questioning my membership

[PamOKW]

Thumpersfriend -- No need to give it a thought. If you are staying at a DVC resort you are a WDW resort guest -- same as the thousand of others that are there. Feel free to speak up if you have a problem and I'm sure Disney will do their best to correct it. Sometimes, as these posts show, people have problems. But, that happens at every resort around the world. All we can do is let DVC/Disney know when we have a problem that wasn't resolved to our satisfaction.

 

[Kupiecb]

First of all I just want to say "Thank you to everyone". Ok, now let me respond to some of your comments.
I am a fairly new member, so I will not be renting my points out anytime soon.When I purchased into this DVC I was sold on the whole Magical aspect of vacationing. The NO welcome home thing was a big deal to me. I even gave her the chance to remember to say it. I said to her at the very end right before I was ready to walk away I said "This is a Home away from home isnt it?". And still no Welcome home.
I dont feel that I should be treated any better than anyone else. I just dont think I should be treated worse than someone who is paying Rack rate. I have paid a heavty sum and I pay enough in dues every year also. The least I can get is a "Welcome Home" and maybe a prefered room request. Look I understand that if nothing else was available than ok. As it turns out I quit smoking January 1st. I didnt even want a smoking room. But that was the one preference I made on my reservation. So the non smoking room turned out ok. But I was even willing to take a smoking room at a better location. But they told me they had none.
If anything, this is what I have learned. 1) if staying in a studio bring something to haul laundry. 2)make room preference, 3) check in as early as possible to get the best room location.
By the way I did call DVC at the hotel, first of all she was shocked I had to do laundry. Her response to the no towel laundry issue, "take towels from the pool. "
I did the survey regarding my stay and I did e-mail the approprete people regarding the front desk women.
I am sorry that some of you have also experienced the same attitude that I have. I guess what Disney does not understand is that DVC members are there forever (at least 50 years). Rack Rate hotel guests may stay at Disney only a couple times in their whole life. We are the people year after year. Buying their merchandise, eating in their restuarants, buying the park tickets. In the long run we are the ones spending the most, I think we should at least get a "WELCOME HOME" !

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Desperado
Report him to a manager immediately!!!! This is unacceptable!!!! It should not be tollerated!!!!

This I agree with Desperado on completely.

Discussing it here may allowing "venting", but it won't solve the problem.

If it is bad enough to complain about, then it is bad enough to take action on.

 

[mamarobin24]

Well, now, here's the thing:
the ONLY resort where we've consistently gotten a "Welcome Home" is VWL. Didn't happen at BWV; we just bought another contract at OKW so we shall see.
the front desk staff at BCV count as the rudest and least helpful for our family. Just a cranky day, I guess.

And belonging to the DVC is the best secret club in the world, as far as I'm concerned!!!

 

[Jacksmom99]

I just feel the need to post about my positive experience with the front desk CM's at WL. Last summer we were staying off site to save our points for this year's "big" trip. However, we were really missing the Disney magic. One night we ate at Wispering Canyon and then decided to hop over to MK to see the parade and fireworks. Well, it started pouring when we got there (story of our trip) and the parade was cancelled. We were feeling pretty down as we headed back to the WL to go home. Well, when we got the the lobby, DH says, let's check and see if there's anything available for tomorrow night. It was 9:30pm, and the front desk CM was very nice. She checked the reservations, got us a studio, and even knew enough about the points system to tell us she was using our 2 "left over" points first before she used our banked points. She even checked our old passes for us. She had to make a couple of phone calls to complete this whole process for us and she couldn't have been nicer. Of course we probably visibly cheered up once she found a room for us!! The next day when we checked in, we were given a room right away (10:30am) and were treated just fine. I can't remember if we got any Welcome Homes, but it's not something I care about, so I'm not looking for it.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by timC
Jaysue... I agree with your comments, and I'd put myself into this category. That said, I think there are a number of members who "work the system", [...] I may be wrong. I'm going partly by what I see on this forum which is probably not the most accurate reflection of the member population. I'd be interested in other opinions.

I agree with both timC and jaysue, in that I believe that DVC members are at both ends of the spectrum. There are some (like me, and a lot of other fine, upstanding DIS DVC folks ) who have my paperwork, ID, conf. #, etc. in hand before I get to the desk, let the CMs know that I know the drill and try to work with them to expedite matters. On the other hand, I'm sure that there are some DVC members who try to secure a specific room, have greater expectations and perhaps demand more than a typical guest. Note that this is typical of 'insiders' of any kind, not just DVCers: some work with the system, others just work it.

 

[Kelly Nelly]

Originally posted by timC
Your questioning your membership in part because someone forgot to as "Welcome home"? Give your head a shake. They're only 2 words.

Disney should never have started this... Particularly at VWL where there more non-DVC guests than members, I'm sure it's difficult for CM's to keep on to of this. It's probably an annoyance in their process. With member expectations set higher than regular guests, and as veteran guests we probably work the system more, we're probably a more of a pain to deal with than a regular guest.

Give'em a break.

You hit the nail right on the head, I totally agree with you. I cannot understand people now a days, they are so demanding and they think that the entire world evolves around them.I think part of the problem is that there is much competition for somebodys measly dollar that people think that every one should bow down to them. I work in sales and service and I must admit that when it comes to money and spending money people are crazy

 

[chips]

We checked into vwl on 3/13/04. The check in was pleasant and efficient. We were not able to check into our room until 4 p.m. We did the pool and had not planned to go anywhere. We did not get a "welcome home". If I was working the check in desk I would go out of my way to say welcome home. It might just smooth out the rough edges if there were some problems at check in or with the room. They can tell by the room number if it is a villa room. Over a period of time it could make my job easier.

