Honeymoon from Hell at the Beach Club Villas last week

[6IrishDisneyKids]

I haven't read everyone's posts, but I wanted to reply to the OP. I hope it is possible to offer opinions contrary to the majority without being flamed. Here it goes...
I think you (OP) have some legitimate concerns including:
1.) the bugs. I live in Florida and it IS possible to live without a bunch of bugs. I have lived in my house 8 years and have yet to see 8 roaches in all that time. I understand 1 or 2 in a hotel room given what it is...but as many as the OP saw leads me to believe the room had not been treated regularly, which should be the case for all the rooms. Yes, you should have called, but there should not have been such a significant bug problem to begin with.

2.) the missing shingles, the stained carpeting and ill-repair of the hallways and lighting. As for the shingles, I think 20+ months is more than ample time to replace them. I would think Disney would want to make a better first impression on their guests. The carpeting, lighting and hallway issues...I know they are supposedly going to be addressed with repairs, but in the meantime, it seems more could be done to keep things looking more tidy in the meantime like straightening those light fixtures, cleaning the carpets (at least spot cleaning), and touch-up paint. I too would not complain about these things while on vacation - after all, I wouldn't expect these things to be addressed immediately. I understand they need to be scheduled - but that is where a letter to the powers-that-be is so important.

Disney has a reputation of doing things right. I would find the above much less than magical, and I do think the OP should send a letter addressing these issues.

 

[pouncingpluto]

On the subject of the carpet, I want to add:

I know I was looking at BCV with a more critical eye than I normally would, due to posts I had read here about the upkeep. Even so, the only real issue I saw was the second floor hallway carpet. And in my view, it is *bad*. It's not just worn, it's stained beyond the point of cleaning. And not just in a spot or two; I'm talking about large discolored areas.

However, when my husband and I talked about this after our trip, I found out that he hadn't noticed the carpet. That really surprised me, since he always notices *everything*, including things I don't want him to notice. He's a much more visual (and critical) person than I am. But he didn't notice anything wrong with BCV upkeep at all. Maybe we got a room in great condition. But that doesn't explain the common areas.

I guess we all have different expectations and opinions.

 

[BCV23]

I haven't read everyone's posts, but I wanted to reply to the OP. I hope it is possible to offer opinions contrary to the majority without being flamed. Here it goes...
I think you (OP) have some legitimate concerns including:
1.) the bugs. I live in Florida and it IS possible to live without a bunch of bugs. I have lived in my house 8 years and have yet to see 8 roaches in all that time. I understand 1 or 2 in a hotel room given what it is...but as many as the OP saw leads me to believe the room had not been treated regularly, which should be the case for all the rooms. Yes, you should have called, but there should not have been such a significant bug problem to begin with.

2.) the missing shingles, the stained carpeting and ill-repair of the hallways and lighting. As for the shingles, I think 20+ months is more than ample time to replace them. I would think Disney would want to make a better first impression on their guests. The carpeting, lighting and hallway issues...I know they are supposedly going to be addressed with repairs, but in the meantime, it seems more could be done to keep things looking more tidy in the meantime like straightening those light fixtures, cleaning the carpets (at least spot cleaning), and touch-up paint. I too would not complain about these things while on vacation - after all, I wouldn't expect these things to be addressed immediately. I understand they need to be scheduled - but that is where a letter to the powers-that-be is so important.

Disney has a reputation of doing things right. I would find the above much less than magical, and I do think the OP should send a letter addressing these issues.

No flaming at all. But we have stayed at BCV several times a year since it opened so I would like to tell you that:

-the hallway woodwork is painted very frequently. I very often see a gentleman touching it up. It is white and shows marks easily but they do keep up with it. The OP may have been there right after someone nicked it and it could be fixed by now.

-the hall carpets are cleaned all the time. I see this every trip. The second floor one that so many of us have noticed is stained not dirty. And the post right before yours addressed that well.

As for the bugs, until people start closing their patio doors and the door by the pool, I'm afraid that is what we all have to look forward to. And this isn't just a BCV problem. I've noticed it at other resorts. Makes me wonder if they were brought up in a barn!

pouncinpluto, that is interesting. Now I wonder if I would have noticed if I
hadn't read about it here first. Overall, the resort is in such great shape I could very well not have seen that stained area at all.

