Honeymoon from Hell at the Beach Club Villas last week

[bigboywdw]

Dcibrando,

I am happy to say that you are my first post on the Dis. Also, you are owed an apology. On behalf of all of the sane DVC members I am truly sorry with the reaction and venom your post has brought on you.

You must remember this: DVC members who post on the Dis tend to be fanatical about there home resort and all things DVC. They see there DVC through rose colored glasses. They let the fact they are at WDW cloud there judgement of the resorts.

Nothing you have posted is wrong or unusual. The only thing I can take issue with you on is the illness and the fact you did not address the problems right then and there. Besides that, you should have never encountered the problems you had.

BCV is by far the worst maintained property in the DVC family. Those stained carpets in the hallways are a direct result of housekeeping throwing bags of garbage into the halls only to sit there for hours at a time. Those bags sometimes spring leaks and the sludge runs on the carpet. Maintenance runs on a schedule for most large items like carpet, furniture and flooring. Those rugs are due for replacement soon but thanks to housekeeping they have looked terrible for quite some time. Diferent housekeeping procedure with this and the rugs would have looked great right up to the replacemnet time.

Bugs you encountered happen in Florida at even the highest end resorts. Calling would have resulted in a spraying and likely a solution to your problem.

Really, don't let this isolated incident followed by the nasty responses you got on the Dis spoil your view of DVC and WDW. Both are great and you encountered the exception not the rule. Try VWL next time to see a well maintained proerty with a great theme.

May your future travels be wonderful.

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Kristi1357]

dcibrando - I am sorry your honeymoon went less than perfectly. That really stinks.

I do think your issues would have been easily fixed had you called housekeeping. I know, I know, hindsight is 20/20. And in your shoes, I may have not called either - but would have been kicking myself later that I didn't call.

My honeymoon (wedding night only) experience at the much loved Royal Palm Club at the Grand Floridian was a true nightmare! I don't care how well-off I may be someday - you could not get me to stay at the resort ever again. (long, long story, but truly awful) Which is a shame since we got married on their beach.

It sounds like maybe DVC is not for you & that it was a good thing that you were able to rent points to try it out before you purchased. I hope you both are feeling better now!

 

[rinkwide]

...OH MY GOD. MY VACATION IS RUINED! NICKS ON THE COFFEE TABLE...

Funny thing, that actually did ruin one of our Beach Club stays. We walked into the Villa for the first time, took one look at the coffee table and knew our trip was doomed. (I should mention, the nicks were caused by a large goat who was still gnawing on the table at the time, so that may have had something to do with it.)

 

[dcibrando]

thanks for those 'sane' DVC members here... but for those of you who can't read

THERE WASN'T A LIGHT OUT ON THE ELEVATOR... the 2 button control panel was pushed back INTO the wall and the wall has a crack down it on the second floor.

In addition to that... for those of you that missed the many missing shingles the only reason I looked was because I noticed this last year at the same time and was wondering if they had been replaced. On the main BC building is where it is most noticable..all you have to do is look UP from the bus stop or walking from the villas to the BC marketplace building and see many missing.

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here

sure if I had to do it all over again I would have called about some of it at the beginning... but at the beginning of the trip... we were barely even in our room at all and I could deal with a bug here and there from time to time. Once we got sick...we were STUCK in the room the rest of the week and then we begin to notice how disgusting everything really was (including the large cockroaches in the bathroom)

top all of this off with being on your honeymoon and having a better/cleaner room at a much cheaper value resort the past 2 trips and it was disappointing to say the least... especially too since I was wanting this trip to help me decide if DVC is the way to go. For me...based on this experience at the Beach Club Villas - obviously not.

As a non-DVC (but almost DVC) member... I truely hope your annual fees are being spent wisely because based on my experience, I would begin to question it.

 

[jodifla]

thanks for those 'sane' DVC members here... but for those of you who can't read

THERE WASN'T A LIGHT OUT ON THE ELEVATOR... the 2 button control panel was pushed back INTO the wall and the wall has a crack down it on the second floor.

In addition to that... for those of you that missed the many missing shingles the only reason I looked was because I noticed this last year at the same time and was wondering if they had been replaced. On the main BC building is where it is most noticable..all you have to do is look UP from the bus stop or walking from the villas to the BC marketplace building and see many missing.

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here

sure if I had to do it all over again I would have called about some of it at the beginning... but at the beginning of the trip... we were barely even in our room at all and I could deal with a bug here and there from time to time. Once we got sick...we were STUCK in the room the rest of the week and then we begin to notice how disgusting everything really was (including the large cockroaches in the bathroom)

top all of this off with being on your honeymoon and having a better/cleaner room at a much cheaper value resort the past 2 trips and it was disappointing to say the least... especially too since I was wanting this trip to help me decide if DVC is the way to go. For me...based on this experience at the Beach Club Villas - obviously not.

