I'm starting to freak out a little about the BCV

[AliciaG]

I need a little information, and maybe some reassurance. There is a long time, respected poster on the DIS who is currently at the BCV and having some problems. Now don't get me wrong...problems happen, and I can deal with that, it's the way the problems are being handled. Seems the mgmt. is not being very considerate, and they dont' have much recourse because they rented points. If their room was thru CRO they could request a move. If they were DVC members they could contact member services. Since they are neither, they have nobody to rely upon except management.

I'm not going looking for problems, as a matter of fact, I've never had a problem at a Disney resort. I'm just concerned about the fact that I've rented points, and how that may affect our stay.

I also think I made a mistake in the size of the unit we got. We got a studio for 4 plus a crib baby. I thought we could handle it because we had that many at ASMO, and AKL and did just fine. Now I'm hearing that the lack of daily housekeeping makes a huge difference in that size unit. I don't want to be washing towels in the laundry room daily. How much is it to purchase clean towels each day?

We are hoping to convert this studio to a one bedroom. We have a one bedroom booked thru CRO on the weekend, and our dvc member has called about changing our points to a one bedroom for the weekdays, but it is currently not available for 2 of those days. Anybody know the odds of something coming available this close to the date? The latest I'm willing to wait is until May 15th, at which point I'll need to cancel my CRO room if we aren't gonna use it. It's killing me that I don't have the opportunity to call MS. I know I'd be calling at least every other day for availability. Not sure how often the guy I'm working with is calling, and I can't really expect him to go out of his way.

Sorry to ramble with all these concerns. I've just been really wishing we'd have booked the one bedroom to begin with. :cry:

[Tagrel]

I KNEW you would be freaking out over that one! :D

Breathe. Breathe.

First it plays to all your fears. Studio being too small for your family. Renting points. Never having stayed there before.

Breathe. Breathe. ;)

First, find your happy place. Wait - You'll be there soon anyway!!! :D

OK, as I see them - her problems (any irritation you read in here is aimed at the other post, not yours! I completely understand your concerns after reading all that!) PM me and we can talk on the phone tonight if that will help answer any questions for you.

The Saga on DIS:


- Guest Arrived at noon - early room availability - mistake in computer - assigned new room (and free family dinner at Cape May Cafe - good deal when room isn't even supposed to be ready until 4pm)

- New room also ready early. HUGE balcony and great Epcot View. Bummer A/C is broken. These things happen. Fixed and comped again. Our last stay at YC the door to balcony was broken - we couldn't even get out there. Took 2 days to get it fixed. Leak in Bathroom - same stay. Broken alarm clock - same room! I swear these things happen in waves) It did not ruin one SECOND of our stay, and we received NOTHING as a comp - and paid cash.

- Doing laundry at the FREE washers and dryers (that you pay $2 a load for at the other resorts) Vending machine runs out, and housekeeping takes way to long to deliver. That is bad, but I'm sure they weren't just talking somewhere - they were probably busy. To fix this problem you either walk to the BC store and buy the SAME detergent or bring your own (MUCH better plan. Washing tablets and dryer sheets RULE!)

- No daily maid service. Its not included when renting points. If you want it, it is $25 per day for a studio for a FULL clean. If you just want Trash and Tidy I think it is $10 per day (this includes emptying garbage, and clean towels) There is a vacuum in the closet for those unexpected accidents.

- Room too small. Yes, the studio is slightly smaller than a larger poly room (I believe AKL and WL are more the size of a studio). BUT you also have that kitchenette taking up space. So, the benefit of the 1/2 fridge, microwave and cabinets needs to outweigh that bit of extra space. Go with the thought in mind that it will be tight, but you'll make the best of it. It is nice that the sleeper sofa folds up during the day to give you more floor space. Take advantage of that, and focus on the positives! :)

- Management problems. The management is shared between YC/BC/BCV. All the same. They have bad days too, and if a certain guest continues to have problems over and over I'm sure they might peg them as a troublemaker and get frustrated. Unfair, and no excuse for it, but it does happen. I believe that TigLuvs mistake was to continue to bring up old problems that had been corrected and COMPED. Each problem should be treated individually. Look at it from the managers point of view. "I solved that problem and was VERY fair. WHY am I still being punished for THAT?"

