Hi Ashley!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Oh I'm so excited that you'll be visiting Walt Disney World Resort in December. It really is the most Wonderful Time of the Year as the parks are open later, Epcot hosts the
International Festival of the Holidays, and the weather is usually perfect. Your whole family is going to love it!
I'm glad you asked about '
resort hotel hopping' because there is so much to see (and eat!) at the various Disney Resort Hotels. While I absolutely love the beautiful holiday decorations at the Deluxe Resort Hotels, some of which include
larger-than-life gingerbread displays, the over-the-top statues of my favorite Disney characters at Disney's Art of Animation Resort have a special place in my heart. Here you can find your stationary favorites from Cars, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Finding Nemo.
The Rapid Refill Mugs that are included as a part of a Disney Dining Plan are indeed available for purchase by any Disney guest, no matter where you're staying. They are currently $18 each and are not linked to any specific person in your family nor hotel reservation. Once purchased, a chip inside the mug is activated for 14 days of use. (A standard beverage cup purchased at the same location is about $3.50. These cups also have chips in them that only allow for three refills in a single hour, so the mugs are a pretty great value if you plan to hop a lot.) The mugs may be used at any Disney Resort Hotel Quick-Service Dining Location (just at the hotels, not in the parks) on a variety of beverages. Not only can you Resort Hop, you can also Hot Chocolate Hop too!
We'll See You Real Soon, Ashley!
~Kristen