DVC studios - fewer amenities

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

What part do you disagree with?

Some rooms seem to have more 'everyday stuff' than others to start. Plus how is it sanitary to have a plan in place to clean the plates and not the pots and pans and other bake ware that is in the one/two/three bedrooms? Or are you stating that all of that fit in the dishwasher too? Are we supposed to have a checklist to give to mousekeeping upon checkout of what we use so they make sure to sanitize those items?

If they don't wash everything every time, and they don't, there is no guarantee anything in the cabinets is clean/sanitized.

This doesn't even take into account the other people on this thread who have seen rooms turned over in 20 mins. The simple truthful answer to the question does Mousekeeping clean all the dishes in the other rooms would be kinda. If you're OK with kinda, then go ahead and use them when you check in, if not, clean them yourself.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Instead of all studios getting the shaft, now OKW, SSR, HHI and VB studio guests are the second-class citizens.

I also agree with the comment of a PP that after all these years, now DVC says it's unhealthy. How many reports of people being sick from dirty dishes have they had?

I think you are taking this way to personal. They will have a solution for the other resorts, they just need time to put the proper procedures in place. Also,you may want to visit the cruise boards. There is a post there that a party of 12 got what they consider the "norwalk" virus on their March Disney cruise. So now you have some complaints.

 

[tjkraz]

If they don't wash everything every time, and they don't, there is no guarantee anything in the cabinets is clean/sanitized.

Just because every item in the kitchen can't be washed in one load doesn't mean it isn't happening.

And even if some housekeepers aren't washing everything doesn't mean they are following approved policy.

And if policy until now has been to only wash certain items, that doesn't mean the policy hasn't been tweaked to comply with this new emphasis on cleanliness.

If you're OK with kinda, then go ahead and use them when you check in, if not, clean them yourself.

Agreed.

I think we also need make some allowance for common sense. Going back to Studio rooms, when dealing with mugs and glasses sitting on a shelf, the resort is obligated to make the assumption that some or all were used by departing guests. They MUST all be replaced or cleaned between parties.

A villa with a full kitchen is a different animal, IMO. Most sensible people could draw reasonable conclusions as to whether a cookie sheet, saucepan or tupperware container has been put back in the cabinet dirty.

Those who have concerns over the cleanliness of the equipment in their kitchen have all of the tools to remedy that situation immediately at hand. The same cannot be said for Studio guests.

 

[granmaz]

I've just had a reply from DVC. I am sure you will all be getting one.

They are sticking with the disposables in units without dishwashers but you can ask for more, and also ask for glassware which will be removed at the end of stay.

They are looking at more environmental friendly ways like stand alone glass washers at specified locations around the properties.

No mention about dishwashing liquid etc, so I guess we take our own.

 

[waltfan1957]

I think you are taking this way to personal. They will have a solution for the other resorts, they just need time to put the proper procedures in place. Also,you may want to visit the cruise boards. There is a post there that a party of 12 got what they consider the "norwalk" virus on their March Disney cruise. So now you have some complaints.

proper procedures were in place its just that mousekeeping chose to ignore them at our cost as for the cruise thing will they take glasses of the ships of course they wont I only saw in the dvc reply where it says glassware may be requested nothing about mugs as a ssr member disney is treating us as lower class

 

[DVCSAMNH]

proper procedures were in place its just that mousekeeping chose to ignore them at our cost as for the cruise thing will they take glasses of the ships of course they wont I only saw in the dvc reply where it says glassware may be requested nothing about mugs as a ssr member disney is treating us as lower class

I can understand people feeling the "Disney is treating us as lower-class" thing. But, I'm not going down that road until they drop the ball and don't follow through with the placement of the commercial dishwashers in a timely manner. It's up to us to keep their feet to the fire in six months or so if absolutely nothing has been done. I agree with tjkraz that we have to give them time to file permits and run plumbing. But, on the other hand, we don't have to give them forever.

My bigger worry is that I'm starting to fear that the fox is running the henhouse as far as mousekeeping is concerned. This whole thing may have shown us how little control DVC exercises over cleaning. This was a very big reaction to a housekeeping problem. I think along with the new dishwashers, some supervisors should be added to oversee cleaning to make sure cleaning is complete before these rooms are turned over and people are working instead of socializing or watching television.

 

[alldiz]

Has there been any change at the moderates?

POFQ dosen't even have a restaurant......how do they get
clean glasses?

why is it just DVC.
Kerri

 

[gkrykewy]

I'm very glad that this problem has been corrected for AKV, and I'm sure it'll be resolved similarly for standalone resorts in a decent timeframe.

 

[AKV707]

I hust received the email from DVC. Same one everyone else is getting. Good to see that they are hearing us.

