Refillable mugs

[msminniemouse]

Are the mugs now generic and can be used at any resort, or are they specific to the resort you are staying in?

 

[wdwrich]

We don't buy or use the refillable mugs, but from what I've seen on these boards, at least *most* of the resorts use the generic version now. That being the case, how would anyone be able to track which resort the mug is from, and how could one be prevented from using it at another participating resort?
I know that this tends to be a hot topic here, so let me get one thing straight- If we were to ever buy the mugs, we would follow whatever rules are communicated to us at the time of purchase.

 

[msminniemouse]

Does anyone ever use old mugs from a previous visit?

 

[disneyfan55]

When the mugs were first introduced, they were supposed to be good forever inthe particular resort that you purchased them in. At times, you will see the old mugs used by some (as well as any type of mug) Now they are for the length of stay. They are all the same with the exception of CSR. They are a Year of a Million Dreams cups without a date.

 

[goofy4tink]

Waaay back in '99, when we had our first trip to WDW, we were at DxL. We bought 3 mugs, and it was stated that those mugs were good for any and all stays at DxL...forever and ever.
But, when we returned, in '01 and were at POR (still can't believe they changed the name!!), we got the 'new' mugs that were good only for that particular stay, at POR.
On each WDW visit, we bought new mugs from the resorts we stayed at. We now have close to 20 of the dang things.
Now....in '07, they changed to the generic YOAMD style. My mugs, bought in '07/'08 both say that the mug is good at the resort beverage stations for the duration of the stay it was purchased in. It is my belief that the mugs are good at any resort, but only for that particular stay. It's a great thing for those of us who do 'split-stays'..no need to buy two mugs because we'll be at two resorts. Just have to buy the one mug, and can use it at all the resorts.

 

[minnie61650]

When the mugs were first introduced, they were supposed to be good forever inthe particular resort that you purchased them in. ......

The CM's also told me that the mugs were good forever at the resort they were puchased.
But I really think a lot of CM's were misinformed and gave out the wrong info.


I have serched the internet many times over looking for PROOF that Disney did in fact have a lifetime refillable mug at one time . I did not find any articles to back up the claims of a lifetime refillable mug.
I did find a photoshop photo of this PRETEND one:

Here are some articles I did find that were written in 2002 and back up the claim that the Disney resort refillable mugs were never lifetime refillable mugs.



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From this Mouseplanet.com websiteJune,2002:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/mike/ref...icy_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.

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Here is another article written in June 2002:

http://www.theshiftedlibrarian.com/2002/06/24.html

Disney Mug Holders, Beware

"The new system of computerized monitoring of fountain refills being experimented with at Typhoon Lagoon could tighten a rather loose policy at Disney's resorts. They sell 16-ounce souvenir mugs for $9.99.

Guests may refill them at resort snack bars unlimited times with soda, coffee or tea for the length of their stay. Cashiers sell the mugs and then are supposed to keep a watchful eye as guests get their own refills.

But some Disney World employees and regular guests say they take the mugs on repeat visits to the snack bars and fill up -- basically a lifetime of free drinks for one purchase. They are occasionally offered on eBay and at garage sales, testimony to their timeless value.

Cashiers say the mugs' designs aren't changed enough for them to spot old ones. But the new system being tried at Typhoon Lagoon employs a bar code that's read electronically at the drink dispenser and recognizes old mugs." [Orlando Sentinel, via Boing Boing]

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And another from June 2002:

From this website:

http://www.intercot.com/news/2002/june.asp

News Archive - June 2002

June 27, 2002


Refillable Mug Policy Tightening?
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney is experimenting with a new computerized barcode system to be used in tandem with it's refillable mug program offered at their resorts. The program allows guests to buy a mug for each person in their party which then can be used for unlimited drink refills during their stay. The policy change could come as a result of Guests taking the mugs on repeat visits to Disney World to fill up on what becomes basically a lifetime of free drinks for one purchase.

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Just my 2 cents.

 

[tgropp]

While we stayed at the WL during either our 94 or 96 visits, we were pursued by a cast member in the Roaring Forks about buying a mug that would be good for ALL future visits to the lodge. I don't really know why the about face and I only used them on two repeat visits, then I started buying new ones. I am not trying to prolong a debate here, just recalling the facts and I have no problem buying new cups every visit since it is truly a great deal

 

[canron]

iv been useing my mug for 11 years from allstar sports ..tons of people do it..i see it every trip 3 times a year ..but people get upset when you talk about it..so donnt say anything out here

 

[minnie61650]

iv been useing my mug for 11 years from allstar sports ..tons of people do it..i see it every trip 3 times a year ..but people get upset when you talk about it..so donnt say anything out here

Wow 6 years went by fast for you.
This was posted on 5/16/07 on this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18692020#post18692020&highlight=

iv been useing my mugs for 5 years now..using them starting..this friday..again..

 

[canron]

just keep useing it it donnt matter ...just enjoy it

 

[safetymom]

Disney states that the mugs are good for the length of stay in which you purchased them.