BLT not up to par

[work2play]

If it wasn't for BLT, we would not be members of DVC. We have stayed at BLT 4 times 1 BR and studios. The location and views are spectacular! I don't want to feel like I am at home when I am on vacation. I would never have the color scheme nor the contemporary themes in my house. The point for me is to get away from home! I do agree that there does seem to be more damage than what I would expect given the age, but frankly it has not seemed worse than what I have seen at BWV AFTER the rennovation! I can't wait to check in to a dedicated 2 BR next week!

 

[maminnie]

What a shame to hear such reports about a new DVC resort and a beautiful one at that. How in the world can we already have to discuss renovations at this resort.

It took years before DVC renovated some of the other DVC resorts. If they wait that long at BLT, it sounds like some of the furniture issues, etc. will be in total disrepair or quite simply look terrible.

With a resort that would likely be filled to capacity most of the time and with lots of children, why in the world would they use such questionable quality, easily damaged items???? Seems like very poor decisions/selections as this resort was being designed.

 

[webcs]

Unfortunately I have similar complaints, just got back yesterday from a four night studio stay.

First of all, before I share my complaints, I must stress we had a great time. Do not want to be bombed with being nit-picky. I feel it was WORTH the points I spent seeing the convenience of where it is located. So as far as value, it is worth it. But that does not really excuse some of the things that should be fixed.

We arrived at 4pm, the computer system was down. The lobby staff from managers to cast members seems unprepared for this (but we all know its happened before).

We were told to put our name down and they would call us when things were ready. We sat and waited, 4:40. We see people getting cards. Um, shouldn't the people that need to be called be called first? I have a feeling they would not have called us till 7.

So we go to check-in, again (nothing we did the online check-in). Ok there, a little annoyed but things are ok. We are then told our room is not ready. Ok....not happy.

They were ready to make us sit again when I reminded them that I pay taxes on that room, it is not just a hotel room. The manager jetted to the room to see if it was ready and not in the computer. Which we discovered it was.

Staff seem to be running with their heads chopped off and its nothing like any DVC lobby. Why they couldn't add 1000 sqft in the tower lobby go make an actual lobby is beyond me. We were not "welcomed home" and I know that's a tiny thing, but its just not the same. It is like checking into a hotel. That is not DVC.

Lobby: horrible. Hotel feeling, cause it is a hotel. No place for the kids to relax like in every other DVC, although we didn't have the kids with us.

ROOM: well, it was plenty of room for us (2), great lake view. The bathroom door having no lock, well, that's just weird but we knew about that already. I would agree the furniture is cheap-ish and does look like IKEA.

What got us was the lack of a full length mirror? There is an entire empty wall in the bathroom with nothing on it. Why not install a mirror? The toilet paper handle was also falling off the wall, I bet its doing that in alot of rooms.

At the end of our trip, we did talk to a manger and they gave us a small but totally fair cash reimbursement for the check-in issues. Totally fair. Totally happy with that.

And as said we did have fun, but I can't fathom how they spent that amount of money on that building but did not go the extra mile. It really has no theming at all and no DVC feeling to it at all.

FOOD: Well we ate elsewhere mostly but ate at the contempo a few times and I must say we love their quick service food. Very high quality.

WOULD WE RETURN: Yes. But we would not buy points directly there. We are holders at another DVC and are thinking of adding more points, but not a BLT. The facility is ripe for a remodel already.

 

[Splat25]

We had a decent first trip there in October with a 1 bedroom MK view, room 7620. I expected some wear based off other reviews, but it wasn't as ragged out as I'd imagined it would be. The only issues we saw is that dining room table top had some wear andthe door to the master bath shower leaked a lot and we has to have towel dams to stop the puddles. We were fine with the rain shower head and used it pretty often as the angled one in the wall was a bit short for me (I'm 6'1" and expect that when I travel). Other than those minor issues, our stay was great and we really enjoyed it. We are glad we bought DVC and are looking to add on in the near future if we can afford it.

 

[McCrae]

I hope that everyone who has experienced poor quality fittings sends feedback to DVC.

 

[disneynutz]

BLT is my home (I have my rusty name on the fountain to prove it) and it is a great location but the project cost cutting was just too much

Do you think that this is just the start of the new Disney? Seems like they are cutting everywhere, IMO too much.

Bill

 

[kevmag]

We're relatively new owners, bought into BLT 2 years ago.
We've stayed mostly there, but have also done nights here and there at Kidani, Wilderness, Saratoga, Old Key West and Hilton Head (on our drives to and from WDW).

I am still glad we bought BLT (almost exclusively for the location..being so close to Magic Kingdom was the primary factor for us). And the few times we've stayed at BLT, we've gotten Lake Views, looking over the marina, which we love also.

But I have to admit, the resort itself feels cold, stark..and I also see the wear and tear starting already. If BLT was not a short walk to Magic Kingdom, i would be regretting our purchase there.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Do you think that this is just the start of the new Disney? Seems like they are cutting everywhere, IMO too much.

Bill

You would think but then you look at the other projects (THV, VGC, AKV) and I feel something different is at work. Maybe DVD spent so much on infrastructure at blt that they cheaped out on finishing and fit.

Just off the Dream and very impressed with the quality everything in the staterooms and around the ship. Details were paid attention to. It's not perfect, but I took away that care was engineered into the staterooms.

I have to agree with the poster about no full length mirrors in blt studios ( I do belive they are adding with remodel). I can pay 1/2 the points for a Value studio at AKV and get the Comparable size studio with 2 full length mirrors and double sinks. Totally different location but I don't work at MK, it's not a job, I don't go everyday so I appreciate my resort more when on vacation.

