One of the best parts of staying at a Walt Disney World hotel is the long list of exclusive perks that come with it.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Early entry to the parks, free transportation across property, immersive theming, and that unmistakable Disney service — it all adds up to a more convenient and magical trip. Some resorts have amazing pools, fun activities, and great restaurants to choose from. Another thing they all have in common is the Rapid Refillable Mug service, but there’s one downside to this convenience.
If you’ve ever stayed at a Walt Disney World resort, you’ve probably seen (or bought) the resort refillable mug. “Refillable mugs” are 16 oz. insulated coffee mugs sold at Disney hotels in the Resort’s primary Counter Service location. Guests are entitled to unlimited free refills on fountain drinks, coffee, and tea from participating beverage locations at Disney resorts for their length of stay up to 14 days. Refillable mugs are available for one flat price of $22.99 for the length of the resort stay of up to 14 days, no matter how many days. But here’s the catch: you can only refill it at the resort hotels — not in the parks, not in Disney Springs. So, unless you’re spending a good chunk of time hanging out at your resort, its value is pretty limited.
Refillable Mug
What makes the rule even more frustrating is that the mug can’t be reused on a future trip. The refill access is tied to an RFID chip at the bottom of the cup, which is only activated for the length of your stay (up to 14 days). After that, it’s just a cup — although it’s still cute. If you’ve been going to Disney for years, you might remember when these mugs could be brought back — we’re talking decades ago. Guests would proudly reuse their mugs trip after trip, and it felt like a fun little perk that added a bit more value to staying on property. But that is no longer possible.
Self-service Beverage Station
Now, the one-and-done rule just feels wasteful. Between the price tag, the strict expiration window, and the fact that you can’t even use it where you’re spending most of your day — the parks — it’s hard not to feel like this policy could use an update. Some people may even use these at home for their morning coffee — I know I do. But maybe a return guest discount would be a step in the right direction. Disney has made great strides in sustainability lately, and this seems like an easy win. Let the mugs live on.
Refillable mugs are $22.99
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CONFIRMED: 7 Refillable Mug RULES Disney Is Enforcing in 2025
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The current mug usage policy is also wasteful. With the world drowning in plastic Disney should come up with a way for us to reuse our mugs. Maybe pay a fee on future visits to have the ID chip reactivated.
We use the refillable mugs as we come for 3 weeks ( from u k ) it’s annoying that the mugs run out after 2 weeks now they used to be for your entire stay !!!!
Another $ for wdw !
I love the convenience of the refillable mug while I’m at Disney World, but I also wish that the mugs could be used at quick service locations in the parks and at Disney Springs. I also wish that we could bring them back and re-activate them. There have been a few trips where I deliberately left my mug in the recycle bin in my room when I checked out, because they do tend to pile up at home.
August/September 2024 we ended up staying at Disney World Resorts (All Star Sports then Art of Animation) for about 30 days. We were not in the parks, just needed a place to live while dealing with delays in closing on a house in the Orlando area. A Cast Member discount made Disney the most economical option available!
We had the refillable mugs, and since we spent a great deal of time around the resorts we got a lot of use out of them. Once the RFID chip decided we had been there long enough, we went to the register and told the Cast Member that our mugs stopped working – they reset the chip and we continued to use them.
It never occurred to me that the mug was supposed to stop after 14 days.
We have tons of these at home. Cast members have told us that we can get them reactivated on another trip but it still costs the same price as buying a new one, so I won’t in principle. Even if they knocked, say, $2 of I’d feel happy about it.