Refillable Mugs- Respectful Comment

[Luvamouse]

I am NOT looking to open a discussion thread about the issues of who will or who won't, but rather to offer a thought.

For years we have gone to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. We take our mugs back with us year after year and they are refilled at the price that is on the mug. I have seen people (including family) use mugs that actually have a .50 cent refill charge-- and those old mugs are huge! It is what I have always been "told" is allowed. To be honest, people there look upon the old mugs as a badge of honor to show how long they had been coming to SDC. Anyway, after all the heated discussions here, I got nervous about doing that and e-mailed SDC. The lady there sent me a personal note, not a 'form' response that said in part:

Thank you so much for your email. I'm pleased to say that yes, you can bring your mugs for refills! You are right, some of our guests use "very old ones"!

I know when we buy the mugs at Six Flags Parks, they are good for that year at any Six Flags park. (And yes, I bring those with me too.) I know these are the rules at those places (so glad I understood correctly at Silver Dollar City!) and am comfortable when following those guidelines. (I also acknowledge that it is not a free refill.)

That said, I am not questioning Disney's rules AT ALL. I am just offering up that I was very surprised to find that the Disney Resort mugs were not for re-use on another visit. Chances are, unless I was told the rules by the cashier when I bought it (and perhaps they are VERY clear about it) I would have been one of those who saw nothing wrong. To those who know the rules and follow them-- good job. To those who innocently 'broke' the rules-- sorry, I could have been you. I honestly figured anyone who was wiiling to wash it and pack it and haul it with them again (how many people would actually do it?) wasn't getting too much 'free' due to the low cost of soda. I stand corrected at WDW and am happy to abide by the rules. (Mostly 'cuz I do not want to be the barefoot guest at WL filling up my old mug that people then rant about on the DIS Board !)

Please be kind in your responses, I did not wish to start a flame thread, just offer a possible "other side". Keep the peace .

 

[maddhatir]

you seem like you are walking on eggshells with this one!!

i brought up this topic a few days ago- and people were afraid of the responses that would be posted. i didnt really see any flaming responses.

i was just at the ASMo in december- and my nephew is going in april for his class trip and is staying at one of the AS- you know what-- i am giving him my mug to use so that he does not have to spend the extra money--- i consider it a gift! geeze- it was just bought 4 months ago-- if it was me going in april there would be NO WAY i would pay for THE SAME EXACT mug that i already have.

who cares if you use it again. if the CM who are at the resort do not stop you then no one else should have a problem with it.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Chances are, unless I was told the rules by the cashier when I bought it (and perhaps they are VERY clear about it) I would have been one of those who saw nothing wrong. .

They are VERY clear about it- its printed right on the mug "good for this trip only".

 

[Allison]

The rules are printed on the mugs so that should help make people aware (at least they have been since 2004 when we were there).

 

[Evil Queen]

hmmmm? How long until this gets locked?

 

[Luvamouse]

you seem like you are walking on eggshells with this one!!

So you heard those too??

They are VERY clear about it- its printed right on the mug "good for this trip only".

OK, fine, so it is. But would I have read it? I was just stating that some of us might have assumed otherwise due to other experiences. Sometimes we run with that which we are familiar. That was all.

hmmmm? How long until this gets locked?

Well, Evil Queen, I am hoping if they want a rip roarin' discussion, they can head on over to one of the threads that is already burning up about it. Or about something else. No shortage of those.

 

[jann1033]

my first thought is it says "free unlmited refills from our beverage islands during the stay in which the mug was purchased" right smack on the mug. guess i am cheap but i wouldn't buy something unless i knew how it was going to be used and how long i could use it.( i am all about getting bargains )

guess other places try anything to attract repeat customers and don't think disney really has that problem.

 

[Luvamouse]

my first thought is it says "free unlmited refills from our beverage islands during the stay in which the mug was purchased" right smack on the mug.

Well, if it really says that...I guess it should be clear. Unless it's in that tiny print...

guess other places try anything to attract repeat customers and don't think disney really has that problem.

