DVC studios - fewer amenities

[alldiz]

How about we all enter in the Family.com Great Green Challenge at http://family.go.com/contests/green-living-contest/?CMP=NLC-WR1310469291 and all submit that we all tried to make a subsidiary of a very large entertainment company be more environmentally friendly!

LOL--just got my Disney Insider via email--and prominent on the home page is a link to a contest where you can win $5,000 by telling Disney about an idea you've implemented in your home, community or work to make it more "green"--I think we should all join the contest and indicate that we've encouraged DVC to go back to the non-disposable mugs and glasses as our contribution to the environment . . .

We seriously should do this.....the irony is poetic
Kerri

 

[bobbiwoz]

I went into our local Dorothy Lane Market this morning, and notice extra plexiglass-like counter up over where the food for take out is prepared. People are much more germ conscious these days. The top of this "screen" was at least 6 1/2 feet high, it seemed to be so the customers don't breathe on the area while watching the workers.

Sometimes people on these boards tell about a dish in a 1 -2 bedroom or a mug in a studio not being clean. Can this really be a health issue? I do not want styrofoam cups, but I do want clean glasses. What about the dishes in the 1-2 bedrooms? Is washing in the villa dishwasher enough? What about other time shares? Do you think they do a better job of cleaning things between guests? Is this just a foretaste of something that could happen everywhere there's something like a time share? Are there standards?

Bobbi

PS. Isn't possible tampering with salt/pepper why we don't have those? Just how much trust should we have in things left out, like the paper plates or now, styrofoam cups not in wrappers?

PPS. I don't have the answers, but I want to know what is being addressed. I do not like the silent treatment DVC has been giving us this week.

 

[bnlbebes]

If they are giving us all disposable dishes and taking out the dishwashing soap, how long before they remove the sink? What do we need it for anymore???

You beat me to it! I had this same thought early this morning without time to post before heading off to work. As in any regular hotel room, the bathroom/vanity sink can serve most purposes. So why have they provided us with a "kitchen/utility" sink if we have no glasses/mugs/plates/utensils to clean in them, nor any dishsoap with which to clean. What is now the purpose of this thing in my studio?!

(Not that I want it removed - I just want my glasses and mugs back.)

 

[sgtdisney]

DeBorges not sure what studio you're staying in at BWV but they have ALWAYS had ceramic coffee cups and glass drinking glasses. Our last trip was in Dec '07 and there four blue ceramic coffee cups along with dish detergent. I washed our coffee cups everyday after using them.

Don't worry, that myth has been debunked. Even Disney's own virtual tours show glasses in a couple of the studios...

 

[LIFERBABE]

I went into our local Dorothy Lane Market this morning, and notice extra plexiglass-like counter up over where the food for take out is prepared. People are much more germ conscious these days. The top of this "screen" was at least 6 1/2 feet high, it seemed to be so the customers don't breathe on the area while watching the workers.

Sometimes people on these boards tell about a dish in a 1 -2 bedroom or a mug in a studio not being clean. Can this really be a health issue? I do not want styrofoam cups, but I do want clean glasses. What about the dishes in the 1-2 bedrooms? Is washing in the villa dishwasher enough? What about other time shares? Do you think they do a better job of cleaning things between guests? Is this just a foretaste of something that could happen everywhere there's something like a time share? Are there standards?

Bobbi

PS. Isn't possible tampering with salt/pepper why we don't have those? Just how much trust should we have in things left out, like the paper plates or now, styrofoam cups not in wrappers?

Hi Bobbi,

I am food handler certified in my state because I run a bartending and serving business.

A diswasher is not required to sanitize dishes. Most of the venues I work in, dont have dishwashers. When there is not a dishwasher, a 3 sink sanitation method is required. You need a wash, rinse and sanitize (sanitizer or bleach solution) to meet health department requirements. If we do not have running water, you can meet the requirement by having 3 buckets so I really dont understand why DVC went off the deep end with this new policy. We get inspected by the health department all the time and they do check the sanitizer solution to make sure it is the proper concentration.

I keep bleach tabs in my owners locker and if I am that concerned about cleanliness of any item, I use them.
I noticed in our AKV 1 bedroom over Christmas, that the kitchen did not have the regular green box of dishwashing detergent, but little 1 use packets of Sanitizing Dishwashing powder. I've seen these at SSR also, but not all the time. They could easily provide a powder sanitizer or bleach tab in the studios (in the upper cabinet to prevent the little ones from getting it) so that studio guests could sanitize their glassware prior to use.

