Does anyone know if there are electrical outlets on the balconies?

[CaoilinnsMom]

I have read some discussions about Chrustmas lights, so I was wondering if there were outside outlets. I was thinking of an electric grill, I know you can't use gas or charcoal, but could you swing an electric grill on the balcony? I was thinking about steak....

 

[goofy4tink]

No outlets. I have to say that I would be somewhat disturbed if the people next to me started grilling out on their balcony. The smell would drive me nutty!!! I know that when I have used holiday lights, I have had to either leave them inside, or run the cord through the door and then leave it open if I wanted the actual lights outside, on the balcony.

 

[Ambassador]

Except for Villas with Kitchens, cooking is not permitted in any room. If one reviews the small print on the hotel contract, cooking is grounds for eviction.

There are no outlets on balconies: maybe use battery-operated LED lights?

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

No outlets. I have to say that I would be somewhat disturbed if the people next to me started grilling out on their balcony. The smell would drive me nutty!!! I know that when I have used holiday lights, I have had to either leave them inside, or run the cord through the door and then leave it open if I wanted the actual lights outside, on the balcony.

What exactly do you mean by "disturbed?". Do you mean angry? If this is the case, could you explain why this would provoke such strong feeling? We are talking a grill smell that would last maybe 20 minutes...

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

Sorry if I was not clear in my original post, I was referring to a Villa balcony.

 

[owl0306]

if you want to bbq you should stay at ft wilderness. I would hate the smell also if you were grilling next to my room on your balcony.

 

[BillPA]

There are charcoal grills at all the resorts if you need to cook out side.

 

[disneynutz]

Each DVC resort at WDW has common charcoal grills with utensils for members to use.

Having grill smoke blowing around the rooms could be objectionable for some people and honestly I don't think that Disney would appreciate it. That's why they provided a grilling area.

Bill

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Irregardless of whether it disturbes or angers people, it's not allowed! Perhaps a bit more incovenient for you but the grills are available by some of the quiet pools, we use them quite frequently. I'm the grill master in the family and at the resorts grilling is the perfect time to prepare a few snack and some cocktails and sodas for the kids and share some family fun time by the quiet pools.

The time goes by quickly!

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

Wow! I was not expecting these responses. I'm not sure I completely understand the difference between doing it in the kitchen area of a Villa and on the balcony, except the smell would dissipate faster if it was on the balcony. Are you all also offended by people actually cooking in their Villa kitchen as well? Does the bacon smell in the hall offend you? What about if people cook in their Villa kitchen and leave the balcony door open at the same time does that anger you as well. I am not being sarcastic, or a smart ***. These are real questions, Thanks.

 

[disneynutz]

Wow! I was not expecting these responses. I'm not sure I completely understand the difference between doing it in the kitchen area of a Villa and on the balcony, except the smell would dissipate faster if it was on the balcony. Are you all also offended by people actually cooking in their Villa kitchen as well? Does the bacon smell in the hall offend you? What about if people cook in their Villa kitchen and leave the balcony door open at the same time does that anger you as well. I am not being sarcastic, or a smart ***. These are real questions, Thanks.

Anything different that what people are used to might rub people the wrong way. Some people like the smell of grilling or bacon, others don't. You also have to think about all of the different types of people and what would happen if Disney allowed grilling on the balconies. Melted plastic railings, spilled grease and/or coals. A fire wouldn't be fun either and I am guessing that there might be an insurance issue.

Bill

 

[Lynne M]

Guests who wish to grill in their units generally bring a George Foreman-type grill, which they use in the kitchen.

As to why it bothers people, even if you're cooking in your kitchen and leave the balcony door open, cooking smells usually won't make it out of the unit. On the balcony, it's right in your neighbor's face (or nose). Your steak might not be offensive to many people, but if they allow grilling, someone will be grilling a trout out there, or using wood chips to make their burgers nice and smoky, and if their neighbor is trying to use their balcony, they're not going to appreciate that much.

Plus, as Bill said, I'm sure insurance is involved as well.

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

Guests who wish to grill in their units generally bring a George Foreman-type grill, which they use in the kitchen.

As to why it bothers people, even if you're cooking in your kitchen and leave the balcony door open, cooking smells usually won't make it out of the unit. On the balcony, it's right in your neighbor's face (or nose). Your steak might not be offensive to many people, but if they allow grilling, someone will be grilling a trout out there, or using wood chips to make their burgers nice and smoky, and if their neighbor is trying to use their balcony, they're not going to appreciate that much.

Plus, as Bill said, I'm sure insurance is involved as well.

That is why I specified an electric grill. I was actually referring to a George Foreman type of grill. I read that it is an insurance/legal issue to have an actual flame on an condo or timeshare balcony. This is why I asked the question, I was actually wondering why I couldnt find any mention of it elsewhere. It is kind of a non point anyway, since there are no electrical outlets. I would have to use the grill with an extension cord, at this point, not particularly safe to use an appliance that creates so much heat with an extension cord anyway. Sounds like it is not worth the trouble, even it there was not such a strong response from others.

 

[disneynutz]

That is why I specified an electric grill. I was actually referring to a George Foreman type of grill. I read that it is an insurance/legal issue to have an actual flame on an condo or timeshare balcony. This is why I asked the question, I was actually wondering why I couldnt find any mention of it elsewhere. It is kind of a non point anyway, since there are no electrical outlets. I would have to use the grill with an extension cord, at this point, not particularly safe to use an appliance that creates so much heat with an extension cord anyway. Sounds like it is not worth the trouble, even it there was not such a strong response from others.

