DVC studios - fewer amenities

[La2kw]

I feel very strongly that this is a decision which negatively impacts the environment as well as ownership. I am fighting for the environmental issues.

Frankly, I struggle with your use of language here but I may be misinterpreting your posts as English is not my first language.

It's not you.

 

[PinkTink63]

I do not think this is about cost saving - I can't believe it is saving them anything at all.

I think it is about sanitation and cleanliness.

That said, I always wash glasses and mugs before using them no matter where I stay - Disney, not Disney, cheap motel or top of the line luxury place (well, OK, I hardly ever get to stay at one of those, LOL).

Too bad that DVC managers aret trying to convince people that the studios have always had styrofoam cups. We who have stayed in DVC studios know differently. Wish they would tell us ahead of time when they make a change that we are bound to notice!

I do this too! Let's face it, they're only as sanitary as the hands that have touched them!

 

[La2kw]

Although in the scheme of life this is a small thing, it is a symptom of the gradually downgrading of most businesses, and that includes Disney.
More sanitary? Then I guess all the restaurants should go to disposable if Disney doesn't have the ability to properly wash items. Paper sheets? Easier than washing, how about instant coffee..would do away with all those pesky coffee makers.
The point is this is a labor/cost move, and it's a slipperly slope. Maybe THIS particular change doesn't bother you, but the next one might..and there will be more. It's a slow decay of service. If people don't speak up, pretty soon we'll be staying in Motel 6 equivalents. I've worked for these kinds of corporations and there has to be a point where you look at the quality your guests expect and realize you have to pay to keep that level where you want it to be.
Maybe they want DVC to be looked at as second rate, but I don't think so.
I've written my letter to member services.

Excellent post. This is what bothers me the most. It's clearly cost cutting and cheapens the entire brand. The thing that bothers me the most is that it is so unnescessary and pointless. I only occasionally stay in studios, but I am very disturbed by this latest cutback.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I tell you, people, in a few years some DVC member will return from their trip to WDW and tell everyone about the magic and pixie dust they received on their trip. Real cloth sheets, real terry towels and real ceramic mugs.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I already bring a fitted sheet, a shower caddy, microwavable plates, a knife and cutting board, flatware, a dish drainer and dish washing pads when I stay at a DVC studio. I will probably bring a folding coffe table on our next trip as well (we stay at BWV with the curiously missing -- but never promised -- coffee table). So, bringing cups and glasses as well is not really that big a deal. So far, our airline is not charging for the 2nd bag!

It really is the principal of the thing.


As others have noted, it cannot be about direct cost savings, since endlessly replacing styro cups is far more expensive than stocking re-usable cups and glasses. Nor can it really be about cleanliness since a bottle of dishwashing detergent was previously provided. It may be cost-cutting relating to some kind of labor issue such as maids being delayed by getting trays of clean glasses and cups for their carts (which really may be something on an in issue at the resorts with a central dishwashing facility separate from the storage for maids supplies; maybe OKW or SSR?)

Yes, they have the legal right to make such a change, but ultimately, DVC is still in the hospitality business. It makes you wonder, what will be next?

Disney is very proud of their certification as a Green Lodging by the State of Florida. This can't be a move that they will be posting on their environmentatility web site. In addition to Member Satisfaction, I also intend to write to Jerry Montgomery, Senior Vice President, Conservation & Environmental Sustainability, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

-- Suzanne

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

This is my biggest issue with the whole thing, going with the idea this is related to the glasses not being cleaned correctly.

Either Disney knew the maids weren't doing it right and got caught, or they didn't. Giving them the benifit of the doubt that they didn't, they have decided there is no way they can fix this thing the correct way and change the way mousekeeping does their job. Instead they'll lessen the product that they offer to their guests.

 

[Longhairbear]

I just read elsewhere, that guests staying at OKW in a studio right now were called by someone on these boards to see what was stocked. They had all the plastic, and styrofoam, glass tumblers, but no mugs. They called housekeeping, and were sent real mugs real plates, real utensils etc.

 

[MrsNick]

Just got back from SSR on Saturday and was very surprised to find only styrofoam cups in the studio. No mugs, and no glasses.

Didn't really have the time to try and get housekeeping to bring real mugs and glasses, so I just dealt with it. But, I was quite dismayed. Contrary to what some other posters seem to think, it did have an impact on the quality of my vacation.

And last time I checked, the studio unit is still a Disney Deluxe Villa.

 

[gkrykewy]

Just what the world needs is more disposable cups, plates, and utensils. Right on, Disney! Used sets can just be bundled up and tossed in Bay Lake.

They're going to have to fix this.

 

[jmtf2004]

The point is this is a labor/cost move, and it's a slipperly slope. Maybe THIS particular change doesn't bother you, but the next one might..and there will be more. It's a slow decay of service. If people don't speak up, pretty soon we'll be staying in Motel 6 equivalents.

