DVC studios - fewer amenities

[bobbiwoz]

Caskbill, that's a wonderful picture, and what it's doing for me is making me homesick! That's such a lovely color of blue, the mug's that is.

Bobbi

 

[brittsmum1998]

DVD has slowly been taking things away w/out speaking to its members. This is not a big deal to me. Now there are SOME things that really bothered me which I will not mention but paper cups / plates are not one of them.
Think of it this way, its a health issue pure and simple just like the aforementioned (which oh yeah I didn't mention ) so it is what it is.

 

[Longhairbear]

I just went through our old pictures, and found one of me reaching in the cabinet for a ceramic coffee mug. We were in a studio at SSR in 2005.

 

[bavaria]

Caskbill thank you for posting the photo. The blue mugs are identical to all the ones I have had at studios at BWV, BCV, OKW, and SSR in hundreds of nights of stays over the years

I am extremely disappointed in this environmentally unfriendly move. While I do have dishwashing soap and mugs in my Owners Locker, that isn't the point. Not everyone has that option

 

[jmtf2004]

My goodness, I am shocked at the uproar over this issue. I guess I have more important issues in my life, because this change doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I prefer the styrofoam cup for my cappuccino in the morning. The mugs are smaller, and I don't feel like washing a cup out each day (in a studio). So for me, I'll take the plastic & styrofoam and be happy that I'm on vacation.

Wow wdw1972 let's add you as the next member of 'it doesn't affect me, so I don't care' club!
I'm pleased that the new foam cups and plastic glasses with no dish soap policy works for you, with your instant cappuccino with hot water from the coffee maker in the morning...but what about a family with children, or a couple who actually want to eat a real breakfast in the morning? As you well know, studios sleep up to four people. As guests who both opt to stay in a studio, why should we be provided with a completely different (i.e. lower) level of quality than other DVC members? An even bigger question is why should guests staying in a DVC studio be provided with lower quality amenities than guests at the moderate or value resorts? Even guests in the value resorts receive glass glasses - what is up with this?
I completely understand that there are lots of guests like you, who eat very few meals in their studio - and this change is all fine and good, for people in your situation. I suppose the cheap paper plates and plastic cutlery (and foam cups and plastic glasses) *are* good enough for that, although I prefer my hot beverages in a ceramic mug over a foam cup any day. The thing is, we learned early on that we could call Mousekeeping and request real plates, bowls and cutlery to use, wash and reuse in our studio during our stay - and we have come to rely on this as part of our DVC experience. That set of four supplied paper plates, bowls and plastic cutlery just doesn't last our family of four the four days until trash and towel. *Now* it seems that with this new policy, Mousekeeping won't bring the real stuff to a studio, even if we request it. Is it honestly no biggie that guests who want to use the kitchenette must now provide their own dinnerware, cutlery, glasses and mugs? We are not talking about a campground here - we are talking about what is supposed to be deluxe quality resort accommodations! To me that *is* a big deal. Do I want to have to pack, or arrange for all of this for my villa in the future? Do I think it's fair that even though, up until now I could book a studio and be able to use proper dishes, cutlery, etc. during my stay, but from now on, I would have to book a 1BR or larger villa to do this? No way!
I wonder what kinds of cutbacks it will take before you and others realize that DVC is implementing policies that negatively affects the quality of the DVC vacation experience...and it seems, they will continue to do so, especially if Members stand idly by and let it happen. DVC makes lots of money, they charge us increasing dues, but from where I sit, they are simply not maintaining the level of quality they promoted when they sold us our membership...
I guess you are right, why should you care? You should definitely just go on enjoying your vacations...until those cutbacks do affect you. But oh...when they dare to make a cutback that does affect you, what then?

 

[zulaya]

I'm getting on the bandwagon and emailing as well, even though I haven't experienced it yet.

"Home Away From Home"? ~ I don't drink from styrofoam when I am at home. I use REAL glass and/or plastic (ie washable and reusable) mugs and cups.

I'm a bit ticked that this happened without notice to members as well.

Where are these mugs and glasses going?
Are they being sold on eBay so I get a refund in my dues that went to supply those studios? Or are my dues going up to pay for disposable, unenvironmentally friendly, continuous cost foam cups?

Better jump off this thread before I get more irked...

 

[TisBit]

An even bigger question is why should guests staying in a DVC studio be provided with lower quality amenities than guests at the moderate or value resorts? Even guests in the value resorts receive glass glasses - what is up with this?

