Services are being stripped

[wdwdano@yahoo.com]

not you per say but it is sure presented as their discounts. And your right some of them are. But not the majority. Doesn't really matter because my Disney Visa gets me most of what I need.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Wow, thats a great post

You don't include in you cost analysis the increases for employee salaries, employee medical costs, increases in costs for utilities or real estate taxes..... Dues have not really gone up dramatically in the 13 years I have been a member... DVC does a good job of planning ahead for re-hab costs so that we do not feel the increase in the year the re-hab occurs.....

 

[Chuck S]

not you per say but it is sure presented as their discounts. And your right some of them are. But not the majority. Doesn't really matter because my Disney Visa gets me most of what I need.

I still don't see how anyone could think a discount or perk from a non-Disney owned entity was a "Disney" perk, other than being suggested to the merchant by DVC/Disney.

 

[Chuck S]

You don't include in you cost analysis the increases for employee salaries, employee medical costs, increases in costs for utilities or real estate taxes..... Dues have not really gone up dramatically in the 13 years I have been a member... DVC does a good job of planning ahead for re-hab costs so that we do not feel the increase in the year the re-hab occurs.....

And insurance on the buildings themselves. Property insurance rates in Florida have skyrocketed over the years.

 

[wdwdano@yahoo.com]

You don't include in you cost analysis the increases for employee salaries, employee medical costs, increases in costs for utilities or real estate taxes..... Dues have not really gone up dramatically in the 13 years I have been a member... DVC does a good job of planning ahead for re-hab costs so that we do not feel the increase in the year the re-hab occurs.....

When I bought i figured in the cost of living. I mean, am sure it is all relative. My dues will go up, as does the cost of bread, and my salary(hopefully more than 3%/year). I didn't choose my home resort based on dues, I based it on location.

I really enjoy DD I think it is always growing and changing. They have great food, beers, shopping and entertainment. Plus there is a golf course nearby and a quick exit from Disney property to 535 if I want to go eat over near crossroads, or shop at wal-mart/Publix for groceries.

Originally I had a choice of AK or Saratoga and sure I love animals and BOMA/Jiko, but I weighed my options.

 

[Lynne M]

AGAIN. . . .it wasn't a perk it was a service that was included in the stay as a dvc member. If you were a DVC member you could show your DVC card and get in. I found out after I had gotten a great massage there. They mentioned there was a steam room, sauna, and spa with fruit(no longer there)water, cold towels, lockers,showers etc that I could use while I was there. They also mentioned anytime I wanted to use it, I just had to show my DVCcard. IT WAS NOT A PERK. WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP REFERRING to it this way.

Because it is a perk. Your contract allows you to use your points to make reservations for lodging,and that's it. Anything else you get - discounts, access to special events or services, etc - is a perk, and is subject to change at the whim of those who provide the discount or service.

If the spa at SSR, which is operated by an independent vendor (Nikki Bryan Spas), used to allow DVC members access to its facilities without charge, and no longer allows that, that's no different than a DTD restaurant deciding they don't want to offer a discount to DVCers anymore. Your issue is not with DVC, it's with Nikki Bryan Spas.

 

[wdwdano@yahoo.com]

Looks like its a Disney discount book to me. If I were someone that didn't know as much as myself and I were buying into DVC, I think I would think so.

 

[crisi]

And insurance on the buildings themselves. Property insurance rates in Florida have skyrocketed over the years.

(I'm invisible again aren't I? )

 

[wdwdano@yahoo.com]

Yeah, way to break it down for me. Thank you for that! Who said I have a problem. Unfortunately Nikki Bryant Spas is the one that has a problem. I can still use the spa if I would like to. I can also choose to never go there again because of that. If I want I can go give my money any of the other hundred or so spas in the area.

In addition this is something that I am sure was passed through DVC before the decision was made. I am sure they saw it as a revenue stream and decided to go for that.

As a consumer whether it is Valet Parking, Spa usage, Trash and Towel, Trash and Tidy, ECT. whatever it may be; When things like this change I frown upon this type of thing and I am sure many others do as well. I don't like when things become standard either. I remember back in the 90'/00's a difference than what we see today. I am sure it is partly due to the recession we have now.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Insurance and fuel/energy costs have all seen increases over the past decade.

Amen! At one point my homeowners ins. and real estate tax escrow was as much as my mortgage! It's a little better this year!

 

[crisi]

Why would a decision for Nikki Bryan to stop offering discounts go through DVC? Unless there is a clause in the contract that permits Disney to control pricing for Nikki Bryan or a clause in the contract the forces certain discounts - both which would not be in Nikki Bryan's best interests to sign - DVC wouldn't have anything to do with it other than to get and distribute the information - if that.

 

[Reddog1134]

In addition this is something that I am sure was passed through DVC before the decision was made. I am sure they saw it as a revenue stream and decided to go for that.

