Why Castmembers Hate DVC Members!

[Doctor P]

But...DVC never DID have a WOD discount. That's the sort of thing that gives all DVC members a bad name!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

I am not so sure that reserving a specific view would work effectively for Disney, but I honestly think making smoking and non-smoking and handicap, non-handicap a designated room catagory would solve many of the issues. A number of hotel chains allow you to book smoking and handicap room catagories at the time of reservation. Disney should have very little difficulty in altering their systems to allow this. They have a system in place to allow for 3 view catagories, they should be able to stretch that to smoking and handicap. Views should remain, except at BWV, requests.

Requests ahould be NEVER guaranteed but always noted. Perhaps Disney should send out a letter to anyone making reservations, reconfirming the fact that views will never be guaranteed. I hate to say it, but Disney has allowed a lot of this anger at the front desk to grow because they will flex on views if someone complains loudly. We have all read it here from people not only on the DVC boards but also on the Resort board, how so and so got a great view because they pitched a fit. The resort manager should explain this to irrate guests and if they persist, cancel their reservation and ask security to escort them from the property. A room view is not a necessity. It is nice to get a good view but the inside of the room is the same and in essence you are buying accomodations, not a specific view. People get away with too much, Disney allows it, and then they post on public forums their successes in getting what they wanted. If Disney would refuse them, period, this arguing over views would die down. Sure the customer is king, but they shouldn't get away with verbally abusing people over something as unimportant as a room view when they knew all along that requests aren't guaranteed.

My confirmations have always stated, as have the castmembers whom I have dealt with on the phone when making reservations that requests are just that... requests and are not guaranteed, unless medically necessary.

 

[KNWVIKING]

AMEx used to, AP still does. Not aware of any other discount.

Not only was she a jerk, she was an unimformed one. They're the worst kind.

 

[eeyore0062]

personally i think smoking should not be allowed in any public resort................I just made someone's list i am sure!!!!!

 

[sgtdisney]

My confirmations have always stated, as have the castmembers whom I have dealt with on the phone when making reservations that requests are just that... requests and are not guaranteed, unless medically necessary.

Mine too, but from the sounds of it, not too many people pay attention to that small piece of information. Disney should note requests, refuse faxed requests or phoned in pleas, and then stand behind the rule. I guess that is just my point, whittled down to one sentence.

 

[jarestel]

This wouldn't work no matter how much effort Disney put into it. At a sporting event, everyone arrives and leaves at the same time.

The correlation at DVC is that one can't make reservations earlier than 11-months from the CHECKOUT date. So, if I'm looking to make a reservation for November 15 - November 22, I reserve my room on the 22nd of December. Nobody else is able to make ressies any earlier than that for a similar stay, so theoretically most rooms are open at that point. I know people can go day to day, but that's not that common now and I wouldn't think it would be necessary to do that unless one had to have a specific room. I'm not that fussy, so I'm good to go no matter what. Hey, we have a probe on a moon of saturn right now sending back pictures from space, so forgive me but I absolutely DO think somebody could manage to figure out a reservation system here on old terra firma.

Of course, we could all just say it's not practical and continue complaining about those rude folks ( not us, of course ) who make everyone's lives miserable. I'm just trying to point out that if the current room assignment system is the main source of stress for CMs and guests, why not consider changing the system?

 

[Sammie]

Part of the problem, and I love the Internet forums as much as anyone, is that as stated by others, that guests instantly read on the Net that someone demanded this and that and got it.

I mean as much good as the Net has done for information, it has done just as much harm by sharing the bad with the good.

People read that a guest got an upgrade, that they got gifts for their annv. or birthday, adorable towel animals, the perfect view and they want the same thing and feel they deserve it, why not this other guest did. They show up with unrealistic, Internet fed, expectations.

Already there is discussion of the new rooms at the BW and some saying, I don't want that room.

They read about how to scam the system, how to beat Disney at their own game. They share pool hopping tips, tips to sneak people in, you name it and its has been shared.

I mean look at how much trouble the Internet caused for a particular breakfast at Disney, so much so Disney had to change policy.