- As to all the other little nit picks, I think those are because she was on the lookout for problems. She doesn't LIKE sitting in the dark while the kids sleep and have nothing better to do than find things wrong. And go on about them on the internet while on VACATION! :) I've heard maintenance workers and kids running in the halls in every resort we have ever been in. (all Deluxes or Home away from homes). Its just the way it is.

If there is something wrong, you have every right to complain to the management and they should correct the problem (DVC, Cash or renting points). Anything free is gravy and should be appreciated - but not expected. When you get home, you can write a letter of complaint just like any other guest. Any limitations on this are only in the mind of the guest because they rented points.

Every vacation is what we make of it. lemons or lemonade - Its up to each guest. A string of bad luck is terrible, but can only effect your attitude as much as you let it!

I hope you luck out and a 1 bedroom comes available - They are wonderful, but if you get one, be warned - you'll be WAY cramped in anything less your next visit! :D It probably isn't likely at this point though. Within 30 days, member points go into holding, so most try to avoid last minute cancellations. But they can happen, so good luck!

Either way, you will have a wonderful trip. Threads like that are the exception much more than the rule. And the fact that the resort is sold out should help reassure you that people aren't avoiding it!

OK, does that help or hurt? :D

Hang in there!

[AliciaG]

:lol: It helps! You knew I'd seen and would be worrying about that one, huh? :lol:

Like I said, I'm not worried about problems really. We are so not complainers. My main concern is not with detergeant (I bring my own), or the AC (I figure they'll fix it), it's more worrying about being eye deep in dirty towles in a small room with 3 crying children. :shock: I may just pay that $10 per day for clean towels.

I think my main problem is that I changed my mind to one bedroom, and now I can't get it. Do we have a stomping foot smiley? :P

We are definitely going to enjoy this vacation. Breathe, breathe! But when I'm sitting in the dark trying to get the baby to sleep, I'll be thinking of all the fun we had that day. Thanks for the reassurance. :D

[Tagrel]

Actually, just towels might only be $6... ASK when you check in.

And I hear you about not wanting them around dirty. With the 1 bedrooms, we just toss them in the machine before we leave, but those in studios aren't so lucky. And I don't care what anyone says, with that FL humidity and in the A/C - things don't dry out well in the rooms! I know I'd pay for clean towels each day in a studio. You can also just get it every other day as well. Whatever you choose.

The reason it is this way is that members pay for all upkeep. It was voted on whether to continue daily maid service or change it, and the majority voted to change it. So now, those that want it, pay for it, which seems fair to DVCers, but is confusing to those that typically just stay in a hotel room with full services. I happen to LIKE not having daily service. They always wanted to clean the room when the kids were napping! :)

[roodad]

Is it possible your room will be a disaster? Yes. Is it likely? No. There are 205 units at the BCV - you have one complaint with some legitimate beefs that got taken care of very well, IMHO. Then you have some whining.
I think you will be fine in the studio. With the sleeper sofa folded up, you will have more useable room than in many deluxe rooms. When the sofa is folded out, you will be asleep and won't care. I think Tagrel is right about towels only being in the $6-7 range

[dvcreg]

I don't think that anything upsets me more than this. I hate it when one person's experience is used to judge an entire resort.

As with anything, there are two sides and in between lies the truth.

With DVC, there aren't the same comp options as a cash stay. (This goes for members and renters.) They can't comp your room, so meals were offered. (I believe that passes were as well, but they have AP's and declined them.)

Quite frankly, it appeared the problems had been resolved, but that the OP's husband still was not satisfied. The manager asking if they wanted more free meals was offering the only way he had to make it right.

I've stayed in a BCV studio and it was lovely. There were only two of us. I'm sure that when the couch is opened it's a bit tight, but it's just for sleeping. The rest of the time the kids will love having the sofa to plop on.

