No more unlimited refills on resort mugs?

[IluvKingLouis]

As I said on the previous page, this is false. The RFID chips, at least for now, affect ONLY the soda machines.

Oh, good to know as I don't drink soda, but can really suck down the ice tea!

 

[Brian Noble]

I could care less what kind of mug someone is using, as long as it's from a disney resort.

Unless someone snuck into Sports in the middle of the night and replaced their soda dispensers without permission, it would appear that someone at Disney might disagree with you...

 

[skater]

You go to the register...or someone at one of the counters...and tell them there is a problem. They grab a paper cup, scan it, and have the manager comp it...and then wait for them to fix the machine so the coke dispenses properly (or get something else).

Problem solved.

It's no more (or less) difficult than walking over to tell them that the Coke isn't working right and having someone adjust the machine. It might take an extra minute or so to do.

In addition, there is probably a manager override on the dispenser, itself. Insert key, twist, and it turns off the RFID function (which they'd need to do for testing and changes, anyway).

There's solutions to customer problems like that...and they're not that resource intensive.

They might not be resource intensive, but its not esactly how I want to spend my vacation. This is why we don't go to CSR anymore - we like being independent with our mugs . Anyway, I'm still hoping that it won't be as obnoxious as it sounds - that it will still be convenient, fun, and easy to use. That's what most of us want on our vacation isn't it? Convenience, fun, and easy to enjoy?

 

[trekker93]

If this spreads to Pop next year, I believe we will make more coffee in our room, drink more water and make ice tea! Can you imagine the lines for soda now when people may have to wait in between to get refills! Also, the soda machines are also used for cold water - I'm hoping these won't be impacted as well.

 

[pilferk]

They might not be resource intensive, but its not esactly how I want to spend my vacation. This is why we don't go to CSR anymore - we like being independent with our mugs . Anyway, I'm still hoping that it won't be as obnoxious as it sounds - that it will still be convenient, fun, and easy to use. That's what most of us want on our vacation isn't it? Convenience, fun, and easy to enjoy?

If the Coke Machine's not working right....don't you have to let someone know, anyway? It's like 2 minutes of life. To me...it's not a big enough deal to raise a ruckus over....

The problem is, they have to balance convenience, fun, easy to enjoy and PROFIT/LOSS. And we all know which side they're going to "err on", if a side needs to be chosen. I can't, much as I'd like to, fault them for that. They're a corporation.....and as warm and fuzzy as Disney makes me feel, sometimes....ultimately I know which side of the bread is buttered and which side isn't.

 

[DJFan88]

It's actually not a waste of time. We have to walk right near (or right past) the filling stations to leave the resort to head to the parks in the morning.

And, during a 10 to 14 day trip, it's a LOT cheaper to buy those mugs over buying paying the price for a Disney cup of coffee, individually. It's a good value (and it can be used for hot chocolate at night...and iced tea if we're hanging around the resort during the day).

Usually, I leave the room while my wife starts wrangling the kids together. By the time the mugs are full and ready...she's usually in the lobby with the kids and we're heading out the door (with the Disney mug rinsed and stowed in our stroller for the day).

It's not complicated..it's not time consuming..and it saves us a decent amount of money. FOR us.

Man, you're patient. I applaud you on your responses on both comments. I can't even imagine how filling 2 coffee cups is wasting your time, and certaintly didn't feel you had bigger problems because of your coffee! Love your patient spirit -- I hope it's contagious here!

 

[SRM1981]

I hope the “free” cups of water are the next to go. That little paper cup, no matter how small still costs Disney some amount of money. And frankly, it is annoying to be waiting in line when someone pushes past you just to get their “free” water. If you want a drink, soda or water – pay for it.

 

[rock_doctor]

I wonder if Disney ever asks the opinions of the guests regarding the refillable mugs. Instead of putting all of these rules together to help increase their profits, why not ask the guests what they'd be willing to pay MORE for? I

They have already stated they make a decision and wait to see how many complaints they get. If it is a tolerable amount then they call it all good and keep going. If they get too many complaints then they change it and then wait to see how many complaints they get the second cycle though... This is the reason we here on DIS boards push sending email complaints so strongly.

I think we have to look at the bigger picture. How many here get their mugs by paying for them and how many get them as part of the dining plan? And i wonder how many will go ahead and go with the plan because it includes free drinks and a mug. Figuring the cost of a drink accounts for at least $4 per person per meal... i am going to create a poll about this and link it to this thread. I would bet more get the mug from the dining plan.

 

[twocat]

I hope the “free” cups of water are the next to go. That little paper cup, no matter how small still costs Disney some amount of money. And frankly, it is annoying to be waiting in line when someone pushes past you just to get their “free” water. If you want a drink, soda or water – pay for it.

You're kidding, right?

I don't drink soda. It's either water or, on occasion, iced tea for me.

And why, oh why, did you single out water drinkers as the people who push in front of you to get water? I would wait in line just like anyone else.

 

[SRM1981]

You're kidding, right?

I don't drink soda. It's either water or, on occasion, iced tea for me.

And why, oh why, did you single out water drinkers as the people who push in front of you to get water? I would wait in line just like anyone else.

I'm not. That cup of water is not free. The water may be free, but you are taking a cup that has a cost. I would bet the syrup cost per cup of soda is less than the unit cost of each cup. I could see this as the next item to go.

