Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

This new system with the chips in the resort mugs. How dumb

The machine "scolded" me for wanting a refill too soon! It said I had to wait 3 more minutes before refilling.

It was hilarious watching people who didn't have the mug or people who were told they had to wait.

Not a big fan. No one seemed to be.

Between the chips in the cup .. And the other new tracking they are doing - it's getting scary

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

What is this????

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

They have this new system now. You used to be able to purchase a mug and refill it at the hotels with no issues. Mugs were around $15 but paid for themselves quickly.

Now they have mugs with RFID chips inside and it's programmed for just the length of your stay and if you're drinking too much too soon, It makes you wait. Because the mugs are small and the ice takes up so much room, it's easy to drink quickly and want a refill soon after. It was just annoying. I don't want to wait for a refill! I actually had to stand there for 2.5 minutes before it would let me fill up again.

They also have new bands now. Personalized bracelets - legit watch looking ones almost - that you use to get into parks and hotel room. No more tickets or keys to hotel if you use the band. You just hold up your wrist and get a green light. You can even pay for things this way.

Creepy part? Wore band in restaurant in music kingdom. You wear it all the time. Food came right out to your table. They knew where you were sitting because of the band! Kind of cool... But creepy

Oh you can use your band as fast pass too. Like you pre-book what rides you want as fast pass and it's all programmed to your band.

I was amazed.

Message edited 2/11/2014 9:45:11 PM.

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

Oh I don't do the drinks. I personally like a fresh clean disposable cup each time. LOL. But a chip in the cup that limits? Thats a bit too big brother.

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

I don't blame you! The mug washing stations skeeve me.
I think even the cups have something in them or on them - the machine reads it as a valid purchased cup (and not one you didn't pay for)

It is very big brother. You don't even need a wallet when you go. All things can be linked to your band. It's not flimsy either. Your name is even on it.

Not sure how I feel about it all just yet. Still amazed!

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

I always wash my mug in the room bc I bring soap but those stations skeeve me too. But are ok I guess if you just want to rinse it so you don't want to walk around with a sticky cup. But I prefer to wash it with soap.

They are set for refills every 2 mins I swore I read. They did that because I think people were not getting mugs, one person would fill then they would pour into their families cups.

If you get a regular cup I hear you get one hour on the cup for refills. You get 3 refills or the one hour passes whichever happens first.

The only good thing about the cups is that you can now use them at any resort so if you explore other places you can at least get a drink.

Bands are a good idea but you still get stuck carrying cash or a credit card bc I hear there are frequent glitches. Also if you want a drink you still need your license. Too bad they couldn't put that info on there as well.

You don't have to put your name in yours but I guess it makes it easier in case you have two of the same color in your family. It does go on the inside so it isn't visible to others.

I have mixed feelings bc we had a ton of issues on our last trip and they didn't use the bands yet only the tap turnstiles, and tap paying, and room entry. The funny part is that the computer had me as having a band. So I couldn't get into the parks, couldn't get FP-s etc. it was fixed and they were very confused but it is what it is. Hoping the bands will work better by the time we go in a few months.

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

I actually don't mind the concept behind the chips in the mug but it still frustrated me when I got bumped into and spilled the whole cup and couldn't refill it and I got upset when I tried to get diet coke and it just gave me carbonated water and I had to wait the 3 minutes to get it fixed.

I'm glad they put a stop to people using their own cups from home and what not. I have seen families fill up those cylinder coolers and use Big Gulp mugs at the resorts. I'm not surprised that Disney started this but I wish there was something else that could be done. The time that it didn't give me the right soda the cast member gave me one of the other cups to use to get my drink which was nice.

Before they were using the magic bands fully Be Our Guest used roses that you brought to your table and that was how they brought you the food. They still used the roses the last time I was there, not the bands.
Keys to the Kingdom worked the same way as the magic bands aside from preselecting your fast passes so they don't really track you any more than they used to, it just feels that way since you are wearing the bracelet. It totally freaked me out at first but now that I've used them a few times I actually like them.

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

We don't buy the mugs since you can't get milk with them, and I don't drink coffee. But, we do drink water, and sometimes from the soda fountain. Do they no longer allow that?

...and I agree about it all being a little too Big Brother. We were staying offsite next week, we are doing Disney and Universal. But, with all the changes, I ended up exchanging Delta miles for 3 nights on site. My kids are going to be annoyed at wearing a bracelet all day, moreso my son than daughter, but we are sucking it up so we could get fastpass + reservations, and not have to wait at the long kiosk lines.

Message edited 2/12/2014 8:25:15 AM.

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

You can still get water from the machines. And coffee I believe.

(Without the mugs or purchased cups)

I'm one of those people who hate wearing hospital bands and even watches - the band didn't bother me much. Oh and photos are linked to it too. Not sure now. But it is.

But after being found in Be our Guest with just my band on - no rose - I asked the cast member about it. She said the band talks to furniture in the restaurant and that's how they can detect where you are. I started thinking - if Disney puts in other sensors in parks - and a child is wearing a band - maybe this will also curb lost children? If they can locate them quickly using the band, that would be good.

I also never once was ever ID'd to buy alcohol in Disney parks. Only in downtown disney - and that was rare.

It's funny. Because Disney is on this whole "your personal experience " thing and pushing the bands and stuff - and I see why - it's easy to forget how much you're spending if you feel like your just swiping a watch.

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

I didn't know it works with the photos now also. So no more photopass cards? Were you able to log into "My Disney Experience" online and see your photos? I don't normally buy many pics, but since my DD is attending the Wonderland Tea Party with Alice and Mad Hatter, and parents aren't allowed, I will probably want to buy a photo from that.

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

Cruise lines do the same thing so you don't fill someone else's cup up and I think you have to wait 15 minutes in between.

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

You can still get water from the machines. And coffee I believe.

(Without the mugs or purchased cups)

I'm one of those people who hate wearing hospital bands and even watches - the band didn't bother me much. Oh and photos are linked to it too. Not sure now. But it is.

But after being found in Be our Guest with just my band on - no rose - I asked the cast member about it. She said the band talks to furniture in the restaurant and that's how they can detect where you are. I started thinking - if Disney puts in other sensors in parks - and a child is wearing a band - maybe this will also curb lost children? If they can locate them quickly using the band, that would be good.

I also never once was ever ID'd to buy alcohol in Disney parks. Only in downtown disney - and that was rare.

It's funny. Because Disney is on this whole "your personal experience " thing and pushing the bands and stuff - and I see why - it's easy to forget how much you're spending if you feel like your just swiping a watch.

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

I saw roses but since I had band..no need for it.

I look pretty young (not near 21 either) and was shocked when I was carded at a restaurant in downtown. Trex and paradiso 37. Odd.

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

For those of you concerned about wearing the bracelet and hating it, my DH did not wear his magic band at all. He kept it in his pocket and took it out when he needed it. My cousin kept her son's strapped to their stroller or on her belt loop and scanned it when they needed it. They do not force you to wear it. :)

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!

I love the idea of the bands on the children. Now if a child gets lost, they can so easily figure out who the kid belongs to and how to contact the parents. I think that will be a really nice thing because I am sure it happens all the time!

Re: Minor Disney vent- the soda machines!