DVC studios - fewer amenities

[marlouwrig]

Excellent post

Good to see the pressure being maintained. I still haven't received a response to my email of exactly one week ago (apart from the canned response that is) and I now will write using regular mail.

I also have had no reply (other than the standard acknowledgement) to my e-mail to DVC Customer Satisfaction, sent last Sunday. I followed it up with a further e-mail on Friday and have again received just the standard acknowledgement reply.

At the very least in the interests of good customer service (if indeed DVC do still have such an interest which I am beginning to doubt), I would have expected a further 'holding' e-mail advising they are still looking into my concerns.

I see some members have received a teleohone call. I wonder if they will bother to do that for those of us who live on the other side of the Atlantic.

 

[CarolMN]

Thank you JMT2004 - for the links - - I love it - Disney themselves on #24 tells us to limit our use of Styrofoam.

Here the the email I just sent to Member Services.

I really had to send this message to someone. Obviously, a lot of people, including me are upset over the change in the studios. But tonight confirmed my feelings about this decision. Please go to the Disney website - http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/50_actions.html

"50 things that I can do to help the environment from Disney - #24 - Limit your use of polystyrene (Styrofoam)"

So little "green" Mr. Cricket wants me to limit my use of Styrofoam - he must mean only when I am at home - not when I am at my "Home away from Home" OKW. Per Mr. Cricket I will limit my use - I will be arriving in OKW tomorrow - Sunday March 16th. I will call housekeeping and let them know what Mr. Cricket said and request my mugs and glasses back!!

From the Disney website
"#33 Reward people who practice Environmentality."

Sorry, that would not be DVC at this time.

My family is looking forward to our stay in OKW!

You missed #9 - Carry a reusable mug, everywhere

 

[alldiz]

I just filtered through as many pages as I could stand and collected all the contact information so that it will be in one place. Hopefully that will make it easier for people to use. Hope it helps!

DVCmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com.

Mr. Jim Lewis, President
Disney Vacation Club
P.O. Box 10350
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Mailing address: Disney Vacation Development, Inc.
200 Celebration Place
Celebration, Florida, 34747-9903

FAX (407) 566-3393

Environmental Initiatives
Walt Disney World Resort
Post Office Box 10,000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

I haven't been on the DVC boards in several days I guess....this is all new news to me! Since by now this thread is pretty long I only read thru the first couple and the last couple of pages. Did anybody else bring up the fact that those of us who rent studios pay the same amount per point in annual dues as those who rent larger units? I mean, I COULD rent a larger unit but I don't NEED to. Likewise, I COULD drink my wine in a styrofoam cup but why would I WANT TO?! I mean, really. THIS ONE takes the cake. If they want to do this then I want to pay less maint. dues per point!

Who do we write to in order to complain?!

Thought these addresses needed repeating.
Kerri

 

[Longhairbear]

As CA. residents ,we intended to add on points in CA, but are now rethinking it. As we would only add on enough points for a studio, and perhaps a weekend stay in a one bedroom for the holidays this new policy has us confused. Anaheim GardenWalk is chock full of other timeshares, and hotel rooms. Some are deluxe or better. The local HoJo is literally a 5 minute walk from the front gate of Disneyland. They have kitchenettes. There are only 50 DVC units available for reservations, how is this a good thing for us? I don't think we want to go into debt for add on points, especially if the competition is offering a better deal.

 

[nunzia]

I also have not been contacted regarding my email. I will now write to Jim Lewis and Igor.
(Maybe Mr. Lewis doesn't like us because we are the truth tellers?)

 

[ReneeQ]

Did anybody else bring up the fact that those of us who rent studios pay the same amount per point in annual dues as those who rent larger units? I mean, I COULD rent a larger unit but I don't NEED to. Likewise, I COULD drink my wine in a styrofoam cup but why would I WANT TO?! I mean, really. THIS ONE takes the cake. If they want to do this then I want to pay less maint. dues per point!

