Welcome to a series we’re calling “Disney World’s Return to Normal”. As we continue to keep a close eye on the operations around Walt Disney World, we are noticing some policies are relaxed or discontinued as Disney World returns to normal. It has been more than a year since the Disney Parks around the world were closed, and as more and more Americans are vaccinated, we’ll see Disney start to relax policies around the theme parks and resorts. We’ll continue to update you on Disney World’s return to normal via a series of articles.

Yesterday, we broke the news that Disney World is allowing guests to once again use refillable mugs and self-serve soda stations in their resorts and theme parks. We made it out to a favorite of ours, Satu’li Canteen in Pandora – The World of Avatar, to check out the new policy.

As a recap, guests were previously prevented from using self-serve soda stations in the theme parks and resorts. Instead, Cast Members would handle the guest cups and fill up their drinks for them. There were no new limits on refills, but a new cup was used every time by a Cast Member handling your refill.

Starting on April 21, 2021, guests were once again allowed to utilize self-serve stations without the intervention of a Cast Member. This policy change, combined with earlier policy changes such as the removal of hand washing stations, appears to be a concession from The Walt Disney Company that contact transfer of COVID-19 is low.

While each self-serve station within the theme parks and resorts could be different, most should still implement measures seen at Satu’li Canteen such as physical distancing. A Cast Member will either direct you to a self-serve beverage station or ask you to wait on physical distancing markers until there is an open beverage station.

As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!