BLT Views

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Hey all,

First let me say that I understand that salespeople can and will do anything for a sale, so I am not looking for feedback on that. With that understood....

Back in June we had the opportunity to tour BLT during a members' only event. We were shown a room on the 14th floor as an example of what MK Views would offer. At that time, we were assured -- by multiple people -- that rooms on the lower floors which featured significantly less impressive views would not be categorized as MK, particularly if their primary view was the parking lot. The views from that room were impressive, with sight lines that enabled guests to see Main Street and as far back as Splash Mountain.

Fast forward to today, when we checked in and were assigned a room on the 4th floor. This is the view from our room MK View:

While obviously you can see the top of Cinderella's castle and Space Mountain, the primary view is that of the parking lot. I feel that the DVC management members who decided this was MK View might have taken their lead from some not-so-reputable hotels which categorize a room as Ocean View even if you need to be on your balcony, standing on a table while leaning over the railing to see water.

In your opinion, should this view justify a "MK View" categorization and the additional points needed to secure this type of reservation?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

IMO no. There were several reports from the first people staying at BLT about being assigned lower room floors and after complaining they were moved to higher floors.

The MK points are such a premium that it ought to be a prime MK view. Especially since some lake view categories have better MK views than this although they are off to the side.

 

[Sandisw]

JMO, but I would be disappointed in this view if I had paid extra for it.

I do wonder if we are going to see a readjustment of points or room classifications after a bit, once the resort is open and people begin to share their observations about the rooms. I definitely think that the MK view rooms should be the higher floored rooms.

We stayed a few weeks ago and had a LV studio. But, because we were on the 12th floor and had an even #'d room, we could also see MK to the left. The view of the fireworks was wonderful so I really feel as though I lucked out!

 

[5forDiz]

op I see what you are saying & I'd feel the same way, especially when some LVs have view of MK as well but little if any of parking. I hope you will send your photos & letter to DVC; hopefully if enough members do so then there would be a better chance they'd re-catergorize some floors or villas.

Sending pixie dust your way that your trip will be magical, your BLT experience overall will no doubt be awesome

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I am sorry you were disappointed on your view & I will be disappointed if I get that view in July. I am hoping to be high enough to actually see the MK, not just the top of the castle & SM. Did you ask to be moved? I have read that other people asked & were moved to a higher floor. After seeing your picture, I think DVC will have to rethink the # of points for such a view. I am now wondering if a Lake view would be better? Thanks for posting and I hope you get a perfect view for your next vacation.

 

[snackyx]

This is my worst fear confirmed. The magical "MK" view sound great, but I fear there are going to be way too many DVC members with stories just like this one. Just take a look at the preminum points you spend for a "MK" view and then land this! I would be on a mission to the front desk and demand a REAL MK view or a discount in points, or give me a Bay view and adjust the points accordingly.

Its tough enough to get the exact dates/room types/views you want when booking, but to have to add the "what MK view will you get lottery" seems like alot of extra stress. If I were ponying up the extra points for a MK view and got the view pictured in the OP, there would be a fireworks show in the lobby that would put to shame what should be blasting off over the castle.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

We asked to be moved. The only thing available to move to today is two floors above where we currently are (4th). We are moving tomorrow to the ninth floor and they have waived the $65 room change fee as a "one-time exception".

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I am glad you are moving to the 9th floor, that will be a great view! I did not know there was a $65 room change fee. I am glad they waived it as they should have. If you have time, please take a picture of the view from your new room so we can see it. Have a great vacation!

 

[Kdisney]

I just called today and asked about views from BLT towers, specifically the lower floors- long story but we want a lower floor bc we have a toddler and with stroller, gear, etc, we don't want a long elevator ride. The agent warned that lower floors did not have as good a view. I'm a new DVC member- can you request specific room #'s or to be on a certain # floor when you reserve?

 

[CarolMN]

I just called today and asked about views from BLT towers, specifically the lower floors- long story but we want a lower floor bc we have a toddler and with stroller, gear, etc, we don't want a long elevator ride. The agent warned that lower floors did not have as good a view. I'm a new DVC member- can you request specific room #'s or to be on a certain # floor when you reserve?

Yes, you can ask MS to add a request to your reservation. No guarantees, but I'm sure they try to accommodate requests when/ if they can.

It's best not to request a specific room, though.

 

[liznboys]

You know after our BLT stay (during which we had a Lake View 2 BR) we decided that we don't want to get a MK view in the future...at least not for the entire stay. That parking lot really does take away from it. Maybe they need a 4th category, unfortunately?

