Horrible Housekeeping at All-Star Sports

[minnie61650]

Only at YC did I get a call every day, from check in day to the day we transferred, from the general manager, "Jim", I think.

"Jim" left a message each day to assure that if there were any problems with our accomodations at all, or anything that could be done to make our stay more pleasurable to please let him know. This nonsense about all levels of resorts all offer the same level of service is ridiculous. Not to say there have not been significant mousekeeping complaints posted here, say, about GF. .......I've found previous' guests belongings upon check in at WL at least twice now. Service is slipping all over,......

Just an FYI
I also recived a message each day from our resort manager ( Rick)to assure that if there were any problems with our accomodations at all, or anything that could be done to make our stay more pleasurable to please let him know.

This is a part of the pilot program that is being tested at All Star Music and the BC&YC along with children's activities at the beach (for BC & YC or the main pool for All Star Music.
I posted about the new pilot several times encouraging guests to let Disney know if they were enjoying the piolt program to plese let Disney know.
We had excelent service when staying at All Star Music and yes, I really thought the phone calls were a nice touch. It made us feel that management really cared.

Here are a couple of posts about the pilot program that is happing at YC & BC and All Star Music. My understanding is they will discontinue it unless they get great feedback.

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Music has added games and contests by the pool in the afternoon and has movies by the pool at 9 PM.

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From this website:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd070618mg

As we noted on last week's MousePlanetWatch news podcast, We've gotten a couple of reports about the "something special" that we were told to keep our eyes out for at All-Star Music and Yacht & Beach Club. At All-Star Music, we've heard that folks have found karaoke sessions for dance parties near the pools, a nightly movie by the Calypso pool and in increase of staff to make it easier for guests to find assistance. ......

Music has added games and contests by the pool in the afternoon and has movies by the pool at 9 PM.


Here is a review thread about the Family Suites and it also tells about the activities and buses at All Star Music:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1545385

And a review of All Star Music from this thread:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1551973&page=2

I've stayed at all of the All Stars as well as Pop Century, with my most recent stay being at All Stars Music. I just returned home 3 days ago. I had stayed there before for one night and didn't even look at the resort, I drove straight to my room and stayed there until it was time to leave the next day. So I decided to try it for a longer stay this time and I'm so glad I did! This is the sweetest little resort!

I liked all of them but I think this one is now my favorite and if I had kids, well, there is tons for them to do here! Every day is full of activities. When you check in they give you a sheet listing all of them for the week. It seemed that most took place at the Calypso pool. Some of them were a nightly movie, daily bingo games (cost 1.00 per card), one day I came back in the afternoon and they were line dancing at the pool, they also had nightly dance parties before the movie, one day they had karaoke, there was a jump rope contest and a treasure hunt just to name a few.

I also fell in love with the theming at this resort. Calypso definitely has a Caribbean flare to it, this section is kind of noisy because of the pool but it is closest to the main building. Jazz has a tranquil New Orleans Square feel with it's beautiful fountain and wrought iron. Broadway transports you to the streets of New York (literally, Wall Street & Broadway) and has a Central Park inspired area as well. Rock Inn is loud as far as decor goes but it's got the 50's vibe down pat. Country Fair seemed the quietest to me, it was all the way in the back of the resort and had a large, wooden fenced in area with picnic tables. Loved the giant cowgirl boots on the buildings here. Other than the Calypso area though the whole place was pretty tranquil.

For those who have kids that are easily distracted during meals, the food court here has a large tv set up in the very back of the seating area that shows cartoons that might help keep them focused while you are eating.


The newly remodeled rooms are great too! The decor is a lot less cartoony than it used to be. I love that they've added curved shower rods to the bathrooms and they also give you soap and shampoo/conditioner now, which the values never did before. That doesn't really matter to me but it does to some.