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by Kelly Nelly
You hit the nail right on the head, I totally agree with you. I cannot understand people now a days, they are so demanding and they think that the entire world evolves around them.I think part of the problem is that there is much competition for somebodys measly dollar that people think that every one should bow down to them. I work in sales and service and I must admit that when it comes to money and spending money people are crazy

I don't recall anyone on this thread complaining about a lack of bows. "Welcome homes" are no different than "Good mornings" or greeting people with a smile. This is simply an exchange of pleasantries that costs the service person nothing and adds value to the customer's perception of the business organization.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I don't recall anyone on this thread complaining about a lack of bows. "Welcome homes" are no different than "Good mornings" or greeting people with a smile. This is simply an exchange of peasantries that costs the service person nothing and adds value to the customer's perception of the business organization.

Exactly ! I honestly don't think the OP would have even mentioned the fact that she didn't get a "welcome home" had it not been for the sheer rudeness of the CM at the desk:

I asked for a smoking room. When I checked in, none were available. She looked at me and said all 4 of you are staying in a studio? and rolled her eyes.

After this, I can totally understand how the OP would be upset, as would I. The check-in process sure set the pace here. I don't care what the circumstance was, a CM (or anyone in a service/hospitality industry) should never do this to the guest/customer ? This is just customer service 101---and I think it's not unreasonable to expect Disney to kick it up a notch. After all, this is what they supposedly pride themselves on. I don't see how the OP was "demanding" in any way. I certainly don't see how the eye-rolling was justified ?

 

[Kelly Nelly]

I really don not understand why people care so much over those two stupid words. All I care about is getting my room at check in period, I cannot believe that peoples trips are ruined because they do not get a " Welcome Home". I am actually kinda of get embarassed when they say it to me, I think it is tacky, and I feel sorry for the CM who has to say it.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

We checked into WLV on 3/14 - didn't have any problems with check-in. Received the "Welcome Home" at check-in and everytime we came through the gate from the attendant! I even commented to my husband that this was the most "welcome home" we have ever received on any trip. This also was our first time at WLV.

As far as trash and towel, this was also the first time we ever received the service as DVC members! We always check-in Sunday and check-out on Fri., so I think we were always ingnored on the 4th day because we would be checking out the next day. I was stunned when we got the knock on the door saying they were there for trash and new towels!

I also bring my own fold up laundry basket to carry my items to the laundry room to wash towel/clothes if necessary.

All of the CM's were very nice and helpful during our stay. My biggest complaint of our trip was a CM who didn't want to trade a pin with my son because the pin he had was too big and heavy. She actually asked for a different one! But thats a different story.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I really don not understand why people care so much over those two stupid words. All I care about is getting my room at check in period, I cannot believe that peoples trips are ruined because they do not get a " Welcome Home".

I honestly don't think those 2 little words ruin anyone's trip. Rather, that was just the "cherry on top" to the other things the OP experienced (and others with similar experiences). I think the rolling of the eyes by the CM was the most inexcusable thing that happened to this person.

 

[Kupiecb]

Originally posted by Kelly Nelly
You hit the nail right on the head, I totally agree with you. I cannot understand people now a days, they are so demanding and they think that the entire world evolves around

Are you kidding me here? Do you really think I think the world evolves around me because someone did not say Welcome Home? Come on, This was just the last straw for me. When she rolled her eyes at me cause their was 4 of us in a studio She almost gave me that feeling you get when you are at the grocery store and you dont have enough money to pay for everything and everyone is looking at you. It was like that feeling. Like I did something wrong.
Like I said in my other postings I do not want anything special, I just would like what everyone else has. Housekeeping, towels and instead of a good morning, how about a Welcome home!

 

[lat]

Originally posted by Charleneluvsdisney
My biggest complaint of our trip was a CM who didn't want to trade a pin with my son because the pin he had was too big and heavy. She actually asked for a different one! But thats a different story.

Wow, I thought they are supposed to take whatever you want to trade, as long as it is a Disney pin. If they are not into it, they should not be wearing them and get the kids disappointed. My 5 year old is generally very reserved except when she trades pins with CM, she is always very excited because they are always so accomodating. I certainly would hope she would not run into this one and ruin her fun for the rest of the trip.

 

[jodifla]

While I think OP had to put up with some outrageous behavior, I'm stunned someone would question their membership over the situations mentioned. They didn't seem like deal killers to me.

I would have gotten the eye roller's name, and been sure to tell him that I'd be writing a letter to Disney on his behalf, or filling out his name on the survey I always get when I get home. I believe on calling people on bad behavior. (I will note, since I have a cousin in the front desk profession, that perhaps the 100 or so people he checked in before you were jerks, and he was finding it tough to sell the magic! You just never know.)

As for the laundry thing, just buy the towel set, or stuff all the laundry into a pillowcase and head up the laundry room! The lack of daily housekeeping was really clear in the rules, and in fact, we love not being bugged by the maids.

OP didn't mention if he/she had any nice experiences with cast members. But I can say that I've only had a handful of bad experiences in 30 years of going to WDW.

I hope OP gives it another shot (I like hearing those welcome homes, too, so I know what you mean) and I'll keep my fingers crossed that there's more pixie dust from CMs in your future!

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by jodifla
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As for the laundry thing, just buy the towel set, or stuff all the laundry into a pillowcase and head up the laundry room! The lack of daily housekeeping was really clear in the rules, and in fact, we love not being bugged by the maids.

Ain't that the truth. It is getting so that when I travel on business I put my DND sign on the doorknob all day to keep the maids out!

I empathize with the original poster, but I also would like to say that IMHO you don't get the FULL DVC experience by putting four adults in a studio. Try a 1 BR or 2 BR once and you will love it.