Why is complaining a bad thing?

[eliza61]

I thought about this question from Wolfgangs post.

Why when we complain about poor service at Disney is it unacceptable?

If my room is dirty, why shouldn't I complain or post about it? If I've gone 3 times in the last 18 months and each time the room has been dusty, dirty and once still had previous guest garbage in the can, why should I let that "roll off my back"?
I was at the Grand Floridian last October for my anniversary, it took valet 30 mins to get my car. $500/night. I don't think so.

Why do we make excuses for the World. I hear responses like "your not paying for service, you're paying for location" bull!! I expect both.

I've always had/have a good time at the world and not about to sell my membership but IMO if I recieved crappy service, disney will recieve my complaints.

 

[Elvistelth]

I thinks it's just common sense to complain, however there are many vocal apologists who are uncomfortable with this. Just ignore the criticism.

 

[DebbieB]

There's nothing wrong about complaining about bad service or a bad room. It's the complaining about free dining, ADR's, CRO cash rooms, lack of last minute availability, perceived lack of DVC perks that is becoming annoying.

 

[rutgers1]

In this online world, I think complaints are useful, as I am 100% certain that they are brought to the attention of the right people. But, with that said, I think people need to be mindful of how they voice their complaints. There are people on this board who don't want to hear negative things about Disney (which they are entitled to feel that way), so you have to make sure that you are voicing your complaint in a way that won't offend anyone. For example, as an SSR owner, I really do not like when someone comes on strongly and says what a "horrible" time they had at the resort. Knowing that the use of such words might offend someone, "horrible" should be changed to "disappointing" or something like that.

 

[rentayenta]

I am all about complaining as long as I am trying to also find a solution. Griping to gripe gets boring.

 

[DVC Mike]

I am all about complaining as long as I am trying to also find a solution. Griping to gripe gets boring.

I agree.

Some threads are just people venting about something that upset them on their trip. I just understand that they are venting and it doesn't bother me at all. I mostly ignore it.

I'm worried about new and prospective members who see the posts where folks are venting and assume that this individual's problem is commonplace or impacts everyone.

 

[JimMIA]

I don't think you can lump all complaint threads into one big pile and say they are either bad or good.

Every organization has imperfections, and this forum is a good place to air those because the DIS is read by Disney folks. We never know whether corrections of problems are partially due to postings her on the DIS, but I'm sure issues expressed here are at least noticed.

So, to me, legitimate complaints are fine. One good example is the recent glitch with the online dining reservation system not recognizing DVC confirmation numbers. That is a real problem, which has apparently now been corrected, and I suspect the complaints here probably lent some urgency to that correction.

Another good example is the recent change in point charges for 2010. The complaint thread here didn't cause any changes, but it certainly alerted a lot of prospective buyers and current members to the fact that points had changed. That is important for prospective buyers to know, because many guides either gloss over that possibility or just flat lie about it. I also hope -- partly as a result of the uproar here -- DVC will be more skillful in their implementation of major changes next time.

OTOH, the silly, childish rants do get tiresome. But we all have the option of not reading them. I can't tell you how many times I have moved the cursor over the title of a thread, learned that the "catastrophe" was totally trivial and did not even open the thread. Rant threads are not interesting to me, and I rarely open them.

 

[nunzia]

...and don't forget the great switch away from mugs debacle of 2008....

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I don't think you can lump all complaint threads into one big pile and say they are either bad or good.

Every organization has imperfections, and this forum is a good place to air those because the DIS is read by Disney folks. We never know whether corrections of problems are partially due to postings her on the DIS, but I'm sure issues expressed here are at least noticed.

So, to me, legitimate complaints are fine.

Another good example is the recent change in point charges for 2010. The complaint thread here didn't cause any changes, but it certainly alerted a lot of prospective buyers and current members to the fact that points had changed. That is important for prospective buyers to know,

But we all have the option of not reading them.

Eloquent and to the point, totally agree!

With that said, there are those individuals (and you know who your are) that simply won't/can't entertain the thought that just because Disney/DVC isn't living up to it's contractual promises people shouldn't voice their opinions/complaints. As many have pointed out, Disney/DVC do read these boards and maybe they do research legitimate complaints in order to resolve them. You can't fix something if you don't know it's broken! By the same token, you shouldn't kill the messenger when he reports it.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I thought about this question from Wolfgangs post.

Why when we complain about poor service at Disney is it unacceptable?