I was treated very well at this resort, I'm not going to say everyone will get this but when I got to my room there was a Mickey head towel "animal" on one of the beds for me. When I arrived back that night from the parks I had a call from the gentleman who checked me in saying that if there was anything he could do to make my stay more enjoyable to please let him know. When I came back to my room the next afternoon I had a call waiting from the manager of the resort telling me he hoped I enjoyed my stay and if I needed anything to let him know. There was also a little card on my pillow from the housekeeping staff that said a little birdie told them I was leaving and they hoped that all my dreams came true. All of that really made a good impression on me, never got anything close to that at any other resort I've stayed in, not even the deluxes. Like I said, that might not happen for everyone but it was really nice.

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We returned last night from a 4 night stay at the Beach Club. It was the first time we had ever stayed there, and I was a little apprehensive about staying at the BC because I feared transportation issues. I am happy to say that we absolutely loved loved loved the Beach Club. We had no transportation issues. We never waited more than about 5 minutes for a bus. The boats ran smoothly to MGM and the walk to Epcot was really fast and short. The resort was beautiful and alive with all kinds of action. Everyday you could find Lilo and Stitch dancing in the lobby with the kids. The pool was hopping day and night. They showed movies on the beach and roasted marshmellows and you could watch illuminations to your left. It was great!! We don't have any children yet but if we did, I would definately stay here. We've stayed several times at the WL and a lot of times at the Polynesian in the past- the last time being in Oct. of last year. We love both those resorts but I have to say the BC is now my new favorite. I can't say it enough but everything about that place was great!

It seems to me that All Star Music is trying harder.


Have fun at Disney!

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From this thread posted on 9/4/07

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1570869

We returned last night from a 4 night stay at the Beach Club. It was the first time we had ever stayed there, and I was a little apprehensive about staying at the BC because I feared transportation issues. I am happy to say that we absolutely loved loved loved the Beach Club. We had no transportation issues. We never waited more than about 5 minutes for a bus. The boats ran smoothly to MGM and the walk to Epcot was really fast and short. The resort was beautiful and alive with all kinds of action. Everyday you could find Lilo and Stitch dancing in the lobby with the kids. The pool was hopping day and night. They showed movies on the beach and roasted marshmellows and you could watch illuminations to your left. It was great!! We don't have any children yet but if we did, I would definately stay here. We've stayed several times at the WL and a lot of times at the Polynesian in the past- the last time being in Oct. of last year. We love both those resorts but I have to say the BC is now my new favorite. I can't say it enough but everything about that place was great!

My responce:


I am so happy you enjoyed your stay at the BC.
It sounds like you a good time.
I think the activites in the lobby, at the pool, and the movies and marshmellow at the beach are part of the new pilot program.

I am sorry to say the pilot program is ending the end of this month. (September 2007)

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There is a new pilot program at All Star Music and BC&YC:
This program is all about trying to get guests to return to WDW resorts.
ASMu has a new pilot program going on.
I was told several managers from some of Disney's deluxe resorts were transferred to ASMu to help get this program up and running.

I just read that some outstanding managers from the GF, (DJ and Ellen) have been spotted at ASMu.

From this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=20611669

Just got back from All Star Music. I was delighted to see DJ and Ellen there. I last saw them at the Grand Floridian working together and they seemed like a great team. Not sure what this new program is (from reading previous posts), but if those two are there, it must be great. They are phenomenal managers.

Other than that, it was clean, fun and cheap.

Is that the same DJ from Boardwalk? If so, that is great news and really makes me excited to stay at ASMU for the first time!

I heard DJ had been transferred to another property to act in some corporate training capacity and he certainly would be a huge asset in that type of position. The personal service we experienced on his watch at BWV was the best we've experienced on property.

I hope he is there when we check-in in October as I would love to say Hi!!

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Here is a little info about the new pilot program at All Star Music and BC&YC:

I called All Star Music a few days ago and asked about the pilot program and I was informed it will only last through September but if All Star Music and YC&BC (which also has a similar program ) get enough positive feedback they may expand this program to all of the resorts! Yeah. So anyone is going to All Star Music Or BC & YC (which has a similar prorgram please fill out the pilot survey which is at the front desk .Please be honest but please fill them out.

