DVC studios - fewer amenities

[kt-scarlett]

Ahhh....Now these (cleaning cloths) I doubt get washed between rooms.

I think those are washed about as often as the bedspreads.

I have to say I think I have been watching too much CSI (is there ever anything else on SpikeTV???) because I automatically tear those bedspreads off and toss them in a corner, never to be touched again. Ewww.

 

[DVCKennyD]

2. If Contemporary has a problem with housekeeping, than why isn't Contemporary utilizing plastic/styrofoam? As many have suggested, it feels like we are being used as guinea pigs, and this is a problem. It does make perfect sense though that we are the guinea pigs as we've already spent our money and are very loyal to WDW.




Tiger

Bingo!! This ,I believe, gets to the heart of the matter concerning DVC and it's attitude towards the "members".

Talk about a captive audience!! The $$$ has already been squeezed out of us and if we aren't adding on, then we are most likely considered a liability in DVC/DVD eyes...

Sure, we return again and again to WDW... But who/what division of the Disney empire gets the $$$?? Resorts, dining, etc... Not DVC

If you think about it in these terms, it becomes quite clear just how "special" DVC/DVD considers it's members.

KennyD

 

[Donna]

Bingo!! This ,I believe, gets to the heart of the matter concerning DVC and it's attitude towards the "members".

Talk about a captive audience!! The $$$ has already been squeezed out of us and if we aren't adding on, then we are most likely considered a liability in DVC/DVD eyes...

Sure, we return again and again to WDW... But who/what division of the Disney empire gets the $$$?? Resorts, dining, etc... Not DVC

If you think about it in these terms, it becomes quite clear just how "special" DVC/DVD considers it's members.

KennyD

I guess "members aren't so magical" after all. Maybe that should be the DVC theme; I haven't felt the DVC magic for quite awhile now.

 

[granmanh603]

I guess "members aren't so magical" after all. Maybe that should be the DVC theme; I haven't felt the DVC magic for quite awhile now.

At one time didn't the DVC magazine used be called DVC Magic??????

 

[Chuck S]

At one time didn't the DVC magazine used be called DVC Magic??????

I don't think it was ever called "DVC Magic."


It was Vacation Magic.

 

[alldiz]

This, plus many of the other recent changes, lead me to believe that DVC is treated like the unwanted stepchild of the WDW resorts.

DVC should be the ideal - I keep hearing about all the upgrades from a $99 Value or a $129 Moderate to a 1BR in DVC (to entice guests to join). Disney seems to like pushing DVC on guests. Yet, our ammenities many times fall below Value accommodations anymore.

Seriously, for the $250-300/night cash rate for a DVC studio, I can stay at a luxury resort hotel off property that will BLOW AWAY most DVC studios. Sure, it's not ON property, but I'd get housekeeping every day. I LOVE my DVC, but it in no WAY compares with Ritz Carlton or the Peabody (similar cash rates - check out Expedia - many times the rate is 20-40% LESS than DVC!).
.
Another instance... free dining. At certain times of year, WDW offers VALUE resorts for $79 a night AND gives the guests (up to 4 per room) free dining! Of course, you have to purchase the package (so those of us with AP's would have to re-buy park admission), but what kinds of deals do they give us, you know the one's that actually PAID a large sum of money to build these beautiful resorts for Disney? We had to FIGHT to get access to the DDP!

Honestly, sometimes it seems that, not only are we taken for granted, but sometimes even that we're being taken advantage of.

Vent over. Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

I have a cash ressie for 277 a night at BWV(studio).in april...I am calling WDW and see what kind of AP rates I can get at a "deluxe"

I stayed at CSR last June and I specifically recall drinking my box sangria from a glass

I don't think it was ever called "DVC Magic."


It was Vacation Magic.

The magic is......they giveth....they taketh away
kerri

 

[MrsNick]

I have read whole thread, but haven't been able to post as I've been taking care of a sick baby - he's all better now!

Here are my thoughts:

1. It seems that more members are upset that this new policy in some way suggests that we as DVC members are 2nd class WDW guests. Although I can totally see how one could feel this way, in my humble opinion, this should be secondary to the fact that using styrofoam and plastic is absolutely destructive for the environment - adds to the garbage piles, doesn't break down, dangerous for kids/animals, full of chemicals, etc. You get my drift - this bugs me more than anything else.

2. If Contemporary has a problem with housekeeping, than why isn't Contemporary utilizing plastic/styrofoam? As many have suggested, it feels like we are being used as guinea pigs, and this is a problem. It does make perfect sense though that we are the guinea pigs as we've already spent our money and are very loyal to WDW.

3. We always wash our own glasses/mugs etc. at DVC as should everyone else as there could have been a number of unsanitary fluids (we need not go into specifics here) in them - many times, we just use our own sippy cups, bottles or mugs. Hot water really does a great job of cleaning stuff - we don't use the Palmolive that was provided as it has too many chemicals in it. We bring our own dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo and hand soap as we have allergies/sensitivities to worry about.

