What are you most looking forward to do on your trip to Disney World?
You’ve got so many options. Will you be riding all the rides you can? Are you just there for all the shows? Let’s be honest, you’re coming for all the food and drink, right? Speaking of drink, we’ve been noticing this collective demand coming from Disney fans about a refillable mug change at Disney World and we wanted to find out how you felt about it! Well, we asked and you delivered!
We reached out to our followers on Facebook to ask: “Do you think Disney should allow refillable mugs to be used in the parks?” We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments!
Now, let’s dive into some of your responses!
The “Yes” Team
First up, a whopping 89% of you want to see a change that would allow you to use your refillable mugs at designated spots in the parks, and honestly, we’re totally here for it!
To this point, DFB reader Eva, summed it up perfectly with, “Yes — even if only at quick-service locations that already have the self-serve fountains to start. It’s so cheap for Disney but will increase value for guests.” Pamela chimed with, “Yes, at designated locations, that would be awesome. Wouldn’t even need to be a huge selection.” T.j. added, “Yes when you are staying at their property, you are already spending a ton of money. It would be a small price to pay to keep people hydrated and made to feel like they matter.”
Then we’ve got Taylor, who added, “I think they should. I love going and getting my cup when I’m in universal. It’s so convenient.” Speaking of Universal, Lynn shared, “YES! I love the way Universal does it. I love the Freestyle machines everywhere (except Wizarding World). Most days we activate them. When we do a half day we bring them and just get ice & water.” In a same vein, Lori shared, “Absolutely even if it costs more. Other major parks like Cedar Point and Hershey have souvenir cups — pay a flat fee per day and unlimited refills but you can only refill once every hour or some timeframe like that. I’d like a format like that but payable upfront.”
Laura took it a step further, saying, “Good God, yes, Disney should allow Resort Refillable Mugs to be used in the parks. We used them at the water refill stations, especially at Animal Kingdom. We simply packed one mug in our Loungefly (I carried), then filled the mug with water and each took sips until it was empty. This is a perk Disney Parks could definitely afford. They are already making quite a bit of money on the mugs, why not let us use them in the parks. And the upshot for them is this — the more hydrated we are in the parks, the better we feel, so we stay longer and spend more money in the shops.”
Those in the “No”
As you can imagine, not everyone is thrilled about the idea of using your refillable mugs at designated spots in the parks (11% of you responded this way).
First up, DFB reader Heather shared, “I don’t really need a refillable mug for the parks – I prefer water to help stay hydrated. I like the refills at the resort, so I can get caffeine in the morning and then something with flavor if I go back for a mid-day break as well as when I get back at night.”
Karen raised concerns about hygiene, saying, “No! Having everyone’s germy cup at the soda fountains is gross in the first place… maybe if they gave it out in a paper cup, but at the end of the day seems like it’s just going to make park tickets even more expensive.”
Then to wrap things up, some, like Christa, simply prefer to “bring your own water bottle,” while others, like Rita, would rather Disney focus on bringing back FastPass than adding another thing to carry around the parks.
Those were just some of your thoughts on whether Disney should allow refillable mugs to be used in the parks, and we want to hear more from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news! Also, follow us on Facebook to join in on the next discussion.
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What are your thoughts on whether Disney should allow refillable mugs to be used in the parks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
naturaldisastergirl says
I have mixed feelings about it. We usually don’t get a refillable mug unless we’re on a Dining Plan that includes one. In the past several years, we have stayed at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, and rarely if ever gone to the quick service location there (such a sad replacement for what Trail’s End used to be). In the parks, not only do we mostly enjoy table service locations, we are also visitors who like to drink only water outside of meals (and even with meals, it’s x and a water). I also agree that somehow, using refillable mugs in the parks seems ‘germier’ than at the resorts. We also wouldn’t want to feel the need to carry around the mugs in addition to refillable water bottles. But, on those trips when we do have the mugs, it does sting to pay the prices for the drinks at the quick service locations. I always feel bad when I see the folks with all their cups on the caribiners in the parks, thinking that maybe they think the refills transfer to the parks. Maybe those are just THEIR answer to refillable water bottles, but dangling from their bags always makes me think that they’re not. It would be an inexpensive way for Disney to help make people feel like they’re getting more value for what they’ve paid. As others have noted, other theme parks manage to do this particular perk better in the parks, even if there is a small charge for refills.
