Disappointed in Member Relations

[carlbarry]

But man, mini-fridges are just so terrible. We used to travel a lot for our kids club sports. I can't tell you how many times we'd wake up with fruit or vegetables frozen (in the refrigerated compartment) and inedible. Some hotels would seemingly have policy of having staff turn the dial to lowest setting, which then takes forever to cool down properly. Some would have a freezer compartment that was so caked with ice that you could barely squeeze anything in.

Yep. I have opened the door only to find my milk, OJ, carrots, and oranges frozen.

 

[EYL]

Not sure about Disney's motivation, but many hotel chains are removing them due to the defrost potential and water damage in the hotel rooms. Mini fridges with freezer compartments can frost over easily and when they are unplugged, turned down, left open, etc. they can and will defrost and spill melted water onto the surrounding floor and finishes. The potential to frost over is also much higher in very humid climates where there's potentially significantly more moisture in the air to cause frosting.

When I took a tour of the new Resort Studios at VGF in August, this is what the Guide used as the explanation. I made a side comment about the "beverage coolers". The guide indicated that traditional refrigerators/freezers take too much time/effort to maintain - it ices up, the thermostat breaks - and beverage coolers are the new solution. I must have rolled my eyes a bit too far back since she followed it up with "all to save you on your maintenance fees!" She also mentioned that it does cool down to ensure that milk stays fresh. You just have to keep the unit closed for a bit and it will get to the "correct temp." This, I am not sure of.

I can fully understand the defrost potential, but replace freezer/refrigerator units with refrigerator only units. Not beverage coolers!

 

[Narcoossee11]

I think that coolers are a better fit size wise as they remodel units (reg hotel rooms and DVC units).
They have a cleaner look.

 

[RoseGold]

We always grab some milk for coffee, and a beverage cooler doesn't keep it cold enough to be safe. It's very disappointing.

Just bring a large plastic bag and a rubber band put your milk in a baggie of ice in the fridge. Much colder. Swap ice, no big deal.

 

[carlbarry]

Just bring a large plastic bag and a rubber band put your milk in a baggie of ice in the fridge. Much colder. Swap ice, no big deal.

Yes, that will work, and you have to change the ice. But DVC is advertised as "coming home" with all the amenities of home. I don't have to keep my milk in a bag of melting ice at home. And on vacation, I shouldn't be subjected to more work than I have at home.

 

[2Lunds]

This may be a crazy idea... but would a mini freezer fit into an Owner's Locker??

 

[kes601]

Yes, that will work, and you have to change the ice. But DVC is advertised as "coming home" with all the amenities of home. I don't have to keep my milk in a bag of melting ice at home. And on vacation, I shouldn't be subjected to more work than I have at home.

True, but to play devil's advocate if I stay in a studio then I have to go to a common space to do laundry and sleep in a queen bed. Those are different from my home as well. A 1 BR solves that for me. It's up to us to decide whether the points equal the convenience.

 

[kes601]

This may be a crazy idea... but would a mini freezer fit into an Owner's Locker??

Even if it did you would have to thaw it and make sure it returns to room temperature with no liquid left in at all before storing it. I can't imagine the mold that could develop.

 

[tjkraz]

Yes, that will work, and you have to change the ice. But DVC is advertised as "coming home" with all the amenities of home. I don't have to keep my milk in a bag of melting ice at home. And on vacation, I shouldn't be subjected to more work than I have at home.

A DVC Deluxe studio doesn't have an air fryer or my favorite recliner either. Branding DVC resorts as "home away from home" is obvious marketing spin. Expecting that "I have ___ at home, therefore it should be in my DVC" is just not realistic.

 

[RoseGold]

Yes, that will work, and you have to change the ice. But DVC is advertised as "coming home" with all the amenities of home. I don't have to keep my milk in a bag of melting ice at home. And on vacation, I shouldn't be subjected to more work than I have at home.

I mean, sure, that was the marketing slogan. I certainly have nicer toilet paper at home as well, LOL.

 

[EYL]

A DVC Deluxe studio doesn't have an air fryer or my favorite recliner either. Branding DVC resorts as "home away from home" is obvious marketing spin. Expecting that "I have ___ at home, therefore it should be in my DVC" is just not realistic.

I get that, but at what point do we excuse the cutbacks? When they take the second bed away? When they take the coffee makers away? When they lock the balconies and then charge you for the key because the balconies are "too much to maintain"? I bought a car to get from A to Z, it doesn't mean that they can take away the passenger seats and I'll be okay with it. What I see should be what I get after purchase, especially when I'm paying the annual fees.

 

[carlbarry]

I get that, but at what point do we excuse the cutbacks? When they take the second bed away? When they take the coffee makers away? When they lock the balconies and then charge you for the key because the balconies are "too much to maintain"? I bought a car to get from A to Z, it doesn't mean that they can take away the passenger seats and I'll be okay with it. What I see should be what I get after purchase, especially when I'm paying the annual fees.

It's a matter of how DVC wants to be perceived. Do they want to be the Frontier Air of resorts, and charge for indoor plumbing, or are they competing with Hilton and Ritz Carlton? They are charging a luxury price, not a Motel 6 price, and the amenities should reflect that; there is only so much they should expect to get away with because it's "Disney."