There will also be CM's in the parks which will ask guests to fill out surveys. They are usually in the parks from about 8-10 A.M. and try to interview about 30 guests a day who will take the time to answer the surveys.

The manager I talked to sent me a list of the activities they have planned for September.
For a full list of the activities please see post # 1 of this tread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565556


The pilot program is not just about the games and movies but it is really about better guest service.

Having more staff available at check in so guests can check in a more timely manner.
Having clean rooms ready at check in so guests do not have to wait until the late afternoon for a clean room.
Having more staff on hand so a guest can have any questions or concerns taken care of right away.


I was told they are getting the results from those surveys the next morning and actions are immediately being taken to correct problems or congratulate success.

I was told that this program is ending the end of September but if they get lots of good feedback they may extend this type of service to the other resorts as well.

I am really hoping they get lots positive response to this program.
I was told that so far there has been quite a bit of positive response from guests at All Star Music but the BC & YC has not been getting many responses.

My guess is not very many guests know this is a pilot program so they do not respond.
-----------------------------------------------
Here are a couple of posts I came across the last 2 days.

From this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565556

We just returned from ASMu last week, and I just assumed that this "pilot program" was what normally happened at a Disney Hotel. This was our very first trip as a family to Disney, and my first time staying on site, and we were thrilled with all of the poolside activities that they had planned. The dance competitions, karaoke and movies were wonderful! There was so much for all of the children to do - of all ages! My daughter is only 4, but she spent all of her time dancing at the pool, and we loved watching the movie on the big blow up screen. It was so relaxing to watch a movie -- IN THE POOL! So so nice. If this is a program that is new, I certainly hope that it stays because we really enjoyed it after a long day at the parks!

And from this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1565346

Just returned from a splt stay at Beach Club/Grand Floridian. Loved the Beach Club!!! (we were AKL refugees!!) Upgraded to a water view(we paid for standard at AKL) with full balcony, and our room was ready at 11am!!!! The water view overlooked the quiet pool. GF another story, we had to wait until about 4pm to get into our room. Terrible view overlooked the GF convention center and dumpsters Also, the noise from trucks with the backup beeps early in the morning stunk!!! After I complained they moved us to the newly redone Conch Key!!!! Much better room, flat screen tv, view of marina and no beeping trucks!!! Great pools at both resorts!!! Any questions???

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I was told that there is hope that with enough interest that they may be able to keep a lot of the great things happening at AS Music and YC & BC and be able to expand to other properties. I was also told that this pilot is all about trying to improve intent to return.

The manager I spoke with me that the best thing that guests can do is when they check out of the resort, they should take the survey and give feedback (honest feedback about anything good or bad they experienced).

If you think you would like this pilot program to continue....
If you think you would like this pilot program to other resorts....
If you have been unhappy wit long lines at check in or
having to wait until the late afternoon to get your room assignment at any of Disney's resorts .
If you feel there should be more staff at all of Disney's so they can help guests with any questions or concerns then this is our chance to let the WDW execs know!

Now I will be first to admit that the "suits" at WDW should already know these things are a part of good customer service...
But we need to let WDW know that we appreciate these basic customer services. We do not want to give the WDW execs the excuse to drop the ball by saying "Based on our polling, the guests don't value these services.
We can continue our cost cutting measures ."

If you would like contact Disney about these services and this pilot program the addresses are:

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Let's let Disney know we like this new program and we want it to continue and expand to the other resorts as well!

Thanks ........And......
Have fun at Disney.

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The managent did decide to extend the pilot program at BC & YC and All Star Music until the end of January but they did cut back the amount of activities that were offered at these resorts.

I am hoping that this program is extened and expanded to other resorts . I have read many good reports on the DIS boards from guests staying at BC & YC and All Star Music. Guests have reported the lines at check in are quite short, rooms are often ready at check in , they like the phone calls from the management welcoming them and saying if there are any problems to let them know along with the afternoon activities and the Movies at night by the pool/beach.

