10 Disney Refillable Mug Tips You Need to Know Before Buying
Who doesn’t love saving a little money at Disney World? When I first purchased Disney’s Refillable Mug years ago, I couldn’t believe the value it held! I came home and told my husband it’s the easiest Disney money saving hack. Use these tips and be on your way to one of the best deals at Disney World.
1. Purchase as soon as you arrive at Disney World
Think about it. For the price of $21.99 (as of August 2024), you get unlimited hot and cold drinks. That’s coffee, hot chocolate, various teas, Coke, Vitamin Water, PowerAid and if you are lucky to come across a Coke Freestyle machine, you have so much more.
Purchase the refillable cup when you first get to your Disney Resort to start saving upwards of $4 each time!
If you are on the Disney dining plan, your refillable mug is included!
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2. Start using it as soon as you get to Disney World
Your Refillable Resort mug is good either for your length of stay or 14 days. Doing a split stay between a Disney Resort and an offsite hotel? Purchase your mug as soon as you can so it’s valid your entire stay, not just while you are at your Disney Resort.
It’s easy to resort hop and fill up your mug while you are at The Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Just take the monorail around and grab lunch at The Grand Floridian (and they have a Coke Freestyle machine) if you are spending the day at Magic Kingdom.
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3. Refillable Mugs can only be filled at Disney Resorts
No, you cannot get free soda or coffee at any of the Disney Parks or even Disney Springs. These refillable mugs are only valid at the Disney Resorts.
But, if you ‘only’ use the mug 3x a day – that’s a savings of $12! Plus, you can grab coffee as soon as you get up, then refill the mug again before heading to the park. Be aware that the mugs are not spill proof, though, so don’t put them in your Disney Park Bag!
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4. Take your mug to the parks
Not because you can use it there, but because it’s easy to refill as soon as you return back to your hotel. Many Disney Resorts have refill stations close to their main lobby which is often near the Disney transportation.
Save time and steps by having it ready to refill as soon as you get back. Trust me, I’ve made the mistake of not carrying it, only to hike back to the room to get it and come back down.
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5. Bring Straws
Disney World eliminated plastic straws in 2018 and then in 2023, made their paper straws by request only. I never liked the feeling of wet paper straws, so we take our own reusable straws!
My favorite are bamboo straws, but you can also get a hard plastic or aluminum straws. Purchase from Amazon or elsewhere before you head to Disney for less expensive prices.
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6. Use the Mug Wash
Using the mug wash stations for Disney’s refillable mugs is super simple! Located near the refillable beverage stations, these handy spots let you give your mug a quick rinse between refills.
It’s a fast and easy way to keep your mug fresh while you enjoy your drinks throughout the day! Not everyone likes their Sprite with a hint of coffee!
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7. Use the mug often, but not within 2 minutes
To prevent guests from refilling and transferring drinks to another container, Disney’s refillable mug stations are set up to pause for two minutes after each fill. Once the two minutes are up, you can refill your mug again.
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8. Refill with ice water in the parks
Some might suggest using the paper cups provided in the park, but they tend to get soggy if the water sits for too long. Instead, bring your insulated cup and transfer your ice water into it. Remember, any quick service restaurant will provide you will free cups of ice water (like the Golden Oak Outpost) – just ask for it.
The closeable lid also makes it easy to stash the cup in the side of your backpack. Even better if you are pushing a stroller with a cup holder. However please note that the refillable cup is not leakproof, so don’t have it sideways in your backpack or you run the risk of it leaking.
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9. Choose from a variety of colors and designs
Disney changes up the refillable mug design every few months. We’ve had ones from both Halloween and Christmas. In addition, I loved the purple 100th anniversary mug.
Right now in 2024, they have 4 different colored versions (pictured) with a cute Disney theme. Get a separate color for each family member to tell who has used each cup!
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10. Give yourself a daily dose of Disney at home
A Disney refillable mug is more than just a convenient way to stay hydrated during your trip – it’s a perfect souvenir to take home!
Not only do you get unlimited refills throughout your stay, but the mug itself is a fun keepsake, often featuring special designs that reflect park celebrations or seasonal events. Plus, every time you use it back home, it’ll remind you of the magical moments from your Disney vacation!
For the full article, click here: Disney’s Refillable Mug: Sip, Rinse, Repeat
