Disappointed in BLT

[jade1]

I'm not sure I'm buying into SpiceyCat's theory, but I will offer some context. Not sure the state name comparison is fair, because there is a true difference between odd and even numbered rooms at BLT. Odd numbers face into the center of the building. Even numbered rooms face out. Remember, the building is circular. Rooms on the inside and outside therefore have different shapes. Odd and even numbered rooms are hence different. Conceptually, if the furniture for these two differently shaped rooms is slightly different, it could have been different orders/manufacturers.

Actually it may be part perception as well. We had no interest in looking for dust to accumulate on furniture or turning a couch cusion over to see if there was a stain. We spent all the time we could staring in disbelief, the curtains only got pulled at the very last minute when everyone had a last minute look at the lit up castle, and opened first thing when everyone was up-and as wide as possible for every bit of view. Spent by far more time in our room than any other just because of this. I did go through and get pics first upon arrival and everything did look great (I can post them) but I could see it being overlooked in some cases.

Now if were in the room below, we very well may have noticed different things as there would be nothing in comparison to attract our attention.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm not sure I'm buying into SpiceyCat's theory, but I will offer some context. Not sure the state name comparison is fair, because there is a true difference between odd and even numbered rooms at BLT. Odd numbers face into the center of the building. Even numbered rooms face out. Remember, the building is circular. Rooms on the inside and outside therefore have different shapes. Odd and even numbered rooms are hence different. Conceptually, if the furniture for these two differently shaped rooms is slightly different, it could have been different orders/manufacturers.

Thanks for the insight.

Sorry to be a little snarky.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Actually it may be part perception as well. We had no interest in looking for dust to accumulate on furniture or turning a couch cusion over to see if there was a stain. We spent all the time we could staring in disbelief, the curtains only got pulled at the very last minute when everyone had a last minute look at the lit up castle, and opened first thing when everyone was up-and as wide as possible for every bit of view. Spent by far more time in our room than any other just because of this. I did go through and get pics first upon arrival and everything did look great (I can post them) but I could see it being overlooked in some cases.

Now if were in the room below, we very well may have noticed different things as there would be nothing in comparison to attract our attention.

LOL - I think you've nailed it! Well, almost. When my MK view studio directly faced the CR and had people on the walkway looking down into my room unless I had the curtains closed I also noticed dings on the furniture. But our 2BR MK head-on castle view on the 12th floor had no such issues.

 

[rlmas]

We just got back from a 4 night stay at BLT before 5 nights on the Dream. The design is what it is. You either like contemporary or you don't. The quality is curiously inconsistent. Overall good, but a few less expensive items such as the laminate black furniture and the awful lock on the bathroom door. Other items such as the countertops, bedding and decor look and feel wonderful. Maintenance (I blame WDW as the supplier of this service) is lacking though as the couch was stained on the bottom of the cushions, a decorative pillow had a rather large hole in the corner and the bathroom door was scratched up from the cheap lock. Overall loved the location and the fact that the kids could see the castle without getting out of bed. Being next to the Contemporary and the monorail was terrific. These issues are easily fixable and the place would be top-notch. We too felt truly fortunate to have stayed there as we would never do it on cash. I would stay again and would recommend it as well. Just keep informing DVC of the issues. I did and they genuinely seem interested and have assured me it will be addressed with the appropriate individuals at DVC and WDW.

 

[CMOORE185]

turning a couch cusion over to see if there was a stain.

Trust me I do not turn over couch cusions to see if there is a stain underneath. You can put on all the rose colored glasses you want, but after you stop staring at the castle and go to sit on the couch you are going to notice the stains if they are bad enough. And maybe that does not bother some people, but the stains on our couch were pretty nasty.

 

[Starr W.]

Actually it may be part perception as well. We had no interest in looking for dust to accumulate on furniture or turning a couch cusion over to see if there was a stain. We spent all the time we could staring in disbelief, the curtains only got pulled at the very last minute when everyone had a last minute look at the lit up castle, and opened first thing when everyone was up-and as wide as possible for every bit of view. Spent by far more time in our room than any other just because of this. I did go through and get pics first upon arrival and everything did look great (I can post them) but I could see it being overlooked in some cases.

Now if were in the room below, we very well may have noticed different things as there would be nothing in comparison to attract our attentio

Unfortunately that rectangular light fixture in our room had a good 1/8" of dust on it. I don't go around my villa looking for spots etc, but when you looked out the window there was that dusty light fixture.

