Rancho has free refills

[ballarinamom]

I agree that if it is a one refill policy, you have the right to refill it. It was included in the price. I would not want my child to drink two full glasses of soda. So I would probably end up finishing it or the DH..

 

[ValpoCory]

DH and I just discussed this as a result of this thread. We came to the conclusion that it is okay to split something that is of a set amount of food or drink. Something that is unlimited it is not okay to split. As for whether it is okay to have one person drink the first soda and another to drink the refill, he and I are split. It's an interesting discussion.

I agree. So in the case of Rancho and the OP, it is clearly not cheating, since you are not buying an unlimited item, but a set amount of drink. They are selling you 40 ounces of soda for that price, but they only provide a 20 oz cup, forcing you to come back when you are ready for the 2nd 20 ounces.

 

[MillauFr]

How on earth can you consider it stealing? You are paying $3 for soda that cost Disney less than a $0.25.

 

[tiffjoy]

I routinely drink from my DHs soda and have a water cup for myself. I only want a little bit of soda- not a full cup.

Stealing is taking something without paying for it. If you paid for the soda, you can do as you wish with it. Drink it. Share it. Throw it away. Take it back to your hotel and bathe in it. Once you have paid the amount charged, it is yours. There is no stealing involved in sharing what was paid for.

If a refill is included in the purchase price, that is yours to do with as you wish as well.

We share popcorn at the movies. Would you consider that stealing? My DD3 shares my meals rather than get one of her own (at counter service). Would you think that is stealing?

Me, I think stealing is not paying for something or breaking the rules. Sharing a soda doesn't break any rules unless posted.

 

[interstate70s]

I routinely drink from my DHs soda and have a water cup for myself. I only want a little bit of soda- not a full cup.

Stealing is taking something without paying for it. If you paid for the soda, you can do as you wish with it. Drink it. Share it. Throw it away. Take it back to your hotel and bathe in it. Once you have paid the amount charged, it is yours. There is no stealing involved in sharing what was paid for.

If a refill is included in the purchase price, that is yours to do with as you wish as well.

We share popcorn at the movies. Would you consider that stealing? My DD3 shares my meals rather than get one of her own (at counter service). Would you think that is stealing?

Me, I think stealing is not paying for something or breaking the rules. Sharing a soda doesn't break any rules unless posted.

Well said!

 

[Mary09]

The physical product might cost less than $.25 but they have to cover the cost of all the parts of the experience that are not explicitly part of the price tag, including those six-figure fireworks displays and such. They can tack it onto entrance tickets or soda prices or whatever. We aren't privy.

If it's a matter of profit justifies the act, then is it ok for me to sneak in my family of four with the cost of one admission because I think it probably cost Disney about 1/5 the price of my ticket to provide me the entertainment?

It comes down to 'they sold you one soda, with a courtesy free refill for the original recipient'. You can justify it all you want but two people sharing one soda with a free refill is not what the company intended, 90% of the time. Disney probably doesn't care. Hence the huge markup. I don't think they limit kids meals to kids. But they're like $10 so it's hardly a great deal and the fact adults can eat them is reflected in the price.

 

[DLRfan31]

I routinely drink from my DHs soda and have a water cup for myself. I only want a little bit of soda- not a full cup.

Stealing is taking something without paying for it. If you paid for the soda, you can do as you wish with it. Drink it. Share it. Throw it away. Take it back to your hotel and bathe in it. Once you have paid the amount charged, it is yours. There is no stealing involved in sharing what was paid for.

If a refill is included in the purchase price, that is yours to do with as you wish as well.

We share popcorn at the movies. Would you consider that stealing? My DD3 shares my meals rather than get one of her own (at counter service). Would you think that is stealing?

Me, I think stealing is not paying for something or breaking the rules. Sharing a soda doesn't break any rules unless posted.

very well said!

 

[bakerudall]

If there were unlimited refills, it would be stealing to serve your whole party from one glass.

As others have said, this place sells a specified amount of soda for a specified price, so it is okay to share it. Someone is going to drink two cups of soda, and the restaurant is not concerned with who that is.

--just my three cents (two Doug cents are worth three normal cents).

 

[disneychrista]

I don't think they limit kids meals to kids. But they're like $10 so it's hardly a great deal and the fact adults can eat them is reflected in the price.

They market them to "ages 3 - 9".

So they do intend them to be for children. BUT does that mean one is stealing by ordering one for an adult.

Photo Credit to Dateline Disneyland - Miceage.com

 

[MillauFr]

It comes down to 'they sold you one soda, with a courtesy free refill for the original recipient'.

