DVC temporary policy rooms now between 4pm and 6pm?

[DVCSunDevil]

Not criticizing your personal vacation habits as many people will just be ok with it, but the more people that choose to accept it without a peep, the less likely Disney will fix it in the future.

It's not just housekeeping, happens all the time. They like to see how far they can push the lack of service and the price all at the same time.

At the end of the day Disney doesn't care if housekeeping is late so long as it doesn't cost them $.

Totally cool...I didn't take it as you criticizing my vacation habits. Our travel habits lend themselves to not getting upset if our room was ever delayed past 4:00pm, because we always tend to arrive really early and utilize the pool or do other things. Knock on wood, but our room typically is always ready early. Some of the comments in this thread make it sound like people are sitting in the lobby staring at the front desk and waiting for their room. That's not how we roll.

I think the main difference for me is that I don't see it as a widespread issue. As mentioned earlier, I just don't think the percentage of check-ins that aren't available to be completed at 4:00pm is high. I know it happens but I personally have only had it happen to me once in all my years of visiting WDW, and that was at Shades of Green. If it did happen and it was causing me inconvenience, I wouldn't "accept it without a peep" as you stated. But everyone's definition of "peep" is different. For me, I would talk to the front desk to make sure they were aware. Some people may define "peep" as yelling at the front desk, which to me doesn't make sense. If more time went on and my room still wasn't ready I would ask to speak to a manager.

For my job, I spend about 75 nights a year in hotel rooms. Rooms not being ready happens at all hotels. It has happened to me a few times during my work trips, but the front desk agents are obviously aware of it. When I fill out the post stay survey, that's the time I would mention my displeasure with having to wait for the room. The same thing can be done on the post WDW resort survey that is emailed. That's a good way to make sure the issue is communicated. What good does yelling at front desk agents do? Those people are doing everything they can.

Our most recent trip was two weeks ago and I though the level of service was really good. Everyone from the front desk, housekeeping, servers, etc was great. It lived up to what we would expect from Disney.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If it did happen and it was causing me inconvenience, I wouldn't "accept it without a peep" as you stated. But everyone's definition of "peep" is different. For me, I would talk to the front desk to make sure they were aware. Some people may define "peep" as yelling at the front desk, which to me doesn't make sense. If more time went on and my room still wasn't ready I would ask to speak to a manager.

What good does yelling at front desk agents do? Those people are doing everything they can.

I agree on these two points. No one is perfect of course and sometimes we let our tempers get the better of them but other times it's how people interact with others in general.

However it pays to remember that most times the employees are doing what they can when they can as often as they can. Goes far and beyond hotels but in this context the employee who is talking to your about your room being ready doesn't have some ulterior motive to keep you longer though you being rude to them, yelling at them, etc may not serve to help you.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

... being rude to them, yelling at them, etc may not serve to help you.

Honey vs. vinegar. I find that being nice to the person behind the counter at hotels, airports, stores, etc. tends to go a lot farther towards achieving my desired outcome.

I've never understood people ticking off the person whose help they need to get what they want. How is that strategy going to be successful? They might have been inclined to help, but after someone alienates (and likely ticks them off) by ripping into them over something that they didn't do, they're going to be less motivated to help you.

 

[kc51570]

Totally cool...I didn't take it as you criticizing my vacation habits. Our travel habits lend themselves to not getting upset if our room was ever delayed past 4:00pm, because we always tend to arrive really early and utilize the pool or do other things. Knock on wood, but our room typically is always ready early. Some of the comments in this thread make it sound like people are sitting in the lobby staring at the front desk and waiting for their room. That's not how we roll.

I think the main difference for me is that I don't see it as a widespread issue. As mentioned earlier, I just don't think the percentage of check-ins that aren't available to be completed at 4:00pm is high. I know it happens but I personally have only had it happen to me once in all my years of visiting WDW, and that was at Shades of Green. If it did happen and it was causing me inconvenience, I wouldn't "accept it without a peep" as you stated. But everyone's definition of "peep" is different. For me, I would talk to the front desk to make sure they were aware. Some people may define "peep" as yelling at the front desk, which to me doesn't make sense. If more time went on and my room still wasn't ready I would ask to speak to a manager.

For my job, I spend about 75 nights a year in hotel rooms. Rooms not being ready happens at all hotels. It has happened to me a few times during my work trips, but the front desk agents are obviously aware of it. When I fill out the post stay survey, that's the time I would mention my displeasure with having to wait for the room. The same thing can be done on the post WDW resort survey that is emailed. That's a good way to make sure the issue is communicated. What good does yelling at front desk agents do? Those people are doing everything they can.

Our most recent trip was two weeks ago and I though the level of service was really good. Everyone from the front desk, housekeeping, servers, etc was great. It lived up to what we would expect from Disney.

