At BLT now............

[DonnaL]

Well, here we are.......freezing......and we're used to cold weather in PA!!! Currently 38 standing on our 8th flr lakeview balcony. It was freezing at the Studios last night and SeaWorld on Sunday. Our view is absolutely gorgeous....we've got Bay Lake to our right and a phenomenal view of MK to our left. We're in a 2bdrm lock-off (7812 and 7814) first two rooms to the left of the north elevators. We're not really happy with the room situation, but, have not complained to the front desk or MS about it because I DID request higher room, outer north cresecent, even numbered room, so they DID meet those requests. The room has seen a lot of wear and tear in the short time BLT has been open.....there is a huge stain right in the middle of the living room rug, the dining table is a mess....marks and scratches all over it, lots of dings to doors and door frames. We were assigned a handicapped accessible lock-off (both 1bdrm and studio portion are HA) which is not a good situation for us since DH is over 6 ft tall and cannot even see under counter to turn under counter lights on. I'm only 4'11" and the counter/sink area are even way too low for me to be comfortable........and we do a lot of cooking while here.......breakfast every day and at least 3 dinners. Also, another issue which I've never noticed before in a DVC unit............the kitchen area is not well stocked at
all.......granted this is a lock-off, however, when utilized as a 2 bdrm.....there are not nearly enough plates, serving pieces, baking dishes (only one small square pyrex and one small round pyrex and a cookie sheet)
All in all, we love the view, but, probably will not stay here again, but, return to our fav's , VWL and BWV, for future stays. We've stayed everywhere now (own at VWL and SSR) and those are definite favorites. I don't recall the name of the MS rep who handles complaints/suggestions, but, I would like to contact her.....not to complain, but, to address the issues of the poorly stocked kitchen. Can anyone give me the contact info? Thanks.

 

[disneynutz]

Call Mousekeeping now and they will restock all missing items. It's a shame that Guests take or throw away the kitchen items.

Mousekeeping told us last month that people are stealing the new hair dryers that aren't attached to the wall any longer.

Bill

 

[js]

Hope you have a great trip even though you have some issues.
When we took the tour of the BLT room at SSR (our home resort), the first thing I noticed was the material the furniture was made from. JMO, but it all looked like IKEA furniture and that stuff doesn't look like it would handle wear and tear so easily.
I, like you, want to try all the DVC resorts (including our VERO stay in July ) but there are quite a few I want to try before staying at BLT.
Enjoy your stay and hope it warms up for you!

 

[La2kw]

Housekeeping doesn't seem to bother checking for missing items anymore. On the cupboard door there is a list showing you what should be in the unit. We always call housekeeping and have them bring in the missing items. Back in the day, you didn't have to do that as often. Now it seems like every unit is missing something. DVC just aint what it used to be.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

I am glad at least you got your request for room placement. We will be there in 9 days and we sure hope it warms up sooner than later.We have also requested a high even numbered room but are supposed to have a dedicated 2br.

 

[Kuzco]

Mousekeeping told us last month that people are stealing the new hair dryers that aren't attached to the wall any longer.

That is unbelievable.

 

[dort]

Well, here we are.......freezing......and we're used to cold weather in PA!!! Currently 38 standing on our 8th flr lakeview balcony. It was freezing at the Studios last night and SeaWorld on Sunday. Our view is absolutely gorgeous....we've got Bay Lake to our right and a phenomenal view of MK to our left. We're in a 2bdrm lock-off (7812 and 7814) first two rooms to the left of the north elevators. We're not really happy with the room situation, but, have not complained to the front desk or MS about it because I DID request higher room, outer north cresecent, even numbered room, so they DID meet those requests. The room has seen a lot of wear and tear in the short time BLT has been open.....there is a huge stain right in the middle of the living room rug, the dining table is a mess....marks and scratches all over it, lots of dings to doors and door frames. We were assigned a handicapped accessible lock-off (both 1bdrm and studio portion are HA) which is not a good situation for us since DH is over 6 ft tall and cannot even see under counter to turn under counter lights on. I'm only 4'11" and the counter/sink area are even way too low for me to be comfortable........and we do a lot of cooking while here.......breakfast every day and at least 3 dinners. Also, another issue which I've never noticed before in a DVC unit............the kitchen area is not well stocked at
all.......granted this is a lock-off, however, when utilized as a 2 bdrm.....there are not nearly enough plates, serving pieces, baking dishes (only one small square pyrex and one small round pyrex and a cookie sheet)
All in all, we love the view, but, probably will not stay here again, but, return to our fav's , VWL and BWV, for future stays. We've stayed everywhere now (own at VWL and SSR) and those are definite favorites. I don't recall the name of the MS rep who handles complaints/suggestions, but, I would like to contact her.....not to complain, but, to address the issues of the poorly stocked kitchen. Can anyone give me the contact info? Thanks.

