New Refillable Mug Program -- Resort Wide

[CarolA]

I have always read that the mugs were free refills for the stay you purchased them on at the resort you purchased them. That is in the brochures in the room and in the rooms with mugs in there the little card tells you that. I assume that the cast members have just been telling folks the "what really happens" statement, but it in this case it looks like they were wrong.

 

[monorailsilver]

As for people saying it is 'classless' to use my old mugs....well I have always asked if I can before I fill-up. They have always told me YES!

I do not think a sticky type of barcode would be good if they did that because I for one like to clean my mug daily (or sometimes 2x's a day). Paper thins as would the bar code.

I do not think Disney is losing any money: look at the food prices, the ticket prices (they go up every year), drinks in the park are expensive (I bring water for the most part and when that is finished then I buy soda), the resort prices keep going up, up, up and up. I think by the year 2010 it is going to cost me $1000/night to stay at the Polynesian.

As for the food courts that people keep mentioning, have you ever been to the Polynesian (or any of the Deluxe Resorts)? There are no food courts there just a Snack shop of sorts. I know at the Poly it is small (like the WL, can't remember the GF or BC) and doesn't have the space like at the moderate/value resorts. So lines would be really long there and I don't want people standing over me as I am eating waiting to get a drink.

I will continue to bring my mug back to the resort and use it as long as I can. If needed I will buy a new one but bring my old ones (they are nice and big) and fill it up that way. I am not trying to be 'classless' but I love my old mugs, they are bigger and last longer for drinks. For the most part I just fill it up with ice and water so what good would it do me to buy a new mug each time for the 2 times I would drink soda?

Just because I am staying at the Polynesian does not mean that I am made of money. I do have a good job but had to cut back to 2 days a week due to being a mom now. So any way I can save money and still be able to stay at the Polynesian for me is great. Hey I am even going to bring my own milk (for my daughter) down (via plane and small cooler, lots of ice and ice packs). Call me frugal but I would never pay over $1 for a pint of milk.

This is just my opinion and if any of you wish to comment so be it but I am sure you all are not perfect either in some way.....only Mary Poppins is!

Kerri-43 more days and I will be bringing my old mug to the Poly!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok, from the Orlando Sentinel today, titled "Disney Mug Holders Beware) : http://orlandosentinel.com/business...062402jun24.story?coll=orl-business-headlines

It just amazes me how Disney can make up these rules as they go along.............

 

[Geoff_M]

It just amazes me how Disney can make up these rules as they go along.............

True, if it were really a change in rules.... which it isn't.

 

[Melynny]

Since they are modeling this after the machines and policy at Blizzard beach, I wonder if you will be able to purchase a "refill sticker" Like you do at Blizzard beach. You buy the mug once and can purchase reduced rate refills on future trips for 5.00 each day.

I just read the story in the Sentinel and they said the bar codes were at Typhoon Lagoon...I was just at both water parks in late may and the first of april and at Typhoon, you had to go thru the line and request a refill and get a reciept that said "refill". At Blizzard beach, they had a stand set up that sold new mugs and that sold the refill stickers near the entrance of the park.. it worked great, no long lines to get beverages, just some folks who had a problem scanning the bar codes and then missed the time they had to refill the mug. New system was at Blizzard and not at Typhoon as far as I know ( you can still purchase refill stickers at typhoon, just not refill them yourself)

 

[BrianD]

What I would like to know is, where does Disney get the nerve to charge me for every night I stay there when I already paid for the room the first night. And worse, when I try to come back, they want to charge me for a room again! I don't know what their trying to pull, but these business tactics are outrageous! First the room, and now sodas!

 

[Geoff_M]

Brian,

I hear you brother! I also heard that some of the resort properties are fully depreciated on the ledgers, so me staying there only costs them overhead! And they have the NERVE to still charge me the full price!!! Shhheeessh!

 

[DancingBear]

I don't think anyone who has been bringing mugs back again and again is a moral degenerate. Nor do I think that Disney is doing anything wrong if they are developing a method for implementing what was the actual policy all along.

Those folks who complain that buying a mug will not be worth if for them if it is truly for one resort, one stay don't really have any complaint--just don't buy a mug. Disney has no responsibility to develop a "resort-hopper refillable mug" program or anything similar.

