Rapid Fill Mugs, Beverages, and Refill Stations at Disney’s Saratoga Springs (4 Locations)
Rapid-refill mugs are pretty popular around Walt Disney World. If you’re planning a stay at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, you might consider purchasing one. We see many questions about whether or not they’re worth it, inquiries about where you can refill them, and questions about what drink options are available. With those thoughts in mind, we’ve put together a guide to help you discern the value. We’ll also look at what beverages are available at Disney’s Saratoga Springs and where you can refill them.
Here is a photo of the current design. However, note that designs change from time to time. Sometimes, we see designs for special celebrations or seasonal options during the holidays.
Are Rapid Fill Mugs Worth It?
Rapid Fill mugs allow you to enjoy refills of fountain drinks, coffee, and tea at any resort self-service for the entire length of your resort stay (up to 14 days). Guests can get a Rapid Fill mug one of two ways. You can purchase one, or they come with the Disney Dining Plans.
Here are a few quick need-to-knows that will help you decide whether or not they’re worth it.
- Cost of the Mug: $22.99
- You get to keep the souvenir mug.
- You can use them at any resort quick-service that has a self-service refill machine. It doesn’t matter where you’re staying. For example, if you stay at All-Star Music and visit the Boardwalk, you can refill your mug at the Boardwalk.
- You cannot use them in theme parks, water parks, or Disney Springs. However, you can refill one before you leave the resort and bring it with you.
The Bottom Line: Since most beverages cost approximately $5.00, you’ll more than break even if you drink five or more beverages (at the resort) during your vacation.
How Rapid Fill Mugs Work
When you arrive at Saratoga Springs, you can pick up, purchase, or mobile-order a refillable mug from the resort’s primary quick service, Artist Palette. It is adjacent to the resort’s gift shop, which is down the hall from the lobby and check-in area.
Rapid Fill mugs are usually located near the checkout stand. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, the cast member will take your information and activate your mug, or you can purchase a mug, and they will activate it. The entire process only takes a few minutes.
Each mug has an RFID chip that is activated at the time of purchase. After it’s activated, you can visit any resort beverage refill station. When placing the mug under the soda dispenser, you’ll usually hear a small magical tune that sounds like the waving of a wand. You’ll then be able to refill the mug. However, you’ll want to remember not to pull the mug away until you’re satisfied with the refill. When you remove the mug from the station, the chip is reset, and it will not work for the next 2-3 minutes. This is done to prevent guests from turning around and filling extra cups to take advantage of the system.
In addition to sodas, most stations will have a Gold Peak Tea dispenser with sweet, unsweetened, and green tea options. All soda stations have ice and water. Joffrey’s coffee is available in caffeinated and decaf. Hot chocolate is available at some locations.
The 4 Locations to Refill Mugs at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Resort Quick Service
- Location: Artist Palette
- Type: Regular Dispenser
- Drinks: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Minute Maid Lemonade Zero, Fanta Orange, Coca-Cola Zero, and Barq’s Root Beer*
High Rock Springs Pool Quick Service
- Location: On the Rocks Pool Bar
- Type: Regular Dispenser
- Drinks: Coca-Cola, Fanta Orange, Barq’s Root Beer, Coca-Cola Zero, Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite, Diet Coke*
Poolside Quick Service The Grandstand
- Location: Backstretch Pool Bar
- Type: Regular Dispenser
- Drinks: Coca-Cola, Fanta Orange, Barq’s Root Beer, Coca-Cola Zero, Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite, Diet Coke*
Poolside Quick Service: The Paddock
- Location: The Paddock Grill
- Type: Regular Dispenser
- Drinks: Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Fanta Orange, Barq’s Root Beer, Minute Maid Lemonade Zero Sugar, Powerade Mountain Berry Splash*
*These were the drinks available on the day we photographed the machines. They could change.
Here is a photo of the beverage station at the Paddock Pool. I was surprised this location had a wider variety of soda options than the other refill stations. (This location serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.)
It is essential to note that all of the refill stations at these specific resorts usually close by 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. each evening. After they close, there is no way to access them. For example, if you visit Magic Kingdom and stay late one evening, you won’t have the option to refill your mug upon return to the resort.
We don’t usually purchase a mug when we stay at Saratoga Springs because our room is never close to one of the pools. So you might want to look at your location on the map in proximity to the refill stations. Given the size of this resort, you might not be anywhere near one of these stations.
For more information on Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, you might enjoy one of the following:
- Saratoga Spring Resort Pool Photos and Details
- Transportation Options at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
- Saratoga Springs Restaurant Guide
In the Comments
Do you plan to purchase a refillable mug at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort? Did you find this information helpful? Let us know below in the comments!
