Annoyed at VGF

[disneynutz]

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.

I don't know if it will get fixed. Ours had a picture lacking contrast and like I said the channel line up was weird, no listings, I think that I used the up down button. We reported the issue but never saw anyone work on it during the time that we were there.

Bill

 

[DonnaL]

We have been assigned a HA room once in our 13 years as members....our January, 2010 trip to BLT....a 2 bdrm lock-off...both sides were HA. We checked in on NYD about 4:00 p.m....so it's not always a late check-in that gets the HA rooms when they don't need them. It was our first and last stay at BLT......for a few reasons....#1 being we really didn't like the furnishings or the cold, sterile feeling we got from the entire resort. However, back to being assigned the HA room....it was very uncomfortable for us since my DH is over 6' tall...he literally needed to bend down to the kitchen counter and the bath sinks. I do understand the need to assign HA rooms to those not needing them occasionally, however, you should be informed of such at check-in...we weren't. I know many people make very specific requests and the room assigners simply cannot honor every request. I had, in the past, ever only made one request for every trip....and that was a high floor...I do not like a ground floor anywhere...so requesting a high floor will usually get me at least 2nd or 3rd floor. However after the January, 2010 trip I added NON HA room to my request list and we've been lucky so far. Also, the room we were assigned on that trip had an extreme amount of wear and tear for only being in service five months (BLT opened 8/09). There were huge stains on the living room carpeting and sofa, someone had drawn in ink or marker on the kitchen table, and the fingerprints on the kitchen cabinetry simply would not budge...

 

[mmtravel]

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.

Your compassion is touching, thanks. I neither requested nor demanded to be moved and no fits were thrown. Didn't want to waste the time. But I have every right to be disappointed when the sparkly new resort with all the cool new features (mirror TV! Split bathroom with separate sink and two showers!) that I have been researching, looking at videos and pictures of and dreaming of staying in for seven months sticks me with a room that has - well, none of the cool features. If that's chutzpah, so be it.

I am having an amazing time, and appreciate all the positive comments and ideas others have offered.

I am glad to have begun the discussion and hope to be able to help people who do have HA needs. Note there must be more than one HA standard view studio - this room is not listed on that map as HA and I will clear that up after I'm home. But it must be rare - the bellman had never seen one.

Again, if there are specific requests HA-wise, I will do my best to answer/cover them with the pictures.

 

[bumbershoot]

Arrived around 8 pm last night, 3 of us in a std view studio. Quickly realized something was weird - only one bathroom, no tub - sure enough, they put us in a handicapped room. Disappointed because the split bathroom would have been great for getting ready in the AM, but it was late and we really just wanted to get the vacation started and catch the water parade and fireworks, not wait for someone to figure out whether they had another room for us. View is nice - we see the GF, the pool and the monorail. Zero storage (no drawers), so my clothes are in two extra kitchen cabinets and DH and DS will be living out of their suitcases. Only one chair at the table. And the stupid mirror TV doesn't work, keeps telling me to run a channel scan, then shuts down. Now I am up early and kind of fuming. I feel like because we checked in late, they gave us the leftover room nobody wanted. I gave up an AKV Value studio at 7 months and spent more points than I wanted to on this room as a splurge and now I feel kind of ripped off. But it's a short break, only until Wednesday, so I don't want to hassle my family or waste one minute of our precious time here. Any ideas/thoughts/words of wisdom?

Been there done that...at AK Jambo in a 1-bedroom. Our first (last) time at Jambo. (gave kidani a try, didn't like it for other reasons)

I was thinking you were put in the same room as the Passporter owner recently was put in, but her HA room actually DID have a tub. But her TV didn't work, either.

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

I love so much of what you say, crisi, but NO. If the room doesn't work for me, I'm not willingly staying there. The time at Jambo it wasn't going to work. We had to stay one night and then were moved. Another time it was OKW and it did have a tub and basically worked for us, and it was fine.

Different HA rooms are different from each other! And people have different needs.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Other than the storage issue, your experience can happen at all resorts. IMO you are correct, the later that you check in, the greater the chance of your originally assigned room being given to someone else.

I would report the TV issue to the front desk. Someone's poor decision that will cost owners.

