Refillable mug--really want to know

[honeydiane1953]

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I think alwaysmom was making a joke.

I was runner-up for Most Guillible in the senior superlatives at my high school, so it is quite possible for things to go over my head.

I did know that alwaysmom wasn't actually suggesting Disney give her a free vacation. She was making the joke to discount Jensmom80's argument, which I felt was quite good. Disney does stand to gain a lot by keeping customers like Jensmom80 happy.

I can still remember a visit to Disney in 1992 when we were on some sort of package plan that included dining. I called from the hotel room to ask about a dining reservation, and the CM asked me if I was interested in Victoria and Albert's. I said that our package did not cover dining there. She said that, although that was true, they were not busy, and it would be fine for us to dine there on our package plan that night. I was so surprised and thrilled.

Disney does have a history of giving things away. It must be good for business. And getting back to my moral code, anything that is good for Disney's bottom line is good for me j/k (sort of!). I do love Disney and want them to stay in business for a long, long time.

 

[alwaysmom]

However, if by giving away the illusion of free Coca Cola, they can encourage families to spend more money at Disney today, then that is a different story. That helps their bottom line.

I would pay $14 for the mugs whether they came with refills on soft drinks or not. I love them! I think they are adorable, and they are the only thing I drink from at home.

I do think the refillable mugs are all business and illusion for Disney. It's not about legalities or morality from their point of view. They have it set up the way they do because it is good for business.

You make a valid point. For every person who brings back an old mug to refill till their hearts content, 5 people purchase one . The illusion definitely has selling quality. Imagine!!!! Good souvenir and free soda for $14.00. It's like 2 deals in one.

I too do purchase them. I got the forever ones in 2000 for ASMo and yep I do bring them back when we stay there. That illusion was a whatta deal .

 

[Jensmom80]

(I think I read you had at one time purchased the "forever" but got rid of them. If I'm wrong please ignore that statement) Are you saying because you stay/spend Disney exclusive, it's ok for you to use those same mugs in the years between purchasing new ones? If so, that's actually no different than the person who uses their 7-11 gulp and unfortunately what isn't acceptable to some people.

I do admire you for your honesty and coming from someone who gets out of line (to go potty) and rejoins her family. I do hear you

I do still have the forever ones, I just don't bring them because they are so faded. That's why we buy new ones every 2-3 years. After going through the dishwasher many times in a week they start to fade and the paint chips. They aren't very attractive anymore. We use ours daily when we are at home. They are the perfect size for many things. I guess I could do as someone else suggested and bring one of the forever mugs back and just refill it and dump it into one of the other mugs till everyone has their own drink choice! The difference in me using my old mugs and someone using their big gulps is at some point I at least bought my Disney mugs from Disney. It's obvious they didn't.

I will leave the line to take my DD to the bathroom too. We go and come right back and usually my grandmother holds our place. We don't piddle around or get drinks/snacks.

We don't hold tables either... We all stand in line and pick up our food and then go and find a seat with the exception of DD who usually runs to the restroom. It irks me to no end to find the room full and people sitting in there eating their food they brought into the park with them. I understand there isn't a whole lot of choices for people sitting outside eating but still it doesn't quite seem fair. I would like to see Disney build a few pavillion type buildings for those that do bring in there food or just need a place in the shade to sit but I realize that would be an expense.

Oh well, I knew honesty would hit some nerves but like you I am on vacation and don't pay too much attention to what anyone else is doing. My DD is 9 and keeps most of my attention. I go and enjoy myself. We bring home lots of memories and we will return every year.

 

[disneyfan55]

You make a valid point. For every person who brings back an old mug to refill till their hearts content, 5 people purchase one . The illusion definitely has selling quality. Imagine!!!! Good souvenir and free soda for $14.00. It's like 2 deals in one.

I too do purchase them. I got the forever ones in 2000 for ASMo and yep I do bring them back when we stay there. That illusion was a whatta deal .

