DVC Amenities and Other General Questions

[LUVDVC]

Maybe we've just been lucky, but our trash and towel service ended up being full housekeeping, including loading and running the dishwasher and restocking the soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, etc. Also, if we asked for anything, like extra coffee, we got it without charge. (Now that I've said that, I bet I'll be charged double next time.)

Also, we've asked to see the "real" units at every DVC property, except Vero Beach (haven't made it there yet), and the staff has been happy to show us units.

So far, we have no complaints about the care of the units and the responsiveness of the staff.

We recently looked into a non-Disney time share and were told that each time we would reserve a unit, we would automatically be charged $15/day for housekeeping. When I asked if I could skip housekeeping now and then because I didn't want the hassle of being removed from the room each morning, the sales representative said I could, but that I'd be charged for it nonetheless. I think I'll stick with Disney!

 

[Terry S]

LUVDVC... I was just reading the member guidebook since I just received it yesterday, and it says that

Trash and Towel day you get:
Empty trash and put new liner in
Provide fresh bathroom linens
Replace tissues, paper towel and toilet paper
Replenish coffee, sugar, cream
Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwasher detergent, sponges, and laundry detergent

Full Cleaning you get all of the above plus:
Change the bed linens
Vaccum and dust
Clean the Bathroom
Clean the Kitchen and wash the dishes.

 

[DebbieB]

The lack of daily housekeeping seems like a drawback to alot of potential or new members, but once you stay there l think most members don't see it as a problem. We like the fact that we don't have to worry if housekeeping has been there when we return for an afternoon break. You really think of it as a home rather than a hotel room. My Mom tells people about the "apartment" we stayed in (1 bedroom).

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I don't mind not having the housekeeping. Last year when I was staying at CSR, I got back to the room about 4pm, housekeepin had not been there yet, I put out the DND sign and took a nap. Housekeeping knocked anyway and woke me up. I really needed the nap more than fresh towels!! On a related note, does any body know if the daily housekeeping for non-DVC is at WDW only? When DH and I first stayed at HH a couple of years ago before we bought, we did not receive the daily service.

 

[PamOKW]

If you are paying cash (not points) to the resort you should get daily housekeeping.....WDW, HHI or Vero.

 

[ZerasPride]

I was the poster that mentioned the stacked apartment sized washer and dryers in the one and two bedroom units (I should have clarified that I was referring to Hilton Head as that is the only DVC accommodation I have stayed in thus far). Can someone clarify for me (not that it's a big deal but I'd like to know) the size of the washer and dryer units at VB, WLV and BWV? Rich already clarified that OKW has the full sized washers and dryers in their units but I'd like to know about the others. Thanks a bunch!

Lisa

 

[Lesley]

The BWV and VWL washer/dryers are the stacked kind....but they are by no means tiny apartment sized ones. I have an apartment sized W/D unit at home...the ones at DVC are much larger than mine. They aren't quite as big as the commercial ones in the guest laundry...but they can hold an ample load of laundry. I'd say they hold twice as much as my machine at home.

 

[Dean]

Some timeshares give daily maid service and other don't. It seems that most of those in MX and the Caribbean (at least the ones I'm aware of) give daily maid service. Also, the Embassy's do if I'm not mistaken. The level of serivce and amentities within the room varies greatly. In general though, you'll get towels, soad and Dishwasher materials. You usually do not get refill except for the Dishwasher powders. Pool towels are hit and miss even within the same brand. Some Marriott's provide pool towels and other don't. Some units esp in MX and Caribbean have a small burner set and no over but tend to have a micro/convection oven. It's best to find out before you go if you ever exchange so you don't have any expensive or aggravating surprises on vacation.

 

[Lisa P.]

As with most other timeshare resorts, DVC Studios do not have a washer/dryer.

I think most quality timeshares (certainly ALL those we've stayed in - 5 Star, Gold Crown AND standard) provide a starter supply of:
--- paper products (tissues, TP, paper towels)
--- soaps (bath, sink, dishwasher, laundry)
--- convenient housekeeping equipment in the villa (vacuum, broom, laundry basket, iron/board).

Some have also provided salt, pepper, sugar, teas, coffee & filters, shampoo, shower cap, lotions, etc. These are usually also available at the resort's convenience/gift shop whether provided in the villa or not. I've never been asked to pay for extra towels anywhere but DVC.

The reduced housekeeping thing at timeshares is actually a plus for us. We've read of people having things stolen from their hotel rooms many, many times but not from timeshare villas. Not surprising when no one enters these rooms while guests are not there! And even if the housekeeping staff don't wake sleeping people with a loud knock, their squeaky carts & conversation can be disruptive just outside the door. Timeshare resorts have much less of that noise throughout the day. JMHO.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DVC-Don
One thing I noticed on our OKW stay last month. We were 10 nights in a 2 bedroom unit. We had a full cleaning on our 4th day and a trash & towel on our 8th. I thought it was backwards, but thats what happened and what was on our confirmation.

This was a change intituted a few years back and noticed in the VM. It makes more sense to do the full cleaning during your stay rather than at the end, doesn't it?

 

[Shadeaux]

Originally posted by Dean
This was a change intituted a few years back and noticed in the VM. It makes more sense to do the full cleaning during your stay rather than at the end, doesn't it?

You can switch your full cleaning or trash & towel to any days you want. All that's required is a call to housekeeping after you check in. We have done this every stay. Our stays are usually for 12 nights which gives us 2 full cleanings and one T&T. The second full cleaning ends up on the day before we check out. That seems like a waste of housekeeping's time because they'll have to redo the cleaning the next day, so we always swap that cleaning with the T&T.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Some people prefer to bring their own sheets and pillowcases so they won't have to worry about the sheets coming loose at night.

 

[Penny12]

I booked a studio for August at BW at the 7 month window. Not peak, peak time, but school holidays and busy nevertheless. I got it no problem, and didn't book it day by day, but as a 'lump'.

Penny

 

[skippelm]

Just to let you know about the timing to get cruise ressies- I got a ressie in a Cat 6 Feb. 12 for a cruise March 10. Plus there are still ressies available for cat 9 & 10!