Didn't realize how much we would miss the DVC until...

[Doc and Family]

last week.
We stayed at the Contemporary from 12/26 to 1/1. Last minute trip and obviously, no DVC availability. The majority of the guests at the Contemporary are rude, inconsiderate, and mentally challenged. I guess these are the chosen people with more money than God, because they all expect and demand everything without consideration of anyone else. Waiting for an elevator with two sleeping DSs in arms- 4 and 6, with DW with sleeping DS in stroller, elevator opens, 8 or so people come from out of nowhere and practically knock me down to get in.
My six year old DS holds the door open for everyone, as he has been taught is the polite thing to do, and some oversized, non-English speaking behemoth pushes him aside mumbling something in some uninteligible jibberish.
I could go on and on.
We went to our favorite restaurant, The Yachtsmen. DVC people everywhere. Polite, Friendly, Nice--felt like home!!!!
DW and I decided--we stay at home from now on, or stay at All-Stars or Pop-Century, for last minute trips--where we also experienced nice and friendly people.
All in all, the trip was good and fun--kids had a blast, and that's what counts.
Staying on the monorail has lost it's appeal.
Nothing can compare to being at home with other homeowners!!!
God Bless the DVC and all its members!!!!!!
We are looking forward to being home in May!!
Thanks for letting me vent!
I'm feeling much better now

 

[ErinC]

Doc, sorry your trip was full of rude people. We visited the contemporary during our December trip, just to pass through and play at the arcade. Frankly, I don't see the appeal of the place. They had very few Christmas decorations, and it's just so business like. (Not my style). I'd like to visit more of the Disney resorts sometime, while I'm conserving points, but the Contemporary is not real high on my list. I just saw your post about being at BCV in late May. We'll also be there at that time.(me, DH DD8, DD4, DD 1) Maybe we'll see you at SAB. Hopefully, this will be a better trip.

 

[floridafam]

Sorry.

You should be very proud of your son as I'm sure you are.

You do have a point. We have pretty much enjoyed all of our stays but it does feel different when we stay DVC. Everyone is much more relaxed.

We're going to have to set up a DISmeet for May.

 

[Doc and Family]

Erin and Floridafam,

We hope to meet you both in May.
Fairhope is such a lovely place (have family in Mobile).
A DISmeet is an excellent idea!
And I agree, We were disappointed in the lack of festive decorations in the CR. We did, however, have a park view, and the fireworks display from the 10th floor was awesome! Overall, the CR is a cold resort, though.

Cant wait to be "home" again!

 

[littlestar]

We've noticed what you are talking about at non DVC resorts, especially the deluxes - Grand Floridian, Yacht, and Boardwalk Inn side. I don't know why, but every time I have visited the Grand Floridian I always see some visitor chewing out a cast member. It usually goes like this, "we're paying a fortune to stay here and you better . . ." There must be a lot of once in a life time trip takers who are worried about getting their money's worth or something. I saw a business man in one of the gift shops at Grand Floridian cut in line and then order the cast member behind the counter around. I couldn't help but think, this man was never taught any manners!

I do enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the DVC resorts and the people seem more like neighbors than visitors.

 

[Doc and Family]

littlestar,
Exactly!!!
DW thinks either these people (and I use that term loosely) are the wealthy who expect everything and have never been taught better, or people on a once in a lifetime trip who are acting as if they are entitled to everything.

And I know I shouldn't generalize, but on this trip, the lack of manners and consideration was rampant, at least at the CR. We had friends staying at the Pop Century, so we went to visit. It is really a cool place, and the people were polite and friendly--just like normal folks. Hopefully, it was just the stress of the Holidays and the crowds, which were incomprehensible-MK was closed on 4 of our days there due to crowd size!

I believe we have been jaded by the wonderful people in the DVC!

 

[kathleena]

but every time I have visited the Grand Floridian I always see some visitor chewing out a cast member. It usually goes like this, "we're paying a fortune to stay here and you better . . ." There must be a lot of once in a life time trip takers who are worried about getting their money's worth or something.

The last time I stayed at OKW, I heard this being said to the manager there by a DVC owner. So it takes all types.

Anyway - sorry you missed DVC!!! I have been thru the Contemporary before and would never want to stay there. I just think it's really, really ugly. I know lots of people love it, but it's just not for me.

And the elevator thing really fries me. It happens so much everywhere - people should just wait for the people on it to get off.

My DDIL is from a large South American country and when I told her about some experiences I had at WDW she readily volunteered that they are much ruder in her country than Americans are. (I don't want to generalize or slam anyone with that story - it's just what she said in her observation from being in this country for 3 years.) Their summer is right now so the schools are closed thru Feb or Mar I think.