 

[JimFitz]

I dont understand why owners defend poor upkeep of resorts. Where are our dues going? You do not see these issues at Marriott Timeshares. I feel that Disney has been letting it slip a little and owners (or renters) complaints should be heard. The more they hear it the better they will react.

 

[BCV23]

I dont understand why owners defend poor upkeep of resorts. Where are our dues going? You do not see these issues at Marriott Timeshares. I feel that Disney has been letting it slip a little and owners (or renters) complaints should be heard. The more they hear it the better they will react.

I have no experience with Marriott timeshares. And a problem like your friend experienced is unacceptable. That hole should have been fixed before a guest was assigned that room.

But yes, I will defend BCV when someone assumes the carpets aren't being cleaned and woodwork not painted. It just isn't true.

And as most of us have said, the OP should have notified maintenance at the time. The lights and wall plate needed to be addressed....and probably have been by now.

 

[pouncingpluto]

The woodwork (on our floor at least) was actually being painted during our trip... which was also during the OP's trip.

 

[canda]

I am sorry about your sick honeymoon, that is terrible. The reason you are getting the responses you are getting is because you thought you were addressing problems at a hotel. What you have really done is come into our home and told us it is ugly, infested and falling apart. Even if that is the case, you just don't do that to someones home. (regardless if it is their main, 2nd or shared.)

You have no issue with Disney as they did not rent you the room and you are not a member. Your letter is out of place.

If you want to take issue with a owner that charged you to be a guest in their home, then write them the letter.

 

[Olaf]

I dont understand why owners defend poor upkeep of resorts. Where are our dues going? You do not see these issues at Marriott Timeshares. I feel that Disney has been letting it slip a little and owners (or renters) complaints should be heard. The more they hear it the better they will react.

That's a good point. But would I let small maintance issues ruin my vacation? What ruined the OP's honeymoon was the flu, which just magnified all the other issues.

 

[Terry S]

First off congratulations on your honeymoon! Also, sorry to hear that you were sick during your vacation.

I really think a lot of this is about expectations. I feel due to the fact that this was your first time at a deluxe, you undoubtedly spent a lot of money and top that with the fact that this was your honeymoon your expectations were very high. I remember my first trip to Disney I was 18 and stayed at the Contemporary for 3 nights. I had stayed at a Days Inn off property for the first 4 nights of the trip. I was extremely disappointed about everything with the Contemporary. I relalize now years later it was more about expectations than anything else, heck I was paying 4 times as much per night at the Contemporary as I was at the Days Inn. None of the things that bothered me than would even cross my radar now.

Those singles have been off for several years. I think the reason I noticed them though was that I was there the week after the hurricane went through and I looked up to see if there was damage to my "home". Since then I have looked up each and every trip and have been surprised by the fact that they have not been replaced, but it doesn't bother me, or ruin my vacation.

I also notice many of the other (what I consider small or little) things that you mentioned but they don't ruin my vacation. I go to BCV 2 to 3 times a year and as other people have mentioned I notice on every trip maintenance being done in several different places. Funny story..... I saw a couple very upset that there was only one elevator they could use because the other one was being painted. When we got in the other elevator the same couple complained that the one we were in had marks and needed painted. (Make up your mind!!!)

As far as the bugs go, you only mentioned 1 of the bugs was a roach right? The other 7 you don't mention but I think after around the 3rd bug I may have called someone, but it still would not have ruined my vacation. Just step on the bug, they are much smaller than you! Spiders, ants, and other bugs are all part of Florida and come in when the door is open. I know that housekeeping often keeps the paito door open when cleaning. Heck I live in Michigan and I am sure there are at least 8 bugs in my house right now, spiders, earwigs, rolly polly bugs and I have the outside professionally sprayed monthly.

I think the issue is you title this "Honeymoon from Hell" and talk about your "horrible experience". In my view none of the things you have posted would be cause for either of those statements. Yes, they are maintenance issues and it would not hurt to send a letter to BCV to make them aware that they have these maintenance issues. Acutually as a BCV owner I would appreciate it if you did. As many others have said I think you should leave the part out about you being sick as there really is nothing disney, could or should do about that, it was just an unfortunate situation.

I hope after a few years and many more trips to deluxe resorts you will come to realize that the things that you felt made this your trip from hell were really more about your expectations and really not that big of a deal.