Bottom line is that we are a huge green family over here, and this new policy is the farthest thing from that possible. If there is an issue with housekeeping, then Disney needs to fix it and not put a bandaid on the situation, as this new policy surely is. I'm not sure what Disney is thinking - if housekeepers don't have enough time to do their jobs, and that is why they are cutting corners with cleaning glassware, etc., then how in the world are they going to be able to keep up with the mounds of garbage being generated from plastic/styrofoam? Yikes! I already can't stand seeing bags of garbage all over the DVC resorts outside of rooms, so this is going to be a total eyesore and in fact, has added even more to their workload.

Hopefully this will force many different groups - health units, governments, and hotels themselves to realize that cleaning/sanitizing in between guests should be the top priority of the hotel (as well as security).

I hope this all gets straightened out in a way that is not harmful to the environment, nor to the children (styrofoam is not good for kids - choke, choke)) or animals that are present at WDW.

Tiger

Great post, Tiger. Could you tell me more about chemicals in Palmolive? I'd never heard this. At home, I do use Dawn dish detergent. Does this have chemicals as well? If so, what do you use? Would love to know, thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

I think it is fair to say that almost all dishwashing products have chemicals. Some are organic, some are not, but that are all still technically chemicals. Some of the fragrances really set off my allergies.

 

[mla973]

Disney's best kept secret: where have the studio mugs and cups gone?

Still haven't heard anything other than a canned response from DVC.

 

[LisaS]

I haven't felt the DVC magic for quite awhile now.

They are practicing a different kind of magic now: they can make things disappear! (Sorry -- I couldn't resist!)

 

[LilGMom]

Another instance... free dining. At certain times of year, WDW offers VALUE resorts for $79 a night AND gives the guests (up to 4 per room) free dining! Of course, you have to purchase the package (so those of us with AP's would have to re-buy park admission), but what kinds of deals do they give us, you know the one's that actually PAID a large sum of money to build these beautiful resorts for Disney? We had to FIGHT to get access to the DDP!

And don't forget thread after thread about people that had booked at one of the Value resorts but were then upgraded (due to over-booking) to SSR or another DVC resort and sometimes in a bigger unit than a studio at no additional cost.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

And don't forget thread after thread about people that had booked at one of the Value resorts but were then upgraded (due to over-booking) to SSR or another DVC resort and sometimes in a bigger unit than a studio at no additional cost.

Oh, this just isn't right!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

I just read a report on another message board that Mousekeeping stopped by their studio and replaced the styrofoam and plastic with ceramic mugs and real glasses. So if anyone can confirm that, please do.

 

[ransom]

I just read a report on another message board that Mousekeeping stopped by their studio and replaced the styrofoam and plastic with ceramic mugs and real glasses. So if anyone can confirm that, please do.

Yes, please!

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.

 

[rayelias]

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.

 

[n2mm]

I can't believe the no response from DVC. I feel like I'm in a "timeout".

 

[LIFERBABE]

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 agree.

Bringing them back is an excellent start, but the simple fact that someone thought it was OK to remove them in the first place, does not sit right with me.

This may seem petty to some, but for what we pay in dues, we should not have to fight this hard for the little things. When I go on vacation, I am willing to pay deluxe prices for a deluxe experiences.

DVC acts as if they are doing us a favor by having a unit available for us to occupy. Nevermind we all pay dearly for that privelige.

Now I have to worry about if our kids will be able to swim because they stopped heating the pools again, or if I need to bring dish soap and a sponge or a mug or glasses or whatever else they decide to take away in an effort to simplify our lives.

I can pay cash and not have to worry about any of it. If I dont like it, I ask for a refund and go find somewhere else to stay or vacation. Cant do that with DVC and never thought I would want to.

It's simple, we pay the money, they provide the magic Anything less, and Im out

 

[hematite153]

I think it is fair to say that almost all dishwashing products have chemicals. Some are organic, some are not, but that are all still technically chemicals. Some of the fragrances really set off my allergies.

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.

 

[bzzelady]

Hello All!
I received an email response from my guide today from the email that I sent last night! I copied/pasted the response below...my email from last night was too lengthy to copy/paste here but I think I did a pretty good job of communicating my point.

"As a member myself, I can relate to what your expressing.
You have done the right thing in communicating to Member Satisfaction. Initially you get an automated response. But, they will follow up with you.
I have made our management aware if your discontent.
We have designated DVCMEMBERSATISFACTIONTEAM@DISNEYVACTIONCLUB.COM to
handle these types of messages and they will be in touch with you.
Thank You for manifesting your concern."

Hey...this is more of a response than most people have received!
Let's see what happens

 

[PinkTink63]

I think those are washed about as often as the bedspreads.

I have to say I think I have been watching too much CSI (is there ever anything else on SpikeTV???) because I automatically tear those bedspreads off and toss them in a corner, never to be touched again. Ewww.

You can always switch over to A&E and catch CSI Miami!