Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<That's a little extreme. Although I would be very nervous to bring one of those black-light devices into the rooms.>> I'd be scared to death -- anywhere. I still remember when 20/20 did a show years ago doing just that at hotels all across the country from 2-star basic roadside places to 5-star resorts. Just very, very scary. I guess that's what lawyers are for. <<I agreed with '74's point. On cursuory glance a room might be clean, but look at the fixtures and vanity, look at the backside of the shower curtain, take the bedspread off; there is a good chance one might find something that isn't clean on the surface. >> Exactly. I am currently at a resort at WDW and very satisfied so far. But I did have a small complaint with housekeeping that was settled immediately. But it was also something that shouldn't have been overlooked to begin with as it was so obvious. <<It is hit and miss. I stay most often at the Polynesian and I had often read prior to the refurb many complaints that I myself never encountered>> I have always had great experiences at the Poly. But I won't stay at the Epcot resorts (except for Swan and Dolphin) because they consistently have problems due to poor management. But I just returned from the WL where all but about 50 rooms have been rehabbed completely from the concrete slab on up. The sad thing is the other rooms are still being occupied. Those rooms are clearly substandard, but you can bet Disney isn't taking 40-50% off the nightly rate for those people despite having dirty carpeting, marked up walls, lousy TVs, etc ... Disney just doesn't take upkeep and cleanliness as seriously as it needs to.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<If you don't get any satisfaction complaint to the general manager, who would you go to next in the Disney resort archive? I'd like to know so that if I ever encounter a problem, I would know who to contact.>> Erin Wallace, Sr. VP, I believe would be best now, since Lee Cockerell is leaving and Al Weiss is in some kind of limbo-land. But, rest assured, Disney does not like its execs to get contacted and they'll try and hand you off to guest relations for a canned response. Don't accept that. Ever.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >My biggest gripe is the lack of fitted sheets in all the resorts.< <<I thought I was the only one with that problem! And you hit it on the head - their small size doesn't allow you to tuck 'em in. I'm a bigtime tosser & turner, and I've had to get out of bed in the middle of the night to re-align the sheets. Very uncool!>> Yep ... but so is having deluxe resorts without triple sheeting. ICK!!! I really don't enjoy having contact with the same blanket that godknowswho did godknowswhat in/under/on. Even much less expensive chains have gone to triple sheeting. I can't believe you can pay $300-400 a night at WDW and not get it.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m ^^There was an actor, I think he passed away, I can't think of his name, but he took his own blankets/comforters to hotels with him. Think about it, the sheets are washed daily. But when are the comforters washed? Ewww, that's gross just thinking about it.
Originally Posted By disneydad109 If one were to write mr./ms. Wallace where would one send the note, Fla, Calf, just care of WDW? Maybe we will write and let them know that they are on notice.Aafter 30 years of vists we were looking for better treatment from them.I will let you all know what happens!
Originally Posted By danyoung I guess I have too many years of travelling full time, staying in flea bags, to worry too much about it. Don't get me wrong - overflowing trashcans and wet towels on the floor will earn a call to the front desk immediately. But as long as there's nothing blatantly wrong, I'm not gonna worry about it.
Originally Posted By jkayjs You know dan you're kind of a "Hakuna Matata" sort of guy. Good for you, you'll probably live to be 102.
Originally Posted By danyoung ^^ I don't think anybody's said anything so nice about me in a long time - thanks, jkayjs!!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Lol - I like that one pixie, I think I should use that in World Events sometimes. May I? ;-)< in WE I use counting backwards from 100 until the laughing gas kicks in...
Originally Posted By XandersMom I really liked AKL when I stayed there a few years ago. It is my favorite resort, but my husband prefers Port Orleans Riverside. It was really nice too..... The All Stars are well... just value resorts so I really don't expect much. The only major disappointment has been the Carribean Beach. I hated it. It was in poor condition and not very clean at all... I will never stay there again!!! We stayed for 10 days at POR and I will say the housekeeping there was fantastic!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<My biggest gripe is the lack of fitted sheets in all the resorts>> I imagine the reason they do not use fitted sheets is because all laundy gets sent to a central facility. Using flat sheets just makes it easier since they don't really need to worry about the size.
Originally Posted By DisneyWorldMom <<I don't ever want a towel animal>> What do you have a against towel animals anyway... LOL... I don't mind them, as long as their not made into insect shapes AKA.. palmetto bugs.. LOL..
Originally Posted By pitapan16 We stayed at Caribbean Beach and Riverside on the same trip about 1 1/2 years ago. Anyways, the rooms looks VERY worn and needed refurb badly. I vowed that I will not be paying for a room like that again. So the next time I go to Disney and find a room like the ones we stayed in 1 1/2 years ago, Im not going to pay. That was really a downside. Other than that, I stayed at AKL about 3 years ago and everything about it was just awesome! Now, every year when we go, thought we're not staying at AKL, we always visit the place atleast 4-6 times because it so great.
Originally Posted By bloona I will go back to the CBR again definately. I think its location made it better than the AKL, although it didnt have the wow factor, I liked it A LOT.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss As much as we'd all like to think Disney would only provide perfect accomodations, only a small percentage of folks will ever get to stay in newly refurbished rooms. By that same token, some are always going to end up staying in a room just before it gets renovated... when everything is a bit shabby, or at least showing it's age or use. It would be nice to think that not only were rates dependent upon location, but on the newness of the fixtures and furnishings. Too bad it doesn't work that way in reality.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Too bad it doesn't work that way in reality.<< In today's reality, sure. However, before they built more than they could chew off, rooms weren't on their last leg before it was time to update the furnishings. You might think today's reality is honkey-dory, but I think people are paying more for less. So I find no problem with people recognizing the lower quality and griping about it. >>It would be nice to think that not only were rates dependent upon location, but on the newness of the fixtures and furnishings.<< Rates ARE calculated on the standard of the accomodation. That would includes location, furnishings, and much more. Paying double at the GF for what a room would cost at the Ritz should bring about impeccable room conditions, as well as, kiss-up staff service.
Originally Posted By DisneyWorldMom <<Rates ARE calculated on the standard of the accomodation. That would includes location, furnishings, and much more. Paying double at the GF for what a room would cost at the Ritz should bring about impeccable room conditions, as well as, kiss-up staff service.>> I agree in part... Disney also charges you for the pleasure of your company on thier property, convenience, and easy access to parks and restaurants. You pay premium prices for that.. You can stay a mile or two from Disney off site and get a two bedroom suite for the cost of staying at the All Star.. (standard room rates) The rooms are spacious and most come with a continental breakfast... and free shuttle to the park... I'm well aware that they also have their faults... house keeping was no less better or worse. I'm just making a comparison here, for me, I personally stay on property, but in a pinch we have stayed off site.. and you do get more for your dollar..
Originally Posted By ChiMike Yes. And I agree. But there IS a reason why you pay $300 more per night to stay at the Grand Floridian rather than the Wilderness Lodge. Both Deluxe hotels. No one can convince me that the difference is simply for the Monorail. IMO, when staying anywhere for more than $250.00 a night, you better get a clean room and staff that doesn't feeled bothered by your patronage.
Originally Posted By DisneyWorldMom <<Yes. And I agree. But there IS a reason why you pay $300 more per night to stay at the Grand Floridian rather than the Wilderness Lodge. Both Deluxe hotels.>> Oh yes I agree with you 100% .. once you get to the $250 to $350 range you expect the best... and service second to none.. but I think Disney seems to feel, hey your in WDW .. so should be happy with what you got... LOL... Oh by the way.. did you know that when WL opened as a moderate resort.. we payed $135 a night the first year it was open...
