Just checked into BCV / Handicap Access Room / Magical Express / Wireless Internet

[jim and meesie]

My DD and I just checked into BCV last night. Just a couple of observations.

First room we received (325) turned out to be a handicap accessible room. I didn't think it would be a problem (I remember reading alot of fuss on these boards about them) but be very careful!!! The room seems much smaller than a regular studio and get this, there is no closet!!! No hanging poles for your clothes. On top of that the armoire has four tiny drawers, maybe socks or underwear sized. Finally, although it has a larger bathroom, there is no vanity to put your toiletries on, just a sink. Although the room was clean and otherwise fine it just wasn't going to work for us. Called the front desk, nothing available till tommorrow, asked to speak with a manager, something was available. New room, (350) is just fine!!! Although it overlooks the roadway and you do get some road noise you can see the "Illuminations" fireworks at night! It does seem alot bigger, definitely more storage room!! We (being two girls) filled the closet with our clothes!!!

We used Magical Express. Flight landed at 5:10 pm, got in line for Magical Express at 5:25 pm, got on bus at 5:35 pm, bus bus departed at 5:50 pm, 2 stops before BCV. Arrived at front desk at 6:35 pm (not bad). Got to room at 7:00 pm. Pre ordered groceries delivered promptly. Room change at 7:30 pm. Eating dinner at Beaches & Cream by 8 pm. Returned to the room at about 8:40 pm, just as bellman was leaving room with luggage delivery. Since husband and son "Sherpas" were not with us Magical Express was a blessing just to not have to carry our bags at all!!! Although tips are supposedly included, I tipped because I was so appreciative!! All three times, Grocery Delivery, Room Change and ME luggage delivery we had the same bellman and I tipped him each time. He actually told the front desk I needed a new room after he delivered our groceries, I have to get his name so I can write a note about how great he was!!!!!

Finally, wireless internet seems to have not reached Disney yet. The only wireless area seems to be the actual BC lobby. The in room internet connection requires an Ethernet cable but it is provided in the room. $9.95 for 24 hours charged to your room.

DD is still sleeping so I may be off to the pool alone.

 

[lizziepooh]

Thanks for the post. I don't understand why they can't at least put a shelf near the bathroom sink in the HA units. Is there not enough space? Handicapped individuals need a place to set stuff too.

 

[Muushka]

There is plenty of space for a shelf or vanity or something in the HA BCV studio bathrooms. But for some reason, they choose to leave a lot of open space,

To the OP, we used the luggage rack, opened up, and placed a closed suitcase on top of that for bathroom items. Very strange setup. Great hotel though!

 

[swich2mac]

Who did you use for the groceries?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Glad everything eventually worked out OK. I'm also one who finds HA rooms very inconvenient, the way they're set up at Disney. The lack of shelf space in the bathroom is a real puzzler. Just curious, did the front desk at least tell you that your room was HA or were you "surprised" when you got there? That's one of my biggest peeves about HA rooms-they don't tell you.

 

[Muushka]

I'm not the OP, but no, they did not tell us it was HA either. But we probably would have taken it anyway. We were just visiting (our home resort is VWL) and don't want to be too imposing!

 

[DisneycrazedX6]

Are you going to write everynight??? I look forward to reading your summary. Don't leave anything out, I want to feel like I am there. Make sure you discuss food....always interested in that. Have a great trip and get some sleep........will check with you tomorrow....I hope!!!

 

[AMcaptured]

We got a HA room on our last stay and I took the cheap plastic table ( I hate the cheap furniture DVC throws at us) that was out on the patio and put our toiletries on it. We wouldn't have survived otherwise. I don't get the reason for no shelves, don't they think handicapped people use toothpaste??? Crazy

 

[PKS44]

This is a HUGE pet peeve to me--this NOT telling you it is a HA room..this is just poor servive.... POOR communication = poor service---I would mention to a manager the poor service in NOT telling you that the room would be HA when yo did not request HA--I specifically request NOT HA and it still does not appear on my requests...I don't leave the front desk without asking about HA status in any hotel and this "surprise the guest" treatment is not UNIQUE to Disney--and we the customers need to put a stop to it if we don't like it---and I don't like it.

