Back from BVC - Expected Better

[srf10]

Just got back from 8 nights in Disney and I gotta say that on the whole it was a wonderful vacation for myself and my family, but I couldn't help noticing that the many little things that add to the disney resort ambience was a little lacking at the Beach Club Villas. Maybe I should give you a little background...

Over the course of 20 years, since I was a child, I've stayed at the Contemporary (2x), Polynesian, Yacht Club, and Beach Club resorts; not as DVC members, but as regular paying resort guests. Each of those visits left impressions of "like new" hotel areas and hotel rooms accompanied with amenities and decor of the best quality. Fast forward 6 years...

Now I'm the one bringing MY kids to Disney, only instead of being a regular guest of a deluxe resort, I decide to buy a stake in the DVC. I figure I get to experience that disney luxury that I've known since I was 10 yrs old, without the $3500 hotel bill that my dad use to pay (adjusted for today's $$). My complaint is this:

If you walk through the grounds of the Beach Club "proper" (i.e. the blue buildings), you will notice these differences:
1) The pool tiling and pool furniture are immaculate at the Beach Club, but contain traces of grim and rust at the BCV.
2) The balconies/patios at the Beach Club proper have pristine glossy white metal patio chairs and table, but the BCV uses those cheap lookin grungy white plastic patio furniture (probably spent $12 bucks for the set at WalMart). BCV patios look dirtier too.
3) The white painted exterior trim within the grounds of the Beach Club proper always have that 'fresh paint' look, but are noticeably dirty with cob webs and traces of mold at the BCV, especially at the footbridge leading from Dunes Cove area to the parking lot.
4) The grounds at the Beach Club proper are meticulously landscaped, but areas of the BCV look like the original native swamp growth (I refer to the Dunes Cove area where the turtles and gators swim).
5) The area lighting at Dunes Cove at BCV is not maintaned well. Some of the larger lights are broken (unlit), and all of the globes that sit atop the light poles are extremely dirts. At other resorts, and at all of the theme parks, the area lighting fixtures are clear enough to shine a thousand miles, and are clean enough to eat off of.

Now I hate to sound anal-retentive, and my wife thinks I complain like Jack Lemmon in the "Out-of-Towners", but has anyone else noticed a difference in quality and cleanliness at the BCV and other deluxe resorts?? I'm asking the real disney veterans here.

 

[Canadian Tom]

HI SRF10: I know what you mean. I haven't been for our first trip to the BCV yet, but I feel the same about the little things. If this means anything to you, Felix Unger(Tony Randall) was my idol. It has always been the small things that kept us coming back to WDW and the deluxes and I hope that BCV remains a deluxe property. If it is not maintained then ours will be going up for sale. With respect to the paint, I was there last march and the beach club was being repainted so in defence of BCV its paint is older and we know the Florida climate in really tough on paint. As for the cast iron patio furniture, it has to be the least comfortable chairs I have ever sat on, so maybe the change is good. Thanks

 

[Terry S]

I just wanted to mention that they just finished remodeling the Beach Club and very recently (within the last 2 weeks) finished painting the exterior of the Beach Club. That is why it was sooo white and clean. Before that it was showing some wear and wasn't so clean, so that fresh paint look was exactly that.... fresh paint.

 

[Canadian Tom]

Thanks Terry S: That explains it.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Terry S
I just wanted to mention that they just finished remodeling the Beach Club and very recently (within the last 2 weeks) finished painting the exterior of the Beach Club. That is why it was sooo white and clean. Before that it was showing some wear and wasn't so clean, so that fresh paint look was exactly that.... fresh paint.

Very good point, Terry. I'm sure when it is BCV's turn for the refurb, the opposite will be said.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Oh, Oh-now you got me nervous! I stayed at BCV a year ago, loved it, talked DH into buying more points, going back there in December. Can you make me happy again by telling me about your room? What size? View? I know-tell me about those sundaes at B&C, those always cheer me up!

 

[srf10]

The Beach Club's fresh paint is a valid point, but I've never seen the grime build up on hand railings like this before anywhere in disney; I could use my finger to write my name in it. To put it another way.. Compare a walk at the BCV along the turtle canal from Dunes Cove towards the parking lot, to a walk down The Boardwalk, or England in Epcot, or Main Street in M.K. The lighting is clearer, the railing and trim is crisper, and it's cleaner looking. And I can assure you that you'll never see plastic patio furniture at any true 'deluxe' resort. There's definitely a little bit of neglect happening there.

To the person who inquired.. I stayed in Room 458, a 1 br villa facing Dunes Cove (a BCV pool area). As a warning, be careful about requesting Epcot views, which my sister had (room 465). If you request an Epcot view, you will also have the service road that runs to The Boardwalk underneath your balcony, it can get a little noisy. If I go back there I'm going to request a view away from the service road as well as the Dunes Cove area.