This was my thought exactly! I will be expecting the points to be lowered to stay in a studio, if we will only have paper cups! Yes, I know, to lower the points for one thing, they have to raise them somewhere else. But they can just lower the points for the studio, and keep all other points the same. I mean DVC is lowering the VALUE of a studio, so they can lower what it costs to stay there.

And while I AM concerned with all the extra trash this cup-gate (LOVE that term!!) will cause, I don't want to get too hung up on the styrofoam issue. I don't want DVC to find an environmentally friendly paper/styrofoam cup. I want the glass glasses and ceramic mugs back!

 

[mikki.young]

I also have had no reply (other than the standard acknowledgement) to my e-mail to DVC Customer Satisfaction, sent last Sunday. I followed it up with a further e-mail on Friday and have again received just the standard acknowledgement reply.

At the very least in the interests of good customer service (if indeed DVC do still have such an interest which I am beginning to doubt), I would have expected a further 'holding' e-mail advising they are still looking into my concerns.

I see some members have received a teleohone call. I wonder if they will bother to do that for those of us who live on the other side of the Atlantic.

I've had a call from member satisfaction in the past but it didn't leave me satisfied! It was a stone wall and I don't think that was just the difference in American english and English english. Haven't had one over this issue yet.

 

[Pootle]

I see some members have received a telephone call. I wonder if they will bother to do that for those of us who live on the other side of the Atlantic.

Yes they do. Like mikki.young, I have had a phone call from Customer Satisfaction in the past. All I had done was to email MS to ask for the Customer Satisfaction email address (without saying why) and, hey presto, next thing is, I got a call! I was quite impressed.

 

[LisaS]

more environmental would be paper cups and you could also put these in microwave as well
Paulh

Would you drink tea from a paper cup though? My DH is English and he will not drink his tea from a disposable cup.

 

[msmouse]

Hey guys, I emailed and got the canned response. I expect I will be receiving a call to discuss this. I was wondering if maybe we could all site examples of "diminishing perks" that we have endured from DVC. I want to be armed and loaded when I get the call. I have not been a member all that long, and there may be some take aways that I am not aware of.

Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

Hey guys, I emailed and got the canned response. I expect I will be receiving a call to discuss this. I was wondering if maybe we could all site examples of "diminishing perks" that we have endured from DVC. I want to be armed and loaded when I get the call. I have not been a member all that long, and there may be some take aways that I am not aware of.

Thanks!

There is a difference. "Perks" can be changed or discontinued at any time. And in fact have sometimes changed for the better (AP Discount), as well as the worse ($95 fee to trade out of DVC).

I would not really categorize the mugs/glasses as a "perk" as they were part of the actual, physical room furnishings represented in model units, and placed in units, until March 2nd.

 

[CarolA]

Am I the only one going to the front desk on my next visit and demanding my glassware?

(Trust me I will be there and then since they didn't leave me dish cleaing supplies I may jsut do it DAILY!!!!!)

 

[La2kw]

As CA. residents ,we intended to add on points in CA, but are now rethinking it. As we would only add on enough points for a studio, and perhaps a weekend stay in a one bedroom for the holidays this new policy has us confused. Anaheim GardenWalk is chock full of other timeshares, and hotel rooms. Some are deluxe or better. The local HoJo is literally a 5 minute walk from the front gate of Disneyland. They have kitchenettes. There are only 50 DVC units available for reservations, how is this a good thing for us? I don't think we want to go into debt for add on points, especially if the competition is offering a better deal.

We live in Southern California and have decided not to add on at GCV as well. I have a feeling the GCV will not participate in the new disposables program since California is a very different market than Orlando. However, there is much more competition in L.A., and we can get much better deals on much nicer resorts than the DH and the PPH. GC is pretty special, but we will take a chance on booking at the 7 month window if we ever feel the need to spend points there.

 

[LisaS]

Am I the only one going to the front desk on my next visit and demanding my glassware?

(Trust me I will be there and then since they didn't leave me dish cleaing supplies I may jsut do it DAILY!!!!!)

I usually ask mousekeeping for two wine glasses so now I will be asking for 2 mugs and 4 glasses as well.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Would you drink tea from a paper cup though? My DH is English and he will not drink his tea from a disposable cup.

