Just got back a few hours ago from our PolynesianLVC & YC (err...I mean BC)

[Tonyspad]

Sorry jjohnson,

I agree with Deluxe Princess. I have read countless reviews similar to yours and the best way for me to decribe this situation is that you may have had a deluxe resort let down. You got what you paid for, that is it ! As for your child, I have two boys same age as yours and I would never let them get out of my sight in a new surrounding. Look in the mirror and book what you want next time around. It seems to me Disney stepped up and bit the bullet for something that had nothing to do with.

 

[SeaSpray]

jjohnson: I understand how you were feeling at every point of your trip, just by reading your review. I think I would've felt extremely disappointed at ANY resort after Polynesian LVC. lol The part where the CM did not offer to help you find your DS is totally unacceptable. Or at least, he could've made a call to alert the proper department within the resort that a child was lost/missing, even if he couldn't stop what he was doing to help you look himself.

I think you did choose 2 great resorts. I have read a lot of great reviews of the Yacht Club. I think you might have hit it at a bad time, and especially after just being at the Polynesian LVC. I am glad things were better for you at the Beach Club, and it does NOT sound like you complained or nit picked to get a nicer view or concierge access. Your review does not come across like that at all, in my opinion

My only advice for next time would be to do the "other" resort first, then end with the Polynesian! It's a tough act to follow, in my opinion

 

[Houstonmouse]

I can see where the OP is coming from as well. I think it wasn't the view, but the cumulative effect of things that got to her. The view was just another nail in the coffin so to speak. We also did Poly in July and you didn't need to stay LVC to use the Poly as a standard in which to measure everything else. The resort is fabulous.

It's funny though, I have a theory that the first onsite hotel you stay in always holds a place in one's heart. Our previous two stays before Poly were at the WL and though we LOVED the Poly, it just didn't send us over the moon like WL did. I think it has a lot to do with us first experiencing the Disney Magic onsite.

That all said, we just booked YC yesterday for a quick three night stay, just DH and myself. This thread hasn't caused me any concern and we are looking forward to our quick, adult trip in 3 weeks time.

 

[Lives4Disney]

JJohnson - I was there the same time that you were! We did Dolphin for 3 nights and then the Grand Floridian. We moved on Tuesday, too, and the computers were down. The GF was great at handling it for us. I explained that I really wanted to....and a CM finished my sentence for me and said "leave your room" . He said it isn't acceptable for me not to have keys and went and got me some temp ones. The GF was wonderful this trip, but I have had problems in the past on one stay and know just how you felt.

The deluxes are expensive & Disney claims to be where happiness lives, right? You shouldn't have to feel deluxe let down. Sorry you ran into a couple of bummer CMs. First impressions mean a lot. Our Dolphin check in was odd, too. It was our first stay there and just left me with a poor opinion of their "customer service".

I stayed Poly LVC last summer and it wasn't too great for us. When we would enter the concierge building not one CM would look up, greet us, NOTHING. Nobody said "aloha", we weren't offered the leis or the golf cart ride to Hawaii. We started to joke about how unfriendly the Poly CMs were. I think the quality of the CMs you deal with can really effect your impression of a resort.

Thanks for posting. I like to hear the good and the bad. Glad the Poly was good for your family!

Lives4Disney

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'd be just as upset as the OP over the lack of response of the CM over the loss of her son. The rest sounds like letdown from leaving a truly magical experience to one that didn't meet expectations. Nothing particularly wrong, just different.

I guess this could be construed as a cautionary tale over split stays. Seems a little stressful to me. Never done it, don't think I will.

 

[Sammie]

I am not going to say the OP is wrong in her opinons, but those planning future YC stays please read her comments carefully, as much of her disappointment in the Yacht Club was not really the resort or the staff there's fault, but circumstance they could not control.

First many put too much planning and expectations in the perfect trip and when, what I consider minor occurances happen, they get blown way out of proportion. Second, the OP had a wonderful, almost magical stay at the Polynesian and went into the Yacht Club with a feeling that would be very hard to match.

She booked Polynesian Concierge and had a Castle view, certainly a standard view anywhere is going to be a let down. While I agree that the CM in the hall could have been more responsive, we don't know what or how it was said. As to her son being missing, she has admitted he was the one that was at fault.

The rest of the story is proof of the caring staff at the Yacht and Beach Club as it is one resort, one management team, and they went way beyond to make this guest happy, she went from standard room to water view with Concierge access, and a lovely surprise in the room when truly the only problem with the Yacht Club was it was not the Polynesian.

So Yacht Club future guests I would not worry about your stay.

 

[jjohnson]

Welcome back. When you get a chance, you'll have to fill us in on what went wrong at the YC and BC. We did the YC last December and it was okay. I missed seeing the castle though and SAB made me a bit nervous. It was difficult to keep track of my 8 year old and a pain to keep walking her back and forth the slide entrance.

So, are you making plans to return to the Poly next year? Don't worry, time flies and you'll have those refurbished rooms to look forward too.

