Have things really changed that much in 2.5 years?

[luvavacation]

My family is here at a BWV studio room right now. This was a cash with DVC discount stay (points already tied up with out summer reservation), only reserved about 3 weeks ago when we found out our daughter received an internship here at Disney and was starting this week. So, quick reservation at whatever was available, no complaints with BWV really, just questions about changes since our last DVC stay 2.5 years ago.

1. Originally, my daughter was going to stay in the apartment we moved her into, so I only reserved a studio for me, DH, and other DD. Last minute, after moving her into the apartment, she decided she still wanted to stay with us. I informed front desk when we checked in later that day, and asked if there were any upgrades to a bigger room (willing to pay the difference, if it wasn't too outrageous). I was told that with DVC points or cash stays, no upgrades were offered, ever. I recall this not being the case during our last stay, when our view was upgraded with no charge at all (I was willing to pay then, too, since DH decided he did feel the different view would be worth the extra points). Is it true that there are never any upgrades offered anymore if using DVC?

2. I was looking for merchandise that is Boardwalk specific. I was told at the stores that Disney no longer offers resort specific merchandise. Really? Why? I always liked buying a t-shirt and magnet from the resort we stayed at. This is such a bummer.

3. We are not receiving the USA today. I am told that this is because DVC does not offer it, it is now only for regular cash reservations. That is also a bummer, if true.

4. No actual dishes. I thought we had dishes at our last stay. Am I imagining this?

5. No lotion anymore. I know we had lotion before. I went to the gift shop and bought lotion and more shampoo/conditioner. One shampoo/conditioner is not enough for 4 of us for a 5 day stay.

6. Staying 5 days, I was told we will not have any maid service or additional amenities unless we stayed 7 days. Is this different than before?

Let me say that we are enjoying our stay here, the location is great, we enjoy the many places we can walk to, the cold is not a bother for us Northerners, though I do miss my daughter and it will be hard to leave her for 6 months. I just was surprised at the changes I have encountered, and wondered how long this was going on. Is it all just Disney cutting expenses?

And I don't know if it is the crowds, but there are lots of surly castmembers around. If Disney wants to bring back there standards to what they were before, then perhaps hiring more castmembers so they aren't so worn out from long hours would be a help. I smile at them anyway, even if they don't look up when handing me my package!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

VWL had resort merchandise, and I can say real dishes in a 1BR. Perhaps its because it's a studio?

 

[Alexander]

My family is here at a BWV studio room right now. This was a cash with DVC discount stay (points already tied up with out summer reservation), only reserved about 3 weeks ago when we found out our daughter received an internship here at Disney and was starting this week. So, quick reservation at whatever was available, no complaints with BWV really, just questions about changes since our last DVC stay 2.5 years ago.

1. Originally, my daughter was going to stay in the apartment we moved her into, so I only reserved a studio for me, DH, and other DD. Last minute, after moving her into the apartment, she decided she still wanted to stay with us. I informed front desk when we checked in later that day, and asked if there were any upgrades to a bigger room (willing to pay the difference, if it wasn't too outrageous). I was told that with DVC points or cash stays, no upgrades were offered, ever. I recall this not being the case during our last stay, when our view was upgraded with no charge at all (I was willing to pay then, too, since DH decided he did feel the different view would be worth the extra points). Is it true that there are never any upgrades offered anymore if using DVC? You would likely need to upgrade through Member Services since you booked the DVC cash discount.

2. I was looking for merchandise that is Boardwalk specific. I was told at the stores that Disney no longer offers resort specific merchandise. Really? Why? I always liked buying a t-shirt and magnet from the resort we stayed at. This is such a bummer. Did you try the little Sundries shop just off the lobby? I have seen BW specific merchandise there.

3. We are not receiving the USA today. I am told that this is because DVC does not offer it, it is now only for regular cash reservations. That is also a bummer, if true. Nope, we've never gotten the paper. Are you sure you weren't at the Inn before?

4. No actual dishes. I thought we had dishes at our last stay. Am I imagining this? Only paper plates and plastic silverware in the studios. There should be coffee mugs though. You can call housekeeping and they will bring you some dishes if you ask.

