Honeymoon from Hell at the Beach Club Villas last week

[dcibrando]

I wanted to post this hear first before I send this to Disney to see what everyone else thinks because I don't want to come across as someone who just likes to complain above every little thing.

Here is my horrible experience last week on my honeymoon at the Beach Club Villas:


Dear Walt Disney World,

My new wife and I just returned from our 3rd Walt Disney World trip in a year's time, but this was really special….for our honeymoon… so we decided to stay at the popular Beach Club Villas (renting from the DVC member) instead of Pop Century where we have before.

I would like to share with you my experience and numerous problems/concerns while on this trip at our resort and including both of us getting sick with the flu, missing the last half of the trip's plans and dinner reservations (we had prepaid for through the dining plan).

Again this was our honeymoon, and expectations were incredibly high since we were staying at the Beach Club, but we were let down to say the least. When we first pulled up in the Magical Express bus we quickly noticed many roof shingles still missing (I believe possibly from the hurricane 2 years ago?) which was very surprising to see based on the Disney style of making everything perfect but this wasn't anything major to me…just a surprise to see.

After checking in we went towards to elevator to get to our room and as the elevator doors open, you can see the floor (hardwood) is coming apart in some places, looked very scratched, and there were gum stains stuck to the bottom of it.

When the elevator doors opened up, we walk down the hall and can see the carpet which is worn out with many stained areas. Something that also got my attention was the light fixtures down the hallway…many of them were not straight and looked lop-sided (reminded me of the haunted mansion, not the beach club).

Finally to our room, and we excitedly open the door to find a stain right there on the wall along with a wooded coat/hat hanger rod missing and unscrewed from the wall. We go ahead and begin unpacking and I decide to go to the bathroom to find some sort of bug crawling around on the floor…so at this point I'm a little worried about how the rest of the week is going to be.

Well it actually got worse…

I ended up seeing over 8 different bugs in and around the bathroom including one BIG cockroach (and these were just the ones I noticed while we were in the room). We noticed the elevator button control panel on the second floor was pushed into the wall and the wall was cracked, someone had cut one of the corners to close to took a section out of the wall heading towards the elevator area and apparently the ice/vending machine room is used as a smoke room rather than an ice/vending machine room as when you open the door, it was enough to make anyone gag and get sick.

Speaking of getting sick… we both unfortunately did the last half of the week. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of our honeymoon was shot because we caught the flu and was stuck in our rooms taking care of one another, also missing out on all of our dinner reservations and dining plan meals we had prepaid for.

We left our honeymoon with 6 table service meals, 2 counter service meals, and 4 snacks left on our dining plan we had purchased. I'm really glad we got to the parks in early in the week and we had purchased the 10 day non-expiring park hopper tickets so we didn't lose any park tickets by being sick. However we never got to enjoy the Beach Club pool (one of the big reasons for staying there), go to Typhoon Lagoon, or go to Downtown Disney.

This is unfortunately a honeymoon we'll never forget and we were looking so forward to this trip (since we had gotten engaged in front of the castle in 2005) and because we were staying at the Beach Club. We were also using this as a trip to determine if the Disney Vacation Club would be something we might like to buy into in the near future but with this experience, I honestly don't think that will ever happen now as my first impressions are "what are the member fees actually being used for?".

I don't want to come across as someone who looks for things to complain about because that's not how I am. I didn't even go into the rude/loud neighbors we had staying next to us, the abnormally loud toilet flushing all around us, and the strange mower/leaf blower sound coming from outside our balcony at around 5:30am one morning. I know that could happen anywhere we stay.

I am a HUGE Disney nut. I listen to park music a lot in my car, have Disney park backgrounds on my computer, have pictures and snow globes everywhere in my house, and would vacate to Disney every year from now one if I could, but again I expect so much from Disney and especially at the Beach Club and I was extremely disappointed (and a little heartbroken since my new wife and I didn't get to enjoy but only half of our honeymoon time there and we lost money on the dining plan because we were sick).

I'm not writing this just in hopes of something in the return or for sympathy, but I do feel like you should hear or our unfortunate experience and we hope that when we do return (whenever that will be), that our experience will be a much more pleasant one than this.

Thank you,

Brandon Hilton
Blountville, TN

[chris1gill]

Are you kidding? :rotfl2: I'm sorry you had a less than stellar week, but what exactly would you like Disney to do about your getting sick for half the week?? Was Disney negligent in some way that you were made sick as a result of their negligence? The fact that you decided to pre-pay for your meals, well.. that was your choice...

Regarding the bugs, that's not so great, did you call down to have maintenance come to spray? Afterall, it is Florida... Hawaii has them too....

So, you want to complain about the carpeting in the hallway? Was the carpeting at Pop Century better? Also, complaining about a few shingles & the button plate at the elevator? That's just odd... did you call someone to fix that?

Definitely stick with Pop next time...

[dcibrando]

wow not the kind of response I was expecting to see... but when you pay this much for a room you don't expect roaches crawling around and the disgusting things I saw in various places.

Obviously I'm not asking Disney to do anything about us getting sick because I could get sick by being at home, but with the filthy room I was in (and by the way, we NEVER got housekeeping....no not even new towels on our 4th day as we were suppost to) and bugs crawling around everywhere... this is not the Disney style to me.

Who knows how we got sick but it had to be while we were at Disney. Could it have been from the room, lack of clean towels, bugs, etc... at the resort itself... no way to tell but it didn't help any.

Why didn't we call about the bugs or housekeeping you ask... it's because we were either bent over a toilet getting sick or trying to sleep it off.

[TCPluto]

Please don't be offended, but it sounds like you want to shake down WDW for a refund because of the meals and park time lost to your illness. This is neither WDW's fault nor responsibility.

If you want to send the letter, I'd drop the illness and lost meals part and just address the concerns about the accommodations.

Take care.

[dcibrando]

The meals lost were indeed a bad thing... but yes, I did prepay for them and these things happens so I can cut my loss and go on from there. HOWEVER, since were we stuck sick in the room for basically 3 1/2 days, it's not pleasant seeing bugs crawling everywhere and using the same old towels over and over again. I know I probably should have called them... but if they did what they were suppost to do we would have had clean towels on Wednesday or Thursday.

[DVCLiz]

Sorry your honeymoon was ruined - everyone should have a wonderful experience, and it is disappointing when it doesn't meet your expectations.

I have to say, though, that I read your post expecting to finally get to the big issue that justified your being so unhappy. And I never did - the issues you report are so minor that I can't imagine making a big deal about any of them. And, of course, the flu and the cancelled reservations are just one of those things - again, regrettable but certainly not Disney's issue in any way.

Hope you get the chance to experience another fun trip to Disney in the future!

[dcibrando]

I guess my impression to all of this was what in the heck is being done to maintain the Beach Club Villas because my experience with it was when you get down to it and take into consideration this is Disney (not the Holiday Inn) it looks nasty

[chris1gill]

Who knows how we got sick but it had to be while we were at Disney. Could it have been from the room, lack of clean towels, bugs, etc... at the resort itself... no way to tell but it didn't help any.

Why didn't we call about the bugs or housekeeping you ask... it's because we were either bent over a toilet getting sick or trying to sleep it off.

You clearly stated that you saw bugs immediately upon entering your unit... you were not sick at that time... I am sorry, but if I walked into any hotel USA, I would be at the front desk PRONTO if I saw a bug... I would want it sprayed immediately... I do give special consideration when we are in Hawaii, Florida or Northern Australia (yes, on my honeymoon in Cairns I found my first lizard in my expensive bathroom) for bugs, because you see them everywhere... The good hotels go above and beyond when you inform them that you are seeing any type of bug... so why you did not notify someone immediately wasn't because you were sick....

If you did not receive Trash & tidy on your fourth day, you should have called, sick or not...

I agree it sounds like you are trying to shake Disney down....

[dcibrando]

again... what in the heck are DVC members paying for if they don't keep the place looking betten than the way I saw it last week. I was really hoping this trip would convincing me to take the DVC plunge... but I would feel like I was wasting money on maintenance fees each year if this is all that was done. (and i'm not just talking about bugs)

carpet, light fixtures, room repairs, roof shingles, paint, etc...

[pyrxtc]

It sounds like the week went pretty good until you got sick. Sorry you got sick but sometimes you just can't plan around things, especially when you are already there. Maybe they could ahve done something while you were there about missing all the meals but I doubt it. You planned to be there for all those meals and it just didn't happen. Bugs are verywhere, if you didn't get maid service, call and they will come. The hotel deos not ahve to have verything perfect, it is guests like you, that wlak through these hallways day after day wearng down these carpets and probably tapping the light fixtures so they moves slightly that make the place look this way. the missing roof shingles were no big deal to them and did not cause the roof to fall on your head or it to rain on you. Just be happy you got to go there for the third time in a year and plan your next vacation at a different hotel. A lot of poeple in this world never make it to Disney or get to take a honeymoon! Be happy!

I'm glad you are better now and Congratualtions on getting married.

[DVCLiz]

The meals lost were indeed a bad thing... but yes, I did prepay for them and these things happens so I can cut my loss and go on from there. HOWEVER, since were we stuck sick in the room for basically 3 1/2 days, it's not pleasant seeing bugs crawling everywhere and using the same old towels over and over again. I know I probably should have called them... but if they did what they were suppost to do we would have had clean towels on Wednesday or Thursday.
Again, I'm sorry for your bad experience, but honestly, it only takes one push on a pre-labeled phone button to call Housekeeping. "Hi, my wife and I are on our honeymoon, and we've both come down with the flu and desperately need some new towels - could you possibly help us, please?" would probably have given you an opportunity to experience some of the Disney service the rest of us find often.

There are probably 8 or more bugs crawling around in my house right now, and I'd never take a tropical vacation without expecting to see some. You should have seen the size of the Palmetto bug (roach) we caught in our kitchen in Key West - and that room cost twice what the BCV would. I know it's not the most pleasant thing in the world, especially when you are sick, but it's not that hard to squish a bug or capture it with a water glass and put it outside on your balcony. And Housekeeping would have brought you some insect spray if you had asked.

Again, sorry your trip wasn't what you expected...

[TCPluto]

Who knows how we got sick but it had to be while we were at Disney. Could it have been from the room, lack of clean towels, bugs, etc... at the resort itself... no way to tell but it didn't help any.


The infamous flu carrying bugs?? You shower than catch the flu from a two day old/used towel?? Are you serious?

The flu was likely due to an exposure from someone in the crowd of a hundred thousand people you encountered in the first day or two no doubt.

[BCV23]

I'm so sorry that you both became ill on your honeymoon. That puts a huge damper on any vacation much less a honeymoon. :sad2:

Since you were renting, you only get clean towels on the fourth day. But in those circumstances I would have called and asked for more. The charge for them is not that much anyway.

I'm sorry to hear about the bugs. We've stayed there quite a few times now and haven't had a single one in our room. Sorry to say you probably were the next guests after one of the IDIOTS who leaves their patio/balcony door open. :furious:

The maintenance issues are good for managemnet to know about I think. Someone smoking in the trash room is not BCV's fault though. Just probably someone sneaking a cigarette. :confused3 Not good but not the fault of BCV or WDW. I'm happy to report never having coming across that.

I hope the next trip goes better for you.

And best wishes for a long and happy life together. :love:

[DVCLiz]

again... what in the heck are DVC members paying for if they don't keep the place looking betten than the way I saw it last week. I was really hoping this trip would convincing me to take the DVC plunge... but I would feel like I was wasting money on maintenance fees each year if this is all that was done. (and i'm not just talking about bugs)

carpet, light fixtures, room repairs, roof shingles, paint, etc...
Well, I'm a BCV owner, and I pay for great vacations at one of my favorite vacation destinations. It doesn't bother me to see missing roof shingles, because I know that the resort has been repairing hurricane damage for some time, and that the shingles go on after all of the other repairs are done. I don't expect Disney to be able to magically fix those kinds of things because I know the whole state of Florida has the same construction needs. And I'm not willing to say that missing shingles during my trip have been missing for two years - they may have been removed last week for some maintenance issue I wasn't aware of. Paint is just a fact of life - you should see the wall next to my back door - it needs to be repainted fairly often because shoes, backpacks, etc. hit it often. There's a paint maintenance schedule at all the resorts - but budgets don't always stretch to cover that as often as it might be needed. As an owner, I want the management to balance the maintenance needs against my need to have a managable assessment each each for my maintenance fees.

The light fixtures are just a non-issue with me. If they bother you, straighten them back up as you walk by. The bugs, again, are a fact of life, and if you don't contact Housekeeping, you won't get any insect control.

The elevator issue is obviously a maintenance issue - again, it has to be balanced against the use. You were there at a busy time - and the resort has to balance that repair against the loss of that elevator. Those kinds of non-life threatening issues are usually done when crowds are lower and the impact on the guests is less.

Anyway, I do hope you get another chance at a resort that meets your expectations!!

[Scratch42]

Just wondering, were any of your "complaints" brought to the attention of the BCV Management whilst you were there?

Sorry to hear you did not experience a "Magical Honeymoon" but all of these complaints could have been taken care of, well except for you guys getting the flu, with a simple phone call.

As for the upkeep, it's unfortunate but there are those that are out there that don't know how to take of their own property let alone someone elses.

j

[crisi]

We had scorpions in the bathroom in Mexico. My husband wakes me up in the middle of the night to say "honey, if you have to go to the bathroom, be careful and turn on the light so you don't step on the scorpions" Yeah, like I slept well the rest of THAT night.

I find the DVC resorts to be a little on the shabby side for "Deluxe" resorts. And I think when we set the expectations of "Deluxe" we do people a disservice. Not that I'm complaining - the rooms are kept up well for the dues I pay and I feel like I am getting a value. However, we noticed the roof on the Y&BC in October and I thought it looked shabby. Had I been a Y&BC guest paying $400 a night for my room instead of a DVC member, I'd have been very disappointed with the upkeep.

[mickeyfan2]

Sorry your honeymoon was ruined - everyone should have a wonderful experience, and it is disappointing when it doesn't meet your expectations.

I have to say, though, that I read your post expecting to finally get to the big issue that justified your being so unhappy. And I never did - the issues you report are so minor that I can't imagine making a big deal about any of them. And, of course, the flu and the cancelled reservations are just one of those things - again, regrettable but certainly not Disney's issue in any way.

Hope you get the chance to experience another fun trip to Disney in the future!
I agree with the above.

[pouncingpluto]

I am very sorry to hear about your honeymoon issues. Having been horrified by a hotel stay in Jamaica on our honeymoon last year, I can relate!

However, I really would take the illness part out of the letter. It really is not *at all* likely that anything at BCV caused your flu. You would not get a virus from an old towel or a cockroach. (A bacterial infection, maybe, but you would know for sure that's what you had.) And leading off with something like that would likely make the reader write off the rest of your letter without paying attention to the issues that really should be listened to.

I don't think you would be out of line mentioning the few maintenance issues or the housekeeping issues, but the housekeeping issues really should have been brought up during your stay, as they would have been easily corrected.

[chris1gill]

I don't think you would be out of line mentioning the few maintenance issues or the housekeeping issues, but the housekeeping issues really should have been brought up during your stay, as they would have been easily corrected.

See, I disagree with this pouncingpluto... I'm of the opinion (and perhaps others are as well) that if an issue wasn't worth bringing up while you were at the resort, it certainly isn't worth bringing up via letter after you have left. I think A letter should be used as a quasi last resort when your expectations were not met, even after speaking with management during your stay... or of course in the case where you would compliment someone via written letter... but to say nothing during your trip and now mention all of these rather small issues, it's just a bit too much.....

[WDWorld2003]

Wow, sorry your honeymoon did not go well. We were a little disappointed the first time we were at BWV as we purchased sight unseen. Loved the resort but did not think the rooms were deluxe and there were some maintainence issues. But it has location, location, location.

On that first visit we had a very large bug run under a chair. We did call maintenance and they came right away but did not spray. They said it probably came in through an open door (our neighbors kept their patio doors open the entire time). We never saw it again but if we had I would have called again. There's no way I would spend time in a room with several bugs - I would have demanded a new room. Our last trip we stayed at the BCV and the locks on the bathroom did not work and the DVD player was broken. I did report the DVD player and they came right away. I forgot about the locks but I'm sure they would have taken care of them.

You should have asked them to spray or for a new room and asked for extra towels for the nominal fee. Also, I think if you would have told them how sick you were they may have refunded some of your money for the dining plan as it was evident that you did not use them.

I've learned to call when I have the problem instead of waiting until I return home. It's hard to do and I used to just stew about something but if I'm using my hard earned money I do have a right to expect a maintained room without bugs, working locks, etc.

Hope your next trip is much better!

[dcibrando]

the week kept getting worse as it went on...at about the time it REALLY got me and we probably should have called was when we were lyin in bed sick and didn't want to do anything but get better and not worry or talk to anyone

[WDWorld2003]

I can understand where you're coming from.... there's nothing like the flu when all you want to do is curl up and wait for it to be over! Some day you'll laugh about this - it will just take awhile. Also, if you could survive this the rest of your marriage will be easy ;)

[Figment2]

I have to agree with everyone that you didn't get sick from the towels. I'm sorry your stay was less than magical. I get the feeling you do want Disney to ante up although you state otherwise. It's unfortunate you were sick and had the dining plan but that's a downside of the DP.

Being in a DVC room is like being in an apartment. If something is broken, you call maintenance. You see bugs (which is more often than not since it is FL), you call maintenance. If you need towels, you call housekeeping.