 

[lilyv]

Most of us realize the front desk is busy, with lots of folks waiting, so....why not just pick up the phone in your room? A polite heads up to housekeeping is about a 30 second call. The problem would be on it's way to be taken care of quicker than you can walk to the front desk.

I realize for whatever reason OP didn't use this option, but for future stays, not only at Disney but anywhere, it's a great solution.

There are actually very few reasons I would walk to the front desk. The phone is much more convenient. I like to be off enjoying my day asap.

 

[kirrrby]

We stayed in the ASMu Family Suites last Christmas and we never had any problems with housekeeping.

One day after my friend and I rode Kali River Rapids continuously we went back to the hotel and changed clothes, we walked in on the housekeeping team (2 people, seemed to be husband and wife team, actually) We witnessed them moving furniture around, our belongings, changing the sheets, replacing towels, vaccuming..etc.

Although we were there, I don't believe thier routine changed any. We always came back to a clean room, if our things were on the floor (I left my curling iron plugged in one day-but not on- and i found it laying on the bathroom sink with the cord wrapped neatly and everything).

We even had Stich in our window with white leis on him & everytime he'd fall off when we shut the door, we'd come back to the room with him sitting in the window with a towel wrapped around his head.

I think its the type of housekeeping staff that depends on whether you get quality service at value price.

 

[earthelves]

You get what you pay for.

I Must Say That I Do Agree With This & If I Had Any Kinda Complaint It Would Be Made As Soon As The Issue Arose Especially When It's To Do With Housekeeping & It More Than Likely Would Have Been Rectified At The Time.To Not Have Reported It At The Time Well It Couldnt Have Been An Issue As Such.Remember That Disney Operate 24/7 So Someone Would Have Been Available To Have Dealt With The Problem.If I Did Not Get Satisfaction At The Time Of Reporting Any Issue Then I Would Have Written A Letter Of Complaint But Then Thats Just Me..

 

[MissionMouse]

OP - housekeeping issues are found across the country and it does not matter what tier of hotel you stay at either. In our area there have been undercover expose videos that would have anyone staying at a hotel have second thoughts of what is actually clean and cleaned. Housekeeping practices at all levels of hotels can place your health at risk. One thing I would highly recommend to increase your odds of not getting sick during your stay...anywhere...do not use the glasses provided in the room.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

You get what you pay for.

That is a ridiculous statement when it comes to housekeeping! Are you saying that because I can't afford to stay at the Ritz that I should have to put up with a dirty room. Sure, there are many things that I don't expect to get at a Value resort that I would expect at a Deluxe, but housekeeping really should be consistent.

Most of us realize the front desk is busy, with lots of folks waiting, so....why not just pick up the phone in your room? A polite heads up to housekeeping is about a 30 second call. The problem would be on it's way to be taken care of quicker than you can walk to the front desk.

I realize for whatever reason OP didn't use this option, but for future stays, not only at Disney but anywhere, it's a great solution.

I see what you're saying. Really I do. And in the future we might do things differently. However, upon returning to our room at midnight each night, we didn't feel like staying up to have it re-cleaned when it should have been cleaned properly (or at all) in the first place.

Also, we did phone the front desk on two different occasions and were not satisfied. The first time was because the housekeeper had not bothered to leave us any towels (clean or dirty). They showed up with clean towels about an hour after we called, well into the early morning. The second time was to get help with our luggage. They said they would send someone who, as far as we know, never showed up. After about a half an hour of waiting, we gave up. So, I have no real reason to expect that our other complaints would have been handled any better. (Don't forget; we also physically went to the front desk as well).

 

[Tinks1984]

I also found the 'you get what you pay for' comment quite harsh also.

I'm staying on a value resort in April next year, and I'll tell you something, the price I've paid is NOT cheap! It's taken us over 12 months to pay for this trip and we're still doing it now.

