Is it just me? Re:BLT comparisons

[Dean]

The threads about BLT are not resort bashing. Nobody has even stayed there b/c it's not even open yet! The threads I'm speaking of are not the type on the resorts board where people are sharing their views on their resort stays. I'm talking about the sarcasm and the "You'd never get me over there" type threads. Again, if someone was asking for an opinion on whether to buy or not, I get it.

And, I may be a "newer member" but I'm a veteran to WDW and it's resorts for well over 30yrs. And "overzealous"? .....hardly.

I guess I don't see any harm in one expressing their honest views. And I certainly don't want an environment where people can only say positive things and not balance with honest negatives even if it's the minority opinion. People know the location, have seen the setup, decor and points charts, that's a lot of info. For anyone who's ever stayed at the CR or even any monorail resort, they've got almost all the info their going to get to formulate a reasonable opinion of their interest in the resort.

As for why specific thread's dedicated to BLT, it's the new resort. It's been talked about and anticipated for some time and now there's some real info to discuss,both positve and negative. I'll admit that the decor doesn't wow me, I don't especially like it, esp the furniture. And I'm not a big CR fan but I do like the location.

And while my reference to some newer members being overly sensitive in this area may not apply to you, it was a blanket statement related to your question which I stand by. But one could certainly extend the statement to a significant portion of DVC members in general being overly sensitive to negative opinions about their resorts and DVC in general. BTW, I'm not an optimist or a pessimist, I'm a realist.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

I certainly don't want an environment where people can only say positive things and not balance with honest negatives even if it's the minority opinion.

I certainly agree with you on that point.....just not on the topic of this thread. As far as BLT being the new kid on the block and prime for the most critiques, I get that. IMO, I don't get those type of threads for any DVC resort. If it's a comparison someone is requesting to help make a decision, than that's one thing. But, if it's a thread criticising just for the sake of criticising "glad I don't own there" stuff, I don't get it. Oh well, we could go on and on........

 

[Dean]

I certainly agree with you on that point.....just not on the topic of this thread. As far as BLT being the new kid on the block and prime for the most critiques, I get that. IMO, I don't get those type of threads for any DVC resort. If it's a comparison someone is requesting to help make a decision, than that's one thing. But, if it's a thread criticising just for the sake of criticising "glad I don't own there" stuff, I don't get it. Oh well, we could go on and on........

It's OK to be honest, just not where the resorts are concerned, I get you. BLT is the new kid and it will get most of the threads both positive and negative, most I've seen were mostly to completely positive. IMO, if one doesn't like a resort or has a bad experience, they should feel free to post that information, everyone can skip the thread's that are not interested or offended in some way. I don't get the approach of trying to keep the skeleton's in the closet. OTOH, I'd say that a significant portion of the bad experiences I've seen posted over the years were based on things either not specific to a resort or based on unreasonable expectations or both. Kind of like the section on Deb Wills site where someone read about all the antics at Whispering Canyon and then were upset that ALL of those things didn't happen to them.

 

[edk35]

Let me start off by saying that one year ago our family purchased pts. at AKV. This week, we became founding members at BLT.... I will never claim to be a DVC expert. I still have lots to learn. I do, however, frequent these boards (which I am grateful for) for many different reasons.

I just had to ask though......What is the reason for all the negative threads regarding BLT? I mean, there's always an opposing view. I take the positive and negative threads (mostly) with a grain of salt. However, across the DVC forums, there are ALOT of threads "trash talking" BLT.....from the MK view rooms, to the decor, to the walking to one park vs. two (like the EP DVC's)....the LIST goes on and on. I can't help but wonder....Are people just wanting to justify not purchasing? I don't know...what is it?

There are a few DVC resorts at WDW that are definitely not our cup of tea, but I don't feel the need to start threads to justify why I don't like them! I mean, why even start a thread? You're not buying, not your cup of tea, move on. I don't need justification on why you don't like it, and I don't want to argue back and forth on what the value is to our family (just an example).

No flames, please......just a legitimate question, IMHO.

