Some thoughts on my recent trip "Home".

[Ms. WDW]

I just returned from a glorious 11 day trip "Home" at the BWV.

I've kept in touch with "the world" through the postings here on the board and was hearing so much about how things have changed. For example, no welcome home greetings; CM being rude, etc.

Well I'm sad to say those postings are correct!

This was my second trip Home and not one CM greeted me and my party with a "Welcome Home" or even a Welcome back! Ok, I can really live with that. However, what was very apparent was the inexperienced CM's at the front desk and the lack of "friendliness" of some of the CM's at the Parks. Just a little example; on Splash Mountain our kids didn't want to sit in the front and told the CM loading the boats that they would like to sit somewhere other than the first boat. She just replied "keep moving". Ok..it wasn't crowded and they asked politey, so I steped in and in a more "adult stern" voice said that "we didn't want the front" and she got the hint.

The trip was wonderful and our rooms (3 nites in a studio 4057 and 7 nites in a 1BR 3123) were EXCELLENT. The 1 BR was the LARGEST I've ever seen. We had the best view of the fireworks from Epcot; it was almost like being there. And this was suppose to be a Standard View.

Oh well this isn't a trip report. I just wanted to confirm some of the previous posts and say that I was just a tad disappointed. But it still didn't take away from that Magic!!

 

[ez]

Glad you had a good trip. We have also been happily surprised at the views the "standard"rooms provide. Less points and the end of repeated dissapointment over not getting a bwview. I am so over that!!! I got a welcome home once at bwv out of many trips, 0 for 1 at okw, and 1 for 1 at vwl.It does seem at disney that just after you've dealt with a less than helpful cm, the next one you come across is outstanding. But I agree as a parent I find myself keeping an eye out to make sure my kids get treated fairly. I don't think requesting a seat in the back of a ride should be that big of a deal...by the way, how did you find the buses?

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Welcome back! When we were at BWV in June one CM in particular, Annalise, was very gracious about DVC plus paid special attention to my kids. They were training a CM when I checked in, but she was doing a pretty good job. When we left the bell people and everybody were saying "be sure you come see us again!"
As for your room, I'm deeply jealous--we were in 3121 (next door) and a big tree blocked all of our Illuminations view. I remarked to DH that the rooms on either side had it made--guess I was right!
Robin M.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Buses - these weren't bad at all. On the EE morning for the MK I think we had mabye a 10 minute wait and once over to AK for dinner maybe a 5 minute wait. Longes wait was over to Blizzard Beach and that was only because the first was packed. Second came in 15 minutes and this was around 8:30 am.
Epcot and MGM we either walked or did the boat thing!

One very nice thing did happen. To keep it short, basically the rooms lock got de-programed. We got locked out the mornig of BB and my son forgot his pass. Front Desk master wouldn't even open the door. I was ready to purchase a 1 day pass for him and the CM gave me a free one. She said it was "their fault that I couldnt get in the room to get the pass".

Overall it was a wonderful trip and I will post a report later. This was a relaxing trip and there were some here on the board who wanted to know how I did it!!

 

[Bill K]

Great to hear you had a good time! I think alot of companies are having a difficult time finding and retaining quality employees. I know mine is..
Looking forward to our trip home in August!!

 

[Ms. WDW]

The CM's at the front desk while inexperienced were always friendly and courteous. It just took a little longer to do what needed. But it did get done. What surprised me were the number of College Students hired for the summer by WDW. One CM said that this was the last year WDW was doing the Summer College Program.

Bill K - I'm totally jealous that you get to go Home next month and I don't get to go for maybe another year!! Have a ball. Where is "Home" for you?? OKW, BWV or another resort?

 

[Zimbubba]

There were alot of inexperienced CM's at Disneyland during our recent visit. Many times we had to suggest options for them. I believe it is a nation wide problem.

 

[Bill K]

My home is BWV. We are going for 8 days. No commando tactics here! We have a lite itinerary and will focus in on enjoying the BWV for a change!

 

[Ms. WDW]

Bill - this was actually the first year that I didn't have everyone up at dawn! I think the earliest we did wake was when we went over to Universal and that was on the advice of a CM. He suggested we get a cab at 7am to beat the traffic and we had no traffic at all. We were at Universal before 7:30 in the morning and we had entry privledges at 8! The next trip over there we didn't leave until after 7:30.

I think the commando tactics are over for us. But I do recommend that people get to the parks in the mornings if they want to hit the more popular rides. With the exception of the MK we entered the parks at 9 and really had no problems doing what we wanted. The longest wait we had was 20 minutes but this was also before 11 AM.

Can I join you and your family again in August???? I'm sure my husband and son won't mind? I'll carry your luggage...

 

[Regina]

Wow! I'm surprised to hear this. I lost count of the number of "welcome homes" I heard when we arrived at OKW in May.

It does make a difference to hear that. It reminds me of why we joined DVC to begin with.

Let's hope that the problem that you encountered was due to inexperience.

Other than that, it sounds as if you had a great time.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Regina - I had a wonderful time. But last year like yourself, I lost track of how many times we were greeted with "Welcome Home". Naturally we expected the same this year.

 

[Bill K]

MSWDW,
It's a deal!!!

 

[wahoo]

In June we had our first trip "home"...what a disappointment! There was no "welcome home", we were not made to feel special in any way. The room was in poor repair, with about every mechanical and plumbing system not working. Apologies for problems were never given by CM's. (Only exception: bell staff was great) Sad to say, but our family of 6 unanimously agreed that we enjoyed our previous stays in Fort Wilderness Cabins far more than our BWV stay. (Not a good feeling for DH and me after shelling out big bucks for a 41 year commitment.)

 

[Luv2Dream]

Although the CM's at the front desk were superb in every other way, I didn't get my "Welcome home" and it was my first trip as a DVCer. I was disappointed, but I got over it. I'm sure I'll get a "Welcome home" at some point. And I always remember that on the day we signed our contract in November 2000 we went over to VWL to look around and the first person I ran into was in the health club and he gave me a great big "Welcome home" when he found out we had just signed on. I always remember that!