Refillable Mugs = Still worth it ?

[Practical2aFault]

Have not been able to find a similar post for specific question. Since No more dining plans at present, does anyone have a current take on the value ( other than collecting new artwork / designs ) of getting the re-fillable resort mugs ? We have a trip for just 2 adults planned for end of December and have only bought them as part of an existing Dining plan ( for longer trips ) .

Considering its only a 3 Park trip with Resort time limited to sleeping , and maybe one or 2 meals, can anyone say whether its worth buying 2 mugs that can't be filled in the parks ? ( Except water - but then have to drag them through bag check etc. and usually free cups of water avail. ) Thanks in advance.

 

[cheryl.UK]

For a 3 day trip, probably not but for those of us who go for 3 weeks... they're a bargain

 

[DisneyHardin]

If you aren't going to be spending much time at the resort, you might not get your money's worth. We are going next week and are planning quite a bit of resort time, so I am going to buy them because we will eat breakfast at the resort each morning and will have them for drinks at the pool.

 

[Practical2aFault]

If you aren't going to be spending much time at the resort, you might not get your money's worth. We are going next week and are planning quite a bit of resort time, so I am going to buy them because we will eat breakfast at the resort each morning and will have them for drinks at the pool.

Thanks ! Hope you have a great time !

 

[Practical2aFault]

For a 3 day trip, probably not but for those of us who go for 3 weeks... they're a bargain

Thanks ! Trying to keep bag check time to a minimum !

 

[BrotherCraig]

We are spending 5 days at Disney but only 3 days at the parks. We don't believe it is worth it this time around.

 

[Willow1213]

For me, I added up the cost of my morning coffee for each day of my trip. That was a charge I knew I would incur. It made the mug cost negligible. I found myself filling up on my way to and from our room, and enjoyed both soda and non-soda options at the fountain. Especially powerade after a long hot park day!

 

[MrsPete]

Are they still worthwhile? I'd argue that for the vast number of vacationers, they never were worthwhile -- if you're looking to go the cheapest route:
- A 12-pack of sodas can be purchased on sale for $3.33 or on regular price for about $5. That means a 12-oz canned soda is about .28-.42 if purchased and brought to Disney. Using the higher number, you'd have to drink about 47 sodas to break even.
- You might say, "But I want the mug as a keepsake." I personally don't want any more odd cups rattling around my cabinet, but your math might come out differently if you value the plastic mug.
- You might say, "But we are flying." Okay, so consider ordering ahead to a grocery store /making a stop on your way between the airport and your resort.
- You might say, "But we also want coffee in the mornings." The cheapest way to get your coffee is to bring it from home and prepare it in your room.

 

[bsmcneil]

Are they still worthwhile? I'd argue that for the vast number of vacationers, they never were worthwhile -- if you're looking to go the cheapest route:
- A 12-pack of sodas can be purchased on sale for $3.33 or on regular price for about $5. That means a 12-oz canned soda is about .28-.42 if purchased and brought to Disney. Using the higher number, you'd have to drink about 47 sodas to break even.
- You might say, "But I want the mug as a keepsake." I personally don't want any more odd cups rattling around my cabinet, but your math might come out differently if you value the plastic mug.
- You might say, "But we are flying." Okay, so consider ordering ahead to a grocery store /making a stop on your way between the airport and your resort.
- You might say, "But we also want coffee in the mornings." The cheapest way to get your coffee is to bring it from home and prepare it in your room.

This is me. I have gotten the mug when already included in a DDP but can't bring myself to buy one OOP (and I love soda). But it just isn't economical and I don't want the extra plastic/resources to be used.

 

[Turksmom]

Are they still worthwhile? I'd argue that for the vast number of vacationers, they never were worthwhile -- if you're looking to go the cheapest route:
- A 12-pack of sodas can be purchased on sale for $3.33 or on regular price for about $5. That means a 12-oz canned soda is about .28-.42 if purchased and brought to Disney. Using the higher number, you'd have to drink about 47 sodas to break even.
- You might say, "But I want the mug as a keepsake." I personally don't want any more odd cups rattling around my cabinet, but your math might come out differently if you value the plastic mug.
- You might say, "But we are flying." Okay, so consider ordering ahead to a grocery store /making a stop on your way between the airport and your resort.
- You might say, "But we also want coffee in the mornings." The cheapest way to get your coffee is to bring it from home and prepare it in your room.

