Treatment of DVC members

[barb45]

tjkraz - you're quite right - I never thought of that - just trying to think of what would make people happy. I guess they should just have smoking/non-smoking and HA/non-HA guarantees and THAT's it. No other requests allowed - and then I think most people would be happy - what do you think?

 

[d-r]

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!

I honestly believe that this happened to us one time. We were told at check in that the room would be available at a 4, and would be near another room we had booked for family. The room wasn't available until a couple of hours late, and it the floor was soaking wet and had those big blowers in there going. Now, when someone had came looking for us earlier, they gave them a different room number on the floor with the family people. I think someone went in to the room that we got, found it wet, and complained and got the room we were assigned to.

 

[tjkraz]

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 love to see DVC resolve it...I just don't know what system would be an improvement.

barb45 mentioned eliminating all requests except Smoking / Non-Smoking. My biggest fear there is that it would only make the situation worse from a member satisfaction standpoint. Doesn't it make sense to accommodate what requests they can rather than just ditch the entire system? If I want pool view and you want woods view, we could each end up with the opposite if rooms are assigned randomly. That's doing a disservice to everyone.

The key to any system is how Disney deals with the screamers. Even if they were to eliminate requests, Disney would also have to refuse to give in to the screamers in order to make any sort of a difference. Being the customer-friendly organization that they are, I just don't see Disney doing that...DVC or non-DVC.

 

[lllovell]

The key to any system is how Disney deals with the screamers. Even if they were to eliminate requests, Disney would also have to refuse to give in to the screamers in order to make any sort of a difference. Being the customer-friendly organization that they are, I just don't see Disney doing that...DVC or non-DVC.

Disney's customer service is what started this in the first place IMO. I think that the "we need to make every customer happy" thoughts have made many feel entitled to EVERYTHING when going to WDW because of the fact that in the past, that is pretty much how things went. I am not implying that the OP is one to push and take advantage to that extreme, but I do see this as a situation where a few have taken advantage (kind of the whole "bring your own fly for a free dinner" scene) and now Disney has their backs to the wall. They want to make everyone happy, but you can't at someone else's expense and DVCs tend to run full so changing rooms after "assigned" is not as simple as it might be during a very low occupancy period - but it seems to me like they do still try if someone is truly unhappy.

I agree that this is a situation that I would NEVER let ruin my vacation. Heck, I couldn't even figure out about not staying on the bottom floor until it was discussed again later (wouldn't bother me - but obviously a BIG deal to the OP). I might actually call back down to the desk if I didn't get a balcony, but if I were told no other rooms were available, then so be it. Society in general is moving towards a "I don't care that it might not be fair to YOU, I am only concerned about ME" attitude that is quite sad to me and I choose (like Dr. Tommorrow and several others) to not live like that. If someone else gets my room, then I guess they get my room.

The assignment system is flawed but its what is available at the current time. If I consistently got poor service or was terribly unhappy with my rooms, I would sell. Basically, its about what is acceptable to me and what is acceptable to others and I don't have any control or real say in what is acceptable to others, but if people who are not "screamers" don't speak up, then they will constantly get bumped. (btw - screamers and several other names are pretty negative and come across as combative to me...but I dont know what else to use...complainers? same problem....)

 

[RWinNOLA]

tjkraz - you're quite right - I never thought of that - just trying to think of what would make people happy. I guess they should just have smoking/non-smoking and HA/non-HA guarantees and THAT's it. No other requests allowed - and then I think most people would be happy - what do you think?

I agree with this approach. There are numerous reasons why someone should be able to request a non-smoking room. One of my children has terrible allergies and getting "stuck" in a smoking room would likely ruin our vacation.

Because I have children (both under 5), a tub is also important as they do not take showers. If it were just my wife and I, I wouldn't complain about a HA room (my wife would certainly prefer a tub but it's not a necessity).

If I were making reservations and all of the non-smoking, non-HA rooms were booked at the resort of choice, I would either choose another resort or get on a waitlist and hope for the best.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Dear robinb,

First of all, nothing was directed at you personally - I reread my post, and didn't see your name mentioned anywhere. I'm tempted to say "if the shoe fits...", but I won't.

However, you should read a little more closely, to avoid falsely accusing such a warm-hearted soul as I. .

First, I said that "now we'll start to hear from the "Veruca Salts"; the words obviously show that we hadn't heard from one yet. So it couldn't be calling names of anyone who's posted.

