Just got back from OKW......

[POLLY ANN]

and although we had an enjoyable time, our neighbors below us were LESS than enjoyable.

A little background: We stayed in a GV (#6323 to be exact). We had 7 adults and 4 children. Mind you, we had 2 2yo's that were a tad on the whiny side, but what 2 yo isn't. We were aware that the cathedral ceilings and hardwood floors made the noise level louder than normal. It drove ME crazy sometimes, and I would have to go in the bedroom just to get some peace.

Monday we got a "courtesy call" on voice mail from the front desk. It said it wasn't a formal complaint because it wasn't between the hours of 10pm and 6am. They just wanted to make us aware that between the hardwoods (even walking on them with BARE FEET) and cathedral ceilings made it noisier. No kidding.

Well, one night we came back late from Illuminations (it was just after 10 when we got back). We got the kids to bed as soon as we could, and as soon as they were down, we got a knock on the door from security. They said someone had called to say there was noise disturbance. They wouldn't tell me from whom, but it was obvious it was the people below us.

Boy, was I ANGRY!! It wasn't like we were having a party or anything, or weren't aware of how noisy the cathedral ceilings made the living room!! We were coming back from the parks with our children, for gosh sakes!!

I immediately called the front desk and gave our side of the story. We were REALLY trying to keep the kids quiet, but COME ON!! We are in DISNEY on vacation! I told the manager at the front desk that maybe if the people below us couldn't stand the noise level that maybe they can offer to have them moved. I just didn't know what else we could do. We were putting our kids to bed by 8-8:30 (except for 2 nights that we were out late, which were the 2 nights they complained).

We didn't get any more complaints after that, but boy, I'm still fuming. I really don't want DVC to think we are inconsiderate and the next time we come, put us out in nowhere land.

I also suggest that anyone that doesn't want noise above them to ask for a second or third floor unit. That was just ridiculous.

Thanks for letting me get this off my mind, but I'm afraid that it's going to tick me off for quite awhile.

DVC Member since 1995

[This message was edited by POLLYANNA35 on 02-05-01 at 09:01 AM.]

 

[antnee]

I understand how you felt. We had a similiar situation, when we moved into our second apt only we didnt have children. This is the drawback of hardwood floors. People need to understand that what is there a lot of at WDW? KIDS! And when they are young it is tough to kep them quiet. And mostly they shouldnt, because you are in a magical place. One thing we do is try to visit WDW when the crowds are low i.e. kids are in school. We do early May and Early December. But there are still infants there and 1,2,3 year olds and it is something you have to live with it. Dont letit ruin the memories of your trip

 

[SueOKW]

What a shame for you - I really would hate to have someone put a damper on my vacation too. This kind of thing can really wear on you too - and even worse it's hard to let go of the aggravation!

We always have to stay on the first floor due to wheelchair issues. Only one time have we had noisy people upstairs. These things happen. period. We learned to live with it - it never even occured to me to call the front desk! I WISH that after 11:00 people that are on a second floor could tone it down, but like you said, you are on a VACATION!

I just can't imagine letting people upstairs ruin my time, really. I think I would only call if it was 3:00 am or something. Just think, their first call was not between 10 and 6 - it was during the day! Face it, you just had some cranky people in that room. I hope you enjoyed the GV anyway!! Don't let them control your memories too! (I had to say this to myself over and over and over again when a rude driver really gave me a lot of hassles the other day - of course, i was right, but that didn't matter.. just like you. so I really understand where you are coming from!)
Sue

 

[normr]

We were in a ground floor one-bedroom and we came back from dinner late one night and our kids who are 11 & 15 were having a litle fun and giggling while trying to fall asleep, lo and behold the old knock on the door from the manager and secrity that they were being too loud, it's pretty amazing that you don't really hear it in the bedroom with the door closed but people obviously in the studio can and very easily.r

 

[POLLY ANN]

Thanks for your replies, and we tried not to let it ruin our vacation. I felt bad that I was ruining someone else's too, though. I think that bothered me the most.

I wish there were something that can be done (like carpet the hardwoods) so that it's not as noisy in a GV.

Sue, we were in the new buildings and the GV we had was handicap accessible. The master bedroom had a handicap shower, which was difficult for us to use, so we used the one in the hallway bathroom. It had a seat that folded down so you could sit and shower and it was flush with the bathroom floor. I'm not sure why we got this particular one, but I did request near the HH, golf view, and a second floor, which we got. That was nice. There are elevators to the second floor which was GREAT for the stroller!


Thanks again for your replies.

DVC Member since 1995

 

[PamOKW]

I think a lot of the problems (on both sides) are that people aren't used to living in an apartment/condo set up and they "forget". The studio/one-bedroom can be a problem when people don't remember that they aren't really in their own home. I wouldn't call to complain unless it were the middle of the night or excessive but as someone who has slept on the pullout it is amazing how much you can hear. Just something people might want to keep in mind. Also, the porch from the studio is about even with the head of anyone sleeping on the pullout. Something I never noticed until around 1:00 a.m. one night the folks next door came home and had a little party on the balcony. Kind of startling when you're asleep and folks are literally just through the glass. I'm not even sure if they knew I was there.

 

[DVCJman]

PollyAnna....we had the same Grand Villa last summer....it is a great place to just relax and enjoy the view of the golfers sometimes.....I hope you kept it nice for our return this summer...*L*....sorry about the complaints from the others there....and those hardwood floors can be a bit slick sometimes.

Trips: 1990, 1996, 1999, 2000.

2001: Grand Villa @ OKW

 

[Pa@okw95]

I always stay on the top floor. I learned the hard way from living in an apartment with someone above me years ago. I have no problem getting the top floor because they are not very popular.

