Overrated: Refillable Mugs Underrated: Character Caravan

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Just returned from 6 nights at CSR and have the following thoughts.

IMO, these mugs that everyone gets excited about are way overrated. At CSR the pool bar closes at 7:00, leaving a walk to the PM for a soda. Not worth it, I'll bring my own.

Character Caravan, although a vile substitute for EE, was a delightful experience for DD2 and DS4. They really took a shine to the chacters and jumped right into this autograph thing, much to my chagrin. In fact one of the highlights was my DS2 who had been very upset about not seeing Jessie, got to spend a good 5 minutes with Minnie during the CC stop. There was no one else there. Loads of fun, and we were still at the MK before 8:30.

 

[helenk]

I agree about the re-fillable mug if you are staying at a resort that does not have a snack bar or food court that stays open all night or at least until 12:00. I have gotten them at the AS sports and the GF and we got our monies worth. Our last stay we were at the YC and we did not bother because Beaches and Cream closed at 10:00 and it was not worth it, plus it was not convenient to our room, we were on the other side of the YC. We will be staying at the AS Music in December and I will use them there because you go past the food court to get to and from the bus stop.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

It all depends on your room in relation to the food court. At the Poly I can go get my iced tea fix any time of night (and my 2000 mug still works). At BWV it's a longer walk to the bakery and I can't fill it up in the middle of the night, but I can just buy tea and make it in the room!
As for character caravan, haven't done that yet--hopefully the little ones will get some face time this trip. I'd still rather have EE though.
Robin M.

 

[ContempoSMT]

i would have to say the opposite of your udnerrated overrated thing. Refillable mugs really save alot of money during a trip. You can get your drink at your hotel whenever you want. I dont see how this can possibly be overrated??? any help here
Character Caravan is a terrible substitute for Early Entry. Id rather be at the parks then to be meeting and greeting characters in my resort!!!!

 

[susy]

I don't think a refillable mug would be worth it for me, because I wouldn't drink that much coffee or soda. If I could use it for milk and juice, it would be worth it.

 

[rab]

Does anyone know if CBR food court is open late? Seaspray may know this. Thanks.

 

[cruisnfamily]

This character caravan thing must not exist at the all stars. We were there in Feb and rode the buses to be at the parks before opening. We never saw any characters other than the ones at the gates of the parks. Where does this caravan go? Will they be at CSR when we visit at the end of the month? What time do the characters show up?

 

[Dopeygirl]

The Character Caravan goes to all resorts since it was started last fall. You can find the schedule and times here.

 

[Demosthenes]

I think the refillable mugs would be a good value if they held any real amount of beverage. After you fill those things with ice, you only get about 6 oz. of drink in there.

 

[Pea Picker]

The CC will not be such a good thing when your kids are a little older. It is in no way a fair trade off for EE (imho). We have never had any problems seeing the characters at the parks or at a character meal.The mugs when used over and over again for coffee, soda, lemonade, ice tea, etc is well worth the money if that is what you like to drink. We have used our mugs for 2 trips and will bring them back this year as well.

 

[dtuleya]

Does anybody know where you can refill mugs at the WL? How convenient is it and what hours are they open?

 

[cavepig]

The mugs are great since I drink soda and coffee and tea and hot chocolate. I have only used them at Riverside and the foodcourt was convenient to stop off at after getting off at the main bus stop to refill our mugs and since we ate breakfast there every morning it was well worth it. We'll be getting them at All-Star movies in 2 wks.

As for the character caravan I haven't seen it yet but since no one in my family is little anymore the characters are no big deal and actually never have been. I would much rather have EE.

 

[Andy123]

You can get the mugs at the Wilderness Lodge at Roaring Forks... I believe it is open until midnight or so... Since the lodge isn't that big, it is a little more convenient, plus I just LOVE walking around that place! FYI... on our last trip I noticed that the 16oz and 20oz mugs are now the same price at the WL - $9.99 + tax!

 

[SeaSpray]

rab:

The food court at CBR is open at least till 11pm. I've seen it open later than that, but the official time is 11pm.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Originally posted by BoyLovesBuzz
Character Caravan, although a vile substitute for EE, was a delightful experience for DD2 and DS4.

vile (vîl) adj., vil·er, vil·est.
Loathsome; disgusting: vile language.
Unpleasant or objectionable: vile weather. See synonyms at offensive.

I would never suggest CC is a fair trade for EE. Let me say that again, I would never suggest CC is a fair trade for EE. I'm just saying its kinda neat for little kids.

As for the mugs, if I were closer to the refills, I may think differently, and they do need to be bigger. However for $11.00, I can buy approximately 52 cans of diet coke. Over time I guess its a good deal, but we like to stay at different resorts, so we wouldn't take advantage of the the return-visit re-use.

 

[Dizpro]

I DID think using the word "vile" a little "over the top"...

 

[jiminyfan]

I agree that the refillable mugs do have their limits, BW's are small and hard to refill, but AKL is great at MARA - good size, plus we just keep dumping the contents into a larger bottle to takee along to the parks.

The CC is a very good replacement to EE for us, we have a 2 year old and it is hard to get going early to the parks, but he gets great interaction with the Characters at the hotels. My only complaint is the length of time the characters are actually available. 1 hour total is a little short especially if it crowded.

I know I got some great photos on the empty days. this past February at BW, my son was one of a hand full of kids inteh lobby and spent a good ten minutes straight playing with Pluto -- that to me is PRICELESS.

 

[Sammy]

I have to admit I almost choked when I paid $50 for 5 mugs on our trip to Riverside a while back. However, over the course of the 9-day trip, we filled those mugs at <i>least</I> 2 times each day, between coffee/hot chocolate/lemonaide, etc. The 2 "down" days we spent at the resort, I swear the kids filled those mugs 10 times each!! If you figure out:

5 mugs x 2 refills per day = 10 beverages per day
10 beverages x 9 days = 90 beverages for the vacation
90 beverages x $2.25 each = $202.50

So even if we only used the mugs twice each day, we saved $152.xx on drinks.

We did stay in AB Bldg 27 which was very convenient to the food court, so we were able to take great advantage of the free refills.

 

[mat2672]

The value of refillable mugs really does depend on the ease of getting to the food courts. I can see it not being a great value at carribean beach where you may have to walk pretty far to the food court, but I just stayed at the wilderness lodge with the food court right downstairs so it was a very convenient thing to get some coffee or soda. I know I got plenty of value out of our mugs.

 

[jennymouse]

I would agree that the mugs wasn't a good deal for us on our last trip....too far from the foodcourt at ASMu. I've heard people say they fill thiers up on the way back to thier rooms afters going to the parks all day.....well, the only way to do that, for me, is to pack them around the parks all day...not something I'd want to do.

Now, having said that, I would definately buy them again for souvies because at home, I drink my coffee from them every morning! My ASMu have gotten so coffee stained, my DD wanted to pitch them! Don't worry, I saved them.