Annoyed at VGF

[GranJan]

I'm kind of on the opposite side of this problem. I need the HA room & have booked a dedicated 2 BR room at VGF. I'm worried about my daughter & her family having to deal with any inconvenience of a HA room in the 2nd bedroom or the kitchen. The room is described as HA with a tub. I have no idea if both bathrooms are HA or only the master bath. I also don't know if I'll have a tub with a shower over it in the master bath...which I need...or just the whirlpool tub with grab bars. I've ask MS & they even called the resort & no one seems to know. All I know is it does not have a roll-in shower...which I didn't want. All they can tell me is it will have grab bars at the tub & toilet & hand held sprayer. But which tub will have the hand held sprayer, the master bath or 2nd bath? I'm afraid the master bath tub won't have a shower over it which is what I need & will rent a shower chair. I use a walker & can't get in & out of a shower safely...roll-in or not. Can anyone tell me exactly what to expect in a HA dedicated 2 BR without roll-in shower. I'm worried I'm going to have to make my daughter take the master bedroom so I can have the tub in the 2nd BR. She has 3 small children so she needs the room with 2 beds. I'd rather no one has to sleep in the living area. I would appreciate it so much if someone has stayed in room 1424...that appears to be the only standard view HA 2BR...& could clear things up for me. You guys seem to have experience with HA rooms even though you didn't want one.

 

[CMOORE185]

And someone else like the OP got the HA room that you were assigned, checking in later in the day increases the possibility that the room that you end up with may have been assigned to several people throughout the day.

Bill

Just because someone else gets that room should not stop one from making a request. Nothing wrong with trying to get the type of room you are looking for.

 

[mmtravel]

For those who might be interested, no, the TV is not fixed. The Guest Services manager was very nice and earnest, did everything he could to make us feel better. One engineer and two maintenance guys showed up while we were on our pool break, took off the mirror and left a lot of fingerprints but pronounced it was a cable issue and "not our department." They said they were marking the work order urgent but didn't know if the "other department" was there today. Um, no, guys, pretty fat chance the electricians are there on Saturdays. We have concluded we will not see the cool mirror TV on this trip. We are getting on with it and had a terrific park day at DHS and Epcot today, taking advantage of the amenities we actually get to enjoy here like the location and the pool. Fortunately they cannot ruin those basic benefits.

Lessons learned:
1. Always ask if you are being gifted with a HA room BEFORE you go upstairs and have Owner's Locker, Garden Grocer delivery, or luggage delivered there. Sit firm and refuse to budge until you get a decent room.
2. Expect to get the short end of the stick if you check in late.

Thanks for the advice and (mostly) encouragement. While I understand the "requests are just that - requests" after four years of membership, I thought that applied to such things as location, floor, etc., not the basic features of the room. I am writing DVC when I get home to recommend a policy that guests being placed against their will in HA rooms be informed upfront. Mel, you must be a saint to put up with being assigned one four times. An extra luggage stand is a fabulous idea.

Now back to my too-short, snow-day-truncated vacation. It really has been a 96% lovely day.

PS-did I mention the toaster was also broken? That was swiftly fixed without issues.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the advice and (mostly) encouragement. While I understand the "requests are just that - requests" after four years of membership, I thought that applied to such things as location, floor, etc., not the basic features of the room. I am writing DVC when I get home to recommend a policy that guests being placed against their will in HA rooms be informed upfront. Mel, you must be a saint to put up with being assigned one four times. An extra luggage stand is a fabulous idea.

I doubt they'll inform guests ahead of time because it would likely cause more discussions and someone has to get those rooms, might as well be the last ones assigned a room. My suggestion to DVC would be to book them directly. they already hold them until last for those that request/need them. It's mean they'd have to either remove the view related booking category from the HC or insert them as a booking for each and every applicable category. Not that big of a deal since they do have to hold them until last now.

 

[disneynutz]

Just because someone else gets that room should not stop one from making a request. Nothing wrong with trying to get the type of room you are looking for.

I agree but a request is just a request as we have been told every trip. We are very picky about our room and it's location and for us the room is more important than the parks.

Sometimes the front desk will work with you sometimes they won't. A few years ago when online check in was first implemented we were assigned a room at BLT that was the opposite of our request. We were told by management that we had to accept the room assigned that was in our online check in packet, no changes was the new policy. Boy were we upset but what can you do. I contacted MS and was told that a request is just a request.

Later I found out that the original intention with online check in was to not allow changes, take your packet and go. Due to guest dissatisfaction, Disney quickly changed their position.

Bill

 

[CMOORE185]

I agree but a request is just a request as we have been told every trip. We are very picky about our room and it's location and for us the room is more important than the parks.