5. No lotion anymore. I know we had lotion before. I went to the gift shop and bought lotion and more shampoo/conditioner. One shampoo/conditioner is not enough for 4 of us for a 5 day stay. Again, I don't ever recall lotion being part of the supplies they leave.

6. Staying 5 days, I was told we will not have any maid service or additional amenities unless we stayed 7 days. Is this different than before? You will have your towels replaced and trash removed on your third day. Never had maid service when staying on points or DVC discount.

Let me say that we are enjoying our stay here, the location is great, we enjoy the many places we can walk to, the cold is not a bother for us Northerners, though I do miss my daughter and it will be hard to leave her for 6 months. I just was surprised at the changes I have encountered, and wondered how long this was going on. Is it all just Disney cutting expenses?

And I don't know if it is the crowds, but there are lots of surly castmembers around. If Disney wants to bring back there standards to what they were before, then perhaps hiring more castmembers so they aren't so worn out from long hours would be a help. I smile at them anyway, even if they don't look up when handing me my package!

Boardwalk cast members have always been the most unfriendly of the cast members we have ever encountered. They just don't seem to enjoy their jobs and certainly don't possess that Disney Magic!
Enjoy your stay!

 

[crazybones27]

I'm fairly new to DVC as an owner. We purchased in August 2009 and only had our 1st DVC stay at AKV this past Sept/Oct. I can't answer all your questions, but I've read many posts about the questions you have asked.

I think getting an upgrade on a dvc discount or use of points is just luck. Many disers have mentioned you can always ask, but you will probably hear the response you were given. Some people have reported being told they could do it if they had the availability, but they would charge you the points or cash difference. You are also there during one of their busiest weeks I think so it might also come down to not having the room to upgrade you too.

As for merchandise this might be something new. I found plenty of shirts and things that said Animal Kingdom Lodge on our stay. Not so much of the DVC merchandise though. I actually bought a shirt I was going to pay $20 for and got it for $8 without knowing it was on sale. I'm guessing DVC stuff doesn't sell all that well .

The USA today I can definitely tell you we got everyday during our stay. We did a split stay in a 1bdrm at Kidani to a GV at Jambo. We got one everyday at BOTH rooms. So this might be something recent. I recall a post the other day about someone asking what happened to it.

Most likely the lotions in the studios are really only for about 2 people. I never used them to really know how many there were lol.

Trash and towel service has always been on the 4th day. We took the tour in 2006 and we were told the same thing that is true for today. Trash and towel on the 4th day and full room cleaning on the 8th.

I hope this helps a little. I'm definitely not an expert what so ever so I'm sure someone else will be able to help a little more. I just wanted to throw this out there on my experiences and readings.

 

[Chuck S]

1. If they have a DVC one bedroom available, you should be able to upgrade and pay the difference, but you would need to call Member Services to to book it...the Front Desk likely doe not have access to a DVC Cash room.

2. Resort specific merchandise has been extensively downsized. It is cheaper for Disney to mass produce more generic items than, say 200 BWV shirts. I don't like the change, either. Hopefully when the economy improves resort specific item will return.

3. USA Today is not included in DVC dues, people have reported receiving it at AKV Jambo, but to my knowledge it is not a normal part of DVC. You will not receive it at OKW.

4. Studios should have real glasses and mugs, paper plates and plastic silverware. Real dishes are in one bedrooms and larger units.

5. Lotion comes and goes, and it not normally a DVC supplied item, much like the sun lotion we received in June at OKW. It was the only time we received sun lotion.

6. You should receive trash and towel service on day 4 of your stay. Full housekeeping is only on stays of 8 nights or longer. For Trash & Towel, they will not make the beds or tidy up, but they should replace the soaps and toiletries, if needed. They will empty the trash containers and replace the towels.

 

[luvavacation]

To answer Alexander, this is actually our first stay at BWV, and also our first stay in a studio. AKV is our home resort, and the only DVC we have previously stayed at. Also, this is our first studio stay, so that explains the paper plates! Thanks all for clearing that up!

Yup, it was the person in the lobby store that told me there is no more resort specific merchandise. Maybe tomorrow we go over to AKV and see if I can find anything nice from my home resort.