Second, from www.dictionary.com:
greedy: Excessively desirous of acquiring or possessing, especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves.
arrogant: Marked by or arising from a feeling or assumption of one's superiority toward others
I think that these words accurately describe my opinion (in fact, I expressly unabbreviated the H in IMHO for humble) towards those who feel that they deserve better than others (It's OK if someone else gets the no-balcony room, but not me). Again, I made sure not to mention anyone's name; if these words accurately describe the my opinion of this behaviour, then language did the job.

Finally, if you (again) reread what I said, I hope you do get what you demand, since - as you yourself said - that's what it will take for you to be happy. And at WDW, I want everyone to be happy. Perhaps I'm the odd-ball; I can be happy just being at WDW....

Be well, robinb (see, the only mention of your name [other than the salutation], and it's in a postive context! )

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

Some say that the meek shall inherit the earth...or maybe the kingdom of Mouseland. If you ascribe to that belief and accept the cup as mostly full, that is your right and privilege and I wouldn't think of faulting anyone for it.

Accepting certain rooms or a well done steak has little to do with philosophy and nothing to do with ethics. You say toMAtoe and I say toMAYtoe (and the less said about VPs of A who can't spell poTAYto!! the better.

My point is that if you refuse to eat brussel sprouts it is NOT for me to judge you or find you wanting, naughty, unethical or picky. If I care about you, I might try to persuade you to try a brussel sprout... but it is none of my biz to judge you for not wanting them on your dinner plate.

I think most people vent here to receive support, not condemnation or criticism. If they are asking for support for something you find 'different' to your accepted behaviors, it is fine to move on and read another post. But to imply that someone is lacking because they are upset about being treated unfairly according to his/her perception....is judging...and meek, accepting, humble, cup full people who are judgmental need to be looking at their own behaviors.

A CM is a human being and should be treated with respect and kindness...but if a CM is rude, that isn't in the code of 'acceptable behaviors for the service industry' manuel and, far from being excused...needs addressing for the good of the many. While it really isn't even impolite to state that 'this isn't what I was hoping for' and can you find something safer, cleaner, with a tub and a balcony', it is impolite, unpolitic, unprofessional, and rude to lie to, refuse to speak to, refuse to address any concern of a GUEST.

I truly applaud those of you who are happy to take whatever room comes your way. My personal attitude is that when I check in, I am kind and respectful. Most times I am treated the same and assigned a satisfactory or better room. But...and this is the only point I am trying to make here....whether I decide a room is satisfactory is up to me and no one should judge me for it. As long as I express myself with respect and generosity of spirit to a CM (in this case) I deserve to have my 'satisfaction' addressed in the same respectful manner...even if it is something that is out of the realm of possibility....If I go to the front desk and say that I was kinda hoping Johnny Depp would be waiting on the balcony for me in my room and is there any possibility.... ??? then I deserve a respectful, maybe humorous response to my request don't I? Just becasue one of you guys might hate to have J.Depp on your balcony, doesn't mean that I have less morals, ethics or character than you does it? As someone said, the key is ATTITUDE and not the request or response itself.

BTW, balcony AND tubs are shown on every floorplan when one tours a DVC facility. If there is one room without a balcony at WLV...why on earth did they construct the room that way?, why on earth isn't THAT one of the rooms kept out of inventory for DVC members and rented as a 'moderate' and at a 'moderate' price to a cash customer as a room sans balcony? Or rented to a DVCer for less points (and then maybe it would become the MOST reserved room at WL!!! It certainly could be construed legally as a bait and switch...to sell an 'unit with tub and balcony and toilet' as shown on the floorplan, but provide one without the ascribed accountrements.

If Tom and Dick and Harry all decide that a room without a balcony or tub is fine ......I think that is admirable and accepting. But for them to judge someone else as wanting in character for wanting/needing/ desiring a balcony (with or without J. Depp) is contradictory and even hypocritical. If the meek inherit the earth, I doubt the judgmental 'meek' will be there with them.

 

[robinb]

Again, I made sure not to mention anyone's name; if these words accurately describe the my opinion of this behaviour, then language did the job.

You can do your snide litle side-step all you want and not "name names", but it was clear that your insults were directed at those of us who don't agree with your opinion.

Finally, if you (again) reread what I said, I hope you do get what you demand, since - as you yourself said - that's what it will take for you to be happy. And at WDW, I want everyone to be happy. Perhaps I'm the odd-ball; I can be happy just being at WDW....