Since I was one of those "thread starters" let me give you my opinion since I did start a couple of threads. First of all there was so much hype about BLT for the past year or longer and finally when it was announced on Tuesday....well there did seem to be "lack of excitement on Dis". I was very curious as to why this was...... so it promted me to ask. PURE CURIOSITY......... I was in NO way negative PERIOD. This made me personally curious as to why that was. I was shocked at the lack of response. It made me think.....hmmmm what happened??? So I posted the threads. Now I have been a member of Dis for years and every time a new DVC resort is added....it is talked about, discussed, people inquire, because it is a public forum and that is what people do. Now I personally knew that we were not interested in BLT but it didn't mean we wouldn't stay there one day. HECK....I see us staying there more than once. I just said we were not interested in buying and yet we are happy to have another DVC resort to stay at. Our DVC membership allows that......hmmmmm imagine that. Yes we as members aren't locked into just staying at our home resort which I think some forget on this board. That is why I said we plan on staying there at some point. Who knows we might love it and want to add on there or wish we had. I don't know but as of right now....it just doesn't seem like my cup of tea so to speak. Anyway.....SSR is my home resort too...and it has been bashed for a long time but it didn't stop me from buying in, or staying there. It was a personal decision by me to own there and I could care less what others think. They don't have to stay there. I am sure some people have "buyer's remorse" right now over their purchases elsewhere and maybe wish they had bought into BLT and that is why they posted the way they did....but NOT ME. SO by me posting three threads it was not because I felt I made a big mistake with my recent AKV add on. NOPE.....we all knew BLT was coming down the pike, some waited, some didn't and some bought elsewhere. So.......coming from a BLT thread starter.....it interested me as to why people weren't buying now or were buying and maybe thought they wouldn't. SO that is my two cents on why I posted and maybe why others did too. You are always going to have controversy on a public forum ....but how members that read/post react, take it to heart also determines the way the tone goes on a certain thread. It really shouldn't matter one bit if you are satisfied with your choice to purchase BLT. Just let it roll off your back....in the grand scheme of things.....it shouldn't really matter if you know what you did was what you wanted who cares what others think. People take things a little too personal on here at times. So here are my two threads....and you can determine if I was IN THE WRONG by posting them. I was not negative.....just curious. I am also not saying you are accusing me personally....just trying to shed some light on why things are brought up. I am sorry if you were offended in them or anyone else.....but like I said. This is a public forum and you will get all sorts of answers on questions. If it bothers people...then maybe they should not read certain threads or be members if it affects them so.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1956936

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1957194

 

[WoodysRoundup]

It's OK to be honest, just not where the resorts are concerned, I get you.

Not true. If you read what I wrote, I said I don't get those types of threads for any resort. And , no, you don't "get me" OR what point I was trying to make.. ....I give! .........You win!

 

[WoodysRoundup]

Since I was one of those "thread starters" let me give you my opinion since I did start a couple of threads. So here are my two threads....and you can determine if I was IN THE WRONG by posting them. I was not negative.....just curious. I am also not saying you are accusing me personally....just trying to shed some light on why things are brought up. I am sorry if you were offended in them or anyone else.....but like I said. This is a public forum and you will get all sorts of answers on questions. If it bothers people...then maybe they should not read certain threads or be members if it affects them so.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1956936

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1957194

I NEVER once said I was offended by those threads. I said I didn't understand them. It's like the kid on the playground sticking their tongue out saying nah nah nah nah naaaaa nah! I also never said anyone was "IN THE WRONG". I simply questioned those types of threads. As I've already stated numerous times....If people were asking for a resort comparison or looking to buy and those opinions were expressed, perfect! But to start a thread like - Who's glad they don't own there? I don't get (for any resort)!!. As a matter of fact, it seems that those of you who are not interested in BLT are the ones starting the defensiveness here. My post questioned and was never presented in defensive tone. YOUR response is QUITE so. And saying "If it bothers people...then maybe they should not read certain threads or BE MEMBERS if it affects them so"...........Amazing to me! A little harsh, don't you think?

 

[bmalonef45]

While I don't understand why people feel the need to post negative about any resort I do agree with some of the previous posts. Really we're all part of the same family and one of the best things about DVC is that they have numerous resorts to fit everyone's needs. If you don't like a resort PLEASE don't buy there, heck don't stay there so some of the rest of us can.

We purchased points 3 years ago at SSR. As a family we've yet to stay there (I've stayed there once on a guys golf trip and was very happy) but we will in the future and I'm sure it will be fine. But when my wife and I made our trip to make our purchase we did go to every resort on property AND even drove down to VB to see what we were getting. IMHO the variety was the biggest selling point. We've stayed at most of them and plan to make them all in time.

I guess my point is that everyone has different needs and wants. Unless you go to a resort, have a bad experience and have suggestions for others how to avoid that same thing I see no need to take shots at another resort. I'm sure there are people that have been saving every penny to buy at BLT and I for one don't feel the need to rain on their parade. Getting off soap box to call DVC and see if my waitlist at VWL for thanksgiving night has came in Congrats to all the founding members of BLT can't wait to see all your names at OUR new resort!

 

[the who #3]

i have just purchased at blt and i am very excited about it. the incentive was not good at all, but being a small dvc i think it will sell out before they start giving really big incentive.

things i love......the monorail, each 1bdr has 2 full baths. the rooms will all sleep more people, and, yes, i love the mk view.

this is my third home at wdw. vwl, akv, and now blt. i also will buy a resale at bcv someday. after that i should be set for my years of retirement travel.
the pts. can also be used for abd trips and they are worth every pt. or every dollar spent.

