Refidgerator Issues at Resorts

[Goofy4TheWorld]

I am amazed at the lack of hostility toward Disney here, so let me be the first. If I were booked into a room expecting a fridge I would be furious. I find it hard to believe that there is such a monumental safety issue that warrants the abandonment of 25,00 fridges. Even if one did catch on fire, one fridge out of 25,000 over two years is not an unmanageable risk.

While I would hope we learn more about this soon, unless there is an electrical shock issue (which should never happen unless the ground wire is coming loose), this is just ridiculous. Things with motors and/or heat exchangers overheat sometimes, and Disney could probably just take the fridges out of those suffocating cabinets to buy them some time. This just seems like a large scale over-reaction, most likely ordered by the legal department, and one the will result in a significant inconvenience for many guests, often to their complete surprise once they check into their room.

[1DisneyNut]

I wouldn't be surprised if it was due to overheating from them being inside those enclosed cabinets. Any moron would know better than to put an appliance or piece of equipment that generates heat inside a closed cabinet. Whenever we stay at a hotel that has them inside a cabinet, I always make sure the cabinet door stays open. You will find they work better.

I don't recall where we were and it may well have been at WDW (I am thinking possibly Port Orleans) but the cabinet was hot to the touch around the refrigerator. I actually pulled it out of the cabinet, set it to the side and plugged it back in for use during our stay. The cabinet was so warm you could actually smell it.

On a side note, for those of you who want or need a refrigerator; back when WDW used to charge $10 per night for the mini fridges, after we would unload our luggage, we would run to walmart and grab a mini fridge along with the things we needed. They were only $70 at the time which was less than what WDW would charge us for a week after taxes. When we were leaving, I would ask guests just arriving and bringing their luggage in if they would like to have the refrigerator and ask them to just pass it along when they left. I am sure WDW eventually ended up with it but oh well. They still aren't very expensive so if you just have to have one, run and buy one. I have also simply used a styrofoam cooler, ice and rock salt. Using the salt, I have actually frozen waters in the cooler.

As for the comment of heads rolling, like someone else mentioned; I wouldn't be surprised if they got a promotion. That is how the corporations work in the US. The morons get promoted just to get them out of a particular job or department....nobody has the kahunas to simply fire the idiots anymore.

[ckaranassos]

I'm with you Goofy. We arrive in 39 days after a short stay at Sea world with a party of 9 and have rented a car to stop and get water, beer and wine. I have no issues spending money on good food and drink. But, I do love to cut some costs by enjoying a beverage or two in my room while I'm getting ready for my evening plans. Thank goodness for my friends at intercot. Because, if I found out about the lack of refrigerator upon my arrival (groceries in hand) I think I might be a little less than magical. It wouldn't ruin my trip but being "Tour guide Barbie" for my group I would be mad. Now at least I can plan ahead.

[cer]

The morons get promoted...

Frank Burns.

[magicofdisney]

Does anyone else see the irony between loss of fridges and new RFID mugs?

[faline]

I Even if one did catch on fire, one fridge out of 25,000 over two years is not an unmanageable risk.

I don't understand this reasoning. Imagine being asleep in the hotel room containing the faulty refrigerator with two adults and two small childen. The smouldering refrigerator could potentially kill all the folks in the room before an actual fire occurs. Then, how about all the other folks in all the other rooms in that resort that would be at risk as flames spread?

In my book, the possibility of one fire is one fire too many. If this is the issue that is driving the removal of the refrigerators, Disney is doing the right thing.

[BrerGnat]

I don't understand this reasoning. Imagine being asleep in the hotel room containing the faulty refrigerator with two adults and two small childen. The smouldering refrigerator could potentially kill all the folks in the room before an actual fire occurs. Then, how about all the other folks in all the other rooms in that resort that would be at risk as flames spread?

In my book, the possibility of one fire is one fire too many. If this is the issue that is driving the removal of the refrigerators, Disney is doing the right thing.

I totally agree Linda.

Hotel fires are never an acceptable risk. They are often quite devastating because they spread so quickly.

Remember how there used to NOT be fridges in all the resorts? Pretend it's like that again for the next few months and use the ice machines. It is entirely possible to keep bottled drinks cold using just ice.

[Goofy4TheWorld]

I don't understand this reasoning. Imagine being asleep in the hotel room containing the faulty refrigerator with two adults and two small childen. The smouldering refrigerator could potentially kill all the folks in the room before an actual fire occurs. Then, how about all the other folks in all the other rooms in that resort that would be at risk as flames spread?

In my book, the possibility of one fire is one fire too many. If this is the issue that is driving the removal of the refrigerators, Disney is doing the right thing.

Perfectly fine curling irons, coffee pots, and irons are responsible for much worse than (if reports are true) one fridge out of 25,000. Not all risk can be avoided, at least IMHO.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Go to Walmart... Buy a cooler or what ever they are called (they are kind of cheap) and fill it with ice daily... put your beverages in the ice cooler... Enjoy a cold beverage when returning to your room...

[brownie]

I'm thinking it has to be something more than a single fire. They would not be pulling every single fridge unless they really had to. I think they know about the inconvenience this is going to cause, so there has to be a compelling reason for Disney to take these steps.

[Aurora]

I totally agree Linda.

Hotel fires are never an acceptable risk. They are often quite devastating because they spread so quickly.

