Check-in at BLT...view isues

[wintergreen]

We checked in for our BLT stay last month very early in the morning, as we had an early Chef Mickey's breakfast reservation, and were moving over from the Poly. As I was checking in, I told the CM that we would prefer a room on a high floor (we had reserved a Bay Lake View), if one was available. She told me that a room had already been assigned on the 3rd floor, and that it was ready. I responded that we were more than willing to wait to check in later, if we could get a room on a higher floor. She responded that there was another room that was ready on the 10th floor, and would we like that one. Absolutely! I find that it is easier to make these kinds of requests with a smile, and everyone is happier. It does seem to me that they are assigning lower floor rooms first, and hoping that folks will take them. The resort was pretty empty when we were there. We never saw another guest on the 10th floor.

 

[disyady]

We JUST joined DVC, bought into BLT with our first trip 'home' next month.
Looking for reassurance here from other DVC members...please tell me the attitude of the OP is NOT typical of DVCers!! We hoped we were joining a group of like minded individuals who love Disney...not an "I belong to DVC and fooey on the rest of the folks..."
??

We spent one night in a MK view 1 bedroom villa in August. I had seen online that most folks weren't pleased with single-digit floor numbers being MK view and we were assigned to the 5th floor (same floor as the skybridge). All 5 members of my family were absolutely blown away and spent most of the 20 or so hours that we were lucky enough to occupy that villa grinning like fools! We loved everything about it with only one barely important exception - the lack of sheers on the windows. The decor, layout, size, proximity to the skybridge and all that the Contemporary offers and most especially THE VIEW. I even enjoyed looking down at the parking lot and watching families heading over to the Magic Kingdom. To be able to see the Seven Seas Lagoon, ferries, Grand Floridian, monorails, Wishes - it was pure magic. The curtains stayed open all night and we used the castle as our nightlight. I'm so glad that we gave the 5th floor a chance as that night is now our top memory among 30 years of Disney resort stays.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

please tell me the attitude of the OP is NOT typical of DVCers!! We hoped we were joining a group of like minded individuals who love Disney...not an "I belong to DVC and fooey on the rest of the folks..."
??

Some of us (probably many in fact) are just happy, go lucky people just happy to be on vacation at WDW! Welcome!

 

[gkrykewy]

I can see both sides in this. Rather than piling on the OP, I'll just say that if I were paying $3,000 cash for a BLT MK-view room and was assigned a room on the 3rd-floor, I'd feel kinda pathetic later if I didn't at least try to get a higher-floor room.

This is going to be a permanent issue for BLT, since there's no obvious dividing line between what should be SV or MKV, and the different in pricing (points and presumably cash) is *enormous.*

LV is the sweet spot.

 

[Chuck S]

I can see both sides in this. Rather than piling on the OP, I'll just say that if I were paying $3,000 cash for a BLT MK-view room and was assigned a room on the 3rd-floor, I'd feel kinda pathetic later if I didn't at least try to get a higher-floor room.

This is going to be a permanent issue for BLT, since there's no obvious dividing line between what should be SV or MKV, and the different in pricing (points and presumably cash) is *enormous.*

Unfortunately, it is a problem at any resort with "guaranteed view" categories. Personally, I wish all the rooms at a resort were the same number of points, unless the rooms were actually different, like the smaller value rooms at AKV Jambo.

Views would be a non-guaranteed request, and everyone would be equal, whether they are Cash or DVC guests, first arrivals get their choice of view or a "ready room" if available. That way no complaints of "my guaranteed view room could barely see the Savannah, ocean, MK, boardwalk...whatever."

 

[cheezNE1]

Personally, I think you acted a bit like a spoiled brat with a sense of entitlement. While I agree the MK view should be raised a bit in floors (or maybe split between 2 different tiers), those are the current rules and setup, and everyone lives by them. Why are you specifically entitled to be on the top floors vs others who play by the same rules? Basically, you just displaced someone else who had a MK view room.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem for asking for a better room if its available, I do it often. I also think you were right in calling out that you are a DVC member. But the way it sounds like you (twice) refused the room, called them unacceptable, and demanded a better view because you're entitled to it, or somehow have more right to a better room because you are paying $3,000, smacks of selfishness and arrogance. I might give you a pass on the first complaint being on the 3rd floor, but to still throw a fit after getting the 6th floor was uncalled for. You obviously just didn't want a good view, you felt you were entitled to the BEST view.