 

[Mississippian]

Let me start off by saying that one year ago our family purchased pts. at AKV. This week, we became founding members at BLT.... I will never claim to be a DVC expert. I still have lots to learn. I do, however, frequent these boards (which I am grateful for) for many different reasons.

I just had to ask though......What is the reason for all the negative threads regarding BLT? I mean, there's always an opposing view. I take the positive and negative threads (mostly) with a grain of salt. However, across the DVC forums, there are ALOT of threads "trash talking" BLT.....from the MK view rooms, to the decor, to the walking to one park vs. two (like the EP DVC's)....the LIST goes on and on. I can't help but wonder....Are people just wanting to justify not purchasing? I don't know...what is it?

There are a few DVC resorts at WDW that are definitely not our cup of tea, but I don't feel the need to start threads to justify why I don't like them! I mean, why even start a thread? You're not buying, not your cup of tea, move on. I don't need justification on why you don't like it, and I don't want to argue back and forth on what the value is to our family (just an example).

No flames, please......just a legitimate question, IMHO.

First of all, I am a big BLT fan. I think they've done it about right. I wish the point chart were a bit cheaper, but I think BLT is going to be more of a luxury experience.

You should be aware that every "bad" DVC resort -- and by "bad" I mean one that is out of sync with what the general DVC membership wants, or one that represents a loss of value compared to the other resorts -- has a negative effect on the good resorts. That's why you hear so much trash talking. DVC "took the money and ran" with SSR, and that's why you hear so much trash talking about it. Note that AKV, where you own, is new and while there may have been some criticism, for the most part it has been very well received. It offers a very welcome addition to the DVC family (even though I don't own there and probably never will).

In the case of BLT, I think there has been so much hype that there is bound to be a little bit of letdown. Certain things don't look the way people would like for them to be. There are worries about the lounge at the top (my thinking is that by placement alone it will always be open to DVC members, and that's good enough for me). It's going to be expensive, but I think the owners will love it. Sometimes after these early criticisms DVC ends up making some changes. In the end, the member services people will rarely hear people saying "anywhere but BLT" like they often do for another resort which shall remain nameless.

 

[kikiq]

I'm with you Woodysroundup. Expressing an opinion when someone asks about a resort and when you have a negative resort experience are posts that make sense to me. I want to know why posters that don't own that resort start threads to post their negative opinions and THEN make it seem that everyone feels that way.

I had recently read a SSR thread and found this statement that tjkraz wrote:

What continues to amaze me is that people so readily assume that their own personal perception / bias is somehow representative of the public as a whole.

Let me add my congrats to everyone who have been waiting for BLT and finally got their wish!!! I'm waiting for GCV.

 

[Robert H]

I agree, Woody. Its all in how something is said. Its like politics- there are some people with opposing views that you can have thoughtful discussions with and then there are others who try to drag you down. I also see no need to rain on anybody's parade or temper anybody's excitement.

I, for one, LOVE BLT! I love the location. I love the MK view. I love the idea of seeing fireworks from my room. I love walking to the MK. I even LOVE the decor! I even love the "big hotel" feel that puts some people off. We bought 113 points (strange number, I know, but that way we can stay in a 1-BR MK view every 3rd year with us staying at AKV the other years).

I don't really have much interest in THV's because we're a family of four and we don't really have the points (or the need) to stay at anything so big.....but I didn't start a thread to criticize them. I just thought it sounded pretty cool for people whose needs they would fit.

 

[Buckalew11]

I love them all. I'm doubting I will be bashing a resort. I might not be happy with some aspect of the service there or something but the DVC resorts are all wonderful to me!

We've going to add on in the near future but we're going to go resale somewhere else. I'll take my chances getting into BLT someday but I won't be heartbroken either way because 1) they are all beautiful and I feel lucky to be staying at any of them and 2) besides VB and HHI, I'm at WDW-does life get better than that??!

BLT is decorated the way I like but I think it fits the place and I'm sure I'd enjoy it once there. For the people who bought and will enjoy their purchase, I really hope it is as great as it sounds. I'm sure it will be!!
I remember the first time I saw BCV. My heart melted. And it still melts! I wish the same for everyone concerning their DVC!

 

[Dean]

Not true. If you read what I wrote, I said I don't get those types of threads for any resort. And , no, you don't "get me" OR what point I was trying to make.. ....I give! .........You win!

Sorry if I misunderstood your statement

I certainly agree with you on that point.....just not on the topic of this thread.

I read it as you saying people didn't have the right to post the types of posts your were complaining about. I apologize if that was not what you were saying.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Yea. Everybody was having a fit about it a week ago, AND for the last 6 months. Now everybody's got cold feet. It is bizzare if you think about it.

