Disney Deluxe Villa Check in Headache!

[Deb & Bill]

We were checking in to GFV on Saturday. Around 2ish and there was a couple at the desk throwing a fit about the location of their room because...and this is good....they wanted room number such and such because that is the room they bought with their DVC. And they got that room their prior 2 stays. The DH actually walked over with a CM to see the room location and came back exclaiming it was the WORST room (location) in the resort and if they didn't get their room they were selling their share (he called it a share). They took up the entire desk staff for a good but of time. We just stood there waiting.

I know that is not same as OP. But just wanted to share the story. I was gobsmacked listening to the couple. Even while the DH was running th CM around, the DW was complaining to the other CM that they were going to miss their reservation at cyndi's castle. So she needed them to take care of that.

I'm assuming the D in DW and DH doesn't stand for Dear or Disney. DVC owners can have the reputation of being picky jerks with some of the front desk CMs.

 

[kverdon]

I will totally agree that a guest has not the right to demand a room change or refuse to stay in a room except when there are obvious issues with the room (like it not being cleaned).

I will also totally disagree that a guest does not have the right to politely request a room change if their assigned room does not meet your expectations. A lot can have changed (cancellations, upgrades, moves etc) since your room was assigned and a better room may be available for the asking. This is normally a painless process that takes the CM about 5 mins Max.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I will totally agree that a guest has not right to demands a room change or refuse to stay in a room except when there are obvious issues with the room (like it not being cleaned).

I will also totally disagree that a guest does not have the right to politely request a room change if their assigned room does not meet your expectations. A lot can have changed (cancellations, upgrades, moves etc) since your room was assigned and a better room may be available for the asking. This is normally a painless process that takes the CM about 5 mins Max.

Sure. And we've had trips where we made requests with MS before our trip and got nothing close to what we requested. But we just figure our luck might be better on another trip. We spend a lot of time in our villa so we roll with what we get. As long as we have the king sized bed, a television, big refrigerator and a bathroom (separate shower preferable, but only gotten with one bedrooms), we're fine. In our 50+ DVC trips, I don't remember asking for a different villa because we didn't like the one we were assigned.

 

[lovin'fl]

My thing is more about getting a room early. Like this trip we went from VGF to BCV. That BCV check in day we never got a room ready text. But several 'not quite ready' texts. We went to the desk around 2pm after being in Epcot for 3 hours. Room not ready so I asked nicely if any room was available. She made a call and came back to say that an HA room was available. I said no thank you (got that twice last year and wasn't a fan). DH wanted to watch football so we tried to find a lounge. Luckily Martha's was open even though a sign had said 4pm. Then we sat there until 4;30 and no text. I had also been checking on the app and saw our room number there finally. So we finished up and went to car to get luggage and it was 5:30 when we got to the room and a maintenance guy was just coming out of it (guessing that's why no ready text was sent). And when we first arrived to WDW at VGF our room wasn't ready until 3pm (saturday and we got there by noon to watch college football...no room and no open lounge at VGF).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

VGF our room wasn't ready until 3pm (saturday and we got there by noon to watch college football.

Hey, that's a full hour earlier than the "after 4PM" in the documentation, you were totally winning there.

 

[Sandisw]

I will totally agree that a guest has not the right to demand a room change or refuse to stay in a room except when there are obvious issues with the room (like it not being cleaned).

I will also totally disagree that a guest does not have the right to politely request a room change if their assigned room does not meet your expectations. A lot can have changed (cancellations, upgrades, moves etc) since your room was assigned and a better room may be available for the asking. This is normally a painless process that takes the CM about 5 mins Max.

I agree that if one is assigned something not requested and they want to inquire about it at check in, that is fine,

Unfortunately, too many guests complain when they don’t get what they want, and demand a change. IMO, I wish they didn’t allow requests and simply did first available.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

I called in today- have a split stay in January. We need two queens and a daybed. I called and the CM clearly stated she noted both reservations BUT IT WAS A REQUEST AND NOT GUARANTEED. This was a special phone number I have access to. I totally understand and we could make do if we ended up with a different bed configuration. I also did touring plans room fax - if we don’t get what we want fine.

