Feeling sad about BLT ownership

[Cmbar]

HI all,

I am a bit bummed tonight as a co worker of my husbands returned home from their first stay at BLT and said they were very dissappointed. Now mind you they are SSR owners and said they would much prefer to stay there especially now that SSR has added a new pool.

But I can't help but feel sad that they didn't like our home resort. I am also very dissapointed because they had reason to be dissappointed. The first room they were put in had Duck tape holding up the mirrors

Ok I know there are issues in rooms, but really that isn't acceptable is it? They did march right back downstairs and get moved. But I am hearing so many things about BLT being in bad shape and that Jim Lewis basically screwed us BLT owners with subpar furnishings and quite honestly I am worried the whole dang tower is going to fall apart.

Any other BLT owner out there dissappointed by the way BLT is holding up? I have my Dsis and her family staying there in November and now I am worried they will hate it too and will think we made a bad decision.


I know, I know Shouldn't worry about what others think. I just waited so long to be a DVC owner and now I kinda feel jipped.

 

[Sammie]

I think you have reason to feel this way. Do I think the tower will fall, no.

Do I think Jim went for the cheap, looking good furnishings, yes and I knew this before he got fired.

I can only hope that the new leaders will realize that JL did more damage to DVC than just the mess with Aulani and some damage control is in order.


Until then here is a group hug.

I also suggest you write DVC Member Satisfaction and let them know, about this and tell them about your husband's coworker's visit.

 

[disneynutz]

My concern is that Disney has under estimated the true cost of maintenance for BLT and us owners will see a larger than normal dues increase. There are several system, design, and furnishing defects that are already costing somebody.

Bill

 

[palaemon]

Exactly. Who signed off on the bathroom sink being inside the kitchenette? That was OBVIOUSLY stupid, and it should never have been done. It just cost "someone" time and money to fix

 

[bwvBound]

The first room they were put in had Duck tape holding up the mirrors

Yeah, you know how damaging that Donald can be when he's upset!

Edited to add: Glad to hear they, at least, had themed tape. Would have been a shame to cover up the problem with plain, generic, duct tape?

 

[mantismad]

HI all,

I am a bit bummed tonight as a co worker of my husbands returned home from their first stay at BLT and said they were very dissappointed. Now mind you they are SSR owners and said they would much prefer to stay there especially now that SSR has added a new pool.

But I can't help but feel sad that they didn't like our home resort.
I know, I know Shouldn't worry about what others think. I just waited so long to be a DVC owner and now I kinda feel jipped.

I would just like to say that we LOVE your home resort. We own at SSR but last year stayed at BLT and absolutely loved it and will definately be returning next year if we are lucky enough to be able to get a reservation 7 months out.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Our unit was fine when we stayed and we loved it, 1 BR Lake View

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

We have experienced minor problems which were fixed after a quick phone call....

....we are still VERY happy with our purchase!!

 

[n2mm]

OP, I share your concern. I own a small contract at BLT (100 pts) and have not had great stays. My first stay was a mess, from no curtains to no AC for days. I worked with the manager, staff, and sat. team. On my second stay, it went well, and we got a wonderful gift basket of DVC goodies for the not great first stay after talking with the satisfaction team. Fast forward, 2 weeks ago. Alot of housekeeping issues. Nothing major, just a dishwasher that didn't work, a 30 minute checkin because of computer issues which resulted in a complete rebooking while standing there, bird poop on the patio and furniture, and other housekeeping issues. We dealt with issues there and again wrote the satisfaction team to leave feedback. I was shocked when they called and told me that housekeeping was a huge issue at BLT--more than any other DVC resort. I was offered one night stay of points back into my account, which I had not expected, but was pleased with the offer. We go often (4-5 times a year) and only seem to have these multiple issues at BLT, which I pointed out in my last email. I too question my purchase of BLT. I plan to take a break from BLT in 2012 and bank those points next year in the hopes they get better. Though nothing beats the perk of walking to the MK!

