Supplies in the Studios

[jekjones1558]

For those who drive to DVC studios, bringing some dishes is a small inconvenience. For those of us who fly, it is a royal pain. It would make much more sense to adjust the current policy so that DVC studios are the top notch home-away-from home experience members cherish.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Folks--you are on vacation staying in a hotel room that has a small refrig and a micro wave, what do you want China!! You should not be cooking in a hotel room other than using the micro!!.

 

[kpgclark]

Who's talking about cooking? We just want to have breakfast (cereal or pastries) and lunch in the room (sandwiches). I just think they should provide the bowls, plates, and utensils for that to be possible. I don't care if they are paper, but providing only four at check-in when we are staying 8 nights is ridiculous!

 

[sparkspeak]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
Folks--you are on vacation staying in a hotel room that has a small refrig and a micro wave, what do you want China!! You should not be cooking in a hotel room other than using the micro!!.

Are DVC studios 2nd-class timeshares?

 

[Pa@okw95]

Sparkspeak--the studios like any hotel room are not there to eat in other than snacks. It is not second class it is what you pay for, if you want more rent a bigger unit, the same goes for any resort, if you stay in a room or a suite you get different items to use and you pay a lot more for them. I really don';t want to say what I am thinking here because I refuse to hurt anyones feelings but really folks this situation along with people begging for two beds in the master bedroom really gets to me. It is all part of the downgrading of WDW that has been going on since the mid 90's. I said enoughmaybe too much.

 

[sparkspeak]

. . . the studios like any hotel room are not there to eat in other than snacks. . . . It is all part of the downgrading of WDW that has been going on since the mid 90's.

Aren't you being kind of harsh on singles and couples who really do not need the expanse of a one-bedroom but like to eat in their room occasionally?

 

[colleen costello]

I hate all that I have to pack. I keep trying to streamline packing, but it's hard. I have a big bag filled up with plastic utensils, and Dixie bowls, plates and cups. Ugh. I also think its crummy that you have to pack soap and shampoo as the teeny Disney bottles are good for about one day. I guess these are the challenges of being "studio bound" when trying to save points!

 

[Bella2000]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
Sparkspeak--the studios like any hotel room are not there to eat in other than snacks. It is not second class it is what you pay for, if you want more rent a bigger unit, the same goes for any resort, if you stay in a room or a suite you get different items to use and you pay a lot more for them. I really don';t want to say what I am thinking here because I refuse to hurt anyones feelings but really folks this situation along with people begging for two beds in the master bedroom really gets to me. It is all part of the downgrading of WDW that has been going on since the mid 90's. I said enoughmaybe too much.

I guess that is why they are called opinions which is what I believe Dean was asking. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings either with my opinion. I don't think asking for more paper bowls (if in fact you are only given 4) is unreasonable. If adding "real" bowls/plates is a logistical issue and not feasible I would also understand that explanation. Having stayed at WDW Deluxe resorts for 15 years I was not aware that there was a rule about "snacks only" in rooms. I believe that is why there is room service (i.e., Beach Club/Polynesian) and tables and chairs in hotel rooms. I've been a business traveler for years and if that were the case I can tell you there would be plenty of angry people starving after a late meeting.

 

[FredS]

We are staying in a studio at OKW right now. We must have started with 50 plates and probably 25-30 bowls. Paper, but coated and plenty sturdy for re-heating pizza, holding sandwiches, eating cereal, etc. Only 5-6 packs of utensils, but enough for us.

The big problem I would see with having "real" plates and bowls is that the sink is very small and obviously they would need washed. I guarantee you that if we had had a choice between the paper and regular plates and bowls we would select the paper ones because we can toss them. It is nice to have glasses and coffee mugs, and not too big a deal to wash them, but I would choose paper for what we need in plateware.

As a side note, I don't know that we can stay in a studio again, after having stayed several times in a one-bedroom. NOT because of the kitchen situation, but the space in general. We are moving to HRH then to a two-bedroom at BCV, and I am worried that we can never go back to a one-bedroom!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
Folks--you are on vacation staying in a hotel room that has a small refrig and a micro wave, what do you want China!! You should not be cooking in a hotel room other than using the micro!!.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. To call a studio a glorified hotel room I think sells them short. It is also unlikely I'll stay in a studio again. Still I feel like the DVC studios are a second class timeshare in some ways. We stayed at Marriott's Grande Vista in a studio for a week last Easter. It had a (?)King bed and a pull out and exactly what I described above with drawers, flatware, set of four real dishes (cups, plates, glasses, small glasses, grilling untensils, corkscrew) as well as all the things DVC has.

I find it interesting that on one hand you talk about the downgrading of DVC but have a problem with a very minor upgrade. Minor in terms of cost and management but major to some members. But that's why I brought it up, to how what people felt about it.

As for the logistics of cleaning, I'm not sure how they do it now. They should do it the same way they do the glasses and cups that are now there. If they wash them by hand or take new ones to resupply and cart the dirty ones, no difference then vs now other than a mild amount more things to worry about. The costs for cabinet changes would be minimal, the costs for the dinnerware itself is negligible and the cost in extra maid costs would also be negligible.

 

[jaysue]

It would be nice to at least have some proper cutting and serving utensils and just maybe some type of chinet type paper plates instead of the flimsy stuff.

I see both points of view here. I think the studios are more than a hotel room and are marketed as more than that. If I wanted a hotel room, there are many WDW resorts I can choose from, if I want a home away from home, I have DVC.

Seems to me there should be more and better than there is now in the studios

Thanks
jaysue

 

[MiaSRN62]

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?

