Poor customer service at Poly

[delilah]

On our recent trips, we've noticed a possible glitch with our MagicBands. Until a MagicBand was used to open our villa door, it could not be used to open other locks around the resort, such as the door to the DVC laundry room or pool gate. In May, I had three MagicBands and I used two of them to unlock our villa door. The third one I purposefully did not use on the door. I then went to the BLT laundry room and tried to use all three MagicBands to open the door. The first two worked fine, but the third did not. Later, after I used the third MagicBand to unlock our villa door, it worked fine on the laundry room door.

I've noticed this glitch at BLT and AKV, so I suspect it could be a system wide problem.

BTW, despite this glitch, I had no difficulty using my third MagicBand to charge things or to gain access to the Parks. The glitch seems to be limited to just locks around the resort, such as the laundry rooms and pool gates.

This is good to know. When I was at AKV Jambo, there was a fellow who didn't know why his magicband didn't work to open the laundry room, but his wife's did. I told him that he needed to check at the front desk, because that sounded odd to me. But, if the magicband won't work at the laundry room unless you use it to open your room's door, it makes perfect sense if his wife always used her band to open the door. Something to try, anyway, before making a trek down to the lobby.

 

[bobbiwoz]

THANKS for clarification on getting a key card day of check in when room is not ready. At least it SEEMS that the gate/pool situation is more secure now over the last few weeks! Hope that you are ENJOYING your stay!

Jersey gal, we are loving our Poly studio stay! Weather has been hot, and last evening real thunderstorms kept us in the room, so we missed our FP + for Illuminations viewing, no problem, we had great views of Wishes from our room. I need to get the music on my iPad.

The laundry app works and laundry baskets are provided.

We hear the boat horns and they do not diminish the experience at all.

On Sunday we will be meeting others who are going on DVC's Member Cruise. Today and tonight we have friends who live in FL coming. We got them a Lake View studio as well, I know they will love it as much as we do!

Bev ( coming tonight with her DH ) and I are born jersey gals as well! We have been friends since Kindergarten, 1952!

Bobbi

 

[MIDisFan]

According to Bell Services the union agreement is the reason why guests are not allowed to use the luggage carts, it's not that I like to bring this fact up, I like to inform other readers why the policy exists.

Bill

With all due respect, it's seems more opinion than fact as to why the policy exists. While it may be true that the policy is in the contract between the Union and Disney, I'm not sure which party bargained for that policy. I can see reasons for both parties wanting to limit the use of luggage carts strictly to employees. It doesn't seem fair to imply it is in place primarily for Union employees to make more money.

 

[disneynutz]

With all due respect, it's seems more opinion than fact as to why the policy exists. While it may be true that the policy is in the contract between the Union and Disney, I'm not sure which party bargained for that policy. I can see reasons for both parties wanting to limit the use of luggage carts strictly to employees. It doesn't seem fair to imply it is in place primarily for Union employees to make more money.

The reason for the union is to help guarantee working conditions and more money for the members. Fair or not, that is what I have been told. There are several policies at Disney designed to increase tipping for it's employees. Why do you think that an adult needs to be in the room when bell services delivers your checked luggage? It's to increase tipping.

Bill

 

[MIDisFan]

The reason for the union is to help guarantee working conditions and more money for the members. Fair or not, that is what I have been told. There are several policies at Disney designed to increase tipping for it's employees. Why do you think that an adult needs to be in the room when bell services delivers your checked luggage? It's to increase tipping.

Bill

Wonder why they don't require anyone to be in the room when your luggage is delivered from Magical Express. Seems like a big missed opportunity for more tips

 

[Nanajo1]

One of the perks of ME is luggage delivery. If it required tips and you had to be there to accept it.
I bet many would load their luggage onto ME. Causing delays.

 

[jerseygal]

Jersey gal, we are loving our Poly studio stay! Weather has been hot, and last evening real thunderstorms kept us in the room, so we missed our FP + for Illuminations viewing, no problem, we had great views of Wishes from our room. I need to get the music on my iPad.

The laundry app works and laundry baskets are provided.

We hear the boat horns and they do not diminish the experience at all.

On Sunday we will be meeting others who are going on DVC's Member Cruise. Today and tonight we have friends who live in FL coming. We got them a Lake View studio as well, I know they will love it as much as we do!

Bev ( coming tonight with her DH ) and I are born jersey gals as well! We have been friends since Kindergarten, 1952!

Bobbi

Sounds like your Poly stay is great so far! I am guessing by the boat horn comment that you are in Morea. Can't wait for Poly stay.Enjoy your DVC cruise!!!

 

[disneynutz]

Wonder why they don't require anyone to be in the room when your luggage is delivered from Magical Express. Seems like a big missed opportunity for more tips

I was told by a manager that the contract for DME luggage deliveries pays bell services a fixed tip/payment for room delivery per bag. Since they are getting the auto tip, the guest doesn't have to be in the room.

Bill

 

[MIDisFan]

One of the perks of ME is luggage delivery. If it required tips and you had to be there to accept it.
I bet many would load their luggage onto ME. Causing delays.

The ME bus drivers accept tips and luggage delivery does as well. I can't imagine it would have too much effect on demand for ME if a gratuity became expected. I'd much rather give a tip than lug my bags through the airport.

