dirty messy people!

[gobofraggle]

Got back from OKW last week and had a wonderful time, as ever - one blemish, we went to the pool at turtle pond one morning and there were over 20 dirty pool towels everywhere - draped over loungers... they weren't just belonging to one group, they were in different areas, in different groups... there was a wine bottle cork on the floor... there was a food container... there was some mango or papaya on the edge of the pool!

The stay was 99% wonderful and fellow guests were 99% a pleasure to be around.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You have every right to "grouch", but the place to do it is Customer Satisfaction. THEY are the ones who need to hear those kind of complaints as often as they happen. THe smoking thing is inexcusable, and is a direct result of SOMEONE not doing their job. IF someone complains, it MUST be taken care of. I always insist on it! I'm too allergic to smoke to allow it to limit where I can go in my unit. If someone is smoking on the balcony, I report it and WAIT for them to come and resolve the issue. I could speak to the person myself too (and sometimes have in a nice way), but it usually is ineffective, where someone in authority can explain about charges etc.

This and the "staying past check out time" issues are a direct result of employees who aren't doing their job by enforcing the rules.

 

[Chuck S]

I remember when we bought points in 1994 we were told how Disney would effectively screen families who wanted to join and that ROFR was all about making sure that 'the right kind of people' would buy resales.

I really don't think that would be very legal

 

[dallastxcpa]

I remember when we bought points in 1994 we were told how Disney would effectively screen families who wanted to join and that ROFR was all about making sure that 'the right kind of people' would buy resales... That was when there was just the one resort. Anything goes now.
And I hope that as points become cheaper and cheaper, it doesn't mean that we end up sharing our vacations ten years from now with the kinds of people who could only afford way-cheaper points (that sounds horrible, really snobby, but I hope it makes sense in a not-entirely-snobby way) and who we wouldn't usually vacation around (oh alright, it is snobby) and who leave places dirty.

The number of people smoking on balconies on DVC wing of AKL also surprised me. I thought that wasn't allowed. Couldn't open door without it coming in.

Sorry for grouching.

The stay was 99% wonderful and fellow guests were 99% a pleasure to be around.

Not to start a war here, but just because someone has less than others does not make them ignorant or slovenly. Behavior/manners are something you are taught by your parents/caregivers not determined by your income bracket.

 

[kid-at-heart]

...I remember when we bought points in 1994 we were told how Disney would effectively screen families who wanted to join and that ROFR was all about making sure that 'the right kind of people' would buy resales... That was when there was just the one resort. Anything goes now.
And I hope that as points become cheaper and cheaper, it doesn't mean that we end up sharing our vacations ten years from now with the kinds of people who could only afford way-cheaper points (that sounds horrible, really snobby, but I hope it makes sense in a not-entirely-snobby way) and who we wouldn't usually vacation around (oh alright, it is snobby) and who leave places dirty.

...

I do not consider your comments "snobbish". It is hard to discuss a situation like this without sounding "better than thou". I agree with you. I work hard for my money and pay more for my vacations (than I should) because I want to be in an environment with (hopefully) others who are willing to go the extra mile to have a nice, clean environment and who will be considerate co-vacationers. It is sad, but often if we have to pay a lot for something, we take better care of it.

 

[Chuck S]

You do realize that legally, it is a simple real estate transaction, not a "private club membership?" Anyone can purchase it if they have the available funds or credit rating, anything else would lead to high dollar lawsuits.

 

[fishermouse]

The only way to control who buys into DVC is through the price keep it high enough and you limitt the amount of purchasers. With the easy finance options of the past several years that number grew, probably why you now see so many resales. As far as the othe issues late check out , smoking etc, DVC can't do much if all people do is put up with it then complain here a week after they get home. dianschlitt is right you have to complain to DVC satisfaction as well as report infractions to the front desk when they happen. No one can do anything about the guy smoking on the balcony two rooms down last week. If we want DVC to stay the way we like it we have to police it ourselves and report all these little infractions when we see them, non guests at the pools , smoking in areas not designated and even the loud obnoxious drunk at the hot tub. The sign says welcome home, would you accept this at home. Does this make me a snob as well.

