Check-in at BLT...view isues

[kellyf2626]

So we got back last Sunday from a wonderful 16-day trip to the world. We started off by staying 5 nights at BLT in a Magic Kingdom view. We were using all of our points for the remaining 10 nights, so we booked these 5 nights with cash.

At check-in, I was told my room was on the 3rd floor. Ummmm, ya, that wasn't going to fly. I told the CM that was in no way acceptable. He repeatedly told me that the upper floors were reserved for DVC members only. I told him I was, in fact, a DVC member that was paying cash for this ressie. They still refused to move the room. We argued for a bit and then I asked to speak with a manager. He went to the back room, and came out a few moments later to tell me we were on the 6th floor. I told him no way - still unacceptable - and that I wanted to actually speak to his superior. I was paying over $3,000 for 5 nights, and I wanted a good freakin view! He scurried out back and came back out about 5 minutes later to tell me that I was on the 12th floor AND that my room was actually ready (this was at 1:00).

While I was happy with the end-result, there are some things I am disappointed in:

*floors 1-5 should NOT be considered MK views. They are views of the parking lot, with a glance of the top of the castle. They should be standard views!!!! I was not shelling out all that money to look at cars!

*DVC members paying cash should not be treated as lower-tier DVC members. I decided to add-on to my trip and pay more money to experience BLT. If this is the way they are going to treat cash-paying DVC memebers, they need to explain this when you book your stay, disclosing that you will get a lower-level floor and less priority when assigning rooms. Some people may decide to get a larger room with a lake view instead of a smaller room with (essentially) a parking lot view.

I am happy that the end result was a good one, and our room and stay at BLT was incredible. Just thought I would share my experience at check-in!

[Crystal_27]

I'm so glad that you had a wonderful trip, but YIKES about the problems you had at check-in. I agree with you that the MK views should only be the upper floors (heck, even some standard views have views of MK). The MK views should be breath-taking. Good for you for standing up for yourself and making sure that they put things right.

As an aside, though, it's good to know that CMs are being trained to give us staying on points the good rooms. Your experience aside, it's good to know that we staying on points are going to get a little bit of priority.

[dioxide45]

Basically DVC wanted to be able to sell more points so they made more units park view. Lots of timeshare chains do this with their seasons. They like to make the big dollars selling platinum weeks that are far from being in platinum time.

[WDW-BWV]

I agree on your 1 to 6 floor statement. But what REALY TICKS ME OFF is the attitude of the CT desk staff.

We stayed the first week the place opened. The CR staff treated us and others we spoke to like some poor hillbilly cousin checking in to sleep on the sofa. We had an issue with our room and it took 2 days and several phone calls until we met with a CM who held a senior managment position. In the end he made Disney magic happen and fixed the problem too.

My point is the lack of respect and the failure of really meaning, "Welcome Home". I'm going back to the BW!

[UConnJack]

Personally, I think you acted a bit like a spoiled brat with a sense of entitlement. While I agree the MK view should be raised a bit in floors (or maybe split between 2 different tiers), those are the current rules and setup, and everyone lives by them. Why are you specifically entitled to be on the top floors vs others who play by the same rules? Basically, you just displaced someone else who had a MK view room.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem for asking for a better room if its available, I do it often. I also think you were right in calling out that you are a DVC member. But the way it sounds like you (twice) refused the room, called them unacceptable, and demanded a better view because you're entitled to it, or somehow have more right to a better room because you are paying $3,000, smacks of selfishness and arrogance. I might give you a pass on the first complaint being on the 3rd floor, but to still throw a fit after getting the 6th floor was uncalled for. You obviously just didn't want a good view, you felt you were entitled to the BEST view.

[Deb & Bill]

Did you make your reservation through MS or DRC? That could be the difference. If you did reserve through MS, DVC will often not allow cash reservations for some more preferred views or villa setups. Like the BWview at BWV is pretty much reserved for points. If you pay cash, you won't be getting a BW view.

And I kind of agree with UConnJack. You sounded like an ugly DVC member demanding the best room in the place because you've paid a whole bundle of money. If you read a thread about your hijinks on another board, don't be surprised.

[CarolMN]

I have a different perspective -

At the BWV, the Boardwalk view rooms are reserved for DVC members using points for their stay. Cash guests are not assigned to those rooms, even if they are DVC members who booked their cash stay through MS.

At the BCV, the dedicated two bedroom villas with two two queens in the second bedroom are reserved for members using points. Those villas are not available to cash guests, even if they are DVC members who booked their cash stay through MS.

