Why Castmembers Hate DVC Members!

[calypso*a*go-go]

OMG I was thinking of buying into DVC. I even rented points to convince my DH. I dont want to be classified into the "Naughty, Classless group". And I would be by the tone of this thread. I live in MA, NE and I would be a NEWER DVC owner. I'm toast. I even own a red pickup. Ok it only has 150 miles on it and cost more than the DVC will probably cost. I'm a Redneck and I live in a city. OMG I even love country music.

That does it I better just go by a run down shack on an alligator infested swamp and make my moonshine and be done with it.

Well I think you'd be great to have as a neighbor --even if you are naughty and classless...

Better get those points before the price goes up again.

 

[MDonley]

First, is there an unofficial list of proper etiquette for the DVC owners while staying on property?

Second, since DVC owners actually do own the place, shouldn't we think of the rooms more as our house than a hotel room? For instance, if something drips, can we get tools to fix it ourselves? If there is mold, could we ask guest relations for bleach (or something else) to clean it? Are we even allowed to make repairs and correct problems ourselves? If not, then It seems we would have the best argument to take to the CMs. Of course, we do pay annual dues, which are supposed to take care of maintenance, but then again it is like HOA dues for landscaping and such...hmmm...your thoughts?:

I haven't read of any list of proper etiquette ... unofficial or otherwise. Common sense (which isn't always common) tells me to respect the place and try to leave it better than I found it. Oh, and don't insist on an Ocean View at OKW.

As far as fixing things, I'm sure that they'd much rather have you politely notify them of something wrong as opposed to fixing it yourself. I do, however, pick up pieces of trash that I find as I walk around (candy wrappers, paper, etc.), but I do that everywhere ... not just Disney.

Also, I find that I smile a lot more while I'm at WDW. It's the 25% that don't smile back that annoy me. Maybe that's what is getting to some of the CMs!

 

[jkfreeman33]

I have been a DVC member of BWV since 6/98 with 300 points.
We usually go twice a year. I have rarely seen an issue at the front desk of anyone making a scene about something wrong.
However, I read the DVC boards all the time and see complaints about things that really shouldn't be a big deal when you are on vacation.
How about the poster who wouldn't go out of the unit all week because there was construction work being done in the hall and she was afraid her infant child would breathe in the dust. So she stayed in the unit all week while the rest of her family went to the park. She complained about the noise and dust in the hall.
Every complaint I mentioned I have read on these boards.
I'm sure they feel justified about their complaint, and it was horrible while it was happening, but in the big picture, it really shouldn't be enough to ruin a vacation. A slow kitchen drain should not ruin a vacation!
Some people get upset if things aren't perfect, but things as a rule aren't perfect at home. Things need repair, replacing and fixing there, too. Maybe that's why they call these resorts "Home Away From Home"
My DH and I along with 4 neighbors will be at the BWV for 7 days and taking in the Daytona 500 on 2/20. I can't imagine there will be anything that will ruin the fun the 6 of us will have together. Let the kitchen drain run slow, I don't care if the bulb is burned out in the livingroom lamp, I'll step over the workers in the hall on my way out each morning, etc, etc, etc.
It's snowing and cold in Chicago and I'm packing shorts for WDW.
Life is good and I'm ready for sun, warm weather, Disney and the Daytona 500.
Sorry if I offended anyone!

 

[tjkraz]

However, I read the DVC boards all the time and see complaints about things that really shouldn't be a big deal when you are on vacation!

Honestly, I think you're reading too much into the comments made here. Just because someone reported a burned-out lightbulb or a slow drain does not mean that it "ruined their vacation" or that a resort CM was chewed-out as a result.

Many comments are made here just for informational purposes--both the good and the bad.

Yes, some members have higher expectations than others, and that will show through in the comments that are made. It doesn't mean that those members are wrong, or that their vacations were ruined by having to call housekeeping to change a light bulb.

And, I suspect the posts to which you are referring are just the tiniest sampling of nearly 90,000 DVC members.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

I think there's a difference between not being bothered by something enough to ruin your vacation and ignoring it totally. I wouldn't let a slow drain, burnt out bulb, etc drive me balistic, but I would report it and I would expect it to be fixed in a timely manner. This is exactly what my experience has been at BWV so far. The few things that were "wrong" (missing frying pan one time, no safe key another) were reported and promptly rectified.

