BLT- The Naked Truth

[edk35]

This is very irritating that guests would do this.. I suspect it is not DVC members but the people renting the rooms for cash. I sure hope that we don't have to pay for damages caused when they rent rooms for cash like that.

We just stayed there last week and the table was scratched as well. FYI, the shower dripping has happened in every room we have stayed in even when it was new. The only way I have found to deal with it is to turn on the hot water through the shower head above and let it run a bit, then divert it back.. At least then it drips warm water while you are taking a shower.

It is kinda like renters vs. buyers. People who buy a house are more likely to take care of it, renters may not always take care of a rented house. So I suspect that BLT owners (DVC members in general) are the ones taking care of their resorts and the cash guests are not.

 

[edk35]

I truly wish you were right, but the 2010 Disney is not the Disney of the past when everything was truly impecable. The cut backs through the years have taken their toll, and while they are still superior to the competition, they are not the sterling company they once were.

MG

I agree...when I went in the early 80's you could eat off the bathroom floors in MK. It was soooooooooooooo clean back then.

 

[Greysword]

I agree with the PP. Things may not be like they were in the 'good ole' days' but Disney still way exceeds on providing a axcellent experience for a family vacation... Although BLT is not perfect, I still find it much better than the high end hotels I have stayed in this year.

I agree with you 100%. I am definately not ashamed of Disney, as I tout it's quality and magic to anyone who will listen. I am proud to show off our DVC resorts to any of our family and friends, who are willing to join us.

Personally, I am comparing Disney to Disney, since there is no competition for me . In fact, I think we are mainly comparing DVC to DVC, and voicing our concerns in case someone is listening .

- Chris

 

[smjj]

The last time we entered the Magic Kingdom the lack of once pristine care was brought home. I was waiting for my wife to exit the ladies restrooms to the left by the fire station. As I was waiting I noticed the once fancy return boards on the roof lines were rotting out and not painted. It takes time for this to happen. I was thinking, several years ago, this board would have been replaced as soon as the rot was noticed. Its stuff like this that makes me wonder what has happened over the many years. Could you imagine if Walt had seen this rotten board, he would have had a fit...smjj

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

The last time we entered the Magic Kingdom the lack of once pristine care was brought home. I was waiting for my wife to exit the ladies restrooms to the left by the fire station. As I was waiting I noticed the once fancy return boards on the roof lines were rotting out and not painted. It takes time for this to happen. I was thinking, several years ago, this board would have been replaced as soon as the rot was noticed. Its stuff like this that makes me wonder what has happened over the many years. Could you imagine if Walt had seen this rotten board, he would have had a fit...smjj

Well, in the REALLY old days, Walt never would have seen that, right? DL & WDW- (it was only the MK at first....) especially Main Street- were cleaned & & had paint & landscaping spruced up NIGHTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That attention to detail & caring for its guests really helped spread lots of pixiedust around!!!! And definitely set DISNEY apart from the average theme park.

On several recent trips, I've discussed this with several CM 'suits' as the opportunity arose...the younger ones don't really get it. But the few older ones I've spoken to (who haven't left/retired yet) are VERY saddened by the the changes.

 

[smjj]

Well, in the REALLY old days, Walt never would have seen that, right? DL & WDW- (it was only the MK at first....) especially Main Street- were cleaned & & had paint & landscaping spruced up NIGHTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That attention to detail & caring for its guests really helped spread lots of pixiedust around!!!! And definitely set DISNEY apart from the average theme park.