Since this was your honeymoon, did you have the "do not disturb" sign on your door? That may explain why you didn't get housekeeping.

As others have said, if the issues were not big enough to call while you were there, skip the letter. I'm thinking the issue is more the missed meals.

Cyn

[CarolA]

If you expect anything from this letter PLEASE remove the FOLLOWING paragraphs...

"Again this was our honeymoon, and expectations were incredibly high since we were staying at the Beach Club, but we were let down to say the least"

"Speaking of getting sick… we both unfortunately did the last half of the week. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of our honeymoon was shot because we caught the flu and was stuck in our rooms taking care of one another, also missing out on all of our dinner reservations and dining plan meals we had prepaid for.

We left our honeymoon with 6 table service meals, 2 counter service meals, and 4 snacks left on our dining plan we had purchased. I'm really glad we got to the parks in early in the week and we had purchased the 10 day non-expiring park hopper tickets so we didn't lose any park tickets by being sick. However we never got to enjoy the Beach Club pool (one of the big reasons for staying there), go to Typhoon Lagoon, or go to Downtown Disney"


"I don't want to come across as someone who looks for things to complain about because that's not how I am. I didn't even go into the rude/loud neighbors we had staying next to us, the abnormally loud toilet flushing all around us, and the strange mower/leaf blower sound coming from outside our balcony at around 5:30am one morning. I know that could happen anywhere we stay.

I am a HUGE Disney nut. I listen to park music a lot in my car, have Disney park backgrounds on my computer, have pictures and snow globes everywhere in my house, and would vacate to Disney every year from now one if I could, but again I expect so much from Disney and especially at the Beach Club and I was extremely disappointed (and a little heartbroken since my new wife and I didn't get to enjoy but only half of our honeymoon time there and we lost money on the dining plan because we were sick).

I'm not writing this just in hopes of something in the return or for sympathy, but I do feel like you should hear or our unfortunate experience and we hope that when we do return (whenever that will be), that our experience will be a much more pleasant one than this. "

Your ONLY valid complaints are the condition of the room/building. The rest of this is a blatant whine for Disney "to give me something to make me happy" and will hopefully get your letter ignored! And your last paragraph really strikes me as funny "I'm not writing this just in hope of something in return" In orther word "GIVE ME SOMETHING" (JUST????)

[EnviroChick]

See, I disagree with this pouncingpluto... I'm of the opinion (and perhaps others are as well) that if an issue wasn't worth bringing up while you were at the resort, it certainly isn't worth bringing up via letter after you have left. I think A letter should be used as a quasi last resort when your expectations were not met, even after speaking with management during your stay... or of course in the case where you would compliment someone via written letter... but to say nothing during your trip and now mention all of these rather small issues, it's just a bit too much.....


I agree with Chris1gill. I also know that honeymooner's are some of the most disappointed vacationers. They have a preconceived idea of what their honeymoon should be; if it isn't that way everyone gets blamed for ruining the experience the you had in your mind. Unfortunately, no matter where you stay on vacation, sometimes things go wrong. It doesn't sounds as though you've spend much time in upscale hotels (or that you haven't traveled much). With few exceptions, Disney hotels are not upscale and not on par with Mandarin, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and the like. They are high-priced, but not upscale. You are paying for theming, a certain level of service (and if you aren't picking up the phone and talking to someone when you're upset, you can't judge the level of service received) and an unbeatable location right in the action. It would be nice if you could take a good look at your complaints and sift out those that were soley under Disney's control to fix. Then take those and eliminate any that Disney could have fixed, but didn't know about because you never told them. You'd be left with very little to complain about.

I'm so sorry your expectations were not met on this last trip, but surely hope you can move on and have a happy life with your new wife! Best Wishes.

[Buckalew11]

Sorry you all were sick on your honeymoon.

Once we went to a timeshare condo on HHI in SC and I stayed awake all night the first night with the cockroaches. Next morning we called and they came and sprayed--no more bugs!
I think the bug problem could be worse in a DVC resort than at a value just because with the kichens and kitchettes, more people eat the rooms there and food brings bugs.
I, too, think you should have called while you were there. At the first sign of the bug in the bathroom when you were unpacking. I know after that, any problems that arose were when you were so sick not the maintenance problems you noticed upon checking in.
The shingles have been off for quite a while at the Y&BC. When we were at the Dolphin in January I noticed they hadn't been fixed from the hurricane yet and I believe it was that trip or in Oct. when all kinds of scaffling was up. Those types of things take time after what FL has been hit with in the past couple of years.

So, what's your wife think of all this? Is she for the letter? Maybe she was hoping you'd call maintenance while you were there. Spraying for bugs and requesting some more towels is an easy fix. Wish you'd have done it!

[zalansky]

Sorry about your experience but I have to agree with everyone here. You simply cannot pinpoint when and where you picked up the flu bug. I too, got sick on my honeymoon while on a 7 night cruise. I did not however, even think for one second, that I somehow contracted the virus due to the negligence of the cruise line. Germs happen. Fact of life.

If you rented the points from a DVC member, at least you didn't pay rack rate. And don't complain about where dues money is going, if you aren't a member and paying those dues!

I hate to say it, but Carol A is dead on. It is obvious you want something from Disney...and Disney is not responsible you two got sick. :confused3

[jennz]

I'm sorry you had such a bad time on your honeymoon. I would have gone in with high expectations also, and it sounds like all the little things added up to a huge disappointment culminatating with your illness... :guilty:

If it still really bothers you I would encourage you to send a letter. Expressing your feelings doesn't have a time restriction. I think I got a different impression from your post than other readers though - you just are very disappointed in your stay, live and learn - wanted to get it out. I didn't think you were trying to get money or comp from WDW on anything.

FWIW, we love DVC. We own at SSR and like the fact that it's a newer resort. We have also stayed at OKW and the rooms were in good condition but you can tell the difference. When it's time for towel service we had the "do not disturb" sign up and they left the basket and left a message on our phone. BTW - the toilets are loud are SSR and OKW too! :goodvibes

Congratulations on your marriage!

[mickeyfan2]

It is obvious you want something from Disney
I want your mug!!!!! :teeth:

[dcibrando]

Thanks Jennz

[las3888]

We just stayed at the BCV a few weeks prior to your stay. I am glad we went when we did because DS had a horrible stomach bug about a month before going which got passed onto myself and DH in rapid succession. It was horrible. I kept thinking THANK GOODNESS it didn't happen while we were on vacation.

I am very sorry to hear you got sick and had a less than stellar experience. I imagine the flu had alot to do with putting you over the edge. If you were perfectly healthy and had a great time at the parks with lots of Disney magic, the room/hotel issues may not have seemed like such a big deal.

Like I said we were there just weeks prior to you and I thought things looked to be in decent shape. I thought the common areas were clean and our room was clean. I didn't see any issues in the elevator or anything like that. I think all rooms have a bit of wear and tear unless they have just been renovated very very recently.

Sometimes I think things can get chalked up to expectations. I went to WL once and after reading nothing but people rave about this place, of course we were pretty disappointed. I guess I expected ALOT. That being said, it was nice, but again I think I expected the Taj Mahal or something after reading about it on the boards. Go figure.

Good luck to you and congrats on your marriage.

[dcibrando]

yea... I'm sure that's all part of it... high expectations...wanting everything to be absolutely perfect for our honeymoon..and then of course getting sick on top of everything else put me over the edge. I would hope everyone could understand...but I guess not.

[Wish I lived in Fl]

We stayed at BCV a couple of weeks ago. No towels on 4th or 5th day. They brought towels but not washclothes when i phoned.

A/C was not working well. Hit by a wall of warm,humid air whenever we entered our room.
At first i couldn't believe A/C wouldn't work and then i didn't call because i was either busy to getting ready to go out or trying to rest and either way i didn't want to deal with Eng.

I wrote a note to Eng. upon leaving and they stopped by our unit immediately,(even though i asked them to come after 11), called Eng. for the benefit of the next guest.

Carpet was sopping wet against sink but dried throughout the week.

And the bed was uncomfortable, hard and unstable. Glad to hear they are replacing them.

BCV studio definitely not worth rack rate of $245 a day to me. Repeat: to me.
I am interested in owning points either at BCV or OKW but would never pay rack rate.
My Mom stayed at Royal Pacific Resort. Rack rate about $250, paid 129 for a TH night. Much nicer as a hotel. Cold Mango drinks while waiting to check in. Leis upon checkin and a childs doodle pad because she had a child on reservation.

As for the Honeymoon, have a redo! That's what my sister and her husband did after getting Deet poisoning on a Belize honeymoon.

[Dina]

Wow, I was expecting to read about some horrible thing that Disney contributed to. The bugs would bother me, but you can't blame Disney for the flu. Secondly if a little wear and tear ruins your honeymoon-- well, sorry that's just ridiculous.

I am sorry to hear that you guys got sick on your honeymoon. I do know how that feels. I got a nasty sinus infection on the second day of my honeymoon in Hawaii-- and had to miss out on a few things including biking down an inactive volcano at sunrise-- or was it a mountain, I forget- (which was prepaid for-- we lost hundreds) because I had a 102 fever. Never considered complaining to the Hyatt Regency about it though.

[cobbler]

HUGS :( Sorry you became sick on your honeymoon :(

Hopefully you will give DVC another shot, these things are minor and I think are the exception besides the norm.

[mickeyfan2]

yea... I'm sure that's all part of it... high expectations...wanting everything to be absolutely perfect for our honeymoon..and then of course getting sick on top of everything else put me over the edge. I would hope everyone could understand...but I guess not.
You did not ask for understanding you asked for

I wanted to post this hear first before I send this to Disney to see what everyone else thinks because I don't want to come across as someone who just likes to complain above every little thing.
When many told you thier opinion you were unhappy. Well you DID come across as a complainer and also a person wanting some compensation. You said you were both to sick to call, but you also said you were each either sick or taking care of the other person. So one of you was able to call.]

If you wanted sympathy, then don't post a thread about a letter you are sending, but tell us how you got sick and we would have sent sympathy. Ask for what you want. If you ask for something different, than don't expect the answer to the question you did not ask. :confused3

[dcibrando]

wow... ya know what ... I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time... just forget I ever started this post.

I thought some of you DVC'ers might want to know my experience and findings at the BCV (aside from us getting sick, thought you all might be interested in hearing about our honeymoon gone bad as well).

I'm not asking for Disney to compensate me for anything. If I was a complainer, maybe I would have been on the phone telling them about everything like several of you are suggesting I should have done. If I wanted Disney to give me something back, then maybe I would have called about our dining plan meals wasted ahead of time like some of you are suggesting I should have done. I simply thought that maybe some of you as well as Disney themself would like to know about my experience, especially with the condition of the resort as I viewed it....period.

[mickeyfan2]

These people were in a two day vomit room. Maybe they had the same thing that you did.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1116521

[goofydad621]

wow... ya know what ... I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time... just forget I ever started this post.

I thought some of you DVC'ers might want to know my experience and findings at the BCV (aside from us getting sick, thought you all might be interested in hearing about our honeymoon gone bad as well).

I'm not asking for Disney to compensate me for anything. If I was a complainer, maybe I would have been on the phone telling them about everything like several of you are suggesting I should have done. If I wanted Disney to give me something back, then maybe I would have called about our dining plan meals wasted ahead of time like some of you are suggesting I should have done. I simply thought that maybe some of you as well as Disney themself would like to know about my experience, especially with the condition of the resort as I viewed it....period.

There is a very important lesson here

NEVER ASK FOR SOMEONE ELSES OPINIONS UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

Otherwise just talk to yourself, that way you will be sure to hear what you want.

I didn't mean to sound nasty but you got peoples opinions just like you wanted. I learned this a while back, If I have to ask 15 people to find one person that agree's with me, then the other 14 were probably right.

I hope this does not sour you on Disney, I have had a couple of vacations go south on me at WDW, never Disney's fault but still left a sour taste in our mouth about the whole WDW thing for a while.

Good Luck

[Olaf]

I thought some of you DVC'ers might want to know my experience and findings at the BCV (aside from us getting sick, thought you all might be interested in hearing about our honeymoon gone bad as well).

I think the point is that most of us don't think your experiences were all that awful, besides the catching the flu part. Did you fly? You might have caught it on the plane.

Most of us who have had to call for towels on occasion. Yes, I've had to step on a few bugs, but I've lived in FL and I'm used to it. I won't go into the snake I stepped on at the VWL. I was once given a non-smoking room which reaked of smoke, and told that nothing else was available (first DVC trip). As far as the elevators and carpets at the BCV go, it's been a topic of discussion here many times. The wood and carpet hasn't held up and I've heard that it will be replaced soon. I certainly wouldn't let that ruin my vacation. Your honeymoon was a disaster because you got sick, and that's too bad, but it's hardly Disney's fault. I'd schedule another one if I were you.

[robinb]

If it still really bothers you I would encourage you to send a letter. Expressing your feelings doesn't have a time restriction. I think I got a different impression from your post than other readers though - you just are very disappointed in your stay, live and learn - wanted to get it out. I didn't think you were trying to get money or comp from WDW on anything.

I'm going to agree with jennz on this one. I think your letter was very well written and if things still bother you, go ahead and send it. Since you say you don't want any compensation, what do you have to lose? You will be able to express the feelings that you could not while you were sick. I know how it is to have one thing after another go wrong. Even though each individual thing is little the sum of all those little grains of sand can produce a big sand dune. Overall poor maintenance, bugs, failure of housekeeping ... we DVC owners should really pay more attention to your complaints instead of dismissing them.

Should you have said something at the time? I would have. Then again, I'm the kind of person who doesn't hesitate to complain when something goes wrong. Other people are more shy. For instance, the last time I stayed at BWV there was feces on the toilet under the seat and on the side. Someone had diarrhea and housekeeping did not clean it properly. I have a 6 year old DD and we did not want to get sick on our first day. I called down right away when I was told that someone would be sent up, but I had to call down twice more and go down in person once in order over the course of a day and a half to have the diarrhea cleaned. The head of housekeeping finally came up to clean it herself, almost 20 hours after our first call down. I was furious that it wasn't taken care of the first day (we arrived back at the hotel after 10 and did not want to wait up for housekeeping that wasn't going to come up anyway).

Back to your story :). I am very sorry you had a bad Honeymoon. For those in a similar situation, I think you can order take-out from table service restaurants and still use your credits.

[chris1gill]

wo If I was a complainer, maybe I would have been on the phone telling them about everything like several of you are suggesting I should have done. If I wanted Disney to give me something back, then maybe I would have called about our dining plan meals wasted ahead of time like some of you are suggesting I should have done. I simply thought that maybe some of you as well as Disney themself would like to know about my experience, especially with the condition of the resort as I viewed it....period.

No, instead you don't say anything while you are there, and then come here to post your findings?! And you want Disney to know after the fact as well...

Don't come down on DVC for the poor condition of the resort if you aren't willing to ask for assistance while you are there. Asking for your unit to be cleaned and/or fixed in area's that need it is not complaining... it's letting Disney know there's a problem with your unit... they do not know if you do not tell them.

I really dislike when people come to the boards complaining and whining about issues that arose during their DVC vacation, when in fact they themselves took no action towards resolving the problem... it really does not make sense...

[BCV23]

Brandon, I think many of us were sympathetic to the fact that you both became ill on your honeymoon. :sad2: Not fun.

It truly is better to call about room issues while you are there if you are well enough to do so.

First of all, it would make your stay more enjoyable.

Secondly, the matter will be addressed before the next guest.

But after the fact is fine too IMO. You could do it by letter or just call the resort and ask to speak to a manager.

Oh, with regards to the hall carpet, I do know they clean those things pretty much constantly. I too noticed how discolored the carpets near the elevator have become. But I know it is not due to lack of cleaning.

Finally, if you want to do so, all you have to do is contact a moderator and ask them to close your thread.

Again, I hope your next trip is better..in fact magical! :wizard:

[BCV23]

I forgot to say that although I have never seen crooked light fixtures, I bet BCV would want to know about them.

I don't think anyone should try to correct the problem themselves! They probably got that way from some guest as it is!

[Deemarch]

Uh, yeah. Sounds like the first thing that set you off was the roof shingles??? And you assumed that they blew off 2 years ago...What if they had a whopper of a storm yesterday???? Does that count.

Unfortunately, getting sick on your honeymoon really stinks. But after all of your planning and expectations, stress really has lots to do with that. Your body finally feels the toll of the past couple of months, if not more, and some people react with sickness.

Sounds like you are trying to get Disney to reimburse you for your unused meals...But ROOF SHINGLES?? Please!!!

[bobbiwoz]

I am sorry that you were both so sick during your honeymoon.

Last Monday we returned from a long weekend stay at the BCV and had the most marvelous time. It was surprising to us that the shingles were still off the roof, and we noticed the carpet was worn and the number 4 didn't light up on one of the elevator panels, but not one of those things detracted from our stay, not even the tiniest bit. I sort of see things as "work in progress."

I wish I knew how to make you feel better. Write the letter and say what you want. Read the letter the next day after you write it and if you still think it's important enough to send, do it.

Congratulations on your wedding, and best wishes for the future.

Bobbi

[DrTomorrow]

Sorry you got sick on your honeymoon. I know about being sick at DVC - on our first trip "Home" (Member Homecoming, SSR Founders Day) I got a stomach bug the first night we were there (well, to be fair, I'm sure I brought it with me) and spend the first whole day there sleeping in bed (with the dear MrsTomorrow feeding me fruit cups from AP). WDW is not a place to be at 25% of your normal capacity.

