Am I just being unrealistic?

[busymommy2pink]

Ok this is going to sound cynical op but unfortunately the last five years or so have proven to me a few things.

disney does not care a flying fig about their resort guest and their comfort. their sole purpose is to get you in and get you out so some one else get fill the room.
They are not going to act like any other hotel on the planet. save you breathe and your frustration.

So yes if you go to wdw and think that a deluxe hotel is going to be a deluxe hotel you are expecting to much
If you go to wdw and think that Disney's policy is to make sure you have a clean room, you are expecting to much.
If you have an issue and think that the staff will give you any thing outside of enough to get you from in front of the desk, you are expecting too much.

I have a dvc membership and I'm happy if I don't have bugs in my room. that's about the best that I expect anymore.

I mean that in all seriousness. they simply do not care anymore

I respectfully disagree. We had a room mix up situation at AKL this past September. The manager was outstanding. I did not make a stink, I didn't yell or get upset, I was polite. He comp'd us a nights stay, came over to give the kids plush mickey hands from the gift shop and coloring pages to keep them occupied while we waited. He even offered an extra day of tickets so we could go to the park while they fixed the problem. We politely declined these since the kids were up at 3:30am to catch a plane, parks would have been torture. So instead he added soooo many extra fass passes for our entire trip. So while we dealt with a major inconvenience, he made it completely tolerable and I did leave a glowing report to Disney for him. It could have soured our whole trip, but we just started over and kept the good attitude.

At BC, our shower fan kept making motorcycle level buzzing noise whenever you turned on the light. I went to the front desk and there was a repair man there in under half an hour. The next day it started again. They apologized, and upgraded us to another room. Moving was a pain, but things happen.

I'm surprised with your outlook on Disney that you continue to go back, I certainly wouldn't return somewhere that made me this miserable or had my expectations this low.

Wow, and you continue to go back. Amazing.

Thankfully, we have had 100% opposite experiences on our trips. We felt treated like royalty on our Disney trips. So much so that we no longer vacation anywhere else. If I felt like you do I can't imagine anything that would ever make me go back. I wouldn't want to give a company that made me feel like that one more cent of my money or time.

This. We always have been treated with the utmost respect and magic and customer service. In fact, it's why we keep going back. But if we encounter any issues, it's brought up right away, in person, with a good attitude and in a polite manner. Something is always done and they do their best to remedy any problems ASAP

 

[grimley1968]

OP, I'm sorry to read this thread. I hope Disney somehow makes it right for you someday.

Unfortunately, I've read a lot of threads recently about unacceptable housekeeping problems at WDW resorts.

Yes, it makes the most sense to go TO the front desk and not leave until there is a positive resolution to the problem. But honestly, I think it sucks that people paying $400 or more a night to stay in some of these resorts have to go to such measures to merely get the resort to do their most basic job.

 

[eliza61]

I respectfully disagree. We had a room mix up situation at AKL this past September. The manager was outstanding. I did not make a stink, I didn't yell or get upset, I was polite. He comp'd us a nights stay, came over to give the kids plush mickey hands from the gift shop and coloring pages to keep them occupied while we waited. He even offered an extra day of tickets so we could go to the park while they fixed the problem. We politely declined these since the kids were up at 3:30am to catch a plane, parks would have been torture. So instead he added soooo many extra fass passes for our entire trip. So while we dealt with a major inconvenience, he made it completely tolerable and I did leave a glowing report to Disney for him. It could have soured our whole trip, but we just started over and kept the good attitude.

At BC, our shower fan kept making motorcycle level buzzing noise whenever you turned on the light. I went to the front desk and there was a repair man there in under half an hour. The next day it started again. They apologized, and upgraded us to another room. Moving was a pain, but things happen.

I'm surprised with your outlook on Disney that you continue to go back, I certainly wouldn't return somewhere that made me this miserable or had my expectations this low.



This. We always have been treated with the utmost respect and magic and customer service. In fact, it's why we keep going back. But if we encounter any issues, it's brought up right away, in person, with a good attitude and in a polite manner. Something is always done and they do their best to remedy any problems ASAP

Hey I never said that my trips were miserable. Now I'm definitely glad you got great service, makes me believe there is a possibility of them returning to their gold standards of years go by.

But I kind of stand by what I said to op, if you go to a Disney deluxe especially if it's your first time and you think it's going to be like any real world "deluxe", there is absolutely no way you will not notice the difference.

That doesn't mean my trips were bad or miserable.

I also have said, which many folks agree to, no way, no how would I ever pay Disney Deluxe prices.

Now as to why we go back, basically as I've said we own our dvc and that makes our trips supremely cheap and we do love the parks. we spent less and less money at the world though. We use to be annual some times twice annual visitors. we no longer do that, we use to stay 9 nights/ 10 days. now a long weekend is fine. We generally eat off site or in our dvc and since I pay less than 1000 bucks on taxes, no other way could I stay in a 1 bedroom resort at that price.

The years we don't go, I rent my points out so in essence I don't have to even pay my taxes.
So I know exactly what I get, so if I do get the type of service you experience I'm pleasantly surprised.

