DVC removing coffee mugs and glasses from studios

[dlpmikki]

It seems DVC has made a change for the worse this week in studios by removing ceramic coffee mugs and glasses, just leaving styrofoam cups.

If this is true (and I've seen reports in several places so am afraid it may be) what do you think? I hate the idea as I like to drink coffee out of a proper cup and wine out of some kind of glass - and at least I can wash them up afterwards.

[PrincessErin]

I don't like this at all... if it is true but could it be maybe they are replacing them and this is just a temporary thing?? That would be my guess.

[Johnno52]

Most likely "they were listening to members again" however this is not a problem for us as I've seen a investigative tv show they way some maids clean cups and glasses. We always use our refillable cups for tea and coffee.

[offwego]

the impact to the enviornment is another reason to address this. Styrofoam single use cups are some of the worst things to add to landfill as they take a very long time to degrade. (And I mean an incredible amount of time)

[JPL]

I have to say as a recent DVC Purchaser I am not very happy with the way service seems to be going. I heard great things about the customer and this was one of the reasons I decided to buy in. I enjoyed having the mug for my morning coffee and the glasses if I needed or wanted one. What's next take away the fridge or microwave from the studios. This downward spiral in service and amenities at WDW really has me concerned.

[dolphinmickey9170]

Why would they do this? Is it a matter of stealing? Has anyone spoken to member services? This is silly. I sure hope it isn't true either.

[Tinkermom]

I was reading another board and folks were saying how Disney was being "cheap" and how this was a way to save money. I think this is just the opposite. Supplying the studios with these disposable cups is going to cost more than washing mugs/glasses. Also, with Disney wanting to be more "enviromentally friendly" this is a huge step backwards. There was just an article in our last DVC magazine ("Disney FIles") about a nature conservatory that Disney has partnered with. I do not think that this move supports Disney's "green" inititive.

The only thing this might prevent is the spread of illness. With all of the press recently about hotel chains not properly sanitizing glassware I would think this change is a response to that. These stories obviously stuck in my head as I have to admit that when we stayed at AKV last month I washed all of our glasses/mugs by hand real quick before I used them.

I have also read that they are no longer supplying dishsoap in the studios. Since there IS a kitchenette there should be a way to wash items such as the styrofoam cups, baby bottles, mugs brought from home, etc.

Guess we will just have to buy a Mickey mug in the giftshop. Maybe this is just Disney's way to make us all have a HUGE Disney mug collection.

[MarkC]

While I sympathize with you who oppose this move, let me share with you my thoughts on why they made the change. As other posters have noted, there have been some articles about unclean glasses, airborne diseases, etc. I know several people who refuse to use glasses that other people (especially those they don't know) have used. Having worked in the insurance industry for the past 25 years, I know there are people who will sue for absolutely anything. They were probably told by their legal staff to make the change.

And I don't mean to be calous about this, but this does appear to be a minor issue to me. If you want to drink from a glass/cup, bring your own from home. On a scale of 1 to 10 of the seriousness of the problem, this is at best a 1, but that is only my opinion only. Others may take it more seriously. Mark

[dlpmikki]

Mark I take your point but that is exactly why I don't understand them making the change at DVC rather than the other hotels. At DVC you have the equipment and opportunity to wash stuff yourself. As to bringing stuff yourself for some of us that isn't easy with flight weight limitations and liquid bans etc but this is supposed to be a home away from home. At home I wash up - why shouldn't I be able to at Disney (except they have now removed the washing up liquid)

[BluewaterBrad]

Unbelievable.

[Goes4FastPass]

Good grief! Disney doesn't care about phosphates.

Disney wants to slap Mickey's smiling face on "Environmetality" cards reminding you the help by using the same towel over and over.

The next time you see one of these cards I challenge you to walk around the room you're staying in and count the incandescent bulbs. Then take that number and multiply it by the number of rooms at WDW.

Hey Mickey! How about I agree to use the same towels for a week and you take 50 cents off my bill. Wow, that way Disney uses less phosphates and water and I save 50 whole cents. That's swell! No? Scrooge McDuck says you can't make that deal?

I swear, people who believe every change WDW makes is for the good of the guests or the environment or some other noble reason must be putting pixie dust in their coffee... in their styrofoam cups.

[JPL]

I swear, people who believe every change WDW makes is for the good of the guests or the environment or some other noble reason must be putting pixie dust in their coffee... in their styrofoam cups.

