DVC studios - fewer amenities

[disneykid4ever]

I'm sorry but that response from DVC is just crap. Its been sufficient for many years now that studios don't have dishwashers in them and all of a sudden now it isn't "healthy" to just hand wash glassware/mugs!? Ludicrous! Why is DVC all of a sudden the health police for its members? Hello, we are adults and many of us either don't have dishwashers or don't happen to see the need to use them if we do have them in our home (we have one, but we never use it). We can handle cleaning our own dishware/glassware!! Truly DVC, WE CAN!! Hand washing with Dawn, Palmolive, or whatever brand of soap has been done for decades! But now, people who stay in a studio at "stand alone" resorts have to suffer?! UNBELIEVABLE! If this is so "not up to Disney's standards" then how come a couple of Disney planners/execs/whoever didn't put a couple of their vacuous heads together to come up with a plan to install the necessary cleaning machinery in/around the stand alone resorts before yanking out accommodations the members have had and expect to continue to have??????? DUH!! I can't believe this is happening in such a moronic fashion. It's disgusting.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm sorry but that response from DVC is just crap. Its been sufficient for many years now that studios don't have dishwashers in them and all of a sudden now it isn't "healthy" to just hand wash glassware/mugs!? Ludicrous! Why is DVC all of a sudden the health police for its members? Hello, we are adults and many of us either don't have dishwashers or don't happen to see the need to use them if we do have them in our home (we have one, but we never use it). We can handle cleaning our own dishware/glassware!! Truly DVC, WE CAN!! Hand washing with Dawn, Palmolive, or whatever brand of soap has been done for decades! But now, people who stay in a studio at "stand alone" resorts have to suffer?! UNBELIEVABLE! If this is so "not up to Disney's standards" then how come a couple of Disney planners/execs/whoever didn't put a couple of their vacuous heads together to come up with a plan to install the necessary cleaning machinery in/around the stand alone resorts before yanking out accommodations the members have had and expect to continue to have??????? DUH!! I can't believe this is happening in such a moronic fashion. It's disgusting.

So now they want me to believe that those of us who sometimes are in one bedrooms and yet (Gasp!) wash our glasses/cups by hand instead of using the dishwasher are using a method not up to DVC's cleanliness standard? I'm offended by their comments about washing by hand.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm sorry but that response from DVC is just crap. Its been sufficient for many years now that studios don't have dishwashers in them and all of a sudden now it isn't "healthy" to just hand wash glassware/mugs!? Ludicrous! Why is DVC all of a sudden the health police for its members? Hello, we are adults and many of us either don't have dishwashers or don't happen to see the need to use them if we do have them in our home (we have one, but we never use it). We can handle cleaning our own dishware/glassware!! Truly DVC, WE CAN!! Hand washing with Dawn, Palmolive, or whatever brand of soap has been done for decades! But now, people who stay in a studio at "stand alone" resorts have to suffer?! UNBELIEVABLE! If this is so "not up to Disney's standards" then how come a couple of Disney planners/execs/whoever didn't put a couple of their vacuous heads together to come up with a plan to install the necessary cleaning machinery in/around the stand alone resorts before yanking out accommodations the members have had and expect to continue to have??????? DUH!! I can't believe this is happening in such a moronic fashion. It's disgusting.

I do know that Vero Beach studios didn't have ceramic mugs last year when we went. So, it's apparently been an issue that they've been thinking about for awhile. I am happy with the actual supplies that will be in the studios now. If there is a better solutions for other people, I hope that comes too, with some input from the members. This may just be short term but hopefully, the DVC MS will be more willing to speak to, and not at it's members.

Bobbi

 

[alldiz]

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.

Disposables are needed.....to take a drink to go...thats it.
Kerri

 

[pilferk]

I'm sorry but that response from DVC is just crap. Its been sufficient for many years now that studios don't have dishwashers in them and all of a sudden now it isn't "healthy" to just hand wash glassware/mugs!? Ludicrous! Why is DVC all of a sudden the health police for its members? Hello, we are adults and many of us either don't have dishwashers or don't happen to see the need to use them if we do have them in our home (we have one, but we never use it). We can handle cleaning our own dishware/glassware!! Truly DVC, WE CAN!! Hand washing with Dawn, Palmolive, or whatever brand of soap has been done for decades! But now, people who stay in a studio at "stand alone" resorts have to suffer?! UNBELIEVABLE! If this is so "not up to Disney's standards" then how come a couple of Disney planners/execs/whoever didn't put a couple of their vacuous heads together to come up with a plan to install the necessary cleaning machinery in/around the stand alone resorts before yanking out accommodations the members have had and expect to continue to have??????? DUH!! I can't believe this is happening in such a moronic fashion. It's disgusting.

I suspect their issue isn't with what the MEMBERSHIP does when in the units. It's what their housekeeping staff does when you leave.