I expect my room to be CLEAN. I don't mind if the beds aren't made 'perfect', as at the end of the day, I'm just going to mess them up again once I'm in there...but I do expect the surfaces and floors to be clean.

 

[MissionMouse]

That is a ridiculous statement when it comes to housekeeping! Are you saying that because I can't afford to stay at the Ritz that I should have to put up with a dirty room. Sure, there are many things that I don't expect to get at a Value resort that I would expect at a Deluxe, but housekeeping really should be consistent...

From the hotel/resort expose I reviewed you can be sure housekeeping behaviors are very consistent from discount hotels to the Ritz....which was inclluded in the expose. Very shocking to see the same pattern of behavior no matter if it was a discount or a high end luxury resort...don't be fooled to believe you get better housekeeping because you pay more for a room.

The conclusion of the investigation...it does not matter if you pay more...they all have similar bad cleaning habits that normally violate local health codes.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

From the hotel/resort expose I reviewed you can be sure housekeeping behaviors are very consistent from discount hotels to the Ritz....which was inclluded in the expose. Very shocking to see the same pattern of behavior no matter if it was a discount or a high end luxury resort...don't be fooled to believe you get better housekeeping because you pay more for a room.

The conclusion of the investigation...it does not matter if you pay more...they all have similar bad cleaning habits that normally violate local health codes.

I'm not saying that you get better housekeeping because you pay more. I'm saying the opposite - you should get good housekeeping regardless of how much you pay. I think you're referring to the poster I was refuting who said, "You get what you pay for."

 

[Bathead12]

My family stayed at the All Star Sports last weekend and the nicest way I can describe the service is Inconsistent. We checked in about midnight on Nov 9 . There was one clerk checking people in and 2 people on the other end just goofing around. Finally the 2 people goofing around finally started to check me in (it appeared that one person was training the other). The "Veteran" rattled off his "Check in" script to me as quickly as he can talk. I caught about every 3rd word that he was saying except I found out that I would not be getting my luggage from DME until 8 AM at the earliest (that's when they start delivering it and "NO you can't come to the front desk earlier than that to pick it up".)

We finally got to our room at Surf's Up and it hasn't been cleaned! We were checked into to a dirty room! The beds were made but there was garbage on the tables and floors and several towels have been used. The "Mouse ear towels" were crumpled up (great first impression for my son) and the lights were already on. My guess is someone checked into the room but decided they didn't want it and requested a new one. It was 12:30 am at this point and my wife and son just wanted to go to sleep so I didn't complain (also the location of the room was excellent - very close to check-in so another reason not to move). 20 mins later ad we were getting ready for bed we received a knock on the door and it was housekeeping coming to clean the room! The man apologized and said he was just given a rush to clean the room. I'm not sure if this was Housekeeping's fault or the front desk's but it was very frustrating. He said he would complain to his manager for us and that "He would make things right for you" but we never heard anything back.


Not a good start but besides our terrible start we really enjoyed the parks and the pool. Also MK was good for the remainder of the stay except for when I called to request more towels (you have to bring your room towels to the pool so we ran out). When I called to ask "can I have more towels", I got a response of "No.......(Long pause)". I then became kind of defensive until she said "I'm just kidding". I guess that is Value type humor.

I never talked to a manager at ASSports about these issues. Is it worth letting them know so they can fix some of these kinks?

 

[kapoof]

mr &mrs smith..while trying not to sound harsh but honest, i agree with another poster who thought maybe your were not too tidy. i reread your first post and while poor house keeping is never right maybe they did the best they could to clean up around your mess. and i quote "the hair dryer was behind the chair were i left it the first day. also the towels on the floor!"

just something to think about....

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

mr &mrs smith..while trying not to sound harsh but honest, i agree with another poster who thought maybe your were not too tidy. i reread your first post and while poor house keeping is never right maybe they did the best they could to clean up around your mess. and i quote "the hair dryer was behind the chair were i left it the first day. also the towels on the floor!"

just something to think about....

