Treatment of DVC members

[robinb]

It's not like we're debating the unknown future of the 7-month booking window here--this is more of a philosophical or ethical stance. Personally, I don't feel that I am more or less important than any other guest. If rooms are pre-assigned and I got the crappy room, who am I to "assert myself" and basically demand that someone else take that room?

So, now it's unethical to ask for a better room than assigned?

There is nothing morally or ethically wrong with asking for a different room assignment, even if another member is "bumped" from that room. It happens all the time in the hotel industry! Plus, as you have pointed out on many occasions, requests are just that. The bumped person has no more guarantees to a specific room or view than I have.

If I am pre-assigned a room that I don't like, you better bet that I would "assert myself" and request a different room. If you don't want to "rock the boat", that's up to you. It's not that I am "more important" than anyone else, but I am "equally important" as other DVC members. I have the same "right" to a specific room as another guest.

It would be interesting to know how many people make any room requests at all. I know I rarely do at non-Disney hotels. In fact, it never occurred to me to ask for a specific location or view until I started reading here and on RADP. My guess is that we DIS DVCers are a (vocal) minority and many more people make no requests at all. LakeAriel may have bumped a person who asked for "High Floor, Woods View" or she may have bumped someone who made no requests at all. The "First Floor, Woods View" would have been perfectly OK for that person. We just don't know.

If I happen to draw the short straw again and there are no options, then c'est la vie. I'll live with the bad view, etc. I really hate to move, so the only deal-breaker for me would be a smoking room and I would insist that I be moved the next day.

 

[Sherri]

I was thinking of staying at the WL next trip. Is it exclusively a DVC resort or do they have hotel rooms like BW as well? Now along with Non smoking, Non handicap requests should be specify balcony, is the a request as well?

 

[tjkraz]

So, now it's unethical to ask for a better room than assigned?

Poor choice of words. "Philosophical" was the intention.

If I am pre-assigned a room that I don't like, you better bet that I would "assert myself" and request a different room. If you don't want to "rock the boat", that's up to you. It's not that I am "more important" than anyone else, but I am "equally important" as other DVC members. I have the same "right" to a specific room as another guest.

Personally, I choose to make the assumption that the Room Assigners have made a legitimate effort to satisfy ALL guest requests, and that I just happened to draw the short straw this time. It's not about not wanting to "rock the boat"...it's about realizing that there is a cause-and-effect response to every shift that occurs when rooms are reassigned on the fly.

We've all read stories about the guest who is told at check-in "all of your requests were met", only to later arrive in the room and discover that it couldn't be further from what was requested. How does that happen? I think the answer is clear. Just hope you don't find yourself on the receiving end of such treatment in the future.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Hmmmmm. I guess that we'll now start to hear from the "Veruca Salts" of the DIS universe.

In my (admittedly rare) philosophical views, yes, it is somewhat unethical (perhaps greedy is a better word) to ask for more than you'd already been given. We are all subject to the same spin of the wheel - or assignments made by the DVC room assigners; to assume that one person should be above that is - again, only IMHumbleO - a form of arrogance that's rearing it's ugly head far too often these days.

Now, if the CM gives you a choice from the beginning, go for it. And if there's a real problem - holes in the wall, corpse in the room - of course, politely point this out and request another room. But if you get a room that meets your needs - even though it isn't 'exactly' what you wanted - I'd say that you should buck up and live with the utter depredation of a less.than.perfect DVC villa.

To frame this, in all of my years, I've never, ever requested another room at a hotel or DVC resort. Of course, I also have actually eaten - instead of sending back - a steak that was medium instead of the medium-rare I asked for. And I have also let smaller children ahead of me in line at WDW. I chalk part of this up to my midwestern up-bringing ("No problem, eh?"), but most of it was my late father's attitudes towards life. He had a saying (probably a little un-PC nowadays): "I used to cry 'cause I had no shoes, 'til I met man who had no feet." He told me this addressed two important lessons: Count your blessings; and that there's always someone a lot more worse off than you.

