I've finally drafted my letter and will be sending it off in a few minutes. I haven't sent it earlier because I thought that spreading out the complaints would help to keep the issue on the minds of whoever it is that makes such stupid decisisons.
This is a copy of what I am sending....
Dear DVC Satisfaction Team:
I am writing about a recent, unannounced change to DVC studio units whereby the ceramic mugs and drinking glasses have been replaced with Styrofoam and plastic. Additionally, it is my understanding that the dish detergent previously provided in each unit has also been removed.
I am truly at a loss to understand how anyone could perceive these changes to be considered beneficial to the DVC membership at large. Personally, I see this change as a degradation of my DVC ownership. DVC units are marketed as “deluxe” accommodations. There is nothing deluxe about Styrofoam! If I had wanted to stay at the Motel 6 during my visits to WDW, I would not have spent thousands of dollars to buy DVC points.
Additionally, replacing reusable dishware with disposables is cannot be cost effective. This member would like to know if these costs will be passed onto the general membership in the form of higher dues. If so, I would like to be on record as stating this cost is not acceptable.
Most importantly however, replacing the ceramic mugs and glassware with plastic and Styrofoam is definitely not environmentally friendly move. As a self-proclaimed “green” corporation, I would think that The Disney Company and its subsidiaries would be aware that reducing the amount of Styrofoam we use is a major goal of every environmental agency and group. In fact, one of Disney’s own websites,
http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/50_actions.html, lists limiting the use of Styrofoam as one way we can help the environment!
If this change was brought about due to the lack of dishwashers in studio units as has been widely reported, rest assured that the sinks in each studio, along with dish detergent provide a perfectly acceptable and sanitary alternative for washing the mugs and glasses that have been replaced. Although dishwashers have become commonplace in American homes, there are still quite a few of us who do not have them and have not been sickened by hand washing our dishware. I am concerned however, about the leaching of chemicals from my new, deluxe polystyrene cup as I microwave my tea each morning, having an adverse affect on my health.
In the years since my husband and I have purchased our DVC interest, there have been changes that we have felt were not to our benefit (changes to Vacation Magic, increase in trade out fees), however this change directly affects the quality of our stays in our “home away from home.” We are not in the habit of using Styrofoam cups for coffee and tea at home and certainly are not looking forward to using them at our “home away from home.” You could say that this is the change that “broke the camel’s back.” While we are not yet considering selling our points, we are definitely not going to be adding-on as we had planned.
I am hoping that this poorly thought out decision will be changed in the immediate future.
Sincerely,
Kathleen O’Donnell (member #.....)
thanks! 