I resent the remark that we are unkempt or dirty! Like I said, we barely even had any stuff and spent little time in the room. I doubt our sleeping made much of a mess. I thought that you were supposed to put dirty towels on the bathroom floor when you wanted them replaced with clean ones. Anywhere else we have stayed, this has been the procedure. I can't imagine how we could have been any neater without cleaning the room ourselves. I already explained what happened with the hairdryer. It had been on the table and somehow got knocked behind a chair. If they moved the chair to vacuum, they would have noticed it.

 

[lustergirl]

I resent the remark that we are unkempt or dirty! Like I said, we barely even had any stuff and spent little time in the room. I doubt our sleeping made much of a mess. I thought that you were supposed to put dirty towels on the bathroom floor when you wanted them replaced with clean ones. Anywhere else we have stayed, this has been the procedure. I can't imagine how we could have been any neater without cleaning the room ourselves. I already explained what happened with the hairdryer. It had been on the table and somehow got knocked behind a chair. If they moved the chair to vacuum, they would have noticed it.

don't fret over other peoples' posts. Some people enjoy stirring up the pot!! I would be upset as well if my room wasn't clean as well. Some people that because you are not paying deluxe resort prices that a dirty room is acceptable-well it isn't. No matter how much you are paying you should be able to come back at night from the parks or in the morning time expect a clean room. I hope you had a great trip other than this mishap. Don't worry I am sure that I might get flamed for this but oh well- at least I pissed off someone today.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

don't fret over other peoples' posts. Some people enjoy stirring up the pot!! I would be upset as well if my room wasn't clean as well. Some people that because you are not paying deluxe resort prices that a dirty room is acceptable-well it isn't. No matter how much you are paying you should be able to come back at night from the parks or in the morning time expect a clean room. I hope you had a great trip other than this mishap. Don't worry I am sure that I might get flamed for this but oh well- at least I pissed off someone today.

Thank you so much, lustergirl! I really appreciate your remarks. I honestly was beginning to think that I was wrong for expecting a clean bathroom at the very least. We did have an absolutely wonderful, magical, dream honeymoon!! The resort was the only snag.

 

[peel]

The comment about getting what you pay for is so off base! We honeymooned at the Wilderness Lodge last year, and if you do a little digging you can find my post about how we were given an uncleaned room with someone's dirty undershirt under the bedspread, and after numerous phone calls and trips to the front desk managed to get a guy in there 5 hours later who was about to leave after only removing the shirt. This was the first night of our honeymoon!!! We finally got him to put new sheets on the bed, and we were moved the next day, but that first night was not fun.
So I feel for you, and I'm certain you were not "dirty".

 

[clkelley]

Just an FYI
I also recived a message each day from our resort manager ( Rick)to assure that if there were any problems with our accomodations at all, or anything that could be done to make our stay more pleasurable to please let him know.

This is totally off-topic, but I thought it was funny and reminds me of how our car dealership is upping their "customer service".

Why do companies feel that calling and checking to see how happy we were with their service is good customer service.

We've had my husband's car in several times lately for some routine and warranty stuff (warranty close to running out, so we're taking it in for every little thing). EVERY single time we have taken it in, we have gotten voice mails and phone calls wanting to find out how we liked the service on the car.

Quite honestly, this last time I finally told them, the service is fine, but the constant phone calls we are receiving checking on their service is getting kind of annoying

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I actually think it's nice that they call you to follow-up on customer service. With the companies that I deal with that do that, it's random though. You won't get a call every single time.

 

[clkelley]

I actually think it's nice that they call you to follow-up on customer service. With the companies that I deal with that do that, it's random though. You won't get a call every single time.

As I said, it was every single time.

One time when we had a slight problem at Pop Century and they moved us to another room, they called to followup and make sure our needs were met, that was nice, but for that dealer to call us EVERY time we bring the car in, is a bit much, and for a hotel manager to call every day to make sure your stay is OK, is a bit much to me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not sure what you're implying here but once again, we are the furthest thing from messy guests. But speaking of maids, actually yes, that's exactly what they are!

