UPDATE: Glassware (sort of) back in studios (#230) [Archive] - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

Daddio

03-09-2008, 10:25 PM

Is this new? Have I been sleeping?

Anyone who knows me knows I always try to put a positive spin in a negative but this time I'm stuck.

I just check into a studio at SSR and went to pour a drink. There is only styrofoam cups (I can't even spell the word) in the cupboards.

I called housekeeping because surely, they had a economy guest in the room last night and forgot to bring back the glasses and mugs. Nope. they don't have glasses and mugs for studio just styrofoam. I asked if they would kindly lend me a few glasses for five days. Nope, can't do that. Must use styrofoam cups.

I called guest services to express my concern that this felt like a Motel 6 policy. She asked me to hang on while she tried to make my dreams of glasses and mugs come true.

NOPE. She couldn't muster enough pixie dust neither. New policy. I asked her to at least pass on my dissatisfaction to a manager so they could get a grip on the cheapness of this situation. Even Travelodge has glasses in their rooms.

A few minutes later, a manager calls me. "It's styrofoam for you" she says. "No dishwashers in a studio so cups are all you get". I told her I thought this was a bad decision to go to styrofoam. She then acted like I had two heads. "Always been styrofoam in the studios" she says. Not on my last 50 stays I said. I've always had glasses and mugs. "Must have been a fluke" she says. OK, I am in a bad dream and soon someone will pinch me and I'll wake from this nightmare.

I quickly than her for calling me and tell her I will voice my concern to DVC.

That's my rant. Thanks for listening. I'm off now to Walgreen to get me some glasses and mugs. Thank goodness for my OWNER'S LOCKER!!!

David

onecdn

03-09-2008, 10:38 PM

I have read elsewhere that this change (foam cups, plastic glasses) is/was happening. I have also read they are no longer providing dish washing liquid. Can you confirm this Daddio?
If so, how are they expecting guests to clean the coffee pot?
Maybe next they will be removing coffeemakers from the studios (due to cleanliness issues) and telling members they were never there either?
Sheesh won't be long and staying in a studio will be more like a stay at a value resort...speaking of this, do value resort rooms have glass glasses?

NYDVC

03-09-2008, 10:46 PM

Well I can understand not having them in the room. BUT for heaven sakes, if you ask for them you cant get them? Is this true at the other resorts also?

Daddio, Question, did they give you enough for each day between cleanings? or just four. So you need to rinse them out each day? :headscrat

Totally agree , bad decision. I wonder if this has anything to do with the article about maids NOT cleaning the glasses well. They actually went into the contemporary and I think put a hidden camera in there.

Kynna

03-09-2008, 10:56 PM

We had a studio in Jan at OKW and had glasses & mugs. I remember because we sent a grown up drink down to my Dad one night and we almost forgot to get the glass back.

HMMMM

Isn't this totally against their "green hotel" standing.:veryconfu

I grew up without a diswasher, I survived.

wdw1972

03-09-2008, 11:25 PM

I prefer the styrofoam, so this change is good for me. Those coffee mugs were pretty small, and who wants to wash them every day since you don't have a dishwasher? I only use the coffee maker for water (used powdered cappuccino) so I never washed it....just emptied out the leftover water each day. As for the glasses - can't think of the last time I used one....again, in a studio I prefer disposable!

I'mNoPrince

03-09-2008, 11:26 PM

Thats why we keep our Refillable mugs in our travel case. Not that we really like drinking from the hotel glasses anyhow ,but they should be there if needed. This was a Time and cost cutting and no other reason.

Why can't they just have fresh clean ones in the service basket to replace like every other hotel and they give you dishsoap , dishtowel and a sink so why can't they just clean them right at that time when they are doing whatever.

We have been hit or miss with ours as I move them to Top shelves to make room but I think SSR did not have any.

tomar@ssr

03-10-2008, 12:56 AM

Honestly...Im far from wanting to drink from glasses I haven`t washed myself.. or cups for that matter (so I always took the 4 cups and glasses out and did just that at the beginning of our stay)... it was a nice touch to have them in the studio though.....Im not happy about this new policy:rolleyes:.....we DO have breakfast in ....once in an while...and just having styrofoam cups.....ick :blech:... to me.....this is very distasteful !:sosad:.If you are in a studio and not in a 1 bedroom or larger...you just don`t have a dishwasher....hense the dishwashing liquid !...I`ll probably send a couple of porclain mugs down before our trip...and mabe the party type plastic clear glasses.....we do buy the refillable mugs ...but I won`t use them for my morning coffee.....
OOO...yes...I forgot....I`ll have to make a note to also send down a bottle of Palmolive dish soap too.....GRRRRRRRR :mad:
Anyway...thank you David ...for the heads up .....I totally agree with your rant !

caysah

03-10-2008, 01:08 AM

"Sheesh won't be long and staying in a studio will be more like a stay at a value resort...speaking of this, do value resort rooms have glass glasses?"
__________________

I stayed at Pop Century recently and yes, there were glasses! -no dishwashers there either :) I will be in a studio next month @ WLV. Thanks for the heads up to bring our own cups and dish liquid!

DVC Mike

03-10-2008, 01:15 AM

Just got back from two nights in a Studio at BCV (March 7-9).

There not only weren't any glasses or mugs, but there weren't any disposable ones either. I peeked inside the cabinet door where they list the inventory, and it says they only supply disposable ones.

However, unlike Daddio, we called housekeeping and they brought us up some glasses and mugs to use for our short stay. They still supplied dishwashing soap.

m.poppins

03-10-2008, 01:38 AM

DarthGoofy

03-10-2008, 01:50 AM

This is ridiculous. There is no reason why there should not be glasses in the studios. What will be the next cost cutting measure? Members working in rotating shifts for MS?

KevGuy

03-10-2008, 01:53 AM

from what i have read---on another site---there was a news report on local tv or inside edition or something that showed housekeeping(i'm not sure of the details) just rinsing glasses out with their bare hands and drying them. supposedly they had footage from mousekeeping at the contemporary resort.

Yea, but why should that matter it's not like you get daily housekeeping normally with DVC. :idontgeti Seems like we get less and less as time goes by, maybe it's just me.:innocent:

1DisneyMom

03-10-2008, 01:57 AM

I wonder if this has anything to do with the article about maids NOT cleaning the glasses well.

:iagree: This is what I'm thinking too...

And not that I'm trying to say anything nice about a Travelodge...but we just stayed in one...and they have plastic and styrofoam cups too...no more glass there either...but that comes as no shocker from a Travelodge.

I say whip the maids into shape if the issue is that news story though. I saw it and if I remember correctly, one maid never took off the gloves she had on to clean the bathroom before she moved on to cleaning the cups...YUCK...good thing the human body is so resistant...but woe to those who are immunosuppressed and have to drink from those cups!

behappy

03-10-2008, 02:01 AM

What would cash paying guests think when they get styrofoam cups at Deluxe Villas, but get the real thing staying in a Value?

Without hiking dues, maybe they can leave both real and disposables. Surely everyone can use a few more cups.

zulaya

03-10-2008, 02:13 AM

We normally don't stay in a studio, but we have in the past.

Nice that they make this change with ZERO communication to members.

"Home Away From Home"? ~ Hello? I don't drink out of styrofoam at home. I drink out of REAL coffee mugs and REAL glass or plastic (ie washable and reusable) cups.

Time to start overflowing the Member Satisfaction Manager's email inbox. I'd like to participate, but since I haven't *yet* experienced this nonsense, my comments and concerns aren't likely to be as weighted as those of you who have actually seen it happen.

Let's get it going, people.

Gaston

03-10-2008, 02:33 AM

She is either grossly misinformed, or outright lying. I just found a pic of me getting a ceramic coffee mug from the cabinet in our studio at SSR in 2005.
. She then acted like I had two heads. "Always been styrofoam in the studios" she says. Not on my last 50 stays I said. I've always had glasses and mugs. "Must have been a fluke" she says. .

David

okw92

03-10-2008, 02:37 AM

I've been off and on in studios since 1992 (but not for the last 3 or 4 years) and never remembered real cups and glasses. Has it changed back and forth somehow?

handa

03-10-2008, 02:54 AM

I posted the Fox news story to another thread on this site.

After seeing that, I'm happy with disposable and plastic, especially when it comes pre-wrapped.

I'm also a realist about the ability to control this type of oversight.

Chris

Simba's Mom

03-10-2008, 03:31 AM

Here's what they told me when I contacted MS:
Dear Dorothy, Thank you for contacting Member Services. The Coffee Cups in the Studios have always been Styrofoam Cups. The Drinking Glasses were made of glass and are being replaced with disposable drinking glasses. Sincerely, Larry Member Services | Online CommunicationsDisney Vacation Club

Gee, that "styrofoam cup" that I drank my tea out of every day of every trip to BCV certainly felt like ceramic. Must have been the Disney Pixie Dust at work. ;)
In all honesty, I can't imagine drinking tea or coffee out of a styrofoam cup-I shudder at the thought!

CoboFamily

03-10-2008, 03:33 AM

:cool2: that's good to know

disneycop

03-10-2008, 03:51 AM

The issue with hotel glasses and mugs has been a hot news topic lately. I wonder if Disney accomodation executives have seen the below link and made the changes accordingly. I, after seeing the undercover story, have changed my opinion and now don't mind styrofoam cups at all. We usually brought styrofoam bowls and plastic spoons for cereal and such, so cups aren't too much of a problem.

Here is the link to the story:

http://www.break.com/index/never-use-the-glasses-in-your-hotel-room.html

Happy Travels!!!

carolina_yankee

03-10-2008, 04:13 AM

When we stayed at BCV and VWL last fall, we had glasses and ugly brown ceramic mugs. I can't remember SSR, but I'm sure I would remember there being no glasses or mugs.

This is just odd and disturbing - I don't mind the change so much as it's done without notification. And now, they're patently giving out false information by acting like it's always been that way - treating the guests as if we are dupes.