Hmm, I was told no service at all for us, not even trash and towel, since we aren't staying 7 nights. I guess we shall have to see.

I do miss the paper. I like to read it with my coffee, but oh well, I guess it is only at AKV then.

Yeah, the castmembers here at BWV are definitely not as pleasant as one we have met at other resorts through the years. But it has been almost 3 years since we have been here, so maybe with all the expansion, Disney just isn't so picky about the people they hire anymore (though my daughter went through extensive interviewing for her professional internship here, so I don't know?).

Thanks for clearing things up for me!

 

[wcpamotm]

I can speak somewhat to the current resort mechandise situation, having made a point of touring the resorts for Christmas decorations on our last trip:

Nearly every resort had Larry Dotson prints. Got shot gla, er I mean, "toothpick holders" from OKW and SSR to nearly complete my collection. Some had t-shirts; I bought some from GF and OKW. But I don't remember seeing anything at the Contemporary, the Epcot Resorts or any of the moderates.

 

[Sammie]

Have these changes in 2.5 years yes. Have some of the changes been good, yes, have many been not so good, yes.

Is there a difference in staying on points versus staying cash with Disney, yes there is.

As to happy Cast members, I find them to be less happy at the mixed resorts, DVC and non DVC than I do at SSR and OKW.

 

[crisi]

Longtime BWV owner.


2. I was looking for merchandise that is Boardwalk specific. I was told at the stores that Disney no longer offers resort specific merchandise. Really? Why? I always liked buying a t-shirt and magnet from the resort we stayed at. This is such a bummer.

At the Boardwalk, this all disappeared two years ago. AKL still had a lot of stuff when we were there, and WL. As Chuck said, its an inventory thing. I miss it too.

3. We are not receiving the USA today. I am told that this is because DVC does not offer it, it is now only for regular cash reservations. That is also a bummer, if true.

Have never gotten a paper staying on points at BWV, VWL or BCV.

4. No actual dishes. I thought we had dishes at our last stay. Am I imagining this?

We haven't said in a studio. I know the studios don't have the full compliment of dishes.

5. No lotion anymore. I know we had lotion before. I went to the gift shop and bought lotion and more shampoo/conditioner. One shampoo/conditioner is not enough for 4 of us for a 5 day stay.

We've NEVER gotten lotion. Some people have. But for us, it hasn't been a DVC thing at all. And no, one shampoo/conditioner isn't enough for four - we bring more, or you can pay extra for a toiletries pack.

6. Staying 5 days, I was told we will not have any maid service or additional amenities unless we stayed 7 days. Is this different than before?

You should get trash and towel on day four. It isn't much - literally take out trash and change towels.

 

[5forDiz]

When you booked with cash through DVC Member Services your reservation is treated just as a DVC points reservation would be so you will not receive daily, full Mousekeeping ( if your BWV studio reservation was made through Disney's CRO you would receive daily, full Mousekeeping ). So for your 5 day stay, counting check in day as day # 1, on Day 4 you will receive Trash & Towel Service and if you do not, call Mousekeeping.

Have a great trip & congrats to your daughter on her internship

 

[MinnieGi]

I miss that resort specific merchandise too. I started a charm bracelet a few trips back and was lucky to get a CR charm this trip, but that and a holiday pin were the only resort specific merchandise to be found. I know not all resorts have the charms either, OKW for one.

 

[luvavacation]

Today is day 3 of our stay, and today we had towel and trash service! If I had known they were coming today and not tomorrow, I would have cleaned up a bit!

No extra amenities were left, it was just fresh towels left on the counter and trash removed. Glad I bought extra shampoo at the store...I need to go buy some soap now, soap is looking bad after use by 4 people in 3 days. At least we know next time to bring extra soap and shampoo/conditioner!

 

[drusba]

Not getting a room upgrade is usual not unusual and if you ever got free one in past chalk it up to luck and not to DVC's usual practice.

When staying at AKV Jambo, we got the USA Today delivered. There was a time back in the '90s when I remember getting it at BWV and then it stopped in the 90s and did not really last very long (I recall getting it in only two consecutive trips within same year.. Likely it will stop at AKV Jambo since it is not supposed to be included with DVC.

