My positive Boardwalk Inn CL review & my very negative Beach Club CL review

[JerseyJanice]

Other than the fact that your sarcasm is uncalled for, I think you have about covered it.

Actually, I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. Sorry if I came across that way, but I was trying to figure out why the OP said they had a "very negative report" and a "horrible experience" at the Beach Club. Nothing the OP described sounded particularly negative or horrible to me, but I didn't realize (until now) that people judge their CL experience so differently than staying in regular resort rooms.

Because I am common folk who only stays in regular rooms, I'm going to back out of this thread. It's clearly not for me. OP, it sounds like you had a nice trip overall, and I'm glad you enjoyed your experience at the Boardwalk so much.

 

[pas130]

So CRFan, I am officially calling you BWIFan I am very happy you had a fantastic BWI stay (I knew you would) Sorry about your BC stay, but I am very glad you were able to get back to BWI! I totally understand what you are saying. I thought of you at GF SL when I saw Sprite Zero in the fridge (I remembered you mentioning your Gramma drinks it)

How fantastic you get to go back in December! AWESOME!

 

[Kim Luvs Disney]

I had a very similar experience with YC CL as the OP did with BC CL. I had also stayed BWI CL before YC CL & I expected the experiences to be similar. I loved SAB & would love to stay there again for that, but I was not at all impressed with the CL staff!

It almost seemed like we were bothering them when we asked them to do anything for us. The CL rooms are not cheap & the service was just not what I expected.

One thing that really stands out was the turndown service at YC. They literally just "turned down" the bed. We had a couple of empty beer bottles on the counter & they weren't even thrown away!

Our experience with BWI CL was fantastic! All of the CM's were very friendly, our room requests were met & the lounge was great. I'll be staying in the BWV next month (couldn't afford CL during food & wine)& I can't wait!!

 

[Scott MC]

I was pleasantly surprised to meet the OP during his BWI CL stay, we actually had rooms right next door to each other! I'll second everything he said about the BWI CL staff, especially thanking Jackie and Scott for their friendliness and magic. For a long time, I've been a huge supporter of the GF, and while I still love it there, we've decided very easily that BWI is our new home resort and whenever the monies allow, we'll be staying here, preferably club level. If the monies don't allow, we'd be glad to stay in a standard room here. I'll eventually get around to posting a full-on review once I figure out if there's an easy way to pull pics off of an Iphone.

I will also say that it's been a long-standing dream of mine to stay at the BC, so on our last day, I got off the bus there, and asked to see a room. They were very polite, and showed me one of their "best rooms" with a "water view." Well, first of all, I thought the hallways looked dingy, the room was nice, but dark and the "water view" was like looking through a telescope. There were so many trees in the way, that I could only see a bit of water and the Atlantic Dance Hall. I wasn't impressed at all, and this only solidified my love for BWI.

Anyways, glad to hear CRFan that you enjoyed the majority of your trip. We can't wait to go back!

 

[Scott MC]

I think when anyone stays concierge on repeats stays you develop a relationship with the staff, you even mentioned them all by name at the BWI. They get to know you, you get to know them, they know what you like, what you don't and that makes one feel welcome and comfortable.

Then you go somewhere you have not stayed before and you don't get that, because you are just one of many, unknown.

It's ok not to like somewhere you are not comfortable, but I think the perceptions were more from your view point than theirs.

Stay where you are comfortable. It's ok, others love the BC, so it all evens out.

We've not had any CL repeat visits (yet), but having stayed CL at GF(RPC), AKL and now at BWI, I can tell you that there is a marked difference between the staffs. No one really approached us at all at GF, only one staff member was remotely friendly at AKL, and we come to the BWI, and after one trip, we can't wait to get back and see several of the cast members.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I'm sorry, but I misinterpreted your first post that you had a horrible experience because the CL staff didn't smile. I re-read it and see the issue was that they didn't say hello.

O.K., just so I understand you correctly this time, the reasons you had such a horrible experience at the Beach Club that you checked out after only one night were:

1. The people who take away dirty dishes were looking at you.
2. They weren't nice or helpful when your mom asked for Sprite Zero.
3. They didn't say hello the next time you entered the lounge.
4. The other guests were in a pushy rush to get into the lounge at 5:00.

Is that everything in a nutshell? Am I missing anything?

Why is this such a problem for you? Staying CL is not cheap and you're paying that price for exceptional service. I have stayed CL at the Poly 3 times, and have never had them be rude like that. Is it such a hardship for CL CMs to be polite and say hello? Or to walk a little bit and find an item for a customer?

I've experienced rude/ snobby CMs at the GF when we were in the gift shop and there for lunch. It was enough to make me say that I'll most likely never stay there. And being that I pay for my trips, my opinion is the only one that matters to me.