Remember how there used to NOT be fridges in all the resorts? Pretend it's like that again for the next few months and use the ice machines. It is entirely possible to keep bottled drinks cold using just ice.

I was kind of surprised to hear there WERE fridges in all the rooms. The last stay we had in Port Orleans in 2008, there weren't.

[Scorpiosammy]

OMG I cannot believe this is happening

Anyone know the status of the fridges at the Poly? DH and I just booked our trip and my mother has 2 medical conditions that absolutely require refrigeration. I requested one when I made the ressie but was assured I would have a fridge ("mini" fridge is totally fine) even without a request. This may be huge or cause us to not be able to go..

Any help, advice, or info is greatly appreciated

[Polynesian Dweller]

OMG I cannot believe this is happening

Anyone know the status of the fridges at the Poly? DH and I just booked our trip and my mother has 2 medical conditions that absolutely require refrigeration. I requested one when I made the ressie but was assured I would have a fridge ("mini" fridge is totally fine) even without a request. This may be huge or cause us to not be able to go..

Any help, advice, or info is greatly appreciated

Make sure on your request that fridge is needed for medical reasons and mention it again at checkin. They will make sure that you get a fridge under these circumstances.

[Renfairwedding]

Looks like I need to break out the old fridge from my shop and haul it back to Disney. Has a freezer to! LOL... like the old days were it looked like we are moving in at check in.

It dose help I have a big van.

For those who fly... We used to get a foam cooler from Walmart and used the free ice to chill what ever. Bring some ziplock bag to keep items dry.

[Strmchsr]

Anyone know the status of the fridges at the Poly? DH and I just booked our trip and my mother has 2 medical conditions that absolutely require refrigeration.

Make sure on your request that fridge is needed for medical reasons and mention it again at checkin. They will make sure that you get a fridge under these circumstances.

The issue is that even medical fridges will be in very short supply. I understand the problem. My son is a diabetic and has to keep his insulin refrigerated. My CM friend said they're not sure how many they'll have available for medical purposes and if they're gone, they're gone. No guarantees. However, he did say as an absolute last resort (and I realize this is an inconvenience) guests with medical issues could leave their medication in the big fridge at bag services. It's not ideal, but at least provides a solution.

[azcavalier]

I was thinking about buying one of those coolers that is electric. You can plug it in to the car, or an outlet...like a cooler/refrigerator. Keep stuff cool on the 12 hour drive, and then just roll it into the room and plug it into the wall.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I was thinking about buying one of those coolers that is electric. You can plug it in to the car, or an outlet...like a cooler/refrigerator. Keep stuff cool on the 12 hour drive, and then just roll it into the room and plug it into the wall.

We have one of those, which we used to use before fridges were in the Value rooms. A good idea.

[coloradowendyl]

Anyone know the status of the fridges at the Poly? DH and I just booked our trip and my mother has 2 medical conditions that absolutely require refrigeration. I requested one when I made the ressie but was assured I would have a fridge ("mini" fridge is totally fine) even without a request. This may be huge or cause us to not be able to go..

Disney released the information about the fridges on Wed., July 10. If you booked your vacation prior to July 10, there were fridges in all resort rooms and no one was aware that there was an issue requiring their removal. This is an inconvenience and a concern to many. However, no one from the CMs at the reservation center to travel agents had any prior knowledge before July 10.

You can request a medical fridge and Disney will be doing their best to accommodate. Many clients have told me that they will be utilitizing the "old fridge"system aka ziplock bag and ice bucket or soft sided cooler.

Disney has not done this to inconvenience anyone's trip, but rather as a precautionary measure for safety. Disney takes safety concerns very seriously.

Wendy

[ckaranassos]

I just read on another site that Disney is refunding $15 a night for lack of refrigerator. Anyone else hear about this? My problem with this situation is certainly not Disney's response to a safety issue- No one wants a fire at a resort. I think it stinks not being notified prior to arrival (I think a simple letter to those with reservations is warranted) and I'm concerned about ice production if a couple thousand guests are filling coolers during August to keep things cold. Hopefully, anyone with medical needs will get a refrigerator. Because that is a truly upsetting situation and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[PopPhan]

I am amazed at the lack of hostility toward Disney here, so let me be the first. If I were booked into a room expecting a fridge I would be furious. I find it hard to believe that there is such a monumental safety issue that warrants the abandonment of 25,00 fridges. Even if one did catch on fire, one fridge out of 25,000 over two years is not an unmanageable risk.

While I would hope we learn more about this soon, unless there is an electrical shock issue (which should never happen unless the ground wire is coming loose), this is just ridiculous. Things with motors and/or heat exchangers overheat sometimes, and Disney could probably just take the fridges out of those suffocating cabinets to buy them some time. This just seems like a large scale over-reaction, most likely ordered by the legal department, and one the will result in a significant inconvenience for many guests, often to their complete surprise once they check into their room.

So, if your room happened to be the one in 25,000 that actually sparked a fire, you would be OK with that? And if that fire actually spread throughout the building?

Be reasonable. Disney is doing exactly what they should in this case. Yes, be upset about it, but understand that it is a safety/fire hazard that is being addressed and they, in this case, prefer to err on the side of safety.

In this case, I actually would give Disney kudos for doing the right thing. (Unlike like some car company that refused/refuses to admit their vehicles might have a safety issue [Jeep *cough* *cough*])