As many folks know, Disney World offers “refillable mugs” at their resorts for guests to purchase and use for free refills during the length of their stay! There are plenty of FAQs about the mugs floating around the web and message boards, so let’s see if we can hit them all. PLEASE — if you’re old hat at refillable mugs, chime in with your comments!
We’ve updated this post regularly since we wrote it waaaay back in 2009, so all info should be accurate at this time!
Overview
“Refillable mugs” are 16 oz. insulated coffee mugs sold at Disney hotels for $15.49 + tax. Throughout your stay at the Disney resort hotel where you purchased the mug, you are entitled to unlimited free refills on “select” beverages from “select” locations.
Mugs used to be considered collectibles, as each Disney resort hotel mug had a design themed to the resort in which it could be purchased; but starting with the Year of a Million Dreams, the mugs have been one standard design and shape no matter where you purchase them.
Current Refillable Mug Information (BoardWalk)
FAQ
What beverages are available for refills?
You can refill your mug with coffee, iced or hot tea, soda-pop (these will be ALL Coca-Cola products — Disney does not sell Pepsi products due to Coke’s long-time sponsorship agreement), and hot chocolate.
*COOL INFO:* It’s interesting to note that most refillable mug stations have some sort of Hi-C lemonade/fruit punch option OR red/blue Powerade. And, thanks to DisneyNorth, I’m finding out that they’ve now replaced most Cherry Coke options with Coke Zero. However, if you go to Beaches & Cream’s to-go window when you’re staying at the Yacht or Beach Club, you can get free authentic cherry coke refills…and chocolate coke, and vanilla coke, and lemon coke refills…in your refillable mug.
Mara Refillable Mug Station at Animal Kingdom Lodge
What beverages aren’t available for refills?
Most notably, milk and “real” fruit juice (e.g. no OJ or Apple Juice).
Will they refill my frozen margarita at the pool bar?
No. But you get points for creativity.
Where can I buy the mugs and get refills?
Purchase/Refill stations are located in food courts, quick service locations, and pool bars at all Value/Moderate/Deluxe resorts. You can also get refills at Beaches & Cream at the Beach Club and at the Boardwalk Bakery and Coffee Cart at the Boardwalk.
Caribbean Beach Resort Market Street Mug Station
Do I get a mug if I’m using the Disney Dining Plan?
Yes! As of 2012, all Disney Dining Plans now offer refillable mugs for everyone on the plan.
May I only use the mug at my resort?
Yep. But if you’re staying at a resort that has a “partner” resort (like Yacht & Beach Club Resorts), you can get refills at the “partner” locations.
While you can’t use your resort mug in the parks (unless you’re getting water), you CAN purchase refillable mugs in the water parks. Disney’s also been rumored to be testing refillable mug programs in the parks.
Contempo Cafe Mug Station at the Contemporary Resort
Can I save my mug when I get home and bring it back to use on all my subsequent Disney trips?
You CAN do that, but you would be dis-obeying Disney’s signs that the mugs are only to be used during the length of your stay at that resort…that vacation…and that’s all.
This has been a bone of contention among Disney trippers for a while now. Some folks have no problem bringing their 2001 Coronado Springs mug to the Beach Club Marketplace in 2009 and getting a free refill, or even using their resort mug many trips in a row at the same resort. Others will buy new refillable mugs every time they visit a Disney resort — even if they go every month.
What YOU do is up to you and your conscience. But Disney’s been testing the idea of using bar codes that are activated only for length-of-stay. FYI.
(Note: Disney there are instances where guests have been told that the mugs are good for return visits, but our interpretation of the signs is that they’re not. Again, it’s up to you…and the cast member you ask.)
Wilderness Lodge Refillable Mug Station
If I’m paying an exorbitant amount for my room and there are mugs already in there, does that mean they’re free?
Whether or not you’re paying too much for your room, the mugs are never free. If you use them, they’ll be placed on your bill as a charge.
Any other cool stuff you should tell us about the refillable mug program?
YES! Each self-service refillable mug location has a MUG WASH! That’s right — there’s a little sink right next to the soda-pop dispensers that you can use to wash out your mug. Comes in very handy when switching between your drinks of choice…say between Coffee and Powerade?
MUG WASH!
Do YOU buy the mugs, DisneyFoodBlog?
You know, I used to buy the mugs at every resort as collectibles, but I always ended up in rooms far away from the refillable mug stations and never really used the mugs enough to justify the purchase (I wish Disney would put in more mug stations, but I know that would probably be taken advantage of by non-mug-buyers). That said, when I’ve taken trips to Disney World where my primary activity has been reading by the pool, having the mug for free refills has been a real blessing!