Did you make your room request at the time you made your original reservation or did you do on-line check-in. My DH and I just adjusted our May trip to VB by 3 nights (hope we're not dissapointed) and added BLT with a Lake View.
Thanks!! We're both looking forward to staying there.

 

[DonnaL]

For poster who asked if I made request with original ressie.....yes, I did.....which was early last July. I did call MS about a month ago to add even numbered room to the request after I read on the boards that all exterior crescent views are even numbered. I did not do online check-in at all. IMO it doesn't really save a huge amount of time at check-in......at least it didn't from my observations at BLT......the online check-in guests were in the same line as those who did not check-in online.........they had a front desk person going up and down the line.....asking who did online and who didn't and they were taking one who didn't and then one who did and so on. There was one gentleman several people behind me (who did NOT do online checkin) who was EXTREMELY irate that people from behind him were being taken ahead of him.....the CM explained to him those people had done online checkin and therefore, needed less time at the counter and his turn would be up shortly. He didn't want to hear it and I did understand his point. If online check-in is to work properly it needs to be a completely separate dedicated line.
In so far as the kitchen supplies.....while there were items missing (no kitchen oven mitts at all).....it seemed what was there wasn't even sufficient for the amount of people a room should be set up for. In the past, the glass baking/serving dishes have always been a larger oblong version of what was in our room......this was an 8 x 8 square baking dish and a small round pyrex bowl....maybe enough to hold 3 cups of something........not nearly large enough even for five people.....which is what a 1 bdrm at BLT can accommodate.....and since it was a lock-off there should have been enough plates for 9 and there were only 6. Glasses weren't a problem since the studio portion had glasses, but, no dishes. It just seemed to me to be very sparsely equipped.........almost as if they do not expect people to do cooking while there, but, simply re-heat or microwave items.
Also, the kitchen appliances are GE Profile appliances, which are high end, however, I don't think the stainless steel finishes are going to hold up well in the high traffic environment. They are very difficult to keep looking clean.....smudge very easily and then look dirty. The cabinets are the same...the dark laminate finish shows every fingerprint and looked dirty when we checked in. I would imagine it is a challenge for housekeeping to do the things that must be done after every guest checks out, in addition to trying to keep the appliances and cabinets smudge free........I'm sure both were wiped down before our check-in because I could see the swipe marks from a cleaning cloth, but, they didn't look it because of the smudges.......and the dining table was terrible.......it looked dirty no matter how many times I cleaned it.........smudges that just wouldn't come off......don't know whether it's inexpensive laminate or needs a special polish.......whatever the problem......shouldn't look this bad after only five months. All in all, we love the location of BLT and the views were incredible, the TOTW lounge was great, community room was great, but, the rooms are definitely not up to what I've come to expect from DVC (at least the one we had). It felt very cold and stark to me (no pun intended....since this past week was the coldest in a LOT of years). Other members of my family did like the room......except for the fact we were assigned an HA room......which was a disadvantage for us ......mostly in the kitchen area ...with counters being so low. However, we did get what I requested in so far as even numbered, outside north crescent........so I didn't feel I had the right to ask for a change........fair is fair. I just hope there wasn't someone out there who needed a HA room at the time we were assigned one and we didn't need it. I wish I knew what the criteria is when the room assigners do assign a HA room to someone who hasn't requested a HA room.......anyone know?

 

[Brenle]

Hi,
I hope it gets warmer real soon for you. Heading to Florida hoping to escape from Pennsylvania temps. and still being in cold weather is terrible. I share your pain. We were at BCV last May-with all torrential rain. And then more rain. Fortunately for us, we did have a few sunny days.
Hoping to stay at BLT this year. Thanks for the info about even numbered rooms. I'll be sure to request one. Could you tell me why you selected the north crescent. Is that the area closest to the walkway to CR?
Thanks!

 

[locodemickey]

Hi,
I hope it gets warmer real soon for you. Heading to Florida hoping to escape from Pennsylvania temps. and still being in cold weather is terrible. I share your pain. We were at BCV last May-with all torrential rain. And then more rain. Fortunately for us, we did have a few sunny days.
Hoping to stay at BLT this year. Thanks for the info about even numbered rooms. I'll be sure to request one. Could you tell me why you selected the north crescent. Is that the area closest to the walkway to CR?
Thanks!

No, that is further away from the walkway, but you get the lake and MK view! Very nice!

