DId BLT use reconditioned furn ??

[TwingleMum]

A co worker just got back from WDW. He stayed at BLT and had some odd comments. He swears they put old or reconditioned furniture in the villas. He said the furniture did not look new and already looked tired. He also said they had huge problems with the shower not draining. He was very under whelmed. I'm a little worried because we really loved our stays at the CR and were really looking forward to checking out BLT. Any one else feel the same as my co-worker. PS he does not own DVC but rents points from his friend.

 

[princessfionasmom]

I stayed there in Oct and it definitley did not appear to be reconditioned furniture. We were in a lake view studio and the room was beautiful and in perfect condition. I didn't have any problems with the shower either. We are staying there again in June and can't wait to get back there!

 

[vicki_c]

The furnishings are all new, but there have been at least a few reports that things are looking worn. Some have suggested it's due to the styles of furnishings and fabrics they used to keep with the theme. That they can't stand up to the use & abuse of the guests.

 

[jel0511]

The furnishings are all new, but there have been at least a few reports that things are looking worn. Some have suggested it's due to the styles of furnishings and fabrics they used to keep with the theme. That they can't stand up to the use & abuse of the guests.

I agree with that. We stayed there in late March and were astounded to the wear that already shown up on the furniture. My guess it's due to DVC selecting black furniture, it scratches easily and looks horrible, IMO. Just the wear, not the style.

 

[Psychodisney]

I totally agree. We stayed in February and noted several issues in our 1 BR with the quality of the materials. I thought every thing looked beautiful, but on closer inspection...not so much.

 

[DonnaL]

We stayed in a 2 bdrm lock-off....sorry don't remember room #'s other than 8th floor...first week of January. I could not believe the wear and tear on those rooms only since August, 2009. The marks and scratches on the dining table were awful, as were the marks on the dark kitchen and bath cabinetry...not really scratches, just terrible smudges that made them look dirty...and wouldn't wipe off. I wasn't impressed with the stainless appliances either.......smudging a huge problem with those...no matter how much I tried to clean them. I was considering new stainless appliances in my kitchen at home.......but, not anymore... after spending a week with them. I think those that own at BLT will see a jump in their annual dues over the next year or two for replacement furnishings.

 

[jade1]

Not good to hear. Anyone have pics?

 

[Anjelica]

Is the quality not up to par possibly and therefore wear and tear show quicker?

 

[LIFERBABE]

Is the quality not up to par possibly and therefore wear and tear show quicker?

I think it's more the style of furniture than the quality. Most people that live with that kind of furniture are adults and more minimalist.

The furniture at BLT is high maintenance. I was in a studio last Oct and it is small. You are constantly wearing on the surfaces. Like the bed is so close to the wall that you see wear marks on the wall along the bed. It's hard not to rub against the wall when getting in or out of bed.

Another issue I had was the white chairs at the table. I sat down and the button on my jean pocket scratched the seat. Not gouged, but left a mar.
You could see where luggage had bumped against the corners of the wall and along the corridor.

The sofa is a light wheat color and the arms were darker than the rest of it due to soiling.

It just seems the rooms were not designed for heavy use or even moderate use. It's beauty over function.

 

[TwingleMum]

Just want to thank everyone for being so "adult" (I don't know how to phrase this properly) and not letting this thread deteriorate into snipes. The whole my home resort is better than yours etc..I was not bashing BLT (I haven't stayed there so I was expressing a concern from what a co worker said). I really enjoyed the CR the couple of times we stayed there prior to it becoming a DVC resort so I have been looking forward to staying there. I'm still trying to stay but its not easy to get into.

 

[disneynutz]

I think that it's a quality issue due to cost cutting. Thin plastic laminate is cheaper than thick but is chips easily.

The dark plastic material shows every finger print and dust like you can't believe. Makes the place look well used and a little run down.

Bill

 

[ddonshik]

We were there in Feb and the first room was completely smoked out - it was unbelievable. Second room had worn furniture, broken washer/dryer. We were not impressed overall. Unfortunate.

 

[disneychic]

Wow. This is pretty disappointing to hear. You'd expect a new resort to keep that "new" feeling at least for a few years.

 

[DVC Owner in MA]

We just returned from a 6 day stay in a GV at BLT, and had similiar thoughts regarding the furniture and general wear and tear. Things definitely looked more worn than we would have expected in the time the resort has been open. Marks on furniture, baseboards already marked up from being hit with vacuum cleaners, loose door handles, and other things. In our GV, the dining table even had a 10"x4" rectangular area where the laminate was removed for some reason and not replaced (there was a platter on the table covering it when we got there). The walls in the hallways had more dings on them than we would have expected to see. The metal surfaces in the hallways and near the elevators never really seemed to be clean when we were there. And it appears that someone didn't explain to Mousekeeping how to clean the frosted glass areas around the elevators-- there are already places where the frosted part has been rubbed away down to the plain glass. This is both within reach of people but also above the elevators where only someone cleaning up there can reach.

