New Refillable Mug Program -- Resort Wide

[FlaSusan]

Just another thought to keep in mind. We are DVC owners who have mugs from some of the resorts. We sometimes will pick to eat at a food court because of the mugs. If we could not refill the mugs, the incentive to return to the madness of the food court would not be there and they would lose our business. We are not staying at that resort, but have chosen to patronize the restaurants.

 

[BriarRosie]

(posted by Maria)
Maybe with some people, but this is really quite a generalization. I can honestly tell you, I would not have spent $60 (at two different resorts) just so each member of the family could have a nifty souvenier from the WL and Dixie Landings ? I will not be bringing my mugs back to these resorts because I'll be drinking my own 20-cents- a-can soda from now on.

Again, just stating my experiences guys (I fully realize many of you had totally different perceptions of the mug policy and this is ok).....heck, for that $120 for those 12 mugs I could have gotten that really cool snowglobe of Cindy's Castle that I saw on Main Street in the Emporium ! <darn !>

You've got to learn to be little more thick skinned about the opposing views. Nobody's out to get you.

Your experience isn't unique. There are a lot of past Disney guests who were given the same pitch to purchase those mugs back then. I would agree that for a 2-3 night stay, those mugs would not have been a good value if they were valid for *only* those few nights.

I have also brought my mug back on a future visit. I don't think most people return to WDW more than once a year. Most wait a few years before they return. (Unless they own DVC. LOL)

I don't recall seeing any signs stating "length of stay" until my last trip in December. If cast members were informed and consistent about a policy, I think this mess wouldn't be an issue.

Personally, I find buying a new mug each time a total waste. Should we throw out a mug after we're done? I would be perfectly happy to purchase a scan card (if they come up with such a thing) and bring an old mug back. Jiminy Cricket would be proud of that type of "Envorinmentality", eh?

 

[Geoff_M]

Maybe with some people, but this is really quite a generalization.

That's the thing about generalizations.... They're generally true.

MiaSRN62,

I understand perfectly what you're saying. I understand you and a good number of others were given bad information from the CMs when you bought the mugs. I'd be a little ticked too. But being misinformed shouldn't obligate WDW to given people free soft drinks for life (or at any resort, as some CMs have told people). Nor should people bad mouth Disney for "changing" the policy. If people want to write letters, write letters about the poor customer relations environment they allowed to exist, knowingly or unknowingly, by letting a significant number of the CMs give guests false expectations about their mug program.

My point was that even after people have been presented with the responses from WDW corporate, personal testimony from people that knew the mugs were sold as LOS as far back as 1997 (add me to that list), yesterday's article from the Orlando Sentential, etc. many people still cling to the notion that the policy to date has been "good for life" and the barcoding scheme is part of an underhanded policy change on Disney's part.

Me personally? We own a set of mugs from PO and WL. Last time we stayed at the Dolphin and decided to pass on their mugs. We stopped at a Target on the way there and picked up 12 packs of our favorite soft drinks (not Coke products!), saved a lot of money, and took about a pack and a half back on the plane with us.

 

[PamOKW]

I did not flame anyone. I agreed that CMs confused the issue. However, if the mugs were good for a lifetime, that's what the signs and/or the wrapper in the room would have indicated. An "all-you-can eat" buffet is for one sitting. You can't return throughout the day, or for the rest of your life, to eat free.

Also, if the soda were relatively cost-free and only an enticement to come to the food court, why don't they just make the drinks free to everyone? Why bother with the mug program at all?

 

[cindyfan]

MiaSRN62, I am with you!
Don't let anyone flaming you stop you from posting what you think, because there are alot of us that agree.
I personnally think it is against Disney's best interest to make such a big deal about this. No matter how you think about it or figure it out.....there is no way Disney is losing money on this mug thing!!
When we were there just 2 weeks ago, it was the first time we ever saw any signs saying anything about "length of stay" or anything!!
It was always a CM telling us what a good deal it was to purchase the mug. No one ever said how many times it could be used. We have only returned to CBR. But it has been 2 yrs since our last visit there and we intended to bring our mugs from 2 yrs ago, but forgot!!! So we only bought 2 for the 3 of us.

Like Tense said.....it only costs them about $.03 for each 12 oz drink. It is "environmentally" a great idea!!! And we always thought that was the whole idea behind the mug thing!!! When you purchase a drink from anywhere.....McDonalds, Wendy's, etc......you are paying for the cup!!!! and the disposing of it, etc...
I never thought it was a "money issue" with Disney on this one!! It just saved so much money for them by selling the mugs!
Did we drink $20 worth of soda and coffee.....probably not if we had purchased it at the grocery store. But yes it was cheaper than buying a drink with each meal, etc. But in the end.....it was Disney that benefitted the most...they did not have to clean up all those paper cups I might have used!

