Buying fridge for WDW rather than hiring?

[rob@rar.org.uk]

We're staying at WDW for 14 nights this August. During previous visits we have hired fridges from our Disney hotel, but now that prices are $10 (plus tax?) per night we are considering either a styrofoam cooler plus ice, or actually buying a cheap fridge from Walmart and leaving it behind when we fly home. I'm loathe to do this, but $140 just for reting a fridge for our two week vacation is just crazy, especially when small fridges can be purchased for half this amount.

Has anyone else bought a fridge and then left it behind? What would the hotel say if I used my own fridge, and then left it in the hotel room? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Regards

Rob

[Disneydenise]

Well if they were polite I think they would say thank you very much. I doubt however that you will hear from them. If you will be staying at a ressort for 2 weeks I think that it would get quite tiresome keeping up with the refilling of the cooler with ice. It would be worth the investment and subsequent donation in my opinion to. I would head over to Walmart upon your arrival and purchase the frige. They will be having sales at that time on dorm room friges most likely. Our kids will all be heading back to school the last week in August.

[chris1gill]

I agree, you'd do much better by purchasing the fridge on your arrival and just leaving it in the room when you leave... I cannot see paying 10.00/day for the fridge for 14 days... as you said, they can be purchased for much less....

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Instead of just leaving it, you could find someone else that was arriving for a long stay when you were leaving and pass it along. Then they could do the same and so on and so on. You could easily find someone on these boards. You could call it the
"DIS FRIDGE"

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by BoyLovesBuzz
. Then they could do the same and so on and so on. You could easily find someone on these boards. You could call it the
"DIS FRIDGE"

I love it!!! LOL Too funny!

[shannonandtom]

The last three times we have been there we have not had to pay for a fridge. We don't request it prior to check-in and when the Bell Hop takes us to our room and unloads our stuff he asks if we need a fridge or anything else. I ask him if there will be a charge for the fridge and he says no....so I give him a good tip and we get a fridge for our stay!

If you buy a fridge, save the box and ship it back home.

Tom...:wave:

[DawnCt]

What is wrong with a Coleman cooler on wheels? I grew up going camping with my family. I couldn't even envision having a fridge! A cooler would keep the ice cold for a longer time, it would meet your needs with a little effort and you could use it as luggage for extra "stuff" you may buy and send it home.

[NancyIL]

I think it will cost Rob as much or more to ship the refrigerator back to the UK as it does to buy it! I do agree that you should buy something rather than rent for 14 days.

[cindyfan]

I like the idea of shipping it home. what would that cost though??
I know you can buy a small frig, the same size as what they provide, for less than $80 regular price at Target.
So definitely a better deal to just go buy one.;)
I see you are from the UK, so I would assume that shipping it back home would be quite costly :confused: ?

[pooh6890]

I love the passing it on theory......Anyone see the movie "Pay it Forward"? Kinda like that huh? That would be a really nice gesture too.

[shannonandtom]

I never do this but...why not return it to walmart on your last day??? Again, I would never do something like this but some people probably do.

Tom...:wave:

[jel0511]

Rob - I think you have a GREAT idea!! I never would have thought of it and it's a good money saver. Too bad you can't use it at home though, our 110 volts vs your 220 volts is a killer!!!!

[pooh6890]

Tom, sorry to say, but that is a very good idea too.:(

[cindyfan]

tom......take it from someone that is in retail management....
DON'T !!! :(
That really is not honest.
Even though you are right in saying that some people do try to do this.

But I bet that there are places near Orlando that would also rent a frig for less that what WDW wants.

[renessa]

A fridge? It is a lot more light weight, and you could pack it with dirty laundry, tape it up, and check it as luggage on the way home. These have adaptors for 110 and also cigarette lighter, and have a hot or cold function. They have them at walmart- around $80 I would guess. My parents have one, and have used it for years. It could make trip after trip. And it would be "free" after 8 nights of usage. Ren

[Swan]

Rob I think that is a wonderful idea. I think I will do that. I am only staying for ten days, but I am driving so I can take it home and use it next time.

[Kallison]

I just take one of the extra little garbage cans, line it with a clean bag, put in drinks and fill with ice. Everything is cold in the AM. Buying a fridge and leaving it seems like a lot of trouble to me.

[cindyfan]

Kallison, I never thought about using the trash can!!;)
That would work better than the sink !!
We may just take a few kitchen size trash bags to line it and we are all set.
Thanks for that idea!

[Pitter]

No one has mentioned the collapsible cooler. I just got one - it is very well made, folds up to manageable size, and when fully open, can hold as many as 36 soda cans - not that you would. Just trying to give an idea of size. Besides, it is something that could be used in the future. Also, for 19.99 at AAA, it is very reasonable, compared to buying a fridge. If you pack your ice in zip lock bags in and around the food/drinks, it would be very simple to empty out and refill when needed.

[mkymouse4ever]

If you did buy a fridge:
1. send it home with packing, we have shipped many things home, ask about sending something ups. Truely cheaper than you think.
2. Your college kids will use it in there room.
3. Put it out in the garage, great storage for beverages when dad's working on car.
4. Use it in the van/suv with the ligther for power. Many of these small fridges have them.
5. Leave it for Mousekeeping with a thank you note. Cause it will cover as a tip and your mousekeeping helper can use it or sell it at her garage sale.

WDW charges 10.00 / day after 8 days you could of bought a small decient one, and had it as a souvenier / or to use next time? I feel if they offer and its free absoutely take it, other wise I can live without it. My next trip is for 18 nites who would pay 180 for a small fridge?

MKY:cool:

[Ratpack]

I already have a dorm sized refridge. Do you think WDW would say anything if I brought with me on our trip?

[tileman]

I already have a dorm sized refridge. Do you think WDW would say anything if I brought with me on our trip?


I just called and I was told that I could rent one from them or I couls also bring my own. No charge of course :)

I'm out to buy one today and we'll see if I get any hassle on Monday.

Ron

[sha_lyn]

We have always taken an electric cooler with. It has never been a problem to have it in the room. In fact this yr at ASMu they delievered it to our room and plugged it in while we were in the parks. HRH also kept it plugged up all day in storage until we came back in the evening and had our luggage sent up.
They are also lighter weight than the small refrigerators so it should cost less to ship back home.
Walmart, K mart and Target carry them as does most stores that carry camping equipemnt.