What in the world is happening with all the fridge swaps???

[cnlmom]

We participated in a fridge swap a few years ago and it was a positive experience for us that did not involve storage or bell hops or embarassment or smelly fridges or anything like that.
I swapped with another disboard person her last night/my first night, they were very nice. Fridge was clean and she even gave us some sodas they did not drink. When our vacation was over we handed it to the next very nice family.
Saved us over a hundred dollars. I am grateful to have had the use of the fridge and it was fun to be a part of a sharing experience.

We did not participate in an official stroller swap, however my kids were older and we did not need a stroller for anyplace other than the vast amounts of walking Disneyworld requires....so at the end of our trip we gave our double stroller away to the next family to use rather than to toss it or drag it home only to end up discarded at home. Family we gave it to was grateful and we hope they paid it foward by giving it to others to use when they were done with it.

Waste not want not.

And for the record....I prefer the term FRUGAL to Cheap thank you very much.

 

[ben1993]

$10 a day for a tiny fridge is outrageous.

 

[csharpwv]

Technically, I believe that park rules state you cannot bring outside food in. They have been looking the other way for years. (I know we brought in sandwiches & snacks on a trip in 1999).

Here is the "Official Language" from Disney's Website:

Q. Can food be brought into Walt Disney World® Resort and Theme Parks?

A. Guests are allowed to bring food items, such as snacks or foods that do not require heating, into any Walt Disney World® Resort. If you have items that need to be refrigerated, please ask the front desk Cast Member to have a refrigerator placed in your room. Please check with the front desk to see if there is a charge for use of the refrigerator. Guests are allowed to bring food items, such as snacks or foods that do not require heating, into any Walt Disney World® Theme Park. Just inform a Security Cast Member.

 

[vikkil70]

We participated in a fridge swap on our trip this past August and it was a great help as it saved us $100. Unfortunetely we did not get to meet either the swapper before or after us in person so we did have to leave the fridge in luggace services. We did not call to have the fridge brought to us. DH went down to retrieve the fridge himself but the bellhop told DH that he would bring it up to us so we tipped him rather well for the help. When we left we brought the fridge down ourselves. I would hate to see the swaps dissappear but that being said I can see if room is an issue becuase our box was rather large. I guess time will tell if these fridge's every "reappear". The swap we participated in is now MIA.

 

[disneymom3]

If something is truly causing an "undue burden" then the hotel can simply put a stop to it. Simple enough. Actually it sounds like an ingenious way to save money.

Personally, I'd just ask for a fridge for medical reasons.

I really hope you aren't serious. I can't even respond to that with anything else.

 

[AnninIowa]

This whole mess would be mute if Disney would just put fridges and coffee makers in ALL the rooms! I know the values are small, but considering how many families stay there, I think most guests would use the fridge. Most motels outside of WDW have fridges...and coffee makers and microwaves.

 

[cluvsdisney]

This whole mess would be mute if Disney would just put fridges and coffee makers in ALL the rooms! I know the values are small, but considering how many families stay there, I think most guests would use the fridge. Most motels outside of WDW have fridges...and coffee makers and microwaves.

Then Disney would raise the room rates by $10 per night across the board. They basically made the fridge an a la carte item so only guests that want a fridge pays for one.

 

[Belle0101]

Only because I'm curious, I don't have a trip planned and we only stay at Mods or off-site anyhow, what does one consider a good, well or hefty tip for the transportation of the various, now MIA, swap items? I just don't know how one would determine that v. for example, waitstaff. Seems to me the amount is subjective because there are no established guidelines.

 

[Planogirl]

This whole mess would be mute if Disney would just put fridges and coffee makers in ALL the rooms! I know the values are small, but considering how many families stay there, I think most guests would use the fridge. Most motels outside of WDW have fridges...and coffee makers and microwaves.

I was just thinking that. I can stay in a cheap budget hotel just about everywhere and get a fridge and microwave and sometimes even wifi but Disney can't provide that?

I do wonder if Disney is making these things disappear since they might think the swaps eat into their profits.

 

[tasha99]

I don't think Disney is purposely making them disappear. That would be theft. Even if they considered the property abandoned, there would be rules for getting rid them legally. I think if Disney didn't want to deal with fridge swaps, they would just say so.

I have no idea where the fridges are going, though . . .

 

[okeydokey]

I think the problem that some people have with fridge swaps would be totally eliminated if fridge swaps were entirely guest-to-guest.

One person is leaving at Noon on Friday - one person is coming at 11:30am on Friday - the Fridge is moved from one room to another - by the guests themselves - and it didn't have to be dealt with at Bell Services - Stored by Bell Services - etc etc etc.

I personally don't see a single thing wrong with swaps - strollers, fridges, Christmas trees, etc etc etc as long as it doesn't place an undue burden on Bell Services.