 

[Deemarch]

I am sorry about your sick honeymoon, that is terrible. The reason you are getting the responses you are getting is because you thought you were addressing problems at a hotel. What you have really done is come into our home and told us it is ugly, infested and falling apart. Even if that is the case, you just don't do that to someones home. (regardless if it is their main, 2nd or shared.)

Well said! I think, for most of us, you've hit the nail on the head. It's our "home" and someone is telling us that we're crazy for wanting to live in it!!

I have spent my life listening to people who "complain"...I hate my job, I hate my town, I hate my state, I hate my spouse, etc., etc...The one thing that I can say to all of them is then why don't you look to change your problem? And for the OP, I'd suggest that he go back to Pop Century, next time he visits WDW. End of story.

 

[pouncingpluto]

Well said! I think, for most of us, you've hit the nail on the head. It's our "home" and someone is telling us that we're crazy for wanting to live in it!!

I want to live in your home!! I was *sure* BWV was going to my favorite DVC, but now... I'm torn.

 

[crisi]

Well said! I think, for most of us, you've hit the nail on the head. It's our "home" and someone is telling us that we're crazy for wanting to live in it!!

And that we should demand (and presumably pay for) better upkeep - when the person complaining is staying at what was probably a $250+ a night discount over the hotel portion of the resort.

I LOVE it when people spend my money for me. At least when other members propose things which will have costs, they are proposing to share the burden.

 

[JimFitz]

I don't get the mindset of being insulted because someone is insulting my "home". I love the welcome homes just like the next person, but Disney is not my home. DVC is a timeshare that I pay dues on so that someone else can keep it clean and presentable. If they are not doing that, then what are they doing with my money??? I own at OKW and love all the resorts, but I have been hearing more and more reports of poor rooms, conditions, and it really has me concerned.

 

[dcibrando]

crisi... it's YOU the DVC members that have the option of renting your points for that year. In fact, it usually pays (and then some) for your annual maintenance fees.

You make it sound like I was wrong by renting points from another member and then not bowing down and thanking my lucky stars for being able to stay in such a wonderful resort for a lower price and than what you have to pay for being a DVC member.

Well again, remember I was using this too as a deciding factor on whether or not I would go to DVC route. Based on my experience... the "best kept secret" to me was that the resort/floor/room I stayed at was not worth what I paid, much less what an actual DVC member pays.

I understand many of you are defending your home resort... but also understand most of you weren't there last week when I was so you don't know what I saw and what my room was like.

As upset as I am (and sure a lot of it had to do with getting sick on top of everything else) I would be even MORE upset if I was a paying DVC member and would hope they would fix things like carpet, the roof, get the gum off of the elevator floor, fix the lights...things like that before I replace the bed matress which was actually fine for me and I should know, I spent half of the week in it! haha

 

[jakenjess]

I'm getting the impression (although I don't think you've answered this directly) that you didn't contact anyone at the time about the cleanliness issues, the bugs, and the towels. When we stayed at OKW last year, upon our check-in we noticed there was a lot of sand on the shower floors and the air conditioning wasn't working properly. We called immediately and within a half hour there were two mousekeepers re-cleaning our bathroom and maintenance came by and fixed the AC. At Vero we had little tiny bugs (maybe an ant of some kind?) all over our kitchenette sideboard, and we called and maintenance came and sprayed immediately. It's difficult for Disney to satisfy their guests if they're unaware of the problem, and we've found that by letting someone know immediately things are taken care of.

Sorry you were sick on your honeymoon, and I hope you get to take another (healthier!) trip soon.

 

[dcibrando]

no I didn't ...and if I had to do it all over again I would have... however I'm not one to go complaining about little things..but then those little things began adding up over the course of the week.

maybe if housekeeping was a routine daily thing... the place wouldn't be a dirty as it seemed to me?

 

[crisi]

crisi... it's YOU the DVC members that have the option of renting your points for that year. In fact, it usually pays (and then some) for your annual maintenance fees.

You make it sound like I was wrong by renting points from another member and then not bowing down and thanking my lucky stars for being able to stay in such a wonderful resort for a lower price and than what you have to pay for being a DVC member.

Well again, remember I was using this too as a deciding factor on whether or not I would go to DVC route. Based on my experience... the "best kept secret" to me was that the resort/floor/room I stayed at was not worth what I paid, much less what an actual DVC member pays.