If you go on the budget board right now there is a very similar thread with a poll. the simple question there is, "does Disney give the same value". 98% of the responders to the poll said a very emphatic NO. for many of the same reasons folks here are talking about.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/value-of-a-wdw-vacation.3432313/page-2#post-54123213

 

[mousehockey37]

But...but...but...You are nitpicking.

Like, literally, actually nitpicking.

It's part of our routine when we go on vacation. Would you rather check and make sure everything is clean before you move your stuff in or would you rather wait, complain and have to deal fumigating all of your belongings due to a problem? Also, if there is a problem, you'll more than likely take it home with you which can then lead to costlier problems down the road.

One quick little check with a flashlight saves all that hassle.

 

[lwc]

It's part of our routine when we go on vacation. Would you rather check and make sure everything is clean before you move your stuff in or would you rather wait, complain and have to deal fumigating all of your belongings due to a problem? Also, if there is a problem, you'll more than likely take it home with you which can then lead to costlier problems down the road.

One quick little check with a flashlight saves all that hassle.

I wasn't criticizing. I was just being silly.

 

[mousehockey37]

I wasn't criticizing. I was just being silly.

It's been a day, lol... the sarcasm meter doesn't work so well after work.

Let's just say that thankfully, we've never found anything and I hope that track record stands up going forward.

 

[ryansstitch]

Well, here's my update. I was so down about the experience I had, that I was planning to just drop it, as it would only annoy me further. However, 4 days after checkout, I went to take my daughter's pajama pants off to change her diaper. Guess what was on the inside of the pants? MORE HAIR!!!! And of course, it looked just like the hair from YC. I was so sick and angry, and just plain disgusted. I don't know why there was so much hair in that room, and frankly, I almost don't want to know. There was so much of this mess around us it's even in our clothes! Ok, I'll take a deep breath now... So I wrote a letter detailing everything, with photos. I also taped the hair into the last page below my signature. One slight highlight, after reviewing the photos again, I think I figured out what the mystery substance on one of the doorknobs was: old chewing gum. I'll update if I get a response from disney. But I also emailed them, because after finding hair on my baby's body, someone is going to read my letter, darnit. Although the managers were nice, I think they offered me credits or fast passes to get me to hurry up and stop talking about my room, as other guests may overhear it. Usually they would try and move things very quickly...I never had an opportunity to explain the entire room situation. Thanks to all of you for the support!

 

[beckydisneyb]

All I can say is it happens, it shouldn't but it does. On our first on site stay at CBR we had "others" hair in bathroom on floor and in shower. What the deal breaker was the blood stains on the mattress as if someone was wiping their hand off. Probably shouldn't have grossed you all out. Please make sure you inspect your room!

 

[ryansstitch]

All I can say is it happens, it shouldn't but it does. On our first on site stay at CBR we had "others" hair in bathroom on floor and in shower. What the deal breaker was the blood stains on the mattress as if someone was wiping their hand off. Probably shouldn't have grossed you all out. Please make sure you inspect your room!

Yuck.

 

[bumbershoot]

There's stuff out there somewhere showing Disney mousekeeping where they clean the cups in the bathroom with the same rags (with chemical cleaners on them) and going right onto the counters or whatever else. We NEVER use the glasses, but we will use the plastic cups that are in the plastic wrap (after our last stay, we had a grocery stop on the way in... we bought our own stuff).

That wasn't a video of Disney housekeeping.

So basically plan on potentially cleaning your room when you arrive.

Or call Housekeeping the moment you get to the room and see the state of it. Just because you don't get daily housekeeping with DVC doesn't mean they'll charge you to properly clean it on that day.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I would have gone down to the front desk and asked for a manager. Not waited until going home. And I wouldn't call the front desk, if you call you get a call center that's not even at the resort. I'd just go straight down there.

 

[erinkristen04]

EEEEK reading this thread makes me squirm! I am absolutely disgusted by hair. Hair off my own head plastered to a shower wall gives me the creeps, let alone hair from a stranger. This is absolutely making me nervous, as we are set to try YC in a couple months and I have been reading less-than-magical reviews concerning mousekeeping there lately. I've accepted that we will likely see signs of wear and tear since it is due for refurb, but if its due for refurb AND dirty... Ugh don't even want to finish that sentence for fear of jinxing myself.

I've toyed with changing resorts, but I agree with everybody else in that it does seem to just be luck of the draw... do you get a mousekeeper who takes pride in his/her work, or do end up with one who is just doing the bare minimum to get through the work day and clock out? The latter is definitely unacceptable--particularly when one is paying a deluxe resort rate. That being said, I've stayed on-site at mods numerous times and have never had any mousekeeping issues. Hoping our good luck streak will continue haha, but if not, I will definitely heed the advice here and immediately march down to the desk to speak with a manager and see what can be done.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Good luck with your letter OP. I have given up on the Disney Resorts improving their housekeeping or customer service. The more I stay offsite, the more I prefer it. We have stayed at a variety of resorts in Orlando (Disney, Uni, offsite) and the dirtiest have been the Disney resorts in our experience. I believe they aren't giving the housekeepers enough time per unit.