 

[jade1]

I dont know, a lot of complaining usually does lead to improvements so in a way its hard not to pile on. Even as someone owning points at BLT, and therefore on the hook for possible higher dues etc I really dont mind paying more for better upkeep and improvements. Plus if complaining diminishes the demand that's a good thing. That's why we were willing to pay extra for the location/monorail/MK views at BLT in the first place, and mostly to lock down the MK View at 11 months, which we did.

But I really cant pile on after staying there. Our room is all I can speak for, and it was incredible. It was a 1BR (we have 5) so I cant speak for a studio-although I do know my pants look the same with a 1/2 mirror as with a full mirror (much less 2) so not super concerned there. Very minimal wear and being an extension of the Contemporary-the theming fit very well. The huge windows, new stainless appliances, new bathroom tiles and fixtures. Compared to some of the aging DVC resorts it was really nice we thought.

Making the lobby 10 feet wider on each side (about 1000 ft) wouldn't change a thing IMO. It seemed fine with the glass wall out to the fountain that has our name on anyway.

The positives would far outweigh any of the possible negatives I read about on here. I mean if it had no lobby at all, no TOTWL, no room service, even no pool area at all-we would still take the room we had for 1/2 our trip every time-we always split stays with BCV or BWV for EPCOT.

The one end table had a couple scuffs but I'm sure this resort is packed 100% of the time like BCV as 7 monthers scramble for the real thing, so expect the usual extra wear and minimal downtime to keep up with it, to occur here as well. Still wont change the view and the location which is what we are after.

 

[jade1]

Its was hard to notice insignicant things in our room.

Especially since our room was closer to Space Mountain than the middle of Main Street is to Space Mountain, gave off a nice feeling.

Eating at the table:

Preparing food on the island:

Sitting on the king bed:

 

[Eventer98]

We stayed in a studio for the first time in Jan. Like many PP's said...no lock on the bathroom door (and it not sliding closed all the way..there was a 1in crack) was upsetting. If my two toddlers had been on this trip there would have been NO privacy for DH or I while in the bathroom. I also did not like that the sink was in the kitchen! Nothing like brushing your teeth in the AM while someone is making breakfast..lol We don't own there and won't be staying there again anytime soon

 

[diding]

I haven't stayed in a studio either but as BLT owners, we definitely bought in because of the location which is the best one of all resorts. Hope they make the improvements they need to.

 

[DHar]

yikes.....well atleast after reading this thread it should be alot easier for us to get our room......

 

[AlwaysPlanning]

After our second trip home Dec-24-30 2010 we stayed in 7728 and the shower was full of mold. The grout on the wall with the "pretty colored" tiles were delicatly framed by black mold. I ment to take a pic but I dont normally grab my camera when going to take a shower and never remembered when I was out. There is no way that this could be cleaned as one spray of bleach would eliminate this condition.

I did send a letter and guess what no response. I guess I didnt expect one!

Our first trip in Dec 2009, 3 months after BLT opend the nicks and scratches were obvious. After this trip I overlooked these minor blemishes and was very concerned about the lack of cleaning and maintenance issues. I read we spend over a million on mousekeeping! we are not getting our $$$ worth. Now to add bleach to my packing list!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I overlook many things, but this is what I stepped on when i got into bed

It was hard set stain. I didn't check into my studio until after 10pm so no excuse for housekeeping not to clean this. Instead I called the next morning and they sent the carpet cleaner up. He made a quick pass of the visible area and left. Meanwhile I was in the bathroom with no lock on the door when he came into the studio.

If you look under the couch that part of the stain still remained after cleaning since he did not move the couch to clean.

My shower hooks were rusty and the grab bar leaked rust into the tub.

My view was great btw!

 

[RadioFanatic]

I recently sent Member Satisfaction this email and was wondering if anyone else has had similar problems.


I Recently stayed in Bay Lake Tower on Dec xth thru the xxth in Room 7810 and 7808 (two bedroom lockoff). I was extremely disappointed in the condition of the room for a building which has only recently come online. I am an owner of Bay Lake Tower and would expect a much better experience from DVC. First of all the bedroom door in 7810 did not latch and the drawer handle was broken off under the living room tv. I called maintenance and these were addressed but the handle continued to give us problems throughout our stay. I was also extremely disappointed to find the rain shower head had been replaced with an ugly brass cap which I also called maintenance about and was informed that it had been permanently removed. I had not seen any notice regarding this design flaw and was shocked to hear that. There was also extensive wear on the black laminate in rm 7808 and a tear in the couch in that room as well. The bathroom in 7808 had shower hooks which were completely rusted and the grab bar in the bath was screwed in with non stainless screws and had a trail of rust streaming into the bath. I had brought a friend as a guest and he was contemplating joining DVC but was second guessing that decision based on the condition of the room.
I was extremely disappointed in the overall condition of the room and the fact that its condition had declined so fast after the buildings opening.
I was also disappointed in the fact that the bathroom lock situation has not been fixed yet. I had three small kids in the room and having bathroom doors that do not lock are a safety problem and privacy problem.

Is 7808 the studio part of the lockoff? I'm positive that's the studio we stayed in from 11/26-11/28 and it couldn't have been in better condition. no ripped couch or scratches. We loved it! I wonder if someone did something bw our stay and yours.

 

[JandT'smom]

yikes.....well atleast after reading this thread it should be alot easier for us to get our room......

Actually it is..we booked using our points (home resort HHI) a 1 bedroom lake view Starting Easter Sunday for 5 nights. WE booked on Feb 2, 2011.