quirty30
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2009
- Messages
- 2,200
We just returned from our first trip home - a 3 night stay in a dedicated 2 bedroom villa with a Bay Lake view. We arrived on Thursday at about 2PM. I had done online check-in and walked right up the doc pick-up desk. Our room wasn't ready - we had a dinner ADR at Sci-Fi for 4PM but were too tired and didn't feel like hopping on the bus to HS since we couldn't freshen up first. So we winged it & checked our bags with the bell staff, then headed to the Contempo Cafe for a late lunch.
Got a text saying our room was ready just before 3PM. We were assigned room 8102 - 11th floor, end of the hall. Nice Bay Lake view looking straight ahead and to the right; beautiful view of Space Mountain to the left. Had to bend our necks a little to see the castle but we were thrilled all the same. I had requested a high floor, even numbered room and that's just what I got.
As for the room, we loved the spaciousness. But I was immediately disgusted to open my balcony door and find my neighbor to the left smoking on his balcony (well, my only neighbor since we at the end of the corridor.) It was funny because I opened the door, then ran back to get something to drink in the kitchen. Came back thru the bedroom door and thought, "what is that smell?" The smoke was just wafting into our unit. I quickly closed the door and called the front desk to ask if smoking was allowed on balconies (I was pretty sure it wasn't but thought I would be gracious and ask.) They said they would send up security and they did. Problem solved - at least temporarily.
We left to meet some friends at Downtown Disney; grabbed a crowded bus at about 8:25 and hoped we would make it back to BLT for Wishes - YAY, we did! Was thrilled that the bus stop is so close to the BLT entrance. We ran in at about 8:50 and got upstairs with a few minutes to spare. Got a nice table up in the lounge and ordered drinks and a couple of flatbreads, and enjoyed Wishes. There were probably about 100 people out on the observation deck and maybe another 20-25 inside. Our waiter was Peter and he was great. We talked to him a little about the lack of business up in the lounge. Asked him if he thought the policy would change. He said it was just a matter of time and hoped they would open the lounge up to ALL DVC members staying at a resort. He mentioned he was also a member, and he laughed when I told him he was famous and that I had seen his picture on the DIS - lol.
So, at about 10:30PM we headed back to the room. The guy next door was smoking AGAIN. Called the front desk once more to complain and once again, they sent security up. I did not have any more problems with him smoking, but twice I found his cigarette pack wrapper and foil strip on my balcony. Perhaps an intentional slight? I don't know. The whole situation really upset me. I sure as heck don't need to get hit with a $250 cleaning fee because I like to have my balcony door open. Just out of curiosity, at what point in time does management have the right to evict a guest for breaking the rules?
Ok enough of that rant. Just a few more observations about the rooms. While the dark laminate cabinets and furniture photograph well, they show every speck of dust and fingerprints, not to mention that just 2 months after opening, they are showing some wear and tear. I think lighter might have been better, and real wood rather than laminate. Let's see what else - my 8 year old daughter got the chair bed and loved it. I had a nice long soak in the master Jacuzzi tub last night. I am 5' 10" and I would comfortably lay down in the tub which is a real treat for me. Thumbs up on the tub! Thumbs down on the A/C. It was warm in the room when we checked in, but I decide to crank down the temp and see if it improved overnight - it didn't despite being set to 65 degrees and couldn't shower and put on makeup without breaking a sweat. Called maintenance and a nice lady came up to fix it - she walked in and said she could feel the warm air as soon as she walked in the door. She stayed and fixed it while we left to go swimming. Except when we came back up it didn't feel any better. We gave up and learned to live with it, but I'm curious if others have had A/C issues at BLT.
Oh, one last thing, loved the pool and the slide was even ok for me, and I have disc problems in my back. We spent several hours at the pool Friday afternoon - no huge crowds - didn't get there until 1PM and had no problems with lounge chairs.
Oh yes, and we did have an absolutely horrible Magical Express experience today but that's not related to BLT itself (so I will save it for a post on the transporation board.) But I am exhausted and I'm going to call it a night.
As far as BLT is concerned, I do have pics and will try to post them tomorrow after work. In the meantime, I'd be happy to answer any questious anyone might have.
