Refillable Mugs

[packy]

I haven't made the reservations yet, but we have refillable mugs from the GF, Poly and BC and we plan to go to one of the three in August. We keep them in a safe ( actually the top shelf in the kitchen) and we plan to use them again. I have heard on these boards that you can't use them again on a second visit. On the other hand, the last time we were there (Aug 2001) the hotel staff said you can use them for life. We plan on using them again, so if you have any facts or opinions on this, please let us know.

 

[freediverdude]

Oh no! Not this again! I am NOT even going there. If you knew how much of a debate there has been on this issue, you wouldn't be going there either. My advice would be to go with your own personal experiences on this issue LOL.

 

[magicmouse2]

When were at POR there were people using ordinary soda cups and even blizzard beach cups to refill their drinks. I personally did not approve of this, not because we bought 4 refillable mugs ourselves, but because it may cause Disney to scrap the system, and spoil things for honest people who buy the mugs. My thoughts were if you can afford to stay at a moderate, surely you can afford to buy the mugs.

As for re-using them, If I returned to the same resort within a six month period, I would re-use my mugs. I think they should bring out a new design each January so that you can only use that style mug for that year. (just my opinion)

 

[Geoff_M]

"The Great Mug Debate" often erupts here and takes on the tone of a heated theological debate. I'll try and summarize the camps and their views so everyone can save a lot of typing...

1) The Official Policy Group
The official policy, anytime anyone writes WDW, is "one mug, one resort (excluding sisters), one visit". Signs are also appearing in food courts around WDW that state this. Members of this group (me inclued), know that in practice food court CMs rarely enforce this policy and often contradict this policy* when asked about it by guests (sometimes even when the official policy is posted on a sign only a few feet away). They feel the CMs simply have thrown in the towel and don't have the resources to police the soft drink lines. This is why you may see someone using a 7-11 "Big Gulp" cup unmolested by CMs who witness the obvious abuse.

This group adheres to... the official policy.

* Update: A recent DIS poster added a new one... A CM told her mom that ANY Disney mug was OK to use at her resort.

2) The "But the CM told me..." Group
This group was told by a CM when they purchased their mugs that the mugs were (pick one or both):
a) Good for life.
b) Good at any resort.
They feel that official policy, or not, what the CM told them is what matters. They say either WDW unfairly changed the rules on them after they bought the mugs, or they wouldn't have bought the mugs if the CM hadn't given them bad information. They generally feel like a "wronged" party in the debates when people cut-n-paste the responses from WDW, and advocate continued use of their old mugs until actively prevented from doing so by CMs. The fact that most of them have long since recouped the costs of their mugs in savings from free re-fills doesn't impact their feelings.

Whether or not the current official policy is a change from the past is another side debate. Some recall the policy has been consistent, but enforcement has steadily dropped off, others claim the original policy was "for life".

3) The "I give WDW a ton of my hard earned money" Group
This group, the smallest of the three, feels that it's no skin off of Disney's back if they reuse the mugs again, and again... policy or not. They cite things like the high prices of everything at WDW, the rumor that Coke gives WDW syrup for free, etc. etc. as their basis for their actions. They may also borrow mugs from friends, or buy them off of eBay, or use their Big Gulp mugs for their trips to WDW.

 

[peachgirl]

Geoff_M....

Thanks for the timesaver!

Instead of droning on and on I can just say that I'm a card carrying member of camp #2.

If I were you, I would toss out the opinions of total strangers and go with what you were told by the people who are "supposed" to know what the rules are.

Of course, if you throw out the opinions of total strangers, my advice gets tossed as well.....kinda of a catch 22 huh?

 

[Geoff_M]

Peachgirl,

I appreciate where you're coming from, but the people that are supposed to "know" tell people a variety of things. Ask 10 CMs the question... and you'll get 3 or 4 different answers. So which one do you pick from? Is it whatever the last CM you asked told you? Is it what the sign in the food court says? etc....

On a side note... I hope the weather cooperates for the both of us next month!

 

[Padme]

Do they have just water or seltzer water at the soda stations? At most fast food restaurants you have the option of just filling with those and was wondering if Disney's machines were set up the same way or if they don't have that to force you to buy the expensive bottled water.
We drink a lot of water but it's nicer to be able to get it fresh with ice from the machines.

 

[peachgirl]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
Peachgirl,

I appreciate where you're coming from, but the people that are supposed to "know" tell people a variety of things. Ask 10 CMs the question... and you'll get 3 or 4 different answers. So which one do you pick from? Is it whatever the last CM you asked told you? Is it what the sign in the food court says? etc....

On a side note... I hope the weather cooperates for the both of us next month!

I agree, CM answers can vary a bit from time to time. Is that the understatement of the year, or what????

In the case of the mug issue...The signs are there and since I never asked and was never told anything regarding them, I follow the rules posted on the signs.

For me, I think the whole issue is a little silly. Even if I had been told at one time I could use the mugs forever, once I read the sign saying I couldn't, I wouldn't do it anymore. I guess if re-using mugs is that important to someone, they should talk to the powers that be at WDW and ask why they were told it was good for a lifetime, yet the signs say they aren't. At that point, if they're told to re-use them, I say fill away!!!

For me, a mug of orange soda isn't important enough to spend vacation time getting a clarification on whether I get it for free or not.

So much for me not droning on and on....

Let's both hope for nice weather next month! Our December trip was wonderful, but I've experienced enough rain at WDW to last me a a lifetime!

 

[LT Hambone]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
I appreciate where you're coming from, but the people that are supposed to "know" tell people a variety of things. Ask 10 CMs the question... and you'll get 3 or 4 different answers. So which one do you pick from? Is it whatever the last CM you asked told you? Is it what the sign in the food court says? etc....

Kudos!

You have hit the nail squarely on the head!

I would also add that the same 10 CMs would enforce the policy 10 different ways! Thus the reason why this debate will last longer the Ruben from American Idol.....

 

[AMClvsMKY]

I buy a new mug each visit but we have also seen people using mugs from other resorts.

We are going to AKL this Friday and plan to purchase their mugs, does anyone know what they look like? I have found other resorts mugs pictures but not AKL.

 

[Tracie]

I stand in the camp that buys a new mug everytime, same resort or not, because I could never remember to bring an old mug!