 

[alldiz]

Received my email....

Very happy they listened....

Just want to say thanks to all Diser's.....

THE DIS ROCKS
Kerri

 

[Kathi OD]

I hust received the email from DVC. Same one everyone else is getting. Good to see that they are hearing us.

Here's part of the letter I sent, so I'm not so sure they heard everything, but at least it's a step in the right direction.


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.

ETA: I also got my email response.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I think for the standalone resorts you should be able to add if you want glassware to your requests when you make your reservation. Maybe then they can place them in your room upon assignment.

They can also determine daily demand (which I think will be high) and have what they need readily available.

I know Turf Club @ SSR has a commercial dishwasher and it closes at 9pm. I work in a country club and we do banquets and weddings. 2 hours max for the smallest commercial machine to turn out approx. 2000 pieces of glassware.

I give DVC my money, I dont have to give them the benefit of doubt. They need to deliver and stop playing us. I would not buy SSR or OKW (which they are actively selling) until they bring things up to par.

 

[DVC Mike]

The DVC member web site has a news item:

Resorts adjust studio glassware practices

As part of a continuous review of cleaning practices in Disney Resort hotels, leaders determined that hand washing dishware and glassware in Disney Vacation Club studio units wasn't sufficient to meet the company's cleanliness standards.

For studio accommodations at Disney Vacation Club Resorts in which glass-washing equipment is available (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 Vero Beach Resort), glassware and ceramic mugs now are cleaned in the glass washers, rather than by hand.

Studio accommodations at stand-alone Disney Vacation Club Resorts (Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, the villas at Disney's Vero Beach Resort and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa) now utilize disposable cups, since glass washers aren't available at those resorts. The company wanted to take action quickly, and using disposables was the most expedient solution. Housekeepers replenish the disposable cups upon request.

Disney Vacation Club leaders are investigating more environmentally friendly disposable products, as well as the possibility of installing glass washers at specified locations within the stand-alone properties.

 

[toocherie]

The DVC member web site has a news item:

interesting that they didn't include in this news item that you can request glassware in SSR/OKW

 

[sgtdisney]

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.

The problem, for me, is simple. Instead of addressing the real issue which is that housekeeping is not doing their jobs correctly, The powers that be at DVC decided that the members didn't need the cups and glasses and just pulled them without an explanation or discussion. It really is simple. What Disney needs to do, is do some of their own internal 'housekeeping' and put the housekeeping management on alert. I can just see at my company if one of my employees wasn't doing something right, that they'd just pull a service from the customer without explanation. Only with Disney and their captive audience, DVC members, is that possible.

 

[chloe]

Maybe we should ask for "real" plates now....

 

[kt-scarlett]

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

I am confused why you would think this. Is it because one time you found the dishwasher full of clean dishes? Are you extrapolating that therefore this is standard procedure? Given the number of unclean dinnerware found my myself and others on this list, I'd have to say that, if it is standard procedure, then someone ought to inform housekeeping.

 

[sgtdisney]

Ok, now I have another question. Everyone is aware that most household dishwashers are not rated for sanitizing dishware, right? In fact there is a warning on the list in the units at OKW saying something to that effect. So, Disney is concerned about sanitation and cleanliness. Are they going to replace all the dishwashers in the 1/2/3 bedroom units with commercial grade dishwashers now? I mean how can we be subjected to non-sanitized dishware in the larger units.

They do make some household level dishwashers that have sanitize features that will increase the water temperature, but I know (at least in OKW) those dishwashers are fairly low end and don't have that option. Now I think Disney just needs to upgrade all the dishwashers if this is such a big concern.

Personally, I am not happy with the answer. None of the resorts wash their own sheets, they go to a central plant (that is why they got rid of the peach towels or so I was told.. ) Why not have a central dish washing location. Just as they bring in large carts of linens, would it be so hard to bring in carts of glassware? Now we can look forward to, in the two largest DVC resorts, having to call in and beg for glassware. Nice.

 

[alldiz]

Maybe we should ask for "real" plates now....

Seriously....I haven't stayed in a studio yet....this thread is the 1st I heard
that there are not real plates....
I wonder if I can request real plates.

Anyway.....Do they consider "Kidani Village" stand alone
Kerri

 

[sgtdisney]

Seriously....I haven't stayed in a studio yet....this thread is the 1st I heard
that there are not real plates....
I wonder if I can request real plates.

Years and years ago, they used to have plates, bowls and silverware in the OKW studios. Not sure about the other locations. Those were removed long ago. Now, it's nothing but the best for steerage class, paper plates and bowls and elegant plastic utensils.

Guess they took the plates and silverware out earlier because they were harder to clean than those pesky glasses and mugs.