debbiebones
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2002
- Messages
- 317
We just returned to a cloudy, rainy Detroit, following a glorious week (our first trip home) at BCV's. Here's a bit of a rundown of the week to give everyone an idea of our trip:
My parents arrived last Friday before us (around 11 a.m.) and there were no rooms available yet. We arrived at about 2 and still no rooms ready. We were told that we were on the first floor but they could not tell us which room. And they would not let you make any switches. It looked pretty busy so that was understandable. I checked back at 3 p.m. and our room was ready. It was room 168 (a dedicated 2 br)...walked right out to the canal with the quiet pool to our left. Location was great! Just a short walk to our rental car in the parking lot and every morning, our kids, ages 3 and 5, could walk out the door and feed the turtles and alligator! That was one of their highlights!
Couple problems when we first arrived and I attribute some of it to what sounds like a recurring housekeeping problem. The room had been cleaned but if you're a "clean" freak of sorts, there were things that might have bothered you, as they did me. The floors in bathrooms and kitchen were still dirty and sticky and obviously overlooked by housekeeping. my mom and I spent some time on our hands and knees scrubbing them to our comfort level. I'm also a bit shocked at how much abuse these rooms have taken in just one year! I get the feeling people just don't take care for their home away from home the way they should! Lots of knicks in the walls and furniture, spills on the fabric and carpeting, etc....it's really a shame! We also had to have some lightbulbs replaced and as well as burners on the stove fixed.
The other problem had to to do with our groceries. We went shopping, pulled up to valet and asked if they could deliver our groceries to our room (I heard they would bring our groceries right to us). "Sure, no problem," was the answer. Well, half an hour later, still no groceries. I walked over with my husband and dad and our groceries were all still sitting there outside with about 6 bellhops just standing around! And no one had an good explanation! So the guys hauled the groceries to our room while I went right over to the front desk, asked for a manager and explained our problems. He was very cordial about it all and had another manager call us later in our room so that we could explain our dissatisfactions. They promised us they would definitely look into it all and I believe they will. I do think though, that if no one complains, things can get a bit lax.
But now, the good stuff:
parks were great...crowded but not overly. We never really waited in any long lines. All of the 3-d shows were great! As was the Disney's Playhouse show at MGM for younger kids!
Restaurants were good..we ate at:
Olive Garden off property the first night (actually, very good and reasonable)
Gullivers at the Swan (very good and as DVC members, a 20% discount!)
Flying Fish (very good but a bit expensive)
Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian (very good but very expensive, however well worth the splurge! Also we were able to watch the fireworks at MK from our table. Oh and you do get a 10% discount here)
Sushi Bar at Epcot in Japan (very good)
Rainforest Cafe at AK (good and a 10% discount)
Caught some of the booths at the Food and Wine festival as well and that was very good and lots of fun!
All in all, it was a very good trip! Never heard "Welcome Home" from anyone, but that certainly didn't dampen our enthusiasm. BVC is a very nice resort and with a bit better housekeeping, I give it a solid "A"!
I'd be glad to answer any questions
Deb
My parents arrived last Friday before us (around 11 a.m.) and there were no rooms available yet. We arrived at about 2 and still no rooms ready. We were told that we were on the first floor but they could not tell us which room. And they would not let you make any switches. It looked pretty busy so that was understandable. I checked back at 3 p.m. and our room was ready. It was room 168 (a dedicated 2 br)...walked right out to the canal with the quiet pool to our left. Location was great! Just a short walk to our rental car in the parking lot and every morning, our kids, ages 3 and 5, could walk out the door and feed the turtles and alligator! That was one of their highlights!
Couple problems when we first arrived and I attribute some of it to what sounds like a recurring housekeeping problem. The room had been cleaned but if you're a "clean" freak of sorts, there were things that might have bothered you, as they did me. The floors in bathrooms and kitchen were still dirty and sticky and obviously overlooked by housekeeping. my mom and I spent some time on our hands and knees scrubbing them to our comfort level. I'm also a bit shocked at how much abuse these rooms have taken in just one year! I get the feeling people just don't take care for their home away from home the way they should! Lots of knicks in the walls and furniture, spills on the fabric and carpeting, etc....it's really a shame! We also had to have some lightbulbs replaced and as well as burners on the stove fixed.
The other problem had to to do with our groceries. We went shopping, pulled up to valet and asked if they could deliver our groceries to our room (I heard they would bring our groceries right to us). "Sure, no problem," was the answer. Well, half an hour later, still no groceries. I walked over with my husband and dad and our groceries were all still sitting there outside with about 6 bellhops just standing around! And no one had an good explanation! So the guys hauled the groceries to our room while I went right over to the front desk, asked for a manager and explained our problems. He was very cordial about it all and had another manager call us later in our room so that we could explain our dissatisfactions. They promised us they would definitely look into it all and I believe they will. I do think though, that if no one complains, things can get a bit lax.
But now, the good stuff:
parks were great...crowded but not overly. We never really waited in any long lines. All of the 3-d shows were great! As was the Disney's Playhouse show at MGM for younger kids!
Restaurants were good..we ate at:
Olive Garden off property the first night (actually, very good and reasonable)
Gullivers at the Swan (very good and as DVC members, a 20% discount!)
Flying Fish (very good but a bit expensive)
Narcoosee's at the Grand Floridian (very good but very expensive, however well worth the splurge! Also we were able to watch the fireworks at MK from our table. Oh and you do get a 10% discount here)
Sushi Bar at Epcot in Japan (very good)
Rainforest Cafe at AK (good and a 10% discount)
Caught some of the booths at the Food and Wine festival as well and that was very good and lots of fun!
All in all, it was a very good trip! Never heard "Welcome Home" from anyone, but that certainly didn't dampen our enthusiasm. BVC is a very nice resort and with a bit better housekeeping, I give it a solid "A"!
I'd be glad to answer any questions
Deb
Remember that great Fl. weather when it gets gloomy in Detroit this winter. That's what I try to do in NH to make the long winter bearable!