The spot on our sofa was so obvious you couldn't miss it if you looked at the sofa. Also the stain on the carpet right in front of the sleeper chair(the dreaded "red fruit punch" that's always been a no-no at our elementary school parties).

Now as for the table etc, I used to work in the supply chain for furniture/kitchen cabinet manufacturers I look at that stuff a lot more closely than most people.

As for the casegoods(hard surface fixtures), I've stayed at one of the Westin timeshares that is about the same age as BLT and the furniture was still in "brand new " condition. Don't know if it's because that "steamline, modern" look is used in all Westins and they have a producer who's using the correct material to get the look and performance that's needed in a ts villa.

 

[jade1]

Trust me I do not turn over couch cusions to see if there is a stain underneath. You can put on all the rose colored glasses you want, but after you stop staring at the castle and go to sit on the couch you are going to notice the stains if they are bad enough. And maybe that does not bother some people, but the stains on our couch were pretty nasty.

But thats exactly my point-if you look at my pic you will see the curtains are held open wider on the bottom for maximum exposure by....you guessed it -the couch cusions. There may well have been a stain (just like the cusions in all DVC resorts) but we would not have noticed because of the distraction.

 

[jade1]

Unfortunately that rectangular light fixture in our room had a good 1/8" of dust on it. I don't go around my villa looking for spots etc, but when you looked out the window there was that dusty light fixture. .

The light fixture.......oh yea the one we moved to the right so we could stare easier-yea it may have had some dust on it-dang I wish I would have looked.

The spot on our sofa was so obvious you couldn't miss it if you looked at the sofa. Also the stain on the carpet right in front of the sleeper chair(the dreaded "red fruit punch" that's always been a no-no at our elementary school parties).

Thats too bad guests do that at all resorts-no manners.

Now as for the table etc, I used to work in the supply chain for furniture/kitchen cabinet manufacturers I look at that stuff a lot more closely than most people.

As for the casegoods(hard surface fixtures), I've stayed at one of the Westin timeshares that is about the same age as BLT and the furniture was still in "brand new " condition. Don't know if it's because that "steamline, modern" look is used in all Westins and they have a producer who's using the correct material to get the look and performance that's needed in a ts villa.

Ours were great:

 

[jade1]

These issues are easily fixable and the place would be top-notch.

That's a great opinion. We have not experienced (or at least noticed) the issues others on here have-but that does not mean they are not happening. But most seem to be related to either simple housecleaning or some of the furniture-very easy changes.

Its not a wooden structure like many DVC resorts which made it super quiet, the doors are much better, the tile is much better, the fixtures are much better, the appliances are much better-all as they should be being newer. If they need to change to some better furniture-well what can be easier than that?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Well, Jade1, I am not a fan of ultra modern decor, which is probably why as a child I preferred the Polynesian over the Contemporary! BLT has the view going for it and just as AKV is not my resort of choice I do enjoy staying there a couple of days with a savana view, so I think BLT is worth a stay, as long as I can get an MK view!

The pictures of your villa are lovely, the views even more so, all encourage me to book a stay at
BLT!

Every resort exhibits wear and tear, some villas however get more beaten up than others. I would like to think that those issues would be addressed before a major refurbishment but that's not always the case I see.

 

[disneynutz]

BLT has several issues several of which were poor choices by the designer and architect. Most of the damage that we have noticed has been people caused. We tend to take care of things that we touch as if they are our own, not everyone does.

We are at SSR currently and a Guest here has moved the bedroom chair to the patio. Several days of rain has taken it's toll on the chair. I placed several calls to different departments at Disney to get someone to address the issue and each acted as if I was nuts and why am I bothering them. This morning the chair is gone but the cushion is still laying on the patio.

It seems that Disney has a "do not confront" the Guest policy and they tend to look the other way.

Bill

 

[jade1]

BLT has several issues several of which were poor choices by the designer and architect. Most of the damage that we have noticed has been people caused. We tend to take care of things that we touch as if they are our own, not everyone does.

We are at SSR currently and a Guest here has moved the bedroom chair to the patio. Several days of rain has taken it's toll on the chair. I placed several calls to different departments at Disney to get someone to address the issue and each acted as if I was nuts and why am I bothering them. This morning the chair is gone but the cushion is still laying on the patio.

It seems that Disney has a "do not confront" the Guest policy and they tend to look the other way.

