BWV Refrigerator Warning

[disneynutz]

Disney did a wonderful job on the Villa rehab, the place looks beautiful.

Were they fell short is with the new refrigerators. The "Summit" brand refrigerators suck, they don't get cold enough. We are here now and Maintenance tells us that they had replaced the refrigerator in our room before we checked in and we had them replace it last night. The replacement unit isn't any colder.

They also told us that based upon Guest complaints, they rotate a couple per day and they keep the back-ups plugged in to keep them cold and ready.

Some purchaser made a big mistake on this one. :sad2:

:) Bill

[DVC Grammy]

Is this brand used in ALL villa sizes (studios AND 1-brs)? If Disney is having so much trouble with so many of them, wouldn't they have some recourse (as we would as consumers)? I have never seen an appliance that doesn't come with at least a one-year warranty. :confused3

[vicki_c]

Are you talking about a full size 1 BR and larger refrigerator? Or the small ones that are in regular resort rooms and studios?

Because everyone always complains about the small refrigerators -- Disney in fact calls then "coolers" when you ask about them and say they're not really meant to be refrigerators (ridiculous, but that's what they've said in the past).

[disneynutz]

Are you talking about a full size 1 BR and larger refrigerator? Or the small ones that are in regular resort rooms and studios?

Because everyone always complains about the small refrigerators -- Disney in fact calls then "coolers" when you ask about them and say they're not really meant to be refrigerators (ridiculous, but that's what they've said in the past).

This is a 1 bedroom, apartment size fridge. I don't remember what brands are at the other DVC resorts, never had any reason to check. I do know that the studio size refrigerators seem to get colder than this bigger one. We are going to buy a temp gauge latter today when we run some errands.

:) Bill

[KAT4DISNEY]

I guess we were lucky. Ours functioned perfectly a few weeks ago and DH is VERY particular about how cold the milk is!

[BEASLYBOO]

They also told us that based upon Guest complaints, they rotate a couple per day and they keep the back-ups plugged in to keep them cold and ready.
:sad2::) Bill

Am I alone here in thinking that rotating refridgerators is not the most efficicient thing maintenance should be doing. You can't tell me Disney doesn't have clout and/or the purchase power to call and get these things returned/replaced.

Crazy :confused3

I was so happy to see they had finally replaced those decrepid BWV stove tops with the funky burners and now we have refridgerator problems!

[DebbieB]

Am I alone here in thinking that rotating refridgerators is not the most efficicient thing maintenance should be doing. You can't tell me Disney doesn't have clout and/or the purchase power to call and get these things returned/replaced.

Crazy :confused3

I was so happy to see they had finally replaced those decrepid BWV stove tops with the funky burners and now we have refridgerator problems!

I took it to mean that they do that while waiting to get a replacement delivered. If you call and say your fridge isn't working, you don't want to hear they will deliver a new one tomorrow and then it will have to cool. I think it's a good idea to have some plugged in so that they can deliver a cold one immediately.

[Waseller77]

I am at the BWV right now in our one-bedroom and our fridge is keeping our drinks super cold! And we LOVE the rehab!

[Chic]

The LG brand flat screen televisions are a big piece of junk too. I first saw them in the Polynesian hotel several years ago and thought Disney may have learned a lesson. Evidently not because they're using the LG brand in the DVC Villas too. There was an LG brand washing machine in the Wilderness Lodge Villas this past July which leaked water so bad, there was always an inch of water on the floor in the laundry room. When I returned in August, the LG washer had been replaced with a Whirlpool unit and the water leak was gone. These low quality companies are obviously making Disney huge discounts so their name brand can be seen by thousands of guests who, in turn, may be dumb enough to go home and purchase one of their own. :lmao:

[TLSnell1981]

The LG brand flat screen televisions are a big piece of junk too. I first saw them in the Polynesian hotel several years ago and thought Disney may have learned a lesson. Evidently not because they're using the LG brand in the DVC Villas too. There was an LG brand washing machine in the Wilderness Lodge Villas this past July which leaked water so bad, there was always an inch of water on the floor in the laundry room. When I returned in August, the LG washer had been replaced with a Whirlpool unit and the water leak was gone. These low quality companies are obviously making Disney huge discounts so their name brand can be seen by thousands of guests who, in turn, may be dumb enough to go home and purchase one of their own. :lmao:

I'm surprised. My DS worked 9 years for Best Buy and LG was one of the top rated brands. This is based on returns, customer complaints and repairs, etc.

