Refillable mugs that can't be refilled?

[rutgers1]

I bought everyone in my family a refillable mug today at the bakery at BWV. The woman behind the counter gave us our mugs and proceeded to give us our drinks in paper cups. She said it was for sanitary reasons, and I figured it was because the mugs weren't washed.

So, I went back to the room later and washed the mugs. I proceeded to bring them back down a few hours later for a refill. Once again, the woman gave me paper cups. When I asked her why she didn't take the mugs, she said it was for sanitary reasons.

Here was the conversation:

Me: "You can't fill the mugs?"
Cast Member: "No, we are not allowed for sanitary reasons."

Me: "Why do we have the mugs?"
Cast Member: "It is a souvenir."

Me: "So I have to bring them in whenever I want a drink?"
Cast Member: "Yes."

Me: "That seems to be a bit awkward, especially if I am buying for multiple people. Maybe it would be better if they gave guests a card that we could keep in our wallets. It would be easier to carry that around than a mug."

Does it work this way at every resort? When I last bought a mug at POR a few years back, I was able to just walk up to a soda fountain and pour my own drink. I figured that it would be the same at BWV. However, although I was told it could be refilled at several locations on the BWV property, I was also told that the process is apparently always the same (show mug, get paper cup of soda).

In the grand scheme of things it isn't that big of a deal. It just seems a bit awkward.

Any insight?

 

[twinklebug]

Most resorts allow you to refill your mug yourself at a self service station. The boardwalk Bakery is the only one I'm aware of where you cannot refill it yourself. I assume the "sanitary" reasons they give you a paper cup is to remove any liability that could be pinned on them if your cup wasn't properly cleaned before being filled.

They need the refill station moved.

 

[JJZMgailey]

That seems really odd to me too! I wish I had an answer for you...hopefully someone here knows what's up with that??

 

[Turtle31]

I don't really have an answer but when we were at Beaches n' Cream to go, they used a silver shaker cup to refill our mugs. And when we went to Hurricane Hannah's at the BC they gave us paper cups. So all I can say is this must be some type of policy. Kind of like when you go to get a refill and they cannot take your straw or remove the lid.

 

[bicker]

Probably in response to some cretin suing Disney.

 

[Corinne]

They have been doing this at the BW Bakery for years. I have also heard they do this at the BW pool as well. We are staying at the BWV in a few weeks, and while I do not use the refillable mug that often, it is inconveneient to do so at the BW. There should be a self service refillable station somewhere on property. We used to be able to fill them at the Spoodles pizza window, but I do not know if this is still possible since I do not know if the pizza window is still there!

 

[MLK-RI]

This policy also drove us crazy a few years ago and I wrote to Disney about it. The inconvenience, the waste etc.

The reply was on the order of---
Due to the fact that at the BW Bakery they have to take the mug out of your sight because the machine is not in a location where you can refill yourself or see them it had to be policy for "sanitary reasons".
At that time it was the only place that I had experienced it. More recently it was an issue at beaches n cream (at BCV) as well - again because they have to refill it not you.

Most refillable mug stations allow you to do it yourself and apparently places that don't have this other policy.

What we came up with is that it isn't so much to protect you (the mug holder) as they try to make it sound BUT consider this... the germs introduced and possibly spread could be where the issue lies. By handing over the mug to a food service worker whose hands should be "clean" and they should be working in a "sanitary" area can "contaminate" the area. Just by taking your mug they would introduce the mug holder's germs and wherever that mug has been germs to their hands and the area they are working in. (Machines may also have the "paddle" fill system that you must push the paddle near the mugs lip/rim as opposed to the push button from on top.)
Same reason that those that will refill won't take off your mug's top or remove a straw from your cup. Similarly, those who prepare the food usually don't take the money, etc.
It is not (by far) a perfect system and we asked them to please figure something else out since it seems so counter to the reduce waste and recycling issues that Disney should be striving for as well.

That was 4 or 5 years ago - sadly not much has changed about the situation.

 

[Fantasmic303]

I guess we're in the minority here, but I actually prefer the policy at BWV. We like being able to get our morning coffee and leave the mugs in the room, just throwing out the cups when we're done with them. It also makes it easier for us to not care about who is using whose mug (which can cause some wars, lol), and we don't have to worry about washing out the stale coffee taste to fill it up with some root beer at the end of the night, or vice versa.

I'd much prefer the disposable cups...it's just easier for us, cause then even when I choose to carry the mugs with us to the parks (so that we can stop for refills on the way back), I don't have to worry about leaking leftovers. We've used mugs at other resorts, and even when I think someone has drunk it dry, there always seems to be enough hot cocoa left in the mug to make a mess when we're too excited to stop and clean it out before throwing it into the bag. Maybe they should give you the option - refillable service station, but also give you the option of disposable cups if you don't use the self-serve?

 

[jworkkul]

Also, since the BW/BWV allow other people around their area there is really no private place to install a self-filling station for soda, etc. If they did this then everyone that is visiting the Boardwalk would want to fill up some type of cup with soda. Remember, the BW/BWV are not regulated like the other resorts are. Usually with the other resorts you only have the people that are staying there at their eatery places. But at the BW/BWV you can have many people other than people staying there that are visiting.