I am really confused that Disney is making an issue of this!!
Or are we all just blowing this out of proportion.????

Will it stop is from staying on site......NO......will waiting in line stop us from purchasing the mugs.....YES. We will just stop at a grocery store on our way there and keep our drinks in the room. So who loses......Not us!

 

[MiaSRN62]

******You've got to learn to be little more thick skinned about the opposing views. Nobody's out to get you. (Briar Rose)***

You are right Briar. It was specifically 2 or 3 post that I thought were dripping with sarcasm toward my post that annoyed me. I shouldn't have let those posters get to me like that---it just hit me blind-side I think. This will be my last post on this subject (at least for awhile....LOL). I feel people on the boards (and not just this one) are split 50/50 with how they feel about this subject and what they were told by WDW CM's (some on more than one occassion). I was reading some comments from people on Deb Will's site : http://wdwig.com/mugs.htm
Several there can relate to the fact that many of us were told the mugs were good for life. If Disney wants to change the policy (or clarify it now), that is their perogative. It won't stop me from going to WDW......just a tiny bit of that pixie dust blew away (some when they did away with Early Entry too). But I'll live and I still think Mickey is the coolest.


*****Personally, I find buying a new mug each time a total waste. Should we throw out a mug after we're done? I would be perfectly happy to purchase a scan card (if they come up with such a thing) and bring an old mug back.******

I agree....I'd never buy mugs each time. If it's between bar codes or new mugs, I'm all for bar codes. The point is, I never thought it would come to either considering what "I" was told on two seperate occassions. I totally understand some were never informed of the "good for life" policy and maybe that's why they can't relate to how some of us feel ? It's ok.......

*****That's the thing about generalizations.... They're generally true. (Geoff_M)*******
Sorry, this I don't agree with. Every situation must be looked at on an individual basis. Generalizing eliminates too many extenuating factors IMHO ?

*******many people still cling to the notion that the policy to date has been "good for life" and the barcoding scheme is part of an underhanded policy change on Disney's part. (Geoff_M)******

I suppose you're right.....I clinging to what I was told on two occassions by employees of WDW ? I never thought it was a "notion" when I purchased the mugs in '98 ? Maybe I'm guilty of being naive and believing what those CM's explained to me ? I'll blame it on too much pixie dust ! LOL

******I'd be a little ticked too. But being misinformed shouldn't obligate WDW to given people free soft drinks for life (Geoff_M)*****

I don't know about this....I've been misquoted prices/policies before and I was either compensated for the error or they honored the price/policy that was quoted at this time. I could list several examples of this, but I'm not going to argue with Disney on this. It's just not worth it----but this experience will always stick with me. Will I continue to go to WDW ? Heck yeah ! If Disney offered to buy back some of the 12 mugs I purchased under the pretense of "good for life", I'd take them up on it. I don't need all these mugs......lol (but I won't sell them on eBay if someone thinks this ! <g>)


*****I am really confused that Disney is making an issue of this!! ******* I know ! LOL And I thought perhaps "I" was making an issue of it ? <g>

*****Will it stop is from staying on site......NO......will waiting in line stop us from purchasing the mugs.....YES. We will just stop at a grocery store on our way there and keep our drinks in the room. So who loses......Not us!
(CindyFan)*********

I'm with ya Cindy ! This is exactly how I feel.......

 

[Geoff_M]

Sorry, this I don't agree with. Every situation must be looked at on an individual basis. Generalizing eliminates too many extenuating factors IMHO ?

Generalizations have their place too. In this case I was referring to a human behavior. One which I think is fair game in this case. I purposely chose not to paint everyone with the same brush.

(Note: I'm not implying that anyone is acting "Childish" here with the following example.) A prime example this behavior can be seen in any child. You order your kid to stop doing something and what often pops out of their mouths almost involuntarily? "But, So-n-So said I could!!!" There you have it. When presented with two interpretations of the rules, human nature says defend the one where you like the outcome.

I suppose you're right.....I clinging to what I was told on two occassions by employees of WDW ? I never thought it was a "notion" when I purchased the mugs in '98 ? Maybe I'm guilty of being naive and believing what those CM's explained to me ?

It was perfectly understandable to believe the CM. I would have too. But saying the cashiers in the food courts and their supervisors trump the other higher sources doesn't make sense.

I've been misquoted prices/policies before and I was either compensated for the error or they honored the price/policy that was quoted at this time. I could list several examples of this, but I'm not going to argue with Disney on this. It's just not worth it----but this experience will always stick with me.

Again, I think we are pretty much in a agreement here. I've stated that it would be a smart PR move for WDW to offer some sort of "buy back" credit or other small consideration for those who were misled by the CMs. But I don't feel WDW is obligated to honor the "free for life" claims. If what any CM said in the past were treated in this way they'd also have to honor the mugs at ANY resort, since some CMs have told people that too. Also, where do you draw the line between the people that bought them under the guise of "free for live" and those that found out on the internet after that got home that you can reuse them with impunity???

