to buy or not to buy a fridge, that is the question.

[Kerlynne]

Okay wise-ones, need your opinion, on whether, for our 7 night/8 day stay, this July, if it would be cheaper for us to spend the money to rent a fridge, from the YC. Or is it cheaper, to just buy everything, the moment you need something.
My concern is those fridges aren't too big anyway, so will I fit much. But I suppose I could, every couple days, head over to the BW store and restock. Would you agree, that we could save, buying something there (not sure what though), instead of buying the food/drink in the park.
I was already thinking, since we will have 2 sinks, to have one for cleaning/brushing, and the other filled with ice, to put our water bottles in.
We won't have a car for transportation. We are using the Tiffany town car service, and so when he allows the quick stop, that's when I was going to pick up water and maybe some snacks.
We aren't huge breakfast eaters. What we had done in past, was eat a granola bar, or muffins, quickly as we head to the park (will be traveling, with DH, DS10 ), and eat an early lunch in park.
So could you tell me is the fridge worth is, if so, what should I stock up on, in it. OR should I go the cheaper way and stick with sink? What's cheaper, $80 fridge, or $ money spent eating meals in park? Thank You-Thank You!

 

[armywife]

I read on another post that some people take a collapsable cooler with them in their suitcase. They are inexpensive and they fold up flat in the suitcase. I thought it was a great idea, but the only time we ended up using it was as a carryon on the way home! Although, we don't have children, so if you do it might be a good idea for juice or snacks.

 

[cherylcat]

Another inexpensive idea is to pick up a cheap styrofoam cooler at the grocery store stop and use that. Many people just leave it behind at the end of their trip.

I think if you are not big breakfast people you could use the cooler to put juice in and have muffins. The main thing we used our fridge for last trip was for milk for breakfast and beer for evening.

We are staying at the YC on the concierge floor this year so I opted not to get a fridge. We use a small cooler on the back of our stroller for water and snacks.

When are you traveling? We are going 10/10 - 10/17.

 

[Kerlynne]

We are leaving 7/6-7/14. Since it will be the hottest time of year, that's why I was questioning it. I really didn't want the hassle of bring one, or buying one at the quick stop store. Because I'm worried about finding the stuff we know we want/need, in the 15 time allotment they allow.

 

[Namdnas]

Another option might be staying at one of the Disney Vacation Club properties. You can either rent points enough for your vacation from a DVC owner (see the DVC rent/ trade boards) or pay cash to rent one of these right from Disney. It will probably cost about as much as normal disney reservation, but you'll get a full kitchenette with a fridge. The downside is, they only do housekeeping every 4 days. But, seeing they have dischwashers, laundry & ovens, it might be worth it for you. I recently bought into DVC after staying in a room that we reserved by 'renting' points from a DVC member. I found it much bigger, and more liveable than any hotel room we've ever stayed in. We were in a 2 bedroom villa, which is large by design, but I hear the studio's are still just a hair nicer than the average 'moderate' resort, with more amenities.

Have fun!

 

[chb]

We had been planning on renting a fridge, but the cooler sounds like a great way to save some money. We're just staying at one of the All-Star resorts. Is there easy access to ice machines??

 

[safetymom]

There are plenty of ice machines at the resorts.

 

[baloo722]

Don't rent a fridge. Coleman makes a plug in cooler. It has an adaptor for both the car and a regular outlet. It costs about $100, but it is worth every penny. If you drive, plug it into your cigarette lighter, & you have cold food all the way down. If you fly, Keep it in its box & check it in or ship it down. If you are staying for a week or more, it is really worth it. Plus, it is great to have at home. repeat trips or other vacations add to the value!

 

[MELSMICE]

I would go with the collapsible cooler in your suitcase. They don't take up much space at all. Take some large ziploc bags with you & refill them with ice daily (my kids get a kick out of using the ice machines).

I would make a list of what you may think you'll need for the week in the way of drinks & light snacks & get them on your grocery stop. You'll pay through the nose at the BW store. If you have a list & know what you need you should be fine on your 15 minute stop.

I would definitely get some drinks, a few breakfast items like pop tarts, granola bars, etc. & some snacks for the room, pool or to take to the parks in fanny packs. Even if you're not concerned about the money it's really convenient to have these items available in your room when you want them.

 

[I Need Magic]

I've opted not to do the fridge rental. I'm bringing a collapsable cooler and wide mouth water bottles that can be filled with ice. I've read that you can get ice water in the parks if you ask for it.
One of my water bottles is a Britta that we'll use to refill if it turns out we really hate the water as I've read in other posts.

 

[dg39]

We always used to rent a fridge. They're small & not in the very best condition. Now we use a cooler from home, fill it up with ice a few times a day and it works out fine. Some coolers are larger than the fridge & you can fit more in. Its a breeze to get ice from the machines. You can even ask housekeeping for an extra waste basket, rinse it out, line it with a plastic bag & fill that up with ice if you need more cold space. Its not a money issue with us, as on vacation we spend money like it was water, but, I just can't see spending 10.00 or so more a day when you can improvise & save.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says................................ Collapsible cooler is great, even a styrofoam one will do ok.

Bring a couple tupperware containers for the things you don't want to get wet to be safe, like cheese, butter, lunch meat.

Put cans on the bottom, and milk, juices then the tupperware items. Go ahead and sprinkle some ice in the cooler, as it melts it won't hurt the cans,milk or juice. Fill a gallon glad bag that seals, with ice and put it on top. You have a fridge. And as the ice melts in the glad bag it stays in the glad bag. No muss no fuss. When you get back empty the bag and start over.

In a collapsible, you will only need to change ice one time a day.