BWI: Bad Trip Advisor Reviews?

[LErin26]

I am staying at the BWI next month and when looking over some Trip Advisor reviews I noticed a lot mentioned the rooms looked rundown and some even had mold issues. What has other peoples experiences been? I am really looking forward to this trip as it was a last minute surprise from my boyfriend

 

[CanadianGuy]

With ANY of those sites that take user posted reviews.. you have to remember that the average person does not go there to post "I loved it, it was great". That just almost NEVER happens.

Mostly what you will find on those sites - is complaints. And lots of them. About almost any resort you look up.

Now.. having said that -- BWI is probably overdue for a refurb.. But I'm sure lots of people will post in this thread to tell you they thought it was fine.

Knox

 

[LukenDC]

I am a big fan of Trip Advisor and use it when selecting non-Disney hotels. That said, I recognize that people have different expectations/standards and all reviews must be taken with a grain of salt.

I stayed at BWI last September and the resort is definitely not run down. I enjoyed my room and the common areas. My only complaint was that the bathroom was never properly cleaned while I was there.

I would readily return to BWI and you will have a great stay there.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I just started to post my comment....then realized, hey, the above poster said it perfectly in their first 2 sentences!!!

 

[sfbank]

As you can see from my signature BWi is our favorite resort. I have seen rumors on the Boardwalk info thread and in Passporter that there is going to be a refurbishment soon but we have never had problems during any of our stays. Our most recent stay last Nov/Dec found our room to be in fine shape. I think you will enjoy your stay.

 

[LErin26]

Thanks! I feel better. I was just getting nervous as my boyfriend is footing the bill and we were both excited to try this resort. For the amount of $$ he's spending I didn't want the room to be disappointing. Can't wait, less then a month to go!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Erin:

Here's an example of a RIDICULOUSLY negative trip report on TripAdvisor for Old Key West and Disney in general...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1435653

Take ANY reviews that lean too far in any direction (overly positive or overly negative) with a grain or block of salt...

Knox

 

[islandmum]

Erin:

Here's an example of a RIDICULOUSLY negative trip report on TripAdvisor for Old Key West and Disney in general...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1435653

Take ANY reviews that lean too far in any direction (overly positive or overly negative) with a grain or block of salt...

Knox

that has to be the single most hilarious trip report I've ever read!! there is no way thats true .... I mean you go to Disney, which primarily means the MK park and HATE IT??? I mean what exactly is to hate?? Was it a suprise to go to DisneyWorld and see the MK ??!

and the comments on the restaurants, CM's and flights etc.. according to them EVERY SINGLE person they dealt with was rude and unhelpful .... hmmmmmm! well if the were true (I'm willing to bet my house that its not!) then I would highly suspect that the author is a rude, nasty bit of work and therefore got a little bit of attitude back.

and all this on a freebie they say... AMAZING!

Universal staff .... I think very possible!

 

[LWcalif]

BWI is a fabulous resort. You should focus on DIS reviews and not the "others". One stay there and you will be "hooked".

 

[nbodyhome]

I actually love Trip Advisor - I think it's good to get real-world accounts, and not just Disney fanatics (a nice mix helps). I use Trip Advisor all the time - it's how I found the Bed and Breakfast I'm staying at in London right now, and the hotel I'm staying at in Paris starting tomorrow (we stayed at both in September as well).

If there are a lot of bad reviews for a hotel, I tend to look elsewhere. From what I understand, people who either love a hotel or hate it will be more likely to post on Trip Advisor. There isn't as much grey area. I always feel it's my responsibility to write a report every time I stay somewhere recommended by TA.

That said, I've not seen the BW reviews. There could certainly be some rooms that aren't as up to snuff as others, just like when some friends of mine showed me the laundry room at the Y/B resort, the door is rotting there. Not everything is perfect. Disney still does it better than most, though!

 

[CaipiraBob]

With ANY of those sites that take user posted reviews.. you have to remember that the average person does not go there to post "I loved it, it was great". That just almost NEVER happens.

