I'm not sure this is totally true. Me and 2 of my friends (all season pass holders) went and 1 of us got the wristband. He didn't have to carry the cup with him at all and he didn't get a souvenir cup. At each stand he just showed his wristband and they gave him a new cup with whatever drink he wanted. IDK if thats how its intended to be used, but that is how he used it.
No, you don't have to have the big cup and you don't even have to carry a cup. I spent the $5 with a small drink and got the band, all I did is walk up & get a new cup filled with whatever I wanted.
