No more free drinks at All Star Sports Resort

[Brewer]

But there lies the problem Master Yoda - providing you have the proper cup.

By putting authority on the room key you take the cup completley out of the equation.

 

[Master Yoda]

But there lies the problem Master Yoda - providing you have the proper cup.

By putting authority on the room key you take the cup completley out of the equation.

Not really. All it would do is make a simple process complicated and people will still go up to a soda machine and try to get soda out of it without the proper access. Like I stated earlier this is a test. The machine design will get tweaked to make it thirsty barbarian resistant. I also see some additional signage stating that the machines will only work with the proper cups in their future as well.

 

[ddbowdoin]

guess they had to do something... I watched a father buy a mug and then walk over to the machine and fill his mug and then transfer the soda from his mug to each of his four kids water bottles... which is essense stealing

 

[Kamikaze]

guess they had to do something... I watched a father buy a mug and then walk over to the machine and fill his mug and then transfer the soda from his mug to each of his four kids water bottles... which is essense stealing

Actually, that is not. The mug is 'unlimited refills for the length of stay'. Nowhere does it say you can't transfer the drink into another mug and refill again. As long as you're using the mug to get the drink from the dispenser, there isn't any stealing going on. Is it morally gray at the very least? Sure. But thats all.

 

[WDWmazprty]

guess they had to do something... I watched a father buy a mug and then walk over to the machine and fill his mug and then transfer the soda from his mug to each of his four kids water bottles... which is essense stealing

Actually, that is not. The mug is 'unlimited refills for the length of stay'. Nowhere does it say you can't transfer the drink into another mug and refill again. As long as you're using the mug to get the drink from the dispenser, there isn't any stealing going on. Is it morally gray at the very least? Sure. But thats all.

Well, some would say that once you get the soda, its YOUR soda, you can do what you want with it, therefore, it shouldn't be stealing. :shrug:

 

[rsoxguy]

thirsty barbarian

This would be a great name for a football team.

 

[WDWmazprty]

This would be a great name for a football team.

Or a new Food Network or Travel Channel show....:lol:

 

[GrumpyFan]

I also see some additional signage stating that the machines will only work with the proper cups in their future as well.

Then the only problem will be getting people to pay attention to and read the signs.

On a related note, I watched the demo of these machines, and some of them have audio and video prompts on them to tell the customer what to do. The demo I saw, the machines with this was very informative, and you would have to be either deaf, dumb or completely illiterate to not be able to understand it. Makes me wonder if they chose not to install the machines with this on them.

Also, with the arm breakage issue, makes me wonder why they chose to use these type machines as opposed to the ones with the push button. I guess that's why this is just a test.

 

[Kamikaze]

Then the only problem will be getting people to pay attention to and read the signs.

On a related note, I watched the demo of these machines, and some of them have audio and video prompts on them to tell the customer what to do. The demo I saw, the machines with this was very informative, and you would have to be either deaf, dumb or completely illiterate to not be able to understand it. Makes me wonder if they chose not to install the machines with this on them.

Keep in mind that this is a test, probably with test machines. When the rollout happens, I would figure that much more will be done to help guests use the system.

 

[Master Yoda]

Then the only problem will be getting people to pay attention to and read the signs.

On a related note, I watched the demo of these machines, and some of them have audio and video prompts on them to tell the customer what to do. The demo I saw, the machines with this was very informative, and you would have to be either deaf, dumb or completely illiterate to not be able to understand it. Makes me wonder if they chose not to install the machines with this on them.

Also, with the arm breakage issue, makes me wonder why they chose to use these type machines as opposed to the ones with the push button. I guess that's why this is just a test.

Quite true. Personally, I am all for a cartoon style boxing glove to come flying out of the machine when someone tries to use an old cup, but I am fairly certain that Disney legal won't go for it.:lol:

 

[pianoman]

Also, with the arm breakage issue, makes me wonder why they chose to use these type machines as opposed to the ones with the push button. I guess that's why this is just a test.

I read somewhere (can't remember where now) that Disney had hygiene/food safety concerns with the mugs being placed directly on the tray for filling so they had ValidFill design the arms instead. However, I seem to remember the old design (pre-RFID) allowed you to set your mug directly on the tray. Wonder what's different?

