Hello All

Well, I went to the source & asked whether I still needed to pay $10 to hire the fridge for breast milk storage, and here is the answer

I plan to stay in a value resort in November 04, with my husband & 6 month old baby.
My baby mostly drinks expressed breastmilk, which I pump in advance of when she will need it and
store. Is it true that I will need to pay $10 a day to rent a fridge to store the breast milk in?

Yes refrigerators are an additional $10.00 per night paid directly to your resort. :(

just a bit rich I think - since it is not like you can buy breast milk in a store and take away profits for WDW!

That's not very nice! Sometimes it's hard to be a breastfeeding mom. Here in California, the Disney hotels seem to be nicer. The Grand Californian provides fridges for free if you ask for one. The Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel both already had fridges in the rooms. I don't understand why you would have to pay extra to have a fridge in your room to store breastmilk.

You might ask at the checkin desk. The reservation agents really don't have much freedom to make exceptions.

I agree, re-check when you check in.

They don't charge if the refrigerator is for medication (such as insulin for diabetics) so if you can phrase your request in some way to indicate it is medically necessary for your daughter, they might take the charges off. Maybe even, "This is what my daughter eats, and it can not sit out unrefrigerated and remain healthy for her to eat it."

See if you can get a statement from your pediatrician stating that she is breastfed to show at the desk when you check in. Then, her milk is regarded the same as medication. I would do this for any of my patients. Is she going to be 6 mos old when you travel or is she six mos now? If you have a regular check up between now and then, (and you should, since normal ages for regular check ups are 2mos, 4mos, 6mos, 9mos and 1yr), just ask then. I would do it on the spot.

We were told the same thing 3 years ago when my son was still on formula. I asked for the fridge for the formula b/c he wouldn't drink the powder we used the premade. Anyway, when we checked in, they made an exception and gave it to us for nothing. If you ask nice at check in, they should do it. If not make a scene and they will surely do it.

We were told the same thing 3 years ago when my son was still on formula. I asked for the fridge for the formula b/c he wouldn't drink the powder we used the premade. Anyway, when we checked in, they made an exception and gave it to us for nothing. If you ask nice at check in, they should do it. If not make a scene and they will surely do it.

I have absolutely no need of a refrigerator to store breast milk so this will never be a concern for me, but while I agree that asking nicely is the best way to go, I really object to the suggestion that if nice doesn't work, someone should just make a scene. That's a great thing to teach a child and a way to conduct oneself - if you don't get what you want, even if there's a very good reason for wanting what you want, just be a brat, and maybe you'll get what you want just because someone wants to shut you up.

We were told the same thing 3 years ago when my son was still on formula. I asked for the fridge for the formula b/c he wouldn't drink the powder we used the premade. Anyway, when we checked in, they made an exception and gave it to us for nothing. If you ask nice at check in, they should do it. If not make a scene and they will surely do it.

I really agree with what CS said in the last post. I certainly think that the original poster should very clearly explain their situation upon arrival at the resort (or possibly even write it up in advance and send a letter) and see if Disney will make an exception to the usual charge for the refrigerator. Under the circumstances, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they do comp the rental fee.

If they don't, though, then "making a scene" is certainly >not< the right way to handle it. Even in this situation, remember that it is basically asking them for a favor. If they remain steadfast about sticking to policy, then the right thing to do is to just go ahead and pay the $10/day. Having a tantrum is not the way to handle something like this.

-Jeff

As a person that works in Customer Service I have found that the nicer you are about requesting something the more inclined people will be to help you, the more you make a stink about it the less likely you are to get what you want and the more they will stick behind their rules.

I don't see why they wouldn't wave the fee for something like that.:)

... If you ask nice at check in, they should do it. If not make a scene and they will surely do it.

Sorry to get everyone in an uproar - I meant to put "LOL" at the end of that post. I guess my fingers weren't with my brain. Anyway, I have also worked in customer service and know all too well that those throwing fits get nothing for their efforts. I did see a woman at the Grand Floridian attempting to make a scene to bully the cast member. The CM stuck to her guns and politely told the woman what she was asking could not be done (The woman did not want to pay her mini-bar bill - she thought it was free (YEAH RIGHT!I wish)) So when the woman finely decided to give up the CM simply said "You have a GRAND day"

I have gone twice while breastfeeding and have gotten the refrigerator for free both times by simply asking for one to store formula/breastmilk in. No questions were asked.

...and whilst we're on the topic, may I just shake your hand in cyberspace for going to DL and not comprimising on the breastfeeding!! It still amazes me how many people treat breastfeeding as a 'taboo' subject, and object to seeing it in public!! When I was feeding my son, my own grandmother even said to me "why do you have to do that? Its such a bother for you, and its just not natural!" hahahahahahaaaa not natural??? Sometimes, you can't get angry with old relatives. You just have to grit your teeth...

I always thought that one of the biggest advantages of breastfeeding was not needing to have a fridge or mix formula. Breastmilk is always the right temperature, and my husband says "it comes in such lovely containers". If baby is with you, why would you need to pump and store? I'm sure that WDW will give you the fridge once you explain, in fact I've heard that they are soon putting fridges in all moderate hotel rooms soon anyway.

