Megan,
Thanks for asking your question to planDisney!
4 resorts in 3 weeks! You are really making sure you see it all, right?
So, you may need to purchase a second mug while on your trip, but certainly not one at each hotel of your stay. When you buy your first mug at your first Disney hotel, it will be activated for a 14-day use from purchase. After that, you have a great souvenir, but it will no longer work at the drink stations. You may need to get another mug after your first fortnight there. And no, in my experience they cannot simply re-activate your first mug.
You can find them at your resort food court restaurant, like the
Riverside Mill Food Court at
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. The refillable mug will allow you to refill the mug at any
Disney resort hotel at Walt Disney World, by going to the self-service beverage machines at any Disney hotel Quick Service dining location.
Either you go in for a second purchase, or if you can skip using it for a few days at the start and/or end of your trip, you may be able to get away with just the one purchase.
BONUS TIP #1There are no refill stations in any of the theme parks. These mugs are for use at resort hotels exclusively.
BONUS TIP #2When refilling your mugs at a machine, you are time-limited with how many refills you can do in a specific amount of time. The monitor on the machine will let you know when you are allowed to again use your mug.
Please feel free to
write me back directly if you have any follow-up questions.
Have a Magical Vacation!Doug