Or are we all just blowing this out of proportion.????

Cindy, I think we all can plead "guilty" on that point!

 

[Minnie's Pal]

It's just a mug.

 

[DancingBear]

Just can't let this thread die!

Once again, whether the cost of a soda is almost nil is just irrelevant. Of course Disney is making money selling soda, as is Burger King. Disney may not be "losing money" on the reuse of the mugs, but it almost certainly is losing potential profit.

Also, keep in mind that the barcode system (IF it is ever installed at the resorts) would not only prevent same-resort different-visit mug use, but also different resort mug use (okay, some folks say they are entitled to this also) AND the use of any other kind of cups and mugs for unpaid-for refills. My guess is that at the policy level WDW is a lot more concerned about the prevalence of this practice than about loyal repeat resort customers.

 

[Lars624]

When we were at PO Riverside in May I actually saw not only people filling mugs from other resorts but one guy was filling a 20oz pop bottle!
I guess if the policy was abused they had no choice but change it.

 

[dcedwards]

This has become quite the thread!! Every time the mug issue comes up it tends to generate alot of emotions and opinions.

I think there are two issues at this point. First, Disney has every right to change their policy, whenever they want to do so. They have every right to make as much money as the market will bear. I don't think anyone would disagree with either of these statements, from what I have read.

That being said, I think Disney has a second issue that they need to seriously take a look at. That is the "customer's perception"...whatever that may be...regarding a written or verbal policy change (or not as some have stated) of this matter. It is proven that an angry or upset customer will tell at least 10 other people they know. A happy customer will only tell 3 people about their positive experience. With the introduction of the internet these numbers are greatly multiplied but when it comes right down to it....the upset customer will always tell more people. This should be, in my opinion, a serious consideration of Disney IF they decide to introduce this program throughout all the resorts. And I do emphasize IF....

There are alot of different ways they could handle it in regards to those who have been qouted a different policy than "length of stay". They could do a "buy back" program as was suggested. They could offer a discounted refill price to individuals who bring back an old mug and identify it with the bar code. And, I'm sure some could think of others.

But, what I specifically emphasized in my email was that they definitely need to do a better job of Publicizing the "rules of the road" on mugs and also training their CMs and Managers working at the resorts as to the correct policy to verbalize to guests. These two, things, in my opinion are absolutely imperative that they do starting immediately....despite what they decide to change or not.

At this point, I am in a wait and see mode. Disney hasn't officially done anything. And, I think they have probably been bombarded with emails on the subject, from what I've been told. This is good. It gives them an opportunity to hear what their customers are thinking before implementing a final policy. So, it will be interesting to see what they decide.

I do have to say, though, I enjoy reading all the different opinions. It has opened my eyes to a couple things I hadn't thought about. And, I appreciate everyone's opinion. I think it is important to remember that even though we don't agree with what is being said, each person has a right to state their opinion. Disagreeing with it is great. I think it is how we choose to disagree (in regards to our words) that can make a difference. So, I guess what I am saying is that I hope no one feels like they can't express a differing opinion on the boards. That is what makes the DIS so great. You can get all points of view.

I am looking forward to hearing from Disney on this issue as well as others who have visited recently. Thanks everyone for your opinions. I really have enjoyed reading this thread. And, I am looking forward to continuing to read it.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

just back from CBR and no sign of the "new" mugs yet...

 

[MiaSRN62]

[/B][/QUOTE]

When presented with two interpretations of the rules, human nature says defend the one where you like the outcome.

Well, I think there were just too many people that were only explained the one rule (as stated by the CM's) and now are beginning to read about this "other" policy ? I don't see that what I and many other guests were told are "our" interpretations, but rather, the CM's interpretations of what they were so ill-taught by Disney management. The CM's misinterpreted to the guests (and who should know better ?). So, we the guests, will pay the price for that. Also, I feel that not everyone defaults to the easier, more beneficial road for them. There are actually people that stand by their convictions and defend what they feel is right and fair. I'm not saying your statement isn't true in some respects Geoff_M, because I'm sure it is.

It was perfectly understandable to believe the CM. I would have too. But saying the cashiers in the food courts and their supervisors trump the other higher sources doesn't make sense.

I dunno ? I feel the CM's, who are representative of the Disney company, need to have some accountability here ? Should we allow CM's to spread misinformed interpretations of Disney's policies park-wide ? What will they mislead guests with next ? Perhaps the "suits and ties" should have staffed the foodcourts from the get-go. Then we wouldn't have this whole mess ?