The no dishwasher excuse is a croc . . . Do they use Styrofoam in all their deluxe resorts (which DVC is supposed to imitate in furnishings and quality)? They don't have dishwashers, either.

While we have our own mugs, glasses, plates, and tableware in our Owner's Locker, I expect then to continue to include dish soap, or else they are going to have to give me a very reasonable explanation about how it's absence 'enhances the guest's experience.'

(You know, in the grand scheme of the things, the change isn't a big deal - but they really aren't handling it right . . .)

Dirk

michaels1mom

03-10-2008, 04:14 AM

So, are we supposed to reuse the styrofoam and plastic cups during our vacations? How many cups are they giving you in the first place? Or do you have to wait for replacements on Day 4?

Or shall we request replacements at the front desk....I can see myself now, "Excuse me, may I have 2 cups so I can give my children some milk tomorrow morning without them having to drink after each other from the carton of milk that I purchased from the gift shop/food store? We used our last 2 cups this morning."

I have always thought the paper plates and plastic forks were ridiculous in the studios. If Disney is providing a microwave to reheat food or cook food, then Disney should have real dishes for us to eat the food on.

I wash out the glass cups and coffee cups BEFORE I ever used them.....in any hotel even if it is just with bar soap. Seriously!

BTW, we had "real" drinkware in OKW in January. And, we have stayed in 3different resort studios in 6 different trips in the past 2 years (SSR, OKW, BCV) and always had non-styrofoam/plastic drinkware.

Just my two cents.

Thanks for the info, Daddio.

Gaston

03-10-2008, 04:17 AM

carolina_yankee

03-10-2008, 04:18 AM

So, are we supposed to reuse the styrofoam and plastic cups during our vacations? How many cups are they giving you in the first place? Or do you have to wait for replacements on Day 4?

Or shall we request replacements at the front desk....I can see myself now, "Excuse me, may I have 2 cups so I can give my children some milk tomorrow morning without them having to drink after each other from the carton of milk that I purchased from the gift shop/food store? We used our last 2 cups this morning."

I have always thought the paper plates and plastic forks were ridiculous in the studios. If Disney is providing a microwave to reheat food or cook food, then Disney should have real dishes for us to eat the food on.

Following Bavaria's sage advice on the Delta luggage thread - this is one of those issues where those of us who are concerned need to let DVC know of our disagreement with this change. If enough of us do that, this is surely a policy that can be reversed (or at least give the guests the option of requesting real glasses).

Thanks to Simba's Mom for posting the response to her email.

nuts4wdw

03-10-2008, 04:30 AM

When I stayed in SSR studio at the end of January I know there were mugs and glasses because I used a mug. There was also a sponge (if you want to call it that), Palmolive and a kitchen towel. I always cleaned out all the dinnerware first anyway as I am not really surprised about housekeeping not cleaning the way they should be...

What bothers me is DH likes to make farina in the morning. How is he supposed to microwave that in a stryofoam cup???? Oh let me guess the microwave will be leaving too.

Don't even get me on the subject of bathroom soap dishes at SSR!

I for one am looking forward to a Four Seasons coming on property. Maybe they can show WDW how to run a DELUXE resort.

Sorry for the rant

~Lauren

Gaston

03-10-2008, 04:37 AM

. (or at least give the guests the option of requesting real glasses).
.l.
I learned today on a Yahoo group, that you could request normal dishware, cutlery etc. in a studio. One person stated that she had done this just last month, and has been doing it for years.

Mello

03-10-2008, 04:44 AM

I would like to know what their reasoning is. I see the sanitary aspect, but if they took them away after each guests' stay that shouldn't be an issue. The new plan is not very environmentally responsible, in addition to not being very "homey".

broganmc

03-10-2008, 05:20 AM

Now i wish my upcoming April stay was in a studio. I'm stuck in a 1bedroom then. My two week studio stay doesn't come until October.

What concerns me is that DVC doesn't get dialy mousekeeping so there's no opportunity to replenish your supply as in traditional hotel rooms. If they're going to give you disposables then they really need to keep replacing them every day.

Second this business about telling members who complain "that's the way it's always been". They're outright lying to people. And from what I've read on another forum, it's not just one manager saying it. That's just wrong and detrimental to the trust the company is expected to hold with its members. I hope people getting that answer are calling them on it. If you want to change a policy fine, but DO NOT LIE or suffer big consequences.

Steamboat Bill

03-10-2008, 06:21 AM

Anyone who knows me knows I always try to put a positive spin in a negative but this time I'm stuck.

I just check into a studio at SSR and went to pour a drink. There is only styrofoam cups (I can't even spell the word) in the cupboards.

This obviously is being posted to try to bash and badmouth all the SSR owners out there. :tongue: as we all know the other DVC resorts have real glasses in the Studios.

handa

03-10-2008, 09:09 AM

California cities are slowly banning styrofoam in all hotels,restaurants, and stores. By the time the Grand Californian Villas are open, Anaheim may have also banned styrofoam.
Personally, we never use disposables, and we have always washed everything before using it. That includes running a full pot of plain water through the coffee maker. Last trip we ran all the dishes etc. through the dishwasher on our first night.

As far as the "green" aspect of things goes, I am in agreement.

As far as the health and safety issue goes, I would prefer single-use over glasses and dishware that haven't been properly cleaned since who knows when. Also, the prospect of cleaning behind the people who already should have cleaned things properly in the first place is a good precaution, but probably not the way most people would want to start a vacation in deluxe accomodations.

At AKV in January, we had glasses for regular beverages, but the thin, sturdy styrofoam for hot beverages in our studio.

Chris

mistybo

03-10-2008, 10:28 AM

Just a thought but why can DVC not provide studios with small table top size dishwashers, then we could have real ceramic plates, bowls, cups and real glasses which we would all be able to clean ourselves in the dishwasher
None of this would then be an issue.
Simple!! lol

Gaston

03-10-2008, 11:50 AM

As far as the "green" aspect of things goes, I am in agreement.

As far as the health and safety issue goes, I would prefer single-use over glasses and dishware that haven't been properly cleaned since who knows when. Also, the prospect of cleaning behind the people who already should have cleaned things properly in the first place is a good precaution, but probably not the way most people would want to start a vacation in deluxe accomodations.

At AKV in January, we had glasses for regular beverages, but the thin, sturdy styrofoam for hot beverages in our studio.

Chris
I am not a fan of cleaning a place when first arriving, but I won't take chances that the previous guests did not clean the kitchenware to my standards. I certainly don't trust the work ethics of underpaid employees in the hotel industry.
We also stay at a place in Palm Springs that have kitchenettes. If I am going to use anything in the kitchen, I wash it first, especially the coffee pot. It has been my experience that they are only rinsed out. The same goes for DVC.
As I worked in hospitality for years, and took pride in the quality of sanitation, and cleanliness, I tend to be very critical. My way of running a hotel is not cost effective.
Should I ever design a housekeeping division at DVC, I would insist that all kitchen items be taken out of the unit to be washed, and sanitized in a central location between guests. The housekeeper would have a full cart of of sanitized kitchen items at the ready for stocking each unit. Should an item be missing from a unit, it should be the responsabilty of the guest to do inventory upon arrival, to correct any discrepancy. I do that the moment I am settled in. I have had to call housekeeping to replace items missing from the unit, on several occasions. After all, I do own the place for the time I am there. I want what i paid for, and don't want to be accused of letting things go. Missing items should be charged back to the previous guest, for stealing. I think this would bring back peach towels, placemats, pot holders, napkins and literary works that used to be stocked in rooms. That is what the vacation home my parent's rented privately did. Why is DVC any different? While this would be more labor intensive, it would also ensure proper stocking, and quicker turnarounds of units, as they wouldn't have to run the dishwashers. A hotelier cannot assume that certain items were not used, nor that they were not breathed on, or coughed on. It's not rocket science, it is common sense.
Plasticware, and styrofoam is more sanitary, but less ecofriendly, and much less deluxe. It's not what I was sold, and could be construed as false advertising, especially after viewing posts containing pics of ceramic mugs in model units of studios.

tomandrobin

03-10-2008, 01:01 PM

This is a tough issue. On the one hand, I like having mugs and glasses for my beverages. On the other hand, I like to think the mugs and glasses I am drinking from are clean/sanitary.

From a cost stand point, I am not sure if DVC is saving money by using the disposable cups.

This change really doesn't bother me that much. I don't live in the rooms and half of our stays are in larger rooms, not studios. The other half of the time we use bottle water and get our morning tea and coffee at AP or the parks.

lenshanem

03-10-2008, 01:27 PM

mjs1902

03-10-2008, 02:03 PM

We stayed in the BCV in February and the list on the inside of the door still had glass glasses and ceramic mugs listed. And that is what we got after we called housekeeping and reported that we only had one mug and one glass in our room. We still had kitchen soap and a sponge. All the plates provided were paper and utensils plastic.

We will find out in September if SSRS has changed their policy for Studios.

As for the sanitary conditions - wash before you use ......

ghost1000

03-10-2008, 02:23 PM

I heard this on the Owner's Locker message board only yesterday, so it sounds like it's a new development.

I guess we'll be taking our Wilderness Lodge mugs to use in our room, and keeping them in our Owner's Locker.

tinker_me_happy

03-10-2008, 02:24 PM

It is all very interesting. I don't like the idea of styrofoam either. It certainly makes more sense from an ecological standpoint and probably from a $ standpoint to have housekeeping change the glassware between guest visits. I will be staying in a studio in Feb 09 at AK in the concierge level. I wonder if I will get a styrofoam cup there too?

NYDVC

03-10-2008, 02:26 PM

carolina_yankee

03-10-2008, 03:09 PM

I learned today on a Yahoo group, that you could request normal dishware, cutlery etc. in a studio. One person stated that she had done this just last month, and has been doing it for years.