In the sense that Nikki Bryan let Disney/DVC know that they were no longer allowing free entry to DVC members, you're probably right.

NB may have initially seen this as a way to get a select group into their spa to generate new customers via word-of-mouth from that select group. Or perhaps to "up-sell" those people with additional pay services. If they don't see an upswing in revenue as a direct result of this, they discontinue the perk.

 

[Chuck S]

Looks like its a Disney discount book to me. If I were someone that didn't know as much as myself and I were buying into DVC, I think I would think so.

Actually, it looks like a booklet of discounts and perks available to DVC Members. Nothing there says, or even indicates in any way, that the perks are offered "by Disney or DVC." And surely there is a disclaimer in there that the perks are subject to change at anytime.

Yeah, way to break it down for me. Thank you for that! Who said I have a problem. Unfortunately Nikki Bryant Spas is the one that has a problem. I can still use the spa if I would like to. I can also choose to never go there again because of that. If I want I can go give my money any of the other hundred or so spas in the area.

Wow, really, you wouldn't expect the perk was offered originally because the spa was brand new, and the first one at a dedicated DVC campus, to try to draw in new business? Why would you think it is fair for the spa company (a private enterprise, not Disney operated) to continue to offer free access, when they are paying rent and utilities?

I just think you're way off-base with that line of thinking that these are "Disney" perks in any way, and are not totally subject to change, or are some type of entitlement by virtue of you buying a timeshare. I mean, really, would you expect free haircuts or styling if a privately operated hair salon opened at SSR?

(I'm invisible again aren't I? )

Sorry.

 

[crisi]

I have to say that I am amazed at some of the responses to this thread. I believe that expressing frustration at the loss of some perks is perfectly acceptable and am unsure as to why this provokes anger and the need to ridicule others in some.

These threads arise so often that once you are around a little bit, you aren't surprised. A few of us have a very pragmatic approach to DVC and these discussions. For those of us who have this pragmatic approach "you get what you signed a contract for" and "Disney is a business." Sometimes people just vent - that's great and that's fine. But if you are going to ask us what we think Disney should do regarding more perks, services (or not dropping them), we'll give you pragmatic answers.

Other folks have a more emotional and wish sort of view of things. Disney should be a magical experience. There should be no disappointments and expectations should be exceeded. That's a great vision, but its going to be hard for Disney to live up to the marketing promise in the real world - and they certainly don't even try and promise it in their contracts.

Its fun to say "what do you wish Disney would do?" I'd like an Asian themed resort. I'd like free dining (ain't happening, but it would be cool) and I'd like discounts on hoppers back. But I can't let my wishes turn into expectations - the only one of those things even remotely likely to happen over my ownership is a discount on hoppers - and I won't be holding my breath.

And you SHOULD expect and get a clean room. When someone gets a dirty room, that just isn't acceptable. Some things are understandable - mousekeeping can't be expected to check every cup and if the previous guest put a dirty one away......but a room that has crumbs on the floor and hasn't been vacuumed, or hair in the sink - nope. We've never, personally, had an unclean room ourselves.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

These threads arise so often that once you are around a little bit, you aren't surprised. A few of us have a very pragmatic approach to DVC and these discussions. For those of us who have this pragmatic approach "you get what you signed a contract for" and "Disney is a business." Sometimes people just vent - that's great and that's fine. But if you are going to ask us what we think Disney should do regarding more perks, services (or not dropping them), we'll give you pragmatic answers.

Other folks have a more emotional and wish sort of view of things. Disney should be a magical experience. There should be no disappointments and expectations should be exceeded. That's a great vision, but its going to be hard for Disney to live up to the marketing promise in the real world - and they certainly don't even try and promise it in their contracts.

Its fun to say "what do you wish Disney would do?" I'd like an Asian themed resort. I'd like free dining (ain't happening, but it would be cool) and I'd like discounts on hoppers back. But I can't let my wishes turn into expectations - the only one of those things even remotely likely to happen over my ownership is a discount on hoppers - and I won't be holding my breath.

And you SHOULD expect and get a clean room. When someone gets a dirty room, that just isn't acceptable. Some things are understandable - mousekeeping can't be expected to check every cup and if the previous guest put a dirty one away......but a room that has crumbs on the floor and hasn't been vacuumed, or hair in the sink - nope. We've never, personally, had an unclean room ourselves.

Well Said!

 

[disneynutz]

I need to post this again in a different way.

Does anyone know why Disney doesn't improve Mousekeeping and Maintenance since we as members are paying for those services?

Bill

 

[crisi]

I need to post this again in a different way.

Does anyone know why Disney doesn't improve Mousekeeping and Maintenance since we as members are paying for those services?

Bill

There are two possibilities:

1) The resources that we are paying for are poorly managed. They could do a better job with the same money, but lack quality control and supervision. The processes they have are inefficient.

