DVC studios - fewer amenities

[LisaS]

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

I think the distinction they are making is whether mousekeeping uses a push cart to service your room vs. where a basket of linens is left at your door. That's why at VB the Inn rooms will have glassware and the villas will not since VB is a hybrid of hotel style (Inn rooms) and standalone (villas).

Where a push cart is used, they can load it up with all of the items needed to service the rooms. Where a basket is used, they will have to come up with a way to deliver and store the glassware in the housekeeping storage areas.

Since Kidani is all under one roof rather than lots of individual buildings, it would not be considered a stand alone resort. I expect the rooms there will be serviced with push carts not baskets.

 

[squirrlygirl]

If the reasoning is because the dishes have to be sanitized between guests, then how do they explain only making the change in a studio?

 

[robinb]

I think the distinction they are making is whether mousekeeping uses a push cart to service your room vs. where a basket of linens is left at your door.

I'm sorry if this has been addressed here or on one of the other threads, but what the heck were they doing before in the "stand alone" resorts?!? Nothing? I'm starting to feel a bit queasy now as we NEVER washed our glasses/mugs before using them. We just assumed they were clean.

 

[DIZBOUND]

Well was I glad to receive my email from DVC today when I got home. We are leaving for SSR on Sunday and at least I can request the mug and glasses and have them delivered. This is a step in the right direction, albeit after a HUGE on backwards. I will be sure to post to let you all know if we were really able to attain these items.

 

[bavaria]

I'm sorry if this has been addressed here or on one of the other threads, but what the heck were they doing before in the "stand alone" resorts?!? Nothing? I'm starting to feel a bit queasy now as we NEVER washed our glasses/mugs before using them. We just assumed they were clean.

Think rubber gloves, used cloth, and Windex

Does that make you feel better? At least it isn't 'nothing'! And you obviously built up a healthy immune system...

 

[tiffany123]

For what it's worth, we have a couple of very good friends who are mousekeepers at DVC resorts in Orlando. I won't say where or name them but I asked them if the kitchenware is washed between guests and as I told you earlier, the answer is "no". They wash only those dishes that are either in the dishwasher or found in the sink or on the counters. They do not have time to wash every dish, pot and pan when switching out rooms.

 

[pilferk]

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

Doubtful.

First off...because at this point they can still make any adjustments they need to to get commercial glass cleaning washers insalled during construction.

Secondly, because Jambo and Kidani already are going to share some basic infrastructure.

Thirdly, because AKV is specifically mentioned as having a "solution" and Kidani is a part of AKV.

Edit: Oh, and I finally got my email response....same as the one listed by most posters....today.

 

[toocherie]

For what it's worth, we have a couple of very good friends who are mousekeepers at DVC resorts in Orlando. I won't say where or name them but I asked them if the kitchenware is washed between guests and as I told you earlier, the answer is "no". They wash only those dishes that are either in the dishwasher or found in the sink or on the counters. They do not have time to wash every dish, pot and pan when switching out rooms.

which is what I suspected and which is why the (now apparently abandoned) reason for the policy in the studios is totally lame.

although it will be "one more thing" to do when you arrive, I also will call immediately (or even advise at check-in) that I will be needing my mugs/glassware when I arrive. I don't see it as much different from other hotels where we will call to get extra pillows--just part of the "settling in" process.

I also predict that when a large number of visitors start asking for these things they are going to magically "re-appear" as standard issue in the studios because Mousekeeping isn't going to want to be schlepping mugs and glasses when people check in.

 

[diznycrazed]

Hi all, I haven't read through the entire chain but I have pasted my question and the reply I got today. If I have duplicated what others have posted, I'm sorry! They actually didn't respond to my question about soap and sponge which I have sinced asked again.


Hello Theresa,

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 disposables
because 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, The
Villas 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 cups
until 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,
Magdalene
Disney Vacation Club



Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Member Name: Theresa
Country: US

I am very upset about things I am reading on Disboards re the removal of
dish detergent/sponges, glass cups/mugs from the studio rooms. I ALWAYS
use the detergent to wash out mugs and glasses and bowls I bring from
home as well as utensils. This is crazy to be removing sink detergent.
The use of styrofoam as well is certainly not "green" in any way. You
certainly don't want members to start vocalizing this fact I am sure.