Tha'ts good to know, but it also sounds like that's contrary to Daddio's experience in the original post. Maybe he hit a poorly trained CM (it was the weekend), or perhaps there's inconsistency in the system . . . I look forward to more information.

Dirk

HauntedPirate

03-10-2008, 05:38 PM

I know we had real glasses when we stayed at an SSR studio in Oct. 2005.

I too am curious how they will replenish the disposable cups. I have no intention of using one for 3-4 days. If they only replace-upon-request, you can bet they're going to need to hire more help to handle the daily phone calls and delivery of new cups. :headache:

Carol

03-10-2008, 06:23 PM

After seeing some of the recent news reports on the glasses in hotel rooms and how disgusting they are, I'll gladly take disposable cups - as long as they replenish them for us. I highly doubt they are saving money on this. :idontgeti ITA with you. If they don't plan to replenish, then I want ceramic mugs and "real" glasses. I've always washed ours before using them. After a wash and a finishing rinse (with boiled water from the microwave), I'm more than satisfied that they're safe to use. :)

We usually stay in a 1 bedroom or larger, though and I just run the dishes and eating utensils through the dishwasher before we use any of them. Peace of mind is worth the few minutes it takes.

OttawaWendy

03-10-2008, 06:51 PM

I can't remember the status of the glassware or mugs in the studios we've stayed in, but I do know that we've always had paper bowls in studios (DW uses for instant oatmeal).

I agree that real dishes are more "homey". I also accept that disposable may be more clean, for those for whom it is an issue. I can't see why the basic sponge (cost to provide = $0.05) and small bottle of dishwashing detergent doesn't meet both of these needs.

It would be interesting to see how the price compares between these two approaches (real versus disposable), but environmentally and in terms of quality, there is no comparison.

Daitcher

03-10-2008, 08:36 PM

This is ridiculous. There is no reason why there should not be glasses in the studios. What will be the next cost cutting measure? Members working in rotating shifts for MS?

That would be a good idea, provided the members used have spent enough time here on MO. They would actualy be far more knowledgeable than most MS agents I've dealt with.

DAVE

Daitcher

03-10-2008, 08:38 PM

She is either grossly misinformed, or outright lying. I just found a pic of me getting a ceramic coffee mug from the cabinet in our studio at SSR in 2005.

I'd go for lying. This change has just recently taken place so anyone stating "it has always been this way" is lying and hoping that the member might possibly be new. Good shot of that also because this stay was at SSR.

DAVE

Disney4Us

03-10-2008, 08:51 PM

I think Disney did this in response to an undercover report performed by Inside Edition. About a week about Inside Edition did a report about how hotels don't properly clean the glasses they leave in the rooms.

The showed undercover footage from the Hilton in Downtown Disney and also the Contempory Resort and it was actually very disgusting. This was after a guest checked out and prior to a new guest checking in that a housekeeping attendant rinsed the glass and washed it with her hands. NO SOAP!! Then the towel she used to dry the glass she previously used to wipe her nose. I watched this and vowed never to use a glass in a hotel again unless I could wash it myself with soap first.

As I said, this was on TV about a week or so ago on Inside Edition (ABC) and you could research it further if you went to their website I'm sure.

When I watched it, I was just sick! Now seeing this post makes me realize that it must have affected Disney somehow and they have decided to remove the glasses all together.

Karrilynn

Daitcher

03-10-2008, 08:51 PM

This doesn't affect our family a bit becasue we don't stay in studios. Actually we leave Sunday for SSR and we have a 2 bedroom for the three of us BUT............. just becasue it doesn't directly affect us doesn't make it right.

I have two issues with this.

1. Appearance: How can DVC continue to charge top dollar to buy in and high annual dues with standards like this? I'd love to know from those touring the model rooms at SSR if they equiped those models with styrofoam. If not, it is misleading and plain WRONG. I'd bet those models have glassware on the studio side.

2. Environment. What kind of message is this sending to use throw away styrofoam? Conservation needs to be mandated at these resorts and WDW should be conscious of things like this.

Is this a big issue, no, but it is part of an ongoing trend I've seen at the "World" and these trends are not positive. :rant:

DAVE

Disney4Us

03-10-2008, 08:58 PM

I found the link for the Inside Edition story on the Contempory and Hilton with the dirty hotel glasses and there is actual footage you can watch of the story if you are interested. You may have to cut and paste it.

http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyId=1320

lenshanem

03-10-2008, 09:10 PM

I saw an even grosser report where the lady cleaning kept the same gloves on to wipe out the glasses that she had just used to clean the toilets with. The towel she used to wipe out the glasses was also the same one she used to wipe the bathroom floor with her foot.

There was another lady who squirted the bathroom cleaner into the glasses and then wiped it out with a towel - no rinsing. The side of the bottle said do not put in mouth.

Sorry folks, I'll gladly take the disposable cups.

Rozzie

03-10-2008, 09:24 PM

I've always prewashed the cups before use. I just hate what type of environmental impact this will have. It's so 80s. :blech:

snooty3

03-11-2008, 12:02 AM

Does this apply to the Boardwalk Studios as well? I'm coming home in May and better be prepared for my studio. Thanks for the info. (I had glasses last year at the SSR studio we washed and rinsed them with the little midget dish detergent.)

Daitcher

03-11-2008, 12:33 AM

snooty3

03-11-2008, 12:43 AM

Well, I certainly hope that they stock up on these one time use plastic cups for cold beverages and start giving a mighty BIG discount for buying the refillable mugs or BETTER YET, giving them OUT upon check in!!! Hold that new plastic cup up to your ear -- Can you hear us now DVC policy makers???

:welcome:

AZeno

03-11-2008, 01:21 AM

We were at a studio in OKW from February 24, 2008 to March 2, 2008. Room 4626 and were privilaged to have real glasses and coffee mugs. You can see from the attached photo, we were really spoiled and received the dish soap as well. Must have been the Dream Team at work, I guess now we wont get the stay in the castle.

I can say that we've also stayed in Studios at SSR twice last year, and on one occasion, we had real glassware, but on the second visit, we found the styrofoam.

IMG]http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb269/AZeno_photos/IMG_1133.jpg[/IMG]

AZeno

03-11-2008, 01:22 AM

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb269/AZeno_photos/IMG_1133.jpg

beert1

03-11-2008, 01:40 AM

I have heard for the first time the term 'owners locker', can someone please explain what it is and what is the cost and also where they are located. Thanks:bountigge:bountigge:bountigge:doublekis

Steamboat Bill

03-11-2008, 02:06 AM

I represent a eco-friendly group of Florida high school science teachers and we are very upset with Disney's decision to use harmful styrofoam cups instead of natural glass cups in the DVC studios at SSR.

There are many documented scientific articles about how this will hurt the environment, lead to global warming, and cause birth defects in pregnant cockroaches after they eat their body weight in styrofom cups.

I called Disney corporate headquarters today and demanded to speak to the President of DVC and said if he did not take my call, we would form a protest group on Facebook.com and urge a worldwide boycott of all Disney parks until they bring back the glass cups.

After a 15 minute wait (and hearing the brain-numbing song It's A Small World playing about 10 times super loud in the phone) Jay Rasulo, the president of Disney Vacation Club picked up the phone and immediately said "Welcome Home" and how could he help me.

I was very agitated at waiting so long for him to pick up the phone and torturing me with the soundtrack of It's a Small World, I blurted out...."How dare you welcome me home when Walt Disney would roll over in his cryogenic tomb if he ever heard that DVC was punishing all the SSR owners that stay in a studio by not allowing real glass cups in the rooms and are now using cheap styrofoam cups that pollute the environment."

Mr. Jay Rasulo stated, "This is one of the things I dislike about the Internet and online discussion forums...they spread false rumors about DVC". I was shocked at his response and said, "Excuuuuussseee Meeeee, what do you mean about that."

Mr. Rasulo replied that this was only being "test marketed" in a limited amount of SSR Studios on Sunday-Thursday nights only and they bring the real glasses back for the Friday and Saturday customers. Additionally, they are only doing this to SSR and not all DVC resorts.

I was SHOCKED.....how could they do that to all the SSR owners that try to squeeze out every last drop of DVC point value by cramming their entire family in a studio Sunday-Thursday? His answer was that DVC considers the SSR owners to be the smartest and most loyal of all DVC owners because they pay the LEAST annual dues of any of the DVC properties and never stay in SSR because they grab all the other DVC resorts, so they wanted to try the switch at SSR first.

I demanded a change and informed him of all the harmful things in styrofoam and he said that Disney has created (in partnership with some large Chinese company) the world's first biodegradable, herbal, and organic styrofoam cups and they are actually better for the environment than wasting all the energy cleaning glass cups. He even offered to send me a link to their web site with Jiminy Cricket logos indicating that they were indeed "Earth-friendly" cups.

I was now more embarrassed than a teenage boy that lets out a loud toot during a moment of silence at a school assembly hall. I apologized for any misunderstanding and told him I would post about the truth online.

There you go....that's the truth and I am sticking with it.

newjerseynick

03-11-2008, 02:26 AM

Originally posted by Steamboat Bill:
I demanded a change and informed him of all the harmful things in styrofoam and he said that Disney has created (in partnership with some large Chinese company) the world's first biodegradable, herbal, and organic styrofoam cups and they are actually better for the environment than wasting all the energy cleaning glass cups. He even offered to send me a link to their web site with Jiminy Cricket logos indicating that they were indeed "Earth-friendly" cups.

Are these the edible styrofoam cups? I got a free sample with our Sunday paper last weekend, and I've been craving more ever sense! MMMMMMMM, styrofoam.

Nick

Cookie123

03-11-2008, 02:44 AM

handa

03-11-2008, 03:51 AM

When I run for President, I want Gaston to be my head of Operations and Steamboat Bill to be my Press Agent. I won't need a songwriter. I can do that myself...

All I can think about is a coffee cup made out of that really cool "biodegradable foam" that you can rinse down your sink. The good news is you'll not ruin the environment. The bad news is you'll ruin your shoes!

