Supplies in the Studios

[Dean]

Anyone else besides me think that DVC should better equip the kitchen in the studio units, especially the dedicated studios. I'd think that a minimum would be real plates for 4, bowls, silverware for four, a couple of microwave bowls and some serving and grilling untensils. Most other efficiency or studio units I know of (including most on the DVC-II exchange list) are far better equipped than those at DVC.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Just because I don't plan on cooking full course meals doesn't mean I wouldn't like to prepare a simple meat/cheese platter and eat it off a real plate with a real knife and fork. Or maybe eat an adult sized bowl of cereal in the morning out of something other then tiny paper bowls. I never really understood the logic behind giving studios a "supply" of four paper plates and four paper bowls.

 

[Pa@okw95]

No, I don't think so. These are just hotel rooms where there should not be any real cooking and eating should be limited to snack type foods. Years ago on these boards there were stories of people using the coffee machines to heat food in some of the rooms at the moderates. They removed the coffee machines at the time. Fire hazards can occur. I believe that if you rent a room with just a micro wave and a little table and 2 chairs you should not expect to have a meal there. Things have a way of walking out of these rooms also.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
No, I don't think so. These are just hotel rooms where there should not be any real cooking and eating should be limited to snack type foods. Years ago on these boards there were stories of people using the coffee machines to heat food in some of the rooms at the moderates. They removed the coffee machines at the time. Fire hazards can occur. I believe that if you rent a room with just a micro wave and a little table and 2 chairs you should not expect to have a meal there. Things have a way of walking out of these rooms also.

While they are not full fledged kitchens and many don't do much cooking, I don't see them as just glorified hotel rooms. Since many other timeshares manage to have exactly what I suggested I don't see it as a problem to expand them slightly. Marriott's Grande Vista in Orlando is exactly what I described. The expense would be minimal to non existant and those who chose not to use them don't have to. We dont use studios anymore but I think it would be a great service.

I actually know of one timeshare that equiped the studios better than the 1 BR units to induce sales.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I don't see a downside to having these items. If you do make minimal microwae meals, real plates,bowls,utinsels,etc would be benificial. If you don't make any meals, then they just sit in the cabinet.

 

[MrsToad]

Dean, thank you for replying while I was trying to gather my thoughts...we are returning to WDW for our first official trip "home" in a week...seeing the studios described as just a hotel room didn't feel like the great purchase we thought we just made. While not "mission critical," I think a few real bowls, plates, and pieces of cutlery would be nice and would not create a fire hazard. And, it might even reduce some of that hallway trash I've read about .

 

[kpgclark]

Are there really only 4 paper plates, forks etc? That is ridiculous! Can you request more? Will they only bring four of everything at a time? I can understand the paper because there is no dishwasher and the sink is rather small, but four of everything? Come on!

 

[Poorman]

Four paper plates??? We only had 2. But we had 6 of those tiny bowls. Tried cutting a sandwich with the knife,that was a joke. I think they want us to use the 1 BR, and I think they are right.
Really dark in the studios, I like the 1 BR much better.


Rich

 

[PamOKW]

I have also thought it would be nice to have "real" dishes. I'd especially like a bowl for cereal/ice cream! The only thought I've had as to why they don't give the studios "real" dishes is the lack of a dishwasher in the unit. Housekeeping can easily clean the dishes in the other units but studios would present a problem.

 

[Bella2000]

Dean, thanks for posting this as we will have our first stay in a Studio over a long weekend. I had made a big assumption (you know what they say about assume) that the Studio had regular bowls. We typically have breakfast in our room (even when we are at the Polynesian, Beach Club etc) and I usually bring supplies. I didn't plan on it this trip. I guess the fact you are supplied with dish detergent threw me and I made that big leap that you'd get a couple of bowls also.

 

[KNWVIKING]

How long can it take a housekeeper to clean a handfull of plates and cups in a studio, especially when you consider they already have to clean the coffee mugs,coffee pot and the drinking glasses that are already supplied.

Also, do you think the housekeepers really wash the dishes in the larger units in the dishwasher ? Wouldn't that be like them washing your towels & linens in the washer and dryer ? I don't know how long the housekeepers devote to each unit, but it seems like a full dishwasher cycle- including the sanitize cycle- would take too long.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Bella2000
Dean, thanks for posting this as we will have our first stay in a Studio over a long weekend. I had made a big assumption (you know what they say about assume) that the Studio had regular bowls. We typically have breakfast in our room (even when we are at the Polynesian, Beach Club etc) and I usually bring supplies. I didn't plan on it this trip. I guess the fact you are supplied with dish detergent threw me and I made that big leap that you'd get a couple of bowls also.

They have 4 paper plates and bowls. I'd just get some solo plates, bowls, and the like. Maybe a couple of cheap microwave bowls and you're pretty set.

We've actually accumlated a group of things we just use for travel, esp when we stay in a DVC studio.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING

Also, do you think the housekeepers really wash the dishes in the larger units in the dishwasher ? Wouldn't that be like them washing your towels & linens in the washer and dryer ? I don't know how long the housekeepers devote to each unit, but it seems like a full dishwasher cycle- including the sanitize cycle- would take too long.

That's exactly how they clean the dishes in the 1BR and larger villas. They will load and start the dishwasher while they clean the unit. (You will still have to unload the dishes after the cycle is complete.)

Towels and linens are done in the laundry- not in the villa- and brought to the villa for the appropriate cleaning service. (They deliver the clean towels/linens in that nifty laundry train! )

 

[jekjones1558]

Just want to add my "YES!!" to Dean's suggestions. DVC is so top-notch in many ways. The basic dinnerware in the studios is way below DVC's overall standard, IMHO.

 

[donmil723]

I think that's a great idea, Dean! If they have real coffee mugs and glasses, why not a few plates and bowls too. I would even be willing to still use their plastic tableware. LOL. When my DH and I stayed in a studio last November, I washed the dishes in the sink after calling maintenance for a stopper for the sink drain. I don't think it would overwhelm the maids.

Donna

 

[Granny]

Dean...though we don't plan on staying in a studio for the forseeable future, I agree that they should be better equipped. After all, DVD sold in the DVC by calling them "home away from homes"....and in my house, we have real plates.

It seems like a pretty reasonable thing to add.

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by Granny
After all, DVD sold in the DVC by calling them "home away from homes"....and in my house, we have real plates.

Great point Granny!

I also think there should be a large skillet in the 1 & 2 Bdrms as well. Have they tried to make a full breakfast for 8 in those tiny little pans. This is why I'm sending my electric griddle ahead of time.

Have a great day,
Lisa

 

[sgtpet]

Excellent point Dean. I don't think you will get much disagreement from anybody on this. DVC give us the real stuff.

 

[PamOKW]

How long can it take a housekeeper to clean a handfull of plates and cups in a studio

The point is that they wouldn't be able to just handwash them. They would need to be washed at some central location. They already do this with the glasses/mugs, replacing them between guests like in a restaurant. In the larger units they do, indeed, wash them in the dishwashers. Somewhere there is a notation that the dishes have been washed but are not sanitized.

 

[spiceycat]

Yes - it would be nice - but right now I just bring plates and knifes from home.

the one thing that they have done for HH and VB - I would like for OKW - the video player in the studios. I tried to bring one of those travel video player - but it only lasted 2 trips. I can bring my own cooking stuff (hey I have abox prepared for this) - but having a VCR at the studio would be very nice.

Dean you are possible one of the best DVC members to get information from - you information on timeshares and exchanges is greatly appreciated.