We had a split stay our last trip. Our room was not ready by 4 either time. I think the last time I got an early “your room is ready” text was about 8 years ago. I didn’t expect our room to be ready at 11 when we moved from our first villa and didn’t even bother to inquire at the desk when we checked our luggage with bell services. But after getting up early to pack up one stay and then spending the afternoon at Epcot, I definitely thought it should have been ready by 4:15 when I did go to the front desk to inquire and they could not even provide an ETA. I didn’t throw a temper tantrum but I would say in my experience it’s not the norm to have your room ready for you by 4 these days.

 

[accm]

We just don't know, but I think we should, as members and shareholders, be told what it is.

I think this is my main issue with this whole thing/DVC in general. They want it both way. We're owners, so any additional costs will have to be paid by us, but as far as I'm aware, we have no information about (in this case) mousekeeping metrics, how much we're paying them, how much it would cost to go with someone else, what we're getting now per $ paid vs what we were getting pre pandemic per $ paid (not taking into account wage increases). Are we getting charged the same by Disney, but getting inferior service? Who knows? But I'd like to.

Or people could just do what we do. Pack swimsuits in a backpack. Then enjoy the pool until the room is ready. Like others have said, the CMs at the front desk can't control how quickly the room is cleaned and prepared. I personally would find it difficult to hammer someone for something that is out of their control. They know you are there and waiting for a room. Just enjoy the the pool and nice weather...and have a cocktail.

Or, someone has children, and have already been at the pool, and now they need to bathe their kids so they can feed them, or they'll end up with overtired/hungry children. That's cool that you have the flexibility to not need your room, but most of us are expecting to have a room by 4pm, as DVC has said we would. I don't think anyone should yell/belittle CMs, but I also don't think we should just blow it off and pretend like it's the guests fault for not "having a cocktail".

 

[OffToDWD]

We just returned from Grand Californian. When we checked in, we were told "For DVC rooms, they won't be ready until after 4pm but you're welcome to check before to see". When I went to check the status a bit before 4pm, the cast member looked up our reservation and said... "Oh, it's DVC. The earliest is 4pm". So it seems to be specific to DVC rooms since they both emphasized "DVC"?

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

So I actually just read this entire thread, something I rarely do. This was an interesting read for sure. One thing I can say is in my opinion, Disney has no excuse for not having our (DVC) owners room ready at 4:00. We already pay full price for a partial stay on either our first night or last. Say you book a 4 night stay. If going by check out time, 4:00pm-11:00am 19 hours. Second and 3rd night, 24 hours are the same price as first night. Flip it to last day, you're shorted 4 hours. Either way since I am paying full price for a partial day, I will not accept a time later than 4:00 pm for check-in. They already beat on my door on check out day at 8:00 am wanting to know when I will be checking out. They need to plan ahead. If it means having a down day after a guest checks out then so be it. I would rather not see the room available then to get to the resort and have to wait on my time for them to get my room ready. Not my fault so I shouldn't be the one who is inconvenienced. Disney sold me a premium product at a premium price so I want premium service. Period.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Or, someone has children, and have already been at the pool, and now they need to bathe their kids so they can feed them, or they'll end up with overtired/hungry children. That's cool that you have the flexibility to not need your room, but most of us are expecting to have a room by 4pm, as DVC has said we would. I don't think anyone should yell/belittle CMs, but I also don't think we should just blow it off and pretend like it's the guests fault for not "having a cocktail".

I never said to "blow it off". Don't confuse staying calm and enjoying yourself with blowing it off and accepting it. Read all my comments. I said I would go check with the front desk. And then I would ask to speak to a manger if enough time went by and my room still wasn't ready. And it's not "have a room by 4pm", because 4pm is when check in starts. Last, I do have children...two girls. And because I know how ALL hotels operate (not just WDW hotels), we come prepared in case there was an issue with our rooms not being ready. We bring a backpack with swimsuits and food. And if things got crazy delayed we would grab food/dinner from quick service. Would it be ideal? No, not at all. But there are options...we aren't stranded on a deserted island while waiting for the room to get ready.

My main point was in response to many of the comments that sounded as if people were screaming at the front desk when their room isn't ready on time. What the heck is that going to do? Just make for a miserable day for a cast member who has no control over when your room gets done and stress you out, that's what it is going to do. The point I was making with the cocktail comment is that people need to take a deep breath. Stuff happens. Handling a situation calmly and trying to find a way to enjoy the start of a vacation isn't "blowing it off and pretending like it's the guests fault". It's addressing the situation but also being able to still enjoy yourself. So, yes, my wife and I would have a cocktail and cheers each other that we are in Disney. That's how we would do it (and have done it). But other's can go scream at the front desk when it is 4:02 and their room isn't ready yet. To each their own.

 

[snappy]

Clearly I need to up my alcohol budget for my upcoming trip.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Clearly I need to up my alcohol budget for my upcoming trip.