2) They are doing the best that they can given the dues we pay. Better maintenance would mean more hours and more staff, which would increase dues. For some reason, DVC has chosen not to pursue this.

I suspect that both factors are at play - poor quality control and understaffing. But its misleading to say that we "pay for these services" - we do, but we'd also pay for any costs associated with increasing the quality of these services.

 

[cel_disney]

Crisi - nicely said in both recent posts!

I also think that members need to do a better job reporting inadequacies with regards to housekeeping to customer satisfaction. Dont clean your own room without reporting it also!! I understand not wanting to wait on someone else to come and do it when it can take less time to do it yourself, but take some pictures and send an email when you get home! DVC cannot fix what they are not aware of!!

 

[cseca]

Hmm... I've managed to avoid posting to this thread because I really have no new input. But Bill's question made me ask more questions:

First of all, I never had a horrible experience during our 10years of ownership. Although one of our renter did email me back and told me BWV room they were in was horrid (hair on the floor, pill on the ground (not a big deal unless you have a baby that likes to put everything in their mouth), dirty sofa, etc.). And unfortunately I don't think they said anything to mousekeeping about that.

So here are my questions:
1. This was brought up in previous mousekeeping issues threads, why won't Disney put a "suggestion cards" in their room? I mean Hampton Inn, Marriott, and other hotels do it. I think that would help with a lot of I-don't-think-I-need-to-report-it-today-but-it-eventually-needs-to-be-fixed problems.
2. For members who attended those yearly member meetings, do these mousekeeping/maintenance problems ever been brought up?
3. I read previous posts where it says all the maintenance people from BW, BC, and Yacht are stationed at Yacht. I understand the necessity of it, but if members are seeing decline in the rooms shouldn't this be addressed somehow?
I understand that it might lead to increased dues, but we own part of this place for the next 40-50 years. Wouldn't you rather pay an extra so many cents to get the situation fixed than having something you won't want to go to for the next 40 years?

Don't get me wrong, nobody likes to pay extra dues. But I'll take the extra justifiable amt of dues if it is going to fix the problem.
Plus like crisi said, we SHOULD get a room that's clean and I will add fully functional. And since *WE (collective)* own them, shouldn't we have a say in it?
This isn't like asking a member's opinion about the what perks would you like to have, this is basic requirement. Because I doubt we'll have any members saying "I prefer the possibility of having a dirty room or broken down appliances in my room for the next 40 years.".

 

[tjkraz]

I need to post this again in a different way.

Does anyone know why Disney doesn't improve Mousekeeping and Maintenance since we as members are paying for those services?

Bill

Speaking for myself, I don't see a whole lot of need for improvement. In 7 years of ownership (plus a couple trips renting points) here is the full list of maintenance and housekeeping issues we have experienced.

* Missing dishwasher detergent - called housekeeping and was delivered within a few minutes.

* Broken toaster - called and replacement delivered within the hour.

* Dishwasher broke midway through trip - called before we left for the parks and it was replaced when we returned at lunch time.

* Cable TV didn't work in one bedroom of our week-old Treehouse Villa - maintenance spent 6-7 hours working on it and did get the problem fixed.

* A couple occurrences of missing kitchen equipment which were also replaced in a timely manner.

Additionally we have been admitted to our rooms upon arrival at least 75% of the time, which speaks well for housekeeping performance.

So with all of that said, it's difficult for me to push for any change. Sure it pains me to read reports of people finding dirty dishes in the cupboards and loose shower tiles. But even the most efficient organizations have some margin for error in their operations.

DVC operations are particularly challenging given the high occupancy rates. Unlike Disney hotels which average 80-90% occupancy, the DVC resorts don't have the flexibility afforded by dozens of vacant rooms each night.

A previous poster mentioned the Market Metrix Hospitality Ratings. Despite a lot of on-line furor over the last 2-3 years about everything from point reallocations to banking window changes to valet parking, DVC still leads the timeshare category. It's satisfaction numbers are are strong as ever. That, combined with my own experiences, leads me to question the existence of the downward spiral in DVC member satisfaction which some posters allege.

In some areas of the parks cuts are more apparent. We can easily compare park hours to years past, see the loss of nightly Fantasmic shows and abhor what the Dining Plans have done to restaurant quality.

Similarly Disney has sent prices through the roof in many areas (seasonal dining, hard ticket event prices, dessert packages, etc.)

Nevertheless our family is still quite satisfied with the quality of accommodations provided. We still get our little bits of "Disney magic" on every trip. Some changes in room amenities and DVC perks have certainly occurred. But I find it important to weigh the many gains realized against those losses. Even little things like linens, toiletries, TVs and clock radios are better today than they were 5-7 years ago.

I can't bring myself to do cartwheels over the loss of colored bath towels or free valet parking when the product as a whole is still excellent quality and value.