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

[Carrie in AZ]

Hello, CRF4L,

Thanks for posting your review. Honestly, when you first wrote about booking a stay at BC CL, I had a feeling you weren't going to love it. I'm sorry my hunch proved to be true. The reason I felt that is because for years now, I have read about your great experiences at CR CL and, more recently, your wonderful stays at BW CL.

Although we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at BC CL, it was the ease of having the food offerings available to our family (2 little girls) certainly NOT any exceptional customer service offered to us by the CL CMs. We didn't make a connection with any of them and vice versa. It sounds like they did not blow you away in any fashion either. I'm so sorry.

I know you make every moment count during your DW trips, so you def made the right decision to pack up and cast your economic vote by leaving the BC and heading back to the BWI.

If you ever decide to stay in a villa, I do think you would love the BCVs. We stayed there this past June for the first time as part of a split stay with our beloved CR. For us it was perfection: As you know, we LOVE the CR and we also now love BCV and all it has to offer.

I'm a little sad to know you may never stay at CR again, but am glad you are able to head back to DW so soon again in December.

Thanks again for posting!!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

We are so excited to be staying BW CL next Dec!!

Thank you for the review

 

[Mary T in PA]

At least you know where you prefer to stay CR(BWI) Fan. I have always wondered about BC. We have stopped in there at the holidays to see the decorations in the lobby but never stayed there.

I am glad you were able to switch back over to BWI so the rest of your stay could be enjoyable. No need to stay some place where you are not comfortable.

 

[MickeyNicki]

One thing I forgot to mention about the Beach Club CL lounge is this. At 5:00 PM they open the doors and it's almost like when people run to Toy Story Mania for Fast Passes at rope drop. Basically people were running to the food offerings like they were all going to be taken away in 5 minutes.

That could be anywhere....its not the BC fault that the people rushed the joint.

We have seen the same thing at the Poly CL

 

[kaffinito]

Hey everyone I am not home just yet. My family and I left WDW this morning on our way back to Toronto and we are at a Courtyard By Marriott in Dalton, Georgia. Anyway here is my reviews for our Club Level stays at the Boardwalk Inn and Beach Club.

Boardwalk Inn
First things I have to thank JJ, Jackie, Anita, Lorenzo, Linda, Janice, Tiffany, Scott, Pete and Joe for being the best Club Level Cast Members WDW has. They all make us feel right at home and I consider them my family.

We had reserved a Deluxe Room and our request to have it on the fourt floor was meet. We were in room #4225 which was right over the Boardwalk Bakery and had an amazing view.

Check-in was perfect and Pete personally came into our room which is where that process was done.

One thing that we happen to see on a rainy night was Brian the magician that always dresses in purple, coming into the lounge and doing his act up there.

Basically I have come to the conculsion that the Boardwalk Inn is now my favorite WDW Resort.


Beach Club
I am sorry to say that this part of my review will not be a good one so I appologize in advance to any Beach Club fans.

I have to say their Club Level was horrible. Very rude and cold Cast Members at check-in and the ones who work in the lounge watch over everyone until they are ready to clear the plates off the tables.

For example the Cast Member who checked us in saw we had just stayed at the Boardwalk and made a joke that their best quality is they face the Beach Club. I realize he was making a joke but we didn't think it was funny.

It was just a horrible experience that the next day on September 1st we decided to switch back to the Boardwalk Inn, which we did and got to stay in the room we previously had. So it goes without saying we are never again going to stay at the Beach Club.

Next WDW vacation
We were lucky enough to get the 40% Annual Pass rate and reserved the Standard Club Level Room at the Boardwalk Inn from December 8th - December 22nd, 2011.

You had my favorite room! I love that room!

So glad you had a great stay at BWI - I might have to book another trip there just to see everyone.

Sorry you didn't like BC CL. I've heard good and bad about it, and have no desire (personally) to ever stay there.

THUD!! That was the sound of my jaw hitting the floor!

CR!!! You have become a full-fledged member of the BWI fan club!!!

YAY!!!

Glad your trip was great. I miss BWI so much, and because of Mom's condition, I have no idea when I can return.

But--I can still be happy that you had such a wonderful time there.

