Refill Mugs - Are 2008 still good??

[A&Bmama]

Even if the syrup is free there are still other expenses I am sure that are not covered.

Such as the cost to carbonate the syrup ,the cost of the dispensers. the cost of the ice, the cost to deliver the syrup, the pay for the CM's setting up the machines, the electricity to run the machines, the cost to maintain the dispensers, not to mention the cost of liability insurance in case of a lawsuit from a "slip and fall".

I am sure there other expenses I am missing but I assure you there are a lot of "hidden costs" in that mug of soda and even pennies tend to add up when hundreds of thousands of mugs of soda are dispensed weekly.

JMHO

How long does it take for the pennies to add up to $12.49? Liability insurance? Either the resort has it or it doesn't. They don't buy insurance on a cup by cup basis, or even product by product.

Of course there are expenses with dispensing beverages, and if Disney was losing money hand over fist those machines would have been ripped out long ago. But like I said before I do think Disney does need to either enforce their written policy or change their written policy to match their common practice.

 

[maxiesmom]

How long does it take for the pennies to add up to $12.49? Liability insurance? Either the resort has it or it doesn't. They don't buy insurance on a cup by cup basis, or even product by product.

Of course there are expenses with dispensing beverages, and if Disney was losing money hand over fist those machines would have been ripped out long ago. But like I said before I do think Disney does need to either enforce their written policy or change their written policy to match their common practice.

So now it is Disney's fault that they trust their guests to read the signage, and to follow what it says? Would it be better if they started to arrest people for stealing the pop? I don't think Disney is the one who needs to change here. It is some people's bad behavior that needs to change. If they truly loved Disney they wouldn't be stealing from them.

 

[CleveRocks]

When I was booking/switching my rooms he told me this over the phone. He could be wrong and I don't have an old mug so it's not really applicable but I was just wondering

You've found one of the only weak links in the Disney chain ... CMs who work at the Disney Reservations Center are hilarious/aggravating fountains of very very bad information about Walt Disney World. They are trained in resort reservations, dining reservations and ticket sales. But they are not adequately trained in ANYTHING other than those exact things. However, this doesn't stop many of them from giving out very very wrong information about other stuff, anyway. Hang around this board long enough and you'll read sometimes funny and sometimes infuriating (for the person thw wrong info was given to) anecdotes. Like the CM who tells people that there are elevators at Caribbean Beach Resort (there aren't), or that there are direct buses from one resort to another, or that Fantasmic is staged every night, and so on and so on. A sticker for resort refillable mugs falls into the same category.

 

[A&Bmama]

So now it is Disney's fault that they trust their guests to read the signage, and to follow what it says? Would it be better if they started to arrest people for stealing the pop? I don't think Disney is the one who needs to change here. It is some people's bad behavior that needs to change. If they truly loved Disney they wouldn't be stealing from them.

Oh brother...

Ah, yeah sure, that's it arrest them all. Yup that'd do it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Oh brother...

Ah, yeah sure, that's it arrest them all. Yup that'd do it.

Well, I think it would be stupid to arrest people too. But I also think it is stupid that people can't be honest enought to do what Disney asks of them and use their mug only during the trip in which they purchased it. Why only be honest when it is forced on you? What is so hard about doing the right thing, because it is the right thing? Why all the justifying, trying to make stealing ok?

Maybe all the people who think it is ok should write Disney and ask them if they think it is ok? Bet I know what the answer would be.

 

[dizzknee3]

Well, I think it would be stupid to arrest people too. But I also think it is stupid that people can't be honest enought to do what Disney asks of them and use their mug only during the trip in which they purchased it. Why only be honest when it is forced on you? What is so hard about doing the right thing, because it is the right thing? Why all the justifying, trying to make stealing ok?

Maybe all the people who think it is ok should write Disney and ask them if they think it is ok? Bet I know what the answer would be.

 

[edwardsfire]

Using old refillable mugs is like speeding.......It is done by the VAST VAST majority of people.
I mean VAST.
for the people who are so opposed to reusing their old mug...
Do you also never speed, even just 1 mile over?
The day im told to stop...BY a DISNEY employee..i will.
It is quite obvious..they dont care. QUITE obvious.
If they did, they would just stop the whole refillable mug "perk".