 

[Disney_Villain]

Your issue could have been with those renting points, as most owners do have a good sense of "ownership" and pride that goes along with it. The ones I've met sure do.

We've experienced BIG issues with renters (I call them transients) who rent units in our condominium complex here at home. The words "messy & dirty" describe them succinctly! Dog poop everywhere, loud beer parties on balconies, trash not disposed of properly in bins, etcetera. Note that we never have these same problems with owners.

Those renting DVC points would feel like they were at a hotel - and expect an army of maids to pick up after them. We DVC owners know better than that (or I would that most would).

Take heart in the possibility that it may not have been DVC owners leaving that awful mess!

 

[gobofraggle]

...DVC can't do much if all people do is put up with it then complain here a week after they get home. dianschlitt is right you have to complain to DVC satisfaction as well as report infractions to the front desk when they happen...ll.

yes, if you're there when they happen. absolutely.
I was shocked by the mess a few bunches of people had left behind the night before.
I really couldn't imagine, and can't, how turning up at front desk to complain to a CM about the way I've found something is doing other than giving them some noise and grunts.
As I said, I'm sure the people who clean the pool find this kind of thing - it doesn't seem likely that this was the first time it happened, I just got there at 7am when the pool opened, pre-cleaners...


As for the comments about Disney's early-years claims re. membership filtering being illegal - yeah, I'm sure every private school, golf club, social clubs etc. are quaking in their boots... there would be ways to do such things, although I can see that now it sounds ridiculous. It was tiny back then.
It is a 'simple real estate transaction', to quote above, but one which Disney has first dibs on. Which isn't particularly 'simple' or commonplace. Their incentive to have abandoned the idea - or have lied about it in the first place - (this was 14 years ago) - is money money, sales sales, members members... not lawsuits

 

[Disney_Villain]

You have every right to "grouch", but the place to do it is Customer Satisfaction.

... and here is their e-mail address:

dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com

 

[BWV Dreamin]

.
I remember when we bought points in 1994 we were told how Disney would effectively screen families who wanted to join and that ROFR was all about making sure that 'the right kind of people' would buy resales...

The so called "screening" is illegal in the professional real estate world. As a private seller, you can sell to whom ever you want. Once you enlist in professional real estate services, laws come into play, and the example you state is most definitely illegal.

You can't change peoples behavior or value system based on 'price". I moved into a brand new, very expensive housing development, and you would be surprised the state these homeowners let these brand new homes get to. Nope, price makes no difference. Its all about respect, of your property, yourself, and your neighbors.

 

[gobofraggle]

Not to start a war here, but just because someone has less than others does not make them ignorant or slovenly. Behavior/manners are something you are taught by your parents/caregivers not determined by your income bracket.

I'm talking about the size and loudness of what is still a minority in any income bracket.

 

[moredisneyplease]

I get what you're saying and I dont think ROFR is for this purpose but I most certainly could be wrong......

It is sad that people do treat a resort/hotel like that but thats probably the way the treat their homes. Maybe they're so stinking rich that they have butlers and maids in each room who have pick up after their messes so they think the same thing applies at WDW

 

[jekjones1558]

It is a mistake and very judgmental to think that boorish behavior is related to income. An attitude of selfishness and "the-world-belongs-to-me" knows no class. The mess at the pool and the smoking on the balcony are pathetic but have nothing to do with cost of points. I understand your frustration (we also had problems with balcony smokers and reporting it did no good), but please be careful about your assumptions.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I just wanted to add that we too have seen a lot more disrespect of property, privacy, rules, and everything else EVERYWHERE we go lately. It has made me uncomfortable to go to most public pool/hot tub areas no matter how nice the resort. Our last OKW trip, I found the hot tub at both Turtle Pond and South Point unihabitable becausde of the raucus rude few who made it a point to be slobs. It's amazing how one or two people can ruin it for the rest. I say this only because I think the disrespect issue is a huge one in our society right now. I"m not sure why or how it got that way, but there must be a lot of mothers out there wondering what in the heck happened to those little angels who grew up!

