VGF First Impressions

[SuperRob]

From watching the disboards, I've seen an interesting trend.

1) Disney opens DVC resort attached to posh hotel.
2) Cast Members disparage having to deal with bargain hunting (lower income), demanding DVC guest.
3) Attitudes swiftly and magically change among Cast Members.
4) everything is ok.

I specifically recall a boardwalk CM posting on the disboards and making snide comments about how he could tell upon sight of someone if they were staying at the Inn or Villas. (Think Dee Vee.)

I hope this is not he case with "The Grand."

Those points are just too expensive, and the owners are not the unwashed masses. However, I suspect "Grand" CMs may be most susceptible to this type of behavior.

Trying not to bash or make generalizations.

If that's what the Cast Members think DVC members are ("bargain hunting" or "lower income"), boy, are they mistaken. Given that it's nearly $20K to buy into DVC direct, it's more likely that DVC members are higher income than not. (I don't know many people with $20K in disposable income.) My wife and I got just a tiny handful of points while on our Disneymoon, but at over $100K a year, we're not exactly lower income. And even if that generalization were true, it doesn't make them less worthy of the quality of service ANYONE expects from the name Disney.

My wife and I are going in September, so I'm watching these kinds of threads closely to see what happens. I also assume that there's more to the story, and honestly, some of the expectations seem unreasonably high, so we're factoring all of that in. That said, we do expect competent, friendly service above all else, and if we don't get it, we'll take down names and make sure management is aware. If you don't get the name of the employee (should be easy enough with the badges and all), you can't expect things to change.

Mostly, it sounds like the typical issues with a just-opened resort, new staff, and lofty expectations ... all things that should be well and sorted by the time we check in.

 

[Straughn]

One comment and one question-

Comment- Having bought enough points to stay at VGF every other year, I was curious to see the property in person. Since I was having dinner at Citrico's one night during my early December visit, I wandered over to the property to take a look. All in all it was quiet (7:30-ish) and the cast members were very hospitable. The one at the check-in desk asked if she could help me. I explained that I was a new owner and just wanted to look around as I hadn't stayed there yet. She was very nice and pointed out some features of the lobby design and talked to me a bit about the property. There was another cast member at the DVC desk who also greeted me and said "welcome home". If Surly was there, I didn't encounter him. Maybe I was lucky because the second week of December is a slower time. I won't know for sure if I was just lucky to encounter pleasant CM's until I stay there in March 2015.

Question-
I will have a car. Where do you park if you are staying at the Villas? Is there a separate lot or do you park at the main building?

 

[disneynutz]

One comment and one question-

Comment- Having bought enough points to stay at VGF every other year, I was curious to see the property in person. Since I was having dinner at Citrico's one night during my early December visit, I wandered over to the property to take a look. All in all it was quiet (7:30-ish) and the cast members were very hospitable. The one at the check-in desk asked if she could help me. I explained that I was a new owner and just wanted to look around as I hadn't stayed there yet. She was very nice and pointed out some features of the lobby design and talked to me a bit about the property. There was another cast member at the DVC desk who also greeted me and said "welcome home". If Surly was there, I didn't encounter him. Maybe I was lucky because the second week of December is a slower time. I won't know for sure if I was just lucky to encounter pleasant CM's until I stay there in March 2015.

Question-
I will have a car. Where do you park if you are staying at the Villas? Is there a separate lot or do you park at the main building?

Parking is out the front door behind Senses Spa and the sport court and BBQ area.

Bill

 

[carlbarry]

Parking is out the front door behind Senses Spa and the sport court and BBQ area.

Bill

Actually quite a distance from the entrance to VGF, especially if you can't find a space "up front."

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

If that's what the Cast Members think DVC members are ("bargain hunting" or "lower income"), boy, are they mistaken. Given that it's nearly $20K to buy into DVC direct, it's more likely that DVC members are higher income than not. (I don't know many people with $20K in disposable income.) My wife and I got just a tiny handful of points while on our Disneymoon, but at over $100K a year, we're not exactly lower income. And even if that generalization were true, it doesn't make them less worthy of the quality of service ANYONE expects from the name Disney. My wife and I are going in September, so I'm watching these kinds of threads closely to see what happens. I also assume that there's more to the story, and honestly, some of the expectations seem unreasonably high, so we're factoring all of that in. That said, we do expect competent, friendly service above all else, and if we don't get it, we'll take down names and make sure management is aware. If you don't get the name of the employee (should be easy enough with the badges and all), you can't expect things to change. Mostly, it sounds like the typical issues with a just-opened resort, new staff, and lofty expectations ... all things that should be well and sorted by the time we check in.

I agree with you. Such an assumption would be grossly incorrect, and as you say would not be a reason to be rude.

That does not mean it is not done.

Like I said earlier, these attitudes always seems to show up and always seems to get worked out.

Obviously, CMs with these attitudes have not read "The Millionaire Next Door."

Many people became wealthy by being conservative with their money. They don't always change their spending habits after they've made it. I imagine someone who buys DVC instead of paying rack rates would especially fit that criteria.