I might say
-there are five of us and none of us drink the same thing, so a mug is a lot easier.

 

[wfjny]

My wife takes a cup of coffee with here every morning. We have probably 20 of those mugs.

Worth it, probably not.

But several of those mugs were purchased with Christmas Time hot chocolate for $5 each. Also a few were purchased from a local discount store a few years ago for $3.

While the mugs were purchased for the "Length of your stay", but I think they were activated for 30 days. So, if you had a return trip in less than 30 days, you could get two years out of it. They also work at all of the resorts, not just the one you purchased it at. Still, at $20 each, just thinking of your break even, you would have to drink a lot at the resort. And as someone else mentioned, bringing your own drinks is always more cost effective.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

The price of the mug comes down to five purchases of drinks (coffee, tea, soda) at around $4/drink at any resort, not the parks. If you will not be doing a grocery order or think you might surpass five during your entire stay, then it is worth it. Anything over five consider it free plus you go home with a mug. Twenty dollars sounds like a lot but really is not when you consider the price of buying individual drinks.

 

[twinklebug]

I use my refillable mugs at home every morning with coffee.
Also found they hold icecream nice and cold for the kids. No sloppy mess.

So, if you'd be inclined to buy a mug anyway and will use it at home, YES, well worth the money.

ETA: I don't drink soda often, always buy water for the room to brew my own coffee and drink otherwise, and I still feel like these are worth it.

 

[cheryl.UK]

Also found they hold icecream nice and cold for the kids. No sloppy mess.

So, if you'd be inclined to buy a mug anyway and will use it at home, YES, well worth the money.
[/QUOTE]


I'd never thought of using them for ice cream. Perfect!

 

[kydisneyfans]

It depends to me on where my room location is vs where the refill station is located at the resort. It also depends on the drink options. It's usually a yes at AKL, but a no at Old Key West. Soda prices have skyrocketed, the 3/$10 $5 each left with the $2 gas. 3/$14 and $7 each is standard in my area now.

 

[mhautz]

i think it’s always a reasonably good deal to buy one and share it. Even just a few refills a day make it an okay value even for a short trip. It’s also nice to have a variety of drinks at your disposal. We like the blueberry pomegranate vitamin water or light lemonade for evening uncaffinated drinks but would never buy them on their own.

Also, while I’m not sure if they have them readily available, they have the 50th Anniversary design, which would make a good souvenir. Otherwise, the designs have been the same for a couple years with no seasonal variation. I feel like Disney needs to get back to regular updates or the value proposition is greatly reduced.

 

[kanerf]

Not for me. I do not drink that much soda and the coffee is not very good in my opinion.

 

[twinklebug]

i think it’s always a reasonably good deal to buy one and share it. Even just a few refills a day make it an okay value even for a short trip. It’s also nice to have a variety of drinks at your disposal. We like the blueberry pomegranate vitamin water or light lemonade for evening uncaffinated drinks but would never buy them on their own.

Also, while I’m not sure if they have them readily available, they have the 50th Anniversary design, which would make a good souvenir. Otherwise, the designs have been the same for a couple years with no seasonal variation. I feel like Disney needs to get back to regular updates or the value proposition is greatly reduced.

Yup, there's two new designs for the 50th and the new lid design is easier to use and clean. Old designs are still available too for those who like or need the variety.

 

[MrsPete]

and I don't want the extra plastic/resources to be used.

I hadn't thought about more plastic in a world that can't afford more plastic -- but that's a valid point.

I might say
-there are five of us and none of us drink the same thing, so a mug is a lot easier.

I don't understand this argument. At home you each have what you like to drink, right? So why not bring X number of whatever you each like -- it's a huge savings.

The price of the mug comes down to five purchases of drinks (coffee, tea, soda) at around $4/drink at any resort, not the parks ...

Only if you use Disney math; that is, only if you assume a soda is worth $4. A grocery store soda is worth much, much less.

So, if you'd be inclined to buy a mug anyway and will use it at home, YES, well worth the money.

Yes, IF you are inclined to use the mugs, the math might vary -- but I hate a bunch of oddly-matched plastic mugs lying ago.

 

[EasinEpcot]

I say no. Last trip we ordered soda, seltzer etc via Instacart and had it delivered to the resort. We were at AoA so had a fridge. Our entire grocery order (including sandwich fixings, snacks etc) was less than 5 refillable mugs.