Refillable Mug Question

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Originally posted by Disneymoon04
That's an excellent point... how is it really any different? I doubt anyone refuses free room upgrades or accepts the offer but only if they pay for it... but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ummm.. I have never heard a CM offer a free upgrade for life, to be used again and again for every return trip

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[skiwee1]

I always buy new mugs. I have 3 sets from the CBR , each having different dates on them. At our first time at the WL I bought the WL mugs and there was an older CM who volunteered that the mugs were a great buy as they were good for life. I pointed out to him that the sign above the soda machine behind his head stated otherwise. He didn't care. He laughed and waived his hand at me and told me I could use them forever. I know better. He was just being nice. Nothing is good forever. I go by the rules that are posted on the soda machine and menus. I am one of thoes people that would not take something for free as it is so obvious that the system isn't meant for that type of abuse. On our trips to the Poly there it is painted right on the menu above the grill that the mugs are good for your visit. On our last trip there I saw someone trying to fill a mug from another resort and a CM stopped them and told them they would have to buy a Poly mug. This guy left in a huff because he didn't want to buy a new mug! It is only like $11 a mug and can be worth it if you plan to use it at least once a day. To try to get trip after trip of free refills is just not right. I guess I fall in the category that I follow the posted rules and that's it. There are always going to be those that attempt to justify their position but misinterpreting the signs.

 

[peachgirl]

This issue has got to be the most ridiculous topic for debate I've ever seen, yet we seem to never tire of it!

If a CM chooses to tell someone that they can refill for life, the guest isn't required at that point to determine whether the CM is correct or to divine the CM's reasons for saying yes. If the CM isn't following policy, that's their choice and their problem.

Does anyone realize that we're talking pennies, or more accurately fractions of pennies on these soft drinks? I don't think WDW CARES about the refill issue so for the life of me, I can't figure out why anyone else does.

Take your mug if you want. Ask when you get there. If they say yes, refill to your heart's content.

 

[DMRick]

Ummm.. I have never heard a CM offer a free upgrade for life, to be used again and again for every return trip

It wasn't meant to an exact comparison, but a point made. It's still just something a CM offered. I'm not making it up..I was told it was good on all trips...and believe me, one week of a free upgrade has a much larger value than the mugs used on several trips. The point is just that we often take advantage of what a CM offers us...even though I'm sure if you actually wrote to Disney and asked if it would be OK to have a free upgrade, they would state their policy is that you pay when you get a better room.

 

[DMRick]

He laughed and waived his hand at me and told me I could use them forever.

Even though you chose to NOT refill your mugs for life, thanks for being on the other side and still reiterating that you were told it's ok (some people on the "other" side seem to think we are lying about being told it's ok to bring back our mugs), by someone in authority. Although that works great for you to not accept their offer, I have to admit, when someone has the right to tell me I can do something, I have no problem accepting their offer..such as the mugs, an upgrade on a room, permission to bring a friend into the pool at my hotel, or any other way Disney has given them authority to make my trip special. I always ask, and am quite happy to go by what the Disney CM's tell me is OK with them.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Disneymoon04
That's an excellent point... how is it really any different? I doubt anyone refuses free room upgrades or accepts the offer but only if they pay for it... but please correct me if I'm wrong.

I think most us can agree the signage is pretty clear, free refills for your present stay. That is the same information people have gotten directly from Disney.

I think most of us agree that the rule is not presently being enforced. I've seen posts of people using old mugs, paper cups and even 7-11 mugs. I don't EVER recall seeing a post from anyone being asked to stop. CM seem uninterested in enforcing the rule. People asking are basically being told go ahead and fill up.

BUT I DON'T AGREE WITH THE ANALAGY. Desk clerks in virtually every hotel have the authority to give out complimentary upgrades based on availability.

Mug refill is a posted policy, CM just seem to have better things to do than try to confront guests over soda and coffee.

 

[baloo722]

"I think most us can agree the signage is pretty clear, free refills for your present stay. That is the same information people have gotten directly from Disney."

i think from the posts and from people using the mugs for multiple stays, the sinage is unclear. if the signs and the policy were clear, there would be no debate.

