Just back from BWV, great trip, not thrilled with room condition

[ReneeQ]

Just got home yesterday from 8 nights at BWV. This trip was me, my sister and my nephew (her 5 year old). We had a great trip! We were in a standard view studio, first floor, room 1085. The room wasn't far from the elevators, come off the elevators, go to the right, pass the laundry room and it was on the left (same side as the laundry room) about 10 doors down, right across from a door leading out to the pool (that lead to the back of the hot tub and bar).

I had only made 2 room requests, non-smoking and studio plus (child sized daybed) and got both requests. I didn't request a specific floor. At first I was actually pleased to get the first floor, thinking we would enjoy the patio more than the balcony, as it's larger. But I wasn't thrilled with the room (and have posted on the room reports board).

Our view was of literally NOTHING. We faced the entrance, but could only see 8 feet tall bushes. It poured rain one day and from that point on the patio stayed flooded. There was LOTS of black rotten wood (should have been painted white!) around the patio. We had a long patio that served five rooms (counting ours) and never saw anyone out there. But we didn't spend much time out there either, as we just felt "boxed in" from the bushes.

The room needed work. There was mildew around the tub grout and around the fixtures as well as mildew on the fabric shower curtain. The shower curtain liner looked fairly new. There was lots of rust around the bathroom doorframe. The arms of the sofa were filthy. And the room seemed a little dusty. Things like the top of the hair dryer, the kleenex box cover and the little ceramic bathtub we usually put our toothbrushes in seemed like they had NEVER been wiped off. There was a big blotch of cream colored paint right in the middle of the door under the bathroom sink. Don't know from what because this room looked like it had never been rehabed. So how long has the paint been ignored?

The worst thing was the hallway carpet was FILTHY, JUST GROSS. Please, please, please tell me this section is next for rehab. If it has recently been rehabbed, we're in trouble!

This put a slight damper on the trip because my sister hadn't been in 2 years and the room condition was a bit of a let down. This was my 4th Boardwalk trip since buying 2 years ago and all other trips the rooms were in mint condition.

Other things:
I left a $5 tip the day of our full housekeeping, but didn't notice or get anything extra, still got the same number of towels, no extra soap, etc. Not that I expected it, just heard others mentioned it.

It was HOT all week. I don't think I'll go this time of year again, back to Jan. trips for me.

Went to MNSSHP on the 20th and it was packed and HOT. We gave up on getting candy and just concentrated on rides. Had a good time, but wouldn't do it again. The hot weather probably ruined it for us, though.

Parks seemed really crowded, but lines weren't bad.

We made GREAT use of fastpass. Still can't believe how many people don't use it or understand it. One woman asked me how much it cost!

I'd be happy to answer any questions. Sorry this got so long!

 

[DeeP]

Did you complain to the front desk regarding the condition of the room? I would have very politely but very firmly asked to be moved and to have the room change fee waived. There is no excuse for being given a room in such need of refurbishment.

 

[JudithM]

Dee said what I was thinking while I was reading your post. An unclean room anywhere is unacceptable especially at a DVC resort.

 

[ReneeQ]

No, I didn't complain about the room. I guess I should have, but it just didn't cross my mind. The things weren't really something that hit you in the face immediately (except the hall carpet). It was sort of each day we noticed something else. And by then we were all settled in and unpacked and never considered moving. I just kept thinking "this room must be up for rehab soon." Oh well, live and learn.

 

[schucrew]

Hi Renee!
We were right next to you - we were in 1099 and our friends were in 1097!
We just got back yesterday, too, and I just had to respond to your post. Our first impression was the same as yours - that carpet looked terrible! (But I think even a good cleaning would help!) And we had friends with us that had never been to Disney before, so I felt this made a bad impression on them. (Just like when you have someone to your home, you want it to look its best!)
Our room was in good shape though, but I was disappointed in the condition of the laundry room - it needed cleaning, and one of the washers was broken, with an "out of order" sign on it. (It seems like the same one was out of order last time we were there!) I didn't complain about this - in retrospect, maybe I should have, but I assumed housekeeping cleans the laundry room regularly, so that they would be aware of its condition.
But none of this spoiled our trip. It was hot, but we just spent more time in the pool! And it didn't seem to be as crowded as other years we were there in October. And the greeter/doorman (I think his name was Fernando) at the front door was wonderful, always wishing us a magical day and welcoming us home as we went back & forth to the busses.
We had great luck with transportation this trip - usually just walked right up and a bus was either waiting or there in 5 minutes. And we took the boats to Epcot more than usual because it seemd like there was always one waiting as we walked down to the dock.
Our friends were blown away by BWV and Disney World - they thought it was just great. We all hated to leave at the end of the week. (But we got bumped on the way home and each got $450 in vouchers - so it looks like there may be an extra trip coming up!)

 

[Jillpie]

I have never heard of a studio plus. Could you elaborate a little bit? Does it have a queen fold out couch and a child's daybed or is it just a daybed? Do all the DVC's have this option? thanks.

 

[RobDoc]

Studio Plus rooms are unique to BWV. They are a dedicated Studio that has a child's daybed where the connecting door would be in a lock-off, in addition to the queen bed and sleep sofa.

They may be requested, but are not guaranteed.

 

[Jillpie]

Thanks Doc. Are these plus rooms more points? Are the child's bed about the same size as say the trundle bed at POR is? thanks again.

 

[Punkswife]

What do you mean you got "bumped"???? pn the way home.

 

[WDWLVR]

Renee,

We were there the week of October 5th. I can't speak to the condition of your room, but I can give you our insight into the carpet. We walked down your hall on our way to the Member Update meeting on Thursday morning. We noticed that the carpeting in that hall was much more worn and dirty than what we had on the 5th floor. I think the main reason is that it got the most traffic going to and from the pool. In addition the traffic to and from the pool is wetter, dirtier traffic than traffic just going to and from the parks. I would think that the hall does get more cleaning than the other areas but as with all heavy traffic areas (like those in our house) sometimes you just can't keep up.

On a related note I know how you feel about the patio not be able to be used. We had a studio at VWL in May and were assigned a first floor room. Before I had a chance to sit out there and enjoy it I noticed a snake go by - needless to say we didn't spend any time on that patio.

I was much happier with my 5th floor balcony at Boardwalk!

 

[schucrew]

Our flight was overbooked, so the airline asked for volunteers to be "bumped" off the flight and to take a later flight. To encourage people to do this, they typically offer vouchers for later travel - we each got $450 in vouchers that we can use to pay for flights in the future.

 

[ReneeQ]

Jillpie,
A studio plus costs the same number of points as a regular studio. I have never seen the trundle beds at POFQ, so I can't really compare. The child size daybed in the studio plus is much smaller than a twin bed, not as wide and not as long. My nephew is 45 inches tall and weighs 40 lbs. and fit fine with room to spare. He just turned 5 years old 3 weeks ago.

I prefer the studio plus because it is a dedicated studio, not a lock off (meaning part of a 1 BR), so they tend to be quieter. Also, as I mentioned, it is nice not to have to pull out the sofa bed each night. The studio plus isn't guaranteed, but it's nice when you can get it.