Rough start to DVCing.

[flatzkids]

Let me preface this by saying that we had an enjoyable stay. It just got off to an ominous start.

We just returned home from our first stay at SSR. It was a bit of a rough start to our DVC experience.

We arrived early (12:30) and was told that our 2 bdrm and 1 bdrm would not be ready til check-in time. I could live with that. At 4:10 we still had not recieved our call that the rooms were ready, so we called them. The 1 bdrm was ready but not the 2 bdrm. It would be another 15 min. they said. 30 min. later, WE called them and they told us it was ready. Our keys did not work so we called and were told to bring them to the front desk and have them re-cut. They still did not work. We were told that engineering would be there to change the batteries in the lock. 2 hours and 3 phone calls later, they finally sent a runner to let us into our room. It's a good thing we didn't have any plans for that evening.

It took another 3 phone calls to get a blanket for the pullout bed. and another to replenish the missing items from the kitchen.

On check out day, mousekeeping knocked on our door to ask when we would be leaving 3 times before 10:30. I finally let them in the last time as we were taking the last of our stuff to our vehicle.

I will still promote DVC to those of my friends that are interested.

 

[brandip22]

wow- that stinks. I'm glad you still have an overall good taste about your DVC purchase, though. We've never had all of those- or any of those problems, thank goodness. Just means you need to go ahead and get back down there to make sure it goes better next time!

 

[DebbieB]

Did your door have a do not disturb sign? I always put it out on check-out day or they will keep knocking. Unfortunately, with express check-out they don't know when you left so they will keep checking.

 

[disneynutz]

We usually don't seem to get our room until 3:00 or 4:00. Our latest was at SSR and it wasn't ready until 6:30. We did get a free helium Mickey balloon.

Bill

 

[Crystal_27]

YIKES-that is indeed a rough start!! Hopefully, your actual trip was full of magic!!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Sorry to hear you had some negative things happen. We once had mousekeeping knock on our door at the Swan on check out day. We did have the do not disturb out but that didn't stop her from knocking.
I am glad you enjoyed the rest of your trip.

 

[Doctor P]

Let me preface this by saying that we had an enjoyable stay. It just got off to an ominous start.

We just returned home from our first stay at SSR. It was a bit of a rough start to our DVC experience.

We arrived early (12:30) and was told that our 2 bdrm and 1 bdrm would not be ready til check-in time. I could live with that. At 4:10 we still had not recieved our call that the rooms were ready, so we called them. The 1 bdrm was ready but not the 2 bdrm. It would be another 15 min. they said. 30 min. later, WE called them and they told us it was ready. Our keys did not work so we called and were told to bring them to the front desk and have them re-cut. They still did not work. We were told that engineering would be there to change the batteries in the lock. 2 hours and 3 phone calls later, they finally sent a runner to let us into our room. It's a good thing we didn't have any plans for that evening.

It took another 3 phone calls to get a blanket for the pullout bed. and another to replenish the missing items from the kitchen.

On check out day, mousekeeping knocked on our door to ask when we would be leaving 3 times before 10:30. I finally let them in the last time as we were taking the last of our stuff to our vehicle.

I will still promote DVC to those of my friends that are interested.

Part of your problem is unrealistic expectations. Remember that check in time is the EARLIEST that you can expect a room to be available. While it is frustrating, they do not GUARANTEE that your room will be available at checik in time. I have learned this the hard way a couple of times. If you check in early, go off and do something rather than waiting to get into your room. You will enjoy yourselves more and will also increase the likelihood of getting into your room at a little later time. I'm not saying I would not be annoyed, but I have learned to roll with it on getting into the villa. Last time I stayed at SSR, we checked in in the morning and didn't get into our villa until well after 5:00 pm even though it was promised at 4:00. Been there, done that.

The lock stuff would have really made me angry. We have had problems getting things from housekeeping (not extras, things they forgot to give us) but that is a mere annoyance compared to what you went through.

 

[DVCBELLE]

That does stink about the room issues you had once you got in there. I would have gone down to the front desk to have someone let you in your room. Since you were calling from another room - they probably thought you were just fine. Standing at the front desk would have gotten their attention.

I did find it ironic that you were upset your room wasn't ready at 4:00 but then upset they wanted to get in and clean your room ASAP the morning you checked out. That's what the Do not disturb signs are for - they have no way of knowing when you leave and they want to be in there ASAP to start cleaning and get the room ready for the next guest who will inevitably want it at 4:00 on the dot as well.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I did find it ironic that you were upset your room wasn't ready at 4:00 but then upset they wanted to get in and clean your room ASAP the morning you checked out. That's what the Do not disturb signs are for - they have no way of knowing when you leave and they want to be in there ASAP to start cleaning and get the room ready for the next guest who will inevitably want it at 4:00 on the dot as well.

