PVB Tower Charts, Sales Date and more!!!

[DisnEElove]

If anyone has experience going the other way (other resort to Island Tower), I'd be very interested to hear about it!

We were leaving AKL for Poly tower during 4th of July week. I was pleasantly surprised they had our room ready at 10:33am, but after the parks, we couldn't even call down to bell services - after waiting on hold for 30 minutes, I hung up and tracked down someone in the Poly lobby to assist. It still took another 40 mins. When we checked out, we waited over an hour for bell services to come and pick up our luggage for storage. It was nuts. I hope things settle down; we're headed back in a couple weeks, and I'm thinking of adding Poly as another home resort. I would hope not to experience this too much longer.

 

[MicheyMouse]

We were leaving AKL for Poly tower during 4th of July week. I was pleasantly surprised they had our room ready at 10:33am, but after the parks, we couldn't even call down to bell services - after waiting on hold for 30 minutes, I hung up and tracked down someone in the Poly lobby to assist. It still took another 40 mins. When we checked out, we waited over an hour for bell services to come and pick up our luggage for storage. It was nuts. I hope things settle down; we're headed back in a couple weeks, and I'm thinking of adding Poly as another home resort. I would hope not to experience this too much longer.

We had the same experience calling Poly bell services during the same time period. Going down to the desk showed several working.

 

[CWTC]

We were leaving AKL for Poly tower during 4th of July week. I was pleasantly surprised they had our room ready at 10:33am, but after the parks, we couldn't even call down to bell services - after waiting on hold for 30 minutes, I hung up and tracked down someone in the Poly lobby to assist. It still took another 40 mins. When we checked out, we waited over an hour for bell services to come and pick up our luggage for storage. It was nuts. I hope things settle down; we're headed back in a couple weeks, and I'm thinking of adding Poly as another home resort. I would hope not to experience this too much longer.

We stayed in a bungalow in early May for 8 nights. We had very similar experiences with bell services - long hold times, long wait to get our luggage, and ultimately it was easier for me to walk to bell services to get things. On arrival day we had luggage, owners lockers, and groceries - so to be fair a lot of stuff. They forgot a bag and I ended up walking back to to get it because I didn’t want to wait another 90 minutes. That was a Saturday afternoon so we figured it was a one off. We had a small Amazon fresh delivery later in the week - same issue. I walked up to bell services and back with the delivery - husband was still on the phone waiting for bell services to answer when I got back.

We had the same issue with the front desk - one afternoon we got back and the plunge pool was empty. I almost cried. Husband got on the phone and after about 15 minutes of hold time, I just walked up to the lobby and talked to someone.

Our home resorts are VGF, BLT, BCV, and VGC. Two of those have their own desks/bell services (VGF and BLT) and one has a desk which is intermittently staffed (BCV). In all our trips over the past 17 years of ownership, we have only had two issues with bell services at our home resorts that I can recall.

I assume it came down to money when building the tower but I don’t think the bell services issue can be attributed to just busy time periods. It seems to be more of a systemic issue and a pretty big oversight that the tower doesn’t have its own bell services. I also question if not having a front desk is going to become a larger issue.

 

[Mouseforward]

We stayed in a bungalow in early May for 8 nights. We had very similar experiences with bell services - long hold times, long wait to get our luggage, and ultimately it was easier for me to walk to bell services to get things. On arrival day we had luggage, owners lockers, and groceries - so to be fair a lot of stuff. They forgot a bag and I ended up walking back to to get it because I didn’t want to wait another 90 minutes. That was a Saturday afternoon so we figured it was a one off. We had a small Amazon fresh delivery later in the week - same issue. I walked up to bell services and back with the delivery - husband was still on the phone waiting for bell services to answer when I got back.

We had the same issue with the front desk - one afternoon we got back and the plunge pool was empty. I almost cried. Husband got on the phone and after about 15 minutes of hold time, I just walked up to the lobby and talked to someone.

Our home resorts are VGF, BLT, BCV, and VGC. Two of those have their own desks/bell services (VGF and BLT) and one has a desk which is intermittently staffed (BCV). In all our trips over the past 17 years of ownership, we have only had two issues with bell services at our home resorts that I can recall.

I assume it came down to money when building the tower but I don’t think the bell services issue can be attributed to just busy time periods. It seems to be more of a systemic issue and a pretty big oversight that the tower doesn’t have its own bell services. I also question if not having a front desk is going to become a larger issue.

Bell Services is a tipped position with a $17 starting rate at WDW- per the CMs I know, it is the most sought after job for new hires and it is very competitive. I think we also cover the base salary in our dues so it is concerning if they do not have enough where there is a 90 min wait.

 

[HooperSnag]

I seem to recall that BLT also didn't have a front desk when they first opened but had to install a manned desk after significant negative feedback. I saw in the Poly Tower's lobby there were some staff carrying iPads and they could help. Are they easy to find and is anyone picking up a phone?

 

[DisnEElove]

Bell Services is a tipped position with a $17 starting rate at WDW- per the CMs I know, it is the most sought after job for new hires and it is very competitive. I think we also cover the base salary in our dues so it is concerning if they do not have enough where there is a 90 min wait.

The thought of this being a regular occurrence is scary. Ive not seen this at our home resorts either. .Who do we contact to share our experiences? I never know when to reach out to resort leadership or Member Services.