As a non-DVC (but almost DVC) member... I truely hope your annual fees are being spent wisely because based on my experience, I would begin to question it.

Pop Century is a big place, and is sure to have room for you! If you like it there, by all means, stay there.


But I don't know how anyone rational could compare their Pop Century room to even a studio at the BCV and think Pop Century is a great deal. It's basically a colorful shoebox with two small beds and a tiny, Days Inn bathroom. C'mon!

I own a small contract at BCV, and have no problems with the way our dues are being spent.

 

[mickeyfan2]

thanks for those 'sane' DVC members here... but for those of you who can't read.

I am a non-DVC member who can read.

THERE WASN'T A LIGHT OUT ON THE ELEVATOR... the 2 button control panel was pushed back INTO the wall and the wall has a crack down it on the second floor.

This sounds like a safety issue. Since you were out and about, did it not occur to you to tell the front desk? When I see safety issue I make sure they are reported. I keep reporting them until it is fixed. So I must be the 'sane' person here.

In addition to that... for those of you that missed the many missing shingles the only reason I looked was because I noticed this last year at the same time and was wondering if they had been replaced. On the main BC building is where it is most noticable..all you have to do is look UP from the bus stop or walking from the villas to the BC marketplace building and see many missing.

So the missing shingle are on the BC and not the BCV? So why does this upset you?

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here

And you did not feel a need to report any of this? Wow so you showered for days, prior to your illness, in a filty shower? Also you were well enough to go to the vending machine for a soda, but not well enough to pick up the phone and report these many and growing attrocities?

sure if I had to do it all over again I would have called about some of it at the beginning... but at the beginning of the trip... we were barely even in our room at all and I could deal with a bug here and there from time to time. Once we got sick...we were STUCK in the room the rest of the week and then we begin to notice how disgusting everything really was (including the large cockroaches in the bathroom).

So the dirty shower only became a problem once you were too sick to get out of bed?

For a non-complainer you sure know how to practice the artform.

 

[dcibrando]

My only complaint about Pop was the loud toilets (but I didn't realised it until last week, BCV have them too)... the bathroom and beds are comparable to the Beach Club Villa studio

Of course the BC is in an awesome location... but last I checked I sleep indoors (and preferably without cockroaches)

 

[jodifla]

My only complaint about Pop was the loud toilets (but I didn't realised it until last week, BCV have them too)... the bathroom and beds are comparable to the Beach Club Villa studio

Of course the BC is in an awesome location... but last I checked I sleep indoors (and preferably without cockroaches)

Another thing to note is, if you've stayed in a studio, you really haven't experienced the grandeur that is DVC. That comes from staying in a one bedroom or larger unit.

 

[Kathy C]

As you can see from the number of my posts, I don't post often but mostly lurk for info and some good laughs. I know everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but the things you are complaining about seem relatively small and things that could have probably been taken care of with a phone call. We were there the same time you were but staying at Saratoga Springs in a two bedroom. Although the resort is new and beautiful, we are spoiled by the location of our home resort BWV. Saratoga is a little too spread out for us, but we'd stay there again. Not everything was completely perfect but life isn't perfect. Our toilets were loud when we flushed them too but who cares, it's a toilet and the noise lasted for ten seconds and at least it gets the job done. I'm thinking you need to pitch a tent at Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds - there aren't any elevators, toilets, roofs, carpets, et al.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I'm thinking you need to pitch a tent at Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds - there aren't any elevators, toilets, roofs, carpets, et al.

But there are bugs and other creepy crawly things!

 

[sajetto]

My only complaint about Pop was the loud toilets (but I didn't realised it until last week, BCV have them too)... the bathroom and beds are comparable to the Beach Club Villa studio

Then stay at POP next time. I really think that if you're going to send that letter it needs a lot of work with spelling and structure. I also don't see why you are so concerned with the dues we pay, they aren't your fees

BCV is my least favorite of the DVCs (sorry guys ) but the "issues" that you mention are so minor they do not merit any compenstation. I think values are your best bet since you love them so much.

 

[dcibrando]

Another thing to note is, if you've stayed in a studio, you really haven't experienced the grandeur that is DVC. That comes from staying in a one bedroom or larger unit.

but if they can't keep a studio clean and tidy... how can I expect a 1 bedroom or larger to be better?


if I ever experience something like this again, I am definitely taking pictures (and calling the front desk). I think several of you on here who think I am just complaining about little things here and there might have a different opinion if I showed them exactly what it is I am talking about.

 

[mickeyfan2]

if I ever experience something like this again, I am definitely taking pictures (and calling the front desk). I think several of you on here who think I am just complaining about little things here and there might have a different opinion if I showed them exactly what it is I am talking about.

YES call the front desk and housekeeping.

I am one who thinks you are complaining and I would have only had a different opinion if you had called and reported the problems. Then if after repeated attempts nothing got done I would have told you to write a letter.