Well, maybe. But I have to say, the big discount on the sodas doesn't balance out the 1500+ mile drive to Branson, MO. I think of it as a courtesy from them for making the trip back.

guess i am cheap but i wouldn't buy something unless i knew how it was going to be used and how long i could use it.( i am all about getting bargains )

And there you have...me. I guess I will probably just bring my cases of water with us. Way to much thinking involved in the mugs... How many drinks might we possibly drink per person per day (varies with age and relative size --factor in potty breaks available)multiplied by the square root of the late November heat and humidity averages, multiplied by the number of mugs required by my family of four (can we "share the cooties"?...no, my DD's will never go for that) or must we each have our own? Yeah, I'm bringing the water. ($3.99/case of 24 Poland Springs 1 liter bottles. Sale approx. every 3rd week at Stop and Shop.) Then I can even save my snack credits for the Mickey Krispie Treats!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Way to much thinking involved in the mugs... How many drinks might we possibly drink per person per day (varies with age and relative size --factor in potty breaks available)multiplied by the square root of the late November heat and humidity averages, multiplied by the number of mugs required by my family of four (can we "share the cooties"?...no, my DD's will never go for that) or must we each have our own? Yeah, I'm bringing the water. ($3.99/case of 24 Poland Springs 1 liter bottles. Sale approx. every 3rd week at Stop and Shop.) Then I can even save my snack credits for the Mickey Krispie Treats!

LOL I LOVE IT!!!!!! I to love a deal but not to that extent but I'm sure there are people who do these calculations(well roughly anyways!)

 

[maxiesmom]

OK, fine, so it is. But would I have read it? I was just stating that some of us might have assumed otherwise due to other experiences.

Sorry, but I'm . You sound like so many people who come to customer service in the store I work at. Customer--"How was I to know that this blanket is $50, not $30?" Me--"Ma'am, it states the price clearly on the sign." Customer--"You expect me to read the sign?" It happens all the time. Yes we do expect people to read signs so they know what they are buying! Apparently it is quite a concept.

 

[maxiesmom]

OP--I didn't intend to be snarky. I just don't get why people are not more careful when spending their money. Know what you are buying, if it is a mug or a car, know exactly what you are getting!

 

[DaisyD]

It is also on the signs at the food area menus on the wall at the CR, WL, CBR ,and the Poly. Same signage on the refill area itself. I usually need glasses to read but these are so large I can read them very easily.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

First let me say that I do not bring our mugs with us. We buy new ones every time. That being said- I am slightly embarrassed but I have never seen anything that said it was only good for the length of your stay! I am usually so occupied with my family that I don't recall ever seing a sign! I also never knew it was written on the cup and I have made coffee for my dh more times than I can remember and put it in his WL mug to take to work. Oh boy! I better get on the ball here!

 

[formernyer]

It is also on the signs at the food area menus on the wall at the CR, WL, CBR ,and the Poly. Same signage on the refill area itself. I usually need glasses to read but these are so large I can read them very easily.

I knew all of the "rules of the mug" before I got to Disney thanks to all of the debates on this board, but I'm going to be perfectly honest here. I was at WDW last week and purchased a refillable mug.

I never looked at the mug close enough to read the disclaimer on it. It never jumped out at me.

I never saw a sign on the menus or the wall.

I never saw a sign at the refill area.

If not for reading this board, I would have just assumed they were good for one year, since I'm used to the deals at Nashville Shores and Six Flags where the refills are good for the entire season.

 

[formernyer]

First let me say that I do not bring our mugs with us. We buy new ones every time. That being said- I am slightly embarrassed but I have never seen anything that said it was only good for the length of your stay! I am usually so occupied with my family that I don't recall ever seing a sign! I also never knew it was written on the cup and I have made coffee for my dh more times than I can remember and put it in his WL mug to take to work. Oh boy! I better get on the ball here!

We made almost identical posts at the same time.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Whew! I don't feel so bad now!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

Hey, I didn't know my old SDC mugs were still good- sweet!!!
(I live about 10 minutes from there.)

Now do you think I can convince Silver Dollar City to refill my Disney mugs, too?

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Okay, I just checked a bunch of our old mugs. We have 4 from 2002, 4 from 2003 and 4 from 2005. All of the ones I checked do not say anything on them. So, I would agree, it is not plain as day for everyone who purchases them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

First time we went was in 1997. We stayed at the Polynesian. We got refillable mugs at Captain Cook's. There were signs by the mugs and by the refill station that they were to be used at that resort for the duration of that trip only. Many members have taken photos of the signs at the various resorts over the years and posted them on the DIS.

 

[jlovesee]

I love Silver Dollar City, there is a park that IS corporate (they are one of the few park chains that has a corporate jet) but still knows how to give people a honest, good time. I live only 3 hours from SDC and we visit atleast once a year.

Onto the mugs, I will agree it most definitly is not plain as day, there is a sign over the drinks that says that they are good for the length of stay, but give those guys a break who are to busy to read the signs! Also soda is cheap, there are parks that give it away free (Holiday World, Lake Compounce and Kiddieland in Chicago). Believe me Disney is not losing money on it.

Jennifer