Always a safe strategy!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They already beat on my door on check out day at 8:00 am wanting to know when I will be checking out.

Uh...they do??

I feel like I heard it once or twice here on the Boards but it was like close to check out time (although in practice I've never ever ever had anyone even contact us about when we'll be checking out) never at 8am

 

[kc51570]

Uh...they do??

I feel like I heard it once or twice here on the Boards but it was like close to check out time (although in practice I've never ever ever had anyone even contact us about when we'll be checking out) never at 8am

This has happened to us many times, not every single trip at 8am, but often enough well before check out time and sometimes starting at 8am.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This has happened to us many times, not every single trip at 8am, but often enough well before check out time and sometimes starting at 8am.

That would irk me to no end. Never had that happen before. I doubt I'd stay at a place, much less many times, if there was knocking on my door asking me when I'll be leaving. Why give money to a place like that?

I've had housekeeping randomly in the past on vacation in general knock but it's later on and they aren't asking if we're checking out just asking about if we want the room cleaned. It's been a long time since that has happened and was so rare it's not a pattern to me.

 

[kc51570]

That would irk me to no end. Never had that happen before. I doubt I'd stay at a place, much less many times, if there was knocking on my door asking me when I'll be leaving. Why give money to a place like that?

I've had housekeeping randomly in the past on vacation in general knock but it's later on and they aren't asking if we're checking out just asking about if we want the room cleaned. It's been a long time since that has happened and was so rare it's not a pattern to me.

We always cross our fingers we don’t get the 8am knock if by chance we have time to sleep in, but we’re usually up either prepping for the move to the next resort or packing up for our flight or trying to squeeze in a last day breakfast. If we see them or if they knock before checkout we give them a time for when we will be leaving which is usually the official check out time unless we have an earlier flight.

 

[izzy]

I’ve had the constant knocking on the door starting at 8 am even when I tell them I’m going to be in the room several more hours.

I wish Disney would include online check out so that we could let them know when we’ve left the room. And also a space to note any maintenance issues that need to be addressed in the room.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

When I inquired about having no clean rooms at all, it was when it was mentioned there were no others to move me to.

In my case, I did not have any room requests, but the CM at the front who told me the 4pm-6pm new rule also said "there were other rooms, but this room had such a great view, they would hate to move us". I told her moving me was OK - and she said several times to give it 15 minutes and see. She made it sound like they had other rooms, but she was hesitant to move me - she used view as an excuse, but I suspect it was more that they didn't want to have to shuffle everything.

When I went back to her 30 minutes later and then again 30 minutes after that, I do not know if the room she finally gave me was our original room that she was planning on or not.

In any case, we didn't have a room request, and I would have been okay with any room, but she seemed to feel this room was better than others that she might have had in inventory.

At the very least, they can’t claim they don’t know or can at least attempt to find ways to help make it better.

Again, rooms not being ready until 4:15 ish is much different than people reporting waiting until after 6 pm or even later.

Yup, and again - that's all I am saying here. I can't make people complain either. I am just saying that *IF* your room is more than what you consider an acceptable wait (and that's up to you as well - what is acceptable), then please let them know. As I constantly tell people at work, I can only fix what you tell me about.

Honey vs. vinegar. I find that being nice to the person behind the counter at hotels, airports, stores, etc. tends to go a lot farther towards achieving my desired outcome.

I've never understood people ticking off the person whose help they need to get what they want. How is that strategy going to be successful? They might have been inclined to help, but after someone alienates (and likely ticks them off) by ripping into them over something that they didn't do, they're going to be less motivated to help you.

100% percent. As I mentioned, she gave me a slight compensation for the late room. It was very much appreciated. I DID NOT ASK. SHE DID NOT OFFER. She INFORMED me that she did that. I somehow doubt she would have offered more than an apology if I was a rude jerk. I actually filled out a compliment for her. It was certainly not her fault. She was doing everything I felt she reasonably could. No reason to be mean to her.

we have no information about (in this case) mousekeeping metrics, how much we're paying them, how much it would cost to go with someone else, what we're getting now per $ paid vs what we were getting pre pandemic per $ paid (not taking into account wage increases). Are we getting charged the same by Disney, but getting inferior service? Who knows? But I'd like to.

This. Again, I would have no qualm if Disney came back and said "we would like to make sure everyone is in their room by 4pm. To do that, we will need to increase the staff. Here is how long it takes to get it done right now. By adding (n) more mousekeepers, all rooms would be ready by 4pm at an additional increase of $.nn/point annually. Then we have something to talk about. I would likely be cool with the increase and would vote for it. But tell us if that is the problem and solution. If it's not, tell us what the solution is.

I’ve had the constant knocking on the door starting at 8 am even when I tell them I’m going to be in the room several more hours.

