DVC studios - fewer amenities

[wendyinoc]

I am thinking they changed the cups due to the TV show I saw. It was about how many hotels do not clean their cups properly. They showed many chains that use the bathroom sink. I would probably never use a cup now that I saw the show. I won't name names but they were big chains. I am happy for the new cups.

 

[LisaS]

I am thinking they changed the cups due to the TV show I saw. It was about how many hotels do not clean their cups properly. They showed many chains that use the bathroom sink. I would probably never use a cup now that I saw the show. I won't name names but they were big chains. I am happy for the new cups.

Just so you are aware, these new cups are not individually wrapped. They have been handled by the same hands that just cleaned your room, or somebody else's room. So you just might want to wash those Styrofoam cups before you use them.

 

[La2kw]

Just so you are aware, these new cups are not individually wrapped. They have been handled by the same hands that just cleaned your room, or somebody else's room. So you just might want to wash those Styrofoam cups before you use them.

Not to mention that the reports showed maids cleaning the dishes with the same gloves that they had just cleaned to toilets with. Now they could just be putting foam cups in the cupboard with that same toilet cleaning glove.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Just so you are aware, these new cups are not individually wrapped. They have been handled by the same hands that just cleaned your room, or somebody else's room. So you just might want to wash those Styrofoam cups before you use them.

This is why I always run the dishwasher with all of the cups, plates, bowls, even if they appear clean. Always wash out pots and pans before I use them the first time. Same with silverware. A little work in the beginning but a big piece of mind.

 

[La2kw]

I am thinking they changed the cups due to the TV show I saw. It was about how many hotels do not clean their cups properly. They showed many chains that use the bathroom sink. I would probably never use a cup now that I saw the show. I won't name names but they were big chains. I am happy for the new cups.

You might be interested in reading more of the posts on this thread. Those reports have been discussed and the problems that many of us have with this new policy are all covered in here.

 

[jmtf2004]

I'm wary of this. If the issue really was the health department, then how will they resolve the problem? Change the glasses daily? If so, won't that raise our fees?

So many questions, so little communication from Disney.

ransom, I agree with you, the level of communication from DVC with the membership is absolutely appalling on this issue. It just seems terribly wrong in the first place that they attempted to sneak this change past us, then, when the first people heard back from their inquiries, the early responses were not truthful (good old Larry and his 'there were never any glasses or ceramic mugs in the studios'). The DVC Member Satisfaction Team hasn't even managed to respond within the promised five days . Would it really have been so difficult to send a second message to everyone within the 5 days to say something along the lines of 'We're still working on it, just need a bit more time...'?
All that said, *if* recent reports are accurate and they are actually reverting back to providing ceramic mugs and real glasses (I'm still not completely convinced that the problem is fixed...) this will be great news to me. I have no lasting concerns with the ceramic mugs and glassware provided...the whole point with the studio at DVC resorts is that you can wash and rinse everything thoroughly *yourself* before you use it. If handwashing isn't sufficient, and someone has concerns, why not bring sanitizing tablets on your future trips and sanitize the stuff yourself before use? Even better, they could address the problem directly (I saw this suggested on another board...) DVC could address the sanitary issues directly and provide sanitizing tablets (or plain old bleach) in all of the villas.
If guests in studios had to rely on housekeeping to change the glasses daily for 'clean' glasses, I would have problems with this approach. It would definitely result in higher dues , and my confidence in the cleanliness of supplied glassware is nonexistent , I would still end up washing it myself.
If there was such tremendous outrage expressed to DVC on this issue that it has caused them to backpaddle - hopefully, what this means for the future is DVC will be less likely to sneak another change past us (OK I may be dreaming about that...). At the very least, when they are considering some other change, DVC should look back and think 'remember what happened when we tried to put the disposables in the studios?'...

 

[granmaz]

I read the DIS Unplugged Disney Blog and it has been mentioned on there.

http://www.disunplugged.com/?p=74#comments

By the way, it is a great blog!!

 

[alldiz]

I truly hope that DVC realizes that the styrofoam outrage is not over JUST the styrofoam - it's the latest in a string of issues. The styrofoam is the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

I hope they don't think that bringing back the "real" cups and dishes will placate us over other changes making us feel that membership is less-than-magical.

I'll be happy to get the stuff back.....but now i'm watching::cop:

