Leave those old mugs at home! New drink station currently being tested at WDW resort.

[JNota0005DakMC]

With high priced drinks we take our trusty camelbacks... for those of you dont know what these are the are lightweight rucksacks that can hold from 0.5L to 3L of water. When empty we refill at a fountain. We can wear them on rides and have never been stopped taking them into parks. Saves us a fortune!

yeh... you know that if you ask a CM at a sand that sells fountain drinks for a cip of ice water it is free right...?

[MissMEY]

Yes... Use that also but being from UK I'm not used to humidity and temp so drink 3L water easily a day!

[HauntedGabe]

Here is an excerpt from the All Ears Newsletter (sorry wouldn't link)

All drinks (except for hot drinks like coffee, etc.) that are purchased at the cashier contain a special ID chip at the bottom of the cup. In order to dispense the drink at the self-service drink stations, you need to place the cup on a plastic lever and then push a button. When you place the cup on the plastic lever, a computer scans the bottom of the cup and informs you of how many refills you have remaining, along with a timeframe. Each paper cup allows you to have three refills within one hour of first scanning it on the machine. After the refills have been used up, or the hour is up, whichever comes first, the machine will no longer dispense drinks for that cup. This system also works with the refillable mugs that are purchased or come as part of the Quick Service Dining Plan. All mugs can be used for up to two weeks, and will then expire.

The All Star Sports resort was the first to have these machines installed, for testing, and ultimately all of the resorts with self-dispensing drink stations will have this new technology.

[BamaJenn]

All mugs can be used for up to two weeks, and will then expire.

What happens if you're staying for more than that I wonder? There's a forum member here who is going for 23 days!

[HauntedGabe]

If you stay more than two weeks, Disney will give you a new mug good for another 2 weeks. Odds are that doesn't happen to frequently and they are more than happy to give up an extra mug for a 2+ week booking.

We've done 16 days twice, back in the day of $89.00/night Dixie Landings and mega perks in the fall. Can't imagine what that would cost me now.
$3,500.00 for family of four then for a October trip.

[BamaJenn]

If you stay more than two weeks, Disney will give you a new mug good for another 2 weeks. Odds are that doesn't happen to frequently and they are more than happy to give up an extra mug for a 2+ week booking.

Ok... I'm gonna say it... that's just silly.

[HauntedGabe]

I don't disagree, yet Disney can't get past the the Guests with their entitlement issues so it is Group Guest Punishment!

It is also why Disney altered Peco's Bills seating. Just too many Entitlement Guests that went in a created a salad of Toppings for Free also.

I was happy Disney kept the topping area and adjusted the seating over just removing the great topping area that made Peco's great. I am also happy they just didn't get rid of the mugs and paper cups at these stations you get 3 refills. They could have filled them once for you and been done.

[supernova]

What happens if you're staying for more than that I wonder? There's a forum member here who is going for 23 days!

Two weeks, then your code expires. They might be able to reprogram the code, but it will cost you another week or two. I still go back to my original suggestion of paying for drinks on a per-day basis. Same way your room key is only good for a certain number of days, so should the mugs. Then you CAN bring back your mugs each time and have them reprogrammed. It's not impossible. Just a matter of Disney trying to make money on repeat mug purchases.

[JNota0005DakMC]

Two weeks, then your code expires. They might be able to reprogram the code, but it will cost you another week or two. I still go back to my original suggestion of paying for drinks on a per-day basis. Same way your room key is only good for a certain number of days, so should the mugs. Then you CAN bring back your mugs each time and have them reprogrammed. It's not impossible. Just a matter of Disney trying to make money on repeat mug purchases.

that sounds like a better idea. However, on my last trip i found myself almost making it a point at stopping at the hospitality house (OKW) to get a drink in the morning. Mike, you and i both like staying at WL.... i found that i used my mug more often at WL stopping at Roaring Forks than i did at OKW... i think in the future before i buy the mug i might look into how much of a hassle it would be to stop in the lobby area every morning and night... because thats the only thing that makes the mugs worth it... the many uses per day... if you have to make special trips to get them only in the morning or at night i feel like it defeats the point...

[supernova]

You're right, Joe. Places like OKW, Coronado, and Saratoga don't lend themselves to quick visits to the commisary like other more consolidated hotels.

[JNota0005DakMC]

i felt like i kinda wasted my money... but hopefully i will be staying in WL next year... OKW was fun and a good time... just dont think it measures up...

[supernova]

Welcome back into the fold.

[JNota0005DakMC]

i never left really... just decided a little late to book my last trip... couldnt get into the VWL for the days i could go... wont make that mistake twice...

[supernova]

I've had that happen to me, too. Then agin, December is getting far more crowded than usual, anyway. I couldn't imagine trying to go down in August. Haven't done that since I was a kid.

[JNota0005DakMC]

it wasnt really busy... but i guess going down for 7 nights is a pain for booking... but it was a good time and i saw another resort... i will say one thing though... OKW has nice DVC rooms... bigger than VWL...