OKW: assigned to an uncleaned room

[smacky1]

We just returned from our first trip to OKW and had a really strange experience. We were assigned to a 2nd floor room in building 31. We waited for a while for bell services to bring us, but after 15 minutes, we got tired of waiting and decided to walk there on our own. After getting to our room, we discovered it had only partially been cleaned by housekeeping. All the trash from the previous renters was still there, along with dirty dishes, a basket of dirty linens, the floor had not been cleaned, and the room smelled very stale. I worked as a chambermaid for a few summers as a teenager and we always had an inspector that would check our rooms when we were done cleaning them before clearing them for new arrivals. Does anyone know if DVC uses a similar system? We called the front desk and told them the problem and they offered to send housekeeping over to clean the room. I insisted on a new room and was put on hold. After a minute, I was told to wait in the room and bell services would bring us new room keys to a new room. It still took about 25 minutes. We did check in on a Sunday, which I know is a busy time, but it was after 7pm so things should have been slower by then. I was also wondering why when the resort is not "full" they dont group people together and use only half the resort. It would seem this would save on fuel for the buses and the carts they use to drive around the resort. OKW was very, very quiet when we were there. I think there were only 1 or 2 familes staying in the same building as us. We still had a great time and when we got to our new room everything was fine. I just found the whole incident to be peculiar.

 

[paults]

we discovered it had only partially been cleaned by housekeeping. All the trash from the previous renters was still there, along with dirty dishes, a basket of dirty linens, the floor had not been cleaned, and the room smelled very stale. I worked as a

sounds like it wasn't cleaned at all. sorry you had this problem but it seems to happen a lot lately at all the resorts . I'm with you about using an inspector to clear the rooms for guests. If they do that now then somebody is not doing their job.

I was also wondering why when the resort is not "full" they dont group people together and use only half the resort. It would seem this would save on fuel for the buses and the carts they use to drive around the resort. OKW was very, very quiet when we were there. I

because of the rooms diff. not everybody wants a studio or 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom . they are all spaced out. you can't tell a member that they have to stay in a studio (but wanted a 1 bedr) because the section they want is not being use yet.

 

[Dean]

We and others have been assigned to units that were occupied. I've also had my unit I was staying in assigned to someone else (at least the studio portion) while we were occupying it appropriately. Mistakes happen.

 

[smacky1]

because of the rooms diff. not everybody wants a studio or 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom . they are all spaced out. you can't tell a member that they have to stay in a studio (but wanted a 1 bedr) because the section they want is not being use yet. [/QUOTE]

Oh yes, that makes complete sense.

 

[cbjl]

We had almost the same thing happen to us earlier this month!

Checked in at about 4pm and were assigned a room. Drove over & parked, walked up to the room & the door was propped open with a half-empty case of beer. We just stood there for an extended "huh?" moment, re-checked our assigned room number & the number at the door & then a family came out.
They had just gotten a call from the front desk and were being moved next door for some reason (we were a little too freaked out to follow why they had to move).

We drove back to the front desk and explained that there were still people in the room and got a new room assigned. One of the CMs also walked over ahead of us (was in bldg 62) to make sure that it was really ready for us before we entered the room.

It was a strange experience - we really liked OKW (our first stay there), but I did have a little bit of an uneasy feeling that they weren't really sure which rooms were occupied or available & hoped that no one tried to check-in to our room while we were out.

That uneasy feeling was exacerbated a little bit when housekeeping knocked on the door late one night with a teapot we hadn't requested (aren't calls logged automatically by room numbers from room phones?), and another morning when a guest mistook our room for his & kept trying his room key.

The front desk was really good about getting us a new room & making sure it was right, so we chalked it up to a weird series of coincidences & had a good time. But, it is concerning to hear you had a similar experience & were assigned a room that wasn't ready - I wonder if there have been any recent changes to management over there?

 

[cnids00]

We checked in early on 9/9, around 11-ish and the room that was assigned to us was not ready, we stayed around the grounds of the resort and 1:30PM we called to see if the room was ready as a CM had told us it should be, they were only occupied at 45%, and it was ready. We were in building 64, 2nd floor and our room was spotless My DD, 11 was complaining about the sleeper sofa being uncomfortable the first night as the velcro holding the 3 parts together made this gap in between, but we propped it and then she was just fine for the rest of our stay. We had a 1 br vac home and being our first time here we must say we loved it! Spacious and well planned, our balcony was facing part of the golf course and several mornings the mowed it in the dark with headlights on the mower I thought that was hilarious and I was enjoying the show hoping the mower wouldn't slide off and hit the water! Actually that kind of worried me, but I guess they've done it numerous times!

OKW is beautiful and we loved the home-feeling, the serenity of this resort, the kind CM's and guests. DD loved the main pool and we have nothing but very good things to say about our stay at this wonderful resort.