Bill

In February 2014, I got a 1st floor HA 1BR at VGC. Request was upper floor. I was told only 1st floor rooms were left. CM had trouble finding our reservation because we had our room assignment switched 3X before we checked in……. not sure why she admitted this to me, but I was not surprised. (and we checked in at about 3:50 pm, not super late or anything).

Because VGC 1BR as 2 full baths, we could have dealt with using only one bathroom shower, and the other room issues (low thermostat, low countertops, less storage), but the 1st floor thing was not ok, so rooms as switched after one night. I felt the same was as OP, I used ALOT of points to book at VGC, and we are from east coast, and do not get to DL often.

Not sure what the solution is, we DID make a room change, which was not great, but we had 6 nights in total, so it was worth it. (changed because 1st floor room was unsafe, my autistic adult son could possibly open the back doors and wander off).

 

[disneyguyla]

You are correct , you do not have to take a HA room. Those rooms are for Handicapped folks and that who should use them. It's not our problem that they put them in there. I for one will raise hell if I ever get one, because my money paid for this room. I do not care if you use points, that is Money. The Customer is always right. I do not blame you mmtravel for being disappointed, in fact you should see about getting your points back for not getting the room you deserve. To the rest that told her to get over it, get some back bone.

 

[Dean]

B
I love so much of what you say, crisi, but NO. If the room doesn't work for me, I'm not willingly staying there. The time at Jambo it wasn't going to work. We had to stay one night and then were moved. Another time it was OKW and it did have a tub and basically worked for us, and it was fine.

Different HA rooms are different from each other! And people have different needs.

But this is what one signed up for when they bought DVC, whether you knew it or not. To hold or act otherwise is simply saying the rules don't apply to that person. It's certainly your choice whether to stay, no one can make you, but it's not DVC's problem once they've done what they could. To pitch a fit or make demands in this situation is unreasonable. As you say, not all rooms are the same, even within the HC categories and they often don't work well for those that need them but this is what they signed up for as well, within the laws at the time of the construction or as they change for reservation purposes as they did a few years ago.

Personally I'd rather not go than stay in a HC room but I also realize the limitations of the system. I'll ask not to have one and ask to be changed if I am assigned one. I'll pay the change fee if I have to use the room for a day then change. I will not be making a fool of myself demanding a change though. Before anyone posts the obligate "be glad you don't need a HC room and shut up" statement that so often comes at this point in the game, save your typing as I refuse to feel guilty for not needing one. To be clear, we have been in the same position in the past where we did need one (DVC and otherwise) and my opinion was the same.

IMO this is one of the casualties of the change away from real requests and toward room ready. In the old days requests were truly considered and ordered by when the reservation was made, a much better system than in place now, IMO.

 

[Dean]

You are correct , you do not have to take a HA room. Those rooms are for Handicapped folks and that who should use them. It's not our problem that they put them in there. I for one will raise hell if I ever get one, because my money paid for this room. I do not care if you use points, that is Money. The Customer is always right. I do not blame you mmtravel for being disappointed, in fact you should see about getting your points back for not getting the room you deserve. To the rest that told her to get over it, get some back bone.

You clearly don't understand some aspects of the system. While the HC rooms are held until the last for reservations, they are not held simply for those needing them. It's often they have more HC rooms than needed and they often have more reservations not needing HC rooms they they have rooms that are not HC. Thus someone has to get them. If these terms are not within the acceptable limits for your stays you need to be reserving on cash rather than using DVC points. It's not backbone, it's entitlement that would drive any hissy fit.

 

[disneyguyla]

You clearly don't understand some aspects of the system. While the HC rooms are held until the last for reservations, they are not held simply for those needing them. It's often they have more HC rooms than needed and they often have more reservations not needing HC rooms they they have rooms that are not HC. Thus someone has to get them. If these terms are not within the acceptable limits for your stays you need to be reserving on cash rather than using DVC points. It's not backbone, it's entitlement that would drive any hissy fit.

