Ok I Understand the Excessive Wear and Tear

[amberjack]

I think some of the wear and tear can be attributed to the number of people crammed in a small space. Yeah, the villas are big... compared to a hotel room, but you have up to 4/5 people sharing a 1 bedroom, 8/9 sharing a 2 bedroom. Can you imagine how crowded it would be living with 8 other people in a 2 bedroom house?

 

[Donut23]

Why not sell tape for use on the wood doors at the resort gift store? Then Disney could make sure that the tape was non-residue type. A nice little note on the back of the door could remind guests that these doors damage easily and that tape is on sale for a nominal fee in the store.

I'm not sure Disney will ever sell tape...but for those who MUST use tape of some sort for....something....3M makes a painter's tape which can stay on a surface for months....and still come off without any residue. I have used it for years! (by the way.....we don't us tape when decorating .... even WITH the blue tape.)

 

[Starr W.]

I think some of the wear and tear can be attributed to the number of people crammed in a small space. Yeah, the villas are big... compared to a hotel room, but you have up to 4/5 people sharing a 1 bedroom, 8/9 sharing a 2 bedroom. Can you imagine how crowded it would be living with 8 other people in a 2 bedroom house?

, plus DVC units are a bit smaller than other TS units. Just got back from HI. Stayed at Westin Princeville 2br lock off and Wyndham Kona Hawaiian dedicated 2br. Both much bigger than DVC 2brs and a better layout of furniture.

Plus each unit had kitchen scissors!

 

[cseca]

Personally I don't think a single small artificial tree indoors is unreasonable though I find your extreme examples are. i do think that decorations tacked, taped, wrapped, etc are unreasonable. I think the general point is that truly reasonably preventable items should be controlled and that there are items that are a cost of doing business. IF someone cuts the carpet or has similar gross and preventable damages, they should be charged. It's actually not necessary for a resort to have to prove who did it, only to make a decision themselves of whether to charge the guest. Some will yell and scream, those that are guilty will do so the most.

I understand that the examples are exaggerations...
But I think you know what I'm trying to say. There are already tons of things inside the villas that could be used to be destructive regardless of additional stuff brought by guests.

If Disney really wants to protect their(/our) properties then they need to be more dilligent in doing what you mentioned. Charge the guests...

But here's another exaggerated question:
How would you like it if you come into the room with a broken stove or w/d and since you never use any of those things you didn't notice.
The next guest comes along and said "Hey, these things are broken!". The next thing you know your credit card is being charged $x.
Is that fair you think?

I'm not saying Disney CAN'T do that... of course they can. But if they start doing that I want them to be accountable for their charges.

If they do start charging people for damages to the room without proof then I will have to sell my points. Because we are VERY clean/neat people. I don't want to be responsible for previous guests' behaviour in the unit.

But unless Disney can put something in their water/koolaid to make all guests behave properly on their property this problem will continue to exist. Unless they decide put down firm rules AND enforce them everything will stay as is.

again, I understand that the question is exaggerated... and the item above could be changed from stove/w/d to chair, bed, tables, countertop, sink, toilet, shower, carpet, tv, microwave, toaster, etc. basically anything in the unit.
I'm not trying to be contrary, I just don't see Disney charging anyone for damages in the room unless Mousekeeping adds to their todo list or they hire more people to do sweeps on each unit before and after each stay.

 

[DaveH]

I find this thread interesting and dismaying. We have been members since 2001, I have not seen major damaged. We have seen some damage that did not effect the working of the fridge that was damaged. It was not the most pleasing to see. I did contact a manager and they were aware of it and it was planned to replaced in the near future. I have seen rooms that housekeeping could have done better and have informed them. I did not get anger just told them some things were missed. DW is allergic to mold so we check every room we stay at everywhere for that reason. I did notice they came back and clean those things. The last few trips we did notice that housekeeping seemed to be gun shy so to speak. It seems they feel under siege from everyone. Calmly complaining and pointing things out works so much better.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The BCV dedicated 2 bedroom that we had in July was wrecked as we went up when we were first given the text message that the room was ready. It wasn't, and there were 3-4 mousekeepers working on it. Dedicated 2 bedrooms with 2 queens are not offered to the paying public, they are rented by DVC members exclusively. When our room was finally ready we were given a basket of chocolates and candies for our inconvenience and we had a new coffee pot, a replacement non matching chair for the breakfast bar area and other things that I can't remember right now.

When we got home to Ohio, there was a message on our home phone saying that we had gotten the "room ready" text in error. I don't know why they didn't just text us that it had been an error. If we hadn't gone up when we did, we wouldn't have had a clue what the delay in getting the room was.