Is it smaller than the Poly? Yes it is. The Poly has some of the largest rooms on property. But, the Poly doesn't have that great kitchenette and the Poly doesn't have the vanity outside of the toilet/tub area. You'll have two sinks that can be used while someone is showering.

And just to clarify something, there never was daily maid service at DVC. To get daily service was always fee based. What the members voted on was to charge a fee for extra towels. (Until the poll was taken, I had no idea that this was becoming an issue.) The cost is nominal.

You'll be fine if you end up with the studio.

[Tagrel]

And just to clarify something, there never was daily maid service at DVC. To get daily service was always fee based. What the members voted on was to charge a fee for extra towels. (Until the poll was taken, I had no idea that this was becoming an issue.) The cost is nominal.

You'll be fine if you end up with the studio.

Thanks Regina, I always thought that the members voted away daily service! Us upstart, DVC newcomers think we know so much! :mrgreen: I'm so glad you visit to keep me honest! :)

[AliciaG]

Thanks guys, you've made me feel much better today. :D Believe me, I've been reading several Disney boards long enough to know that complaints can be made out of anything. I have no fear that we'll encounter any problems, and that if we do they'll be promptly taken care of.

I guess my main concern after reading her post was room size and recourse for renters. You've all made me feel much better about that. :D Believe me, we are beyond excited to try a DVC resort, and renting points is a wonderful way to sample it as far as I'm concerned.

You know how you just wanna kick yourself when you didn't make a decision about something soon enough? That's how I feel about this...we'll be fine in the studio, but I wanna be spoiled. Waaa, waaa, Tagrel ruined it for me with that one bedroom virtual tour. :wink: Hey, I know...we'll just have to try that next time!

[dvcreg]

Us upstart, DVC newcomers think we know so much!

Ah Grasshopper, you have so much to learn. :wink:

We always had a washer/dryer and I'd do the towels. I had no idea that there was a problem with excessive towel requests until we were polled. I did vote in favor of charging a fee so you can blame me for that. :P

Alicia, did you ever read something and think "???" That's how I feel most of the time. From descriptions, I half expected to step into our BCV studio, and, with my second step, end up on the balcony. It's a nice sized room. and I loved the layout. I wish that the OKW studios were setup the same way. THERE, I SAID IT. :shock:

[wilderness01]

Ok can I add my 2 cents here? I also read the poster's complaints and some seemed valid and some well maybe not so valid but the person was already upset so I just pegged it to that.

We have also had some problems with some of the DVC resorts. Does this in any way, shape or form take away from our love of the Disney PARKS or the magic? No it does not. We also keep on going back because we (or I should say myself and the 3 kids, husband only likes it) love it!

However, does that excuse uncleanliness or recurrent problems? No. No one likes to complain on vacation. But if it is legit then they should. Do I think some people complain just because they are looking for a free meal or just because they are who they are and nothing will ever be good enough, sure I do. But are most people like that? I would hope not.

We had a terrible time over the summer with 2 of our rooms. 1 other room was just ok. We have been to Disney many times and have always stayed on property. We have always loved the CR and have not had problems. Did it ruin our experiences in the parks last summer? No absolutely not. But did I dread going back to the resort and not enjoy it as much? Absolutely. Then when I posted on another site about an occurence that happened at OKW my post was very much questioned as to whether or not I had what was on the bathroom door analyzed or not! Basically if I was telling the truth or blowing something small out of proportion. That was insulting and rude. We were already disappointed enough and did not have to be insulted. Poop is poop and it does not belong on a bathroom door. Everyone can tell the difference if it came from a human being/thing (whatever!) or if it is pudding/chocolate! AND lets just say for laughs it was pudding/chocolate, what on earth is anyone doing eating pudding/chocolate in the bathroom!!! UCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND the fact that I saw the housekeeper lay the new linen for the day on the wet ground against the wet building (no cart in site) was completely disregarded by the posters who questioned if I was telling the truth or not about the poop! :( I also posted about the mold ALLLLLLL over the bathroom at our BC room and that was also disregarded by the posters.

