Refillable Mug Policy

[Cynderella]

Hi everyone. I did a search for this but nothing really answered my question. And if there was a thread already Im sorry but I couldnt find it. My question is...I have several Mugs from different resorts and for years I have brought them back to the resort and used them again and again...I heard a rumor or read it somewhere but I forget....that now you have to buy a new mug everytime you go and that they have this policy written on the new mugs now. I havent been down since Nov 03 and we stayed at Ft. Wilderness and didnt have mugs but I know in the past I had brought ones back and had no problem. I was just wondering if anyone has been down recently and noticed a change at all. Thanks in advance for any info! :wave:

 

[Sledge]

I unfortunately don't have an answer for you, rather a question. What are these refillable mugs? I haven't heard of them. Obviously they are refillable lol but I know Six Flags does a similar thing were it is $0.99 to refill a huge bottle. How do the Disney mugs work? Free (yeah right) or how much does it cost?

Sorry I couldn't answer your question. :lol:

 

[MKCP 1985]

Not the answer you want to hear

This debate has been ongoing for a long time, but the policy is "length of stay." Enforcement has mostly been on the honor system, and giving people the benefit of the doubt, there has been some confusion and possibly mis-information.

But seriously, a $10 to $15 mug that allows free refills until the plastic molecules fall apart? Disney would never make its paying guests a deal like that.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

I bought a POP Century mug for around $12 in October.

Printed on the mug is:
For unlimited refills from our beverage islands during the stay in which the mug was purchased.

The mugs are good for your length of stay. You cannot use them on another trip. You also can't use them in another resort or in the parks. They are good for fountain drinks--soda, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. They are not good for juice or milk, which are usually available in bottles.

This is a change in policy that has been in effect for at least 2 years. Many years ago people were told (perhaps there were signs also) that the mugs were good forever.

There will soon emerge a raging debate over whether it is "fair" of WDW to change the policy and many people will tell their tales of cheating the system.

At $2.29 for a large drink, they pay for themselves pretty quickly. And, IMHO they're a great souvenir. I take great pride in drinking Pepsi out of my mug from the Coke Kingdom.

 

[mickeychic]

I also have several mugs from past trips. I was there a couple of weeks ago, and once again purchased new POR mugs. The new mugs do state on them that they are good only for your current stay. On the other hand, I saw many people using their old POR mugs from years past, and they were not being stopped. The price of the mugs are $11.99. This gets very $$$ if you have a large family. I say take your mugs with you. The worst that could happen is being told you have to purchase new ones.

 

[walts son 1971]

Nothing against you Cynderella this mug thing has been talked about to death on every site out there.You can use your mug at any Disney food court for free fill ups just dont go running around showing off your mug to the castmembers.Have someone in your party go threw the line and pay for your food and someone go fill the mugs and find a seat,its that simple I have been doing it for years at every resort.We still even use our purple mugs from Port orleans.There should be tons of threads about this on this site keep looking If you dont like my answer.

 

[MKCP 1985]

The worst that could happen is being told you have to purchase new ones.

Or the worst thing that could happen would be an arrest for petty theft. But Mickey Mouse would never do that to a resort guest, right? And you'd be willing to bet your vacation over $12 per cup? :animwink:

I'm still waiting for the first person to show me something, anything, in writing proving those cups were EVER good for unlimited refills forever. A deal like that would have to be in writing somewhere, otherwise how could you prove it ever existed? Like I said before, giving the benefit of the doubt, maybe there was misinformation from a cast member or a misunderstanding.

...







Still waiting. :lookaroun

 

[tigsmom]

I cringe everytime I see this question brought up.

The mugs cost around $11.99 each. Recently a disclaimer was printed on the mugs (as quoted by YellowShoes...its on our WL mugs from July...but not on any we have from previous trips). I was never told they were good for life.
We buy 4 new ones each year...they save $$ (but do cost $$ upfront). We use them all year long & they do break/wear out.

I have seen people use mugs from different resorts & have never seen anyone ever tell them they could not do so. Doesn't make it right. :wave:

 

[rosebud's mom]

IMHO, those who abuse a system are directly responsible for its end. Not fair to those who are honest. I don't think anyone wants to see the refillable mugs suddenly disappear.

Remember the words of that loveable cricket...

"Always let your conscience be your guide."

If you are an abuser of the system, please don't flame me. It was stated that this is simply my opinion and not meant to point to any one individual.

 

[Cynderella]

I didnt want to cause any trouble when I started this thread (its my first one) but the only thing that bothers me is the fact that now every time I go im gonna hafta get a new mug....which means in the end im gonna have 50 million mugs (exaggeration I know) and Im not trying to sound cheap by not spending the $12 for a new one it was jsut the fact that i would have so many mugs in the end

 

[Ringo8n24]

What bothers me is people who dig up a Dixie Landings refillable mug from way back and also are refilling a new one at the same time. The designs are blatantly different. I saw a few people doing that right in front of cast members at POR. But the biggest thing that bothers me is when people at your resort's food court are refilling their 99 cent "bucket-sized" mug from a local convenience store. That is so abusing the system more than people who are bring the mug from their prior stay at the resort. You cannot miss those, especially when they are usually some sort of bright, neon color.

 

[kal1484]

Not related to the Resort Mugs, but at the waterparks, you can buy a $10 mug and refill it the rest of the day. You can bring it with you the next time, and pay only $5 to get it refilled.