Bill

Yep and its likely that incident wont leave you disappointed in SSR itself, but in the guests and WDW management.

 

[BeesKnees]

We are at SSR currently and a Guest here has moved the bedroom chair to the patio. Several days of rain has taken it's toll on the chair. I placed several calls to different departments at Disney to get someone to address the issue and each acted as if I was nuts and why am I bothering them. This morning the chair is gone but the cushion is still laying on the patio.

It seems that Disney has a "do not confront" the Guest policy and they tend to look the other way.

Bill

I have been saying it for years. DVC needs to put together a book of common sense information for staying in the rooms. A simple list of dos and don'ts. There are people in this world who really do need to be told that the inside furniture needs to stay inside. You can't expect a family who doesn't have the sense to take care of their own things to take care of things we are collectively and financially responsible for.

Leaving a room a short maid visit ready for the next guest saves money but some people can't seem to connect the dots.

 

[Greysword]

We have not experienced (or at least noticed) the issues others on here have-but that does not mean they are not happening. But most seem to be related to either simple housecleaning or some of the furniture-very easy changes.

If they need to change to some better furniture-well what can be easier than that?

Yep and its likely that incident wont leave you disappointed in SSR itself, but in the guests and WDW management.

The OP and others do have legitimate (and often repeated) concerns regarding the wear on furniture within Bay lake Towers. To be fair, I noticed scratches and such on my visit last year, and your pictures seem to bear the same in regards to the tables.

I think the concern I have is not related to the quality of my family's stay, rather as an owner, I can see a fairly hefty assessment being applied in the very near future to repair/replace the more heavily damaged furniture (defined as both excessive cosmetic and structural wear).

Regardless of whether it was a poor choice in manufacturer, material, or excessive guest usage, BLT is taking a bit of a noticeable pounding, which will end up costing more to maintain in the long run.

 

[jade1]

The OP and others do have legitimate (and often repeated) concerns regarding the wear on furniture within Bay lake Towers. To be fair, I noticed scratches and such on my visit last year, and your pictures seem to bear the same in regards to the tables.

I think the concern I have is not related to the quality of my family's stay, rather as an owner, I can see a fairly hefty assessment being applied in the very near future to repair/replace the more heavily damaged furniture (defined as both excessive cosmetic and structural wear).

Regardless of whether it was a poor choice in manufacturer, material, or excessive guest usage, BLT is taking a bit of a noticeable pounding, which will end up costing more to maintain in the long run.

Well I dont see any scratches, but like I said-I am positive there are in some rooms (just as in all DVC Resorts), I also contend the MK view rooms keep some guests from noticing or caring of small issues-but all that said, its still just furniture and house cleaning.

I also agree BLT like BCV will always be packed and take the most nonstop wear-I am well prepared as an owner to have dues increase or pay for improved furniture etc as a result.

Just give me that 6X20 foot window of MK and the 10 min walk to MK, the rest is what it is.

 

[Bellecruiser]

Yeesh, that's harsh. We love SSR, and would rather stay there than most other resorts.

Sorry you had such a bad experience at BLT.

 

[SINYMom]

We are booked for our first BLT stay (own SSR), boys looking forward to staying here because of the modern look, me - I just want to be comfortable. I will not be looking for dust or stains but, I know if there is smell of any kind, either me or my middle son will know it.

I'm hoping for a dedicated 2 bedroom, thinking about calling and putting in as a request. There is no way my 6'2" oldest can sleep on a sofa bed for a week. Just as I know my twins who seem to be growing overnight (5'4'', 5'5"), will share the sofa bed. Three teenage boys need a lot of space. not mention food.

So, here's to hoping for another wonderful trip 'home'!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are booked for our first BLT stay (own SSR), boys looking forward to staying here because of the modern look, me - I just want to be comfortable. I will not be looking for dust or stains but, I know if there is smell of any kind, either me or my middle son will know it.

I'm hoping for a dedicated 2 bedroom, thinking about calling and putting in as a request. There is no way my 6'2" oldest can sleep on a sofa bed for a week. Just as I know my twins who seem to be growing overnight (5'4'', 5'5"), will share the sofa bed. Three teenage boys need a lot of space. not mention food.

So, here's to hoping for another wonderful trip 'home'!!

A dedicated 2 bedroom is a room type when you book. If you have a lock-off, you should go on a waitlist for a dedicated.