Refillable mugs may sound like a fantastic option if you’re heading to Disney World, but whether or not they make sense depends on several different things.
Thinking about purchasing some for your next trip?
Check out the answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive about using aDisney refillable mug in 2024!
In this article
How much do the refillable mugs cost at Disney World?
If you are on theDisney Dining Plan,you’ll get a mug included with your plan
For those paying out of pocket, refillable mugs at Walt Disney World cost $21.99 plus tax each. This is an increase from the former $19.99 price they had been for several years.
In addition to the “basic” versions that are $21.99, Disney also often offers “upgraded” versions which are a little bit nicer and cost around $29.99. We’ve seen special Skyliner and Star Wars versions.
Plus, you can also often find holiday-themed ones (Halloween & Christmas) during those times of the year.
The average cost of a fountain beverage is around $4.29, so if you think you’ll be purchasing at least 5 fountain drinks from a resort food court, a mug might be a good idea.
Where do I buy a refillable mug at Disney World?
You can only buy refillable mugs at the Disney Resorts and not in the parks.
At the resorts, mugs are available in some of the gift shops and in most of the food courts (Value and Moderate resorts only) and at the Quick Service locations at the Moderate, and Deluxe Disney Resorts.
And, if the resort Quick Service location you are dining at has it available, you can even add them to your Mobile Order, too!
How do I activate my mug?
When you take your mug to the cash register, the Cast Member will check to see if you are part of the Disney Dining Plan or if you’ll be paying out-of-pocket for your mug, and then they’ll activate them. The entire process is very quick.
Does Magic Kingdom (or Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom) have refillable mugs?
The Disney World theme parks do not have any refillable mugs, and your resort refillable mugs will not work in the parks. Both water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) do, however, have a refillable mug option.
How does the refillable mug program work?
Magic and Pixie Dust.
Just kidding. It is by special technology branded “Rapid Fill”.
The cups have a small RFID chip in them (the same technology that runs MagicBands) that tells sensors in the beverage machines whether the cup is activated or not.
If your cup is activated, you’ll simply follow the directions on the screen by placing your cup on the tray (it needs to touch the tray in order to work) and then filling it up with the beverage of your choice.
Most of the machines will also tell you how long your mug will be activated, too.
If your cup isn’t activated, nothing will happen, and you’ll have to walk away as lights flash and sirens blare.
I’m kidding.
I mean, nothing will happen (no beverage will dispense) but there aren’t any lights or sirens. Usually.
There is a small waiting period between refills – 2 to 3 minutes, so if your plan is to buy one mug and then use it to fill up a giant jug to haul around the parks, your plan has been foiled!
2 minutes may not seem like a long time, but if you’ve slammed your drink because you ate something too spicy, and you really need a refill, it’s an eternity.
Do Disney refillable mugs expire?
Disney refillable mugs are only good for a set number of days after they are activated. Disney used to sell different mug “plans” but now the only option is to buy a mug that is good for 14 days.
After that, your mug will no longer work at the Rapid Refill stations.
What happens if my stay is longer than 14 days?
If your length of stay is longer than 14 days, a Cast Member can extend it for you, but you’ll have to ask; it doesn’t happen automatically.
What kinds of beverages are included?
All the regular fountain beverages (Coca-Cola products), iced tea, wine, hot tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.
Premium beverages like milk and real fruit juices are not included. Nor is any alcohol. BUT, nothing is stopping you from buying an adult beverage and pouring it into your mug to keep it chilled.
Where do I refill my refillable cup?
Resort Quick Service locations and food courts will have dispensers where you can refill your mug, but many resorts will have secondary stations, oftentimes around the pools.
How do I clean my mug on vacation?
The refill stations all have a spot where you can wash (or rinse) out your mug before refilling.
Another tip that we’ve used in the past is to purchase a new sponge and cut it into smaller pieces, and then add some soap to those pieces before setting them out to dry.
Add those mini sponges to your suitcase and when you need to wash your mugs, you can just add some water (to activate the soap) and scrub away.
How much do the mugs hold?
In my opinion, not enough. They are kind of small, BUT that makes them easier to handle and schlep around, I guess.
16 ounces is about what they will hold – but that is without any ice. For reference, a can of pop is 12 ounces.
I bought one of the “forever” mugs, can I still use it?
Alas, nothing is really “forever”.
Yes, way back when Disney used to say the mugs they sold would be good “forever” but that was a long time ago, and now they have all this fancy technology, so you’ll need to buy a new mug.
Can I reactivate an old mug?
