A Tale of Two Villas: VGF Studios #1314 & #1605

[SpaceMountain77]

We recently completed an 11-night stay at VGF, 10-nights in lake view studio #1314 and 1-night in standard view studio #1605. Although #1314 offers an incredible view of Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks, the condition of #1605 is much better.

Upon arrival, we were disappointed to find the larger white refrigerator was replaced with a much smaller bar-style refrigerator (roughly half the size). After two requests, engineering replaced the refrigerator.

There must have been a plumbing issue in the kitchenette because the panel below the sink is warped from water damage.

The walls are scuffed and scarred with markings that are likely from scooters, strollers and wheelchairs. Moreover, the white trim molding, around the bathroom doors, has also taken several hits as the wood is splintering in several spots.

A spackle repair was made to the right of the bathroom mirror, but it was neither sanded nor painted; the work remains unfinished.

The top left closet doorstop is missing its rubber pad. Now, instead of rubber, the metal washer pushes directly into the white molding.

I am not sure what happened to the accent pillows, but we did not have them for use. Perhaps they became a souvenir.

I certainly acknowledge that many members would find these issues to be minor. However, as a fixed-week owner, I find the wear disheartening. The resort is just over a year old and villa #1314 is already showing wear. We travel with a wheelchair and several large suitcases and are always cautious of the walls and furniture.

Please know that overall, I am pleased with my DVC membership. I understand the system, appreciate the discounts and opportunity to stay at deluxe resorts. I just wish there was a better balance between upkeep and villa respect.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We recently completed an 11-night stay at VGF, 10-nights in lake view studio #1314 and 1-night in standard view studio #1605. Although #1314 offers an incredible view of Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks, the condition of #1605 is much better.

Upon arrival, we were disappointed to find the larger white refrigerator was replaced with a much smaller bar-style refrigerator (roughly half the size). After two requests, engineering replaced the refrigerator.

There must have been a plumbing issue in the kitchenette because the panel below the sink is warped from water damage.

The walls are scuffed and scarred with markings that are likely from scooters, strollers and wheelchairs. Moreover, the white trim molding, around the bathroom doors, has also taken several hits as the wood is splintering in several spots.

A spackle repair was made to the right of the bathroom mirror, but it was neither sanded nor painted; the work remains unfinished.

The top left closet doorstop is missing its rubber pad. Now, instead of rubber, the metal washer pushes directly into the white molding.

I am not sure what happened to the accent pillows, but we did not have them for use. Perhaps they became a souvenir.

I certainly acknowledge that many members would find these issues to be minor. However, as a fixed-week owner, I find the wear disheartening. The resort is just over a year old and villa #1314 is already showing wear. We travel with a wheelchair and several large suitcases and are always cautious of the walls and furniture.

Please know that overall, I am pleased with my DVC membership. I understand the system, appreciate the discounts and opportunity to stay at deluxe resorts. I just wish there was a better balance between upkeep and villa respect.

Did you pass all this information on to Maintenance and Housekeeping? If you didn't, notify Members Satisfaction to get them fixed.

 

[disneynutz]

Did you pass all this information on to Maintenance and Housekeeping? If you didn't, notify Members Satisfaction to get them fixed.

I always notify all 3 plus the front desk since they don't really talk to each other.

Bill

 

[medievaldave]

Space Mountain we as well found many issues with our room that we had (most) fixed.....we too were a little disappointed on how much wear and tear was in our room....Our cabinets we off hinges to where u open them it scrapes the wall......our tables had huge gashes in them and spiderwebs in the corners of the room....we very much enjoyed the room but would like some kind of magic in our room....we had other issues but my view kind of took them away lol

 

[Kevin79]

We just returned from 7 nights in standard studio and was also surprised at the evident wear and tear in such a short space of time. We added on some additional points while we were there and un-surprisingly the open house and sales office on the 1st floor were both still in immaculate condition!

 

[jerseyduke]

That is really a shame. It is amazing how some(most?) people just do not care. I understand accidents happen,

When i was there in December of 2013, there had already been a touch up job in the bathroom. The resort had only been open for 6 weeks!

Hopefully it gets fixed. Deluxe means clean and functioning.

 

[graueMaus]

We recently completed an 11-night stay at VGF, 10-nights in lake view studio #1314 and 1-night in standard view studio #1605. Although #1314 offers an incredible view of Magic Kingdom and nightly fireworks, the condition of #1605 is much better.

Upon arrival, we were disappointed to find the larger white refrigerator was replaced with a much smaller bar-style refrigerator (roughly half the size). After two requests, engineering replaced the refrigerator.

There must have been a plumbing issue in the kitchenette because the panel below the sink is warped from water damage.

The walls are scuffed and scarred with markings that are likely from scooters, strollers and wheelchairs. Moreover, the white trim molding, around the bathroom doors, has also taken several hits as the wood is splintering in several spots.

A spackle repair was made to the right of the bathroom mirror, but it was neither sanded nor painted; the work remains unfinished.

The top left closet doorstop is missing its rubber pad. Now, instead of rubber, the metal washer pushes directly into the white molding.

