Ready to sell DVC, not happy with it

[drakethib]

OP.

Sorry you had a crappy experience.

For the most part our DVC has been great. There has been a time or two where I wished the counter would have been cleaned better, but just took care of it myself. With that being said, I am a neat freak so maybe that comes into play.

I have and do stay in a good many of hotels from 5 Stars to Motel 6. I have had a superior clean room in a Motel 6 and have made them give me a new room in the Ritz Carlton in Washington, D.C. due to the condition of the room. I think everywhere can be a hit or miss.

What I will say, is there is no way in heck would have I allowed them to tell me their hands were tied. If they cant take care of it, get on the phone and get in touch with the person who can. There is always someone at Disney who has the authority to me a decision as such if the situation truly warrants it.

Move me to a cash room and contest the charge with DVC the very next morning when member services open (they are open seven days a week), make them compensate your time for having to deal with this will on vacation.

Don't wait until you get home. At that time you are SOL.

Not to sound like I am bashing, but if someone allows a situation to get to the point where they are unhappy with the trip due to the poor condition of the room, it is their and only their fault for not getting the situation rectified.


With that being said, do I expect absolute perfection and do I think Disney should comp someone for every little issue (burnt bulbs, etc). No.

But they do have an obligation for a certain standard of cleanliness and condition of the room that I have been assigned.

Again, sorry you has a bad experience and hope it works out for you one way or the other.

 

[drakethib]

And when they find a big problem, charge the guest who was staying in that room. Guests who cause problems in the villas need to pay for the mess that they make and the damage they create.

Housekeepers need to report room stuffing as well.

And too bad if the troublemakers complain.

 

[Minnie49]

I agree with anyone causing damage that is beyond normal wear and tear should be charged. At SSV in March, in a one bedroom, we were surprised to see a HUGH burn mark on one of the nightstands,. My husband whom is quite clever in home building, etc and repairs was even at a loss as to what burnt it. It looked like someone put a pan from the oven on it with no potholder or whatever. How careless is that! That is not Disney's fault. We go normally three times a year but do not really cook much to be honest. Light things and warming leftovers are are usual routine but we do have a light breakfast normally each morning. We have no intention at all to sell any of our points but we are like the majority - hate to see quality go down for (too much) quantity of Disney Units - both DVC's and hotels. They do not seem to be building anymore moderate ones that I know of. Only Value Resorts or DVC ones.That is where we would stay (moderate) in the past due to no value resorts when our kids were young. The first time, the Contempory (did I spell it right) was a big thrill as there was only that and the Polynesian. That was considered a trip for our memory bank. My friends do not call me Minnie for nothing! We have a right to expect quality in the units. I'll state again. We paid well for the membership because that is what we wanted but that does not mean we are any different from the cash guests. Maybe the poster that said quality might be going down all through Disney is right but that would be very disappointing to many of us that still believe in the "magic" and know the wonderful things about being a DVC member. the Membership Department where we call for reservations, etc. is fantasic, IMO.

 

[reedycreek]

OP.

Don't wait until you get home. At that time you are SOL.

Not to sound like I am bashing, but if someone allows a situation to get to the point where they are unhappy with the trip due to the poor condition of the room, it is their and only their fault for not getting the situation rectified.

I understand your point completely. We argued our point with 2 supervisors and then finally the hotel manager. I was going to take it further but neglected too because it was bringing my vacation down. Everytime I thought about DVC and what was happening, I got angry and started to have a bad time at Disney. I deal with enough BS and stress at work, and this is my week to just enjoy. I normally would go commando with until a problem is rectified in any other circumstance, but again, since I was on vacation, I guess I let it slide, figuring I would deal with it at home.

So my logic was if DVC was making me this angry, its time to sell it and just vacation at Disney like we used to - cash reservations at the POLY. Our 1-2 weeks a year at Disney should not be angry times, but rather joyous times.

 

[disneynutz]

The DVC is aware of all of these issues and it is acceptable to them. Why, I don't know.

If you are anyone special, they will do a VIP cleaning. We were lucky to get one once and the room was the cleanest DVC room that we have ever been in. The only issue is that it took them a couple of hours to clean the room and they wouldn't release it until it was inspected by a supervisor.

If they know that a regular cleaning may not be good enough for a VIP, then they know that the regular cleanings are substandard.

 

[pluto109]

all complaint's should go to dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvactionclub.com let your voice be heard

 

[Chuck S]

The DVC is aware of all of these issues and it is acceptable to them. Why, I don't know.