What the orginal recipient does with the soda is none of Disney's business. If you think Disney does not have accountants pouring over the tax code trying to exploit every single loophole you are sorely mistaken. I'm not sure you actually believe what you are spouting. I think you are trying to stir the pot. On that point you are doing a good job. Kudos.

 

[ValpoCory]

We share popcorn at the movies. Would you consider that stealing? My DD3 shares my meals rather than get one of her own (at counter service). Would you think that is stealing?

Good point. And a lot of movie theaters allow free refills on some popcorn sizes.

 

[tiffjoy]

The physical product might cost less than $.25 but they have to cover the cost of all the parts of the experience that are not explicitly part of the price tag, including those six-figure fireworks displays and such. They can tack it onto entrance tickets or soda prices or whatever. We aren't privy.

If it's a matter of profit justifies the act, then is it ok for me to sneak in my family of four with the cost of one admission because I think it probably cost Disney about 1/5 the price of my ticket to provide me the entertainment?

It comes down to 'they sold you one soda, with a courtesy free refill for the original recipient'. You can justify it all you want but two people sharing one soda with a free refill is not what the company intended, 90% of the time. Disney probably doesn't care. Hence the huge markup. I don't think they limit kids meals to kids. But they're like $10 so it's hardly a great deal and the fact adults can eat them is reflected in the price.

You are comparing apples and... Not even oranges. Tickets and sodas are completely and totally different and comparing them proves nothing.

You used the term "sneaking." when I share a soda, I am not sneaking. I don't take it under the table and ask my DH to be on the lookout for cast members while I drink.

It's my food. I paid for it. Unless explicitly stated by the restaurant rules (I.e., shared plate charge) then there is no rule or law against sharing a soda or the included refill or food. Therefore, I am not stealing when I share my DHs soda. I am not taking something that doesn't belong to me (my DH is ok with sharing a few sips), taking something not paid for, or breaking any rule, either stated or even implied. Any of those could fall under stealing. Sharing is not.

 

[tiffjoy]

They market them to "ages 3 - 9".

So they do intend them to be for children. BUT does that mean one is stealing by ordering one for an adult.

Photo Credit to Dateline Disneyland - Miceage.com

I've actually asked about this and have been told it is not a problem. I often order the kids meal for myself especially the chicken meal at AK. I always ask when I order if it's ok and I've never been told no.

 

[ten6mom]

Well I am just thrilled to find out that there are refills offered ANYWHERE in the park, which I believe was the OP's intent: to share some potentially helpful information! There are often times when I just want a few more sips of a coke... a partial refill is perfect! Thanks to the OP!

 

[squirrel]

I have in my notes that French Market and Plaza Inn also have free soda refills.

 

[ten6mom]

I have in my notes that French Market and Plaza Inn also have free soda refills.

Thanks, squirrel!!!

 

[squirrel]

I hope they still do. The last time I went was 2007.

I haven't noticed anyone mention any places in DCA for free refills.

Another option is to get water and add your own Crystal Light or Nestea to it. We did that in WDW as we got lots of refill soda at the resort and the water tastes gross so we flavored it.

 

[disneychrista]

Refills are available any place where you fill your own drink you can get a free refill. Plaza Inn, Pizza Port, Rancho del Zocola

The (new) Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta in DCA would include refills.

 

[Armadillo4]

Refills are available any place where you fill your own drink you can get a free refill. Plaza Inn, Pizza Port, Rancho del Zocola

The (new) Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta in DCA would include refills.

I have asked about refills at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and the CMs at the registers have told me they have a "no refill" policy at that location. I've done this on 3 or 4 different occasions, wondering if the policy might change or I find a CM with a more lenient disposition. But the answer has been no every time. Obviously, your mileage may vary, but I wouldn't plan on free refills at this location. However, it never hurts to ask...just in case.

And, to go back to the OP, yes, you can get definitely get free refills at Rancho. I do almost every time.

 

[Mary09]

I think there is a difference between "made for ages 3-9" and "only available to ages 3-9".

I'm not trying to stir the pot and I totally don't judge anyone for sharing a refillable coke. But I put myself through business school working in restaurants and trust me, if they meant for it to be '2 for 1 sodas' they'd call it that, not 'one free refill'. One free refill, they know full well, is probably actually drank by maybe 20% of customers, and it costs them the cost of the soda, so 20% of the cost of one liquid soda on average. Not the cup and not the lost price of a second drink to a second diner. But they know people will share and they price accordingly. So the people who share sodas cost the rest of us a little more. And I'm ok with that.