I don't know who had the room before us, but imo Disney should have assessed something for the damage they caused.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't know who had the room before us, but imo Disney should have assessed something for the damage they caused.

I think they should ALWAYS access an occupant for any damages. If they don't, it comes out of our pockets in increased dues.

We once got assigned a 1 bedroom villa at OKW where they had a note in the room explaining that the previous guests had damaged the vanity, and apologizing for the lack of tile under the toe space. They also noted that they would be coming into the room the following day to repair it. We noticed that the cabinet was completely new, and the old vanity and sink had been installed into it. I can't imagine how someone could destroy something like that in a room. What must their houses look like?????

 

[crisi]

Re: command hooks.

I live in 3M central (I'm about a mile and a half due South of 3Ms world headquarters - Diane probably now can get within blocks of my house with just that description)....Garage sales in my neighborhood are full of 3M products from the company store (anyone need Post It Notes?) and I am a Command Hook junkie at home. Christmas, Halloween, pictures, tiles, kid's art work - I even just fixed a wall plate with Command adhesive (couldn't screw into the wall due to a nail). My ex-father in law was on the team that invented the stuff (he's a chemical engineer in their adhesives group). But I have had it rip paint off walls many times. In my own home, no big, grab the paint can from downstairs and dab a little patch. I've hung things too heavy and had fairly significant patch jobs when it rips free. Its better on plaster than on sheetrock, but I think DVC walls are sheetrock.

Love the stuff, but there is a risk of damaging a wall.

 

[Sammie]

at the World this week and have learned some info about this situation.
Guests whether they are members or cash are charged for excessive damage beyond what they deam normal.

Members as often as cash guests cause damage.

Renters are contacted but if it is not resolved the member is ultimately responsible.

BLT bathroom door issue is going to be addressed. Not sure if that includes a lock or not.

Be sure you are make sure you drive carefully on property, sheriff deputies are everywhere. Check your brake lights, tail lights etc or you will be stopped. Be sure you have proof of insurance and registration papers and can find them quickly.

Also never drink and drive we have seen several roadside sobriety test being given.

 

[tjkraz]

I think they should ALWAYS access an occupant for any damages. If they don't, it comes out of our pockets in increased dues.

I think it's a noble idea but I'm forced to agree with others that it would be a very cumbersome process. Having a bill-back policy in place would probably limit a portion of the damage. However, think of the extra expenses members would incur in order to enforce such policies.

There would have to be detailed room inspections before arrival. Some guests would probably insist on one-on-one inspections with a CM--or they would be mandatory. Post departure inspections would also have to occur--again many with a CM present to verify room condition. Then they would have to bill offenders, make collections and deal with disputes from guests.

And think of the potential loss of good will from guests. I'm not talking about folks who actually destroy the rooms, rather the honest mistakes on Disney's part or things that are legitimately discovered after a guest leaves. How would any of us feel if we got a $100 bill in the mail for something reported in a room after departure?

Yes our dues pay for damages and theft committed by others. But we've been paying for it all these years and I'm hard-pressed to see how the alternatives would result in any real savings.

I'm not against creating reasonable rules and doing a better job of communicating them to members. Most people will naturally follow posted guidelines without a slap on the wrist. Look at things like occupancy guidelines which are not enforced in any meaningful manner. But enforcement of most rules would only come at a high cost to members.

 

[GrumpyPOTFH]

W are new DVC member's, but both travel on business a lot, wife over 120 days a year and myself over 50 days. In all my years when I notice something wrong with the room I call and let it be know, usually they tell me they are aware of it and thank me for telling them. If something happens while I am in staying, only has happen twice, I called and let them know. Both time was minor and they were happy I called right away. I do not know if this damage is caused by the families, aka kids. But parents should step up and take resonsiblity for what happens and not try and get away with it thinking nobody will know.

 

[BeesKnees]

I think it's a noble idea but I'm forced to agree with others that it would be a very cumbersome process. Having a bill-back policy in place would probably limit a portion of the damage. However, think of the extra expenses members would incur in order to enforce such policies.

There would have to be detailed room inspections before arrival. Some guests would probably insist on one-on-one inspections with a CM--or they would be mandatory. Post departure inspections would also have to occur--again many with a CM present to verify room condition. Then they would have to bill offenders, make collections and deal with disputes from guests.

And think of the potential loss of good will from guests. I'm not talking about folks who actually destroy the rooms, rather the honest mistakes on Disney's part or things that are legitimately discovered after a guest leaves. How would any of us feel if we got a $100 bill in the mail for something reported in a room after departure?

