Is the level of service the same?

[canwegosoon]

When you stay at a shared resort(disney/DVC)do you feel you are treated different? During a recent stay I encountered several problems, that I did not have on our first stay at SSR and BWV. I am wondering if we are flagged for our first visit. I am finishing a trip report and will provide a link. And I am not referring to mousekeeping/nomousekeeping. I would just like input if I am expecting too much-not trying to make this a bashing thread. So lets keep it nice. Thanks

 

[boatboatboat]

I don't understand what you are asking/saying.

Are you saying that because you stayed at a DVC resort before they treated YOU BETTER?

Or

Are you saying that if you own at one resort, the other resorts CM won't treat you as well?

 

[keys2kingdom]

OR

Do you mean that you feel you were treated differently because you were a BWV guest versus a BWI guest? Are you feeling that guests from the 'hotel' part of the resort get better treatment?

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm assuming that you feel that you weren't treated as well on subsequent visits as maybe the first stay? I haven't had that experience at all. Only one time have I had any 'issue' with resort CM's treatment and that was at an early stay at POR...very attitudinal CM at the front desk. But, that's neither here nor there as far as DVC is concerned. I've had the same great treatment on all of my DVC stays...no matter whether I'm at BWV or BCV.
Sorry you had a bad, or less than desireable, experience at DVC.

 

[canwegosoon]

Backround:brought DVC 2 yrs ago(sight unsceen never even been at DVC or shared property)...First trip last year Easter 10 days (5 at SSR and 5 at BWV) was FANTASTIC...one minor problem..no big deal. Perfect trip and I was really happy about purchase in DVC. We had nice rooms, very clean with nice views and property seemed to be well maintained(except for vacumning infront of the health club entrance.

Had a 8 day trip recently at BWV and VWL-that left a lot to be desired. I know I tend to be over critical as a former hotel owner so I try to weigh that against other people's experiences and expecations. But some examples from our BCV stay was: 1) at check in we were not orientated to the property(something that I have always have had done at all other hotels I have stayed at)"Mrs. X you can find ice here, the quite pool(or SAB) is here, and you get to it the best way from your room by going this way...etc." or even Welcomed Home. 2) I made no requests for the rooms except for the medical non-smoking that is required for my sons. I could not have gotten a room further from the exit/elevator and no view except for a road. 3) When I call for bell services I expect them to come-and they did not (see trip report) 4). Condition of hallways as far as cleanliness...(Imo) the rugs on the first floor BCV 1500 section NEED Cleaning some areas were black(instead of tan) so that grosses me out. 5) I got lost and asked someone in Mousekeeping how do I get back to my room...she repeated my room number several times(like she didn't know it-I thought she might have been new), and then she "oh, you're in the villas"(there was something weird with the way she said it- like it was a bad place to be-or I needed to be pittied).

Now that was just a portion of our trip and don't even get me started on how my DH had his clothes(his new SSR shirt) ruined. I feel I could not have had 2 trips more different. It was not a really busy time of the year(like it was last Easter), so I was wondering what other DCV'ers experiences were.

 

[Sherri]

I am thinking when I first discovered disboards last year I read a thread similar to this. I'm not sure if anyone remembers or not, but it stuck out in my mind. It seemed to say the same type of thing and are members thought of differently then guests in the hotel portions of the resorts. I remember it being a hot topic at the time and being very scared of staying at a DVC member rather then regular hotel guest. It seemed many had the same type of thought as the OP.

 

[boatboatboat]

OP are you asking if we think the carpet was dirty, and a washing machine broke, and that DVC built your special request room at the end of the building because you had stayed there before?

 

[robinb]

I don't think the service or the upkeep is any different at any level of Disney resort. From the Values to the Deluxes. I do think that after you go to WDW a few times the rose-colored glasses come off and you begin to notice things you would not before.

 

[patsal]

The only "bad" DVC stay I've ever had was at BCV--I know the tone you are referring to--I got it from the valet, the check in CM's, the manager and mousekeeping. Now that time has mellowed my anger I think it may be a Beach Club thing--I mean, I've never experienced it at any other DVC property, it was every CM I encountered and the place is so popular that it really doesn't matter to them if we return. That was in 2004--I have not been back--there are too many wonderful places to stay and enjoy to bother-when I was booking this year's vacation I entertained it at the 11 month window--face it the walk to Epcot is a beautiful thing! I decided that I'd rather stay where I was pretty sure the experience would be great rather than risk a repeat.
I'm sorry your visit "home" was not so magical this time.
I now check the washers and dryers thouroughly before I put clothing into them. I found gum in the dryer last year at OKW (1BR) and that really could have been a big issue had it gotten on my whole load of clothing.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The only "bad" DVC stay I've ever had was at BCV--I know the tone you are referring to--I got it from the valet, the check in CM's, the manager and mousekeeping. Now that time has mellowed my anger I think it may be a Beach Club thing--I mean, I've never experienced it at any other DVC property, it was every CM I encountered and the place is so popular that it really doesn't matter to them if we return. That was in 2004--I have not been back--there are too many wonderful places to stay and enjoy to bother-when I was booking this year's vacation I entertained it at the 11 month window--face it the walk to Epcot is a beautiful thing! I decided that I'd rather stay where I was pretty sure the experience would be great rather than risk a repeat.

