Just back from BLT - some thoughts....

[jackdis]

Just back from BLT. If anyone has any questions, I would love to try to answer them. I have gotten so much great info. from these boards. I always want to do the same for others.

Some basic observations:
We love the BLT for its location. We really like the pool and the TOWL. The decor is fine with us.

Here are a few more observations from our recent stay, dealing with more of the negatives we saw this time around.

I must agree with others about the studio being quite small...we had two adults and two small kids. I also agree with the wear and tear on the furniture being so noticeable, especially for a new resort.

Also, the first room we were given was not cleaned, so we had to trek back to the Contemporary. Cast member tried to "work us some magic" which I thought was very nice of her, but then she ruined that for me by telling me that they really don't have any flexibility with DVC member rentals. She can do more for non-members or those who are paying cash. I knew that from reading these boards, but it is still annoying to hear. You would think a little "magic" might be shown for loyalty.

Second room was clean. However we did have to call about the toilet constantly running and not flushing several times. I was told and understand that maintenance is handled on a "first come first served" basis, but waiting 4 hours is a bit excessive, I would say.

The view we had wasn't the greatest theme park view. It was more of a look to the far right and see the castle view, but I also knew that could happen from reading these boards. Must say, we were able to check in early -about noon - so the view issue did not bother me since we were in.

I have stayed there twice and both times did not feel the Disney service from certain staff members at the Contemporary check in. This was true when we called about the toilet. It happened again when we called the morning of our checkout and did not receive our room charges on the door. We specifically asked about it the day before and when we called that morning we were told that we should have gotten in and to have a "magical day!" THEN SHE HUNG UP THE PHONE. We had to call again to find out if we could have it brought to us or if we should go get it at the desk. Not a big deal, but it was one less thing we were planning on doing when checking in the luggage and catching Magical Express in the early am.

The service and staff at the BLT was EXCELLENT! I enjoyed the TOWL so much, and the staff there greatly contributed to that!!!

Lastly, many people were at BLT who did not belong there - in the pool, throughout the hotel, in the HALLWAYS by the rooms. We were on the 9th floor!! People were wandering around looking for the way to get to the TOWL!! They weren't even staying in the hotel. That makes me a little uneasy that anyone can just come in and wander around.

There were also a lot of people on the walkway over to the BLT during firework time. What was disappointing was that trash was left all over the walkway after the fireworks (half eaten cookies, wine cooler bottles, etc.) and it remained there quite some time on several evenings. Since we were watching from our balcony, we could see the people come and go just for the fireworks. They were not guests of BLT.

Will I stay there again? Absolutely!! Am I sorry we bought there? NO. Will I try other DVC resorts? Absolutely!!!

Again, feel free to ask any questions and I will try my best to answer.

 

[CaptHomer]

Thought you had to stay there in order to use TOWL?

 

[jackdis]

Yes, you do. You need to check in at the desk in the lobby of the BLT and they use a key on a set elevator to gain access to that floor. People we saw were trying to figure out how to get up there. (They didn't go to the CM in the lobby and were just trying to get to the highest floor.)

 

[CaptHomer]

Sounds like an increase in security might be in order. Of course they would just jack up the annual dues for that.

 

[jackdis]

I know. That's exactly what my DH and I were saying.......sigh.....
It wasn't anything major, just a slight annoyance. Same as people leaving the gate open at the pool and others wandering in when it's left open.

 

[londonderrydisneyfan]

Thanks for the review.

How crowded was the pool during the day?

 

[mvc1997]

I thought you couldn't get on the walkway without a room key??????
I've never stayed there but I really thought BLT was much more secure.

 

[DenLo]

I noticed while staying there in March that at the skybridge if you just push the handicap button it opened the door to BLT, no KTTW was necessary. I imagine others have figured out this loop hole.

But just because you see people roaming the halls they still could be BLT guests that just don't have an MK view.

I still don't understand why BLT needs to be a keyed access resort as none of the other DVC resorts are that way.

I would think that in the future they might need to limit the number of people standing on the skyway during the fireworks just for safety reasons, too many people means too much weight and inability to get from CR to BLT for guests, especially handicapped guests.

 

[edk35]

I thought you couldn't get on the walkway without a room key??????
I've never stayed there but I really thought BLT was much more secure.

psssttttt NO it wasn't when we visited on Tuesday July 13th. We didn't stay there...but friends of ours did. We stopped by to visit them one of the two nights we were at SOG...they were still at the pool when we got there and we were able to walk right down to the pool. We got in without a key. We didn't use the pool...but we did sit with them for a few minutes before going up to their villa. All we did was tell the security person that we were visiting friends...went in the BLT lobby side.

 

[Snurk71]

I thought you couldn't get on the walkway without a room key??????

IIRC the key part is at the BLT end of the walkway - you need a key to get into the actual building part of BLT.

Of course when stayed there last Oct there was a lot of coming and going to where most people could piggyback in if they were patient enough. We didn't have to use our keys half the time because the door was already open from someone else coming or going.

 

[edk35]

IIRC the key part is at the BLT end of the walkway - you need a key to get into the actual building part of BLT.

