The point of the 5 minute would be so guests can't just use the refill mug as the "pitcher". I've seen people fill the mug and pour out into small water cups at their tables and refill the mug again.
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My thing is, if you have a time limit on when you can fill it, the mug is no longer really unlimited is it? I paid for the mug, I paid for unlimited drinks while I'm at my resort... not one serving every 5 minutes. I had a larger Disney cup (one of those tall ones with a straw) that I had purchased at the parks. I'd take my mug (that I legitimately paid for), fill it, dump it into my tall cup and then do it twice more to fill it. I was still at my resort and it was still during my length of stay... it just kept me from having to head back into the food court soaking wet from the pool or not being able to have a drink with the food I decided to take back to my room to eat (because the food court seating was packed).
I completely see the desire to prevent people from buying one mug and using it to satiate the thirst of their entire family, but they are essentially punishing those that use the system as it was designed (unlimited refills during your stay) because of those people who didn't. It's the one bad apple ruins the whole bunch concept...
Truthfully, if this does roll to each resort, I could see me no longer buying the mugs and instead just bringing water bottles, filling them at water fountains and using Crystal Light packets (or whatever) like we do in the parks. I think Disney may be setting themselves up to lose more money than they were from those abusing the drink stations to begin with.
I'm all for this. For those complaining about nickel and dining, if you pay for a mug, they aren't stopping you, they are only stopping you from stealing. The 5 minute limit is so you don't buy one mug for ten people, or use it to fill up your thermoses.
This ties in well as a promotion for the dining plan, since as of 2012 the mugs are included in the regular dining plan.
That's what I always do, anyway. I hit the food court before I leave for the parks, fill up with ice and some water, and then I'm good for a while. The flavor packets only come in handy if you get water from the fountains. Why that state can't figure out how to fix their awful mineral tap water is beyond me. But the concession stands will give you ice (and sometimes water) if you ask. And it's usually warm enough that the ice plus a little bit of water will melt along the way to have fresh cold water whenever you need it.
It's actually much worse if you're actually drinking the water that goes through Florida treatment plants. When on property, you're drinking "Disney Water" and sadly, it's better than what you find off-property in most cases. When we lived in FL, a Brita pitcher was a necessity. :lol:
Never thought of trying those. I've seen them in the store, but never needed them here in NY. For FL, however...