I do not necessarily think that the BCV is a bad investment. It is a well situated resort with great access to Epcot, Stormalong bay, the boats, bars (Martha's Vineyard and Crew's), and of course Beaches and Cream ice cream! I just think that it is currently in a state of neglect for a supposed 'deluxe' resort.

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't spend a lot of time looking at railings etc when I am on vacation. I'd much rather look at the beautiful day, the lovely views, IllumiNations etc.

 

[Guads6]

I think maybe you should send a copy of your complaints to someone in charge. The DVC resorts should look as good or better then the hotels. Isn't that why we all pay maintence?

 

[flexsmom]

I think maybe you should send a copy of your complaints to someone in charge. The DVC resorts should look as good or better then the hotels. Isn't that why we all pay maintence?

I agree - otherwise no one will realize that guests and members are noticing these things!

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by srf10
The pool tiling and pool furniture are immaculate at the Beach Club, but contain traces of grim and rust at the BCV.
Painting schedule differences? Recent BC rehab?


2) The balconies/patios at the Beach Club proper have pristine glossy white metal patio chairs and table, but the BCV uses those cheap lookin grungy white plastic patio furniture (probably spent $12 bucks for the set at WalMart). BCV patios look dirtier too.
Cheaper chairs OK. Less expensive to replace when stained by cigarette burns from renters using non-smoking room.


3) The white painted exterior trim within the grounds of the Beach Club proper always have that 'fresh paint' look, but are noticeably dirty with cob webs and traces of mold at the BCV, especially at the footbridge leading from Dunes Cove area to the parking lot.
cob webs and mold are unacceptable.


4) The grounds at the Beach Club proper are meticulously landscaped, but areas of the BCV look like the original native swamp growth (I refer to the Dunes Cove area where the turtles and gators swim).
your reaching with this one. Perhaps it's more difficult to landscape with the gator watching closely.


5) The area lighting at Dunes Cove at BCV is not maintaned well. Some of the larger lights are broken (unlit), and all of the globes that sit atop the light poles are extremely dirts. At other resorts, and at all of the theme parks, the area lighting fixtures are clear enough to shine a thousand miles, and are clean enough to eat off of.
unacceptable, needs to be fixed.

 

[DeeP]

I certainly am not trying to be critical but it almost sounds as if you were purposely walking around and trying to find any and all infractions at BCV.
I just got back from my first stay at BCV. We have stayed many times at the YC/BC resort but this was our first time at the DVC component of of this resort complex. We loved our stay at BCV and look forward to many future stays at this resort.
I agree that the villas that face the very busy service road leave A LOT to be desired in the terms of view and the noise level. Why Disney choose to build BCV soooooo close to the road, I will never understand. We were the lucky recipient's of one of these very, very close to the road rooms, even though my ONLY request was a non Epcot view villa! But I just chalked it up to luck of the draw! After all it is not as if this was a "trip of a life time" for us; we are DVC members with many more WDW trips at many DVC/WDW resorts, with many different views!!
As far as the balcony furniture, I admit the furniture on YC/BC's balconies is much more expensive and fancy, but it is also darn uncomfortable! I will take the plastic chairs and tables anyday. It is much more comfortable and it is also the same type of balcony furniture (plastic vs metal) that is found on all the WDW DVC resort balconies.
Regarding the mold on the exterior, I also noticed it. But you can also notice it in a lot of places in FL. Different exterior surfaces are more prone to this problem then others. Between the heat, humidity, rain, etc in FL the growth of mold is a never ending battle to keep up with and Disney really does an admirable job at the upkeep of all their resorts, IMO.
Bottom line, BCV is one of WDW's top shelf resorts located in a truely prime location in WDW. Is it perfect? No, but it is also a very new resort that is just getting it's kinks out. I think they are doing a pretty good job.
YMMV
BTW, I am a DVC member but my home resort is not BCV nor do I own any pts at BCV.

 

[jctwizzer]

Personally, I agree with your wife.
You seem focused on a few exterior issues at BCV. Based on your post, we can assume the parks were fine; the food was fine; the weather was fine; your flight was fine; transportation was fine, etc. etc. etc. Sound like my kind of vacation!

 

[tixx]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
I don't spend a lot of time looking at railings etc when I am on vacation. I'd much rather look at the beautiful day, the lovely views, IllumiNations etc.

the proprty should still be maintained,in top Disney fashion

 

[tixx]

Originally posted by jctwizzer
Personally, I agree with your wife.
You seem focused on a few exterior issues at BCV. Based on your post, we can assume the parks were fine; the food was fine; the weather was fine; your flight was fine; transportation was fine, etc. etc. etc. Sound like my kind of vacation!

as a DVC owner the weather, food,parks,flight have nothing to do with our investments in DVC ...