OP, glad to hear that you at least had a good experience at the BW..guess the BC needs some customer service retraining- at least in the club level area.

 

[hill6]

When I read the line about the crowd running in, I immediately thought of when they open the dining room doors on a cruise ship. The line to enter can be well over 100 feet long and people are pushing to get in. My only thought is they had a dinner reservation and wanted something very early before going to dinner.

 

[ClareH37]

Thank you for your honest review, I ended up switching to the BWI CL for my upcoming 8 night stay over the BC CL as the AP discount came out and I could only get it for the BWI, it looks like I've made the right decision

CL (and non CL) reviews can be subjective but after experiencing the BWI I think it's hard for other resorts to measure up, there's some very special CMs there.

 

[jackemail]

Thank you for your honest review, I ended up switching to the BWI CL for my upcoming 8 night stay over the BC CL as the AP discount came out and I could only get it for the BWI, it looks like I've made the right decision

CL (and non CL) reviews can be subjective but after experiencing the BWI I think it's hard for other resorts to measure up, there's some very special CMs there.

Somehow, I knew all along you would end up back at BWI!

 

[ClareH37]

Somehow, I knew all along you would end up back at BWI!

LOL, I think I knew all along too

 

[Cottager]

My Mom thought the CM at the Beach Club who checked us in was like a robot from the army. He had asked us before if we stayed Club Level else where and we said yes, well then he started to say exactly what times each food service is. I understand that's his job but he sounded like a robot with an on and off button by the way he spoke and we already knew that information, although it was our fault for not saying to stop.

Also I had to ask which way to our room, so you think he would have said you go in this direction after saying the room number. I mean that is standard service in any Hotel around the world.

I had to laugh so hard when I read this. We obviously ran into the same "Robot CM" last week when we were there as well (afternoon shift on Aug.27th). He obviously memorized a script since he did the EXACT same thing to us. The morning shift were fantastic though. They grabbed a bunch of things for the kids since it was too early for breakfast.

We also experienced the 5 p.m. rush since we had just checked in. The staff do stand very close to the table in a very small room making you feel a bit uneasy.

 

[Bellamouse]

Why is this such a problem for you? Staying CL is not cheap and you're paying that price for exceptional service. I have stayed CL at the Poly 3 times, and have never had them be rude like that. Is it such a hardship for CL CMs to be polite and say hello? Or to walk a little bit and find an item for a customer?

I've experienced rude/ snobby CMs at the GF when we were in the gift shop and there for lunch. It was enough to make me say that I'll most likely never stay there. And being that I pay for my trips, my opinion is the only one that matters to me.

OP, glad to hear that you at least had a good experience at the BW..guess the BC needs some customer service retraining- at least in the club level area.

I don't think it's a problem for her. While I am not the poster to whom you refer, I agree with her posts completely.

The OP used the words HORRIBLE. Of course, paying for CL should mean exceptional service, and she's entitled to her opinion. But to some of us, what she describes does not amount to the definition of the word "horrible".

Horrible is not that someone didn't say hello, some people were looking at you while you ate ( ) and the guy who checked you in cracked a dumb joke. Those things amount to annoyances in my book. Annoyances that might make me never want to go back there (especially for that price)? Yes, for sure. But nothing that would amount to using the word "HORRIBLE"! Horrible comes from the word "horror". (I think of 9/11 when I think horror). And I'm pretty sure that's the issue Jersey Janice had too. We were waiting for the truly "horrible" stuff and were surprised when it never came.....

Anyway, sorry to hear the OP didn't enjoy their experience. At least they know they have one place to go that they love.

 

[dimndgal1]

Love reading anything about BWI! It will be our first time staying at a Disney resort next summer and I picked it for location/looks but the more I read the more excited I am about the actual resort. We're hoping to be able to move up to CL before the trip - we're taking my in-laws and they have never been to Disney so we figure since we're celebrating and have them, it might be worth it to splurge for CL.

I understand how a series of small things can lead to a horrible experience... especially if they combine to make you feel unwelcome or unappreciated. We had that happen at a hotel in San Diego and it felt like each step something minor came up but it just made the whole experience a downer. I'm glad you were able to get back to BWI and feel at 'home'

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Sorry you didn't enjoy your BC CL experience

We stayed for two weeks this summer, and two weeks last summer and never felt the CMs were unfriendly at all! Pete was exceptionally friendly to our kids.

THe 5 PM rush also happened at GF RPC too! This has nothing to do with the staff, but more to do with the guests. Truly the worse time we ever saw it was last summer, on the first day of Free Dining. After DH and I both said we would never stay when free dining was going on again. Luckily it was our last day.

Different strokes for different folks.

To any one who is considering a BC CL stay I'll just say that we love it so much this was our 4th summer in a row where we stayed for two weeks or more!

