Dollywood Introduces Drink Program Changes

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

Dollywood has begun the process of switching their drink program over to microchip/QR code cups and bottles. According to Jonny Amusement on Facebook the new drink system will use QR codes with the all-season plastic cups already having them, the season refillable mugs getting them soon, and older tumblers and mugs being fine for the rest of the 2025 season. From what I've read there are QR codes available for people who have already picked up their season refill mugs as well. There have been some complaints online about how the system is being complicated while other comments praise Dollywood for taking a stand against soda stealers. This change has already been implemented at some Disney and Universal properties with the "smart" soda fountains reading either a microchip or QR code and then providing a timed window to get their drink and go. Good luck to the park as they embark on this new drink program. I would not want to be there getting drinks during the inevitable period where they have to straighten out all of the kinks in the program implementation. I already read enough comments about "soda stealing thugs" and "un-mannered children" who abuse water cups, I don't need to hear adults complaining about a "newly-complicated" drink system too.

 

Do you think Six Flags should look into implementing this kind of system? Personally, I think it is not a good idea for a company that has long struggled to keep its soda fountains fully stocked and functional. A better solution — at least temporarily — would be to continue installing pressure plates at the exits to Refresh Stations and to install more water stations that provide cold, filtered water throughout each park. The pressure plates help to ensure nobody can come in through an exit while the associates manning each point of service are able to control who gets a cup. The water stations (with water cups next to them) would help keep guests who want to drink water from needing to go to a restroom just to get said water. These could come in the form of new bottle fillers placed at each dining location or a push-faucet that closer resembles the functionality of a soda fountain nozzle. Sure, something needs to be done to improve things at SF parks, but I don't think microchips would help much right now.

[Diamondback_Is_King]

4 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

Dollywood has begun the process of switching their drink program over to microchip/QR code cups and bottles. According to Jonny Amusement on Facebook the new drink system will use QR codes with the all-season plastic cups already having them, the season refillable mugs getting them soon, and older tumblers and mugs being fine for the rest of the 2025 season. From what I've read there are QR codes available for people who have already picked up their season refill mugs as well. There have been some complaints online about how the system is being complicated while other comments praise Dollywood for taking a stand against soda stealers. This change has already been implemented at some Disney and Universal properties with the "smart" soda fountains reading either a microchip or QR code and then providing a timed window to get their drink and go. Good luck to the park as they embark on this new drink program. I would not want to be there getting drinks during the inevitable period where they have to straighten out all of the kinks in the program implementation. I already read enough comments about "soda stealing thugs" and "un-mannered children" who abuse water cups, I don't need to hear adults complaining about a "newly-complicated" drink system too.

 

Do you think Six Flags should look into implementing this kind of system? Personally, I think it is not a good idea for a company that has long struggled to keep its soda fountains fully stocked and functional. A better solution — at least temporarily — would be to continue installing pressure plates at the exits to Refresh Stations and to install more water stations that provide cold, filtered water throughout each park. The pressure plates help to ensure nobody can come in through an exit while the associates manning each point of service are able to control who gets a cup. The water stations (with water cups next to them) would help keep guests who want to drink water from needing to go to a restroom just to get said water. These could come in the form of new bottle fillers placed at each dining location or a push-faucet that closer resembles the functionality of a soda fountain nozzle. Sure, something needs to be done to improve things at SF parks, but I don't think microchips would help much right now.

I personally would love to see this implemented at the Six Flags parks, but I don't think it would be useful for all of them. They could do just the larger parks instead, but even then it may not work. But the microchip refillable bottles are really easy to use! The Coke machines actually tell you how many minutes you have left until the time expires, which is a huge help. The idea is great, but the execution is what determines how well it does in the park. I think Dollywood can do this well, but not sure about Six Flags.

[Orion-XL200]

Would love to see it. I, would also love to see a portioned amount of ice per cup being dispensed, like they do in some drivethrus. 

[IBEW_Sparky]

They could never, ever put a timer on a Freestyle machine, ar least not at any of the KI locations… has anyone actually taken time while in line to watch WHY the lines are so long?  Because the people who need an instruction manual for walking and the kids get utterly baffled by a drink dispenser with more than 5 choices and the assembly line grinds to a quick halt.

[KI Guy]

Kings Island is about the worst environment for Freestyle Machines I can think of. Hot, thirsty people wait in line while kids spend 5 minutes trying to figure out what drink they want, if it will be available (have syrup), and lastly if that particular machine will have ice.

Freestyle should only be used at food establishments that have some breaks in the action, At Kings Island it just slows down the line.

For drink stations just do what Holiday World and Michigan's Adventure do. They run there's perfectly. If they keep running out of syrup and ice then there are simply not enough machines.

I got tired of it and took the drink pass off of my pass for 2026.