Of course when stayed there last Oct there was a lot of coming and going to where most people could piggyback in if they were patient enough. We didn't have to use our keys half the time because the door was already open from someone else coming or going.

Like I said...we walked through the BLT lobby...straight to the pool....never had to use a key (we didn't have one of course). Maybe the breezeway...is different and you have to have a key.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

IIRC the key part is at the BLT end of the walkway - you need a key to get into the actual building part of BLT.

Of course when stayed there last Oct there was a lot of coming and going to where most people could piggyback in if they were patient enough. We didn't have to use our keys half the time because the door was already open from someone else coming or going.

When we were there only a couple of times did we have to actually use a key to open the door at the building part of BLT. I thought it was kind of odd that there was a spot for the card but never had to use it. And we came and went at various times of day / night.

 

[deerh]

We are going to BLT in Sept. This report is NOT good!! I don't think people should be on the walkway (unless staying there of course). I disagree with the "no more security, it will add to dues" statement. That is what we want (our little dvc world) and we DO pay a price for the views/tower/walkway, so why not a little more security?

Don't know, I have a little 'dissapointment factor" after hearing all of this...
I know there will be people there when the 'door opens' and gets ready to shut, and they 'sneak' in, but this is a little over the top for me....

I think disney needs to revisit arm bands/etc for pool access as well, as we had a few people that were at HHI pool, and not staying there!! I overheard them say, this is a nice pool, wish we could stay here.. They left about 10 min later, I was about to report them.... I think a LOT of this goes on...
Oh well, another story for another day..................

DeerH

 

[Sammie]

Another example of a selling feature that has not held. BLT was touted as the most secure DVC resort ever.

I like my DVC alot but Jim Lewis is going to kill it and sadly I don't know what we can do.

 

[jackdis]

Thanks for the review.

How crowded was the pool during the day?

It wasn't terrible, and it was really HOT when we were there! I found it interesting that at lunch time (12-1 ish) it wasn't packed at all. I guess people were coming back from the parks a little later. Or eating first and then coming to the pool.

We always found a chair and the kids never had a long wait on the slide. Most of the time they walked right on or had a few others in front of them.

 

[jackdis]

We are going to BLT in Sept. This report is NOT good!! I don't think people should be on the walkway (unless staying there of course). I disagree with the "no more security, it will add to dues" statement. That is what we want (our little dvc world) and we DO pay a price for the views/tower/walkway, so why not a little more security?

Don't know, I have a little 'dissapointment factor" after hearing all of this...
I know there will be people there when the 'door opens' and gets ready to shut, and they 'sneak' in, but this is a little over the top for me....

I think disney needs to revisit arm bands/etc for pool access as well, as we had a few people that were at HHI pool, and not staying there!! I overheard them say, this is a nice pool, wish we could stay here.. They left about 10 min later, I was about to report them.... I think a LOT of this goes on...
Oh well, another story for another day..................

DeerH

DeerH-
I totally can relate to how you are feeling. It is for this very reason that we got annoyed and disappointed while staying at the Poly CL. First of all, there were people at the pool who made it so obvious that they did not belong there. And as for the club level building, we watched people - make that groups of people - coming in, using the stairs, taking armfuls of soda and some beers, and plates of sushi, and going back to the pool area. They were definitely not club level guests.

Don't let it ruin your trip for you. I just felt like I had to vent a little this time around. I would definitely still stay there, but just need to overlook some of these "visitors" and not let them get me annoyed on my vacation.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I took a walk over from the outside and there were no issue walking up and checking out the pool.

 

[jackdis]

I noticed while staying there in March that at the skybridge if you just push the handicap button it opened the door to BLT, no KTTW was necessary. I imagine others have figured out this loop hole.

But just because you see people roaming the halls they still could be BLT guests that just don't have an MK view.

I still don't understand why BLT needs to be a keyed access resort as none of the other DVC resorts are that way.

I would think that in the future they might need to limit the number of people standing on the skyway during the fireworks just for safety reasons, too many people means too much weight and inability to get from CR to BLT for guests, especially handicapped guests.

Yes, the handicap button did open the doors without a key, but we did find that it didn't always work after hours.

I think the primary reason that BLT gets so many visitors is because of its location so close to the monorail and Chef Mickey's. It is easier for people to wander over and in than in the other DVC resorts. Maybe that is why there is more of a need for security there? I don't know......just a thought.

 

[jackdis]

One more thought about people gathering on the walkway.....when you come out of the Contemporary part of the building, before you get into the walkway, there is a viewing area with benches. I can see where people would be allowed to access that, but I still feel that right before the walkway could be the off limits/key must be used to access point.

 

[dclfun]

I get really annoyed when people take advantage of something that they're not entitled to that others are paying for, whether it be a resort pool or esp. the CL lounge. I remember one year, prior to DVC being involved, watching the CM's at the AKL CL lounge with a clicker monitoring how many people came up the stairs and "stole" food. Now there's a themed gate on the 5th floor with a key card access for the lounge so people can no longer access that area by the stairs. The Poly should have something similar to keep guests out who feel they should be able to grab food and beverages when they haven't paid for CL or are even staying at that resort. As to BLT, why does anyone need to be on the walkway and in the BLT building if they're not staying there or visiting a guest who's staying there? ---Kathy