Had it with BCV

[Buckalew11]

You all are STILL going on about all of this...and I'm not worthy of all the 'superior' DVC members. Well remember, I was about to be one until BCV ruined it for me.

I never once said the room 'ruined' my honeymoon... we still had fun the first few days before we got sick...and it then went from bad to worse however the filthyness of the BCV and especially the room we had made the local motel 6 look ok....that's not what I expect out of Disney, out of the BCV, and ESPECIALLY out of a DVC resort.

Someone explain to me why there is a difference in a DVC member and someone renting from a DVC member? Also someone explain to me why DVC members would call to get their problems resolved and someone on the poop level (as some of you might put it) wouldn't?

I'm sorry...I'm just not as good as some of you DVC members. How dare I even try to go to Disney and take up your room and breathing air.

I don;t think anyone said your complaints about the room etc. were wrong. I believe most people said "send that part of the letter". However, you didn;t do anything about the bugs etc. You called no one. If you had called and asked for assistance and didn't get help then the complaints sounds more legit. If BVC doesn't know there is anything wrong in that room, they can't even begin to fix the problem.
Your letter sounded like WDW could have prevented you from being sick or losing money because of the dining plan you bought. That is just bad, rotten luck--not WDW's fault.
While this post and yours made similar complaints about the room and upkeep at BCV, yours was just more dramatic about things that Disney couldn't fix or help you with and what they could have done something about, YOU didn't let them know. THAT is the difference between this post and yours. Yours sounded like your trip was affected because of things like shingles. I think most of us were like about that complaint. Some people notice it, some don't. I, like you, did notice it last time I was at the Dolphin. Lots of "fixing" was going on at all of the resorts I saw. But, that doesn't "ruin" a trip or contribute to it being from hell.

Whether or not you are a member of DVC or not doesn't matter to me. If you are staying there and have problems, they should be addressed--while you are there. Not after you come home. THAT is the difference to me.

And I am hoping they'll get on the ball at BCV and spruce the place up a bit. Sounds like (from you and some others) that it needs to be done!

 

[Patty3]

Some DVC members feel that since they paid for the ownership, they take better care of the units than those that rent. It is an investment for us and we want to make sure that the investment stays in great shape. Personally, I do not believe that just because you own, you take better care of the property. I have seen in my own neighborhood, renters taking better care of their rental property than some of the owners. Everyone, owner or renter, should without a doubt, get a clean and well maintained room. I own at both BWV and BCV and it does bother me when the property is not up to what it should be. I take pride in that they are my home resorts and it does sadden me when they are not properly maintained.

 

[dcibrando]

regardless... it is beginning to become more and more common to hear from others about the BCV going downhill and maintainence lacking

 

[MonkeyPants]

I think it might be interesting to know if its just the DVC portion of the BC that isnt being kept up or is it also happening in the resort portion of the BC. Are the two sections maintenance seperate? Or is the Resort and DVC part just all mixed into together? While I have wandered through the yacht and beach club many times, I've never stayed there and have no clue how the rooms are set up.

 

[dcibrando]

based on just me walking through the hallways (which isn't a good way to judge)...the BC part looked A LOT nicer than the BCV section. You could tell a difference based on the floor I was staying on in the BCV

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I dunno. Sometimes I wonder about expectations vs. reality. We (DD and I) just returned from a four night stay at BCV and had no issue with how anything looked. Our studio was "well worn". Were there knicks on the table? Yep. Did it make it seem like a Motel 6? Heck no. Were there scuff marks in the elevator? Yep. Did it make it seem like a Motel 6? Nope.

Maybe I just don't know any better, but for a timeshare hotel, everything was great to us!

 

[MrsNick]

Hi, all. Just a personal observation as an owner at SSR, but not BCV...

While I did not agree with much of dcibrando's letter (the illness part being WDW's responsibility, or that the poster believed he deserved a refund or compensation), I don't think it makes sense to blame maintenance issues or wear and tear on renters.

1) They are not creating additional traffic into the DVC resorts. They are there in place of the owner, not in addition to the owner. An owner can't rent out more points than they have. So, if an owner skips a year and rents to someone else, the renters aren't putting further wear and tear in terms of foot traffic than the owners themselves would, if they were there instead. There are a finite amount of points at the DVC resorts, and no amount of renting changes that. Also, I don't see how this is different from making a reservation for friends or relatives for free.

2) The maintenance fees that the owners pay do not decrease because they rent their points out. So, the existing maintenance fees should be paying for the long term and short term upkeep of each DVC property. The fees are paid regardless of whether the owner uses the points for himself, or for friends, or for renters.