Yes our dues pay for damages and theft committed by others. But we've been paying for it all these years and I'm hard-pressed to see how the alternatives would result in any real savings.

I'm not against creating reasonable rules and doing a better job of communicating them to members. Most people will naturally follow posted guidelines without a slap on the wrist. Look at things like occupancy guidelines which are not enforced in any meaningful manner. But enforcement of most rules would only come at a high cost to members.

Right. You are not just talking about a quick room inspection either. If they billed us back for missing items you'd have to count everything on arrival and departure.

The other issue is perspective on when to enforce it. I imagine that in any given week several glasses are broken legitimately by accident. Now if I broke one I would offer to pay for it but someone else might think that is why they pay maintenance fees. I think you could make a decent argument for either side.

Also, I would be nervous telling Disney that I will pay for a stain in the carpet because I would have no idea how they would assess the cost. What if they decide that with other wear and tear it is time to just replace the carpet, then where am I? If I offer to pay up to a certain amount I am still sunk if they decide to sue me because I have admitted fault by making an offer at all.

 

[mom3sonstt]

We like to travel - we usually plan a couple long week-end getaways with another couple in addition to our Disney trips. We have come across a variety of "interesting" rooms. We stayed in one near St louis where us and the other couple were at the end of a long hallway - kind of a U shaped hotel with check in at the top of the U and us at the top of the other end. We never noticed anybody else near us the whole weekend. On our long walks to the room there were several rooms getting painted and re-carpeted. Our must have been on the list to get done later. Our room (well it was a suite) had a big console tv with another tv sitting on top of it. The remote turned them both on but only the top one had a picture so you had to walk over and shut the console off or listen to snow and static. Our friends had a small coffee pot in their room, we didn't. They gave us theirs because they don't make coffee in the room. But their little mini-fridge didn't get cold. We joked about this place all weekend. between the two of us we could piece together one functioning room.

As for moving furniture. I use a dialysis machine. I need a sturdy piece of furniture on the right side of the bed to hold the machine. On the road we will usually ask to see the room before we commit to it. Sometimes we need a mirror-image of the room in order for it to work for us. Sometimes we need to make adjustments. In Nashville we stayed in a suite that had a shelf attached to the wall as a nightstand. That was not something I was willing to trust to hold my machine. But there was a heavy bookshelf in the sitting area, so we carried it over to my side of the bed and used it.

We are always moving either the phone or the clock to the other side of the bed. Usually there is one on "my" side and one on his - whichever is on mine gets drug over to his to clear the space needed fore my machine. Usually we move it back when we leave. Have we forgotten to occasionally - yeah, probably.

And the feet on the coffee table crowd? I see you aren't being invited to some houses here - you are welcome at my place.....you may need to scoot my feet out of the way first though

 

[Dean]

I understand that the examples are exaggerations...
But I think you know what I'm trying to say. There are already tons of things inside the villas that could be used to be destructive regardless of additional stuff brought by guests.

If Disney really wants to protect their(/our) properties then they need to be more dilligent in doing what you mentioned. Charge the guests...

But here's another exaggerated question:
How would you like it if you come into the room with a broken stove or w/d and since you never use any of those things you didn't notice.
The next guest comes along and said "Hey, these things are broken!". The next thing you know your credit card is being charged $x.
Is that fair you think?

I'm not saying Disney CAN'T do that... of course they can. But if they start doing that I want them to be accountable for their charges.

If they do start charging people for damages to the room without proof then I will have to sell my points. Because we are VERY clean/neat people. I don't want to be responsible for previous guests' behaviour in the unit.

But unless Disney can put something in their water/koolaid to make all guests behave properly on their property this problem will continue to exist. Unless they decide put down firm rules AND enforce them everything will stay as is.

again, I understand that the question is exaggerated... and the item above could be changed from stove/w/d to chair, bed, tables, countertop, sink, toilet, shower, carpet, tv, microwave, toaster, etc. basically anything in the unit.
I'm not trying to be contrary, I just don't see Disney charging anyone for damages in the room unless Mousekeeping adds to their todo list or they hire more people to do sweeps on each unit before and after each stay.

