Less than thrilled with the Boardwalk...

[ford family]

birdiesunshine,
I'm not sure which is worse, your poor treatment at the BWV or your shabby treatment by some posters here. I think the WDW management should avoid alienating regular customers in order to squeeze out a few more dollars.

and as for

Originally posted by gmboy95
Oh...and coming from a state that actually "gets it" when it comes to alternative lifestyles...I think Its great that they have those days at disney.

Is it just me or was it better when hidden agendas were, well, hidden?

ford family

 

[MiaSRN62]

Just be glad that none of you had to experience what we went through and take my post for what it's worth. If you don't feel like it was a worth while post, just ignore it. Thanks to everyone else that understood how frustrating this situation was for us and I'm sure a lot of others.

Just wanted to add that I sympathize with you on this. I firmly believe that much noise at 3 am was unacceptable. As for you getting your points back---I'm certain you would have preferred the good night's sleep over the point refund, particularily with a young child. My youngest is 11, but I remember those days. Nothing worse than a tired, cranky toddler to make a trip home hell.
I've been to WDW during Gay Days (and other functions). I had no problems that week but we were staying offsite (Vistana). Extremely loud music at 3 am---alternate lifestyle party, Star Wars private party or whatever---is unacceptable to those paying guests that deserve sleep at that hour.
Unfortunately, on the small scale, I feel that the refund of your points was the best they could do at that moment for you. I feel it would really take lots of letter writing to get parties such as the one you mentioned to end at a more reasonable time (maybe 1 am at the latest unless they tone down the music/noise). I feel EVERYONE'S rights need to be given consideration here. I wouldn't let this one, isolated incident turn you off from the BWV though. It's really a very nice resort and hope you give it a second chance.

 

[gmboy95]

what shabby treatment....there are no personal attacks here...the popint i was trying to make is that bad things happen in customer service situations all the time. People lose sleep, have a bad meal, get poor service, etc... The true test comes in how a person is compensated for their inconvenience. Judging from your post it seemed that the hotel did the best they could for you......all I was simply saying is that your anger may be displaced, and you should complain to the powers that be in WDW....you say in your own post that the hotel was great right up until that day.....I love certain restaraunts, but that doesn't mean that every meal i eat there is good. Sometimes the service is lousy, and if the manager gave me my meal for free on that given night, i would weigh that against the majority of really good meals i had there and have no problem returning.

I am not trying to flame anyone, just trying to have a discussion on a discussion board. I would have been upset at the noise as well, you where right. It is the contention that Boardwalk is at fault, and that you wont stay there again that is a bit much (IMO)

 

[Poorman]

Originally posted by gmboy95
let me get this straight.....there was a loud party at a theme park until late in the night...you complained....the hotel rsponded by giving you the night for free....and your issue is what???.....i mean is the insinuation that the manager should have donned his cape and tights, and flown over to MGM to stop the party forthwith....your issue is with WDW, and not the management of the hotel, they gave you the night for free. I would say that was pretty generous, and enyone who has ever seen a post of mine knows that I love to take DVc management to task.

Oh...and coming from a state that actually "gets it" when it comes to alternative lifestyles...I think Its great that they have those days at disney.....but they should turn it down a couple of notches!!

gmboy95,
I'm from the same sorry state you are from, but that's not the point. The point is a rowdy party was going on at 3 AM, gay or not gay, that shouldn't happen at Disney. I would have been in the managers face also, I know he couldn't do anything,but who else to you talk to at 1 AM? I don't think the OP was looking for anything other than a good nights sleep. Something that we actually pay a lot of money to get. To the OP I say don't let this deter you from going to BWV , just adjust your dates if at all possible. From some of the posts I've read this happens at specific times of the years, grad days , gay days and a few others . The parks are very crowded at these times and I avoid them because of the crowds, not the specific people in the crowds.

 

[gmboy95]

hey poorman....good to talk to someone who lives 1 town over....I think we are saying the same thing. I agree it is unnaceptable to have these parties at that time of night....the real issue here is WDW management thinking this was a good idea....I as well would not have been happy had my kids been woken up throughout the night...but once I got the points back, I would have turned my wrath on park management.

 

[TnRobin]

Just a reminder that everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion on how this should have been handled. Just because someone doesn't agree with you, doesn't mean they are attacking/flaming you. Conversely, just because people disagree, that is no reason to attack someone. So far everyone has been civil in voicing thier opinion. As long as that continues, I see no problem in this thread.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

I feel so sorry that you had such a difficult night at the BWV. I just mentioned on another thread w/ TimC that we too heard LOUD booming one night in Jan/Feb 04 around 11 or 12 which woke us up out of a dead sleep. I thought the hotel was getting bombed. I ran to the balcony, saw nothing, then looked out my other window toward MGM and saw the most beautiful fireworks I have ever seen. Luckily, they only lasted several minutes, although I was glad to have had such a great view for them. My DH on the other hand was not interested and fell back asleep once he found out we were not under attack. And I, too, have small children, almost 3 yrs old and 5 months at the time. Traveling on a plane w/ little ones takes a lot of expertise, prior planning, and good sleep and I can't imagine having to check out after a night like you had w/ little ones. It must have been horribly stressful. Luckily, mine slept thru the fireworks, but I'm sure they would have awakened to the party you experienced.