One IS a complainer who does nothing at the time but keeps harping on the problems after.

 

[anniet]

They aren't "cockroaches" they are Palmetto Bugs- I think the name changes somewhere around Georgia maybe??? And I paid a lot more than a DVC membership price tag for my home in Florida and we've got em too!

You should have called housekeeping, bugs are a part of life down there. I'm sure housekeeping would have changed your towels too.

Chances are you caught the flu on the trip down. Call the airline and see if you can get your money back.

Sorry you had a bad experience, but those of us who own DVC know, WE ARE THE OWNERS, so like our own homes when something goes wrong we call someone and have them come to fix it.


DVC isn't for everyone. Glad you found out it wasn't for you before you put a hunk of money down.

 

[JimFitz]

As a DVC owner, I beg that you send your letter. I would leave the sick part out since it does look like your looking for a refund on the DDP, but the other issues are valid and Disney should hear them.

 

[chris1gill]

yes, the carpets in the hallways were nasty. elevators has gum stuck to the floor bugs were in the room (but were managable at first, kept getting worse at the end of the week). Neighbors were unbelievably noisy, we had someone who liked to play an african drum above us, mowers/leaf blowers outside our balcony at 5 in the morning, maid service didn't show up on the 4th day, there was a big stain on the wall as you first enter our room, a wooden coat/hat rod unscrewed and missing, stains on the chairs in the room, the shower/bathtub looked like it would scare away the infamous scrubbing bubbles because it was so dirty, when we go down the hallway at 2am to buy a sprite (because we were so sick) in the ice/vending areas...this area is being use as a smoke room and about makes you sick (even without the flu), someone took a large chunk out of the wall in the corner, and there's even more I noticed but it's ok... i'll stop here

Why do you keep saying the same things??? DID YOU CALL TO GET THESE THINGS FIXED??? If not, kindly stop worrying about my dollars, and call next time!

In the meantime, I would suggest future stays at the Pop Century which is a really great resort.

And, by the way, as a renter, you do me no service by renting points... Nor do I rent my points.... so, I think if you have a real dispute, it would be with the member you rented from... you have no standing with Disney....

 

[disneygal55]

We stayed at our home resort SSR in November. We had some minor issues with the room...couldn't open a jammed drawer, needed extra pillows and a quilt for the sofa bed . These issues were handled quickly and without a problem. The sofabeds were somewhat uncomfortable to our Ds's and after mentioning this housekeeping brought over an eggcrate mattress! We had only one annoying issue. It took several calls to get extra toilet paper but eventually was brought over. The room itself (it's newer than other DVC's) was very clean. I did notice that someone(?housekeeping or a guest) kept leaving bags of smelly trash in the hallway, next to the elevator. I should have complained but did'nt. We always took out small bags of trash and threw them out daily in the trash recepticals. Disney is pretty good if you let them know there's a problem. But we always let them know right away and don't let our vacation get spoiled. I would not tolerate a "dirty"room and value, moderate, deluxe or DVC...we all deserve a clean room and have to let management know if the rooms are substandard. If people don't complain and bring up these issues then how will they know about the problems. We've found a bug or two in our rooms, even a frog (CBR) but never found it to be a big problem. But if I found lots of bugs, believe me I would have complained and hopefully resolved the problem. I know when you're feeling ill you just don't want anyone in your room but they can't help you if you don't tell them!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

okay i have not read any responses, just the OPs original post. and here is my first thought:
umm are you for real??? why do they care you got sick???? and if you took the time to notice EVERY little detail...well were you REALLy on your honeymoon?!?!! i'm SORRY, but DH and i were married AND honeymooned in WDW and the last thing we noticed was carpetting, elevator maintenance and the like. we had a BLAST and enjoyed being with eachother and so much more we were even confined to our rooms during a hurricane!!! but we by no means wrote letters to disney over that! get over it and just be happy that you are married to the love of your life!

 

[crisi]

Funny thing, that actually did ruin one of our Beach Club stays. We walked into the Villa for the first time, took one look at the coffee table and knew our trip was doomed. (I should mention, the nicks were caused by a large goat who was still gnawing on the table at the time, so that may have had something to do with it.)

You do know that the BCVs were designed to look like Grandma's summerhouse and the nicks in the furniture were intentional? And my Grandma's beach home always had a goat gnawing on the coffee table. Perhaps BCVs theming has succeeded in being more complete than even VWL!

 

[Dano1182]

The way BCV's is depicted it sounds like one of the trailers you see on "Cops"

Getting the flu on vacation is terrible.
I do not see how this is DVC's fault.

If you had dirty towels then you should have "Washed" them.

It is florida there are bugs.

If you did not get your Trash and towel service you should have called then.

DId you have a do not disturb sign on your door?

That may expain why they did not service your room.