The only DVC resort where we utilized a studio was Vero Beach. We asked the housekeeping staff the first day if we could have a "few more" paper plates/bowls and they handed us like 20 or more. At the midweek touch-up, they restocked our supply plenty. So I don't doubt you could get as many as you needed.
During that stay, we ate alot of microwavable stuff (i.e. Stouffers mac and cheese etc) and cold cereal and spaghetti Oh's. The paper plates worked fine for us but I could understand how some might like/prefer regular plates also.

 

[Lisa P.]

We've stayed in over a dozen very nice 5 Star and Gold Crown timeshares (plus a couple of standard ones) in the eastern half of the U.S., including several in Florida. Most have been 2BR-lockoffs, with a studio set-up for the 2nd BR area. DVC's resorts are the only ones we've seen that only offer a handful of paper/plastic, rather than regular, full dinner service for 4 people. I don't understand claiming a room's occupancy is 4, then only providing 2 coffee mugs and 2 glasses - seems cheap and inconvenient. Don't any families of 3 or 4 include teens who drink coffee or tea or iced tea? Judging by past postings on TUG, this (paper only) seems to be fairly unique to DVC.

In our experience, only the Manhattan Club and a couple of Fairfield properties that we've visited have had small dishwashers in their studio rooms. The rest of the resorts we've seen have only provided small sinks in studio mini-kitchens. However, this did not deter those resorts from offering regular dinnerware to timeshare owners, renters and guests staying in a studio - even decent cutlery, can opener, corkscrew, tupperware, etc.

It's easy for most guests to secure a handful of paperplates (or pack them), if these are wanted. But if the regular dishes are not offered, guests are limited. This is not, IMHO, a top shelf arrangement.

 

[anniet]

I think offering paper in a Disney Vacation Club unit is a "downgrade".

Since it is only DBF and I, and no children using our DVC I have no use for a one bedroom or larger unit. We don't need the space of the one bedroom, nor the stove "decoration", so why spend double our points to simply get real plates and utensils. We do however pick up prepared meals at the market (rotisserie chicken for example) and since I'd prefer not to eat them with paper and plastic I've been packing Corelle dishes, utensils and a sharp knife in my suitcase, which takes me all of 5 minutes to wash and dry while I'm on vacation.

Prior to owning DVC we stayed outside the park in a studio for $49 per night and got a full kitchen complete with all utensils and pots and pans.

DVC is not marketing their Studios as just glorified hotel rooms. I would like to see the paper and plastic replaced with real dishware in the studios.

 

[SwampFox]

I think offering paper in a Disney Vacation Club unit is a "downgrade".

A "downgrade" from what? Every DVC studio has been set up this way, offered this way and promoted this way for almost 12 years now.

While some other timeshares may be set up differently, DVC has not "downgraded" any of the studio supplies since it began in 1991.

I'll offer disagreement with the thought that upgrading all of the studio units would have neglible costs. To properly add cabinets, dishwasher, disposal and increase housekeeping duties would be at a significant cost. If you decide not to add disposal/dishwasher costs- the increased housekeeping expense to replace the dishware on a daily basis would be very costly or run the risk that the dirty dishes/ food prep wastes would attract insects.

I don't understand why this is such a concern at this point in time. It's as if some are suggesting that at one time china was available in studios and now has been discontinued.

I'd have no issue with future resorts having a different setup in the studios and that might even be a selling point for new resorts, but I don't view a retrofitting of existing studios as necessary or inexpensive.

 

[sparkspeak]

. . . Judging by past postings on TUG, this (paper only) seems to be fairly unique to DVC. . . .

DVC Management: listen up!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by SwampFox
I'll offer disagreement with the thought that upgrading all of the studio units would have neglible costs. To properly add cabinets, dishwasher, disposal and increase housekeeping duties would be at a significant cost. If you decide not to add disposal/dishwasher costs- the increased housekeeping expense to replace the dishware on a daily basis would be very costly or run the risk that the dirty dishes/ food prep wastes would attract insects.

I don't understand why this is such a concern at this point in time. It's as if some are suggesting that at one time china was available in studios and now has been discontinued.

I'd have no issue with future resorts having a different setup in the studios and that might even be a selling point for new resorts, but I don't view a retrofitting of existing studios as necessary or inexpensive.

It obviously depends on how it's done. If it's timed to coincide with renovations or new building it should be very negligible. The cost of the supplies or handling them should be nothing at all. Obviously if they tried to add a disposal, mini dishwasher and small stove top, costs would escalate. But a couple of drawers and the extra hard items should be nothing.

I agree it's not a downgrade since they are as low as they can get and be called a studio.

 

[sparkspeak]

. . .To properly add cabinets, dishwasher, disposal and increase housekeeping duties would be at a significant cost.

Four plates, four bowls and silverware wouldn't take up any more room than the disposable items. Dishwashing soap, sink, sponge & dishtowel are already provided. Housekeeping need only replace these items in preparation for the next guests as they already do with glasses, cups, towels, etc.

 

[anniet]

Swampfox, the "downgrade" was in reference to this previous post.

"the studios like any hotel room are not there to eat in other than snacks. It is not second class it is what you pay for, if you want more rent a bigger unit, the same goes for any resort, if you stay in a room or a suite you get different items to use and you pay a lot more for them. I really don';t want to say what I am thinking here because I refuse to hurt anyones feelings but really folks this situation along with people begging for two beds in the master bedroom really gets to me. It is all part of the downgrading of WDW that has been going on since the mid 90's."

I also missed the part in my handbook where it said studios were meant only for snacks.

It's not a such a concern at this point in time, it's that Dean asked a question and we responded. Add them to the studios or not, I'll still bring my own dishware and save half of my points for another trip.

But I respect Dean's experience and ability to compare DVC with other timeshare resort studios, and think DVC should bring themselves up to par.

Like I said, I don't see why I should have to spend double my points just to get a decent plate to eat from.