Fine with me. Makes booking easier.

 

[DVC Mike]

I, for one, LOVE BLT! I love the location. I love the MK view. I love the idea of seeing fireworks from my room. I love walking to the MK. I even LOVE the decor! I even love the "big hotel" feel that puts some people off.

ITA!

 

[honeymo78]

ITA!

Ditto

 

[edk35]

This is just my opinion, here is how I see it. 1st off congratulations to all of you who have purchased BLT. I wish all of you many happy vacations. BLT has been hyped on these boards for months. Its price has been speculated to be as high as $160 a point. It was anticipated like no other DVC property before. Who could ever imagine MK views and a monorail stop. Then there was the secrecy. we basicaly had no info other than rumors. we all know DVC guides were tight lipped and it was a "BIG SECRET" that every one kept. Then one day (this week), the sheet was pulled off BLT with no warning, no pomp and circumstance. I think many members who DIS (no pun intended) it are just a bit let down. Now that BLT is real, its just another hotel, about the same cost as any other DVC property (excluding resales), with lower than expected MF's. The shroud of secrecy has been lifted and I think many including me were expecting a bit more. They didn't WOW me on this one. I hope they try again with the Polynesian.

And that is what prompted me to post those two threads. I really expected a huge excitement over the BLT and so I personally wanted to know what happened. I am on and off these boards...somtimes on them for weeks posting a lot and then off for weeks or months at a time depending on what is going on in our crazy lives. SO .....the BLT were finally revealed and it seem that no big excited threads were posted...which got me thinking "what happened?" Did I miss something along the way. Being curious is not considered a valid reason apparently.

 

[DVC Mike]

SO .....the BLT were finally revealed and it seem that no big excited threads were posted...which got me thinking "what happened?"

I am very excited about BLT!

I added on the day it was first announced by DVC.

 

[edk35]

I NEVER once said I was offended by those threads. I said I didn't understand them. It's like the kid on the playground sticking their tongue out saying nah nah nah nah naaaaa nah! I also never said anyone was "IN THE WRONG". I simply questioned those types of threads. As I've already stated numerous times....If people were asking for a resort comparison or looking to buy and those opinions were expressed, perfect! But to start a thread like - Who's glad they don't own there? I don't get (for any resort)!!. As a matter of fact, it seems that those of you who are not interested in BLT are the ones starting the defensiveness here. My post questioned and was never presented in defensive tone. YOUR response is QUITE so. And saying "If it bothers people...then maybe they should not read certain threads or BE MEMBERS if it affects them so"...........Amazing to me! A little harsh, don't you think?

I just feel that you don't want (you said "understand"} people who don't like BLT or have an opinion about it....that isn't a positive one.... to voice their opinions. Sure ...I don't think people should start threads that say "BLT haters post here" "If you hate AKV post here". Maybe the way I worded my threads came across a certain way to sound negative ... but the replies I got didn't indicate that whatsoever. Nonetheless, because I don't own there and I want to talk about it .... because I am curious about something.....doesn't mean I shouldn't post a thread that wasn't even negative. There are far worst things being discussed on here at times. but this topic has really hit home apparently to a few now that BLT WAS ANNOUNCED. It appears from your comments on here...that you and maybe others too.. don't understand why other DVC owners want to discuss BLT that don't plan on staying or buying there ...why does it matter to us if we have no plans to buy or stay there. YES some have done so in a negative fashion, but others including ME have not. I have replied to many BLT threads in a very postive and happy manner. My entire reply to your post was to tell you why I personally started my threads. I know you didn't accuse me and I said that....but with the way your tone came across..I felt the need to explain. SO your tone made me feel that you think.... unless you like a certain resort.....we must remain mum on the topic???? Because I started two threads .....out of curiosity (because I wondered why there was a lack of excitement after all the time people were waiting for it) I apparently shouldn't have an opinion and if I do it is because I must be regretting my purchases at AKV or SSR or I am jealous and defensive for some reason I am not really revealing to myself or other dis'ers???? I guess I should keep my opinions to myself unless I can only talk positively about all resorts....OH BUT WAIT....I never said anything negative about BLT.

I didn't mean to sound harsh but if you feel so strongly about something and you know it is going to bother you.....then don't read the threads. Post on the happy and postive threads that make you feel good. Skip the ones that might bug you. We all have things in common on here...... we love Disney and we also have different opinions, but just remember that is a public forum and things will be said. I know that when SSR was always talked about....I just ignored that stuff. It didn't affect me in the least.

 

[edk35]

I am very excited about BLT!

I added on the day it was first announced by DVC.

YEAH DVC MIKE and I knew you were happy ...I am pretty sure I replied to one of your threads. I always knew you couldn't wait for it. CONGRATS!!!!!!!