Actually, that is the question of the day, is this a WDW wide policy change and all rooms, with the exception of the full kitchens be switching to disposables or not. No one has been able to answer that question. I find it interesting that this argument has come up over and over, but no one has found out if all resorts are affected or not.

I personally really surprised that the studios didn't have a true kitchenette like many timeshares that i have stayed at, where there was a small stove, refrigerator and place settings for four with very small table. I wasn't offended by this and I think that this change is somewhat minor, although not well thought out to provide DVC members who don't get daily maid service adequate supplies for their stays.

Maybe the solution is to keep disposable cups but to give all studios daily service, replenishing the cups, etc. I think that could be a fair trade.

 

[Simba's Mom]

For what it's worth, I took this picture about 5 years ago when we were staying at BWV, in this unit. I have posted this same photo here on the DIS on several occassions over the years when posters have asked questions about what's in a Studio. In fact the reason I took the photo in the first place was with the intent of a "picture is worth a thousand words" as the question of what's in a studio is definitely an F.A.Q.

This is a BWV Studio. One coffee mug is in the cabinet, one upside down on the counter after being washed. Glasses are in the cabinet and you can see the plasticware stuffed inside the glass. There is another glass upside down on the counter, after being washed. If you look closely you can see the dish soap on the counter, toward the back.

The unused paper plates and bowls are still visible standing on edge, in the cabinet.

Gee, I never saw styrofoam in blue. And that styrofoam coffee cup looks so much like the real thing. At least Larry must think that's what it is.
I'm wondering why other people are getting their Emails forwarded to the Member satisfaction team, yet mine got a response, untrue tho it was. Like others, I Emailed thru the "contact us" on the members' website.

 

[bzzelady]

I sent my email expressing my displeasure at this new policy...hope you all don't mind, but I pulled a few quotes from the postings into my email and directed whoever reads my email to the now 10 page thread to continue reading the chatter and unhappiness for themselves.

 

[Kathi OD]

This is a photo of the studio amenities we had in our AKV Kitchenette in July days after it opened. Dont believe the hype!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c200/LIFERBABE2/Family%20Reunion%202007/100_2458.jpg

OMY!! Are those CERAMIC mugs I see on that shelf?? And MS thinks that the studios never had them???

 

[sgtdisney]

When the built the slide at OKW, which now requires lifeguards, they didn't ask the members and it costs more money for OKW.

That is very true, and I thought that was wrong as well.

 

[sgtdisney]

Wow read through the rest of the posts. Nice to see that Larry in Member Services is either a liar, or someone who doesn't know the truth but is stating something as a fact, when it is false. Wonderful staff there.

I agree with others, it will be interesting to see if if Disney is doing this resort wide. Disney doesn't have a 5 star resort and now they never will then will they. I can just see a 4 seasons resort, with plastic embossed cups. Lovely and elegant. Hey Disney resort management, I have an idea, why don't you fire these fools that aren't washing the glasses correctly and hire new staff and management to make sure the staff follows protocol correctly? Wouldn't that be an intersting concept, to give people a task to perform in their job and expect and enforce that they do it?

As another previously posted, just wait until one of those lovely styrofoam "Mugs" blows in the savannah and some animal chokes on it. "Look suzie, the Yak is yakking up a cup from one of those 'de-luxe' DVC resort rooms!! What a hoot!"

I understand this doesn't affect all, and life will go on with ceramic, or plastic mugs I am sure. But it's the point of this, and the direction things are going with Disney and DVC in general, that is upsetting to me. I love my resort and my vacations at Disney as much as the next person. I am as big a Disney fan as the next guy, but as DVC old-timers (member since '92 here) we can attest to the changes over the years that have ocurred. Some good but some not so good, and it is frustrating.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm willing to bet this is a WDW wide policy in all rooms at all resorts that don't have dishwashers, thanks to the local news.

I wish they'd do a report on the possible affects of ingested polystyrene on the human body. Maybe we'd get our mugs back.

http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/health.html

A 1988 survey published by the Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education also found styrene in human fatty tissue with a frequency of 100% at levels from 8 to 350 nanograms/gram (ng/g). The 350 ng/g level is one third of levels known to cause neurotoxic symptoms.[5] determined that Styrofoam drinking [vessels] leach Styrofoam into the liquids they contain. The cups apparently lose weight during the time they are at use. The studies showed that tea with lemon produced the most marked change in the weight of the foam cup.