****Again, I think we are pretty much in a agreement here. I've stated that it would be a smart PR move for WDW to offer some sort of "buy back" credit or other small consideration for those who were misled by the CMs. But I don't feel WDW is obligated to honor the "free for life" claims. *********

Agreed. It would be a smart PR move to honor what some guests were told. I'd sell back. At this point, if the policy does switch to bar codes, I can honestly say I feel I didn't get my $120 worth of soda......LOL You're right though, WDW is not obligated (except morally maybe) but we all know money talks and I'm sure, if, as Geoff_M suggested : ****When presented with two interpretations of the rules, human nature says defend the one where you like the outcome.********
Disney will choose the one that most benefits them I'm sure. <wink>.


*******Or are we all just blowing this out of proportion.????
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cindy, I think we all can plead "guilty" on that point!*******

Absolutely.....perhaps the policy won't even take effect ? Wouldn't that be cool.....then we've all just been chattin' about the legitimacy of this policy for naught ! <g>


*******It's just a mug. ********

Ahhh.....just love the simplistic nature of this statement. Actually, Minnie's Pal is right, it is just a mug without my free refills (which I'll most likely never recoup IF this policy goes into effect). I'm just going to put the fact that I spent $120 worth of mugs right out of my mind <g> Poof ! It's gone.....a little disney magic. I feel better now : )

 

[gepetto]

Geoff's right.....Disney's probably gotten thousands of nastygrams based primarily on an internet rumor.

It would be nice if they'd just come out with just one mug that'd be good for all resorts where you could bring them back and buy a barcode sticker. I never thought you should have to buy new mugs when you split your stay at different resorts.

 

[Geoff_M]

MiaSRN62,

My "human nature" comments were aimed at those that still think this is a "top level" policy change on Disney's part and, in smaller numbers, people that have purchased mugs with the knowledge that the policy is LOS (from threads like this one) but also know the CMs widely let people reuse them. I'm not talking about people that were merely sold mugs after being given bad information and now realize they were mislead. If you look back at this thread and others you'll see people calling it a "change" instead of "enforcing an existing policy" and blaming this on Disney bean counters and their ilk.

I feel the CM's, who are representative of the Disney company, need to have some accountability here ?

I agree, offending CMs should be reprimanded. Particularly those that give out the "free for life" jive with signs arond them saying otherwise.

Disney will choose the one that most benefits them I'm sure. .

Perhaps. But at least, if they do, it'll be grounded in historical written policy.

 

[MiaSRN62]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Disney will choose the one that most benefits them I'm sure. .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perhaps. But at least, if they do, it'll be grounded in historical written policy.

Agreed Geoff_M, it does need to be made a widespread written policy understood by all CM's. This will eliminate any false information being given to guests at the resorts. I'm all for it, whatever it may be.

I'm not talking about people that were merely sold mugs after being given bad information and now realize they were mislead. If you look back at this thread and others you'll see people calling it a "change" instead of "enforcing an existing policy" and blaming this on Disney bean counters and their ilk.

Got ya Geoff_M. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[#1 TITANS FAN]

As far as the guest is concerned, the only policy that counts is the one that is being implemented at their resort at the time of their stay. When I return to the ASMU this October, I'm bringing the mug I bought there in 99 and was told would be good for life; if I'm told I can't use it, no big deal I'll buy another. However, if I'm allowed to use it, I'm not going to feel the least bit guilty about violating some official policy. As someone with over 17 years in food services (as a GM and a supervisor), my experience has been that upper management doesn't have a clue about the daily operations of their units and is far more intersted in maiximizing next month's bonus check.

 

[dcedwards]

Just curious if anyone has heard from Disney on this one?

 

[LAinSEA]

I don't know if the genius at WDW thought about this one but...

I used to teach full-time for a ski resort that at the beginning of each season would give their employees a FREE REFILLABLE MUG to use for FREE unlimited coffee, hot cocoa, juice or soft drinks for the remainder of the season (and beyond). They would also make the mugs available for sale to skier/rider guests and offer the same FREE refills for the season.

The reasoning behind this; to cut down on the use of paper/plastic cups for beverages at the resort. The cost of the cups were actually more than the cost of the drink put in the cups and add to that the actually cost of garbage removal from the resort (a long drive up to the resort from the city).

Having a refillable mug program is GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT! Disney's new program to stop Beverage Theft could become a public relations nightmare.

IMHO, WDW should put a least 2 FREE REFILLABLE mugs into every hotel room as a gift for its guests (if you want more than 2 then they are available for sale). This would cut down on the use of disposable cups and resulting trash. Guests that carry them into the parks should get free refills there too!

my 2 1/2 cents
-LA

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by LAinSEA
IMHO, WDW should put a least 2 FREE REFILLABLE mugs into every hotel room as a gift for its guests (if you want more than 2 then they are available for sale). This would cut down on the use of disposable cups and resulting trash. Guests that carry them into the parks should get free refills there too!-LA

Yeah! And McDonalds and 7-11 and Burger King should do the same!