 

[Mouseforward]

The thought of this being a regular occurrence is scary. Ive nit had tgis at our home resorts either. .Who do we contact to share our experiences? I never know when to reach out to resort leadership or Member Services.

I would @Sandisw on that, I just use the guest.services@disneyworld.com email ( and complain to random people on the internet)

 

[PolyRob]

The thought of this being a regular occurrence is scary. Ive not seen this at our home resorts either. .Who do we contact to share our experiences? I never know when to reach out to resort leadership or Member Services.

For DVC-related compliments and issues I like to contact dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com

 

[RichVIII]

Just on the flight back from a stay at Poly. New experience with Bell Services. Our room was not ready on arrival, no biggie. 4pm, 5pm, and finally I asked my mom since we brought her along to check on the room since she was tired and we had not gotten the text. Surprise, I room was ready. So back to bell services. She calls down and they said they would bring everything up. My mom calls me an hour later and says how long does it normally take. Well…they stopped delivering because of weather. Safety first I get. But that that resort is so spread out, it took hours to get sorted out after the storm. Again, I get it. I just never thought of them being held up by weather.

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

We stayed at the new Tower earlier in August. Did the app check-in once we got off the plane and our room was updated as ready before we left the airport. We had the most basic room in the Tower, resort studio, in case that influences the room availability/readiness. Once we got in the room we called Bell Services for our Owner's Locker to be dropped off at the room. Might have been close to an hour. On check-out day we wheeled it to our rental car and drove it over to the GCH front door and handed it off there. I should have done that on arrival too.

Aside from bell services, feels like there was an opportunity to address the single quick service at Cook's by adding another at the Tower as big as that place is. Tower was beautiful and I enjoyed it, but it's been a few years since I was last to Poly and the complaints of it feeling too crowded felt accurate.

 

[Xalthon]

We recently had a one-night stay in the tower in August, and we had no issues with Bell Services. Upon arrival, our room was not ready (as expected), and we left luggage with Bell Services. When I got notification our room was ready, I went to the Bell Services desk and notified them to deliver to our room. They came shortly after we got to the room!

 

[DisnEElove]

What do you all think about the tapping card/magic band for elevator access? I've seen already that people are finding ways to get around it, so it may not serve the purpose Disney might have had for it.

 

[Mouseforward]

What do you all think about the tapping card/magic band for elevator access? I've seen already that people are finding ways to get around it, so it may not serve the purpose Disney might have had for it.

Safety issue , no one should be on the residential floor that is not checked in and on the reservation.

All towers should have this

 

[atthebeachclub]

Safety issue , no one should be on the residential floor that is not checked in and on the reservation.

All towers should have this

I actually wish they had more security just at the hotels. I don't love that anyone can walk in.

 

[bp2412]

What do you all think about the tapping card/magic band for elevator access? I've seen already that people are finding ways to get around it, so it may not serve the purpose Disney might have had for it.

I get it, the safety issue makes a lot of sense to have which is discouraging to hear people are finding ways around it, but people always will. I'll admit we were a little disappointed about it at first because my 3 year old, like many kids I'm sure, absolutely loves Moana and wanted to see more of that wall from the second floor. He was sad when we couldn't go up for a better view of the top half, but then we went and had dinner at Wailulu and loved everything about it, so I think that made up for it for all of us.

 

[PolyRob]

If the elevator access was truly about safety, all Poly longhouses would require scanning your MB 24/7 rather than after hours. Same with Grand Floridian outer buildings, VGF, Contemporary Resort Garden Wing and all Atrium floors outside of club level, BLT, WL, BRV, AKL, Riviera, etc

I think it's really to protect the outdoor viewing areas for fireworks and water pageant because the tower would get overrun.

 

[Brian Noble]

Exactly. The only other "gated" elevator I can think of is at BLT, and that's only to get to ToTWL. And if I understand things correctly, they've moved the checkpoint to the entrance to the lounge. If they did, they might have removed the "gate" on the elevator.

 

[eticketplease]

If the elevator access was truly about safety, all Poly longhouses would require scanning your MB 24/7 rather than after hours.

I just wished your MB would open all longhouses after hours. I tried to get from GCH back to Pago Pago one year during what seemed like a monsoon by going through longhouse to longhouse but since it was after hours I couldn't avoid the rain.
I now keep a pair of "just in case" sneakers in our Owners Locker for everybody as it was days before they dried out

 

[MartyParty]

Exactly. The only other "gated" elevator I can think of is at BLT, and that's only to get to ToTWL. And if I understand things correctly, they've moved the checkpoint to the entrance to the lounge. If they did, they might have removed the "gate" on the elevator.

Yes, that's correct Brian. Check point to the Top of the World Lounge is on the top floor just outside the restaurant. Like a regular restaurant where you check in with a hostess for seating.

 

[PolyRob]

I just wished your MB would open all longhouses after hours. I tried to get from GCH back to Pago Pago one year during what seemed like a monsoon by going through longhouse to longhouse but since it was after hours I couldn't avoid the rain.
I now keep a pair of "just in case" sneakers in our Owners Locker for everybody as it was days before they dried out

OH I can only imagine! Rarotonga was always my favorite longhouse on the cash side because it's steps away in inclement weather.