Validating Beverage System to Begin at Disney Resort Hotels

[Dsnygirl]

It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out, with all the different scenarios mentioned so far...

...but I for one am glad to see Disney finally implement something. I'm sure they've lost a TON of money on people cheating the system, and it irks me to no end when people just deliberately ignore the rules, pretending they don't apply to them. I've seen so many people filling old mugs, non-Disney mugs or holding 4 or 5 and filling them all (not new ones...) & then acting like it's just fine, like they're owed free refills or just free drinks, period. If the sign said "Free Refills", it'd be fine, but the directions are SO clear, and the fact that so many people just don't care is sad.

So, I don't blame Disney at all for trying to fix this... hopefully, it will help, although I doubt we'll ever see the "savings" passed back our way... But, at least the aggrevation of watching it happen all the time will be gone!!

[mudpuppysmom]

What about the people who aren't staying on property that buy the refillable mugs and get them refilled daily -- how are they going to be monitored.....I know people who have bought them each trip and done this.

[Renfairwedding]

Whats this talk about a time delay in a refill. there are times when we return to the resort and I can down that small cup in less then five min.

??? what if I take a sip and try top if off right away?

??? What if I spill it and want to refill in less than five min.

??? What if I go to fill and the mix runs out and I get a half flavored and half soda only (Yuck) and dump it and move to a diffrent station.

I demand answers!!!!!

[BigRedDad]

Will they charge a fair price for these new mugs? The reason I ask is that the mugs they have can only hold about $0.03 worth of soda. You would have to fill up 500x to break even. They are profiting enough from it to begin with on top of everything else.

Now, it is still too easy to cheat the system. A person can use one mug, continuously fill it, and pour it into another cup. It does not stop the process.

I understand what they are trying to do. Instead of making new rules to break, WDW would be better off enforcing the rules that are in place. This is just a small issue in the grand scheme of things. Correcting park attendant behavior would provide a far better experience: remove lin jumpers, remove families that fill up illegal cups, arrest people for trespassing at MNSSHP and MVMCP.

[big blue and hairy]

Also remember, everything that is tested, isn't implemented resort-wide.

[caryrae]

Whats this talk about a time delay in a refill. there are times when we return to the resort and I can down that small cup in less then five min.

??? what if I take a sip and try top if off right away?

I have done that many times, run in for a quick drink take a couple gulps and top if off right away then back to room. Now if the mugs held more then a quarter of a can of soda that would be better.

Now, it is still too easy to cheat the system. A person can use one mug, continuously fill it, and pour it into another cup. It does not stop the process.

You still could do that but if you have to wait 5 minutes between fill ups to me wouldn't be worth the time like you said the mugs don't really hold that much especially if you have ice.

[FriendsofMickey]

I think that this a good idea. It is sad that anyone has to go to these measures to stop theft. However, this sounds like a decent plan. I realize it will have minor issues, but it is what it is.
The cost to Disney for having people steal the soda is not $0.03. It is the profit that they would have made, not the cost. If they are making $1.00 on every soda (profit) and 1,000 people cheat the system, that is $1000 profit.

I noticed that the new DDP will have the mugs included, so for us (who usually buy the dining plan), this will be a bonus.

We stopped buying the mugs, because we :
1. hardly use them, so there is not much value.
2. bought the same exact ones two years in a row, not much of a souvenir that way.

I'll be interested in seeing how the new system works.

[sorcerer fan]

I heard , next year , no more mugs with the dining program

[DizneyRox]

It's interesting that they chose to begin this "test drive" with the value resorts.

Really?

If I were to guess, my money would be that the values are where the mug system is abused more (based on number of people alone) and would also yield the most profit once implemented. Small resorts would take longer to hit their break even point.

You don't need an MBA to be able to make this type of decision. As soon as I saw the machines on my cruise I knew Disney must we working on getting something like them installed, little did I know they were the same machines.

I heard , next year , no more mugs with the dining program

If these are implemented by years end I would all but guarantee it. Too much revenue sitting in guests pockets. Food and beverage hasn't been performing well in recent years, this will provide a much needed boost.

[DisneyWFan]

I heard , next year , no more mugs with the dining program

Actually the 2012 dining plan was already released and they have added the mug to all plans this year the only thing they have taken away was 1 snack on the Quick Service Plan so far, but all the restaurants have not been finalized so we will see

[Scar]

Really?

If I were to guess, my money would be that the values are where the mug system is abused more (based on number of people alone) ...

Not only that, but last year I spent a week at The Boardwalk. I didn't even see a dispensing machine. At the values you walk into the only place to eat and BAM, it's right there in front of you.