I personally do not agree with people's statements implying that renters are to blame for the poor upkeep of a resort (and I am not judging one way or the other - I stayed at BCV for a few days in January 2006 and did not run into any of the issues mentioned in some of the posts. That is my personal experience, but I would never assume that someone else's experience is the same. If someone says that they had bugs, I can't contradict them since I wasn't there).

I think it's easy to point a finger and make renters the scapegoat, when really, DVC should be taking care of the property to Disney's standards (and according to their obligation, since we pay maintenance for this reason). How is the renters' fault if DVC is not doing its job?

Just my $.02.

P.S. I have never rented my points to anyone, or rented points from anyone, so I have no hidden agenda.

 

[DizWacko]

I own at BCV and I will NOT stay there again until the place gets updated.

A perfect illustration of this is that I booked my honeymoon at the Beach Club Deluxe resort .. not the villas. Not that the hotel was perfect, but the hotel portion of the resort seemed cleaner, had nicer beds, and definitely seemed to have less overall WEAR to it (the furniture, carpets, etc).

Its really a shame what happened to the villas .. its bordering on disgusting in some parts.

 

[zalansky]

Makes me happy I own at SSR! We may not be within walking distance of Epcot and MGM Studios, but we sure have new clean rooms and hallways!

 

[Divamomto3]

I'm staying at the BCV 2 weeks from today for 2 nights. Then it's on to SSR for 2 nights. I'm using up 150 pts to stay at BCV for a Fri and Sat night! It better not be "disgusting!!" I'll be downstairs so fast saying, "Send me over to my SSR!" I will be sure to post an honest trip report on both resorts, including room numbers and conditions when I return. We will be in 2 BR units at both resorts. If it's a little "worn," I expect that for a high traffic, not entirely brand new anymore resort. But I cannot tolerate DIRTY. I will freak out and I'm pretty laid back.

If the room's that bad...all the more reason to drink pina coladas by Stormalong Bay!

 

[shantay1008]

Our first experience at BCV was in 2002. We spent our first night at one of the All-Stars (I was trying to be responsibly frugal since we were just on a side-trip after a family wedding in Melbourne), but my DMIL decided we needed more room, so we headed over to the BC to see if there was room at the inn, so to speak. I didn't even really know about the Villas, so I was thrilled with the apartment aspect and the WASHER and DRYER in our 1-bedroom. And we thought the entire place was so wonderful, we bought in to DVC then and there.

I bring this up because I don't imagine this was a unique situation. Maybe that was the only room available, or maybe it was a marketing opportunity. If the latter, you'd think they'd keep the rooms up so people like us want to buy in.

BTW, we didn't notice any problems or general yuckiness during our stay at BCV in Feb. Well, I did notice some missing shingles, but I just thought it was windy in Florida.
Shannon

 

[Kick Save]

1) They are not creating additional traffic into the DVC resorts. They are there in place of the owner, not in addition to the owner. An owner can't rent out more points than they have. So, if an owner skips a year and rents to someone else, the renters aren't putting further wear and tear in terms of foot traffic than the owners themselves would, if they were there instead. There are a finite amount of points at the DVC resorts, and no amount of renting changes that. Also, I don't see how this is different from making a reservation for friends or relatives for free.

Excellent point.

And, if we the DVC owners don't use our rent our points, Disney will try and fill the room. The Mouse will do what he can to make sure <i>SOMEBODY</i> is sleeping there.

 

[Disney-Kim]

The real issue seems to be "housekeeping" and "maintenance" at the BCV. Why is the hotel portion getting better care than the DVC portion? Just as many people stay in the hotel as the DVC...so why the difference?
are DVC'ers harder on the units? Are people treating them worse because they are not hotel rooms? are the cleaning people not doing as good a job (I have to say yes on this one).
why the difference? they are both hotels in essence with MANY people staying in them....so why are the BCV units so shabby???????

 

[crisi]

All the DVC resorts get room complaints. The DVC resorts are not rehabbed on the same schedule as the Deluxe resorts - and even the Deluxe resorts can look shabby before their rehab. BCV has gotten its share (and then some) of complaints over the years - I haven't been, but I do suspect what was said about design choices is true - some colors and patterns simply hide dirt easier, and BCV isn't decorated to hide much. I suspect SAB makes it a popular choice for everyone, but particularly people with kids - and kids aren't nice on hallways and furniture (I have pretty well behaved kids and couches that look ten years old six months after arriving in the house). Kids are probably a much bigger problem for the DVC resorts than renters. And I do think the expectations are higher at BCV than at any of the other resorts. Y&BC is one of Disney's true flagship properties (the other being the GF). BCV has been open long enough now that its starting to show its wear, but is still a few years from rehab.

(And don't worry, SSRs time will come - you have 40 years of ownership - and only about 8 of those will come in a new or newly rehabbed resort.)