Sometimes the front desk will work with you sometimes they won't. A few years ago when online check in was first implemented we were assigned a room at BLT that was the opposite of our request. We were told by management that we had to accept the room assigned that was in our online check in packet, no changes was the new policy. Boy were we upset but what can you do. I contacted MS and was told that a request is just a request.

Later I found out that the original intention with online check in was to not allow changes, take your packet and go. Due to guest dissatisfaction, Disney quickly changed their position.

Bill

I agree that a request is just a request, as we too have had to settle for less then ideal rooms. I agree that all members need to accept this and not let it ruin their vacation.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I agree but a request is just a request as we have been told every trip. We are very picky about our room and it's location and for us the room is more important than the parks.


Bill

I appreciate your honesty. Like you, room location and view have always been really important to us because we're not so much into parks anymore, lots more resort time. And I have severe arthritis. So that's why, when we joined DVC, got a HA room on our first visit (without being told), then were refused the move when we said we needed a tub, we were told "Oh, now that you're in DVC, having a tub is a request, not a guarantee." Fortunately, although we have been given HA rooms several times since then (all without being told at the front desk), we've always been moved upon request. I really feel for the OP's situation and hope the front desk does something more than give "the Disney Smile". When we went to the front desk and asked or the manager when we wanted to complain about smokers, she came out with this huge smile that DH has dubbed "the Disney smile". The manager didn't do anything but smile, said how bad she felt for us and gave that big smile, like "Don't you feel better now?"

 

[disneynutz]

I appreciate your honesty. Like you, room location and view have always been really important to us because we're not so much into parks anymore, lots more resort time. And I have severe arthritis. So that's why, when we joined DVC, got a HA room on our first visit (without being told), then were refused the move when we said we needed a tub, we were told "Oh, now that you're in DVC, having a tub is a request, not a guarantee." Fortunately, although we have been given HA rooms several times since then (all without being told at the front desk), we've always been moved upon request. I really feel for the OP's situation and hope the front desk does something more than give "the Disney Smile". When we went to the front desk and asked or the manager when we wanted to complain about smokers, she came out with this huge smile that DH has dubbed "the Disney smile". The manager didn't do anything but smile, said how bad she felt for us and gave that big smile, like "Don't you feel better now?"

The reality is that with Disney/DVC policy, someone will get an HC room, someone will get the roof view, someone will get the dumpster view. I remember a few years ago there were posts where a member of a vacation party would travel a day early. The would stay in a cheap hotel the first night so they could check in to the DVC resort first AM in an attempt to get the perfect room. We have never done that, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose.

We bought a VGF fixed week lake view, just to guarantee the lake view.

Bill

 

[paults]

Zero storage. ZERO. Not under the bed. Not anywhere.

And there is nowhere to request a non HA room at check-in.

Someone apparently came to fix the TV. Is. Not. Fixed. Furious.

I agree with you on storage issue. Even in the LV studio we had at VGF storage is crappie. Instead of the mirror TV they should have look into more shelves on each side on the large tv. A TV in the mirror is useless (ours didn't work either in FEB. Only there 2 nts and could have used more storage.
(DVC you screwed up on this one). A week there would have been _ _ll with clothes everywhere. Other than that we loved the place. (go figure)

I hear that at the PLOY DVC over the water you'll have a clothes line to hang things on out on the deck.

 

[JustTinking]

Wow, the things you learn on this board! Incredible! After going to Disney as DVC members once to twice a year for 12 years, we have NEVER been assigned an HA room. How lucky is that? One more thing to worry about now.

For our split stay earlier this month, I used the website to make room requests. I also used online booking and filled out the room request section on those, although they were not as extensive. Needless to say I got nothing. When I inquired at Boardwalk, they seemed vaguely aware of what I put on the online booking form, but nothing on the original request. Ended up with a room overlooking the front entrance, and a big tree blocking our view of the fireworks. Identical to last time I stayed there. At Wilderness we got a room near the elevator, but unfortunately NOT facing the pool, but facing the walkway and bus stop. Still better than looking at the dumpster. Each time we checked in early, but there seemed to be no recourse for getting a room that more closely matched our requests. Wasn't a particularly busy week either, by Disney standards.

It really does seem to be the luck of the draw.

 

[wdrl]

I'd like to ask the OP to take photos of the Handicapped Accessible features in the villa and post them online. For those that need an HA villa, its nice to know what modifications are included in the HA villas.