I hope you're able to go back soon - I know how much you love it there.

 

[krb2g]

OP,

Thank you for the reviews. As we started planning our upcoming trip, we were torn between BWI Innkeeper's Club or CL at YC/BC. We ended up choosing BWI (in part because we're a large party this time...), but I'm so glad to hear that their service is still exceptional (we've had great times both other times we stayed there). We'll be at the BWI CL at the same time as you (Dec 17-22)--but not as long!

 

[Missus Toad]

I think BW is one of the most underrated resorts on property. I love it there, and if they had a monorail, I'd be there way more often.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I am sorry to hear that the OP didn't care for the BC resort, however I have to agree with some of the PP that "horrible" might have been a poor choice of words to describe the BC CL. I think disappointed might have been better. Clearly everyone has personal preferences when they choose a resort and the "family" and familiar feel of the BWI appeals to the OP, but that would not be the case with everyone.

 

[Karlzmom]

Hey everyone I am not home just yet. My family and I left WDW this morning on our way back to Toronto and we are at a Courtyard By Marriott in Dalton, Georgia. Anyway here is my reviews for our Club Level stays at the Boardwalk Inn and Beach Club.

Boardwalk Inn
First things I have to thank JJ, Jackie, Anita, Lorenzo, Linda, Janice, Tiffany, Scott, Pete and Joe for being the best Club Level Cast Members WDW has. They all make us feel right at home and I consider them my family.

We had reserved a Deluxe Room and our request to have it on the fourt floor was meet. We were in room #4225 which was right over the Boardwalk Bakery and had an amazing view.

Check-in was perfect and Pete personally came into our room which is where that process was done.

One thing that we happen to see on a rainy night was Brian the magician that always dresses in purple, coming into the lounge and doing his act up there.

Basically I have come to the conculsion that the Boardwalk Inn is now my favorite WDW Resort.


Beach Club
I am sorry to say that this part of my review will not be a good one so I appologize in advance to any Beach Club fans.

I have to say their Club Level was horrible. Very rude and cold Cast Members at check-in and the ones who work in the lounge watch over everyone until they are ready to clear the plates off the tables.

For example the Cast Member who checked us in saw we had just stayed at the Boardwalk and made a joke that their best quality is they face the Beach Club. I realize he was making a joke but we didn't think it was funny.

It was just a horrible experience that the next day on September 1st we decided to switch back to the Boardwalk Inn, which we did and got to stay in the room we previously had. So it goes without saying we are never again going to stay at the Beach Club.

Next WDW vacation
We were lucky enough to get the 40% Annual Pass rate and reserved the Standard Club Level Room at the Boardwalk Inn from December 8th - December 22nd, 2011.

Glad you had a good trip. Still can't figure out why the staff was all on pixie dust refill needed status during our tirp Oh well....I see we will be at the world at the same time in Dec

 

[chimo2u]

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.

I think it is because he posts in each of those threads and wants to make sure he shares his experience with others who have anxiously awaited his review...if you don't want to hear, you can disregard the post
I am just glad he was able to move back to his favorite resort, and only lost one day that wasn't as perfect as he hoped

 

[bowbat]

I get the OP. Exceptional, special service is one of the primary benefits to staying club level. If you're not getting that, you're not getting what you paid for.

As for the stampede to get the food at 5pm, there are sadly many people who lack both personal dignity and mindfulness of others. As a result, we always hit the lounge a bit after start times, and have never had to fight crowds nor found the food was gone.

 

[roydavid7771]

First of all, CR, thanks for the review. I've read enough of your posts over the years to realize that you are a wealth of information and have always been gracious in both praise and criticism of all things Disney.

The major problem with critical posts is that people tend to read much too far into things. Some people may disagree with your opinion of CL service, others may have had issue with your words in describing your experiences. In either event, they are your experiences and yours alone. I always keep in mind that I am in Disney, I can't help but smile, no matter what may be going on around me!

 

[diskids2]

I get the OP as well and I value his opinion...I also thank him for his review. If he felt that his experience at BC was horrible then it was. The great thing about these boards is you can read a review and decide how you feel about it yourself. To make someone defend their opinion and ask them over and over again is, IMHO, not trying to find out what they meant, but, in fact, just being rude.