 

[maxiesmom]

Using old refillable mugs is like speeding.......It is done by the VAST VAST majority of people.
I mean VAST.
for the people who are so opposed to reusing their old mug...
Do you also never speed, even just 1 mile over?
The day im told to stop...BY a DISNEY employee..i will.
It is quite obvious..they dont care. QUITE obvious.
If they did, they would just stop the whole refillable mug "perk".

So write them and ask if they care or not, if you are so sure they don't care. If you do, and post it here, I think many of us would be quite shocked.

And I don't think the "Vast Majority" of people re-use mugs. I think most people do try to follow the rules and want to set a good example to others around them.

 

[A&Bmama]

Well, I think it would be stupid to arrest people too. But I also think it is stupid that people can't be honest enought to do what Disney asks of them and use their mug only during the trip in which they purchased it. Why only be honest when it is forced on you? What is so hard about doing the right thing, because it is the right thing? Why all the justifying, trying to make stealing ok?

Maybe all the people who think it is ok should write Disney and ask them if they think it is ok? Bet I know what the answer would be.

I am glad that we agree that it shouldn't come to arresting people.

Like it or not we live in a world where people do not always do the honorable thing. We all know this, Disney knows it too. That's why they don't leave park admission, gift purchases, to the honor system, it's why there are locks on every resort room, why they provide safes in our rooms for our valuables. My point is they have the technology to enforce their mug policy easily, but yet they don't. Even the cost of seting up a bar code system like they have in the water parks would pay for itself quickly. So when Disney turns a blind eye to old mug reusage it creates hard feelings between those who follow the written policy and those who follow what has become the common practice. So yes, my thought is that Disney should either enforce the policy (thus ending the common practice) or change the written policy to reflect the common practice.

For the record, on our trip (3 more sleeps ) we have purchased the QSDP so I will be enjoying my beverages legitmately.

 

[maxiesmom]

So when Disney turns a blind eye to old mug reusage it creates hard feelings between those who follow the written policy and those who follow what has become the common practice. So yes, my thought is that Disney should either enforce the policy (thus ending the common practice) or change the written policy to reflect the common practice.

I agree with you on this. But Disney, for whatever reason, seems to have a hard time enforcing their own rules on many things. Like only allowing smoking in smoking areas, or not allowing flash photos on dark rides. They take the easy way out too many times, and in not wanting to offend the offender, the offend the rest of us.

We have something like that at my job too and it makes me nuts. The store I work at offers coupons that say something to the effect of good only for the person named. And yet we are to turn a blind eye if people share them. Why so many businesses reward bad behavior is beyond me.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Just to add another analogy to this debate. Suppose Disney sold a voucher for unlimited refills of soda, tea, and coffee for use only during that reservation length of stay. If you buy the voucher, Disney gives you a free mug to use for your beverages. With the emphasis of value now on the voucher, would people still perceive the mug as refillable on subsequent stays?

 

[A&Bmama]

Exactly, and it upsets people when they in effect get punished (for the lack of a better word)for their honesty. That is the biggest reason I think that if they don't care about reusage, say so, if they do, stand behind the policy.

 

[edwardsfire]

So write them and ask if they care or not, if you are so sure they don't care. If you do, and post it here, I think many of us would be quite shocked.

And I don't think the "Vast Majority" of people re-use mugs. I think most people do try to follow the rules and want to set a good example to others around them.

Thats like asking a trooper if you can speed...LOL But we all do.

Being told one thing on the phone or in a letter is one thing. Enforcing it in person is another.
I would almost wager my house that NO employee will ever tell a guest that they cant reuse an old mug. I have sat in the food courts and watched many many folks use obviously old mugs right there in plain sight. not an issue.
The folks on this forum and others is probably 50/50 as to reusing them or not.
In reality, most do reuse them. And taking all guests who buy the mugs...They are treated like GOLD and used year after year. We see it all the time.
Not really an issue.
Its like the 4 to a room rule. There are alot of folks with that 5th member that sleeps on the floor in a sleeping bag, or a cot..etc.
That rule isnt enforced either.
Reality is what it is. If you choose to not reuse your mug...then fine.
different strokes for different folks.