Chris

Daddio

03-11-2008, 12:45 PM

Daddio

03-11-2008, 12:46 PM

Daddio, Question, did they give you enough for each day between cleanings? or just four. So you need to rinse them out each day? :headscrat

Got 11 cups but they say you can call for more.

bababear

03-11-2008, 01:19 PM

Goodmornin from OKW--Studio

Just wanted to report that we have two lovely china mugs and three glass glasses.
Having a great time ----heading to Epcot -that is if these kids would hurry up and keep up with me.lol.

Hugs to all

mel

carolina_yankee

03-11-2008, 01:23 PM

I have heard for the first time the term 'owners locker', can someone please explain what it is and what is the cost and also where they are located. Thanks:bountigge:bountigge:bountigge:doublekis

Owners Locker is "the purple place for storing your vacation stuff!" It's a locker stored for in a climate controlled warehouse local to Disney. John Van Meter, a regular member of these and other Disney boards, started the company and it's great! You can store items in your locker, and they deliver and pick it up at beginning and end of your trip.

Visit www.ownerslocker.com (http://www.ownerslocker.com) for more information.

After a 15 minute wait (and hearing the brain-numbing song It's A Small World playing about 10 times super loud in the phone) Jay Rasulo, the president of Disney Vacation Club picked up the phone and immediately said "Welcome Home" and how could he help me.

Great satire, but Jim Lewis is president of DVC, and Jay Rasulo is president of Theme Parks. Actually, perhaps you need to speak to the ghost of Paul Pressler from ages past, who apparently decided guests only came to Disney to visit shops, so why worry about quality and theming anywhere else? :D

Still have the dish soap, sponge and dish towel.

Got 11 cups but they say you can call for more.

At least that's reasonable - but I still have problems with no mugs and glasses. Who wants to spend a week drinking coffee out of styrofoam? Even though I guess it's the themed Mickey styrofoam used everywhere? Who wants to put ice in a styrofoam cup for any kind of beverage?!! Why have a corkscrew for wine if you can only pour your overpriced DDP wine into styrofoam?!! I still say, What a crock! And, the insistence that it was always that way - very, very, bad.

Dirk

Daitcher

03-11-2008, 02:27 PM

I was SHOCKED.....how could they do that to all the SSR owners that try to squeeze out every last drop of DVC point value by cramming their entire family in a studio Sunday-Thursday? His answer was that DVC considers the SSR owners to be the smartest and most loyal of all DVC owners because they pay the LEAST annual dues of any of the DVC properties and never stay in SSR because they grab all the other DVC resorts, so they wanted to try the switch at SSR first.

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa....

I especially like this part of your post. SSR owners the smartest and the most LOYAL yet they "never stay in SSR because they grab all the other DVC resorts..."

Great stuff Steamboat!:hahahaha:

p.s. I hope everyone realizes that the post by SteamboatBill was an attempt at humor.... a very good one at that. I can see the posts on the other boards now quoting Steamboat.:yes:

DAVE

amycthir

03-11-2008, 02:35 PM

I know everything at Disney costs more (alot more) than anywhere else and is worth it, but when you pay $418. for one night (AAA discount) for a studio at BCV you would like to have a real glass. We always buy mugs as keepsakes, so I guess we just have to buy some at the hotel as soon as we arrive. We always washed the glasses before using them anyway.
Another question, are they going to drop the price of having daily mousekeeping for studios (when using points) since they now don't have to do glasses (yeah, right)?

Steamboat Bill

03-11-2008, 04:10 PM

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa....

I especially like this part of your post. SSR owners the smartest and the most LOYAL yet they "never stay in SSR because they grab all the other DVC resorts..."

Great stuff Steamboat!:hahahaha:

p.s. I hope everyone realizes that the post by SteamboatBill was an attempt at humor.... a very good one at that. I can see the posts on the other boards now quoting Steamboat.:yes:

DAVE

ok...I put a lot of thought into that one and it is not even April Fools day yet.

If anyone quotes me on another bbs...please post a link here as I don't visit any other DVC forums other than this board.

I know everything at Disney costs more (alot more) than anywhere else and is worth it, but when you pay $418. for one night (AAA discount) for a studio at BCV

wow...I had no idea how expensive Disney has gotten since I joined DVC in 2001. I guess it is time we start to increase out rental price per point to non-DVC owners.

TW1

03-11-2008, 05:26 PM

gopherit

03-11-2008, 07:03 PM

Are these the edible styrofoam cups? I got a free sample with our Sunday paper last weekend, and I've been craving more ever sense! MMMMMMMM, styrofoam.

Nick

Have a rice cake - same thing.:slyasafox

Lisa

03-11-2008, 07:48 PM

Goodmornin from OKW--Studio

Just wanted to report that we have two lovely china mugs and three glass glasses.
....

You better hide those mugs before the mug police come by and take them.

TW1

03-11-2008, 08:18 PM

They weren't mugs they were migs.

Daitcher

03-11-2008, 08:31 PM

ok...I put a lot of thought into that one and it is not even April Fools day yet.

If anyone quotes me on another bbs...please post a link here as I don't visit any other DVC forums other than this board.

I quite enjoyed it Steamboat. I'm still chuckling about it when I think about it.

I wouldn't be surrpised at all to see a reference to your post elsewhere. If I do I'll post the link. That is IF I can get the link to work properly.

DAVE

Lisa

03-11-2008, 09:16 PM

They weren't mugs they were migs.

:bowdown: :ROTFL: :clappingh

carolina_yankee

03-11-2008, 10:19 PM

OK - this is the email I sent to Member Satisfaction:

DVCMemberSatisfactionTeam@disneyvacationclub.com

Dear Member Satisfaction Team,

I've heard from several friends that the studios no longer have glassware and ceramic coffee mugs, but have been replaced with styrofoam. This is a change that concerns me deeply as a loyal Disney fan and DVC owner.

Styrofoam drinkware just feels cheap, something that I didn't spend $15,000 to experience in my home away from home resort. I don't drink out of styrofoam at home, and I don't relish the thought of having to do that at Disney.

I'm also concerned about the environmental impact. My understanding is that styrofoam is the worst possible disposable item - both for what it does as waste, and the resources used in making it in the first place. Given Disney's interest in environmentality, this just doesn't make sense.

I recognize there may be a concern about the ability to clean the glasses. Surely there is a cost-effective way to remove and deliver clean glasses in between guest stays. The deluxe resorts surely aren't going to offer styrofoam, so perhaps following their methods would help? In fact, it should be much easier for DVC given that each room doesn't have to be cleaned each day, and studios are only a small part of the inventory. Also as a guest, I'm quite happy to wash my own glasses in order to have coffee out of a real mug and a glass of wine in actual glassware. Have you ever wanted to drink wine out of a styrofoam cup, or have a cocktail?

How would you serve tea or hot chocolate in your studio when you can't heat water to boiling in a styro cup and there is no sensible way to clean the coffee pot so that the coffee taste is removed?

To me, Disney is about quality and about going above and beyond. This is the kind of decision I would expect from a Motel 6. It just doesn't make sense, and it makes it harder for potential DVC owners to take the program seriously when they can get better quality by staying in a deluxe or moderate resort, or off-property.

Thank you for your attention to my concern. I exclusively stay in Studios, so this change has hurt rather than enhanced my DVC experience.

AZeno

03-11-2008, 10:55 PM

Great letter and thanks for the link. I'll be firing off my own rant to the email address listed.

Gaston

03-11-2008, 11:32 PM

Yes, great letter.

Simba's Mom

03-11-2008, 11:42 PM

OK - this is the email I sent to Member Satisfaction:

DVCMemberSatisfactionTeam@disneyvacationclub.com

Great letter! I also sent them one, but I'm not good with expressing my opinions nearly as well as you did. But I wanted to let them know that "Larry" at MS online communication told me an untruth (at least they always seemed like real mugs).
C'mon everyone:computerg

Rumblebuffin

03-11-2008, 11:55 PM

Just seconded all of your thoughts to MS. Thanks for the address!

TrvlPrincess

03-12-2008, 12:08 AM

I think Disney is trying not to be in the radar for this documentary:

"Undercover Investigation: Dirty Hotel Drinking Glasses
You Won't Believe What Filthy Hotel Housekeeping an ABC15 Investigation Found"

Read the report Here:http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/BusinessTravel/story?id=4277067&page=1

I rather buy my refillable mug, where I know is not dirty and I am the only one drinking from it.
Legally even when the guests clean up the glasses, the Hotels are supposed to put it thru a dishwasher with high temperatures to kill germs professionally. Maybe Disney is doing this so they do not have to go thru or avoid lawsuits.:teleport:

DVC Mike

03-12-2008, 12:28 AM

AZeno

03-12-2008, 12:43 AM

Nice Photoshop job AZeno! Almost looks like you have real glassware there.

But if you've read this thread we all know we've never had glasses or mugs.

Nice try though, almost looks like a real DVC studio kitchen too. :Pokepoke:

Aww, you're on to my clever and elaborate trick with photoshop, the difficult part was building the scale replica of the kitchenette in my Gargage, oh wait, DW just confiscated the glassware. Oh No, looks like styrofoam for me.

Serioulsy, in hindsight, I'm not even sure why I took a picture of the kitchenette, but now I'll have to donate it to one of those websites that features retired Disney attractions.

WDWfan

03-12-2008, 12:59 AM

Thanks for the link! I just sent my letter off. I really like having my cup of hot tea in the morning. I know I can use my resort mug, but really prefer a nice ceramic mug while sitting on my balcony/patio.

Gaston

03-12-2008, 01:41 AM

I just wrote to Disney Files Magazine and told them about the styrofoam, and that their article on nature, being green etc is now made hypocritical by DVC.

richswit

03-12-2008, 04:04 AM

Sometimes you wonder about these decisions. As Daddio points out, this is not Motel 6. If housekeeping isn't washing out glasses properly, train and inspect them just like every other hospitality company in the world does.