 

[MatzoRella]

The robotic guy may have a neurological condition. (Then again, he may be expressing boredom or contempt.)

 

[luvthemouse71]

I don't think it's a problem for her. While I am not the poster to whom you refer, I agree with her posts completely.

The OP used the words HORRIBLE. Of course, paying for CL should mean exceptional service, and she's entitled to her opinion. But to some of us, what she describes does not amount to the definition of the word "horrible".

Horrible is not that someone didn't say hello, some people were looking at you while you ate ( ) and the guy who checked you in cracked a dumb joke. Those things amount to annoyances in my book. Annoyances that might make me never want to go back there (especially for that price)? Yes, for sure. But nothing that would amount to using the word "HORRIBLE"! Horrible comes from the word "horror". (I think of 9/11 when I think horror). And I'm pretty sure that's the issue Jersey Janice had too. We were waiting for the truly "horrible" stuff and were surprised when it never came.....

Anyway, sorry to hear the OP didn't enjoy their experience. At least they know they have one place to go that they love.

I was responding more to her sarcastic tone. As well to the fact that there were multiple posts asking the OP to explain himself to her satisfaction.

Here on the DIS, there's a certain group of people who look for posts where they can stir the pot. You're seriously going to harp on the fact that you didn't care for the adjective someone used? So silly.

The OP did have a horrible customer service experience at BC in his opinion( and mine). There's a reason people pay for CL- exceptional service. If they can't provide that even on a basic level, there's a big problem.

 

[GoGoBeans]

I don't think it's a problem for her. While I am not the poster to whom you refer, I agree with her posts completely.

The OP used the words HORRIBLE. Of course, paying for CL should mean exceptional service, and she's entitled to her opinion. But to some of us, what she describes does not amount to the definition of the word "horrible".

Horrible is not that someone didn't say hello, some people were looking at you while you ate ( ) and the guy who checked you in cracked a dumb joke. Those things amount to annoyances in my book. Annoyances that might make me never want to go back there (especially for that price)? Yes, for sure. But nothing that would amount to using the word "HORRIBLE"! Horrible comes from the word "horror". (I think of 9/11 when I think horror). And I'm pretty sure that's the issue Jersey Janice had too. We were waiting for the truly "horrible" stuff and were surprised when it never came.....

Anyway, sorry to hear the OP didn't enjoy their experience. At least they know they have one place to go that they love.

I agree with this given the title of the thread. I don't see it as "very negative" or "horrible" and was expecting some more meat to why it was so bad. Disappointing for the OPs expectations sure, or not feeling the BC love, and I absolutely would be annoyed if I got a 'tude about asking for a Sprite Zero. I get being ruffled for paying for CL and not getting service. Along with the common courtesy of hellos. But not getting chit-chat, well that's just a preference. I personally wouldn't want that.

What I don't understand is the mass broadcast of the discontent. This same review is in the CL thread, the BC thread, I would guess in the BWI thread but I don't read there, and then it's own thread. Why such the need to broadcast an experience that doesn't seem *that bad* over multiple threads. Sing the praises of BWI for sure, but seems extreme on the BC side of it.

 

[tnkrbell]

The cool thing is we all are looking for different things in our CL stay to make us happy.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I was responding more to her sarcastic tone. As well to the fact that there were multiple posts asking the OP to explain himself to her satisfaction.

Here on the DIS, there's a certain group of people who look for posts where they can stir the pot. You're seriously going to harp on the fact that you didn't care for the adjective someone used? So silly.

The OP did have a horrible customer service experience at BC in his opinion( and mine). There's a reason people pay for CL- exceptional service. If they can't provide that even on a basic level, there's a big problem.

There was no sarcastic tone in my posts--at least none was intended. If you inferred one, that's your problem, LuvtheMouse. It didn't seem like the OP did.

Moreover, I've been on this board since it started, and I'm no pot-stirrer. I really didn't see how the OP's comments made for a "very negative review" of the BC or what was so "horrible" about his experience, so I asked if there was something I missed.

Now I see that what I apparently missed is that CL (does that mean Concierge or Club Level?) is judged differently than ordinary rooms. I don't stay CL, so obviously, I'm out of the loop here. I didn't mean to offend anyone, but I must say that I think some of you (not the OP) are a wee bit defensive.

And frankly, no offense to the OP, if staff members not saying hello is considered a good reason to pack up for the second day in a row and change resorts, I'm glad I stay in lesser accommodations.

 

[marivaid]

Sorry your stay at BC was less than magical, but you were able to go back to BWI and enjoy the rest of your vacation

We actually had a nasty experience with BWI's CL. To the point that every time we checked into a Deluxe after that I was the wacko praying "please please please DON'T upgrade us to CL!!!!!!". Luckily (sort of) that never happened again.