Disney's waning commitment to DVC quality

[New Mouse]

Yes, but they will probably add some bath robes at that juncture! Or maybe they’ll take them out of the Grand Floridian…

More likely to be loin cloths by then! Can't afford to give us bath robes at those prices!

 

[TheLyinKing]

I think some of the switch to more "sterile" looking rooms with hardwood, etc. are to help maintain the longevity of the rooms. Whether that works or not remains to be seen, but honestly when I stay at a Disney property, I don't expect the same level I do when I stay at the Conrad. You're paying for the convenience and to be in the bubble. Disney standards as a whole have been slipping, but so has everyone else's. We're still happy. Even if i wish park tickets weren't so damn expensive.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Lets be honest here
QUALITY SERVICE EVERYWHERE IN THIS COUNTRY IS SLIPPING

This is not a Disney thing, it a US thing.

‘’quality customer service‘ requires people that care and that is not really a thing in this country anymore.

I m a life time Hilton Diamond member, I will not stay at Hilton properties unless I have to any more ….. reason lack of service.

Jetblue was my goto airline for a decade…… I will not be taken ing them any more…… lack of service

‘This isn’t a DVC thing, or a Disney thing, it’s a US thing

Agree, but Disney has fallen farther. I guess they had farther to fall.

Hilton is literally third world in some instances. We checked into a Hilton last year and literally walked out! Just couldn’t sleep there! It was that gross. We told the front desk and they were like ok. Could not have cared less. It’s the only time we’ve ever walked out of a hotel. Chase sapphire got our money back.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I think some members have unrealistic expectations. We don't.
We have never had an unsatisfactory visit. Our rooms are clean, and everything works, if not they fix it. I don't expect DVC to be able to control everything I come in contact with on my trip. I would never complain about a restaurant and think that DVC is responsible. I stayed club level many times before buying DVC and never expected it to be the same. We bought DVC for 2 bedroom villas.

If I want or need to talk to the Member Services while there I use my phone and call.

I really think too many people live in the past. Things change, one either adjusts or is just an old somebody always unhappy.

As to the condition of rooms, members are harder on them than they used to be, that I will say. People in general just don't take care of things now. They don't clean up after themselves at counter service either. The year before scheduled rehabs the rooms do begin to look shabby. The only answer to that is change the rehab schedule which would cost more and dues would go up.

It is funny you say people are living in the past but you also say things were better in the past lol.

 

[Sammie]

It is funny you say people are living in the past but you also say things were better in the past lol.

I did not say things were better, I said people acted with more respect. There is a difference. As to the past, that was in reference to people don't want anything at Disney to have changed.

 

[OhioDVC]

We have been members for over 30 years and there has been a steady decline in DVC starting after the expansion beyond OKW. One look at the web site will confirm that Disney doesn't care about DVC members. They already have our money why should they care. For 20+ years I've recommended buying DVC but not for the last 10 years. Prices are also getting out of control over $200. We bought OKW at $52

Recent stay at OKW and the room was perfect and clean. So I'll give DVC that compliment.

 

[gmi3804]

They already have our money why should that care.

Maybe because they want to keep selling a quality product to new people?

Recent stay at OKW and the room was perfect and clean. So I'll give DVC that compliment.

Sounds delightful to me, and exactly what you paid for. What's your complaint?

 

[OhioDVC]

Maybe because they want to keep selling a quality product to new people?



Sounds delightful to me, and exactly what you paid for. What's your complaint?

My complaint with DVC is that 1) their web site is terrible. I make 10 to 12 reservations per year and I usually have trouble with the site locking up. 2) Housekeeping is spotty IMO when it comes to quality and cleanliness...example finding a dirty diaper in the room, finding dirty underwear left behind, food stains on the plates, 3) housekeeping knocking on the door at 8:30 am on day of checkout trying to get you out of the room faster.

I have timeshares at HGVC, Hyatt, Marriott , FAVC and I'm treated as a welcomed, appreciated guest. Not so much with DVC.

If you were a member when OKW opened you would notice a night and day difference in how members are treated.

Carl

 

[J-Dog]

I am not a "luxury" hotel-type guy, so I don't know how to compare, but we stayed at the Venetian in Vegas last week, which is rated as a 5-star casino/resort.