So to those who feel they deserve the best possible room as often as they can demand it - I hope you get it! I'll just be one of those who's happy with what he gets, is happy to own in DVC, is happy to be at WDW, and who is happy to be celebrating 25 years with a wonderful woman. Plus, I'll know that, by accepting the room Fate, Destiny and the Room Assigners gave me, I won't have bumped some other family from the room that will make their vacation a little more special.

Be well!

 

[lllovell]

Another room ended up being available, so I have a feeling that the CM was "punishing" her for objecting to the first room by putting her in a sub-standard room. I agree with LakeAriel that the CMs should warn you that a room doesn't have a balcony, just as they should warn you that a room is handicapped accessible.

My take on this is that someone else was bumped from their assigned room (where they probably had to search for someone with a similar ressie as hers) because during spring break week, I am sure rooms are not sitting empty. Therefor, the person that was in the other room ended up with the non-balcony room.

When you travel during peak seasons, you risk not getting your first or second choices in rooms. She checked in early enough that someone else was bumped out of their pre-assigned room (and they probably had NO better claim to it than she, just luck of the draw).

 

[barb45]

Right on Dr. Tomorrow!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

There's only one studio in all of VWL without a balcony? That's the way I understand it. CM attitude goes such a long way in guests' anger/acceptance of what they get. I wonder how people would feel if they were told beforehand "We're sorry, but we had to give you the room without the balcony." I've received HA rooms 5 times at WDW. Twice I was told at the front desk, asked if that was acceptable, the CMs were very nice in telling me about it. No what? I never thought twice about it during my stay, happily stayed in those HA rooms. The third time, I wasn't informed at the desk, and when I called immediately upon seeing the room, I was told I'd have to pay to move. So I stayed and growled to myself all week (then to management when I returned). Fourth time, I wasn't told, but CMs were so nice and appologetic when I called, I was moved without any mention of a fee. Last time, front desk not only didn't tell me, CM wouldn't answer when I asked. Boy, was I angry! Not that I got HA room, but that I wasn't told the truth. Attitude means so much, on both sides!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Fourth time, I wasn't told, but CMs were so nice and appologetic when I called, I was moved without any mention of a fee. Last time, front desk not only didn't tell me, CM wouldn't answer when I asked. Boy, was I angry! Not that I got HA room, but that I wasn't told the truth. Attitude means so much, on both sides!

I agree Simba's Mom that attitude means so much. No, we're not "owed" a positive attitude but it sure has a big impact in how we perceive & accept a situation.
I did go back and reread the original post as tkraz mentioned, and yep, the "no balcony" room was a move made at the OP's request. So I don't think I can find fault with the front desk on this one. I'm sure they have a finite number of options.
I do feel there is often disappointment on the part of DVC Members because when we buy into the DVC, none of the CM's mention we have a 20% chance of getting a H/A room or a room with no balcony or a view of the valet parking lot that is classified as "preferred view" etc. They only show you the resorts and rooms in the most favorable light (obviously). I know that the only time I ever made a call to the Front Desk after walking into a room was at the BWV. I honestly thought they had made a mistake and put us in a standard room due to the view of the valet parking lot and service area driveway. Once they explained to me that my room was indeed PV, I just said "ok, thank you" and stayed put. Just one of those live and learn lessons in life. And I'll admit, the attitude of the front desk staff was a good one----as opposed to a "just deal with it" with one---so that helped as well.

 

[LakeAriel]

Perhaps the "no balcony" room went to one of the far too many renters who are staying at VWL at half the regular rate? Do not try to change what I am saying. I realize we cannot always have exactly what we want but a balcony? Pleaseeeee! When I was shown the model I was told they had balcony's. That's what I purchased and that is what I expect.
Mr. Eisner is that you?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hmmmmm. I guess that we'll now start to hear from the "Veruca Salts" of the DIS universe.

In my (admittedly rare) philosophical views, yes, it is somewhat unethical (perhaps greedy is a better word) to ask for more than you'd already been given. We are all subject to the same spin of the wheel - or assignments made by the DVC room assigners; to assume that one person should be above that is - again, only IMHumbleO - a form of arrogance that's rearing it's ugly head far too often these days.

