Bell hops at BCV and luggage racks - 2 part question

[jaysue]

Although we have only stayed at BCV twice, I noticed that there appeared to be a shortage of bell hops at the BC drive up area. Maybe it was my timing but compared to BWI/BWV there did not seem to be as many valet or bell hop staff....comments?

Also, during our 2nd stay at BCV, they would not let us "borrow" a luggage rack/transport thingy to get our stuff out of our room - again in this case the bell hop staffing seemed tight and I did not want to wait.

Is it odd that they did not let us borrow a luggage transport or is that normal procedure?

thanks
jaysue

 

[Chuck S]

I can't comment on the bell staff at BCV, I've never stayed there. I know that OKW can, at times, seem short on bell staff. I think it is because of the type of resort OKW is...more people seem to drive their own cars and less bell staff is probably needed.

As far as using the luggage carts, some hotels allow it, some do not. It may be Disney's policy that only bell staff use the carts...so no, I don't find it odd.

 

[Tagrel]

Never had any delays getting a bellhop to or from our rooms at BCV or VWL, but our one stay at the GF was a BIG pain.

Waited 30 minutes in the room for a bellhop - asked if I could do it myself, and was rather rudely informed that it wasn't allowed due to insurance issues. I'd assume its the same at each deluxe resort... (There were 4 empty carts in a locked bin just ourside our building entrance) :roll:

I think its great that they provide a bellhop service, but find it irritating that allowing guests to use a cart in WDW is not allowed. Its never been a problem at other hotels we use, nor was it a problem at Vero...

 

[Chim Chiminy]

When we stayed at BCV last August, getting bell services to bring our luggage to our room took hours. (We were in our room at 3 and did not get all of our luggage until 6. They kept bringing up two bags at a time, every hour or so. I don't know why they couldn't have brought it all at once. When we would call to inquire, they would tell us it was on its way. And it would be an hour before any would show up. Took forever!)
We were very frustrated, and my DH was beyond angry.
So I would say that in our case, they did seem short staffed.

When we checked out, we were not allowed to use a cart and it was irritating. Especially considering our bad experience on our first day waiting and waiting for bell services. We didn't want to take that chance.
So while my DH and father took luggage down to our vehicles (there were ten of us so we had a lot of luggage!), a bellhop showed up at our room and asked if we needed help.

All we wanted was the cart, so we could do it ourselves, but that was a no no. No reason given.
I reluctantly had him help me get the rest of our belongings out to our vehicles.

It is a bit frustrating when you just want to do things yourself.

 

[Judique]

Originally posted by Tagrel
Never had any delays getting a bellhop to or from our rooms at BCV or VWL, but our one stay at the GF was a BIG pain.
snip snip

I think its great that they provide a bellhop service, but find it irritating that allowing guests to use a cart in WDW is not allowed. Its never been a problem at other hotels we use, nor was it a problem at Vero...

It is not a problem at HH either. Carts are there for guest use, both in the main lodge and the rest of the villas. The whole deal makes no sense at BCV, especially if you have driven your own car. Why unload in a cramped up entrance area, watch your luggage disappear and then have to go to your room and wait till it comes??
I don't get it and have stopped having them perform that service for me, not because of tipping issues, but because they've made it inconvenient for me. If you take my luggage, put it in my room!!! I've checked in...you've got my credit card......why do I have to be there? Or ....why can't it just go directly there with me when I've checked in, if that's where I'm headed? Why does it have to disappear for awhile and then get delivered?
I now go any lengths to avoid the hassle - everything is on wheels, and I'll make a couple of trips if necessary, at my convenience. Sorry for the rant.

 

[jaysue]

No need to apologise, you are right on the luggage delivery aspect - at least at BCV you can get your car reasonably close to the villas. This would be a bigger pain at VWL or BWV but as I noted at BWV (the bellhops and valet were great and numerous), it has been a piece of cake.

thanks
jaysue

 

[Disney Doll]

I am always amazed when I hear this stuff!!! I must time arrivals right etc., because I have never run into this! We have always had the bellhop bring our luggage right to our room if it is ready upon our arrival, and if not, it's there within 10-15 minutes after I call for it.

I would guess that them not letting guests use the carts is an insurance issue. There will be some idiot who will let their kid ride on it, the kid will fall off, get hurt, and then there will be a big lawsuit.

 

[BWVDee]

I am also amazed to read this. We use luggage services all the time and we have only had a problem once and that was when we were transferring luggage from CSR to BWV. That fault was on CSR's side--they took our luggage to the Poly!!! Other than that one instance, luggage services from all different WDW resorts has always been top notch. I always say how excellent they are compared to luggage service I have gotten in non Disney resorts.
I have only stayed at BCV once but our luggage service was excellent on both ends of the trip. And that trip had myself arriving at BCV 2 days before DS joined me; so we used luggage services twice, just checking in, and had no problems.
All the resorts have luggage services but the deluxe resorts have bellhop service, which in Disney lingo is a step above luggage services and therefore requires a tip and also prohibits guests from using the luggage carts. All the value resorts and some of the moderate resorts will let you use the luggage cart.

 

[lenshanem]

I have heard about for insurance reasons they are not allowed to let us use the carts, but I just read that at Pop Century you can. So not too sure about that?????