They're just not specific in their response.

I think, ultimately, they'll find an alternate solution for the stand alone campuses....it's just a bit more involved than begging some time off the dishwashers at the "combined" resorts. And they can't "scramble" a solution together fast enough to satisfy us now.

 

[rayelias]

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.

Mousekeeping was not sanitizing the glasses and dishware properly, so they removed them.

That's like saying, "Because of the recent TV footage showing our mousekeepers spreading contamination, we found it would be better to stop mousekeeping all together."

They're still cleaning the toilets and then using the same dirty, gloved hands, and possibly the same cleaning utensils, to clean the bathroom sink and possibly the kitchenette sink.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm sorry but that response from DVC is just crap. Its been sufficient for many years now that studios don't have dishwashers in them and all of a sudden now it isn't "healthy" to just hand wash glassware/mugs!? Ludicrous! Why is DVC all of a sudden the health police for its members? Hello, we are adults and many of us either don't have dishwashers or don't happen to see the need to use them if we do have them in our home (we have one, but we never use it). We can handle cleaning our own dishware/glassware!! Truly DVC, WE CAN!! Hand washing with Dawn, Palmolive, or whatever brand of soap has been done for decades! But now, people who stay in a studio at "stand alone" resorts have to suffer?! UNBELIEVABLE! If this is so "not up to Disney's standards" then how come a couple of Disney planners/execs/whoever didn't put a couple of their vacuous heads together to come up with a plan to install the necessary cleaning machinery in/around the stand alone resorts before yanking out accommodations the members have had and expect to continue to have??????? DUH!! I can't believe this is happening in such a moronic fashion. It's disgusting.

I think that's more than a little harsh.

To me the chain of events seems pretty clear now that the situation has played-out. The first shoe to drop was the undercover report showing subpar cleaning tactics at the Contemporary.

After that, Disney execs did their part to fix the problem and find out where holes exist in their infrastructure.

I suspect they quickly uncovered the lack of proper cleaning equipment at SSR and OKW. Both being DVC resorts, they decided to mask the solution as a "DVC policy change." While I don't necessarily agree with the logic, I can see how some execs may have felt an across-the-board change for all DVCs was more palatable than just impacting OKW and SSR.

The response from members convinced them that a different approach needed to be considered...and they've done that.

Be it a hotel or a timeshare, they shouldn't expect guests to take responsibility for their own in-room cleaning. THAT "solution" is even more irresponsible than replacing glass with disposables.

While housekeeping staff are certainly capable of hand washing the glassware themselves, Disney has apparently decided that such a process does not meet their cleanliness standards. I'm willing to take that at face value. If Disney has created a specific cleaning policy which includes running the glassware through a dishwasher or other form of sanitizer rather than swabbing it with a rag, that sounds like a positive change to me.

As long as they live up to their word and add similar equipment and policies to the other resorts, this solution is ultimately in the best interest of all members.

 

[toocherie]

Ok--so does someone want to tell me how they sterilize dishes and glasses at the Turf Club (at SSR) and Olivia's (at OKW?) Or do those restaurants use paper products to serve their food on?

DVC--go buy a dishwasher for the stand-alone campus properties; this is not brain surgery. They must have them there already for the restaurants.

At least it appears that we will be able to request glasses/mugs and will get them (at our own risk of course!)

 

[disneykid4ever]

But the bottom line is this:

1. They didn't plan out a contingency for cleaning those glasses at ALL resorts prior to pulling them.

2. They never notified the membership. A mass email, a blurb in the DisneyFiles, an update on the DVCMEMBER website . . . they could have done one, two, or all of these things. JUST LET US KNOW BEFORE YOU'RE GONNA DO IT! It affects us directly!

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

I read on **************** in a trip report that the styrafoam (sp.) is gone already and the mugs are back in studios. I am hoping this is true and DISNEY read our letters.

 

[jbrowna]

To me the chain of events seems pretty clear now that the situation has played-out. The first shoe to drop was the undercover report showing subpar cleaning tactics at the Contemporary.

After that, Disney execs did their part to fix the problem and find out where holes exist in their infrastructure.

I suspect they quickly uncovered the lack of proper cleaning equipment at SSR and OKW. Both being DVC resorts, they decided to mask the solution as a "DVC policy change." While I don't necessarily agree with the logic, I can see how some execs may have felt an across-the-board change for all DVCs was more palatable than just impacting OKW and SSR.

The response from members convinced them that a different approach needed to be considered...and they've done that.

Be it a hotel or a timeshare, they shouldn't expect guests to take responsibility for their own in-room cleaning. THAT "solution" is even more irresponsible than replacing glass with disposables.

While housekeeping staff are certainly capable of hand washing the glassware themselves, Disney has apparently decided that such a process does not meet their cleanliness standards. I'm willing to take that at face value. If Disney has created a specific cleaning policy which includes running the glassware through a dishwasher or other form of sanitizer rather than swabbing it with a rag, that sounds like a positive change to me.

