Back from OKW, BCV, SSR & HGVC

[phyllisnnj]

I am a germ-a-phobic and carry Lysol and sanitizing wipes to wipe down even the cleanest-looking rooms, so a little "touch up" does not bother me at all. I also am very easy to get along with and almost never complain (especially not at Disney) - BUT, the condition of that room would have freaked me out. That's not just "worn" from popularity - that's filthy.

Honestly, I worry about the cleanliness issue at YC/BC as it relates to SAB. A few years ago, there was an E Coli outbreak at a water park near our house and a bunch of kids got very sick (one died). We also have a friend that got a very serious infection after swimming in a (different) non-DVC Disney pool. Does anyone know how strict the SAB people are about monitoring the pool chemicals and making sure all toddlers and babies are wearing swim diapers?

Glad the rest of your grand gathering was good. Were you in a GV at SSR?

I really wanted to stay in a SSR Grand Villa but I chose a longer stay in the smaller villas vs the shorter stay in the grand villa. I also discovered that the OKW GV is about the same number of points as a two bedroom and studio at SSR during Dream season. We loved the OKW GV layout. The OKW grand villa is much larger than the SSR grand villa especially the Living room (see link to photos below to compare) and it also has a very large balcony.
http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortLanding?id=OldKeyWestResortLandingPage (see 360 Tour)
http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/guest/resorts/resortLanding?id=SaratogaSpringsLandingPage (see 360 Tours)


My extended family including myself are germ-a-phobic too !! LOL, we also wipe down all rooms even the cleanest looking rooms (switches, telephones, door handles, countertops, cabinets, microwave, toliets, etc). After we're done our rooms are basically cleaner than we received them.

All of the ladies (including me) freaked out when they saw the sofa and bench. It was the first thing they saw when they entered the room. I didn't mention anything to my extended family about my previous experience or what I read/hear about the BCV villas. I just didn't want them to have any negative opinions about the place. I didn't even make it to the living room before they started about the sofa & the bench. We already stayed at SSR, OKW and HGVC and they were not spotless. There were small stains on the chairs & sofa at the other places but not to this extent.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Looks like water stains and maybe drink stains on the sitting areas with the exception of the darker stains. *ick* Besides the stains was the room itself clean?
I think Disney really should work on housekeeping at ALL their resorts.

I did a quick glance at the other areas. I think eveything else in the 2 bedroom villa looked clean (a little worn but clean) but I really didn't spend much time in the room. Once the ladies in my grand gathering started freaking out about the sofa and bench in the two bedroom villa and started asking me if we can get another room, I headed down to the front desk and requested a move back to SSR.

 

[phyllisnnj]

Honestly, I worry about the cleanliness issue at YC/BC as it relates to SAB. A few years ago, there was an E Coli outbreak at a water park near our house and a bunch of kids got very sick (one died). We also have a friend that got a very serious infection after swimming in a (different) non-DVC Disney pool. Does anyone know how strict the SAB people are about monitoring the pool chemicals and making sure all toddlers and babies are wearing swim diapers?


We were there the summer of 2002 and there was a "poop incident" in the pool. I was horrified that they only closed off that section of the pool for a time period and not the whole pool. The section right next to the closed down section was open and people were swimming right there. It was gross. Little kids get water in their mouth all the time and accidently swallow. You could get very, very sick from e-coli. What was Disney thinking? We were just in Universal over Spring Break and again there was a "poop incident." They closed down the pool for 2 hours and cleared the entire pool. They went back and super shocked the pool a few times and then took water samples away from the pool. I would rather a resort went overboard and was extra cautious then treat it as flippant as the YC/BC did that one summer.

To the OP: Sorry you had cleanliness problems. Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. We have had cleanliness issues at BWV, BCV and OKW. VWL was ok with just some minor cleaning issues that I fixed without ever making a call to anyone. We are now selling our DVC and will stay in the regular hotel rooms or over at Universal. Portifino Bay was immaculate and blew away any of the deluxe accomodations at Disney. This is coming from a true Disney fan that loves Disney over Universal any day of the year. But enough is enough. I have just recently stayed in a deluxe at Disney and I felt the regular old hotel room was cleaner than the DVC resorts. I can't believe that a regular hotel room doesn't get as much wear and tear as a DVC resort. Yes I know it gets regular, daily cleaning, but the filth at the DVC resorts is more then vaccuming the rugs, washing down the sink. I am talking deep down filth that is overlooked. I want my $$ back and can not overlook this any longer. I guess some people will say then if it bothers you that much than you should sell or good for us, less competition to use our points then. Whatever your feeling, I truly have had enough with the DVC resorts. It is a shame because I have only owned since 2001. I can't believe if it is this not cared for now, what will it be years from now? I will not stick around to find out. Will we still go to WDW and stay in a deluxe because of our family size? Yes, but just not as often. We were going down 2 to 3 times a year. We will now go and spend our hard earned $$ elsewhere. Just my opinion and I know on this board it will not be a popular one.

Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear that you're selling. I hope you will write to upper management about your disappointment and intentions to sell. I'm already thinking about selling so I know I will do the same if things don't change. However if it comes down to this, my dollars won't go back to the smaller deluxe resort rooms, I would just stay offsite. And like you, we would go less often.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Sorry to hear of so many uncleanliness issues at various DVC resorts. Is the root of the problem the fact that there aren't enough Mousekeepers to do the job well? With the short turn-around time between guests, I don't see how one person could give the room a decent cleaning. They really should work in pairs and have one vacuum/dust, while the other wipes down all the surfaces with some type of cleaning solution. Also, they must have extra cushions for the couch/dining booth. You'd think they'd just be able to trade out the filthy ones that OP had for some that had already been cleaned. I hope anyone that experiences something like this contacts Mousekeeping immediately and then follows it up with a call to the front desk/manager as well.

 

[vonderbar]

Your photos speak volumes. I am glad you are going to submit them to the powers that be, who can hopefull resolve this issue.As DVC Members, we are to treat these villas as our homes. I understand spills and such happen. If you can't get it cleaned up yourself, call Housekeeping. Would you want your home to look like this, let alone have a guest have to see it? I also ask, where is the quality control managers? Don't they ever do an inspection of these rooms? These photos look like these spills and stains have been there quite awhile. Where is the maintenance portion of dues going?

 

[emma'smom]

We have a reservation for a 2 BR at BCV for March 2007. We are taking my parents with us and i really want it be a special trip (since they may not go again if it isn't). I chose BCV because of location and to try Stormalong Bay...but maybe I should see if i can still switch back to SSR. We're staying at SSR next May. It is so fresh and clean. I understanding older resorts won't have that "brand new smell", but it seems like they should be clean and just as free of wear and tear as regular hotel rooms- after all, they do rent these rooms for cash ressies too.

 

[wilderness01]

phyllisnnj wrote:

Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear that you're selling. I hope you will write to upper management about your disappointment and intentions to sell. I'm already thinking about selling so I know I will do the same if things don't change. However if it comes down to this, my dollars won't go back to the smaller deluxe resort rooms, I would just stay offsite. And like you, we would go less often.

Unfortunately I have already done that, along with contacting the management of OKW while we were there. The executive office person that contacted me said that this was a very uncommon problem that he had never heard before and that actually mine was the first complaint they had received regarding cleanliness. How could he have said that with an even tone of his voice? He said actually people always praised the cleanliness of the resorts, especially DVC . He was lying that is a fact. I have definately noticed a decline in mousekeeping over the years. That is why we are selling. I cringe to think of how it will be in years to come, especially as the contract is coming to the end.

 

[Sammie]

Sorry to hear of so many uncleanliness issues at various DVC resorts. Is thenough Mousekeepers to do the job well?e root of the problem the fact that there aren't With the short turn-around time between guests, I don't see how one person could give the room a decent cleaning. They really should work in pairs and have one vacuum/dust, while the other wipes down all the surfaces with some type of cleaning solution. Also, they must have extra cushions for the couch/dining booth. You'd think they'd just be able to trade out the filthy ones that OP had for some that had already been cleaned. I hope anyone that experiences something like this contacts Mousekeeping immediately and then follows it up with a call to the front desk/manager as well.

Definitely they are short housekeeping staff. Personally I would rather they go to a mandatory 4pm check in like most Time Shares and do a better job cleaning.

I think they are slimply hitting the high spots and not really cleaning, just changing beds, cleaning bathrooms and vacuming down the middle of each room.