Correct, In the days we started going there, you would never see a burned out bulb or rotting wood on the buildings. It has only been in the last few years this has started happening. Todays younger visitors are just not that concerned I guess, they just make the statement, oh well it better then the competition but then that is not saying much. Disney once set the standard, now they are just happy to be a little better than the park down the road...smjj

 

[rlduvall]

Last June we stayed at AKV Kidani for 3 nights in a studio [after 7 nights in a BCV studio] and the air conditioner definitely had a problem. I complained [apparently too nicely] to the front desk every day about how the thermostat read 68 [which personally is perfect for summer at WDW], but it was more like 75 with humidity. For example, I always tidy up the room in the morning before we leave for the parks and the back of my neck would already be sweating before we left our room; and I didn't sleep well at night because of it. While the front desk was pleasant enough, I never felt they really cared and, of course, it was never fixed, even though I was assured every morning it would be. I was truly disillusioned with DVC when I came home. BUT, I expressed my concerns to Guest Member Satisfaction and felt they rectified the situation as best they could. I remember mentioning this issue in a mini-review here on the Dis then and most people were defensive letting me know how cold their AC was there. Good - I'm happy for ya - I'm just telling you what I experienced.

Fast forward to June of this year with 3 nights at BLT in a studio. Our studio at BLT was wonderfully cold, but I was definitely concerned about it beforehand. To the OP and others who suffered with low performing AC, I'm so sorry you got "that" room and I totally understand how uncomfortable it can be. I find it very disappointing that sometimes the front desk at DVC resorts don't seem to put as much effort into pleasing the 'members' when things go awry as they do 'paying cash' customers.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Last summer (35th visit) I was at MK Opening Ceremony. As the train pulled in & Mickey began the countdown I looked around & observed at least 3 grown men in the crowd teary-eyed, grinning & shaking their heads in awe. That doesn't include the ladies & kids who were gob-smacked! Next to me was a CM in a suit & as I choked back tears (4th MK Opening for me)... I told him I still find it amazing how WDW manages to create magic EVERY DAY & thanked him! He smiled & said, "We believe that EVERY DAY is a new day at WDW & present our show as if everyone is seeing it for the first time."

Many things are NOT as perfect as the old days at WDW, but yes, it is still magical for my family.

I am teary-eyed reading this! I have been going to WDW since it opened and I still cry at the MK Opening Ceremony. It is a great start to the day!

 

[Disney On The Bayou]

Just had the opportunity to read this post and I would like to add something that hasn't been mentioned. Mousekeeping! I'm not talking about dirty rooms, I'm speaking of room abuse. I used to be fairly upset at guest when i saw poor conditioned rooms, however, after witnessing some rough mousekepping I know why the rooms look the way they do. They ram their vacuums into furniture, bump their carts and are very rough in general. I noticed this the first time about five years ago at VWL and then again last year at OKW.

Just my two-cents...

 

[Chic]

I agree that Mousekeeping has declined. During the past couple of years when staying in a 2-Bedroom Villa, I had to clean food crumbs off the kitchen island and clean smear marks off of cabinets as soon as I checked into the room. I assume these employees are overworked and under paid.

 

[E&EMom]

We stayed in February in a dedicated 2 bedroom on the sixth floor and the condition of the room was not what I would have considered "good". The dishwasher did not have a kick plate on it, the carpet at the kitchen had threads where it was coming up. The carpet was already stained and the furniture had scratches. I don't believe the furnishings will last at all. I was also disappointed in the lack of a true child proof lock on the balcony door in the living room. My 3 year old had it opened in a matter of seconds. The bathroom doors were not fun with a 18 month old who was fascinated with opening and closing them. I have to say that I was disappointed in the lack of quality at BLT in the rooms.

 

[lugnut33]

WOW - I think ours is extreme when we set at 75. It was 74 downstairs this morning at my kids said they were cold - and we live in Wisconsin so we are use to it being cooler not warmer. We do set it at 68 but that is in the winter time

Live in WI also and we set our at 71. Sometimes I get hot and will lower it down to 70 for a little bit. IF i could live in the refridgerator I would. I love walking into those large beer coolers they have in gas stations.

You know, if it was up to me they only need to put a mattress sheet on the bed since I don't like any covers at all. Imagine all the money they could save if they did that? No blankets or bed covers.