 

[carlbarry]

A DVC Deluxe studio doesn't have an air fryer or my favorite recliner either. Branding DVC resorts as "home away from home" is obvious marketing spin. Expecting that "I have ___ at home, therefore it should be in my DVC" is just not realistic.

Well, my food doesn't go bad at home; I don't think that's too much to ask when staying at a "luxury" resort.
One time at OKW the mini-fridge wasn't getting cold. I went to the desk and told the great William (anybody else remember him?) and he ordered a replacement and offered credit for the food (which hadn't spoiled yet so I declined).
He didn't say, "Why do you expect the refrigerator to be as cold as at home and actually preserve the food?"

 

[Sandisw]

I get that, but at what point do we excuse the cutbacks? When they take the second bed away? When they take the coffee makers away? When they lock the balconies and then charge you for the key because the balconies are "too much to maintain"? I bought a car to get from A to Z, it doesn't mean that they can take away the passenger seats and I'll be okay with it. What I see should be what I get after purchase, especially when I'm paying the annual fees.

And as owners, all the potential issues caused by freezers that leak and damage is something we then have to pay for.

It is possible that they simply realized that the refrigerator with the freezer section was causing a lot of issues, and complaints and moved to something that still is in line with what is expected.

 

[EYL]

And as owners, all the potential issues caused by freezers that leak and damage is something we then have to pay for.

It is possible that they simply realized that the refrigerator with the freezer section was causing a lot of issues, and complaints and moved to something that still is in line with what is expected.

Possible, but in my opinion, highly unlikely. "Maintenance" is but an excuse. Seriously, all the dorms in Florida have teenage kids who use mini fridges and freezers. If maintenance were an issue, it wouldn't be a part of their "packing list" and demand for mini-fridges in Florida would be sky high.

Even if DVC switches it out once a year...and let's take Poly, with 380 studios (~4,000,000 points) as an example. If each unit cost $500, and they change out each unit every year, our dues will go up by $0.0475/point. Knowing that each unit will cost less than $500 (bulk purchasing) and a life expectancy of a mini-fridge is ~8 years...just add the $0.0059/point to my dues. And we're talking Poly here, which is studio-heavy. Aside from VGF, other resorts have fewer studios and thus fewer to replace, and the amount added to dues is greatly diluted.

 

[Sandisw]

Possible, but in my opinion, highly unlikely. "Maintenance" is but an excuse. Seriously, all the dorms in Florida have teenage kids who use mini fridges and freezers. If maintenance were an issue, it wouldn't be a part of their "packing list" and demand for mini-fridges in Florida would be sky high.

Even if DVC switches it out once a year...and let's take Poly, with 380 studios (~4,000,000 points) as an example. If each unit cost $500, and they change out each unit every year, our dues will go up by $0.0475/point. Knowing that each unit will cost less than $500 (bulk purchasing) and a life expectancy of a mini-fridge is ~8 years...just add the $0.0059/point to my dues. And we're talking Poly here, which is studio-heavy. Aside from VGF, other resorts have fewer studios and thus fewer to replace, and the amount added to dues is greatly diluted.

Except we have no way of knowing the complaints or other issues. And it’s not just the replacement..it could be damage.

Regardless of the reason, it’s obvious they feel the refrigerator is the better option. But it would be nice if they have a few extra for those who need it for dietary or medical reasons.

 

[DebbieB]

I am at BWV right now, the studio fridge has a freezer.

 

[carlbarry]

Except we have no way of knowing the complaints or other issues. And it’s not just the replacement..it could be damage.

Regardless of the reason, it’s obvious they feel the refrigerator is the better option. But it would be nice if they have a few extra for those who need it for dietary or medical reasons.

Exactly! That was what was done for me for 3 years. I asked in September what about people who need to keep their medications frozen. The answer I was given was that there is a freezer behind the lobby desk, and it can be kept there. Not very convenient!

 

[Sammie]

Well, my food doesn't go bad at home; I don't think that's too much to ask when staying at a "luxury" resort.
One time at OKW the mini-fridge wasn't getting cold. I went to the desk and told the great William (anybody else remember him?) and he ordered a replacement and offered credit for the food (which hadn't spoiled yet so I declined).
He didn't say, "Why do you expect the refrigerator to be as cold as at home and actually preserve the food?"

Do you have a mini fridge at home? Things change, people adjust and move on or complain. I prefer to adjust and move on. I miss the ceiling fans but I have accepted it and bring a small fan with me.
You can probably rent one locally.

 

[carlbarry]

Do you have a mini fridge at home? Things change, people adjust and move on or complain. I prefer to adjust and move on. I miss the ceiling fans but I have accepted it and bring a small fan with me.
You can probably rent one locally.

I don't see why I should have to rent an appliance to make it possible to stay at a resort I pay a lot of maintenance for every year. Do I have to rent a TV? When I was a little kid, hotels and motels charged extra for a TV. When I joined DVC, Disney charged for internet access. Things should improve, not go backward.
In any event, I checked in at OKW and the room has a mini-fridge with a freezer section. I put in my food, and now I'm set!