Tammi

Hi Tammi,

I have to agree with SAB. My youngest two are both over 50 inches tall & I had to keep an eye on them constantly. They keep swimming to the deeper sections. Plus with the pool being so crowded it was difficult to know where they were all the time unless you followed them around.

I would love to return to the Poly next year as would my children but DH really wants to try GF. We had lunch at the Cafe & walked around one afternoon & he just loved it. I have a year now to figure it out.

Joyce

 

[Mouse Man]

We arrived at the YC & headed toward the lobby. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet.

This is exactly the reason why I LOVE the Yacht Cub! LOL It's never been so quiet that I want to hush the kids though. Beach Club is definitely more active. A lot of that has to do with the extra DVC rooms. Makes for more people wandering about.

You definitely had resort let down after your great stay at the Polynesian. I never do split stays anymore because I always end up comparing the resorts and liking one better.

 

[JennyMominRI]

We had Similar vacarions. I was at the Poly the 12-16 and Bc 16th -20th. We loved both.The BC had a slight edge.I liked the room theme a bit more and the proximity to Epcot... I'd stay at either one again any time

 

[jjohnson]

Resort Letdown.Well I'm glad there is a diagnosis. No more split stays for me either. Thanks Doc!

 

[YCFAN]

I am definitely not flaming because I had almost the exact same feeling last year when going from the YC to the Poly. Both stays were lagoon view concierge and I much preferred YC to the Poly for almost the same reasons as you. CM's were much friendlier at YC, housekeeping was rude at Poly, didn't get ANY extras not even the leis and nothing for the little one but at YC there was pixie dust every day. It just goes to show that it all depends on when you go and what your experience is at the time.

 

[JulyGirl]

Glad you enjoyed the Polynesian.

 

[Viki]

And I think the OP probably really did pick up on the atmosphere at the YC and didn't find it to her liking. We adore BCV, but would never stay at the YC. Sure, they're attached, but they really are two different resorts, one of which we find appealing and the other we don't.

 

[TheMMMLtd]

JJohnson -

Thank you for the resort reviews. You caught my eye when you mentioned room 3513 at the Polynesian. We have stayed at the Polynesian many times and on each visit have requested (and received!) room 3513. Since our last visit, we noticed that this room is now in the smoking/optional section of the 3rd floor of the Hawaii building. Are you a smoker? If not, how was the smell of the room? Just wanted to drop a line and find out. So glad you liked 'our' room and yes, the view from that balcony simply can't be beat!

.....Kim

 

[bizeemom4]

So you left the YC because you didn't like the view? Next time, book what you REALLY want and you won't be disappointed. As far as your son getting lost, I'm sorry to hear that, but it's not the fault of the YC.

Teena works at the front desk? Wow. I've never been escorted to my room by someone from Guest Services. I bet there was a lot of complaining going on to get that service. Then you get an upgrade to waterview CONCIERGE, a nice full balcony and you STILL complain about the closet door! Sorry. You just sound very nit picky.

My sentiments exactly. At least the Poly made you happy. I'd just stick with that in the future and hope (for the CMs sake) that you get everything you want.

 

[tar heel]

It's funny how different people's experiences/perceptions are because Poly and YC are the two deluxes we've stayed at. It was the Poly where we got indifferent service -- we didn't even get leis! We, on the other hand, love the YC and have returned twice since our first visit. Different strokes for different folks!

 

[TheMMMLtd]

...just bumping up in hopes of a reply about Hawaii room 3513 and its current condition regarding its new smoking/optional status....Thanks.

.....Kim

 

[Jen D]

Nothing wrong with trying to change resorts because of a bad first impression. If you don't feel good about a place, why spend your money there? Glad you encountered so many great CMs to help you out (and balance out the not-so-magical CMs.)

This is why I never end up resort switching. Once I am at a resort a couple days, I start to get a bizarre impression that it is my home! Changing resorts is too much of a shock. I love having the whole week to get totally immersed in the resort.

 

[Sammie]

Nothing wrong with trying to change resorts because of a bad first impression. If you don't feel good about a place, why spend your money there? Glad you encountered so many great CMs to help you out (and balance out the not-so-magical CMs.)

This is why I never end up resort switching. Once I am at a resort a couple days, I start to get a bizarre impression that it is my home! Changing resorts is too much of a shock. I love having the whole week to get totally immersed in the resort.

I have to agree and would never recommend resort switching on a first visit. With a repeat guest they know what to expect at each resort before they book.

 

[missypie]

We LOVED the YC, but I do hope that people will pay attention to the OP's comments about SAB. So often we hear that YC/BC are great for kids because of SAB. SAB is great if your kids are independent, strong swimmers. My kids are 9, 12 and 14 and swim like fish, have been on the swim team, etc. I could give them the run of the place and totally relax. However, I can see how it would be a stressful experience for parents of younger children...you'd have to follow them around, the lazy river is VERY deep, the slide entrance can't be seen from most of the rest of the pool, etc.