 

[nwhitehead1214]

I agree with you on this. But Disney, for whatever reason, seems to have a hard time enforcing their own rules on many things. Like only allowing smoking in smoking areas, or not allowing flash photos on dark rides. They take the easy way out too many times, and in not wanting to offend the offender, the offend the rest of us.

We have something like that at my job too and it makes me nuts. The store I work at offers coupons that say something to the effect of good only for the person named. And yet we are to turn a blind eye if people share them. Why so many businesses reward bad behavior is beyond me.

The thread has been interesting to me because I guess bad behavior is in the eye of the beholder. I am not advocating bad behavior, but in this economy if I owned the store you work for I would simply want whomever's money. The coupon should be used by someone (that's why I printed it) I would like to continue employing my employees. I will just make that money off of someone. Disney will enforce their policies that matter and are detrimental to their business. They are a business. They cannot afford to go after everyone who violates their policies. We overpolicy ourselves anyhow to avoid liability. Everyone who takes a photo in the ride. Everyone who brings food into the park. Everyone who uses their trademarks without express consent. Everyone who downloads a Disney tune without permission. Everyone who refills mugs from last visits mugs. Everyone who reprints a Disney Photopass photo without consent (they do have a department that will give you consent for a fee if you would like to take the high road). Everything I just mentioned is technically stealing from Disney. We are responsible for overselves and our behavior. However, we should not pass judgment on anyone unless we are walking the walk. This is a very interesting thread but I really do enjoy the "horrible room view" contest-- pretty funny stuff

 

[kmvand1]

Again, there are MILLIONS of people who visit every year and do not read these boards. I can also almost guarantee that many people do this without even thinking twice about the outrageous amount initially charged to buy these things. I will always bring my mugs from previous visits, and sometimes we buy new ones, it just depends. Either way, as long as we are not told by a CM not to use it, we will use it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thats like asking a trooper if you can speed...LOL But we all do.

I don't speed, partly because I am trying to set a good example for my nephew, who is of driving age. And partly because I don't want to have to pay a ticket and the police scare me!

 

[jenseib]

Actually Disney does not say no outside food and no coolers. Here is the list of prohibited items that is listed on wdwinfo:

Prohibited Items

The following are not allowed to be brought into the Disney Theme Parks:

Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high
.

And do you know how many freaking Heelies i see at the parks. UGH! Now I hate those things.

 

[Annabelleasb]

To everyone...this is a GREAT debate...really!! I'm not being sarcastic at all. My kids are on winter break right now & driving me crazy & this thread has kept me sane. Very, very interesting...

With that being said, I'm glad everyone is strong minded and can keep it civil without being rude & disrespectful to another poster. Even if it is only about a refillable mug.

My God I love this forum.........my family.......they think I'm crazy!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

When it comes to the enforcers of the rules, they are usually minimum wage employees, who may even enjoy sticking "to the man". Or who may have been trained by other minimum wage employees. It's not worth it to them to get in trouble because we all know the guest who is told "NO" is going to complain.

Heck, we can't even get our federal police officers to enforce the parking rules at our hospital because then they'd have to appear in federal court with the offender.

 

[briananddeb]

When it comes to the enforcers of the rules, they are usually minimum wage employees, who may even enjoy sticking "to the man". Or who may have been trained by other minimum wage employees. It's not worth it to them to get in trouble because we all know the guest who is told "NO" is going to complain.

Heck, we can't even get our federal police officers to enforce the parking rules at our hospital because then they'd have to appear in federal court with the offender.

I've always thought that this may just have a lot to do with the lack of backing the policy posted where the mugs are sold. I don't buy into the part about "sticking it to the man" but the minimum wage part could apply. They just aren't paid enough to be "Mug Police". And it might be better from Disney's point of view to pass on the increased cost than causing confrontational scenes.

And, for what it's worth, we buy new mugs evert trip. Darned conscience!!