That said, you seem quite passive-aggressive. You experienced multiple unsatifying experiences, yet contacted no one who could help rectify them. If you want to be a stoic, suffering in silence, fine - your choice. But to then, after the fact, write a "poor me" letter to Disney complaining about not only the DVC conditions, but your own poor luck - and share it here on the DIS; well, IMHO it is understandable why others here question your motives. I agree with goofydad621 - people who post on opinion forums should expect contrasting opinions.

If you still wish to, take your letter and, after removing the "I'm a big Disney fan who was sooooo disappointed" verbiage, send it to DVC so that they can address the valid issues they raised. Maybe the need to spray more, or inspect more - but they won't know that if you don't tell them.

Finally, I've travelled to many, many motels, hotels and resorts, and I can honestly say that I've never, ever done a roof inspection, much less right as I arrive at a DVC Resort for a vacation! ;)

Good luck with your marriage - we're at 26 years so far, and it's still great!

Be well!

[dcibrando]

Uh, yeah. Sounds like the first thing that set you off was the roof shingles??? And you assumed that they blew off 2 years ago...What if they had a whopper of a storm yesterday???? Does that count.



honestly... I know they blew off 2 years ago because like I said this is the 3rd time I have been to Disney in a year and the 3rd time I have visited the beach club property and the exterior roof still looked the same (really bad and missing a lot more shingles than one would expect from Disney in a weeks time, much less 2 years)

what set me off was the continual findings of disappointment, and then top that off with getting sick, etc...

[momtosydneyntodd]

Just a couple thoughts--

1) congratulations on your wedding
2) Prior to buying into DVC, we stayed at the value resorts (a few times).
When you are used to the value resorts (and you make the decision to shellout four times what you are used to paying for a room) your expectation is that you are going to be dazzled. I understand. I think getting sick made everything else (in your mind) much worse. When I'm sick, the last place I want to be is in a hotel room.
3)I love DVC and I bought into DVC because of the amount of space in each room, the kitchen, the washer and dryer, theming and location--not necessarily the lighting in the hallways.
4) I think someone else said it--everyone has high expectations for their honeymoon. Getting sick is probably the last thing you want to happen. I know, my husband was seasick (for a week) on a Bermuda cruise.

The two of you have so much ahead of you. Move on and start planning your next getaway. Here's to many years of happiness.

Trish :wave2:

[dcibrando]

I really wish I had taken all of the pictures of the problems (and more) I am referring to. I think many of you, especially those who haven't been there in awhile would be surprised at how bad some of this really looked...especially those of you who are DVC members and paying so much for annual maintenance fees.

[TAKitty]

I have been to a Ritz and still could find something not quite perfect.

I have read the entire thread and you keep bringing up how much the dues are and how disappointed people should be. I don't think the dues are THAT much. Sure it is an expense, but not one that allows me to believe that things are going to be spotless.

Most are sorry about your experience. I got sick this April from what I think was something that didn't agree with me at Boma. Bummer for me but I got over it. Oh how I feel for those in the bathroom with me at MGM. . .

Do you rent or own a home? If you own your own home, you must realize that carpet fades and roofs need to be fixed. Most of these repairs are on a schedule.

[freediverdude]

You know what? I think you should go ahead and send your letter. Because it's how you feel. I think Disney wants to know of people's experiences, both good and bad. And you'll probably get a nicely worded letter back, stating how they have sympathy for how it went, and that they are working on maintenance, and hoping that you'll still come back. Sometimes that goes a long way towards showing that they still care, and that they want you to return, and that an actual person has listened to your concerns. Go ahead, let the magic happen, you've got nothing to lose, and I bet it will make you happier to hear that someone at Disney read your letter.

:sunny: :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[Figment2]

I stayed at BCV over Christmas weekend. I have to admit I didn't notice the missing shingles. I do know that Wilma did some damage in Oct. (was there) which was damage on damage in some places.

One thing I noted this past trip (weekend of May 5th) is that I didn't see as many blue tarps on house roofs as before. I was down twice in December 2005 and there were blue tarps everywhere. Friends who live there mentioned it's been difficult to get work done. Disney probably has their own construction crews but it probably works out to the same problem. Too much work, not enough workers.

If your desire is truly to call Disney's attention to the wear and tear I would only keep the information in your letter on that subject and delete everything else. (Sorry.)

Cyn

[dianeschlicht]

I'm not a BCV lover, so I read your letter thinking it was going to be another problem with check in etc. I kept reading thinking I was going to get to the "big horrible" part, and I never got to it. Really, read your letter again and pretend you are the owner of a property that is receiving this letter. You will see how absurd most of it sounds. It really sounds like you are trying to blame Disney for you getting sick on your vacation.

Bugs? Hey, it's Florida! There are bugs there, and if you only saw 8 in a week, you were doing well! We have even had tree frogs come into our room when we have had ground floor rooms.

Worn carpets and flooring? It's a VERY busy always full to capacity DVC resort. Even doing non-stop maintenance, there are going to be issues. I can't speak of the roof, but then I doubt I have ever looked at a roof with much concern on vacation.

Either you are trying to be funny and pull chains around here, or you are looking for justification to send a complaint that looks pretty flimsy and almost laughable. There are going to be a LOT of things in your marraige that will be 100's of times more tramatic than anything in that letter. Maybe it's time to mature a little and rolll with the punches.

[chris1gill]

I really wish I had taken all of the pictures of the problems (and more) I am referring to. I think many of you, especially those who haven't been there in awhile would be surprised at how bad some of this really looked...especially those of you who are DVC members and paying so much for annual maintenance fees.

You know, you've mentioned this a few times.... why are you concerned with what we DVC members are paying for our dues? You were renting, I suspect paying the equivalent of what you'd have paid had you stayed at Pop Century.

Did you by chance walk through the Beach or Yacht Club hotel's to compare the elevator banks, carpeting and wall's for comparison sake?

Caring for interior corridor's is always an on-going task, unlike concrete structures with exterior corridor's...

[JUDSON]

Brandon, don't let the folks here get you too worked up. Many of them are just defending their home resort, or the entire dvc for that matter, Disney can do no wrong in their eyes. Heck wouldn't you if you had $15K sunk into this thing?? Really entertaining to read from them non-sympathisizers. Personally, I think you've got a good point on the whole maintenance aspect. I think dvc needs to be more proactive and vigilant when it comes to maintenance and upkeep. They definitely should not be selling these things as "dexluxe" accomodations.

[dcibrando]

Chris.. honestly yes I did walk through the Beach Club section (not the Villa section) and it was a HUGE difference in neatness and upkeep when compared to the Villas where I was staying.

Jusdon, I know you're right about this. Many are defending DVC and their own home resort. Again, I was really hoping this would help me make my decision to buy into DVC, but when staying a Pop Century (although not as convenient and not as nice of a pool), I have to say was a TON nicer than the condition I witnessed this past week (when most of you WEREN'T there) at the Beach Club Villas.

This is major disappointing...and I WILL NOT spend $15,000 and annual maintenance fees on something that isn't kept up to Disney standards (in my opinion) like the other non-DVC resorts are. Could this have just been my experience alone? Of course, but it was enough to turn me off of DVC and makes me wonder if the "Best Kept Secret" is really what you paying members maintenance fees are really going to.

[Buckalew11]

Maybe you were seeing everything through a more critical eye because you were seriously thinking of buying into DVC in the future. And maybe that is why you talk about the high maintenance fees being shelled out by members and having the place look as worn as it did to you.

I still think the complaints sound pretty minor and I still think you should have said something while you were there because something could have been done about some of the problems. Granted they weren't going to lay new carpet for you or fix the elevator problem just because you spoke up, but I am sure sprying and towels would have been fixed for you.

I think sending the letter to make Disney aware of the problems is a fine idea. I think mentioning sickness is better left unsaid.

Love how JUDSON says that people "had $15K sunk" LOL. That is a nice selection of words there...

[dcibrando]

trust me... if you were to have seen all of the different photos of the problems (which I should have taken) many of you would be surprised as well at many of the problems I encountered.

Ya know... some of these things aren't that big of a deal sure, but when you pile them all on top of one another when you're paying a lot for the perfect honeymoon vacation resort... we found ourselves wishing we were at a value resort and that shouldn't be

[mickeyfan2]

DH and I had better things to do on our honeymoon than to count the missing shingle and check for stains on the hall carpets.

BTW I am not a DVC owner, so I have not sunk $15K into this thread.

[JimFitz]

My friend went to BCV last Septemeber and said the place was a mess. Dirty umbrellas and chairs, a hole in the wall of his room the size of a grapefruit and other issues. He is not one to complain but he was so concerned about the condition he wrote DVC to notify them. He owns at SSR and told me that if SSR starts to look like that in 5 years he will sell his interest in DVC immediately. These issues should not be accepted by owners. There is no excuse.

[pouncingpluto]

Honestly, it's just amazing to me the things that people notice that I'm apparently oblivious to. I was staying at BCV the same time as you (well, only part of it!), and we absolutely loved the resort. It was my first time staying in the villas, and the last time I stayed at the inn was when it first opened, in the early '90s.

I just don't notice the roof of a building, honestly. And a light being out in an elevator button is something I would notice for about two seconds and then never think of again. It certainly isn't something I would complain to management about. I didn't see anything wrong with the lobby or the pool. I did notice the condition of the hallway carpet (second floor) and think it really needs attention ASAP. But it certainly didn't impact my trip negatively.

I did notice men repainting the hallways on my floor. The walls looked great, and I thought it was nice to see maintenance of the villas in action.

[Mrs Potato Head]

Ya know... some of these things aren't that big of a deal sure, but when you pile them all on top of one another when you're paying a lot for the perfect honeymoon vacation resort... we found ourselves wishing we were at a value resort and that shouldn't be


Well, I don't know that I'd classify the Beach Club as the "perfect honeymoon resort"...but I would wonder if some of the expectations you might have set for this trip are to blame in part for your disappointment. All the resorts will have maintenance issues, and will continuously have work being done. Not every little detail can be attended to, especially if we don't bring them up to the management - who will?

I agree with the other posters about removing your illness from your letter. Disney will mostly likely not respond in any way favorably since you have taken the letter in too many directions.

I am sorry you didn't have the perfect honeymoon. My DH and I had our first real BIG fight on our honeymoon...outside the Energy pavilion in Epcot. He walked off, left me, and I was there on a park bench crying my eyes out. It happens. That was my first ever trip to Disney...and 12 trips later, I still don't like going to the Energy pavilion! So maybe you shouldn't stay at the Beach Club anymore.

BTW, I stayed at the Saratoga 5/7-5/11 and did kill one bug in my room. And stayed at the Dolphin 5/15-5/17 and the elevators (2 of them) smelled like urine! So it's now just DVC with maintenance issues.

[dcibrando]

sigh... the roof of the building is very obviously if you look up towards the main building when walking there from any direction. There wasn't a light out on the elevator...the control panel was pushed back into the cracked wall. Our room was filthy (without the extra bugs) and the bathtub looked like it hadn't been cleaned in awhile.

I have to question the lack of housekeeping as well... would the condition of at least the room I was in be this bad if they had daily housekeeping services and frequent attention?

[crisi]

Chris.. honestly yes I did walk through the Beach Club section (not the Villa section) and it was a HUGE difference in neatness and upkeep when compared to the Villas where I was staying.
.

I notice this too (though we stay at the BW), and you know what - I don't mind it. You see, when you pay all those dues, you start to look at what is it worth to you for it to be "perfect." Dues are already high, I don't WANT the carpet replaced every eighteen months. At the end of the day, a BW Inn room is $350. A studio DVC room when we travel is 12 points (9 points if I book standard) - for us thats about $78 dues plus buy in ($60 for a standard view). For a $272 difference, I'll take faded carpet, walls that need a painting, and the lack of frou frou in the public areas, and elevator buttons that don't light up - plus the lack of daily mousekeeping. Its still nicer than the room at the Carribean Beach Resort for less money and its still a short walk to Epcot - which is what I want. And I want a room that is clean enough and well kept enough that I'm comfortable.

Keep in mind that there are a number of things going on here. You rented points, not all members like the idea that non-members rent points. Some members find the idea of renting points fine, but find the price point on those rentals far too low. So many of the people responding to you started with believing "you already got a great deal, one we aren't thrilled about you having." Then you attack what a lot of people see as their second home. Most of the people here are members - we've been around DVC enough to know that sometimes its a little shabby, and sometimes we need to bug housekeeping or maintenance, and occationally you get bugs or mold or geckos in Florida, but its our second home - and, warts and all, we are fond of it. Finally, a ton of us love BCV in particular, warts and all - its a high demand resort, so few are interesting in encouraging you to stay there in the future, cuts our chances down of being able to book it. A certain amount of "one fewer BCV guest" glee accompanies these posts.

Sorry you got ill on your honeymoon and BCV wasn't what you expected. It sounds like you would be happier staying at the real Deluxe resorts rather than DVC, or just staying Value. It really sounds like your expectation was to be staying at the Beach Club, not the Beach Club Villas - and there IS a difference.

[Paging Tom Morrow]

DCI...

Congratulations on getting married. Hope you celebrate 50 anniversaries.

Two pieces of advice:

1. If you are ever are on vacation again and feel that your accomodations are sub-par, speak to the front desk right away and always ask for the name and contact information for each person you are speaking with. Management can respond to complaints if they are notified promptly and usually will respond if they know you are willing to elevate the complaint above their level if they can't offer you satisifaction. The issues regarding the cleanliness (including presence of bugs) should have been addressed ASAP.

2. Relax. Even with these problems, this shouldn't have been the "honeymoon from hell". These problems were cosmetic and shouldn't have detracted from the opportunity to spend an awesome vacation with your new spouse.

Best wishes...

[dcibrando]

I realise that now...

[Paging Tom Morrow]

I have to question the lack of housekeeping as well... would the condition of at least the room I was in be this bad if they had daily housekeeping services and frequent attention?

You do realize that you had the option of paying for more frequent housekeeping?

[dcibrando]

yes... but one would think it would be clean before you get there...and they would arrive on the 4th day as expected

[zalansky]

You do realize that you had the option of paying for more frequent housekeeping?

How much extra is the additional housekeeping anyway? Want to know for our upcoming trip.

[fkj2]

I stayed at VWL last December, SSR and OKW in the beginning of May. I didn't notice any problems with any of those three DVC facilities. As Diane (I think) mentioned, it's been an incredibly busy season with all the resorts filled to capacity. The first weekend in May was Grad Weekend and NOTHING seemed to be available anywhere.

It's unfortunate that you became ill on your honeymoon and when you have such high expectations at the start of your new life together, it's undeniable that any thing that goes wrong or is imperfect would seem magnified.

[littlestar]

Sorry the honeymoon went badly.

We own at (3) DVC resorts, BCV, BWV, and VWL. In all honesty, we have noticed a difference in the upkeep at VWL in the common areas (it looks better) than either of our DVC resorts at BCV and BWV. And I have a theory why, I think it's got something to do with the manager - I don't know if it's the housekeeping manager or regular manager. But EVERY TIME (I kid you not) we have been at the VWL, we see a lady (she has a foreign accent) and she's walking through the Villas at Wilderness Lodge checking it over. I've seen her check bathrooms, pick up wet towels left on window ledges. The last time we were there a few weeks ago, she was walking through with another DVC person in authority and she was not happy with the way the fabric was wearing on the rocking chair cushions - she wanted it replaced. Me and my husband got tickled, actually. She found some cookie crumbs on the floor and was not happy with that either - "someone shouldn't have missed it" is what I heard her say (she must have just had a housekeeper come through and clean or something)!

But anyway, this lady (who I believe is some sort of manager at VWL) and the DVC gentleman stopped and talked to me and my husband. The gentleman asked us when our next stay was and we told him October of '06. He said, well, the villas at Wilderness Lodge should have new DVD players and mattresses by then. We chuckled and told him, we see our dues are being used wisely. :lmao: And he smiled. :teeth:

On the bug issue in your room, you really should have called maintenance. They need to know about things like that. Our nephew and his family were staying at Marriott's Grande Vista on our trip a few weeks ago and they had an issue in their unit with roaches. We told them, PLEASE let Marriott know what's going on. They did and Marriott sprayed (more than once, actually). And there was some weatherstripping on a door that they replaced (the little buggers will come in if they find a way).

I hope your next trip is better. And congratulations on your wedding.

[Disney-Kim]

trust me... if you were to have seen all of the different photos of the problems (which I should have taken) many of you would be surprised as well at many of the problems I encountered.


I believe you. I was there 3 weeks ago and although I didn't see the exact problems you did, I saw wear and tear and I DID see the missing shingles on the roof. but it did not ruin my vacation.
I am sorry you got sick and that did ruin your vacation. we have had that happen and its just not fun.

but...IMHO...I think your expectations were too high. You should have stayed in one of the deluxe HOTELS not DVC. just my opinion. The fact the towel thing bothered you....you should have known there was no housekeeping and you could have called at any time during your stay for fresh towels. and you could have called about the bugs..but you didn't. You have obviously been on these boards and had to have seen a lot of the complaints about BCV's need of a refurb too. maybe you didn't...I am just saying I don't think they were the best choice for a honeymoon. the service is different.
I know the BCV need a refurb and new beds...but I still think they looked beautiful and I looked beyond the knicks/scratches/stains. I have seen those in all my other WDW HOTEL stays too. it happens.

