Originally Posted By WDWVacationer <a href="http://twitpic.com/5p7au1" target="_blank">http://twitpic.com/5p7au1</a>
Originally Posted By 3disneylocations Free beverages is a right of resort guests, just like off property riff raff free time in the parks w/EMH.
Originally Posted By Bolna There is some information about how this works on the company's website: <a href="http://www.validfill.com/index-3.html" target="_blank">http://www.validfill.com/index-3.html</a> The FAQ on that site is also quite instructive. It looks like there is a lot of flexibility on how this can be programmed. I am sure the All Star Sports test is about to find out what kind of programming Disney needs. For example, how long do people need to fill up a mug (btw it is possible to mix different drinks). And if Disney would want to stay true to their promise to those who bought those mugs which were good for life - they could just give them new ones with a RFID programmed as good for ever.
Originally Posted By Bolna I am not convinced it is a good thing because I see quite a few issues. But I wanted to point out that things might not be so bad and it all depends on how Disney implements the system. <<Like Spirit mentioned, what if you change your mind on what you want? Are you happy having to wait 5 minutes to refill?>> First, the system normally lets you pour different beverages up to the volume of the mug - but it can also be programmed as to allow larger pours. We will see what Disney decides to do. So in the Spirit's example, he would then end up with a mug with just a little less Cherry Coke. <<What if you are so thirsty that you down your first cup, are you happy waiting to refill?>> The waiting time for the next refill can be adjusted as well. And if I understand it correctly, water will be available all the time. There might be the option of drinking a cup of water if you are soooo thirsty. <<What does this do to the waits at the drink machines, especially during peak meal times. From what I've seen at PO, lines already can get a few people deep at peak periods. Now you will have people messing around trying to figure out what to do. And as it is now, you can have multiple people filling at once, if the taps are far enough apart. Will that work with the scanners, or will only one person be able to fill at a time? Are you okay with a longer wait?>> You don't need to scan separately, it will be done when you push the button in the dispenser. And several mugs can be filled at the same time. So I think it does not sound more difficult than with the current system. The only delays might be caused by people not getting the machine to work because they have to wait for their refill time.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Ouch, 5 minutes! Spirit is so dead-on. There are going to be a lot of thirsty ticked off guest clanging their mugs against the soda machines in protest! Like when guests crowd the FP return line waiting for their time, I'm sure it will make for great people watching as crowds gather in front of others waiting for their 5 minutes. What a logistical nightmare! << But a frankly hilarious mental image.
Originally Posted By leobloom I believe this Jeff Lange video of the new drink machines (honest!) will answer all your questions: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6dVh7-cY5Q&feature=channel_video_title" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...eo_title</a> And by all your questions, I mean none of your questions. I can't believe someone went to the trouble of filming this. (Dear Spirit, where's that mental health thread/novel/epic that you keep talking about?!)
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <I can't believe someone went to the trouble of filming this.> Why? Filming this is no weirder than any of the rest of the stuff that's documented on Disney fan sites.
Originally Posted By leobloom You're right, Jim. No weirder than the book of Disney toilets that I'm hard at work on.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA Are you the one doing that? Can I get an autographed copy? After you wash your hand of course.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> Ouch, 5 minutes! Spirit is so dead-on. There are going to be a lot of thirsty ticked off guest clanging their mugs against the soda machines in protest! Like when guests crowd the FP return line waiting for their time, I'm sure it will make for great people watching as crowds gather in front of others waiting for their 5 minutes. What a logistical nightmare! << <<But a frankly hilarious mental image.>> Agreed on all counts. I just don't get the kind of corporate mindset that leads to something like this that doesn't really help the bottom line and does (or will) harm guest satisfaction on something so small. It's petty. It's dumb. It's Disney. Someone did point out to me the possibility that this company offered the tech to Disney FREE as a trial and I think that certainly is possible. I wasn't planning on staying (even though my 2010 visit was surprisingly enjoyable) at the ASS. And it isn't on my MAGICal dining rotation, so this won't really affect me ... but boy would I like to hang out there and watch some of the nastiness and chaos this will cause.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I believe this Jeff Lange video of the new drink machines (honest!) will answer all your questions: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...eo_title" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...eo_title</a> And by all your questions, I mean none of your questions. I can't believe someone went to the trouble of filming this.