Dean, understand you love Disney, but to me it's a place to visit . Yes I will want entitlement if that's what you want to call it. When I will need a HA room I will stay in one, but I will not repeat take something I do not need or want when paying with my hard earned money. If you like to call it a hissy fit, which I do not understand that word , but if that means I will make sure I get my money's worth, then so be it . You do what you got to do and I will do same. Talking about entitlements they widen the lines so people in wheelchairs , ECV can be treated the same and now Disney still have to give out DAS cards because some cannot stay in line because of other reasons. Before some say about you do not know how it is , I have a nephew who is DS and we take him and we stand in line with him, because we treat him as a normal kid. Having time with him is more important to me than getting on a ride quicker. Thanks

 

[disneynutz]

You clearly don't understand some aspects of the system. While the HC rooms are held until the last for reservations, they are not held simply for those needing them. It's often they have more HC rooms than needed and they often have more reservations not needing HC rooms they they have rooms that are not HC. Thus someone has to get them. If these terms are not within the acceptable limits for your stays you need to be reserving on cash rather than using DVC points. It's not backbone, it's entitlement that would drive any hissy fit.

There are many aspects of the DVC that most don't consider prior to owning. We never thought that rooms would have a view of a roof, wall, dumpster, or that a boardwalk view room would be on the village green, a savanna view might not see animals, or that an ocean or lake view can't see the water. We also never realized how worn some of the rooms might be, or that they might not be cleaned or maintained properly, Disney wouldn't do that. We joined a club of liked minded people who love Disney and who invested in Disney, we didn't know that rules would change, restrictions placed on resales, MS mistakes and long hold times and a website with problems. And we never thought that HC rooms would be assigned to guests that don't need them.

Live and learn.

Bill

 

[sophia315]

Maybe op should have titled her thread disappointed instead of annoyed. I feel she is coming from a very reasonable point as well as most people who posted in this thread.

1 - there were amenities about the hotel/room that are lacking in her room. 1 less bathroom. That is a big item.

2 - of course all who don't "need" a HA room are thankful that they do not need it but every person paying/points should be allowed with in reason to request a new room at any hotel if it is not up to their expectations. I say with in reason because no one should act crazy and throw a fit but a conversation with the front desk should not be criticized.

3 - I have never had a request granted regarding pre-booking by DVC so I have low expectations . Actually as long as my room is nice and clean I am happy. Although if I were paying for a premium view and did not receive I would most likely be upset.

I am glad you are having a nice time and what a good idea about starting a thread where folks can post some pictures of the different HA rooms. I am sure many will find that helpful.

 

[Dean]

Dean, understand you love Disney, but to me it's a place to visit . Yes I will want entitlement if that's what you want to call it. When I will need a HA room I will stay in one, but I will not repeat take something I do not need or want when paying with my hard earned money. If you like to call it a hissy fit, which I do not understand that word , but if that means I will make sure I get my money's worth, then so be it . You do what you got to do and I will do same. Talking about entitlements they widen the lines so people in wheelchairs , ECV can be treated the same and now Disney still have to give out DAS cards because some cannot stay in line because of other reasons. Before some say about you do not know how it is , I have a nephew who is DS and we take him and we stand in line with him, because we treat him as a normal kid. Having time with him is more important to me than getting on a ride quicker. Thanks

It's not that I love Disney, it's that I understand the limitations I signed on to. I have quite an extensive understanding and experience for timeshares in general. This is not a reasonable situation to fight for, you'd be an unreasonable outlier, that's not the type of attitude I'd want to teach my kids.

 

[disney ny]

I can understand not getting the floor you want or close to the elevator- to me those are a request. But it seems very different when you make a reservation that advertises specific amenities (like a bath tub which to me is a HUGE deal) and then do not get them. That is not unreasonable to expect. I also do not think demanding a change is a "hissy fit" when you did not get something at all like you expected. People save points and plan vacations to Disney with an expectation they will get what is advertised. I understand in the fine print it says they can give you one of those rooms but I do not think it should be done unless the person checking in is asked. Take the rooms out of inventory or give them their own class or something. Just my opinion.

 

[Judique]

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.

I agree with this. Make it a booking category. That said if all available regular rooms were gone, someone would book it, knowing that they were getting a HC room.

I used to think there was a note by my name that said 'she won't make a fuss if you have to give her a HC room.' Especially at Hilton Head! In fact I don't worry about it if it is a short reservation. And some HC rooms are pretty normal - some are designated for the hearing impaired and except for a few mods, they are identical to a regular room.

Recently I booked a HC room at a chain hotel because that was the only room left. I knew what I was getting and I was glad to get it. Plus the room was excellent when I arrived - newer property, huge room and huge bathroom. DVC could adapt to adding another booking element.

And OP: sorry for your disappointment!

