BCV Studio Fridge

[PCFriar80]

Just returned from another stay at the BCVs and when we checked in to our room, we had a very small refrigerator.
It was room 455 which we've been in multiple times and the fridge was 2.6 cubic feet with no freezer shelf like we've had in the past. Engineering was called and he said that this was the only fridge that fit under the counter. I know for a fact that we have had larger fridges in the past for that room. 30 minutes later he was back with a Kenmore 4.4 cubic foot fridge [with the freezer shelf] and simply plugged it it next to the entry door to the room. I measured it and it would have fit under the counter, but he decided just to plug it in next to the other one. I sent a few messages to see if this was the new direction for studios but couldn't get a direct answer. I am wondering if anyone else has had this experience at the BCVs or an the DVC studio for that matter?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Most studio fridges do not have freezers any more. The new VGF units will have drink coolers only and that is the likely long term direction for all.

 

[jo-jo]

That's sad. When DH and I go, we would order food for meals in room. Nothing fancy. Cold cuts for sandwiches, veggies, breakfast sandwiches , oj, half and half, cream cheese, butter.....

I don't even know if "beverage cooler" would be safe for cold cuts or dairy.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I don't know, I'm now very interested, and a little nervous, to see what I get for my upcoming stay at BCV.

 

[CarolynFH]

That's sad. When DH and I go, we would order food for meals in room. Nothing fancy. Cold cuts for sandwiches, veggies, breakfast sandwiches , oj, half and half, cream cheese, butter.....

I don't even know if "beverage cooler" would be safe for cold cuts or dairy.

There was another thread here a few weeks ago about the same thing. We almost never stay in studios, so we're not affected, but I think that DVC owners who do stay in studios and depend on the little fridges to keep food safe to eat, as opposed to keeping beverages cool enough to drink, should email dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com and let them know. Be sure to state clearly that you understand there may be a price difference, with refrigerators being more expensive, and that as an owner you're willing to pay the additional amount of MFs required to keep your food safe for eating.

DVC will continue replacing refrigerators with beverage coolers unless enough owners protest and make clear they're willing to cover the cost.

 

[Bruggok]

For this Christmas trip I am going to bring a digital thermometer that keeps track of min max. If temp stays 4-6 deg C it’s good enough for food.

 

[The Jackal]

There was another thread here a few weeks ago about the same thing. We almost never stay in studios, so we're not affected, but I think that DVC owners who do stay in studios and depend on the little fridges to keep food safe to eat, as opposed to keeping beverages cool enough to drink, should email dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com and let them know. Be sure to state clearly that you understand there may be a price difference, with refrigerators being more expensive, and that as an owner you're willing to pay the additional amount of MFs required to keep your food safe for eating.

DVC will continue replacing refrigerators with beverage coolers unless enough owners protest and make clear they're willing to cover the cost.

A refrigerator and a beverage cooler area very different. Members should look into what is required to be in the room and remind DVC their obligation. Now VGF2 they can change it in the deed and there isn’t much we can do but complain. If there is enough complaining they could change. Maybe that is why Cheapek wants to possibly sell DVC. We owners complain too much. If you kept things the way they were and don’t change things we would not complain.

 

[Skywalker3]

What temperature do the beverage coolers already in Disney studios get down to?

 

[CarolynFH]

A refrigerator and a beverage cooler area very different. Members should look into what is required to be in the room and remind DVC their obligation. Now VGF2 they can change it in the deed and there isn’t much we can do but complain. If there is enough complaining they could change. Maybe that is why Cheapek wants to possibly sell DVC. We owners complain too much. If you kept things the way they were and don’t change things we would not complain.

I’m not sure the deed is that specific, since it deals with real estate ownership and not the details of villa furnishings. When DVC refurbed BCV and replaced whirlpool tubs with soakers, there was some protest, but I don’t think anyone was able to do anything legally. So to me, the best way to get refrigerators instead of beverage coolers will be for numerous owners to let them know what the impact is and - most important - confirm willingness to pay for them.

 

[Tess]

Just returned from another stay at the BCVs and when we checked in to our room, we had a very small refrigerator.
It was room 455 which we've been in multiple times and the fridge was 2.6 cubic feet with no freezer shelf like we've had in the past. Engineering was called and he said that this was the only fridge that fit under the counter. I know for a fact that we have had larger fridges in the past for that room. 30 minutes later he was back with a Kenmore 4.4 cubic foot fridge [with the freezer shelf] and simply plugged it it next to the entry door to the room. I measured it and it would have fit under the counter, but he decided just to plug it in next to the other one. I sent a few messages to see if this was the new direction for studios but couldn't get a direct answer. I am wondering if anyone else has had this experience at the BCVs or an the DVC studio for that matter?

