Refillable Mugs in 2000

[richard_andmel]

I know when we went to blizzard beach last year we got one, it had a bar code, and was good only for the day!

At either BB or TL they will sell you a new sticker for that mug for a lot less than the cost of a new mug to be used for a new day.

 

[Muziqal]

That's the kicker I didn't deal with in my post above because I just can't say definitively whether any individual had such an agreement or not seeing as how in none of their cases was I a witness to the transaction. I guess it would be up to a court to decide whether said agreement existed expressly or implied and it would depend upon witnesses that could be rounded up, etc assuming someone would sue over $12 or Disney would nail someone over using the mug in question I suppose.

That's been my point all along...nothing is definitive when this debate rolls around again and again. Everything is inferred and nothing is proven. Time and time again.

The inference that this promotion actually occurred is made by the amount of posts indicating they were consumers and did take part in the promotion. It's hard to imagine that so many people would participate in a lie over something as trivial as a refillable mug. I in fact remember this promotion when I stayed at CBR in 97. Now, you can call me a liar...but it's up to you to decide whether I am lying and up to me to manage my conscience (too bad polygraphs weren't readily available on the internet). Unfortunately, I did not keep the sticker that was on the mug wrapper in my room that said something to the effect of "Purchase this mug and use it at our drink station for all future stays for only $10" (again, an approximation of what I can remember). Believe me, if I knew that a number of Disers integrity was going to come into question 9 years later, I would have kept that little thing (I assume the rest of us that agree there was such a promotion would have held on to it as well). But such is life ...

The inference that Disney unofficially honours mugs sold under the "free refills for future visits/life" is made by the many posts on this board by guests who have tried and experienced success. And again, by the outcome of a debate I had with someone involved in this current thread (here we are again, a year later, hey? Sammie old spiel.). He posted that he contacted a VP of food and beverage one day. He posted her name on the Dis. He copied and pasted what he said was the official response from the VP of food and beverage indicating that the "free refills for life" policy would no longer be honoured. He did this in a matter of minutes. I was skeptical. After seeing her name posted, I took it upon myself to contact her via email (after working there, I know the format used in their company email addresses) and asked for confirmaiton (didn't make sense to me that the VP of food and bev at WDW would have the time or inclination to respond that quickly). Two weeks later and after a bit of persistence (I don't give up easily, if you can't tell), one of her assistants called me. No written response (why would they give me anything in writing?), but gave the answer I thought I'd hear from my good ol' employer. "Of course we'd honour your mug when you purchased it during our old promotion". In addition, he did state the new policy very clearly so I wasn't confused. Of course this is all hearsay by one of the big meanies on the Dis boards...but do I sound like someone who wouldn't verify the information I was being given by posters on the Dis? Especially if I didn't buy it. Whether my intentions were to prove someone wrong or not was irrelevant and maybe even a good indication that I'm telling the truth .

As there is no official policy with respect to this particular debate (no one has yet to produce a letter from Disney that such a rule exists), then making statements like "you definitely can not" are bogus.

My advice to guests who remember being sold these mugs with a "free refills for life" clause, is if you want to bring it back, do so. Ask the CM on duty and even the manager at the food court you are staying at that this what you were sold back in the day and if they will honour the purchase agreement. That is where the real enforcement takes place...not here on the Dis.

My guess is, there will be a lot more success stories. Just a hunch though .

And don't let people on the Dis tell you you are breaking a law or Disney policy when they can not provide any definitive proof. Make them prove it to you that you are breaking a rule. Don't get intimidated by legal jargon, google searches and ethical mumbo jumbo when the bulk of their argument is speculation only - not fact.

 

[NYDisGuy]

I wonder if people realize in the United States of America you cannot plead ignorance to breaking a law/rule. For example, if I drive from New York to Florida and in Florida I do not know the speed limit so I speed because I think I can get away with it, they will still give me a ticket because ignorance is not a defense. The same applies here.

If people want to use cups or re-use the new mugs after their first trip then thats your prefrence. But remember, Disney has the appropriate signage around the drinking islands that they can take action. So, if people want to follow rules I would get a official e-mail or letter from a cm stating the exact mug rules, print it out and keep it with you just incase a cm gives you a hard time or for your knowledge. But if people say " well thats not my job, ill keep using my mugs, i dont care" then your just immoral and ignorant and your words shouldnt be taken seriousley here.