Now, if the CM gives you a choice from the beginning, go for it. And if there's a real problem - holes in the wall, corpse in the room - of course, politely point this out and request another room. But if you get a room that meets your needs - even though it isn't 'exactly' what you wanted - I'd say that you should buck up and live with the utter depredation of a less.than.perfect DVC villa.

To frame this, in all of my years, I've never, ever requested another room at a hotel or DVC resort. Of course, I also have actually eaten - instead of sending back - a steak that was medium instead of the medium-rare I asked for. And I have also let smaller children ahead of me in line at WDW. I chalk part of this up to my midwestern up-bringing ("No problem, eh?"), but most of it was my late father's attitudes towards life. He had a saying (probably a little un-PC nowadays): "I used to cry 'cause I had no shoes, 'til I met man who had no feet." He told me this addressed two important lessons: Count your blessings; and that there's always someone a lot more worse off than you.

So to those who feel they deserve the best possible room as often as they can demand it - I hope you get it! I'll just be one of those who's happy with what he gets, is happy to own in DVC, is happy to be at WDW, and who is happy to be celebrating 25 years with a wonderful woman. Plus, I'll know that, by accepting the room Fate, Destiny and the Room Assigners gave me, I won't have bumped some other family from the room that will make their vacation a little more special.

Be well!

There is noway I could improve on what Dr. T said! I have gotten the dreaded first floor rooms under a GV with lots of noise from above. Didn't bother me all that much, and when we got it the second time, we remembered how handy the mop was for tapping on the ceiling at 6 AM when we got tired of the bouncing superball from upstairs! (he he) It quit right away! Didn't ruin our trip, and it actually brought a smile to our faces! It also made me very sure to mention to the kids in our GV last October that they needed to be quiet while in the living room/dining room area!

 

[LakeAriel]

I spoke to a number of DVC members while away and none, including myself knew there were rooms without balconies. I'd like to know how many of you did and would you accept it?

 

[jarestel]

I guess I don't see what bunches up people's shorts if someone asks to be moved to a new room. The current room assignment system allows it so why not take advantage if one chooses to? Sometimes there are rooms available to facilitate a move, sometimes there aren't. If we don't like the room assignment system, here's a thought... how about asking DVC to change it? If we don't want to change the system, then we'll all have the next 40 years or so to learn how to deal with it.

LakeAriel, I did know about the no-balcony room at VWL, but have never been assigned this room.

 

[DrTomorrow]

I spoke to a number of DVC members while away and none, including myself knew there were rooms without balconies. I'd like to know how many of you did and would you accept it?

I never knew that there were rooms without balconies. I was never told that that every room did have a balcony. I never assumed that every room did have a balcony. If it was important to me, I would have asked my Guide before I purchased.

Be well!

PS. While it is nice to have a balcony, during our last trip (SSR, with a DTD view!), we used our balcony less than 15 minutes a day (a cup of coffee and a donut in the AM). Hardly mission-critical to our vacation enjoyment.

 

[LakeAriel]

We used it to watch the fireworks but mostly to leave the door open, let the fresh air in and listen to the birds sing. The salesperson told me the VWL rooms had balconies.

 

[barb45]

Maybe it should be like booking a cruise. You can choose a "cabin" or you can take best available in a category. Then it would definitely be on a first come first serve basis. If you look at a ship layout all the cabins are listed and you can pick your location. Then when you book - that one is no longer available. Seems fair but may be more expensive on the admin side.

 

[tjkraz]

I guess I don't see what bunches up people's shorts if someone asks to be moved to a new room. The current room assignment system allows it so why not take advantage if one chooses to?

This isn't about the room assignment system...it's about what CMs have to do to twist and manipulate the system to placate those who refuse to accept a room to which they have been assigned.

If I may ask, how would you deal with a situation like this:

You arrive at the resort...are happily greeted by a CM..."Welcome Home Smith party!"...proceed with check-in and are told "Unfortunately your room is still being cleaned, but I'm happy to report that it meets all of your requests." For argument's sake, let's say your requests were non-smoking and pool view.

You go to the theme parks...have a great day...and finally make it back to the resort at 8pm. You enter your assigned room only to find that it is a smoking room with a woods view. "Huh? How could this happen? The front desk lied to me! I'm not spending a week in a smoking room!!!"

