When the parks and resorts reopened last year at Walt Disney World, we saw a lot of changes due to health and safety!
Tons of new procedures all over the place!
Disney added a face mask requirement and temperature checks. We saw updated security procedures and physical distancing markers everywhere, as well as enhanced cleaning procedures. In addition, we spotted little changes, like the fact that self-serve drink stations were being manned by Cast Members. But now, one of those things may be going back to normal!
We got a tip from a reader that self-serve drink stations for Refillable Resort Mugs were back at hotels, so we decided to stop by Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and check it out for ourselves.
Roaring Fork
Sure enough, at Roaring Fork, those self-serve drink stations were back to normal! Cast Members were no longer stationed behind ropes to pour drinks.
Hello, self-serve drink stations!
Instead, guests could walk directly up to the machines and do the work themselves! However, arrows did indicate which direction they should walk to avoid traffic jams.
No Cast Member here!
It is worth mentioning that these self-serve stations have been in place at Blizzard Beach since its reopening in March, even though they’re only now rolling out to the resorts.
Refill Station
But this change is not JUST taking place at the resorts! When we visited Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we noticed the drinks were self-serve there, too.
The self-serve drink station is here, too!
Signs did specify that only one party should be at the station at a time, to ensure that social distancing guidelines were still followed.
Safety signs are still in place
There was also a self-serve drink station at Regal Eagle Smokehouse in EPCOT. It seems like the parks are rolling out this feature, too!
It’s here, too!
We’ve seen Disney quietly eliminating some safety procedures lately. Hand-washing stations were recently removed from the parks, and a mask policy change means guests can now remove their face coverings for outdoor photos.
New Mask Policy in Place
Stay tuned to DFB for updates on health and safety procedures all around Disney World! We’re visiting daily to keep you in the know.
Click Here to Read About a Recent Mask Policy Change!
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It’s about time!
The only downside is (And don’t be judgey because everyone did it) but now no more free soda just by bringing your old Regfillable mug.
Now we’ll actually have to put the cup on the Puck to read the cup.
Brandon wrote: “but now no more free soda just by bringing your old Regfillable mug.
Now we’ll actually have to put the cup on the Puck to read the cup.”
Yeah, that discussion is about a decade old.
NC Dad
No, I meant that during the past CoVd19 year, you just had to show them a refillable cup(or actually just a picture of your cup on your phone) and they’d hand you a drink refill, no questions asked.
Since the CMs were manning the machines.
Now that guest can pour their own drinks, just bringing a picture of your refillable mug no longer works. Boo. 🤣🤣🤣
That s is right people were taking advantage of the free soda water, coffee and tea is the only thing is free . I went twice one year July and Aug my whole family bought cups 21.99 each . We tried to use it in August and the soda police told me it was only for one trip . I told them they were crazy I was not going to put out double money for another cup ! I did email Disney Corporation a person emailed me back and told me the new policy . I told them what I really thought but they told me that is the way it is now on Disney property. Disney is cheap but soda with CO2 is cheap . Then I really know Disney is all about the money . The people that go to there park and resorts are just a number this a dollar sign . It made me so sick of Corporation mubble gumble . That’s way people go 1 time and not go back ever again .
The rules have always stated that you could only use the resort mugs during the trip that you were currently on not for any future trips that you were planning. Originally when they started the resort mug policy, a guest could only use the mug at their own resort; then it changed to being able to use them at the other resorts quick service beverage fountains. Those resort mugs are actually cheaper than having to pay for pop, etc each time (outside of theme park time) when you’re thirsty.