 

[The Jackal]

I called in today- have a split stay in January. We need two queens and a daybed. I called and the CM clearly stated she noted both reservations BUT IT WAS A REQUEST AND NOT GUARANTEED. This was a special phone number I have access to. I totally understand and we could make do if we ended up with a different bed configuration. I also did touring plans room fax - if we don’t get what we want fine.

Where are you staying? DVC are not required to supply any extra beds or linens. Sometimes they have some inflatable beds that guests have left behind. What size room are you staying in. Not all DVC rooms will have a queen size sleeper sofa, some I believe are full size. If your staying in a studio, there are a handful of resorts that have room for five to sleep. There are several resorts you can only have 4 in a studio (plus an infant under 3). There are a few 1 bedrooms that have sleeping surfaces for 5, most will have beds for 4, but a fifth can stay, but the bed and linens are supplied by the guest. There are some DVC resorts attached to Disney resorts, upon availability supply extra bed.

 

[zavandor]

I called in today- have a split stay in January. We need two queens and a daybed. I called and the CM clearly stated she noted both reservations BUT IT WAS A REQUEST AND NOT GUARANTEED. This was a special phone number I have access to. I totally understand and we could make do if we ended up with a different bed configuration. I also did touring plans room fax - if we don’t get what we want fine.

Only OKW has two queens in a studio (and they all have, no request needed there). SSR preferred and Riviera have the pull down murphy beds that are just as good as a queen. Only a few rooms in SSR standard have already been refurbished to have the pull down bed, the vast majority still have the sofa bed.
All other DVC studios have one queen and one sofa bed, so there is nothing they can do to accommodate that request.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Only OKW has two queens in a studio (and they all have, no request needed there). SSR preferred and Riviera have the pull down murphy beds that are just as good as a queen. Only a few rooms in SSR standard have already been refurbished to have the pull down bed, the vast majority still have the sofa bed.
All other DVC studios have one queen and one sofa bed, so there is nothing they can do to accommodate that request.

Guess I should have said this was for Yacht Club and Contemporary. Point is CMs clearly state requests are not guaranteed. Sorry I didn’t clarify resorts

 

[The Jackal]

Guess I should have said this was for Yacht Club and Contemporary. Point is CMs clearly state requests are not guaranteed. Sorry I didn’t clarify resorts

Yacht Club and Contemporary are not DVC resorts, they are Disney resorts and they can meet your needs. DVC resorts are set up completely different. Most DVC studios have a queen size bed and a sofa bed, a kitchenette, a table with chairs, a bathroom and a balcony. OKW is the only DVC studio with 2 queen size beds. Yacht and Contemporary should be able to meet your requests.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Yacht Club and Contemporary are not DVC resorts, they are Disney resorts and they can meet your needs. DVC resorts are set up completely different. Most DVC studios have a queen size bed and a sofa bed, a kitchenette, a table with chairs, a bathroom and a balcony. OKW is the only DVC studio with 2 queen size beds. Yacht and Contemporary should be able to meet your requests.

I do understand that - been going to WDW since it opened. Whole point is for people to know requests are just that and not guaranteed and CMs clearly state when you make a request. My CM told me after both requests and I called the TA line.

 

[jagson]

Last trip we took SSR was a comedy of mistakes. First, the door lock malfunctioned, wouldn't open with our MBs; required a trip to the front desk. Lock supposedly fixed by the front desk, even had a CM come to the room to check. It worked okay for a while, then went out. Next visit to our room was an unannounced/unexpected visit from maintenance to fix the lock the next day. Whatever he did made the lock malfunction again. Finally, after 2 trips to the front desk, it was fixed.
Second, the floor was very sticky, like wax that had congealed before it was buffed. The whole 1 room villa floor was like this. Walking barefoot left an uncomfortable feeling on the bottom of our feet. Another trip to the front desk resulted in housekeeping coming to our villa, and partially alleviating the sticky floor.
Third, the humidity in the villa was extremely high and uncomfortable, high enough to cause sticking of the front door. Another trip to front desk resulted in a dehumidifier delivered to our villa. We had to empty the dehumidifier 2-3 times everyday. I got my brother and his family a similar villa at the opposite end of the same building. His villa was beautiful, none of the problems we had in ours.
All in all, I made four separate trips to the front desk over the 1st three days, talked to 2-3 different managers. Very upset, raised my voice with the staff. I've never complained about our room condition/assignments on any other trip. In fairness, the last mgr we talked to gave us a $100 dining credit and 2 pass passes each to me and my wife. BTW, the bldg was at Congress Park as we requested, can't remember the room # or bldg. This was a trip we made 2-3 months ago. Good to get it off my chest. I'm usually an apologist for DVC.

