Beverage Cooler vs. Mini Fridge

[vicarrieous]

We just got back from the Poly, and I was disappointed with the "mini fridge" which was really just a beverage cooler. My main complaint was it not keeping our milk fresh. We have previously stayed at the Beach Club Villas and didn't remember this being an issue. Am I just crazy and are all studio equipped with just a beverage cooler?

 

[JFDIS]

Every DVC studio and resort room I’ve stayed at in the few years have all had beverage coolers. We always bring a cooler with us because if this. We drive so I realize a cooler is not an option for everyone. We only end up putting leftovers in the room fridge.

 

[vicarrieous]

Every DVC studio and resort room I’ve stayed at in the few years have all had beverage coolers. We always bring a cooler with us because if this. We drive so I realize a cooler is not an option for everyone. We only end up putting leftovers in the room fridge.

I must have just not noticed it! The last time I was in a studio was Jan 2020 and I thought I bought milk, but maybe not. - (I went back and looked at past orders and we definitely got milk along with yogurt) I must have had a mini fridge at BCV.

 

[Sharene0724]

We had a studio at BWV in February and it was a mini fridge, we kept milk and cream in it for coffee and it was fine.

 

[The Jackal]

We stayed at OKW in April and had a mini fridge. We made ice everyday for our drinks to bring to the parks.

 

[vicarrieous]

We stayed at OKW in April and had a mini fridge. We made ice everyday for our drinks to bring to the parks.

Now I am even more full of complaint! lol I want mini fridges in ALL rooms!

 

[PalmettoPath]

We just got back from the Poly, and I was disappointed with the "mini fridge" which was really just a beverage cooler. My main complaint was it not keeping our milk fresh. We have previously stayed at the Beach Club Villas and didn't remember this being an issue. Am I just crazy and are all studio equipped with just a beverage cooler?

To be honest I don't get the difference between a beverage cooler and a mini fridge. I call whatever they have a mini fridge. But we're long time DVC members, three home resorts, usually stay in studios and have never had an issue with milk, cream, fruit, veggies, cheese and everything else we keep in there (including at the Polynesian villas). Adjust the coldness if it's not cold enough...?

 

[vicarrieous]

To be honest I don't get the difference between a beverage cooler and a mini fridge. I call whatever they have a mini fridge. But we're long time DVC members, three home resorts, usually stay in studios and have never had an issue with milk, cream, fruit, veggies, cheese and everything else we keep in there (including at the Polynesian villas). Adjust the coldness if it's not cold enough...?

I turned/adjusted the coldness to as cold as possible and no luck. I did that as soon as we loaded the fridge as I could tell it wasn't very cold.

The main difference between a beverage cooler and fridge is the temperature control settings and ability to consistently hold temperature. To keep bacteria away and keep the items fresh, refrigerators usually operate at a temperature below 39 degrees F while most beverage coolers are 40 degrees and up. They can look pretty similar so it isn't necessarily apparent upon glance. We haven't had a problem when staying at BCV but with this stay at the Poly for 8 days we ended up losing some of our groceries (milk/yogurt) due to not cold enough temp.

I just did a bit more googling and found this direct on Disney's website: (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/refrigerators/)

"Feel at ease over the course of your vacation with convenient coolers, located right in your room! Many of our Disney Resort hotels come equipped with either an in-room refrigerator or a small beverage cooler"

I guess that would indicate it's the luck of the draw with what you get?

 

[PalmettoPath]

I turned/adjusted the coldness to as cold as possible and no luck. I did that as soon as we loaded the fridge as I could tell it wasn't very cold.

The main difference between a beverage cooler and fridge is the temperature control settings and ability to consistently hold temperature. To keep bacteria away and keep the items fresh, refrigerators usually operate at a temperature below 39 degrees F while most beverage coolers are 40 degrees and up. They can look pretty similar so it isn't necessarily apparent upon glance. We haven't had a problem when staying at BCV but with this stay at the Poly for 8 days we ended up losing some of our groceries (milk/yogurt) due to not cold enough temp.

I just did a bit more googling and found this direct on Disney's website: (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/refrigerators/)

"Feel at ease over the course of your vacation with convenient coolers, located right in your room! Many of our Disney Resort hotels come equipped with either an in-room refrigerator or a small beverage cooler"

I guess that would indicate it's the luck of the draw with what you get?

Maybe it was a dud unit ... or a dying unit. A beverage cooler from that description should still maintain the desired temp. Did you ask them to swap it out? That's what I would do if I found that the unit was not keeping things cold enough. So far we've been lucky with not having issues. But it's something to keep an eye on for sure.

 

[heynowirv]

Maybe without consciously thinking about it that's why we stay in a
1 bedroom ,that and in room washer/dryers.

 

[vicarrieous]

Maybe without consciously thinking about it that's why we stay in a
1 bedroom ,that and in room washer/dryers.

LOL I am going to use this rationale with my husband. I think its worth a try!

 

[vicarrieous]

Maybe it was a dud unit ... or a dying unit. A beverage cooler from that description should still maintain the desired temp. Did you ask them to swap it out? That's what I would do if I found that the unit was not keeping things cold enough. So far we've been lucky with not having issues. But it's something to keep an eye on for sure.

Nope not a dud. It ran fine, but did not cool low enough (below 39degrees) for perishable items as beverage coolers don't get that cold. Just a bummer as clearly it may be luck of the draw.

 

[kanerf]

The difference between a refrigerator and a beverage cooler is that the later lack a compressor and coolant and just use a thermo-electric reaction to cool the interior. I am at a Hilton Grand Vacation Club at the moment and the refrigerator here actually shows the temperature inside, currently set at 34 degrees,

 

[Tigger's ally]

LOL I am going to use this rationale with my husband. I think its worth a try!

Tip for breaking the news to the husband....Full fridges in 1 bedrooms and up hold lots of cold beverages!

 

[Chuck S]

Tip for breaking the news to the husband....Full fridges in 1 bedrooms and up hold lots of cold beverages!

And sandwich meats and cheese for late night snacks. Or a light dinner, saving a little money at Disney!

 

[sssteele]

Maybe without consciously thinking about it that's why we stay in a
1 bedroom ,that and in room washer/dryers.

Can't justify it. Twice as many days in a studio. Just my wife and me.

 

[heynowirv]

Can't justify it. Twice as many days in a studio. Just my wife and me.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[sarah4770]

With only two people , I think a 1 bedroom is too much, as well. we are never in the room, anyway.

 

[mom2missmous]

Just my own opinion, but since Dvc is supposed to be "our home" and even regular rooms now get coolers, ALL studios should have mini-fridges NOT coolers! We just stayed in a studio at BdLR and were pleasantly surprised to see what used to be the norm in dvc studios- an actual mini fridge WITH a small freezer! It looked fairly new, hoping against hope that dvc will stop putting the tiny beverage coolers in studios! This was part of why we bought in, being able to have either a full kitchen or a "mini-kitchen " that includes the basics, FRIDGE, , microwave, FULL-SIZE coffee pot, toaster!

 

[vicarrieous]

Just my own opinion, but since Dvc is supposed to be "our home" and even regular rooms now get coolers, ALL studios should have mini-fridges NOT coolers! We just stayed in a studio at BdLR and were pleasantly surprised to see what used to be the norm in dvc studios- an actual mini fridge WITH a small freezer! It looked fairly new, hoping against hope that dvc will stop putting the tiny beverage coolers in studios! This was part of why we bought in, being able to have either a full kitchen or a "mini-kitchen " that includes the basics, FRIDGE, , microwave, FULL-SIZE coffee pot, toaster!