Refillable Cups

[kjs]

Hi Everyone:

We visited Disney World a few years ago and purchased the refillable cups. Someone told me that we can bring the cups that we purchased before as you only need to buy them one time. Does anyone know if this is true? We could save a little more if it is. Thanks. kjs

 

[gonemousin']

Hi and welcome to the Dis!!!

The general consensus seems to be that no, you cannot bring the mugs with you if you purchased them during a previous vacation. Mugs purchased currently are intended to be used during your length of stay (as I've always understood it). That being said, you will get varying opinions from other posters...apparently there were some mugs, (purchased in '99-00 for example) that folks have reported being good for life. I have no personal experience with the older mugs, just the ones purchased in the last couple of years. Approximately when did you purchase your mugs?

 

[kjs]

Thanks for the info. It was back in 2002.

 

[Tigger113]

Yes I agree. I don't reuse a mug. When I get done with it I just save it.
If everyone reused their mugs the sales would do down and maybe disney wouldn't offer a refillable mug anymore someday because they would be losing money on drinks? Who knows....
That's why I don't do it!

 

[graygables]

I recently read somewhere that some of the designs are starting to change and are marked with the year, and sometimes the season, so Summer 2006, Spring 2006. I'm guessing they've decided that changing up the design runs is cheaper than losing soda sales. I, personally, think they are great souvenirs, and DDs and I use at least one per day for our drinks.

 

[NewJersey]

Bring back the mug and reuse it! Who cares what others think. I'm spending 1500 on this next vacation, and if I want to save 10 dollars by not having to buy another mug and people have a problem with it...then find something better to do with your time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Disney policy is that the mug is good for the duration of your stay at the resort you bought it at. That time period only.

 

[hansel1]

Bring back the mug and reuse it! Who cares what others think. I'm spending 1500 on this next vacation, and if I want to save 10 dollars by not having to buy another mug and people have a problem with it...then find something better to do with your time.

If they didn't care what others thought, they wouldn't have asked now would they?

As each has their own opinion on the matter, mine is buy a new mug. Disney is already cutting you a break by offering them. Abuse only leads to revocation.

 

[Bob P]

OK, gang...the OPs question has been answered. Let's not let this thread deteriorate.....

 

[Allison]

Disney policy is that the mug is good for the duration of your stay at the resort you bought it at. That time period only.

That is correct. My mugs have this printed on them so it seems pretty clear.

 

[tmt martins]

I was breaking the rules of our new mugs all week long .

They have right on the side of them

NOT REFILLABLE IN OUR PARKS OR RESORTS. Disney


I guess they are now $15.00 one use muggs

They are the new ones at SSR Surfing sceen with 2006 and the DVC logo

I even asked if these were the refillables or just a souvie cup she said no they are the refills.

 

[minnie61650]

Hi Everyone:

We visited Disney World a few years ago and purchased the refillable cups. Someone told me that we can bring the cups that we purchased before as you only need to buy them one time. Does anyone know if this is true? We could save a little more if it is. Thanks. kjs

Here is the refill mug policy as posted on the Disney website:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=TrailsEndRestaurantDiningPage

Trail's End Restaurant

Resort Refillable Mugs are sold in all Walt Disney World® Resort hotels, and can be used at the restaurant where it was purchased, for the entire duration of the current visit. Each location offers soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, hot and iced tea.

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From this Mouseplanet.com websiteJune,2002:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/mike/refillable_mugs_policy_changes.htm

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 article was written June 2002 when the new BB and TL mugs were being tested..
It makes me aware that Disney is concerned that some guests are not following policy and when it becomes cost effective they will most likely install this system or something similar. JMHO

I think Disney does not want to embarrass guests who are not following rules.

They sometimes use other ways to enforce their rules.

That is why we have 3 hour parking passes for dining at other resorts,
finger scanning to get in parks (no ticket sharing)
Wrist bands for SAB
Wrist bands for EMH, MNSSHP, and MVMCP
Barcodes for TL and BB mugs

How soon before the LOS Barcode for resort mugs?
If the refill mug abuses continue it may be a lot sooner than we want.
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Here is another article written in June 2002:

http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/2002/06/24.html

Disney Mug Holders, Beware

"The new system of computerized monitoring of fountain refills being experimented with at Typhoon Lagoon could tighten a rather loose policy at Disney's resorts. They sell 16-ounce souvenir mugs for $9.99.

Guests may refill them at resort snack bars unlimited times with soda, coffee or tea for the length of their stay. Cashiers sell the mugs and then are supposed to keep a watchful eye as guests get their own refills.

But some Disney World employees and regular guests say they take the mugs on repeat visits to the snack bars and fill up -- basically a lifetime of free drinks for one purchase. They are occasionally offered on eBay and at garage sales, testimony to their timeless value.