If you can’t live without your coffee, or if you need a travel mug for your morning commute at home, buy the mug. It’s fun to see that little Mickey face every morning!
Johari Treasures Mug Station at Kidani Village
If you have other questions, or if you have comments about your OWN refillable mug experiences, let us know by leaving a comment on the blog!
NOTE: As of July 2011, Disney is testing an RFID micro-chip system to ensure mugs are not used outside of the dates they were paid for. Check out refillable mug experiment details here.
Thanks to WildernessLodgeSite.com, AKLResort.com, DisneyContemporary.com, and DisneyCaribbeanBeach.com for use of “grab a mug” photos.
Lori — I think that’s probably right.
THey should have a mechanism at the register that allows only one mug purchase per person.
What resorts are considered “partner” resorts at WDW.
Are the Disney refillable mugs (2012), BPA free and/or dishwasher safe?
The mugs are definitely machine washable. We use them at home all the time, and machine wash after every use.
Do they have lanyards?
Apparently, refillable mugs are no longer offered at the Disneyland resort hotels. I’m at this time staying at the Grand Californian and when I asked at Whitewater about them, it was ias if they had no idea what I was talking about. I then asked at the concierge and they knew nothing about the status of them.
Hi Eric! Thanks for the details on Disneyland.
Are the refillable mugs still available for 2013 and if so how much are they? We are staying at the AOA and hoping they will be there (January 2013).
Melinda — Yes, they’re still available. You’ll be able to get one at AOA.
Lori – I had the same question. Turns out the mugs are included as a “credit” just like your meal and snack credits on the plan. You just go pick up the mugs, take them to checkout and tell them you are purchasing the mugs with your dining plan.
Eric — Thanks!
Just wondering how often they get new mugs. Not really a fan of the current design and Would love to get a new one when we go in October!
I need to buy 2 more mugs due to forgetting that my kids would want them…can I order them online some where?
Jennifer — there’s nowhere to buy them online officially.
Does anyone know if any of the stations have soda water available? I can see in the photos that there is a little gray tab for simple water, but my husband and I are addicted to water with bubbles.
Thanks!
Kelsey — No soda water to my knowledge
I am staying at old key west on the DDP in June and have the drinks mug included, I am then checking into animal kingdom lodge for 2 nights, will my mug be able to be used there too as It’s the same vacation or would I need to buy another one as I’ve moved hotels? The information from Disney seems a bit confusing as it’s technically the same vacation.
Also in Kidani village I believe there is no counter service so the refillable drinks are in the shop, does it have all the different drinks, I would mostly be using it for hot chocolate. Thanks.
Besides not getting your money’s worth of drinks, do you think the mugs are worth the price as a collectible? How often do they change the design?
I love how they have the little sinks to wash out your mug, its a great idea.
My family would also go to Disney and even 10 years ago my parents would refuse to buy the mugs, and now that they’re over $15 they would never buy them.. No matter now collectible or cute.
Thanks for the info
Maura — They change the mugs every couple of years right now. This one has been around since 2011.
I loved the mugs when each resort had it’s own one. My family is going to WDW in June and we are getting the mugs, but only because we are doing the quick service dinning plan. Otherwise I am not sure I would spent the money to purchase them.
Can you order these mugs online?
Brookly — No, you can’t.
I would like to see them offer a Passholder refillable mug that you can bring back every trip. We are passholders, we go at least once a month and we stay on property. It would be a nice perk!
Do you know anything about the big, old, resort-specific mugs? When we purchased them, I believe they were being marketed as being refillable only at that specific resort, but refillable forever. We have brought them with us on multiple trips, and have been told by CMs that we could refill. Are they just being nice to us, or is this really the case?
Karen — Yep, they used to be marketed as free refills for life. Now all of the mugs are the same size and design, and are clearly noted to be free refills only during that exact stay (though many folks have used them multiple times). I think that the use of the old resort-specific mugs is a gray area. Since they were marketed as free refills for life, I would say it’s fine that you reuse them as that was the rule when your purchased them and it seems like false advertising if they don’t honor it. But many new CMs these days will not know about that original marketing tactic, and Disney can always claim that the rules have changed.
Thanks! It’s been a subject of heated debate in my extended family for years, even though we now stay in the DVC villas and typically get our pop from the grocery store!
I find it interesting that I keep coming back to this wonderfully written article. I was talking to someone about the RFID recently in terms of the mugs, and kind of glad they decided to move on from that whole scenario.