That's interesting that you felt it at BCV. I've never felt it there. However, on our one and only visit to VWL, boy, did we feel it! And yet, now that I've been around these boards for a while, I'll bet there are people who'd honestly say they never felt that way from VWL. Unfortunately for us, it also happened to be our first DVC trip and we wondered-"Is this second class citizen treatment common at all the resorts now?" I'm now of the opinion it's all with which CMs you encounter wherever you are!

 

[snowbutton]

I don't think they have TIME to treat people differently, I would say if someone treated you badly they probley treat everyone that way. There are thousands and thousands of guests. Write a letter and complain if you think you were treated badly. Go to the top.

 

[canwegosoon]

my DH clothes that were ruined were not due to a washer...it was due to caulking done at the bellservices stand at VWL. He had put his computer bag down in front of him and the strap and bottom of the breif case were in wet caulking...not knowing this he placed the bag on his shoulder getting caulk all over his shorts and shirt. We walked away and went to the airline desk, where I noticed it. I thought it was grease from an elevator or piece of equiprtment. DH tried to wash it off on the way to breakfast at the GF. He couldn't get it out and realized that it might be caulk. When we got back to WL I mentioned the stain to bellservices when they were bringing out our bags, and then I saw some on the guy from bell services...the one at the desk said "Oh yea, they were caulking early this morning...I guess there should have be a sign"

 

[canwegosoon]

I don't think the service or the upkeep is any different at any level of Disney resort. From the Values to the Deluxes. I do think that after you go to WDW a few times the rose-colored glasses come off and you begin to notice things you would not before.

You might be right...
So I am going to lower my expectations for Christmas...and hope for a better result.

 

[boatboatboat]

my DH clothes that were ruined were not due to a washer...it was due to caulking done at the bellservices stand at VWL. He had put his computer bag down in front of him and the strap and bottom of the breif case were in wet caulking...not knowing this he placed the bag on his shoulder getting caulk all over his shorts and shirt. We walked away and went to the airline desk, where I noticed it. I thought it was grease from an elevator or piece of equiprtment. DH tried to wash it off on the way to breakfast at the GF. He couldn't get it out and realized that it might be caulk. When we got back to WL I mentioned the stain to bellservices when they were bringing out our boads, and then I saw some on the guy from bell services...the one at the desk said "Oh yea, they were caulking early this morning...I guess there should have be a sign"

do you think was a result of you staying there before?

 

[JimC]

If anything we get better treatment -- in the sense that they welcome us back and give us a "Welcome Home".

Also important, I think, is how we respond to the CMs. If we tell them it is "good to be home" and return the friendliness in kind it helps us all.

 

[robinb]

When we got back to WL I mentioned the stain to bellservices when they were bringing out our boads, and then I saw some on the guy from bell services...the one at the desk said "Oh yea, they were caulking early this morning...I guess there should have be a sign"

You need to bring this up to someone who can do something about it. NOT bellservices. My FIL had some bleach water drip on him at OKW. He complained to the front deak they replaced his junky (but now stained) sweatshirt with a brand-new OKW one.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

You know I answered yes to this before I read the post. I would still answer yes because DVC is different from the hotel units by definition.

Now as to being treated not as nicely as the paying guests...I've never had that happen. I've stayed at all of the DVCs and never noticed any sort of attitude. That could also be because I usually check in alone (whether or not I am) and with a great deal of patience. I have had one instance at VWL where I had a hard time but that was due to the language barrier rather than a 'tude.

I DO recall feeling mistreated at AKL...both staying as a guest and viewing the hotel. The lobby CM's struck me as snobbish and unhelpful...and they were NOT busy. Mousekeeping was great tho'...she actually gave me a little tour of the building and the suites where the soap opera stars stay.

The clean appearance factor...yeah the DVC hallway carpets seem to be dirty. I would imagine that is due to the fact that full kitchens will lead to full leaky garbage bags. I do think DVC should change their check in packets to address issues that might reduce maintenance such as what to do with your trash and what to do with your room service trays. Hopefully when the carpets are replaced they'll pick a thread type that has greater stain resistance (as opposed to going to "painted carpets" ala SSR).

 

[canwegosoon]

You need to bring this up to someone who can do something about it. NOT bellservices. My FIL had some bleach water drip on him at OKW. He complained to the front deak they replaced his junky (but now stained) sweatshirt with a brand-new OKW one.

I am sending them the ruined shirt and shorts and the reciept for their replacement at the GF. I wasn't going to send the reciept if I could have gotten the stuff out, but I can't. I think that is fair.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Maybe my logic is off, but we bought into VWL because it WAS attached Deluxe resort, and stupid me assumed we would get the same treatment!!!!

Now I know this is really stupid, but it bugs me that if I was paying cash in the hotel, I would get the paper, but because I am on points I do not??? Yes I know silly!!

Now my question, If I paid cash for a stay at the Villas, do I get the paper??

If I use my points at the other Deluxes with no DVC do I get the paper???

 

[married@wdw]

I'd like to point out that we do pay top dollar for our stays. We just pay in advance! And since we're MUCH more likely to return, I've always felt that the service I received at DVC resorts was above what I've gotten at some of the non-DVCs.

I've really never had a bad experience at a DVC resort -- barring computer malfunctions that screwed up our bill! We've stayed at all the WDW DVCs and have been staying on my in-laws points since 1994 (bought our own in 2000). Sure, we've had minor problems here and there, but nothing I wouldn't expect at any other hotel.

Do I think you're too sensitive? Probably. But I hope that didn't ruin your vacation.