For you smokers out there......

[Disney Doll]

Well, in the case of someone smoking in a non-smoking room...the CM at the desk has no way to know that when he/she assigns the room. I do agree that a stiff penalty should be charged on the CC of the person who smokes in the room.

I would agree with the posters who have instructed you to call the DVC Customer Service Manager. She would be the person to speak to from whom you would get the most response.

We have stayed at BCV a couple of times, and have had good luck so far. My thought as to why there still seems to be "issues" is because the CMs at BCV were not trained in the DVC way right form the beginning. At OKW & BWV, right from the start, the CMs knew they'd be dealing with timeshare properties..it's a different mindset, different type of traveller etc. BCV started as a regular hotel. I have noticed that the bell people, while certainly always polite, seem to be less-than-enamored at the BCV guests and the amount of "stuff" some folks tend to bring. I can remember stading waiting for my car once at the BC entrance, and a van pulled up, 6 people got out, and when they opened the back, there were about 8 of those Rubbermaid containers!!! In my mind, I thought "what a good idea...all are the same size, water and airtight, stackable, easily packable etc". But then my 2nd thought was for the poor bellman having to lug those around, and I felt sorry for him.

Of course, the VWL wasn't a DVC from the word go, and they don't seem to have those same issues, so go figure!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Moobooks, check your PM-if that was you, you were very calm and reasonable. I probably would have been out of control! Why do other hotels guarantee N/S, but not Disney?

 

[JerJan]

Moobooks......SO SORRY about NS "EXPERIENCE" This same thing happened to me family when were at SSR in January. We were in a clearly marked non-smoking room and had to stay there...it was awful!!!! COMPLAIN, we did and we got a small perk of 4 comp "MYW" tickets. I am an EX SMOKER and I can't stand to be around any smoke at all....it makes me sick! My DD 13 also has asthma so it's medically necessary. Fortunately we had the adjoining studio for my in-laws so she stayed in their room.

 

[Moobooks]

These issues, when heard more frequently about one particular location, usually come down to the management.

 

[Beca]

Well, in the case of someone smoking in a non-smoking room...the CM at the desk has no way to know that when he/she assigns the room. I do agree that a stiff penalty should be charged on the CC of the person who smokes in the room.

I would agree with the posters who have instructed you to call the DVC Customer Service Manager. She would be the person to speak to from whom you would get the most response.

We have stayed at BCV a couple of times, and have had good luck so far. My thought as to why there still seems to be "issues" is because the CMs at BCV were not trained in the DVC way right form the beginning. At OKW & BWV, right from the start, the CMs knew they'd be dealing with timeshare properties..it's a different mindset, different type of traveller etc. BCV started as a regular hotel. I have noticed that the bell people, while certainly always polite, seem to be less-than-enamored at the BCV guests and the amount of "stuff" some folks tend to bring. I can remember stading waiting for my car once at the BC entrance, and a van pulled up, 6 people got out, and when they opened the back, there were about 8 of those Rubbermaid containers!!! In my mind, I thought "what a good idea...all are the same size, water and airtight, stackable, easily packable etc". But then my 2nd thought was for the poor bellman having to lug those around, and I felt sorry for him.

Of course, the VWL wasn't a DVC from the word go, and they don't seem to have those same issues, so go figure!

ITA!! I LOVE BCV, and take it for what it is...but, I certainly don't the "warm fuzzies" there like I do at VWL. I do sometimes get the feeling that the front desk/bell staff don't like having DVC members in the hotel. Well, too bad for them...I am not going anywhere!!! But, it still is VERY sad!!!

 

[DVCconvert]

I had requested a non-smoking room

At the risk of sounding unsympathic, it was 'only' a request.
We all have things we want in life that we don't get. If the request had been for medical need, (which you didn't say) I'd feel more sympathic.

the room being "smoking optional" which is a load of crap--either it's smoking or it isn't.

If the room is labeled and disclosed as "OPTIONAL" how is this a 'load of crap'?? By the definition, 'optional' implies it may have happened.

Worse, though, was that the castmembers are INSTRUCTED by the management to lie to you when you check in about whether or not you've been given a non-smoking room.