Yes, in fact back in the late 1990s and early 2000s I thought what a great deal. the first one I got was ASMu in 1995 We have quite a few CBR cups still (and I, too, will bring them in Nov) and WL. They were sold as forever and for us that drive no big deal to pack them. Ours are in really great shape, so no problem with that. Yes, we do have the last 2 types that were sold as well! I don't feel that using a mug that was sold as forever at that resort is wrong or stealing like some post. In the early 2000s Disney pushed selling them hard,too. They would put 4 in a room with the note stating price and that they were good forever at that resort (CBR ) If you used them you were charged to the room. One trip, the kids accidently used all 4 so Disney made out then as well!

 

[jenseib]

!

We don't hold tables either... We all stand in line and pick up our food and then go and find a seat with the exception of DD who usually runs to the restroom. It irks me to no end to find the room full and people sitting in there eating their food they brought into the park with them. I understand there isn't a whole lot of choices for people sitting outside eating but still it doesn't quite seem fair. I would like to see Disney build a few pavillion type buildings for those that do bring in there food or just need a place in the shade to sit but I realize that would be an expense.
Oh well, I knew honesty would hit some nerves but like you I am on vacation and don't pay too much attention to what anyone else is doing. My DD is 9 and keeps most of my attention. I go and enjoy myself. We bring home lots of memories and we will return every year.

That won't ever happen as you are technically not allowed to bring in outside food to eat.

 

[disneyfan55]

That won't ever happen as you are technically not allowed to bring in outside food to eat.

I thought those rules were relaxed years ago. People bring in all types of drinks/ snacks/sandwiches now. Really the only things I can think of are hard/wheels coolers/glass/alcohol and plastic straws (ak).

 

[jenseib]

I thought those rules were relaxed years ago. People bring in all types of drinks/ snacks/sandwiches now. Really the only things I can think of are hard/wheels coolers/glass/alcohol and plastic straws (ak).

They are relaxed, but it is still technically a rule

 

[The Princess]

Since we are on the topic of the refillable mugs...does anyone have a photo of the one for this year??? ( I buy a new one everytime I go~just something small that I look forward to.)

 

[jenseib]

So far this year there isn;t a new one

 

[itchin2go]

That won't ever happen as you are technically not allowed to bring in outside food to eat.

From: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/helpFAQ?id=HelpFAQDiningPage#q11

"Q. Can food be brought into Walt Disney World® Resort and Theme Parks?

A. Guests are allowed to bring food items, such as snacks or foods that do not require heating, into any Walt Disney World® Resort. If you have items that need to be refrigerated, please ask the front desk Cast Member to have a refrigerator placed in your room. Please check with the front desk to see if there is a charge for use of the refrigerator. Guests are allowed to bring food items, such as snacks or foods that do not require heating, into any Walt Disney World® Theme Park. Just inform a Security Cast Member. "

Now, even though it's allowed, I can't see Disney installing eating areas for people who bring in food. What would be the upside for them? I guess to free up seats at their eateries, but I think people would still eat wherever they felt like eating .....

 

[Tara922c]

That won't ever happen as you are technically not allowed to bring in outside food to eat.

If you're not allowed to bring in outside food, then why do they allow you to bring in soft sided coolers? No where in the park rules does it say "no outside food, or beverage". I don't bring lunch in, but I do bring snacks for dd, and a couple of waters, and security never says anything. My local water park has a big sign that says, "no outside food or beverages". They made me throw away my dd's goldfish crackers, and tried to make my friend throw away her bottle of nursery water she brought to make her 9 month old a bottle!! (we got a manager on that one). I would just like to see where you are technically not allowed to bring in outside food, because I never heard of that rule, and I worked at disney.

 

[disneyfan55]

If you're not allowed to bring in outside food, then why do they allow you to bring in soft sided coolers? No where in the park rules does it say "no outside food, or beverage". I don't bring lunch in, but I do bring snacks for dd, and a couple of waters, and security never says anything. My local water park has a big sign that says, "no outside food or beverages". They made me throw away my dd's goldfish crackers, and tried to make my friend throw away her bottle of nursery water she brought to make her 9 month old a bottle!! (we got a manager on that one). I would just like to see where you are technically not allowed to bring in outside food, because I never heard of that rule, and I worked at disney.

You can bring it in see above post with the link to WDW Q & A. It's also stated on mousesavers.com.

