Are they kidding with those closets?

[Helene4]

Just got back from our first time as owners. We stayed first at the Boardwalk, with few problems, but a really yucky view (this was booked 11 months in advance with a request for a specific view and to be near friends staying there also). Our requests were not granted.
We then moved to th Beach Club Villas, where we had also booked 11 months in advance. Once again our requests for view and to be near friends was not granted. Lets not even discuss the wait to check in!!!!!!
When they said 4pm, they weren't budging, (I tried to check in at 7:30am) even if thhe room was completed. They would not hand out room #'s until 5 minutes before 4pm! And what is with those closets in the 2 bedroom villa master bedroom side? They are about 2 feet wide!
Not only was I not impressed with the operation, I am now sorry I bought points as they are turning out to be a bigger hassle than they are worth, what with needing to book so far in advance, never knowing the room your getting, and possibly loosig points if they are not banked at the right time!
So my impression is, if I book 11 moths out, then I can probably expect to get a lousy view and not have any of my requests met.

 

[eva]

I'm really sorry that your first impression of DVC was not what you expected. You do take your chances with the view you will be assigned. But I guess that is true of any resort you book at. When you checked in early at BCV did you ask what type of view and if it was close to your friends? Sometimes they can switch rooms before you are given a key if there is something available. If you went over the holidays that makes it tough to get exactly what you want because the resorts are normally filled to capacity. And most DVC members make their reservations for that time period at the 11 month mark. So I guess everyone can't have the best views. What type of view did you get at both resorts? Out of numerous trips as DVC members since 1997 we have really only had one really bad view. That was at BWV a few years ago. I was pretty certain we wouldn't get the best view then because we were checking in around 11pm. We usually arrive earlier in the morning to check-in. We may not get our room until later in the day, but we get a chance to ask about the location and whether it is non-smoking at that time. If it is not what we want then we can ask to be given a different room. Usually that can be done if the resort is not at full capacity.

I do agree with you on the closet space at BCV. We are used to a lot bigger closets. I guess they are bigger than a regular hotel room. But I wish that they would have made the bathroom setup there similar to BWV. Then they could have allotted a bit more space for the closet in the master bedroom.

Hopefully you will give DVC another try during a less busy season. We usually go in May and when we check-in we are normally given choices in rooms.

 

[jaysue]

It does not matter under room ready policy when you made your requests/reservations - they will try to honor the requests based on order you give but do not guarantee them unless they are medical related.

"As a reminder, the established procedure and appropriate time for making special room requests is when you make your reservation with Member Services. If you have any additional requests, or changes to your original request, call Member Services directly. Please do not call or fax the resort where you'll be staying. To be fair to all Members, the only information we use when trying to honor special room requests is that which comes from Member Services.

With so many Members having special requests, it's important that everyone follow this established procedure. As you can imagine, the number of Members asking for particular rooms, views, floors, and buildings makes it impossible to honor all of the requests. We do our best to honor your requests, but please understand that we cannot guarantee them. "


Would you mind posting the room numbers and what was wrong with the views etc. so they can be compiled

It is unfortunate that your first visit did not meet your expectations

thanks
jaysue

 

[paults]

you said you had a yucky view at BWV. Could you tell us what room # and type of view please.

your requests are just that a request, not a guarantee and 4 pm is check-in ,even if the rooms are ready.

We were there in Oct with our family (booked at 11 months 2 studios and a 1 bedroom) ) ask for same floor and close to each other. We got same floor but not close 1 by tennis courts, 1 facing driveway and 1 down by kiddie pool at luna.

No problems at all for us. It happens to us all.

Sorry you had such a bad experience.

Did you by BCV site unseen or did you see the models?

We bought BWV site unseen and just love it there (any view)

 

[DebbieB]

Was your closet in the master bedroom at BWV small? All the 1 bedrooms we have had a huge walk-in closet in the master. I always put my suitcase on the floor in the there with plenty of space to spare. There is also a closet in the entryway.

With maximum occupancy during the holidays, it can be hard to get your requests. When we checked in at BWV about a month ago, they were soldout and they told me they had pre-assigned all the rooms, not using room ready. I also booked at 11 months and we did not get our requests (4th floor, across from the bus stop). However, the room we did get was wonderful (large corner room on 3rd floor), my disappointment quickly disappeared. We were able to get in around 3:00pm.