Several years ago, we had a room on the fourth floor overlooking the courtyard and directly into the CL lounge (room 406, I think). When we arrived, we too had the tiny cooler/dorm style fridge and it was leaking all around it. We pointed out (to our bell services helper) that the dorm fridge was hardly the type that should be in the room and bell services agreed. He called maintenance requested the correct sized fridge for the room and removal of the one located in the cubby which was defective. This dorm style fridge was so small that it didn't even fit the width of the cubby let alone the height.

Maintenance arrives with the same type fridge currently in place and insisted that it was the only type of fridge for the studios. It was cheap, brown and really tiny. We had stayed many times in studios and proceeded to so inform him, politely of course, and insisted that the correct fridge be located and put in place. We suggested that if he doubted us, he should look at refrigerators in other studios for comparison and he would soon see he was incorrect. The correct fridges were stainless steel and nearly counter height.

In a rather big huff, he hauled both refrigerators out of the room and said he would return to "storage" and see what he could find. When he returned, he had a brand new stainless steel, appropriately sized refrigerator that filled the cubby and fit like a glove.

He apologized and said that he thought the original was the correct size and, in fact, there was only one more of the type he ultimately placed in our room in the storage room. We accepted his apology and suggested they should keep more than two in stock.

Had we not complained, we would not have had room to place the items we had brought and, more importantly--the items would have spoiled since the coolers only cool and do not keep items cold. Forget about bringing back leftovers from meals.

With regard to the freezer compartment--we were just there in October (room 260) and our refrigerator did have a freezer compartment. The door had been removed and it didn't freeze well, but it worked for placing bottles of water to get super cold.

I sure hope they aren't planning to shrink the size of the studio refrigerators--they are small enough. More likely, it was a situation where maintenance had no clue what to look for in the storage room. Those fellows are used to dealing with the resort dorm size fridges which seem to drop like flies.

 

[PCFriar80]

View attachment 619275

Several years ago, we had a room on the fourth floor overlooking the courtyard and directly into the CL lounge (room 406, I think). When we arrived, we too had the tiny cooler/dorm style fridge and it was leaking all around it. We pointed out (to our bell services helper) that the dorm fridge was hardly the type that should be in the room and bell services agreed. He called maintenance requested the correct sized fridge for the room and removal of the one located in the cubby which was defective. This dorm style fridge was so small that it didn't even fit the width of the cubby let alone the height.

Maintenance arrives with the same type fridge currently in place and insisted that it was the only type of fridge for the studios. It was cheap, brown and really tiny. We had stayed many times in studios and proceeded to so inform him, politely of course, and insisted that the correct fridge be located and put in place. We suggested that if he doubted us, he should look at refrigerators in other studios for comparison and he would soon see he was incorrect. The correct fridges were stainless steel and nearly counter height.

In a rather big huff, he hauled both refrigerators out of the room and said he would return to "storage" and see what he could find. When he returned, he had a brand new stainless steel, appropriately sized refrigerator that filled the cubby and fit like a glove.

He apologized and said that he thought the original was the correct size and, in fact, there was only one more of the type he ultimately placed in our room in the storage room. We accepted his apology and suggested they should keep more than two in stock.

Had we not complained, we would not have had room to place the items we had brought and, more importantly--the items would have spoiled since the coolers only cool and do not keep items cold. Forget about bringing back leftovers from meals.

With regard to the freezer compartment--we were just there in October (room 260) and our refrigerator did have a freezer compartment. The door had been removed and it didn't freeze well, but it worked for placing bottles of water to get super cold.

I sure hope they aren't planning to shrink the size of the studio refrigerators--they are small enough. More likely, it was a situation where maintenance had no clue what to look for in the storage room. Those fellows are used to dealing with the resort dorm size fridges which seem to drop like flies.

Here is a picture of the fridge that was in our room [this is not my picture but it's the same fridge].
Brand is Danby Designer Mini Fridge. As you can see, it seems a little out of place fo the space allotted for what we have had in the past. Also, the temperature control is on the back of the fridge so adjustments are not that convenient. As I said, after a call to engineering they appeared with the familiar silver fridge.......which fits lie a glove in the space allotted!