It goes without saying that 20+ mini-fridges take up a considerable amount of space in Bell Services - and especially if the resort is taking in a large number of guests with group travel etc that will be arriving early and in need to luggage storage for 100 people = 100+ bags - then the fridges would be the first thing to go.

You are completely right!

 

[3boymthr]

So....just a thought, but has anyone checked with Disney's Lost and Found department? The place is huge. They have a phone number all their own.

 

[kelcoppens]

I don't think Disney is purposely making them disappear. That would be theft. Even if they considered the property abandoned, there would be rules for getting rid them legally. I think if Disney didn't want to deal with fridge swaps, they would just say so.

I have no idea where the fridges are going, though . . .

I think that people are seeing this PUBLIC board, and going to the hotels listed here and stealing the fridges. There are probably plenty of dishonest people that read this board but dont post.

 

[kelcoppens]

I must say I laughed hard when I read this. I will admit I did feel a little bit of my dignity fly out the door when I hauled that fridge box with massive stickers on it around the resort!

I have done 2 swaps both times with little ones. In the end I would not do one again. Not really worth it. The first time was not too bad but the look from my dh when the smells of a nasty fridge lingered in the room for hours was a tad embarrasing. I cleaned it and all was well by afternoon. The second time I got one at a different resort and it was very funny. The box was just not a small fridge but a tv like box from uhaul! It had everyones junk in it. My dh was like what do I want with other peoples garbage? There was enough boxes of creamers to last a good year! It had clothes hangers, baskets, food, toys, and the list went on. We recieved it as a face to face but had to put it in the bell hop area when we left. I will say I felt bad when I dropped it off. Even when tipping a box that size did not seem right. We both said we would not do one of those again.

That is so funny! I bet you and your DH still laugh over it. Good story to tell friends too!

 

[csharpwv]

If something is left with bell services for more than 7 days it can be considered abandoned property, and Disney can dispose of abandoned property as they see fit.

With a mini-fridge they could sell it, auction it, use it to rent, donate it, or destroy it.
I would imagine they enter it into the inventory of fridge rentals - but that's just mere speculation.

It would not be stealing. The item is left in the care/custody of Bell Services. I would imagine Disney has a very efficient management system in place to purge items that are left behind for longer than 7 days.

Has anyone thought to call the resort to inquire about how long an item can be left with Bell Services before it is considered abandoned?

 

[Trinity524]

I would just like to clear up this issue. I have all the lost fridge's in my drawer at work. Right along with all the missing mail in America. I specialize in missing mortgage payments to make people over 30 day's late just so I can report them to the Credit Bureaus.

Just kidding! Anyway, I did a swap last year and the box WAS a uhaul box (Kryastal's Pop swap) and I did tip to get it from luggage storage. My DH said never again as it was so big a bulky I had to deliver it to the next Diser in my son's stroller because neither one of us could hold it. DH said, I know you love a deal, but this is being cheap, not frugal, and we are wasting space in a small room. He was right. The huge box took up so much room and we only had the three of us, DH, DS2 and myself. Just food for thought. I was happy to have the option though.

 

[csharpwv]

HAHA That's something that I hadn't even thought about -
you are using twice as much floor space in a small Value room with both the fridge AND the box it came in!

I hadn't even thought about that - with the Christmas Tree/Decoration share we did last year at the Boardwalk, we just put the box in the walk in closet of our 1BR Villa and forgot it was there during our stay!

What DO you do with the fridge box in a small room?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Having watched DIS board "swappers" "forget" to tip several times (I saw one woman drive up, have bell services unload her fridge and drive off.. no cash changed hands. Also saw the same thing on another pickup.... ) I would think bell services had enough. Even if you haul it up there they still had to deal with it. Tipping was required! (I tip when I drop off and pick up my own Owner's Locker for example) (Granted it's been a while since I bothered with a value resort, see next statement!)

Honestly, if you weren't willing to pay Disney more for providing an inferior product this problem would go away. If Disney started losing guests who realize "gee the hotel is cute, but doesn't provide the same features at other hotels that cost less" and acting on that then they would "up the offerings" Think about it.... A Disney Value is probably equal to a Marriott Fairfield Inn. The Fairfield in Lake Buena Vista has free fridges and often microwaves, interior corridors, free breakfasts, bigger rooms, free internet etc. Sure it doesn't have a "giant Buzz Lightyear" but you can visit and see him. Unless you only want to use Disney transportation I just don't see the reason to pay more and receive less. When Disney started raising thier prices a few years ago I looked around and walked. My week in a better hotel and a rental car generally is cheaper then a week in a Disney hotel

As for expecting Disney to "annouce" they are ending these? Why? They never announced they were authorizing them

 

[csharpwv]

Having watched DIS board "swappers" "forget" to tip several times (I saw one woman drive up, have bell services unload her fridge and drive off.. no cash changed hands. Also saw the same thing on another pickup.... ) I would think bell services had enough. Even if you haul it up there they still had to deal with it. Tipping was required! (I tip when I drop off and pick up my own Owner's Locker for example) (Granted it's been a while since I bothered with a value resort, see next statement!)