As for room assignments: I agree with the faction that believes as long as there was no blatant problem (ie non handicapped for someone with special needs, smoking for someone allergic to smoke), there's no need to let it ruin your trip. I wasn't at all happy with my last view at BWV, but I figured I'd been lucky up till then and it was my turn to get the parking lot view (If I looked straight or left. If I looked right the canal and MGM was there. So I spent a lot of time facing right, LOL). BUT my two requests were met for that trip--non smoking, top floor. Yes it wasn't "perfect", but hey I am at WDW, the room is clean, no point getting crazy about a view. We'd all love the best room with the best view, but there are only so many to go around. I imagine the CM's who do room assignments do the best they can, they certainly don't want to deal with a lot of whining guests.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

In a nutshell I think it all boils down to this: If you're unhappy at home...you're going to be unhappy on vacation. Most people look at their trip to WDW as an escape from reality and day-to-day conflicts. Well, guess what -- those things come along in your suitcase along with everything else you tote around on a regular basis. You cant expect to show up somewhere and have everything be absolutely perfect. It just ain't gonna happen. Do you freak out at home if there's a burned out lightbulb?

 

[one_cat]

I have to admit, though considering the size of this thread I don't have a chance in H*** of reading every thread, I have read quite a few and it has kept me up nights thinking. I have noticed that the front desk staff at BWV has not always been smiley and happy when checking us in the last couple times but I just put it down to stress or having a bad day or something. Now I start wondering if it's a bit more. I begin to wonder if DVC members really do have a bad reputation within WDW. It is very true that we bought DVC because we wanted to take first class vacations on a second class budget. We bought our Whistler timeshare for the same reason. I grew up taking first class vacations with my parents and became addicted to vacations spent in first class resorts. I was taught growing up how to tip and how to respect a first class resort. I always feel blessed to walk under the welcome home sign at BWV and though with cash it would be very seldom that we could afford to stay in such a resort I feel very lucky to spend a couple weeks a year in our beautiful timeshares. I just hope the original poster is wrong and people who stay at the DVC resorts realize that they are Staying at the Ritz, not at a Motel 6. On the other hand I was pretty offended by the idea that because we didn't buy 250 points right away and didn't buy at the opening that we somehow didn't deserve to be there. Walt built Disneyland and WDW for the masses. He wasn't trying to just cater to the super-wealthy. The poster was by association insinuating that because we are not super-wealthy, not only do we not deserve to stay at BWV but wouldn't deserve to stay at any other wdw deluxe resort. ie. only rich people have enough class to stay at a nice resort. I think Walt would roll over in his grave if he knew that CMs believed that only the super rich should be allowed to visit his parks and resorts.

I have as some others posting here found that some visitors to WDW, not just DVC members become total terrors when they go on vacation. I think it must have something to do with the misery of their everyday lives that they attempt to make their vacation into something that it can't possibly be and end up not only ruining their vacations but everyone else's. I remember once a CM at a gift shop at MK had a terrible time getting our package delivery set up. She had to enter the information on her register three times and issue us a credit on our credit card before getting it right. She was very surprised when we weren't upset with her. I asked her "Why should we be upset? we've got all the time in the world, we are on vacation." Apparantly that is not normal behavior for Disney guests and I am amazed that CMs can keep the smiles they have if they have to work with people who are really that obnoxious. Anyway, I've ranted long enough. We have friends invited to join us at BWV in November and I just hope that they see the Disney magic through the CMs that work there the same as we usually do. I'm glad that the original poster has moved on and I hope he finds a position where I don't ever have to deal with him.

 

[jekjones1558]

After following this thread I was VERY observant during our recent stay at BWV. Front desk staff all seemed to be in good spirits and we got excellent service. I will admit that because of this thread I went out of my way to again thank a CM who had helped to get a really nice view for my mom and dad several years ago. (It means even more to me now since it was my dad's last trip before his Alzheimer's got too severe.) I wrote 2 separate letters praising 2 different CMs when I got home and sent copies to 2 different supervisors. In the past I'd probably only have written 1 letter and sent it to 1 person. I also left my mousekeeping tip at the front desk for a specific person who had done a nice job. In the past I might have just left it in the room and hoped that she would get it.
While I think this thread may be overstated in many ways, I am glad to have been reminded that extra "thank you"s are usually appreciated.

 

[rayelias]

I've read through all these responses, and there's something that is really bothering me.

