Change to Refillable Mug System?

[Boost]

I just wanted to reply to those who remarked that they disapproved of the "old" mugs. I am assuming that we are talking about the original, wide mugs as opposed to the ones that fit into car cupholders.

As a visitor to the parks with over 100 visits within our family and as a former cast member, my response is that when these mugs first were introduced, we were TOLD BY THE RESORTS to BRING THEM BACK ON FUTURE VISITS!!!

We will bring ours back until we are asked not to do so. We have mugs for Contemporary, Poly, Coronado, Caribbean, etc., etc. In all fairness, we do not take what we don't use (i.e., condiments, napkins, etc.) and I do not feel that this is an infringement in any way, shape or form on WDW. Thank you!

[Strmchsr]

I just wanted to reply to those who remarked that they disapproved of the "old" mugs. I am assuming that we are talking about the original, wide mugs as opposed to the ones that fit into car cupholders.

No, the problem folks have is not at all with the original mugs. Those had no expiration date, so bringing them back is not a problem. Though many folks may not know the difference, the problem is with those who have gotten the mugs since the policy switched to "length of stay" and yet they continue to use mugs. What you're doing is not a violation of any policy or rules. The later scenario is. That's been the area of concern.

[Boost]

Strmchsr, thanks for clarifying. I was not aware of any change to the mug program. I just saw the new mugs recently and figured that they changed to one design to save money or something.

Have a great summer!

[Strmchsr]

Strmchsr, thanks for clarifying. I was not aware of any change to the mug program.

No problem. It's been a few years now since they changed. I guess they decided they weren't selling enough mugs with the "unlimited refills" and so changed to "length of stay unlimited refills."

[PirateLover]

I really don't get the hubbub over people who are refilling mugs that are more recent than the ones from the unlimited refill days. The only thing that gets a second look from me sometimes is when you see someone with a generic coffee mug. I just chalk it up to a fact of life- everyone doesn't play by the rules. It's not fair, but I have more important things to be getting upset over than every Manny, Moe, and Jack who abuses refills.

Personally I think this new system sounds like too much of a hassle.

[MinnieMommie]

No, the problem folks have is not at all with the original mugs. Those had no expiration date, so bringing them back is not a problem. Though many folks may not know the difference, the problem is with those who have gotten the mugs since the policy switched to "length of stay" and yet they continue to use mugs. What you're doing is not a violation of any policy or rules. The later scenario is. That's been the area of concern.

Just curious...are all the old wide mugs the refillable for life mugs?

[magicofdisney]

Just curious...are all the old wide mugs the refillable for life mugs?

No. There was a time when length of stay mugs were the slender or wide option. If it's a length of stay mug, it should have a disclaimer around the handle.

[MinnieMommie]

No. There was a time when length of stay mugs were the slender or wide option. If it's a length of stay mug, it should have a disclaimer around the handle.

I looked through storage bags filled with old mugs. Some of my wide mugs do have the length of stay disclaimer.

From what I have sifted through so far I see two different types which have no disclaimer around the handle or anywhere else. One is an old grey Contemporary wide mug and the other is a white (with sky blue handle and lid) Epcot wide mug. I am pretty sure the grey mug is one of the good forever mugs.

Thank you for this information. It is very helpful!

[Daisy712]

I also have 2 wide mouth mugs from All Star Movies with message that they are only good during the length of stay. I bought them in 1999. Does that time period sound about right?

Thanks

[Strmchsr]

I also have 2 wide mouth mugs from All Star Movies with message that they are only good during the length of stay. I bought them in 1999. Does that time period sound about right?

Thanks

Yeah, that's about the time they switched to length of stay on the mugs.

[Tekneek]

Like many things in life, you're ultimately on the honor system to some degree. Given how inexpensive the soda is, per mug, this is still a profitable part of the business for Disney. I see the usefulness of a tracking/verification system for mugs to be more of a way to sell access to drinks resort-wide (in the parks too), rather than being worried about someone at the Contemporary not paying for all the soda they drink while staying there. If you booked a room at the Contemporary and just drank soda all day long, Disney is still going to be in the black on that trade.

I have also overheard CMs telling people they can bring them back and use them. CMs can be wrong, but if they were told they could then who am I to get upset about it?

[big blue and hairy]

I have also overheard CMs telling people they can bring them back and use them. CMs can be wrong, but if they were told they could then who am I to get upset about it?

Yup, they say that all the time, so it's really hard to get upset with people, when the information is not acurate. I truly think this is a mountain/molehill subject.

[dinahvixen]

Not that I am saying it isn't right to try to stop the scammers, if that's the purpose, but how much money can they be losing on soda sales with people using refillable mugs from previous years? Isn't it something like 9 cents a cup that companies pay for the soda syrup? If they're charging over 2 bucks a cup per drink, and over 10 bucks per mug, can they be losing that much money to make it worth it to implement a different system? It's not as though everyone visiting there is toting the wrong mug - I think most people do it right. I thought I read somewhere that soda was the biggest money maker for places like McDonalds.

[Tekneek]

I suspect Disney could include free drinks for every resort guest at their resort and still be profitable for your stay. No doubt they get an even better deal on the drinks than most locations because there is competition for product placement on the resort.

[big blue and hairy]

No doubt they get an even better deal on the drinks than most locations because there is competition for product placement on the resort.

I'm sure you're right about that. I'm not even debating the "rightness or wrongness" of people using other mugs, I just really think that WDW just doesn't really care that much.

[caryrae]

Not that I am saying it isn't right to try to stop the scammers, if that's the purpose, but how much money can they be losing on soda sales with people using refillable mugs from previous years? Isn't it something like 9 cents a cup that companies pay for the soda syrup? If they're charging over 2 bucks a cup per drink, and over 10 bucks per mug, can they be losing that much money to make it worth it to implement a different system? It's not as though everyone visiting there is toting the wrong mug - I think most people do it right. I thought I read somewhere that soda was the biggest money maker for places like McDonalds.

I have read many times here people saying that Disney doesn't even pay for the pop/soda, that Coca Cola gives it to then free

[kakn7294]

I thought if you had a mug purchased under the old policy you could still bring it back for refills? I did that a few times years ago (2001 being the last time). I assumed you could still do that with the older mugs (pre-mugs that don't have the disclaimer on them limiting their use to LOS), but my older mugs are pretty beat up, so I haven't bothered.

My older mugs that would be grandfathered in are so bad that you can only see the characters' feet!

[Missy_Mouses_Dad]

We were at Disney last week, and I am not exactly a patient person...but I had to wait in line at the soda machine with my newly purchased cup, while an individual filled up there 64 ounce "super sipper" jug with ice, and then a beverage from the dispenser. The jug was from a gas station from wherever this person was from. I realize this is a problem w/o an answer, but at the very least this person should have used a previously purchased cup. to top it off, she took the last of the ice!!

[Skippy]

I see the usefulness of a tracking/verification system for mugs to be more of a way to sell access to drinks resort-wide (in the parks too),

I'd put my dollar on this one. I could see refill stations in the parks that would be for resort guests only (and require a small fee but would give unlimited LOS refills in the parks and resorts.)

[LandFan]

I'd put my dollar on this one. I could see refill stations in the parks that would be for resort guests only (and require a small fee but would give unlimited LOS refills in the parks and resorts.)

Now THAT would be great!! I would love to fill up my mug with some soda on the way to the bus stop in the morning but then I have to drag it around empty all day which makes NO sense. But if they were to put in dispensers at the parks, I could use my own mug all day AND it would cut down drastically on paper and plastic waste as a ton of people would no longer need the paper cups and plastic lids and straws!