Honestly, if you weren't willing to pay Disney more for providing an inferior product this problem would go away. If Disney started losing guests who realize "gee the hotel is cute, but doesn't provide the same features at other hotels that cost less" and acting on that then they would "up the offerings" Think about it.... A Disney Value is probably equal to a Marriott Fairfield Inn. The Fairfield in Lake Buena Vista has free fridges and often microwaves, interior corridors, free breakfasts, bigger rooms, free internet etc. Sure it doesn't have a "giant Buzz Lightyear" but you can visit and see him. Unless you only want to use Disney transportation I just don't see the reason to pay more and receive less. When Disney started raising thier prices a few years ago I looked around and walked. My week in a better hotel and a rental car generally is cheaper then a week in a Disney hotel

As for expecting Disney to "annouce" they are ending these? Why? They never announced they were authorizing them

I agree all around!

People want to stay on Disney property - but don't like the amenities.
Either bump up to a Moderate or Deluxe - and there you have it - more amenities, additional services, and no need to bring everything but the kitchen sink.

Fort Wilderness Campground offers the MOST affordable accommodations on property, but Disney built Value Resorts instead of more campgrounds for a reason. The vast majority of travelers would prefer a hotel room for various reasons.

Something to remember is this - you get what you pay for. Not as many people would WANT to go to Walt Disney World if it were cheaper to go because the level of service would not be as high, the parks and other properties would not be as clean, the rides may go down all the time due to poor maintenance, the food would be inedible, and just imagine what it would be like if the character's costumes were not neat, tidy and clean? What if Cinderella's dress was made out of really cheap material, what if Mickey's ears fell off when he bent over, what if there were only fireworks one night a week, what if, what if, what if?

People want to go to Disney because it IS an incredible vacation value.

The streets are clean, the garbage cans are not full to overflowing, and the bathrooms are kept very neat and tidy.

That is what I consider to be a great vacation.

If WDW were any cheaper it would not be what it is. I would not want to go if the service was horrible, the parks dirty, and the grass and landscaping overgrown.

SO - a Value resort is just that - a Value. You are paying for a clean place to sleep, bathe, and swim.

I realize that there are ways to add value to your stay - but there comes a point in time when it is no longer in Disney's interest to take on guest projects like swaps, storage, and retrieval of abandoned guest items.

 

[SaraJayne]

I agree all around!

People want to stay on Disney property - but don't like the amenities.
Either bump up to a Moderate or Deluxe - and there you have it - more amenities, additional services, and no need to bring everything but the kitchen sink.

Fort Wilderness Campground offers the MOST affordable accommodations on property, but Disney built Value Resorts instead of more campgrounds for a reason. The vast majority of travelers would prefer a hotel room for various reasons.

Something to remember is this - you get what you pay for. Not as many people would WANT to go to Walt Disney World if it were cheaper to go because the level of service would not be as high, the parks and other properties would not be as clean, the rides may go down all the time due to poor maintenance, the food would be inedible, and just imagine what it would be like if the character's costumes were not neat, tidy and clean? What if Cinderella's dress was made out of really cheap material, what if Mickey's ears fell off when he bent over, what if there were only fireworks one night a week, what if, what if, what if?

People want to go to Disney because it IS an incredible vacation value.

The streets are clean, the garbage cans are not full to overflowing, and the bathrooms are kept very neat and tidy.

That is what I consider to be a great vacation.

If WDW were any cheaper it would not be what it is. I would not want to go if the service was horrible, the parks dirty, and the grass and landscaping overgrown.

SO - a Value resort is just that - a Value. You are paying for a clean place to sleep, bathe, and swim.

I realize that there are ways to add value to your stay - but there comes a point in time when it is no longer in Disney's interest to take on guest projects like swaps, storage, and retrieval of abandoned guest items.

Regarding the bolded red, I would agree with this everywhere but at Disney. LOL

You are over-paying for what you receive in regards to hotels. We've stayed both on-site and off-site and much prefer off-site. It's cheaper, you have an entire house to yourself (not two beds and a bathroom) and you get a break from the hordes of vacationers. LOL

Disney, IMO, is just at the brink of pricing themselves out of most vacationers budgets. Who in the world pays $400 for a room that at most other hotels is $150??

I can't justify paying that much money when the perceived value is so low, compared to other places.

If you've stayed in a true luxury hotel, you know Disney can't come close.