Everyone's trust level is different. I work in foodservice. We are very careful with the way we handle things, but that is not going to satisy everybody. People live all over the world with varying levels of hygiene and sanitation. I often think of those people in the SuperDome during Katrina and how they were forced to leave their clean comfortable homes and put into a crisis situation of 3rd world conditions which quickly degraded. We dont like to think about it, but hotels and timeshares are not sanitized between guests or even close.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you, LIFERBABE, I was hoping we aren't getting in some sort of bind, where we would have to rely on disposable everythings. That would be scary to me.

Bobbi

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Just got my second "generic" e mail response. But what I found interesting was in the subject line was the word "styrofoam".

 

[nunzia]

I don't use styrofoam in my home and, as of April 4, I will not legally be able to buy any. I shop in Calabasas CA., and the styrofoam ban goes into effect on that date. No stores, hotels, or restaurants can use, or sell styrofoam.

...Disneyland will be interesting in May..I wonder how loosley the term "styrofoam' is interpreted...

 

[Par8hed]

I keep bleach tabs in my owners locker and if I am that concerned about cleanliness of any item, I use them.
I noticed in our AKV 1 bedroom over Christmas, that the kitchen did not have the regular green box of dishwashing detergent, but little 1 use packets of Sanitizing Dishwashing powder. I've seen these at SSR also, but not all the time. They could easily provide a powder sanitizer or bleach tab in the studios (in the upper cabinet to prevent the little ones from getting it) so that studio guests could sanitize their glassware prior to use.

This sounds like an excellent, simple, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solution. Great post. Hope someone besides me is listening.

 

[toocherie]

...Disneyland will be interesting in May..I wonder how loosley the term "styrofoam' is interpreted...

Nunzia: the styrofoam ban is not in Anaheim/Orange County (yet)--it's in Calabasas which is a city north of Los Angeles. So I suspect things in May will just be the same in Disneyland!

 

[Chuck S]

I just want to make a little point on these expose videos. Much ado has been made about the video using a spray bottle labeled "do not drink" to clean glasses/mugs at one hotel.

Uhhh, I wouldn't want to "drink" bleach either, but there is no doubt that bleach would sterilize glassware, as long as it is thoroughly rinsed afterward.

I wouldn't want to "drink" dishsoap, or any other cleaning agent.

 

[nunzia]

I think this was done because they don't take the glasses somewhere and wash them between visitors. I wonder if they wash them in the rooms. Someone did mention that there were no commercial dishwashers at DVC resorts (those attached to a regular hotel might have some access, and AKV is currently mixed use).

DVC was probably imagining TV sneaking cameras into the studio units to see how well the glasses got washed. No more glasses, no more housekeepers washing the glasses.

You know..technically..wouldn't items in the 1 and 2 bedroom villas and GV need commercial cleaning of kitchen items between guests? From my restaurant years I seem to recall that items washed in 'home' dishwashers was not effective sterilization for food service. Changing out between guests should require higher sanitary measures than a home style unit washing can provide. I guess they need to take out all the cookware and dishes and cutlery from the bigger villas, because they can't properly sterilize them between guests...

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi Bobbi,

I am food handler certified in my state because I run a bartending and serving business.

A diswasher is not required to sanitize dishes. Most of the venues I work in, dont have dishwashers. When there is not a dishwasher, a 3 sink sanitation method is required. You need a wash, rinse and sanitize (sanitizer or bleach solution) to meet health department requirements. If we do not have running water, you can meet the requirement by having 3 buckets so I really dont understand why DVC went off the deep end with this new policy. We get inspected by the health department all the time and they do check the sanitizer solution to make sure it is the proper concentration.

I keep bleach tabs in my owners locker and if I am that concerned about cleanliness of any item, I use them.
I noticed in our AKV 1 bedroom over Christmas, that the kitchen did not have the regular green box of dishwashing detergent, but little 1 use packets of Sanitizing Dishwashing powder. I've seen these at SSR also, but not all the time. They could easily provide a powder sanitizer or bleach tab in the studios (in the upper cabinet to prevent the little ones from getting it) so that studio guests could sanitize their glassware prior to use.

Everyone's trust level is different. I work in foodservice. We are very careful with the way we handle things, but that is not going to satisy everybody. People live all over the world with varying levels of hygiene and sanitation. I often think of those people in the SuperDome during Katrina and how they were forced to leave their clean comfortable homes and put into a crisis situation of 3rd world conditions which quickly degraded. We dont like to think about it, but hotels and timeshares are not sanitized between guests or even close.

Your last statement says they are not sanitized between guests in hotels and timeshare...are they supposed to be sanitized? I suppose the answer should come from the local health department. Could all of the kitchens be in jeopardy? I'm very curious about the lack of response from DVC.