At our last stay at OKW last May, we asked for some more Mouse soap. There were four people staying in a 2 BR unit. Answer- sorry you received the amount of soap you are entitled to. Each addtional soap will cost you - I forget the amount but it was ridiculous. How much does a bar of Mouse soap cost DVC, maybe 1 cent?

I was also astounded at the Internet access fee. You can get free Internet access at any Starbucks. Fortunately, someone with brains eliminated that annoyance.

Let's hope DVC Management get back on track with what DVC is supposed to be all about - and it's not styrofoam!

carolina_yankee

03-12-2008, 01:15 PM

AllEars is reporting:

Disney Vacation Club spokesperson Diane Hancock confirmed for AllEars® that the studio villas no longer have glassware or ceramic mugs for use and have now switched to disposables. "Because dishwashing equipment is not available in the studios, we feel this is the best option for our members and guests," said Hancock. And without the glassware, dishwashing soap will no longer be provided for the Studios. This change does not affect the one-, two- and three-bedroom villas.

Thanks for reporting this. The irony is that apparently this official statement isn't even correct since members are still reporting getting dish soap in studios!

I really believe this is an issue worth contacting DVC over. It's bad on several levels. First, there are other solutions to sanitary questions. Second, their logic just doesn't hold up because glassware is used elsewhere on property. Third, the really botched the role out of this by giving guests disinformation if reports are correct. Finally, it seems as many guests like the glassware as do guests who prefer some sort of disposable system. It can't possibly be that difficult or expense to make both options available.

Thanks to everyone who is writing in! Remember - don't rant. Be respectful and constructive in your criticisms!!

Dirk

Daitcher

03-12-2008, 01:18 PM

Let's hope DVC Management get back on track with what DVC is supposed to be all about - and it's not styrofoam!

Problem is, DVC IS getting back to what DVC is about and that is money. It wasn't always like that but it began soon after OKW. Since then they have been all about squeezing every nickel they can out of DVC and using it to pump up the bottom line of Disney. In fact they have now came up with a plan to squeeze more money out of the original owners who paid to little.

DVC WAS a deluxe timeshare at the time back in the early 90's. Room sizes, park tickets for length of stay, nice extras in room, like throw pillows, etc. That stopped rather quickly when some bean counters decided it was more profitable to eliminate those things going forward. We now see bare bones offerings sold at top dollar, "maintained" at top dollar. Smaller, dirty rooms are the norm now.

I'm going to draft a letter (I'll send mine snail mail) as well. For me this isn't just about styrofoam cups. This is about declining standards at DVC and a shift towards a sales driven approach rather than a customer satisfaction based approach. They can do both, I've seen it done at my other Timeshares over the years.

I've ranted about this stuff for years.:rant: What I got out of it was thrown off a board and labeled a complainer. I'm glad to see others have came around and share some of my concerns. My rants are simply because I've been around a while with DVC and I don't like what I've seen. It is also because I care about DVC.

DAVE

Carol

03-12-2008, 01:57 PM

Don't put the free park tickets in your letter. That was a sales incentive and paid for by the Developer.

handa

03-12-2008, 04:03 PM

I honestly think that this is more of a QC issue than a cost issue. None of the hotels targeted in either report (there are two that I know of, the first one coming from Denver I believe) were in the Motel 6 category. Cleaning standards exist. The proper monitoring of these standards is the larger issue.

It is not too much to expect clean dishes and a clean room upon check in.

Hopefully, they'll come to the simple solution of having the staff change out all utensils in-between guests and during full-service cleanings, and maybe changing the Jiminy Cricket note to include something about use of glassware (leave the glasses in this area if you are washing them yourself just like you hang the towels you don't want us to take and replace).

Chris

B'rer Karen

03-12-2008, 04:05 PM

Dirk, I think you're letter was perfect. Great job.

My biggest complaint on this whole change is the dishwashing soap, if indeed they no longer will have it. As many of you have stated, how are we supposed to clean the coffee pot? And for that matter, if we're worried about the cleanliness of glassware between guests visits, doesn't the coffee pot have the same issue? Luckily I have an owner's locker and I can add those items that are missing to it, but I don't like this cheap attempt to fix a problem (real or perceived) and then telling us it's an "enhancement."

Also, are we going to get additional trash cans or an additional trash pickup to take care of all those styrofoam cups we'll be throwing away? :rolleyes:

administrator

03-12-2008, 04:07 PM

snowbunny

03-12-2008, 04:23 PM

Problem is, DVC IS getting back to what DVC is about and that is money.

I agree with your post and it really applies to Disney in general. When I was a kid my parents thought Disneyland (that was before the World) was an outstanding vacation value, so clean you could eat off the pavement and so forth. Boy has that all changed in the last 10-15 years.

I understand corporations are in business to make a profit, but there are ways to do it that retain loyal customers and deliver value (Honda), and ways to do it that are short-sighted and only look at the next quarter's P&L statement (AT&T).

nono

03-12-2008, 04:36 PM

Problem is, DVC IS getting back to what DVC is about and that is money. It wasn't always like that but it began soon after OKW. Since then they have been all about squeezing every nickel they can out of DVC and using it to pump up the bottom line of Disney. In fact they have now came up with a plan to squeeze more money out of the original owners who paid to little.

DVC WAS a deluxe timeshare at the time back in the early 90's. Room sizes, park tickets for length of stay, nice extras in room, like throw pillows, etc. That stopped rather quickly when some bean counters decided it was more profitable to eliminate those things going forward. We now see bare bones offerings sold at top dollar, "maintained" at top dollar. Smaller, dirty rooms are the norm now.

I'm going to draft a letter (I'll send mine snail mail) as well. For me this isn't just about styrofoam cups. This is about declining standards at DVC and a shift towards a sales driven approach rather than a customer satisfaction based approach. They can do both, I've seen it done at my other Timeshares over the years.

I've ranted about this stuff for years.:rant: What I got out of it was thrown off a board and labeled a complainer. I'm glad to see others have came around and share some of my concerns. My rants are simply because I've been around a while with DVC and I don't like what I've seen. It is also because I care about DVC.

DAVE

Right, but if you can take the ranting out of it, and just stick to dead, cold, hard facts, it's so much more powerful for the receiver. If you rant at all in your letter, you give the receiver some room to write you off as a nut. If you are just assasin-like without emotion, and correct on each point, the received can't write you off. They may blow you off in a reply, but you'll have likely touched a nerve in a way that makes that person uncomfortable.

TW1

03-12-2008, 05:21 PM

So then how are you supposed to wash the coffee pot?
:hypnotict What coffee pot. There never was a coffee pot.:hypnotict

I think you've been riding Mission Space a bit too much.

Daitcher

03-12-2008, 05:21 PM

Don't put the free park tickets in your letter. That was a sales incentive and paid for by the Developer.

Thanks.

I wasn't even going to bring that type of thing up because, really, any perk isn't a guarantee anyway and certainly not a reason to buy in.

I will focus on standards that I've seen slip and some recent changes that make the membership feel less valued.

DAVE

Daitcher

03-12-2008, 05:23 PM

Right, but if you can take the ranting out of it, and just stick to dead, cold, hard facts, it's so much more powerful for the receiver. If you rant at all in your letter, you give the receiver some room to write you off as a nut. If you are just assasin-like without emotion, and correct on each point, the received can't write you off. They may blow you off in a reply, but you'll have likely touched a nerve in a way that makes that person uncomfortable.

Thanks a lot Nono and ITA.

I try to leave the rants for the boards or blogs.

DAVE

Simba's Mom

03-12-2008, 05:47 PM

So then how are you supposed to wash the coffee pot? Or anything else that you might choose to bring along, like a refillable mug?

That is so disgusting.

The least they can do is leave the darned soap and sponge.

That's what I was wondering also. If I bring a ceramic cup from home, how am I going to drink coffee in the morning, then have a cup of tea in the afternoon from the same cup if I can't wash it? And if I'm there for a week or so-disgusting!

Eric

03-12-2008, 06:31 PM

how am I going to drink coffee in the morning, then have a cup of tea in the afternoon?

Just think of the leftover coffee from the morning as "flavor crystals".

Problem solved!

carolina_yankee

03-12-2008, 06:42 PM

Those seeking to write Disney might want to skim over this report:

http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/enviroport/2006/mf/lft.html

It might be worth tracking down email or snail mail for the Environmentality VP:
http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/enviroport/2006/mf/lfk.html
(Though she may not still be in that position. Another person at VP level for corporate responsibility, Kerry Chandler, just left Disney in January and is working for another company).

Anyway, check out Disney's values:

Environmentality was established as a fundamental ethic designed to blend the company's business needs with the corporate-wide conservation of natural resources. Adherence to this philosophy helps us attain our strategic goals while demonstrating that environmental stewardship can work-in-hand with the protection of Disney's assets and enhanced profitability.

* Walt Disney Conservation
Proactive efforts that extend beyond compliance with environmental laws and regulations direct the course of Environmentality. Conserving valuable resources through the purchase of recycled-content products, waste minimization, and research and development, are all significant components that contribute to Disney's environmental initiatives. For more information, please click here (http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/resource_conservation.html).

* Education
Environmental departments throughout The Walt Disney Company educate cast members and employees through multiple outreach efforts, including special events, marketing promotions, and communication materials like Disney's Enviroport (http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/enviroport.html). Externally, partnerships with local and federal agencies have led to the development of education programs such as Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge and WOW - Wonderful Outdoor World, bringing Environmentality directly into classrooms and underserved neighborhoods.

* Action
Environmentality is more than a slogan. As a result, cast members and employees around the world proactively support environmental initiatives through all aspects of our business. Jiminy Cricket serves as our official conscience, reminding each person that individual action is the key to success.

To learn more about environmentality, click here. (http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/index.html)

I think a good argument could be made that the new policy flies in the face of Disney's corporate standards.