I am glad the BW manager gave you your points back. Speaking from experience (I worked and managed in the food industry for about 10 yrs), I'll bet I know why the manager avoided you. When a manager is in a situation where he/she knows there is nothing that can be done to solve the problem or make a customer happy, one tends to "hide" out of guilt, frustration, fear, etc. I certainly feel you had the right to be upset so I am NOT knocking you as I am sure you were not attacking him, but looking to him to solve this issue. I just know a type of fear kicks in when you are dealing w/ a customer who you want to help, but don't know how or can't. He was afraid and knew you wouldn't like his answer so he avoided you instead. Don't take it personally though. He was probably just out of his realm. It took me many years to be able to work customer service and listen to complaints and to not just try to buy someone off w/ a free meal or discount. I've gotten yelled at soooo many times for things not my fault, told I was not the top manager because I was a woman and they wanted to deal w/ the top person who must be a man, etc etc. Eventually, you buck up and are able to come face to face w/ the complaints and deal w/ them head on. So I pity that manager a bit. He probably had a tough night as well as I am sure you were not the only one who called him that night about the noise.

I wonder if he would have called some lead person over at MGM that night (surely someone was in charge over there) and ask him/her to get the DJ's to turn down the bass that night? Probably wouldn't have worked, but I would have tried that if I had a stream of calls coming in. I would have walked over there and turned down the bass myself. Although the BW did not cause the situation to occur, I do feel the BW is responsible for your good night's sleep. I would have told them the complaints are streaming in like mad and MY guests are getting very upset and what is it that can be done to solve this problem? Maybe, just maybe, he could have had the decibel level turned down just enough for the guests to get some sleep and for the party crowd to not notice. And maybe they were drunk enough by that time, they wouldn't have noticed the change.

If that didn't work, then you could bet I'd be at that first bigwig meeting and I'd be the biggest squeaky wheel there. I'd threaten to have the complaints forwarded to whoever was in charge seeing as I apparently had no control over it..... Sometimes that gets the top dogs moving. But I at least would have let the guest know that I understood her complaint, I was on her side, and I was doing everything possible in my power to change the situation. I would let them know, that although I may not be able to get the powers that be to fix it that night, I sure as heck would be following up on it so it doesn't happen again. And I think that's all the OP was hoping to hear. Just some sort of "the buck stops here" mentality, rather than here's a free night, now go away. I think that was wonderful that they gave those points back to you, and it was a start, but a little compassion and fortitude goes a long way and might have made the rough night a little bit easier to swallow. Just MHO.

 

[wdw4us2]

I can certainly sympathize with the original poster for their lack of sleep.

When we stayed at BWV in the Fall of '99, we were rudely awakened at 4 am both Friday and Saturday night. It seemed that the planners at Epcot thought that would be the perfect time to test the Illuminations Reflections of Earth show before the celebration began in October. Imagine the sound of explosions when you're in the middle of a sound sleep - I had flashbacks to when I was in the Army!!!

When we complained on Saturday morning, the desk said they didn't know about it and would find out if tests were planned for Saturday night/Sunday morning. They never got back in touch with us. The test began again at 4 am. We haven't been back to BWV since.

We were upset that no one got back to us from our original complaint, that Epcot did not notify the Epcot resorts that they were conducting the tests and that someone at Epcot didn't have the sense to test the show earlier - at say 11 pm.

As far as the private party at MGM is concerned, I don't think Disney is concerned about some guests not getting any sleep. They are more concerned with the fee they make from renting the park out to a private party.

 

[Cris]

I am not going to argue about this but these nights are not going to stop Grad Nights/ and other private function bring in so much money through renting out the park and food/beverage revenue that they would rather give back rooms night and tax back to the guests that complains. The Gay Day parties have been going on for 8+ years at Typhoon Lagoon and the Parks. And Grad Nights go back to Disneyland.

 

[mikesmom]

Booked events versus guests must be a problem for hotel managers everywhere. I totally agree with the frustration of the OP. What a mess!

Just for some perspective, DH and I stayed in an unnamed chain hotel in St. Charles, Missouri last November. We had stayed there before. Friday night was fine, Saturday however, was another story. The hotel was located next door to a reception hall and pretty much everyone from a wedding plus numerous relatives had been booked into the hotel - mostly over our heads. Partying with music, screaming and laughing children (unsupervised as far as I could see), a football game or wrestling going on over our heads (at least it sounded like that!), kids running up and down the hall, loud laughter and music - went on past 3 AM. Numerous calls to the front desk, plus one trip down to the front desk did absolutely no good. Revelers had booked all of the top floor and some of our floor. We were particularly frustrated as we had to get up for a 6 hour drive the next morning - not fun when you're sleepy. I felt management in that case DID have some control and did not exercise it. The best they did was give us a 20% discount on that night (big deal). I got a follow up letter from the chain a month later offering a free night on my return. As if!!