I was fortunate to get a list of the HA villas at Aulani, and the list showed whether it had a accessible tub or roll-in shower. I've placed that information in Post #1 of the Aulani Villas and Views thread. I would do the same for VGF if someone has the information about each HA villa at VGF.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Saints67]

Wow, the things you learn on this board! Incredible! After going to Disney as DVC members once to twice a year for 12 years, we have NEVER been assigned an HA room. How lucky is that? One more thing to worry about now. For our split stay earlier this month, I used the website to make room requests. I also used online booking and filled out the room request section on those, although they were not as extensive. Needless to say I got nothing. When I inquired at Boardwalk, they seemed vaguely aware of what I put on the online booking form, but nothing on the original request. Ended up with a room overlooking the front entrance, and a big tree blocking our view of the fireworks. Identical to last time I stayed there. At Wilderness we got a room near the elevator, but unfortunately NOT facing the pool, but facing the walkway and bus stop. Still better than looking at the dumpster. Each time we checked in early, but there seemed to be no recourse for getting a room that more closely matched our requests. Wasn't a particularly busy week either, by Disney standards. It really does seem to be the luck of the draw.

Same here. Been members for a little over 10 years and have a trip to a DVC resort at least once a year. I'd say we put in a request about 50% of the time.....just depends where we are staying. Maybe we just have bad luck but our requests have never come thru. We requested close to an elevator at BWV and got a room at the very end of the hall....about as far away from an elevator as you could possibly get.

I will ask politely to be moved but I'm not one to make a big scene over this type of thing because I feel that I'm on vacation and I don't want to get off to a bad start over what is just a small part of the overall trip. Needless to say, they smile and tell me nothing is available. I do get frustrated that it seems that the requests never come thru and I feel like they hold out for those that do make a scene. You know...."the squeaky wheel gets the grease".

Going to Aulani in June. We have a 2 BR ocean view booked. My only request is that we get one of the rooms on the pool side of the resort....nothing too particular and looking at the layout it would seem that more than 50% of the ocean view rooms would meet this request. We'll see how it works out this time.

 

[GranJan]

I'd like to ask the OP to take photos of the Handicapped Accessible features in the villa and post them online. For those that need an HA villa, its nice to know what modifications are included in the HA villas.

I was fortunate to get a list of the HA villas at Aulani, and the list showed whether it had a accessible tub or roll-in shower. I've placed that information in Post #1 of the Aulani Villas and Views thread. I would do the same for VGF if someone has the information about each HA villa at VGF.

Thanks in advance!

I appreciate you trying to get this done. There's not much info on VGF since it's so new. This will be very helpful for those of us needing a HA room. Even the Disney site doesn't show pictures of HA rooms at VGF. It has the option to choose HA rooms to view pictures but the pictures aren't of HA rooms. The more of us who need those rooms & book them, the less chance there is of those that don't want them getting stuck with one.

 

[Disbug]

Sometimes it does not matter what time you check in, lol.. I had a Pref. View Studio booked at BWV and checked in late afternoon, early evening. When I got to my room I had a small dark, HA studio. When my luggage arrived the bellman could tell by my face how sad I was, especially since there was no tub and I was there for a week. He got on the phone and asked the room assigner what rooms were available. He then moved me and my luggage to a gorgeous studio over the village green! What the heck?? Why was I not given THAT room? IMO, the HA rooms should be the absolutely last ones assigned, unless you desire one. (I still Love that Bellman!) He made my week!

 

[crisi]

I think it takes a lot of chutzpah to come onto the board and say "I refuse to stay in a HA room, I'm going to throw a fit at the front desk and stick one of you guys with it." Because that is what you are doing. The resorts book to capacity - someone will be in that room. If it isn't you, it could be any of us.

Some rooms - including HA rooms - are less than ideal. When you get one, take your turn. Don't stick another member with it.

 

[Dean]

I think it takes a lot of chutzpah to come onto the board and say "I refuse to stay in a HA room, I'm going to throw a fit at the front desk and stick one of you guys with it." Because that is what you are doing. The resorts book to capacity - someone will be in that room. If it isn't you, it could be any of us.

Some rooms - including HA rooms - are less than ideal. When you get one, take your turn. Don't stick another member with it.

I think asking (either to avoid or change) is reasonable but demanding is not. IMO demanding represents either a lack of understanding of the system or an entitlement attitude (or both).

 

[CMOORE185]

I think asking (either to avoid or change) is reasonable but demanding is not. IMO demanding represents either a lack of understanding of the system or an entitlement attitude (or both).

Exactly, there is absolutely nothing wrong in asking.

 

[kittyab]

I would contact vacation club and see they can comp you some points. The fact you didnt have TV for your trip, they should give you something.

 

[disneynutz]

I would contact vacation club and see they can comp you some points. The fact you didnt have TV for your trip, they should give you something.

I wouldn't think that a bathroom TV not working is a point refund issue. As I posted, the behind the mirror TV's do not display the DirecTV listings like the other TV's in the rooms. IMO Disney should remove them and not force owners to foot the repair bills for years to come.

Bill

 

[mmtravel]

Chilling by the pool with a cocktail after a long park day, and will write with more when I get home. But yes, was planning to take some pix to help those who do need these types of rooms. Please let me know if there are particular features you need to see. I hope I can help someone as these boards have helped me over the years.

PS- for anyone keeping score, day 3. TV still not fixed.