 

[Debby7]

We used points to stay at the GF a few christmas ago. The resort and staff were wonderful, but the other guests were awful. No one willing to make eye contact or converse. Everybody seemed to be in their own "private" world . I agree DVC resorts are generally much friendlier.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I am not so sure it is Contemporary or GF.
2) There is a different (but understandable) mind-set.
3) Think of the reasons - DVC folks go almost every year, so
. . . they don't have the need to rush to "see everything"
. . . they aren't rushed to "get my money's worth"
. . . they know the level of service to expect
. . . they know the prices and costs, so there is no sticker-shock
. . . they are more relaxed, since they have seen so much already
. . . they have less stress due to knowledge of WDW

 

[floridafam]

A little off topic but we visited the Contemporary on our last visit.

YUCK. The carpet was worn, the carpet on the walls was dirty and had big "bubbles" in places. I was not impressed.

 

[VickiVM]

I guess these are the chosen people with more money than God, because they all expect and demand everything without consideration of anyone else. Waiting for an elevator with two sleeping DSs in arms- 4 and 6, with DW with sleeping DS in stroller, elevator opens, 8 or so people come from out of nowhere and practically knock me down to get in.

Maybe it was the family of this one rude woman we encountered right after CP on 12/24. We did the 5pm CP and right after my 7 year old had to go the the bathroom, like right now. They all had fallen asleep during CP. But when she woke up, she had to go. Of course the line at the ladies room next to Liberty Inn was out past the eatery. I knew the was a bathroom in Morocco, but wasn't sure about Japan. So we practically sprint there and, of course, long line. By now she's dancing and holding it, if you know what I mean. She's giving me that "I can't hold it anymore" look and we go forward inside the bathroom hoping someone will give us a break. I say "we have an emergency here" and immediately this woman responds just as rudely as possible "We all have an emergency!" Forget it, I'm not going to fight with an imbecile on Christmas eve. We go back to the back of the line with me muttering something like "well, if you pee in your pants so be it". The woman at the end of the line let us in in front of her. God bless her. So, unfortunately, WDW does not totally insulate us from idiots and greedy people - but like you Doc, I marvel at how my children handle themselves in public. They still mind their manners. The wished all the CM's a Merry Christmas and thanked them after rides and such. I have to say, this was the only "rude" incident we encountered. Overall we had a great experience. I think the saying "you reap what you sow" generally holds true. When you spread seeds of kindness, you're likely to receive kindness as well.

 

[Doc and Family]

The more replies I read, the more I know that I was not imagining what was happening.
And the more I read, the happier I am to have all of you as "neighbors".
And Vicki, yes, I too never cease to be amazed at my children's behavior. No, they are not saints, but my 6 yr. old will hold a door open until everyone is in, even though inside I know it is killing him to have to wait, especially at WDW, so everytime he does something polite, he gets rewarded. And the smile on his face when someone says something like "why thank you or what a polite young man" is worth more than gold.
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent, and I cant wait until May to get back home and meet more of my neighbors!

 

[RayJay]

One bad experience at the elevator does not constitute everyone at Contemporary rude, incosiderate and mentally challenged.

And as far as DVC members go, I've ran into plenty of members that feel because they are "members" they are the greatest thing next to slice bread. I've seen them in action at SAB, in the lobby, the restaraunts you name it.

I'm not trying to suggest that what you went thru is right, I believe all the resorts are the same, DVC or not when it comes to people being rude or not.

For us, when we go to Disney we already know when we go we will be elbow to elbow with alot of people we don't know, most are considerate, many are not.

Here's my examples:

Cut in line for character greetings.
Hold your spot at fireworks an hour ahead only to have people walk right in front of you.
People cutting you off everywhere.
Hit by strollers
Pregnant wife standing on the buses
Dirty looks from older people because our 1 year old is acting up.

Alas, we too have been nixed at the elevator.

Still had a great trip
Peace
RayJay

 

[erikthewise]

It's actually a good idea to have a designated resort for the rude and inconsiderate. As long as we all know so we can avoid it!

 

[wilderness01]

I agree completely with you RayJay. We have also had the experiences you have had. It does make me mad but not for long. I would rather just blow it off and not have it put a damper on our trip. We have stayed at the Contemporary a few times and actually we have had much better housekeeping/service than when we have stayed at a DVC resort. We found the people to be very friendly as well. Maybe we just got lucky. Would I say that the elderly people that work at Old Key West in the little grocery have them beat in the friendly department, YES, but I wonder if that is an exception. They were so, so very nice and helpful. I did not find that at the BCV or BWV. Nice enough, but no nicer than at the Contemporary, in my opinion. Maybe it was just the holidays and the "rush" of it all. Hopefully your trip will be better the next time.