ransom, I agree with you, the level of communication from DVC with the membership is absolutely appalling on this issue. It just seems terribly wrong in the first place that they attempted to sneak this change past us, then, when the first people heard back from their inquiries, the early responses were not truthful (good old Larry and his 'there were never any glasses or ceramic mugs in the studios'). The DVC Member Satisfaction Team hasn't even managed to respond within the promised five days . Would it really have been so difficult to send a second message to everyone within the 5 days to say something along the lines of 'We're still working on it, just need a bit more time...'?
All that said, *if* recent reports are accurate and they are actually reverting back to providing ceramic mugs and real glasses (I'm still not completely convinced that the problem is fixed...) this will be great news to me. I have no lasting concerns with the ceramic mugs and glassware provided...the whole point with the studio at DVC resorts is that you can wash and rinse everything thoroughly *yourself* before you use it. If handwashing isn't sufficient, and someone has concerns, why not bring sanitizing tablets on your future trips and sanitize the stuff yourself before use? Even better, they could address the problem directly (I saw this suggested on another board...) DVC could address the sanitary issues directly and provide sanitizing tablets (or plain old bleach) in all of the villas.
If guests in studios had to rely on housekeeping to change the glasses daily for 'clean' glasses, I would have problems with this approach. It would definitely result in higher dues , and my confidence in the cleanliness of supplied glassware is nonexistent , I would still end up washing it myself.
If there was such tremendous outrage expressed to DVC on this issue that it has caused them to backpaddle - hopefully, what this means for the future is DVC will be less likely to sneak another change past us (OK I may be dreaming about that...). At the very least, when they are considering some other change, DVC should look back and think 'remember what happened when we tried to put the disposables in the studios?'...

Yes.....I really hope that the "nonanswer" is because they are running around
putting everything back. I also hope this does serve as a reminder for
future stupid moves.
Kerri

 

[DVCSAMNH]

I read the DIS Unplugged Disney Blog and it has been mentioned on there.

http://www.disunplugged.com/?p=74#comments

By the way, it is a great blog!!

The "Disney powers that be" said that one of the reasons the glasses and mugs were removed was because of "guest demand"!

Are you kidding me??? OK! Fess up! Line up and be counted. Who was emailing the Member Satisfaction Team and demanding the glasses and mugs be taken out of the studios???

Have these people ever heard of Pinocchio? Their collective noses are growing. First, the glasses and mugs were never there. Now, WE asked for them to be taken out.
Sheesh! What next?

 

[granmaz]

The "Disney powers that be" said that one of the reasons the glasses and mugs were removed was because of "guest demand"!

Are you kidding me??? OK! Fess up! Line up and be counted. Who was emailing the Member Satisfaction Team and demanding the glasses and mugs be taken out of the studios???

Have these people ever heard of Pinocchio? Their collective noses are growing. First, the glasses and mugs were never there. Now, WE asked for them to be taken out.
Sheesh! What next?

Couldn't believe that either!

 

[TisBit]

The "Disney powers that be" said that one of the reasons the glasses and mugs were removed was because of "guest demand"!

Are you kidding me??? OK! Fess up! Line up and be counted. Who was emailing the Member Satisfaction Team and demanding the glasses and mugs be taken out of the studios???

Have these people ever heard of Pinocchio? Their collective noses are growing. First, the glasses and mugs were never there. Now, WE asked for them to be taken out.
Sheesh! What next?

Actually after the news reports there were many members stating that they would begin to request disposable cups, etc. I don't think it was ever a request to remove things, but maybe a response to the reaction that some people had to the news reports.

Funny thing about this is that these people also felt that non-sealed disposables were more sanitary than glasses and a bottle of soap they could wash themselves.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

Actually after the news reports there were many members stating that they would begin to request disposable cups, etc. I don't think it was ever a request to remove things, but maybe a response to the reaction that some people had to the news reports.

Funny thing about this is that these people also felt that non-sealed disposables were more sanitary than glasses and a bottle of soap they could wash themselves.

I guess it's in the realm of possibility that some of them could have taken the time to complain and caused this fiasco. I'm more used to the DisBoards type DVCer that is more likely to either wash their glasses a little better or throw a mug and some paper cups in their suitcase. After this thread it's hard to imagine anyone purposely asking for disposables.

 

[sgtdisney]

If some 'guests demanded' styrofoam here's an idea, supply 4 of the styrofoam cups in the room, you know the ones sitting in that closet outside that can get bugs in it and maids with toilet gloves have touched, for those that don't want to take 3 minutes and wash a glass. Then leave the glasses in the room for those of us who want to feel like we are in our own vacation home when we are at DVC. It is really simple if you think of it. Finally put a placard in the studios saying the glasses are washed, but not sanitized, and hire housekeepers who actually do their jobs and wash the glasses, and managers that make sure that they do.

The glasses are paid for already by the members, the staff is also being paid to perform job tasks, so no new expense there, and we all know that the Disney restaurants won't mind supplying the addiional paperware for DVC members since Disney has already told us to just go and grab whatever you need from the restaurants.

 

[Tiger926]

As a scientist, I feel compelled to point out that all matter has chemicals. I.e. we couldn't breathe without chemicals.

I think the problem is actually "harmful" chemicals.

As a person who also has allergies, I get the problem with most commercial dishwashing products, though. The fragrances ALL set me off and I do my best to keep them out of my home. But, I will use the provided Palmolive at DVC and just rinse 5-10 times. What I find sad about this is that one of the "purest" dishwashing liquids out there is also made by Palmolive, but, that isn't what is provided. (Actually, I don't know if it's available in the US at all.)

On the allergy front, I really enjoy not having daily mousekeeping. It means that I don't have to dread the return to the room that needs to be aired out to clean out the harmful odours.

This is us too, and that is why I mentioned that we bring our own products. The green Palmolive that is provided is less caustic than most of the others as I don't believe it's antibacterial, but we use organic based cleaners such as: Method, Seventh Generation and Nature Clean (Canadian).