Tracy says
I would love to be able to fill the mugs in the parks, even if it means paying a little more for the mug. Maybe they could have 2 different mug designs: one that can only be used at the resort and one that can be used at both the resorts and the parks. That way everyone can decide which one they want and how much they are willing to spend.
Saralee says
I am with the person who said bring back FastPass. The cups are messy, they spill, they don’t hold much. They dont fit in the water bottle pockets on your backpack or purse, stroller or scooter. I fill water bottle with soda that I brought for husband and one with water & ice. If they are going to invest time, research & money, bring back the fastpass “project”.
Hillary C says
Zero chance this happens. Zero. LL, turkey legs, and drinks…..just build it it to your budget.
And let’s face it….the poor FL locals who pay $300 on the installment plan to have an AP would do the Chi chis salsa trick (Google it).
Patrick says
Honestly this would be nice. As you pay over $20 for one of those cups and can only use it at the hotels.
Side note, I wish they would do extended evening hours to all resort guests. Seems like they would be able to make a little more cash with all resort guests enjoying a later night.
Dawne Corti Migre says
I think, allowing the refillable mugs to be used in the parks would be amazing. But more importantly, I wish that you could reactivate the mugs For a smaller fee. Even $10 -half the price of what the cup costs originally. I can’t tell you how many times I don’t actually buy the cup because I already have so many at home. We take numerous trips Per year and I really really don’t need 4, 6 or 8 cups
Lisa says
Just the fact that the one complainer is named Karen makes me laugh 😂
Brad Levantis says
Good lord they absolutely should.
I don’t think the worries about hygiene are sound. Any germs aren’t going to jump off a cup and contaminate the spigot .
I will say though I brought a refillable water bottle and used it once. Sorry Florida but your fountain water tastes terrible for someone coming from the Great Lakes area. So the ability to get a drink with some flavour would be a huge plus.
If they went with this they could even put a daily limit. I’d say 6 fountain drink refills
Ed says
I say yes you should be able to get a couple of additional drinks in the parks per day with a purchased cup, but I say only if you have the meal plan no matter if the qs or sit down dinning plan’s
Jack says
Nah, we don’t need refillable mugs in the parks. You can get free water at any quick service place anyway. Plus, the nearest resort from each park isn’t that far away. Besides, it would just result in more price increases for tickets. And if they did introduce refillable mugs for the parks, then I wouldn’t have a good excuse to visit the nearest resort to whichever park I’m visiting on each day. In short, no we don’t need mugs for the parks, just stick with the resort ones
Chris says
Yes, please! I love sparkling water and struggle to find it in the parks. The freestyle machines are a good option (plus the Powerade option!) Plus, I think I would buy the mug more often, currently I only buy it if I have a lot of non-park days.
Christine Wynne says
I think once you have purchased a mug, even in the past, you should be able to pay a nominal fee like $10 to be able to reuse the same mug. Now, you have to purchase a whole new mug to get refillable drinks at the resorts. That is not environmentally friendly.
dzneefan says
How about making them leakproof & insulated! Then you wouldn’t need to refill then as much. Just my opinion. 🙂
Jessie says
I think it woild be nice for people who ar not staying on resort to have in the parks. Even if they just use it to get water. Especially for people wbo have mexical isdues and need to keep hydrated like diabites. Though the water is better in MN. They raise the proce and take things away iys time they started giving things back, without using them to ticket prices. Out of state Ap is getting really expensive but its cheeper the any other ticket when your in orlando for over 3 weeks.
Verne D Arnold says
Yes.
Do the same as Universal.
Sell a reasonably sealed insulated cup just like Universal and install freestyle machines.
The filtration for water tends to be much better in them anyway.
As for $$ making, I hardly think UO is doing it to loose money.
Sandra G says
We get the mugs even if we don’t have a dining plan and get plenty of use out of them at our resort. We take them with us when we know we are going to visit another resort for a QS meal or to just look around as you can use them at any resort beverage station. Disney is good about giving you free ice water (add a flavor packet if you don’t like the taste) and their new water filling stations have filtered water. I’d rather have a clean disposable paper cup in the parks, so I am not dealing with a wet/sticky mug all day long.