Refill Mugs - Are 2008 still good??

[CleveRocks]

I can totally buy the idea that managers don't want to spend the manpower on policing a half-cent worth of sugar water being taken, and I can totally buy the idea that entry-level hourly employees don't want to bother causing a scene over a soda.

I've never once said anyone will "get caught."

I'm just saying (hopefully for the last time ) that I personally believe that I should follow the contract that I made with Disney when I bought the mug ... that I will follow the rules on my honor, independent of whether or not I'll get caught or whether anyone will say anything to me. For me, it's just being a man of my word.

 

[Lockandbayb]

In an effort to rein in costs and increase income, the Walt Disney World Resort hotels are making some drastic changes to the extremely popular refillable mug program that may affect many repeat visitors to the resort.

[If you are unfamiliar with the program, you can read about it in MousePlanet's WDW Resorts from A to Z page under "Refillable Mugs."]

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel entitled "32 ounces of soda not enough? Disney tries out self-serve refills," Walt Disney World is making large 32-ounce soft drink mugs available for free self-serve refills in Typhoon Lagoon. That's the good news. The bad news is that you can only refill your mug on the day of purchase. If you return to Typhoon Lagoon the next day, you can no longer refill your mug for free.

Disney has added a new UPC bar coding system to the self-serve refill stations that, for the first time, controls a previously unenforced policy. Although the refillable mug program has always been advertised as available during an actual length of stay that allows guests to refill their mugs during their trip, in reality, guests often brought their mugs back on subsequent trips to refill them free of charge. With the UPC code tied to a guest's hotel reservation, this new system closes this loophole altogether. That is, once your stay has ended, your mug is no longer refillable. Those mugs you bought on previous visits won't work next time you vacation at WDW.

Another loophole that may close with this new system is that you might not be able to use your mug at any other resort except at the one you are staying. For example, if you stay at one of the resorts for a few days and purchase a mug there, and then you move over to another resort for the balance of your vacation, the mug might not be refillable at the second resort.

How will this new system be enforced? Once the UPC code system is fully activated, they can devise a system by which the fountains work only if an "active" UPC code is on the mug.

WDW visitors are already complaining that the new system is yet another line to stand in and just "more time-consuming nonsense cutting into [one's] vacation time."

Did you recently visit WDW and see this change in practice? If you have any first-hand knowledge or experience, please email me or Brian Bennett at brian@mouseplanet.com to provide us with more details.

The above came from Mouse planet....

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I do believe that Disney likely includes in the cost analysis of their mugs the "recovery fee" for the alleged crimes. Disney is a brilliant corporate powerhouse, they would never, ever do something that loses money. I believe they would be happier knowing that this person has returned more than one time a year. Doesn't mean I think it is right. That being said, as an intellectual property attorney who spends much time observing abuses that are considered "ok" it can hurt a corporation. Now, be careful who you judge. If you make photocopies of a Disney photopass photo-- that is illegal (even for your Christmas ornaments). If you use any Disney character without permission (even at your birthday party/downloaded picture not paid for) that is illegal. Your internet icons that are Disney characters and/or Resort Logos we use without their permission-- watch out! Disney cares much more about this abuse. They are very scared of trademark dilutions. I am just saying be careful who you judge. Better be careful calling someone out in the realm of honesty/theft when you have a cute little Disney icon next to your name. Further, our family just got back from Animal Kingdom and we had someone who thought they were a "mug policy person" and accused our family of mug stealing. We were mortified because we just bought them. She thought she was so smart and said "well you have black handles and they don't sell black handles here". Crazy! Great debates. However, I do believe that in the end everyone should follow policy. Don't take my pointing out for intellectual property abuses as a justification for behavior-- I am just concerned about the character debates. This is real nitpicky stuff though.

I was wondering about the different colored handles. We saw silver and black (we bought blue on our May trip) in December and wondered if there was a difference. Both were for sale in the same location.

Then that's the risk I run for my own personal clear conscience. My choice.

And those who choose to bring their mugs back...that's their choice. If they can refill without problem, CM's choice. Live and let live. If it doesn't negatively effect me or mine, I'm probably not paying too much attention.

