Coolers

[lauraburt]

Does anyone know if the resort gift shops sell coolers?
Due to Disney Parks and Resorts today advised it has begun pulling the complimentary mini-fridges from all of its hotels at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Aulani Resorts due to a possible manufacturer’s defect. The only locations unaffected by this move are DVC rooms, the cabins at Fort Wilderness and family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation and All-Star Music resorts. The replacement of said refrigerators is expected to take upwards of four months or more by rough estimation.

 

[kimmy85]

We are at CBR in late September 2013 but am packing a soft-sided cooler in our luggage. We have milk and adult beverages from Garden Grocer on order and will use our cooler and ice from the resort's machine if we don't have a replacement fridge by then.

If ordering groceries, some of the services do have a styrofoam cooler in stock for less than $10.

 

[lauraburt]

Thanks!

 

[JessicaKnits]

I don't know if any of the gift shops sell them, but when I went in August 2010 (before the values included refrigerators) we had a cheap, Styrofoam cooler delivered by Garden Grocer that we used during our trip. It was $4 for the cooler itself, and we kept it in our bathtub while we were gone for the day. I wouldn't recommend it for food or milk, but it did an excellent job at keeping water bottles chilled during the hot summer months!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Is anyone else concerned about NOT having a refrigerator? We really use ours a lot. Will we receive any compensation for not having a fridge? We all booked a room with a fridge - not without.

I don't mean to start a negative thread. We are concerned about our July 22nd vacation. We are on diets, and a fridge is extremely important. Thanks!

 

[scullyh]

We honestly ARE bothered by it - we have a picky 6 year old eater and a fridge really helps us out. We do have a car rental so if we have to pick up a cooler we will, maybe they have some options at the front desk.

 

[Hopefully]

Is anyone else concerned about NOT having a refrigerator? We really use ours a lot. Will we receive any compensation for not having a fridge? We all booked a room with a fridge - not without.

I don't mean to start a negative thread. We are concerned about our July 22nd vacation. We are on diets, and a fridge is extremely important. Thanks!

The refrigerator issue was unexpected and "things happen". I wouldn't expect "compensation". If it is crucial to your staybeing successful for your family, I would suggest you cancel your room and look for an off site hotel with a refrigerator. I don't know what else to tell you. It is what it is.

 

[Shelli_5]

Where was this information about the refrigerators posted? I haven't been on the boards for a few days, so this is news to me. :-(

 

[francie57]

Since the frigs are being pulled because of a manufacturing defect that could cause a problem, there really is no reason for Disney to compensate for this since it isn't their problem. They will replace as quickly as they can but the shear volume of frigs needed will take a while to get in. thankfully for us the villas aren't affected so we will be okay when we go next month. Think the best that anyone could do is take a cooler or buy a Styrofoam one when there and use the ice machines. Knowing Disney they will get this done as quickly as possible but getting that many frigs at one time basically won't be possible since I would think they have to be ordered and shipments will just keep coming.

 

[princessbrulee]

According to my travel agent, if you request a fridge and they can't accommodate, you should be credited $15 a night. The key, we think, is that you must request one and be denied before you can request a credit. She also suggested asking a manager for the credit as it's entirely possible not all the cm's will know about the credit.

Good luck! I hope they are able to accommodate everyone who needs/wants one!

 

[I Love Pluto]

The refrigerator issue was unexpected and "things happen". I wouldn't expect "compensation". If it is crucial to your staybeing successful for your family, I would suggest you cancel your room and look for an off site hotel with a refrigerator. I don't know what else to tell you. It is what it is.

I wasn't looking for an argument. I was simply stating HOW I FEEL.
I am certainly very sorry if I upset you (or anyone else) in any way.
I am very sorry your opinion is different than mine.
Telling me to cancel my room is a bit over the top. Thanks!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Worried a little bit by this as my DH is diabetic and we use the fridge for his insulin as well as keeping him juice and emergency snacks nearby. They say a fridge will be available for medical necessities if they have one. Calling Monday and hoping we will be able to have one. Not sure what other plan to try if not. Any ideas? Before the fridges were available, there used to be a fridge swap on the value resorts board. Does anyone know if the Fridge Swap still exists?