Dirk

TW1

03-12-2008, 06:54 PM

carolina_yankee

03-12-2008, 07:16 PM

Here's a Disney Corporate link telling us about 50 things we can do every day to save the planet.

I especially like #9 and #24. And Maybe the DVC managers should re-read #41.

http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/50_actions.html

TW1, you did it! The smoking gun . . .

24. Limit your use of polystyrene (Styrofoam)

Another board is reporting phonecalls to heads of housekeeping for Contemporary and Grand Floridian, which verified they are still using real glassware. Also, apparently head of housekeeping at GF is totally flummoxed as to why DVC would do this.

Another thought - would Animal Kingdom Lodge lose its "Green Lodge" status granted by Florida since the DVC rooms use Styrofoam? Perhaps an "innocent query" might be in order . . .

And look at all of Disney's green resorts listed here:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/lodges.htm#c

Dirk

handa

03-12-2008, 07:18 PM

"9. Carry a reusable mug, everywhere"

I do! I do!

My Mig even has a cupholder that can hold a reusable mug.

Hanname

NYDVC

03-12-2008, 08:15 PM

"9. Carry a reusable mug, everywhere"

I do! I do!

My Mig even has a cupholder that can hold a reusable mug.

Hanname

OK, I think I heard MIG before. help!! what is a MIG?

TW1

03-12-2008, 08:23 PM

OK, I think I heard MIG before. help!! what is a MIG?

Hanname

nono

03-12-2008, 08:43 PM

Hanname

giggling...

I'll let someone else explain...

:cheers2:

BTW, nice work TW! and carolina_yankee!

administrator

03-12-2008, 09:28 PM

If someone is really interested in explaining the old joke about refillable mugs, please do so in CH.

Let's try to stay on topic here, though.

Thanks. :)

carolina_yankee

03-12-2008, 10:36 PM

Getting back on track here . . .

Near as I can figure, this is the person at the corporate level to write to.

Kris McNamara
Vice President
The Walt Disney Company
Corporate Environmental Policy
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-9758

If you do so, I would suggest perusing the evironmentality info, partuclarly what TW1 has picked out and Disney's values, which I quoted in an earlier post. I think a case can be made that DVC is falling off the environmentality wagon.

This is particularly problematic since most, if not all, DVC resorts are listed by Florida as "Green Lodges." Personally, I think for AKV to this at AKL is a particular scandal.

Anyway, you can see where my letter is heading. Maybe a cc to Jim Lewis, President of DVC?

Dirk

Gaston

03-13-2008, 12:04 AM

Getting back on track here . . .

Near as I can figure, this is the person at the corporate level to write to.

If you do so, I would suggest perusing the evironmentality info, partuclarly what TW1 has picked out and Disney's values, which I quoted in an earlier post. I think a case can be made that DVC is falling off the environmentality wagon.

This is particularly problematic since most, if not all, DVC resorts are listed by Florida as "Green Lodges." Personally, I think for AKV to this at AKL is a particular scandal.

Anyway, you can see where my letter is heading. Maybe a cc to Jim Lewis, President of DVC?

Dirk
Here is the organization that monitors Animal Kingdom
Assoc. Of Zoos and Aquariums
301-562-0888

gemdisney

03-13-2008, 12:10 AM

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 01:28 AM

I have to tell you the proof is in the pudding. I was ecstatic when I heard Disney was making a new attraction at Epcot with Waste Managment about house footprints! Now I hear they have WASTE coming from a place where it could be avoided!!!! That is ridiculous! I wish I knew where I could go to express concerns to someone that will make a difference. As far as I knew studios has sinks! Old fashion or not, its still a way to wash! Plus I went to BDR and thought I remembered GLASS cups in there! That isn't even supposet o e as nice as any DVC rooms!

There are several places you can write. First, an email can go to:

DVCMemberSatisfactionTeam@disneyvacationclub.com

You can also write Jim Lewis, President of DVC. I'm not sure of his address, but probably Jim Lewis, President at the DVC address in our member information would do it.

If you want to go up the corporate ladder, try

Kris McNamara
Vice President
The Walt Disney Company
Corporate Environmental Policy
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-9758

If they have a VP for Corporate Environmental Policy, that's a pretty big commitment. Perhaps DVC mgmt should wander through Innoventions and learn how to put their policies where their mouth is. . .

Dirk

bavaria

03-13-2008, 03:10 AM

I have returned momentarily as I feel that this thread requires a musical interlude
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tIwCN9Ot4k4

WDWfan

03-13-2008, 05:06 AM

Daitcher

03-13-2008, 01:05 PM

OK - I sent my e-mail off yesterday and got the automated reply stating they'd get badk to me soon. Nothing yet. I think they're probably getting a fair number of complaints and are a tab backed up. :rolleyes: Wonder if they'll really answer my specific concerns or just send a generic reply. :scratchch

Lets see..........................................

"Thank you for voicing your concerns. We strive for the highest standards and we take member comments very seriously. You can rest assured that your comments will be brought to the attention of the appropriate department.

Thank you for your comments and have a magical day."

There..... that out to do it.

DAVE

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 01:34 PM

I have returned momentarily as I feel that this thread requires a musical interlude
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tIwCN9Ot4k4

Bavaria, you're my hero! (I am vicariously eating a Ritters Sport chocolate in your honor.)

Others: If this change affects you and bothers you, it might also be worthy asking to at the desk to speak with the resort manager about your concern. The more concerted the efforts (along with politeness and respect), the more likely DVC will review this policy. Disney has backpedaled before . . .

Dirk

DVCKennyD

03-13-2008, 04:02 PM

Here's a Disney Corporate link telling us about 50 things we can do every day to save the planet.

I especially like #9 and #24. And Maybe the DVC managers should re-read #41.

http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/50_actions.html

Howdy!!

This looks like a great topic for my first post here... please welcome a newbie to the MouseOwners boards!

This link is indeed the "smoking gun" as it is a wonderful way to impress upon the powers that be the absurdity of their decision.

No corporation wants potentially embarrassing/hypocritical information like this made an issue of... After all,IMO, it was the original news story about housekeeping practices at the Contemporary that caused this knee jerk reaction in the first place!!

KennyD

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 05:02 PM

DVCKennyD - :welcome: to MouseOwners, and thank for jumping into the conversation!

Needless to say, I also agree with you. ;)

The irony is that the Contemporary got nailed in the report, but it's DVC that responds. At the same time, another board has reported that the Contemporary Housekeeping has said the see no reason to go to disposable drinkware in their rooms (good thing, too).

For the record, many hotels offer guests a choice. Often times they will have "to go" cups so you can take your coffee with you. Nothing says you can't use a "to go" cup as a "to stay" cup if you don't want to use the glass or mug. DVC could have so easily addresses hygiene questions in many other ways, so I'm totally flummoxed as to why they would make such a move.

Dirk

DVC Mike

03-13-2008, 05:03 PM

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 05:06 PM

Hmmm. Looks like I am in the minority on this issue.

While I think DVC made a bad decision and I don't agree with it, to me personally, their decision really doesn't upset me all that much. It's more of a bother (we must pack our own mugs, glasses, etc). I'd like them to go back to the way it was, but if they don't, I can deal with it.

I know, from all the posts, that others have much stronger negative opinions on this DVC change than I do.

We'll see if DVC sticks with this change, or realizes it's causing more problems than it's worth to them.

Mike, in a sense, I agree with you. We have an Owners Locker, so we're covered. But the question is, Why should I have to pack my own mugs and glasses? I didn't before, and DVC is supposed to be a quality product. Plus, we wouldn't have to do that if we stayed in the adjoining rooms where DVC shares with a deluxe resort. I can't remember, but I don't think we have to do it at the moderates, either. It's just strange . . .

Dirk

TrvlPrincess

03-13-2008, 05:24 PM

Interestingly in the 2008-2009 Members book, DVC wants its members "to feel at Home"
DVC can resolve this problem easily:...

If they do not trust housekeeping with the glasses, have the glasses available upon request at the time of the reservation. Sanitized by a different team that had already professionlly sanitized them.

Give the member the option to go either way.

TW1

03-13-2008, 05:26 PM

It's more of a bother (we must pack our own mugs, glasses, etc).

This is one of the reasons it does bother me. For $15,000 and another $650 a year, I really don't think I should be expected to pack my own drinkware and dish soap.

The second issue is the environmental impact, which has certainly been the focus here lately.

But really, what's next. Last year at HHI, I also needed to begin to pack my own beach towels as well, since we are given 1 pool towel per person for the length of stay and I kinda like keeping that towel for the pool and not bringing it to the beach.

Honestly, this does not bother me as much since I saw the reampant misuse of the towel service as a HUGE expense to members as well as an environmental issue.

But it's getting to the tipping point for me. Sure, it's just 4 mugs and some dish soap that I need to pack, and I drive anyway, so they hardly take up that much room. But what will it be next year. Linens? Trash bags? Shower curtain? Toilet paper? Batteries for the remote? Yes I'm kidding, but it could very well be the studio's coffee maker and/or the toaster, both of which I use daily in my studio. Or fewer guest services, or fewer recreation activities, or even smaller food portions.

So again, for the price we paid and pay in dues each year, is it really that difficult to supply reusable drinkware. I'll be the first to admit it seems to petty on my part, but it is starting to look like a pattern of cheapening my vacation experience that I did not expect from a company like Disney. And I guess that's niave, even unrealistic to admit, but it is how I feel.

(BTW Hope your last trip went well. How was AKV?)

Daitcher

03-13-2008, 05:36 PM

Hmmm. Looks like I am in the minority on this issue.

While I think DVC made a bad decision and I don't agree with it, to me personally, their decision really doesn't upset me all that much. It's more of a bother (we must pack our own mugs, glasses, etc). I'd like them to go back to the way it was, but if they don't, I can deal with it.

I know, from all the posts, that others have much stronger negative opinions on this DVC change than I do.