I have said many times its kinda like sharing your best fishing place, pretty soon there are no fish left.

Some of what the OP said is very true, just read some of the Trip Reports around here. I mean I know people who think trees need to be cut down to improve their view.

He just did not go about his delivery very well.

 

[spiceycat]

I think that part of the problem is now there are so many of us....

there will be a few people who won't be satisfied no matter what.

we have all meet them.

Now some of these are DVC members.

take the good with the bad.

at least now some of the other CM's are coming out. I hope they continue to post here.

 

[MiaSRN62]

If the OP really upset you, do you see yourself there? Otherwise it shouldn't bother you,

1) yes the OP bothered/upset me
2) No, don't see myself there
3) still bothers me because of the derogatory way he lumped a class of people....an area of the country together.....prejudice, profiling, hate. The OP could have found many different ways to word his post.
I still don't feel DVC Members are the only people who walk all over the park demanding things and abusing CM's (and people in general everywhere. Bet they do the same to the grocery store checker etc). Did we know these sorts of jerks existed in WDW prior to the OP stating such---yes we did. I think what has got under the skin of so many here is HOW the OP delivered the message.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Hmmmm...... Sounds like someone should look for a career that doesn't involve dealing with the public.

Seriously, this is an unfortunate example of some basic good advice ("Respect Others", "Be Nice") wrapped in some elitism and whining by someone throwing themselves a pity party.

Good members are only those who have "culture and class" or are "middle class"? CMs avoid helping a guest who may have a difficult problem to resolve, or are vocal when it isn't resolved? DVC members - and only DVC members - caused the Boardwalk to lose a diamond, simply by their lobby behaviour? If these comments weren't so offensive, they'd be laughable. And I can assure the OP that no one spends the amount of money that DVC ownership entails - both the initial cost and the annual fees - just so that they can have a miserable time.

Are there unpleasant DVC guests? Yes. Are there unpleasant guests at non-DVC resorts? Also yes. Perhaps because the typical DVC owner - who has invested thousands (tens of thousands?) of dollars - is more informed than a typical guest (and many CMs ), the potential for friction is greater. But claiming to speak for all CMs in blaming DVC owners en masse while hiding behind an intent to "inform" seems pretty petty.

IMHO - YMMV

Very well said DrTomorrow, I couldn't have said it better myself.

I also find it necessary to point out the blatant generalization the OP had in categorizing many of the "naughty" DVC members to be from New Jersey, New York, etc. That, I find extremely judgment and quite uncalled for.

I also find it hard to believe that this thread has dragged on for as long as it has.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Do people really think that there is a "naughty list" out there?

Is it an actual physical list?

I have a feeling that it might be just a "comments" area. Like for a example, a phone or incident log under the member's name. So, if the CM pulls up the member's name and a long log of complaints, problems, etc. is pulled up, then the CM recognizes that this a potential "naughty" member.

I doubt that there is an actual list next to the cashier or in the back office. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few infamous members that the CM's have heard tales about through the grapevine.

Personally, I have had some great CM's, some competant ones, and even ones that made a few minor mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes or will have an off day sooner or later, but the big difference is in the attitude. An apology, a helpful or friendly attitude goes a long way. All can be forgiven or worked out if the CM seems sincere and is patient with you. Rudeness is never an appropriate response and can turn a minor situation into a major one. I've been lucky not to have encountered or at least remembered any rude CMs!

It works the other way too, rudeness to a CM is not a good thing for anyone.

 

[Chuck S]

Although, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few infamous members that the CM's have heard tales about through the grapevine.

It was a dark and stormy night, and who should present themselves to rookie CM John at the Wilderness Lodge for check-in? (horror movie music inserted here) The evil DVC member, Dr. Slasher! WaaaaHaaaaHaaaaHaaaaa. CM John stood his ground, facing the incarnate evil before him, no matter how loud or whiney the voice grew.

"Sorry," the brave, young, CM John said, "there just isn't anything available except for the studio without a balcony....."