Cashiers say the mugs' designs aren't changed enough for them to spot old ones. But the new system being tried at Typhoon Lagoon employs a bar code that's read electronically at the drink dispenser and recognizes old mugs." [Orlando Sentinel, via Boing Boing]

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And another from June 2002:

From this website:

http://www.intercot.com/news/2002/june.asp

News Archive - June 2002

June 27, 2002


Refillable Mug Policy Tightening?
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney is experimenting with a new computerized barcode system to be used in tandem with it's refillable mug program offered at their resorts. The program allows guests to buy a mug for each person in their party which then can be used for unlimited drink refills during their stay. The policy change could come as a result of Guests taking the mugs on repeat visits to Disney World to fill up on what becomes basically a lifetime of free drinks for one purchase.
info and discussion here
------------------------------------------
Yes, to my understanding it has not yet been installed.
But it was on the drawing boards.
Maybe they are waiting for better technology that will make it more cost effective. I don't know.

Bioscans for AP holders were used for a number of years before Disney decided to use them for all (with a few exceptions i.e. ...some in WC/ECV's etc.)of their ticketed guests.
The TL and BB mugs have been using the Barcode stickers for a couple years.
Maybe a length of stay sticker costs too much or is more complicated at the present time.
But I would not be surprised if someday in the near future Disney does have length of stay barcodes or stickers or something else in place to enforce their refillable mug policy.

JMHO

 

[kaytieeldr]

Figure it this way: Rules (and laws) are always subject to change. Sometimes conditions are grandfathered in, sometimes not.
If the mugs sold during the apparent 'lifetime refills' period aren't dated to prove they're eligible for, well, lifetime refills even after the rules change, I'd expect NOT to be able to bring and use mugs from a previous Disney visit.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Bring back the mug and reuse it! Who cares what others think. I'm spending 1500 on this next vacation, and if I want to save 10 dollars by not having to buy another mug and people have a problem with it...then find something better to do with your time.

I totally agree with that statement. I said this before & I will say it again. My family & I have been using our Contemporary mugs since 2000 & have no problems doing so. I say use your mugs from 2002 because no Cast Member will ever tell you can't.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Well, the OP knows what the policy is, and que sera, sera.

I know I'd feel too cheap, guilty and worried that someone would catch me! Imagine if a CM said something to you, or you met a fellow Diser mid-refill. I would just want to crawl under a table! Not worth the twelve bucks, IMO.

 

[minnie61650]

I totally agree with that statement. I said this before & I will say it again. My family & I have been using our Contemporary mugs since 2000 & have no problems doing so. I say use your mugs from 2002 because no Cast Member will ever tell you can't.

CR Resort Fan 4 Life,

If I remember correctly you said you bought your mugs in 2000.
You have said on these boards many times that when you bought your refillable mugs it was during the "Lifetime refill" promotion.

You felt your family had a right to reuse those mugs on any and all return visits because of that promotion.

The 2002 mugs were not part of that promotion.

I think telling someone to reuse an old mug that was not part of that promotion would be the same as telling all guests visiting Disney that they are welcome to pool hop over to the Contemporary.To me it is like you just said ....( I say pool hop over to the CONTEMPORARY because no Cast Member will ever tell you can't.)

Reusing a refillable mug that has expired is breaking a rule.
Pool hopping is breaking a rule.

To me one is no worse than the other.

I think if you want guests to follow the rules and not to pool hop you should not encourage them to break any rules.
The CR pool might get mighty crowded if you keep telling others to break the rules.

JMHO

 

[dalt01]

useing old mugs when you know you are not supposed to is theft of goods and services, no different than shoplifting except that the castmembers wont do anything so as to not rock the boat and listen to the whining. if that is the message some folks want to send to their children who are most likely involved i guess there is not much anyone can say that will change the way they do things. ive been on these boards for six years and this same question has been batted back and forth the whole time with no real happy ending in sight

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

minnie61650,

How come your the 1st person to say about the mugs from 2000, when other people here have said those mugs should still not be used? I am happy you said that because we do have to realize if people like my family purchased are mugs during promotion, have the right to still use them today.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

minnie61650,

How come your the 1st person to say about the mugs from 2000, when other people here have said those mugs should still not be used? I am happy you said that because we do have to realize if people like my family purchased are mugs during promotion, have the right to still use them today.

Linda can't answer for others, and I can't answer for her, but if she feels the way I do, it's like we can understand why someone who bought one during that short promotion would feel misled and might feel entitled to reuse, even if we personally feel it's not right, or wouldn't feel comfortable doing it, we can still see how others might reasonably justify it, (especially those who might not be DIS savvy and might not know the rules) but to extend or encourage that for others who were not part of that promotion isn't justifiable in my book so there's a difference.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Linda can't answer for others, and I can't answer for her, but if she feels the way I do, it's like we can understand why someone who bought one during that short promotion would feel misled and might feel entitled to reuse, even if we personally feel it's not right, or wouldn't feel comfortable doing it, we can still see how others might reasonably justify it, (especially those who might not be DIS savvy and might not know the rules) but to extend or encourage that for others who were not part of that promotion isn't justifiable in my book so there's a difference.

After reading your response in future mug threads if they ever come up after this one & I am sure they will, I will simply say if you purchased your mug during the free refils for life it's ok to bring back those mugs.