If my room is dirty, why shouldn't I complain or post about it? If I've gone 3 times in the last 18 months and each time the room has been dusty, dirty and once still had previous guest garbage in the can, why should I let that "roll off my back"?
I was at the Grand Floridian last October for my anniversary, it took valet 30 mins to get my car. $500/night. I don't think so.

Why do we make excuses for the World. I hear responses like "your not paying for service, you're paying for location" bull!! I expect both.

I've always had/have a good time at the world and not about to sell my membership but IMO if I recieved crappy service, disney will recieve my complaints.

Complaining to Disney is absolutely right and should be done to improve service. Sadly, they don't seem to have the same standards they used to have. However, I agree.. Its about service and location... I'm not expecting or asking to be treated like this is the Four Seasons, but I do expect good service. I will complain to a manager if the service is bad. I do cut some slack depending on circumstances, but a dirty room you just checked into is UNACCEPTABLE period. I don't care what hotel you stay at, that isn't right.

As for your valet issue, if it wasn't busy, then 30 min is ridiculous. If it was busy, that's not all together terrible in my experiences. On busy nights all over the country, I have seen valet wait times like that.

I think some people are tired of hearing people complain, but when asked if they complained to Disney they say No. I know those people tend to tick me off royally as all they are doing is complain and moaning, while taking NO steps to try and resolve the issue and make it better for others in the future.

 

[yitbos96bb]

There's nothing wrong about complaining about bad service or a bad room. It's the complaining about free dining, ADR's, CRO cash rooms, lack of last minute availability, perceived lack of DVC perks that is becoming annoying.

There are some legit complaints though on some of these fronts.... I mean, complaining that an ADR isn't available is annoying. But, for example, complaining that you can't even book an ADR due to a split stay or a linked reservation is legitimate. I can even accept the split stay, even if I think its dumb, but the linked reservation is just ridiculous. It truly is poor service on Disney's part and something easily fixed and should have been with their new system.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Eloquent and to the point, totally agree!

With that said, there are those individuals (and you know who your are) that simply won't/can't entertain the thought that just because Disney/DVC isn't living up to it's contractual promises people shouldn't voice their opinions/complaints. As many have pointed out, Disney/DVC do read these boards and maybe they do research legitimate complaints in order to resolve them. You can't fix something if you don't know it's broken! By the same token, you shouldn't kill the messenger when he reports it.

True... but then we all know some of the people who think they aren't living up to the contract, either don't know the contract or are complaining anyway... the 2010 point changes, were definately within the contractual obligations... that being said, I agree with Jim that DVC handled that really poorly.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Complaining on the DIS is useless. You need to complain to DVC or the resort manager. They can do something.

Complaining that you didn't get towel animals is whining. Complaining that your room wasn't cleaned, you notified management, nothing was done and what should you do to keep this from happening to others is useful.

When people come here and complain about the crumbs from their breakfast still on the floor, they come across as big fat whiners and lazy slobs. If they are letting other members know they had a problem and management took care of the problem, that's giving other people information on how to resolve a problem.

Complaining that you had a problem with housekeeping and you didn't call housekeeping about the problem is whining. It's a guest's responsibility to notify someone who might be able to resolve the problem when the problem occurs.

I get surveys from the hotels that I stay at for business all the time. One of the questions (and I get this from the Disney resorts as well) is did I have a problem. Did I notify anyone about my problem during my stay. If I say, no, I didn't notify anyone, it's my own fault and no one else's.

 

[Brian Noble]

There is nothing wrong with voicing displeasure, or engaging in a constructive debate. After all, reasonable people can often disagree. But, there is a difference between constructive criticism and mindless whinging. The latter is tedious at best.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Complaining on the DIS is useless. You need to complain to DVC or the resort manager. They can do something.

Complaining that you didn't get towel animals is whining. Complaining that your room wasn't cleaned, you notified management, nothing was done and what should you do to keep this from happening to others is useful.

When people come here and complain about the crumbs from their breakfast still on the floor, they come across as big fat whiners and lazy slobs. If they are letting other members know they had a problem and management took care of the problem, that's giving other people information on how to resolve a problem.

Complaining that you had a problem with housekeeping and you didn't call housekeeping about the problem is whining. It's a guest's responsibility to notify someone who might be able to resolve the problem when the problem occurs.

I get surveys from the hotels that I stay at for business all the time. One of the questions (and I get this from the Disney resorts as well) is did I have a problem. Did I notify anyone about my problem during my stay. If I say, no, I didn't notify anyone, it's my own fault and no one else's.

I agree 100%.