Like most of you, I go out of my way to be extra friendly to CM's and I make a point to recognize outstanding service by getting a manager, or simply by saying "Thank You" to MANY, MANY CM's.

But, what bothers me is that, the more I read, the more it seems like it's OUR responsibility to cheer up grumpy CM's or to thank CM's, etc, etc. It's their JOB to make US feel special. We're PAYING for that experience. Now, I don't mind giving some gratitude where it's deserved, but for heaven's sake, we're on vacation - they're not.

I don't know of any other company where their customers are so devoted that not only will we tolerate sub-par behavior, but we'll go out of our way to make their employees feel better about thier job. Do any of you, honestly, act the very same way to businesses you frequent at home?

If you're in a VERY long line at the bank, and your teller doesn't smile, or thank you, or doesn't give you a "magical moment", do you give THEM the same benefit of the doubt, or go out of your way to cheer up their day? Or, let's say you're at McDonalds and the kid at the register does a pretty good job, smiles, thanks you, and the like, do you feel compelled to write letters to their manager for average service that frankly every customer should get anyway? Do you let either one of them know how much you truly appreciate them and all the hard work they just did to cash your check or get your Big Mac?

I'm guilty. I don't know what it is about Disney, but I do tend to go out of my way to make CM's days special.

 

[Cinderpals]

One Cat, your post made me very sad, thinking that the original post has kept you up at night! I know that you're not alone. The original post has had an emotional effect on a lot of us. I've almost read through all of the posts since it 1st posted almost a month ago. I've since spent almost a week's vacation with my young daughter there. We didn't stay at the DVC, as I'm just now buying into one. It's too bad that I'll never be able to look at a CM working at the hotels without thinking, "Is he/she one of 'those' CMs that secretely 'hate' us?" We will be staying at the WL again this March the week before Easter. The resorts will be packed, and this will be a test on everyone's nerves! I know, I was there during the Christmas Holiday.

On another post (profile of DVCers) I find that most of us are Middle Class working people who have come to value our WDW vacations for the opportunity that it gives us to spend quality time with our families, friends or loved ones. Hey, for most of us, this is the biggest vacation that we'll take. I'm becoming a DVC member through resale, and will own points at the BWV and BCV. We plan on spending a lot of time and $$ at WDW during the next 15 years or so. We've been to other places (loved Whistler, Lake Tahoe, St Johns etc...) this is the only place we were willing (besides a vacation home at a mountain lake resort closer to our home) to 'buy' into. You can bet, as a DVC owner, that I had better not receive poorer service from the front desk, mouse keeping etc... We are great tippers and we do bother filling out comment cards to those who deserve it! Both bad and stellar, we will take the time to fill out the cards or take to the managers. We decided long ago, while having a string of lousy service at restaurants, that we would not tip 15-20 percent unless it was deserved! need to go now, but I'm still buying into DVC, and I know that we'll have great service that we've come to expect from WDW

 

[Dean]

I'm sure you all know that timeshares in general and DVC specifically are built and targeted at the upper levels of income. One of the tour criteria for many timeshare specials is income. $45K at the low end and $75 at the higher ends though I'm sure Ritz is even more. For the ones that offer a special rate to visit and tour, they have to think you qualify in terms of income and credit rating to even be offered the tour option.

 

[drakethib]

I agree.

Smoking should not be allowed in any rooms at Disney.

 

[drakethib]

The first thing I am going to say is that we should always try to polite to the CM regardless if you are a DVC member or not.

I think the OP has hit a nerve with many of us.

As said before in this thread, there are customers who are polite and customers who are jerks.

Here is the world according to Drake:

Rooms:

Do I expect my room to be clean and the check in process to be easy on each trip? Yes.

Will I bring it to the attention of the front desk if it is not? You bet. Will I be a jerk about it? Nope. Will I be somewhat stern if it is not resolved in a reasonable amount of time (I always realize that I am not the only guest on property)? Yes.

Do I think I should expect the best view each time I arrive? Nope. If we get one great, if not I need to walk my big lazy butt closer to it is that I want to see when I want to see it.

Do I expect a non-smoking room when I request one? D$mn right. Smoke makes my wife and me extremely ill. Will I raise cane if we do not get a non smoking room? Not at first, but I will expect to be moved to a resort with a non-smoking room. If this does not happen (it never has not) I will get irate.


Tipping.