Also given the time of year, I also think it is in poor taste to reference 9/11 with regards to the use of "horrible". Seriously have some respect. I don't usually speak out, but that really got to me.

Again, CR...appreciate the review and it is making us think about the BWI.

Linda

 

[TJA]

CR thanks for the review! Sorry to hear about your experience at the BC CL, though. We truly have had awesome experiences there, but I do understand how certain CM's can put a damper on things. Your family did the right thing by moving to where you feel the most comfortable. We are trying Poly CL next trip, but the BWI CL is also on our list to try! Can't wait!

 

[brunette8706]

HI CR Resort4Life-

Waiting for you to chime in here to give us more details about your trip. We haven't heard from you in a while, come on back.

Details, details....We want to hear more about your trip.

Talk soon! Brunette

 

[GoGoBeans]

I think it is because he posts in each of those threads and wants to make sure he shares his experience with others who have anxiously awaited his review...if you don't want to hear, you can disregard the post
I am just glad he was able to move back to his favorite resort, and only lost one day that wasn't as perfect as he hoped

Me included. I've always appreciated his posts, was especially looking forward to his BC CL review and was hoping for a good one as we'll be there next month. It's too bad it didn't live up to expectations and I think it's great they were able to move back to BWI. Truly. I'm also glad to understand why it was horrible for him. I'd be more worried if it had been things I thought were horrible.

 

[minniebeth]

I know this isn't the BWI info thread, but you all seem to be pretty knowledgeable fans. My ? is: are all the "water views" (non CL) facing the boardwalk and Crescent Lake? Or can some of them be pool views, etc.?

Also, if looking to "book" your dates, it doesn't show the category of "deluxe CL" do we assume there are none of those rooms to book for those dates?

Any help would be appreciated~ I would love to be a BWI fan as well.

(Sorry to hijack your thread, CR Resort Fan 4 Life~ we are actually staying at the Contemporary for the marathon weekend and looking for something different for a day or two before we check in!)

 

[luvthemouse71]

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.

If you really didn't mean the sarcastic tone, then my apologies . But, liberal use of apostrophes usually conveys sarcasm. Go back and reread your first post to the OP. Sounds pretty sarcastic to me. I don't think I was alone in reading it that way. To the OP, it was a horrible experience. To someone else it might have been annoying. So what?

Customer service is something that Disney takes pride in and the OP leaving the resort because it didn't meet expectations is perfectly within his right. People pay big bucks for a vacation- why stay there if you aren't happy?

 

[fall08CP]

I know this isn't the BWI info thread, but you all seem to be pretty knowledgeable fans. My ? is: are all the "water views" (non CL) facing the boardwalk and Crescent Lake? Or can some of them be pool views, etc.?

Also, if looking to "book" your dates, it doesn't show the category of "deluxe CL" do we assume there are none of those rooms to book for those dates?

Any help would be appreciated~ I would love to be a BWI fan as well.

(Sorry to hijack your thread, CR Resort Fan 4 Life~ we are actually staying at the Contemporary for the marathon weekend and looking for something different for a day or two before we check in!)

If you book a water view room on the Boardwalk INN, you are guaranteed a boardwalk view The standard rooms include views of parking lots, quiet pool, garden, and village green. CL is different- you just book CL, not a view, and hope for the best (unless it's changed in the last few months).

 

[Sammie]

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.

But see that is your account of what happened to you as you see it. Others would disagree.

There are people on these forums that will not stay anywhere but GF club level or Beach Club club level.

Does not mean anything except that what one likes is different for each person.

CRfan likes BW club level and so do you, others like the ones you don't. It all works out. What is horrible for one, isn't for another. Nothing Fan listed would have upset me in the least.

Just as some on here have stated one comment had a tone, I did not perceive that person to have a tone at all.

It's all subjective is the point. None of us witnessed what CR fan shared. So we might have completely agreed or disagreed with his account.

I personally when staying CL do not need to be greeted. It's not a deal breaker for me.

And in the big scheme it does not matter, he can book where he is most comfortable and so can everyone else.