 

[granmanh603]

Also, since the BW/BWV allow other people around their area there is really no private place to install a self-filling station for soda, etc. If they did this then everyone that is visiting the Boardwalk would want to fill up some type of cup with soda. Remember, the BW/BWV are not regulated like the other resorts are. Usually with the other resorts you only have the people that are staying there at their eatery places. But at the BW/BWV you can have many people other than people staying there that are visiting.

Obviously you have not been observant at other resort filling stations, on last visit I I saw a group of 25 cheerleading/dancing type girls refill mugs that were not that years refill mug, I saw people refilling soda, juice bottles and even a 1/2 gallon plastic pitcher and tea/coffee in a thermos. When I was there last March I saw more people refilling other containers more than the new(at that time red/black) refillable mugs.

 

[rutgers1]

I think a compromise would be to simply have people buy a drink card. You could flash your card and get a free drink. That would make it so that you don't have to carry around your empty mug everywhere.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I guess we're in the minority here, but I actually prefer the policy at BWV. We like being able to get our morning coffee and leave the mugs in the room, just throwing out the cups when we're done with them. It also makes it easier for us to not care about who is using whose mug (which can cause some wars, lol), and we don't have to worry about washing out the stale coffee taste to fill it up with some root beer at the end of the night, or vice versa.

So what am I missing? They will give you a 'free' drink in a paper cup even if you do not have the refillable mug with you? What do they do? Just check your room key to make sure you purchased the dining plan?

 

[we3are1]

Is there somewhere that tells you all the places you can get your refillable mug refilled? We are staying at PC so I know I can get the refilled there but can I get it refilled anywhere else? Any park locations?

Wendy in VA

 

[bluenosemickey]

I was wondering that too?? What if you are not on dining plan but purchased the mug separately?

Maybe you could just show your receipt instead of lugging a mug that you don't need with you??

 

[twinklebug]

I think a compromise would be to simply have people buy a drink card. You could flash your card and get a free drink. That would make it so that you don't have to carry around your empty mug everywhere.

They wouldn't have my business if that were the case. I only use the mug at the resort and it is our souvenir of the stay.

Although I know a few folk do, overall not many people carry their empty mug to the park - if they tip, they leak! Water bottles are far superior. Now, if they were to make a sports canister version of the refillable mug, I might be interested in bringing it with me.

 

[brp]

I'd much prefer the disposable cups...it's just easier for us, cause then even when I choose to carry the mugs with us to the parks (so that we can stop for refills on the way back), I don't have to worry about leaking leftovers. We've used mugs at other resorts, and even when I think someone has drunk it dry, there always seems to be enough hot cocoa left in the mug to make a mess when we're too excited to stop and clean it out before throwing it into the bag. Maybe they should give you the option - refillable service station, but also give you the option of disposable cups if you don't use the self-serve?

A disadvantage of the disposable cup option is that it generates a lot of waste. The refillable cup is also reusable,of course, and avoids the waste of paper and generation of additional trash.

Cheers.

 

[DVCconvert]

rutgers1 said:

Refillable mugs that can't be refilled?

BUT, from what you've said, they ARE refilled, simply not in a manner or fashion that you expected????

 

[podsnel]

I think a compromise would be to simply have people buy a drink card. You could flash your card and get a free drink. That would make it so that you don't have to carry around your empty mug everywhere.

This sounds like a great idea- but I think the reason it is not their policy is probably because you can't tell when a card has been filled a minute ago and not drunk yet- but with a mug, you can tell.

We stayed at BWV in Nov just to make sure we really wanted to add on at BCV- we thought BWV was GORGEOUS, in every way, from the Lobby to the bathrooms (!) but the mug refill thing was a put-off for us. Couldn't understand why there was no self-serve, it is SUCH a plus!!!! Still hope to visit in our future, though- hopefully after they see the wisdom in self-serve bev stations at BWV!

 

[jworkkul]

Obviously you have not been observant at other resort filling stations, on last visit I I saw a group of 25 cheerleading/dancing type girls refill mugs that were not that years refill mug, I saw people refilling soda, juice bottles and even a 1/2 gallon plastic pitcher and tea/coffee in a thermos. When I was there last March I saw more people refilling other containers more than the new(at that time red/black) refillable mugs.

I have been down there many more times than you can count probably and know about refillable mugs. But, look at the people you say is filling up on sodas from some other type of holder other than a cup. They are all staying in that resort. As for the BW/BWV--you get a lot more than people just staying there. People come to the Boardwalk for the atmosphere, restaurants, ESPN club, Atlantic Dance Hall, Jelly Rolls, etc. and they are not staying at that resort. So, making a self-serve filling station would be out of the question there. And I think I am very observant of what is going on around where I choose to stay, thank you.

 

[Fantasmic303]

So what am I missing? They will give you a 'free' drink in a paper cup even if you do not have the refillable mug with you? What do they do? Just check your room key to make sure you purchased the dining plan?

No, you just show them your mug(s), and instead of refilling them, they'll give you the paper cups. I walk into the bakery, hold up two mugs, ask for two coffees, and I get two cups of hot coffee in regular insulated cups instead of the mugs.

Like I said, we're obviously in the minority, but I stand by my opinion. I wouldn't mind having the refills noted on some sort of card though - that seems like a good idea.