Not ironic in the least. Check in is AFTER 4PM and check out is 11AM. That only leave five hours to thoroughly clean all the vacant villas AND the villas that require service for the stay.

 

[famgel]

Let me preface this by saying that we had an enjoyable stay. It just got off to an ominous start.

We just returned home from our first stay at SSR. It was a bit of a rough start to our DVC experience.

We arrived early (12:30) and was told that our 2 bdrm and 1 bdrm would not be ready til check-in time. I could live with that. At 4:10 we still had not recieved our call that the rooms were ready, so we called them. The 1 bdrm was ready but not the 2 bdrm. It would be another 15 min. they said. 30 min. later, WE called them and they told us it was ready. Our keys did not work so we called and were told to bring them to the front desk and have them re-cut. They still did not work. We were told that engineering would be there to change the batteries in the lock. 2 hours and 3 phone calls later, they finally sent a runner to let us into our room. It's a good thing we didn't have any plans for that evening.

It took another 3 phone calls to get a blanket for the pullout bed. and another to replenish the missing items from the kitchen.

On check out day, mousekeeping knocked on our door to ask when we would be leaving 3 times before 10:30. I finally let them in the last time as we were taking the last of our stuff to our vehicle.

I will still promote DVC to those of my friends that are interested.

We also had a bad start to our vacation last Jan. I wrote it off though to arriving the day after New Year's. It was like pulling teeth to get anything, like room keys, then our luggage, then silly things like blanket, shampoo (we had 8 people and 1 bottle). I wonder if it's just the SSR staff!

 

[flatzkids]

As I said originally, I was not upset with when we were given access to the room. I started getting upset that it took 2 hours to get someone to finally let us in once I told them our problem. When I called from the other room, I made it perfectly clear that I was calling from another room because we coulnd not get into ours.

As far as check out day, I didn't have the "do not disturb" sign out because the first time she came to the door she asked me when we would be leaving and I told her that it would be about 11.

 

[BeccaG]

I understand your frustration and it seems like you had reasonable expectations. You make it very clear in your first post that you knew your room would not be ready but the fact that you could not get in when they told you it was ready was the root of your frustration. . .

BTW to the other posters there is a number you are asked to call when you vacate the room so mousekeeping knows you are gone. Maybe if more folks did that they wouldn't have to knock so much.

 

[farmergirl]

Sorry to hear about your trouble. DVC is not flawless by any means. I won't get into the trouble we had our first DVC stay when we stayed in Jambo House on Concierge. That was really disappointing because you use extra points. I hope your next stay turns out better.

 

[jamstew]

I had the same key problem at BWV, but I didn't get too upset about it until the thirdtrip to the lobby. That's too far to have to hike. I was fortunate in that there was someone handy who could accompany me back to the room to do whatever they have to do when a lock decides not to work, but by that time I was exhausted.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We arrived early (12:30) and was told that our 2 bdrm and 1 bdrm would not be ready til check-in time. I could live with that. At 4:10 we still had not recieved our call that the rooms were ready, so we called them. The 1 bdrm was ready but not the 2 bdrm. It would be another 15 min. they said. 30 min. later, WE called them and they told us it was ready. Our keys did not work so we called and were told to bring them to the front desk and have them re-cut. They still did not work. We were told that engineering would be there to change the batteries in the lock. 2 hours and 3 phone calls later, they finally sent a runner to let us into our room. It's a good thing we didn't have any plans for that evening.

As for the time and the calls...we have never had them call us...we have always called them. We NEVER expect to get in the room before 4:00. Actually, if you look at the documents, it says check in is AFTER 4.

As for the key not working....I agree that was WAY TOO LONG to wait for someone to let you in. Did you go back to the front desk at all? If you only called the front desk from another room, you need to know that calling the front desk at WDW is not actually going to the front desk of your resort, but to a central phone center. In reality, those messages rarely get to where they are intended. It is much faster and easier to actually physically go to the front desk and state your case.

It took another 3 phone calls to get a blanket for the pullout bed. and another to replenish the missing items from the kitchen.

Were you calling housekeeping? We find housekeeping to be very responsive when we need something. Again, be sure you aren't calling the front desk. Also, did you look in the master bedroom closet? That is where the bedding is usually kept for the pull out in the living room.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

On our 1st trip, we checked in at 7am...and got in our room a little after 5pm.