I would not say you can expect a lousy view if you book at 11 months but rather you may not get priority. It's really the luck of the draw, depending on how many people checked out that day and if any were the area you wanted. If they are using "room ready" (no preassignment of rooms) it also thows a curve.

 

[Melrosgirl]

sounds like you should sell your membership right away.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Selling is so final, maybe you could give it one more try. But then again, we would use ANY excuse to go to WDW and stay at DVC!

Good luck with your decision, it IS a lot of money to have in something that doesn't bring you enjoyment, and the clock is ticking away toward 2042.

Bobbi

 

[MelissathePooh]

Not sure how there are any better odds at getting better rooms when booking through CRO vs owning DVC? Room requests are NEVER guaranteed at any resort DVC or not. In some cases there are certain view categories but still no guarantee that all the rooms in that category will be great.

 

[Cris]

If the room is not ready they are not going to give the number out, for the reason of people going up there when it is dirty to keep on checking on it. If you are not happy call the timeshre store and sell.

 

[drusba]

Going Christmas Week means everything is filled to capacity everyday; you went, unfortunately, in the time of the year when it is least likely that your room requests will be met and least likely that you can get a room before 4 p.m. The same problem also exists at the paying hotels that time of year.

 

[sandieb]

Sorry you had a so-so experience. I do agree the closet in the MBR at the BCV is small...however, the second bedroom had 2 large closets, and we stored our suitcases and a few things we didn't need much access to in there.

I checked in at 8am thinking I would get the first available room that met my requests. However, we didn't get in until almost 4pm. We had been preassigned our villa according to the CM I spoke with at 8am. We don't request a view, but it did meet the other specs...nonsmoking, nonhandicapped.

Frankly, I just plan the day so we don't need the villa until 4pmish. We used the health club locker room with lockers and showers, had the toiletries and bathing suits packed in a small case, and left everything else with the bell service. The other time we just planned a park day, and we left everything with the bell captain.

I agree that you might want to give the DVC another chance.
Sandie

 

[DebbieB]

I would not think of selling (not that you ever said you were). We were disappointed our first time at BWV, I had requested boardwalk view at 11 months and got quiet pool. But we got over it and had many great DVC trips since. You really lose out on money if you sell early (if you use a real estate to sell, you have to pay commission).

Regarding "room ready" - I really don't think it is operating as it was described when it first came out. I have checked in twice since it started and both times my room was preassigned. I think in high occupancy times, they are still preassigning all. I think in periods when there is not high occupancy, they are preassigning ones with requests and looking at other options when you check in. I think it would be too chaotic if they did not preassign any.

 

[jaysue]

I would say give it another chance and if that does not work to your expectations then by all means sell your points. There are people who DVC units do not work for and would prefer other options at WDW or off-site.

thanks
jaysue

 

[crisi]

You may be the type of person who a more traditional timeshare makes sense for. You buy a specific week in a specific unit. You'll know exactly when and where you are staying every year.

For us, the DVC flexibility is what sold us. Its far more important for us to be in Disney when we want to be (and not "the second week of March in unit 202 every year") and have the flexibility to change our units to match our needs - need more space for fewer points, try OKW. Grandma who loves Epcot coming along, book a two bedroom at BWVs or BCVs. Taking my sisters small children, see if we can't swap into VWL. We can go in June, or October, or December or.... The price we pay for that flexibility is we might look at a dumpster a few times, or the roof of the community hall, the LONG walk down BWVs hallways, or end up in a handicapped room or even a smoking room. But some people like knowing exactly what they will get each time they book. I'm beginning to think that DVC does not do a good job of meeting the expectations of those people like a traditional timeshare (unit 202, 2nd week in March) would.

 

[VickiVM]

We were there Christmas week using rented points from Lat (or Luckytso) and had a wonderful experience all the way around. She gave them our requests which were 1)non-smoking, 2)non-hadicapped, and 3)near elevators. I called a week prior to arriving to verify ressie and noticed the hard copy read "near elevators, non-smoking" and "not close to elevators". Huh??? I changed requests to 1)Non-smoking, 2)Daybed and 3)Non-handicapped. Since view was standard, I didn't bother with a specific view. Not that important to us anyway.

