Just Back - 10 Days at AKV - Probably Won't Return

[hakepb]

Poggs, You had it easy finding your room Try SSR at midnight. First getting a room # that did not exist (while you are frantically wandering around buildings) To be followed by the occupied room, then finally given a real room!

And I had to do it walking 5 miles in the snow, uphill, both ways!

(I am truely sorry about your experience. I wish I could say that the AVL front desk was the only one with fault, but it can happen anywhere)

 

[dzorn]

We were let down by not being able to use the main pool area. we accepted that there were smaller pools and so when we couldn't use the main pool we accepted the lengthy walk but were a little dissapointed as it seemed that the only reason we couldn't use the main pool was due to pool hoping and the fact that the DVC allow all people on the tours to stay at the resort for the rest of the day. these people obviously knew that in advance and so brought their entire families! I just felt that we shouldnt have tio use another pool because of this!

How did you know it was people from the tour? I have read reports of people coming from DTD and using SSR facilities. We took the tour last year when we bought and at no time was it mentioned we should try out the facilities. Pool hopping is suspended over the 4th of July Holiday according to Disney Guidelines.

Denise in MI

 

[wen-tom]

How did you know it was people from the tour? I have read reports of people coming from DTD and using SSR facilities. We took the tour last year when we bought and at no time was it mentioned we should try out the facilities. Pool hopping is suspended over the 4th of July Holiday according to Disney Guidelines.

Denise in MI

Hi, we saw families coming over to the pool with their DVC tour names badges still on their shirts!

We were told that pool hopping was allowed after July 4th, just not for that day by the CM's at the resort.

we took the tour in 2006 and it was never mentoned to us either.

maybe CM's dont know that they are doing it but as they are usually taken to the tour and taken back to whereever they are staying afterwards I assume they must have had permission.

To be honest though, that wasn't so bad, it was the large groups of people who were obviously not from tours or other resorts that were annoying. People who were talking about "returning to their condos".

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

As for AKV not being up to par...hasn't all or most of the resorts after OKW went through a period of criticism.

When I joined the DIS, it seemed like everybody hated SSR. Remember the photo the guy kept posting of the hallways? We never considered SSR at all because of the stink at the time. I also remember that people mentioned that the other resorts had gotten a lot of criticism as well. I remember reading a joke that you could get your beer out of the frig while sitting on the balcony at the Boardwalk, and don't forget the looong hallways, and the scary slide.

The fact of the matter is...housekeeping problems can be resolved fairly easily. Design flaws cannot. Although I have not stayed at AKL yet, I believe that Disney has created a very desirable resort.

As for SSR, owners should be happy. The DIS has found a new resort to beat up on.

 

[DisFlan]

Poggs, You had it easy finding your room Try SSR at midnight. First getting a room # that did not exist (while you are frantically wandering around buildings) To be followed by the occupied room, then finally given a real room!

And I had to do it walking 5 miles in the snow, uphill, both ways!

(I am truely sorry about your experience. I wish I could say that the AVL front desk was the only one with fault, but it can happen anywhere)

We had this happen at BWV, too. We were given a nonexistant room number at about 10:30 pm - not an occupied room - one that wasn't even there. After we figured out what was happening, we had to trudge back to the desk (only 4 miles in the snow) and wait around until they figured out where we really belonged - then we had to wait for our luggage to find us. It showed up around 1 am. So "wrong room" isn't a rare occurrence at any resort.

DisFlan

 

[Alexander]

We were at AKV from July 8th to the 15th. I have to say that we won't be in a hurry to go back either.

The CMs at the front desk really don't understand the whole DVC thing. They were of absolutely no help at all.