 

[JessicaKnits]

Worried a little bit by this as my DH is diabetic and we use the fridge for his insulin as well as keeping him juice and emergency snacks nearby. They say a fridge will be available for medical necessities if they have one. Calling Monday and hoping we will be able to have one. Not sure what other plan to try if not. Any ideas? Before the fridges were available, there used to be a fridge swap on the value resorts board. Does anyone know if the Fridge Swap still exists?

For what its worth, before all the Values had refrigerators, I cannot recall a time where I read, or heard a report, of someone who was not able to get a fridge for medical reasons. In fact, I can't recall a time that I read or heard that someone that simply wanted a fridge, was not able to be accommodated either. You will be given a priority because of medical needs. As far as fridge swaps go, most, if not all, were eliminated when value resorts got refrigerators, as there was no longer a need for it.

I hope Disney is able to put your mind at ease when you give them a call. It would be great if you report back what you hear, as I know many are anxious about the exact same thing!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Any resort will surely provide a refrigerator for insulin or any other medical need. The personnel at all resorts I have ever stayed at (Mods & Values) would definitely help anyone with a medical necessity.

I would call ahead with your request for a refrigerator. You absolutely need one.

Have a great trip!

 

[kddisney502]

Worried a little bit by this as my DH is diabetic and we use the fridge for his insulin as well as keeping him juice and emergency snacks nearby. They say a fridge will be available for medical necessities if they have one. Calling Monday and hoping we will be able to have one. Not sure what other plan to try if not. Any ideas? Before the fridges were available, there used to be a fridge swap on the value resorts board. Does anyone know if the Fridge Swap still exists?

Call the Special Needs/Assistance line directly at 407-939-7807 and explain that you must have fridge for medical reasons. Those with medical needs will be given priority to general requests. Calling the special needs line will get your medical needs listed properly on your reservations.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Call the Special Needs/Assistance line directly at 407-939-7807 and explain that you must have fridge for medical reasons. Those with medical needs will be given priority to general requests. Calling the special needs line will get your medical needs listed properly on your reservations.

thank you everyone. I will call in the morning.

 

[kirby428]

Those who have a car can shop for a cooler at the Walmart located at SR535 and Osceola. Approx a 15 min drive from the TTC. No, I don't own stock in the company. Just know it is there and seems an easy drive. Oh, they probably have ice too. And "massive quantities".

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Ok, so just back from WDW and wanted to fill you in on what transpired. I did phone ahead to both the special assistance and to Dis reservations center and let them know of our medical need for the fridge. I also let them know both times at check in of our need and we were told to call the front desk when we got to our room if the fridge wasn't there.
At both of our hotels (we did a split stay at POP and Beach Club) the old fridge was in the room in the cabinet as always with a note stating not to try to plug it in and use it. So both times I had to call the front desk and ask for a proper fridge to be brought up. At POP, they brought the fridge up to the room without any fuss. At the Beach Club, the housekeeping guy they sent acted as if we were putting him out, tried to get the fridge that was in the room to work, then basically destroyed the back of the dresser housing the unit to get the fridge unplugged and out (pulling the fridge from the room by the cord-I kid you not). He came back moments later (presumably with a fridge from a room a few doors down) with the same type of fridge, plugged it in and said, "there-it works".
Funny thing was, when we were checking out I called Bell Services to come and get our luggage to take and store until ME was picking us up. The same dude from housekeeping knocks on our door and says "What do you all want now?" As if we had called him asking for something. I told him we didn't call housekeeping. We were waiting for Bell Services to come collect our bags. I should've looked at his tag and reported his behavior to a manager. He was just rude and definitely took some of the magic out of our stay.
But we did end up with a fridge in both resorts. The CM at check in says they do accommodate those with medical needs first.
Hope that helps ease others minds.

 

[pattyw]

Thanks for the report! DH is an insulin dependent diabetic so a refrigerator is needed for his insulin. I will call the special needs number tomorrow to make note of this on our reservation. Thanks to the other poster for the phone number!

Also, if we can't get a fridge from Disney, we plan to go buy a cheapie at Walmart and use that- just like the fridge swaps used to do. Hoping that is still allowed.