Argh... I typed something and then clicked when I should have clacked and lost it all!

so here goes again!

Oh. My. Gosh.

If you think it is stealing don't do it.

If you can refill without a guilty feeling then refill away.

If you feel the need to run around screaming "She is stealing soda in a mug from last year!" then you should see your doctor. Seriously.

It costs on average less than .02 for a cup of soda. I am sure it costs Disney even less than that. I am sure that those of us who pay for a mug are already covering the cost of the "stolen" soda.

FWIW I have an old mug and a new mug here and it no longer says anything about one location.

Old Mug reads:
Free refills until the end of your stay.
Refills only at location purchased.

New Mug reads:
Free refills available at our Resort Beverage Islands until the end of the stay in which the mug was purchased.

Notice it says IslandS ~ S, plural.

Food for thought.

Is it free food for thought?

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.

I can understand smoking, line jumping, etc., but how is not enforcing the mug policy offensive to you?

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!

But you are using Disney tickers. Tsk, tsk. (DISclaimer: I'm just giving you a hard time in light of the recent post...sometimes you need a disclaimer on these boards )


Maybe they should use the stockades in MK as mug jail. Or if you're caught, you have to refill your mug with Beverly and drink it all!!

 

[minnie61650]

Honor? For a soda?

If Disney doesn't feel the need to enforce it, I don't see the need for anyone to be big brother.

I think you are trying to JUSTIFY your opinion by saying if WDW really cared then they would not count on guest integrity. "WDW should know by now that guests will use any loop hole they can. Gee I guess Disney does NOT care other wise they would find a way to enforce to enforce their rules."

When WDW started selling mutiday tickets that were to be used by the same person each day guests went ahead and sold half used tickets anyway.
STUPID Disney if they really cared they would do something about it.
Tickets cost more.

Then came Biometric readers and more time getting through the gates.

DDP child credits and adult credits were grouped.
Another loophole--Guests paid children's meals OOP and used the adult credits for Signature meals.
STUPID Disney if they really cared they would do something about it.
Now the meals are separated and DDP costs more.

Let's park at CR and go the parks.
STUPID Disney if they really cared they would do something about it.
Now there are 3 hour parking permits.

Let us pool hop to SAB
Studit Disney if they really cared they would something about it.
Then came a fenced in STB and wristbands for the guests.

Refill Mugs. Guests using the mugs at different resorts.
Many guests justified it because they had split stays.
I myself as I am quite sure many others did) wrote to WDW because I (they)felt it was unfair to guests with split stays ( I myself never had a split stay)
WDW changed to one mug so that it can now be used at any place that refills a Disney refillable mug.

This is a plus for any guest who uses a refill mug.

Yes, WDW does care about the bottom and they do care about refill mug abuse and when it effects their bottom line that the increased price of mug does cover it and there is a cost effective way to stop the mug abuse they will STOP it.

I personally think it is a shame that WDW has to enforce the rules because they can no longer trust the integrity of their guests.

 

[TeenaS]

I have mugs from just about every resort ... back in the good old days when they all sold different ones. Do you know why each resort had it's own mug? Because when you purchased them, the sign said and also the cast member told you that the policy was that when you purchased your mug at let's say Port Orleans Riverside that that mug was for free refills every time you came back to Port Orleans Riverside ... until you died ... and then you could "will" it to someone in your family for free refills for their lifetime. The signs said it could be used indefinitely and the cast members told you. Then they changed the rules. I think they don't enforce it because if I were to stay at the Wilderness Lodge and went in with my old 10 year old mug and refilled it, how could they say anything to me about it when at the time I purchased it I was told I could use it every time I stepped foot into the Wilderness Lodge, whether it was 50 years from now.

I still purchase new ones every time I stay somewhere and I don't use my old ones that technically I could still use. However, I don't have a problem with people using their old old resort specific mugs ... that's why they purchased them (so they could use them year after year). I do shake my head when I see people with mugs that were sold four years ago when the policy was "free refills ONLY during the length of your stay" since I know they are technically cheating.

