BLT access bridge closed for 1 week

[smjj]

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

I don't care, I still want locks on the doors. These slide and leave that small little gap. Many others here apparently aggree with me. Our next trip we will have a party of ten with small kids. A little lock would to us and many others would be very nice. Beside on this post I was responding to others as to who was to blame/give credit to as to the design of the place...smjj

 

[disneynutz]

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 final approval for the design and furnishings was Disney and Disney isn't perfect. In the last several years, they have reduced the number of in house experts and Imagineers to increase profits. The design problems with Expedition Everest and BLT are good example of the new Disney and the problems that they are creating.

The lower than average dues at BLT are temporary. Disney's poor design and materials selection will result in additional costs for the owners not Disney.

 

[JWG]

Disney's poor design and materials selection will result in additional costs for the owners not Disney.

I think this is grossly over exaggerated. Yes dues will rise at BLT as they have everywhere. Yes, they may rise at a higher % than some of the other resorts that have more owners (fewer owners to share the cost). But I do not agree that significant design flaws and poor material selection will result in grossly more cost for BLT owners.

There are also benefits at BLT that will keep costs down:
- Shared services with CR such as check-in desk and other resort staff
- No independent restaurants and shops (mostly) - all at CR
- One contained structure, fewer roofs, less siding, etc. to maintain
- No elaborate exterior areas to maintain (i.e. Boardwalk)

Also, I think the wear and tear will now settle down. When everything is brand new, you notice each ding. Stainless steel shows fingerprints very easily and is hard to clean - that's not a design flaw or additional cost. The balcony situation is unfortunate, but also not a design flaw with cost. It's just an area for parents to focus on closely with kids.

Other issues that people have complained about, the kitchenette - won't be changed so no cost, the sliding doors/no locks would likely only change during a planned refurbishment - no additional cost.

Those sliding doors, by the way, are not unique to BLT. It's a very "trendy" and "contemporary" design used at other hotels now, too. I've stayed at multiple locations doing the same in the past 2 years.

BLT certainly isn't perfect and it absolutely is like buying a condo in Manhattan, you don't get the same physical location for your buck as you do in Des Moines, IA (OKW/SSR). But you are paying for the location and ability to see the MK fireworks every night without admission whether from your room or the TOWL.

BLT also gets a bad rap as it's different from the other DVC resorts. Though, it's selling just fine so I guess it can't be that bad of a rap.

 

[disneynutz]

I think this is grossly over exaggerated. Yes dues will rise at BLT as they have everywhere. Yes, they may rise at a higher % than some of the other resorts that have more owners (fewer owners to share the cost). But I do not agree that significant design flaws and poor material selection will result in grossly more cost for BLT owners.

But you are paying for the location and ability to see the MK fireworks every night without admission whether from your room or the TOWL.

BLT also gets a bad rap as it's different from the other DVC resorts. Though, it's selling just fine so I guess it can't be that bad of a rap.

Owners will be paying for repairs and maintenance, that is not a exaggeration.

TOWL belongs to Disney, not the BLT owners. Many are of the opinion that when no longer needed as a marketing tool, TOWL will be restricted to private parties and special events. The "Attic" at BWV also started as a marketing tool and was later changed to private use.

BLT is selling due to Disney's excellent marketing. Most buyers like the location and don't know anything else about the building or about the DVC.

Bill

 

[Alexander]

Also, I think the wear and tear will now settle down. When everything is brand new, you notice each ding. Stainless steel shows fingerprints very easily and is hard to clean - that's not a design flaw or additional cost. The balcony situation is unfortunate, but also not a design flaw with cost. It's just an area for parents to focus on closely with kids..

I love that the balcony isn't a design flaw with a cost---until someone goes over and DVC/WDW/DVD whoever has a major lawsuit on their hands.

BLT owners are definately going to see their dues start to go up to maintain this building. If already they have to replace/fix/whatever they flooring on the access bridge. Guests and owners alike are not going to tolerate worn out furniture. Have you seen the complaints about the dirty carpet at the BCV?

Disney has done wonderful marketing with this building. As it was being built, what it was going to be was a big hush hush secret. Many (not all) of the people as disneynutz said are buying into BLT that have little or no DVC experience.

 

[adminjedi]

I still can't get over the bathroom sink and kitchenette being in the same space!

 

[1967 shelby gt 350]

Owners will be paying for repairs and maintenance, that is not a exaggeration.

TOWL belongs to Disney, not the BLT owners. Many are of the opinion that when no longer needed as a marketing tool, TOWL will be restricted to private parties and special events. The "Attic" at BWV also started as a marketing tool and was later changed to private use.

BLT is selling due to Disney's excellent marketing. Most buyers like the location and don't know anything else about the building or about the DVC.

Bill

Bill, Do you know how long it took for the "Attic" to be converted to private use? Before we bought, my husband read the entire packet of information. He saw the part that TOWL was to stay Disney owned. I hope and pray that maybe it will be closed only when there is a party booked and be open to DVC members the rest of the time. I guess only time will tell. Darla

 

[JWG]

Owners will be paying for repairs and maintenance, that is not a exaggeration.

Bill

My point is that I think people exaggerate how much "repair and maintenance" will be required and that BLT dues will climb exponentially in comparison to other resorts. I can't see them climbing any faster than BWV has. And, that there are less things to "maintain" at BLT. No boardwalk, no extravagent exterior landscape or designs, one roof versus several villa buildings, reduced exterior building surfaces, etc.

I love that the balcony isn't a design flaw with a cost---until someone goes over and DVC/WDW/DVD whoever has a major lawsuit on their hands.

BLT owners are definately going to see their dues start to go up to maintain this building. If already they have to replace/fix/whatever they flooring on the access bridge. Guests and owners alike are not going to tolerate worn out furniture. Have you seen the complaints about the dirty carpet at the BCV?