Bell services...let's just say that if I could have broken someone's leg (CarolA) it would have been one of these people! We arrived with our groceries on our first morning (we already had our room), they unloaded the car and said to take the slip into the bell services desk, give them my room number and they would be right up. I said, "Are you sure, we have ice cream in here?" (It was 97 degrees out.) "No problem.." I stopped at bell services and was told that my stuff would be delivered in a few hours because they were backed up...I said "Hold on, I was just told....and I have ice cream and other foods that need to be kept frozen...." He just shrugged his shoulders. At that point I told him to get my groceries and I would carry them upstairs myself.

Valet was wonderful. Everytime they asked if we needed directions and told us to have a great day.

Our room was very clean and Edith did a great job even on T & T day. I made sure she was tipped well and personally told her thank you for taking care of us so well. She truly takes pride in her job.

Overall the resort is lovely, I just didn't find enough there to keep me entertained. We only did two park days out of seven, so we had a lot of resort time. I don't care for themed pools as they are always crazy busy, and since AKL/V only has the one pool for now, we didn't have a choice.

 

[Tiger926]

As for AKV not being up to par...hasn't all or most of the resorts after OKW went through a period of criticism.

When I joined the DIS, it seemed like everybody hated SSR. Remember the photo the guy kept posting of the hallways? We never considered SSR at all because of the stink at the time. I also remember that people mentioned that the other resorts had gotten a lot of criticism as well. I remember reading a joke that you could get your beer out of the frig while sitting on the balcony at the Boardwalk, and don't forget the looong hallways, and the scary slide.

The fact of the matter is...housekeeping problems can be resolved fairly easily. Design flaws cannot. Although I have not stayed at AKL yet, I believe that Disney has created a very desirable resort.

As for SSR, owners should be happy. The DIS has found a new resort to beat up on.

I think this is a silly way of looking at the situation. The fact of the matter is that we all bought a product, and with that, certain expectations. Some expectations are not reasonable, but simple and basic housekeeping issues are issues that should and need to be resolved in a quick manner.

As I mentioned above, I spoke with a DVC manager at MS about the problems at AKL. She admitted there were issues that they were continually working on and they meet regularly to discuss and implement procedures. She continually thanked me for bringing things to her attention regarding my smoking issues in my villa (previous guest smoked) and when she did the research, the managers who I dealt with had registered the complaint, so that was good.

I am known as a consumer advocate to friends/family - I continually email/phone companies for both positive and negative concerns, and get responses back all of the time, with the biggest appreciation coming in the fact that I as a customer took the time to contact them. The same needs to be true of DVC, so I don't look at this as complaining at all, but necessary discussion in order for them to improve their product. As consumers, it is imperative that we discuss the good and the bad - I am so a not 'status quo' kind of person. Everyone should strive to be better, but minimal housekeeping issues, or, Boma's pagers being fixed are not being better, but functioning at minimal levels. Does this mean we 'hate' AKL and are just complaining? Absolutely not! As members, we feel it is our duty to continually keep them abreast of issues - as frequent visitors we all have stayed at all, or most Disney resorts; therefore, we should compare all resorts to each other. I feel it's necessary and it would be silly not to do so!

Incidentally, we have experienced much of the same issues at AKL - 2 years ago when paying cash (before DVC) and now as DVC owners at AKL. As an intelligent person, this tells me that they are struggling in some of the same areas - if we look at it as complaining and don't do it, then these pertinent issues will never be resolved. Just look at the type of response and assess what the poster is concerned about and it's not hard to tell those who are serious, and those for whom complaining is an art form. Most of the responses on here are pointing to consistent problem areas with AKL, problems that I have already mentioned existed before AKV, and that is the biggest issue that needs to be resolved. We love AKL and because we do, we will continue to actively engage ourselves in helping them improve the resort, whether that be phone calls, emails or speaking to managers while staying there.

Tiger

 

[momof3poohlovers]

Tuesday 4 December to friday 7th December – Animal Kingdom villas.

We added on 50 points here earlier in the year to enable us to guarantee our stay here. We loved the promo videos and the view over the savannah from the balcony. So stumped up the points to get the savannah view.