If you still want to write the letter....maybe re-phrase it a bit. Just talk about your overall disappointment as opposed to the knit picky small things...because if I was reading it...thats all I would see. Just let them know your Honeymoon was not what you expected.
Maybe your next trip will be so much better. and maybe pick one of the hotels that are freshly refurbed so you can see it all pretty... ;)
Good Luck.

[TCARON]

Oh my, is your head spinning? The rath of us DVC'ers can be pretty severe. We love and protect our DVC. My points are with the Beach Club and I'm always disappointed to heard of reports that are not of the standard we all expect. I'll be there the last week in June and do not want to see big huge bugs in my room! I would have called the first second I got there. My wife would not have even entered the room! I ama stickler for detail but try to keep my perspective reasonable. Disney is still as close to perfect as you can get considering the challange.

Still......

We spend a lot of money there. The only way we can be assured that Disney keeps up with the maintenance is by keeping on them when we spot a problem. Unlike yourselves, fellow DVC'ers like to get things fixed not for Disney's sake but for each DVC'ers sake. I always want teh place to look good for teh next member's stay. The difference of ownership vs. renting.

Hope your next trip is a happier one!

[antree]

I am a DVC Member and I agree that DVC can look better. I too have notice problems. It doesn't matter how trivial it is it should be addressed, we do pay dues and a lot of money to get into DVC, so I think the properties should be kept a little better and maid service should come without me reminding them to come. I was there for 2 wks in Jan. at BWV and I never received maid service once, not until the night before I checked out. I called and complained to housekeeping and at the front desk, just about everyday. I spoke with the manger at the front desk, he told me they would be there the next day and they still were a no show. I went down to them again the day before I checked out to complain again about housekeeping, and my view that I paid for, at this point I am so pissed. So while I am talking to them my DH brings me my cell I have a phone call from my daughters doctor, because she is sick with strep. So I go speak with the doctor. While I am on the phone I start yelling with the Dr's office because they have refused to help me for the last 2 days, I told them I was on vacation and no one is helping me even after I talked to the Dr. before I left and asked them if the kids get sick while I was away, can I call them for help. So this is what is happening, the hotel thinks I am on the phone about them, they have no clue who I am talking too, all they hear is me saying , "No one is helping me, I have been calling for days". So front desk sends a manager over from housekeeping, she interrupts my call and says she needs to speak with me. I hang up with the Dr. and the manager apologizes over and over, swearing it was a mistake, she knows who the maid is that was suppose to do our room and she will take care of it, and that someone was on the way up to our room. I say fine, what can I do at this point I check out tomorrow, I wanted maid service a week ago. I ask them why did it have to get to this point to get them to listen to me, she says there was no record of me telling them about housekeeping, that if she only knew. No, I should have said you did know, and the only reason you are doing something now is because I was on the phone and you have no idea who I was talking too. So yes I am a member and I will continue to go to Disney, but I will also continue to complain and wonder what are my dues paying for, when I can't even get a clean towel without begging for it.

[CarolA]

I am a DVC Member and I agree that DVC can look better. I too have notice problems. It doesn't matter how trivial it is it should be addressed, we do pay dues and a lot of money to get into DVC, so I think the properties should be kept a little better and maid service should come without me reminding them to come. I was there for 2 wks in Jan. at BWV and I never received maid service once, not until the night before I checked out. I called and complained to housekeeping and at the front desk, just about everyday. I spoke with the manger at the front desk, he told me they would be there the next day and they still were a no show. I went down to them again the day before I checked out to complain again about housekeeping, and my view that I paid for, at this point I am so pissed. So while I am talking to them my DH brings me my cell I have a phone call from my daughters doctor, because she is sick with strep. So I go speak with the doctor. While I am on the phone I start yelling with the Dr's office because they have refused to help me for the last 2 days, I told them I was on vacation and no one is helping me even after I talked to the Dr. before I left and asked them if the kids get sick while I was away, can I call them for help. So this is what is happening, the hotel thinks I am on the phone about them, they have no clue who I am talking too, all they hear is me saying , "No one is helping me, I have been calling for days". So front desk sends a manager over from housekeeping, she interrupts my call and says she needs to speak with me. I hang up with the Dr. and the manager apologizes over and over, swearing it was a mistake, she knows who the maid is that was suppose to do our room and she will take care of it, and that someone was on the way up to our room. I say fine, what can I do at this point I check out tomorrow, I wanted maid service a week ago. I ask them why did it have to get to this point to get them to listen to me, she says there was no record of me telling them about housekeeping, that if she only knew. No, I should have said you did know, and the only reason you are doing something now is because I was on the phone and you have no idea who I was talking too. So yes I am a member and I will continue to go to Disney, but I will also continue to complain and wonder what are my dues paying for, when I can't even get a clean towel without begging for it.

Hmm... you seem to have lots of customer service issues in your life???

I have no problem with complaints, I am not one of those who thinks that complaining is wrong, but the OP is complaining NOT to make things better but to get something FREE!!! Sorry, but that letter is a line of "lets' walk around and find things to complain about" Disney made you get sick??? :lmao: (And he would like your dues to pay for his "refund on his dining plan and any other stuff he gets")

[Dina]

Just wanted to say, I wasn't very sympathetic to the OP, and I'm not a DVC owner, and have never stayed in a DVC. I actually like being in a hotel (this way I'm not expected to do any cleaning or cooking). I don't think anyone should assume that all who responded are just trying to protect their investment. You just can't blame Disney for being sick. Again though, to the OP-- I am sorry that your honeymoon wasn't what you expected!!!!! That must be a big disappointment. Next time maybe you should stay in the regular "hotel" rather than the villas. Congratulations on your wedding!!

[Tink10]

I also want to say that I'm very sorry that you were sick......

But I too have to agree that you should have called about the bugs the first time you saw one. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach resort a couple of years ago & were completely disgusted at the bugs that inhabited our room......Roaches & spiders....EEK!

I think the condition of the room is purely luck of the draw. We've had both good & bad at regular WDW resorts (we've even had a not so great room at The Portofino Bay at Universal)....So far, we've only had good at DVC. The shingle thing just seems very petty. I did notice missing shingles at the BCV, but it didn't make me think any less of the resort.

I normally expect to see a bit of wear & tear at all WDW resorts......If I had a dime for every time I've seen a mom & dad taking a blind eye while their little "prince" or "princess" is wholloping the living daylights out of the elevator buttons, I could pay this years dues!! Not to mention the little monkeys running nonstop up & down the hallways......Yikes! But again, that's at ALL the WDW resorts.

Congrats on your marriage & hopefully, you'll look back on this years from now & have a great laugh.

[fishermouse]

sigh...Our room was filthy (without the extra bugs) and the bathtub looked like it hadn't been cleaned in awhile.

I have to question the lack of housekeeping as well... would the condition of at least the room I was in be this bad if they had daily housekeeping services and frequent attention?

Most people buy into time shares for the condo like experience. We like the privacy etc. this is proven by the low number who actually purchase the extra mousekeeping service. If I walked into a dirty room I would call the front desk and not even unpack until the room was satisfactory. As far as the bugs, it's spring in Florida if the door was left open they're comming in. Seems they like the airconditiong as much as we do. Since the Flu usually takes 72hours to show you probably brought it with you, imune systems get weak with stress, whats more stressfull than getting married? I still don't really see the appeal of the dining plan. we eat out most nights, usually the Epcot resturants and do not spend enough on a daily basis to make it worth while.
Anyway best of luck to you both, hope you give DVC another chance,

[Cruelladeville]

Actually, I can understand why the OP was unhappy--everything is worse when you're sick, and who wants to see worn carpeting? However, those who own at BC have to decide what's most important--and this year it's the couches and beds, which, thank God, are being replaced. The carpets probably get replaced next year. There is just so much that can be done in any year.

It is our home away from home, and, just like home, certain things have to wait until I have the money to get it fixed. I don't like it, but my wallet isn't bottomless, and neither is the pot of BC dues. That's reality.

By the way, I would write Disney to explain about the unused portion of your DDP. You won't get anything for it, but it will make you feel better. :rolleyes:

[6IrishDisneyKids]

I haven't read everyone's posts, but I wanted to reply to the OP. I hope it is possible to offer opinions contrary to the majority without being flamed. Here it goes...
I think you (OP) have some legitimate concerns including:
1.) the bugs. I live in Florida and it IS possible to live without a bunch of bugs. I have lived in my house 8 years and have yet to see 8 roaches in all that time. I understand 1 or 2 in a hotel room given what it is...but as many as the OP saw leads me to believe the room had not been treated regularly, which should be the case for all the rooms. Yes, you should have called, but there should not have been such a significant bug problem to begin with.

2.) the missing shingles, the stained carpeting and ill-repair of the hallways and lighting. As for the shingles, I think 20+ months is more than ample time to replace them. I would think Disney would want to make a better first impression on their guests. The carpeting, lighting and hallway issues...I know they are supposedly going to be addressed with repairs, but in the meantime, it seems more could be done to keep things looking more tidy in the meantime like straightening those light fixtures, cleaning the carpets (at least spot cleaning), and touch-up paint. I too would not complain about these things while on vacation - after all, I wouldn't expect these things to be addressed immediately. I understand they need to be scheduled - but that is where a letter to the powers-that-be is so important.

Disney has a reputation of doing things right. I would find the above much less than magical, and I do think the OP should send a letter addressing these issues.

[pouncingpluto]

On the subject of the carpet, I want to add:

I know I was looking at BCV with a more critical eye than I normally would, due to posts I had read here about the upkeep. Even so, the only real issue I saw was the second floor hallway carpet. And in my view, it is *bad*. It's not just worn, it's stained beyond the point of cleaning. And not just in a spot or two; I'm talking about large discolored areas.

However, when my husband and I talked about this after our trip, I found out that he hadn't noticed the carpet. That really surprised me, since he always notices *everything*, including things I don't want him to notice. :) He's a much more visual (and critical) person than I am. But he didn't notice anything wrong with BCV upkeep at all. Maybe we got a room in great condition. But that doesn't explain the common areas.

I guess we all have different expectations and opinions.

[BCV23]

I haven't read everyone's posts, but I wanted to reply to the OP. I hope it is possible to offer opinions contrary to the majority without being flamed. Here it goes...
I think you (OP) have some legitimate concerns including:
1.) the bugs. I live in Florida and it IS possible to live without a bunch of bugs. I have lived in my house 8 years and have yet to see 8 roaches in all that time. I understand 1 or 2 in a hotel room given what it is...but as many as the OP saw leads me to believe the room had not been treated regularly, which should be the case for all the rooms. Yes, you should have called, but there should not have been such a significant bug problem to begin with.

2.) the missing shingles, the stained carpeting and ill-repair of the hallways and lighting. As for the shingles, I think 20+ months is more than ample time to replace them. I would think Disney would want to make a better first impression on their guests. The carpeting, lighting and hallway issues...I know they are supposedly going to be addressed with repairs, but in the meantime, it seems more could be done to keep things looking more tidy in the meantime like straightening those light fixtures, cleaning the carpets (at least spot cleaning), and touch-up paint. I too would not complain about these things while on vacation - after all, I wouldn't expect these things to be addressed immediately. I understand they need to be scheduled - but that is where a letter to the powers-that-be is so important.

Disney has a reputation of doing things right. I would find the above much less than magical, and I do think the OP should send a letter addressing these issues.


No flaming at all. But we have stayed at BCV several times a year since it opened so I would like to tell you that:

-the hallway woodwork is painted very frequently. I very often see a gentleman touching it up. It is white and shows marks easily but they do keep up with it. The OP may have been there right after someone nicked it and it could be fixed by now.

-the hall carpets are cleaned all the time. I see this every trip. The second floor one that so many of us have noticed is stained not dirty. And the post right before yours addressed that well.

As for the bugs, until people start closing their patio doors and the door by the pool, I'm afraid that is what we all have to look forward to. And this isn't just a BCV problem. I've noticed it at other resorts. Makes me wonder if they were brought up in a barn! :furious:

pouncinpluto, that is interesting. Now I wonder if I would have noticed if I
hadn't read about it here first. Overall, the resort is in such great shape I could very well not have seen that stained area at all.

[JimFitz]

I dont understand why owners defend poor upkeep of resorts. Where are our dues going? You do not see these issues at Marriott Timeshares. I feel that Disney has been letting it slip a little and owners (or renters) complaints should be heard. The more they hear it the better they will react.

[BCV23]

I dont understand why owners defend poor upkeep of resorts. Where are our dues going? You do not see these issues at Marriott Timeshares. I feel that Disney has been letting it slip a little and owners (or renters) complaints should be heard. The more they hear it the better they will react.

I have no experience with Marriott timeshares. And a problem like your friend experienced is unacceptable. That hole should have been fixed before a guest was assigned that room.

But yes, I will defend BCV when someone assumes the carpets aren't being cleaned and woodwork not painted. It just isn't true.

And as most of us have said, the OP should have notified maintenance at the time. The lights and wall plate needed to be addressed....and probably have been by now. ;)

[pouncingpluto]

The woodwork (on our floor at least) was actually being painted during our trip... which was also during the OP's trip.

[canda]

I am sorry about your sick honeymoon, that is terrible. The reason you are getting the responses you are getting is because you thought you were addressing problems at a hotel. What you have really done is come into our home and told us it is ugly, infested and falling apart. Even if that is the case, you just don't do that to someones home. (regardless if it is their main, 2nd or shared.)

You have no issue with Disney as they did not rent you the room and you are not a member. Your letter is out of place.

If you want to take issue with a owner that charged you to be a guest in their home, then write them the letter.

[Olaf]

I dont understand why owners defend poor upkeep of resorts. Where are our dues going? You do not see these issues at Marriott Timeshares. I feel that Disney has been letting it slip a little and owners (or renters) complaints should be heard. The more they hear it the better they will react.

That's a good point. But would I let small maintance issues ruin my vacation? What ruined the OP's honeymoon was the flu, which just magnified all the other issues.

[Terry S]

First off congratulations on your honeymoon! Also, sorry to hear that you were sick during your vacation.

I really think a lot of this is about expectations. I feel due to the fact that this was your first time at a deluxe, you undoubtedly spent a lot of money and top that with the fact that this was your honeymoon your expectations were very high. I remember my first trip to Disney I was 18 and stayed at the Contemporary for 3 nights. I had stayed at a Days Inn off property for the first 4 nights of the trip. I was extremely disappointed about everything with the Contemporary. I relalize now years later it was more about expectations than anything else, heck I was paying 4 times as much per night at the Contemporary as I was at the Days Inn. None of the things that bothered me than would even cross my radar now.

Those singles have been off for several years. I think the reason I noticed them though was that I was there the week after the hurricane went through and I looked up to see if there was damage to my "home". Since then I have looked up each and every trip and have been surprised by the fact that they have not been replaced, but it doesn't bother me, or ruin my vacation.

I also notice many of the other (what I consider small or little) things that you mentioned but they don't ruin my vacation. I go to BCV 2 to 3 times a year and as other people have mentioned I notice on every trip maintenance being done in several different places. Funny story..... I saw a couple very upset that there was only one elevator they could use because the other one was being painted. When we got in the other elevator the same couple complained that the one we were in had marks and needed painted. (Make up your mind!!!)

As far as the bugs go, you only mentioned 1 of the bugs was a roach right? The other 7 you don't mention but I think after around the 3rd bug I may have called someone, but it still would not have ruined my vacation. Just step on the bug, they are much smaller than you! Spiders, ants, and other bugs are all part of Florida and come in when the door is open. I know that housekeeping often keeps the paito door open when cleaning. Heck I live in Michigan and I am sure there are at least 8 bugs in my house right now, spiders, earwigs, rolly polly bugs and I have the outside professionally sprayed monthly.

I think the issue is you title this "Honeymoon from Hell" and talk about your "horrible experience". In my view none of the things you have posted would be cause for either of those statements. Yes, they are maintenance issues and it would not hurt to send a letter to BCV to make them aware that they have these maintenance issues. Acutually as a BCV owner I would appreciate it if you did. As many others have said I think you should leave the part out about you being sick as there really is nothing disney, could or should do about that, it was just an unfortunate situation.

I hope after a few years and many more trips to deluxe resorts you will come to realize that the things that you felt made this your trip from hell were really more about your expectations and really not that big of a deal.

[Deemarch]

I am sorry about your sick honeymoon, that is terrible. The reason you are getting the responses you are getting is because you thought you were addressing problems at a hotel. What you have really done is come into our home and told us it is ugly, infested and falling apart. Even if that is the case, you just don't do that to someones home. (regardless if it is their main, 2nd or shared.)

Well said! I think, for most of us, you've hit the nail on the head. It's our "home" and someone is telling us that we're crazy for wanting to live in it!!

I have spent my life listening to people who "complain"...I hate my job, I hate my town, I hate my state, I hate my spouse, etc., etc...The one thing that I can say to all of them is then why don't you look to change your problem? And for the OP, I'd suggest that he go back to Pop Century, next time he visits WDW. End of story.

[pouncingpluto]

Well said! I think, for most of us, you've hit the nail on the head. It's our "home" and someone is telling us that we're crazy for wanting to live in it!!


I want to live in your home!! I was *sure* BWV was going to my favorite DVC, but now... I'm torn. :)

[crisi]

Well said! I think, for most of us, you've hit the nail on the head. It's our "home" and someone is telling us that we're crazy for wanting to live in it!!