Also, imagine if the DVC member in line right behind them witnessed this whole thing and then they ended up with the unwanted MK rooms.... I'm gonna be there next month, hope I don't come across this when i check in....

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Views at BWV are a little more cut and dry. There is the "boardwalk" view....standard being the sections over the parking lot and bus driveways...everything else "preferred" pool/garden. BLT does not have areas that are so cut and dry. Anytime you get that in-between area there will be complaints. This does seem like this will be a problem. With the points chart already defined, I don't see how they will be able to change the room location's naming. Could they?

 

[dvcdisney]

As I was checking in, I told the CM that we would prefer a room on a high floor (we had reserved a Bay Lake View), if one was available. She told me that a room had already been assigned on the 3rd floor, and that it was ready. I responded that we were more than willing to wait to check in later, if we could get a room on a higher floor. She responded that there was another room that was ready on the 10th floor, and would we like that one. Absolutely! I find that it is easier to make these kinds of requests with a smile, and everyone is happier.

I completely agree and well said. I don't think there's anything wrong with asking for another room if it is available. And I think the best way and nicest way to go about it is to say that you would be willing to wait for that room. I, too, would be upset to reserve an MK view and end up on the 3rd floor. But, I have always provided a request of Higher floor and in most cases, I get a middle floor. Then I would ask if there were any higher floors available. If not, I say okay. I'm just a little concerned that because I don't make a big fuss about it, I don't get my preferred room. But someone who gets very upset about it, will. I think they need to do something about this. I think everyone understands that requests are not guaranteed and are based on availability, but this story makes me think that those policies are only for those who don't get upset.

Hopefully, they will do something about this issue.

 

[cheezNE1]

Views at BWV are a little more cut and dry. There is the "boardwalk" view....standard being the sections over the parking lot and bus driveways...everything else "preferred" pool/garden. BLT does not have areas that are so cut and dry. Anytime you get that in-between area there will be complaints. This does seem like this will be a problem. With the points chart already defined, I don't see how they will be able to change the room location's naming. Could they?

It should be just like booking ressie, first ressie, first serve...

 

[gkrykewy]

Unfortunately, it is a problem at any resort with "guaranteed view" categories.

I disagree. I don't think there is another example in the DVC system where two view categories at the opposite end of the points spectrum are separated by an invisible and subjective 1-inch boundary.

I mean, you literally have a circumstance where two rooms have essentially the exact same view, and one has a... what... 50% points premium?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

There aren't any problems with the "views" at BWV. The points acurately reflect the views that you get there.

 

[pickles]

perhaps, they need another room category at BLT..like below such and such floor is a MK view, but lesser points and above such and such floor MK premium view such and such points

 

[JimMIA]

Views would be a non-guaranteed request, and everyone would be equal, whether they are Cash or DVC guests, first arrivals get their choice of view or a "ready room" if available. That way no complaints of "my guaranteed view room could barely see the Savannah, ocean, MK, boardwalk...whatever."

I disagree. To me whatever the booking rules are at the time of reservation, they should be observed.

For example, at BWV, certain views are available ONLY to points guests -- that should be respected. At OKW, the "near HH" category is open to both points guests and cash guests -- that should be respected. At BLT, supposedly the better MK views are reserved for points guests -- that should be respected.

In OP's case -- without commenting on their behavior -- I'd say the staff messed up. The staff should NOT have caved in to their demands. They had a rule established to give BLT owners a legitimate advantage in booking views they have paid a lot of money to enjoy. That should have been respected. Caving in to unreasonable demands to bend the rules diminishes the value of BLT ownership.

 

[daisygirl902]

Has anyone actually BEEN in a 3rd floor MK view room? Especially during the fireworks? I am pretty easygoing, and it would seem to me (although I have been called overly logical at times) that since the fireworks are above the castle you would still have an OK view - not the BEST view but I am assuming you still get a pretty decent view at least, if you can see the fireworks from the bridge....again I am just guessing here as I haven't been there.