 

[baloo722]

"there was an older CM who volunteered that the mugs were a great buy as they were good for life. I pointed out to him that the sign above the soda machine behind his head stated otherwise. He didn't care. He laughed and waived his hand at me and told me I could use them forever. I know better. .... it is so obvious that the system isn't meant for that type of abuse. "

THIS, my friends, is the problem...."I KNOW BETTER"...she just made general of the "self-appointed brigade, paratroopers division".

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by baloo722
"I think most us can agree the signage is pretty clear, free refills for your present stay. That is the same information people have gotten directly from Disney."

i think from the posts and from people using the mugs for multiple stays, the sinage is unclear. if the signs and the policy were clear, there would be no debate.

I think most of the debate revolves around people being told by some CM that the mugs were good for life, no signage when they bought the mugs and people observing 7-11 mugs being refilled. Someone on this thread posted the sign and the language is clear and Disneys response to E-mail inquiries is very clear BUT the actions of CM and guests run counter to the signage.

Can't really understand the debate since ALL agree the policy is not being enforced.

What's lost in the debate: sometimes it's easier to buy bottles of soda to supplement the mug program. Spoken from the person who "volunteers" to go down and fill up 4 mugs. Now I'm sure buy soda for the room.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by baloo722
"there was an older CM who volunteered that the mugs were a great buy as they were good for life. I pointed out to him that the sign above the soda machine behind his head stated otherwise. He didn't care. He laughed and waived his hand at me and told me I could use them forever. I know better. .... it is so obvious that the system isn't meant for that type of abuse. "

THIS, my friends, is the problem...."I KNOW BETTER"...she just made general of the "self-appointed brigade, paratroopers division".

But I DO know better. I know that I can read and know what the signs say. If I chose to reuse my mug on a later visit and was told that wasn't allowed what would I do besides die of embarrassment? I highly doubt the same CM that told me it was okay would still be there. Therefore I would be on my own trying to come up with excuses as to why I wanted to reuse the mug. And the whole time there will be that sign hanging above the fountain stating they are good your your current vist. So the CM can say whatever he wants and that doesn't make it right. I read the sign and know the rules. To try to squeeze more out of an already great value it not right and that is why I know better. I do not go around policing the mugs and other peoples values.

 

[baloo722]

"But I DO know better."

LOL

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...there are signs at all the resorts (to the best of my knowledge) that say 'good for refills for your stay'. Now, I think that 'implies' your current stay...not one 2 yrs. down the road. That being said, I think most of us realize that's what Disney is saying. Do I have a problem with people taking their old mugs and refilling them?? No not really. I do, however, have a huge problem with those that have those 2 gallon size mugs from McDonald's, or wherever, and refill them at the resort. That's what I wish they would enforce. There will always be people choosing to use old mugs over and over. And there will be others who buy new mugs each trip. We will never get a definitive answer here on what is the right thing to do. The resort postings are open to interpretation. I figure a new mug each time is a great souvie!!! It's only $10 for heaven's sake!!! I know, I know...if you have 4 kids it's now $60.

 

[DMRick]

I do not go around policing the mugs and other peoples values.

But you do, when you post YOU KNOW BETTER. Better than I? Better than the food court manager or the CM's who push the cups, trying for higher sales?

I can say with sureness that you would not be embarrassed..since the food court managers have decided to train their CM's to sell mugs..and the way to really sell mugs is to tell us they are good forever. As the manager, it's a decision they have made. In every walk of life (and yes, in many hotels they give upgrades, even though you aren't paying for them. Why? To make you want to come back..but if you called and asked Disney if you can have a better room at no cost, right off the rip, they would tell you they expect you to pay for it) we run into decisions that have been made in spite of signage..such as guests given permission to swim in a hotel pool when not staying there, or when I ask if I can get a child's meal (which clearly say for younger guests, and they say sure).. I have never had a food court manager ever even wink, or say, yah, that's the policy, but...
they just tell me they are fine with them being reused. I'm sure if I asked at a buffet, (although someone at this board did, because of a problem with a child's allergies, and another because an adult couldn't eat anything on the buffet) if I could pay the under three rate for my grand, they would tell me no..so if the food managers didn't realize that THEIR CM's have told us we could reuse the mugs, they too would have no problem saying no. The difference is, no one told me that I could pay the 3 and under rate forever..but when I bought my mugs I was told that.

