No more free drinks at All Star Sports Resort

[Mimi]

Quick Google search says that 5 gallons of Coke concentrate makes 40 gallons of Coke, 3840 ounces. Let's say it's a 12 ounce mug, and (after ice) that's about 400 mugs full for $40. $0.10, excluding electricity and CO2.

Still, this isn't about cutting costs. This is about increasing revenue.

Exactly. People aren't just stealing a few pennies worth of soda; they are also stealing what they might otherwise have spent on a beverage. That could really add up if enough people do it - which is obviously the case here.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I agree.

And I just don't see the cost savings. I mean, according to this - even the disposable paper cups now have to have RFID? They must think they are wasting a lot of $ on "free" soda.

I just don't believe they are going to roll out and give RFID paper cups to everyone who buys a drink at a resort at WDW.

It seems to me more like some middle-management is trying on big boy shoes and putting a stop to this not-so-much-a-problem to begin with and got it pushed this far as a "test".

We'll see if it gets rolled out resort-wide, or if it ends up like other "tests" (just to be put out and pulled just as suddenly, never to be heard from again).

It seems that Disney signed a 5 year contract, so I would guess we will see this resort wide.

Is this system in place or planned ? Has anyone commenting actually used this system ?

Does it make any difference to a genuine paying guest ?

As a UK visitor, who comes for 2 weeks at a time due to flight prices, buying a mug always represents value, and this time we happen to be in Sports, I will see for myself in 5 weeks.

The system is in place, but I don't think it is being used just yet. It is only at Sports and should begin its test on the 18th.

 

[COProgressFan]

I agree.

And I just don't see the cost savings. I mean, according to this - even the disposable paper cups now have to have RFID? They must think they are wasting a lot of $ on "free" soda.

I just don't believe they are going to roll out and give RFID paper cups to everyone who buys a drink at a resort at WDW.

It seems to me more like some middle-management is trying on big boy shoes and putting a stop to this not-so-much-a-problem to begin with and got it pushed this far as a "test".

We'll see if it gets rolled out resort-wide, or if it ends up like other "tests" (just to be put out and pulled just as suddenly, never to be heard from again).

It does seem pretty crazy. Of all of the multitude of problems at the WDW resort, they choose to focus their energy on preventing a small number of soda thieves from filling their mugs with a few pennies full of Coke?

I agree, I would imagine this is due to a middle manager somewhere proving his worth. I can see the Powerpoint now ... (soda theft is down 64%!!!)

 

[jakeman]

I agree, I would imagine this is due to a middle manager somewhere proving his worth. I can see the Powerpoint now ... (soda theft is down 64%!!!)

Meg.

There is no middle manager at WDW, haven't you read anything around here?

There are only hard working under appreciated CMs and Meg Crofton.

CMs only make good decisions and Meg Crofton only makes bad ones.

It's on page 3 of your "How to be a fanboy in the internet" handbook.

 

[COProgressFan]

Meg.

There is no middle manager at WDW, haven't you read anything around here?

There are only hard working under appreciated CMs and Meg Crofton.

CMs only make good decisions and Meg Crofton only makes bad ones.

It's on page 3 of your "How to be a fanboy in the internet" handbook.

Well, the reality is that lots of decisions get made through the multiple levels of management at WDW, most of which Meg has absolutely nothing to do with. Despite the layoffs a few years ago, there is still a very bloated management structure at WDW.

However, the reality is, Meg should not just be a figurehead, but a leader. She sets the tone, she sets priorities for the resort, and everyone ultimately reports to her. If her attitude is that everything is fine, keep showing me all the great savings you're coming up with by "streamlining" operations (while short changing the guests), then that is what will keep happening. Meg manages, she does not lead. And ultimately, the buck stops with her.

No free soda for you!

 

[Kamikaze]

It does seem pretty crazy. Of all of the multitude of problems at the WDW resort, they choose to focus their energy on preventing a small number of soda thieves from filling their mugs with a few pennies full of Coke?