Will I tip for good service? Yes. Normally a great deal more then the "accepted amount". I have had a waiter at Cinderella’s Castle stop in their tracks, turnaround, and come back and thank me for the "nice" tip after he realized how much I have slipped him or her. My wife and I aren’t rich by the way; tipping for good service is something that we put in our Disney trip budget.

Will I not tip if I feel the service was not up to par? Usually I will tip anyway. CM's have to deal with the public daily and as we can possibly understand, the public is not the easiest to work with. Maybe I can help their day some with a nice tip.

Do I think tips should be expected? No. However, I can assure you if I worked in an industry that my salary was in part of gratuity (I have in the past), I would be killing people with kindness and I would jump when they say jumped. You may call it kissing up or whatever (I call it great customer service), but I promise you, at the end of the day my wallet or pocket book would be very full from my guests generosity.

In all honesty, I do expect more for not just being a DVC member, but being at Disney itself. I want to be spoiled and pampered. I want good service. I want my needs to be met.

That is why my wife and I have spent and will continue to spend so much at Disney.

I can get bad customer service from other places for a lot less.

But again people, we should always be polite to not only CM’s but any other person in a service oriented profession. It only helps everyone in the end.

 

[rinkwide]

I agree.

Smoking should not be allowed in any rooms at Disney.

Yep, and while they're at it they could outlaw liquor, sex and Hostess Twinkies.

 

[Beca]

Yep, and while they're at it they could outlaw liquor, sex and Hostess Twinkies.

You mean they're not??!!!! Wow!!! Disney will be TWICE as much fun on my next vacation!!!!!



Beca

P.S. Can you use all three at the same time??

 

[Crissup]

If you're in a VERY long line at the bank, and your teller doesn't smile, or thank you, or doesn't give you a "magical moment", do you give THEM the same benefit of the doubt, or go out of your way to cheer up their day?

Actually, I do. I often feel bad for anyone who has to sit and do the same job all day long, dealing with the public, because I *know* how many people can tend to take their frustrations out on people. When I pick people up at Midway Airport, I often use the parking garage. When I leave, the women working at the toll booths always seem to just be in automatic mode, hang their hand out the window to take your slip, process it without ever even looking at you, and then take your money. I generally go out of my way to act particularly friendly with these folks and try to get them to smile. I feel bad that they're stuck in a job where people don't appreciate them. This is the same whether it be a bank teller, parking attendant, Disney CM, etc.

Disney tries to hire cheerful upbeat people, but after dealing with thousands of people, day in and day out, their going to have dealt with their share of unhappy, grumpy customers, who feel that because they're paying so much, they have a right to be a {insert favorite oscene body part here}.

Anytime I check in at *any* resort, DVC or otherwise, I make that same effort to make that front desk person smile. If they're not already smiling when I arrive, but they are when I leave, I feel good that I helped that person make it through their day. People don't have a right to treat these people badly. But, on the same token, these people don't have a right to treat their customers badly either, and when I do get the occassional bad one that is just absolutely brain dead, I can reach my limit.

I don't really have a problem with a CM posting that they tend to get cranky because of unhappy DVC members, my problem is that this one generalized and decided that *all* DVC members are bad because of the ones that he has experienced. It's very sad that he *never* met even one DVC member that didn't give him a problem. He's been soured and needs to be removed from his position.

 

[rinkwide]

...Can you use all three at the same time??

'Atta girl!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Yep, and while they're at it they could outlaw liquor, sex and Hostess Twinkies.

You mean they're not??!!!! Wow!!! Disney will be TWICE as much fun on my next vacation!!!!!

Actually that would make it three times as much fun! And would definitely put you on the naughty list.

HBC

 

[borncinderella]

You mean they're not??!!!! Wow!!! Disney will be TWICE as much fun on my next vacation!!!!!

LOL!

Maybe smoking should be restricted to the balconies!
Hmmm, maybe not. Smoking, liquor, sex, and Twinkies on the balconies . . .
Maybe not such a Disney experience walking along the Boardwalk!

 

[Dean]

LOL!

Maybe smoking should be restricted to the balconies!
Hmmm, maybe not. Smoking, liquor, sex, and Twinkies on the balconies . . .
Maybe not such a Disney experience walking along the Boardwalk!

A few days ago I was reading through a cruisecritic post about sex on the cruise ship balconies and getting caught. So maybe doing all these things on the balcony isn't such a good idea. And if I am near by with my super soaker, I can use it to control several of the items. Those twinkies aren't very good when they're soaking wet but if I load it with milk it might fit in very well.