Now, for the fridge...I suspect they are "green" and here lies the problem. We had this issue in Paris. We stayed at a Marriott timeshare for 5 days and swapped the fridge 3 times. They just don't get cold.

[CarolMN]

We're currently in a BLT 1 bedroom. The refrigerator is GE.

Both LG televisions work and look great.

[jekjones1558]

We just checked into a 1 bedroom at BWV and our Summit frig is having a hard time getting cold. I will be watching to see whether it eventually does get cold. It was set pretty high when we got here and still was not at all cold. I am satisfied with the rest of the rehab stuff, though haven't done any wash yet to see if the new stacking dryer is any better than the pathetic old ones. I miss the picket fence hallway but must admit that I think the new decor overall is nice.

[BWV Dreamin]

We just checked into a 1 bedroom at BWV and our Summit frig is having a hard time getting cold. I will be watching to see whether it eventually does get cold. It was set pretty high when we got here and still was not at all cold. I am satisfied with the rest of the rehab stuff, though haven't done any wash yet to see if the new stacking dryer is any better than the pathetic old ones. I miss the picket fence hallway but must admit that I think the new decor overall is nice.

Can you post any pics of your rehabbed room? I'm so jealous... I won't get to BWV until spring 2011.:worship:

[BWV Dreamin]

We're currently in a BLT 1 bedroom. The refrigerator is GE.

Both LG televisions work and look great.

I would love to see any pics of your rehabbed room... even the refrigerator! Yes, I'm that desperate for a BWV fix!:dance3:

[jekjones1558]

Here you go, BWV Dreamin:

New living room TV and stand:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0025.jpg

New kitchen appliances:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0024.jpg

New sofa and coffee table colors:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0026.jpg

New kitchen table color and cushions:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0028.jpg

New bedspread:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0029.jpg

New bedroom TV and dresser:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0030.jpg

New bedroom lamp and stand:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0032.jpg

New stacking laundry:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0033.jpg

New living room lamp:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0035.jpg

New balcony furniture:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0036.jpg

View from room 2009:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0038.jpg

[BWV Dreamin]

Wooowwww!!! Thanks Jean! I love it all! I really like the balcony chairs, they look comfortable. Kitchen looks great and I love the sofa pattern. Of course I see you have my fav boardwalk view!:love: enjoy your trip and thanks for the pics!

[DebbieB]

Jean - any sign of work being done on the boardwalk side? I get there Saturday!!!!! I have a boardwalk view 1 bedroom too. :woohoo:

[jekjones1558]

BW view rooms appear to be all finished. Outside work on BW is all finished. For sure the 1st floor rooms down the hall from the laundry are not done.
I forgot to post these photos earlier:

New hallway carpet:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0039.jpg

New hall decor:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0040.jpg

New iHome clock/radios:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0055.jpg

[missy2217]

We stayed in a refurb 2 bedroom a few weeks ago and had NO issues with the fridge or TV.

[buzz5985]

I stayed in a 1 BR 2nd week of November and our fridge was turned way up. So I turned it down very low, and it actually froze the top of a 2 L bottle of Soda.

I didn't find the dryer any better.

[bobbiwoz]

Great pictures, Jean! Is your DH with you?

Bobbi:goodvibes

[jekjones1558]

Great pictures, Jean! Is your DH with you?