I agree, I would imagine this is due to a middle manager somewhere proving his worth. I can see the Powerpoint now ... (soda theft is down 64%!!!)

I know what you're trying to say, but this move (if rolled out to the entire property) would actually completely eliminate the theft 100%.

 

[COProgressFan]

I know what you're trying to say, but this move (if rolled out to the entire property) would actually completely eliminate the theft 100%.

Yeah, and I think it's fine they may be doing it. To me, it's funny that they are so concerned about losing a few bucks on soda, they may implement such a system on a wide scale basis. I mean, RFID chips on disposable paper cups seems crazy expensive. It just doesn't seem worth it. There are so many other things at WDW that need much more attention than this.

 

[dave&di]

I thought people on this site would flip out when "can I use my old refillable mug" is mentioned, now people are moaning at a possible way of stopping visitors taking what they haven't paid for! :shrug:

 

[Master Yoda]

Yeah, and I think it's fine they may be doing it. To me, it's funny that they are so concerned about losing a few bucks on soda, they may implement such a system on a wide scale basis. I mean, RFID chips on disposable paper cups seems crazy expensive. It just doesn't seem worth it. There are so many other things at WDW that need much more attention than this.

The RFID chips they will be using cost less that 5 cents each in quantities of 10K. If this goes property wide Disney will be ordering hundreds of thousands if not millions of these cups which will bring the cost down even further. Even at 5 cents a piece the cost could be put right back onto the consumer without anyone batting an eye.

 

[Kamikaze]

Yeah, and I think it's fine they may be doing it. To me, it's funny that they are so concerned about losing a few bucks on soda, they may implement such a system on a wide scale basis. I mean, RFID chips on disposable paper cups seems crazy expensive. It just doesn't seem worth it. There are so many other things at WDW that need much more attention than this.

This has been said many times in this thread (and don't take offense to this) but I'm going to bold it so it stands out.

RFID tags in bulk cost pennies.

And when you're dealing in the numbers Disney is, its going to be less than that, even. That is not expensive, at all. Thats much less than they are paying for the paper cups, I guarantee you that.

And once again, its not really about the tiny amounts of money they lose on the soda - because thats cheap as well. Its about adding the extra revenue of selling the mugs and the extra drinks.

There is a cost, however, of the machines. Those are not necessarily cheap. I have a feeling, however, that a new-ish company like ValidFill would give a great deal to Disney on the hardware to get their feet in the door on the other products. Smart business.

I thought people on this site would flip out when "can I use my old refillable mug" is mentioned, now people are moaning at a possible way of stopping visitors taking what they haven't paid for! :shrug:

Because sometimes people complain about others even if they do it themselves.

 

[ddrongowski]

Why is anyone on this forum defending theft?

This is a decision Disney is making. If you are a share holder, you care about theft in the WDW and WDL. Disney is a buisness, and if a buisness wants to stay in buiness, they have to make money. Thus stopping theft, no matter how small of a value, helps.

What's next complaining that your expired ticket/pass does not work?

 

[dave&di]

Why is anyone on this forum defending theft?

This is a decision Disney is making. If you are a share holder, you care about theft in the WDW and WDL. Disney is a buisness, and if a buisness wants to stay in buiness, they have to make money. Thus stopping theft, no matter how small of a value, helps.

What's next complaining that your expired ticket/pass does not work?


Well said!

 

[juniorthomas]

Why is anyone on this forum defending theft?

This is a decision Disney is making. If you are a share holder, you care about theft in the WDW and WDL. Disney is a buisness, and if a buisness wants to stay in buiness, they have to make money. Thus stopping theft, no matter how small of a value, helps.

What's next complaining that your expired ticket/pass does not work?


Well said!

Hahaha, classic. I think the next logical step is complaining that nobody is listening to us complain.

 

[juniorthomas]

As per my previous experiences of waiting for someone to fill up their 32 oz non disney mug, I like that disney is going to stop that behavior. At the same time, it takes away from the magic a bit that disney is restricting something small like this. I haven't brought previous mugs with me on trips or used non disney mugs, but i don't know, this is one of those things that rubs me the wrong way.