Resorts go overboard not to charge people if they can't be certain but you essentially never have proof, you have to make your best and most reasonable determination. The first questions a resort would ask themselves when considering such a charge would be how certain they could be it was the previous guest and then whether it was enough damage to justify the paperwork, whether it could have been accidental and how well they could defend the decision if it were contested. However, we all pay for those lapses in DVC judgement when they should charge guests, which should only be the big ticket items and obvious abuses. They have started charging some for smoking from what I understand. DVC is starting to get a little bit of a backbone, which is a good thing overall in my book.. If appropriate accountability means some vote with their feet, so be it. IMO the examples are inappropriate exaggerations just as saying to turn off the water would be because it might leak or someone might overflow the tub. The questions in my mind are reasonable and controllable. There are reasons not to have people put up decorations, just like there are reasons to not have pets on property and in the rooms. There's no doubt there is plenty of blame to go around on maint issues but each component must be handled individually or nothing will ever get done.

 

[bobbiwoz]

at the World this week and have learned some info about this situation.
Guests whether they are members or cash are charged for excessive damage beyond what they deam normal.

Members as often as cash guests cause damage.

Renters are contacted but if it is not resolved the member is ultimately responsible.

BLT bathroom door issue is going to be addressed. Not sure if that includes a lock or not.

Be sure you are make sure you drive carefully on property, sheriff deputies are everywhere. Check your brake lights, tail lights etc or you will be stopped. Be sure you have proof of insurance and registration papers and can find them quickly.

Also never drink and drive we have seen several roadside sobriety test being given.

OK! We did notice increased police car presence in our July trip.

I am so happy about the BLT bathroom door issue being addressed!!!!!

I hope that the part about the room damages being paid for by the perpetrator is enforced. Disney has a reputation for not exactly enforcing "rules."

Have you had a good vacation?

Bobbi

 

[Gregowa]

Well that is going to change. I am going to bring a tree mounted to a doublewide stroller so I can wheel it around with me everywhere.

I personally think it would be easier if you attached the tree to the bottom rack of the dishwasher and rolled it around with you. The dishwasher rack is already there in the villa (unless someone has broken off the wheels by pushing their kid around in it) and you wouldn't have to worry about getting the stroller to Dis!

 

[Cindyrellablue]

DH and I just bought into DVC this year and will be enjoying our first stay this December during a split stay at BCV and BLT (our home resort). I am very interested in checking out the decor of the BLT due to all the reviews on the Dis about how flimsy and cheap it all is. My home is similarly decorated to BLT and that is part of the reason we wanted to purchase there. We love the simple lines and uncluttered look, though we have found that our "simple" yet rather expensive furnishings at home can show chips and scratches much easier due to the "smooth" surfaces and dark color of everything.

I'm curious to find out if that why the wear and tear at BLT is so highlighted here, it's just more obvious when there isn't any clutter and every surface is dark colored and straight-lined.

Just some thoughts....and I guess hopes for our newest investment.

 

[gkrykewy]

Also never drink and drive we have seen several roadside sobriety test being given.

Anyone who drinks and drives anywhere, especially somewhere with door to door bus service all over the place, deserves some serious karmic retribution. Human garbage.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Re: command hooks.

I live in 3M central (I'm about a mile and a half due South of 3Ms world headquarters - Diane probably now can get within blocks of my house with just that description)....Garage sales in my neighborhood are full of 3M products from the company store (anyone need Post It Notes?) and I am a Command Hook junkie at home. Christmas, Halloween, pictures, tiles, kid's art work - I even just fixed a wall plate with Command adhesive (couldn't screw into the wall due to a nail). My ex-father in law was on the team that invented the stuff (he's a chemical engineer in their adhesives group). But I have had it rip paint off walls many times. In my own home, no big, grab the paint can from downstairs and dab a little patch. I've hung things too heavy and had fairly significant patch jobs when it rips free. Its better on plaster than on sheetrock, but I think DVC walls are sheetrock.

Love the stuff, but there is a risk of damaging a wall.

yep, I could probably come pretty close! In fact, I'll be going to a wedding not that far from there tonight!

 

[disneynutz]

DH and I just bought into DVC this year and will be enjoying our first stay this December during a split stay at BCV and BLT (our home resort). I am very interested in checking out the decor of the BLT due to all the reviews on the Dis about how flimsy and cheap it all is. My home is similarly decorated to BLT and that is part of the reason we wanted to purchase there. We love the simple lines and uncluttered look, though we have found that our "simple" yet rather expensive furnishings at home can show chips and scratches much easier due to the "smooth" surfaces and dark color of everything.

I'm curious to find out if that why the wear and tear at BLT is so highlighted here, it's just more obvious when there isn't any clutter and every surface is dark colored and straight-lined.

Just some thoughts....and I guess hopes for our newest investment.

You have a good point. The dark plastic laminate that they used shows every fingerprint that ever touched the surface and it appears to be the thinest material that you can buy. It doesn't wear well and chips and scratches destroys the surface.

Bill