Any cutbacks at DVC?

[Taylor]

I have seen many posts throughout these forums regarding the "cutbacks" at the parks, hotels, and restaurants. I haven't yet heard of cutbacks at the DVC resorts. Have I missed these reports, or since these resorts are funded differently are they immune to the cutbacks?

 

[drusba]

There have been no DVC cutbacks that relate to existing members. There was a rumor, not confirmed, that they were going to delay building the new resort planned for on the Eagle Pines Golf course. Also, members can obviously be affected by other cutbacks (park hour reductions, restaurant closings, etc.)

 

[erick10520]

I'm new at DVC so excuse me if I'm wrong....but I just received the pamphlet the other day describing the proposed 2002 DVC dues for VWL, I can't see how they could cut back at the resort and still charge us in dues payments for those services....Million and a half for housekeeping, 900 grand for front desk, etc...
Clincher was something like 450 grand for bus service that in previous posts has been an issue...

 

[dianeschlicht]

Erick,
Those costs go up because they have NOT been cut.

 

[erick10520]

Thats what I was hoping for Diane, that is what turned me on to Disney in the first place, you pay a little but the service doesn't compare to any other place I have stayed at before....(on the positive side I mean)

 

[wdwnut]

hi: this may be related to the resorts (all at wdw) in general, but during our stay the first week of november, i never noticed the "guest services" counter staffed at all. this would be for both the bwi and bwv. it was staffed by up to 3 people at a time during our trip in may and on prior trips.

 

[CarolAnnC]

During my last BWV last May, the Guest Services desk was not staffed any time I passed through, or when I needed it. I do not believe that reduction in staff would be related to any recent changes. I inquired about it and was told it was being staffed only during particular hours. Oh well...

 

[mikek]

in my experience 'guest services' is just an extension of the front desk except they dont do the accommodation related things like check-in check-out etc. If the guest services booth is closed its usually because the front desk isn't too busy and you can just go to them to take care of whatever the guest services booth would do.

 

[DVCDAVE]

Just returned from BWV a matter of hours ago. I saw very few signs of cutbacks at BWV. LOTS of signs in the park and transportation, however. The gest services desk was manned during check in peak times,...3:00PM to 7:30 PM. Other than those hours, I saw no one there. I had no trouble with valet services, and they only asked me if I was DVC member on my final day when I was loading luggage.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Dave,

All I have read states there were no cutbacks in the Transportation Dept. What difficulties did you have.

 

[DVCDAVE]

Keep in mind 2 things. First, I am not complaining, we had a great trip, 2nd it was Thanksgiving, which is always busy.

But, twice my wife and I timed the boat from BWV to MGM. Yes we could have walked it, but I wnated to test the boat, the wait was slightly over 20 minutes !

The bus to Magic Kingdom, 15 minute wait, and nearly full when it came, standing room only. From the Magic Kingdom, also 15 minute wait, but it least it wasn't nearly full.

Bus to Downtown Disney 24 minute wait, and from Downtown Disney, over 25 minutes !!, by the time it arrived the crowd was so big there should have been two buses to carry everyone.

After our second day we gave up on Disney Transportation and we just used our rental car to get around.

We had to use the buses last night though as we went to Fort Wilderness for dinner at Trails Ennd Buffet, ad then over to the campfire program. The Chip and Dale Buses are gone. Only Boone and Crockett buses. We waited 15 minutes for the buses to take us to Pioneer Hall. After dinner we walked over to the Meadows area for the campfire, and afterwoards we waited 25 minutes for the bus to take us back to the Outpost to get our car. A couple there were livid over their wait though, and blasted the driver, they claim they waited 40 minutes !! Which may be true as they were waiting before we got there, and they were already complaining among themselves.

 

[WorknFires]

When I returned from OKW at the end of Oct., I was very pleased with every aspect of DVC (it was our 1st time home) except for the buses. We didn't use the boats so I can't complain. Because of the long waits, we usually ended up driving ourselves after getting thoroughly disgusted at the amount of time wasted sitting at the stops. We managed to catch 1 bus one morning to the MK (and the bus driver was especially nice, she remembered people's names as they got on the bus) and we ended up taking the bus back from FtW's Hoop De Doo. That bus ride was like a trip thru hell... and let me tell you hell was slammed full.

Cheryl