This is exactly what happens when the "squeaky wheel gets the grease". Someone else was originally assigned to the Smoking/Woods View room, raised a stink at the front desk, and succeeded in swiping your original room. This isn't theoretical...it happens!

Suddenly you're faced with a front desk battle...assuming they can even accommodate a move this late in the day.

Realistically I know the screamers aren't going to stop screaming, so the debate is sadly irrelevant. If LakeAriel hadn't been moved...twice...we'd be reading about the jerk CM who refused to provide an "acceptable" room and the complaint letters that will be written to the resort, DVC and apparently Robert Iger.

 

[barb45]

Oh yeah - one more thought. We had that "preferred view" at BWV with the parking lot/service entrance view. The only thing that bothered me was that it cost more points. Of course I booked late and standard view was waitlisted so I took what I got - no biggy! And since we were having so much Disney fun, we never used the balcony anyways. I like having a balcony but it's not the end of the world if I don't get one.

 

[tjkraz]

Maybe it should be like booking a cruise. You can choose a "cabin" or you can take best available in a category. Then it would definitely be on a first come first serve basis. If you look at a ship layout all the cabins are listed and you can pick your location. Then when you book - that one is no longer available. Seems fair but may be more expensive on the admin side.

The reason this works on cruises is that all of the guests are staying for the same duration. In a hotel, guests have overlapping check-in, check-out dates. If permitted to choose their own room, you'd invariably end up with rooms left empty because a guest cannot secure a single location for the duration of their trip.

For example:

Room 501 unoccupied 1/1 to 1/2
Room 520 unoccupied 1/3 to 1/5
Room 522 unoccupied 1/6 to 1/7

Under the current system, I could book a room for 1/1 to 1/7 and the hotel would take care of the arranging guests such that they don't have to move for the duration of their stay. If permitted to choose a specific room, you'd invariably end up with scattered rooms unbooked for a day or two inbetween guests as illustrated above.

There are also people who book day-by-day for busier times of the year. Guest #1 reserves room 501 for 12/20 to 12/25. When he calls to add the night of 12/26 to the reservation, he is told that someone else has already booked that night in room 501.

And don't even get me started about the implications on point renting if folks could reserve a specific unit 11 months ahead of time. "For only $15 per point you could have this extra-large corner room with a view of Epcot during the Christmas holiday..." Bad news...

It would be nice, but I just don't think DVC could pull it off.

 

[robinb]

Hmmmmm. I guess that we'll now start to hear from the "Veruca Salts" of the DIS universe.

You know, the rest of us were able to post to this thread without resorting to name-calling. And, as someone who does not agree with your views, I feel that particular epithet is aimed at me.

In my (admittedly rare) philosophical views, yes, it is somewhat unethical (perhaps greedy is a better word) to ask for more than you'd already been given. We are all subject to the same spin of the wheel - or assignments made by the DVC room assigners; to assume that one person should be above that is - again, only IMHumbleO - a form of arrogance that's rearing it's ugly head far too often these days.

Ok, check. "Greedy" and "arrogant" are now added to my list of faulty attributes.

Now, if the CM gives you a choice from the beginning, go for it. And if there's a real problem - holes in the wall, corpse in the room - of course, politely point this out and request another room. But if you get a room that meets your needs - even though it isn't 'exactly' what you wanted - I'd say that you should buck up and live with the utter depredation of a less.than.perfect DVC villa.

Tell you what, you can "buck up" for me and take whatever you are given without a peep. I prefer my steaks medium rare and will send one back if it is not done to my satisfaction.

 

[jarestel]

I don't claim to be a fan of the system, just pointing out how it CAN be manipulated. The only disagreement you and I have is that I want DVC to resolve this, and you want the members to decide to do it on their own. I'd happily live with a system that's fair for all, but I think you agree the current one is not. Many posters have, in the past, suggested ways of improving the system but until DVC decides to act and resolve what I think is the number one source of dissatisfaction for members and CMs, I don't hold out much hope that we're all ( dvc members ) going to suck it up and take one for the team when a room doesn't meet the needs or desires of the guest.

But as I said, the current system allows this to happen, so we can either try to change it or learn to live with it for the next 40 years.