BLT access bridge closed for 1 week

[DVCGeek]

I'm another vote hoping they do something about the slipperyness; had problems with that in the BLT elevator are and the bridge itself in Nov/Dec 2009. or was it Jan/Feb 2010? Could've even been both I suppose...

I'd also LOVE to see something done about rain protection. Perahaps a creative roof extension and/or clear glass shielding (perhaps offset a foot out from the bridge railing to still allow airflow?) so the wind and rain aren't so bad on the bridge during inclement weather!

 

[Alexander]

I hope the architect who designed BLT has been let go. There seem to be many design flaws for such a highly popular (and expensive) resort. It is so unfortunate that things have to be redone already on this new resort.

I don't think we will ever stay there because of the ledge with the balcony railings. I have a four year old who would be standing on it in an instant. Seriously what on earth were they thinking?

Come on already--excessive wear on the furniture, fingerprints on the appliances, no lock on the bathroom door that tends to not slide smoothly, the balcony ledge, slippery tiled floors--these are not random guest complaints, these are design flaws.

 

[Tara]

I hope the architect who designed BLT has been let go. There seem to be many design flaws for such a highly popular (and expensive) resort. It is so unfortunate that things have to be redone already on this new resort.

I don't think we will ever stay there because of the ledge with the balcony railings. I have a four year old who would be standing on it in an instant. Seriously what on earth were they thinking?

Come on already--excessive wear on the furniture, fingerprints on the appliances, no lock on the bathroom door that tends to not slide smoothly, the balcony ledge, slippery tiled floors--these are not random guest complaints, these are design flaws.

The architect has nothing to do with wear on furniture, fingerprints on appliances, locks on doors, slider door operation or slippery floor tile.

 

[Checkers]

I hope the architect who designed BLT has been let go. There seem to be many design flaws for such a highly popular (and expensive) resort. It is so unfortunate that things have to be redone already on this new resort.

I don't think we will ever stay there because of the ledge with the balcony railings. I have a four year old who would be standing on it in an instant. Seriously what on earth were they thinking?

Come on already--excessive wear on the furniture, fingerprints on the appliances, no lock on the bathroom door that tends to not slide smoothly, the balcony ledge, slippery tiled floors--these are not random guest complaints, these are design flaws.

Couldn't agree with you more. We just returned earlier this week from our stay at BLT in a studio (originally were supposed to be at OKW but due to a plumbing problem in our room and OKW was 100% capacity, we opted to go to BLT) and couldn't believe the design flaws. Also, why in the world would you build a DVC resort of this size and not offer a front desk, concierge, restaurant of some type and all the other amenitites usually associated with DVC directly in the same building? Having to go outside the building, especially when they closed the walkway for repairs, was a pain especially when it was raining.

My DH & I both agreed we won't be returning to BLT any time in the future. Traveling with our small grandchildren would prohibit staying there as mentioned above because of the balcony railings. Just not safe. While we enjoyed our room and had a great lake view it was just not for us. I know there are DVC members that just love it and that's great. Different strokes for different folks as they say.

Another thing I found out and wonder if anyone else knows this -- there is only one mode of transportation from Epcot to the Contemporary/BLT and that is the monorail. I attempted to take a bus (because I wanted to take a direct route to the hotel) and was told I had to take the monorail. Interesting.

 

[Tara]

My sister-in-law just checked in today and called to tell me the bridge is closed for the week. Anyone know what type of work they are doing to it?

I heard from a bus driver that they're finally going to connect it to all the parks and run it through the black "holes" in the Swan & Dolphin.

<-- I crack myself up way too easily...must be lack of sleep

 

[dclfun]

I also hope they fix the walkway. We've not stayed there yet ( and I have no desire to stay there) but I have visited friends who are DVC members in their villa. We went over to the CR to do some shopping and the walkway was terribly crowded. Even though I need that pushbutton ( use a power wheelchair) in other resorts you must first use your KTTW card before the button is activated. While a minor inconvenience, I'd rather see it set up this way than to have everyone pushing the disabled access button to get in a resort which is supposed to be exclusive access for BLT guests only.---Kathy

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The architect has nothing to do with wear on furniture, fingerprints on appliances, locks on doors, slider door operation or slippery floor tile.

No - that would be a designer. I've wondered the same thing about them - if they still have their job. The architect I've wondered about for not maximizing direct views of the MK.

 

[FCCA]

Checkers, I suspected that because BLT and Epcot are both on the monorail line, Disney didn't feel there was a need for a bus.

In a lot of ways I'd rather they keep it the way it is. The monorails arrive fairly often, and the transfer at the TTS is quick. There have been times when we've missed our bus, and had to wait 10-15 minutes.

 

[DenLo]

. . . . . . Also, why in the world would you build a DVC resort of this size and not offer a front desk, concierge, restaurant of some type and all the other amenitites usually associated with DVC directly in the same building? Having to go outside the building, especially when they closed the walkway for repairs, was a pain especially when it was raining.

Except for AKV all of the DVC resorts associated with a large Disney hotel, BCV (BC), BWV (BWI), VWL (WL) and BLT (CR) are set up so that you check in at the main resort. I think they only set up AKV differently because there is only one option to get to the hotel and that is a fairly long walk outdoors. Hopefully it won't be long before the skybridge is reopen.