And your proof or evidence of this is what?

they put us in a decent room at the Beach Club for the night

So Disney did make an attempt at reasonable accomondation?

I'm considering selling my DVC points.

After only having 20 + posts here, I cannot comment on this, other than to say you should do what you feel is right for you.

 

[Dean]

I'm very concerned about the "instructing CMs to lie" comment. Did you infer this from your experience or did the manager or CM actually tell you that this was policy?

Carol, this is not the first time this has been stated in one way or another that management directed this. And it's clear that some CM's do it intentionally.

 

[jdkdorn]

My husband and I stayed at the BWV 5/6-9and when we were checking in I heard the dreaded phrase from the CM. Theguest asked if there were any smoking rooms, when he verified that there were none available he suggested that they could request an ashtray and smoke in their non-smoking room. I waitied until the guest left and then let the CM have it, I did it politely but let him know how I felt.
I am an asthmatic and have to have a room without the smell of smoke. I let him know thathis suggestion makes a nonsmoking room thatis nowdangerous to some guests. I said that if Disney felt that guests should be able to smoke in all rooms then they would not have the 2 classifications. While I am sure he muttered some choice words about me after I left hopefully he heard whatI was saying

Judy

 

[RonnoLovesFaline]

one time I went into my room and found an actual smoker!

 

[bcvillastwo]

I completely understand the concern about getting put in a smoking room when you specifically requested non smoking. One thing really troubles me though, the OP said that the CM's were "instructed to lie" about it. I find this (1) troubling and (2) kinda hard to believe actually.

The OP made this statement but all it is is a statement, an assertion. What is Disney's side of this? I can't imagine anyone at Disney wanting to take the risk of bad publicity that this kind of policy would cause. Now, it's very possible that the CM said that he/she was told to lie about the smoking rooms in order to get off the hook themselves when in fact Disney management did nothing of the sort.

Frankly, I would like to know a little more and need a little more than the assertion of one person.

I was at BCV last week and I had nothing but good experiences including my dealings with all the CM's, the rooms we were in, etc. I know that may good experience in no way negates this bad experience but after going to BCV 5 times in the last 3 years we've had nothing but good experiences (and nothing but good experiences at WLV and BWV).

 

[DebbieB]

My husband and I stayed at the BWV 5/6-9and when we were checking in I heard the dreaded phrase from the CM. Theguest asked if there were any smoking rooms, when he verified that there were none available he suggested that they could request an ashtray and smoke in their non-smoking room. I waitied until the guest left and then let the CM have it, I did it politely but let him know how I felt.
I am an asthmatic and have to have a room without the smell of smoke. I let him know thathis suggestion makes a nonsmoking room thatis nowdangerous to some guests. I said that if Disney felt that guests should be able to smoke in all rooms then they would not have the 2 classifications. While I am sure he muttered some choice words about me after I left hopefully he heard whatI was saying

Judy

I think you should e-mail member services about what you witnessed. Smoking should not be allowed in a non-smoking room.

 

[jcanary]

I totally agree with contacting member satisfaction but I can tell you it will not get you anywhere. This exact thing happened to us in June of 2004. We were already in a studio but we reserved another studio for one night for my daughter and her girlfriend so they could get some alone time. Well she has asthma and allergies and I had the non smoking for medical reasons down. We actually checked in at 9:30 in the morning and was told the room was having some repairs done, I believe they were trying to get the smoke out. Well we got it at 4:30 and I was blown away when I opened the door. I refused to let my daughter stay in that room. I spoke with a manager who finally found a non smoking studio because someone had to check out early, however we couldn't have it until 7:30pm.
When I got home I wrote to the customer satisfaction and I did receive a phone call but what it came down to was that we can make a notation on your account that you MUST have non smoking to TRY to prevent this in the future. I felt like I got no where. We had been members for 10 years, never had a problem like this.
Let us know if you have any luck. I just hope no one has to go thru this. I have found this only at BCV. As much as I love SAB, it is not worth it. I have often thought of adding on there but I will stay with OKW.