Got to the Animal kingdom lodge at 3.30. At the door the medal floor design of animals and the wooden panels surrounding it were roped of, making the entry door seem really small. The lobby was also really cluttered with couches and other 'junk'. At least 10 people in line infront to check in. Only 2 people doing check in, but 5 or 6 at the concierge desk chatting and laughing with each other. Initial impressions were not good. Waited in line for about 30 minutes until we got seen. Really poor this. I had requested a room overlooking the central savannah, near to the lobby as possible. Never got this the Cm whom I would characterise as rude said 'I dont care what you requested. Thats your room and I cant change it) She wrote 5548 on the a bit of paper and sent us on our way. I asked for the welcome pack, but she told me they were too busy to build them up and to come back later.

So walked up to the room. Took 3 breaks and aged a bit, but eventually got to 5548. put the key in. red light. Tried all three. All red light. Then the door opened and another lady said that this was her room. ARRGH!!!!!!! After that hike, She's given me someone elses room.!!!

So back to the lobby. Waited another 20 mins in line to get dragon lady again. 'I never said 5548' says Ros (nice monsters inc link there) . 'Yes you did says I' whilst showing her the room layout card that she had written 5548 on. Tut tut goes it and says, its 5549 and sends us off with a flee in our ear. Sorry? Not a chance.

Repeat 1 mile walk to the far end of the hotel to the worst DVC room on property. Remember the number. Its Room 5549.

So we walk in and the lampshade falls of the ceiling and smashes on the floor. Oh. There's an omen. So straight to the balcony. Its a 5th floor room overlooking a circular fenced off mud pit! Totally shocking and utterly unacceptable. I just cant believe they call this a savannah view. Never saw so much as a bird the whole time we were there. DW burst into tears. This hotel was her dream. So back to the lobby and after a 15 minute wait (see getting better) got Ros to get us the floor manager. He hid in the back for 10 minutes before being very sorry but there was nothing else he could do. We got the AKV version of the dumpster view.

The room itself was also pants. No en-suite and a toilet in a cupboard. Whats that all about? But, but,wheres the tub? Someone has shrunk it! Tiny wee thing!

Ok says DW phone up members services and get a move. I am not staying here. So I phone up member service and shockerooni, nothing available apart from Saratoga springs. Here was a dilema. Do we leave the 'mud pit view' for the poor relation of DVC? She hummed and hawed and decided that SS was a step too far. So we stayed put and tried to go to a park. Waited 40 mins on a bus to epcot. Waited 30 mins ona bus at 730pm to get back. Eventually got back to the room and thought we would try out the HD tv. Guess what only one remote. So tried it on the living room tv. Worked fine. Pulled out the sofa and put the wee man to bed. Tried the bedroom tv. Nope. Only 2 channels working. So its channel 2 or 3. Everything else is choppy and unwatchable as if the cable is not properly tuned in. Wife looks out the balcony and cries again. Went to find the Mara food place. Walked around for a while. No signs anywhere. Asked a Cm to be met with a shocked look. 'Its near the pool sir' Oh of course it is. How stupid of me not to know this. Had I had a welcome pack...... Got a rotten burger on stale brown bun (what is it with the brown buns now?)

So in the morning we phoned up member services to take them up on SS offer. VAK was that bad. But no, that room has been filled. Bah. So we simply stayed put and tried to make the best of it. I would advise everyone to avoid the VAK until the new building is built. Its far too great a risk book a savannah room right now in case you get the rotten views. There really are a lot of them.