For my fellow tea drinkers, I'm at a loss as to how we're supposed to drink our tea now. In the past, I always put a ceramic mug with water in the microwave for 2 minutes, then removed it and added my tea bag. Was that a real tacky way? And more importantly, how will I get my tea now if they go to styrofoam? Or do I now have to bring a tea maker as well?

 

[Sammie]

There is a difference. "Perks" can be changed or discontinued at any time. And in fact have sometimes changed for the better (AP Discount), as well as the worse ($95 fee to trade out of DVC).

I would not really categorize the mugs/glasses as a "perk" as they were part of the actual, physical room furnishings represented in model units, and placed in units, until March 2nd.

I agree with Chuck. I appreciate the "perks" but do not get upset if they come and go because I was aware of that situation when I purchased.

I was not aware that DVC management was going to make decisions such as this with the cups, that to me cheapens my purchase.

I would compare this to the DVC decision to not offer throw pillows for the couches.

At this time DVC is not saying why this happen, I was told that due to the large response of upset members they are "discussing" the situation. Which to me, means they realize they messed up and now are trying to do PR on the situation.

Personally I think DVC would be wise to stop mailing useless fluff such as the Disney Files magazine and periodically at least twice a year, do an online guest survey. Then they could truly say they were listening to member feedback. In that survey they should include any changes made to DVC services and DVC resorts.

 

[LisaS]

For my fellow tea drinkers, I'm at a loss as to how we're supposed to drink our tea now. In the past, I always put a ceramic mug with water in the microwave for 2 minutes, then removed it and added my tea bag. Was that a real tacky way? And more importantly, how will I get my tea now if they go to styrofoam? Or do I now have to bring a tea maker as well?

DH makes it exactly that way -- pours some bottled water into a mug, heats it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and then adds the tea bag. It won't be possible to do that with Styrofoam (the water gets too hot plus the health risks with Styrofoam increase when you use them for hot liquids). Even going with paper cups instead of Styrofoam would be a problem because DH heats the water to the point where a cup without a handle is too hot to hold. They would need to provide some insulating sleeves to put around the cups like they do at places like Dunkin Donuts or people are going to burn their hands on these disposable cups. Another problem is that I find disposable cups are more prone to being knocked over. I would much rather have a nice sturdy coffee mug for my hot drinks than a tippy disposable cup.

 

[Anal Annie]

DH makes it exactly that way -- pours some bottled water into a mug, heats it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and then adds the tea bag. It won't be possible to do that with Styrofoam (the water gets too hot plus the health risks with Styrofoam increase when you use them for hot liquids). Even going with paper cups instead of Styrofoam would be a problem because DH heats the water to the point where a cup without a handle is too hot to hold. They would need to provide some insulating sleeves to put around the cups like they do at places like Dunkin Donuts or people are going to burn their hands on these disposable cups. Another problem is that I find disposable cups are more prone to being knocked over. I would much rather have a nice sturdy coffee mug for my hot drinks than a tippy disposable cup.

Can you tell your DH to pretend he's tent camping?!

This whole thing is seriously WRONG. I don't drink tea but I DO like a cocktail in the evenings or a glass of wine here & there. I will drink wine from a box - but NOT in a styrofoam cup!


Oh, and did I miss something somewhere (this thread is so long). Will they now bring you "real" glassware & cups if you request them or is that still an unknown?

 

[bavaria]

Oh, and did I miss something somewhere (this thread is so long). Will they now bring you "real" glassware & cups if you request them or is that still an unknown?

There was at least one report here of a poster being told that they were 'not permitted' to have mugs and/or glassware in a studio

 

[LisaS]

Can you tell your DH to pretend he's tent camping?!

The only way I would ever get my DH to go "camping" would be in an RV with a kitchen and real mugs.

Oh, and did I miss something somewhere (this thread is so long). Will they now bring you "real" glassware & cups if you request them or is that still an unknown?

I've seen one post where someone managed to get them by asking for them, another where someone was told "you're not allowed to have them" and another where someone snatched some glasses from a housekeeping cart.