The Murphys are LIVE from the BC and GF!!! July 25-August 3, 2015

When we stayed at the BWI CL in Sept. they really made of my husbands birthday (he turned 62). He has a great sense of humor and really went with it wearing his pin for our whole stay. He had balloons and a card in our room as well as having numerous CM wishing him a happy birthday. Sometimes we were amazed that the CM could even see his button! I noted it on most of our dinning reservations and at almost all of them he was brought out a dessert and at two of them they even sang him happy birthday (Via Napole and Sci-Fi). So at least last year birthdays were alive and well at Disney.
 
View attachment 112969 One thing about these new room shades, you sure don't have to worry about oversleeping. They barely block out the light.
I commented on the poor light-blocking of the Roman shades, after visits earlier this year. The contractor did not allow enough overlap past the glass and did not mount in the optimal location to block the light. One of my rooms overlooked the Quiet Pool, where extremely bright lights remained on until daybreak, which made sleeping during the night difficult for anybody who needed a darker room to sleep. Maybe they need to provide sleep masks in these rooms. :)

The other serious issue is that the continuous loop bead chain used to roll the shades up/down is not fastened to the door or wall with a chain device, thereby creating a potential child strangulation hazard. If I remember correctly, the door shade's looped chain finishes approximately 18" above the floor...well within reach of a toddler.
Even something as simple as this would suffice.

RE0051203_6ee1204d10f96eee560e0c10bda0f101.jpg
 
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Totally different check-in experience here versus the BC. We were greeted at the front entrance and escorted to Sugarloaf by Marie, a really friendly and welcoming CM. She took us directly to our room where the bellman had already arrived and was moving our luggage in for us. Both of these CMs went OUT OF THEIR WAY to make sure we were well taken care of. After unloading our luggage the bellman went and got us a tray full of Coke, Diet Coke, glasses of ice, and bottled water, placed the extras in our fridge, and also filled our ice bucket. I have to say this was the first time in 7 days I felt like anyone cared that we were here.

We haven't stayed at the GF in ages and this is one resort I would consider returning to in the future. I'm glad that you had such a warm welcome. It looks like you'll have a lot more space for the boys to spread out in this room. :)
 


We haven't stayed at the GF in ages and this is one resort I would consider returning to in the future. I'm glad that you had such a warm welcome. It looks like you'll have a lot more space for the boys to spread out in this room. :)

Honestly I don't like to complain, but when we arrived at the BC nobody greeted us. We went to the elevator and up to the club level... I approached the desk and told them we had just arrived and had received our room # through text. I was given no welcome, no packet, no drink, zip. The kids and I went into the lounge to grab some water and as we exited I overheard a castmember ask the desk CM if the Murphy party had arrived. I said "that's us". They all gave us the deer in the headlights look and couldn't explain why we hadn't been greeted downstairs or upstairs for that matter. Just a crappy way to arrive honestly. I was already annoyed because of our room assignment and this sure didn't make me feel any better.
This morning when we left we walked right past the desks with all our luggage (obviously leaving) and 3 castmembers standing there said nothing. Not a word. When we got to the elevator I turned back to them and said "Goodbye!!" Neil was the only one to respond and said goodbye. He's a nice guy but I got the feeling there's some ******* going on between the CMs. Some sort of tension that results in guests being ignored. I could tell ten more stories but we are headed to Peter Pan so I will have to write back more later.
 
We have arrived! :)


Totally different check-in experience here versus the BC. We were greeted at the front entrance and escorted to Sugarloaf by Marie, a really friendly and welcoming CM. She took us directly to our room where the bellman had already arrived and was moving our luggage in for us. Both of these CMs went OUT OF THEIR WAY to make sure we were well taken care of. After unloading our luggage the bellman went and got us a tray full of Coke, Diet Coke, glasses of ice, and bottled water, placed the extras in our fridge, and also filled our ice bucket. I have to say this was the first time in 7 days I felt like anyone cared that we were here.

4F00F16A-A2C4-42F7-B4CA-D6767AB655D9_zpsue1yvpvl.jpg

Wow, some things never change! Last year we had two *Magical* reservations, one at BC and one at GF. Our check in at BC was decidedly not magical… At all! We really felt like second class citizens. Since then, BC has promised to fix the problem for our check in in a few weeks. Whereas last year, when we checked in at GF, it was amazingly pleasant. Huey seemed so happy to have us here and everything was perfect! I also notice from this pic that they have removed the fancy bolster pillows from the GF beds. Why!? They did this at CR recently too. What gives?!


