No Fridge in Dolphin?

[brown eyed girl]

I just called the Dolphin and they said there is no fridge in the room. You can request one for $12 a day! I am so annoyed by that. I am staying there for a convention...considering it is a "deluxe" resort...I don't understand why there isn't a free fridge in the room. I don't understand how I can get a free fridge in a "Motel 6" kind of place, and here they give me nothing. I also have to pay $9 a day for parking "that is distant". It aint right I tell you!

 

[spiceycat]

that is the Dolphin - Swan too - they are on WDW property - but are not WDW resorts.

so the refrigerator is not free. Neither is parking - I really though the parking was $11 - $9 is much better. but yea it gets to you to pay for parking - when the yc/bc guests do NOT.

since you will have a car - might consider going and buying one at Walmart.

that is my plan for Sept!

 

[CarolA]

I just called the Dolphin and they said there is no fridge in the room. You can request one for $12 a day! I am so annoyed by that. I am staying there for a convention...considering it is a "deluxe" resort...I don't understand why there isn't a free fridge in the room. I don't understand how I can get a free fridge in a "Motel 6" kind of place, and here they give me nothing. I also have to pay $9 a day for parking "that is distant". It aint right I tell you!

Deluxe resorts don't have fridges.....

I have stayed in LOTS of Deluxe resorts and 90% of them have mini bars which is what the Dolphin has. Disney "deluxe" have friges. Of course they fail to measure up on most every deluxe measurement system so it's nice of them to give you that.

It's the same as internet. It's FREE at the Fairfield in and $9.99 a day at the Marriott.

 

[brown eyed girl]

Makes no sense! What makes it "deluxe"? They give you less and charge you more money.

 

[PoohLovesYou]

When we stayed there a couple of years ago you could have the mini-bar emptied (for a fee) then use it for a fridge. Don't know if they still do that or not, but it might be worth checking into.

 

[swilphil]

I remember reading that the Dolphin did away with the charge to empty the mini-bar when the Disney deluxes started providing fridges. Anyone know if this is right?

We did put a few items in the mini-bar fridge a few years ago with the other items that were in there. I thought it worked fine.

 

[CarolA]

Makes no sense! What makes it "deluxe"? They give you less and charge you more money.

Well for Disney that's pretty much the model.

Now for the Swan/Dolphin while I don't think they are true deluxe there are significant things they do better then Disney, i.e., beds!!!! And they charge LESS then Disney does for it's "Deluxe" service.

At a true deluxe yes they charge more but the service is generally substantially better, room quality and features are nicer etc.

 

[taxman]

The Swan has a frig at no charge. Why not get a room there, rrather than the Dolphin. It's only a short walk between the two.

 

[Coolio]

They've also reinstated that lovely $10/night resort fee as well. Between the resort and parking fees, Swan/Dolphin aren't as appealing as they were last year.

 

[HeatherPage]

If you can get a small to medium cardboard box (or even your suitcase) can't you just empty out the mini bar contents into that and then use the mini-bar and then return everything before you check out?

 

[girli565]

The Swan has a mini bar, we just moved things around to get our few things in with no problem. I even had a coke from the mini bar and they did not charge me.

 

[checkwriter]

If you can get a small to medium cardboard box (or even your suitcase) can't you just empty out the mini bar contents into that and then use the mini-bar and then return everything before you check out?

I don't know what the minibars are like at the Dolphin, but some will automatically charge your room when you remove an item -- they use an automated system to track items that are removed from the bar (possibly an RFID tag, but that's really irrelevant). So if you empty your fridge, you may end up with a huge bar bill at the end of your stay.

This should be stated on or near the minifridge, so take a look if you're thinking of doing this.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Deluxe resorts don't have fridges.....

I have stayed in LOTS of Deluxe resorts and 90% of them have mini bars which is what the Dolphin has. Disney "deluxe" have friges. Of course they fail to measure up on most every deluxe measurement system so it's nice of them to give you that.

It's the same as internet. It's FREE at the Fairfield in and $9.99 a day at the Marriott.

I agree! I was going to say the same thing. True luxury/deluxe hotels rarely have empty fridges. They have well stocked mini bars. Most people staying at luxury hotels prefer convenience over cost savings.

Op, you may want to stop & pick up a cooler on the way to your resort. I have also heard that the Swan now has empty fridges, if that is an option.

I never have understand the complaints with S/D's parking fee. WDW most definitely charges for parking. It's just rolled into their room rate. What this means is that those w/o cars are also paying to maintain the parking lots. We live an hour away, so we do have a vehicle. I still think the way Universal & S/D Resorts break down the charges is more fair to all guests. When we fly to further destinations, we don't rent a car. I actually look for hotels w/ a seperate parking fee. If I don't have a car, I don't think it's right for me to pay a higher rate for maintaining the lots. They're going to get that money somehow, & it should only come from those who use the service.

The complaint with the resort fee is a bit different, because everyone has to pay. You are still paying for that at WDW Deluxe resorts too. Again, it's buried in the room rate. The true way to analyze how much you are paying is to add the room rate + all fees, & see if you come out better at S/D or a WDW, Epcot Resort. My bet's on S/D being the better deal. If not, you should try to book one of the WDW resorts.

 

[rie'smom]

Deluxe resorts don't have fridges.....

I have stayed in LOTS of Deluxe resorts and 90% of them have mini bars which is what the Dolphin has. Disney "deluxe" have friges. Of course they fail to measure up on most every deluxe measurement system so it's nice of them to give you that.

It's the same as internet. It's FREE at the Fairfield in and $9.99 a day at the Marriott.

Absolutely right-WDW gives you a fridge but they give you the shaft when it comes to service.

Makes no sense! What makes it "deluxe"? They give you less and charge you more money.

If you stay at either the S/D, you'll know why they are deluxe hotels.
They do backflips to make you feel like they value their guests.
The beds are fabulous.
The staff puts Disney staff in the shade.
The restaurants are excellent
Also, when you're at these hotels and you call the front desk, you talk to someone who is at the desk. At Disney hotels, when you call the front desk, you're actually speaking to someone at a call center, not a CM at the hotel.

Even with the resort fee and charge for parking, you pay much less than you do at a Disney "deluxe". I'd pay and do pay those fees happily to stay at true deluxe hotels.