 

[Cmbar]

Yeah, you know how damaging that Donald can be when he's upset!

Edited to add: Glad to hear they, at least, had themed tape. Would have been a shame to cover up the problem with plain, generic, duct tape?

Too Funny! TYPO Obviously. I think they would have stayed in the room had it had DONALD DUCK tape holding up the mirrors!

 

[Cmbar]

I would just like to say that we LOVE your home resort. We own at SSR but last year stayed at BLT and absolutely loved it and will definately be returning next year if we are lucky enough to be able to get a reservation 7 months out.

I do know some people love the resort. We have only stayed there once since buying and we absolutely love the location and many things about it. I just hear more negative about it these days and I feel like the quality thing will be so dissappointing when we go back. I hope Claire Bilby looks into this.

I agree with Bill that we may be hit hard for needed updates and fixes in our maintenance fees.

I think Sammie's suggestion to write DVC customer satisfaction is a good one and will make me feel like I am doing something!

 

[Cmbar]

OP, I share your concern. I own a small contract at BLT (100 pts) and have not had great stays. My first stay was a mess, from no curtains to no AC for days. I worked with the manager, staff, and sat. team. On my second stay, it went well, and we got a wonderful gift basket of DVC goodies for the not great first stay after talking with the satisfaction team. Fast forward, 2 weeks ago. Alot of housekeeping issues. Nothing major, just a dishwasher that didn't work, a 30 minute checkin because of computer issues which resulted in a complete rebooking while standing there, bird poop on the patio and furniture, and other housekeeping issues. We dealt with issues there and again wrote the satisfaction team to leave feedback. I was shocked when they called and told me that housekeeping was a huge issue at BLT--more than any other DVC resort. I was offered one night stay of points back into my account, which I had not expected, but was pleased with the offer. We go often (4-5 times a year) and only seem to have these multiple issues at BLT, which I pointed out in my last email. I too question my purchase of BLT. I plan to take a break from BLT in 2012 and bank those points next year in the hopes they get better. Though nothing beats the perk of walking to the MK!

WOW! First I can't believe all your issues and second I am impressed they credited you back one night stay. That says to me that they are definitely having issues there and are trying to meet customer satistfaction.

You know telling Disney you are not happy seems to pay off. Yesterday it was put on the Cruise board that Disney was implementing in three weeks a change in their policy to carrying on alcohol on board. The board went nuts and people were emailing and calling DCL with travel agents asking for OBC to compensate people for the short notice, etc. By NOON they had reversed the policy and said everything is staying the same. (of course they probably will make the change but give more notice or do it in a better way) But my point is the Diser's spoke up. So I think I will send a quick email although My experience was not bad I want them to know that I am not happy with the reports! I hope Claire hears our concerns about the most basic needs like better mousekeeping and better quality furniture/beds (I hear OKW beds are like rocks!). I guess we just need to keep letting them know in a constructive way.

Thanks for letting me vent about feeling dissappointed.

 

[Brandis]

Too Funny! TYPO Obviously. I think they would have stayed in the room had it had DONALD DUCK tape holding up the mirrors!

Not necessarily a typo, there is actually a duct tape manufacturer called Duck (http://www.duckbrand.com/), so if that brand was used it really would be Duck Tape, wouldn't it?

 

[HotdogDncrs]

We also own at BLT, and I have never once regretted our decision to purchase there (only that we didn't do it when we first looked so that it would have been cheaper). It seems like more and more people are commenting here that they are disappointed in BLT, or don't like the decor, etc. In many of these cases, these are not BLT owners - I'm sure people are going to criticize me for saying this, but I sometimes get the sense that they is a little bit of envy happening. If the resort is so terrible, than why is it so hard to book? People often try to convince themselves that they really wouldn't want what they don't have. Just like people are already commenting that there is no way that they would ever purchase DVC at the Grand Floridian, but it isn't even built yet!

