DVC 7th Year Christmas Tree Sharing a Little Holiday Magic.

[MOM POPPINS]

I don't want to alarm anyone. I did the Tree Swap last year and it was wonderful. I have been following a stroller swap thread here on the boards. I was in this swap in late May. It seems Disney is changing the rules in the luggage service area. This is what was posted.

Quote---Just got off the phone with the swapper before me. She had a TERRIBLE time trying to leave the stroller at BCV. They told her that they now clean out luggage services nightly. Anything left goes to lost and found. They did not want to take it. She played the "but it's her son's birthday, she thinks this is going to be here when she get's here" card and "Ken" was nice enough to keep it and put it in the back office - out of luggage services until I arrive. Let's just hope nobody moves it when Ken is not around. What is really concerning is that she mentioned he sort of got quiet, leaned over and talked softly about an e-mail that came out, instructing luggage services to not hold anything for more than 24 hours - basically acknowledging that they are not storing things for swappers anymore. So I am very concerned about having to leave for the person after me. I can try to pull out the stops, but what if they flat out refuse to take it? Trying to plan ahead for the worst here. Where else could I possibly leave it - or just gamble that it won't be sent to lost and found? A thicket of bushes somewhere? ---End Quote---

The leader of the stroller swap is calling luggage services today to see if this is true. If it is true and for all resorts then our tree swap might have problems as well. I drop the tree off on the 20th. and then next swapper does not pick up until the 26th.

 

[wdwstar]

Thank you MOM POPPINS for the info. If anyone has more info to add please post, while I look into this further. Lets hope this is not the end of the DVC Sharing a Christmas Tree.

 

[SamSam]

Thank you MOM POPPINS for the info. If anyone has more info to add please post, while I look into this further. Lets hope this is not the end of the DVC Sharing a Christmas Tree.

This is very disconcerting, I hope we can get a definitive answer before tree shipping time. It's been such a wonderful thing to be involved with, but I have to admit I wondered is WDW would put a stop to all the swapping at some point.

 

[kritter]

I would love to participate. We are staying @ SSR from Dec. 4th-9th...............Thank you!!

Can I join in??

 

[MOM POPPINS]

The lady leading the stroller swap could not get in touch with any luggage service yesterday! Something was wrong with the phones or something. She is trying again today and I will report what they tell her, although someone might want to call and see if they get the same answer.

 

[wisbucky]

Hello

I have sent a couple pm's to the following folks regarding trees they are on a list for. These are trees I was hoping to send directly to the resort in hopes of preventing Wdwstar with more work. So far I have not heard back from them. I am hoping that they see this and are able to get a hold of me.

wendy1976

disneynutz
thomasrossi
richardsa98

margaretCT

If any of you can please send me a pm real soon.

thanks

 

[disneynutz]

Hello

I have sent a couple pm's to the following folks regarding trees they are on a list for. These are trees I was hoping to send directly to the resort in hopes of preventing Wdwstar with more work. So far I have not heard back from them. I am hoping that they see this and are able to get a hold of me.

wendy1976

disneynutz
thomasrossi
richardsa98

margaretCT

If any of you can please send me a pm real soon.

thanks

Like most we are waiting to see if there will be a swap this year. Between the new handling fee and the possibility of Disney not allowing over night storage of the trees with Bell Services, this wonderful project may have to end.

So far BWV has confirmed to me that they are not supposed to store overnight and that they send items to the convention storage area which causes an additional handling fee to be assessed. They did the same thing last year, it took 2 days for them to find the tree, but then there wasn't a added fee like there is now.

 

[wisbucky]

Like most we are waiting to see if there will be a swap this year. Between the new handling fee and the possibility of Disney not allowing over night storage of the trees with Bell Services, this wonderful project may have to end.

So far BWV has confirmed to me that they are not supposed to store overnight and that they send items to the convention storage area which causes an additional handling fee to be assessed. They did the same thing last year, it took 2 days for them to find the tree, but then there wasn't a added fee like there is now.

I am aware of the situation with storage; however; I still need these folks to contact me ASAP.

 

[wdwstar]

Sorry wisbucky that this is all going on and i do understand your postion too.
Bear with us and anyone that is listed on wisbucky's tree list please contact her to help her out. Thank you

 

[wdwstar]

anyone find out anymore info about the bellservice 24 hour hold on luggage, boxes?

