Refillable Mug Question

[peachgirl]

you are now part of the collective

now you are one of us

You guys are just way too sharp for me...I thought I was being pretty slick and could slide that one past you.......

Of course you have to be on your toes in order to be able to sustain a debate concerning..you know what... I should have known it wouldn't work!


Fine, I'm part of the insanity. Btw, I think if you dig way, way back I might have actually posted on this subject in the beginning. I'm just always amazed at how long these mug fests last.

We bring our own canned sodas and save big bucks without any debate about right and wrong mug usage.

And you don't get away that easy either...I suppose you load all those drinks up and haul them into the parks, right? Do you sit at fast food tables and drink them??? Huh, Huh? Because if you do that can be a big problem.

 

[davandflav]

First off, I'll say that I am VERY new to the mug debate...but I have an honest-to-goodness innocent question... I bought a refillable mug at the AllStar Movies resort in March 2000. It just has a generic AsMo logo on it, no characters or anything. When I purchased it, I'm almost positive the policy was that it would be reusable for free refills on any and all of my future visits to that resort. The program, I thought, was new, as I had never heard of anything like it before at WDW. Has anyone ever mentioned this type of mug before in these debate posts? Is this truly how the program policies started out? Do I just have a cruddy memory? I just remember clear as day what a great deal it seemed like, and I remember thinking it would work well for me because I'll probably never have enough money to stay at any of the higher priced resorts, anyway... Any help on this would be much appreciated!!

Chrissy

 

[packy]

Peachgirl - who said we were guys. I saw it, you did post earlier and used mug in your post. You're in deep now.

 

[peachgirl]

who said we were guys

I mean "guys" in the generic sense.

It's one of the last, lingering habits I still have that I picked up while living in Michigan...everyone is "you guys".

I usually have to stop myself from typing "ya'll", which is what I'd say if I were talking.

This is what happens when your parents drag you from the South up to the North and back again...it makes you a little crazy.

 

[safetymom]

DMRick, you have a PM.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by davandflav
It just has a generic AsMo logo on it, no characters or anything. When I purchased it, I'm almost positive the policy was that it would be reusable for free refills on any and all of my future visits to that resort.

Chrissy, those are exactly the kind of mugs we are talking about.

 

[ww52]

I'm sure the OP (robmary) had no idea the can of worms being opened. Over 6 pages, and the OP has yet to post again. (Maybe robmary went to another thread to ask about pool hopping...)

 

[goofy4tink]

Hey Debbie...nice lyrics. I can't believe this thread has stayed as civil as it has!! Congratulations guys!!! Nice job.

 

[baloo722]

"In the mean time... what the correct answer everytime a poor newbie DIS'er pops on here and asks "Is it OK to re-use my mugs I bought when we where there a couple of years ago?" I think a perfectly proper response is to give them the policy. I also don't think it's a problem to tell them that the CMs are likely to give them the "OK" if they ask to re-use them. The only thing I have an issue with is telling them "sure, they're good for life" and then try to say that signs don't mean what they say or that Disney doesn't wish that their policy to followed. baloo722, if that makes me a HTT "bully", then so be it.'

"Ironically, the issue of "morality" wasn't introduced by an "official policy" person, but by baloo722 taking skiwee1 out of context."

Geoff_M,

a guilty conscience needs no accuser... I never even addressed you, but you have to defend yourself...interesting. As for the moral issue...give me a break...I never even brought up morals, and the quote was entirely in context.. you are a silly person.

the "policy" isn't necessarily your interpretation. Give it up.

skiwee1
"But I say I KNOW BETTER because I feel I KNOW the rule and choose to follow IT. That is my OPINION." that's right, & opinion is not fact.

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

excellent point.

 

[packy]

I think the proper response to a newbie is that there is no clear policy. I think that most of us would agree (from experience) that refillable mugs are only good only at the resort where they were purchased and not at any other resort.

That said, what we should tell newbies is that, in practice, you can use your mugs on a subsequent visit to the same resort. Many of us have asked and many of us have been told (by the CM cashier) that we could do it and have done it. So in reality, practice becomes policy and that is the practice at Disney. The term is de-facto - which for all intents mean an unofficial, but widely recognized and accepted practice (and no, I am not a lawyer).

Can we get a consensus opinion on this (which for all intents mean a majority)?

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by packy


That said, what we should tell newbies is that, in practice, you can use your mugs on a subsequent visit to the same resort.

You're kidding, right? What if some guy takes your advice and gets embarassed at the food court in front of his kids when a CM tells him he can't use his old mug. There is a clear policy ... "good for the length of your stay".

