You people that are self absorbed over this really need to get it together. :ROFLOL: Its neither a loss leader or a money drain for WDW in any way shape or form. Its obvious they simply do not care about the mugs being reused again and again. And the only reason they change them up is because like any other WDW merchandise, people will buy the new or different version.
I can't see them going to a key system or anything like that to operate their drink dispensers since its a ridiculous expense in materials overhead to monitor something that costs pennies. And what to do when you don't have a room key and you are at a different hotel? I visit other hotels and I want a soda. How would I get one from a fountain if I don't have some type of electronic key to that hotel? Or if I'm staying off property and go to a hotel to catch lunch or something?
I have about 12 mugs purchased over the last 15+ years. I have no idea if any of them are "for life" or "for length of stay" and quite frankly, I don't care either way.
I will continue to use ANY of them at ANY resort on ANY trip. Label me a d-bag as some of you righteous d-bags seem to think is OK, I really don't care. I have EASILY spent $50K on WDW trips in the last 15 years and if any of you actually believe Disney has any issue with me having a mug of soda in a manner you describe as "stealing", you are delusional.
Do any of you actually think for a second WDW is going to jeopardize my repeated thousands of dollars a year expenditures with them over 50 cents worth of soda? Or that colored water Nescafe they try to pass off as coffee?
WDW has bigger things to worry about right now and soda mugs certainly can't be on top of the list. If it is, the place is doomed.