And based on my own experience it is those who are “only” getting water and feel that they do not need to wait in line. This happened on more than one occasion last summer. So if Disney wants to eliminate lost revenue they should look down this path as well.

 

[rock_doctor]

I thought it would be interesting to see how many get their mugs as part of the dinner plan or pay for them outright. If interested here is the date.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2761409

 

[Tara922c]

I hope the “free” cups of water are the next to go. That little paper cup, no matter how small still costs Disney some amount of money. And frankly, it is annoying to be waiting in line when someone pushes past you just to get their “free” water. If you want a drink, soda or water – pay for it.

They wont be going anywhere. I am pretty sure it is a law that they must provide free cold water for their guest. And from experience, working in the food stands in the parks, maybe 1 out of every 300 people that ordered a drink, asked for a water. The vast majority bought a bottle water, or a soda. And of 5 months working there, I never once a person cut the line off for a cup of water, and if they did, I would ask them to wait in line.

 

[SRM1981]

They wont be going anywhere. I am pretty sure it is a law that they must provide free cold water for their guest.

They do. There are numerous water fountains throughout the property. and I’m sure in an emergency no one would care. I’m talking about the family of four that every hour or so gets four new cups. This cost will add up.

 

[orangecats2]

On our last trip to Disney the bus driver we had for the magical express was telling facts about the parks and resorts as we headed to our resort. One of the things that he mentioned was the refillable mugs and he said that you can bring these back with you on your next vacation to use. My husband and I just looked at each other knowing that it's not true. Part of the problem is people are getting wrong information.

Our DME driver told the bus the same thing! I wonder if it was the same guy?

 

[kaligal]

I hope the “free” cups of water are the next to go. That little paper cup, no matter how small still costs Disney some amount of money. And frankly, it is annoying to be waiting in line when someone pushes past you just to get their “free” water. If you want a drink, soda or water – pay for it.

-​

I'm not. That cup of water is not free. The water may be free, but you are taking a cup that has a cost. I would bet the syrup cost per cup of soda is less than the unit cost of each cup. I could see this as the next item to go.

Seriously? You'd deny water to people who are hot and thirsty?

I don't see Disney saying, "Sorry, you either pay for the water or pass out and we'll call the medics." I can see the news headlines now.

 

[SRM1981]

Seriously? You'd deny water to people who are hot and thirsty?

I don't see Disney saying, "Sorry, you either pay for the water or pass out and we'll call the medics." I can see the news headlines now.

I sure would. There are numerous free water fountains throughout the park. They also sell bottles of water. You could also bring your own from home/resort.

The point is someone most likely from accounting said we are losing $X on each soft drink pour. So they invest in a new system. Next someone most likely again from accounting will say we are losing $X on each cup that goes out. Why should you get a free cup? Should I get a free reusable mug because I am also hot and thirsty?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Seriously? You'd deny water to people who are hot and thirsty?

I don't see Disney saying, "Sorry, you either pay for the water or pass out and we'll call the medics." I can see the news headlines now.

"And we own the medics. So you are going to pay us either way." Followed by snarling laughter.

 

[Tara922c]

They do. There are numerous water fountains throughout the property. and I’m sure in an emergency no one would care. I’m talking about the family of four that every hour or so gets four new cups. This cost will add up.

Well when I worked there, I was told by my manager, that is was law that they must provide free cups of water to anyone who asks for it. I am sorry that someone cut in front of you in line, but the free water is not going anywhere. Really, why does it bother you if Diseny offers free water? Besides the fact someone cut in front of you.

 

[pilferk]

They wont be going anywhere. I am pretty sure it is a law that they must provide free cold water for their guest. And from experience, working in the food stands in the parks, maybe 1 out of every 300 people that ordered a drink, asked for a water. The vast majority bought a bottle water, or a soda. And of 5 months working there, I never once a person cut the line off for a cup of water, and if they did, I would ask them to wait in line.

I'm not sure of the specific wording in Florida (or if they have such a law...though they are very common) but USUALLY it's phrased something like this:
"an owner or operator of a public accommodation shall ensure that clients have convenient access to a supply of potable water that meets with the local authority’s approval."

Basically, they have to provide access to potable (not cold) water. They don't have to provide cups or anything else. They could easily say that the access to that water is via the public restrooms (I know..EEEWWWWW!!). As it is, most (if not all) the resorts have public drinking fountains, which would pretty much take care of complying with the law.

HOWEVER, I agree with most here that the cost of the cup is so negligible when compared to the guest customer service gain that, probably, Disney could care less. Those cups cost very little..YOU can buy 1000 20oz wax covered Coke cups for $50 (or about a nickel apiece). I'm sure Disney, given the bulk they would buy in, could cut that number down quite a bit. In other words...what it costs Disney to provide the cup is so negligible it's worth the "good will" they generate by providing it.

 

[kaligal]

"And we own the medics. So you are going to pay us either way." Followed by snarling laughter.

I can see the CMs now. "Sir, you're looking really bad. Like you might drop on us. If you need magical CPR, that'll be $250.00. If you need magical fluids, it'll be another $300.00 It needs to be pre-paid. Cash or charge? I don't mean to rush you, sir, but it looks like you might drop any second...No, sorry, no water for you."

I have to stop.

Don't want to give Disney any ideas.