And that we should demand (and presumably pay for) better upkeep - when the person complaining is staying at what was probably a $250+ a night discount over the hotel portion of the resort.

I LOVE it when people spend my money for me. At least when other members propose things which will have costs, they are proposing to share the burden.

[JimFitz]

I don't get the mindset of being insulted because someone is insulting my "home". I love the welcome homes just like the next person, but Disney is not my home. DVC is a timeshare that I pay dues on so that someone else can keep it clean and presentable. If they are not doing that, then what are they doing with my money??? I own at OKW and love all the resorts, but I have been hearing more and more reports of poor rooms, conditions, and it really has me concerned.

[dcibrando]

crisi... it's YOU the DVC members that have the option of renting your points for that year. In fact, it usually pays (and then some) for your annual maintenance fees.

You make it sound like I was wrong by renting points from another member and then not bowing down and thanking my lucky stars for being able to stay in such a wonderful resort for a lower price and than what you have to pay for being a DVC member.

Well again, remember I was using this too as a deciding factor on whether or not I would go to DVC route. Based on my experience... the "best kept secret" to me was that the resort/floor/room I stayed at was not worth what I paid, much less what an actual DVC member pays.

I understand many of you are defending your home resort... but also understand most of you weren't there last week when I was so you don't know what I saw and what my room was like.

As upset as I am (and sure a lot of it had to do with getting sick on top of everything else) I would be even MORE upset if I was a paying DVC member and would hope they would fix things like carpet, the roof, get the gum off of the elevator floor, fix the lights...things like that before I replace the bed matress which was actually fine for me and I should know, I spent half of the week in it! haha

[jakenjess]

I'm getting the impression (although I don't think you've answered this directly) that you didn't contact anyone at the time about the cleanliness issues, the bugs, and the towels. When we stayed at OKW last year, upon our check-in we noticed there was a lot of sand on the shower floors and the air conditioning wasn't working properly. We called immediately and within a half hour there were two mousekeepers re-cleaning our bathroom and maintenance came by and fixed the AC. At Vero we had little tiny bugs (maybe an ant of some kind?) all over our kitchenette sideboard, and we called and maintenance came and sprayed immediately. It's difficult for Disney to satisfy their guests if they're unaware of the problem, and we've found that by letting someone know immediately things are taken care of.

Sorry you were sick on your honeymoon, and I hope you get to take another (healthier!) trip soon.

[dcibrando]

no I didn't ...and if I had to do it all over again I would have... however I'm not one to go complaining about little things..but then those little things began adding up over the course of the week.

maybe if housekeeping was a routine daily thing... the place wouldn't be a dirty as it seemed to me?

[crisi]

crisi... it's YOU the DVC members that have the option of renting your points for that year. In fact, it usually pays (and then some) for your annual maintenance fees.

You make it sound like I was wrong by renting points from another member and then not bowing down and thanking my lucky stars for being able to stay in such a wonderful resort for a lower price and than what you have to pay for being a DVC member.

Well again, remember I was using this too as a deciding factor on whether or not I would go to DVC route. Based on my experience... the "best kept secret" to me was that the resort/floor/room I stayed at was not worth what I paid, much less what an actual DVC member pays.

I understand many of you are defending your home resort... but also understand most of you weren't there last week when I was so you don't know what I saw and what my room was like.

As upset as I am (and sure a lot of it had to do with getting sick on top of everything else) I would be even MORE upset if I was a paying DVC member and would hope they would fix things like carpet, the roof, get the gum off of the elevator floor, fix the lights...things like that before I replace the bed matress which was actually fine for me and I should know, I spent half of the week in it! haha

I don't rent my points, I use my points. You do me no favors renting someone elses points, please don't pretend like you do (I frankly don't care if you rent points or not, it isn't like you do me a disservice by renting someone else's points either. And my price per point is lower than the going rental rate, so you aren't staying cheaper than I do). I am generally happy with my purchase (I did pay significantly less than what the going price is now - I don't know if I'd buy points at the current price). As are the majority of DVC members (not all, but most of them). I don't care if you are happy or not. Nor do I care if you invest in DVC or not - once again, doesn't make any difference in my life if DVC continues to grow or not. It really sounds like your expectations were out of whack - you expected the Beach Club. You have every right to be upset. It is unreasonable to expect ME to be upset. I find most of what happened to you to be reasonable - and I expect, had you not gotten ill, you'd have been disappointed that your high expectations were not met but not upset.

As I said, when we travel, we can spend a week in a studio unit for 87 points. My cost for that 87 points is around $675. That's $96 a night. I get $96 a night worth of value - even if the elevator light is burned out. Pop during that period is $99 a night - plus tax. If you don't feel I'm getting my money's worth, that's OK - because its my money and my sensibilities I need to address.

I want new mattresses, but could care less about elevator buttons. The mattresses bug me and I don't spend but eight hours a night in them. However, I may be older than you, and my back is much more sensitive to a bad mattress than it used to be.

[jodifla]

Chris.. honestly yes I did walk through the Beach Club section (not the Villa section) and it was a HUGE difference in neatness and upkeep when compared to the Villas where I was staying.

Jusdon, I know you're right about this. Many are defending DVC and their own home resort. Again, I was really hoping this would help me make my decision to buy into DVC, but when staying a Pop Century (although not as convenient and not as nice of a pool), I have to say was a TON nicer than the condition I witnessed this past week (when most of you WEREN'T there) at the Beach Club Villas.

This is major disappointing...and I WILL NOT spend $15,000 and annual maintenance fees on something that isn't kept up to Disney standards (in my opinion) like the other non-DVC resorts are. Could this have just been my experience alone? Of course, but it was enough to turn me off of DVC and makes me wonder if the "Best Kept Secret" is really what you paying members maintenance fees are really going to.

We just got back from BCV yesterday, and I'm more of an OKW fan, but I didn't see any of the "problems" you saw with BCV. I didn't notice any missing shingles. Public areas looked great to me. There might have been spots that were a bit worn, but there are in all hotels. They are constantly refurbishing them, so it makes sense that at some point, you're going to see something that's worn and not brand spanking new.

Our studio was in really good shape. A few nicks on the table, but I don't look at that kind of stuff and think "OH MY GOD. MY VACATION IS RUINED! NICKS ON THE COFFEE TABLE!!!!"

DVC was worth every penny we spent. But we had the foresight to buy it almost 10 years ago, and could sell it now for more than we paid for it. I stayed in Pop Century, and it's basically a Days Inn with Disney theming. It's not for me.

Congrats on your marriage, and hope you have a decent Disney trip in the future.

[DrTomorrow]

[...] I would be even MORE upset if I was a paying DVC member [...] Then it sounds as if you have made the right decision not to purchase DVC.
however I'm not one to go complaining about little things.. Bwahahahahaha! :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao:

[Kathy C]

I hope you don't send that letter. Sounds like you're whining to me. First of all those BIG cockroaches are part of living in the south. They are "outside" bugs and don't live long inside. Had one in our bathroom this morning, and I'm a clean freak. This is the time of year when you see more of them. You rented points so you stayed at BCV cheaper than some stay at a value resort. We are also DVC members with BWV and OKW being our home resorts, and I think for the most part the resorts are kept in pretty good shape. I'm sure if we wanted to complain about something, we could find something each time we went but that's not why we go there. As far as housekeeping goes. you knew before you went that with DVC there wasn't daily housekeeping and if you wanted it, you could have paid for it. Sounds to me DVC isn't for you.

[bigboywdw]

Dcibrando,

I am happy to say that you are my first post on the Dis. Also, you are owed an apology. On behalf of all of the sane DVC members I am truly sorry with the reaction and venom your post has brought on you.

You must remember this: DVC members who post on the Dis tend to be fanatical about there home resort and all things DVC. They see there DVC through rose colored glasses. They let the fact they are at WDW cloud there judgement of the resorts.

Nothing you have posted is wrong or unusual. The only thing I can take issue with you on is the illness and the fact you did not address the problems right then and there. Besides that, you should have never encountered the problems you had.

BCV is by far the worst maintained property in the DVC family. Those stained carpets in the hallways are a direct result of housekeeping throwing bags of garbage into the halls only to sit there for hours at a time. Those bags sometimes spring leaks and the sludge runs on the carpet. Maintenance runs on a schedule for most large items like carpet, furniture and flooring. Those rugs are due for replacement soon but thanks to housekeeping they have looked terrible for quite some time. Diferent housekeeping procedure with this and the rugs would have looked great right up to the replacemnet time.

Bugs you encountered happen in Florida at even the highest end resorts. Calling would have resulted in a spraying and likely a solution to your problem.

Really, don't let this isolated incident followed by the nasty responses you got on the Dis spoil your view of DVC and WDW. Both are great and you encountered the exception not the rule. Try VWL next time to see a well maintained proerty with a great theme.

May your future travels be wonderful.

Sincerely,

Bill

[Kristi1357]

dcibrando - I am sorry your honeymoon went less than perfectly. That really stinks.

I do think your issues would have been easily fixed had you called housekeeping. I know, I know, hindsight is 20/20. And in your shoes, I may have not called either - but would have been kicking myself later that I didn't call.

My honeymoon (wedding night only) experience at the much loved Royal Palm Club at the Grand Floridian was a true nightmare! :scared1: I don't care how well-off I may be someday - you could not get me to stay at the resort ever again. (long, long story, but truly awful) Which is a shame since we got married on their beach.

It sounds like maybe DVC is not for you & that it was a good thing that you were able to rent points to try it out before you purchased. I hope you both are feeling better now!

[rinkwide]

...OH MY GOD. MY VACATION IS RUINED! NICKS ON THE COFFEE TABLE...Funny thing, that actually did ruin one of our Beach Club stays. We walked into the Villa for the first time, took one look at the coffee table and knew our trip was doomed. (I should mention, the nicks were caused by a large goat who was still gnawing on the table at the time, so that may have had something to do with it.)

[dcibrando]

thanks for those 'sane' DVC members here... but for those of you who can't read

THERE WASN'T A LIGHT OUT ON THE ELEVATOR... the 2 button control panel was pushed back INTO the wall and the wall has a crack down it on the second floor.

In addition to that... for those of you that missed the many missing shingles the only reason I looked was because I noticed this last year at the same time and was wondering if they had been replaced. On the main BC building is where it is most noticable..all you have to do is look UP from the bus stop or walking from the villas to the BC marketplace building and see many missing.

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here

sure if I had to do it all over again I would have called about some of it at the beginning... but at the beginning of the trip... we were barely even in our room at all and I could deal with a bug here and there from time to time. Once we got sick...we were STUCK in the room the rest of the week and then we begin to notice how disgusting everything really was (including the large cockroaches in the bathroom)

top all of this off with being on your honeymoon and having a better/cleaner room at a much cheaper value resort the past 2 trips and it was disappointing to say the least... especially too since I was wanting this trip to help me decide if DVC is the way to go. For me...based on this experience at the Beach Club Villas - obviously not.

As a non-DVC (but almost DVC) member... I truely hope your annual fees are being spent wisely because based on my experience, I would begin to question it.

[jodifla]

thanks for those 'sane' DVC members here... but for those of you who can't read

THERE WASN'T A LIGHT OUT ON THE ELEVATOR... the 2 button control panel was pushed back INTO the wall and the wall has a crack down it on the second floor.

In addition to that... for those of you that missed the many missing shingles the only reason I looked was because I noticed this last year at the same time and was wondering if they had been replaced. On the main BC building is where it is most noticable..all you have to do is look UP from the bus stop or walking from the villas to the BC marketplace building and see many missing.

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here

sure if I had to do it all over again I would have called about some of it at the beginning... but at the beginning of the trip... we were barely even in our room at all and I could deal with a bug here and there from time to time. Once we got sick...we were STUCK in the room the rest of the week and then we begin to notice how disgusting everything really was (including the large cockroaches in the bathroom)

top all of this off with being on your honeymoon and having a better/cleaner room at a much cheaper value resort the past 2 trips and it was disappointing to say the least... especially too since I was wanting this trip to help me decide if DVC is the way to go. For me...based on this experience at the Beach Club Villas - obviously not.

As a non-DVC (but almost DVC) member... I truely hope your annual fees are being spent wisely because based on my experience, I would begin to question it.


Pop Century is a big place, and is sure to have room for you! If you like it there, by all means, stay there.


But I don't know how anyone rational could compare their Pop Century room to even a studio at the BCV and think Pop Century is a great deal. It's basically a colorful shoebox with two small beds and a tiny, Days Inn bathroom. C'mon!

I own a small contract at BCV, and have no problems with the way our dues are being spent.

[mickeyfan2]

thanks for those 'sane' DVC members here... but for those of you who can't read.
I am a non-DVC member who can read.

THERE WASN'T A LIGHT OUT ON THE ELEVATOR... the 2 button control panel was pushed back INTO the wall and the wall has a crack down it on the second floor.
This sounds like a safety issue. Since you were out and about, did it not occur to you to tell the front desk? When I see safety issue I make sure they are reported. I keep reporting them until it is fixed. So I must be the 'sane' person here.

In addition to that... for those of you that missed the many missing shingles the only reason I looked was because I noticed this last year at the same time and was wondering if they had been replaced. On the main BC building is where it is most noticable..all you have to do is look UP from the bus stop or walking from the villas to the BC marketplace building and see many missing.
So the missing shingle are on the BC and not the BCV? So why does this upset you?

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here
And you did not feel a need to report any of this? :confused3 Wow so you showered for days, prior to your illness, in a filty shower? :confused3 Also you were well enough to go to the vending machine for a soda, but not well enough to pick up the phone and report these many and growing attrocities? :rolleyes:

sure if I had to do it all over again I would have called about some of it at the beginning... but at the beginning of the trip... we were barely even in our room at all and I could deal with a bug here and there from time to time. Once we got sick...we were STUCK in the room the rest of the week and then we begin to notice how disgusting everything really was (including the large cockroaches in the bathroom).
So the dirty shower only became a problem once you were too sick to get out of bed?

For a non-complainer you sure know how to practice the artform. :rolleyes:

[dcibrando]

My only complaint about Pop was the loud toilets (but I didn't realised it until last week, BCV have them too)... the bathroom and beds are comparable to the Beach Club Villa studio

Of course the BC is in an awesome location... but last I checked I sleep indoors (and preferably without cockroaches)

[jodifla]

My only complaint about Pop was the loud toilets (but I didn't realised it until last week, BCV have them too)... the bathroom and beds are comparable to the Beach Club Villa studio

Of course the BC is in an awesome location... but last I checked I sleep indoors (and preferably without cockroaches)


Another thing to note is, if you've stayed in a studio, you really haven't experienced the grandeur that is DVC. That comes from staying in a one bedroom or larger unit.

[Kathy C]

As you can see from the number of my posts, I don't post often but mostly lurk for info and some good laughs. I know everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but the things you are complaining about seem relatively small and things that could have probably been taken care of with a phone call. We were there the same time you were but staying at Saratoga Springs in a two bedroom. Although the resort is new and beautiful, we are spoiled by the location of our home resort BWV. Saratoga is a little too spread out for us, but we'd stay there again. Not everything was completely perfect but life isn't perfect. Our toilets were loud when we flushed them too but who cares, it's a toilet and the noise lasted for ten seconds and at least it gets the job done. I'm thinking you need to pitch a tent at Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds - there aren't any elevators, toilets, roofs, carpets, et al.

[mickeyfan2]

I'm thinking you need to pitch a tent at Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds - there aren't any elevators, toilets, roofs, carpets, et al.
But there are bugs and other creepy crawly things!

[sajetto]

My only complaint about Pop was the loud toilets (but I didn't realised it until last week, BCV have them too)... the bathroom and beds are comparable to the Beach Club Villa studio


Then stay at POP next time. I really think that if you're going to send that letter it needs a lot of work with spelling and structure. I also don't see why you are so concerned with the dues we pay, they aren't your fees :confused3

BCV is my least favorite of the DVCs (sorry guys :blush: ) but the "issues" that you mention are so minor they do not merit any compenstation. I think values are your best bet since you love them so much.

[dcibrando]

Another thing to note is, if you've stayed in a studio, you really haven't experienced the grandeur that is DVC. That comes from staying in a one bedroom or larger unit.

but if they can't keep a studio clean and tidy... how can I expect a 1 bedroom or larger to be better?


if I ever experience something like this again, I am definitely taking pictures (and calling the front desk). I think several of you on here who think I am just complaining about little things here and there might have a different opinion if I showed them exactly what it is I am talking about.

[mickeyfan2]

if I ever experience something like this again, I am definitely taking pictures (and calling the front desk). I think several of you on here who think I am just complaining about little things here and there might have a different opinion if I showed them exactly what it is I am talking about.
YES call the front desk and housekeeping.

I am one who thinks you are complaining and I would have only had a different opinion if you had called and reported the problems. Then if after repeated attempts nothing got done I would have told you to write a letter.

One IS a complainer who does nothing at the time but keeps harping on the problems after. :rolleyes:

[anniet]

They aren't "cockroaches" they are Palmetto Bugs- I think the name changes somewhere around Georgia maybe??? And I paid a lot more than a DVC membership price tag for my home in Florida and we've got em too!

You should have called housekeeping, bugs are a part of life down there. I'm sure housekeeping would have changed your towels too.

Chances are you caught the flu on the trip down. Call the airline and see if you can get your money back.

Sorry you had a bad experience, but those of us who own DVC know, WE ARE THE OWNERS, so like our own homes when something goes wrong we call someone and have them come to fix it.