IMO Disney should have kept the old policy ... how much can these refills really cost them???? People are at the parks most of the day and you can't use them there. I think the majority of people only use them in the morning and for a drink maybe before bed.

 

[jenseib]

In an effort to rein in costs and increase income, the Walt Disney World Resort hotels are making some drastic changes to the extremely popular refillable mug program that may affect many repeat visitors to the resort.

[If you are unfamiliar with the program, you can read about it in MousePlanet's WDW Resorts from A to Z page under "Refillable Mugs."]

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel entitled "32 ounces of soda not enough? Disney tries out self-serve refills," Walt Disney World is making large 32-ounce soft drink mugs available for free self-serve refills in Typhoon Lagoon. That's the good news. The bad news is that you can only refill your mug on the day of purchase. If you return to Typhoon Lagoon the next day, you can no longer refill your mug for free.

Disney has added a new UPC bar coding system to the self-serve refill stations that, for the first time, controls a previously unenforced policy. Although the refillable mug program has always been advertised as available during an actual length of stay that allows guests to refill their mugs during their trip, in reality, guests often brought their mugs back on subsequent trips to refill them free of charge. With the UPC code tied to a guest's hotel reservation, this new system closes this loophole altogether. That is, once your stay has ended, your mug is no longer refillable. Those mugs you bought on previous visits won't work next time you vacation at WDW.

Another loophole that may close with this new system is that you might not be able to use your mug at any other resort except at the one you are staying. For example, if you stay at one of the resorts for a few days and purchase a mug there, and then you move over to another resort for the balance of your vacation, the mug might not be refillable at the second resort.

How will this new system be enforced? Once the UPC code system is fully activated, they can devise a system by which the fountains work only if an "active" UPC code is on the mug.

WDW visitors are already complaining that the new system is yet another line to stand in and just "more time-consuming nonsense cutting into [one's] vacation time."

Did you recently visit WDW and see this change in practice? If you have any first-hand knowledge or experience, please email me or Brian Bennett at brian@mouseplanet.com to provide us with more details.

The above came from Mouse planet....

Is this article dated? It really means nothing without knowing whne it was written. Plus I found it a bit confusing as it jumps from talking about Typhonn to what I assume is resort talk, but doesn't differientiate well.


I reall think alot of people who are so worried about this "policy" and the rule breakers need to get a life. Don't worry about others. You've stated your opinion, now give it up. One thing I learned on these boards is that not everyone agrees, and you "won't" change someones mind. So you can talk till your blue in the face ,but to others who's opinions differ, it won't matter.

 

[nwhitehead1214]

I personally think it is a shame that WDW has to enforce the rules because they can no longer trust the integrity of their guests.[/QUOTE]



Please, please stop with the guest intergrity argument! Obviously if anyone has read my previous posts using a disney picture, tickers, anything that the general public associates with Disney without their express written consent is stealing. This violates trademark and copyright laws. THIS IS STEALING. It just gets me so mad because as an intellectual property attorney I know how much money Disney spends protecting their trademarks and copyrights. TRUST ME IT IS MILLIONS MORE THAN THE SYRUP! For some reason, people ignore these stealing laws and IP attorneys are given millions sending out Cease and Desist letter. Disney, in my trade, are the powerhouses of ip protection. The government changed our Copyright Laws for the benefit of Mickey Mouse. GUESS WHO IS PAYING THE FEES FOR THE ATTORNEYS. You and your ticket prices. How are you hurting Disney? Example: Disney created and spent millions cultivating Ariel's character and protecting her image. You decide you like Ariel and you want her picture next to your name. Then you run around the internet at various blogs saying awful things to people. Whose picture do they see? This is called trademark dilution. I remember when people were upset when Disney went after a Daycare for painting the characters on the side of their building. Listen the Mouse and Friends are all they have once people start throwing their images around trouble starts. I DON'T MIND THE ARGUMENTS BUT PLEASE STOP WITH THE INTEGRITY ARGUMENTS.