 

[LakeAriel]

Honestly, I worry about the cleanliness issue at YC/BC as it relates to SAB. A few years ago, there was an E Coli outbreak at a water park near our house and a bunch of kids got very sick (one died). We also have a friend that got a very serious infection after swimming in a (different) non-DVC Disney pool. Does anyone know how strict the SAB people are about monitoring the pool chemicals and making sure all toddlers and babies are wearing swim diapers?


We were there the summer of 2002 and there was a "poop incident" in the pool. I was horrified that they only closed off that section of the pool for a time period and not the whole pool. The section right next to the closed down section was open and people were swimming right there. It was gross. Little kids get water in their mouth all the time and accidently swallow. You could get very, very sick from e-coli. What was Disney thinking? We were just in Universal over Spring Break and again there was a "poop incident." They closed down the pool for 2 hours and cleared the entire pool. They went back and super shocked the pool a few times and then took water samples away from the pool. I would rather a resort went overboard and was extra cautious then treat it as flippant as the YC/BC did that one summer.

To the OP: Sorry you had cleanliness problems. Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. We have had cleanliness issues at BWV, BCV and OKW. VWL was ok with just some minor cleaning issues that I fixed without ever making a call to anyone. We are now selling our DVC and will stay in the regular hotel rooms or over at Universal. Portifino Bay was immaculate and blew away any of the deluxe accomodations at Disney. This is coming from a true Disney fan that loves Disney over Universal any day of the year. But enough is enough. I have just recently stayed in a deluxe at Disney and I felt the regular old hotel room was cleaner than the DVC resorts. I can't believe that a regular hotel room doesn't get as much wear and tear as a DVC resort. Yes I know it gets regular, daily cleaning, but the filth at the DVC resorts is more then vaccuming the rugs, washing down the sink. I am talking deep down filth that is overlooked. I want my $$ back and can not overlook this any longer. I guess some people will say then if it bothers you that much than you should sell or good for us, less competition to use our points then. Whatever your feeling, I truly have had enough with the DVC resorts. It is a shame because I have only owned since 2001. I can't believe if it is this not cared for now, what will it be years from now? I will not stick around to find out. Will we still go to WDW and stay in a deluxe because of our family size? Yes, but just not as often. We were going down 2 to 3 times a year. We will now go and spend our hard earned $$ elsewhere. Just my opinion and I know on this board it will not be a popular one.

I recently got back from BCV and also had a disasterous stay. As a result of the condition of the one bedroom unit they assigned me and their cavalier attitude I am also selling as soon as my UY begins. I have also written to the President of DVC and Disney. I truly believe it is owners that they assign these pig stys to, because we have already purchased. I had been on a waitlist to buy more points and at BCV, I canceled in the nick of time.

 

[50 years Too!]

Okay, now I'm afraid! I just bought a resale at BCV and I'm thinking I've made a mistake.
Please, please, please, those of you who have had issues contact the powers to be and complain.
Just told my husband we need to send a preshipped box of cleaning supplies and to be aware we are spending our first afternoon cleaning.....

 

[FayeW]

I must confess to being shocked that some of you, as DVC owners, would place the blame for the mess on other owners, instead of on the housekeeping department, where it very clearly belongs! Granted, the other owners DID make the mess originally, however, part of the very considerable sum you paid for your points, as well as part of your yearly maintenance, was and is earmarked for housekeeping and general upkeep! Blaming guests for housekeeping not adequately doing the job they are paid (and let's not forget tipped!) to do is just nuts.

It IS ok to criticize Disney when they do something wrong.

 

[ryley26]

Fayew no one is saying Disney isn't to blame some but we are all reponsible for the upkeep. If you spill something clean it up before it stains. People scream on these boards daily that there room is not ready at 4:00. So if they have to steam clean every rug and couch for stains from members. The rugs in the halls need to be replaced and things need to be fixed in rooms but how many people take the time to call the desk to let them know about the problem.WE pay a premium for our membership and BCV needs to be updated and renovated. We are all responsible for these problems when we don't use the same rules we use in our own homes about eating and drinking.

