Confession: My family has been using the same WDW Resort mugs for our last five trips. GASP!, you say. That’s against the rules!, you say. Pssh, I say.
As you law-abiding guests know, WDW Code (my term) states that each guest must buy a WDW Resort mug to receive unlimited refills on drinks at Disney Resorts. The mug design changes slightly from year to year, to discourage people from bringing back their old mugs to use on their next trip. Makes sense, right?
Except that … this "rule" is not enforced. And if you're going to make us spend $40 to outfit ourselves with mugs every time we go, then there better be a damn policeman at the mug station. $40! To buy three mugs that we already own! $40! That's a steak at Le Cellier!
On our most recent trip, my family and I brought our 2005 Vero Beach mugs down to the Animal Kingdom Lodge Mara station and refilled them daily without anyone reprimanding us. AND I did it once in front of two staffers, because I wasn’t sure if the “Thou Shalt Buy New Mugs” thing was an actual rule, and also because I wanted to test this theory. I didn’t get so much as a stern glare. And since we often stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, where the “One World, One Mouse” campaign is in full swing, and which (thankfully) doesn’t offer plastic straws, it seems hypocritical to buy three plastic mugs we were never going to use after our trip ended when we already have perfectly fine mugs to use from previous trips.
And yes, I know that some people consider the mugs collectibles. But who has the space in their kitchen cabinets?
I’d love to see Disney revamp the mug system to make things easier on the guests. Disney has been kicking around the idea of putting bar codes on mugs (so you would need to scan the mug before the station would dispense anything), but that also seems misguided. In addition to being really expensive (what if you’re a family of 5 who vacations every year?), buying all these different mugs seems like a HUGE waste of plastic.
I’d love to see Disney revamp the mug system to make things easier on the guests. Disney has been kicking around the idea of putting bar codes on mugs (so you would need to scan the mug before the station would dispense anything), but that also seems misguided. In addition to being really expensive (what if you’re a family of 5 who vacations every year?), buying all these different mugs seems like a HUGE waste of plastic.
I'm actually on board with the idea of a bar code - wouldn't it be great if you could just add an unlimited drinks option to your room key when you check in (for a price, of course)? Then you would scan your key card at the station, and fill up whatever mug you want for the length of your stay.
What do you think? Do you re-use your mugs, or buy new ones every year? How would you improve the drinks system?
Related Links:
* Disney on a Budget: When You Wish Upon an All-Star
* The Five People You Meet in Line at WDW
* The Problem with Disney Princesses
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7 comments:
I saw on FB that Disney changed the mug system so you can use them from any year now. I swear I saw it, and of course now I can't find it.
Kate, I saw it too. It was on the DIS blog and it was an April Fools joke :(
BTW, I TOTALLY agree with this. Way to "go green" Disney...NOT! I know its just a way to make MORE money but still! OMG 4 weeks from now Ill be checking in at Bay Lake Tower!
I don't drink soda, tea or coffee so it has never occurred to me to buy or reuse a mug. Of course it is so much greener to reuse the mug so I say go for it. Really what can they do, kick you off property . . .
We reuse our mugs for the cost reason. I see no reason to buy new ones just because it's a new stay, Code or no Code. I'm all for that unlimited drink option on your key card - and would it it be great if they could extend it to the parks?
Just came back from WDW and used the same mugs as last year at the Beach Club. They do have new summer mugs now but no one said anything to me. I even made a point of putting them in front of cast members to see what they would say but nothing. I guess it must be unspoken code to allow us to use the mugs on more than one vacation. Honestly, those people who make multiple trips are spending ENOUGH at WDW and kind of deserve this tiny benefit (in my humble opinion). :-)
You get refillable mugs with the deluxe dinning plan, so we get new ones every trip. Plus I love them & use them at h0me & often will give the extras to friends & family.
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