Disney Needs to Take Notes from Universal’s Refillable Mug Policy

There are few pastimes more enjoyable for theme park aficionados than comparing Disney and Universal’s resorts.

Whether it’s rides, theme parks, restaurants… and even refillable mugs. While both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando offer refillable mugs, there’s a pretty stark difference between their approaches, and the Mouse House arguably should take some notes.

Let’s start with the basics: Universal Orlando offers mugs that can be filled at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines located around their theme parks, including Epic Universe, as well as CityWalk. However, these mugs can NOT be used at Universal’s hotels, each of which features its own mugs for Freestyle machines.

These Universal mugs retail for about $19, and offer refills every 10 minutes throughout the day.  Guests can bring their cup back to all the parks, time and again, and get it reactivated for the day.

Meanwhile, Disney’s approach is essentially the opposite. Their resort mugs are just that: RESORT mugs. They give guests access to the fountain drinks at any resort (not limited to the one where they’re staying), but they aren’t usable at Disney World’s four theme parks.

Disney’s mugs cost about $23 and offer refills at the hotels for 14 days, though if you stay longer, you’ll need to reactivate them if you want to use your cup again.

While there are arguably pros and cons to each of these systems – for example, we do really wish Universal’s hotels didn’t require separate mugs – we give the edge to Universal. After all, guests typically spend more time within the theme parks versus the resorts during their vacation, and being able to easily refill around the parks is a huge perk.

Plus, it’s allowed Universal to introduce concepts like Epic Universe’s exclusive soda flavors. Three of the park’s portals feature exclusive Coca-Cola variants only available in those specific lands:

• Celestial Spritz: According to Universal, this flavor – located as the name would imply in Celestial Park- is a blend of Seagram’s, along with cherry and orange flavors, and a secret “added tartness” mixed in.
• Screaming Bury: Located in Dark Universe, Screaming Berry blends Fanta Cherry and Fanta Fruit Punch with added grape and vanilla notes.
• Dragon Splash: This Isle of Berk specialty is a “zesty, citrus-forward mix” made with Minute Maid Lime, Fanta Lime, and Mello Yello.

Imagine how cool it would be if featured Freestyle machines with exclusive flavors throughout the parks. Perhaps a Galactic Fizz in Galaxy’s Edge, or a Dinoco Motor Oil flavor at the upcoming Piston Peak. Or even Freestyle machines loaded with international Coca-Cola flavor around the World Showcase like a massive scaled version of the classic Club Cool. The possibilities seem infinite.

Both Disney and Universal offer refillable mugs at their Florida resorts, and we’d argue that the former could learn a bit from the latter. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on the differences between Disney and Universal.

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Which refillable mug system do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below!

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