'Breaking the Seal' at the Dolphin, and a Cell Phone Question.

[Bill From PA]

What do I need to do to make use of the mini-bar 'fridge at the Dolphin without breaking the dreaded seal and incuring a charge? I've heard I can cram a few of my own items in there or maybe even empty the contents into a dresser drawer and use the whole volume, replacing the stuff before we leave. Anyone do this recently? Also, this June we found our cell phone to be economical to use during our beach week in S.C. even with roaming and long distance charges added. What's your experience in using the cell phone at WDW, out of your area?


Thanks,
Bill From PA

 

[jwfla422]

We've stayed at the Swan several times and the Dolphin once. Both have the same servi-bars. I know they will come in & take the contents out for a one time fee of $25 or something like that.

I have always brought a few mini milks, cheese, little yogurts and even some cream cheese (for bagels we toasted in the room when we brought our toaster), so there is room to stuff those items in there. Don't know of anyone who emptied the contents themselves.

But, I have to admit that frig came in handy. We stayed at WL last time and I had to go out and buy one of those mini friges that hook up to the cigarette lighter in the car (and have an adapter) because dd's antibiotic had to be refrigerated.

I strongly recommend cell phones at WDW, the hotel fees can be astronomical! Although there are several dead spots (depending on what part of your room your in, where you are on property & who your service is provided through)-but overall they really come in handy.

 

[Disneydenise]

I got one of the minifridges this summer too. It is small only holds 8 cans of soda but it gets cold enough and takes up very little room in the suitcase. I have a nationwide cellphone plan and it worked great all over in the Disney parks and vicinity. I think that the $25 fee for removing the contents of the frige sounds resonable if you are staying atleast 5 days.

 

[CarolA]

I broke the seal at the Dolphin and replaced thier cold Diet Cokes with my hot ones and was not charged!

 

[Debbie7452]

I changed my local plan to Nationwide before going to Disney (same price!). We used it often with no problems. We are Verizon customers.

 

[gibbys1]

We also have Verizon and had no problems with service when we were there in April.

 

[smilingmouse]

I used Sprint without any problems

 

[3stooges]

Bill,
Our last trip at Dolphin in August of 01 we stopped at the Publix and got a styrofoam cooler for $2 and just packed it in ice every morning before going out and our drinks were ice cold all day long. Let me know if you get any good flight prices out of our area or any other budget tips. We are thinking about an August 2003 trip.

 

[hookedup]

We had Cingular on our last trip and it was roaming using Voice Stream. Excellent coverage and no problems with the phone issue. I got a collapsable cooler at Wal-Mart for under 10 bucks and it worked great with ice from the ice machine daily.

 

[Pig Pen]

At check in we were offered the key to the mini bar and declined.

When we got to the room the "bar was open" - no seal!

I said this is great!

We went out for awhile and when we returned the seal was in place. Evidently they came in and sealed it while we were out. This may be standard practice, but I don't usually stay in places with mini bars!

We ended up doing the cooler thing. We also paid the resort fee because we are coffee fiends and we like to call home a lot. We had a prepaid calling card so it didn't cost much. We didn't use the health club at all.

 

[Bill From PA]

3stooges,

We fly USAir and there's a number of options from our neck of the woods. Avoca (AVP) will offer connecting flights through Pittsburgh and Philly for in the low $200 range, I think ours is $234 for a 7 am Friday flight. We'll be on the ground at MCO by 11:30 am. Allentown used to have a 6:30 am direct flight for $165 but I don't see it listed anymore. PHL has direct flights in the $160 range, but of course you have to get to Philly, park the car etc. When you factor in the drive to PHL, parking and the general hassle, we'll pay the extra to go out of AVP. We've done all of the above at one time or another.

We've been planning our own trips to WDW for 5 -6 years now and have it down to a science. We get our passes online, $305 ea for a 7 Day Hopper Plus, book our flight on the USAir site and hunt here for codes and discounts for WDW resorst. Last year we got PO/Riverside for $99 per night, this year Dolphin for $129. Start shopping at the web site of the carrier of your choice now if you know the dates. The prices will fluctuate over time this far out, but you'll get an idea of the range. Our tix went for the low $200's to $288 for some time so after a while I decided to lock in the $234. I haven't seen it lower since. USAir will give you a voucher for the difference if the price drops after you reserve.

We use Dollar rental at MCO and got an economy car for $99 per week. If you've got any specific question e-mail me and I'll be glad to help.


Bill From PA

 

[Blondie]

When we checked into the Dolphin in February, the CM checking us in actually recommended that we take the key for the mini-bar to store bottled water or other drinks. We were never charged for "breaking the seal."

Without emptying the fridge out, it held several small bottles of water nicely.

Keep in mind that the fridge doesn't get as cold as the one you have in your kitchen, but "cools" it enough to wet your whistle. Add ice from the ice machine down the hall, and you're all set!

 

[Tina]

$25 to empty the fridge?? Why not just eat $25 worth of stuff to make some room?? At least you can enjoy it.

 

[jwfla422]

Can you say a bag of peanuts and 2 sodas please, he he, just kidding!

 

[Blondie]

How about a $2.00 Snickers bar!

 

[Tina]

I think I could manage to eat $25 in Snickers!!