We spent Sat. night at Dolphin (nice room, BTW) and had a late breakfast at Tubbies Sunday morning. We had Dolphin move all our luggage over and only kept what we would need that day at parks. We arrived to check in at BWV around 11am or so. Second or third in line to check-in. We got everything in order, picked up our CP and Fantasmic media. All requests were met and I was shocked (as was the CM helping us) that our room was ready! View was of the porte de coche (sp?) on the ground level. Not a problem. We could walk right out our front door and directly across was the door that led out to Luna Park pool. End of hall was laundry room. So I didn't stress about our requests and it all worked out. Actually, if I had a choice of a pool view or boardwalk view and none of the other, I would choose our room. I just really appreciated being so close to laundry at 11pm Christmas day when I was doing the wash so I could take clean clothes back home.

As far as closet space...yep it was tight. We drove so I think we had far more "stuff" than people who fly - plus a tree and presents. I unpacked and stuffed duffel bags and smaller suitcases inside of larger ones to take up less space. I also double hang shirts (one over another) with the hangers. Two pairs of pants/jeans can also be hung on one hanger. Also, there was unused space under the bathroom and kitchenette sinks for boxes or more "stuff".

A perfect "home" DVC is not. But our little studio had more storage space than the Residence Inn we stayed in in Tallahassee on the way back!

BTW - bus service was never a problem. Never waited more than 10 minutes. Boat service on the way back from MGM after Fantasmic, on the other hand, was not so good. We opted to walk back and was back in our room before the bus even loaded. Walk not as bad as it appears.

 

[caskar]

We just got back from BCV. When I checked in the CM said my room was already assigned for my stay changing from a studio into a 2 BR villa. I asked if the studio was to open into a 2br. She said no and showed me where on the 3rd floor they were located. I asked if there was any way to change my room location so I won't have to move out of my studio while waiting the 1br part to be ready. She tried a couple things and moved the studio over to where I was to have the 2br so I would not have to move. So I learned the rooms are preassigned but the CM working does have some flexibility. I didn't feel I was hurting anyone else as both views were 3rd floor pool view. I had booked at the 11 month window and requested top floor Epcot view with a lock off to open into a 2br. I was happy with the fact I wouldn't have to move my luggage out to the car or put in storage. Epcot view would have been great but the pool view has its advantages too.

 

[JMWSR518]

Helene,
No offense, but did you read into DVC before you bought ? I usually keep quiet, but I dont understand were people get the made up ideas that if you book 11 months out your requests now become final and binding. Don't complain now when the answers to your complaints were here on the boards and in black and white for you to read.


JMW

 

[lovwdwalot]

I agree with JMW, every time I read this forum there is someone mad about not getting their room right away when they get to the resort even if the time is 8:00AM when they get there. at all of the resorts at WDW the check in time is 4:00PM, if you get your room earlier your one of the lucky ones, I think alot of people forget that>

 

[Sammie]

As others have stated sorry it was not what you expected. However I along with others are not sure your expectations are reasonable for DVC membership.

It is not for everyone and may not be for you and your family.

I do have to wonder did you buy sight unseen? Especially to closet size. Did you tour a unit before buying.

Also depending on when you go, if you just returned you went during the busiest week of the year, so yes you are going to experience some things you would not experience at other times of the year like long lines at checkin. Also to be expected.

Units are not available until 4pm and should not be expected to be ready before then.

Views are never a guarantee and if that is a major disappointment, I do not see it getting any better for you.

I would consider selling also unless you are willing to accept DVC as it is.

If closest size, always getting a specific view, never having to wait at checkin (even during the busiest time of year) and getting your room before the desiginated 4pm checkin bothers you, I am afraid you will never be satisifed.

 

[gazeborob]

JUST A QUICK NOTE.

I check into the BCV at 7AM on Christmas morning. To my suprise, I had not been preassigned a room. When the looked things up, they told that there was 1 clean 1 beedroom, but it wasn't an EPOCT view. I decided to take a clean , ready room over a view. It was the best thing I could do. It was room 258,. right by the pool elevator. Yes the closet is small, but it didn't matter to us. I hated to leave. I just want to say that this was one of the best vacations we have ever had. I tend to think that some people get to uptight if things aren't exactly what they ask for. You have to learn to relax and enjoy your trip. You have about 38 more years to get everything that you want.

Rob