No "welcome homes" and misc

[jaclark]

This was our first trip on our DVC membership - I read about the "welcome homes" all the time on these boards - we didn't get a one - not even at checkin!! We checked in Sunday, 8/17 around 7:30am - the girl was completely unhelpful (forget her name, but she was from "Hell, MI?") - the room wasn't ready but we needed our room keys to prove we were staying there for early entry (though they never asked to see them!). We stayed at the VWL which is our home resort...

We had a dedicated 2 bedroom which seemed smaller than the one we had when we were there on a cash basis back a few years. this was on a corner around the balcony so it is probably designed a little different. Since there were only 4 of us this trip, no biggee. We were in 4528. The sinks in the master leaked from the faucet base and made quite a mess - we called and let maintenance know on our last day. We took a nap on T&T day so they left us a message, we called back and said come on over. Got back around 10pm - hadn't been there. Called again, very apologetic and did a full cleaning the next day! Our room was also missing items like a can opener and sink stopper in the kitchen so a few calls made for those items.

It was not our best trip to WDW so I think we were just jinked this time around!

thanks for letting me write
Annette

 

[disney4me4ever]

Hi Annette~

Sorry to hear you had kind of a disappointing trip. When we checked into BCV for our first visit, I was also kind of waiting for this big "Welcome Home", since everybody on these boards talks about it so much, I was feeling like if it didn't happen, it would have been horrible! It's funny because my husband was completely clueless; he wouldn't have understood the welcome home part in the least. It's a nice touch, but not one that I will let be the bellweather of my vacation. (Please, no flames!)

I think at VWL and BCV, part of the problem is that there was a resort first, then the DVC villas and some CMs just haven't gotten with the program. Hopefully next time will be the charm!

 

[eva]

How many years ago did you stay at a DVC resort? VWL hasn't been opened that long, maybe 3 or so years. Maybe you stayed at OKW instead. The rooms there are quite a bit larger.

 

[msdis]

Sorry your trip was not that great. We have had some less that Disney quality CM's in the past and they are far and few in between, but they seem to stand out more than the excellent ones. Truthfully I always expect one less than magical event each trip, that way my expectations are just that. You can't expect 100%, 100% of the time. Murphy's law. VWL is one of our home resorts and my fav and I can never wait to go home. Don't let this one experience discourage you.

 

[TwirlerGirl]

We all have an off day, I hope that would be the reason your CM wasn't as responsive as she should have been. This has happened to us, we know that a few grumppy members/guests or incendent at home can dull even Disney Magic for a CM. DH has a cure for that. He takes that CM's picture, tells them this trip is special to us, just to be here and wants to remember how our trip started. He asked them to smile before taking the picture, usually that is enough. Sometimes we need to work the magic from our end before the magic can work for us.

As far a missing items or a leaky faucet, I'm glad you had them fixed. Many members/guests don't report those items so they are left broken or missing for a while. It took time out of your day just to report them and follow up when they weren't done in a timely manner. As owners we need to look out for our investment. Management does need to know if things aren't fixed in a reasonable time frame and services not provided. Thank you for taking the time.

Sandy

 

[jekjones1558]

What a disappointment! I wonder of CMs realize that many of us REALLY look forward to that "Welcome Home!"? Be sure to post back before your next trip home so we can all send a little pixie dust your way. Maybe then you will have all of the magic!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

At BCV the TV reads "Welcome Home" when you forst turn it on. Not a personal greeting, but just in case they forget, it is there when the TV comes on......

 

[pixiechick]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
At BCV the TV reads "Welcome Home" when you forst turn it on. Not a personal greeting, but just in case they forget, it is there when the TV comes on......

Too funny! We said the same thing--"at least the TV welcomed us home!"

 

[BCVOwner2002]

We stayed at VWL last month and we didn't get a welcome home from anyone either. We stayed at BCV in June and I can't even tell you how many times we heard, "Welcome Home!" At first glance you could say it was an off day but you and I aren't the first to comment about the front desk at VWL. Annmarie

 

[kathleena]

How many years ago did you stay at a DVC resort? VWL hasn't been opened that long, maybe 3 or so years. Maybe you stayed at OKW instead. The rooms there are quite a bit larger.

The OP said this was the First DVC membership visit and they had stayed at there on a cash ressie before.

Back to the OT

Sorry you had those little issues to deal with, but I hope the rest of your trip was great!

And I don't think the Welcome Homes are unique to BCV and VWL. It has happened to us a few times at OKW. And at BWV, but those also are tied to a resort. At BWV and BCV, the CMhas usually asked - are you a DVC member and then they smile and say it. Starts the trip out nice.

Sometimes we need to work the magic from our end before the magic can work for us.

This is really a great thought!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I'm sorry you didn't get any welcome homes When we stayed at VWL in April we got numerous Welcome homes - we kind of felt funny because we hadn't bought yet (we were renting). But it definately is a nice touch. Hopefully you will get many on your next trip

 

[Luv2Dream]

Yes, I was disappointed in July when we didn't get a Welcome Home either. I also didn't get the Member Day information at check-in. Although the "Welcome Home" certainly didn't impact my vacation in any way, it would have been nice to hear. You just expect to hear it when you arrive. The valets used to say it all the time at VWL. They were SOOOO nice.

 

[sgtpet]

Who cares about a phony "Welcome Home"? Think about it, if it really was a home for us then we should be eligible for flridian discounts for park tickets. But we don't so it clearly is not our home. Something to think about.

 

[Regina]

We had a CM who was "earning his ears" check us in at VWL when we stayed there in July.

I commented on his "new" status and started to give him some help. I smiled and said "you're supposed to say "Welcome Home" to DVC members." He smiled and gave us a "Welcome back." I laughed and said, "no, it's Welcome Home!"

He had most of the DVC "stuff" to give us at check-in, but had to scrounge around to find the Member Day info that I asked for.

Everyone is new at some point. I think it's especially confusing at the mixed use resorts.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I am one of those that enjoys hearing a resounding "Welcome Home". I have always gotten them from VWL CMs, including the guard in the guard shack!

No, it's not a vacation buster... but it does give a certain good feeling when hearing it!

 

[Granny]

We received many "Welcome Homes" during our stay this summer at VWL. And Maistre Gracey is right....the guy at the guard shack is great, who welcomes you home with a crisp salute! Of course, we put our DVC license plate on the front of our car to help him ID us a little easier!

We also got "WH" from the check-in CM, the bell service and even the lady in Roaring Fork snack bar!

I think it's hit or miss. And we enjoy hearing it, but look at it as a bonus...nothing to detract from the vacation if we don't hear it. I'll bet that over the years you hear it many times.

 

[jaclark]

Original poster here - I had no idea this would cause such a racket - there is even a poll??

Not getting the "welcome home" certainly did not ruin my vacation!! But, when you spend all that money, you read these boards, etc. you certainly have expectations I was more disappointed in the check in person's overall attitude, etc.

Yes, we stayed at VWL on a cash basis in Sept 01 - yes, pretty quiet back then since 9-11 had happened. We had a dedicated two bedroom back then as well....

Thank you for all the opinions - I really appreciate it.

Best wishes,
Annette