As long as they live up to their word and add similar equipment and policies to the other resorts, this solution is ultimately in the best interest of all members.

Tim -

I think your analysis is spot on! I, for one, never saw why this whole thing triggered such an emotional reaction from people. After our experience of checking into one studio to find red lipstick still on one of the glasses, I can see how Disney could need to upgrade the "cleanliness standards." DW and I -- not being coffee drinkers -- don't have problems with not having ceramic mugs or glass cups, although I can see how people would prefer them. But when you check in, you ought to be able to trust that they are clean, without having to do so yourself. Until Disney can assure that, I don't have a problem with using disposables.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

Being an exclusive studio dweller, I'm wondering if they wash all the dishes in the dishwasher between guests in the larger units?
Does anyone know the answer for sure to this question??
Some guests may not feel comfortable running the dishwasher for one or two glasses and handwash them. I know I would be one of those guests. I would feel like I was wasting water and who wants to deal with the noise.
It's a big assumption for Disney to assume that all the dinnerware in the larger units have been washed in the dishwasher unless they know this for sure because it has been done between guests.

 

[tjkraz]

Being an exclusive studio dweller, I'm wondering if they wash all the dishes in the dishwasher between guests in the larger units?
Does anyone know the answer for sure to this question??

Yes, it is standard procedure to wash all of the dishes when the room is serviced.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

Yes, it is standard procedure to wash all of the dishes when the room is serviced.

Thank You!

 

[Kathi OD]

Yes, it is standard procedure to wash all of the dishes when the room is serviced.

Are you sure about this? There is a sign in the larger rooms that requests guests to put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on. Why would you run the used dishes through the dishwasher if housekeeping was going to put all the dishes through?

 

[jmtf2004]

Is it supposed to be a newsflash that shoddy handwashing of the equipment people use to eat and drink from is not acceptable?
tjkraz you may look at it that Disney exec's and DVC did/are doing their part with some investigations and questionable logic, but I'm just not quite ready to let them off the hook on this.
Let's not forget that their first response to some members (from Larry) was to deny that glassware and ceramic mugs were ever provided in the studios. That's not just a problem with logic...

What I find most ridiculous with this latest revelation, er, I mean response from DVC (thanks for sharing Bobbi!) is that they actually built the standalone DVC resorts (which included studios without dishwashers) without commercial glasswashing equipment in the first place. Commercial dishwashers were not just invented this year - they have been commonplace since at least the 70's - it wouldn't surprise me to learn that restaurants at WDW had them when it opened.
It should not take much of an investigation to figure out that since the beginning (OKW was the first DVC after all), DVC has been providing equipment for guests in the studios to drink from (and eat off...they didn't always provide paper plates and bowls, right?) without using the appropriate equipment to clean it between guests to meet their 'strict' cleanliness standards.
Or maybe they *did* have proper glassware/dishware sanitizing procedures in place way back in 1991 when OKW opened (using handwashing and rinsing with bleach), but at some point DVC management decided that housekeeping didn't need to follow them any more?

How long does it take to purchase and install four glasswashers at four resorts (HHI and VB that are affected as stand alone resorts as well, that's four resorts not two) ...compared to, say, how long it takes to purchase and supply thousands of disposable plastic/foam cups to however many studios there are at all eight DVC resorts (and haul away all the extra trash)?

 

[ChelleinNC]

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

I just got the same email. At least they finally responded to my emails and seem to be responding to our needs. It's not perfect, but it's a start

 

[alldiz]

Tim -

I think your analysis is spot on! I, for one, never saw why this whole thing triggered such an emotional reaction from people. After our experience of checking into one studio to find red lipstick still on one of the glasses, I can see how Disney could need to upgrade the "cleanliness standards." DW and I -- not being coffee drinkers -- don't have problems with not having ceramic mugs or glass cups, although I can see how people would prefer them. But when you check in, you ought to be able to trust that they are clean, without having to do so yourself. Until Disney can assure that, I don't have a problem with using disposables.

I agree that they were not washed properly.....and they should be.
But the answer is NOT to eliminate them......

I still don't understand how they are washing the glasses at the moderate resort.....specifically POFQ....they don't even have a restaurant.
Kerri

 

[toocherie]

I got the same email . . . . bottom line for me is that so long as I can request (and get) my coffee mug and glasses for my stay I will be happy . . . . . even though it's one more thing to have to do . . . . .

 

[LisaS]

Yes, it is standard procedure to wash all of the dishes when the room is serviced.

I wonder about that. You can't fit everything in the kitchen into the dishwasher so they would have to run at least three loads. I've seen them turn around a 1BR villa (at BWV) in about 20 minutes which isn't even time enough to do one load.