Wow! You know, I realize that everyone has different tastes in resorts and I have always been one to respect everyone's opinions but it seems like there was nothing good about your stay. We actually were in the rooms right next door to yours(we were in a 2 bedroom-5543/5545) and were at the villas the same time as you so I can definitely relate to the looong walk and the people pen view(our two rooms were literally above that pen). I agree that these rooms are probably in the worst location at AKV's with the distance from the lobby and the "savannah view" or lack of it. However, we did see 3 giraffes and a couple of other cattle and deer type animals first thing in the mornings for a short time(maybe you were still sleeping?) and a few animals(some zebras) in the afternoon as they made their way through the savannah to go to another area. Was I disappointed with our view? You bet, but I honestly would never cry about something like that. I still found our room to be beautifully decorated and the whole resort to be so peaceful. We found the transportation pretty good(maybe we were lucky )and had white buns on our hamburgers. We were there a few days before you and I don't believe the buns were changed until much later so I am not sure why you got the brown or wheat buns. Anyway, I guess my point is, sometimes we get off to a bad start and it clouds the rest of our trip. I think a lot of our experiences are what we make of them. Many times we can "choose" to have a good time or "choose" to gripe about everything. I guess that I choose to look at the bright side of things. I am sorry you had such a terrible time and I hope your next trip is better.

 

[vicki_c]

I am known as a consumer advocate to friends/family - I continually email/phone companies for both positive and negative concerns, and get responses back all of the time, with the biggest appreciation coming in the fact that I as a customer took the time to contact them. The same needs to be true of DVC.

I found the Customer Satisfaction team from DVC very responsive. I sent an e-mail after we got home about a non-working Internet port in our VWL room (didn't have time to do it while we were there) -- not complaining, but trying to prevent a future guest from having the same problem. At the same time, I mentioned a puddle of something (looked like melted ice cream) that was in the hall near our SSR room the entire 2 days we were there. I wouldn't have bothered other than I was already writing about the Internet thing.

I got an e-mail back from the DVC Customer Satisfaction team right away, and received a phone call from them with about 24 hours confirming that they were taking care of and expressing their gratitude that I took the time to call, etc., etc.

 

[Tiger926]

I found the Customer Satisfaction team from DVC very responsive. I sent an e-mail after we got home about a non-working Internet port in our VWL room (didn't have time to do it while we were there) -- not complaining, but trying to prevent a future guest from having the same problem. At the same time, I mentioned a puddle of something (looked like melted ice cream) that was in the hall near our SSR room the entire 2 days we were there. I wouldn't have bothered other than I was already writing about the Internet thing.

I got an e-mail back from the DVC Customer Satisfaction team right away, and received a phone call from them with about 24 hours confirming that they were taking care of and expressing their gratitude that I took the time to call, etc., etc.

I agree - I received a response back immediately, and then several phone calls until we were able to connect. They were fabulous in addressing our concerns, and appreciated our praise on several other fronts. We had a great conversation!

Tiger

 

[tjkraz]

I do understand. At AKL, they took a resort that rarely operated at full capacity, then DVC came in and change everything.
First during the Jambo renovation, Disney had to close entire wings during construction (instead of just the 4th floor as plannes). Imagine all the angry cash customers AKL CM's faces 100% due to DVC.
Now that Jambo is open to DVC, they (CM's) are probably busier than before, it used to be a cushy job.
Also, due to the Kidani construction, think of all the cash customers that have complained about construction view from the Savannah view (that they paid a premium for) Owners (Management and DVC) can better understand the future benefit. Cash customers cannot.
On top of that AKL has to be less profitable right now (fewer Savannah view rooms then they will have after Sunset re-opens) and the stress of profitability has probably filtered down from management to the front line.
I can imagine circumstances where a few CM's may be less than pleased with DVC.

I was assuming that the problems were more related to inexperienced CMs. But your reply suggests it's more of a case of apathy and ambivalence. That's even more distressing, IMO.

I have no idea what sort of confrontations are being initiated by unhappy cash guests, but it's pretty poor form for the CMs to be taking it out on others--DVC or not. Whether their jobs were "cushy" or not 24 months ago, it's time to start performing.

 

[Debbie H]

Fortunately that won't be a problem in the Kidani 1BRs. Since they will have a second bathroom behind the kitchen, the master bath is only accessible via the master bedroom.

