If you’re considering Disney’s Rapid Fill mugs, here’s our breakdown of what you need to know.
Wondering whether Disney Refillable Mugs are worth the cost? Our complete guide can help you decide if it’s a good fit for your family.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. You can read our full disclosure policy here.
While it’s true that the cost of a Disney vacation can vary based on a lot of factors, we all know everyone can appreciate a good deal!
Especially when it can mean saving lots of money on fountain beverages at the Disney resorts.
Free refills have made such an indelible impression on patrons that when a restaurant doesn’t offer them, it can be hard to swallow.
Disney World refillable mugs are a fixture that won’t be going away anytime soon, even if the price does tend to go up a little bit every year.
Here is everything you need to know about these potentially money-saving Walt Disney World souvenirs and how they work.
Plus we’ll help you decide whether or not it’s a Disney splurge worth making on your next Disney vacation.
What is a Rapid fill Mug?
Rapid Fill is the term given to Disney’s program that uses special thermally insulated mugs, made for reuse throughout your Walt Disney World vacation.
Rapid Fill mugs are a unique variation on free refills, making clever use of RFID chip technology.
You make one purchase of the mug and you are able to use it repeatedly on fountain beverages throughout your stay at any Disney World resort.
The mugs come in different colors and various mug designs, with several current mugs featuring Disney’s 50th anniversary.
How Much is a Rapid fill Mug at Disney?
Right now, the most basic 16-oz. plastic mug is $21.99. There are also more expensive upgraded metal ones.
The price of Disney’s refillable mugs seems to increase year over year. However, the upgraded mugs are consistently $10 more.
Either way, the refillable cups remain active for two weeks after your start date.
Where Can I Buy a Refillable Disney Mug?
You can purchase the Rapid Fill Disney mugs at any food court, quick service locations, or pool bars at all Disney resorts.
This includes value resorts, moderate resorts, and Deluxe resorts (including the monorail resorts).
You can also refill your mug at any of these locations.
Are Rapid fill Mugs Included in any Vacation Packages?
It’s true, these refillable resort mugs initially debuted as a perk for purchasing a Dining Plan package.
Unfortunately, the Disney Dining Plan has yet to return, so this former perk is now only available as a separate purchase.
On one hand, it’s an additional charge, but on the other hand, the Dining Plans were of dubious value.
The benefits of these plans were often disputed among the budget conscious.
How Long Does a Rapid fill Mug Remain Active?
You can activate your Rapid Fill benefits at your convenience and the mug remains active for up to two weeks.
The price of the mug is the same regardless of your length of stay. That means the longer your vacation, the better the value.
Just don’t purchase another night at the Grand Floridian just to add length to your refill privileges. 😉
If your stay will be longer than 14 days, you can ask a cast member to extend its use.
Keep in mind that, as of right now, the mugs cannot be reactivated on your next trip, but they make a great souvenir.
Who Can Use a Rapid fill Mug?
Rapid Fill Mugs use RFID technology. That means that, similar to MagicBands, the refillable mugs are linked to your account.
However, that does not mean that they are tied to you specifically, like Genie+ or Lightning Lane purchases would be.
As long as the mug is used within the activation window, it doesn’t really matter who uses the mug. You can share one mug for your group, or have an individual mug for each person in your family.
Be advised that the value of Disney’s refillable mugs is not a forgone conclusion, and not every person benefits from free unlimited refills the same way.
What Beverages Can I Use Rapid fill Mugs For?
Rapid Refill Mugs are meant for fountain drinks. In addition to soft drinks, you can use them for hot chocolate, coffee, iced tea, and hot tea.
You cannot use a rapid fill mug for alcohol, specialty beverages, milk or juice.
Where Can I Use Rapid Fill Mugs at Disney World?
These refill mugs will get you free beverages at any of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, regardless of which one you’re staying at.
You can use them exclusively at your resort, or you can take them resort hopping throughout your stay.
The mugs work at refill stations around the resorts, including at food courts and some pool bars.
Disney’s water parks, including Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, have their own reusable mugs that are separate from the Disney Resorts mugs.
What are the Advantages of a Rapid Refill Mug?
On the surface, the advantage of free refills seems self explanatory. Beverages are typically very pricey at Walt Disney World, but the Disney refillable mug isn’t the only option for saving money.
For example, you can often buy a 2-liter bottle of soda at your resort for less than a 20 oz bottle.
You can keep the soda in your room’s mini fridge and keep it stocked for probably less than the cost of the mugs.
Of course that doesn’t account for the variety of options at a soda dispenser when you use the refillable mug program.
The other question you must answer is how often will you be purchasing beverages at the hotel.
Disney’s refillable mug has no value in the theme parks, so you will still have to pay for beverage purchases anywhere outside the Disney resorts.
If the length of your stay is longer, and you plan to have frequent meals at the resorts as opposed to the parks, you can save money on beverages.
However, if you are primarily a coffee drinker, although coffee refills are allowed, the value of the mug becomes questionable considering the lower cost of regular coffee or tea.
How do I Use a Rapid fill Mug?
These mugs used to be for self-service use. You would take them to the fountain within the Disney resort, and when scanned, the mug would trigger the fountain to dispense your beverage.
Since the pandemic, this has changed, and a cast member now must refill your mug for you.
This is one more caveat that potentially makes the refillable mugs less attractive. Depending on the time of year and your choice of resort, you may have to wait in long lines just to fill your mug.
It may not be worth it if it takes away valuable time.
When Does Purchasing a Rapid Fill Mug Make sense?
Rapid Fill makes the most sense for smaller groups on longer stays. The more people you purchase for, the higher the cost and the lower the likelihood that everyone will benefit the same.
Shorter stays obviously provide less value since you pay the same price for a new mug regardless.
You are also less likely to spend extra time around your hotel. That means less opportunity to take advantage of the free refills.
Alternatively, if you spend a lot of time at the resorts, particularly at the pool or the dining areas, you can save a lot of money on beverages with a refillable resort mug, provided you aren’t interested in alcohol.
More Disney Planning Resources:
- How to Get Last Minute Disney Dining Reservations
- How Does the Disney Payment Plan Work?
- Best Disney Resorts for Adults
Be sure to save this article for later by adding it to your Disney planning board on Pinterest!