A bit of a vent!!

[Taylor]

We returned this evening from 11 nights at WDW, which included 3 nights at OKW, 3 nights DCL, 3 nights BCV, and 2 nights at BWV. Had a great time, and especially loved the new BCV.

However, I do have one major vent. We stayed in a 2 br at BCV, and were very disappointed in the actions of a previous room occupant. Somebody travelled with a young child who wrote on walls, the sliding glass doors, the sofa, and on virtually every piece of literature (room service menus, etc.) in the room with a magic marker. From 10 feet away you probably wouldn't notice since it was a light colored marker, but what happened was just plain wrong! Obviously a child was left unsupervised for a good deal of time to do this much damage, or the parents just didn't care. Now before you flame away, I have small children myself, who can be a handful. I can understand a child writing on a few different objects before even the most attentive parent notices. This, however, was in each room and on many different surfaces. We did mention this to the front desk since we didn't want to be deemed responsible, and they seemed to appreciate our concern.

I can only hope this was the action of a non DVC member, because I truly want to believe that those of us who have made a significant financial commitment wouldn't allow this to happen, or would at least accept the responsibility for what occurred.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by Taylor
Somebody travelled with a young child who wrote on walls, the sliding glass doors, the sofa, and on virtually every piece of literature (room service menus, etc.) in the room with a magic marker

As a mother and an educator, this is certainly unforgivable (and annoying when it is our money paying to fix it). I also fee though, this is a housekeeping issue. No member or guest should have to start their vacation this way. This room should have been taken out of service and I thought this is what the 4% developer portion is for.

Sorry you had to experience this
Sandy

 

[Sammie]

Don't necessarily think that members don't allow this, as they do. I was witness to the worst behavior by children of members at OKW that I have ever seen. These children were sent to the pool without adults, they were 8, 6, 5, years old. The 8 year old was in charge. They were at one of the quiet pools and were taking sand out of the play area and putting in the dryer. Someone's clothes were in there. They were also dumping huge handfulls of ice all over the laundry floor.

When several of us asked them to stop and where were their parents the 8 year old told us to "bleep" off.

We called security. The parents who were members were taking a nap and had sent the kids to the pool on their own.

 

[wilderness01]

Those parents should have gotten in trouble with the law. You can not leave your children unsupervised at such young ages, especially around water. They could have been very hurt. What are some people thinking!

 

[Nanajo1]

I agree with Firstimpres. I think Housekeeping should be doing more as far as seeing that the rooms are ready and are without problems. How does a nonsmoking room get released when it reeks of stale smoke, or have a faucet that is dripping, or a broken lock on the balcony door? These things should be found and corrected before the room is released if housekeeping is doing the thorough cleaning between guests.
I see housekeeping as the first line of maintaining the property. They see the units day in day out and could easily IMO report some of the problems as they clean the units.
Sorry for the rant, but I get dismayed when I read trip reports that say "everything was perfect except for...." then list many minor but correctable problems with the unit.
With regards to all the markings in that room maybe those parents took their nap and let the kids loose in the unit. Safer but still not acceptable.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Taylor
I can only hope this was the action of a non DVC member, because I truly want to believe that those of us who have made a significant financial commitment wouldn't allow this to happen, or would at least accept the responsibility for what occurred.

It may not have been from the previous occupant, no way to be certain. To think that members treat the rooms better than non members is a little nieve. I'd actual expect members to be the same or even worse overall.

 

[lenshanem]

HA! NAP?!? I haven't had oen of thsoe in almost 6 years now. (And I see no end in sight...)

Being the parent of one particular destructive preschooler I can understand how fast a marker can get on furniture. (You shoudl see my bedroom after I took a quick shower one day. Let's just say TRASHED... It was one of thsoe Magic Wonder markers that don't work except on Magic Wonder paper. Well, actually if you use them on balck wood they magiclaly appear in flouresant colrs! After thsi ordeal I notcied on the box in small letters don't get on wood or leather as it will stain!)

So anyway, when I arrive at any hotel I IMMEDIATELY go and collect any pens and place them on top of the TV. I also never buy anything now but washable Crayola crayons. They are the BEST.

As far as the pool? I was amazed thsi past summer at our neighborhood pool how neglegent soem parents were. Our neighborhood has a group of moms who sit up under the porch totally unaware of their kids while gosiping almost everyday. One mom has a 2 year old son she just lets wander all aroudn and on both sides on the steps without any floats or anything. One day I got tired of watching her son while trying to play with my girls so I finally went up to her and told her I was very nervous watching him without any floats on. (Plus, it wasn't my responsibilty.) She told me he is scared of the water and woudl never go past the steps!!!!!!!!!! I then told her my husband's former co-worker had a son who drowned in their backyard pool thsi summer while they worked in the yard. Shut her up, but then a day later she was back to ignoring her child. (He was maybe 2?)

Regardless, isn't even 8 under the rules? I thought they had to be at least 12 or 13 to swim without a preant. And an 8 year old watching a 5 year old?!? My 5 year old cna swim, but I woudl NEVER leave her alone to even go to the bathroom. She has to coem out and go with me.

 

[nezy]

UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN AT A POOL INFURIATES ME!
THIS IS SOO DANGEROUS, as anyone with half a brain knows.

as far as the marker, yes that is also an irresponsible parent. As a mother of 3 I know what can happen in a flash, turn your back for a second and...(fil in the blank). However that member/guest should have notified housekeeping when they saw the work of young Picasso.
I agree that housekeeping is a little lax in this area of checking the room. I do not think there is a thourough going over of each room btwn guests. I have had to "touch up" the room upon check in at BCV.