 

[Lasrnw]

"No one wants a clean room more than me, but I really think we all need to be more Proactive while there and less Reactive after we get home."From Sammy

I am sitting in a 1br at BCV as I type this....room was horrible, housekeeping did a terrible job, I called the front desk...they said they had no other rooms available and they would have the General Manager call me back THAT WAS ON FRIDAY!!! I cleaned the room and killed the bugs in the shower. I called down again on Saturday - no call back - so my choice was to go down to the desk and get mad at them or give up and enjoy my time here. I was also scheduled for trash/towel today and no one shoed up....so I threw the towels in the washer and will NEVER EVER stay here again.
So while I agree that it might be easier to handle things while you are on site, you must remember you are dealing with people who clearly don't care so the only one who would be upset is the member.

 

[Sammie]

I agree with Ryley26, Yes Disney needs to do their job, but just because one has a housekeeping service does not mean some of these stains could be avoided if dealt with at the time of the staining. I mean geez, take a wet cloth, a little soap and clean it up. The Mickey soap actually does a very good job of cleaning and so does the dishwashing liquid detergent.

Wear and tear is normal, stains left for someone else to clean up is just nasty.

I am glad that those with a less than stellar stay share it here, but if that is all they are doing it is never going to get any better. You have to let them know when you are there.

I think many things are contributing to this problem.
Lack of adequate staff.
Staff being rushed to get guests in a room prior to 4pm.
High occupancy daily levels and members and guests exceeding the recommeded allowed occupany levels. I mean it is simply physics, more people, more mess.
Members not reporting issues while there, because they don't want to disturb their vacation.
DVC not listening after the member gets home and then complains about problems. Out of sight, out of mind.
And this one bothers me most, I think Disney is taking better care of it's resort rooms than it's DVC rooms. And considering that the management at the BC/YC is the same for the BCV I lay that blame on DVC management and not the resort management.

 

[Sammie]

"No one wants a clean room more than me, but I really think we all need to be more Proactive while there and less Reactive after we get home."From Sammy

I am sitting in a 1br at BCV as I type this....room was horrible, housekeeping did a terrible job, I called the front desk...they said they had no other rooms available and they would have the General Manager call me back THAT WAS ON FRIDAY!!! I cleaned the room and killed the bugs in the shower. I called down again on Saturday - no call back - so my choice was to go down to the desk and get mad at them or give up and enjoy my time here. I was also scheduled for trash/towel today and no one shoed up....so I threw the towels in the washer and will NEVER EVER stay here again.
So while I agree that it might be easier to handle things while you are on site, you must remember you are dealing with people who clearly don't care so the only one who would be upset is the member.

Do not call the Front Desk, you only get the Call Center. Call Housekeeping, ask who is the Super on Duty, get their name, complain to them. When you call the Front Desk, your call is answered by the Call Center and I truly do not believe they are leaving these messsages.

Believe me if I did not hear from someone after calling the proper channels I would be at the Front Desk, asking to see the on duty manager.

 

[LakeAriel]

I agree with Ryley26, Yes Disney needs to do their job, but just because one has a housekeeping service does not mean some of these stains could be avoided if dealt with at the time of the staining. I mean geez, take a wet cloth, a little soap and clean it up. The Mickey soap actually does a very good job of cleaning and so does the dishwashing liquid detergent.

Wear and tear is normal, stains left for someone else to clean up is just nasty.

I am glad that those with a less than stellar stay share it here, but if that is all they are doing it is never going to get any better. You have to let them know when you are there.

I think many things are contributing to this problem.
Lack of adequate staff.
Staff being rushed to get guests in a room prior to 4pm.
High occupancy daily levels and members and guests exceeding the recommeded allowed occupany levels. I mean it is simply physics, more people, more mess.
Members not reporting issues while there, because they don't want to disturb their vacation.
DVC not listening after the member gets home and then complains about problems. Out of sight, out of mind.
And this one bothers me most, I think Disney is taking better care of it's resort rooms than it's DVC rooms. And considering that the management at the BC/YC is the same for the BCV I lay that blame on DVC management and not the resort management.

I have been thinking about the manager situation and think DVC needs to have their own manager on site at Villa's.

 

[Lasrnw]

I spoke to the on-duty manager on Friday who was going to have the General Manager call me back...because he said they had no other rooms in the entire resort....I responded that if a member of the first family flew in they would have another room. And I found myself getting all upset, don't get me wrong I wanted to go to the front desk and straighten it out...but whoever I spoke to clearly, in my opinion, did not give a hoot.
So I will not stay here again....no one, not a single person has said Welcome Home since we got here....and that's really why I joined DVC anyway....I sure do love that Welcome Home!!