Perhaps, but you can almost always read between the lines in many of those posts and get some truth out of them. This year alone I have used Tripadvisor for a reference for trips to Las Vegas, Saint Thomas, Gatlinburg/Smokey Mountains and Disney as well. In each case those reviews proved to be exceptionally helpful, down to the best restaurants and meals. For attractions at certain destinations, many of those negative reviews were pretty much spot on.

Now I will say that any vacation experience is subjective to the individual and their needs/expectations. You have ton pick and choose the information that best suits your needs. Yet for the most part I would use Tripadvisor for my first reference for any destination. They have an outstanding community and they are a treasure trove of information.

Still, so many go to Disney, of course you will find those who have had a bad experience and chosen to express their opinion in the worst way. It's up to the reader to discern which is good information and which should be discarded.

That being said, Disney World would not be the world's premeire destination if it didn't live up to it's reputation.

 

[bellebud]

i've stayed in the BW villas 2 separate times and the Inn for 1 night, and we had no problems. We LOVE the BW resort! The pool area and the slide are our favorite in all of disney! If it's getting close to refurbishment time, then it's certainly possible some of the rooms show it, but if you have any major problems, tell the front desk and they'll take care of it. we feel it's totally worth its price. enjoy your stay!

 

[Kona*Queen]

We just got back from the BWI and had a lovely room, no problem with it whatsoever and it's now our favourite BW resort.

 

[antmaril]

We were at BWI in January - our third visit. It was lovely, as usual.

No complaints.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

With ANY of those sites that take user posted reviews.. you have to remember that the average person does not go there to post "I loved it, it was great". That just almost NEVER happens.

Browse through the hotel reviews at tripadvisor - you'll find this is simply NOT true. I have found more good reviews than bad, unless a hotel was really terrible. I personally have reviewed about 20 different hotels there and gave most good reviews.

 

[PrincessV]

Well, I can attest to the mold factor in at least one BWI room. We stayed there in Dec. and the first room we were given had such bad water issues, the entire wall around the window was soaked and crumbled to the touch. it also reeked of mildew covered with a floral scent. Given that my DS and I both have asthma, this was an impossible situation and were given another room. While an improvement, it too smelled mildewy and was damp.

And I definitely think the rooms are in need of refurbishment. We had peeling wallpaper, stained carpet/bedspreads/curtains, and chipped paint. Was it horrendous? No. But I expect MUCH more for the cost of a night at BWI.
In comparison, rooms at the WL, POR and CR in the past 24 months were absolutely perfect.

 

[MinnieM21]

We just stayed there in February and our room was wonderful! No problems at all. Everytime we've stayed at the Boardwalk we've had a really nice room. I can't wait to go back in less than 3 weeks. I wouldn't stay at any other resort from now on. I absolutely love the BWI.

 

[eliza61]

I am staying at the BWI next month and when looking over some Trip Advisor reviews I noticed a lot mentioned the rooms looked rundown and some even had mold issues. What has other peoples experiences been? I am really looking forward to this trip as it was a last minute surprise from my boyfriend

I'm with Knox, I read any review with a grain of salt. Don't even get started on restaurant reviews. I've heard before of the mold issue (not at BWI) but never encountered it. I will say every time I've had a problem (never had a major issue) whether I'm at Disney or not, I report it. Luckily the staff has taken care of it and all was well.

You'll enjoy BWI, it's a great hotel.

 

[PlainJane]

When I stayed at BWI the rooms were very clean, nothing was in need of repair, and I never noticed any mold issues. BWV on the other hand, definately needed some help, or at least our room did. The main room was fine, but the bathroom was dirty, had mold, and had several tiles that were broken. I loved my stay at BWI and would go back in a minute. I hope you enjoy your vacation .

 

[TommyTutone]

I used TripAdvisor to find a resort for our last trip to Jamaica and we could not have been happier at how it worked out. I posted my own review there and had gotten a few emails not long after, with specific questions about the resort.

Like anything, take the bad reviews with a grain of salt. Of course take the really good reviews the same way as it could be an employee or owner of the hotel.