Got a text saying our room was ready just before 3PM. We were assigned room 8102 - 11th floor, end of the hall. Nice Bay Lake view looking straight ahead and to the right; beautiful view of Space Mountain to the left. Had to bend our necks a little to see the castle but we were thrilled all the same. I had requested a high floor, even numbered room and that's just what I got.
As for the room, we loved the spaciousness. But I was immediately disgusted to open my balcony door and find my neighbor to the left smoking on his balcony (well, my only neighbor since we at the end of the corridor.) It was funny because I opened the door, then ran back to get something to drink in the kitchen. Came back thru the bedroom door and thought, "what is that smell?" The smoke was just wafting into our unit. I quickly closed the door and called the front desk to ask if smoking was allowed on balconies (I was pretty sure it wasn't but thought I would be gracious and ask.) They said they would send up security and they did. Problem solved - at least temporarily.
We left to meet some friends at Downtown Disney; grabbed a crowded bus at about 8:25 and hoped we would make it back to BLT for Wishes - YAY, we did! Was thrilled that the bus stop is so close to the BLT entrance. We ran in at about 8:50 and got upstairs with a few minutes to spare. Got a nice table up in the lounge and ordered drinks and a couple of flatbreads, and enjoyed Wishes. There were probably about 100 people out on the observation deck and maybe another 20-25 inside. Our waiter was Peter and he was great. We talked to him a little about the lack of business up in the lounge. Asked him if he thought the policy would change. He said it was just a matter of time and hoped they would open the lounge up to ALL DVC members staying at a resort. He mentioned he was also a member, and he laughed when I told him he was famous and that I had seen his picture on the DIS - lol.
So, at about 10:30PM we headed back to the room. The guy next door was smoking AGAIN. Called the front desk once more to complain and once again, they sent security up. I did not have any more problems with him smoking, but twice I found his cigarette pack wrapper and foil strip on my balcony. Perhaps an intentional slight? I don't know. The whole situation really upset me. I sure as heck don't need to get hit with a $250 cleaning fee because I like to have my balcony door open. Just out of curiosity, at what point in time does management have the right to evict a guest for breaking the rules?
Ok enough of that rant. Just a few more observations about the rooms. While the dark laminate cabinets and furniture photograph well, they show every speck of dust and fingerprints, not to mention that just 2 months after opening, they are showing some wear and tear. I think lighter might have been better, and real wood rather than laminate. Let's see what else - my 8 year old daughter got the chair bed and loved it. I had a nice long soak in the master Jacuzzi tub last night. I am 5' 10" and I would comfortably lay down in the tub which is a real treat for me. Thumbs up on the tub! Thumbs down on the A/C. It was warm in the room when we checked in, but I decide to crank down the temp and see if it improved overnight - it didn't despite being set to 65 degrees and couldn't shower and put on makeup without breaking a sweat. Called maintenance and a nice lady came up to fix it - she walked in and said she could feel the warm air as soon as she walked in the door. She stayed and fixed it while we left to go swimming. Except when we came back up it didn't feel any better. We gave up and learned to live with it, but I'm curious if others have had A/C issues at BLT.
Oh, one last thing, loved the pool and the slide was even ok for me, and I have disc problems in my back. We spent several hours at the pool Friday afternoon - no huge crowds - didn't get there until 1PM and had no problems with lounge chairs.
Oh yes, and we did have an absolutely horrible Magical Express experience today but that's not related to BLT itself (so I will save it for a post on the transporation board.) But I am exhausted and I'm going to call it a night.
As far as BLT is concerned, I do have pics and will try to post them tomorrow after work. In the meantime, I'd be happy to answer any questious anyone might have.
that Disney would have done this. I understand the whole authenticity thing, but I would have thought that would have been a fire concern. Oh well, I guess if it was up to code. In reference to the animals and fire, do you think Disney will replace the roof with a "man made" roof?
Bummer about the AC and the smoker. 
I'm also curious about the shade near the pool. My DF has UV and sun allergies, so he needs to load up on sunscreen and take frequent breaks from the sun and relax in the shade. I'm also curious about the lounge on the top. You mentioned there were about 100 people up there. Did you feel it was cramped up there or a comfy size for Wishes viewing? I'm just curious about how big the lounge is. Thanks for the review!
They really should have evicted him. What's the point in having rules if you're not going to enforce them?