I would appreciate a reply as to how factual the above is. Members
posting on the Disboards website reported this was to go into effect on
Mar 3rd is this true?

Terry

 

[PinkTink63]

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 AGREE!
This is a start, but what have they been doing all along?! OKW has been here 15 years and they are just now coming to this conclusion! How have they been cleaning dishes there all this time? What about the dishes in the larger units? I already asked if they ran them through the DW after each guest and was told no! So how is it any different from a studio?

 

[Deb & Bill]

My question, what do they do at the GF and Polynesian resorts? Surely they don't have dishwashers in each building.

 

[PinkTink63]

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.

My FIL got this on a non-Disney cruise back in Dec. and had to be quarantined! He was really sick!

 

[La2kw]

With MRSA infections at all time highs, not to mention meningitis and other communicable infections, ie. mononucleuosis, the sterilization process that takes place when using a dishwasher just needs to happen. I am glad Disney is enforcing this.

I didn't think dishwashers actually sterilized dishes. Isn't there a sign in the kitchen cupboard stating that the items are not sterilized according to foodservice regulations?

 

[PinkTink63]

For what it's worth, we have a couple of very good friends who are mousekeepers at DVC resorts in Orlando. I won't say where or name them but I asked them if the kitchenware is washed between guests and as I told you earlier, the answer is "no". They wash only those dishes that are either in the dishwasher or found in the sink or on the counters. They do not have time to wash every dish, pot and pan when switching out rooms.

I knew this had to be the case! So the logic behind taking these things only out of the studios is ludicrous! So these people who think there dishes in their 1,2, and GV's are somehow more sanitzed are really being naive! I usually try to wash everything before I leave, but if I don't have time I leave them in the sink.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I didn't think dishwashers actually sterilized dishes.

Yes, they do.

 

[Chuck S]

I knew this had to be the case! So the logic behind taking these things only out of the studios is ludicrous!

Not really, I can kind of understand it, as Disney does things for "show" and perception. There are a lot of guests that really wouldn't think things through. Travel & "Disney Magic" is all about how guests perceive things, whether that perception is rooted in truth or not doesn't matter. Perhaps they were looking to tell prospective buyers that saw the expose that DVC wouldn't have "that problem." But it just didn't fly with existing members. They truly didn;t expect this kind of reaction. I really can't blame 'em for trying, but I'm happy they are puttng the glassware back, and are maybe buying class cleaners for OKW and SSR. At least we can request it at OKW.

So these people who think there dishes in their 1,2, and GV's are somehow more sanitzed are really being naive! I usually try to wash everything before I leave, but if I don't have time I leave them in the sink.

Again, naive, yes. But perception is what is important.

 

[sgtdisney]

Yes, they do.

Not the ones in the OKW 1/2/3 bedroom villas. Those are standard low end household dishwashers and they do not officially sterilze dishes. There is a note in the unit explaining this as well. I think maybe DVC should put commercial grade dishwashers in each 1/2/3 bedroom unit since they are so concerned about all of our health.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

True commercial dishawashers found in restaurants do steralize, but not so sure about regular home units.
Our home unit has a "sanatize" setting. I think it pipes in really hot air/water. If you don't have this setting, I would bet there is no sterilazation.

MG

 

[La2kw]

Yes, they do.

Standard dishwashers in the DVC units do? What's the disclaimer about then?

 

[La2kw]

We also finally got a response from DVC, 12 days after my first one. While I'm glad that some of the studios are getting their dishes back, I am still not happy that two of my home resorts will still have this policy. One of their "solutions" is to have more environmentally friendly disposables? That means they intend to keep the disposables and just make them more green? That's unacceptable. Just by the dishwashers for all the resorts on get on with it. I will definitely be requesting my mugs and glasses, and I will also have a print out of my email in my suitcase just in case I get a cm who tells me I'm not entitled to them.

I still have a huge problem with how this was all handled and also the lack of respect towards members who had valid complaints. I was promised a response in 5 days and was ignored for 12 days. That's a complete lack of customer service. At the very least, I expected something saying they were still looking into my concern. They ignored us for days! DVC is not a gift, as someone mentioned recently. It's a product I have spent my hard earned money purchasing. I am a customer, not an inconvenience! DVC has lost a lot of credibility in my opinion. I too will be keeping a very close eye on everything they do from now on.