 

[Glasgow]

Well, some would say that once you get the soda, its YOUR soda, you can do what you want with it, therefore, it shouldn't be stealing. :shrug:

Guess I can't let my kids drink from my cup anymore! ha. Sorry kids, no more stealing Daddy's drink .. Away with you! haha

 

[powlessfamily4]

I guess I am missing the point. If you are willing to spend thousands of dollars on a vacation, why is it such a big deal to spend $15 more on a refillable mug? Is it like a challenege to see how much you can scam Disney for? We all have the freedom to vacation elsewhere if we don't like the rules. I just don't understand the human facination with always trying to get one over on the governing body.
I have done it also, so please don't think I am sitting here judging with a "not me" attitude. It just makes one wonder why we feel we have to constantly buck the authority. Just pay the $15 and drink to your hearts content... if you think it is not worth the $15... purchase your drinks individually.

I understand if you purchased a "lifetime refillable" mug that you would be upset. I am in total agreement that something should be worked out there. Honor the promise.

 

[yoyoflamingo]

Here's a video of the cups in action from Jeff Lange:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDzZ4h7nh44

 

[GrumpyFan]

Thanks for posting the link to the video.
Seems like it's pretty easy to use and it explains things to you.
The only problem I could see would be not having spanish language on the screens and maybe the lever to push and activate the soda.

 

[flynnibus]

Would it be as simple as to add unlimited refils onto the room card and each time you want to refil you insert your card like obtaining a fast pass which will then allow you to dispense the beverage. It proves you are staying on site and cannot be transferred to anyone else.

It's an interesting idea - but it also adds other variants that the company may or may not prefer.. like the idea these machines needing to be networked to the data systems containing the guest data. This RFID system could be all 'self-contained' between the POS and soda fountains which may be desirable.

Plus having to pull out your ticket each time could be seen as highly 'risky' in terms of losing tickets, greater customer issues having to replace tickets more frequently, etc. That's the nice thing about the RFID system.. nothing 'extra' for the guests to keep, have on them, pull out, etc. For many the system will be more transparent.

Plus, such a system would not have a way of disallowing non-ticket users from using the soda fountains unless you required EVERYONE to use tickets for their drinks. That is probably VERY undesirable for Disney in many locations. Again, the self-contained nature of the RFID system in that it could in theory be isolated, and it covers ALL customers is probably why it's desirable.

Nowhere does it say you can't transfer the drink into another mug and refill again. As long as you're using the mug to get the drink from the dispenser, there isn't any stealing going on. Is it morally gray at the very least? Sure. But thats all.

It's attitude like this that requires us to have crazy End User License Agreements, Terms of Service, and all other forms of legalese so we have a way of enforcing what should just be simple HONESTY. :brick:

 

[TheBeatles]

personally, i've never had to refill a resort mug more than 4 times in a day and i don't think it's healthy to drink that much pop anyways.

we survived without free refills before and we'll survive with limited ones.

 

[Kamikaze]

It's attitude like this that requires us to have crazy End User License Agreements, Terms of Service, and all other forms of legalese so we have a way of enforcing what should just be simple HONESTY. :brick:

Interesting.

So how about this scenario. I fill my mug, and promptly pour the soda in the trash. I repeat this process over and over, for as long as I please. Is there anything wrong with this, in your eyes?

 

[GrumpyFan]

It's an interesting idea - but it also adds other variants that the company may or may not prefer.. like the idea these machines needing to be networked to the data systems containing the guest data. This RFID system could be all 'self-contained' between the POS and soda fountains which may be desirable.

Plus having to pull out your ticket each time could be seen as highly 'risky' in terms of losing tickets, greater customer issues having to replace tickets more frequently, etc. That's the nice thing about the RFID system.. nothing 'extra' for the guests to keep, have on them, pull out, etc. For many the system will be more transparent.

Not to mention the messiness that would no doubt occur when you got soda on your ticket/card and it gets sticky... Just not worth the trouble.

Let's keep in mind too, that if this system tests out well, it could theoretically be rolled out into more locations like in the parks.

 

[SleepingMonk]

Interesting.

So how about this scenario. I fill my mug, and promptly pour the soda in the trash. I repeat this process over and over, for as long as I please. Is there anything wrong with this, in your eyes?

When you go to an all-you-can-eat buffet do you just buy one plate, load it up and then split it between your entire family?