OT, love your tagline... I often try to balance my cheapness on points spending with my love of the King Size bed (separate shower doesn't bother me, but that's just me)

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Complaining on the DIS is useless. You need to complain to DVC or the resort manager. They can do something.

Complaining that you had a problem with housekeeping and you didn't call housekeeping about the problem is whining. It's a guest's responsibility to notify someone who might be able to resolve the problem when the problem occurs.
.

I agree and disagree! Yes, agreed, problems should be reported immediately to the manager/housekeeping etc. to get immediate resolution but I disagree that it's useless to report issues on the DIS. Some people need to be encouraged to speak up and hearing that what they've encountered isn't acceptable and shouldn't be ignored but actually reported can only serve to improve housekeeping etc. for all of us. Some people don't speak up which is just as detromental as those who are intolerant and complain about every little thing. Again, you can't fix something, if you don't know it's broken.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Well since I started the other thread - I'll respond. I don't like complaints because here I am planning a great trip in 2 weeks and I read here about folks who just came back from a bad trip (in their eyes). It really puts a damper on my enthusiasm for my trip. Kind of like a wet blanket. Yes I can skip the threads but lately it just seems there have been more and more of them. Finally I know it has to really make the folks who just bought into DVC really question if they made the right decision. I just think people are too picky and too stressed out at times about some things. I just had a good friend of mine die two weeks ago. It really puts things into perspective and makes you really question about stressing out about the little things in life.

Plus I just don't understand the complaints. We've been going 2-3 times a year for the last few years and I've never run into any of the complaints folks mention. Maybe we're just lucky or we're easy to please or not very picky - I don't know. I don't ever remember getting a dirty room. Yes, there are some things occasionally broken - but I call the front desk and they come fix it. I would never complain here about such at thing. Bus service? Yes we have to wait some, but sometimes we don't wait long. It really evens out. Free dining doesn't bother me at all. If someone wants to pay full rack rate and get free dining that's there business and since we don't eat many TS meals doesn't bother me either. Finally we all know the importance of making 11 month reservations. It's all part of buying into DVC.

So if you want to complain, complain. I'll just skip the threads.

 

[Tara]

I thought about this question from Wolfgangs post.

Why when we complain about poor service at Disney is it unacceptable?

If my room is dirty, why shouldn't I complain or post about it? If I've gone 3 times in the last 18 months and each time the room has been dusty, dirty and once still had previous guest garbage in the can, why should I let that "roll off my back"?
I was at the Grand Floridian last October for my anniversary, it took valet 30 mins to get my car. $500/night. I don't think so.

Why do we make excuses for the World. I hear responses like "your not paying for service, you're paying for location" bull!! I expect both.

I've always had/have a good time at the world and not about to sell my membership but IMO if I recieved crappy service, disney will recieve my complaints.

Certainly people should complain about poor service and unclean rooms. From a purely practical perspective, complaints are best directed toward management while the person with the complaint is still on site. I understand the need to let off a little steam, but too often I think people complain here but don't say a word while they're at Disney. (Some of course do both.) That means problems go unaddressed.

What I find tiresome are the complains about things that aren't going to change - free dining, special offers for cash rooms (like 4+3), etc. From where I sit, it seems like there have been a LOT of those types of complaints. Of course, we've been in the window for booking ADRs during free dining, so I suspect that the complaints will stop soon. Perhaps they'll make a short return *during* free dining when people report on how crowded the restaurants are.

Then there are the perk complaints - for the life of me, I don't understand why people buy into DVC knowing that there are a few perks but they are limited and LATER complain that Disney ought to do more. I try to skip most of them now because it's just the same thing over and over again.

 

[jarestel]

Why is complaining a bad thing?

People on this board tend to be passionate about DVC/WDW and when something happens to take a bit of the shine away from the expectations and excitement of a trip to WDW, it's understandable. I think at one time or another many of us have "complained" about something though. Whether it's changes to DVC policies, or room issues, or whatever. When passionate people are disappointed, they vent. (and vent, and vent...)

So I don't think it's a bad thing. In every "complaint" thread, there are plenty of respondents who claim "In 1,499,332 trips I've never experienced this". New or prospective members always get a counter balance to the original issue. And it's really not a bad thing to let folks know that bad service, bad housekeeping, and bad maintenance does sometimes happen, even within DVC.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

So I don't think it's a bad thing. In every "complaint" thread, there are plenty of respondents who claim "In 1,499,332 trips I've never experienced this". New or prospective members always get a counter balance to the original issue.

Excellent point!