 

[disneyfan55]

They are relaxed, but it is still technically a rule

Not according to WDW Q&A or Mousesavers.com. You can bring it in.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Outside food IS permitted in Disney parks providing it is not something that should require refrigeration (ie: contains mayo etc).

As for places to eat.. There are frequently 'closed' dining locations with seating that is still accessible for guests. (Tomorrowland Terrace comes to mind in MK)

Some off topic posts have been removed from this thread.

Knox

 

[Lidian]

That won't ever happen as you are technically not allowed to bring in outside food to eat.

Yes you are. According to the Disney website FAQs.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining/#subCategory9

Perhaps this is a new rule, but something I did check on before we loaded the car with drinks/snacks for our upcoming trip. You can bring in food/drinks to both the hotel and the theme parks. You just can't have a CM heat it or prepare it for you.

 

[monkeybug]

I don't get why people care about this topic so much.
I mean I can kind of understand why some people care about line etiquette, table saving, pool hopping, double booking ADR's, ect. All of those things have the potential to directly impact your vacation. ( I'm too busy enjoying mine to notice apparently, because we've never had an issue)
But the mugs? That's all Disney! If they don't care enough to enforce something, than trust me, they aren't losing enough money to make it worth their while! Disney is a business, and a savvy one at that. If they aren't worried about it, I don't get why anyone else would be.
Oh and for the record, we don't even use the mugs (which is maybe why I don't understand why people care about this) we just bring water with us and get sodas at CS and TS restaurants.

 

[alwaysmom]

I don't bring food into the parks other than something like PBcrackers or cereal bars to tide the kids over if needed. I have however seen people with those soft side coolers sitting on the benches passing out food. DH and I were just talking about people with wagons (that aren't allowed) pulling kids around. Disney does break there own rules sometimes. Again, I don't care it's not my problem and well I have on occasion probably missed a etiquette rule or 2 but I am always courteous. I will say excuse me and smile nicely when I'm trying to budge pass you .

We are staying at ASMu this year. Told DH I was going to conduct a test to see how many people are irked that I'm using a old mug from a different resort . He refuses since he's the one who goes for the morning coffee each day. He's no fun.

Remember a smile goes a long way.

 

[mytripsandraces]

I don't get why people care about this topic so much.
I mean I can kind of understand why some people care about line etiquette, table saving, pool hopping, double booking ADR's, ect. All of those things have the potential to directly impact your vacation. ( I'm too busy enjoying mine to notice apparently, because we've never had an issue)
But the mugs? That's all Disney! If they don't care enough to enforce something, than trust me, they aren't losing enough money to make it worth their while! Disney is a business, and a savvy one at that. If they aren't worried about it, I don't get why anyone else would be.
Oh and for the record, we don't even use the mugs (which is maybe why I don't understand why people care about this) we just bring water with us and get sodas at CS and TS restaurants.

Technically, it has the same impact at shoplifting. The more soda Disney has to order, the more they'll charge. It can also be irritating to follow the rules and see that other people aren't without consequence. I see that in my department all the time. I require strict adherence to corporate guidelines, but other managers are more relaxed. I get push-back from my team, but I'm not going to give the okay to break the rules, just because other managers don't enforce them.

 

[monkeybug]

Technically, it has the same impact at shoplifting. The more soda Disney has to order, the more they'll charge. It can also be irritating to follow the rules and see that other people aren't without consequence. I see that in my department all the time. I require strict adherence to corporate guidelines, but other managers are more relaxed. I get push-back from my team, but I'm not going to give the okay to break the rules, just because other managers don't enforce them.

But businesses that experience shoplifting to such a degree that it starts impacting their projected gross, or goes beyond their projected shrink, enforce policy's to help prevent it before or in conjunction with price increases.
Disney isn't raising prices on soda because people are stealing it, if that were the case they would be enforcing the rule about not reusing the mugs, which they apparently are not. Disney knows what it's doing, if this were having enough of an impact on their bottom line to even be a bleep on the radar screen, they would be doing something about it.
If you think about the percentage of guests who even return for a second trip, and then the percentage of them that buy a mug, and the percentage from that group that re-uses them, it's probably a pretty insignificant number. It might happen frequently among disers, but most of us probably take more trips than average.