DVC isn't for everyone. Glad you found out it wasn't for you before you put a hunk of money down.

[JimFitz]

As a DVC owner, I beg that you send your letter. I would leave the sick part out since it does look like your looking for a refund on the DDP, but the other issues are valid and Disney should hear them.

[chris1gill]

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here

Why do you keep saying the same things??? DID YOU CALL TO GET THESE THINGS FIXED??? If not, kindly stop worrying about my dollars, and call next time!

In the meantime, I would suggest future stays at the Pop Century which is a really great resort.

And, by the way, as a renter, you do me no service by renting points... Nor do I rent my points.... so, I think if you have a real dispute, it would be with the member you rented from... you have no standing with Disney....

[disneygal55]

We stayed at our home resort SSR in November. We had some minor issues with the room...couldn't open a jammed drawer, needed extra pillows and a quilt for the sofa bed . These issues were handled quickly and without a problem. The sofabeds were somewhat uncomfortable to our Ds's and after mentioning this housekeeping brought over an eggcrate mattress! We had only one annoying issue. It took several calls to get extra toilet paper but eventually was brought over. The room itself (it's newer than other DVC's) was very clean. I did notice that someone(?housekeeping or a guest) kept leaving bags of smelly trash in the hallway, next to the elevator. I should have complained but did'nt. We always took out small bags of trash and threw them out daily in the trash recepticals. Disney is pretty good if you let them know there's a problem. But we always let them know right away and don't let our vacation get spoiled. I would not tolerate a "dirty"room and value, moderate, deluxe or DVC...we all deserve a clean room and have to let management know if the rooms are substandard. If people don't complain and bring up these issues then how will they know about the problems. We've found a bug or two in our rooms, even a frog (CBR) but never found it to be a big problem. But if I found lots of bugs, believe me I would have complained and hopefully resolved the problem. I know when you're feeling ill you just don't want anyone in your room but they can't help you if you don't tell them!

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

okay i have not read any responses, just the OPs original post. and here is my first thought:
:lmao: umm are you for real??? why do they care you got sick???? and if you took the time to notice EVERY little detail...well were you REALLy on your honeymoon?!?!! i'm SORRY, but DH and i were married AND honeymooned in WDW and the last thing we noticed was carpetting, elevator maintenance and the like. we had a BLAST and enjoyed being with eachother and so much more :teeth: we were even confined to our rooms during a hurricane!!! but we by no means wrote letters to disney over that! get over it and just be happy that you are married to the love of your life!

[crisi]

Funny thing, that actually did ruin one of our Beach Club stays. We walked into the Villa for the first time, took one look at the coffee table and knew our trip was doomed. (I should mention, the nicks were caused by a large goat who was still gnawing on the table at the time, so that may have had something to do with it.)

You do know that the BCVs were designed to look like Grandma's summerhouse and the nicks in the furniture were intentional? And my Grandma's beach home always had a goat gnawing on the coffee table. Perhaps BCVs theming has succeeded in being more complete than even VWL!

[Dano1182]

The way BCV's is depicted it sounds like one of the trailers you see on "Cops"

Getting the flu on vacation is terrible.
I do not see how this is DVC's fault.

If you had dirty towels then you should have "Washed" them.

It is florida there are bugs.

If you did not get your Trash and towel service you should have called then.

DId you have a do not disturb sign on your door?

That may expain why they did not service your room.

[nicky mouse]

I'm so sorry that your honey moon didn't go as you expected. I would also have been very disappointed to get so sick on my honey moon. (We had a hurricane instead, but that actually wasn't too bad at all. Just stuck in our room in Virgin Islands for the first day.) I think the fact that you were sick is probably the biggest contributing factor to your disappointment. That's not to say that the other complaints aren't real, but in your letter to Disney I would leave out the mention of being sick and missing out on meals, because it weakens your argument. But that's just my 2 cents.

Try looking at it this way. Because you got sick and didn't have a great time you just have to plan a trip to go back and have a 2nd honey moon. Maybe pick a different DVC this time.

[rinkwide]

...BCVs were designed to look like Grandma's summerhouse...Perhaps BCVs theming has succeeded in being more complete than even VWL!They just need to pump in the smell of baking cookies and arthritis balm, then we'll be all set.

[DrTomorrow]

They just need to pump in the smell of baking cookies and arthritis balm, then we'll be all set. You forgot the large glass dish of 22-year-old hard candies....

[crisi]

I also think we are jaded. Look at the response debbiepump got to her complaint letter - which was walking into a room where the trash hadn't been emptied that had used sanitary napkins in the trash. Her previous stay (as I recall) was staying in a smoking room, when she had requested non-smoking for medical reasons. The DVC response is frankly what we've come to expect. Brandon is free to send his letter, but he should really not expect anything to come of his efforts - since it would be a miracle if they did.

For us, we've always had DVC live up to our expectation. And if the polls here are to be believed, while room problems happen, they aren't common.

[byoung]

I'm not a BCV lover, so I read your letter thinking it was going to be another problem with check in etc. I kept reading thinking I was going to get to the "big horrible" part, and I never got to it. Really, read your letter again and pretend you are the owner of a property that is receiving this letter. You will see how absurd most of it sounds. It really sounds like you are trying to blame Disney for you getting sick on your vacation.

Bugs? Hey, it's Florida! There are bugs there, and if you only saw 8 in a week, you were doing well! We have even had tree frogs come into our room when we have had ground floor rooms.

Worn carpets and flooring? It's a VERY busy always full to capacity DVC resort. Even doing non-stop maintenance, there are going to be issues. I can't speak of the roof, but then I doubt I have ever looked at a roof with much concern on vacation.

Either you are trying to be funny and pull chains around here, or you are looking for justification to send a complaint that looks pretty flimsy and almost laughable. There are going to be a LOT of things in your marraige that will be 100's of times more tramatic than anything in that letter. Maybe it's time to mature a little and rolll with the punches.
I agree with you Diane.

[bobbiwoz]

You forgot the large glass dish of 22-year-old hard candies....

We were lucky, grandma had M&M's peanut!

Bobbi :thumbsup2

[MonkeyPants]

sorry to hear about the trip. I have only read the 1st page of replies but I am surprised by the responses. I agree that there is nothing Disney could do about the flu and I dont think you want them to, but since the flu had you down for the 2nd half of your trip it just kind of heightens your disappoint of your first half of the trip.

Now as for maintenance issues, I can completely see your pooint of view. I've been going to Disney since I was in the womb! One of the most amzing things over the years is Disney's attention to detail. The parks and resorts were kept in impeccable shape. But in the last decade or so I think that attention to detail as dropped off a bit. I still think Disney has 95% of everything else out there beat, but I dont know if they are now soooooo big and the pool of people who have a solid work ethic just isnt there and things are getting missed or people are just letting it slide. In the last year I took 3 trips down to Disney I noticed problems in the upkeep of some of the areas and sadly some incredible lapses in customer service in both the form of rude and incompetent staff.

While I agree that the OP could have reported all these things during the trip, he shouldnt have to. He's on vacation (his honeymoon) he isnt there to be the property maintenance supervisor. Come on, can you say Walt would ever have put up with stained carpeting (or bedspreads as I had during one of my stays) broken lighting fixtures and the like? There were bugs a plenty at the contemp when I was there in oct, I informed the manager and he spent 10 minutes explaining why there were bugs. I didnt need to know why or even care why. I was informing him so he could do something about. They were climbing the walls in the hallway at night and several almost dropped right on peoples heads as they left their rooms. I dont think the mother or father who has a 1.5-2 inch roach fall into his/her daughters' hair is going to care why they have bugs, they are just going to want them gone.


I love Disney, joined the DVC today in fact, but I am not blind to the fact that Disney is not perfect.

[corpcomp]

As a new BCV owner, I was sorry to hear about your experience and hope that the next one is better.

I have not read all the comments sent to you but wanted to ensure you knew one thing.

One of the reasons you saw roof tiles missing is that tens of thousands of houses in Florida were damaged from the hurricanes as I'm sure you know.
In fact if you took the Magical Express you would see house after house of pure roof damage, still not repaired. I saw this in April and was stunned at the level of damage.

What you probably don't know is that there is a shortage of the clay tiles as a result and companies that make them are trying to pump out millions of them but you have to be able to match the colors, which is a problem. My sister lost a whole section of her roof and it is still not repaired and was told it will take another 3-4 months before matching tile arrives. Disney may have money but they don't make their own tiles. And besides, if it did not leak in your room it really should not matter. It could have been worse, you honeymoon could have been planned for New Orleans.

I've stayed at the Poly spending $450 a night only to find mold all over the bathroom wall. I've stayed at All Stars only to deal with terrible long bus lines. For a non DVC resort, I've found Coronado the best of them all and reasonably priced. You should try that next time. Much nicer than Pop Century.

Good luck with you next trip and congrats on your marriage. At least you got to spend time together.

[BWVNUT]

For us, we've always had DVC live up to our expectation. And if the polls here are to be believed, while room problems happen, they aren't common.
:thumbsup2 BINGO!



...BCVs were designed to look like Grandma's summerhouse...Perhaps BCVs theming has succeeded in being more complete than even VWL!

They just need to pump in the smell of baking cookies and arthritis balm, then we'll be all set.

And let's not forget the moth balls - to keep some of those pesky bugs away...

[LK03]

OP I see exactly where you are coming from. I was looking into DVC and the BCV because we liked the BC so much. Well, once I saw the pictures online I was NOT impressed. You mentioned the crooked lights and a few other minor things, well you know what, if that were my house I'd be upset about it too. A few things out of whack the place does look like shambles. Would you believe I just picked up a few piles of papers and dog toys and my apartment looked much better. It's those minor things that add up that can really bring the ambiance down of a place. I guess it's glad you didn't buy DVC before staying.

I agree with the others if you send the letter, take out the part about the sickness, that will only detract the reader

[Sherri]

We love DVC, but we know it isn't for everyone.
I'm sorry it didn't live up to your expectations.
For us, we love it.
It is the best purchase we ever made.

[MrShiny]

The moral of this story seems to be, if it isn't as it should be, do something while it can be changed.

I was at the BCV about a year ago and noticed nothing of that was described. Not that it didn't exist, just didn't notice it or it wasn't in the areas I was in.

The room should be clean when you enter. If it isn't, then make it so. Otherwise it will add up if other things go wrong, as it did here. I hazard if any one of those things had been the only thing wrong on an otherwise great vacation, it would have been a non-issue.

I've never had a bug in the room, but did have a tree frog in a 3rd floor WL room back in 2001! It's Florida, so I just caught it and let it go outside.

It's awful that you got sick. As a DVC owner, I wish you had mentioned the other controllable things while you were there.

Part of the issue is many many people pass through these halls. I would expect things to wear and break, perhaps even more in DVC, as we probably as a whole spend more time in the rooms than non-DVC.

I suggest you go again and stay at DVC to see if it right for you. If you are a frequent Disney goer, it makes so much economic sense that it would be a shame to not do it based on what I think is an atypical experience.

[DrTomorrow]

[...]Now as for maintenance issues, I can completely see your pooint of view. I've been going to Disney since I was in the womb! One of the most amzing things over the years is Disney's attention to detail. The parks and resorts were kept in impeccable shape. But in the last decade or so I think that attention to detail as dropped off a bit. Well, that's the first "Things have gotten so much worse since I was a fetus" comment I've ever seen.
While I agree that the OP could have reported all these things during the trip, he shouldnt have to. He's on vacation (his honeymoon) he isnt there to be the property maintenance supervisor. Come on, can you say Walt would ever have put up with stained carpeting (or bedspreads as I had during one of my stays) broken lighting fixtures and the like? No, but he does have an affirmative responsibility to inform the authorities if there is a problem. And this "Walt" stuff is totally off the wall; you're not trying to tell me that the minute someone makes a permanent stain in a bedspread, Walt would have had it replaced immediately? Within seconds? It takes time to repair/replace things - and even longer if no one notifies the authorities.
I love Disney, joined the DVC today in fact, but I am not blind to the fact that Disney is not perfect. That's all we are saying: Disney isn't perfect; they make a good effort to keep up, but they can't do everything at once, so they prioritize. And a simple call to Housekeeping bumps up the priority of your problem.

IMHO - YMMV - Be well!

[MonkeyPants]

Well, that's the first "Things have gotten so much worse since I was a fetus" comment I've ever seen.




:rotfl: is that how it sounded :rotfl: if that is how it sounded, it wasn't intended that way...was just trying to give the perspective that I have pretty much grown up Disney. As for the Walt comment being off the wall, no I dont think so. I think the park/resorts should try to live up to his ideal of quality.

Yes, if things are bad they should be reported, but they should be constantly being reported BY THOSE THAT WORK THERE (not yelling, just emphazing)

I am a nurse and if I see something is wrong with a patient...am I supposed to wait til the patient notices there is something wrong or should i take proactive measures?

The mousekeeper during a clean up cant tell that 'hey these comforters are stained and perhaps shouldn't be put on a bed but sent to be recleaned or replaced completely? Or she notices roaches, she shouldnt take the initiative to notify the bug person? A guy who works the front desk notices the lighting fixtures are loose, or sees a crack in a wall or walkway, he should ignore it?

I am not saying that 100% would be captured by those who work the resorts, but there are indeed many things that they can not help but notice. I would like to think they take as much pride in the resort as they would their own homes.


just my 2 cents, I was just saying a person on vacation, should havent to play the role of quality control inspecter.

[mickeyfan2]

Well, that's the first "Things have gotten so much worse since I was a fetus" comment I've ever seen.
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[kaytieeldr]

So, you want to complain about the carpeting in the hallway? Was the carpeting at Pop Century better? Um, well, since Pop doesn't have hallways... but yeah, I'd think the Pop carpeting in the rooms was better simply because it's a newer, therefore less-worn, resort.

I think the point is that most of us don't think your experiences were all that awful, besides the catching the flu part. Did you fly? You might have caught it on the plane. Yes! I ended up with pneumonia (and, ultimately, in the Presidential Suite at Celebration Health :)) on a much-anticipated Disney trip several years ago - and I'm positive I got it on the flight down - because I'd had a physical two days before I left and my lungs were absolutely clear. Much as I theoretically tried to blame my illness on the restaurant where I first started feeling lousy,,,

I just don't notice the roof of a building, honestly. And a light being out in an elevator button is something I would notice for about two seconds and then never think of again. LOL! Management in my apartment complex just had one of the elevators in my building replaced (after several years of promising to do that), and right from the start, the light on the button for one of the floors never - on the other hand, since this was after many instances of the old elevator itself not working, we can overlook it :)

How much extra is the additional housekeeping anyway? Want to know for our upcoming trip. I think it's $25 a day... and where did you get that mug??? :)

so I think the properties should be kept a little better and maid service should come without me reminding them to come. I was there for 2 wks in Jan. at BWV and I never received maid service once, not until the night before I checked out Now that's funny (and I do believe you!) - I stayed at OKW last January and had to change rooms after one night. I got Housekeeping on my fourth day at the RESORT, not, as I expected, my fourth day in the new room!

As far as the bugs go, you only mentioned 1 of the bugs was a roach right? The other 7 you don't mention but I think after around the 3rd bug I may have called someone, but it still would not have ruined my vacation. Just step on the bug, they are much smaller than you! No can do - didn't you see "Men in Black"? :teeth:

maybe if housekeeping was a routine daily thing... the place wouldn't be a dirty as it seemed to me? Your original post addresses: missing roof shingles, scratched elevator floors, gum stains (not sure how the source of the stain/s would be determined, but I digress) in the elevators, worn hallway carpeting, stained hallway carpeting, hallway light fixtures askew, a wall stain, a missing/detached closet(?) rod, eight bugs over a one week period, a pushed-in elevator panel, cracking around that panel, a dented/missing 'chunk' of wall in the hallway, stale smoke in the ice room, noisy neighbors, early lawnmowers, and a shower that appeared to need cleaning..
With the possible exception of the shower, and possibly the bugs, NONE of these issues is even remotely housekeeping-related. Having housekeeping clean each room every day, or even every hour, would NOT address fourteen of the sixteen issues you mention.

[MinnieGirl33]

again... what in the heck are DVC members paying for if they don't keep the place looking betten than the way I saw it last week. ...


I think most DVCers do have a high expectation of maintenance conditions but most of also understand that WDW / DVC are enormous properties to care for. I think it's fair to say that nothing in WDW is tended to the way it was "on the old days".

That being said, I do believe many DVCers are concerned more about how issues are addressed when they are made known to management at the time.

People can't fix what they don't know is broken be it insects or an abrupt cast member. While I wish everything was always perfect from the minute I arrive home, I know that is unrealistic. I do expect that if I call the front desk about an issue that it will be handled in a timely & professional manner to my satisfaction.

If you truly aren't looking for compensation I think your letter would be better received if it read more along the lines of "just wanted to let you know this is what we saw", just the facts.

Congratulations on your marriage.

FWIW, my guess is that the flu probably came on from exhaustion (think about all that pre-wedding stress wearing your immune system down) & breathing in the germy air from 100+ germy people on the plane.

[fishermouse]

:rotfl: is that how it sounded :rotfl: I have pretty much grown up Disney.
Do you think maybe our standards tend to change as we grow up? I've been going a long time also, no WDW or DL when I was in the womb but a long time non-the-less.Some things are better some are not. Food in the parks has improved greatly over the years.