And perhaps you should (again) reread what I said as I never said that getting what I "demand" is what it takes to make me happy. You are putting "Veruca Salts" words into my mouth.

 

[lllovell]

ColoradoBelle, I don't think that anyone would disagree with your points, EXCEPT if the person that is unhappy stirs up enough of a fuss that someone else is put into a room that is not of their choosing either.

I TOTALLY agree that everyone has different tastes (which is part of why the SSR bashing baffles me - just dont stay there problem solved) and I don't mind someone else wanting things that I don't. The only request I put in for my room is non-smoking. I hope I get it. If I don't, I will probably call down and see if I can at least get all the bedding changed (including spreads and blankets that are not washed between guests) and new pillows. I MIGHT even just ask to double check that there is not a non-smoking available, but I would NOT demand to be moved unless there was something terribly wrong with the room (like a smoke smell that can be sensed from the hall before entering the room).

The problem here is not so much that the OP didn't want her original room (first floor that she didn't want for security reasons I assume) and was unhappy with her 2nd choice. Its this feeling by many that the magical appearing room came at the cost of another DVC member. Do we know this for sure? Nope - could have truly been empty and the CM missed it or was being ugly (which I hope didn't happen). Could have been out of service to have the carpets cleaned and they gave it to her because she was unhappy and Disney trys to make us all happy (which I would think during spring break week, a minimal rooms are "out of service"). Lots of things could have caused this, but the thought that some DVC members feel like they have a right to be moved, even into a room that probably was assigned is what is setting badly here. We are all equals in the eyes of Disney. We all pay the same for our maintenance (even if some of you lucky people got in LONG ago at a much cheaper rate! dang it! ). I have a hard time swallowing that someone who was offered a perfectly good room (that didn't meet her request) and then a 2nd room that I bet almost none of us would have wanted, but it didn't have a balcony (still not satisfying her) was given a 3rd room probably a someone else's expense.

Maybe....just maybe - they gave her that room because of her first floor concerns (probably not - but just maybe). Maybe the people that were assigned to the room she ended up in were perfectly happy with the first floor room (like I said, we have no view preferences because I haven't seen hardly ANY views yet to have a preference). Hopefully, no one was put out and ultimately, the OP got a room she was happy with. Good! If someone else got booted into the no balcony room - - - bad (IMO).

I will admit that I did the eye roll when I first read this post. Dear lord - someone else griping about CM's and room views, etc, but honestly as long as no one else was put out, I am not hurt and I hope she got what she wanted. I do agree with I believe tjkraz who said if she hadn't, we would have seen a different thread about being unhappy with room selections, the front desk CM, the color of the wall paper...who knows - but it would have been here.

If you get rude service from a CM, its unacceptable and I hope it was reported. If you are a griper, I am not sure your CM is as rude as you think.

 

[robinb]

I truly applaud those of you who are happy to take whatever room comes your way. My personal attitude is that when I check in, I am kind and respectful. Most times I am treated the same and assigned a satisfactory or better room. But...and this is the only point I am trying to make here....whether I decide a room is satisfactory is up to me and no one should judge me for it. As long as I express myself with respect and generosity of spirit to a CM (in this case) I deserve to have my 'satisfaction' addressed in the same respectful manner...even if it is something that is out of the realm of possibility....

Very well said! Thanks .

If I go to the front desk and say that I was kinda hoping Johnny Depp would be waiting on the balcony for me in my room and is there any possibility.... ??? then I deserve a respectful, maybe humorous response to my request don't I? Just becasue one of you guys might hate to have J.Depp on your balcony, doesn't mean that I have less morals, ethics or character than you does it?

I have to admit that I would take a handicapped accessible, smoking optional, tubless, first floor under a GV full of students on Spring Break if my balcony came with Johnny Depp . Wait ... scratch that. I'll need the tub. And bubbles.

 

[LakeAriel]

Colorado Belle
You said it perfectly. In a deluxe resort a balcony is expected. I believe all the rooms in the 33 line are without balconies. When I looked down at the wondows there were no balconies in that line. The only other explanation would be if there were not studio's below the fourth floor under that room but perhaps supply rooms. Indeed if they want to discount this room for a last minute traveler good for them, just don't expect people who paid anywhere from $11,000 and up to be happy staying there when people renting from DVC members for less then $200 a night are sitting on their balconies sipping their drinks. I took the tour and all the Villa's had a balcony.