It was certainly nice, but nothing there was significantly better or nicer than when we stayed at RIV in December.

And it didn't have robes either...

 

[mom2missmous]

I think some members have unrealistic expectations. We don't.
We have never had an unsatisfactory visit. Our rooms are clean, and everything works, if not they fix it. I don't expect DVC to be able to control everything I come in contact with on my trip. I would never complain about a restaurant and think that DVC is responsible. I stayed club level many times before buying DVC and never expected it to be the same. We bought DVC for 2 bedroom villas.

If I want or need to talk to the Member Services while there I use my phone and call.

I really think too many people live in the past. Things change, one either adjusts or is just an old somebody always unhappy.

As to the condition of rooms, members are harder on them than they used to be, that I will say. People in general just don't take care of things now. They don't clean up after themselves at counter service either. The year before scheduled rehabs the rooms do begin to look shabby. The only answer to that is change the rehab schedule which would cost more and dues would go up.

NOT saying it is ONLY (or ALL)
renters, but I do think that the increase in the number of people who rent points(or get rooms direct through Disney)may have a little to do with the "harder" use of rooms as these groups do not have a vested interest in the upkeep of the DVC rooms (Some members also contribute to this I'm sure!)

 

[Sammie]

NOT saying it is ONLY (or ALL)
renters, but I do think that the increase in the number of people who rent points(or get rooms direct through Disney)may have a little to do with the "harder" use of rooms as these groups do not have a vested interest in the upkeep of the DVC rooms (Some members also contribute to this I'm sure!)

What I have found people trash rooms regardless of whether they rent or own. Many DVC members feel like they own it so they don't care.

 

[mom2missmous]

What I have found people trash rooms regardless of whether they rent or own. Many DVC members feel like they own it so they don't care.

And I can't say I disagree with you on that point- there are also SOME owners who feel"entitled" to treat the rooms however they want since they ARE owners.

 

[Sammie]

And I can't say I disagree with you on that point- there are also SOME owners who feel"entitled" to treat the rooms however they want since they ARE owners.

I just think people who take care of the rooms do so regardless of how they are paying.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think it's just people. Some take care of things. Others do not.

 

[E2ME2]

My complaint with DVC is that 1) their web site is terrible. I make 10 to 12 reservations per year and I usually have trouble with the site locking up. 2) Housekeeping is spotty IMO when it comes to quality and cleanliness...example finding a dirty diaper in the room, finding dirty underwear left behind, food stains on the plates, 3) housekeeping knocking on the door at 8:30 am on day of checkout trying to get you out of the room faster.

I have timeshares at HGVC, Hyatt, Marriott , FAVC and I'm treated as a welcomed, appreciated guest. Not so much with DVC.

If you were a member when OKW opened you would notice a night and day difference in how members are treated.

Carl

Whoa - I've fortunately never experienced any of those particular issues on any of our DVC stays over our ~12 years of ownership. I did notice this however:
We wound up off-property several times in the last 3 years, staying at USO Resorts, Drury, Marriott Resorts & Swan & Dolphin.
- The USO Resort was very nice, but not the same theming or feeling of immersion (and there were maintenance & parking issues & parking fees).
- The Drury was "OK", but we were uncomfortable setting foot outside the Hotel (Turkey Lake location).
- Marriott(Fairfield Inn & Springhill Suites) really dropped the ball on us during the tail end of COVID (no housekeepers/no facilities were open)
- Dolphin was AWESOME -just excessive Resort/Parking Fees.

Additionally - we ventured off property many times on our Jan/Feb 2023 trip, and there was a constant reminder of how much we take for granted when staying on property. General cleanliness in public areas was bad, customer service at retailers and restaurants was mediocre at best, and the bathrooms (OMG - I can't tell you how far above the competition Disney is in keeping bathrooms clean and presentable)!
Have there been some slight degradation ?? I guess if you really miss the housekeeping frequency that might be a legitimate complaint, but we had great housekeeping, frequent replenishment of linens and paper products, and when there were 2 requests (1 for maintenance & for housekeeping), the response was quick and courteous. And that's over a span of 50 sequential nights on property.