I'm not saying I would be thrilled with 3rd floor but I'm just saying that the criteria for their decision is "MK View" which I am assuming you do have from the 3rd floor.

I do sometimes find that some members of DVC seem to have a more demanding attitude at times...it was one of the reasons I waited until this year to buy in...after hearing the flaming comments surrounding the DDP from DVCers i just didn't want to be a part of that kind of group....however I met some fantastic members on the DCL cruise that convinced me that there are many very pleasant and fantastic members out there....and I did buy in last month, and am very pleased to be a member.

I did not go into this expecting any different level of service than I would have prior to owning a DVC membership, I expect decent service for all of my Disney Trips....but I DO NOT expect to be the "exception to the rules" or to get the "best room"...its just not possible. They just simply can't do that for everyone.

 

[movie77]

I'd like to hear from some people that have been on the 3rd, 4th floor on how the view is. Is 3rd floor where rooms start? If the view is indeed not that good you shouldn't have to pay premium points for that. Sorry but that would be misleading.

 

[Mtnman44]

Note: the following is intended soley as humorous opinion. I fully respect and support others' different priorities and likes/wants.

For me, the worst thing about the OPs experience was the fact that $600 per night was spent! We spend all of a mere two or three hours a day awake in the room. The amount of the time spent looking out the window is measured in minutes. A fun or unique view is nice, but wowza, I'd rather spend the night in a nice $179 room and have freaking $400 extra bucks PER DAY to spend, or better yet put back in the bank.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Note: the following is intended soley as humorous opinion. I fully respect and support others' different priorities and likes/wants.

For me, the worst thing about the OPs experience was the fact that $600 per night was spent! We spend all of a mere two or three hours a day awake in the room. The amount of the time spent looking out the window is measured in minutes. A fun or unique view is nice, but wowza, I'd rather spend the night in a nice $179 room and have freaking $400 extra bucks PER DAY to spend, or better yet put back in the bank.

Even some of the Concierge rooms at GF have a view looking out over the monorail. And they probably cost as much or nearly as much.

 

[Disneydonnam]

We just got back after staying 9 nights in a MK view at BLT. We were on the 9th floor and had a great view of the castle and also the parking lot. We thought when we booked this view we would love watching the fireworks from there. We were in the room 2 nights only. With the amount of time we spent in the room I booked our next trip in a standard view.

 

[JimMIA]

There are two issues here, and both are legitimate.

The most important issue to me is whether a cash guest should be allowed to browbeat the staff into giving them something that is supposed to be guaranteed for members staying on points only. Whether the person making the demands is a DVC member is irrelevant -- they're a cash guest for that stay. If that is permitted by the staff, it decreases the benefit of owning, and those of you who own at BLT have every right to complain to Member Satisfaction about the dilution of your ownership rights, and you should.

(I also happen to think that weak-kneed Disney managers who allow themselves to be bullied into bending rules for privileged people deserve all the bullying they get.)

The second issue is what constitutes a view worthy of paying a higher points cost. I haven't stayed at BLT yet, so I don't know. But if BLT owners think a certain height in the building is required to give a good view (however you define that), they should contact Member Satisfaction and share their opinions.

 

[Chuck S]

I disagree. To me whatever the booking rules are at the time of reservation, they should be observed.

For example, at BWV, certain views are available ONLY to points guests -- that should be respected. At OKW, the "near HH" category is open to both points guests and cash guests -- that should be respected. At BLT, supposedly the better MK views are reserved for points guests -- that should be respected.

In OP's case -- without commenting on their behavior -- I'd say the staff messed up. The staff should NOT have caved in to their demands. They had a rule established to give BLT owners a legitimate advantage in booking views they have paid a lot of money to enjoy. That should have been respected. Caving in to unreasonable demands to bend the rules diminishes the value of BLT ownership.

You make a good point...but the entire view situation could be easily avoided by not building it into the points chart for a premium number of points. As far as OKW, there is no difference in points between near HH and the rest of the resort, it isn't really a question of a "view" category, and even so, there are arguably some buildings physically closer to to HH than some of those included in the category...the 60s buildings are closer than the 20s cluster on Peninsular Road. So not matter which resort or location, those guaranteed categories were first assigned by someone's subjective decision making.