If you are anyone special, they will do a VIP cleaning. We were lucky to get one once and the room was the cleanest DVC room that we have ever been in. The only issue is that it took them a couple of hours to clean the room and they wouldn't release it until it was inspected by a supervisor.

If they know that a regular cleaning may not be good enough for a VIP, then they know that the regular cleanings are substandard.

The problem is, if it takes 2 hours to thoroughly clean the units, just think of how long, or how many housekeepers, we would need just to clean one building at OKW on a Friday or Sunday. Without a substantial increase in dues, you'd be looking at 14 hours to clean 7 rooms, if checkout time is 11 am, then that means arriving guests may nit get into their units until 1 am. Even doubling the housekeeping staff wouldn't be enough. Perhaps trying to even out room demand throughout the week, via point reallocations, is the answer. That would certainly explain the reasoning behind the 2010 reallocation, and justify future reallocations.

 

[DebbieB]

If they are cleaning the units correctly everytime, it should not take 2 hours. How dirty can it get in a week? If you don't mop the floor, then over time it will get bad and you will have to scrub. But if you use the mop each week, it shouldn't need a more thorough cleaning very often.

 

[Chuck S]

How dirty can it get in a week?

Seriously, I've known people that can trash a room in a week. One of my former bosses could trash one in a night. I hated traveling with him. Every morning it looked like a hurricane had hit the room the night before. I finally started paying for my own room.

Unfortunately, it really isn't all that uncommon.

 

[quentina]

Okay, so this is disturbing. We have not signed our paperwork yet and now I am seriously reconsidering. We prefer 'higher' end vacationing and if the condition of the rooms is not going to live up to Disney standards AND complaints fall of deaf ears, sounds like we need to rethink.

Also, maybe there should be an organized letter / calling campagin to the President of DVCs office regarding this situation. DVC members are paying for upkeep in the maintenance dues. If enough people flood his office with calls about (1) the upkeep, (2) lack of service once it is brought to someones attendtion at the resort and (3) the lack of response from further complaints to Member Services, maybe he would feel compelled to act.

Certainly, the potential of loosing new contracts would also cause alarm.

Ready, set, call....

Just want to reassure you....we have owned since 2001 and have always had incredible experiences. I always plan out so, I have never had an availibility issue. I have book and waitlisted for other resorts which usually takes place closer to the date (my kids change their minds), only 1 time did a WL not come thru for us however, since we already had accomodations, it was not a problem.

My hubby often jokes that we would be homeless and I would still have my DVC....he's probably right

In less than 2 weeks, we will be at HHI...which is our favorite place. One year we had some $$$$issues and we told the kids, just one place this year and the picked HHI over WDW.

Our membership has allowed us to invite friends and family along. When we go in July, we are bringing our godchildren and their parents. They are poor. Never get to go on vacation and their reaction to being invited, the planning they have done and their excitment has made the membership mean so much more to me.

Yes, there are some maintanance concerns however, this is every hotel. Personnally, I think that sometimes as members we hold the standard a little to high. Too go around doing a white glove test, looking under beds for a crumb, checking every light bulb....it seems a little much. I have 350 points and I own something like 1.18% of 1 percent at XXX......I do not own the room, I am just a visitor.

Keep in mind these are MY thoughts and we are all allowed to make our own. I have a differant way to look at things.

I just booked via priceline the Hyatt Regency in Savannah for the night prior to us arriving in HHI. I bid $70.00. Now, my $70 bucks probably will get me the room in the back of the hall that is never used...do I care, no...will I complain if there is a little dust...no. I just paid $70.00 for a hotel that charges $200.00 for a room.

I do belive that the OP is ready to sell and move on to better things (gasp)....I just want to reassure you that there are many of us who are happy with our purchase and our membership. I will always be grateful for the oppertunities that DVC has given to my family.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[La2kw]

The first few years we stayed at OKW, there were teams of 2 or 3 housekeepers that did the housekeeping, moving together from unit to unit. Things were much cleaner then.

 

[Starr W.]

If they are cleaning the units correctly everytime, it should not take 2 hours. How dirty can it get in a week? If you don't mop the floor, then over time it will get bad and you will have to scrub. But if you use the mop each week, it shouldn't need a more thorough cleaning very often.

I think they can get pretty bad, last year the room assigned(2br) to us at Vero Beach at Easter took so long they put us in a different room. Which housekeeping had to clean the carpet. One of the Housekeepers was waiting for us and appologized for the other room and this one having slightly damp carpet.

I swear it took them all day at Vero Beach to clean a BC this year after a gang left. They started around lunch time and were still at it at 4pm.