 

[kverdon]

The lock issue appears to be prevalent at SSR, the first person they sent with a key answered “all the time” when we asked how often it happens. Maybe they got a bad lot of batteries or the combo Bluetooth/RFID is draining them too quickly. In our case the lock failure was attributed to poor installation. The service guy showed me how the wiring had been routed to rub on the lock mechanism so it finally wore thru the insulation and shorted the whole thing out.

They did finally get the bedroom fan working again. I read somewhere that there is a lawsuit pending between Disney and the renovation company where Disney had refused payment due to the poor workmanship and renovation delays. Hopefully they got someone better to finish the project. Unfortunately, some Congress park rooms may be less than stellar until they get all the renovation issues resolved.

 

[heynowirv]

We were checking in to GFV on Saturday. Around 2ish and there was a couple at the desk throwing a fit about the location of their room because...and this is good....they wanted room number such and such because that is the room they bought with their DVC. And they got that room their prior 2 stays. The DH actually walked over with a CM to see the room location and came back exclaiming it was the WORST room (location) in the resort and if they didn't get their room they were selling their share (he called it a share). They took up the entire desk staff for a good but of time. We just stood there waiting.

I know that is not same as OP. But just wanted to share the story. I was gobsmacked listening to the couple. Even while the DH was running th CM around, the DW was complaining to the other CM that they were going to miss their reservation at cyndi's castle. So she needed them to take care of that.

It's small world after all.....

 

[lovin'fl]

It's small world after all.....

Was that you? Did they tell you, when you bought DVC, that you were buying a specific room?

 

[heynowirv]

Was that you? Did they tell you, when you bought DVC, that you were buying a specific room?

Noooooo my reply was more in line with there's always someone who acts like a fool.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I called in today- have a split stay in January. We need two queens and a daybed. I called and the CM clearly stated she noted both reservations BUT IT WAS A REQUEST AND NOT GUARANTEED. This was a special phone number I have access to. I totally understand and we could make do if we ended up with a different bed configuration. I also did touring plans room fax - if we don’t get what we want fine.

You posted on the DVC Resorts Board, not the Resorts Board.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The lock issue appears to be prevalent at SSR, the first person they sent with a key answered “all the time” when we asked how often it happens. Maybe they got a bad lot of batteries or the combo Bluetooth/RFID is draining them too quickly. In our case the lock failure was attributed to poor installation. The service guy showed me how the wiring had been routed to rub on the lock mechanism so it finally wore thru the insulation and shorted the whole thing out.

They did finally get the bedroom fan working again. I read somewhere that there is a lawsuit pending between Disney and the renovation company where Disney had refused payment due to the poor workmanship and renovation delays. Hopefully they got someone better to finish the project. Unfortunately, some Congress park rooms may be less than stellar until they get all the renovation issues resolved.

Hmmmm - I thought when the story first came out it was the construction company suing Disney. DVC/Disney was asking them to skip things that they felt were inappropriate or perhaps even not to code. Haven't followed anything since though.

FWIW the lock issues happen to us everywhere.

 

[gisele2]

When you are aware that request are not garanteed and you are ok with it, sometimes CM throw some pixie dust your way. Our last trip we were at the Boardwalk and asked for a fourth or fifth floor, ended on the first one. The CM was excusing himself. I asked for some buttons because we were celbrating two birthdays. On our fourth night we came back to our room and found some balloons and a cake !