refridgerators & ice machines

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Hi everyone

Sorry if this question has been asked before.

We are staying in the Disney Caribbean Beach Resort hotel in the Epcot area. According to my brochure, "ice machines are available on each floor of each building". Is the ice free of charge or do we have to pay for it?

Also, am I correct in thinking that a refridgerator is not included in the room unless we pay an extra charge to have one? Is there any reason why we can't collect a load of ice and keep a carton of milk or cans of drink in a bowl with the ice in our room, rather than bother with paying to have a refridgerator?

Any tips or advice or information on these subjects are very welcome. Many thanks.

2BoysMum&Dad (from UK)

 

[mbb]

Ice is free, and no reason not to load up and keep some perishables cool...lots of people buy those styrofoam coolers that every store in Florida carries - I even saw them at the Beach Club Villas gift shop - and keeps that in their room.

You could also post this question over on the Resorts Board, you'll get lots of tips!

Happy planning!!

 

[dsmith]

I don't know if a fridge is available at Caribbean Beach, we've only stayed there once.

As for ice: Yep, it's free. Grab the ice bucket provided in the room (or buy/bring a small cooler) and fill it up with ice from yonder ice macine. I never use a cooler. We only need to keep a couple cans of soda cold for my bride to have her morning caffeine fix (diet Coke). If you need to keep more than a very small amount of stuff cold you'll want a cooler.

Better yet, consider staying at one of the "Home away from home" DVC resorts. If you get a one bedroom or larger unit you'll have a full sized fridge with ice maker and a full kitchen! If you buy into DVC you'll have an excuse to cross the pond at least once a year! Wouldn't that be great!?

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Thanks for the help everyone. It seems a very popular and practical option to grab ice to help keep things cool rather than to pay for the fridge (cooler) in the room. Not much point paying loads of money for not much convenience. I will just have to remember to bring the plastic food bags (which I normally pack to put things in like bottles of shampoo just in case they leak).

Unfortunately, returning to Disney often from Britain is not really an option because of the cost - which is between 1,000 and 2,000 (British pounds) just in air fares (2 adults & 2 children) before we have even paid for accommodation etc. Our holiday to Disney so far this year is costing us 4,500 (British pounds) and we still haven't bought Disney passes or booked the hire car. We also still have to allow money for meals, souvenirs, external trips (Sea World etc etc etc etc etc).

This is our first trip to Disney (although we have been to the US before). But, we might fall in love with the place so much that we will just have to find the money from somewhere to keep coming back!!

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by dsmith
I don't know if a fridge is available at Caribbean Beach, we've only stayed there once.

As for ice: Yep, it's free. Grab the ice bucket provided in the room (or buy/bring a small cooler) and fill it up with ice from yonder ice macine. I never use a cooler. We only need to keep a couple cans of soda cold for my bride to have her morning caffeine fix (diet Coke). If you need to keep more than a very small amount of stuff cold you'll want a cooler.

Better yet, consider staying at one of the "Home away from home" DVC resorts. If you get a one bedroom or larger unit you'll have a full sized fridge with ice maker and a full kitchen! If you buy into DVC you'll have an excuse to cross the pond at least once a year! Wouldn't that be great!?

aaahhh, yes, DVC membership Howdy neighbour!!
Fridges are available$10/night
Love my Coke products in the am too!!