 

[Gail Hayden]

I didnt want to cause any trouble when I started this thread (its my first one) but the only thing that bothers me is the fact that now every time I go im gonna hafta get a new mug....which means in the end im gonna have 50 million mugs (exaggeration I know) and Im not trying to sound cheap by not spending the $12 for a new one it was jsut the fact that i would have so many mugs in the end

Actually you don't hafta buy them, you chose to. I use mind all the time at home and in the car. They do have a very long life. When compared to the cost of purchasing beverages without the mug program, it is a good deal.

 

[Gail Hayden]

"I'm still waiting for the first person to show me something, anything, in writing proving those cups were EVER good for unlimited refills forever. A deal like that would have to be in writing somewhere, otherwise how could you prove it ever existed? Like I said before, giving the benefit of the doubt, maybe there was misinformation from a cast member or a misunderstanding."

Keep waiting, it will never happen. What there was was NO definition of the rule. There is now and I wish it were enforced more. Because of the folks that abuse this, they will eventually discontinue the program.

 

[Yellow Shoes]

They will discontinue it or restrict access to the beverages.

This would be a huge nightmare because they would have to have several CMs doing nothing but dispensing beverages (and, of course, dealing with the irate guest who insists that the Dixie Landings mug is good forever because it doesn't have the disclaimer on it.)

At this point, it is probably "cheaper" to let the thieves get away with it than to enforce the rule.

In other words, how many gallons of Coke = 1 hour of CM salary?

 

[longfamily]

They are cute mugs. We purchased them in both waterparks and also during a really cold night at MGM we bought the same type of mug and it was already loaded with Hot chocolate (Brother Bear decor). I seriously doubt those particular mugs were refills but now we have a nice stash of Disney mugs. They are perfect for cold and hot drinks.
Also, 12 bucks for a cup is great considering the price of soft drinks, kids like the idea that they can refill at any time too.

 

[Gail Hayden]

They will discontinue it or restrict access to the beverages.

This would be a huge nightmare because they would have to have several CMs doing nothing but dispensing beverages (and, of course, dealing with the irate guest who insists that the Dixie Landings mug is good forever because it doesn't have the disclaimer on it.)

At this point, it is probably "cheaper" to let the thieves get away with it than to enforce the rule.

In other words, how many gallons of Coke = 1 hour of CM salary?

No, they would just hand you a cup and have you fill it. I doubt many would carry a paper cup too often.

 

[imagineer99]

If the design doesn't change, RE-USE THE DARN MUG.

I'm sorry, but Disney is not a cheap place. They can give me a break on a soft drink.
When my parents bought Wilderness lodge mugs about five years ago--THERE WAS NO SIGN STATING THAT THEY COULD ONLY BE USED FOR LENGTH OF STAY. In fact, the salesperson actually remarked: "They are good for life."

I would NEVER use a Wilderness Lodge mug at the Boardwalk or my Animal Kingdom Lodge mug at Pop Century. However, if the DESIGN is exactly the same, how are is anyone truly going to be the wiser?

This ISN'T cheating the system. It's logic. Why would I pay 12 more dollars for something I ALREADY own? If I did this I would have a closet full of mugs that become useless after four days. It's stupid.

 

[Cynderella]

If the design doesn't change, RE-USE THE DARN MUG.

I'm sorry, but Disney is not a cheap place. They can give me a break on a soft drink.
When my parents bought Wilderness lodge mugs about five years ago--THERE WAS NO SIGN STATING THAT THEY COULD ONLY BE USED FOR LENGTH OF STAY. In fact, the salesperson actually remarked: "They are good for life."

I would NEVER use a Wilderness Lodge mug at the Boardwalk or my Animal Kingdom Lodge mug at Pop Century. However, if the DESIGN is exactly the same, how are is anyone truly going to be the wiser?

This ISN'T cheating the system. It's logic. Why would I pay 12 more dollars for something I ALREADY own? If I did this I would have a closet full of mugs that become useless after four days. It's stupid.

Exactly! Thank you! :wave:

 

[Gail Hayden]

If the design doesn't change, RE-USE THE DARN MUG.

I'm sorry, but Disney is not a cheap place. They can give me a break on a soft drink.
When my parents bought Wilderness lodge mugs about five years ago--THERE WAS NO SIGN STATING THAT THEY COULD ONLY BE USED FOR LENGTH OF STAY. In fact, the salesperson actually remarked: "They are good for life."

I would NEVER use a Wilderness Lodge mug at the Boardwalk or my Animal Kingdom Lodge mug at Pop Century. However, if the DESIGN is exactly the same, how are is anyone truly going to be the wiser?

This ISN'T cheating the system. It's logic. Why would I pay 12 more dollars for something I ALREADY own? If I did this I would have a closet full of mugs that become useless after four days. It's stupid.

You are totally correct, Disney is not a cheap place. However, if you make the choice to go there, why do you believe they should cut you a break anywhere?
They have changed the design and the policy. As to having a closet full of mugs being stupid, well, if you feel you don't want a closet full, then don't buy the mugs. IMHO, trying to justify cheating the system because you think you deserve a break is what will cause the ultimate demise of the system.
Obviously, Disney must care about this because they are now coding all the mugs. The signs stating the policy are large and easy to read almost impossible to miss.
As to who will be the wiser? I will, for myself, and I simply cannot cheat any system, that is how I am wired.