Anyway, my sympathy to the OP. I'm sure I would have been a lot madder!

 

[manning]

Birdiesunshine - As long it is not personal post all you want. I read with interest the good and the bad experiences. I've had some bad ones although mostly good.

I don't think you were over reacting. You were just venting. Everyone needs to vent once in awhile.

I'm glad Disney realized the situation and gave you your points back. Maybe if they have to do this often enough someone will realize something is wrong and take steps to correct it. The first step in correcting a problem is to know there is a problem. And you took the first step. By posting this here you may have encouraged others to do the same.

Last November we had some major problems at BCV and got some points back too. With that situation not only did I talk with the front desk, I also talked to managers at Beach Club AND Disney Vacation Club.

And I like DVC!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I am not going to argue about this but these nights are not going to stop Grad Nights/ and other private function bring in so much money

Honestly I don't think anyone wants them to stop permanently. Just end at an earlier time, or if they are going to go on until 3 am, the loud music/noise should be curtailed around 1 am or so. I think anything past 1 am is not acceptable to the rest (majority) of guests on site. I bet the OP would not have minded nearly as much had the noise come to an end around 1 am.

 

[Dean]

While I understand the concern, it's not something that any of the hotels have control over. Any beef would be with Disney itself and not the resort. A complaint to the hotel is helpful so that the manager can take it to the higher ups at Disney and say, look at all these complaints. To give back points is certainly beyond their obligation in this situation, IMO. A simple "I'm sorry but we have no control" is all they had the obligation to provide. Likely the bst complaint would have been a phone call to the police/security on property. Most areas have a noise limit, some are linked to the time of day/night. I know the state has one for vehicles but don't know if that one caries over to other areas.

 

[smjj]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
Honestly I don't think anyone wants them to stop permanently. Just end at an earlier time, or if they are going to go on until 3 am, the loud music/noise should be curtailed around 1 am or so. I think anything past 1 am is not acceptable to the rest (majority) of guests on site. I bet the OP would not have minded nearly as much had the noise come to an end around 1 am.

I aggree, I think the consense here is that the parties are going to go on, they just need to curtail the noice level around 12:00 or so. I understand the money part but WDW just needs to have the private parties understand they need to tone it down a few decibels at a certain hour. I can't imagine anyone saying "Well, if I can't have my sound level at this decibel versus this decibal from 12:00 to 03:00 A.M. then we are going somewhere else"....smjj

 

[crisi]

I know how you feel.

Years ago I was the hotel liasion for a convention. We had a policy of "no quiet rooms" because the convention would go into the wee hours and we really didn't need to deal with complaints about people in the hallways at all hours.

At 3:00 am a Rave was in full progress in one of the ballrooms. I called down to have them turn it down and got my own "there are no quiet rooms" policy thrown back at me. I calmly explained that I was the originator of that policy and that it was NOT meant to be abused in the fashion it was - it was meant to keep people from expecting there would be no traffic in the hallway at 3:00 am, but it was reasonable to expect that the building would not be shaking with the bass from a Rave, and either they turned it down or I would call hotel security and have the whole batch of them thrown out (which was in my power to do).

They turned down the music.

Part of the trick is to find the person who can do something. The night manager of the hotel is pretty powerless - and the problem is, in the middle of the night - finding the right person is nearly impossible.

 

[Sammie]

I can sympathize with the OP. Nothing is worse than needing a good night's sleep. But I am not sure at any given time that is something that can be guaranteed even at your own home.

At a large vacation destination you can at any time encounter things whether it be the neighbors, late swimmers, or nearby parties that disrupt your sleep.

I am sure some people slept right through it.

The problem in complaining and getting any resolution is that more people will have to complain about the noise, than the number of people who were enjoying it.

Majority wins, sorry to say.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think it should be majority wins. There are disturbing the peace laws regarding nighttime noise past a certain hour in almost every community. Sure it happens with individuals who are disruptive, but it shouldn't happen at a large event like this that Disney hosted. I think it was a total disregard for their other guests just so they could collect some extra big bucks. I wonder what was included in the $85? Seems pretty excessive for a 4 1/2 hour party.

I'm not saying they should stop the parties. Just have the noise that can be heard outside the park end by a reasonable hour (I think midnight).

 

[OneMoreTry]

I think the OP did better than I would have in the situation. I don't do well when awakened in the middle of the night -- especially when I've paid a lot of money for a good night's sleep.

OP -- good.

Disney -- bad.


BUT after the fact i would be sitting around figuring what I was going to do with those extra points.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I don't think it should be majority wins. There are disturbing the peace laws regarding nighttime noise past a certain hour in almost every community. Sure it happens with individuals who are disruptive, but it shouldn't happen at a large event like this that Disney hosted. I think it was a total disregard for their other guests just so they could collect some extra big bucks. I wonder what was included in the $85? Seems pretty excessive for a 4 1/2 hour party.

I'm not saying they should stop the parties. Just have the noise that can be heard outside the park end by a reasonable hour (I think midnight).

Not sure disturbing the peace laws apply to private property.