Everyone should take what they read on the internet with a grain of salt. Just because some nameless CM at AllStars tells one of us nameless people on the Dis that we can reuse our mugs doesn't mean anything. This is real life. If you want a real life answer to the mug question, ask the nice lady in the food court. If she says you can re-use your mug, go ahead. If she says no, buy a new one.

 

[Geoff_M]

Maybe robmary went to another thread to ask about pool hopping...

I feel sorry for the OP... If I remember correctly, the other thread I saw that robmary started was almost a "3rd rail" topic... I think it may have about kids that were almost tall enough to ride a ride.

Actually it was one of the "big wigs" I talked to at POR, when there was a bunch of them having a meeting about renovations..I got to say a lot fo him, in fact LOL! And when you call, and wade through the red tape of transfers and watch the phone bill go up, you are told what the signage says now, and you are also told it is not enforced.

We may be talking about different levels of the food chain. I'm sure the CM wouldn't have changed tunes when those members of management were around if they didn't think they weren't of the same mind on the issue.

That's the first I've heard about a different response from WDW. But I doubt it was from the same group that's ordered the signs posted or the mugs changed to include the "unlimited refills until the end of your stay" lingo on the new mugs at CBR.

If Disney really wanted to adopt a clear policy, they would put the year on the mug, a single year not 2003-2004 as someone stated on one mug. The policy sign would be very simple, something like 'You can only use a [fill in the resort name] resort refillable mug with the year [fill in the year] for free refills at this restaurant'.

packy, forgive me if I sound flip... but the new mugs at CBR have the "good until the end of your stay" policy printed on them.... I don't see how they could make it any plainer. My guess is we'll see that verbage start popping up on other mugs are they are periodically redesigned.

I think the proper response to a newbie is that there is no clear policy.

Make that, "The policy is they're supposed to be only used during the visit you purchase them, but for now in practice the CMs will let you re-use them when asked" and I think we can all agree to that.

Disney knows all and sees all where the CM's are concerned. Very, very little gets passed them. The one thing you can be sure of is that the CM's aren't running amuck making their own rules about anything, then straightening up and flying right when the suits are around.

Disney doesn't work that way.

peachgirl, fair enough.... I'll answer in a manner that also doesn't mention the issue. The vice president and divisional president that I report to at work doesn't track my activities on the job to such a level of detail. I think most people here can relate to this personally. I doubt Disney upper management is any different. I also doubt that they would solely equate the-issue-that-cannot-be-named with "running amok".


Chrissy,

This debate definitely pre-dates March 2000. My guess is you were one of the many people who were told by a CM that they "were good for life". Officially they never were, but effective for the time being they are. Dittos for 7-11 mugs and Camelbacks.

Geoff_M,

a guilty conscience needs no accuser... I never even addressed you, but you have to defend yourself...interesting. As for the moral issue...give me a break...I never even brought up morals, and the quote was entirely in context.. you are a silly person.

baloo722,

Thanks for the hurled pejorative comment.

My comments were in response to others commenting how the thread was starting to slide into the usual mud-slinging where peoples' morals were questioned, counter charges were made that people were being thought-police, etc. etc. That slide was triggered by your interjection that jumped on skiwee1 for using the phrase "I know better" in explaining why she personally doesn't re-use her mugs. You immediately leveled charges that skiwee1 was now a "general of the self-appointed brigade, paratroopers division". I don't think it's a stretch to say you felt she was moralizing to others. Explaining the rational for your personal actions it's acting like a "paratrooper" or worthy of any other insult.

the "policy" isn't necessarily your interpretation. Give it up.

Give me a good reason why the people in charge of the mugs put "good until the end of stay" on the new CBR mugs, when they don't really mean it, on the new CBR mugs and we gotta deal.

 

[packy]

Gepetto - no offense, but how is it a great emabarassment to be told that you can't use your mugs (especially since it is hard to find anyone who has actually been told this). If I was told this I would just say O.K. - no embarassment there. I think everyone should bring there mugs back and ask - if it is OK it is OK - if not, buy a new mug or don't.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by packy
I think the proper response to a newbie is that there is no clear policy. I think that most of us would agree (from experience) that refillable mugs are only good only at the resort where they were purchased and not at any other resort.
.....
Can we get a consensus opinion on this (which for all intents mean a majority)?

Sorry I don't agree. The posted policy is clear. It is also clear it (presently) isn't being enforced. People are using old mugs from the same resort, different resorts, 7-11 big gulp mugs and paper cups.