 

[moobar25]

I feel totally jinxed that I was reading this thread last night. I have an upcoming vacation this weekend and had booked a Deluxe studio. I logged in today to add the dining plan and to my surprise my room became reclassified (for the first time since I booked it months ago) to a "HA room with roll-in-shower"!!! Now this is the first time since 2005 that this showed up in my upcoming vacations prior to check-in. Immediately I called MS and inquired why the change. After some time I was informed that the resort made the modification and DVC can't help me. So I called the resort and was told that DVC MS is responsible, typical blame game. After being transferred to 5 different people I was told that it is the only room available. I informed them how this will not work since I have an infant with me (can't bathe infant in a roll-in shower) they said I can re-book at a different category that is not HA - but costs more points. Transferred to a couple more people and somehow they were able to find a REGULAR deluxe studio with a tub. I'm just happy that I noticed this prior to check-in and was able to fix it. And by the way I always try to check-in first thing in the morning so that I get what I request and what I need for my family. I was totally shocked and surprised to get this assignment a few day prior to arrival.

OP- I totally feel your disappointment/annoyance at your room assignment and things not in working order. Especially since GFV is a brand new resort!

Oh yeah, Infant is what DVC classifies a 2 year old BTW. To me and most people she's a toddler. LOL

 

[DebbieB]

They do have a checkbox in the online system to search for accessible villas. You can specifically book them by type of accessibility. My question is at what point do they open up those rooms for anyone to book with no designation. When the other rooms are gone?

 

[disneynutz]

I feel totally jinxed that I was reading this thread last night. I have an upcoming vacation this weekend and had booked a Deluxe studio. I logged in today to add the dining plan and to my surprise my room became reclassified (for the first time since I booked it months ago) to a "HA room with roll-in-shower"!!! Now this is the first time since 2005 that this showed up in my upcoming vacations prior to check-in. Immediately I called MS and inquired why the change. After some time I was informed that the resort made the modification and DVC can't help me. So I called the resort and was told that DVC MS is responsible, typical blame game. After being transferred to 5 different people I was told that it is the only room available. I informed them how this will not work since I have an infant with me (can't bathe infant in a roll-in shower) they said I can re-book at a different category that is not HA - but costs more points. Transferred to a couple more people and somehow they were able to find a REGULAR deluxe studio with a tub. I'm just happy that I noticed this prior to check-in and was able to fix it. And by the way I always try to check-in first thing in the morning so that I get what I request and what I need for my family. I was totally shocked and surprised to get this assignment a few day prior to arrival.

OP- I totally feel your disappointment/annoyance at your room assignment and things not in working order. Especially since GFV is a brand new resort!

Oh yeah, Infant is what DVC classifies a 2 year old BTW. To me and most people she's a toddler. LOL

The room change to HC was made by the resort room assigner, not DVC.

Bill

 

[princessvacg]

I can completely understand how getting an HA room would not be acceptable. I once ended up with a 1 bedroom HA room. I had 5 adults in a 1 bedroom. First the counters were significantly lower when you walked in and then I walked into the shower which was a roll in. I told the family to walk out of the room and i went to the desk and told them this would never work. There was no way I was spending 10 nights in a room where we had to bend down to reach the counters and the limitations with the Shower. The boys were all over 6 feet tall. They moved us. I do not think that you have to "take your turn" and stay in one of these rooms. They should be in a separate category and so that if you do book this you know what you are getting… IMO!

 

[Sur]

From all the ECV's at the bus stops, I'd think there'd be plenty of takers for the HA rooms. Some of my friends have a really hard time getting over the edge of a tub.

I'd take it if the shower head can be lowered for the kids, which I think they can at VGF. That may be the one bedrooms, though.... can't recall.

 

[Dean]

From all the ECV's at the bus stops, I'd think there'd be plenty of takers for the HA rooms. Some of my friends have a really hard time getting over the edge of a tub.

I'm sure there are times but a lot of people with the ECV's actually don't want the HC unit, just the scooter to get around with. The reality is that there are often more rooms reserved by those who don't need a HC unit than there are non HC villas for whatever reason. It's really simple math, someone has to get those units.

Demanding and Hissy Fit are the same in my book in this situation. Asking is reasonable, even firmly so, even asking for a manager, but refusing to take no for an answer is a Hissy Fit. IMO, those who this is not a risk they are willing to take should not own DVC, plain and simple.