 

[MOM POPPINS]

There has not been anymore information posed. As soon as I hear something I will pass the information along here. Thanks

 

[twinklebug]

Just popped in here to see what's up, (I hoped to see some pics of the little trees from previous years actually) and I see an issue at hand.

I have not read all the pages here, so I'm sorry if it's been mentioned, but has anyone contacted jvdm of owner's locker to see if he can help out and what the charge would be for pickup & delivery per person?

It might be good business for him and a deal for the rest of you

 

[disneynutz]

Just popped in here to see what's up, (I hoped to see some pics of the little trees from previous years actually) and I see an issue at hand.

I have not read all the pages here, so I'm sorry if it's been mentioned, but has anyone contacted jvdm of owner's locker to see if he can help out and what the charge would be for pickup & delivery per person?

It might be good business for him and a deal for the rest of you

I have, and we are currently discussing it.

 

[disneynutz]

anyone find out anymore info about the bellservice 24 hour hold on luggage, boxes?

I contacted DVC Management and the Bell Services Managers at OKW, AKV, BWV, and BLT.

Disney and the DVC does not have a published policy on swaps and/or cleaning out the storage area after 24 hours. Storing a tree should not be a problem, but it should be discussed with Bell Services and approved on a case by case basis and it is subject to change depending on the volume of other luggage being stored.

When asked about the delivery/handling fee at BLT, BWV, and BCV, I was told that there should not be a fee, but they can see how it could happen. If a fee is assessed, I was told that we should discuss it with a manager.

To summarize: it sounds like the swap is on, but each resort is free to make their own rules and Disney could stop it at any time.

 

[Pixieflip]

Oh, this is just the news I was hoping for!! Hooray! Looking forward to our tree swap everyone!

 

[inky dinky doo]

Thanks for checking, disneynutz! The response you got makes me feel a bit better, but still not real confident. I think I'll call BCV and see what they say. I don't like the idea that things could change mid-swap, based on the decision of whoever's in charge at the time or how much luggage has already been stored. I would hate for one of my swappers to be disappointed if our tree is sent to lost and found.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Thanks for checking, disneynutz! The response you got makes me feel a bit better, but still not real confident. I think I'll call BCV and see what they say. I don't like the idea that things could change mid-swap, based on the decision of whoever's in charge at the time or how much luggage has already been stored. I would hate for one of my swappers to be disappointed if our tree is sent to lost and found.

Good morning. I was going to PM you as our dates got closer.
Thanks for donating the tree it should be great. Would you mind if our family left an ornament on the tree before we sent it along to you? I think this will all work out, just fine.
Thanks,
Chris

 

[inky dinky doo]

I don't mind a bit if you do that, Disney Fix! In fact, I think it's a neat idea! I think of this tree as our (as in, our collective group) "DVC family" tree and hope this is the first year of what becomes a new tradition. It gives me warm fuzzies to think of the families, yours included, who will be sharing the holidays with us.

Pat

 

[kritter]

Thanks, for adding me to the waitlist. I am hoping that I will be able to join the tree-swap!!

 

[Bopsmom]

I contacted DVC Management and the Bell Services Managers at OKW, AKV, BWV, and BLT.

Disney and the DVC does not have a published policy on swaps and/or cleaning out the storage area after 24 hours. Storing a tree should not be a problem, but it should be discussed with Bell Services and approved on a case by case basis and it is subject to change depending on the volume of other luggage being stored.

When asked about the delivery/handling fee at BLT, BWV, and BCV, I was told that there should not be a fee, but they can see how it could happen. If a fee is assessed, I was told that we should discuss it with a manager.

To summarize: it sounds like the swap is on, but each resort is free to make their own rules and Disney could stop it at any time.

Thanks for the update. I didn't make the swap this year (BWV tree was all booked up) but, I was concerned about the storing of packages since I do send a box for the villa.
Not trying to be Debbie Downer....I wondered if any part of this new rule had to do with Homeland Security.
I can understand why WDW would take this into consideration because, it does really seem like a breach in security for guests.
I don't want to sound paranoid but, I could see where getting all the leftover luggage, boxes out of the resorts and to a central off-site area would be the most secure thing to do. Heck, anywhere else in this world an unattended package or bag gets taken care of by a bomb squad.

I hope all goes well with the swaps.
Can't wait to see those little trees twinkle from the boat launch of BWV at Christmas.
(Oh, by the way, for those mega decorators, go easy on the outdoor light last year one of our neighbors had lights so bright we could have performed surgery on our balcony by them.
It really messed up the ambiance of watching the fireworks in the evenings.)