>> I can, but I honestly don't know why. He can't sell the video even to the densest fanbois (I need to be careful because his wife doesn't like me!) And there's no point to it. It isn't a how-to. If I were in the business of filming stuff like this, then I might buy a mug or cup and show how the system works. And how it doesn't. I might interview some of the guests using it to see if they're confused or like it etc ... I dunno. I'm just glad we have people who can drop everything on a dime and 'report' this stuff. Too bad they couldn't have found Bob Iger, Tom Staggs, Steve Jobs or the Prince a few weeks ago! <<(Dear Spirit, where's that mental health thread/novel/epic that you keep talking about?!)>> I really think it's gonna be a book ... too much material to use ... too many things I can't say here ... too many people thinking (wrongly) that I am calling them nuts for loving Disney (if I do that, then I have to include myself and everyone here).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<You're right, Jim. No weirder than the book of Disney toilets that I'm hard at work on.>> Do you have a Top 10?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 There's chatter that this 'test' will be expanded to one of the EPCOT locations that also has the self-serve beverage stations either Electric Umbrella or Seasons food court. I've also been told that people bringing back old mugs isn't as much an issue as folks who use anything and everything to fill up ... and I have seen that. Old two liter bottles and used BK cups etc. That brings into play health issues ... but it's also something that has been going on for at least a decade, likely longer. Now, having attendants (remember when you had them at fast food outlets in the USA and no one would ever think of sitting at a table that someone had just dined at without said attendant coming over and cleaning the table? ... yeah, a whole generation or two doesn't either!) at the stations to simply stop such activity would have made more sense than this. But they are still gonna have issues with old-timers who were told constantly and consistently to bring the old mugs back. I am quite sure there never was a written policy because Disney never thinks things through and, back then, no one was looking at squeezing every penny from guests, they were looking to exceed guests expectations. Giving free soda when someone returned and was spending a whole lot more $$$ on food (leaving out the lodging and tickets) seemed to just be a good policy for loyalty and, again, how many did so? I can already see myself standing with a petulant 'have a MAGICal day' type at Roaring Fork and being told that what dozens of CMs, including management, for a decade, was simply incorrect or that I misunderstood ... but maybe they'll give me 20% off a new mug purchase.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>But they are still gonna have issues with old-timers who were told constantly and consistently to bring the old mugs back.<< Yep. Filling water bottles and cups from elsewhere are one thing -- it's clearly wrong not to mention unsanitary. But I feel bad for the poor CM that has to deal with those folks who were told they could bring in those refillable mugs as much as they wanted. There's also the shocking approach of actually charging a reasonable price for a soft drink, so as to make it not worth the effort for most normal people to not come up with ways to game the system. A couple of dollars for a soda? It's ridiculous. Come on, 2 liters are available for a buck on sale in grocery stores. Disney could make a handsome profit on sodas by charging less. But handsome profits aren't enough.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 Its not just Disney. Go to any theme park, sporting event, concert or special thing and soda and water are incredibly expensive as is the food. At least at Disney you can get a fair burger. Have you ever tried to eat at a Six Flag park? Yuck
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan No, I didn't mean to say it was just Disney. I had to apply for a 6 month loan when I purchased a bag of popcorn and a Coke at a movie theater. I also remember the sticker shock when I purchased 4 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips and 4 sodas for -- $38 at a Six Flags park 10 years ago. But Disney has basically a captive audience. It has always concerned itself with 'show.' I think it's pretty tacky and gross to fill up a water bottle with soda one didn't pay for, but I also think it's tacky and gross to stick it to guests by charging outrageous prices on something like a soft drink.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I understand. But I am also one who believes that is obscene to charge $14 to park in their parking lots.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Right. I am content with Disney taking all my available spending money when I'm on a vacation there -- souvenirs, meals, silly hats. I will gladly hand it over for any number of things like that. But it frosts my shorts when I feel gouged unnecessarily on things like parking, soft drinks, etc. Nickel and dimed.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I am quite sure there never was a written policy because Disney never thinks things through and, back then, no one was looking at squeezing every penny from guests, they were looking to exceed guests expectations.<< Nor was there blogs taking pictures of every new sign they erect. Such as advertising mugs.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Right. I am content with Disney taking all my available spending money when I'm on a vacation there -- souvenirs, meals, silly hats. I will gladly hand it over for any number of things like that. But it frosts my shorts when I feel gouged unnecessarily on things like parking, soft drinks, etc. Nickel and dimed.<< That's a great perspective Kar2oonMan. It's not about spending your money, it's about the allocation. Makes sense.