I am not sure what happened to the accent pillows, but we did not have them for use. Perhaps they became a souvenir.

I certainly acknowledge that many members would find these issues to be minor. However, as a fixed-week owner, I find the wear disheartening. The resort is just over a year old and villa #1314 is already showing wear. We travel with a wheelchair and several large suitcases and are always cautious of the walls and furniture.

Please know that overall, I am pleased with my DVC membership. I understand the system, appreciate the discounts and opportunity to stay at deluxe resorts. I just wish there was a better balance between upkeep and villa respect.

Wow, that damage must have happened since the second week of April, as we stayed in that very room end of March, first week of April for a week. We loved that room and the view. It was beautiful. So sad to hear the room was abused/roughly used. The refrigerator that was an under the counter model was there at the time and fantastic; not sure why that would not be replaced if it had failed.

 

[SnowWhite2]

SpaceMountain - since you mentioned that you had a fixed week contract, I have some questions on how that works. Do you have to stay at GFV that same week every year? Do you have flexibility to stay at other resorts? What made you decide to do a fixed week? Do you have other points?

I'm just intrigued that DVC has gone to the fixed week option since their point system was a selling feature for them.

 

[disneynutz]

SpaceMountain - since you mentioned that you had a fixed week contract, I have some questions on how that works. Do you have to stay at GFV that same week every year? Do you have flexibility to stay at other resorts? What made you decide to do a fixed week? Do you have other points?

I'm just intrigued that DVC has gone to the fixed week option since their point system was a selling feature for them.

DVD started the fixed week option with Aulani probably since it's popular with their Asian customers. Offering both point and fixed weeks attracts all buyers.

Owners of fixed weeks have an automatic reservation each year at their home resort or they can used the points at their home resort at 11 months to book a different size room or category or other resorts at 7 months.

Bill

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Last week, I sent my post to member satisfaction. On Wednesday, I received a phone call and was told that my challenges were relayed to the VGF team leadership.

If anyone stays in studio lake villa 1314, I would be interested in knowing if the unfinished spackle repair, to the right of the bathroom mirror, was sanded and painted.

Jim

 

[DonnaL]

When I read posts such as this I become upset also, because as you say accidents do happen, but, I truly do believe that many people just do not care about causing damages. We had a very similar experience in January, 2010 when staying at BLT, just five months after they opened. We were assigned a 2 bdrm lock-off lakeview (which was HA even though we did not request/nor need HA...another story). I was extremely upset at the condition.....several very large stains on the living room carpeting and furniture, huge scratches and marker writings on the kitchen table and also a huge chip on one end, and some type of greasy, oily marks all over the dark cabinetry in kitchen and baths which would not come off (believe me...I tried every day as I straightened and cleaned the kitchen after meals). Over the last several years I have noticed a distinct decline in the condition of rooms.....granted...some of the DVC resorts are beginning to show their age, but, it's not only that.....I think both DVC membership and DVC administration have to share the blame. I don't know whether the rental market plays a part here (I suspect it does...at least partially) but I also think many owners do not have the philosophy "it's my home away from home" as some of us do....or if they do.......they treat their own homes the same way. I can't help but feel that is probably not part of the sales conversation any longer as it was early on...I distinctly remember talking with our guide in 2001 and being told "this is your home away from home which means yes, you should take your kitchen trash out to the trash room every day on your way out and yes, you should hang your bath towels since there is no daily housekeeping, etc." Because of that conversation , I get extremely annoyed when I walk by another owners/renters room and see a bag or two of trash sitting outside the door ....because they either didn't know or chose not to know where the trash room is. I also wonder if this is how they live at home? Also, the quality of refurbs over the years has definitely declined.....back in the early 2000's I loved the Fiestaware at my DVC resort....so much so that I bought it for my own home.....now we get generic white dinnerware/serveware. And, we're lucky if we get enough cooking utensils, pots/pans, ovenware to prepare a meal. Our last three trips I have had to call housekeeping to bring various items which according to the posted item list "should" be in a 1 bdrm unit.......sorry, but, it's getting a little old at this point. We still love our DVC, but, I am becoming a little disenchanted with the fact that I need to call for items which are supposed to be there on every trip. Sorry for the rant folks.....but many things have changed over the past 14 years.....most not for the good. My DH and I had definite plans to buy more points closer to our retirement...which is within the next 3 years... and most likely spend 4 to 6 weeks living onsite every winter.......but I don't think that's happening at this point. We will definitely keep the points we already have which will give us 10 to 12 days in a 1 bdrm during January and then rent a 1 bdrm offsite for another month.....but, we're definitely not going to invest another $50,000 to $60,000 to buy enough points and then continue to pay several thousand in maintenance fees every year....when we can get a very nice 1 bdrm within several miles of Disney for a month each winter for ONLY that same several thousand w/o the initial $50,000 to $60,000 investment.