 

[dizfan]

Sorry to hear about your room problems.

I wonder if the large windows make the smudges, scratches, and dust more apparent at BLT. When we moved from a house in a wooded area (less natural light), to our current house with large windows we noticed a pretty significant difference.

 

[mjy]

We've been here -- and freezing -- since Sunday. We'll be here almost another week. The forecast calls for a significant warm up the day we leave. <sigh>

I really feel for the fruit producers throughout the state.

 

[thelionqueen]

We were in room 7820 MK view 1br and everything was perfect! I was truly surprised at how well stocked everything was. The only wear and tear I saw at all were scratches on the table. We were lucky enough to have everything fully stocked. Then, on our 3rd day a mousekeeper dropped by and gave us extra towels, coffee, etc which was a GREAT surprise!

I also LOVE the hair dryers, they are MUCH better quality than those attached to the walls, I SINCERELY hope they don't continue to go missing!

As a contrast to BLT, VWL was missing nearly every utensil. We only had a large spoon and slotted spoon, everything else needed to be requested.

Different strokes for different folks

 

[DonnaL]

Yes, as locodemickey says.......the north crescent even numbered rooms on the higher floors are classified as lake views, but, you get a view of both Bay Lake to your right and Magic Kingdom to your left. We had a dead center view of Space Mountain and a complete beautiful side view of the Castle......we watched Wishes from the room on two different evenings and had a perfect view of Tink's descent from the Castle. I didn't really care for the Wishes fireworks from this angle though......it was quite obvious how far in back of the Castle the majority of the fireworks actually are. It just made it much more obvious, to me anyway, that the absolute best place to watch Wishes is directly in front of the Castle. Maybe the view from the TOTW lounge is a little different since the lounge is located a bit more to the center of the Castle, but, I can't believe it would make that much difference. We were on the 8th floor, but, I believe the lower floors on this side are classed as standard view.........those rooms have a view of the parking lot, tennis courts, and the service areas......we also were right above the service area, tennis courts, and parking lot, but, were high enough that it didn't affect our view straight out.........we just didn't look down!!!

 

[ua1992]

Leaving for the world this Friday - can't wait. It's -11 here this morning !

 

[Brenle]

No, that is further away from the walkway, but you get the lake and MK view! Very nice!

Sounds perfect!

Yes, as locodemickey says.......the north crescent even numbered rooms on the higher floors are classified as lake views, but, you get a view of both Bay Lake to your right and Magic Kingdom to your left. We had a dead center view of Space Mountain and a complete beautiful side view of the Castle......we watched Wishes from the room on two different evenings and had a perfect view of Tink's descent from the Castle. I didn't really care for the Wishes fireworks from this angle though......it was quite obvious how far in back of the Castle the majority of the fireworks actually are. It just made it much more obvious, to me anyway, that the absolute best place to watch Wishes is directly in front of the Castle. Maybe the view from the TOTW lounge is a little different since the lounge is located a bit more to the center of the Castle, but, I can't believe it would make that much difference. We were on the 8th floor, but, I believe the lower floors on this side are classed as standard view.........those rooms have a view of the parking lot, tennis courts, and the service areas......we also were right above the service area, tennis courts, and parking lot, but, were high enough that it didn't affect our view straight out.........we just didn't look down!!!

Looks like we'll be asking for a higher floor, also. Thanks for the info.

Leaving for the world this Friday - can't wait. It's -11 here this morning !

Hope Florida gets warmer for you. Orlando had a wind chill yestereday of 25.

 

[TROSELL14843]

is our "home" not still sure if that is some place we have to/want to stay - she cant wait to ride the monorail!! I keep reading this post

 

[auntsue]

We had an MK view, 1 BR last month and we loved it. I did not cook anything so I have no idea what was in the cabinets. Our room was very clean and looked great. We were very impressed.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We stayed at BLT, 3rd floor, 7329. It was nice view to one side, but much of the view was blocked by the trees. I hadn't made any requests and what we saw of the lake was wonderful, and our family liked the bocci court and we weren't so high up that we couldn't enjoy their play.

We got home yesterday and yes, I agree, it was a freezing, very cold vacation! My DGC/DS went swimming for over an hour on two different days! DDiL and I were content to stay dry or in the hot tub. We had a dedicated 2 bedroom and the sleeper chair and sofa were comfy according to the ones who used them. I did cook (mostly warmed up) and had what I needed, except for a pot holder, but don't know if one should have been there. I didn't check the list.

I don't expect to stay at BLT again, unless DDiL or someone runs in the 1/2 or full marathon again. We enjoyed seeing the runners.

Bobbi