 

[maxiesmom]

I truly amazed by the number of people who clean their rooms. I'm pretty laid back on vacation, but no way in heck am I cleaning my own room at the beginning. If my room was not up to standards, they would be giving me a new one or cleaning it. No way am I packing cleaning supplies along with all of my other stuff.

 

[oceanmarina]

Well, here's my update. I was so down about the experience I had, that I was planning to just drop it, as it would only annoy me further. However, 4 days after checkout, I went to take my daughter's pajama pants off to change her diaper. Guess what was on the inside of the pants? MORE HAIR!!!! And of course, it looked just like the hair from YC. I was so sick and angry, and just plain disgusted. I don't know why there was so much hair in that room, and frankly, I almost don't want to know. There was so much of this mess around us it's even in our clothes! Ok, I'll take a deep breath now... So I wrote a letter detailing everything, with photos. I also taped the hair into the last page below my signature. One slight highlight, after reviewing the photos again, I think I figured out what the mystery substance on one of the doorknobs was: old chewing gum. I'll update if I get a response from disney. But I also emailed them, because after finding hair on my baby's body, someone is going to read my letter, darnit. Although the managers were nice, I think they offered me credits or fast passes to get me to hurry up and stop talking about my room, as other guests may overhear it. Usually they would try and move things very quickly...I never had an opportunity to explain the entire room situation. Thanks to all of you for the support!

Thanks for the update. That's terrible, I don't blame you for being disgusted. I bet Disney will write back to you. Glad you are writing to them about your experience, I seriously hope they do something to compensate you for your bad experience.

Good luck with your letter OP. I have given up on the Disney Resorts improving their housekeeping or customer service. The more I stay offsite, the more I prefer it. We have stayed at a variety of resorts in Orlando (Disney, Uni, offsite) and the dirtiest have been the Disney resorts in our experience. I believe they aren't giving the housekeepers enough time per unit.

Yep, I agree. The day we had our issue at Kidani Villas (when we checked in there were short dark hairs in the tub! One day we had called 9 am to have the room cleaned, and we got to our room 4PM - to an uncleaned room) We called housekeeping to complain, the cleaning lady came to our room in tears saying she had a lot of checkouts to clean that day and they get first priority per her supervisor. She offered to clean our room but we had to get ready for a 6PM dinner so we declined. I felt so bad for her, she seemed so frazzled and upset. I am sure they give them inadequate time to clean the rooms - and it shows.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yep, I agree. The day we had our issue at Kidani Villas (when we checked in there were short dark hairs in the tub! One day we had called 9 am to have the room cleaned, and we got to our room 4PM - to an uncleaned room) We called housekeeping to complain, the cleaning lady came to our room in tears saying she had a lot of checkouts to clean that day and they get first priority per her supervisor. She offered to clean our room but we had to get ready for a 6PM dinner so we declined. I felt so bad for her, she seemed so frazzled and upset. I am sure they give them inadequate time to clean the rooms - and it shows.

I hope you understand that while you can request an early cleaning, they can't guarantee they will be able to do it for you. The short dark hairs in the tub, beyond disgusting!!!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yep, I agree. The day we had our issue at Kidani Villas (when we checked in there were short dark hairs in the tub! One day we had called 9 am to have the room cleaned, and we got to our room 4PM - to an uncleaned room) We called housekeeping to complain, the cleaning lady came to our room in tears saying she had a lot of checkouts to clean that day and they get first priority per her supervisor. She offered to clean our room but we had to get ready for a 6PM dinner so we declined. I felt so bad for her, she seemed so frazzled and upset. I am sure they give them inadequate time to clean the rooms - and it shows.

Oh that is so sad. I hate to think of the workers getting so stressed like that. It does show. I seriously think they are allotting about half the time that the rooms actually need upon checkout.

 

[mmmears]

Oh that is so sad. I hate to think of the workers getting so stressed like that. It does show. I seriously think they are allotting about half the time that the rooms actually need upon checkout.

I do think that they aren't giving them the time they should. In contrast, at another resort hotel we stay at (in a different location), rooms are vacuumed in the morning and in the evening. Every day, not just check-in/check-out day. I know this because I have seen it happen. Whether it's a "lazy mousekeeper" or Disney not allowing them to do their job properly, the result is the same. Nothing is going to change until enough guests complain.

 

[oceanmarina]

Oh that is so sad. I hate to think of the workers getting so stressed like that. It does show. I seriously think they are allotting about half the time that the rooms actually need upon checkout.

I know, I felt AWFUL. We didn't want her to get in trouble. I'm sure she was overworked & underpaid I always tip $10.00 per day whenever we stay at a hotel as I know how much work goes into cleaning.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I do think that they aren't giving them the time they should. In contrast, at another resort hotel we stay at (in a different location), rooms are vacuumed in the morning and in the evening. Every day, not just check-in/check-out day. I know this because I have seen it happen. Whether it's a "lazy mousekeeper" or Disney not allowing them to do their job properly, the result is the same. Nothing is going to change until enough guests complain.

I have read that they don't vacuum the rooms in between guests at WDW. They use those carpet sweeper things.