 

[lllovell]

Colorado Belle
You said it perfectly. In a deluxe resort a balcony is expected. I believe all the rooms in the 33 line are without balconies. When I looked down at the wondows there were no balconies in that line. The only other explanation would be if there were not studio's below the fourth floor under that room but perhaps supply rooms. Indeed if they want to discount this room for a last minute traveler good for them, just don't expect people who paid anywhere from $11,000 and up to be happy staying there when people renting from DVC members for less then $200 a night are sitting on their balconies sipping their drinks. I took the tour and all the Villa's had a balcony.

BTW - I dont disagree that the balconyless room shouldn't be a different price or catagory, etc. But until Disney changes them, they are part of the inventory. (I find it funny that the Standard rooms are always waitlisted versus the Prefered rooms at Boardwalk...I think if there were a cheaper point price on those balconyless rooms, they would stay booked by people looking for a cheap trip)

 

[SoCalKDG]

You said it perfectly. In a deluxe resort a balcony is expected. I believe all the rooms in the 33 line are without balconies. When I looked down at the wondows there were no balconies in that line. The only other explanation would be if there were not studio's below the fourth floor under that room but perhaps supply rooms. Indeed if they want to discount this room for a last minute traveler good for them, just don't expect people who paid anywhere from $11,000 and up to be happy staying there when people renting from DVC members for less then $200 a night are sitting on their balconies sipping their drinks. I took the tour and all the Villa's had a balcony.

I thought all first floor rooms don't have Balconies?

I don't have a major problem with people switching rooms, but it seemed like the CM's went above and beyond(three rooms) and you ended up perfectly happy, but you get back and complain. Just seems to send mixed messages. Hope you can see that.

 

[LakeAriel]

I just checked my Member guidebook and it clearly states all Villa's have a balcony or patio (first floor). I complained because the CM sent me to the room without a balcony in the first place. It was not her but someone else that switched the room for me. I have never had my view request met and have never complained. To ask for top floor and get the bottom when it was booked at 9 AM 11 months out is unfortunate but I would have taken it if my husband was with us. No balcony is absolutely unacceptable.

 

[castleri]

Since you didn't want the first floor because of preceived security reasons maybe the CM suggested the room without a balcony because then you wouldn't need to worry about someone breaking in that way. When we stayed there it certainly would have been possible for someone (with more agility than me) to go from one to another at certain locations. Again it all depends on expectations and attitude. You expected a balcony and she may have thought you wanted security. Hope your next visit goes better.

 

[jnrrt]

If I go to the front desk and say that I was kinda hoping Johnny Depp would be waiting on the balcony for me in my room and is there any possibility.... ??? then I deserve a respectful, maybe humorous response to my request don't I? Just becasue one of you guys might hate to have J.Depp on your balcony, doesn't mean that I have less morals, ethics or character than you does it?

I think that kinda depends on what you were hoping to do with Mr. Depp.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Well, I just wish everyone well, and I hope that everyone gets exactly what they deserve.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I just checked my Member guidebook and it clearly states all Villa's have a balcony or patio (first floor). I complained because the CM sent me to the room without a balcony in the first place.

I took several tours and watched the video and read the literature prior to purchasing. I agree.....was never informed that there were any villas with no balconies. The resorts I toured were : OKW, Vero and VWL. VWL was the last tour I took (in Nov 2001). The CM was very nice and showed us everything in the villa----even pointing out "hidden mickeys", but never said a word about no balcony. I honestly think expectations would not be as high if people were aware of this room and that there was a chance they could get it instead of just springing it on people. I learned about this balcony-less room here on the DIS. To Lake Ariel, it's a shame the CM didn't tell you this would be the "no balcony" room before you went up there and found out on your own.

The CM coldly showed me her room map and recommended one on the 4th floor facing the woods. I

It probably would have eliminated a step or helped you to make a more informed choice. Maybe you would have opted to stay on the ground floor ? I think I would have. I honestly feel it is a reasonable expectation to have a balcony with a deluxe resort ? Hope your next trip will be a better one !

 

[DebbieB]

I don't understand how DVC has these "slip-ups" during contruction of new resorts. No balcony on a VWL room; dedicated 2 bedrooms at BCV with a queen & sofabed rather than 2 queens as advertised; only 1 set of elevators at BWV for a huge building. They need to find new architects.

 

[ColoradoBelle1]

jnrrt....you certainly have a point there!

Please rest assured that whatever I did with Mr. Depp, I'd not do it on the balcony!