Even though many (including me) think BLT's lower floors should be standard view, that is not the way it is right now. Someone is going to get those less desirable MK view rooms. IMO, it is perfectly reasonable for the better MK views at the BLT to be reserved for DVC members using points for their stay.

When the OP insisted on the change that the CR Mgr "granted", another DVC member using points was probably bumped to the room he/she refused. If so, that wasn't right. JMHO. YMMV.

[marynvince]

Originally Posted by UConnJack

Personally, I think you acted a bit like a spoiled brat with a sense of entitlement. While I agree the MK view should be raised a bit in floors (or maybe split between 2 different tiers), those are the current rules and setup, and everyone lives by them. Why are you specifically entitled to be on the top floors vs others who play by the same rules? Basically, you just displaced someone else who had a MK view room.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem for asking for a better room if its available, I do it often. I also think you were right in calling out that you are a DVC member. But the way it sounds like you (twice) refused the room, called them unacceptable, and demanded a better view because you're entitled to it, or somehow have more right to a better room because you are paying $3,000, smacks of selfishness and arrogance. I might give you a pass on the first complaint being on the 3rd floor, but to still throw a fit after getting the 6th floor was uncalled for. You obviously just didn't want a good view, you felt you were entitled to the BEST view.

Nicely put.

[PatMcDuck]

I hope they fix this situation soon. I can appreciate both sides. Wasn't BW like this, in a way, before they guarenteed the BW view? Chaos.

I also was very stressed out over my 50th BD trip to AKV last summer (2008) , with my concierge room reservation. I wanted that Savannah view, I rarely stay at AKV. It was a big deal to me, and I ended up with pool view after all. I asked to be moved, and they DID end up moving us after one night. I did not demand it, I knew it was a 50-50 shot from the start. (we were there for 5 nights I think). I felt some guilt that I displaced someone else.......... I just sort of begged.

Now I have an upcoming room reservation at BLT, MK view, and I am getting stressed. I have a 2 BR MK view, Fri and Sat nights, and I am paying ALOT of points for this. ALOT. If I get 3rd floor I think I will really loose it.

[mandjblum]

Originally Posted by UConnJack

Personally, I think you acted a bit like a spoiled brat with a sense of entitlement. While I agree the MK view should be raised a bit in floors (or maybe split between 2 different tiers), those are the current rules and setup, and everyone lives by them. Why are you specifically entitled to be on the top floors vs others who play by the same rules? Basically, you just displaced someone else who had a MK view room.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem for asking for a better room if its available, I do it often. I also think you were right in calling out that you are a DVC member. But the way it sounds like you (twice) refused the room, called them unacceptable, and demanded a better view because you're entitled to it, or somehow have more right to a better room because you are paying $3,000, smacks of selfishness and arrogance. I might give you a pass on the first complaint being on the 3rd floor, but to still throw a fit after getting the 6th floor was uncalled for. You obviously just didn't want a good view, you felt you were entitled to the BEST view.

Agree

[brianheather]

We just got back this past sat, and I have to say that we checked in with ease, on the 11th floor MK view. I had found the # to BLT and called the Friday before we left to request a higher floor. The view was Awesome... Definetly stay there again

[ddoc185blt]

I think WAY to much is made of MK views anyway. The Lake view is better IMO. Remember You are on Vacation If you are going to fight over a view out a window or deck you just as well could be in work

[DVC Mike]

Originally Posted by kellyf2626

We argued for a bit and then I asked to speak with a manager. He went to the back room, and came out a few moments later to tell me we were on the 6th floor. I told him no way - still unacceptable - and that I wanted to actually speak to his superior. I was paying over $3,000 for 5 nights, and I wanted a good freakin view!

Why was a 6th floor room "still unacceptable"?

[DVC Mike]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

And I kind of agree with UConnJack. You sounded like an ugly DVC member demanding the best room in the place because you've paid a whole bundle of money. If you read a thread about your hijinks on another board, don't be surprised.

When I was at BLT in August, I saw a DVC member yelling at a CM in the lobby about some stupid thing, so much so that it drove her to tears.

My wife was so upset to see such bad behavior from another DVC member that we spoke to the CM and her manager afterwards, and we were a bit ashamed to learn that this is a commonplace thing. DVC Members get extremely upset about something and take it out on the CM.

I'm not saying that is what took place here, but it's a shame that DVC members have this reputation.

[MrToad_at_BLT]

Originally Posted by DVC Mike

Why was a 6th floor room "still unacceptable"?

That was the first question I had as well. The reservation was for "Magic Kingdom View" not for "The Magic Kingdom View that is good enough for me"