We'll see if DVC sticks with this change, or realizes it's causing more problems than it's worth to them.

I also agree this isn't earth shattering BUT it will hurt the environment which goes against Disney's corporate image AND it cheapens the product. Those two things alone should be enough for them to reverse course on this and I'll go on record right now that this "change" won't last. The glassware will return. How can they not see that this decision is absurd?

Oh and one final note, why can't we have clear thinkers like you and Dirk as the official DVC decision makers???? I'd be willing to bet things would be a heck of a lot better.

DAVE

DVC Mike

03-13-2008, 05:43 PM

Mike, in a sense, I agree with you. We have an Owners Locker, so we're covered. But the question is, Why should I have to pack my own mugs and glasses? I didn't before, and DVC is supposed to be a quality product. Plus, we wouldn't have to do that if we stayed in the adjoining rooms where DVC shares with a deluxe resort. I can't remember, but I don't think we have to do it at the moderates, either. It's just strange . . .

Dirk

I wish DVC would explain the real driver behind their decision. Is it a cleanliness issue? The glasses and mugs in non-DVC resorts get daily housekeeping and so dirty mugs and glasses get replaced by housekeeping. Is it a cost issue? I wish we would get a definitive explanation.

In any event, from looking at this board and others, it seems the majority of DVC members are not happy with this change and many members are complaining. Given the number of complaints, we can only hope that DVC sees their error and once again places ceramic mugs and glasses in Studios.

DVC Mike

03-13-2008, 05:50 PM

For $15,000 and another $650 a year, I really don't think I should be expected to pack my own drinkware and dish soap.

For me, that would be $60,000 and, oh, I don't want to think about how much I pay in annual dues!

But it's getting to the tipping point for me. Sure, it's just 4 mugs and some dish soap that I need to pack, and I drive anyway, so they hardly take up that much room. But what will it be next year. Linens? Trash bags? Shower curtain? Toilet paper? Batteries for the remote? Yes I'm kidding, but it could very well be the studio's coffee maker and/or the toaster, both of which I use daily in my studio. Or fewer guest services, or fewer recreation activities, or even smaller food portions.

but it is starting to look like a pattern of cheapening my vacation experience that I did not expect from a company like Disney. And I guess that's niave, even unrealistic to admit, but it is how I feel.

Yes, folks see this as a pattern of a slow decline as DVC slowly chips away at what is provided. This may be true.

For me, I am still far away from the tipping point where I would consider divesting myself of DVC points.

DVCKennyD

03-13-2008, 06:50 PM

I wish DVC would explain the real driver behind their decision. Is it a cleanliness issue? The glasses and mugs in non-DVC resorts get daily housekeeping and so dirty mugs and glasses get replaced by housekeeping. Is it a cost issue? I wish we would get a definitive explanation.

IMO, it is purely a $$$ issue... The cups and mugs were never properly sanitized to begin with!!

Furthermore, the dishwashers located in the other villas aren't capable of properly "sanitizing" the mugs either... According to NSF guidelines, a temperature of 180 degrees F is needed to achieve this.
So, the comment attributed to the DVC spokesman/woman on AllEars concerning the lack of a dishwasher in the studios is in reality a "red herring"!

KennyD

DVCKennyD

03-13-2008, 06:56 PM

Carol

03-13-2008, 07:21 PM

Since we hardly ever stay in a studio, this new policy doesn't impact us much at all. However, I also would like to know why DVC implemented this policy. None of the reasons given so far seem to make sense.

The dishwasher thing would seem to apply to other resorts, not just DVC. I read that a DVC member at the AKV asked Housekeeping for mugs and glasses and was refused. But the AKL guests across the hall got them. Huh???? (FWIW, this must be the first guest reqeust in history to be refused, LOL). Maybe it's a pain to have a centralized dishwasher for OKW & SSR, but the other WDW DVC resorts are attached to a deluxe resort that must already have one. And do CRO/WDWTC guests at SSR & OKW get paper stuff, too? Or just the DVC members?

Saving money? Very hard to believe. Guess I'd have to see some numbers. Anyone know what the "environmentally friendly" paper products cost? I think it is more than the styrofoam & plastic stuff.

All that extra trash isn't "green" and I sure hope the disposable cups are at least made out of some type of biodegradeable material and not the classic styrofoam. Making that styrofoam and plastic stuff is VERY NOT GREEN (so to speak).

Shame on the employees who say the studios never had mugs and glasses. That is of course just not true!

All that said, given a choice, I'd probably opt for biodegradeable disposables. It's convenient. I like taking a cup of my own coffee to go in the morning without having to carry a mug around all day. Since I bring my own coffee and filters, it would save me from bringing or buying my own paper cups.

Daitcher

03-13-2008, 07:45 PM

IMO, it is purely a $$$ issue... The cups and mugs were never properly sanitized to begin with!!

Furthermore, the dishwashers located in the other villas aren't capable of properly "sanitizing" the mugs either... According to NSF guidelines, a temperature of 180 degrees F is needed to achieve this.
So, the comment attributed to the DVC spokesman/woman on AllEars concerning the lack of a dishwasher in the studios is in reality a "red herring"!

KennyD

Anyboby else liking this KennyD guy???????????

Welcome to MO, Kenny. It is apparent already that you will be a great addition.:welcome:

DAVE

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 07:46 PM

You know, it probably isn't a money issue at all, but something a little more closer to home for Disney - famed for quality:

https://www.myfloridalicense.com/inspectionDetail.asp?InspVisitID=3062279&id=2207740

Violations observed January 23, 2008 by the Florida Department of Busienss and Professiona Regulations's inspection of BWV:

Violation Observation
13-01 Observed a door in disrepair. villa 1026
15-07 Observed a soiled bathroom sink. villa 1026 found hairs.
18-03 Observed a soiled rug/carpet. stains in carpet in hallway
23-01 Critical. Observed glassware/dishware not sanitized and no notification of exception to sanitization requirements posted. villa 1026

Notice the last one?

Dirk

gemdisney

03-13-2008, 07:56 PM

WOW! I ahve a lot to comment on now. I'll start with :welcome: KennyD -I'm new too!
Dirk, thanks so much for the info. I have great suggestions for them. Yes, maybe they should learn from their own attractions.
The employees and hotels are suppose to get "rewarded" so to say as they are trying to reach certain goals in being more "green". I forgot who said it but greener products aren't always that much more cost wise. I can swing it and I could only afford my DVC points by sharing it with my parents. I stay at home wiht our children and try to clean houses or whatever I can to help pay for it. Otherwise it'd be OUT of the question for us. So do I think Disney can swing it...sure.
TrvlPrincess made some good point and Mike I do agree with you. I brin my own mugs in other places. But to not know ahead of time I may be a tad upset espcially b/c as I am trying to teach my children to be more enviornmentally friendly I can't not do it myself. My point...practice what you preach, "Don't Waste It" wont teach my kids a thing if they go back to a room that has styrofoam and plastic cups.
Honestly I think if they bought more recycled products it would be great. I hate seeing all that plastic in the garbages at the hotel dining areas. I do hope they go through and recylce.
I will greatly pass this info we have talked about onto the proper people now that I know where to pass it on to. Anyother info you care to add send it my way or get the addresses provided by Dirk-again Thank you!

Daitcher

03-13-2008, 07:57 PM

You know, it probably isn't a money issue at all, but something a little more closer to home for Disney - famed for quality:

https://www.myfloridalicense.com/inspectionDetail.asp?InspVisitID=3062279&id=2207740

Violations observed January 23, 2008 by the Florida Department of Busienss and Professiona Regulations's inspection of BWV:

Notice the last one?

Dirk

Wow, Villa 1026 sounds like a nightmare! I bet they set that one aside special for the late arrivers.:hahahaha:

Nice find. It would make sense. Frustrated DVC higher ups decide: "Well, just do away with those darn glasses in the studios and be done with it! No more write ups about that issue."

DAVE

Daitcher

03-13-2008, 08:09 PM

Wow, Villa 1026 sounds like a nightmare! I bet they set that one aside special for the late arrivers.:hahahaha:

Nice find. It would make sense. Frustrated DVC higher ups decide: "Well, just do away with those darn glasses in the studios and be done with it! No more write ups about that issue."

DAVE

Quoting myself??????? I know very weird but I wanted to expand on this a little. I reviewed the link you provided and checked the latest reports for the other DVC Resorts and that is the only violation I see related to Glasses/dishware.

How big of a problem can it be? This still leaves me wondering the motivation. Time saver for housekeeping?

DAVE

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 08:10 PM

Wow, Villa 1026 sounds like a nightmare! I bet they set that one aside special for the late arrivers.:hahahaha:

Nice find. It would make sense. Frustrated DVC higher ups decide: "Well, just do away with those darn glasses in the studios and be done with it! No more write ups about that issue."

DAVE

Actually, Dave, given your first appearance on MouseOwners, I though Villa 1026 was the Daitcher Memorial Suite. It would explain everything you wrote!!

Not to get sidetracked, though . . .

Perhaps DVC higher ups can get equally frustrated with members who won't take this lying down . . .

Dirk

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 08:12 PM

I will greatly pass this info we have talked about onto the proper people now that I know where to pass it on to. Anyother info you care to add send it my way or get the addresses provided by Dirk-again Thank you!

Gemdisney, thanks for your encouragement, insight, and your own part in our little DVC rebellion. :) Great to see you!

Dirk

Daitcher

03-13-2008, 09:05 PM

Actually, Dave, given your first appearance on MouseOwners, I though Villa 1026 was the Daitcher Memorial Suite. It would explain everything you wrote!!

Not to get sidetracked, though . . .

Perhaps DVC higher ups can get equally frustrated with members who won't take this lying down . . .

Dirk

HeHeHeHe....

I was going to say that but I didn't want to beat the dead horse. I think we've all heard enough about my stay at BWV. I'm not a guy who remembers room numbers but I believe I was on the third floor and Iknow I was all the way down in the back at the end of the looooong hallway. That rom number sounds like a low floor.

