Is Daily Housekeeping the Answer for DVC?

[FriendsOfEeyore]

ok, here goes my next BIG thought...

Now, I realize that daily housekeeping would increase our dues dramatically, but....

There have been many reports of various types of damage done to rooms at the different DVC resorts. Also, there is the whole "my room was not cleaned properly" issue, whether that be dust, mold or dirty dishes. My question is, If we had daily housekeeping at the DVC Resorts, would this limit the damage done to furniture and help the "clean" issues that we hear so much about?

My Arguement in Favor:

If we had daily housekeeping, it is unlikely that guests / members would get away with damaging the furniture, as the rooms would be inspected daily. Also, would people be more careful knowing that the rooms are looked at everyday? If furniture is damaged during the stay, the occupant would be responsible finaically for the necessary repairs. I also think that if the rooms were cleaned daily, that there is better chance that housekeeping would catch things like mold, missing kitchen items and pills dropped by previous guests.

My Arguement Against:

The question is, would it be more cost effective for us, the members, to pay for this additional level of service through an increase of our dues? Would the cost be offset by a lower "replacement" cost and "complaint" cost regarding room quality? Obviously the "complaint" cost does not carry a financial cost that would be easily calculated. Other than to say, that if the CM did not have to deal with the "complaint", that they could be doing some more Disney. An Opportunity Cost, for us Accountants.

Would we lose that "home" feeling, knowing that someone was entering your "home" everyday while we were either out to the parks, the pools or shopping. Would we be interupted by those early knocks on the door yelling, "Housekeeping!!!" Hmmm, that does not sound too much like "home" too me. Now a kid screaming, that is a different story..

Thoughts?

Edward

 

[jctwizzer]

Since we've spent close to 100 nights in DVC facilities and have never seen damage and/or housekeeping problems of any consequence, it is our opinion that a discussion of housekeeping acting as policemen is not needed at this time. As usual, squeaky wheels get attention and, in our opinion, many of the reported problems get overstated and undue attention mainly because no one reports non problems. It would be interesting to see a ratio of problems per 100 visits---I suspect the % would be low. Now, if problems did become a major factor, seems to me it would be fairly simple to have one or two persons do daily inspections...the cost would be fairly modest....but then we'd end up discussing how much to tip our "inspector" JMHO

 

[Pa@okw95]

I rather not see any trash and towel days-keep housekeeping out of my room altogther. It is a simple thing to take your trash out to the rooms for such and what is there to throwing the towels in the wash. I don't need anyone in my room when I am not there, plus I even like it less when they come in when I am there. Just assign them to get the rooms ready for the guests checking in where they need help anyway. As far as guest doing damage to the rooms you will may see some but I never have in my 9 years as a member.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've have never had bad problems that a quick trip by maintenance or housekeeping couldn't fix. When housekeeping only goes to the resort room every few days, they really should have more time to observe any big problems. Also, if the resort staff would charge the guests for any damage they make to the room, that also might work to quell the damage.

I think daily housekeeping would only increase costs, not really stem damage. And I would hate the daily interruption of my life.

It's not only DVC members who find the stray pill or needle in the carpet. It happens in the other resorts as well, like GF or AKL.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think daily housekeeping is the answer. If you go over on the resorts board, you see reports of dirty rooms at regular WDW resorts all the time. Same type of things - mold, items not picked up from previous guest, etc. I don't want housekeeping in my room everday.

I suggest that there be a form at check-in where the guest acknowleges that they will be responsible for any damage. If there is any damage upon arrival at the room, it must be reported immediately. Sort of like a rental car.

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

See I am with you guys that I bought DVC because it was going to be my home. I do not want daily housekeeping. I have never needed it when staying at a regualr hotel. I want to feel like I am at home. Now I am saying that we don't pick up daily, but I do not have someone coming through my home on a daily basis.

Most of this board, know that I have not been "home" as of yet. I just like to start threads for discussion based on the other posts that are out there.

I, myself, will not worry about the maintenance until I actually see a problem worth worrying about.

Edward

 

[childsplay]

I agree that daily housekeeping is not the answer, nor is it necessary. I think there is a problem with damage from time to time but I'm not quite sure how to control it. Assessing blame can be a tricky proposition.
Example from one of our stays:
OKW summer 2002: Staying in a two bedroom. On one of the final mornings we are eating breakfast and the sun is in our daughters eyes, no problem, just close the blinds with a twist of the the little rod thingy....whoops....next thing you know the whole thing is on the floor. Upon closer examination someone had broken the entire window blind (the wood ones) and carefully "put it back together" just enough so it looked fine. (I felt like Ralph Malph on Happy Days when he tried to shake a little salt on his burger and someone had lossened the cap and the salt came pouring out). Who knows how long it had been sitting there, if you never touched those blinds during your stay you never would have known. I guess my point is I don't want to have to be responsible for going over the entire room with a fine toothcomb to check for damage and if I miss something, well them I'm responsible.
However, I do want the damage situation controlled....I just don't have any suggestions.