It is clear that Disney is (currently) giving away free soda and coffee to its guests. From the signage and dates on new mugs it is suspected that Disney MAY decide to start enforcing the rules in the future.

 

[Lewisc]

duplicate post

 

[sha_lyn]

Personally Ithink the signs are a "warning" for things to come. I have a gut feeling they will start using the same machines that are now in use at the water parks, where you must scan the mug/cup before the machine will work.

as for what the policy means I think
"good until the end of your stay" printed right on the mug clears up just what the policy is.

 

[packy]

Geoff_M

I appreciate your response regarding the CBR mug, but that is one mug at one hotel, not a Disney policy, or at least what what I can tell.

I am having a hard time understanding why some take exception to the fact that you stay at the same resort, you ask the resort personnel if it is O.K., and when they say 'Yes', you feel we are somehow doing something wrong. Maybe the CBR manager has the authority over this and decided to set a policy on mugs to fit his/her resort. But maybe the CR manager decided that it was O.K. to reuse mugs. Managers have a lot of authority over things such as upgrades, responses to problems (more upgrades), and other things. They can upgrade you from a Garden View to a Concierge Suite if the situation warrants it. In the big scheme, refillable mugs is not high on the list of profit centers for a 500 room hotel. Couldn't it be that the Hotel manager just decided to offer this small perk to his/her repeat guests?

We repeat mug users ( and I have only done it once with the permission of the CM up-front, and at the same resort) are not criminals.

 

[Geoff_M]

Gepetto - no offense, but how is it a great emabarassment to be told that you can't use your mugs (especially since it is hard to find anyone who has actually been told this).

I think I can illustrate this with something that happened to me. Last month we went to see a local minor league baseball game. Between innings they have lots of give-aways. One type of give-away is they say "Check the ad for XYZ in your program and if it's autographed by player A, go to the souvenir stand by first base for a prize." During the game a women with two kids two row behind us tapped my daughter on the shoulder and said "Here... take this program down to the stand and they'll give you a free T-shirt." We looked, and the program was signed on page 35. She and her kids were in team garb and I assume they were seaon ticket holders and didn;t want another shirt and wanted to be nice to us. I said "thanks" and we went off to the stand.

We got there and showed them the ad. The gal running the stand looked puzzled and turned to a co-worker and said "I thought we already gave out both shirts tonight???" The co-worker agreed. I instantly realized what had happened. When the woman behind us had claimed her kid's shirt a few minutes before us, the workers in the stand didn't "cancel" the winning ad. So she came back to the stands, realized that the ad was still "good" and offered it to us to go get another shirt. I was embarassed that I was, in effect, trying to "rip-off" a third shirt. I asked them "Do you think this program was re-used?" They used good customer relations techniques and said "That's OK" and gave us a shirt anyway. Even though they said it was "OK", and I'm sure the cost of the simple kids T-shirt wasn't that much, I felt bad because I knew that we weren't really supposed to get it. We walked back to our seats and sure enough the woman's kid was wearing the same shirt we had been given and it was brand new.

If they stand worker had said "Sorry, but I think this program was already used to get a shirt." I would have been looking for a rock to crawl under in front of my kids.


packy,

Nobody's claiming the police should be called. I perfectly realized that hotels and restaurants are free to improvise on a case-by-case basis in the name of customer service. But I'd be amazed if that if is were the explaination that these same managers weren't also smart enough to remove the "current visit only" signage from their hotels and promote this perk in order to generate more mugs sales and generate more goodwill.

 

[packy]

Geoff_M

If you didn't feel right you shouldn't have taken the shirt - your choice and you made it (and there is no judgement here as we have been to a lot of Minor League games). I don't see any comparison to a person asking if they could use a mug from a previous visit and being told 'Yes'. The real issue is 'Do you agree that there is no clear Disney policy in practice throughout the World regarding refillable mugs'? 'Do you agree that this policy can vary from resort to resort'.?

 

[robmary]

Wow!!!!!! I am overwhelmed by the deep thought that has gone into this question. I hope all of you spend this much time on your family relationships. It was a simple question, I thought. I didn't mean for it to become the next great debate for every legal student in the world. As my husband said we'll take the ones we have now and but if the design has changed we WILL buy new ones.

Geoff, I am also the one creating the other great debate, ride height. I just wanted to know what peoples experiences have been in the past.

Thanks to all of you who responded. I hope your blood pressure has come down now. Relax, there are much great problems in the world than mugs and ride height. I realize that.