 

[CleveRocks]

Is this article dated? It really means nothing without knowing whne it was written. Plus I found it a bit confusing as it jumps from talking about Typhonn to what I assume is resort talk, but doesn't differientiate well.


I reall think alot of people who are so worried about this "policy" and the rule breakers need to get a life. Don't worry about others. You've stated your opinion, now give it up. One thing I learned on these boards is that not everyone agrees, and you "won't" change someones mind. So you can talk till your blue in the face ,but to others who's opinions differ, it won't matter.

It was a pleasant coversation among everyone until you throw around insults like "Get a life." We were all playing nicely here. I've been enjoying the exchange of ideas. YOU seem to be the one who is angry here.

Discussion boards like the DIS exist, in part, to get people together whose opinions differ. If it doesn't matter, as you say, then why are you here in the first place? You, too, are sharing an opinion. You, too, used a part of your life to change someone's mind. Glass houses, as they say.

I have a feeling this little popsicle stand will be closing some time later this morning. Up until this past post, it's been nice having the give and take of ideas in a respectful manner, and I thank everyone on both sides of the issue for playing nicely. I also thank the moderators for allowing this to continue. But now that angry name-calling has started, it's time to retire this thread, in my opinion ... until next month.

 

[maxiesmom]

For those of you who think some of us should myob on the mug refillers, here is my take on it. Say that the soda costs Disney a penny a refill (I have no idea the real cost, but just go with me here) and you have hundreds, maybe thousands of people refilling their mugs each day, using old mugs. Do you not think that cost adds up? And how do you think Disney deals with that lost revenue? By making everyone pay a higher price, of course! Who know, maybe the mugs would be only $5 a person if everyone was honest and stuck to the policy of using the mug only for the trip during which it was purchased.

The same way everything you buy in a store would be cheaper, if not for shoplifters. People stealing, even small stuff, affects us all. Maybe it is only soda, but thousands of people stealing soda is bound to add up!

Maybe I am more sensative to this because I have worked in retail for years. So I have seen lots of people stealing. And the majority of them have enough money on them to buy what they were trying to steal! Stealing anything is wrong. If you can't afford it, don't take it. And if you can afford it, pay for it!

Ok, off my soap box.

 

[Suellen]

Seriously? Like I said ~ no matter what side of the debate here a person falls on they are going to do what they are going to do.

If it bothers you don't do it.

If you feel fine about it then do it.

If it bothers you SO much that others do it... then use your energy to petition Disney to enforce the rules and stop trying to convince someone else that are wrong and you are right... because BIG shocker coming... are you ready?.
...






....





.....


Ready for it now?





YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE SOMEONE ELSES OPINION!

 

[kmvand1]

A little OT, but I usually take extra Splenda packets when I get my iced tea..........am I supposed to only use the packets while I am filling my drink as well?

 

[CleveRocks]

nwhitehead,

You bring a lot of good, solid information to the table, and you present a very cogent argument about intellectual property rights. I agree with you, by the way. As one of the people here saying that following my implicit contract with Disney as a matter of honor, I'll also quietly point out that I'm not using any of Disney's IP. Unless my town owns the rights to the phrase "Polar Bear Plunge," my conscience is clear about the photos in my signature.

Thanks for your contributions in this thread.

 

[nwhitehead1214]

It was a pleasant coversation among everyone until you throw around insults like "Get a life." We were all playing nicely here. I've been enjoying the exchange of ideas. YOU seem to be the one who is angry here.

Discussion boards like the DIS exist, in part, to get people together whose opinions differ. If it doesn't matter, as you say, then why are you here in the first place? You, too, are sharing an opinion. You, too, used a part of your life to change someone's mind. Glass houses, as they say.

I have a feeling this little popsicle stand will be closing some time later this morning. Up until this past post, it's been nice having the give and take of ideas in a respectful manner, and I thank everyone on both sides of the issue for playing nicely. I also thank the moderators for allowing this to continue. But now that angry name-calling has started, it's time to retire this thread, in my opinion ... until next month.