Those were the last words he ever spoke, CM John was never seen again, but a trail of shredded pieces from Dr. Slasher's DVC reservation confirmation was found leading into the surrounding woods. No trace of CM John has ever been found.

 

[Mike]

The correlation at DVC is that one can't make reservations earlier than 11-months from the CHECKOUT date. So, if I'm looking to make a reservation for November 15 - November 22, I reserve my room on the 22nd of December. Nobody else is able to make ressies any earlier than that for a similar stay, so theoretically most rooms are open at that point. I know people can go day to day, but that's not that common now and I wouldn't think it would be necessary to do that unless one had to have a specific room. I'm not that fussy, so I'm good to go no matter what. Hey, we have a probe on a moon of saturn right now sending back pictures from space, so forgive me but I absolutely DO think somebody could manage to figure out a reservation system here on old terra firma.

Of course, we could all just say it's not practical and continue complaining about those rude folks ( not us, of course ) who make everyone's lives miserable. I'm just trying to point out that if the current room assignment system is the main source of stress for CMs and guests, why not consider changing the system?

I wasn't arguing the fact that the room assignment should not or could not be changed. I was just pointing out that what you were recommending was not possible. We have a probe on a moon of Saturn right now sending back pictures from space because it is possible to do that - complicated but possible. Letting everybody block off the room they want at a hotel while still being able to efficiently fill the hotel without having many families jump from room to room in order to be able to get the number of nights they require is not. Given all of the variability in length of stay, arrival dates and when reservations are made it would never work. It is just not possible.

 

[DaveT1]

Belle,

Thanks for sharing, too funny.

Oh...did you lose a star from AAA?

 

[Frozenfingers]

Great Story Libertybelle, thanks for sharing.

Here is a clip of an event going on now at wdw.. thread can be found on the trip planning forum..

In the spirit of the day ( Martin Luther King ) we plan to openly protest this afternoon at Guest Services. They designed the system , built in the flaws and I expect to get those family pictures and ful gate admission for the family at no cost to us. Breaking our decade long tradition does not come easily to our family.

Posted by a guy named Ridge. Doesn't sound like he is DVC, but I could be wrong..

 

[lllovell]

way too much assumming there to me....you have no way of knowing who that person is - if they are serious or not....and if they are, you certainly don't know if they are a DVCer or not. How silly!

 

[kpk89]

Yes, I saw that one. He's upset because WDW lost their family portrait in the PhotoPass system. I would be disappointed, too, especially with a portrait of extended family like that, but OMG!!! A protest? On MLK Day? I hardly think that WDW is infringing upon this family's civil rights by making an error. Sheesh!

 

[wtpclc]

Belle - Thanks for the laugh!!! That is too funny, although I'm sure it was not a lot of fun to deal with at the time. I have yet to travel to WDW as a DVC member, but I look forward to meeting you in the future. Thank you for your posts on these boards and for not already hating me!

 

[Frozenfingers]

Ohh Please... of course the post is real.. are they serius? Well, you are right, I don'tknow for certain, .. I do kmow they are angry.. I expect they will try "right the wrong done to them". Are they going to picket and protest.. no, probably not.. just going to gang up on some cm and "protest en mass" is the way I read it...Are they DVC?... I don't care one way or the other.. some unsuspecting and undeserving cm is in the crosshairs.. it ain't right regardless of who they are.. Just pointing out you DONT have tobe DVC to be mean. Their goal.. other than making asses of themselves, is to get a mittful of park passes for the entire family because their photo was ruined.

I did look him up.. he has never posted on this board, and none of his posts deal with DVC.. he is a res of celebration. Fl so all you noreasterners can relax (but he had to come from somewhere.. probably a small GM dealership someplace).

Just scanning the titles of his posts, I get the impression he isn't a happy camper much of the time. So YES, I do think he will do something crass and stupid.. my point is, as many others have said; nasty, naughty behavior isn't confined just to DVC membership.

 

[KNWVIKING]

RE: "..... so all you noreasterners can relax (but he had to come from somewhere.. probably a small GM dealership someplace). "

You're going to pay for that one FF.