Styrafoam cooler with ice question

[Disney Forever]

My family and I are going to WDW in about three weeks, but before we go, I have a question that I hope the people on these boards can help me with.

I decided (after reading all the posts on this subject) that I would not rent a fridge this time at WDW but instead use a styrafoam cooler. My main question is, I read somewhere that instead of putting the ice directly in the cooler, you should get Large ziplock bags, and put the ice in a bunch of them, and use them like ice packs, this way the food doesnt get soggy, and at the end of theday, when you need to replace the ice, its easier than dumping water out of the whole cooler, you can dump each bag seperatly.

Can someone please tell me if they have ever done this, and if it will work the same as putting the ice directly in the cooler?

Thanks in advance for everyones input.

Nathan

 

[Trekker]

We have done this and it works fairly well. We did notice that the zip lock bags did not seem to be totally water proof - we still needed to empty water out of the cooler every couple of days.


I'm thinking of buying an electric cooler for future trips. Just not sure if I kept the box - could i ship this as luggage on the plane?

I've shipped regular coolers as luggage - not sure if there would be a difference for an electric one?

 

[robinb]

I have never tried the ziplock bags, but I do bring a cooler with me everytime I go to WDW. I now use a collapsable cooler that I pack in my luggage, but I used to buy a styrofoam one each time. I have a couple of hints for you .

(1) When you buy your cooler make sure that it has straight sides like |_| and not sloping sides like \_/. You can fit more in the straight sided cooler because you can put things like milk and juice right up against the side.

(2) Have your groceries packed in plastic bags with handles. These make great bags for hauling ice from the ice machine.

(3) Change the ice twice a day. Once when you leave in the morning and again in the evening. I take everything out, set it aside, dump the ice and water, put things back in and refill with ice.

(4) Buy or bring the new ziplock containers to keep things dry. I also use the round ones for cereal in the morning.

 

[ozziewags]

I also used a collapsible cooler that fit in my luggage. Was very convenient. Kept it under the sink in the bathroom. Didn't use ziplock bags for ice. I can see that it would work, but would take time to fill all the bags? Or you could just take the larger bags to the ice machine? Hmmm.
Carol

 

[Gretchen]

I too have used a styro cooler. I've also put ice in the sink and put our water in it! We used to keep the food in the plastic grocery bags to keep it dry(er). Stuff got a little wet, from the condensation. Beats paying for a fridge. I always have trouble with them freezing my stuff anyway.
Gret

 

[Wags]

I've also read, on the Budget Board I believe, of cutting a small hole at one end of the cooler and tipping it so as to allow the water to drain, thus keeping your items a little dryer. (This of course would have to be set in the tub). I guess you could plug the hole while the tub was in use.

 

[suevee]

This time I am filling my coleman cooler with snacks, breakfast foods, and bubble wrap then checking it in as luggage. This will save me a shopping trip at WDW and I can start picking up some snack stuff a few weeks before I go so I will also save money! The only thing I will need to get at WDW will be bread, soda, juice, milk, and lots of water. When I get to Disney I will use it as a cooler. On the way home I will pack my souvenirs in it with the bubble wrap or I may use it to bring home any dirty clothes I may have. We always use a cooler at WDW and have never had a problem.

 

[Bobrow]

I remember when I was young my Mom filling up milk carton containers with water and freezing them and putting them in the cooler. It kept everything cold and no water that i remember.

 

[ozziewags]

I remember that too......almost forgot!