 

[JENR]

I am very nervous. I leave Sun for BCV 1 bedroom. I am wondering if I should switch to BWV instead now that I hear this.

 

[LakeAriel]

I am very nervous. I leave Sun for BCV 1 bedroom. I am wondering if I should switch to BWV instead now that I hear this.

This may be just the time to go. There have been many serious compliants made in the past few weeks (one with photo's) and I would hope they are extra diligent to satisfy DVC members. If not please report it ASAP.

 

[LakeAriel]

Back from OKW, BCV, SSR & HGVC

We had a wonderful time at Disney World. The August crowds weren’t too bad and Tour Guide Mike was great once again.

SSR [2 nights] – This is my third time staying at this resort. I’ve stayed in the Congress and Springs sections and I’ve been happy with both. This is still my favorite DVC resort.
PROS: Newest (however I’m worried about upkeep based on the older resorts I’ve visited); Zero Entry Main Pool
CONS: This place is going to be big they’ll need another main pool. Hopefully another zero entry with a separate 1 ft children’s pool

OKW [3 nights]– This was my first time and we were in a Grand Villa. Everyone loved the layout. The space worked perfectly for our grand gathering. The master bedroom was huge and I loved the extra shower downstairs. I was little surprise how small the upstairs bathrooms were. There is just enough space for the door to clear the toilet and tub.
PROS: Space and size (great for large groups).
CONS: Cleanliness - Looked clean when we entered. We normally do a basic cleaning when we arrive. Cleaned and removed dead bugs found in the cabinets. Kitchen floor was sticky. Cleaned and removed white caked on stain on the sofa. The living room table and coffee table turned our cleaning cloths black. Since we had a toddler, I focused on areas at her level that she would touch – TV cabinet was sticky, cabinet doors dirty, etc. Thick Black build-up (mold??) on all showerhead sprays (really yucky – like it hadn't been cleaned in months (maybe years)).

Hilton Grand Vacations Club (HGVC) on International Drive [3 nights] – This is my third time staying at this resort. Stayed in a three-bedroom villa for the first time. We normally do 3 night weekend stay here.
PROS: Newest (Cleaner than the Disney properties); onsite Pizza Hut express
CONS: The three bedroom was not as big as I was hoping for. (LOL, staying at the spacious OKW Grand Villa prior to moving here probably didn’t help)

BCV [3 nights] – This is my second time staying at this resort. I wasn’t impressed with BCV based on cleanliness and maintenance issues with my last visit but I loved the idea of walking to EPCOT. So I decided to try it again for my grand gathering, hoping that we just had a very worn room during our first visit. We had a two bedroom and a one bedroom. Well, we actually didn’t stay. When we finally got our rooms, my grand gathering party wasn’t very happy with the condition of the room. It just didn’t seem clean enough and of course it was a little worn. Actually it was better that my first visit. They had just stayed at SSR, OKW and HGVC. Instead of requesting another room, I decided that it would be best to head back to SSR. I went down to the front desk and stated that my party didn’t like BCV and prefer to go back to SSR. I was armed with my camera in hand and prepared to answer questions on why we wanted to move but they never asked me. I was later told at both locations that SSR folks generally ask to move back to their home resort. The move was easy since we never took our luggage out of the cars. I guess as long as we have water park passes I won’t be staying at BCV in the future.
PROS: location close to EPCOT & MGM, various onsite dining options including character dining
CONS: Housekeeping ignores issues that are clearly visible. I asked my sister who has traded her timeshares over the last 10 years if she has ever encountered room maintenance issues like this. She stated that she hadn’t. In fact she preferred HGVC out of all of the villas we stayed. She liked the SSR pool but preferred the cleanliness and stocked kitchen at HGVC. I was hoping to convince her to buy DVC with this trip.

I hope DVC is listening and spends more time and money on cleanliness and maintenance.
Here are some BCV pictures http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/phyllisnnj/album?.dir=ebf4re2&.src=ph
I wish I had taken the time to document all of the problems especially the showerheads at OKW.

LESSONS LEARN:
(1) No More than one move per trip. I wanted my family to experience the different DVC resorts but we wasted most of the day packing and unpacking.
(2) Grand Villa works best for large groups of people to relax, talk and eat meals together.

DVC, HGVC & FSRC member

Disgusting! Kudo's to you for taking those pictures!