 

[Chuck S]

Here is an interesting quote from the agency that inspects resorts in FL:

Any establishment existing prior to 7-1-94 which cannot comply with this provision shall post in a conspicuous place the division placard or sign, BPR form 22-045, NOTIFICATION OF EXCEPTION TO SANITIZATION REQUIREMENTS, or its equivalent, incorporated herein by reference and effective 9-25-96, in each guest room where such dishware, glassware, kitchenware or utensils are provided. Copies of this form may be obtained from any division office. [EXEMPTION -- 61C-3.001(12) FAC: Resort condominiums, nontransient apartments and resort dwellings are exempt from subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this rule. Establishments opting to provide any of the services listed in subsections (2) and (3) of this rule shall comply with the requirements described herein.] Any establishment initiating new construction or being extensively remodeled (involving the construction of walls or plumbing fixtures in any area which would permit compliance with any portion of these requirements), shall fully comply with the above requirements. [EXEMPTION -- 61C-3.001(12) FAC: Resort condominiums, nontransient apartments and resort dwellings are exempt from subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this rule. Establishments opting to provide any of the services listed in subsections (2) and (3) of this rule shall comply with the requirements described herein.]

Either way, it sounds like OKW would be exempt as long as there is a notice in each room, unless they choose to define the construction of Bldgs 62 to 64 (after 1994) as applying to the whole resort.

For newer resorts, it depends I guess whether they consider the studios and DVC a "Resort Condominium" or if that definition only applies to units with full kitchens.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Your last statement says they are not sanitized between guests in hotels and timeshare...are they supposed to be sanitized? I suppose the answer should come from the local health department. Could all of the kitchens be in jeopardy? I'm very curious about the lack of response from DVC.

If you look at the amenity sheet in the DVC units, at the bottom of each sheet is a disclaimer that items are not sanitized in accordance with Florida Health Department codes. It is the same in vacation rental homes. I paid attention because I work in the field and wondered the same thing a long time ago.

DVC is treated as a condo/home so they are not held to the sanitation standards of the foodservice industry.

If they were, they would have a commercial grade dishwasher in each unit, and I dont know of any timeshares that offer that.

A proper cleaning is all I require and Im comfortable using DVC dishes.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Honestly, I've never read the sheet. OK, so what was/is going on in the larger units is OK, acceptable. If proper cleaning is all that's expected, required, I think that is possible within a studio.

I began bringing a larger mug awhile back, but sometimes, I forget. They are sturdier to transport than glasses, which I don't want to bring, but do want to use. I've read here, I think from Spicycat that dish soap will be provided, I hope that's the case.

Bobbi

 

[Donna]

Honestly, I've never read the sheet. OK, so what was/is going on in the larger units is OK, acceptable. If proper cleaning is all that's expected, required, I think that is possible within a studio.

I began bringing a larger mug awhile back, but sometimes, I forget. They are sturdier to transport than glasses, which I don't want to bring, but do want to use. I've read here, I think from Spicycat that dish soap will be provided, I hope that's the case.

Bobbi

nope, bring dish soap too, that is going away now and i'm sure we'll hear of more changes in the future that will make this look like nothing.

 

[Pootle]

I do not like the silent treatment DVC has been giving us this week.

Me neither.

Looks like they won't be fulfilling the commitment I received last Sunday after I emailed my objections: We will review the feedback you have provided and will respond within 5 business days. Those 5 business days will end in the next hour or so.

I hope this is a case of No News being good news!

 

[TSMIII]

I think this was done because they don't take the glasses somewhere and wash them between visitors. I wonder if they wash them in the rooms. Someone did mention that there were no commercial dishwashers at DVC resorts (those attached to a regular hotel might have some access, and AKV is currently mixed use).

I don't see why they couldn't do as many hotels do - including the one I worked at in college.

Every guest room had four drinking glasses in it. When housekeeping cleaned, they had a cart with clean glasses on it and replaced the used ones.

The used ones were brought back and put in a rack and brought to the kitchen to be washed. Clean glasses were brought back to housekeeping every day for the room turnovers.

Every DVC resort has a restaurant and bar - those glasses get washed, why not the studio glasses and mugs?

Plus, in a hotel setting those glasses are getting changed out daily. In the studios it's only at the end of the stay.

Also, I'm thinking the supplies expense for all of those disposable (and easily pilfered) styrofoam cups would exceed the expense of washing reusable glasses and mugs (even including the replacement cost for breakage).

 

[Longhairbear]

If sanitation is the reason for all this, I can't believe they can't afford to buy 7 Hobart glasswashers for housekeeping.