How many of you out there use refillable mugs at the Walt Disney World Resort? Do you use them often? Do you get many free refills with them from different counter services? Do you bring back mugs from previous trips and use them on your trip, or bring other beverage holders with you to use? Well, enjoy it while you can because it looks like Disney is looking into a way to change the refillable mug system into an easily monitored system.
The internet has gotten wind of a patent that Disney is looking to getting that describes a “Self-Service Beverage and Snack Dispensing Using Identity-Based Access Control” system. This system can control how many drinks people get on their trip. At the beginning of each trip, a guest would buy the unlimited refill package and that package would last the length of your trip and be placed on your Key to the World card. When you want to refill, you would simply go up to a refill station across property and, just like at the gates to the park, show your key card and swipe your finger and you get your free drink. This system would supposedly be able to control the number of drinks that are refilled as well, how exactly I am not sure.
The patent for this system is still being processed, so it is not known if or when this system would be put into place, but it is something to keep an eye on. It has also been mentioned that this system would allow vending machines to use the same technology, allowing a guest to use the Disney Dining Plan to buy from the vending machines, but only time will tell.
Contributed by: Jessica C. (NDI#21). Jessica is our resident “Gossip Girl” and creator of The True Disney Fan Blog.