I think having a bathroom off the kitchen is just disgusting....yuck! I think I will pass on that one.

 

[graygables]

I think having a bathroom off the kitchen is just disgusting....yuck! I think I will pass on that one.

You are KIDDING, right? There are MANY homes that have 1/2 baths off the kitchen and the Kidani's 2nd bathroom door opens into the entry, NOT the kitchen, anyway.

 

[AKV707]

I think having a bathroom off the kitchen is just disgusting....yuck! I think I will pass on that one.

As has been said, it is not "off" the kitchen. It is next to the door to the hallway, prior to the kitchen. That extra bedroom will be a huge plus that only AKV has at this point.

I just returned from an 11 night stay in a 1 br value at AKV and it was excellent. All of the CMs at the lodge were pleasant and helpful. The room was perfect. I think a bad experience can happen at any resort.

 

[kimberh]

As has been said, it is not "off" the kitchen. It is next to the door to the hallway, prior to the kitchen. That extra bedroom will be a huge plus that only AKV has at this point.

I just returned from an 11 night stay in a 1 br value at AKV and it was excellent. All of the CMs at the lodge were pleasant and helpful. The room was perfect. I think a bad experience can happen at any resort.

I am so glad you posted... I felt like I was reading (watching) The Twilight Zone. I have been following your other Thread, these were not matching up at all! We have never, I want to repeat Never had any of these problems. One day, last May there was a bus issue. We did report it. The pagers have always worked at Bomas, the woman behind the desk have always done their job, have been pleasant about it also. We have always and I want to repeat Always Had excellent service at Bomas. Now, people not controlling their children is another matter. That is not the Resorts fault, but maybe I should blame it on DVC for ruining my dinner. Wait, that was before AKV was a DVC resort. I agree with another poster, this is reminding me of a old SSR thread... We love this resort. I have had the people pen room too, I was a cash paying guest when I had it. I paid $285.00 plus tax per night for 3 nights, for that room, the resort was full and nowhere to go. I paid for 3 rooms at that price. Did I gripe and complain? Did it ruin my trip? Did I cry? No! I bought DVC so I would never pay money for such a sorry view again.

Your trip is what You Make it!

 

[ddhoeg]

Sorry OP for your disappointing stay. I hope your next trip will be better!

We were at AKL on July 11-13 and had a great stay. Rooms were very clean, no CM problems, great Boma experience, etc. The only bad thing we experienced was a family at the pool. The daughter had to go to the bathroom but the parents were too busy enjoying their "adult" beverages to take her so they asked her to get back into the pool to pee. She did Not sure whether they were DVC members or not!!

 

[Tiger926]

I am so glad you posted... I felt like I was reading (watching) The Twilight Zone. I have been following your other Thread, these were not matching up at all! We have never, I want to repeat Never had any of these problems. One day, last May there was a bus issue. We did report it. The pagers have always worked at Bomas, the woman behind the desk have always done their job, have been pleasant about it also. We have always and I want to repeat Always Had excellent service at Bomas. Now, people not controlling their children is another matter. That is not the Resorts fault, but maybe I should blame it on DVC for ruining my dinner. Wait, that was before AKV was a DVC resort. I agree with another poster, this is reminding me of a old SSR thread... We love this resort. I have had the people pen room too, I was a cash paying guest when I had it. I paid $285.00 plus tax per night for 3 nights, for that room, the resort was full and nowhere to go. I paid for 3 rooms at that price. Did I gripe and complain? Did it ruin my trip? Did I cry? No! I bought DVC so I would never pay money for such a sorry view again.

Your trip is what You Make it!