 

[crisi]

The real issue seems to be "housekeeping" and "maintenance" at the BCV. Why is the hotel portion getting better care than the DVC portion? Just as many people stay in the hotel as the DVC...so why the difference?
are DVC'ers harder on the units? Are people treating them worse because they are not hotel rooms? are the cleaning people not doing as good a job (I have to say yes on this one).
why the difference? they are both hotels in essence with MANY people staying in them....so why are the BCV units so shabby???????

One big thing is that the DVC rooms are only getting cleaned every 7 days or so on average. That's seven days for the grape pop to seep into the couch before housekeeping notices.

Another is that unlike the hotel side, DVC units are treated as "homes" - most people aren't doing that much eating and drinking in the hotel side - but on the DVC side people are cooking in their units. They are often occupied by Disneyphiles - who have moved beyond commando stage. I suspect that the average "waking time spent in the room" is much higher for DVC units than for the hotels - after all, the hotels are filled with people who sleep and shower there - we DVCers are more likely to lounge.

Last, while the housekeeping staff is the same, I suspect that the maintenance budget is different. Hallways may get vaccuumed every day and walls wiped down, but steam cleaning and painting may happen less often. For two reasons - one, upkeep is expensive and DVC doesn't want an owner revolt over dues. And two, on the hotel side, they need to convince people to return. On the DVC side, we've made the committment. We are sort of stuck (we could sell, but Disney really doesn't care if we take a loss - they have their money).

 

[Patty3]

Yes, the problem is maintenance and housekeeping. With that said, Hilton Head seems to be in great shape. Isn't Hilton Head about the same age as BCV? What do the units at Hilton Head look so good and it is just simply the furnishings that were purchased for Hilton Head are maybe better quality or just more durable? BCV was starting to look shabby about 4 years ago, at least the units we were assigned to were.

 

[pickles]

One big thing is that the DVC rooms are only getting cleaned every 7 days or so on average. That's seven days for the grape pop to seep into the couch before housekeeping notices.

Another is that unlike the hotel side, DVC units are treated as "homes" - most people aren't doing that much eating and drinking in the hotel side - but on the DVC side people are cooking in their units. They are often occupied by Disneyphiles - who have moved beyond commando stage. I suspect that the average "waking time spent in the room" is much higher for DVC units than for the hotels - after all, the hotels are filled with people who sleep and shower there - we DVCers are more likely to lounge.

Last, while the housekeeping staff is the same, I suspect that the maintenance budget is different. Hallways may get vaccuumed every day and walls wiped down, but steam cleaning and painting may happen less often. For two reasons - one, upkeep is expensive and DVC doesn't want an owner revolt over dues. And two, on the hotel side, they need to convince people to return. On the DVC side, we've made the committment. We are sort of stuck (we could sell, but Disney really doesn't care if we take a loss - they have their money).

You have stated it all well and it is exactly what i think

less room cleaning..not sure why DVC people should get less cleaning..I personally think that is unfair. They should treat DVC folks pretty nice, we are the ones that easily catch addonitis

staying more in the room..not so much commandos anymore

also, BC would suffer more at the hands of the kiddies..if you think its gross moms will knowingly let their kids or teach their kids to pee in the pool, imagine what they let their darlings do in the room when no one is looking!

We stayed at BCV in Aug 05 and it is why we are buying DVC now. we loved it and didn't notice it being warn out and run down..wish my house looked "so worn out and run down". Our room was clean, no hair, no trash, it was perfect.
While I wish everyone could have a magical vacation at BCV..I am not sad if you don't and it deters you from it, just gives me a chance to use my OKW points there

 

[DarthGoofy]

We were at the BCV from 5/14-5/19. I too noticed the carpet. Does it need cleaned? Yes, it is really dirty. Did it ruin my trip? Nope, I didn't spend too much time in the halls. Was the coffee table nicked up? Yes, but so is the one I am sitting at right now and I don't want it thrown out.

I think that sometimes we set our expectations too high. I know it is Disney, but even Disney is not perfect. I think that while we are on vacation, we should be focused on three things...Family, Fun, and Food.

 

[crisi]

less room cleaning..not sure why DVC people should get less cleaning..I personally think that is unfair. They should treat DVC folks pretty nice, we are the ones that easily catch addonitis......

Well, they used to, according to the old timers who bought OKW when it first opened. But dues at DVC are really high for the timeshare industry, and dues are what pays for housekeeping. So they scaled it back to address member complaints over the dues. Apparently, daily housekeeping is unusally for timeshares in the domestic U.S. You have to remember, this is a timeshare, not a hotel. You can pay for daily housekeeping, but you paying will be a drop in the bucket for room maintenance.

 

[littlestar]

All those light colors probably show dirt a lot more easily.

If you think about it, BWV, OKW, and VWL all have dark carpeting in the rooms. That has to make a difference on how it shows dirt.