The lack of real dishes in the studios is a change from not too long ago.

We have been members for 14 years and own at BWV and AKV. During all those years they did provide a small bottle of lotion per bathroom along with the shampoo/rinse. Then it stopped this year. You get a day of full maid service on 4th day you are there only if staying at least 8 nights. Otherwise you get a towel change and trash emptying on the fourth day. It has always been that way.

 

[MinnieGi]

Today is day 3 of our stay, and today we had towel and trash service! If I had known they were coming today and not tomorrow, I would have cleaned up a bit!

No extra amenities were left, it was just fresh towels left on the counter and trash removed. Glad I bought extra shampoo at the store...I need to go buy some soap now, soap is looking bad after use by 4 people in 3 days. At least we know next time to bring extra soap and shampoo/conditioner!

Hmm...I'm surprised you didn't receive a new set of toiletries. We always seem too.

 

[TDC Nala]

I was looking for merchandise that is Boardwalk specific. I was told at the stores that Disney no longer offers resort specific merchandise. Really? Why?

The current Disney business model is standardization. "Disney Parks" merchandise and things like napkins, instead of specific, so it can be sold or used anywhere. No more resort-specific merchandise, they may retain a few items but not many. I used to collect magnets from the resorts, they don't sell these anymore. I have heard that Wilderness Lodge is an exception because WL merchandise sells extraordinarily well. AKL may be in this category also.

No dishes in studios. Paper plates and plastic utensils only. Always been that way as far as I know. In some resorts they tried to take away the mugs and glasses and offer only paper or styrofoam cups. That didn't last long.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The current Disney business model is standardization. "Disney Parks" merchandise and things like napkins, instead of specific, so it can be sold or used anywhere.

IMO an example of taking cost cutting too far. I pretty much was only buying resort specific merchandise so it does save me money. And that's the problem with too much standardization. Disney sells so much and should have super buying power that it probably doesn't save much on cost. Then it's just poor distribution systems. IMO. As I state every time it comes up!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Lotion is an amenity for Grand villas only. I noticed this change in 2007 whn we moved from a GV to a 1 bedroom. It's listed on the amenity sheet lie that and has been for years

If you stay less than 7 nights, you will receive T&T on the 4th day. Ex. Sunday checkin will receive T&t on Wednesday.

The only resort I have received a paper is AKV-Jambo. And that has been inconsistent. They sell papers in the gift shop so I don't expect it

 

[toniosmom]

We stayed in a 1BR at BLT in early December. On the 4th day, we had trash and towel -- all used towels were replaced, plus we received additional soap and shampoo/conditioner where they saw we were using it.

 

[crisi]

IMO an example of taking cost cutting too far. I pretty much was only buying resort specific merchandise so it does save me money. And that's the problem with too much standardization. Disney sells so much and should have super buying power that it probably doesn't save much on cost. Then it's just poor distribution systems. IMO. As I state every time it comes up!

I suspect it has more to do with inventory turns than buying power. If they changed this about two years ago, and some of the resorts still have stuff yet, the inventory turn on this stuff was greater than a year. That's money tied up in inventory and money tied up in storing it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I suspect it has more to do with inventory turns than buying power. If they changed this about two years ago, and some of the resorts still have stuff yet, the inventory turn on this stuff was greater than a year. That's money tied up in inventory and money tied up in storing it.

From what I've seen at the resorts that still have specific merchandise there are at least some new items so they seem to be keeping the lines - not necessarily having excessive inventory. When we were at BCV in late April they still had resort items. In Oct nothing. I have no idea when it was gone although people have been reporting it for awhile. I think the inventory was turning over.

WDW is so huge and has so many people going thru their stores who want to get some souvenir from their vacation. Each store only has so much floor space so whether it's filled with generic items or specific shouldn't matter. They want people to go to the parks and shop. They want people to shop at the resorts. They want people to shop at DTD. If it's the same items everywhere then there's not much point in shopping more than one place.

Ah well - saves me money and keeps me more green with less consumables. I am an example, though maybe not a good one, that this decision isn't 100% positive for Disney. I am not spending as much there as I would otherwise b/c I have enough generic WDW items. And I want to only have items that 5,000 other people have, not 50,000. lol