I had managed to put blisters on my feet on our 1st day...and we started waiting in the lobby at about 2:30!

Of course, I had my family with me...and of course my BIL was yelling that we needed a rebate or a free room upgrade or something.

Little did I know then...that was an extremely worn room as well.

Every trip since then has been phenomenal!

 

[flatzkids]

I did got o the front desk. On the first phone call (after we discovered that the keys were not working), I was told to bring the keys to the front desk and have them "re-cut". while at the front desk, the castmember called engineering and it was decided that the batteries needed changing in the lock. She then told me that engineering would be there by the time I got back to the room or soon after.

I did NOT post this to complain! I just thought it was a rough start on the first day of our first vacation "home" and thought I would share. We started planning our next trip while we were there.

 

[Hazzard101]

Did your door have a do not disturb sign? I always put it out on check-out day or they will keep knocking. Unfortunately, with express check-out they don't know when you left so they will keep checking.

I am opting out of Express checkout for that very reason. Checkout day we also had someone knock on our door at least three times.

The other thing I don't like is someone can take the little envelope from your door handle and know all your business. They should slide it under your door like they do in other places. I for one would rather stop at the desk to finalize my paperwork to make sure all the I's are doted and T's are crossed.

 

[Hazzard101]

I did got o the front desk. On the first phone call (after we discovered that the keys were not working), I was told to bring the keys to the front desk and have them "re-cut". while at the front desk, the castmember called engineering and it was decided that the batteries needed changing in the lock. She then told me that engineering would be there by the time I got back to the room or soon after.

I did NOT post this to complain! I just thought it was a rough start on the first day of our first vacation "home" and thought I would share. We started planning our next trip while we were there.

I understand about being disappointed on the first stay home. Our fist stay at Kidani in May we had booked one night in a one bedroom savanna view months in advance we had stayed all week at Saratoga and needed a day before we headed to Vero Beach for a few wind down days. I was so excited to have a one bedroom and most excited about the savanna view being able to check out the animals was what I was most excited about.

We get there and stand in line to check in, they call us up, ask our names. The CM starts looking funny at the screen and at us, back at the screen, well you get it. She starts talking about what we are celebrating and making buttons and small talk. She asked what floor we wanted and I told her " I didn't really care as long as there was a good view of the animals.

The manager comes over and points at the screen and looks at us, then back at the screen......you know..... she than tells me they have no one bedrooms with a savanna view, but she was going to give us a 2 bedroom at no extra charge. I said great, I really don't care what the size is as long as I have a view of the animals.

Needless to say the two bedroom had no savanna view. I was really getting upset seeing we made these reservations 11 months out. I explained this is our first trip to our home resort and this was very disappointing. My DW asked if they had any studio's with a savanna view. ( it was only two of us and a one bedroom was overkill to begin with so we would be happy with a studio. They were able to find one for us on the first floor(second really but it is called first) great view. They also threw in free dining for the day which was nice. We got in our room get settled and take some pictures and they call and tell us they have a 1 bedroom available if we wanted it.

We moved again and enjoyed our stay. They also only charged us for a studio.

We just went back on the 3rd-9th and we had the best experience and really enjoyed it.

Disney really tries to make you happy but sometimes you need to let them know what is a deal breaker for you. Glad you enjoyed your trip.

 

[dmoore22]

We had a similar problem last spring. We used the online check-in before we left for OKW. The line was short and check-in was quick. We normally do not have any expectations regarding whether the room is ready or not. We would just go to the parks, DTD or otherwise occupy our time. However, this time we were told which room/building it would be and that it would be available within the hour. We thought, no problem. We'll wait to make our way to the parks. Our first mistake was believing them. Less than an hour turned into several hours. Again, when we checked with the CM they'd tell us its almost ready. Then we were told that something came up and it would be longer. They asked for our cell # and told us we would be called when the room is ready. We went on our way to our dinner reservation and enjoyed ourselves. We never did receive the call we were told we would receive. I passed this off as a glitch in the online check-in service, and a mis-communication between housekeeping and the front desk.

There were several things that did bother us. Mainly the maintenance of the resort. An example would be the Turtle Pond bus stop. When we were there last Christmas we noticed that the frame for the bus schedule had been vandalized and one of the rails missing. One of the paddle fans was not working and a paddle broken off. When we went again towards the end of May the Bus Schedule frame was still broken, however the Plexiglas glass was now cracked and partially removed. The paddle fan was still inoperable with the two paddles broken off. Makes one wonder what the increase in maintenance fees is being used for. I'll be curious to see if these have been fixed next time we visit.