Did I miss a name calling incident . I actually find this thread quite educational and enjoy the various positions being put forth. However, I do hate name calling and calling out the character of people. Can't point out the splinter in my eye until you remove the plank from yours. Please, don't shut this one down, it is a great thread that is representational of exactly what the Disney Board of Directors has to do everytime they decide who and what to police. The reason they don't go after everything is because of the "slippery slopes" and the enormous expenditures that it would take to police. However, once it hits the bottom line they will. You just need to be on the up and up, try to do what is right and reserve judging others. Let Disney be the judge and you enjoy your vacation.

 

[kmvand1]

CleveRocks - I thought you were done posting? Maybe wanting to get in the last word in before hand?

 

[maxiesmom]

Did I miss a name calling incident . I actually find this thread quite educational and enjoy the various positions being put forth. However, I do hate name calling and calling out the character of people. Can't point out the splinter in my eye until you remove the plank from yours. Please, don't shut this one down, it is a great thread that is representational of exactly what the Disney Board of Directors has to do everytime they decide who and what to police. The reason they don't go after everything is because of the "slippery slopes" and the enormous expenditures that it would take to police. However, once it hits the bottom line they will. You just need to be on the up and up, try to do what is right and reserve judging others. Let Disney be the judge and you enjoy your vacation.

Even as strongly as I feel about my point of view, I don't waste precious Disney vacation time stressing about it. We even joked about it during our stay at the Sports. Late one night my sis and her 14yr old daughter were eating in the food court. I happened to look at the mug station, and lo and behold, a guy was filling up a bunch of old mugs. I said to my sis (who posts here too) that we should jump up and take the guy down.

 

[nwhitehead1214]

nwhitehead,

You bring a lot of good, solid information to the table, and you present a very cogent argument about intellectual property rights. I agree with you, by the way. As one of the people here saying that following my implicit contract with Disney as a matter of honor, I'll also quietly point out that I'm not using any of Disney's IP. Unless my town owns the rights to the phrase "Polar Bear Plunge," my conscience is clear about the photos in my signature.

Thanks for your contributions in this thread.

Now, this is just being a totally nickpicky attorney. Unless the DisBoard (which perhaps it may have obtain the consent I have not done the research--- and really don't care too unless Disney wants to pay my billable hours) has the express written consent the Mickey ears and castle in the background of the DisBoard logo is somewhat suspect in the IP world. Just playing. Your great! Disney doesn't mind. That was not my point. I just get a little unnerved at the integrity arguments when IP theft is so dangerous to Disney. Keep this one going and play nice.

 

[siestakey]

I really like Beverly Hey, maybe I should take my resort mug to Epcot to get bigger drinks of the 'free' samples of soda from around the world.

 

[nwhitehead1214]

I really like Beverly Hey, maybe I should take my resort mug to Epcot to get bigger drinks of the 'free' samples of soda from around the world.

Get extra Italy for me! Yuk! Hey maybe we should start a "refillable mug swap" just like the stroller swaps. We can pass on our mugs to each other! I should be careful, someone may think that's a great idea.

 

[Suellen]

Hey maybe we should start a "refillable mug swap" just like the stroller swaps. We can pass on our mugs to each other! I should be careful, someone may think that's a great idea.

This almost made me spit my coffee out! Maybe I will add that to my stroller swap to entice people to join.

Seriously though.. does anyone think that there may be some reasoning to why the QSDP has the mug included? That way you are paying for it either way.

We always do DxDDP and have them included ~ so it has never really been a question for us.

 

[minnie61650]

Example: Disney created and spent millions cultivating Ariel's character and protecting her image. You decide you like Ariel and you want her picture next to your name. Then you run around the internet <SNIP>saying things <SNIP>to people. Whose picture do they see? This is called trademark dilution. :

Many of the avatar's that are pictured next to the screen names are paid for by the forum websites. I got my avatar from one ofthe websites In which I am a member.

Edited to add :

The DIS has 6 pages of Avatars plus it has the option of custom avatars.

GO to user CP and then pick out whatever avatar you want.

Since I am a member of several forums I use my same SN and avatar on the different forums.

*Please Note;

I also donated $250 to the DIS to become a life time member.

Just my 2 cents.