 

[smacky1]

I agree with you about the room set up at OKW. It was our first time staying there as well and we loved the rooms. I still cant get over how big they are. For being the oldest DVC resort, I thought it was maintained very well and was really clean. I loved all the new appliances as well. Actually, I am assuming they were new....they appeared new. We didnt let the first incident cloud our judgement on the resort. I would definately stay there again!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

In reading this type of thread before and having watched mousekeeping for many years I wonder too about the inspection process. I know certain areas or buildings have a head or lead mousekeeper.

I suspect the problem often comes from a mis-communication where one mousekeeper say something like "I have 3416 complete and am doing 3418 next" and by mistake the lead person communicates that 3418 is done, and without actually having inspected the room.

It seems to me they should be able to modify the key system so the lead mousekeeper has a "Room Ready" key that sends the room ready signal to the front desk when it is swiped in a door. It doesn't make them open the door and inspect it, but they're at the room so they would be very negligent to not at least take a quick look.

 

[rocketriter]

We and others have been assigned to units that were occupied. I've also had my unit I was staying in assigned to someone else (at least the studio portion) while we were occupying it appropriately. Mistakes happen.

I once checked into a hotel room (not Disney) and I was in the shower when bell service brought another family into the room with all their luggage. Situation comedy ensued.

 

[3DisneyKids]

While I agree that the concept of a room inspectors would likely catch the majority of these problems from happening, it sounds like a huge and time-consuming task...one that would require a full-time CM...which means higher overhead...which means increased MFs.

I am sorry to hear that this happened to you and has happened to others, but mistakes do happen...even at Disney. The difference is that when Disney makes a mistake, they own and do everything in their power to make it up to you.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I once checked into a hotel room (not Disney) and I was in the shower when bell service brought another family into the room with all their luggage. Situation comedy ensued.

I have to say DW has tendency to flip that inside slide lock over to the lock position when I don't think it is necessary. After reading these posts I'm beginning to think it should be an everytime habit.

 

[Beth]

We had a strange situtation this past Friday.

We were only staying for one night (for MNSSHP), and were checking into a 2BR. (Yes - waste of points, but you only live once.)

Since we all worked that day - we didn't get over there to check in until 6:30, or so.

We arrived at the room about 15 minutes later - and everything was sparkling clean.

But - in the master bedroom - the comforter had been carefully pulled down halfway, the throw pillows were laying scattered at the foot of the bed, and one of the 4 (sleeping) pillows was missing.

There was also no pillow in the top of the closet with the sleeper sofa bedding - but I'm not sure whether or not there was "supposed to be."

But - that was really weird. It was just as if, somehow, somebody needed an extra pillow - so they came into our room and took one.

My DH insisted I call the front desk to report it, and I was, like, "Well what do you want me to TELL them?!?"

Oh well - can't figure it out, but it didn't affect our stay, at all. We got back to the room around 1:00 that morning, and was out by 10:00am. We were able to survive without the pillow...

 

[Dean]

I once checked into a hotel room (not Disney) and I was in the shower when bell service brought another family into the room with all their luggage. Situation comedy ensued.

Fortunately no compromising situations on our part, were you alone in the shower?

OTOH, I've seen 2 occasions where the staff was enjoying the accommodations together way too much and likely 10-12 or more where someone was having lunch or catching up on soap opera's in a unit that was either cleaned or was in the process of being cleaned.

 

[rocketriter]

Fortunately no compromising situations on our part, were you alone in the shower?

Yes, my wife was arriving later that day on a different flight. However, with the shower running I didn't hear anyone come in, so while the other family quietly started unpacking I dried off and waltzed out of the bathroom...

 

[Dean]

Yes, my wife was arriving later that day on a different flight. However, with the shower running I didn't hear anyone come in, so while the other family quietly started unpacking I dried off and waltzed out of the bathroom...

I hope they had their camera ready.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, my wife was arriving later that day on a different flight. However, with the shower running I didn't hear anyone come in, so while the other family quietly started unpacking I dried off and waltzed out of the bathroom...

I wonder what the family was thinking, "I thought this was a family-type resort?!" It kind of reminds me of the time I honestly forgot my room #, put my key card in the lock and voila-it worked! The only problem was (this was a hotel room), there was a man lounging on the bed. He just looked up with a big smile and said "Well, hello!" Boy, did I back out in a hurry!
Last week, at BCV, maintenence came in to change a burnt out light bulb that I'd reported. However, they didn't knock, and I was sitting on the porch, so it really surprised me to suddenly see someone in my room. After that, I did slide that bar to keep the door from opening whenever I was in the room.

 

[manning]

We were given keys once at a Holiday Inn in Kissimmee. Walked into the room and saw luggage on the bed and heard the shower running. We quietly walked out. Every now and then I still wonder who was in the shower.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I work front desk at a hotel, and if I had a dollar for every time I've accidentally checked people into a room that was either already occupied or not clean yet... well, okay, I'd have less than ten bucks. It's a surprisingly easy mistake to make, at least where I work. Also very embarassing, because all I can do is suck it up and say "Sorry, I was stupid." I only have around 100 rooms to deal with, I can't imagine keeping track of the numbers that some of the Disney resorts have!

But hey, at least getting checked into the wrong room makes for a great story!