Yes, if things are bad they should be reported, but they should be constantly being reported BY THOSE THAT WORK THERE (not yelling, just emphazing)
I agree in hotels that are serviced daily but DVC is occupied by "owners" for the most part and we need to keep them informed of any problems we find.

I am a nurse and if I see something is wrong with a patient...am I supposed to wait til the patient notices there is something wrong or should i take proactive measures?
I also work in the health field and some things are not readily observed, it is up to the patient in your case to tell you if something hurts. In my case, I service the Imaging Equipment, Xray ,Nuc Med etc. Athough I go through the departments several times a day, If a tech or nurse has a problem with equipment he/she needs to let me know.

The mousekeeper during a clean up cant tell that 'hey these comforters are stained and perhaps shouldn't be put on a bed but sent to be recleaned or replaced completely? Or she notices roaches, she shouldnt take the initiative to notify the bug person? A guy who works the front desk notices the lighting fixtures are loose, or sees a crack in a wall or walkway, he should ignore it?
No they should do something about it or be replaced by some one that will. Having guests that are willing to inform them of problems does not relinquish them of their duties, it allows us to have problems addressed a little sooner.

I am not saying that 100% would be captured by those who work the resorts, but there are indeed many things that they can not help but notice. I would like to think they take as much pride in the resort as they would their own homes.

just my 2 cents, I was just saying a person on vacation, should havent to play the role of quality control inspecter.
100% correct on both statements. Everything we report to the front desk should be reported to MS via email when we get home, if the problems are reported over and over I HOPE Ms would look into it. Like you just adding my .02 cents.for what it's worth. :grouphug:

[Johnnie Fedora]

Look at the bright side...Any future anniversary trip you take will automatically top your honeymoon!! :thumbsup2

Since you are just "starting out" you life together, you may consider investing in a vacation home that you exclusively own. That way, every light will be lit, every bug will be outside, every cartpet will be clean, the bathroom will be stocked with dozens of towels, and when you visit...you'll never get sick. I think your expectations are unrealistic for a "shared property".

I find little things like you describe everytime I visit DVC. They are run of the mill maintenence issues. If they affect my vacation experience, I either fix them myself or call housekeeping/maintenance.

Best of luck. Next time, book through CRO and complain to the front desk.

[tmt martins]

Well I didn't read all the post .

But you most likely got sick from reusing your towels for that long .

Why would you not (or did you not know) wash them .Or call housekeeping and get new ones You can even just pat a small amount and get T & T everyday or full house keeping .Even an eaxtra set of towels are only $6.50.

You wash and dry your ENTIRE body with them then they sit in a hot dark area like a peatree dish.

Take some responsibility for things that as an Adult you should have taken care of.

As for the condition of the over all resort it looks like you were looking for defects instead of the great things it had to offer.

[dcibrando]

well actually... we were expecting them to replace the towels on the 4th day which would be been fine. Unfortunately once we got back to the room on the 4th day we noticed they hadn't been by and of course that's when we began to get sick... so at that point getting new towels was one of the last things on my mind

[LisaS]

As far as the bugs go... Just step on the bug, they are much smaller than you!No can do - didn't you see "Men in Black"? :teeth:Or "It's Tough To Be a Bug"? :3dglasses

On our recent stay at BWV, DH went into the bathroom and came out again about 10 seconds later after seeing a very large insect flying around in the bathroom. It was a Palmetto bug. We trapped it and let it go outside. Unless an insect is going to cause me harm (a mosquito, for instance) I can't see stepping on the poor things just because they are smaller than me and not "cute".

As far as the OP's issues are concerned, I'm so sorry you got sick on your honeymoon. That is really unfortunate. It sounds like your trip was also a trial run of DVC and that you were disappointed there too. I've never stayed at BCV, but recently stayed at BWV and found it to be clean and well maintained. I was very impressed when we returned at 10:30pm one evening and found someone hard at work, cleaning up a spill on the hallway carpeting!

As far as your room not being clean when you arrived and not getting T&T on day four, I hope that next time you will just pick up the phone and call housekeeping. It's not fun having to deal with housekeeping issues when you were hoping for the perfect vacation, but if you just make a phone call and get a problem addressed ASAP, you can get on and enjoy your vacation.

It sounds like there may be some issues at BCV and writing a letter may help bring management's attention to these problems. But your letter reads more like whining and venting rather than a factual report of the issues you experienced. I suggest that you rewrite it so that it's concise and focused on the maintenance and housekeeping issues you experienced.

The section about getting the flu should be removed unless your real goal is to try to get a refund of your unused dining credits. If that is your goal, then again be concise and direct and just state that you spent half of your stay in bed with the flu and would like to know if you could get a refund of your unused dining credits. I doubt you'll get a refund but who knows. However, including this section weakens the rest of your letter since it changes the tone of your letter from "I was so disappointed in the condition of BCV that I am losing interest in joining DVC" to "I got sick so give me my money back".

[Mickmse2002]

well actually... we were expecting them to replace the towels on the 4th day which would be been fine. Unfortunately once we got back to the room on the 4th day we noticed they hadn't been by and of course that's when we began to get sick... so at that point getting new towels was one of the last things on my mind

I have read this entire thread, been following all along, and I must have missed your answer to several times people asked if you had left the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door. That may explain why you didn't receive towels.

[mickeyfan2]

well actually... we were expecting them to replace the towels on the 4th day which would be been fine. Unfortunately once we got back to the room on the 4th day we noticed they hadn't been by and of course that's when we began to get sick... so at that point getting new towels was one of the last things on my mind
You were well enought to have gone out and you were only starting to feel ill, but too ill to call for towels? :rolleyes:

[dcibrando]

I only had the do not disturb sign on the door the last 2 days

[elijahpep]

Have read nearly every post on this thread and now, it comes to me, what it reminds me of.

The movie , A Few Good Men, in the court scene between Jack :cool2: Nicholson and Tom :cool: Cruise. Ahhhhhhh, the do not disturb was on the door..... :rolleyes1

Poor OP, you have had the biggest viewed post in the shortest time in a while. You did originally ask for opinion. Careful what ya ask for? :confused:

It seems had that post not been titled in such a harsh way, it might not have developed into this very interesting thread. Hope you are both better now.

~DW ::MinnieMo

[DizWacko]

To the OP: Someone should have warned you not to post criticism of DVC resort on a DVC board .. some of the owners get pretty nasty when you have complaints about one of the resorts... its unfortunate but true.

Also .. most DVC owners seem to not mind cleaning, cooking, laundry on their vacations ... its part of the gig in exchange for cheaper rates on rooms. If you are OK with this, then DVC is an excellent value.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, and I agree that BCV can be kind of dirty and worn (for a deluxe type resort) if you dont set your expectations BEFORE you get there.

If you try making up for your honeymoon experience again at Disney, try a true deluxe like the Poly, AKL, or BWI....

[keishashadow]

Sorry to hear your honeymoon wasn't how it you invisioned it. After all the planing & expense it's natural to want a magical experience.

Unfortunately, even @ WDW, snafu's do occur. Can't say we've been disappointed with DVC thus far, hope we never are.

As for the bug issue, next time Please! call maintenance, FL's full of (palmetto) bugs - sounds much better than cockaroaches, doesn't it? My parents used to have their house in Tampa sprayed twice a month...part & parcel of the area.

FYI, no matter where we vacation - our suitcases & clothing are put in a garbage bag when we return home & are sprayed to eliminate any nasty surprises.

Hope your next trip works out better!

[SleepyatDVC]

As far as the OP's issues are concerned, I'm so sorry you got sick on your honeymoon. That is really unfortunate. It sounds like your trip was also a trial run of DVC and that you were disappointed there too. I've never stayed at BCV, but recently stayed at BWV and found it to be clean and well maintained. I was very impressed when we returned at 10:30pm one evening and found someone hard at work, cleaning up a spill on the hallway carpeting!

As far as your room not being clean when you arrived and not getting T&T on day four, I hope that next time you will just pick up the phone and call housekeeping. It's not fun having to deal with housekeeping issues when you were hoping for the perfect vacation, but if you just make a phone call and get a problem addressed ASAP, you can get on and enjoy your vacation.

It sounds like there may be some issues at BCV and writing a letter may help bring management's attention to these problems. But your letter reads more like whining and venting rather than a factual report of the issues you experienced. I suggest that you rewrite it so that it's concise and focused on the maintenance and housekeeping issues you experienced.

The section about getting the flu should be removed unless your real goal is to try to get a refund of your unused dining credits. If that is your goal, then again be concise and direct and just state that you spent half of your stay in bed with the flu and would like to know if you could get a refund of your unused dining credits. I doubt you'll get a refund but who knows. However, including this section weakens the rest of your letter since it changes the tone of your letter from "I was so disappointed in the condition of BCV that I am losing interest in joining DVC" to "I got sick so give me my money back".

ITA with the above post.

[FRANKTSJR]

Seems to be alot of posts about getting sick. Hmmmm!

[mamatojon]

Also .. most DVC owners seem to not mind cleaning, cooking, laundry on their vacations ... its part of the gig in exchange for cheaper rates on rooms. If you are OK with this, then DVC is an excellent value.

I don't think that's it at all. What I hear people saying is that they don't let little things like a missed T&T day or an askew light fixture ruin their vacation. The OP entitled this post "honeymoon from hell" - isn't that a bit of a stretch? I'm hearing that most DVC members here would have a. either washed their towels or called housekeeping and b. let management know of their concerns while they were there so they had a chance to be fixed. That doesn't mean that they want to clean and do laundry on vacation, it just means that they realize that sometimes "stuff" happens and you need to decide what your going to get yourself in a tizzy over. I know I have had minor maintenance issues at hotels all over and I have yet to write a letter when I returned home. Doesn't mean I'm a sucker for punishment, just means I don't get upset over little things. I think the OP just wants his meal credits refunded and is using all this other stuff to justify it. Or he is just trying to start a ruckus here, LOL. And I have *never* heard of getting sick from using 4 day old towels. I think it is much more likely the illness resulted from the airplane or the crowds at WDW.

[Figment2]

twitterpated...I like that word!

Cyn

[momtosydneyntodd]

My four year old saw BAMBI for the first time the other day and asked me what Twiterpated ment. Two weeks ago, said four year old watched LADY AND THE TRAMP for the first time and asked me what a ***** was. :rolleyes1

Dizwacko-I love my washer and dryer-means I have to pack less.
I love my kitchen-means I don't have to spend $7.00 on grilled cheese for my four year old.
I love my two bedroom-means everyone sleeps very well and I don't have cranky kids or a cranky husband in the morning.

DVC rocks!

I'm rating this thread!!

[DrTomorrow]

[...]If you try making up for your honeymoon experience again at Disney, try a true deluxe like the Poly, AKL, or BWI.... Which are guaranteed to be insect, mold/mildew and stain free! :lmao:

[BroganMc]

OP: I'd go with the consensus here. Edit your letter to include only your opinion of the resort's conditions (worn carpets, floors, crooked fixtures, missing roof tiles) and how that's soured your interest in DVC. I'd mention the lack of Trash & Towel service as well. All those things should be tended to by management as you find in any timeshare resort.

As for the bugs, that can be an iffy thing. It is Florida and this is the season for lots of critters wandering about. I stay at Marriott timeshares and always find salamanders wandering about. Got back on day and had a salamander in my bathroom. How he got in, I have no clue. It's mating season and they do wander more then. He quickly hightailed it out of there. It's not like I had bugs crawling over me in bed at night.

And please keep in mind, getting sick puts a damper on everyone's vacation. I was down for two weeks April/May of this year. First weekend my dad came down with some stomach virus. He was miserable and I was worried. By the end of the weekend I got it. Soured my enjoyment of the Luau and the Polynesian, but on the last trip I adored that same resort. Second week, when we both recovered, we started to enjoy Disney all over again. So those little things that bothered you to start maybe became magnified by the sucky end of your trip. I'd give it a couple weeks for you to calm down a bit and see if your perspective changes.

[AllyBri]

I just find it really strange, that you are on your honeymoon and take notice that shingles are missing from the roof.
Young people are not honeymooning like they use to. :sunny:

[TinkerbellTris]

Wow. That's terrible about your honeymoon. So sorry to hear that. You know I have stayed in the contemporary, and in the Port Orleans French Quarter, and I was equally pleased with both. This time we will be staying in the All Star Movies (june 2006) I have to say I never saw any bugs in any resort, and if i did i would have demanded to be moved rooms. I am deathly affraid of bugs. I'm also a germaphobe so I would have called someone to bring us new towels everyday. We always make sure our towels are clean. I would maybe call who you booked thru and explain calmly what happened and see if there is anything they can do for you. Sometimes you will get a cast member who will understand and want to help. However I do understand what others have posted about it not being WDW fault and they owe you nothing... I understand that too. However since you feel so strongly about it all if I were you I would call and speak with whomever you booked your trip thru. The bad thing is you have waited to long about the complaints of the hotel. You should have made you complaints known to management right away, and I do believe something would have been done immediently to accomodate you. Disney is known to go out of their way to make their guests happy. Good luck to you.

[dianeschlicht]

Wow. (snip) However since you feel so strongly about it all if I were you I would call and speak with whomever you booked your trip thru. The bad thing is you have waited to long about the complaints of the hotel. You should have made you complaints known to management right away, and I do believe something would have been done immediently to accomodate you. Disney is known to go out of their way to make their guests happy. Good luck to you.
And that folks is one reason I would never rent my points out! I sure don't want a renter calling ME because they got sick on their trip and didn't bother to complain to the hotel about the shortcomings while they were there.

[dcibrando]

why would I call the person I rented from...they had nothing to do with this?

[crisi]

why would I call the person I rented from...they had nothing to do with this?

They have standing with DVC, because they are the customer in this transaction. You are the secondary customer in the transaction - not DVCs customer. I don't think you should call them - they can't do anything and experience says DVC won't listen to either of you after the fact - they will write you both nice letters telling you that they appreciate your concerns...... lalalalalalalalalalala. But if DVC did give great customer service, they have standing with the Member Satisfaction Manager being a member.

[JimFitz]

I just find it really strange, that you are on your honeymoon and take notice that shingles are missing from the roof.
Young people are not honeymooning like they use to. :sunny:

The only things I would have noticed on my honeymoon may have been stains or cracks on the ceiling of the Master Bedroom!! :) :) :banana:

I still think he should send his note with the sick part left out.

[pamjb]

Did it ever occur to the OP that the illness may have been caused by the kissing, hand-shaking, etc at the wedding reception? One of the biggest transmitter of germs are hands.

[mickeyfan2]

why would I call the person I rented from...they had nothing to do with this?
Something I can really agree with you on. :thumbsup2

[SuzanneSLO]

We were given a hotel room on our honeymoon that didn't have a BED! We sure noticed that!

And I can relate to the OP because there can be something a little irrational about expectations for a honeymoon. I still avoid the hotel chain that put us in the room without a bed (it was the main room of a suite and had a baby grand piano and a tv that came out of the cabinet; we were so tired after traveling all day, we seriously considered just sleeping on the floor; after a looooong wait in the bar, the hotel eventually gave us a room with a bed). It is not very logical to continue to avoid them 15+ years later, but I can't seem to help it.

-- SuzanneSLO

[mickeyfan2]

We were given a hotel room on our honeymoon that didn't have a BED! We sure noticed that!
Now this is one to remember. Makes a great story to tell.

[snowbunny]

I still avoid the hotel chain that put us in the room without a bed (it was the main room of a suite and had a baby grand piano and a tv that came out of the cabinet; we were so tired after traveling all day, we seriously considered just sleeping on the floor

That happened to me traveling on business...I was put in a huge suite near the top of the (very tall) Westin Peachtree late at night. I spent about half an hour walking around all the rooms looking for a bed. Finally gave up and called down saying I couldn't find the bed, felt really silly but they came up and unlocked another door leading to one of probably many bedrooms that connected to this suite. After that it was fabulous, unfortunately I was mostly too tired to enjoy it.

[TinkerbellTris]

Well I didn't pay any attention to the fact that you rented points from someone to stay at the resort. So I'm Sorry.I honestly can not believe how rude some of you are on here. This is exactly why I stay FAR away from the entire DVC ownership, it's a huge rip off, and i know a lot about real estate, and believe me it's not that great of a deal. I could go on and on with why i think that, but I don't need more of you DVC owners leaving me rude comments that think you have some great deal. So now knowing that you rented points (which I would NEVER do) obviously You can not go back and talk to that person, I thought you booked thru a travel agency who if you did and had vacation insurance (which if on my honeymoon i would have purchased) could have done something for you. Otherwise I would pack up your letter and forget about it, what you should have done was take care of it right there on the spot with that filthy hotel, that's what i would have done. It's nice to hear all the BAD stuff about DVC we almost bought into it in 2002 on our last trip to WDW, and we figured we didn't know enough about it and not enough reviews, thank goodness I read this board and have seen the light.