I get so confused when people post these kinds of responses, remember, just because you never experienced any problems, doesn't mean they can't happen to anyone else. IMHO, it can't be generalized by a simple idea that "Your trip is what you make it!" as certain basic expectations not being met may be a big deal to some - having to sweep up someone else's body clippings, or, scrubbing down a toilet from a previous guest, are two areas that are not acceptable at all for me. I simply call to mousekeeping and get it done, but, I shouldn't have to call in the first place, it should already be done. This may not spoil the trip for me, but it may for someone else and this is all that is important. These are simple and basic housekeeping requirments that should be met each and every time a guest's room is prepared. People need to stop harping on those other posters who have had issues in this respect - it is not resort bashing at all, as it speaks volumes as to quality control issues.

I am not a 'complainer' or 'resort basher', and in fact, in many cases, I find those two terms to be insulting. I purchased a very expensive product from Disney as a DVC member (Canadian dollars that cost more at the time), and I expect my room to be clean, CMs to be cordial and courteous for the most part, and my bags not to be lost within the resort. Is this just happening at AKL? No, it's happening at all Disney resorts. Disney products have all been slipping over the past few years - merchandise, dining, parks and resorts. I have stayed at almost every resort and eaten at all restaurants, and this I can attest to.

As tjkraz pointed out above, Disney seems to be apathetic and this my friends, is very dangerous. If indeed they are at a point of not caring as much, then we are all in trouble. I see this around me everyday that I step out into my community, drive to work, or, turn on the TV. Is it a sign of our times? Is it Disney overload - maybe they are tired of themselves? Not sure, but as someone who has spent thousands of dollars on a product that I and my family will be enjoying for 50 more years, I intend to challenge them to do better. Vacuuming the floor is not doing better, but just doing the bare minimum, of this I think we all can agree on.

As I stated, I have experienced the same inconsistencies at AKL over the past few years, both as a cash guest and DVC. That means it is the resort itself that has work to do. We bought at AKL because my hubby and kids love animals, but it does concern me each time we stay there and see the same things happening. It means they haven't corrected stuff and the status quo is running just fine over there - that will not work for me for any length of time. So, since I am used to assessing and observing all day long as a Special Education teacher (I am very easygoing on vacation as nothing compares to the traumas that my at-risk students experience), I will continue to assess and observe while enjoying the very expensive product that I purchased from Disney. If something isn't up to my standards, then I will communicate it back to the resort, and then again to MS, as I have been doing.

It is very insulting to label posters as 'complainers' or 'resort bashers'. The fact is, everyone's perception is different, but that is not for you or I to decide. It is for MS to decide that - please continue to bring issues to the attention of the resort (whatever resort it is), and then again to MS as a way of double checking on the process. As someone who is part of group membership, I am doing this for me, as well as for all of you. Hopefully, if we all continue to remember that we have a duty and responsibility to our membership, then we can actively challenge Disney to do better. Disney has never been known to just operate in a sloppy or inconsistent manner, or, as per 'status quo' and so as DVC members, we need to continually remind them of this.

Tiger

 

[Rowaena]

Well! An interesting thread and I learned something: I need to be more assertive.

I've seen people be real jerks to CMs. I've even seen CMs cuss at guests. I once watched a bus driver have a complete mental break when the bus we were on broke down, because she was upset about the poor maintenance on the vehicle. Most of the time I manage to just ignore these occurences, along with other people's unmonitored screaming children, and stay in my personal "happy place", because hey, I'm on vacation.

We have been going to DVC resorts for more than 10 years, first with family who owned and then as owners ourselves. In the 90s it was better than it is now. In fact after two difficult trips in recent years, combined with the super-cheap packages Disney sells these days ($90pp a night for a moderate room, DDP and PH tickets is so cheap!) that are overcrowding and trashing the restaurants, have had us wondering if we should get out.

Instead I think I'll just get a little noisy.

