TEMPORARY Refrigerator Removal from WDW Resorts

[Gracefulskinny]

DH and I were discussing this last night. Our guess is that the 4 month time frame is more for the completion of the swaps at Aulani than it is Disneyland or World.

Remember O`ahu is an island with nothing really close by. Shipping things there (especially like a mass load of fridges) takes a surprising amount of time. I have in-laws there and often have to send things out 6 weeks in advance of when it needs to arrive. Unless you pay for overnight most things end up shipping out on a boat.

Not to mention that with a re-call of this proportion (boy wouldn't you hate to be the company that screwed up this order!) the manufacture might need time to fill the order.

Still I'm glad people are getting word that POR will be fixed before October.

 

[pikaboo27]

I just spoke to a CM at the DLH (we arrive in 2 weeks) and she said that the fridges were on order and we would not have one for our stay. I asked about compensation to guests and she said there would be none.

I'm curious though...we are staying at the DLH on DVC points...I'm thinking my next call will be to member services since my points are not getting me what they should. I'll post again when I talk to them.

 

[kimmy85]

Update after TA put notation on my Sept 2013 reservation at CBR:

"I have made the request on your reservation. It was explained that they have a limited number of stock and people that have medicines that need to be kept refrigerated are first priority. They have already begun the removal process and are looking for the replacement brand."

 

[Chipmunk25]

I spoke with someone in Reservations today to make sure it is noted I need a fridge for medical needs for my trip. She was nice and noted it as a priority need then went on to tell me they are doing inventory next week to find out how many need to be replaced and are hoping to do this very quickly for the guests.

 

[maxiesmom]

I completely agree. I know when I book my resort-I expect certain amenities to be provided because they are included at time of booking. And the cost of those amenities is in the room rate. So, if they remove something or don't provide it, then the room rate should be adjusted.

That might make sense, IF they had raised the rates when they added the fridges to the rooms. They didn't.

Just like they don't lower the price of a park ticket when they have Splash down for maintenance.

 

[belle1528]

Update after TA put notation on my Sept 2013 reservation at CBR:

"I have made the request on your reservation. It was explained that they have a limited number of stock and people that have medicines that need to be kept refrigerated are first priority. They have already begun the removal process and are looking for the replacement brand."

Not looking promising for our arrival in 4 weeks

 

[HubbDave]

That might make sense, IF they had raised the rates when they added the fridges to the rooms. They didn't.

Just like they don't lower the price of a park ticket when they have Splash down for maintenance.

The prices go up every year

What it pays for is whatever they choose.

 

[OurBigTrip]

That might make sense, IF they had raised the rates when they added the fridges to the rooms. They didn't.

Just like they don't lower the price of a park ticket when they have Splash down for maintenance.

Exactly.

 

[jade1]

If driving can you bring your own for meds etc?

 

[Astylla]

That might make sense, IF they had raised the rates when they added the fridges to the rooms. They didn't.

Just like they don't lower the price of a park ticket when they have Splash down for maintenance.

This..so much this. While yes room rates have changed , they did not go up JUST because a refrigerator was added.

As one who worked in a hotel trust me..this is a nightmare..but first and foremost safety comes first.

Yes for medical needs - they will have a limited number to provide reasonable accomodation.

Blaming Disney for this is pretty ridiculous. I know people who travel frequently that have medical needs and not everyplace they stay for work has a refrigerator either so they make plans in case of an emergency.

I'm not saying that it's the travelers at fault either , but having some understanding would go a long way. If your trip is this dependant on that one amenity , it may time to look at alternatives , even off site.

Remember , you do have a choice , even if it's one you don't want.
I know it's not easy when you do book out months or even nearly a year in advance but heres the deal : You can't control it. Yelling at CM's , customer service or any number of people won't do a thing. This may mean some hard choices have to be made but only you can do what's best for you and your family.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

This..so much this. While yes room rates have changed , they did not go up JUST because a refrigerator was added.

As one who worked in a hotel trust me..this is a nightmare..but first and foremost safety comes first.