Nicely put nunzia!
Now, I admit I must be missing something. With all these posts in this thread about how this change has been made in response to the sanitation/hygiene of glassware issue in resort rooms, why are they starting this move to replace cups and glasses with disposables at the DVC studios? This issue raised its ugly head at WDW at the Contemporary resort. In spite of suggestions that this change is resort wide, I have yet to see mention *anywhere* on the resort board here that plastic glasses and foam cups are now being stocked in the mods or deluxe resorts - and the question about whether there have been any changes in the traditional resorts has been asked.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1750109
Surely if this change was made in the non DVC resorts, *someone* would have said something by now.
I am also confused about this: What sanitation/hygiene issue are they resolving by replacing glasses and mugs with disposables in villas which are equipped with a sink in the kitchenette and supplied with dishwashing liquid?
It doesn't take much effort or time in the studio to fix any potential sanitation problem with real cups and mugs, however in the traditional resort rooms, that simply isn't the case. Again I ask, why did they implement this change in the studios at DVC resorts? I have to agree with nunzia - it is more likely because of cost savings.
Glasses and mugs do scratch, break, crack, get lost and stolen, and all this means there is a certain cost to maintain a sufficient inventory. Last time I checked, it was possible to purchase a very large quantity of foam cups or plastic glasses for the cost of a few ceramic mugs and glass glasses. With this change, Mousekeeping can now reduce the inventory they need to maintain. With all the cups and glasses that won't be need in the studios any more, they probably won't have to purchase any new inventory for quite some time!
It definitely costs less to provide sufficient quantities of disposables, not just in purchasing, but also in labour. Disposables take up much less space and are significantly lighter to move around than the real things. No need to replenish disposables on a daily basis either...they can (and should) provide a bunch when they set the studio up at the beginning of a stay, then (should) replenish on T&T day.

Here's an idea...for studios, maybe now it can be renamed TT&D (Trash, Towels & Disposables) day... Gee, wouldn't it be nice if when they replenished the cups and glasses, that they also replenish the cheap paper plates and bowls too...
OK, so that's not going to happen.
I am less than thrilled by the suggestion that DVC would have studio guests go to the restaurants (or anywhere) to replenish these items ourselves.
If self-serve is going to be the standard operating procedure for the studios, while they are at it, why not have studio guests pick up their own sheets, towels and toilet paper to set up their studio themselves? Wow! Maybe they could also have studio guests empty their own trash, then eliminate the T&T service too! Just imagine...the potential cost savings are quite staggering!! The studios could become the equivalent of the self serve section at a gas station, while the 1BR and larger will be the full service section.
OK, I've taken all this to an extreme...but to make a point. The ceramic cups and glass glasses were not specifically itemized in the POS or our contracts - and it seems they are going the way of the dodo bird. Without looking it up, I can't be certain - but I highly doubt things like toilet paper, pool towels, sheets, blankets, toasters, coffee makers, cups or glasses of any description are itemized there either. It simply does not strike me as acceptable that DVC members are going to have to supply basic items ourselves in order to enjoy our vacation if we opt to stay in a studio. DVC accommodations are *supposed to be* deluxe, and there should not be significant differences in quality between the various levels of villas within the same resort.
Apparently, the folks in charge of the nickels and dimes at DVC are sitting around and looking for things they can take away in order to maximize profits - this isn't the first change, and if things like this stick, like nunzia, I'm certain it won't be the last of the downgrades we'll see.

 

[TisBit]

Nicely put nunzia!
This issue raised its ugly head at WDW at the Contemporary resort. In spite of suggestions that this change is resort wide, I have yet to see mention *anywhere* on the resort board here that plastic glasses and foam cups are now being stocked in the mods or deluxe resorts - and the question about whether there have been any changes in the traditional resorts has been asked.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1750109
Surely if this change was made in the non DVC resorts, *someone* would have said something by now.

Not necessarily, the two people that responded to that thread have not been there since this change reportedly took place (ie after march 3 or whenever) and second there haven't even been wide reports from DVC members, but maybe two. Also, you have to remember that many people at other WDW properties might not realize it is a change at all, they probably don't go often enough, like DVC members AND stay in the same location, etc.

No one has called WDW and asked if this has happened at the Deluxe and Mods either.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Nicely put nunzia!

... It simply does not strike me as acceptable that DVC members are going to have to supply basic items ourselves in order to enjoy our vacation if we opt to stay in a studio. DVC accommodations are *supposed to be* deluxe, and there should not be significant differences in quality between the various levels of villas within the same resort.
Apparently, the folks in charge of the nickels and dimes at DVC are sitting around and looking for things they can take away in order to maximize profits - this isn't the first change, and if things like this stick, like nunzia, I'm certain it won't be the last of the downgrades we'll see.

I agree that what you said was nicely put! When and if the Members satisfaction team calls me, I do want to know if I call, can I get the dishsoap, ceramic mugs and glasses. If I can, I will feel better. Apparently, not everyone who stays in studios needs/wants these things on vacations, but we do.

Has anyone recently asked for and gotten a blender for the studio recently?

