Refillable Souvenir Cups

[doug46]

I searched for this question, but could not find it. Therefore, if it has been asked before, I appologize. We stayed at All Star Movies about four years ago. We purchased the cups that you could refill at the resort as often as you wanted. We are going to being staying at Caribbean Beach next week. Can we refill these same cups at the food court at Caribbean Beach? Or do they only work at the resort at which they were purchased? We were told when we bought them they could be refilled forever (or as long as we had them). Is that true? Can you still use them four years later?

 

[AmandaJayne]

They say your only suppose to use the cup that you purchased only at the resort your staying at. However when we were staying at the movies we saw, more than once, cups from other resorts. None of the cm's either seemed to care, or hadn't taken notice.

 

[Trekker]

This can be a very "hot" topic on these boards, but basically Disney has put rules in place stating that the refillable mugs may be used at the resort they were purchased at for the length of that stay.


Moderator Note:
Please folks do not turn this into a debate or discussion on the morals of the subject.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

This can be a very "hot" topic on these boards, but basically Disney has put rules in place stating that the refillable mugs may be used at the resort they were purchased at for the length of that stay.


Is that a policy change? When we bought ours at Coronado in 2003, they told us we could bring them back on future trips, that it was an incentive to stay on-site for future trips. If the DDP is free again this fall, CSR was a top choice so we could re-use our mugs!

 

[doug46]

I am new to these boards and certainly did not mean to spark any moral debate. We were told when we bought them (several years ago) that you could bring them back everytime you returned and use them. Friends who just returned said they thought they could only be refilled for the duration of their stay. They suggestd I pose the question on these boards to see what the WDW policy is. I just wanted to know if it was worth lugging them all the way back to Florida.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I am new to these boards and certainly did not mean to spark any moral debate. We were told when we bought them (several years ago) that you could bring them back everytime you returned and use them. Friends who just returned said they thought they could only be refilled for the duration of their stay. They suggestd I pose the question on these boards to see what the WDW policy is. I just wanted to know if it was worth lugging them all the way back to Florida.

Don't worry about it, its an innocent question and hopefully the thread will remain innocent too! The moderators just have to watch out that we all stay nice to each other so thats why the warning was issued, not to you but to anyone who might feel the need to stray from answering your very logical question. Now, does is say anywhere on your mug something about it being good forever? I seem to recall someone with a very old mug that said it was good forever. If yours says that then that might make a difference but only if you were returning to the same resort. To let you know, the mugs currently cost $11.99. Since sodas at the resorts run around $2.50 each, you can make your money after only four refills. I have mugs from all the resorts we have stayed at, we drink from them all the time at home belive it or not! So they also make a nice souveneir to use later. And while at WDW , I fill up my new mug with some diet coke and top it off with a splash of Malibu Rum to enjoy while the kids swim! Have a great trip to WDW!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We had some muggs during the fill for life signs. The only problem is that there was never nothing in writing that you could keep or it wasn't written on the mug.

This puts the Newer CMs (as most didn't work when they offered this ) in a tough spot as they have never heard of it. They only know the current that states good for stay only right on the mug. I guess they did this to ensure it couldn't be questioned in the future.

 

[MikeS.]

When we bought ours last year we were told they were good for that resort that stay.

Diet Coke and coconut rum That is my favorite drink, although I buy Cap't Morgan's coconut rum. I like the pirate theme

 

[newholidayx2]

When we stayed at the WL in 2001 we were told the mugs are refillable for life.
when we stayed at PO/FQ in 2002 we bought new mugs
When we stayed at the BCV in 2004 we bought new mugs
When we stayed at the BWV in 2005 we bought new mugs
DH had a mug from AllStarMusic from 1996

Whenever our stays are more than 2/3 nights (over a wknd to save DVC points) and at a different resort we buy new mugs.

Yes we have seen ppl using Blizzard Beach mugs at the BC. Yes we bring back mugs if we're staying at the same resorts. Yes we sometimes bring back 2/3 sets! Even if not staying at the WL I bring that mug back as its easier to drink from than the 1/2yard from Rose & Crown!

 

[kaysmommie]

Even if they were refillable for life, it would be used at ASMU and not Caribbean beach resort. You will need new mugs at a new resort. They no longer sell mugs for lifetime refills as we bought them from WL and when we came back to WL we were required to get new mugs if we wanted them. Our original ones were supposed to but refills on future trips to that resort. i guess it depends on which CM you ask.

 

[doug46]

Thanks everyone. Amy&Dan make a grat point. The cost of the mug is made up pretty quickly if you drink soda as much as I do. We are there for four days before we start our Disney Cruise. For such a short time, I thought I would take our old mugs if it was allowed. I think the consensus here, and I agree with it, is that even if told they were refillable for life, that was at a different resort. Also, as someone mentioned, I am sure the CMs that are there today were not there four years ago and liklely are not aware of what people might have been told at that time. The old mugs will be retired, long live the new mugs (or at least for the four days we are there). Thanks again.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We bought our first mugs in 1997 and were told on that trip that they were to be used only for that trip at that resort. There always has been signage at the mug location that they were good only for the lenght of that trip. In the past few years, they have added the information to the mug that it was good for that trip only at that resort.

