Refillable Mugs

[*Robin*]

I've been away for months and months and one of the first things I see is a refillable mug question...

And even on the rumors board...

LOL...It's good to be back!

 

[frannn]

I'm not looking to reuse last year's. Our DXDP comes with them. I was just hoping they'd be nicer than last year.

 

[doconeill]

I'm pretty sure this WASN'T on the Rumors and News board before...and it really doesn't belong there anyways. Not sure why it was moved.

 

[Modeltrf]

I'm not looking to reuse last year's. Our DXDP comes with them. I was just hoping they'd be nicer than last year.

Sorry to bring you bad news. They are the same as last year!

 

[Froggie Gurl]

We have so many, I'm not even sure which ones belong to which year!

 

[ntsammy5]

Sorry to bring you bad news. They are the same as last year!

Sorry they're not the same - the YOAMD mugs are retired now.....

 

[mathgeek]

Sorry they're not the same - the YOAMD mugs are retired now.....

Correct. Here's a link to a picture of the new Celebration themed mugs. They started being sold at the resorts in February.

http://www.disunplugged.com/2009/02/11/new-walt-disney-world-resort-mugs/

 

[disney*mom*82]

When my In Laws bought their mugs in 1997 they were told that they could use those mugs for the lifetime of the mug, but only at that resort. They continue to bring them there each year. We too were told the same thing when we purchased out POR mugs and we reuse them too.
Like someone else pointed out, fountain soda costs pennies per cup if that. I dont know 100% what their intentions were with the mugs, but they do not seem to care if you do not purchase a mug each and every trip. No reason any one on here should care what others do. If you wish to buy new ones each time our use one from a previous trip, whatever works for you and your family.

 

[skier_pete]

When my In Laws bought their mugs in 1997 they were told that they could use those mugs for the lifetime of the mug, but only at that resort. They continue to bring them there each year. We too were told the same thing when we purchased out POR mugs and we reuse them too.
Like someone else pointed out, fountain soda costs pennies per cup if that. I dont know 100% what their intentions were with the mugs, but they do not seem to care if you do not purchase a mug each and every trip. No reason any one on here should care what others do. If you wish to buy new ones each time our use one from a previous trip, whatever works for you and your family.

This USED to be true, resort mugs used to be good for the lifetime of the mug...so if you are using one of those, you are doing nothing wrong.

SkierPete

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Actually WDW does not pay at all for the syrup for their drink machines because they get it 100% free from Coca Cola and in return they give Coca Cola free advertisment all around Walt Disney World. That was confirmed by several Cast Members when I asked them about the mugs.

 

[doconeill]

Actually WDW does not pay at all for the syrup for their drink machines because they get it 100% free from Coca Cola and in return they give Coca Cola free advertisment all around Walt Disney World. That was confirmed by several Cast Members when I asked them about the mugs.

I've heard that claim before, but I've been skeptical that it is completely free. I'm sure its far less than retail though.

Unless Coke gets a share on the huge markup on the bottles sold at the parks, etc. then they might get the syrup for free.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I've heard that claim before, but I've been skeptical that it is completely free. I'm sure its far less than retail though.

Unless Coke gets a share on the huge markup on the bottles sold at the parks, etc. then they might get the syrup for free.

Well since more then one Cast Member told me the same answer I would believe that it's free, because with a topic like this we usually get so many different anwers. Also I would not be surprised if Coca Cola did get a share of the profits made on drinks being sold all around WDW.

 

[MountNittany]

Hey, if Disney only licenses you to use it for your stay, why would you use it any time else? They are just making good business.

 

[brittanyherndon]

I absolutely hate buying a new refillable mug for every single visit to Disney World. Since Disney is pushing "the environment" so much these days, me buying a new mug for every visit is counterproductive. I would appreciate it if Disney would "sell" a sticker to place on my existing mug that gives the dates of my current visit instead.

I am totally with you

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Hey, if Disney only licenses you to use it for your stay, why would you use it any time else? They are just making good business.

One Cast Member told me the reason WDW puts these rules on the mugs saying they are good that trip you purchase them is so you purchase them on your next vacation, when the reality is no one in WDW managment cares if you bring back an old mug. So in the end WDW is making even more money of this "rule" and that is the reason behind it.

 

[MountNittany]

One Cast Member told me the reason WDW puts these rules on the mugs saying they are good that trip you purchase them is you purchase them on your next vacation, when the reality is no one in WDW managment cares if you bring back an old mug. So in the end WDW is making even more money of that "rule."

Exactly, that is how they are making money. That's my point, they are running a business.

 

[dioxide45]

Refillable mugs are the single greatest invention that Disney has made. It's such a great deal!!!

Great deal? For a family of four at $12 a crack that is $48. I can buy an awful lot of cases of soda and water for that. Now if you are comparing it to a la carte sodas it can save you money.

 

[dioxide45]

If you are still using a ten year old mug that is good for the lifetime of the mug, that is gross. The coating chips off, they stain depending on what is stored in them and it is not real easy to get the lids real clean with the closing mechanism.

I actually heard that they plan to start putting bar codes on the mugs. The bar code will be tied to the dates of your stay. When you put the mug up to the fountain it will read the bar code and dispense the beverage if it is a valid bar code. If it is expired, no drink for you unless you take it to the register and pay the fee to re-register the mug. The only exception will be water and and diet caffeine free Coke where it will still be dispensed regardless of the mug.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I actually heard that they plan to start putting bar codes on the mugs. The bar code will be tied to the dates of your stay. When you put the mug up to the fountain it will read the bar code and dispense the beverage if it is a valid bar code. If it is expired, no drink for you unless you take it to the register and pay the fee to re-register the mug. The only exception will be water and and diet caffeine free Coke where it will still be dispensed regardless of the mug.

I doubt that will ever happen because it was rumoured back in 2001 when it was announced that they were doing it for the water park mugs, so everyone thought the same thing would happen at the resorts and it never did.

 

[doconeill]

If you are still using a ten year old mug that is good for the lifetime of the mug, that is gross. The coating chips off, they stain depending on what is stored in them and it is not real easy to get the lids real clean with the closing mechanism.

The inside of the mug, up to and including the rim (at least on the recent models), is a solid piece of plastic and is not coated, so there should be little concern about chipping off and contaminating the drink itself.

As far as the rest, that depends on the level of care. We've got some old mugs of very similar design that are still perfectly fine (although the outside images have worn off).

I actually heard that they plan to start putting bar codes on the mugs. The bar code will be tied to the dates of your stay. When you put the mug up to the fountain it will read the bar code and dispense the beverage if it is a valid bar code. If it is expired, no drink for you unless you take it to the register and pay the fee to re-register the mug. The only exception will be water and and diet caffeine free Coke where it will still be dispensed regardless of the mug.

I doubt that will ever happen because it was rumoured back in 2001 when it was announced that they were doing it for the water park mugs, so everyone thought the same thing would happen at the resorts and it never did.

I thought I heard of them trying that a lot more recently, but it still didn't take. The expense of such systems is high, including someone qualified and on-duty to deal with it and its problems at each location, and the return is questionable when compared to the cost of what it is you are trying to protect. The big question is would it actually increase mug sales from "repeat buyers" who otherwise aren't buying them, to a high enough level to cover all the costs?