If you are uncomfortable with it (even though you too were told to reuse them), then don't..simple as that. I'm not uncomfortable with it, and my morals are very high (for some reason some people on this board think it's a moral issue..I think filling cups from the Big Gulp..that would be a moral issue..not a mug I was told I could refill). I don't see this as a moral issue, since the CM and food court manager is an extension of Disney IMO.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by DMRick
I think filling cups from the Big Gulp..that would be a moral issue..not a mug I was told I could refill). I don't see this as a moral issue, since the CM and food court manager is an extension of Disney IMO.

Maybe the big gulp people got permission. Maybe they thought the sign meant what it said and left their resort mugs home. Should they be penalized for not knowing that rules are not currently being enforced?

Disney is currently giving away free soda and coffee. Not worth the time to enforce the rule. Probably more goodwill (and mug sales) by ignoring the rule.

I think "I know better" refers to a person that understands the offical (real) rule and understands that the current lack of enforcement MAY OR MAY NOT be present during future vacations.

BEST comment I've seen on the mug threads are from the posters who observe buying some soda may be easier than walking through the hotel to fill up some mugs.

 

[kinggoofy]

I am just wondering.....do any of you realize you are talking about a MUG ????????

If you think its okay...take the mug..
If you think its NOT okay ....don't take the mug.

Its as simple as that.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Originally posted by Lewisc
BEST comment I've seen on the mug threads are from the posters who observe buying some soda may be easier than walking through the hotel to fill up some mugs.

The BEST comment I've seen on the mug thread was actually not a comment at all... it was the BIG PHOTOGRAPH of the Refillable Mug Rules at Wilderness Lodge that states the refill policy in black and white.

I can't believe guests can read this but think it does not appy to them because some nameless CM once told them once that refills were for life.

The big issue here is money ~ those who will spend it and those who will not.

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[maryliz]

A little off topic ... I just wanted to say "Thanks" to the posters making reference to "Joseph" ... I've been humming "Jacob, Jacob and sons ..." ever since!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by DMRick
But you do, when you post YOU KNOW BETTER. Better than I? Better than the food court manager or the CM's who push the cups, trying for higher sales?

I can say with sureness that you would not be embarrassed..since the food court managers have decided to train their CM's to sell mugs..and the way to really sell mugs is to tell us they are good forever. As the manager, it's a decision they have made. In every walk of life (and yes, in many hotels they give upgrades, even though you aren't paying for them. Why? To make you want to come back..but if you called and asked Disney if you can have a better room at no cost, right off the rip, they would tell you they expect you to pay for it) we run into decisions that have been made in spite of signage..such as guests given permission to swim in a hotel pool when not staying there, or when I ask if I can get a child's meal (which clearly say for younger guests, and they say sure).. I have never had a food court manager ever even wink, or say, yah, that's the policy, but...
they just tell me they are fine with them being reused. I'm sure if I asked at a buffet, (although someone at this board did, because of a problem with a child's allergies, and another because an adult couldn't eat anything on the buffet) if I could pay the under three rate for my grand, they would tell me no..so if the food managers didn't realize that THEIR CM's have told us we could reuse the mugs, they too would have no problem saying no. The difference is, no one told me that I could pay the 3 and under rate forever..but when I bought my mugs I was told that.

If you are uncomfortable with it (even though you too were told to reuse them), then don't..simple as that. I'm not uncomfortable with it, and my morals are very high (for some reason some people on this board think it's a moral issue..I think filling cups from the Big Gulp..that would be a moral issue..not a mug I was told I could refill). I don't see this as a moral issue, since the CM and food court manager is an extension of Disney IMO.

Policing the mugs would be reporting someone that are reusing mugs. I don't do that. But I say I KNOW BETTER because I feel I KNOW the rule and choose to follow IT. That is my OPINION. I also feel that those that reuse the mugs because they do not KNOW the rule do NOT know better. They are doing what they are told instead of loving looking up a sign and READING it. It is so funny that those that choose not to follow rules, ie, pool hopping, mug reuse, more then 5 to a room, and so on always try to make the ones that DO FOLLOW THE RULES feel badly. Fortunately I'm quite confident that I do the right thing and will not be made to feel that I do wrong simply by following the rules.

 

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skiwee1

On another thread today you wrote about no one having a problem paying under two bucks for a sandpail and spade at BC.

After this thread ~ I am rethinking that!

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[Disneymoon04]

Actually, the picture of the sign at the WL looks more like an advertisement for the mugs, not an 'offical policy' on refills.