Is this normal for DVC

[janni518]

We got "Welcome Home'd" all over the place last year. This was at the BC and also at the BCV (we walked over to check it out). We explained that we hadn't purchased yet and they just laughed and said we were welcome anyway. It was nice.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

I understand being upset if somebody is rude to me, but is it worth holding a grudge because somebody didnt say "Welcome Home?" If the CM said something like "Oh, great another one" then I could understand frustration.

With everything going on in the world right now, is it that big of a deal?

Sorry, I know I'm coming across as a condescending jerk, but just trying to put a little perspective on how insignificant a greeting (or lack thereof) is.

As far as the wait for check-in, you admitted they were slammed. People can only do so much. (Maybe this is also the reason why they forgot to say "Welcome Home")

I do agree with you there - our gripe with AKL was a weeks worth of extreme rudeness, mistakes, uncleanliless (seriously bad not just dust etc) and finally theft of our property - hence a 5 page complaint letter!!

 

[dd08]

I do agree with you there - our gripe with AKL was a weeks worth of extreme rudeness, mistakes, uncleanliless (seriously bad not just dust etc) and finally theft of our property - hence a 5 page complaint letter!!

That's a shame. I'm sorry to hear that.

Here's hoping your next trip (wherever it may be) turns out better.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are arriving sunday for our first stay at AKV. All of this "unmagic" is making me very apprehensive. I wanted to return to OKW but DH had his heart set on AKV because we had such a wonderful stay at the Lodge a few years before joining DVC. We even opted for a standard view because we didn't want to end up in the savannah where the animals are gone. Plus we loved the pool there and heard that at Jambo House standard view is of the pool. Due to some health issues this may be our last trip for awile so I hope and pray it's a good one. I guess we'll have to make our own magic.

Don't worry. If you have pool view, you will likely have much shorter hallways than we had. The cleanliness issue is still likely to be there, but there is a LOT to be magical at AKV....We just missed the things we have come to take for granted at OKW.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

That's a shame. I'm sorry to hear that.

Here's hoping your next trip (wherever it may be) turns out better.

I'm sure it will be - jsut booked September 09 - 2 nights at AKL (they want us there to prove the last trip was an exception!) followed by 15 nights at SSR - I'm hoping it will be better!!

With DVC we really believe membership is magical and are prepared to give them a 2nd chance...lol!!

I've heard both good and bad at AKL - so for those who have not yet been there but are going to - I'm sure you will have a wonderful stay - the lodge itself really is AMAZING to see - so big and very African - it's neat!!

 

[hellerjw]

One of our best DVC stays was also our first at AKV. We wanted to plan a little something special for our son's birthday and the hotel concierge (not DVC's upstairs) went above and beyond to prepare a special package and have it delivered to our room while we were away at the parks one day. Our son still talks about it. When we went down to the hotel concierge desk the next day and wanted to tip the guy that helped us so much but he refused multiple offers for a gratuity. Whether this is their policy or simply him going "above and beyond" I don't know but in either case it made our stay.

 

[crisi]

We generally stay at BWV and had one VWL trip. I think "Welcome Home" happens about half the time.

 

[Claire L]

We had no issues when we stayed at AKV in May last year, the CM's were great

Agree that the 'welcome home' is used for any guest not just DVC.

Claire

 

[Lisa P.]

While we DID get a "welcome Home" at AKV in January, we too felt the "unmagic" of the stay. It's like they consider the DVC portion of AKL to be the 'ugly stepsister', and treat us like dirt....
I think every DVC that comes into an existing Disney hotel suffers some of the same issues when the DVC is new there. I remember it at VWL and BCV too. I assume it will be MUCH better at Kidani with seperate check in.

ITA! The same complaints were voiced when the first hotel-DVC, BWV opened too. Seems like it takes a couple years to settle out.

Please don't let a few negative posts scare you. ... I think that at AKV it may sometimes get overlooked because the greater portion of the people staying there are regular resort guests...

Again, I agree. Keep your perspective about the little stuff and enjoy the overall theme and style of the resort. You're on vacation!!!

 

[permavac]

I think it depends on the resort...who's working, etc...

And herein lies the reason for the disparity. To quote Charlton Heston (if a little out of context ) "It's people!"

We've checked into places where it seems the person checking us in is genuinely pleased to be making our acquaintance and at others where we are made to feel like we are putting the person out. I agree that even something so minor as a missing "WH" can put a damper on your initial impression of a place, but I am able to mitigate my own reaction by saying to myself, "This person has not been cast in the right role as someone who interacts directly with the public." The action to be taken next will be to either lodge a complaint about their behavior (if severe enough) or just chalk the experience up to the (bad) luck of the draw and move on from there. If you're a sensitive person like me, the bad interactions stand out as much/if not more than the good ones (wish it were otherwise but we all have our flaws ) so having a coping mechanism has really helped me to move on quickly from these petty irritations. Also, haven't stayed at AKL but experienced both types of service at check-in at BWV so I don't hold anything against the "resort" per se - just the individual. Hope that helps

Terri

 

[Inkmahm]

One of our best DVC stays was also our first at AKV. We wanted to plan a little something special for our son's birthday and the hotel concierge (not DVC's upstairs) went above and beyond to prepare a special package and have it delivered to our room while we were away at the parks one day. Our son still talks about it. When we went down to the hotel concierge desk the next day and wanted to tip the guy that helped us so much but he refused multiple offers for a gratuity. Whether this is their policy or simply him going "above and beyond" I don't know but in either case it made our stay.

Concierge is upstairs in the lounge for all concierge guests, not just DVC. I've stayed at AKL as concierge guest and at AkV as concierge guest. There is no difference other than which floor your room is located.

 

[hellerjw]

I may have been mistaken about the person's role there, but vaguely remember him being at a special desk to the left of the main entrance that said "concierge". I've been to several resorts that have a concierge desk for use by anyone staying there, which is separate from any concierge staff that serve those staying at club level.

Regardless of his title, he did go out of his way to make our stay special. My point being that most AKL/AKV CMs we have encountered have been very nice and willing to help in any way they can.

 

[rynosmom]

We were just at the Wilderness Lodge last week and I am not sure if they said it during check in but Mousekeeping was in the hallway while we were on our way to check out the room and she DID say "Welcome Home"....

 

[dianeschlicht]

Reading this thread has reminded me how that first stay most of us think the "welcome home" is everything. To be honest, while I do notice if it's said, it doesn't bother me when it isn't. In 12 plus years of multiple DVC trips a year, I can't remember a trip where we didn't get at least one welcome home. At OKW, you usually get it at the guard shack each time you enter. We found the same to be true at AKV, and we DID get a welcome home at check in as well. I just think a bit too much is placed on the greeting. It's a silly thing when it comes right down to it...it just strokes our egos.

 

[dozerdog]

Funny how much those two little words mean to DVC members. I have to tell you it was a HUGE selling point in us becoming members. We stayed at AKL on the concierge level and at OKW while my daughter was in CP. I have to say our stay at OKW was a better experience. We looked forward to the "welcome home" each night as we drove through the gate. I sure hope it doesn't become "old hat" for us now that we will be visiting more often!!