First "visit" home was magical, despite horrible start

[KelNottAt]

I'll call it a visit home because we didn't actually stay overnight. But, for me, it still "counted" and I'm excited to share this report:

Cast: myself, DH, DS12, DD10.

Background: We’ve been DVC members for 2 years, but have never stayed at our home resort (BWV). We had our first trip booked last year, but were cancelled by Hurricane Frances. Since the plane tix for that trip would expire on April 1, we decided to use them for Spring Break. We couldn’t afford the Premier season points so we ended up staying at Universal. (A bummer, but still very nice…especially FOTL.)

Although it was a Universal vacation, we planned Easter Sunday at WDW so we could get a taste of the Magic and finally see our DVC. The plan was: brunch at Spoodles, explore BWV, DisneyQuest, then tubing at the Contemporary.

Well, the most eagerly-awaited day of vacation started off with a Spoodles disaster. It didn’t bother me (too much) that the waitress failed to submit our order. The worse part was her rude, indifferent, and defensive attitude about it. But, it was Easter, we were on vacation, and we decided we weren’t gonna make an issue out of it. DH merely took her aside and calmly explained why she only earned a 10% tip. (According to her, we stiffed her. Whatever.)

After eating, we all left the restaurant then DH returned 5 minutes later to get the camera he left behind. The hostess didn’t have it with the rest of the lost and found. The waitress had taken it to the back. Imagine our disgust when she said she wanted to “teach us a lesson” and “ya know, I could have stolen it and you would never have found out.” ***? At that, DH went straight to the manager and gave him an earful. The manager said all the right things in response and we left vowing not to let it ruin the rest of the day.

Ruin the day??? No way!!! Everything was perfectly magical from that point on. As it was Sunday and a crowded member check-in day, I was convinced the resort would be too busy to let us peek at the inside of a villa. I was never so glad to be wrong. I was overjoyed when lobby manager Alfredo enthusiastically granted my request to see one. His CM Jonathan led us to a 1BR BW view that totally blew me away! Hurray!

Next, DQ was great for DS and DD. There was virtually no crowd cuz we arrived at noon. They completely enjoyed themselves while DH and I relaxed at the café.

Tubing at CR was awesome, too. Kim was our boat captain. We spent the first 45 min tubing. Then she said, “hey, do you guys like waterskiing?” Like it? We love it! So she let us ski for the next 30 minutes. This brought our total boat time over one hour…but she didn’t even mention an extra fee or anything. She was awesome and we promised ourselves we’d definitely do it again the next time we visited WDW.

All in all, it was an absolutely fabulous day, despite the rough start at Spoodles. We remain thrilled to be members and can’t wait to go back.

Kelley

 

[Beca]

OMGSH!!!! I cannot believe that story about Spoodles....here's hoping there's a new opening for a waitress at that restaurant....I think she "needs a change"!!!



Beca

P.S....I thought 10% was generous!!!

 

[Stimpy]

Glad the rest of your day was better than Spoodles! The CM wouldn't have received any tip from us. First the bad service and then the camera??? It's totally unacceptable that she could take your camera like that. I'm glad you didn't let it ruin your day!

Hope you get to go "home" again real soon!

 

[manning]

Hmmm, me thinks the waitress had other plans for the camera.

"Finders keepers losers weepers" ring a bell.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Regarding Spoodles, we ate there last week. The food was delicious, but I do have to say the restaurant staff do seem to have an "attitude". We had a PS and I was patiently waiting in line for my turn to speak to the hostess to let her know we were there. My DD was standing next to me and we moved up to the desk. My DD just happened to place her hand on the hostesses desk and the hostess jumped down her throat about her having to wait her turn and gave her an ugly look. The thing was it was her/my turn. My DD jumped back and said excuse me. Then they made the biggest deal about seating, etc. We waited at least 30 minutes even though we had a PS. I'm convinced we were put on a "bad" list because of the DD incident and we were being punished. We made jokes the rest of the night about the hostess nazi, like in Seinfeld. No soup for you.

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks for the great report!

 

[minmate]

Regarding Spoodles, we ate there last week. The food was delicious, but I do have to say the restaurant staff do seem to have an "attitude". We had a PS and I was patiently waiting in line for my turn to speak to the hostess to let her know we were there. My DD was standing next to me and we moved up to the desk. My DD just happened to place her hand on the hostesses desk and the hostess jumped down her throat about her having to wait her turn and gave her an ugly look. The thing was it was her/my turn. My DD jumped back and said excuse me. Then they made the biggest deal about seating, etc. We waited at least 30 minutes even though we had a PS. I'm convinced we were put on a "bad" list because of the DD incident and we were being punished. We made jokes the rest of the night about the hostess nazi, like in Seinfeld. No soup for you.

At least you found some humor in it! I have to admit, I often lose my sense of humor when it comes to people treating my kids badly... mother bear instinct you know!

 

[lllovell]

I am so glad that you didn't let that errrrr person (the correct words would get censored) mess up the rest of your day! Glad you had fun. I want to try the tubing at some point when my children are older

 

[Cinderelli]

So sorry about the Spoodle's incident. I'm glad you didn't let it ruin your day. I am so glad to hear about the "tubing" at the Contemporary. I knew watersports were offered (parasailing, skiing, etc.), but didn't know tubing was an option. My DKs would absolutely love this. Just goes to show, no matter how much you read these boards, you can always learn something new.

Thanks for posting. I hope you get to enjoy your "home" soon.

Lissa

 

[jnrrt]

I'm frankly shocked by the Spoodles thing. That's crazy - what was she thinking?

It was great to hear all the good details of your trip too - I didn't know you could waterski or tube, so thanks!

 

[NMW]

I am really shocked by the Spoodles waitress. At least you took the time to explain why the tip was so low, we would have just paid and left. I have to admit you are not the first person I have heard complain about how rude they are at Spoodles. We are planning a Spoodles breakfast on our next trip but I'm starting to wonder if we should just do another Cape May Cafe breakfast instead.
I'm glad you liked the BW view 1 bdr. We are staying in one for 9 days in early Dec. We can't wait! Glad the rest of your day was magical!

 

[rocketriter]

Good work talking to the manager. With something caught right at the "teachable moment" when it happens, then you can be sure that after you left there was a firm conversation between the waitress and the manager that should lead to a behavior change. You can also be sure that, if this is a second incident, there's a crater where her job used to be.

 

[jekjones1558]

Loved the happy ending! As I read your post, I just knew that the great BWV manager would turn out to be Alfredo. I have already sent 2 different letters to management about wonderful service we have received from him during our BWV stays. And, just think, you have YEARS of great BWV trips ahead of you!