I’m hoping when I go later this year that there’s cool designs. I’m probably going to need a coffee every now and again. Hopefully it’s not limited if it’s more than a two week stay…
Thanks AJ!
Here is the silliest question yet.
My child and I will be staying at Port Orleans-Riverside in April/May.
How late are the beverage stations open?
If I need a Coke fix at 2 am…will they be open?
Christina — Great question. No, most of the beverage filling stations close at midnight at the latest. The only ones open all night are Gasparilla Island Grill at Grand Floridian and Captain Cook’s at Polynesian.
Thanks AJ!
so, when we go to port orleans – french quarter, could we use those mugs we get w/ the dining plan only at fq & riverside? or could we bring them to the magic kingdom for water refills? thx!
kind of confusing to me.
Kelly — You can only get soft drinks, coffee, etc at your resort, but since counter service restaurants in the parks offer free ice water, you should be able to get them filled with ice water in the parks.
Hope that makes sense!
Just curious if the mugs in 2013 are the same designs as 2012? Does anyone know that has been recently? Do they have new colors at least? I use to love the new designs each time, but the last three times I have been they are all the same. Just not sure when I go back in a few weeks if I want to purchase another mug that I already have about 10 of.
Hi Jenn — Mugs are still the same as they were in 2012! Colors are still the pink, blue, black, and maybe yellow that you’ve seen previously. No change.
Thanks AJ! I haven’t seen yellow before, so maybe I can find one of those this time.
Jenn — I could be totally wrong about the yellow! I feel like there’s one more color in addition to the pink, blue, and black, but I can’t remember for certain.
Hi, my question is about the mugs with the dining plan. Are they considered a snack option? We want to get them, but I’m a bit confused as to what credit it takes from your dining plan.
What if they come with my dining plan. Will they still be in my room and will i be charged for them? When do I get them?
They are just included as a “credit” on your KTTW card. You pick them up when you go to a location that sells the mugs and there is no further charge.
is there iced tea at pop century? or a fruit punch for the kids? thanks!
Dawn — You can get iced tea at all food courts and there should be either Hi-C or Powerade at all food courts as well.
I was just at Coranado, and unless they hid them on me, there are no mug washes! Kind of annoying when I’ve seen them at other resorts!
At All Star Music they already have the mechanism in place…so I was ticked when I couldn’t refill my mug from All Star Sports.
When using the dining plan, you may pick up bottled water as the drink with your meal and save it for later, while you use your refillable mug for your meal. This was suggested to us by a cast member, and it felt like we were cheating the system! We kept all the bottled waters in the mini fridge for breakfasts and snacks in the room or out by a pool that wasn’t close to the main building. And of course, now we use the mugs at home when we’re feeling homesick.
I like the idea of the rfd chip in the mug but I think Disney needs to make the mug refillable anywhere in the parks at least for passholders or dvc members. They really need to think about experimenting with this idea. There is a park in Southern Indiana, Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, that offers its’ patrons free soda at self service kiosks throughout the park. The attendance at this park has risen every year for the past 5 years or more. Guest feel a sense of loyalty to the park because they feel like the owners care about the families attending. They may loose a little money at the food and bevarge registars but they make up for it at the front gate. With a refillable mug to be used at a self service kiosk the cost would be minimul to Disney. With resort guest carrying their mugs with them the amount of trash in the parks would be reduced. To make up for the lost sales they could sell cup lanyards in the gift shops. I’d buy a lanyard to tote my cup around the park.
Hi all.. I just returned from my quarterly visit to WDW March 19-22, 2013. I stayed at the POP CENTURY and ate at several locations.. I carried my refillable mug with me. I ate Dinner at the Food court in All Star Music..and used my mug no problem..(This was March 20, 2013) I also used my mug at Port Orleans French Quarter Thursday March 21, 2013)..I did not realize that the mugs were to only be used at the Resort of Purchase..this is 4th time down and each time get the dining plan and mugs..and Haven’ had an issue using the mugs at other resorts. Just thought I would put this out there. I don’t think it is right to use mugs purchased during previous visits, but I don’t see a problem with using a mug purchases during a current stay at different resorts food locations. They all have so many delicious choices..and all food courts offer different food choices.
Sooooo…. Is anyone else grossed out abt the free mug refill stations or is it just me ?? We all caught colds , kinda nasty even with the ” wash station” and people dam near trampling to get their favorite drink
Can you get your mug refilled befor you leave after a dinner if you are on the dinning plan
Jessica — Yep! You can refill your mug at the mug refill stations at any time (unless the venue is closed).
Do the beverage stations dispense ice?