I agree 100%

99.9% of the changes Disney makes are to increase their profit margin. No if's, and's. or but's about it. The 0.1% that deal with environmental issue or guest satisfaction seem to come from bad press that they are afraid will hurt their profit margin. Do you really think Disney cared about what Trans Fats were doing to their guests before it became a hot topic on the news? Disney use to poison birds to keep the population down until the story leaked out and they changed their practices to appease the Animal Rights groups. We all must remember Disney is a profit driven company with shareholders to answer to. I know since we all love Disney this reality is difficult to face but it's true. So if you want to believe this change has to do with cutting phosphates in the water realize it's just a spin Disney will put on it after the fact. It's nothing more than a way to save them a few bucks.

[dlpmikki]

Guys and gals we are slipping a little off topic here - this is not a general environmental discussion or on Disney profit making but simply about what it means to us to have the mugs/glasses removed. Most of the views about why they may have done this (cost cutting / bad publicity) have already been aired and the pros and cons on the environmental front of styrofoam and phosphate issues are getting a bit deep.

Please try not to get over excited but please do report back any new responses from Disney that you may get about this.

Thank you

[ElenitaB]

Thanks, Mikki, for keeping us on the straight and narrow...

I'm not at all happy with this decision. I avoid styrofoam like the plague. I won't buy coffee served in it and we're even campaigning at work (a company with over 40,000 people in the Americas) to stop buying styrofoam cups altogether and to use mugs or recycled paper cups; this should be achieved by the end of the calendar year. As for the phospates contained in dishwashing liquid, there are many suppliers for non-phosphate containing brands: Method, Seventh Generation, Melalueca, etc. If they can get fancy toiletries from H20, they can also get a complete line of eco-friendly cleaning solutions, many of which are far more cost effective than the brands many of us use on a regular basis.

Like Mikki, I won't be bringing mugs from home but I always buy some while I'm there anyway. And just like when I used to stay at moderate hotels, I guess I'll have to start bringing a small bottle of dishwashing liquid as well. Gee, I thought I bought into DVC so I DIDN'T have to do that anymore!

[Mushu11756]

Yes it is true!!! We just got back from OKW and stayed in a studio and there was a couple of plastic knifes forks and spoons some paper plates and a few styrofoam cups....

[DestinationWDW]

found the official write up, not sure if someone already posted it. If so here it is again
Resorts adjust studio glassware practices

As part of a continuous review of cleaning practices in Disney Resort hotels, leaders determined that hand washing dishware and glassware in Disney Vacation Club studio units wasn't sufficient to meet the company's cleanliness standards.

For studio accommodations at Disney Vacation Club Resorts in which glass-washing equipment is available (Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas and the Inn rooms at Disney's Vero Beach Resort), glassware and ceramic mugs now are cleaned in the glass washers, rather than by hand.

Studio accommodations at stand-alone Disney Vacation Club Resorts (Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort, the villas at Disney's Vero Beach Resort and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa) now utilize disposable cups, since glass washers aren't available at those resorts. The company wanted to take action quickly, and using disposables was the most expedient solution. Housekeepers replenish the disposable cups upon request.

Disney Vacation Club leaders are investigating more environmentally friendly disposable products, as well as the possibility of installing glass washers at specified locations within the stand-alone properties.

[Maleficent's Dad]

As of this week, the VWL studios had glasses, ceramic mugs, and liquid dish soap.

[MickeyMousse]

I have had 2 friends come back from their vacations last week.....one stayed at BCV studio and they had "the glassware that has always been there".....the one who stayed at OKW studio had plastic forks/knives, paper plates and styrofoam cups! Maybe they are starting the change over at the older resorts first???
I will make a point of requesting glassware for our next stay.

[c&d]

Last week the VWL sill had glasses and ceramic coffee mugs in the studios.

[wendy*darling]

I have had 2 friends come back from their vacations last week.....one stayed at BCV studio and they had "the glassware that has always been there".....the one who stayed at OKW studio had plastic forks/knives, paper plates and styrofoam cups! Maybe they are starting the change over at the older resorts first???
I will make a point of requesting glassware for our next stay.

OKW and SSR will continue to have disposable cups.
That's what the statement says. Since they do not have glassware cleaning facilities convenient to all of the spread-out buildings at these 2 resorts- they will provide disposables.
You can request glassware at those 2 resorts if you prefer.

The other DVC resorts (VWL, BCV, BWV, AKV) will have glasses and ceramic mugs. They have cleaning facilities in the main building/kitchens.