 

[Chuck S]

On our last stay at OKW (Dec 9 to 18) we did see some minor room damage. The room had obviously been flooded at one time from the bathroom or laundry room . Some rust stains were evident and the bathroom doors also had dents and dings. The damage showed evidence that maintenance had resolved the problems as best they could without doing a full rehab of the unit...which would have been expensive, and the unit was in the next building scheduled for rehab anyway. All in all, it was clean, and the damage that was noticable did not have any negative impact on our stay. Daily housekeeping probably would not have prevented this type of damage to a unit...and all in all, I agree with everyone else...I like the schedule the way it is.

 

[paults]

One reason we joined DVC was because of no daily HK. Seems like everytime you want to go back to your room to relax , HK is in it and now you have to wait. So we vote no daily HK and we think trash and towel day is great.

Pa@okw95

It is a simple thing to take your trash out to the rooms for such and what is there to throwing the towels in the wash

I agree (instead of trash in the hall take it (trash) to the trash room, no big deal. Now as far as throwing towels in the wash I disagree unless your in a 1 bedroom or more. Trash and towel day is good for the studios.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I like the concept of the housekeeping the way it is. I keep the place nice & tidy and do not want to be bothered.

 

[DebbieB]

When talking about damage, I don't mean accidental damage. If the blind fell apart and you explained what happened, I don't think they should charge you for that. They can probably tell what was accidental and what was more deliberate. Like our room at BWV had a gouge in the wall next to the TV right next to the corner of the cabinet. My bet? When they installed the new DVD/VCR combo, they moved the cabinet out to get to the back and the corner went into the wall. Obviously an accident.
If a neighbor reported loud noises from the room and they go in and find damage like table legs broken off, that's where a guest should be charged.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I also like not having daily housekeeping. We stayed at the Poly last month and every time we came back to the room the maids were there So I then started calling housekeeping when we left in the a.m. to tell them we would be gone until 1pm or whatever and if they could please clean the room then.

Now regarding the rooms being ready at check in - that is a whole different story. Our room last week at BWV (1bedroom) was not ready until after 4:30pm. To me that is unacceptable. I would like to see the checkin time be at 3pm like the other resorts (non DVC). If they need more housekeepers to do so, then so be it.

I am sure some days are busier than others checkout/checkin wise. Maybe they could have more housekeepers on those days or have some part timers who come in then. I don't know.

Sorry if that is a little off-topic. But it does have to do with housekeeping

 

[Disney-Kim]

We are new DVC'ers with 1 trip under our belt, but being that we stayed in a studio and will prob continue to stay in the studios....I would pay more in dues to have housekeeping.

or...at least bring the price down from $25 per day....

I like the hotel feeling whereas most here like the "home" feeling. but they are usually in the bigger homier units.

 

[lenshanem]

It woudl be cool if they had a towel exchange place for thsoe staying in studios? No need for anyoen to coem to the room. Just take your toewls and drop them off like the trash rooms. Probbaly woudln't work, but I like the thought.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

What other "home away from home" resorts do is drop off a bag of towels. That would resolve the problem for studios...just give them extra towels to start and at trash and tidy.

I see no reason for dues to go up because a few people want hotel service. I think the fee addresses this issue perfectly. Maybe a more intensive service than just trash and tidy for the units with kitchens would be in order.

 

[tax58]

We love knowing that housekeeping will not be working on our room no matter what time we get back. The current system is perfect to us.

 

[vernon]

I do think some of the units need better care and attention, but I think that more time spent on a thorough cleaning and inspection at the end of each "rental" ( or maybe a once a month "spring clean" and general check of appliances) would be a better way to do it as opposed to a daily clean, which would IMHO just result in a more frantic schedule for the CMs designated the work, but do nothing to help them look deeper than a cursory glance.

 

[Tigger1]

I wonder why we see any problems anyway. Our room should be ready without problems when we arrive. Housekeeping should have found most of them already. Many times I have arrived and the proper number of dishes are not in the room. I do not see how having daily service will make them do anything different when the obviouse is not being done.

I also wonder if guest who rent from others do more damage. Who would be responsible for missing items or damage from there stays?

Tigger

 

[kathleena]

I don't want daily housekeeping and really don't even want anyone in there for trash and towels. I would rather take my own trash to a bin down the hall and wash the towels, or trade them in for clean ones in the case of a studio.

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

Originally posted by Tigger1
I cut..

I also wonder if guest who rent from others do more damage. Who would be responsible for missing items or damage from there stays?

In this scenario, I would think that member should be responsible. I think that it is a "cost" of renting. I think that people who own something, are more likely to take care of it. The member is still the one who made the ressie and received cash or some other form compensation. I think that the member should be ultimately responsible for anyone who stays on their behalf.

Regarding a Towel Exchange. Is this something that can requested in the future? Honestly, this is the first timeshare that I have been associated with where we are responsible for cleaning our own towels. I know that we can pay for an "extra pack". I am talking about a change in practice.

I, too, would galdly take the trash to the proper area. Heck, I do that everyday at HOME with a 22 month old.

Edward