 

[minnie61650]

[delete

 

[minnie61650]

Has anyone been able to prove there ever was a guarantee of refills for life other than hearsay. Was it ever in writing? Was it printed on the receipt, I know it was not on the mugs? Does anyone have a photo of a sign at the food court that stated this policy?

I am not saying it did not exist, I was just curious as I can find no proof of it. We were never told this and we have gone every year for over 25 years. Surely in all that time we would have seen something to this affect.

I asked the CM when I bought my mug if I could bring it back in the future. She said as long as I came back and stayed at the All Stars. I never saw a sign with info and my receipt did not say that.
I just took her word for it. And I walked away thinking "What a deal!"

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Deleted.

 

[minnie61650]

deleted

 

[Muziqal]

I wonder if people realize in the United States of America you cannot plead ignorance to breaking a law/rule. For example, if I drive from New York to Florida and in Florida I do not know the speed limit so I speed because I think I can get away with it, they will still give me a ticket because ignorance is not a defense. The same applies here.

If people want to use cups or re-use the new mugs after their first trip then thats your prefrence. But remember, Disney has the appropriate signage around the drinking islands that they can take action. So, if people want to follow rules I would get a official e-mail or letter from a cm stating the exact mug rules, print it out and keep it with you just incase a cm gives you a hard time or for your knowledge. But if people say " well thats not my job, ill keep using my mugs, i dont care" then your just immoral and ignorant and your words shouldnt be taken seriousley here.

I'm glad you've come around to the whole new mug vs. old mug thinking NYDISguy. And fact vs. fiction. Proof vs. specualtion. It's so much greener over here, hey?

Honestly, you put up a good debate. And you make good statements after you realize you can't prove something. That's integrity and character. The "immoral and ignorant" was a bit over the top. But you have conviction.

Not being facetious here either - to all my doubters and mod reporters. I can give credit where credit is due.

 

[Muziqal]

delete...but not because of something I said

 

[NYDisGuy]

I'm glad you've come around to the whole new mug vs. old mug thinking NYDISguy. And fact vs. fiction. Proof vs. specualtion. It's so much greener over here, hey?

Honestly, you put up a good debate. And you make good statements after you realize you can't prove something. That's integrity and character. The "immoral and ignorant" was a bit over the top. But you have conviction.

Not being facetious here either - to all my doubters and mod reporters. I can give credit where credit is due.

What would you like me to prove muziqal? The fact that you cant share resort mugs? The reason for my post about ignorance is because I do have a letter from a cm and from my ta about the mug rules which I keep on me for refrence. It made points to "One mug per person per trip" and "mugs are only good for the duration of your stay". Since I know if I scanned the letter and posted it on here people would yell photoshop! and if I dont then I will be called a liar so I stand neutral on the situation and I have done the research that everyone should do on their trips. And if you or anyone else wants "proof" then contact a cm, get an email or letter and if it says you can use the mugs that are "for a lifetime" then your golden, all you have to do is present the letter if a cm harasses you.

Anyways thanks for the compliments (if they werent sarcastic). Everyone will have their opinions,feelings,morals about the mugs and im not looking to be a golden child and change that. The only thing I get pissed about is people condoning the breaking of rules in Disney as it is a game to see how much they can get away with. That stuff is ridiculous and will inevitbley result in the loss of many privleges that Disney offers now.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Muziqal,
I saw you edited your information about my gender, so thanks for doing that.

 

[notnothin]

To me, this is easily the best and most civil (for the most part) mug debate to date. Lovin' the law-speak.

 

[Muziqal]

What would you like me to prove muziqal? The fact that you cant share resort mugs? The reason for my post about ignorance is because I do have a letter from a cm and from my ta about the mug rules which I keep on me for refrence. It made points to "One mug per person per trip" and "mugs are only good for the duration of your stay". Since I know if I scanned the letter and posted it on here people would yell photoshop! and if I dont then I will be called a liar so I stand neutral on the situation and I have done the research that everyone should do on their trips. And if you or anyone else wants "proof" then contact a cm, get an email or letter and if it says you can use the mugs that are "for a lifetime" then your golden, all you have to do is present the letter if a cm harasses you.

Anyways thanks for the compliments (if they werent sarcastic). Everyone will have their opinions,feelings,morals about the mugs and im not looking to be a golden child and change that. The only thing I get pissed about is people condoning the breaking of rules in Disney as it is a game to see how much they can get away with. That stuff is ridiculous and will inevitbley result in the loss of many privleges that Disney offers now.