If they push these out to the rest of the parks, I hope that they install freestyle machines instead of the usual coke dispensers with 8 flavors.

Agreed.

You may be able to help me with my earlier question (I'm glad you showed up to the party finally, because you're a genius) - I figure this is one of those Snopes rumors, but someone once told me that Coca Cola provided all of their products to Disney for free, simply because the (omni)presence in the parks is worth so much in branding dollars.

From a business point of view you could argue it a number of ways - putting your product out there for nothing is a losing proposition. Having yourself as the only soft drink option in a huge vacation destination is a big win.

Still, it has to be a rumor. Right? Help me Flavious, you're my only hope.

 

[Beentheredoneth]

:wave: Hi, first time posting. We go to Disney twice a year and have never reused our mugs. I was planning on bring one of the many mugs to use at AKL. So is this technology being used at all the resorts and how did you learn about this? I don't want to be embrassed when I go to the resort but my one son only drinks water so maybe I should still bring it?

 

[fosse76]

Exactly. People aren't just stealing a few pennies worth of soda; they are also stealing what they might otherwise have spent on a beverage. That could really add up if enough people do it - which is obviously the case here.

This is where the argument falls apart. You have no proof that they would have purchased a beverage. The only thing they are legally stealing is the soda.*

On a side note, while I could actualy care less, I think the people on this board overstate the frequency of people re-using old mugs. In the 12 trips I've stayed on Disney property, I can only think of two or three trips where I saw a handful of older mugs being used. The other times I never once saw an older mug.

*Edit
And even that isn't technically accurate. Disney's complacency in enforcing the mug policy is legally the same as approving the behavior, therefore there is no legal theft. Obviously they are looking into enforcing the written policy, I guess we'll no for sure when these are installed at the other resorts.

 

[Master Yoda]

This is where the argument falls apart. You have no proof that they would have purchased a beverage. The only thing they are legally stealing is the soda.

On a side note, while I could actualy care less, I think the people on this board overstate the frequency of people re-using old mugs. In the 12 trips I've stayed on Disney property, I can only think of two or three trips where I saw a handful of older mugs being used. The other times I never once saw an older mug.

Neither can you prove they wouldn't. The reality is a certain percentage will purchase one the rest will not. It is safe to say that Disney has a pretty good idea what those numbers are and have figured it into the cost benefit analysis.

 

[Kamikaze]

On a side note, while I could actualy care less, I think the people on this board overstate the frequency of people re-using old mugs. In the 12 trips I've stayed on Disney property, I can only think of two or three trips where I saw a handful of older mugs being used. The other times I never once saw an older mug.

And I think we all understated the problem, if Disney is going to roll this out property wide to stop it. Unless this is part of a bigger package (buy a $30 mug, use it all over property including the parks for your length of stay) then obviously Disney saw a big problem they had to resolve.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

:wave: Hi, first time posting. We go to Disney twice a year and have never reused our mugs. I was planning on bring one of the many mugs to use at AKL. So is this technology being used at all the resorts and how did you learn about this? I don't want to be embrassed when I go to the resort but my one son only drinks water so maybe I should still bring it?

Welcome to the boards. The machines are in place at All Star Sports with the assumption being that they will move them property wide after this test. No one knows when that might happen though. Technically you shouldn't be reusing a mug even if the system is in place. However, if the system isn't expanded then what you do is up to you of course. You can reuse the mug to refill with water though. According to what we have seen the water will always work, no matter what cup you use.

 

[Kamikaze]

Another good thing this may lead to that I just thought of: They should be able to leave the machines open 24/7 and even put them in other locations. If the machines only work for water without the RFID tags, whats to stop them from putting machines all over the place. I hate getting back from the parks late and the food courts are all closed so you can't get a drink. With this system, they should be able to leave them available to use all the time. Or even place a machine out by every pool (or even in every building).