When we stayed at the BWI CL in Sept. they really made of my husbands birthday (he turned 62). He has a great sense of humor and really went with it wearing his pin for our whole stay. He had balloons and a card in our room as well as having numerous CM wishing him a happy birthday. Sometimes we were amazed that the CM could even see his button! I noted it on most of our dinning reservations and at almost all of them he was brought out a dessert and at two of them they even sang him happy birthday (Via Napole and Sci-Fi). So at least last year birthdays were alive and well at Disney.

BWI has the best CL and CL CMs...period.
 
I commented on the poor light-blocking of the Roman shades, after visits earlier this year. The contractor did not allow enough overlap past the glass and did not mount in the optimal location to block the light. One of my rooms overlooked the Quiet Pool, where extremely bright lights remained on until daybreak, which made sleeping during the night difficult for anybody who needed a darker room to sleep. Maybe they need to provide sleep masks in these rooms. :)

The other serious issue is that the continuous loop bead chain used to roll the shades up/down is not fastened to the door or wall with a chain device, thereby creating a potential child strangulation hazard. If I remember correctly, the door shade's looped chain finishes approximately 18" above the floor...well within reach of a toddler.
Even something as simple as this would suffice.

RE0051203_6ee1204d10f96eee560e0c10bda0f101.jpg

I thought the same thing about that hanging loop!!! Seems very dangerous to me.
 


That GF room looks amazing!!! I'm so wanting to stay there.

Isn't it funny how special some CMs make you feel just by welcoming you? It's such a small gesture, but it really says something about appreciating my business.
 
Honestly I don't like to complain, but when we arrived at the BC nobody greeted us. We went to the elevator and up to the club level... I approached the desk and told them we had just arrived and had received our room # through text. I was given no welcome, no packet, no drink, zip. The kids and I went into the lounge to grab some water and as we exited I overheard a castmember ask the desk CM if the Murphy party had arrived. I said "that's us". They all gave us the deer in the headlights look and couldn't explain why we hadn't been greeted downstairs or upstairs for that matter. Just a crappy way to arrive honestly. I was already annoyed because of our room assignment and this sure didn't make me feel any better.
This morning when we left we walked right past the desks with all our luggage (obviously leaving) and 3 castmembers standing there said nothing. Not a word. When we got to the elevator I turned back to them and said "Goodbye!!" Neil was the only one to respond and said goodbye. He's a nice guy but I got the feeling there's some ******* going on between the CMs. Some sort of tension that results in guests being ignored. I could tell ten more stories but we are headed to Peter Pan so I will have to write back more later.

We've always been greeted at the door of the Beach Club and we don't even stay club level. I thought they handed out Mimosa's when you arrived at club level.
 
I thought the same thing about that hanging loop!!! Seems very dangerous to me.
I think the contractor cut lots of corners, perhaps to be low bidder...that's usually what happens, if someone's not carefully reviewing submittals, before work begins.

BTW, thanks for the great thread and sharing your trip with everyone. It makes me even more anxious to be there in person!
 
Honestly I don't like to complain, but when we arrived at the BC nobody greeted us. We went to the elevator and up to the club level... I approached the desk and told them we had just arrived and had received our room # through text. I was given no welcome, no packet, no drink, zip. The kids and I went into the lounge to grab some water and as we exited I overheard a castmember ask the desk CM if the Murphy party had arrived. I said "that's us". They all gave us the deer in the headlights look and couldn't explain why we hadn't been greeted downstairs or upstairs for that matter. Just a crappy way to arrive honestly. I was already annoyed because of our room assignment and this sure didn't make me feel any better.
This morning when we left we walked right past the desks with all our luggage (obviously leaving) and 3 castmembers standing there said nothing. Not a word. When we got to the elevator I turned back to them and said "Goodbye!!" Neil was the only one to respond and said goodbye. He's a nice guy but I got the feeling there's some ******* going on between the CMs. Some sort of tension that results in guests being ignored. I could tell ten more stories but we are headed to Peter Pan so I will have to write back more later.

That's so interesting that you say that! This is very similar to our more recent experiences at BC CL. I so love the new room decor (currently my favorite at WDW) and the new lounge offerings are wonderful. But I agree with your assessment that it seems there's some kind of ******* with the CMs. One CM (Jen) was wonderful, but I'll admit that even Neil seemed a little off. I went back to BC CL with the boys on my own in April because I love it so much and I was excited about the renovation. But my husband has not been a fan of the vibe there over the past few years.

Right now, our kids are loving the vibe in the WL CL the most. Poly is their favorite resort, but they love it so much that they are crazy about it with or without CL. We've only stayed RPC at GF and not SL, so I'm looking forward to your updates!
 
Following along - thanks so much for sharing this live report! We are leaving for WDW 5 weeks from tomorrow and this is helping me to get even more excited! We've stayed club level at the AKL and loved it. Your room at the Grand looks amazing and I'm so glad you had such a great welcome!

Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
 
Honestly I don't like to complain, but when we arrived at the BC nobody greeted us. We went to the elevator and up to the club level... I approached the desk and told them we had just arrived and had received our room # through text. I was given no welcome, no packet, no drink, zip. The kids and I went into the lounge to grab some water and as we exited I overheard a castmember ask the desk CM if the Murphy party had arrived. I said "that's us". They all gave us the deer in the headlights look and couldn't explain why we hadn't been greeted downstairs or upstairs for that matter. Just a crappy way to arrive honestly. I was already annoyed because of our room assignment and this sure didn't make me feel any better.
This morning when we left we walked right past the desks with all our luggage (obviously leaving) and 3 castmembers standing there said nothing. Not a word. When we got to the elevator I turned back to them and said "Goodbye!!" Neil was the only one to respond and said goodbye. He's a nice guy but I got the feeling there's some ******* going on between the CMs. Some sort of tension that results in guests being ignored. I could tell ten more stories but we are headed to Peter Pan so I will have to write back more later.


I really feel that the welcome you receive sets the tone for your hotel stay.

We stayed BC CL Deluxe room at the end of April this year. We were greeted warmly and taken up to the lounge for check-in. We got our packet and the welcoming drink which I think is a Stormalong Bay Breeze with champagne. Here is a pic:DW Welcome drinks.jpg
I'll share with you! :goodvibes Since they didn't even offer you one.
We were only there 2 nights, but I did have some issues with the desk CM's. A few times it seemed like it was a chore for them to help us with small things. There was tension for sure. The lounge CM's, however were amazing! Helpful, friendly. Always replenishing food. The selections were very good! I loved the homemade chips and dips in the afternoon. The breakfast was great too! Oatmeal was terrific.
This was our first time staying CL at BC, but we have stayed there other times in a regular room. I've also stayed Poly LV CL, and GF RPC. RPC is by far my fave.:cloud9:

Please disregard the the 1st visit pin, that was for my 2 1/2 yr. old DGD!

Thanks Erika for your wonderful trip report! They are always so much fun to read. I hope your trip just gets better and better!!
 
The one time we stayed CL at the BC we felt that the CMs at the desk were just lackluster, or disinterested in helping the guests. A good CM who really wants to be helpful can make all the difference. We've had mixed experiences with the desk CMs at the YC, GF, Poly, and AKL (although most of them were fantastic at that one, there was one who was downright snippy). I would think that they would put some of their "best" customer-service people at the lounge concierge desks, but I don't think that they do.
 
I'm getting nervous reading these posts. I'm staying club level for the service, I'm very sad to hear the service is not there
 
Forgot to say how much I loved ur Four Seasons update!! Looks amazing!

Wonder if I could drag myself away from Disney owned to try it??

Are you going to stay there in the future?
 
Honestly I don't like to complain, but when we arrived at the BC nobody greeted us. We went to the elevator and up to the club level... I approached the desk and told them we had just arrived and had received our room # through text. I was given no welcome, no packet, no drink, zip. The kids and I went into the lounge to grab some water and as we exited I overheard a castmember ask the desk CM if the Murphy party had arrived. I said "that's us". They all gave us the deer in the headlights look and couldn't explain why we hadn't been greeted downstairs or upstairs for that matter. Just a crappy way to arrive honestly. I was already annoyed because of our room assignment and this sure didn't make me feel any better.
This morning when we left we walked right past the desks with all our luggage (obviously leaving) and 3 castmembers standing there said nothing. Not a word. When we got to the elevator I turned back to them and said "Goodbye!!" Neil was the only one to respond and said goodbye. He's a nice guy but I got the feeling there's some ******* going on between the CMs. Some sort of tension that results in guests being ignored. I could tell ten more stories but we are headed to Peter Pan so I will have to write back more later.

Gosh, sorry to hear about the CM's. We had 3 CM's that were outstanding over Easter week, but the rest were all business. One lady in particular was very grumpy and not friendly at all, i.e. very unapproachable, and she was working the desk and also the alcohol service (not great spots for her....).

As a side note, we did not originally get the welcome drink either. We were sitting in the lounge when I noticed a very bubbly/smiley CM (Jen) bringing out a tray of welcome drinks and she must've noticed my drool (lol) because she immediately approached our table afterward and asked if we received our welcome drinks and said she'd bring them right out. So...at least we did get them, but it still wasn't as special as when offered the drinks right when arriving.

Enjoy your GF stay -- I'll still be following along! And of course I'm mesmerized by your pictures and review of 4 Seasons, so I'll be following along for that stay as well! Happy bday to your son -- maybe GF will do a little something special. Hope the sick bug is gone!

Oh, did you use the texting/4th FP service? Just curious as to how it went. :)
 

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