Styrene primarily exhibits its toxicity to humans as a neurotoxin by attacking the central and peripheral nervous systems. The accumulation of these highly lipid-soluble (fat-soluble) materials in the lipid-rich tissues of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves is correlated with acute or chronic functional impairment of the nervous system.

And don't drink your wine or beer from styrofoam:

There are several reasons why styrene-based cups could be a source of contamination. First, the styrene monomer (vinyl benzene), a colorless or yellowish oily liquid, is the feedstock in the manufacture of polystyrene. Since the manufacturing process is not 100% efficient, polystyrene contains some residual styrene. Second, styrene is soluble in oil and ethanol -- substances commonly found is foods and alcoholic beverages. For instance, red wine will instantly dissolve the monomer. A 1985 Cuban study noted migration of monomers from low and high density polyethylene into milk, yogurt, and alcohol solutions. This means that ingestion can take place by using polystyrene cups to drink beer, wine, mixed drinks or perhaps even coffee with cream.

 

[bavaria]

Wow read through the rest of the posts. Nice to see that Larry in Member Services is either a liar, or someone who doesn't know the truth but is stating something as a fact, when it is false.

I don't think that Larry is a liar; I just think that he and DBorges have been vacationing together

Another solution, albeit not the most visually pleasing, is to have cups/mugs in sanitary wrapping.

 

[Longhairbear]

I'm willing to bet this is a WDW wide policy in all rooms at all resorts that don't have dishwashers, thanks to the local news.

I wish they'd do a report on the possible affects of ingested polystyrene on the human body. Maybe we'd get our mugs back.

http://www.ejnet.org/plastics/polystyrene/health.html



And don't drink your wine or beer from styrofoam:

Cities in California are banning styrofoam in all stores, restaurants, and hotels. In fact 2 cities bordering our city have already banned it. It's possible that the Villas at Grand Californian will be banned from stocking styrofoam cups in the studios when it opens.

 

[Caskbill]

Whether Disney is changing to this policy in all the regular WDW hotels or not, in my opinion, is irrelevant.

This is suppose to be DVC....You know, when you were told you were special, and that membership is special, membership is magical.....

These are not hotel rooms. These are timeshares that were bought and paid for by the members, and not by Disney. Disney is going to get them free and clear when the contracts expire without having paid a dime for them.

The more you take away, the more I'm inclined that my next purchase will be to add to my Marriott Vacation Club ownership (currently Palm Springs) and add on in Orlando, instead of more DVC.

Marriott has some great resorts in Hawaii, and all over California, and in Orlando around all the popular attractions.

Of course there is a side benefit to that. It works for me because that'll give me more time to visit Universal/IOA and Sea World.

 

[La2kw]

Cities in California are banning styrofoam in all stores, restaurants, and hotels. In fact 2 cities bordering our city have already banned it. It's possible that the Villas at Grand Californian will be banned from stocking styrofoam cups in the studios when it opens.

I agree. The Disneyland resorts are run quite differently than the WDW ones. For one thing, the service is more in line with what a deluxe resort should be. There's too much competition in L.A. for Disney to slack off in the service area. In Orlando, Disney has a lock on the business and they can get away with cutting corners any way possible.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Our home resort is BWV and, since it's just my DH and I, we usually stay in a studio. I might be able to live without DVC CONTINUING to supply real coffee mugs if they would only supply us with a real coffee table on which to place our substitute cups. One reason I hate paper/styro cups is that they are far less stable than ceramic mugs. Without a coffee table, I often place a beverage on the carpet a BWV, but I would be nervous doing so with a disposable cup. Any cost savings will be wiped out the first time a cup of coffee tips over onto the carpeting.

Am I the only thinking about borrowing mugs from one of the restuarants for the duration of our stay if housekeeping will not bring one to the room?

-- Suzanne

 

[TCPluto]

I'm willing to bet this is a WDW wide policy in all rooms at all resorts that don't have dishwashers, thanks to the local news.

I must have missed it, was there something in the news recenlty that might be linked to this change?

Link?

 

[Chuck S]

Inside Edition, Feb 20, showed a maid at the Contemporary not properly cleaning the coffee mugs and one at the DTD Hilton not properly cleaning the glasses.

http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyId=1320