 

[garydeb]

Moobooks,
This is not only a BCV. We had sometime like this happen to us in Jan at OKW. I have asthma and terrible allergies. We got to our non-smoking room and it had not been clean yet and someone smoked in it. The ashtray and butts were in the trash can. Well they told us they had not more non-smoking rooms available and that non-smoking was a requested option. Well I went nuts about then. We didn't get in our room until after 8pm because I made them clean the room, carpet, replace drapes, etc..... It was better when I got cleaned but I still had to use my inhaler and increase my meds. I wrote and called DVC. They listened but I don't think the policies are going to change soon unless we all start to complain about the smoking in a non-smoking room. If other hotels can enforce they smoking rules with charging a cleaning fee then Disney should be able to do the same thing. Sorry this is a touchy subject with me. We leave in ONE week for OKW and I am going to call the day before to make sure they have medically necessary on our request.
-Debbie

 

[ClarabelleCow]

this may be a stupid and maybe to simple of a question, but say a resort has 30 non-smoking rooms, why can't they just tell you when you book a room that there are no non-smoking rooms available??? I book hotels and request non-smoking, they will tell you sorry, all we have available is a smoking room? You know when you book the room? Why is this such a problem with DVC?

 

[childsplay]

why can't they just tell you when you book a room that there are no non-smoking rooms available??? Why is this such a problem with DVC?

The simple answer is (in my opinion) because if DVC uses your suggestion for reservations they lose the flexibility to make adjustments and back themselves in a corner with what to do about smokers who violate the rules and smoke in a nonsmoking room.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

The simple answer is (in my opinion) because if DVC uses your suggestion for reservations they lose the flexibility to make adjustments and back themselves in a corner with what to do about smokers who violate the rules and smoke in a nonsmoking room.

but then can't they enforce a penalty for that!!

 

[CarolMN]

Carol, this is not the first time this has been stated in one way or another that management directed this. And it's clear that some CM's do it intentionally.

Well, that's just terrible. It's still hard for me to believe anyone would do that - it's not like you are going to get away with it. Anyone who cares enough to ask at check in is obviously going to march right back down when they discover the lie. I suppose they are counting on the guest not making a scene.

I'd love to hear Disney management's rationale for this "policy"!

Best wishes -

P.S. I prefer to believe that most of these situations are a result of guests smoking in non-smoking rooms and that the CM doesn't know it. Of course, as some posters report, many times the smoker is given permission to smoke in a non-smoking room. That is so disheartening!

 

[fishermouse]

I'd love to hear Disney management's rationale for this "policy"!

I really doubt or should I say hope this is not a "policy"

This should be brought to DVC's attention, just have your facts date and time as well as the CM's name if you remember it. I get a survey card after each visit and have only ever had one complaint (hot tubs were turned off to early) and did see a difference 6 months later when I returned, maybe it was acoincidence or maybe enough people had the same complaint.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Simba Mom states: Why do other hotels guarantee N/S, but not Disney?

My offsite timeshare, Vistana, offers all "smoking optional" rooms. The only plus side to this is that they seem to be able to sanitize/deodorize the villas much better than DVC. Not sure why DVC can't do a better job of cleaning these smoking rooms---less people may complain. I agree, I would not want to stay in a room that smelled of smoke. In all 10+ stays at Vistana, despite the "smoking optional" policy, I have never smelled even so much as a hint of smoke.

 

[Bill3]

I have been to WDW over 30 times since it opened, joined DVC in 97, and have stayed on property all but twice. I have always been treated well, and management as always responded/ reacted appropriatley. I have never had a situation that wasn't dealt with professionally,EXCEPT ONCE !
A few years ago years ago we were spoken to and treated disrespectfully at BWV. Management was unresponsive and tended to be curt. The prevailing attitude was not pro patron and could be described as anti-magical. Since then I have spoken to others who felt BWV had a less than friendly feel to it.Maybe they are taking the theming to far and this is what the Jersey shore is/was like.
As we don't have points at BWV we simply decided not to stay there again. We have points at OKW, SSR, and tbe Beach Club so its not really a big deal, but perhaps WD co. needs to look at the prevailing attitudes at BWV.