As I PP, you aren't everyone. You may not use a extension cord but others may not see a problem with it.

It's like when we were allowed to segment reservations for the DDP. Some members split their stay in two and bought the DDP for half of their stay.

Others split their stay into 7 segments, and used a different plan each day which I don't think was Disney's intention. Soon the resort Front Desks were overwhelmed with guests upset because things didn't go as expected.

Bill

 

[robinb]

That is why I specified an electric grill. I was actually referring to a George Foreman type of grill.

Just use George in your room! That kind of "grill" is meant for indoor use and not outdoor use anyway.

My friends sometimes bring Christmas lights with them for their balcony and they bring an outdoor type extension cord with them and feed it out the door. That does mean that you can't close the door while you have the lights on and the A/C won't turn on if it's extra warm.

 

[LauraLea]

There are outlets on the 1 br and larger villas at OKW and the balconies of the THVs.

Honestly, I do not see a problem with an electric grill in units other than studios. No different than someone cooking in a skillet.

We were in a BLT studio last week and our neighbors in the 1br cooked often. Smells lingered for a long time. No problem for us, smelled like home. There have been many threads about slow cooker cooking in the rooms. Now theres cooking smells that can linger for hours.

Laura

 

[drusba]

Just be aware the Condominum Rules and Regulations, which are part of each resort's offical declarations that owners agree to, provide that cooking is prohibited on any balcony. Moreover, you are also prohibited from storing anything on the balcony or putting up any decorations or lights anywhere outside including the balcony. The documents are very harsh on this point as they also expressly state that Disney can pursue any remedies which would include your eviction and that other owners are also given the specific right to sue you to make you cease any use prohibited by the rules. In other words, if you choose to cook or put up Christmas lights on the balcony you do so with the risk of repercussions. Ultimaterly, it likely depends on whether someone complains.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm sure there will be flames so I may as well start with

1. 1br/2br, It's a balcony, the rules are clear but if you give people an inch, they will take a mile. Unfortunately there would be spills of meat juices and grease, trailing in and out of the kitchen. And though I'm sure you would clean up after yourselves, not everyone will! More clean up for housekeeping who already have more than they can handle.

2. And then guess what, you're in Florida, the bugs will come!

3. The studio balconies are way to small for sitting much less grilling. Studios accomodate light food preparation. People over the years bring skillets, grills, crock pots but honestly, that's why the 1br / 2br villa kitchen was created. These cooking activites were not intended for a studio, that's why there's only a toaster, a coffee pot, a small microwave and a little refridgerator. Studios have no hot plate, no dishes, little sink capacity, etc.,. The cooking imagination of the owner has improved at the same rate as MS turns a blind eye to what some people choose to do in their studios/villas. But let there be one serious incident causing fire etc. and then guess what!

4. And, here it comes, I feel the heat.... All of this unintended, even disallowed activity, adds to the wear and tear of the villas, which we all pay for to refurbish.

5. As much as that contract says we're owners, it's not ours to do with what we want. We bought a span of time, not the walls, carpet etc. !

Some people and honestly I'm not pointing the finger at you, it's just a generalization, must always push the envelop. This is no different in my mind than stuffing 5 adults and 2 toddlers in a studio or smoking out on the balcony

It's not allowed, and just because you can and want to, doesn't mean you should. Rules aren't made to be broken!

 

[dvcbrad]

There are outlets on the 1 br and larger villas at OKW and the balconies of the THVs.

Laura

I was just thinking as I read this thread that I was virtually sure OKW has outlets on the patios/balconies. I remember charging my phone and iPad out there recently

 

[Sammie]

I'm sure there will be flames so I may as well start with

1. 1br/2br, It's a balcony, the rules are clear but if you give people an inch, they will take a mile. Unfortunately there would be spills of meat juices and grease, trailing in and out of the kitchen. And though I'm sure you would clean up after yourselves, not everyone will! More clean up for housekeeping who already have more than they can handle.

2. And then guess what, you're in Florida, the bugs will come!

3. The studio balconies are way to small for sitting much less grilling. Studios accomodate light food preparation. People over the years bring skillets, grills, crock pots but honestly, that's why the 1br / 2br villa kitchen was created. These cooking activites were not intended for a studio, that's why there's only a toaster, a coffee pot, a small microwave and a little refridgerator. Studios have no hot plate, no dishes, little sink capacity, etc.,. The cooking imagination of the owner has improved at the same rate as MS turns a blind eye to what some people choose to do in their studios/villas. But let there be one serious incident causing fire etc. and then guess what!

4. And, here it comes, I feel the heat.... All of this unintended, even disallowed activity, adds to the wear and tear of the villas, which we all pay for to refurbish.

5. As much as that contract says we're owners, it's not ours to do with what we want. We bought a span of time, not the walls, carpet etc. !

Some people and honestly I'm not pointing the finger at you, it's just a generalization, must always push the envelop. This is no different in my mind than stuffing 5 adults and 2 toddlers in a studio or smoking out on the balcony

It's not allowed, and just because you can and want to, doesn't mean you should. Rules aren't made to be broken!

I totally agree with you that if you need to be able to prepare more food than what is already in the studio will allow you to, then get a one bedroom.

These people bringing all this additional electrical food preparation items, I hope they have very good insurance because if heaven forbid they ever cause a fire, they are going to need it.

Honestly I would eat cereal and sandwiches all week before I would take the risk.