 

[poohbear1029]

Were you in our room???? We stayed in a one bedroom 10/21-10/26 - Room 129.......there was crayon all over one of the bedroom doors. I left the housekeeper a note upon checkout as it was low and she might not see it.....and since we didnt even have any kids with us, I thought it would be quite a story to explain for DH and I to be blamed for it!!!

I only noticed my crayon upon my "inspection".....hotel rooms gross me out regardless of the number of stars a hotel has, so I always take a peek around. I have noticed that the tile floors in both the BCV and BWV rooms we have stayed in in the past could use a good "hands and knees" scrubbing!

Overall, We have not had any problems with any of the typical items that tend to turn my stomach. The bathroom fixtures have always been clean and free of hair, the kitchen always clean as well as the sheets, etc........

.....although every WDW room we have stayed in has always had msyterious wet spots on the floor when we check in. It seems they do more spot cleaning that full cleaning of the carpet....at least that is what I am telling myself!

The way I look at it is that not just as a member but as a customer I also have an obligation to point out areas where service is not to the standard the facility would be expected to provide. If we dont properly communicate our concerns then mgmt will just assume that everything is up to the appropriate standards.

I will say that I was a chambermaid at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA during high school. It is a physically demanding and exhausting job......not to mention that many of the tourists who frequented there didnt feel shy about communicating through word and action how much better than us they were. And, some of those who felt they were the best, left their rooms in such levels of disgust that we would clean them with gloves while gagging!!! Needless to say it sometimes pains my husband that I go around and tidy our hotel rooms before we leave for the day and leave the maid notes, etc and probably over generous tips!!!

In fact here a few tips that will make it easier for the maid to clean your room and maybe allow more time for the "Detail": 1. put all dirty towels in one location. 2. Put your trash in the trash -- I hated trying to figure out if something on the table/nightstand was trash. 3. Remove your personal items from the bed - hated touching clothes, nightgowns to make it. 4. Try to at least clear a path to the sink so that can be cleaned. 5. Leave a polite note if something wasnt clean/in place.

 

[floridafam]

Yep, both of our TV screens in the 1br villa at VWL had crayon all over them. Housekeeping missed it. I don't know how.

Why was that room at BCV even in service? Should it have been?

I suspect Disney does not really charge people when they do something like this and that's why people think they can get a away with it.

 

[nezy]

POOHBEAR!1029-

hotel rooms gross me out

I assume this opinion is based on your experience at the Red Lion. Lately I too have been getting a "grossed Out" feeling when I go to a hotel, no matter what type. I always keep the sheets by my face not the blanket, etc. (Don't want this to become a sanitizing thread.)

Anyway thanks for the tips. We always pile the towels and the sheets and run the dishwasher. I appreciate tthat it is hard work, but also do not expect to see food left over from the previous guests.

 

[CarolA]

I am going to defend housekeeping. First has anyone noticed what these people get paid..... NEXT TO NOTHING!!!

Second, they are getting calls from the front desk because you want your room NOW so they are in a hurry.

Third, after you have lived in the unit with your 2 kids for a few days it is probably a little messy and they are trying to get a bunch of unit turned between 11 and 4.

Fourth, have you checked thier language skills lately. (See 1 above, college grads aren't doing this work!)

If you see something like this, I would not leave housekeeping a note. (I have spoken with some of them at BCV and OKW and it was really good I speak a little Spanish.) They might not understand it, call the front desk. I don't mean that to sound bad, but it is a fact of life.

I travel a lot. Disney housekeeping actually does a much better job then the industry average!

 

[paults]

we were at BWV oct 19/24 and the slide was closed. So guess what. Everytime we tried to get into the Spa there were (and we counted them) between 7 to 11 kids at any given time in the spa and if someone was watching them I just didn't notice (ages about 4 to 12) I guess the parents thought if the slide is closed they can use they spa to play in. I could not believe the parents let them use the spa for any length of time. I believe you need to be 12 yr old and supervised by an adult or younger with an adult.

 

[Nanajo1]

I don't know how much housekeepers get paid but it is not on the list of persons to be tipped. BUT I DO TIP. Maybe if folks respected the 4pm check in and did not pressure the front desk to get in earlier then the Housekeepers would have more time to do a better job. Most of the housekeeping staff I've met are cordial, accommodating and seem very hard working. But how can you say you've cleaned/dusted a TV and not have seen crayon marks? Cleaned a sink and not noticed that the faucet doesn't turn off?
My point was that if housekeeping reported these "problems" then rooms would stay in better shape.
I have a great deal of respect for houskeepers, I did a very short stint at my uncle's cape motel and it is hard work.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Nanajo1
My point was that if housekeeping reported these "problems" then rooms would stay in better shape.

The only comment I'll make is that it's impossible to know if the fault lies with housekeeping or with the resort management itself. How do we know that the problems weren't reported and ignored? If memory serves, the resorts are basically at max occupancy right now. Someone may have just made the (unfortunate) decision to keep the room in service for the next couple of weeks and deal with it when occupancy declines.

 

[Nanajo1]

Customers deserve good service ALL the time. Paricularly when they own a piece of the resort. Remember management wants HIGH occupancy! These problems happen all the time all over WDW not just DVC. If housekeeping is being ignored then the problem is bigger than originally thought.