Bobbi:goodvibes

Hi, Bobbi,
No, DH stayed home with DDog, who is still hanging in there 11 months after being diagnosed with cancer. I am here with DSis-in-law, who has never been here and recently was widowed and survived breast cancer. She is just a dream as a travel companion. I feel badly that DH is not here, but he is very happy that his DSis is with me. My BFF is babysitting DDog in February (if necessary) so DH and I can come together.

[TammyAlphabet]

I am so glad that you have a friend with you. Thanks so much for the pictures. I am having my friend and her grandson join me and my DD in a 1 bedroom boardwalk view and I am so excited to have a brand new spanking room to show off how great DVC is!! And the Boardwalk!

[cvjw]

We were lucky enough to stay in a rehabbed one bedroom villa at the BWV in September, and had a fabulous rehabbed boardwalk view one bedroom (room 5011) the week before Thanksgiving, and had no issues with the refrigerator, the TVs or the dryer. All of our drinks stayed super cold in the new refirgerators. Our family loved the BWV both stays, and if we ever buy any more points, I have a feeling they would be at the BWV.

[jekjones1558]

Our frig did eventually get very cold. In fact the stuff in the very back froze on top. I have noticed that there is frost building near the seal on the freezer, so I think that there must not be a good seal. Overall, I predict that BWV will have ongoing issues with these Summit refrigerators over time.

[LoveKermit]

joining just to see the pictures. I can't view them at work.

[disneynutz]

Here are the temperature readings from our second refrigerator.

The refrigerator set on the coldest temperature is 58 degrees, 18 degrees higher than the recommended FDA storage temperature of 40 degrees.

The freezer, also set on the coldest temperature, is 38 degrees, 38 degrees higher than the recommended 0 degrees.

I just wanted to share this info with our fellow DISers and caution you to check your new "Summit" refrigerator at BWV.

:) Bill

[BUDDYBEAR]

Good luck everyone

[disneynutz]

OK here is the deal. They just installed a thrid refrigerator. The units are a smaller apartment size unit and GE doesn't make them anymore. The "Summit" units were shipped from China on their side and this has caused problems. The quality of the units has also been a problem, our fan wasn't running.

Disney is aware of the issue and is working with the manufacturer to replace the units.

[drusba]

As to pics, the rooms and hallways look so much better than they were when we were there last April pre-rehab (had the 2BR right above where Jean is).

[BWV Dreamin]

OK here is the deal. They just installed a thrid refrigerator. The units are a smaller apartment size unit and GE doesn't make them anymore. The "Summit" units were shipped from China on their side and this has caused problems. The quality of the units has also been a problem, our fan wasn't running.

Disney is aware of the issue and is working with the manufacturer to replace the units.

Ha! Your now officially the "DVC Refrigerator Police". :) nice job thanks for staying on top of this.

[disneynutz]

Ha! Your now officially the "DVC Refrigerator Police". :) nice job thanks for staying on top of this.

Just part of the service. :goodvibes

I don't like throwing out room temp food and sour milk. :mad:

:) Bill

[LoveKermit]

I think my parents have that same oven!

[rynosmom]

The LG brand flat screen televisions are a big piece of junk too. I first saw them in the Polynesian hotel several years ago and thought Disney may have learned a lesson. Evidently not because they're using the LG brand in the DVC Villas too. There was an LG brand washing machine in the Wilderness Lodge Villas this past July which leaked water so bad, there was always an inch of water on the floor in the laundry room. When I returned in August, the LG washer had been replaced with a Whirlpool unit and the water leak was gone. These low quality companies are obviously making Disney huge discounts so their name brand can be seen by thousands of guests who, in turn, may be dumb enough to go home and purchase one of their own. :lmao:

That LG Washer has been leaking since February '09 when we stayed there. And was leaking for sometime as the sheetrock was in very poor shape. I notified the maintenance department when we were there as well as I emailed DVC to let them know. I received a call from DVC about a week later saying that they would have the washer repaired. You say that you went in July and it was still leaking. I bet it's still leaking today.........:confused3

[sillykid]

In the picture the fridge looks pretty small. I understand that it's an apartment fridge, but look at the space between the cabinets above and the fridge as well as the gap by the stove. I do not remember it looking that way before.