DAVE

carolina_yankee

03-13-2008, 09:10 PM

I checked the recent inspections on the other resorts - none have anything relating to glassware and dish sanitary issues. Most have to do with fire extinguishers, soiled drapes, sofas, and toilet seats (one unit each) in various resorts.

Maybe I don't want to be reading this . . .

Just like I never got sick before by drinking out of hotel glassware, so why change now?

Dirk

Disney Dreams

03-13-2008, 09:28 PM

I believe this is my first post, though I have been a reader of posts for awhile. Anyway, I am disappointed in this new policy, as others are. One of the reasons the studios work for us on certain trips is because they have the basic amenities to have coffee, microwave, use the fridge, etc...

I don't like to drink anything out of styrofoam because of the environmental issues and potential health hazards. I also wash my own utensils when we camp rather than bringing disposables, so I try to avoid disposables in any way I can. To hear that this is being done at DVC is embarassing. I know that not everyone is affected by it in the same way, but I shudder to think of future sudden changes if members don't voice their thoughts on this issue. Sandpaper grade toilet paper may be next...

Simba's Mom

03-13-2008, 09:42 PM

For the record, many hotels offer guests a choice. Often times they will have "to go" cups so you can take your coffee with you. Nothing says you can't use a "to go" cup as a "to stay" cup if you don't want to use the glass or mug. DVC could have so easily addresses hygiene questions in many other ways, so I'm totally flummoxed as to why they would make such a move.

Dirk
Like you, I wonder why DVC doesn't offer a choice. Some people may think that plastic and styrofoam would make them feel safer germ-wise. Yet some see no problem washing out a ceramic mug (assuming dish soap were left in studios) and would prefer to drink their coffee/tea that way. I know that there are one or two mornings when a styrofoam cup would be nice to walk to the bus stop with. However, most of the time, I want a real, ceramic mug.

DVCKennyD

03-13-2008, 09:45 PM

Anyboby else liking this KennyD guy???????????

Welcome to MO, Kenny. It is apparent already that you will be a great addition.:welcome:

DAVE

Why thank you!! I have little patience for incompetence and, according to my wife, can get rather opinionated at times:thumbsup::rant:

KennyD

DVCKennyD

03-13-2008, 09:47 PM

Lisa

03-14-2008, 12:44 AM

You know, it probably isn't a money issue at all, but something a little more closer to home for Disney - famed for quality:

https://www.myfloridalicense.com/inspectionDetail.asp?InspVisitID=3062279&id=2207740

Violations observed January 23, 2008 by the Florida Department of Busienss and Professiona Regulations's inspection of BWV:

Wow! I think your hot on the trail. How'd ya dig that one up!

However, I do think it does always go back to the money. They are choosing not to properly sanitize/clean the glassware because of the cost.

Gaston

03-14-2008, 12:13 PM

DVC management is a bunch of hypocrites about the environment in light of the latest issue of Disney Files. And they want us to believe that magazine is printed on recycled paper???

carolina_yankee

03-14-2008, 01:35 PM

Wow! I think your hot on the trail. How'd ya dig that one up!

However, I do think it does always go back to the money. They are choosing not to properly sanitize/clean the glassware because of the cost.

What I don't understand is that they apparently have figured out how to do it in their hotels (or at least haven't been caught), or decided that whatever they're doing makes it possible to still have glassware in the hotels.

I believe they are required to post something in the villas, where they use a dishwasher, that says "these glasses may not have not been cleaned to industrial standards" or something like that. Ultimately, I can't see how hard (or expensive) it would be to stick a Hobart in each Mousekeeping area and run the studio glasses and mugs through it, then return. They don't have to do it daily - only when people check out or on the 7th day - and not for every unit, just studios . . . Much easier than a hotel.

Dirk

gemdisney

03-14-2008, 01:47 PM

Dirk, that is my point exactly. For me it is all about being ecofriendly and safe for us.
http://corporate.disney.go.com/environmentality/waste_minimization.html

This is where I was recently sent after talking on another site about the new "Don't Waste It" attraction in Epcot. This is all about the goals and such I stated early that they have for the hotels.

handa

03-14-2008, 03:41 PM

What I don't understand is that they apparently have figured out how to do it in their hotels (or at least haven't been caught), or decided that whatever they're doing makes it possible to still have glassware in the hotels.

I believe they are required to post something in the villas, where they use a dishwasher, that says "these glasses may not have not been cleaned to industrial standards" or something like that. Ultimately, I can't see how hard (or expensive) it would be to stick a Hobart in each Mousekeeping area and run the studio glasses and mugs through it, then return. They don't have to do it daily - only when people check out or on the 7th day - and not for every unit, just studios . . . Much easier than a hotel.

Dirk

Dirk,

I really think that you hit the "real reason," which would both not be public and an easy target for misinformation if not handled properly from a PR standpoint.

There are two quick fixes to a critical item, which by nature of the category must not be ignored. The first is to shut down/eliminate that item until it is properly resolved, such as closing a kitchen because of high levels of contaminates or shutting down an attraction until the safety cables are replaced and re-inspected.

The second is to provide a secondary and temporary solution, such as replacing washable utensils w/ disposable ones until proper sanitization can be assured or printing all of those little warning signs and distributing/posting them in guest areas. Another solution would be to use the resort's dining facilities to wash glasses until additional Hobarts were to be installed in housekeeping areas. This would be easier for CR to do than SSR because SSR is larger and less compact than CR (or BWV, AKV, etc.).

So, wandering and typing out loud, is it possible that this is a temporary solution until a more permanent resolution can be reached?

And no, Mickey isn't making me write this. It is just what I would do from an operations standpoint, and I have had to replace proper utensils with plastic and styrofoam because of a broken Hobart many times before. It was either that or not feed 500 people for that meal.

Also wandering and typing out loud, aren't CMs better trained to handle the questions and objections some of you have recently put forth than the responses you received indicate?

Chris

OttawaWendy

03-14-2008, 03:56 PM

Chris,

Yours is an interesting suggestion. This could be a temporary measure, because they need to address infrastructure for washing. However, if that is the case, why isn't it required at the Deluxe resorts? Sure, SSR is spread out, but so is the Poly and the GF. They even have real glasses in Moderates, so how are they coping with POR etc.

At least, at the DVCs, we used to have soap and a sponge. What was/is available to wash the glasses (and coffee pots etc.) at the Deluxes?

Part of what disturbs me is that the housekeeper will be wearing the gloves she used to clean the toilet when she puts the paper/styrafoam cups in my studio, and now I can't clean them. At least with glassware, although we were possibly getting dirty glasses, we had a means to wash them. Plus, as others have pointed out here and elsewhere, the sponge and soap were useful for the coffee pot, the sippy cups, the high chair etc.

I don't think this is going to last. My guess is that the glasses and mugs will return, along with a little plaque saying "glasses and dishware may not be cleaned to industrial standards." Maybe they could get Bounty to sponsor the plaque by including instructions on how to use the soap, sponge and paper towels to clean the glasses! ;)

zulaya

03-14-2008, 03:59 PM

Chris--

I think you raise excellent points and very feasible possibilities.

I think the crux of the matter is that IF this is what happened/is happening, Member Services completely dropped the ball on informing Members that this is what they are doing.

And I think that is a big part of why people are upset...that Disney tried to fly this under the radar and hoped we wouldn't notice.

Personally, while I'd like to believe what you propose, I'm just not sure I can at this point

~Mary

Dirk,

I really think that you hit the "real reason," which would both not be public and an easy target for misinformation if not handled properly from a PR standpoint.

There are two quick fixes to a critical item, which by nature of the category must not be ignored. The first is to shut down/eliminate that item until it is properly resolved, such as closing a kitchen because of high levels of contaminates or shutting down an attraction until the safety cables are replaced and re-inspected.

The second is to provide a secondary and temporary solution, such as replacing washable utensils w/ disposable ones until proper sanitization can be assured or printing all of those little warning signs and distributing/posting them in guest areas. Another solution would be to use the resort's dining facilities to wash glasses until additional Hobarts were to be installed in housekeeping areas. This would be easier for CR to do than SSR because SSR is larger and less compact than CR (or BWV, AKV, etc.).

So, wandering and typing out loud, is it possible that this is a temporary solution until a more permanent resolution can be reached?

And no, Mickey isn't making me write this. It is just what I would do from an operations standpoint, and I have had to replace proper utensils with plastic and styrofoam because of a broken Hobart many times before. It was either that or not feed 500 people for that meal.

Also wandering and typing out loud, aren't CMs better trained to handle the questions and objections some of you have recently put forth than the responses you received indicate?

Chris

Daitcher

03-14-2008, 04:20 PM

So, wandering and typing out loud, is it possible that this is a temporary solution until a more permanent resolution can be reached?
Chris

Chris,

If that is the case and this move is temporary then why not tell DVC members of this "temporary" change?

I do believe this change wil be temporary but not because DVC planned it this way. They will once again cave in to the pressure and remove those styrofoam cups.

Make no mistake, this is policy as of now. They obviously have cleaning solutions for this because they manage to do it for the one/two and three bedroom units. Yep.... this a good old fashioned cost/time saver.

DAVE

DVCKennyD

03-14-2008, 05:15 PM

Chris,

Make no mistake, this is policy as of now. They obviously have cleaning solutions for this because they manage to do it for the one/two and three bedroom units. Yep.... this a good old fashioned cost/time saver.

DAVE

Dave,

I completely agree with your assessment... This thing reeks of "bean counter" thinking!! Someone saw an opportunity, due to the housekeeping "scandal", and made a knee jerk decision.

Maybe they are contemplating adding centralized dishwashing equipment to the properties, but I highly doubt that was their initial line of thinking. After all, how long have the studio villas existed without "proper" dishwashing equipment?? Enough bad publicity might help facilitate this work:D

KennyD

KennyD