Yes for medical needs - they will have a limited number to provide reasonable accomodation.

Blaming Disney for this is pretty ridiculous. I know people who travel frequently that have medical needs and not everyplace they stay for work has a refrigerator either so they make plans in case of an emergency.

I'm not saying that it's the travelers at fault either , but having some understanding would go a long way. If your trip is this dependant on that one amenity , it may time to look at alternatives , even off site.

Remember , you do have a choice , even if it's one you don't want.
I know it's not easy when you do book out months or even nearly a year in advance but heres the deal : You can't control it. Yelling at CM's , customer service or any number of people won't do a thing. This may mean some hard choices have to be made but only you can do what's best for you and your family.

However, the amenity was included at the time the room was booked. Perhaps if it wasn't, at that time people could have made the choice to stay elsewhere. Also, you don't really have a choice when your trip is coming up in less than 45 days - unless you don't care about losing your deposit.

Will I be yelling at a CM? No way. Am I annoyed? You bet. We'll be in FL in August when it's hot and would love to be able to have cold drinks in our room and our usual perishable type snacks for breakfast so we don't have to trek over to Capt Cooks and fight the crowds for breakfast items. Will it ruin our trip? Nope. But I still have the right to feel as though this is an inconvenience as do all of that are traveling to the World and having to actually deal with this in the next few weeks.

 

[HubbDave]

If driving can you bring your own for meds etc?

Yes. People used to all the time. There were even dedicated fridge swap threads

Not sure why people are posting that this is no big deal and stop complaining...

 

[WishingMom]

It is on the Disney Travel Agent, that guests will be credited $15/night to enable them to make cold item purchases, if a refrigerator is requested but not available.

If a refrigerator is requested? What about for those who expected the fridge in the room without requesting one?

 

[OurBigTrip]

If a refrigerator is requested? What about for those who expected the fridge in the room without requesting one?

If they expected one, and it's not there when they arrive, I would assume they would request one, and if it isn't available, they'll get the credit.

 

[jade1]

Yes. People used to all the time. There were even dedicated fridge swap threads

Not sure why people are posting that this is no big deal and stop complaining...

Swaps, like the XMAS tree, not a bad idea IMO.

 

[declansdad]

That might make sense, IF they had raised the rates when they added the fridges to the rooms. They didn't.

Just like they don't lower the price of a park ticket when they have Splash down for maintenance.

The prices go up every year

What it pays for is whatever they choose.

Exactly. Would you accept a room without a working tv? a working shower? working ac? They are part of what you pay for in the room and if they are not there, they should compensate people who do not have them.

 

[jade1]

Ha, found a fridge swap thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1204587&highlight=refrigerator+swap

 

[francie57]

Thankfully we are staying in a 2 bedroom villa and won't be affected by this. As one pp stated, being the daughter of a firefighter I may be among the minority but I would have no problem with them removing the frig if it is a safety hazard. It is not Disney's fault - there is a problem with the manufacturing and there is nothing they can do. Would you rather run the risk of a fire in your room - don't think so. This will take time since they have to order new ones to replace all the ones being removed. With the huge number that will be required there is no way that they can just call up and order them all and have them available. As for compensation, I wouldn't expect anything from Disney since this isn't their fault. Hopefully the stores at the resorts and the two local Hess stations will be carrying good old Styrofoam coolers at a cheap price. We have done this in the past when frigs weren't in every room and just filled it with ice during the day.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

It is a bummer but I am glad we are driving.We always bring a cooler with us. We will also be at our timesharw the first week so I can freeze our water bottles there. In case of an ice shortage, at our resort, we can drive offsite to get ice. Any Disers that will be there with us message me for ice runs or a cooler.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Exactly. Would you accept a room without a working tv? a working shower? working ac? They are part of what you pay for in the room and if they are not there, they should compensate people who do not have them.

The people that want them and don't have them will be compensated, so what's the problem? I don't think Disney has any obligation whatsoever to do so, but if they choose to, I'm sure some will appreciate it.