 

[Tess]

View attachment 619275

Here is a picture of the fridge that was in our room [this is not my picture but it's the same fridge].
Brand is Danby Designer Mini Fridge. As you can see, it seems a little out of place fo the space allotted for what we have had in the past. Also, the temperature control is on the back of the fridge so adjustments are not that convenient. As I said, after a call to engineering they appeared with the familiar silver fridge.......which fits lie a glove in the space allotted!

View attachment 619744

Your pictured fridge was larger than the one that occupied our space several years ago. The one that was leaking was more like this:



a 1.6 cubic foot mini fridge--a cube. Not acceptable!

This is more the type that should be (brand excepted) and we have found in BCV and other studios:




4.5 cubic feet, if not a smidge larger.

Glad you were able to get your fridge replaced as we did!

 

[Sally524]

So what is the difference in price between a beverage cooler and a mini fridge? Maybe $100. Depreciate that over 5 years and that is $20 for a year. Divide that by 52 and the cost is 38.4 cents for a week. Wow that is a big cost savings by not keeping the mini fridge. (Sarcasm)

 

[Sandisw]

I’m not sure the deed is that specific, since it deals with real estate ownership and not the details of villa furnishings. When DVC refurbed BCV and replaced whirlpool tubs with soakers, there was some protest, but I don’t think anyone was able to do anything legally. So to me, the best way to get refrigerators instead of beverage coolers will be for numerous owners to let them know what the impact is and - most important - confirm willingness to pay for them.

I just read through quickly the POS and you are right, its not that specific. It leaves the decision for the decor and furnishings to the association.

It does allow DVD to change design of any unit that they own, which certainly seems to support why they can add the rooms to VGF in the way they are with different configurations re: two beds day bed, and beverage cooler…..and no microwave.

So, I think owners who want to see things kept like the mini fridge need to let them know because ultimately, we pay for it so the more owners share opinions, the better chance we have of keeping it the same.

 

[kanerf]

I will just have them bring me another fridge. I am a diabetic and have insulin, so that is a good reason for the request.

 

[CarolynFH]

I will just have them bring me another fridge. I am a diabetic and have insulin, so that is a good reason for the request.

I think that’s a good reason to have refrigerators instead of beverage coolers in every studio. You’re not the only diabetic who stays in the DVC resorts.

 

[PCFriar80]

Just thought I would post a follow-up to this thread I started and attach the response I received from Disney today. I'm glad to report that our small fridge was an "exception" and that the studios should have the "larger" size fridges that we are accustom to. 2nd paragraph first sentence takes a little to get through but I understand the intent.

Welcome Home Jim,

I can not thank you enough for your patience as I awaited a response from my Resort partners.

I received a response and welcome to share that happy to share with you that during the time of your visit, the Resort was short on refrigerators due to prolonged shipping and the fridge that was originally in your room was needed for another room. Unfortunately, as you later found, the smaller fridge was never replaced for the correct size prior to your check-in. The foreman assured us that the inventory is tracked and managed correctly to avoid these types of issues from happening, there just happened to be a supply chain issue when you were in-house. I have been assured by the Resort that things have since been corrected. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you again, Jim, for reaching out to us.

 

[CarolynFH]

Just thought I would post a follow-up to this thread I started and attach the response I received from Disney today. I'm glad to report that our small fridge was an "exception" and that the studios should have the "larger" size fridges that we are accustom to. 2nd paragraph first sentence takes a little to get through but I understand the intent.

Welcome Home Jim,

I can not thank you enough for your patience as I awaited a response from my Resort partners.

I received a response and welcome to share that happy to share with you that during the time of your visit, the Resort was short on refrigerators due to prolonged shipping and the fridge that was originally in your room was needed for another room. Unfortunately, as you later found, the smaller fridge was never replaced for the correct size prior to your check-in. The foreman assured us that the inventory is tracked and managed correctly to avoid these types of issues from happening, there just happened to be a supply chain issue when you were in-house. I have been assured by the Resort that things have since been corrected. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you again, Jim, for reaching out to us.

That's good to hear. Now we just need to spread the word that if a guest finds a beverage cooler in their studio, they need to call housekeeping or maintenance and request the proper one!

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Nice thread! I bookmarked a couple of the comments, particularly the letter/email response from DVC. Just in case I run into this issue and get pushback when I request a larger fridge.

 

[peabody58]

Not a fan of the beverage coolers. We always drive to WDW and bring a small cooler with us which has DW's frozen morning green smoothies and my breakfast microwave items. Worse case scenario, we just keep the cooler filled with ice. Over the years we've really trimmed our packing list, especially perishable food. Sometimes the fridge units were too cold and messes with DW's insulin.