 

[disneynutz]

When I read posts such as this I become upset also, because as you say accidents do happen, but, I truly do believe that many people just do not care about causing damages. We had a very similar experience in January, 2010 when staying at BLT, just five months after they opened. We were assigned a 2 bdrm lock-off lakeview (which was HA even though we did not request/nor need HA...another story). I was extremely upset at the condition.....several very large stains on the living room carpeting and furniture, huge scratches and marker writings on the kitchen table and also a huge chip on one end, and some type of greasy, oily marks all over the dark cabinetry in kitchen and baths which would not come off (believe me...I tried every day as I straightened and cleaned the kitchen after meals). Over the last several years I have noticed a distinct decline in the condition of rooms.....granted...some of the DVC resorts are beginning to show their age, but, it's not only that.....I think both DVC membership and DVC administration have to share the blame. I don't know whether the rental market plays a part here (I suspect it does...at least partially) but I also think many owners do not have the philosophy "it's my home away from home" as some of us do....or if they do.......they treat their own homes the same way. I can't help but feel that is probably not part of the sales conversation any longer as it was early on...I distinctly remember talking with our guide in 2001 and being told "this is your home away from home which means yes, you should take your kitchen trash out to the trash room every day on your way out and yes, you should hang your bath towels since there is no daily housekeeping, etc." Because of that conversation , I get extremely annoyed when I walk by another owners/renters room and see a bag or two of trash sitting outside the door ....because they either didn't know or chose not to know where the trash room is. I also wonder if this is how they live at home? Also, the quality of refurbs over the years has definitely declined.....back in the early 2000's I loved the Fiestaware at my DVC resort....so much so that I bought it for my own home.....now we get generic white dinnerware/serveware. And, we're lucky if we get enough cooking utensils, pots/pans, ovenware to prepare a meal. Our last three trips I have had to call housekeeping to bring various items which according to the posted item list "should" be in a 1 bdrm unit.......sorry, but, it's getting a little old at this point. We still love our DVC, but, I am becoming a little disenchanted with the fact that I need to call for items which are supposed to be there on every trip. Sorry for the rant folks.....but many things have changed over the past 14 years.....most not for the good. My DH and I had definite plans to buy more points closer to our retirement...which is within the next 3 years... and most likely spend 4 to 6 weeks living onsite every winter.......but I don't think that's happening at this point. We will definitely keep the points we already have which will give us 10 to 12 days in a 1 bdrm during January and then rent a 1 bdrm offsite for another month.....but, we're definitely not going to invest another $50,000 to $60,000 to buy enough points and then continue to pay several thousand in maintenance fees every year....when we can get a very nice 1 bdrm within several miles of Disney for a month each winter for ONLY that same several thousand w/o the initial $50,000 to $60,000 investment.

Sadly this is how we feel also. Many of the decorating decisions using lighter colors and/or fabrics, carpets, and material that doesn't hold up well to commercial use is partly to blame.

Trash being left outside the door is either because the guest didn't know any better or because they were told to do it by CM's. We were told to leave ours outside the door and that it would be picked up. DVC could print a small notice listing what to do and who to call if there is a issue with the room but they choose not to.

Bill

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Frankly, I have no interest in Disney's Polynesian because all villas look spectacular when new. As an experienced owner, my interest, now, is in soft and hard goods refurbishments. I would much rather see TripAdvisor photos of the Polynesian studios 1- or 5-years from now, instead of the current artist renderings. Will the carpets, chairs and sofas be stained? Will there be visible calcium, lime and rust on the bathroom fixtures? Will the walls be scuffed and scarred from scooters, strollers and wheelchairs?

For me, it is not a matter of how a resort opens, but, rather, how it is kept.

 

[disneynutz]

Frankly, I have no interest in Disney's Polynesian because all villas look spectacular when new. As an experienced owner, my interest, now, is in soft and hard goods refurbishments. I would much rather see TripAdvisor photos of the Polynesian studios 1- or 5-years from now, instead of the current artist renderings. Will the carpets, chairs and sofas be stained? Will there be visible calcium, lime and rust on the bathroom fixtures? Will the walls be scuffed and scarred from scooters, strollers and wheelchairs?

For me, it is not a matter of how a resort opens, but, rather, how it is kept.

I think that it's a pretty good bet that DVC will continue with same cleaning and refurbishment schedule. I have owned during the time of 3 different DVC executives and the policies have not changed or improved to provide a cleaner, well maintained product.

Bill

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I think that it's a pretty good bet that DVC will continue with same cleaning and refurbishment schedule. I have owned during the time of 3 different DVC executives and the policies have not changed or improved to provide a cleaner, well maintained product.

Bill

Bill, that is precisely why I am content with the points that I have and book at newer/recently refurbished resorts.

Jim

 

[Debbie H]

We've been 2000 point members since may of 92. We are so disgusted by what it has become. We are seriously considering selling. When we bought in 92, we had peach plush towels, place mats, terrific door mat that said Welcome Home, the fIesha ware you spoke of and at the time, all you had to do was put your trash and recyclables outside your door and they would pick it up. Now you call housekeeping or engineering and you have to hope they understand since you don't understand them. There is mold in the bathrooms, the couches and chairs are stained with God knows what. When we bought it was suppose to be exclusive and the only one on property. I'm embarrassed how owners act. We have a very large investment and we are just about done with rude owners and rude cast members. We never thought it would be like this and anyone with any sort of investment should not have to have it this way.