Beverage Cooler vs. Mini Fridge

[Her Dotness]

We've stayed in VGF studios twice and both times had the beverage cooler, once in 2018 and then last year.

Last trip, bought a pint of half & half shortly after arriving and drove home with it on ice at week's end.

It was plenty good for another week.

If it's got that multi-shaped in-door rack and no tiny freezer, it's a beverage cooler.

 

[act1980]

What resorts have these? We have stayed at the Poly, GFV and CCV and haven't had any issues unless they were still the fridges then? Why are Disney changing to these coolers? I don't get the point?

 

[Wedgeout]

Watched a recent Coronado Springs Vlog with the beverage cooler, clear front, sticker labeled with: cools to 41 degrees and above. I don’t need the freezer but an actual mini frig with proper cooling would be better.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Bumping this thread: staying at Poly (the older section) this summer and it sounds like it just has beverage fridges.

Do we have a definitive list of which DVC studios have fridges and which have beverage coolers?

 

[Simba's Mom]

When I stayed in studios at BCV and at Kidani last January (split stay), they both had mini-fridges. I wonder, if the fridge stops working, will they replace it with a beverage cooler?

 

[SL6827]

There had to be a cost savings for Disney to switch these up.

 

[lowlight]

Bumping this thread: staying at Poly (the older section) this summer and it sounds like it just has beverage fridges.

Do we have a definitive list of which DVC studios have fridges and which have beverage coolers?

I stayed at Poly post refurb and it was mini fridges. You are saying they took those out and put in beverage coolers? A lot of people mistake the freezer less mini fridges for beverage coolers, but the actual beverage coolers have glass fronts and do not get below a certain temp (42 I think it said in a sticker somewhere). The only place I’ve seen a beverage cooler DVC side is resort studios at VGF, but they rolled a fridge into my room when I complained and I heard they swapped them all back to mini fridges since then.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I stayed at Poly post refurb and it was mini fridges. You are saying they took those out and put in beverage coolers? A lot of people mistake the freezer less mini fridges for beverage coolers, but the actual beverage coolers have glass fronts and do not get below a certain temp (42 I think it said in a sticker somewhere). The only place I’ve seen a beverage cooler DVC side is resort studios at VGF, but they rolled a fridge into my room when I complained and I heard they swapped them all back to mini fridges since then.

This is reassuring! I haven’t stayed there yet, just had read it was an issue!

 

[crisi]

There had to be a cost savings for Disney to switch these up.

Mini fridges are an incredible energy drain. If Disney, like many big companies, has metrics around reducing their carbon footprint, mini fridges are an easy target.

 

[atthebeachclub]

There had to be a cost savings for Disney to switch these up.

I agree, and I get that they are an energy drain, but one of the nice things about DVC is being able to keep some consumable products in your room that you can prepare right there. Sandwich meat, etc!

 

[SL6827]

I agree, and I get that they are an energy drain, but one of the nice things about DVC is being able to keep some consumable products in your room that you can prepare right there. Sandwich meat, etc!

Ya, and they had rather you go out and buy another meal from them verses making yourself a sandwich.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Ya, and they had rather you go out and buy another meal from them verses making yourself a sandwich.

Well, in that case, might as well not buy DVC and just rent rooms. I seriously bought DVC partially because I wanted a toaster and small fridge in my room. Not joking.

 

[SL6827]

Well, in that case, might as well not buy DVC and just rent rooms. I seriously bought DVC partially because I wanted a toaster and small fridge in my room. Not joking.

They don't expect such or a lot of with DVC, but especially with regular value, moderate resorts, they could possibly get an extra meal out of guest. But you are right, this is especially wrong for those who purchased DVC for such.

 

[atthebeachclub]

They don't expect such or a lot of with DVC, but especially with regular value, moderate resorts, they could possibly get an extra meal out of guest. But you are right, this is especially wrong for those who purchased DVC for such.

I just cannot eat park food day every day all day. I miss real food, and the fridge is important!

 

[Simba's Mom]

And some of us like to bring back our left overs from the Disney restaurants. I wouldn't trust leaving my left-overs in a beverage cooler.

 

[SL6827]

And some of us like to bring back our left overs from the Disney restaurants. I wouldn't trust leaving my left-overs in a beverage cooler.

Right. But if you don't, you won't have those left overs and will be possibly purchasing another meal from Disney. Win win for the mouse.

 

[Chuck S]

And some of us like to bring back our left overs from the Disney restaurants. I wouldn't trust leaving my left-overs in a beverage cooler.

While I prefer the mini-fridge with the little freezer, I have used the beverage coolers for leftovers and it was fine. What I hate is when you check-in and find that the previous tenant turned OFF the fridge or coooler in the studio, I assume they didn't like it running at night, so you have to wait for it cool down. I usually check that and the connecting lock-off door when I first get into the room.

 

[Simba's Mom]

While I prefer the mini-fridge with the little freezer, I have used the beverage coolers for leftovers and it was fine. What I hate is when you check-in and find that the previous tenant turned OFF the fridge or coooler in the studio, I assume they didn't like it running at night, so you have to wait for it cool down. I usually check that and the connecting lock-off door when I first get into the room.

Thanks, Chuck. At least that makes me feel better about using it for that.

 

[Dizzytime]

Sorry if this has been answered, and if it's not the right place to ask let me know please, but here it goes!
We're finally getting to return to the Beach Club in late Jan for the first time in many, many years. Being a type 1, insulin dependent diabetic, was always happy to see a standard, in room mini-refrigerator waiting in our room when we arrived.
If I'm understanding correctly, these mini-refrigerators are being/have been replaced by 'coolers' which, evidently, don't get as cold?...so this will be a concern for my insulin storage if true. Hate to have to worry while on vacation, especially about something so important. Know what I mean?
Any advice on how to verify the situation at the Beach Club for for our mid-Jan arrival? Don't want to worry until I know there's been a change. As a last resort I could try and call Disney World but thought I'd check here first.
Thanks in advance for any advice/info!! and hope you all are having a magical day!

 

[bluecruiser]

I believe you can request an actual mini fridge since you need it for medical reasons. Make sure to add it to your reservation request now, don't wait.

Not sure what's the best way to confirm with the hotel that they actually have these, hopefully someone who's been there recently can answer.