We, too, have had small problems with CMs, and lost reservations and such. (Thankfully I *always* bring my official confirmation letter to checkin!). And my husband has been really bothered by the degredation in the dining experience at WDW in recent years. We have not gotten valet or concierge service in about four years, because they generally cannot be bothered; we usually stay at BCV and there's nothing to do but drive the car round to the building and make the trips inside with our gear. The front desk is not interested much in BCV guests and the bell staff don't help. Just part of being DVC instead of a hotel guest, we decided.

But last year took the cake, and is what made us really think of leaving. We had 8 nights in a studio at BCV. When we arrived, upon inspecting the room I noticed there were deep gouge marks in the porcelain of the toilet. But we immediately left to make a dinner reservation we were nearly late for. Upon returning to the room late that night, we discovered the toilet did not flush.

Called maintenance. Stayed awake til 12:30am til they came and plunged the toilet. They claimed it worked fine now, and sent maid service to mop and clean the bathroom. I got to bed when the maid left at 2:30am.

Next morning toilet sort of flushed, we got dressed and had our day in the parks. Got home late that night - and toilet was not working again. Husband/kids went down to the lobby to potty and I called maintenance. 90 minutes later (nearly midnight), they came and snaked the toilet (now I knew where the mysterious gouges in the toilet had come from - clearly this was not a new problem). Once again I waited for maid service to come mop the sewage water off the bathroom floor before I could go to sleep, sometime after 2am.

Third night. Lather, rinse repeat. This time I made my husband stay awake and wait for maintenance, while I went downstairs to the front desk to ask about a room change. I was told there were no other rooms, even in the hotel, and there was nothing they could do. So back to the room I went, resigned to just deal with the remaining 5 days of vacation like this. We spent the rest of the week using the restroom in the BVC building lobby.

I have no doubt that in spite of my repeated complaints that room was let out to someone the day we left, who endured the same problems we did.

Anyway. For the amount we have paid for these points, and the amount we pay in dues, never again. I am not a temperamental person but next time, if there is a next time for something this bad at DVC, I will put up a stink - they'll put me at the GF if they have nothing else! One should not have to use toilets in a public restroom when one's paying for a room.

So... I will not martyr myself on the altar of "no sleep" next time - a manager will be found to get me an adequate place to sleep. And pee.

 

[Lynn5700]

Eek that is horrid...OMG people I am really nervous about being a new DVC owner..I feel like I read most of the time nothing but negative things.

 

[Tiger926]

Well! An interesting thread and I learned something: I need to be more assertive.

I've seen people be real jerks to CMs. I've even seen CMs cuss at guests. I once watched a bus driver have a complete mental break when the bus we were on broke down, because she was upset about the poor maintenance on the vehicle. Most of the time I manage to just ignore these occurences, along with other people's unmonitored screaming children, and stay in my personal "happy place", because hey, I'm on vacation.

We have been going to DVC resorts for more than 10 years, first with family who owned and then as owners ourselves. In the 90s it was better than it is now. In fact after two difficult trips in recent years, combined with the super-cheap packages Disney sells these days ($90pp a night for a moderate room, DDP and PH tickets is so cheap!) that are overcrowding and trashing the restaurants, have had us wondering if we should get out.

Instead I think I'll just get a little noisy.

We, too, have had small problems with CMs, and lost reservations and such. (Thankfully I *always* bring my official confirmation letter to checkin!). And my husband has been really bothered by the degredation in the dining experience at WDW in recent years. We have not gotten valet or concierge service in about four years, because they generally cannot be bothered; we usually stay at BCV and there's nothing to do but drive the car round to the building and make the trips inside with our gear. The front desk is not interested much in BCV guests and the bell staff don't help. Just part of being DVC instead of a hotel guest, we decided.

But last year took the cake, and is what made us really think of leaving. We had 8 nights in a studio at BCV. When we arrived, upon inspecting the room I noticed there were deep gouge marks in the porcelain of the toilet. But we immediately left to make a dinner reservation we were nearly late for. Upon returning to the room late that night, we discovered the toilet did not flush.

