kid's candy cups, etc) to fill up. As it is there is nothing stopping a non-resort guest from walking in with their thermos and filling up. I have absolutely no problem with them changing mugs every year or implementing a barcode
system.
My only concern is the potential line ups that may occur. Perhaps it would be cheaper in the long run if they had one person monitoring the drink stations to ensure the mugs were current and from the proper resort. This would prevent those from using inappropriate containers for filling up (ie different resort mugs and oversized non-disney containers)

 

[manning]

Ok everyone. There are a lot of posts to this thread and a lot of others reading this but don't post. If you believe that The new system is wrong send an E-mail to the Disney Resorts.

Go to www.disneyworld.com and click resorts and guest services. there is an E-mail format to use.

 

[gepetto]

I think we should see exactly what the new system is before we start firing off nasty-grams to Disney.