[disneynutz]

In the picture the fridge looks pretty small. I understand that it's an apartment fridge, but look at the space between the cabinets above and the fridge as well as the gap by the stove. I do not remember it looking that way before.

It's about 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide.

The third fridge is working great. It's so nice to finally have a cold soft drink and frozen ice cream. :love:

:) Bill

[Longhairbear]

It's about 5 feet tall, 2 feet wide.

The third fridge is working great. It's so nice to finally have a cold soft drink and frozen ice cream. :love:

:) Bill

I guess another reason to to never book there again. I was being nice before, but we really hated that resort.

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm saying this from memory since we usually stay in studios...but, the old refrigerators were either 17 or 18 cubic feet, and the new ones are likely 15 cubic feet.

(My folks have an appliance store, so I grew up around appliances.)


I'm curious...Is the new refrigerator frost free? That is a really, really cheap refrigerator!

[Lexxiefern]

Thanks for the info on the fridges. Hopefully we get a cold one next month.

Jean, great photos!! Thanks for sharing them and have a wonderful trip!

[DebbieB]

Arrived at BWV this afternoon in a 1 bedroom. One of the first things I did was check the fridge. It was very cold.

[BWV Dreamin]

Arrived at BWV this afternoon in a 1 bedroom. One of the first things I did was check the fridge. It was very cold.

How is your room? View? Pics? :) I miss BWV, can't ya tell!:santa:

[DebbieB]

How is your room? View? Pics? :) I miss BWV, can't ya tell!:santa:

Beautiful! We are on the 4th floor above the store (I'll post the room # after check-out).

I'll have to download some pictures. I bought a new Kodak camera and have been disappointed in the pictures, they are blurry. I brought my old camera, I'll have to switch to it today.

One issue yesterday - parking was terrible. I guess alot of people were at ESPN for the college games (at least that is what the guard said). They had the main driveway entrance blocked but everyone was going around to the side, there was no guard posted there.

[mjlass11]

Here you go, BWV Dreamin:

New living room TV and stand:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0025.jpg

New kitchen appliances:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0024.jpg

New sofa and coffee table colors:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0026.jpg

New kitchen table color and cushions:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0028.jpg

New bedspread:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0029.jpg

New bedroom TV and dresser:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0030.jpg

New bedroom lamp and stand:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0032.jpg

New stacking laundry:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0033.jpg

New living room lamp:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0035.jpg

New balcony furniture:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0036.jpg

View from room 2009:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0038.jpg

That room looks EXACTLY like ours

[DebbieB]

Here you go, BWV Dreamin:

New balcony furniture:
http://i412.photobucket.com/albums/pp204/jekjones1558/IMG_0036.jpg



I noticed your inflatable was still there on Thursday.

View from room 4041 (dedicated 1 bedroom):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc33b3127ccef88c0936befb00000050O08AZOGTFq4ZtA e3nwQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc33b3127ccef88cc9f4be5900000050O08AZOGTFq4ZtA e3nwQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Our room was over the blue awning above the store:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc33b3127ccef88c3e967fe800000050O08AZOGTFq4ZtA e3nwQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[Sammie]

OK here is the deal. They just installed a thrid refrigerator. The units are a smaller apartment size unit and GE doesn't make them anymore. The "Summit" units were shipped from China on their side and this has caused problems. The quality of the units has also been a problem, our fan wasn't running.

Disney is aware of the issue and is working with the manufacturer to replace the units.

http://www.caraudiovideosystems.com/mire.html

Is the Summit the same size as the one pictured in this link, if so you will notice that GE makes one the same size, as does Fridgedaire. I think Disney just got a great deal of a lesser product.