Bobbi

 

[simzac]

I truly hope that everyone who is upset about this change in policy is letting Disney hear from you directly(phone calls, letters, email), and not just venting here on this and other forums. Disney will make changes when enough guests complain long and loud. JMO

 

[gkrykewy]

I truly hope that everyone who is upset about this change in policy is letting Disney hear from you directly(phone calls, letters, email), and not just venting here on this and other forums. Disney will make changes when enough guests complain long and loud. JMO

Can you remind me of an appropriate email address to use?

 

[ChelleinNC]

Can you remind me of an appropriate email address to use?

Go to the DVC member site and click on "contact us"

 

[MdmMim]

I truly hope that everyone who is upset about this change in policy is letting Disney hear from you directly(phone calls, letters, email), and not just venting here on this and other forums. Disney will make changes when enough guests complain long and loud. JMO

I frequently stay in a studio and am quite upset with this change. I have emailed Disney and also sent the info to other DVC members who do not frequent this board. They, too, will be contacting Disney.

I really have a problem with a company who professes to be green, then replaces reusable mugs with styrofoam cups. What are they thinking?

 

[n2mm]

I agree that what you said was nicely put! When and if the Members satisfaction team calls me, I do want to know if I call, can I get the dishsoap, ceramic mugs and glasses. If I can, I will feel better. Apparently, not everyone who stays in studios needs/wants these things on vacations, but we do.

Has anyone recently asked for and gotten a blender for the studio recently?

Bobbi

I completely agree and am still waiting for my reply. I'm hoping if they call, they will get hubby, because he's not too pleased either.

Our last visit to the BWV in October, we did get a blender. We called housekeeping and they brought it promptly. We had it the entire time (12 nights) and put it to good use! We will be heading back next month.

 

[alldiz]

Yes everyone....please email DVC....I still haven't received a response.


I guess when I call housekeeping when I arrive for extra toilet paper and
blankets/towels.....I will have to add. mugs, and glasses.....

Aaaargh.....Nothing I hate more than obvious cheapness.
I can't believe the Moderate hotels will be more "upscale"....
Kerri

 

[goofy4tink]

As I said BWV BCV never had ceramic mugs or glass cup I have stay there in this level room and never had it the only major chnage would be the dish soap .

SO as Chusck S said "at least OKW" well that is not all of DVC .

I must be odd girl out then...every single time I've stayed at BCV or BWV in a studio, I have had glassware..mugs/glasses.

But this is something that should be expected it is a studio for gods sake!

If they want to be deluxe then spend the points for a one BDR and poof your deluxe

I fail to see the actaul ablity to push this point. It is like saying why doesn't a studio have a whril pool tub.

Or a washer and dryer

How do i post a picture so i can show you want the guides say..

While I understand this particular post is 'older' I just have to respond....how insulting! DVC, be it a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or grand villa, is considered deluxe. Where do you get off trying to tell those who stay in studios that they aren't in a deluxe room? The studios are more than comparable to the rooms at the other 'deluxe' resorts. Just because they don't have a w/d or whirlpool tub does not make them 'value villas'!! It's called lack of space!

Much ado about nothing IMHO

I guess you could be right. But what's next? As someone else said...will we be expected to bring our own sheets? Our own toaters? It's about decreasing value for your dollar.

SUBJECT to CHANGE at ANYTIME!!

This is a change not well liked but a change

Well, I guess Disney and DVC could take away my AP discout as well, or disallow our buying the DDP. But, once again, that's taking away something we were given. Not such a good idea. It's indeed a slippery slope. It's almost bait and switch. I wonder how those who bought DVC, based on what they were given as perks (DDP availability, AP discounts, glassware in the studios) would feel to find that within 6 months of their closing those things were taken away. I can't imagine they would feel too great about it.

My concern it what's next? As it is, I'm washing paper bowls in my studio. I like to have a quick bowl of cereal for breakfast. If everyone in my family has a bowl of cereal, we have gone through our supply of bowls the first day..nothing is going to be replaced, without a call, for another 4 days!! Do I feel silly washing paper bowls? You betcha! But, that's life. But, no way am I drinking out of paper cups....or styro, which is even worse in my opinion.
Looks like one more thing (well, 4 more) for my Owners Locker. Who knew I was going to get so much use from the darn thing. I used to have clothes in there, but now the room is taken up with plastic plates, bowls, mugs, etc. Not much better than paper, but it's the best I can do. I'll be taking my DVC mugs with me in Dec and leaving them behind in the locker.
I will be sending along my email to MS..to join all the others. This is not a good sign for us....DVC is beginning to look like a Motel 6!!

 

[lisareniff]

We rarely stay in studios and I don't drink coffee or tea, but I'm dismayed at this as well. To me this is another change being made to our timeshare that is not in the interest of the owners but in the interest of cost savings (which some could argue is in the ultimate interest of the owners). Even worse then the change, is the fact that they are lying to guests that there never have been mugs!!! ...and not even a hint of communication from DVC. They don't seem to be valuing their owners enough to communicate to them about changes to their property.