That’s a negative. If you want refillable beverages, you have to buy a new mug each trip, which means you’ll end up with a cabinet of happiness at home.
Of course, if you travel to Disney World frequently or if you have a large family you may quickly run out of places to store lesser needed items like “plates” or “food” but who needs those when you have a brightly colored display-o-mugs to remind you of your happy place?!
Seriously – there are days when opening up a cabinet to see brightly colored Disney mugs would spark a lot more joy in my heart than seeing a cabinet of canned beans.
I am planning a split stay. Can I use them at more than 1 resort?
Yes! Your mug can be used at any of the Disney World resorts, regardless of where you are staying.
Are the Disney refillable mugs a good deal?
If you are thinking about buying a refillable mug, make sure you do the math and think the process through.
First, you’ll need to be confident that you’d be buying at least 5 beverages from your resort over your stay.
If that is a “yes”, there are some other things to think about – like, how convenient will it be to go refill your mug?
Some rooms can be far away from the refill stations. Will you REALLY want to walk all the way over to fill up your mug each day?
Some people like to fill their mugs up on the way to the parks, or they like to fill them up as they get back from the parks.
The problem with that is that then you’re carrying your mug with you all day. It is doable (especially if you have a stroller) but it can be a hassle.
An alternative to that plan would be to order some groceries or beverages to keep in your room. That way you can grab something as you leave and recycle the container when it is empty.
Are refillable mugs dishwasher safe?
The refillable mugs you get at Disney World are dishwasher safe, but you should be warned that some designs can wear off pretty quickly if you are washing them a lot in the dishwasher.
If the design is important to you, you should probably hand wash them just to be safe.
Do children under 3 get a mug with the Dining Plan?
Nope. If your child is under the age of 3 they won’t get a mug. You can buy them one out of pocket, but since a child under the age of 3 doesn’t need to buy the Dining Plan, they don’t get a mug.
As a seasoned Disney enthusiast with multiple visits to Disney World and an in-depth understanding of the park's dynamics, I can confidently address the various facets of the article about Disney refillable mugs in 2024.
Refillable Mug Costs at Disney World: The article mentions that if you are on the Disney Dining Plan, a refillable mug is included. For those paying out of pocket, the cost is $21.99 plus tax, with occasional variations for upgraded or themed versions like Skyliner and Star Wars, costing around $29.99.
Where to Buy Refillable Mugs: Refillable mugs can only be purchased at Disney Resorts, specifically in gift shops and most food courts, limited to Value and Moderate resorts. Quick Service locations at Moderate and Deluxe Disney Resorts also offer them, and you can even add them to your Mobile Order if available.
Activating the Mug: Upon purchasing, a Cast Member activates the mug at the cash register, depending on whether you are on the Disney Dining Plan or paying out-of-pocket.
Refillable Mug Program in Parks: The article emphasizes that Disney World theme parks, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, do not have refillable mugs. Resort refillable mugs do not work in the parks, but water parks like Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer a refillable mug option.
Rapid Fill Technology: The refillable mug program operates on a technology called "Rapid Fill," utilizing RFID chips similar to those in MagicBands. These chips communicate with sensors in beverage machines to determine if the cup is activated, enabling guests to refill their mugs.
Expiration of Disney Refillable Mugs: Disney refillable mugs are valid for a set number of days, typically 14 days, from activation. If your stay exceeds this duration, a Cast Member can extend the activation period upon request.
Beverages Included and Where to Refill: The article lists the included beverages such as regular fountain drinks, iced tea, wine, hot tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. Premium beverages like milk and real fruit juices are not included. Refill stations are available at Resort Quick Service locations, food courts, and sometimes around pools.
Cleaning and Mug Capacity: The refill stations provide spots for washing or rinsing the mug before refilling. The mugs hold approximately 16 ounces without ice, and the article suggests using small sponges with soap for cleaning.
"Forever" Mugs and Reactivation: The article dispels the notion of "forever" mugs, stating that each trip requires a new mug purchase. Reactivating old mugs is not possible.
Using Mugs at Multiple Resorts: The article confirms that the refillable mug purchased can be used at any Disney World resort, regardless of the specific resort of stay.
Evaluation of Refillable Mugs as a Deal: The article advises readers to assess the value of refillable mugs based on their beverage consumption and convenience. It suggests considering factors like refill station proximity and offers alternatives like ordering groceries to the room.
Dishwasher Safety and Children under 3: Refillable mugs from Disney World are dishwasher safe, but the article cautions about potential wear on designs. Children under 3 do not receive a mug with the Dining Plan, although parents can purchase one separately.