[BWV Dreamin]

Love your view DebbieB! I hope I can get that same view my next visit! :)

I noticed your inflatable was still there on Thursday.

View from room 4041 (dedicated 1 bedroom):

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc33b3127ccef88c0936befb00000050O08AZOGTFq4ZtA e3nwQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc33b3127ccef88cc9f4be5900000050O08AZOGTFq4ZtA e3nwQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

Our room was over the blue awning above the store:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9cc33b3127ccef88c3e967fe800000050O08AZOGTFq4ZtA e3nwQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

[auntsue]

We just got back, room 5027, and didn't have any issues with the fridge. We only had coke, water, milk and hard cheese in it and everything stayed cold the whole time. I did think it was a little small compared to the old one, but we don't bring too much food, so for us, it was fine.

I loved the look of the new stove, but we've never used one there yet, and I'm not about to start now.

[disneynutz]

We just got back, room 5027, and didn't have any issues with the fridge. We only had coke, water, milk and hard cheese in it and everything stayed cold the whole time. I did think it was a little small compared to the old one, but we don't bring too much food, so for us, it was fine.

I loved the look of the new stove, but we've never used one there yet, and I'm not about to start now.

While the refrigerators were being replaced I chatted with the maintenance men. They hate the new glass top stoves. The short time that they have been installed at the BoardWalk, they have already noticed a cleaning issue and one Guest broke the glass. :sad2:

:) Bill

[BEASLYBOO]

they have already noticed a cleaning issue and one Guest broke the glass. :sad2::) Bill

Now that's a first, they must have dropped a cynder block on it, I've never heard of anyone ever breaking one. Wow!

[Sammie]

Now that's a first, they must have dropped a cynder block on it, I've never heard of anyone ever breaking one. Wow!

There is no tellling what happened. I had a friend work for the GM at Riverside and they had a guest call Maintenance and say that the lights over the bed, had come out of the wall.

When maintenance went to check, sure enough the fixture was torn completely out of the wall, wires just hanging on.

When they commented what in the world could have happened, the guest said, "Oh I was using them to do pull ups" :eek: :headache:

[BEASLYBOO]

When maintenance went to check, sure enough the fixture was torn completely out of the wall, wires just hanging on.

When they commented what in the world could have happened, the guest said, "Oh I was using them to do pull ups" :eek: :headache: and I wonder, are people charged for the repairs for this type of abuse?

[hakepb]

Now that's a first, they must have dropped a cynder block on it, I've never heard of anyone ever breaking one. Wow!

I have a glass cooktop and hate it. Takes too long to heat up, its like you have to "preheat" any fry pan for several minutes and then it takes forever to cool down, which means it is too easy to burn everything. This home and my last had glass tops, and same cooking problems(Although I must admit, 3 homes ago my house had gas burners, and I've never seen a chef wanting anything besides gas)

DW religiously cleans it after every use (we've tried every glass top cleaner, she scrapes with a razor blade.., and after a few years it does not remain perfectly clean. In the last week or 2, we noticed a crack in ours, so it's days are numbered.

IMHO, glass top stoves are great if you want a clean surface to look at, but never use (except for 1 or 2 meals a year).
Using a glass top makes me think fondly of the days when I had much better electric element cook tops.

[jekjones1558]

During our recent BWV trip there was a 2 inch ring of something burned on the cooktop. It was very hard to remove, so I understand why mousekeeping was unsuccessful. I have a glasstop at home and know that it is critical to get these kinds of spots up right away. I scrubbed and got it off, but it took a while. I wonder whether mousekeeping even has the special cleaner and a sharp scraper to clean these stovetops?
I wanted a gas range in my home kitchen but we need a special size and the only one I could get had the gas hookup in the wrong place for our situation. That said, my glass cooktop is probably 8 years old, is used daily and looks like new. But I am more conscientious about cleaning it than could be expected in a rental property. And the glasstops beat the old crooked burners at BWV by a long shot!