[dianeschlicht]

We were given a hotel room on our honeymoon that didn't have a BED! We sure noticed that!(snip)
-- SuzanneSLO
LOL! That's almost as funny as our story! We were booked at a Hilton, and when we checked in, our room had two twin beds! I didn't even know they had rooms like that! They were booked solid and couldn't find us anything else, so we kept the room, pushed the beds together and ended up with a big king size bed and a nice bottle of champaign and fruit that the management sent up for the error! :rotfl:

[JimFitz]

Well I didn't pay any attention to the fact that you rented points from someone to stay at the resort. So I'm Sorry.I honestly can not believe how rude some of you are on here. This is exactly why I stay FAR away from the entire DVC ownership, it's a huge rip off, and i know a lot about real estate, and believe me it's not that great of a deal. I could go on and on with why i think that, but I don't need more of you DVC owners leaving me rude comments that think you have some great deal. So now knowing that you rented points (which I would NEVER do) obviously You can not go back and talk to that person, I thought you booked thru a travel agency who if you did and had vacation insurance (which if on my honeymoon i would have purchased) could have done something for you. Otherwise I would pack up your letter and forget about it, what you should have done was take care of it right there on the spot with that filthy hotel, that's what i would have done. It's nice to hear all the BAD stuff about DVC we almost bought into it in 2002 on our last trip to WDW, and we figured we didn't know enough about it and not enough reviews, thank goodness I read this board and have seen the light.

You are absolutely correct, DVC may not be beneficial to some folks and may seem like a rip off, but for some people its a tremendous value. It really depends on how many times you vistit WDW, where you like to stay, and legnth of stay. I am glad you realized that DVC was not for you....but dont call it a rip off when you don't understand other peoples traveling habits.

[sajetto]

Good Lord Tinkerbell. I normally don't get into this sort of crap, but what on earth is your problem???? I can tell you I know quite a bit about real estate too being that my future husband and I buy and resell forclosures for an income. We don't think of DVC as anything more than a luxury purchase, a frivolous purchase that we intend to enjoy to the fullest extent because it ensures that we will go back to WDW every year. It is the only thing that pushes us to go and enjoy our lives.

I'm glad you "saw the light" and didn't buy into to DVC b/c you have quite and attitude about it and if you have a problem with the DVC boards why on earth are you posting here? You have just attacked an entire group of people who the majority haven't even posted the first response to you. Have a good life, be merry, and leave your nasty comments to yourself. I enjoy my DVC, I am not oblivious to the problems, but I enjoy it and if someone doesn't like it then well....you know.

[chris1gill]

Well I didn't pay any attention to the fact that you rented points from someone to stay at the resort. So I'm Sorry.I honestly can not believe how rude some of you are on here. This is exactly why I stay FAR away from the entire DVC ownership, it's a huge rip off, and i know a lot about real estate, and believe me it's not that great of a deal. I could go on and on with why i think that, but I don't need more of you DVC owners leaving me rude comments that think you have some great deal. So now knowing that you rented points (which I would NEVER do) obviously You can not go back and talk to that person, I thought you booked thru a travel agency who if you did and had vacation insurance (which if on my honeymoon i would have purchased) could have done something for you. Otherwise I would pack up your letter and forget about it, what you should have done was take care of it right there on the spot with that filthy hotel, that's what i would have done. It's nice to hear all the BAD stuff about DVC we almost bought into it in 2002 on our last trip to WDW, and we figured we didn't know enough about it and not enough reviews, thank goodness I read this board and have seen the light.


This is almost as gut busting as the original letter :lmao: :rotfl2: :lmao:

Let's keep these types of posts and letters in mind before we cheaply rent our points for ten bucks a point... :stir:

OK, continue on.... :rotfl2:

[TinkerbellTris]

No, you are quite correct people who travel to WDW every year, i see how thats beneficial i suppose. However it is a complete rip off to those of us who go once every 4 - 5 years. I do go to Disneyland up to 3 times a year and still i do understand the dvc carries over to Disneyland resorts as well. But even us going 3 times a year with the discounts we get with our AP's it's seams more a of a rip off to me. The AP's get you a great room discount and discount at dining, and stores in DL and CA. (we have premium passes) So I just don't see where DVC would save us, it actually costs us more than to just keep our Ap's. And I would not be making rude comments unless prevoked, so what you need to do is read the last few pages where I posted a comment to the op leaving a message to actually give advice rather than bash him like others were doing, and i got hated on just the same. I thought the point here was to give advice and help others, not bash someone who was venting about a bad stay. On the flip side, I have never had a bad stay. And seeing the light, was the information about the fact you are responsible for paying ownership fee's above the actual buy in and still they can not keep the resort immaculate? I would be absolutly upset if i was a DVC and my resort I pay Dear for was as filthy as this was described. However I've never stayed there (had no desire) so I'm going based off what the op stated about the room. But thanks for calling my comments nasty. Now go back and read the entire thread, than ask yourself if my comments were nasty, or just my opinions after being hated on.

[mamatojon]

Now go back and read the entire thread, than ask yourself if my comments were nasty, or just my opinions after being hated on.

I'm honestly confused, did something get deleted? Where was anyone "hating on" your comments? :confused3

[Figment2]

Tinkerbell, that's why DVC is not a fit for everyone (and we don't say it is). I go down now 3-5 times a year. For me, it's a perfect fit. For you, not.

Cyn

[sajetto]

I'm honestly confused, did something get deleted? Where was anyone "hating on" your comments? :confused3

Yeah, I'm not seeing that either. Believe me, I checked before I posted that comment to her :rolleyes:

Once every 3-5 years.... no timeshare is good for you, DVC or not.

[sajetto]

But thanks for calling my comments nasty. Now go back and read the entire thread, than ask yourself if my comments were nasty, or just my opinions after being hated on.


Your welcome, because they are :rolleyes:

Read it again (3rd time), nope, no one is "hating on" you as you so eloquently put it.

[TinkerbellTris]

Hmm to you it may just seam like sarcasim, to those of us on the west coast it's called hated on. That's fine, it's all the same. My point was made, and the only advice i had was for the op to give it up, it should have been handled at the time he was there. And the shear fact that DVC is not for me, and I'd be really mad if i paid those dues and had a filthy resort to show for the money spent. Point made, argument dead. Have a great day.

[dianeschlicht]

And that folks is one reason I would never rent my points out! I sure don't want a renter calling ME because they got sick on their trip and didn't bother to complain to the hotel about the shortcomings while they were there.
I think this post is what she is talking about, because I quoted the part where she thought they should contact the person they booked through. I'm sorry if it sounded hateful to you, but I was stating a FACT. I would NOT want to rent to someone and have them come back to me with this if they didn't address it with the hotel at the time.

[crisi]

Hmm to you it may just seam like sarcasim, to those of us on the west coast it's called hated on. That's fine, it's all the same. My point was made, and the only advice i had was for the op to give it up, it should have been handled at the time he was there. And the shear fact that DVC is not for me, and I'd be really mad if i paid those dues and had a filthy resort to show for the money spent. Point made, argument dead. Have a great day.

sarcasm=hated on
"This is exactly why I stay FAR away from the entire DVC ownership, it's a huge rip off, and i know a lot about real estate, and believe me it's not that great of a deal. " = DVC is not for me.

Interesting language you speak on the West Coast. (Hated on is used here in the Midwest as well, but I haven't heard anyone use it who isn't still in high school).

[jodifla]

No, you are quite correct people who travel to WDW every year, i see how thats beneficial i suppose. However it is a complete rip off to those of us who go once every 4 - 5 years. I do go to Disneyland up to 3 times a year and still i do understand the dvc carries over to Disneyland resorts as well. But even us going 3 times a year with the discounts we get with our AP's it's seams more a of a rip off to me. The AP's get you a great room discount and discount at dining, and stores in DL and CA. (we have premium passes) So I just don't see where DVC would save us, it actually costs us more than to just keep our Ap's. And I would not be making rude comments unless prevoked, so what you need to do is read the last few pages where I posted a comment to the op leaving a message to actually give advice rather than bash him like others were doing, and i got hated on just the same. I thought the point here was to give advice and help others, not bash someone who was venting about a bad stay. On the flip side, I have never had a bad stay. And seeing the light, was the information about the fact you are responsible for paying ownership fee's above the actual buy in and still they can not keep the resort immaculate? I would be absolutly upset if i was a DVC and my resort I pay Dear for was as filthy as this was described. However I've never stayed there (had no desire) so I'm going based off what the op stated about the room. But thanks for calling my comments nasty. Now go back and read the entire thread, than ask yourself if my comments were nasty, or just my opinions after being hated on.


I've probably used my DVC close to 30 times in the last decade, and all my rooms have been in great shape, as far as I'm concerned.

If you only go someplace every four or five years, then of course DVC wouldn't make sense for you.

And since you've never stayed in a DVC unit, then how do your comments really contribute here? No one's making you join DVC.

But there's 100,000 people who are finding it's a GREAT DEAL for them.

I just stayed at BCV, and OP's comments are really irrational and unwarranted.

[chris1gill]

No, you are quite correct people who travel to WDW every year, i see how thats beneficial i suppose. However it is a complete rip off to those of us who go once every 4 - 5 years. I do go to Disneyland up to 3 times a year and still i do understand the dvc carries over to Disneyland resorts as well. But even us going 3 times a year with the discounts we get with our AP's it's seams more a of a rip off to me. The AP's get you a great room discount and discount at dining, and stores in DL and CA. (we have premium passes) So I just don't see where DVC would save us, it actually costs us more than to just keep our Ap's. And I would not be making rude comments unless prevoked, so what you need to do is read the last few pages where I posted a comment to the op leaving a message to actually give advice rather than bash him like others were doing, and i got hated on just the same. I thought the point here was to give advice and help others, not bash someone who was venting about a bad stay. On the flip side, I have never had a bad stay. And seeing the light, was the information about the fact you are responsible for paying ownership fee's above the actual buy in and still they can not keep the resort immaculate? I would be absolutly upset if i was a DVC and my resort I pay Dear for was as filthy as this was described. However I've never stayed there (had no desire) so I'm going based off what the op stated about the room. But thanks for calling my comments nasty. Now go back and read the entire thread, than ask yourself if my comments were nasty, or just my opinions after being hated on.


So what you are really saying is that you don't even go to Disney World, except every four or five years? And you would want a timeshare there, WHY??? You have no idea what you're even talking about... :rolleyes: And why are you posting on a DVC board since it is such a rip off? :teeth:

Just curious :confused3

[athenna]

No, you are quite correct people who travel to WDW every year, i see how thats beneficial i suppose. However it is a complete rip off to those of us who go once every 4 - 5 years. I do go to Disneyland up to 3 times a year and still i do understand the dvc carries over to Disneyland resorts as well. But even us going 3 times a year with the discounts we get with our AP's it's seams more a of a rip off to me. The AP's get you a great room discount and discount at dining, and stores in DL and CA. (we have premium passes) So I just don't see where DVC would save us, it actually costs us more than to just keep our Ap's. And I would not be making rude comments unless prevoked, so what you need to do is read the last few pages where I posted a comment to the op leaving a message to actually give advice rather than bash him like others were doing, and i got hated on just the same. I thought the point here was to give advice and help others, not bash someone who was venting about a bad stay. On the flip side, I have never had a bad stay. And seeing the light, was the information about the fact you are responsible for paying ownership fee's above the actual buy in and still they can not keep the resort immaculate? I would be absolutly upset if i was a DVC and my resort I pay Dear for was as filthy as this was described. However I've never stayed there (had no desire) so I'm going based off what the op stated about the room. But thanks for calling my comments nasty. Now go back and read the entire thread, than ask yourself if my comments were nasty, or just my opinions after being hated on.

Sorry, but DVC is not a ''rip off'' for people that go every 3-5 years. It's not really desgined for people that go every 3-5 years :confused3

[TinkerbellTris]

Dvc can be used in Disneyland, as well. ALso in Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong, etc. I do know exactly what i'm talking about, since the points can be used at a Disneyland Resort in California where I go 3 times a year. The reason I posted on a dvc thread was in response to the op. As for using the word hated on, hahaha funny you'd make the remark about high school, well on the west coast there are 50 year olds who say it. Keep in mind the slang usually begins on the east coast and about 2 years later hits the west coast and never dies. But since I'm under 30 years old it is still relevant to me.

[jodifla]

Dvc can be used in Disneyland, as well. ALso in Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong, etc. I do know exactly what i'm talking about, since the points can be used at a Disneyland Resort in California where I go 3 times a year. The reason I posted on a dvc thread was in response to the op. As for using the word hated on, hahaha funny you'd make the remark about high school, well on the west coast there are 50 year olds who say it. Keep in mind the slang usually begins on the east coast and about 2 years later hits the west coast and never dies. But since I'm under 30 years old it is still relevant to me.


Sorry, but you still don't get it. DVC points are meant to be used at DVC resorts. That's where the value comes, and why so many of us are crazy for our DVC.

The other uses you mention are mainly for some flexibility when traveling to other parts of the country.

Did you even read the DVC material when you considered buying?

[Sammie]

If you truly want to write a letter that will be taken seriously this is my recommendation. Only include the following from your orginial letter.

After checking in we went towards to elevator to get to our room and as the elevator doors open, you can see the floor (hardwood) is coming apart in some places, looked very scratched, and there were gum stains stuck to the bottom of it.

When the elevator doors opened up, we walk down the hall and can see the carpet which is worn out with many stained areas. Something that also got my attention was the light fixtures down the hallway…many of them were not straight and looked lop-sided (reminded me of the haunted mansion, not the beach club).

Finally to our room, and we excitedly open the door to find a stain right there on the wall along with a wooded coat/hat hanger rod missing and unscrewed from the wall. We go ahead and begin unpacking and I decide to go to the bathroom to find some sort of bug crawling around on the floor…so at this point I'm a little worried about how the rest of the week is going to be.

Well it actually got worse…

I ended up seeing over 8 different bugs in and around the bathroom including one BIG cockroach (and these were just the ones I noticed while we were in the room). We noticed the elevator button control panel on the second floor was pushed into the wall and the wall was cracked, someone had cut one of the corners to close to took a section out of the wall heading towards the elevator area and apparently the ice/vending machine room is used as a smoke room rather than an ice/vending machine

Leave out the rest. I am not even sure I would mention renting from a Member. Not sure when it comes to complaints how Disney handles the Renter situation. You would hope they would respond the same as a paying cash guest or to the Member but not sure.

The rest of your letter is simply bad luck and while terribly disappointing for you, nothing that Disney was repsonible for. It minimizes your real complaints to include anything that can be perceived as just whining about your misfortune.

The Dining plan is great but it has been discussed that if you get sick it is a bad situation. But that is a risk someone takes.

[sajetto]

Why on earth would you every consider DVC if you go to a DisneyLand resort 3 times a year? I'm with jodifla....you are FAR from knowing what you're talking about :sad2:

[chris1gill]

Sorry, but you still don't get it. DVC points are meant to be used at DVC resorts. That's where the value comes, and why so many of us are crazy for our DVC.

The other uses you mention are mainly for some flexibility when traveling to other parts of the country.

Did you even read the DVC material when you considered buying?

::yes:: :teacher: ::yes:: what jodifla said.....

[sgtpet]

Give me a break. My family was there at the same time and we each got the stomach flu and now I know where it came from. Did I write a letter to Disney? The answer is simply no.

[zalansky]

You post on a DVC board that the DVC is a rip off, which is basically insulting every DVC owner here by telling us we are a bunch of idiots for buying into something so foolish. If anyone is doing the "hating" it's you. I think you need to do your research because I am with the others in saying you have no idea what you're talking about.

As for the slang, I won't even comment. :rotfl2:

[TinkerbellTris]

Wow, i think you all don't get it. Yes i did read the material. Thats is fantastic that is works out for you all. I'm aware of the DVC resorts and their location. I obviously know the points can be spent at any disney hotel, and it is more value to stay at a DVc. I simply said it is a rip off to all of us who live on the west coast who only travel one time every 3 - 5 years to Florida, the points are not worth it to spend at our disneyland, as it would be in Florida. However in reply to the op weather he is telling the truth or lying i don't know, when he described the hotel as he did i thought hmmmm, that's a rip off if i was an owner or even rented points or even paid to stay there it's a rip off to spend that kind of money and it be filthy. Now he could have been lying and it could be the cleanest resort on the property, I don't care i commented on what was said. I, in my opinion in which i'm entitled feel it is a rip off (if in fact the op is telling the truth) that you would pay all that money to buy in, and pay your ownership dues, then have a filthy resort to show for it. What does disney use your money for, if they can not even keep the resort you pay dear for clean? Anyways, who cares, you are all over me when all i did was comment on this guys honeymoon. ANd if you happy with your DVC ownership then thats great for you. Don't imply I do not read the material sent, i read it all and i seem to understand it just fine. ANd yes it is a rip off to me, for me, for my vacation.

[Chuck S]

Please keep any further posts to the original topic of this thread.

[Kathy C]

DVC is purchased by most of us for use in WDW. Although you can use the points purchased at locations all over, the amount of points needed for those vacations is normally quite high. DVC doesn't sound like its for you or the OP but most of us are very happy with our purchase. You may also want to reread your replys before you post them.

[jennz]

Please keep any further posts to the original topic of this thread.

:thumbsup2

[JimMIA]

Please keep any further posts to the original topic of this thread.
This thread is another perfect illustration of why we might consider closing all but a handful of threads (ROFR and one or two others) after 5 pages...Anything this long always turns into one of those contests where everybody gets wet.

[anniet]

This is exactly why I stay FAR away from the entire DVC ownership, it's a huge rip off, and i know a lot about real estate, and believe me it's not that great of a deal. ......I thought you booked thru a travel agency who if you did and had vacation insurance (which if on my honeymoon i would have purchased) could have done something for you. .

Did I read this right? DVC is a RIPOFF, but Vacation Insurance is a good value????????? :lmao:

[Chuck S]

This thread has refused to stay on topic. It is now closed.