 

[minnie61650]

Here is the official policy from this website:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...urantDiningPage


Resort Refillable Mugs are sold in all Walt Disney World® Resort hotels, and can be used at the restaurant where it was purchased, for the entire duration of the current visit. Each location offers soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, hot and iced tea.
Here is a photo of a sign at Pop which spells out the rules of the refill mug:

--------------------------------------------------------

Here are some articles and some of my thoughts on why I think Disney does care about some guests who know the offical policy and are choosing not to follow the policy anyway.--.

------------------------------------------------
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.

__________________________________________
The article was written June 2002 when the new BB and TL mugs were being tested..
It makes me aware that Disney is concerned that some guests are not following policy and when it becomes cost effective they will most likely install this system or something similar. JMHO

I think Disney does not want to embarrass guests who are not following rules.

They sometimes use other ways to enforce their rules.

That is why we have 3 hour parking passes for dining at other resorts,
finger scanning to get in parks (no ticket sharing)
Wrist bands for SAB
Wrist bands for EMH, MNSSHP, and MVMCP
Barcodes for TL and BB mugs



----------------------------------------------------------------
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]

----------------------------------------------------------------

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.
info and discussion here
------------------------------------------
Yes, to my understanding it has not yet been installed.
But it was on the drawing boards.
Maybe they are waiting for better technology that will make it more cost effective. I don't know.

Bioscans for AP holders were used for a number of years before Disney decided to use them for all (with a few exceptions i.e. ...some in WC/ECV's etc.)of their ticketed guests.
The TL and BB mugs have been using the Barcode stickers for a couple years.

Since Disney already has the technology for a 1 day sticker for mugs I fear that if the mug abuses continue Diney may decide it is worth the hastle to sell 1 day stickers at their resorts for maybe $2.75 or $3.00 day. I for one would not enjoy having to buy a sticker every day. I enjoy just needing to buy a new mug each trip.

But I would not be surprised if someday in the near future Disney does have daily barcodes or stickers or something else in place to enforce their refillable mug policy.

JMHO


Have fun at Disney!

 

[NewJersey]

Does anyone know where the refillable mugs are sold/refilled at BC?

 

[simonkodousek]

Since I love hot chocolate, coffee, iced tea, tea, and soda, I'll definately be purchasing a mug the second I walk into AKL. Literally, I could drink diet sodas all day.

 

[Wendy1953]

First, the rules on these refillable cups has been the same for a number of years now....Free refills in the resort where it was bought, for your current stay.

Second, BC refillable mugs can be purchased in the Beach Club store, where they can be refilled!

I was at OKW in February, after our cruise, and they had "new" mugs (I was there in Oct/Nov 2006) that actually state OKW Fall 2006 on them. When I questioned the CM at Good's to Go about these cups, and the fact that I was there in the fall of 2006 and the mug I purchased was different, she said they ordered them for the Fall but they arrived late.

I guess they are going to change the mugs at different times throughout the year, so that it will be more noticeable when people try to cheat the system.

As another poster said, one cup of coffee(soda, iced tea, cocoa) costs around $2.75....if you are there for only 1 day, and only drink 1 cup of liquid it would not be cost effective for you to buy this mug...except that you would have a souvenir that costs $8.00. If you are like me and stay at least 4 days, and also fill the mug in the am with 2 cups of coffee, afternoon with iced tea, and then again in the evening with lemonade...I get my money's worth for the mug in one day, have a free souvenir, and get to drink for the other 3 days for nothing! So I feel, buying a new mug everytime I go to be worth the price, and also the right thing to do!

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

Thanks everyone. Amy&Dan make a grat point. The cost of the mug is made up pretty quickly if you drink soda as much as I do. We are there for four days before we start our Disney Cruise. For such a short time, I thought I would take our old mugs if it was allowed. I think the consensus here, and I agree with it, is that even if told they were refillable for life, that was at a different resort. Also, as someone mentioned, I am sure the CMs that are there today were not there four years ago and liklely are not aware of what people might have been told at that time. The old mugs will be retired, long live the new mugs (or at least for the four days we are there). Thanks again.

I have done this before. In 2004 we did a land/sea package. We bought the mugs for while we were at the resort and used them frequently. Then when we got to the ship the cups at the free soda stations were so small we were walking to deck 9 all the time. So we took out our mugs from the resort and used them. It made for less trips. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks everyone. Amy&Dan make a grat point. The cost of the mug is made up pretty quickly if you drink soda as much as I do. We are there for four days before we start our Disney Cruise. For such a short time, I thought I would take our old mugs if it was allowed. I think the consensus here, and I agree with it, is that even if told they were refillable for life, that was at a different resort. Also, as someone mentioned, I am sure the CMs that are there today were not there four years ago and liklely are not aware of what people might have been told at that time. The old mugs will be retired, long live the new mugs (or at least for the four days we are there). Thanks again.

And since the soda on the cruise is free (up on Deck 9 where the Mickey and Goofy pools are is a soda station), you can take those mugs with you to use on the ship! We did that with our Coronado Springs mugs since the cups they give you for free soda are just the regular paper cups. I saw WDW resort mugs of all kinds being used since they are insulated and keep drinks colder longer. They also have refillable souveneir mugs on the ship you can buy to use. Have a great trip to WDW and the DCL!