Just back from 1st DVC Trip-Love BLT

[Bullseye]

The room was fantastic (7312), had views of the lake and the MK, watched fireworks at least 6 times from room/balcony. The room was in fine shape which made things better after all the complaining I read on the Disboards regarding the upkeep of the place.

Nicest room I've ever had- a real step up from regular resort rooms. So nice having a washer/dryer and full kitchen, didn't have to bring as many clothes and saved some money by doing some of our own cooking. Liking DVC and looking forward to trying other DVC resorts (esp. BC and AK). Staying in those "home away from homes" takes the trip to another level of comfort. DW and I really dug the shower and jacuzzi tub in master suite. Also very cool walking to MK and monorail to Epcot.

Checking in was a real disaster for us and many others that day though, felt like the Resort didn't have their act together. They did comp me $150 for not getting us in the room until almost 7pm which helped make things right.

Can't wait to get back to try another resort.

 

[bobbiwoz]

How nice! I'm glad you were given some money, but that doesn't happen all of the time. My DDiL seems to be the lucky one for that score.

 

[pascagoulabeach]

Sorry to hear about your check-in problems.

Does this type of thing happen often?

 

[RayRing]

I never heard of Disney giving out Money for inconvienencing their guests.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I was at BLT the week of June 6th, it was my first DVC trip...never stayed there either. I arrived at BLT or the Contemp to register, and that was at 10 AM and did nt get my room till 6:30 PM!
I never got comp'ed anything!

 

[kristie03]

Yea!! I just got home from BLT too (room 7710) and am craving chatter about that lovely place!

I agree...best hotel ever, best relaxing feeling in those rooms, the view was fantastic...love love love my DVC!

 

[wendy774]

Glad you had a great time! We loved it last year too. Were you in a 1 br? And was it a MK view? We had an MK view last year and loved watching the fireworks too.

We too can't wait to try out all the other resorts.

 

[princessfionasmom]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE BLT!!! I have to do split stays if I want to try a new resort because DH wants to stay there. The kids love it too. They love walking to MK, the pool and of course the arcade. Our next trip is next May and as usual most if not all will be at BLT. So glad you liked it!

 

[DenLo]

Glad to hear you loved BLT. I really like it too.

Regarding cash compensation, at the time I thought it was bizarre, but my DSIL was compensated $250 the second week of June for being erroneously placed in one of the newly designated standard views versus a savanna view at Kidani Village. DSIL and family had to stay the first night in the assigned room with a view of the road and no savanna and then were moved to a Sunset Savanna villa the next day. That meant the were homeless for most of the day again. I never thought that DVC members would be compensated with cash. I forgot to ask her if they refunded her the difference in points between a standard 2BR and a SV 2BR.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I never heard of Disney giving out Money for inconvienencing their guests.

It does happen. We were given $100 room credit when we didn't get our BWV 2 bedroom until after 7PM. When it's just DH and I and we've gotten into our rooms late we've just gotten a "Sorry for the inconvenience." It seems to be when there are children involved and the CM notices them, that we get something (a basket of chocolate goodies one time).

Bobbi

 

[photobob]

I was at BLT the week of June 6th, it was my first DVC trip...never stayed there either. I arrived at BLT or the Contemp to register, and that was at 10 AM and did nt get my room till 6:30 PM!
I never got comp'ed anything!

I wonder (no offense to OP) if these situations are "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" kind of thing?!? You don't show displeasure at not getting into your room until 7 pm and you don't get anything. You are visibly upset and to try to smooth things over they give you something.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I wonder (no offense to OP) if these situations are "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" kind of thing?!? You don't show displeasure at not getting into your room until 7 pm and you don't get anything. You are visibly upset and to try to smooth things over they give you something.

It could be just random pixie dust, or not random, depending on the personality of the CM. I wonder if they have a quota of things to give out!

 

[Cyndibear]

So happy to hear that you enjoyed BLT. We too just LOVE it!!! We enjoyed watching Wishes from our room too! Dh even re-arranged the furniture (placed the couch in front of the big windows) so we could enjoy it even better! Love that they have the soundtrack on the TV! Can't wait for our repeat stay in September!!

Cyndi

 

[Bullseye]

I wonder (no offense to OP) if these situations are "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" kind of thing?!? You don't show displeasure at not getting into your room until 7 pm and you don't get anything. You are visibly upset and to try to smooth things over they give you something.

Yes that is pretty much the case. If you don't express your displeasure and ask to be comped, then you won't be. They will always express thier apologies, but they aren't going to offer to compensate you.

This was our first DVC trip ever and to my home resort. We were given bad information all day long so at 6:45pm I finally did express my displeasure. After a very long deliberation behind closed doors, she finally came back and comped me and got me a room. Quite honestly, I was actually surprised it was that much.

Believe me, I'm not the type that holds your hand to the fire as soon as things don't go exactly as planned, but 3 hours after the guaranteed check in time is ridiculous.

Other than the check in, the resort was awesome and we we're really impressed with our 1 bedroom standard view (7312). I can't wait to try other resorts like AKV or BC to start. It's exciting.

 

[Sammie]

but 3 hours after the guaranteed check in time is ridiculous

Actually just an FYI, DVC and Disney do not have guaranteed room ready times. As to compensation you got lucky, would not count on that every time either. We have gotten several "I am sorry" before.

 

[Bullseye]

Actually just an FYI, DVC and Disney do not have guaranteed room ready times. As to compensation you got lucky, would not count on that every time either. We have gotten several "I am sorry" before.

Check in time is the guaranteed room time. Thats exactly what two different Front Desk managers told me at CR, which is why I had a leg to stand on when I voiced my complaints. Whereas the same is not true for a non DVC Disney resort where they may have a 3pm check in time but do not guarantee a room until 6pm.

I wouldn't count on being comped every time, but then again I wouldn't expect to be put out every time either. Surely many guests check in on time or early even.

 

[wbl2745]

I never heard of Disney giving out Money for inconvienencing their guests.

When my brothers and I were at AKV Jambo House in December their room wasn't made up. It took them about two hours to find someone to do it (it was late at night) and they comped my brother $500!