Well, actually, no - they're housekeepers. Now, granted yours apparently didn't perform adequately - but a maid is a personal server, at the beck and call of the employer. She might be the person who lays out your clothing, or even helps you dress. She may bring your tea. She may dust, or do heavier cleaning. A hotel housekeeper doesn't do any of that - that's not what the position entails.

And, hey, if you want to see bad housekeeping - try staying at a DVC property on points. You clean your OWN room the first six days! Oh, sure, on your fourth day they'll empty your trash and switch out the towels, but that's IT.

As an aside - I'm going to GUESS (i.e. no supporting evidence) that when you were told Disney was aware of the flooding problem it hadn't been for long - and even Disney can't just make water disappear. NOT a defense of the situation at all, merely an alternative.

At any rate - go ahead and write the letter. It may benefit future Guests - but wouldn't your stay have been more enjoyable if you'd gotten the problems fixed while YOU were there?

I see what you're saying. Really I do. And in the future we might do things differently. However, upon returning to our room at midnight each night, we didn't feel like staying up to have it re-cleaned when it should have been cleaned properly (or at all) in the first place.

Fair enough - but calling when you got back to the room MAY have resulted in a change in the cleaning of your room in the morning.

Also, we did phone the front desk on two different occasions and were not satisfied. The first time was because the housekeeper had not bothered to leave us any towels (clean or dirty). They showed up with clean towels about an hour after we called, well into the early morning. The second time was to get help with our luggage. They said they would send someone who, as far as we know, never showed up.

But BOTH times, there are more appropriate alternatives. If you had looked at the telephone, there is a button marked Housekeeping and a button marked Luggage. Calling either or both of these departments DIRECTLY, instead of going through the Front Desk and waiting for them to relay the message WOULD have gotten you better, and faster, results.


And, just one comment (not criticism) about the infamous hair dryer... since it stayed on the floor for so long - do you now agree you actually DIDN'T need to bring it?

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Well, actually, no - they're housekeepers. Now, granted yours apparently didn't perform adequately - but a maid is a personal server, at the beck and call of the employer. She might be the person who lays out your clothing, or even helps you dress. She may bring your tea. She may dust, or do heavier cleaning. A hotel housekeeper doesn't do any of that - that's not what the position entails.

While I don't usually engage pointless games of symantics, you are actually wrong. "Maid" is a synonym for "chambermaid" which is "a person who cleans bedrooms and bathrooms, as in a hotel" which is also a synonym for housekeeper.

And, hey, if you want to see bad housekeeping - try staying at a DVC property on points. You clean your OWN room the first six days!

Thanks for the warning. That's not exactly what we consider a resort vacation.

As an aside - I'm going to GUESS (i.e. no supporting evidence) that when you were told Disney was aware of the flooding problem it hadn't been for long - and even Disney can't just make water disappear.

Actually, they can make the water disappear and they did! They are used to these problems and have pumps.

but wouldn't your stay have been more enjoyable if you'd gotten the problems fixed while YOU were there?

I will refer you to the rest of the thread where this has been discussed ad nauseum.

But BOTH times, there are more appropriate alternatives. If you had looked at the telephone, there is a button marked Housekeeping and a button marked Luggage.?

Actually, there was no such button as far as we could tell. Also, FYI, when we called the proper number (pressed button or whatever) for housekeeping we were re-routed to the Front Desk.

And, just one comment (not criticism) about the infamous hair dryer... since it stayed on the floor for so long - do you now agree you actually DIDN'T need to bring it?

Well I don't know about you but I didn't intend to show up at my wedding with wet hair, which happened directly before arriving in Orlando, so yes I did need my blowdryer. Also, I used it the first morning of the trip. That's how it got out of the suitcase in the first place, not that its relevant or any of your business.