 

[going/again]

I think there is no question the quality is going to be a bit higher in a hotel than in a DVC unit.

You aren't crazy, you have a preference that suits your needs and wants and budget.

please explain why as dvc is marketed as deluxe.

 

[disneynutz]

The problem is, if it takes 2 hours to thoroughly clean the units, just think of how long, or how many housekeepers, we would need just to clean one building at OKW on a Friday or Sunday. Without a substantial increase in dues, you'd be looking at 14 hours to clean 7 rooms, if checkout time is 11 am, then that means arriving guests may nit get into their units until 1 am. Even doubling the housekeeping staff wouldn't be enough. Perhaps trying to even out room demand throughout the week, via point reallocations, is the answer. That would certainly explain the reasoning behind the 2010 reallocation, and justify future reallocations.

The rooms aren't cleaned everyday in a DVC resort but they are in the regular hotel. Maybe that's why they seem to show additional wear and dirt.

As far as the reallocation and other policy changes, we don't know why they do anything, that's one of the problems. You would think that as owners we would be told the truth for the changes and not the PR, "to improve our members experience" BS.

 

[Minnie49]

It sounds like a solution should be an extra cleaning in the one and two bedrooms where cooking and more guests in those room prevail it seems. Naturally if guests are cooking and trying to get to experience it "all" in Disney, cleaning is not going to be their priority. In the studios guests are not likely to spend much time there wtih no cooking facilities. As I posted before, we do not get in to cooking as to us we are on vacation and do purchase the mealplan most times. As a result, there is not much to cleaning our room. I usually wipe off the sinks, etc. everyday just by habit. No wonder the wear and tear is becoming more obvious. IMO, an extra cleaning and the maid noticing breakage, etc. might help.

 

[Dean]

please explain why as dvc is marketed as deluxe.

I'm not sure DVC is marketed as deluxe resorts but more as home away from home villas. IMO it wouldn't make any difference, they are not the same as deluxe resorts even for the ones that are attached to deluxe resorts. A certain amount of difference is reasonable, however, a minimal standard should exist and it really shouldn't be that minimal IMO. One of the issues is we really don't know why. Is it that DVCMC is trying to maximize their profits or that they're trying to protect our pockets (or both)? Or is it simply apathy and lack of good senior and middle management leadership while not weeding out poor performers. Likely a combo of many of these and other factors.

 

[wulfekamp]

If you stay enough times odds are you will have a bad one at some point. Its how you handle it that counts. Don't let it ruin your vacation. You have to put it aside. As far as giving you another room on our stay a few weeks ago BCV was completely booked. DVC resorts run real high occupency rates. I am sure it interfears with repairs to DVC rooms. My suggestion would be put it aside and move on or sell. Lifes to short not be happy.

 

[PSU]

I understand your point completely. We argued our point with 2 supervisors and then finally the hotel manager. I was going to take it further but neglected too because it was bringing my vacation down. Everytime I thought about DVC and what was happening, I got angry and started to have a bad time at Disney. I deal with enough BS and stress at work, and this is my week to just enjoy. I normally would go commando with until a problem is rectified in any other circumstance, but again, since I was on vacation, I guess I let it slide, figuring I would deal with it at home.

So my logic was if DVC was making me this angry, its time to sell it and just vacation at Disney like we used to - cash reservations at the POLY. Our 1-2 weeks a year at Disney should not be angry times, but rather joyous times.

Have to say Just stayed in Poly, first time at the end of May (before I joined DVC) - Room was seriously dusty - cleaned it myself....the hallways at the edge of the carpets were worse though - and the elevator was in need of a paint job and looked downright dirty. A bit annoyed, but after I cleaned up the room, just didn't look down in the hallways and took the stairs. Though the location was great - would think twice about returning...Agree that it should be joyous....

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

If you stay enough times odds are you will have a bad one at some point. Its how you handle it that counts. Don't let it ruin your vacation. You have to put it aside. As far as giving you another room on our stay a few weeks ago BCV was completely booked. DVC resorts run real high occupency rates. I am sure it interfears with repairs to DVC rooms. My suggestion would be put it aside and move on or sell. Lifes to short not be happy.

Good advice

 

[Brian Noble]

I gotta say, it was the wife and I first time there and we were really impressed with Six Flags Fiesta.

I've been to about 9-10 current and former Six Flags parks. Fiesta Texas is my favorite of those. It's really really enjoyable. A nice size---not too big, not too small---surprisingly well-themed, with a really nice attraction mix that makes excellent use of the quarry wall. Rattler is the only real dud in the entire park.