 

[Muushka]

Snip....I don't get the reason for no shelves, don't they think handicapped people use toothpaste??? Crazy

That is exactly what I thought!!

 

[Pluto4Pres]

It seems that this HA room assignment causes a lot of problems. I would suggest to DVC that they add some bonus to an HA room to make it more desirable to those who get one without asking for it. A little extra square footage, a large window or balcony with a great view, maybe a large screen TV. Just something that makes the guest say, "Well I really didn't want an HA room, but I'll keep it because of the XX." This would eliminate a lot of angst, disappointment and hassle at the front desk.

 

[Muushka]

I don't know what type of view all the HA rooms have, but we had a great view. We looked out on the woods and the fireworks were great, and my greatest dislike of seeing cars was non-existant. For that reason, I would not mind getting that room again. But that bed was so low...........well, maybe I would think about it!

 

[gppnj]

First room we received (325) turned out to be a handicap accessible room. I didn't think it would be a problem (I remember reading alot of fuss on these boards about them) but be very careful!!! The room seems much smaller than a regular studio and get this, there is no closet!!! No hanging poles for your clothes. On top of that the armoire has four tiny drawers, maybe socks or underwear sized. Finally, although it has a larger bathroom, there is no vanity to put your toiletries on, just a sink.

I think it's ridiculous that you'd get stuck in a room like that. A hotel room with no closet is absurd. No one who doesn't need an HA room would want that room, so those HA rooms should be bookable separately. If someone who needs an HA room reserves it, fine. Otherwise, it should sit empty.

 

[PKS44]

It seems that this HA room assignment causes a lot of problems. I would suggest to DVC that they add some bonus to an HA room to make it more desirable to those who get one without asking for it. A little extra square footage, a large window or balcony with a great view, maybe a large screen TV. Just something that makes the guest say, "Well I really didn't want an HA room, but I'll keep it because of the XX." This would eliminate a lot of angst, disappointment and hassle at the front desk.

There is a cheaper and faster to implement solution-- it is called honest communication---TELL people who are checking in that they are getting a HA room and ask them if that is okay IF you have an alternative....this will not eliminate the problem as there seem to be too many HA rooms compared to the need...but it would go a ways towards matching people's desires and expectations to the delivered service...as it is --they are setting themselves and their guests up for unpleasantness by the sneaky way they go about it...

 

[brasey]

Sounds like they may overbook and try to pawn it off on some people. There should always be something open as they must leave rooms open in case of special circumstances. Was the wireless internet in the lobby free?

 

[jim and meesie]

Glad everything eventually worked out OK. I'm also one who finds HA rooms very inconvenient, the way they're set up at Disney. The lack of shelf space in the bathroom is a real puzzler. Just curious, did the front desk at least tell you that your room was HA or were you "surprised" when you got there? That's one of my biggest peeves about HA rooms-they don't tell you.

SURPRISE!!! It would have been OK for one night but for a week it just wasn't going to happen!!

 

[jim and meesie]

Sounds like they may overbook and try to pawn it off on some people. There should always be something open as they must leave rooms open in case of special circumstances. Was the wireless internet in the lobby free?

I don't think the wireless internet in the lobby is free but I couldn't get a connection anyway so it doesn't matter. They say they have wireless at the Stormalong Bay pool, ok, so that is just too type A for me!!! Although i brought the laptop on vacation (for reasons other than posting on the DIS) I'm not that bad!!!!

 

[pjshaff]

We had 225 last year, also HA-but has a tub. That's what really mattered most to us because we have 2 younger children. I'll agree though, they should put some sort of shelving in the bathroom. Our over the door shoe rack didn't even work that great in that bathroom. I can't remember if the door was a slider door or if it was just a thicker width.

All that said, we'd go back to BCV in a heartbeat.

 

[Jen D]

Wireless access costs the same as in-room ethernet access; dh had to use it at the BWV lobby last trip.

OP: Did you have to pay a room change fee?

 

[DebbieB]

It seems like wireless would be alot cheaper to install than wiring all the rooms. What is the downside to wireless vs wired? I used wireless in the Courtyard by Marriott on Palm Parkway and it was fine (and free).