Also, those who complain that Disney makes a fortune selling soda---so what? I guess so does McDonalds and 7-11, and I don't see the picketers outside their establishments.

The problem is what to do with all of those folks who were told by Disney CMs that the mugs were "good for life" or "good at any resort." They may have some type of legitimate beef in claiming that if they weren't promised this, they wouldn't have bought the mugs.

However, this doesn't mean that Disney should find a way to give those folks their lifelong privileges---rather, the most that these folks are really damaged is the original price of the mug (which they claim they wouldn't have bought without the lifetime benefit).

So, for you lifetime mug owners out there, would this satisfy you? Would you turn in your old mug for $10?

 

[JerseyJanice]

F.y.i., a can of soda from any Disney resort vending machine costs $1.

 

[MiaSRN62]

******True, if it were really a change in rules.... which it isn't.******


******What I would like to know is, where does Disney get the nerve to charge me for every night I stay there when I already paid for the room the first night. And worse, when I try to come back, they want to charge me for a room again! I don't know what their trying to pull, but these business tactics are outrageous! First the room, and now sodas!*******

Oh jeez.....Maybe if they posted the "rules" in the foodcourt way back when, people would have realized what the policy was. I can only go by what I was told at both the Wilderness Lodge (5/98) and Dixie Landings (12/98) when I made the purchase. I know MANY others were also told this, so maybe Disney needs to figure out a way to train their CM's better or post the mug "policy" somwhere in plain site...hiding in the fine print hasn't worked and that is evident by how many people have been told they were good for future visits back to that resort.

I'm not trying to get out of paying for the room for crying out loud---please let's not exaggerate, ok ? I was told on two different occassions & at two different resorts that the mugs were good for future trips. I most likely would not have purchased 6 mugs at each resort had I known it would be another $10/person every trip ?! I don't understand why people can't understand this ? We often make quick, 2-3 day stays there.

I'm also a DVC Member. I was told when we bought into it, that my points would never lose their value. So by purchasing my 150 points, I was assured (by the sales CM), that I could come back and stay at any DVC resort & that the point system would not change. So, I purchased knowing this. If I went back to OKW in 5 years and discovered my 150 points had no or less value, I'd be ticked to say the least. Now granted, this is a much bigger purchase, but I paid $60 on two occassions in WDW for a set of 6 mugs witht the clearly stated policy by the CM on at those times, that I could bring my mugs back for free refills whenever I stayed there again.

My DVC example may not be the best, but I think it gets the point across. This is the only example I can come up with right now. I just feel deceived as far as this mug thing goes, that's all. I wasn't just told once---but twice. I suppose because some of you weren't told this when you purchased your mugs, you just don't get the significance of it ? I can't think of any other reason for the sarcasm in the replies. I don't think there is any need for it when I'm just voicing my opinion & experience.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There sure is a lot of WHINING going on here. Nothing has changed yet, folks. And if it does, well, then you might have something to WHINE about. And if you are spending $3-5K on a vacation, are you really going to quit going over a $10 mug?

DVC regulations are in writing. The Length of Stay mug regulations are also in writing. Not an accurate comparison.

I knew about the LOS mug when I first went to WDW in 1997. It was posted, advertised, stated as such. We thought, this is a great deal - all the soda we can drink for our trip for only $10 per person. If we buy them separately, it will cost us twice that for one soda a day for eight days. And we get a cool mug to boot! Our nieces thought they had gotten a neat souvenier to take home with them.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
maybe Disney needs to figure out a way to train their CM's better or post the mug "policy" somwhere in plain site...hiding in the fine print hasn't worked and that is evident by how many people have been told they were good for future visits back to that resort.

Every resort I have stayed at has a sign clearly posted "good for the length of your stay".

You can't compare a $10 mug purchase with buying a $12,000 DVC timeshare. DVC gives you a contract in writing which you agree to and sign. Disney never gave you a written contract assuring that you would recieve free soda for the rest of your life.

 

[PamOKW]

The difference between this policy and the DVC policy (besides being a huge price difference) is that with DVC you have a legally binding contract stating what you have purchased.