We love not having daily Mousekeeping either as the chemicals they use are really bad for us - we bring vinegar and are bringing our Lotus sanitizer system with a spray bottle to use for cleaning & sanitizing.

By the way, I would love to know what the pure Palmolive brand dishwashing liquid you are talking about is actually called?

Thanks, Tiger

 

[Donna]

The "Disney powers that be" said that one of the reasons the glasses and mugs were removed was because of "guest demand"!

Are you kidding me??? OK! Fess up! Line up and be counted. Who was emailing the Member Satisfaction Team and demanding the glasses and mugs be taken out of the studios???

Have these people ever heard of Pinocchio? Their collective noses are growing. First, the glasses and mugs were never there. Now, WE asked for them to be taken out.
Sheesh! What next?

This is disney's answer to everything. Tell them (the members) it was "guest demand"...tell them it's to "simplify things". Every change is the same excuse. When was the last time WE, the guests, were asked our opinions on anything. Does anyone remember when the last member survey was?

 

[kt-scarlett]

The "Disney powers that be" said that one of the reasons the glasses and mugs were removed was because of "guest demand"!

Are you kidding me??? OK! Fess up! Line up and be counted. Who was emailing the Member Satisfaction Team and demanding the glasses and mugs be taken out of the studios???

Have these people ever heard of Pinocchio? Their collective noses are growing. First, the glasses and mugs were never there. Now, WE asked for them to be taken out.
Sheesh! What next?

Too funny how only DVC members asked for the drinkware removal only from Studios . So there were absolutely no requests or cleanliness concerns generated by that undercover video from any non-DVC-studio guest staying in any of the many rooms in all of the resorts? Just DVC studios.

Uh huh. Yeah right. I believe them. Sure. Of course. Don't you?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't remember ever getting a general survey, but we very nearly always get a card to give feedback regarding our DVC stay. I also often do get the phone survey, and I do say that I prefer telephoning rather than doing on line booking. I am one person who does prefer to talk with someone when making my plans.

Bobbi

 

[bobbiwoz]

I posted on the other thread as well.

This just came:

Hello ****, Thank you for contacting Disney Vacation Club. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us regarding the glassware changes in our studios. We continually review the cleaning practices in our resorts. Upon reviewing the dishware and glassware washing process for the studio units, we realized that hand washing wasn't sufficient to meet our cleanliness standards. Glassware and ceramic mugs in the studios were replaced with disposablesbecause dishwashing machines are not available in those units. We wanted to take action quickly and using disposables was the most expedient solution. We have since determined that we will be able to provide glassware and ceramic mugs at resorts where glass washing equipment is available. This includes Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, TheVillas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas and the Inn rooms at Disney's Vero Beach Resort. For all DVC stand-alone campus properties (Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort and the villas at Disney's Vero Beach Resort) that do not have glass washers available, we will continue to utilize the disposable cupsuntil we can source a more environmentally friendly product. We are investigating the possibility of installing glass washers at specified locations throughout the stand-alone campus properties. The disposable cups are replenished upon request. If a Guest/Member calls to request glassware, we will provide it and remove it upon checkout. Your comments are important to us. Please be assured that we have shared your concerns with the appropriate individuals. Thank you again for your message. Sincerely, Disney Vacation Club

bobbi

 

[ransom]

If guests in studios had to rely on housekeeping to change the glasses daily for 'clean' glasses, I would have problems with this approach. It would definitely result in higher dues , and my confidence in the cleanliness of supplied glassware is nonexistent , I would still end up washing it myself.

I agree! I'll wash anything they put in there. And frankly, I'd rather wash glass than plastic or styrofoam.

But above all, I'd rather that my guests have glass or ceramic available to them. Having only disposables available would be embarrassing to me.

 

[AKV707]

I posted on the other thread as well.

This just came:

Hello ****, Thank you for contacting Disney Vacation Club. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us regarding the glassware changes in our studios. We continually review the cleaning practices in our resorts. Upon reviewing the dishware and glassware washing process for the studio units, we realized that hand washing wasn't sufficient to meet our cleanliness standards. Glassware and ceramic mugs in the studios were replaced with disposables because dishwashing machines are not available in those units. We wanted to take action quickly and using disposables was the most expedient solution. We have since determined that we will be able to provide glassware and ceramic mugs at resorts where glass washing equipment is available. This includes Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's Boardwalk Villas, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas and the Inn rooms at Disney's Verso Beach Resort. For all DVC stand-alone campus properties (Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort and the villas at Disney's Vero Beach Resort) that do not have glass washers available, we will continue to utilize the disposable cups until we can source a more environmentally friendly product. We are investigating the possibility of installing glass washers at specified locations throughout the stand-alone campus properties. The disposable cups are replenished upon request. If a Guest/Member calls to request glassware, we will provide it and remove it upon checkout. Your comments are important to us. Please be assured that we have shared your concerns with the appropriate individuals. Thank you again for your message. Sincerely, Disney Vacation Club

bobbi

I take that as good news. Thanks for the post Bobbi! I have to think that the overwhelming negative reaction by members has helped considerably.