We certainly realize that there will be wear and tear at any resort, but for us it was just more than we expected to see given how long the resort has been open. And, it makes us worry about how much worse it may get before things start getting fixed.

Now, with that being said, we loved being in the GV. Plenty of room for the 10 people who stayed in the room. We could see Epcot and AK from our lakeview room. The kids loved watching the water pageant each night. The fireworks viewing from the Top of the World Lounge was incredible. Transportation to MK and Epcot where very easy, and we just drove to AK and Studios.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

We just returned from a 6 day stay in a GV at BLT, and had similiar thoughts regarding the furniture and general wear and tear. Things definitely looked more worn than we would have expected in the time the resort has been open. Marks on furniture, baseboards already marked up from being hit with vacuum cleaners, loose door handles, and other things. In our GV, the dining table even had a 10"x4" rectangular area where the laminate was removed for some reason and not replaced (there was a platter on the table covering it when we got there). The walls in the hallways had more dings on them than we would have expected to see. The metal surfaces in the hallways and near the elevators never really seemed to be clean when we were there. And it appears that someone didn't explain to Mousekeeping how to clean the frosted glass areas around the elevators-- there are already places where the frosted part has been rubbed away down to the plain glass. This is both within reach of people but also above the elevators where only someone cleaning up there can reach.

We certainly realize that there will be wear and tear at any resort, but for us it was just more than we expected to see given how long the resort has been open. And, it makes us worry about how much worse it may get before things start getting fixed.

Now, with that being said, we loved being in the GV. Plenty of room for the 10 people who stayed in the room. We could see Epcot and AK from our lakeview room. The kids loved watching the water pageant each night. The fireworks viewing from the Top of the World Lounge was incredible. Transportation to MK and Epcot where very easy, and we just drove to AK and Studios.

Wow, it's very disappointing to hear that the rooms are in this condition. We only saw a model room, so of course, it looked terrific and new. Do you feel that your points were well-spent on the Grand Villa in this run-down condition? Or would several smaller rooms have been a better choice? I'm asking because we planned to book a GV for the family for our anniversary, thinking that they would be in true luxury condition. If that isn't the case, I wonder if they are really worth the extra points. Also, could you tell me the room # of your GV? It sounds like your view was perfect!

Thanks for any info,
Evey =)

 

[BroganMc]

The accessible studio I'm in now is showing wear signs. A couple nicks on the dresser/entertainment center. There are water stains on the sofa. The fabric just isn't made for little kids. It's a very light color canvas-sy material. My sage green microfibre sofa at the beach (just got it 2 seasons ago) handles wear better. It wasn't a good choice in upholstery.

That and I think this resort will get more kid traffic due to its proximity to MK. I expect the next run of sofa replacements will see a change in fabric.

 

[disneynutz]

Wow, it's very disappointing to hear that the rooms are in this condition. We only saw a model room, so of course, it looked terrific and new. Do you feel that your points were well-spent on the Grand Villa in this run-down condition? Or would several smaller rooms have been a better choice? I'm asking because we planned to book a GV for the family for our anniversary, thinking that they would be in true luxury condition. If that isn't the case, I wonder if they are really worth the extra points. Also, could you tell me the room # of your GV? It sounds like your view was perfect!

Thanks for any info,
Evey =)

I don't think that using our points to stay at any resort room that is run down, dirty, or needs maintenance is a good use of points. Members and Guests should not have to put up with it!

Disney is aware of the problems but apparently chooses not to fix them.

Bill

 

[LOVETHATPOLY]

We stayed during the winter. We loved it, but did notice that our room had wear too. Our table had scratches and our kitchen island had a chip out of the bottom of it. It is too bad that the materials are showing so much wear and tear. However, I will be happy to go back anytime.

 

[lizanne]

I talked my DS and future Daughter-In-Law to split their honeymoon stay. I originally booked their entire stay at AKV, but heavily suggested that they should split the trip between AKV and BLT. I hope they're not disappointed.

 

[BBG-BLT]

Looked great to us - we stayed there last Sept/Oct. I have to admit my 4 year old put a scratch in the kitchen table and I felt awlful. Its hard because the style is very clean and black and every little thing does show up.

The showers were fine - I liked the shower in the main part of the Ded 2BR - the one in the master tended not to have as much pressure.

Mopst of all I like walking to MK and TOTWL.