 

[wilderness01]

srf10

You are opening up a can of worms! As you can see from some of the posts it is not too popular to acknowledge these infractions and some, not all, think if they are brought up you are being picky or take it as a personal attack. Afterall we are on a Disney site because most of us just love the place! However, you can count me in as being picky because I also think it is unacceptable and HAVE noticed a difference in the DVC properties vs. the other deluxes. (Now I will be the one getting flamed!) With that being said, I do not let it detract from our vacation. However it is disappointing and I feel that if the management does not take this seriously we as owners may be in trouble in the future. It is cheaper to fix a small thing or keep it better maintained than having to replace it in the future due to neglect. This is a very new building, the BCV, and it seems that it should be better taken care of. I have totally noticed a difference in housekeeping at the BCV vs. the other deluxes, including the YC. I know they use the same housekeepers, but our room at the YC was immaculate and I can not say the same for our 2 Bdrm at the BCV upon checkin. I would write a letter and see if that can spark anyone's attention to help maintain a nice resort. I hope you had a nice time at the parks.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by wilderness01
srf10

You are opening up a can of worms! As you can see from some of the posts it is not too popular to acknowledge these infractions and some, not all, think if they are brought up you are being picky or take it as a personal attack. Afterall we are on a Disney site because most of us just love the place! However, you can count me in as being picky because I also think it is unacceptable and HAVE noticed a difference in the DVC properties vs. the other deluxes. (Now I will be the one getting flamed!) With that being said, I do not let it detract from our vacation. However it is disappointing and I feel that if the management does not take this seriously we as owners may be in trouble in the future. It is cheaper to fix a small thing or keep it better maintained than having to replace it in the future due to neglect. This is a very new building, the BCV, and it seems that it should be better taken care of. I have totally noticed a difference in housekeeping at the BCV vs. the other deluxes, including the YC. I know they use the same housekeepers, but our room at the YC was immaculate and I can not say the same for our 2 Bdrm at the BCV upon checkin. I would write a letter and see if that can spark anyone's attention to help maintain a nice resort. I hope you had a nice time at the parks.

I totally agree that housekeeping at all resorts should be equal. That being said, I know from friends that work at both the BCV and the YC/BC, that there is more damage done to the units at the BCV than there is to the rooms at the YC or BC. Go figure you would think members would take better care of something they own.

I also know that it takes a long time to clean a 2 bedroom unit vs. a standard room. This is no excuse for it not being done properly, but then many members really want to get into a room before the standard 4pm checkin. I think this has affected the quality of houskeeping in the DVC units.

Just my opinion, but I think the over crowding of the units at DVC contributes to this problem. It is easier for guests and members to put more in a one bedroom or 2 bedroom than allowed than in a standard room.

 

[wilderness01]

Sammie,

Very good points brought up. Although I do like early check-in, I would gladly wait until 4 pm to have a clean unit.

Once we checked in at 7:30 am (obviously the unit had been empty the night before) and there were still issues about cleanliness. We had stayed at the YC the night before and it was spotless. I'm not talking about knicks on the walls, stains, etc. I am talking about dirty floors, microwaves, unclean bed, etc. These issues need to be non-issues and everything should just be cleaned right the first time. Maybe we were just lucky when we stayed at other deluxes with cleanliness. But we have had problems at both the BCV and BC. Disappointing that is all. The YC on the otherhand was immaculate. They left an unexpected chocolate/fruit tray for us to enjoy upon our arrival. It was wonderful. They knocked for turndown service but we declined as we were wiped out and we could do this ourselves. Maybe it was just the feel of the YC that was different, plus the unexpected treats/services. I don't know, but I can definately say all in all it was cleaner than BC or BCV and we will definately return to the YC. Just my opinion.

 

[Lisa P.]

I totally agree that housekeeping at all resorts should be equal.

When full housekeeping service is only done once a week vs. daily, it seems that it would be easier for problems to appear.

With a regular hotel room, if a member of the staff is doing a poor job, the room may not get properly cleaned or maintained for a few days. Someone else will be assigned to that room, who will notice that the extra measure needs to be taken and do it.

But with a timeshare condo, one poor housekeeping service could leave a room minimally cared for, over a 2 week period - or much longer, if a poor job is done again. When the better staff person (or another new guest) arrives after this, it could appear to them that the room had been abused more than a regular hotel room. Eventually, if the resort is to maintain a high standard, they need to do catch-up work on the maintenance for all the wear-and-tear that takes place during member stays. Just a thought.

 

[wilderness01]

Very good points Lisa.