We stayed at BWV last year, and although we loved the location, we didn't care for the layout or the decor in the rooms. Will this deter us from staying there again? Absolutely not, it just didn't wow us like BLT did. For others it will be the other way around. As far as issues with the room goes, we've had issues at other resorts as well as at BLT. Just like we've had issues when staying in major hotel chains on other vacations. I agree with everyone who states that you have to bring your issues to the CM's attention so that they can rectify it immediately.

Try not to let someone else's negative experience make you sad about where you chose to purchase and call "your" home. I'm sure if you went to SSR there would be things that you don't care for - but for your husband's co-worker they may love those same things.

Like you, our extended family is staying at BLT in December (we booked a GV for all of us). While I am very excited to share BLT with them, I still worry that they won't be as amazed with it as we are, but then my husband reminds me that it really doesn't matter what they think, because we love it.

 

[ssawka]

We have only gone "home" once, but really our only complaint was about the room classifications. Other than that, our stay was quite nice. Sure, there are housekeeping and maintenance issues, which I blame mostly of staffing. The one time we were there, I felt BLT was the "redheaded stepchild of CR". It did not seem like the staff at CR wanted to be bothered with BLT. That being said, I will gladly take maintenance issues and "Donald Tape" over having to board a bus to go to every single theme park, IMHO! Right now no other DVC resort can compete with BLT for location, that is until they build a DVC section of GF. There is a reason that BLT points sell for more and rent for more than points at other resorts.

 

[disneynutz]

WOW! First I can't believe all your issues and second I am impressed they credited you back one night stay. That says to me that they are definitely having issues there and are trying to meet customer satistfaction.

You know telling Disney you are not happy seems to pay off. Yesterday it was put on the Cruise board that Disney was implementing in three weeks a change in their policy to carrying on alcohol on board. The board went nuts and people were emailing and calling DCL with travel agents asking for OBC to compensate people for the short notice, etc. By NOON they had reversed the policy and said everything is staying the same. (of course they probably will make the change but give more notice or do it in a better way) But my point is the Diser's spoke up. So I think I will send a quick email although My experience was not bad I want them to know that I am not happy with the reports! I hope Claire hears our concerns about the most basic needs like better mousekeeping and better quality furniture/beds (I hear OKW beds are like rocks!). I guess we just need to keep letting them know in a constructive way.

Thanks for letting me vent about feeling dissappointed.

We definitely need to do a better job of letting Disney know how we feel, good or bad, but I wonder where the money comes from when they buy us gift baskets, dinners, and credit money to our room account as a way to placate us? Does the cost get charged back to DVC operating expenses and are our dues paying members for other peoples mistakes? If this is true, they have zero reason to improve.

Bill

 

[dis-happy]

Exactly. Who signed off on the bathroom sink being inside the kitchenette? That was OBVIOUSLY stupid, and it should never have been done. It just cost "someone" time and money to fix

Another design flaw: it's the only DVC 1 b/r where you can't sit in the bathtub and watch the TV in the bedroom. They put the spigot on the wrong end!!

I pointed this out when it was still just a preview room, but unfortunately no one paid any attention to me!

 

[jade1]

Another design flaw: it's the only DVC 1 b/r where you can't sit in the bathtub and watch the TV in the bedroom. They put the spigot on the wrong end!!

I pointed this out when it was still just a preview room, but unfortunately no one paid any attention to me!

Never noticed that, but you can stare at the MK from the master bed at least.

 

[jade1]

OP-don't worry about it, our best stays (over 15 years) have been at BLT.

Your friends own at SSR and wanted to try where you own at BLT-you do the math on the response.

 

[Minne's Friend]

Somebody must like BLT because everytime I try can not get a reservation there. It is always booked.

Also, where would everyone get the idea that Jim Lewis picked out the furnishing for BLT - he was the President highly unlikey he was in on the furnishings - they have teams of designers and decorators to do that all Lewis signed off on was the budget for the project.