Diamond listings...

[lenshanem]

I heard on a podcast that the Poly had lost it's four diamond rating and I was curious about the other WDW resorts so I posted a thread on that other board and was surprised at the answer. YC/BC is the only WDW resort besides the Dolphin to have a four star rating! Even the GF lost it's four stars due to poor customer service. While I'm disappointed to hear WDW's resorts are losing stars, I'm happy that I own at BCV. :woohoodan

[KNWVIKING]

In an attempt to increase share holder value, Disney sold off the excess Diamoonds Poly & GF owned. Part of the rational for the sale was the result of surveys taken by Motel 6 guests on the Irlo Bronson Highway who stated " Diamonds ? We don't need no stinkin' Diamonds".

Disney is hoping their lower standards will attract more of this type of no frills guests. Guests that require less service are more profitable.

[Ginger]

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope Disney sees this as a wake up call and will regain their dimonds for next year.

[carolina_yankee]

Sadly, Viking, I'm not convinced you're wrong . . .

However, if Shan is referring to the WDWToday podcast, they interviewed concierge manager and he seemed pretty clear that they needed to get back to premium levels of service. He even said that CMs needed to be re-trained to get there, so I'm hopeful that Disney knows they have to offer more than illusions of Magic.

Having said that, my experience has been that the front desk CMs at the deluxes are the least magical of all, while the desk CMs at the mods and values are much more friendly and accommodating. It's a shame, because the desk CM is the first (or second, if you use valet or bell services) person you encounter at the resort, and they set the tone.

Oddly, the concierge services (former guest services) at the deluxes seem much better than registration at those same resorts.

Dirk

[KNWVIKING]

Sadly, Viking, I'm not convinced you're wrong . .

Sadly, I was being serious.

[bavaria]

As I pointed out over there, there are strict guidelines for AAA ratings. In past, most regions had the same inspector for years. Then a new inspector shows up, and suddenly the region is thrown into chaos as the new inspector has different perceptions of the guidelines.

Other times hotels will make a calculated decision to save cost at the risk of losing a diamond.

[Rozzie]

OMG, YC/BC are the only 4 diamond's?????????

I guess the inspector didn't go in the room from the bedspread thread. :yuck:

Bavaria, do you know if it's random rooms they pick? I wonder if they can "stack the deck" so to speak.

[bavaria]

Not that I would know, AHEM, :innocent: but usually it goes something like this.... the hotels have a network that alerts them when the AAA inspector is in town (now, WDW is near the AAA head office so they may get a different frequency of inspection). The hotels start calling each other so that they are aware....:cellphone

Then they find some 'good' rooms. When the inspector comes, hopefully the hotel is quite full and only has a few rooms available to show ie the 'good' rooms.

But a detailed AAA inspector will really give those rooms a good once over, and then will try to get at least one other room to inspect. The goal is to not just inspect the room that the hotel has scrubbed down that morning.

But the reality too is that even if they scrubbed that room really well, they can't hide poor maintenance or lack of regular cleanings. (Think about your house - if you only clean once year because your mother in law is coming in two hours, you can't really do a good job). Stains like in the BCV photos :yuck: can't be hidden or fixed with short notice.

But AAA inspectors will give credit for a very clean well maintained room, even if it's overdue for a renovation.

[bavaria]

Some of the big differnces bwn 3 and 4 diamond are services such as valet parking, restaurants, and 24 hour room service. So it may be due to 'loss of service' but in reality it's a change in service. I can't recall if triple sheeting was a requirement for 4 diamond, but that's often a deal breaker (extra cost and time to make up the room). Does anyone know if the GF was triple sheeting (ie an extra sheet on TOP of the blanket?)

24 hour room service can be a deal breaker too - I know a lot of hotels do 20 or 21 hour room service to save money.

I was hazarding a guess in past that BW may have lost a diamond due to the restaurants - none are officially part of the hotel, just in the area. But that was pure speculation and open to interpretation.

I'm too lazy to pull up the lists right now of what the differences are - just pointing out some of the common ones. And in some places, when a diamond is lost, it's a disaster and heads roll. Other times it's a strategic move.