I have only had the 8am knock once... and I would love to keep it that way, LOL. At BCV.

 

[Boopuff]

We'd all like to be in our rooms by 4, and not have the 8am knock, but unfortunately, I believe they sorta go hand-in-hand. If they can't get people out and moving on the early end, then it would seem that they have less time to clean. I have no idea how Disney can solve this problem. My DH travels extensively for work and he's often had to wait for rooms to become available if he arrives early (befor 3 at some hotels, 4 at others.)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We'd all like to be in our rooms by 4, and not have the 8am knock, but unfortunately, I believe they sorta go hand-in-hand. If they can't get people out and moving on the early end, then it would seem that they have less time to clean. I have no idea how Disney can solve this problem. My DH travels extensively for work and he's often had to wait for rooms to become available if he arrives early (befor 3 at some hotels, 4 at others.)

I'll disagree they go hand in hand. As in all the travels we've had we've not had this happen. How in all the numerous travels my husband has done for work over the years, in all our vacations, we don't have this happen much less many times?

I'm with you on waiting for rooms to be available, that's quite normal and most places the time listed is the time you can begin checking in but in no way guarantees you'll have a room available at that time (sometimes it's due to what you request either ahead of time or at the front desk). Some places offer you to select your room location ahead of time and I know my husband has only utilized that a handful of times usually opting to not. In those cases though they know that room is available. And there are times when a room is available and you can check in early.

I do think every hotel would prefer guests to check out ASAP so they can get to cleaning, but that is not the same as actually physically knocking on someone's door actually asking them when they will be leaving, most hotels have more politeness than that and treat their guests with more civility.

I understand with DVC there's wording that people argue over, disagree about its meaning and all.

 

[tjkraz]

I'll disagree they go hand in hand. As in all the travels we've had we've not had this happen. How in all the numerous travels my husband has done for work over the years, in all our vacations, we don't have this happen much less many times?

Average hotel occupancy hovers around 60-65%. Think about what that means for a hotel with 100 rooms.

- 35 rooms are empty from the night before. Dozens of guests could arrive at 9am and immediately be given a room.
- Only 30 vacated rooms need to be cleaned to accommodate everyone. The 35 holdover rooms from the night before plus 30 more that are turned-over will get you to the 65 needed for the new day.
- 35 rooms don't have to be cleaned by any specific time because they aren't needed.

Disney hotels typically operate around 90% occupancy. DVC resorts are effectively 100%. Barring an unbooked room or no-show, every single vacated DVC villa must be turned over by 4pm. If you have 300 guests checking out, 300 rooms have to be cleaned by 4pm.

Disney should operate with that standard in mind. But any variety of factors conspire against them on a daily basis: employee sick calls, no-shows, rooms that are left in particular disrepair by departing guests, rooms that need maintenance attention, etc.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Years ago we gave up on things like 6am flights and arrival-day ADRs because there's too much uncertainty. It's less about giving Disney a free pass for bad performance, and more about acknowledging the things that can go wrong, and not putting myself in a position where they will cause our trip to begin with anger and frustration.

Do I believe that some exhorbitant number like 25-50% of all arrivals are getting their rooms after 4pm? No, absolutely not. But there's always a chance I'll be the one who gets hit. I'll report the problem to management. But I'm not going to let it damage the start of my trip, I'm not going to unload on some poor desk clerk, and I'm not going to assume that dozens of others are suffering the same fate due to widespread managerial incompetence.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Years ago we gave up on things like 6am flights

We like getting in early to our vacations where ever lol but we don't expect our hotel room to be ready, we call or go to the check in desk and sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. But admittedly we're also far less picky about our room in terms of its location.

Average hotel occupancy hovers around 60-65%. Think about what that means for a hotel with 100 rooms.

- 35 rooms are empty from the night before. Dozens of guests could arrive at 9am and immediately be given a room.
- Only 30 vacated rooms need to be cleaned to accommodate everyone. The 35 holdover rooms from the night before plus 30 more that are turned-over will accommodate the new day's arrivals.
- 35 rooms don't have to be cleaned by any specific time because they aren't needed.

Disney hotels typically operate around 90%. DVC resorts are effectively 100%. Barring an unbooked room or no-show, every single vacated DVC villa must be turned over by 4pm. If you have 300 guests checking out, 300 rooms have to be cleaned by 4pm.

When I said my comment about disagreeing about hand in hand it was that they needed to physically knock on someone's door to ask when they are leaving. I think we all know like I said in my comment hotels would like people out ASAP. None we've stayed in has resorted to knocking on someone's door prior to check out much less as a norm. That, again, does not mean they don't want everyone out they just don't knock on your door hounding you to get your butt out.

most about having acknowledging the things that can go wrong, and not putting myself in a position where they will cause our trip to begin with anger and frustration.

Totally with you on this.