No hostility NY guy. Just keepin the debate about fact. Now, you're a better man than I am if you can get a letter from a CM stating official policy that resort mugs are not to be shared. And sure...I'd be hesitant to provide proof to all the the skeptics on here. But at least you'd be giving accurate information and no one can argue the fact that you're just trying to do the right thing by doing that, now can they?

If you were to post this, it would give us the opportunity to see the CMs name and "rank" within the company and then allow us to verify the information (as there should be a signature at the bottom of the letter, no?). No need to argue whether it's photo chopped when we have a name and corporate title. Then if, as you say, your letter stands up to the test and is true...you'd be vindicated and be able to get rid of me forever! No more mug sharing debates! Wouldn't that make you happy...and right....and me wrong?

But more importantly, you'd be doing the Dis online community a big service by providing this proof. We all know how many people want answers to these questions (inference made by how many people get involved in these debates).

What say you?

PS, just curious why you'd require a letter stating you are prohibited from sharing a mug or using it on return visits? Seems redundant to me? Unless you are testing the system and seeing how many CMs allow you to do it. And then you show them the letter to prove you're right? Please explain your reasoning for obtaining such a letter as "reference".

 

[notnothin]

Come on, produce the document!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

What would you like me to prove muziqal? The fact that you cant share resort mugs? The reason for my post about ignorance is because I do have a letter from a cm and from my ta about the mug rules which I keep on me for refrence. It made points to "One mug per person per trip" and "mugs are only good for the duration of your stay". Since I know if I scanned the letter and posted it on here people would yell photoshop! and if I dont then I will be called a liar so I stand neutral on the situation and I have done the research that everyone should do on their trips. And if you or anyone else wants "proof" then contact a cm, get an email or letter and if it says you can use the mugs that are "for a lifetime" then your golden, all you have to do is present the letter if a cm harasses you.

Anyways thanks for the compliments (if they werent sarcastic). Everyone will have their opinions,feelings,morals about the mugs and im not looking to be a golden child and change that. The only thing I get pissed about is people condoning the breaking of rules in Disney as it is a game to see how much they can get away with. That stuff is ridiculous and will inevitbley result in the loss of many privleges that Disney offers now.

There are people that claim they bought mugs that were sold on the basis of free refills for life. They futher claim that these rules weren't posted or in effect when they bought. All of them know and admit the rules as you stated are in effect for those that buy their mugs now. Do you have written evidence that these rules you say you have from Disney were in effect back when they bought? Or barring that, do you have any evidence to show that when they bought, Disney notified them it was subject to change? If that paper you have regarding the rules does not have any indication that those were the rules in effect when they bought, then it is not a refutation of their claims. And really, it then becomes a dispute between them and Disney and calling them ignorant or immoral is unwarranted.

 

[minnie61650]

From this Mouseplanet.com website:

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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[minnie61650]

I remember my Dad read that same article on orlandosentinal.com which you are refering to, however there is one thing which that site forgot to mention. When Disney was experimenting with the barcode system it was only for Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon. So correct me if I am wrong here, but WDW does not have this in place at their Resorts so how can you post something which does not have all the facts (was only planned for the water parks) & turned out to be wrong (this has not happened at the Resorts).

I just posted another link from Mouseplanet.com.In that article it seems like they were testing a length of stay barcode for resorts.

I do not know why it not in place at the resorts.

I do think Disney is aware that some guests are not following policy and when it becomes cost effective they will install it.

Disney does not want to embarrass their guests who are not following rules.(jmho)

Here are some the ways that Disney enforces their rules in ways that will not embarrass their guests:
there are 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 Barcodes for resort mugs?
If the refill mug abuses continue it may be a lot sooner than any of us wants.

 

[Muziqal]

Disney does not want to embarrass their guests who are not following rules

Hmmm...as this is a copy and paste job from another refillable mug thread you posted on, I'll post what I posted there too.

When I was working there a guest peed in the middle of the O Canada theatre. I had to call Security. I can imagine that when security came into the theatre to remove the peeing guest, he was probably pretty embarrassed.

 

[minnie61650]

Hmmm...as this is a copy and paste job from another refillable mug thread you posted on, I'll post what I posted there too.

When I was working there a guest peed in the middle of the O Canada theatre. I had to call Security. I can imagine that when security came into the theatre to remove the peeing guest, he was probably pretty embarrassed.

I bet he was embarrassed.

 

[Uncleromulus]

This isn't a Harvard Law School debate board. Keep this non-personal or it'll be closed.