[bavaria]

Posted on the internet http://www.aaa.biz/approved/files/LDRG_Final_march2002_website_update_Feb2005.pdf#se arch=%22aaa%20four%20diamond%20requirements%22 - rating requirements. Happy reading.

Areas which may impact are triple sheeting, room service hours, HSIA at first glance.

[lenshanem]

Wow. That is some checklist!

I also wonder if they are a little harder on the WDW resorts given their reputation?

And where is this bedspread thread? (Or would I rather not know?!?)

[idratherbeinwdw]

I'm happy that I own at BCV. :woohoodan

Cool--the more folks want to stay at BCV the more room for me at BWV. :dancingba :thumbsup:

[lenshanem]

Cool--the more folks want to stay at BCV the more room for me at BWV. :dancingba :thumbsup:

Sorry! We're staying at BWV next month! :lmbo:

[bavaria]

And where is this bedspread thread? (Or would I rather not know?!?)

it's the next thread down on the resorts board - come join the fun! ;)

[KNWVIKING]

it's the next thread down on the resorts board - come join the fun! ;)

Yeah, you'll enjoy it... it's a chick thread.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Sorry! We're staying at BWV next month! :lmbo:

What??? You're slumming at a mere 3 diamond? Why in the world would you do that?? :hammer: :hehehehe:

[idratherbeinwdw]

Yeah, you'll enjoy it... it's a chick thread.

Not into chicks....prefer bunnies.:snooty:

[KNWVIKING]

What??? You're slumming at a mere 3 diamond? Why in the world would you do that?? :hammer: :hehehehe:


Because I'm at BCV at the same time.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Because I'm at BCV at the same time.

Isn't that actually a reason to AVOID it all the more? :headscrat :viking: ;)

[jaysue]

Sorry! We're staying at BWV next month! :lmbo:

The more people who stay at BWV and BCV the less at SSR (hey , wait a minute we own at BCV) :dog: :headscrat

Cheers
jaysue

[lenshanem]

Isn't that actually a reason to AVOID it all the more? :headscrat :viking: ;)


Exactly. I take sport in ignoring the Viking. :ROTFL: ;)

[jaysue]

Back to the OP, thanks for posting this Shan - - interesting info

I would agree that Concierge (formerly Guest Services) have been providing excellent service at BC/YC/BCV during our stays

Our encounters with front desk have been mixed but when we wanted something addressed or dealt with they have stepped up (with the glaring exception of AKL)

Cheers
jaysue

[KNWVIKING]

Isn't that actually a reason to AVOID it all the more? :headscrat :viking: ;)

Exactly. Shan is trading down to a 3 Diamond because The Viking is at BCV.

Try to keep up Mar.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Exactly. Shan is trading down to a 3 Diamond because The Viking is at BCV.

Try to keep up Mar.

OK OK I read it wrong--thought Shan was staying at BWV because you were also going to be there--and of course that made no sense whatsoever! :duck:

[Leftcoaster]

Because I'm at BCV at the same time.



Hopefully, AAA won't be inspecting during that time. We don't want BCV to become a 2 diamond. :hehehehe:

[spiceycat]

the Polyn has never had 4 stars - okay back in the 90's for a couple of years.

the person who rates the resort doesn't like dark resort - so the Polyn, AKL and WL have always been 3 stars.

the value resort this time got 2 stars.

sorry if the hotels along us 192 get 3 stars - all WDW resorts deserve at least 3 stars....

someone once tried to tell me that it was more than policitians - but when you compare resort to resort - it is definitely policitians.... my opinion.

:violinist

BW was marked down.

but the renaissance resort at SW still has 4 stars. Now I love this place - but if BWV is not 4 stars - no way this place is.

AAA once told me all it takes to down graded a resort is a customer complaining.

I just wish these complainers would go visit other resorts.....

Kissimmee has a bunch of 3 stars, so does most of Orlando. that probably should be a 2 star if not one 1 star.

[jaysue]

Hopefully, AAA won't be inspecting during that time. We don't want BCV to become a 2 diamond. :hehehehe:

Well after we are done with it next time, it will be 0 diamonds :beaniepro

Cheers
jason

[Leftcoaster]

Well after we are done with it next time, it will be 0 diamonds :beaniepro

Cheers
jason


that sounds like the Secretary Of fun must be there! ;)

:margarita