Called maintenance. Stayed awake til 12:30am til they came and plunged the toilet. They claimed it worked fine now, and sent maid service to mop and clean the bathroom. I got to bed when the maid left at 2:30am.

Next morning toilet sort of flushed, we got dressed and had our day in the parks. Got home late that night - and toilet was not working again. Husband/kids went down to the lobby to potty and I called maintenance. 90 minutes later (nearly midnight), they came and snaked the toilet (now I knew where the mysterious gouges in the toilet had come from - clearly this was not a new problem). Once again I waited for maid service to come mop the sewage water off the bathroom floor before I could go to sleep, sometime after 2am.

Third night. Lather, rinse repeat. This time I made my husband stay awake and wait for maintenance, while I went downstairs to the front desk to ask about a room change. I was told there were no other rooms, even in the hotel, and there was nothing they could do. So back to the room I went, resigned to just deal with the remaining 5 days of vacation like this. We spent the rest of the week using the restroom in the BVC building lobby.

I have no doubt that in spite of my repeated complaints that room was let out to someone the day we left, who endured the same problems we did.

Anyway. For the amount we have paid for these points, and the amount we pay in dues, never again. I am not a temperamental person but next time, if there is a next time for something this bad at DVC, I will put up a stink - they'll put me at the GF if they have nothing else! One should not have to use toilets in a public restroom when one's paying for a room.

So... I will not martyr myself on the altar of "no sleep" next time - a manager will be found to get me an adequate place to sleep. And pee.

This is absolutely unacceptable - there should never be a next time in regards to this type of issue. That room should have been taken out of inventory until the problem was properly repaired. If previous guests hadn't logged the complaint, then you would also have been dealing with members not responsibly using their membership (part of that is reporting issues), but since you saw the gouge marks on rim, you know that this was an ongoing problem. I am so sorry that you had to experience this - totally and utterly unacceptable!

As I mentioned before, we had issues with our the previous guests smoking in our AKV 1 bed villa a few months ago. The mousekeeper who cleaned our room and prepped for our arrival, totally dropped the ball as she should have reported the smoke, and again, room should have been taken out of inventory in order to be fumigated (they have a special cleaning procedure for smoke). Instead, it was given to us, people with asthma and severe smoke allergies - we were the ones who were hit with the stench upon opening our private toilet area door. Although AKV immediately dealt with the problem after I parked myself in front of 2 managers, it shouldn't have happened, plain and simple. They did give us the option of moving rooms, but we had already unpacked, and this was our 3rd hotel in 3 nights (we did a resort hop vacation - 5 resorts in 15 days!), we elected to stay and see if we could handle it. We had the very noisy air purifier in our villa for the entire 8 night stay, as well as special cleaning of that area. No one really apologized too much - they just kind of took it as the norm. They talked to us about cameras catching people smoking and I quickly reminded them that guests can close drapes and you would have thought it was rocket science!

Anyway, although AKV worked with us on this (incidentally, in case anyone was wondering, no, we didn't receive compensation of any kind - didn't ask for it) and I had a very long talk with MS once I returned home (and while there), it shouldn't have happened. They can't always control guests, but they can control the procedures that are in place to deal with guests. My situation, as yours, could have been quickly remedied if the CMs who discovered the problems would have done their jobs properly.

I totally know that these types of threads are going to bring out more negative stories as that is the nature of what we are discussing, but honestly, Disney as a whole has been slipping a lot lately (I have 3 brand new Disney shirts and several toys that were just purchased on our trip that are good for the garbage) and that is most dangerous for us all as we have purchased a product from them that we are hoping to enjoy for the next 50 years.

Here's hoping that DVC, and Disney in general, works on improving their products and getting back to the quality and consistencies that we all enjoyed at one time. Everytime I read a report of record profits from Disney, and then see coincidentally read more threads on decling service at Disney, I start to cringe, as that is a dangerous road to go down.

Tiger