[magicofdisney]

You don't need an MBA to be able to make this type of decision. As soon as I saw the machines on my cruise I knew Disney must we working on getting something like them installed, little did I know they were the same machines.

I NEVER said it was a difficult decision, I said it was interesting. I'll keep my comments to myself as to why I feel this way...

[DizneyRox]

Last time I stayed there I think it was at the Bakery. Maybe one other place, but I forget. It was a pain, so the decision to pass was easy.

Until the water used in the fountain machines isn't the local Florida water, I will continue to buy the bottled soda sand/or water. Yes, I know it's most likely sourced from local water supplies, but it is filtered and processed to remove the foul taste/after taste.

I NEVER said it was a difficult decision, I said it was interesting. I'll keep my comments to myself as to why I feel this way...

Most of us are good at reading between the lines. Some of us are just more likely to call a spade a spade. . For example, an MBA doesn't necessarily mean you can make tough decisions. I know severrral with MBAs that are dumber than rocks.

[mdricks]

The only problem I have is the 5 minute delay. While I realize "sharing" might still be a problem, limiting how much I can have at any given time hardly equates to "all you can drink".

For my part, so long as its for personal use, you should be able to stick your head under the spigot and run it till your done (metaphoically speaking ofcourse).

The hidden cost savings for diz here is cutting back the lawful use by a mugholder. How many of us are going to wait around 5 minutes?

Who do you think uses more? The cheater or the mug holder on drink #2?

Perhaps its the pessimist in me....

[TheDuckRocks]

I heard , next year , no more mugs with the dining program

The 2012 brochures are already out and the Quick Service, regular Dining and Deluxe Disney Dining Plans all include a refillable mug. Further into the future, who knows what the dining plans may or may not cover.

See this topic:
http://www.intercot.com/discussion/s...d.php?t=182823

[EeyoresBestFriend]

Would be an idea if you could bring back these new mugs on future trips and they could program them to be used again at a discount rate instead of buying new mugs every trip.

I am sure with any technology this will break down every now and then causing problems but I suppose Disney could shut down the chip reader and have it work the old fashioned way unless there is no buttons or levers to push on these new dispensers.

GREAT IDEA!!!

It would be far more eco friendly! I already have enough mugs to start my own set from over the years!!

[Fangorn]

Would be an idea if you could bring back these new mugs on future trips and they could program them to be used again at a discount rate instead of buying new mugs every trip.

They used to do this at Typhoon Lagoon - not sure if they still do. We have a couple of mugs we bought there in 1996 (great mugs BTW). The machines at TL read a bar code on the mug to allow it to dispense soda. You could buy a new barcode sticker for $6 (the price the last time we did it - 2006 maybe) for the day and they'd put it on the old mug. We've lugged one of those mugs from Oregon to Florida at least 6 times now since that's how many stickers are on it.

Steve

[AmandaChan]

What I want to know is how much money are they going to be saving compared to the cost of this new system??

I understand it's frustrating for them that people try to cheat the system but com'on, now. Really?

btw I always get a new mug. While some might argue that it's a good deal I always get it for the souvenir factor. Even with the mug I do not get $14 worth of soda/coffee in a week while I'm there. I just don't.

[Disney4]

A 5 Gal box of syrup costs roughly $65 - that makes 320 12-oz drinks.

That is .203 dollars per serving. Adding a couple cents for water and carbonation and you have a soda costing around 22 cents per 12 ounce serving.

That means it will take around 70+ refills to get your value out of a resort mug. More if you add ice.

No, Disney is NOT losing money on soda. I am sure they have a much better procurement price on the syrup and CO2. This will just ding their sale of resort mugs.

I am seeing a lot of short-sighted profit margin initiatives coming up at WDW that, I believe, will ultimately backfire (Monorail service cutbacks, anyone?).

[DizneyRox]

What I want to know is how much money are they going to be saving compared to the cost of this new system??

Again, it's not about savings, it's about generating revenue. They are not saving money, they are forcing people who aren't currently paying to fork over some cash. Disney should have much higher receipts sitting in their cash register drawers at the end of each day than they currently do.

This system probably costs more to operate daily, just due to licensing the technology, but if more people are havIng to buy the mugs then it will mean more money in the revenue column.

That means it will take around 70+ refills to get your value out of a resort mug. More if you add ice.

True, but the alternative is what? 6 20oz bottles which would cost you the sane as one resort mug. Given the choices the mugs are a better value, if you like fountain soda. But you are right, the profit on the fountain soda is probably higher, even if the rumors of free coke products is true. I see more people with fountain soda than bottles these days.