 

[MMCD]

My first stay as a DVC member was at BWV during the week of Thanksgiving. Our room was over the store where the gifts and groceries are. From these boards, 50/50 complained about the BW noise but with door shut it blocks most noise.

Our problem was the door opening and closing at the store below. I could hear the crowd laughing and talking. But it was the store's door that bugged us the most. We did not asked to be moved because the kids loved watching the people go by. Also we knew that it was temporary.

MMCD

 

[SueOKW]

Thanks for the info Pollyanna! We may stay in a GV in a few years. Those showers are really something, aren't they??

We just love OKW. I think we are down to 48 days. (and counting!)
Sue

 

[POLLY ANN]

DVCJMan, we kept it spotless for you, although our guests broke a couple glasses and pretty much left their room in an absolute mess. They left before us and I made sure that all the sheets were pulled off the bed and the garbage was in a bag. The room really smelled bad. I left a really nice tip for the maid, though.
And these are friends of ours, too! (This was the larger room. The other room was kept neat by our other guests.)

Sue, those showers are great, and it's nice to see Disney accomodates everyone! Have fun on your next trip. We miss it already, especially the weather!

DVC Member since 1995

 

[fkj2]

I think that's the villa my family/friends were in last December. Actually, we had no noise problems at all, or at least of which I am aware. In fact, except for a different vehicle occupying the handicapped parking space, you'd hardly know OKW was booked. And, although it's true Dis is for kids, and they do get noisy, Dis is about EVERYONE enjoying a rather expensive experience. It's one thing that your party included such lively 2yo, but other guests, such as myself, travel with elderly folks, and their needs must be considered as well. I can see where it's embarrassing to have security show up at the door, but to describe the two year olds as "shrieky" does pretty well set the scene, and no hotel would tolerate that.

 

[jcodespoti]

I live in a condo and have grown to live with the noise that comes from my neighbors. The noise that I am talking about is the noise that is partof every day life (although you could barely hear it in complete silence, and you can't hear anything if you have the TV on). The piont is this since we all are in the same building your gonna probably hear SOMETHING . If someone is above you be prepared to hear foot steps, if your by the elevators( in BWV) be prepared to have people walk by your door constantly (thats why I request A room far away from the elevators). If you want absolute peace and quiet use your points and get the room above you and on boths sides of the room you are staying in.

Joe in CT

 

[POLLY ANN]

Amen, jcodespoti.

Oh, and just to add, fkj2, that I did FEEL bad that I was ruining someone else's vacation, but didn't know what else I could have done that I didn't do. I did attempt to knock on their door to apologize for the noise, but they had the "Do Not Disturb" on the door.

I take it you do not have children?

[This message was edited by POLLYANNA35 on 02-05-01 at 10:37 AM.]

 

[LisaUK]

this may sound awful but I am glad that someone else had this happen to them as I had it happen to me and I came away feeling like a criminal.

Ours occurred as friends joined us part way thru our holiday in a GV. They had just been on a 9 hour flight with their 10 yr old. She blew off steam for around 10 mins and we got a call. It was so embarrassing I was showing off the DVC and then we get a call like that - we skulked around waiting to be thrown off site for the rest of the holiday.

I wouldn't mind but I have put up with a lot of noise coming from other people over the years and have never dreamt of complaining. I don't believe it is that excessive. If there are a lot of complaints maybe they should invest in carpeting on the lower level.

 

[POLLY ANN]

I suppose that should be one more thing people request when they make reservations - to not be around units that have children in it. That may solve it, hmmm?

DVC Member since 1995

 

[fkj2]

Actually, I do not have children of my own, but I've not taken a trip to Dis without my niece and nephew since 1992, except for this last December. At that time in 1992, she would have been five and he about eight, making annual trips with them until 1998, when we began traveling with friends who brought their three children along also. So, it isn't as though we haven't traveled with children. We tried never to allow their "enthusiasm" to interfere with the good times of others. And, that includes our last trip, when the "youngsters", the youngest 17, were told to "turn down the volume.

 

[pentex]

Pollyanna, it's great that you made the effort to keep your kids relatively quiet (as we always do). It's a shame it's not always like that, though....during one of our stays, we had such a bad experience with the people staying above us (they couldn't accomodate us in a top unit). They were all making terrible amounts of noise day and night, running back and forth, jumping off furniture, screaming, etc. The worst part was they always seemed to be in the room....whenever we stopped by our room, there was the noise. I just don't understand how anyone could be so rude....it seemed we never had a quiet moment in the room without relentless banging and screaming.

We waited a few days to complain (hoping they'd check out) because I always am afraid I'll complain about someone and they'll come down and cause trouble or kill me (never know today). I don't know if the Front Desk said anything but it never stopped.

The people who stayed under you should have had to put up with that for a few days, they'd be wishing to have you back.

 

[POLLY ANN]

I definitely see both sides to this, I know I would be aggravated if the people above us were being blatantly loud (Which we WEREN'T).

I also know that we will not be down to Disney probably for another 2 years, and plan to go by ourselves, just the 4 of us, which means all we will need is a 2BR. I don't think I will ever reserve a GV with young kids again.

DVC Member since 1995

 

[Partridge4ever]

I just got back last night from my first stay at OKW, and I also noticed how easily voices carried from one unit to the next. We were in a studio that must've been connected to a one bedroom. We got there at 3 am. My 5 year old was exploring the room and pulled open our side of the connecting door. I'm sure that was thrilling for the neighbors. I was glad to learn later that they had a toddler. One morning I heard a coo and little footsteps and turned around expecting to find my baby. It was kind of eery. It also drove my baby nuts because she KNEW there was a potential friend on the other side of that door.

I'm sorry the complaints upset you. I would have felt the same way. WDW is a place that was built for children. I can't see letting kids run wild, but toddlers DO cry.