Glass and Mug Poll: Responses from Disney

[bavaria]

we all would prefer styrofoam.

Actually, as the many many posts have shown here, NO we would not all prefer styrofoam.

 

[sgtdisney]

As I was reading all these responses I was at first thinking why did Disney change . I then remembered that one of our local news teams in Cleveland
did a hidden camera expose on how badly the glasses cups etc were cleaned
in some local hotels. I will not go into how gross it was but I am sure
we all would prefer styrofoam.

No, I would not prefer styrofoam, personally. I would prefer to have the glassware, and a sponge and soap and I will hand wash the glasses before I use them. All Disney has to do is put a note in the studios. Something like this.

"Welcome to OKW (or SSR). Our housekeeping is not trustworthy enough to actually clean the glassware in each studio. As a result of this, we have supplied dishsoap for you in your studio. Please hand wash your dishware before using, since the staff you are paying for with your dues is incapable of washing the glasses correctly and the management is unable to actually enforce company policy.

Have a magical Stay!"

 

[toocherie]

"Welcome to OKW (or SSR). Our housekeeping is not trustworthy enough to actually clean the glassware in each studio. As a result of this, we have supplied dishsoap for you in your studio. Please hand wash your dishware before using, since the staff you are paying for with your dues is incapable of washing the glasses correctly and the management is unable to actually enforce company policy.

Have a magical Stay!"

PLEASE don't post things like this when I'm drinking coffee!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[3guysandagal]

As I was reading all these responses I was at first thinking why did Disney change . I then remembered that one of our local news teams in Cleveland did a hidden camera expose on how badly the glasses cups etc were cleaned in some local hotels. I will not go into how gross it was but I am sure we all would prefer styrofoam.

The first thing I thought of when reading this thread was the video of glass washing in other hotels.
Summergolf did not want to get into details, but I will post a link to it.
Maybe even the big D was not immune to this kind of thing, and decided guest health concerns override the convenience.
I would like to think this never happened at Dis but........who knows.
I also would think that most people that stay in kitchen units wash their dishes properly!
They have also added other links below the video window to other hotel safety issues, be sure to check them out also.
Trust me, it is gross to watch, and to think about all those past stays in hotels, even the Ritz and the Rennaissance.

This video has received over 2.5 million views on bestviral.com from 165 countries around the globe since it was put up on 11/23/2007. Most people have been shocked by the video because it hits close to home for just about anyone who has ever stayed at a hotel in the past.

http://www.bestviral.com/video/6629/dont_ever_drink_from_hotel_glasses

 

[Disney Doll]

My first e-mail to them:

Hello-
I understand that the glasses and plates provided in the studios have been changed from "real" glass to Styrofoam or paper. I do not care for this. It seems to me that it is cheapening the magic of the DVC, not to mention the fact that from an "enviromentality" standpoint, you are adding to the landfills. Please go back to glass. If I want paper, I'll stay at a Value resort.
Thank you-


Their response to me:

Hello Patty,
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


My response to them:

Thank you for your response.

So, if I am staying in a studio and call to request glass coffee mugs, bowls and plates, Housekeeping will bring them to me? Thank you...I appreciate that.

The glassware that I request will be removed upon check out. What will happen to it then? Will it be disposed of or will it be taken to an alternate location for washing? If it will be taken to an alternate location for washing, why not just do that with all the glassware? Put clean glassware in the studio, the occupants will use it for their stay. When they leave, remove the dirty glassware, replace it with the clean glassware, and take the dirty glassware to the alternate location for washing?

Truly, to those of you who work for DVC this may seem to be a small thing, but there is nothing better than sitting on your balcony sipping tea or coffee out of a nice glass mug. The paper stuff just doesn't cut it.

Thanks!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Hands are gross too. Think of all the things we do with our bare hands.

If hands can be washed and properly cleaned with soap and water, Im not worried about dishes and mugs.

 

[Simba's Mom]

That's one reason why I don't know about styrofoam cups. Who knows where they've been, and yet we can't wash them. Or are these styrofoam cups going to be individually wrapped, like I usually see done to glasses.

 

[pilferk]

The first thing I thought of when reading this thread was the video of glass washing in other hotels.
Summergolf did not want to get into details, but I will post a link to it.
Maybe even the big D was not immune to this kind of thing, and decided guest health concerns override the convenience.
I would like to think this never happened at Dis but........who knows.
I also would think that most people that stay in kitchen units wash their dishes properly!
They have also added other links below the video window to other hotel safety issues, be sure to check them out also.
Trust me, it is gross to watch, and to think about all those past stays in hotels, even the Ritz and the Rennaissance.



http://www.bestviral.com/video/6629/dont_ever_drink_from_hotel_glasses

I've seen the video.

Aside from my personal issue with the environmental issues surrounding the use of polystyrene...I have a question:

How are unwrapped, unsanitized disposable styrofoam cups, that are being handled by the same housekeeping staff who can't "clean" glassware properly, going to be any more sanitary?

First off, that housekeeping staff is stocking the cups..likely just after cleaning the rest of your room (or someone elses).

Second, those unwrapped cups are sitting, lip side down, against a shelf that may, or may not, be up to your standards of cleanliness.

I just don't see how...and I would welcome ANY explanation that corrects that perception....those disposable cups are REALLY any more sanitary than glassware that I am capable of washing, myself, before use. I certainly can't do that with the disposables, really.

 

[pilferk]

That's one reason why I don't know about styrofoam cups. Who knows where they've been, and yet we can't wash them. Or are these styrofoam cups going to be individually wrapped, like I usually see done to glasses.

The ones they were stocking in the studios were NOT wrapped, in any way.

They were simply a stack of "naked" styrofoam cups, turned upside down.