 

[jboysen]

I just wanted to add that we too have seen a lot more disrespect of property, privacy, rules, and everything else EVERYWHERE we go lately. It has made me uncomfortable to go to most public pool/hot tub areas no matter how nice the resort. Our last OKW trip, I found the hot tub at both Turtle Pond and South Point unihabitable becausde of the raucus rude few who made it a point to be slobs. It's amazing how one or two people can ruin it for the rest. I say this only because I think the disrespect issue is a huge one in our society right now. I"m not sure why or how it got that way, but there must be a lot of mothers out there wondering what in the heck happened to those little angels who grew up!

ITA, can't say it enough, ITA!

 

[wulfekamp]

I don't know why anyone would smoke on the balconys. i love the smoking areas at AKL. I made some really great new friends there.

 

[tigger795]

Got back from OKW last week and had a wonderful time, as ever - one blemish, we went to the pool at turtle pond one morning and there were over 20 dirty pool towels everywhere - draped over loungers... they weren't just belonging to one group, they were in different areas, in different groups... there was a wine bottle cork on the floor... there was a food container... there was some mango or papaya on the edge of the pool!

It annoyed me so much!

I had to go around putting the towels away and the trash away before I could swim, I was so irritated!

It's not like the used towel bins aren't obviously and conveniently located.

Anyway - the pool cleaning people arrived later and it just made me wonder how often they've had to clean the place up on a morning and I have just wrongly assumed that my fellow DVC owners are clean and respectful. I know most must be, because most people are, but it irritates me.

I remember when we bought points in 1994 we were told how Disney would effectively screen families who wanted to join and that ROFR was all about making sure that 'the right kind of people' would buy resales... That was when there was just the one resort. Anything goes now.
And I hope that as points become cheaper and cheaper, it doesn't mean that we end up sharing our vacations ten years from now with the kinds of people who could only afford way-cheaper points (that sounds horrible, really snobby, but I hope it makes sense in a not-entirely-snobby way) and who we wouldn't usually vacation around (oh alright, it is snobby) and who leave places dirty.

The number of people smoking on balconies on DVC wing of AKL also surprised me. I thought that wasn't allowed. Couldn't open door without it coming in.

Sorry for grouching.

The stay was 99% wonderful and fellow guests were 99% a pleasure to be around.

I would suspect the "snobby" people more than the "non-snobby" people are more apt to leave such a mess. Seems to me that those are the types of people that would most likely expect others to clean up after them.

Just a guess but I could be wrong.

 

[mgilmer]

I just wanted to add that we too have seen a lot more disrespect of property, privacy, rules, and everything else EVERYWHERE we go lately. It has made me uncomfortable to go to most public pool/hot tub areas no matter how nice the resort. Our last OKW trip, I found the hot tub at both Turtle Pond and South Point unihabitable becausde of the raucus rude few who made it a point to be slobs. It's amazing how one or two people can ruin it for the rest. I say this only because I think the disrespect issue is a huge one in our society right now. I"m not sure why or how it got that way, but there must be a lot of mothers out there wondering what in the heck happened to those little angels who grew up!

I agree with you. Maybe its time for DVC to hire some "points police" to patrol the grounds. Caught smoking in your unit? That will be 10 points. Trashing the grounds with your garbage. Fine! 12 points. Make a mess in the pool area? 8 points. Stay over your checkout time? One days points fine. Would this make some mad? Yes but those made mad would be the violators and I could not care less about their being mad. Maybe they would sell.

 

[OneMoreTry]

This is one nice thing about
video cameras!

It doesn't have to be my word against yours.

It's my video versus your word.

I wouldn't walk around videoing everything, but if someone was being rude, I'd whip it out !!

However, I HAVE found that talking to some people can make a difference. I start by giving people the benefit of the doubt. If it goes sour, I abort.

I DO agree that DISNEY has a RESPONSIBILITY to deal with these issue. Rudeness breeds rudeness. You've got to nip it in the bud.

I probably would have picked up the towels, too, and gotten a little upset.
But then on a bad day when my little girl is having seizures, I might have left one myself.