The railing isn't a design flaw. Is it coming lose? Is the ledge crumbling? I understand and get the safety concerns, I have a DD (4) that I don't want climbing on it. But, that to me is not a flaw that's going to cost me money. I just need to be dilgent with my child. That's like saying it's a design flaw that the MK RR tracks don't have a wall to prevent someone from wandering onto the tracks and being hit by the train (yes, now I'm exaggerating).

Yes, I've read the BCV complaints, we had the same complaints at the BWV a few years back. It also shows that they won't just immediately replace things at the first sign of minimal wear. I don't believe, unless broken, things in BLT will be replaced before their use cycle. I've also read the BLT complaints and don't think dues will sky rocket because people don't like the water pressure, sliding bathroom door, scratches in the table or fingerprints on the fridge.

My only point was, there's opinion that BLT dues will sky rocket compared to other resorts and I don't think that's true. There's a lot of things BLT doesn't offer that would be a dues cost that other resorts do.

 

[disneynutz]

Bill, Do you know how long it took for the "Attic" to be converted to private use? Before we bought, my husband read the entire packet of information. He saw the part that TOWL was to stay Disney owned. I hope and pray that maybe it will be closed only when there is a party booked and be open to DVC members the rest of the time. I guess only time will tell. Darla

The Attic was before my time. I do know that every time we stay at BWV, the Attic is being used for some event.

Disney doesn't do anything without a reason and the fact that they made it quite clear that TOWL does not belong to the DVC speaks volumes.

The cost to keep it open and operating for the few people that go up there doesn't make financial sense. I don't know if the cost currently is being paid by us BLT owners, DVD, or both.

Bill

 

[spiceycat]

you know surprised that Disney (who is quick) is not suing the manufacture of the furniture.

with BWV it was the plumbing then the outside part that both time the contractor had to redo. Know that part or BWV maintence fees are for the time when Disney will have to redo.

BCV problems - really problems were taken care of - you just had to kept calling.

so far in all my BLT only had one room with the knived table also it had candle wax on that table. the others have been fine.

even OKW had problems - any new place is going to have problems - you just need to stay on maintence. had a handicapped room and could not open the door - it took him 3 hours to fix it (think I would have replaced the door).

at AKV it was the air conditioning. have allergies - well as some as I walked in the AKV room got sick. and noticed that the air conditioning had problems. So maintence came - the first person could not fix it - so another person came when he pulled out the air filter I had to leave. It was awfully. Evidently the maintence staff did not realize that changing the air filters had not been done after the rehab. It was a mistake -anyone can and does makes mistake. at AKV the next day the maintence changed every filter in the DVC part.

still also unhappy about the lack of blinds - really miss them - you could close them at the other resorts and still see out a little bit - at BLT it is either the entire view or nothing.

 

[JWG]

The Attic was before my time. I do know that every time we stay at BWV, the Attic is being used for some event.

Disney doesn't do anything without a reason and the fact that they made it quite clear that TOWL does not belong to the DVC speaks volumes.

The cost to keep it open and operating for the few people that go up there doesn't make financial sense. I don't know if the cost currently is being paid by us BLT owners, DVD, or both.

Bill

I don't remember the attic being open even when my family first purchased BWV back in 1999. If it was, they weren't advertising it heavily.

 

[spiceycat]

I don't remember the attic being open even when my family first purchased BWV back in 1999. If it was, they weren't advertising it heavily.

It opened before 1999 - 95 or 96 I think. It was only open for a few weeks - we were there the second week (just brought it) and got to see it that time only.

the next time about 3 months later - it was closed. They changed all their advertisement stuff and it was taken out. they did not wait for BWV to sell out before taken Attic away.

 

[dis-happy]

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

It's hard to pin them down, but today a helpful CM told me it should be open either either the 17th-18th-19th.

 

[TisBit]

you know surprised that Disney (who is quick) is not suing the manufacture of the furniture.

A lawsuit would be expensive and not necessarily in the best interest of Disney. In order to receive damages of it would have to be defective or not meeting the contractual requirements.....

Disney is far better off strong arming the manufacture into getting partial refunds, extra furniture under the threat of black balling them from doing business with Disney again. All of this would be done behind closed doors and Disney would just allow the furniture to degrade to a point of being unusable and replace as needed.

I am sure there are many punch lists of problems being created for BLT on warranty items that need to be addressed. Even the bridge work, coming at the 1 year mark could be warranty work from the contractors. Typically you have several points post construction where the owner turns in a punch list of necessary repairs.

 

[quirty30]

It's hard to pin them down, but today a helpful CM told me it should be open either either the 17th-18th-19th.

Oh nice - we check in on the 18th and won't have a car. Thus using the front entrance would be bit of an inconvenience.

 

[Tara]

Oh nice - we check in on the 18th and won't have a car. Thus using the front entrance would be bit of an inconvenience.

What is the car-convenience connection? I'm not clear...

 

[1967 shelby gt 350]

Anyone know if it is still closed? If still closed, can you see what they are doing to it? If open, what did they do? Any pictures out there?

 

[disneynutz]

Anyone know if it is still closed? If still closed, can you see what they are doing to it? If open, what did they do? Any pictures out there?

It has been confirmed that they are adding a non-slip surface to the walkway.

Bill

 

[spiceycat]

Oh nice - we check in on the 18th and won't have a car. Thus using the front entrance would be bit of an inconvenience.

why the back entrance works just fine and is closer to the elevators.

it is over closer to the swimming pool at CR. (but not quit that far)

 

[disneynutz]

You can use the ground floor door at BLT across from the elevators closest to the Contemporary. That is a shorter distance then the main front or rear doors.

Bill