I just called today and asked about views from BLT towers, specifically the lower floors- long story but we want a lower floor bc we have a toddler and with stroller, gear, etc, we don't want a long elevator ride. The agent warned that lower floors did not have as good a view. I'm a new DVC member- can you request specific room #'s or to be on a certain # floor when you reserve?

The elevator is very fast, so it won't make much of a difference at all if you are on the lower floors or higher floors. You may want to put "near elevator" on your reservation. Although I will tell you that the door to our villa was the second to last one at the end of our hallway, and it was not far at all. Everything felt very compact to us at BLT.

 

[wdrl]

While obviously you can see the top of Cinderella's castle and Space Mountain, the primary view is that of the parking lot. I feel that the DVC management members who decided this was MK View might have taken their lead from some not-so-reputable hotels which categorize a room as Ocean View even if you need to be on your balcony, standing on a table while leaning over the railing to see water.

In your opinion, should this view justify a "MK View" categorization and the additional points needed to secure this type of reservation?

It does not surprise me that your view would be considered an MK view. Could you see the fireworks from your room? If so, then that is probably the main reason why it is categorized as an MK view.

 

[snackyx]

It does not surprise me that your view would be considered an MK view. Could you see the fireworks from your room? If so, then that is probably the main reason why it is categorized as an MK view.

Sorry, but a MAGIC KINGDOM view and a I CAN SEE THE FIREWORKS FROM MY ROOM view are not what DVC members are paying a significant preminum in points for.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

This is exactly why we decided not to spend the extra points on a MK view. I had seen some of the inital pics from guests and could not believe they were charging MK view points for the parking lot.DVC is going to have to do something or there are going to be some extremely irate guests everyday in the lobby. I too would have put on a show to put wishes to shame if we had paid the premium for MK and had gotten less than a standard view.You need to let member services know that it is unacceptable and show them the pics to prove it.

 

[Sammie]

That would not be a MK view to me as far as the point structure, some of the nonMK rooms have better views than this.

If you were on the 4th floor imagine what 1-3 looks like, you probably can not see over the cars.

 

[queenie82]

It doesn't surprise me either.
It all depends on your definition of "Magic Kingdom view"
I'm NOT on Disney's side...I think given the points premium you should get better...but you CAN see the Magic Kingdom and can see the castle....
And given the stink that is currently going on with nearly EVERYONE landing that kind of room there is probably going to be a review. Of course if they exclude these rooms the number OF MK view rooms will also reduce.......and that will mess with all the numbers

We are just trying our luck with the Standard View. We aren't going to be spending most of time in the room. I think we might spring for LV once in a while but that is about it. If I want to see the magic kingdom...I walk out the door and go to the park. If I want to just look at it I'll go to the walkway or the viewing areas at the CR and BLT.

 

[CarolMN]

That would not be a MK view to me as far as the point structure, some of the nonMK rooms have better views than this.

If you were on the 4th floor imagine what 1-3 looks like, you probably can not see over the cars.

All of the rooms on the first and second floor are classified as standard view.

 

[TSMIII]

Here's a thread from someone reporting a similar view from their STD View on the 2nd floor:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33280222&posted=1#post33280222

 

[famsen]

I can see why Disney would categorize that as a MK view. That doesn't mean I think they SHOULD charge the huge premium amount of points for it.
I don't think the view is horrible, it's just not what they show in the beautiful color pictures in the DVC guide of the happy family looking lovingly out their window at the MK view.

 

[lark]

With less than half the resort sold, at this point, there should only be about half the inventory declared for use by DVC members. That means a full half of the one bedroom and studios with MK views in BLT should be cash reservations at this point. Not necessary all at once, but still the point is that many of the occupants at this point are paying cash. Maybe members have overbooked MK view. But there is simply no excuse right now for a member to be getting the 4th floor for a MK view -- especially since that's just 100 feet above a so called "standard" room and nearly 100 points less. Cash customers better not be getting the high floors.

I really don't know what they are going to do about this. I suppose they may just let it take care of itself. People won't book as many MK views, and the points will readjust accordingly.

With the resort selling so quickly, I'm not sure what incentive DVD will have to change anything. I guess they don't want fights every day in the lobby, but otherwise, I guess that getting word out that MK view can primarily be a parking lot view is as good as anything, since one of the chief selling points of BLT is the opportunity to book MK view.