I understand many of you are defending your home resort... but also understand most of you weren't there last week when I was so you don't know what I saw and what my room was like.

As upset as I am (and sure a lot of it had to do with getting sick on top of everything else) I would be even MORE upset if I was a paying DVC member and would hope they would fix things like carpet, the roof, get the gum off of the elevator floor, fix the lights...things like that before I replace the bed matress which was actually fine for me and I should know, I spent half of the week in it! haha

I don't rent my points, I use my points. You do me no favors renting someone elses points, please don't pretend like you do (I frankly don't care if you rent points or not, it isn't like you do me a disservice by renting someone else's points either. And my price per point is lower than the going rental rate, so you aren't staying cheaper than I do). I am generally happy with my purchase (I did pay significantly less than what the going price is now - I don't know if I'd buy points at the current price). As are the majority of DVC members (not all, but most of them). I don't care if you are happy or not. Nor do I care if you invest in DVC or not - once again, doesn't make any difference in my life if DVC continues to grow or not. It really sounds like your expectations were out of whack - you expected the Beach Club. You have every right to be upset. It is unreasonable to expect ME to be upset. I find most of what happened to you to be reasonable - and I expect, had you not gotten ill, you'd have been disappointed that your high expectations were not met but not upset.

As I said, when we travel, we can spend a week in a studio unit for 87 points. My cost for that 87 points is around $675. That's $96 a night. I get $96 a night worth of value - even if the elevator light is burned out. Pop during that period is $99 a night - plus tax. If you don't feel I'm getting my money's worth, that's OK - because its my money and my sensibilities I need to address.

I want new mattresses, but could care less about elevator buttons. The mattresses bug me and I don't spend but eight hours a night in them. However, I may be older than you, and my back is much more sensitive to a bad mattress than it used to be.

 

[jodifla]

Chris.. honestly yes I did walk through the Beach Club section (not the Villa section) and it was a HUGE difference in neatness and upkeep when compared to the Villas where I was staying.

Jusdon, I know you're right about this. Many are defending DVC and their own home resort. Again, I was really hoping this would help me make my decision to buy into DVC, but when staying a Pop Century (although not as convenient and not as nice of a pool), I have to say was a TON nicer than the condition I witnessed this past week (when most of you WEREN'T there) at the Beach Club Villas.

This is major disappointing...and I WILL NOT spend $15,000 and annual maintenance fees on something that isn't kept up to Disney standards (in my opinion) like the other non-DVC resorts are. Could this have just been my experience alone? Of course, but it was enough to turn me off of DVC and makes me wonder if the "Best Kept Secret" is really what you paying members maintenance fees are really going to.

We just got back from BCV yesterday, and I'm more of an OKW fan, but I didn't see any of the "problems" you saw with BCV. I didn't notice any missing shingles. Public areas looked great to me. There might have been spots that were a bit worn, but there are in all hotels. They are constantly refurbishing them, so it makes sense that at some point, you're going to see something that's worn and not brand spanking new.

Our studio was in really good shape. A few nicks on the table, but I don't look at that kind of stuff and think "OH MY GOD. MY VACATION IS RUINED! NICKS ON THE COFFEE TABLE!!!!"

DVC was worth every penny we spent. But we had the foresight to buy it almost 10 years ago, and could sell it now for more than we paid for it. I stayed in Pop Century, and it's basically a Days Inn with Disney theming. It's not for me.

Congrats on your marriage, and hope you have a decent Disney trip in the future.

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...] I would be even MORE upset if I was a paying DVC member [...]

Then it sounds as if you have made the right decision not to purchase DVC.

however I'm not one to go complaining about little things..

Bwahahahahaha!

 

[Kathy C]

I hope you don't send that letter. Sounds like you're whining to me. First of all those BIG cockroaches are part of living in the south. They are "outside" bugs and don't live long inside. Had one in our bathroom this morning, and I'm a clean freak. This is the time of year when you see more of them. You rented points so you stayed at BCV cheaper than some stay at a value resort. We are also DVC members with BWV and OKW being our home resorts, and I think for the most part the resorts are kept in pretty good shape. I'm sure if we wanted to complain about something, we could find something each time we went but that's not why we go there. As far as housekeeping goes. you knew before you went that with DVC there wasn't daily housekeeping and if you wanted it, you could have paid for it. Sounds to me DVC isn't for you.