It the same with the restaurants and shops for those hotels, they are located at the main hotel, not within the DVC resort. Based on OKW and SSR it looks like at these combined resorts you get more of a selection of restaurants and shops.

As to your comments and Alexandars regarding the unsafe balcony for young children, I still can't believe they have not blocked that step off. They also need better safety locks and (locate them higher up) on the balcony doors. We had trouble opening the double locks the first time, but I have heard that it's a piece of cake for 3 year old.

 

[ScrappinGran]

I have heard of all the problems except the unsafe balconies.
What is unsafe about them? We will be at BLT in 34 days. Don't expect tobe too high up as we have a dedicated 2 BR standard villa reserved, but am concerned. We will have 3 grandkids with us!

 

[TiaMaria]

I heard from a bus driver that they're finally going to connect it to all the parks and run it through the black "holes" in the Swan & Dolphin.

<-- I crack myself up way too easily...must be lack of sleep

Oh, I don't know....I got lots of sleep last night, but you cracked me up too!

 

[smjj]

Architech or designer it makes no difference what they did or how badly they did it. They presented their plans to Disney and they bought off on them. No locks on bathroom doors to sky bridge disign, they were all approved by the powers to be at Disney...smjj

 

[Sandisw]

I have heard of all the problems except the unsafe balconies.
What is unsafe about them? We will be at BLT in 34 days. Don't expect tobe too high up as we have a dedicated 2 BR standard villa reserved, but am concerned. We will have 3 grandkids with us!

The way the ledge is under the railing. You can actually step up on it.

 

[Tara]

Architech or designer it makes no difference what they did or how badly they did it. They presented their plans to Disney and they bought off on them. No locks on bathroom doors to sky bridge disign, they were all approved by the powers to be at Disney...smjj

Lots of hotels don't have locks on the bathroom doors, including THV IIRC.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Lots of hotels don't have locks on the bathroom doors, including THV IIRC.

The THV main hall bath has a slide lock on the door. The master bath did not but there is a water closet with a door inside the master bath area.

 

[anna08]

I don't think we will ever stay there because of the ledge with the balcony railings. I have a four year old who would be standing on it in an instant. Seriously what on earth were they thinking?

The balconies are a parents' NIGHTMARE - at least they were for us. Thanks to the Dis boards we were on the lookout when we first went in our room and put the balcony furniture in the room and told the kids they could not be on balcony without us. Doors locked. Well, best of plans...I was showering and DH got an unexpected serious business phone call so needed to step away from kids to have quiet. They went out to our bedroom balcony where he had been and our 2 1/2 DS was standing on that ledge/wall when I walked out of the bathroom!!!

I knew if I screamed I would startle him so I ran as fast as I could and got him down. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I have dealt with many life-threatening situations in my career with calm, but I almost threw up when I realized what could have happened. Needless to say, NO ONE went out on the balconies after that - the doors stayed locked for the rest of the trip. I didn't sleep the entire night after that because I couldn't clear the image of him up there from my head. So please everyone learn from our error and be vigilant about those balconies. Sorry to change the subject.

 

[dclfun]

The balconies are a parents' NIGHTMARE - at least they were for us. Thanks to the Dis boards we were on the lookout when we first went in our room and put the balcony furniture in the room and told the kids they could not be on balcony without us. Doors locked. Well, best of plans...I was showering and DH got an unexpected serious business phone call so needed to step away from kids to have quiet. They went out to our bedroom balcony where he had been and our 2 1/2 DS was standing on that ledge/wall when I walked out of the bathroom!!!

I knew if I screamed I would startle him so I ran as fast as I could and got him down. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I have dealt with many life-threatening situations in my career with calm, but I almost threw up when I realized what could have happened. Needless to say, NO ONE went out on the balconies after that - the doors stayed locked for the rest of the trip. I didn't sleep the entire night after that because I couldn't clear the image of him up there from my head. So please everyone learn from our error and be vigilant about those balconies. Sorry to change the subject.

Thanks for the warning! I still have no desire to stay at BLT but if my kids wanted to give it a try, I'd book a few nights there. I can't imagine such a nightmare with my 3 year old grandson. I'd have had a heart attack right there seeing my precious little guy on the ledge. You did well to keep calm!---Kathy

 

[Sammie]

Everything at BLT was approved by Jim Lewis the blame belongs there. Even though many on the operations staff did not feel the materials selected would hold up to wear and tear their concerns were ignored.

 

[spiceycat]

I knew if I screamed I would startle him so I ran as fast as I could and got him down. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I have dealt with many life-threatening situations in my career with calm, but I almost threw up when I realized what could have happened. Needless to say, NO ONE went out on the balconies after that - the doors stayed locked for the rest of the trip. I didn't sleep the entire night after that because I couldn't clear the image of him up there from my head. So please everyone learn from our error and be vigilant about those balconies. Sorry to change the subject.

Is your husband still alive?

if you have not would definitely write to DVC and Disney and tell them what happening.

they knew back at the models this would be a problem. They definitely had time to fix it.

definitely make Disney (and their lawyers) aware this is a problem and Disney is responsible. Disney has a tendency to care more about little ones than use old timers - so hoping they can and will do something.

just writing DVC won't work - Jim Lewis did not do anything the first time it was brought to his notice - and really doubt he will now.

but disney might!

 

[ddoc185blt]

Checking in on the 21st. Should it be open by then