I always thought that one of the biggest advantages of breastfeeding was not needing to have a fridge or mix formula. Breastmilk is always the right temperature, and my husband says "it comes in such lovely containers". If baby is with you, why would you need to pump and store? I'm sure that WDW will give you the fridge once you explain, in fact I've heard that they are soon putting fridges in all moderate hotel rooms soon anyway.
Unfortunately, she's staying in a value resort. Also, there can be medical reasons why either the mother can nurse or the baby can't - but breastmilk from a bottle is a great way to handle those situations.

I agree that a polite request is the way to go - but, if they decline, what's the real issue here? So the hotel charges $10/day for a refrigerator. ::shrug:: It's an "extra", just like a rollaway bed would be, and many places charge for such extras. I don't think it's outlandish in any way for a hotel to have such a fee in place. If they're nice enough to give it to you for free that's great, but I don't think they should be obligated to do so.

I agree that a polite request is the way to go - but, if they decline, what's the real issue here? So the hotel charges $10/day for a refrigerator. ::shrug:: It's an "extra", just like a rollaway bed would be, and many places charge for such extras. I don't think it's outlandish in any way for a hotel to have such a fee in place. If they're nice enough to give it to you for free that's great, but I don't think they should be obligated to do so.

I don't think you should have to pay extra for a refrigerator to store breastmilk. A rollaway bed is like you said, an "extra." Breastmilk is a necessity for an infant.

While I won't go into the whole breastmilk issue as a medical issue, if you know you need X amount of beds in a room for your trip, you reserve a room and pay for X amount of beds, the same should follow with other amenities. If I KNOW I need a refrigerator for my trip then I reserve a room with what I need. Why is it the resorts responsiblilty to give me something for free regardless of why I need the fridge, it's my responsiblitly to make sure my family has what we need to make our trip comfortable. While $10 isn't cheap, it's a drop in the bucket when you're talking a trip to WDW after all.

As a person that works in Customer Service I have found that the nicer you are about requesting something the more inclined people will be to help you

I find it amazing that most Cust Serv Reps are surprised when I say please and thank you and are nice to them. That just shows you how most of them are really treated.

Unfortunately, she's staying in a value resort. Also, there can be medical reasons why either the mother can nurse or the baby can't - but breastmilk from a bottle is a great way to handle those situations.

Thanks - yes for me & DD, breastfeeding did not work out (despite LOTS of help from the La Leche League), but because I am passionate about the issue, I will take on the extra inconvenience of pumping / storing - which is a pity since nature's own carriers are much handier :) . Otherwise the charge of $10 for the hire of a fridge is a bit of a cultural issue for an Aussie. In even the cheapest accomodation in Australia, small fridges are included in the price of the room, so I am surprised they are charged for in WDW.

As I mentioned in an earlier thread, this trip to WDW with the baby is more costly because it is about 24hrs of flying time from where I live in Western Australia to WDW and we are only going because DH has a conference in St Thomas to go to first. Therefore WDW is an add on to an already expensive trip, so paying $10/day for something that in Aussie is free on top of paying a premium to stay on property (and I had almost won that arguement ;) ) is a bit of an impost.

On another issue - I think the time in WDW will be about a week after Thanksgiving. How busy will that make the parks?
Thanks

On another issue - I think the time in WDW will be about a week after Thanksgiving. How busy will that make the parks?
Thanks

If it's fully AFTER Thanksgiving, I've heard that's a great time to go because of low crowds and all the Christmas decorations up. Thanksgiving, as you may know, is on a Thursday (always), and this year it's November 25. I'm not sure when the crowds really start to thin out, but if you're arriving the 28th for sure, and maybe the 27th, it shouldn't be too bad. The WEEK of Thanksgiving, though is a pretty heavy time at the parks, since all schools get Thursday and Friday off, and some get the whole week off, it's a good time for parents to take kids out of school without missing too much (if any) class time.

You might want to start a thread in the WDW forum specifically about dates.

Also, with a small child, I think staying on-site will be a real bonus for you, even though it's a bit more expensive.

Otherwise the charge of $10 for the hire of a fridge is a bit of a cultural issue for an Aussie. In even the cheapest accomodation in Australia, small fridges are included in the price of the room, so I am surprised they are charged for in WDW.

That does make it a bit easier to understand your reaction, but you are right that it is a cultural issue. Here in the US, extra charges for refrigerators are pretty common in all but the highest-end hotels, if they are even available at all. The $10/day charge at the WDW value resorts is really pretty standard in this country.

-Jeff

I don't think you should have to pay extra for a refrigerator to store breastmilk. A rollaway bed is like you said, an "extra." Breastmilk is a necessity for an infant.Point being, it is an "extra" because it is not a standard amenity for a hotel room. A wheelchair is a necessity for a disabled person at a Disney resort, yet Disney charges for its daily use. A wheelchair is not included in the price of a WDW ticket, just like a refrigerator - for breastmilk or not - is not included in the price of whatever hotel the OP has chosen to book. (I understand the cultural difference here, and I'm sorry the OP had to find out unexpectedly that this is not standard in the US!)