I did not intend to start a debate on tipping, I know that's a touchy subject. I just wanted to point out that the true reason behind the luggage cart restrictions are unknown. We all know what hearsay is worth when it comes to Disney. To imply its a money grab by a union may not be justified.

 

[freediverdude]

I'm thinking the magicband issue may be due to Disney wanting people to have to stop at the guard gate when first coming in. They may have people coming in the magicband gate who haven't checked in yet, and I bet Disney wants to make sure each guest is logged in at the guard gate and picture of their license plate taken, etc. So they have to shut down the magicband access for that, which may also shut down the pool access and laundry access as a side effect. I wish they would activate the magicband at the guard gate then though, it would be an instant solution to the problem.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

The MB/door thing is not limited to DVC. We had a suite at AoA in March and were told that while we could use any of the 4 doors into the building to come and go (different neds depending on whether we were going to the car park or food halls), we had to use the main door the first time we went in and once we'd been in our room we would then be able to use all the other building doors. As it happened, I used the main door nearly every time because I would drive up in my ECV, bash the 'wheelchair' button and the doors would open for me negating the need to use my MB anyway.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

I'm thinking the magicband issue may be due to Disney wanting people to have to stop at the guard gate when first coming in. They may have people coming in the magicband gate who haven't checked in yet, and I bet Disney wants to make sure each guest is logged in at the guard gate and picture of their license plate taken, etc. So they have to shut down the magicband access for that, which may also shut down the pool access and laundry access as a side effect. I wish they would activate the magicband at the guard gate then though, it would be an instant solution to the problem.

But how can they? They won't know at that point exactly which room you'll be in. At AoA we showed up with nothing at all as they don't ship the MBs to the UK: we have to pick them up on reception. We showed the chap our paperwork and he let us through. Also, there was a bit of negotiation at check-in where I not only changed our room but changed the building we ended up staying in.

 

[freediverdude]

But how can they? They won't know at that point exactly which room you'll be in. At AoA we showed up with nothing at all as they don't ship the MBs to the UK: we have to pick them up on reception. We showed the chap our paperwork and he let us through. Also, there was a bit of negotiation at check-in where I not only changed our room but changed the building we ended up staying in.

Oh but they do know which room already, they just haven't told you Sometime in the middle of the night the morning of your check in, your magicband access gets switched on, which includes the pool access, etc. Or at least that's how it used to work before these reports of having to use it on your room door lock first.

Although in cases like yours, you haven't been assigned a magicband yet, so that's a little different, but they still have already assigned you a room before you get there.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I know some feel its a waste of a day, but I just don't plan on doing anything early at the resort on the day of arrival. No early checkin, no early resort use of amenities, nothing. If I can get my room at 4:00p I am ecstatic! It just seems everything related to checkin takes longer and longer. One reason why we don't take early flights in anymore. Our next trip we arrive at MCO at 6:30p. My room better be ready!!!

 

[Amw1064]

We were just at Beach Club a few weeks back. We arrived around 11:00 and our room was not ready but we planned on going to the pool. We had no problem. They just scanned our magic bands and let us in. A few hours later we got a text that our room was ready so we went up around 3. We have never not been able to use the pool before going to the room. We live about 2 hours away and alot of times we drive up in the morning and then use the pool and go to the parks in the evening.

 

[tidefan]

i joined in 1993 and it was definitely explained to me that DVC had BELL SERVICES.

dvc has never allowed it members to do luggage carts at WDW. got told it was also insurance. (at my age memory problems)

Really? I remember having them at SSR in the past...

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Oh but they do know which room already, they just haven't told you Sometime in the middle of the night the morning of your check in, your magicband access gets switched on, which includes the pool access, etc. Or at least that's how it used to work before these reports of having to use it on your room door lock first.

Although in cases like yours, you haven't been assigned a magicband yet, so that's a little different, but they still have already assigned you a room before you get there.

What I said stands. They may have allocated you a room, but you are not obliged to accept it. If they have room, you can choose a different one.

Incidentally, while we're on the subject, all the flights in from the UK land after 4pm anyway, so the chances of us finding that getting to the resort and our room not being ready are pretty remote.

 

[Sammie]

IF the luggage carts are ONLY for bellman why did the resort leave 4 in the building? I'm familiar with the policy with bell services at DVC resorts. I agree that carts aren't available at DVC resorts so members are forced to use bell services IF they need help. But when I see 4 carts stored in the entrance area it gives the impression that they are for members' use. I thought maybe DVC finally cared a little.

AND WHY DOESN'T DVC PROVIDE LUGGAGE CARTS!!!!!!!

I consider it very poor member service not to provide luggage carts. In my experience (outside of DVC) 90%+ of timeshares provide luggage carts. It seems like over my 21+ years experience DVC's desire to satisfy members continues to decrease. The bigger they get the less they care.

BUT you can't beat the location. We love the parks and DVC provides great accommodations. I just try to grin and bear it when I get the "we got your money, too bad" attitude.

One of the great things about DVC is the variety of resorts. There is something for everyone. While I'm not overly found of Poly, many people love it.

I'm just not fond of the gold/yellow/orange decor. Looks cheap to me, but that is totally personal style/opinion.

Those other timeshares that provide luggage carts do they have full bell services?