Common sense would tell you that the mug was good for one trip. However, as the OS article even states, they did not change the mug designs so it was pretty much impossible for them to know when you bought a mug. It became practice for people to bring them back and some CMs seem to have told guests to go ahead and do this. I don't think anyone should be chastised for having done this in the past. Especially since many people were told it was okay. But, the party is over. The policy is now being clearly defined and a way developed to enforce it.

Once again, I think it's abuse brought about the growth of the Internet that probably b\put the nail in this coffin. Why should Disney allow people to re-sell the mugs on E-Bay for people to use? One mug could be used almost constantly for years. Not just on one person's return trips but constant use. They probably reached a level where there was a drop in revenue for drinks at the resorts and came up with a way to deal with it.

Disney isn't a charity -- it's a business and it's one that is tightening its belt on waste so they can spend money to deliver quality to guests.

 

[Geoff_M]

I think this all boils down to human nature. When presented with two possibilities, people will almost always want to believe the option that is most personally advantageous.... no matter how much information is presented to the contrary.

 

[BrianD]

This thread is so much better now than it was six pages ago!

 

[Lars624]

In May 2002 at the Port Orleans we were told that mugs purchased were good on any visit there not just for your LOS. Things changed quickly........

 

[MiaSRN62]

*****And if you are spending $3-5K on a vacation, are you really going to quit going over a $10 mug? *****

First of all, we don't spend this much and secondly, it's not really the point. The point is I was told something on more than one occassion and now it's my understanding I was given false and misleading information by Disney employees. It's no big deal....I'll just bring my own drinks, really.....was just trying to voice my experiences. I'm not losing sleep over this whole thing, just see things a different way. I'm well aware Disney is in the profit-making business. I realize this more and more every day.


********DVC regulations are in writing. The Length of Stay mug regulations are also in writing. Not an accurate comparison*******
******I knew about the LOS mug when I first went to WDW in 1997. It was posted, advertised, stated as such. *******
******Every resort I have stayed at has a sign clearly posted "good for the length of your stay". ************

Well this is terrific for you---I honestly did not see it anywhere at Dixie or the WL & I was not told this by the CM's at either resort. This is the point I'm trying to make. Whether or not you believe this or not, really doesn't concern me at this point. The critical nature of some here is just beyond me.

******You can't compare a $10 mug purchase with buying a $12,000 DVC timeshare. **********

Well, excuse me. I did mention it wasn't the best comparison. I thought maybe it was a generalized comparison of paying for a product and then finding out you didn't get what you paid for down the line. Of course I didn't sign a contract or anything with the mugs. I'm guilty of not coming up with a better comparison---and I did admit this in my last post ?


********Common sense would tell you that the mug was good for one trip. *******

Well, here we go again. It's amazing the tunnel vision here on the boards. Gosh forbid if someone doesn't perceive or experience the same thing as someone else !? Now that person is considered to be lacking in common sense ??? Sheesh. Different people.....different experiences....different perceptions. I'm guilty of having a different opinion and getting flamed for it. It's pretty sad really.

 

[Tense]

Honestly... Disney... Do you know how much $$ a fountain soda costs Disney? Around .03 per 12 ounces. Now let's do the math... one refillable mugs costs around 13.95... average stay is 7 days.. Maybe you fill it 3-4 times a day....ahhh that's .84CENTS a week.... Sooo you'd have to go to Disney 13 times for a week for them to LOSE $$ on the refillable mugs.... AND those odds are???? Get real Disney... don't tick people off!

 

[MiaSRN62]

*******I think this all boils down to human nature. When presented with two possibilities, people will almost always want to believe the option that is most personally advantageous.... no matter how much information is presented to the contrary.
******

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.

I have no problem spending $$ at WDW, whether anyone chooses to believe this or not, if it's what I want to spend it on. In my case, no information was presented to the contrary in '98 when I made a total of $120 in mug purchases. I know.....pretty hard to believe ? <g> I wish the darn policy was posted somewhere clearly or stated clearly by the CM's. I would not have made this purchase. We honestly didn't eat/drink at the Food Courts often enough during those two visits to substantiate the cost of the mugs. I figured bringing them back in the future and being able to use them was a good deal (as was stated to me) ? This is why I've purchased Annual Passes in the past. We often go frequently but for short visits. It's a great investment for someone who can visit the parks more than one trip a year.

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 !>

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by Tense
one refillable mugs costs around 13.95...

I remember paying only about $9 or $10 for mine.