We did just go back over the winter. Did we have a wonderful time? Yes. Probably our best time ever. Was our room nice? Yes and it was at the BCV. HOWEVER, were there some minor things wrong, yes. I just cleaned them up. It was easy to wipe out the dirty microwave, clean up the ashtray and m&m's littered on the balcony (non-smoking room by the way) and to clean the bathroom floor that had hair all over it and was dirty. It was no big deal, but I still shouldn't have to do it. Where are my dues going to? Now no one blast me, it is just a question! LOL Was I grossed out when 2 days later we found a DIRTY child's sock in our bed (2 br villa) and it wasn't any of our kids' socks, YES, YES, YES!!! I did go down and talk to the management about this and accepted nothing from them but an assurance it would NOT happen again on a return visit.

I had called down and asked when they would be coming in for T & T day because I thought it was going to be on Thursday and they said I was right. I didn't feel like closing up the suitcases or putting away the gifts we had bought or the cameras, etc. Well they came in on Wednesday and I was a little miffed. I had left all our stuff unlocked and I wouldn't have if I knew they were coming in. I called and did say something and they offered us a free dinner for 5 anywhere we wanted in the hotel or epcot. I declined. It wasn't necessary. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't happen again. They reassured me it wouldn't. Well guess what? It did happen again 2 days later. Did I call? No. Should I have? I don't know, but I didn't want to expend the energy or waste the time. Nothing was missing and it was a mistake so let's move on was my thoughts. I guess my point is is that some problems are legit but I feel that everyone's love of the parks overrides everything else (including my own) and when someone does have a complaint some of us feel it is a personal attack on their object of affection (Disney) and question the experiences. It is just my honest opinion. I know after I received the reply if I had the poop analyzed I went and deleted the entire post and had nothing to do with the site for awhile until my wounds had been licked and healed. Would I be considered one of the complainers now to the management? I hope not. I accepted nothing from them for any problems we incurred from this last trip. Did I accept ONE free nights stay to try and bring me back to Disney because of the OKW problem. Yes we did. It was not in a villa though even though we had had the problem in a 2 bedroom villa. They put us up in a room at the YC. Should they have at least done that and probably more? Yes I think they should.
Actually they should have put us up in a 2 bedroom but they said they couldn't. Soooooooo, the next day we moved our stuff over the the BCV. Not that big of a deal but a minor inconvenience the same. This was our first trip being DVC members last summer.

When I reported what had happened to us over the summer to management while we were there and then to the executive office when we got home, with a copy going to my salesman who never ever called us to acknowledge the problem, the response I received was we are very sorry and it was an isolated occurence that very rarely happens, etc. They said the moldy bathroom was due to the property needing to go under rehab, etc. Whatever happened to bleach, water and gloves was my response. Excessive mold can get you sick and believe me it was ALL OVER the tile, not just in one or two spots!

While it was not as bad by any means, there was still some uncleanliness our last visit in the winter. I guess my point is if we don't report it while we are there (within reason) then the problems will continue and nothing will get resolved. That goes back to a question stated above, where are my dues going to?!!!! Will I now be more sensitive and look for any uncleanliness for future visits? You bet. Can you blame me? Wouldn't you? I wish whole heartedly that this never happened to us, but it did and although we overlook or forgive, you just can't forget! I just don't want our investment going downhill because nothing is ever said and just accepted. I want the same quality we have come to expect to continue so the kids can go and bring their kids when they are older. It would just be very sad if Disney declined to just an ok place to visit because the rooms on property are not kept up very well......

Just my thoughts. Have a nice day. :)

P.S. Tagrel, thanks for the site. I have enjoyed reading your trip reports on the other site and am glad you have your own now! :D

[Tagrel]

Hi and welcome wilderness01!!

Now THAT's a first post! :D

Sorry you have run into problems at the resorts and DVCs. I think we all run into the little things each trip. Its those big things that always seem to happen one after the other that get most people going.

Informing hotel management and then moving on with your vacation is the best bet. Its just frustrating when you receive reassurances, but they do nothing. This is a sign of the staff reductions in that the maids don't have enough time to do a proper job, and managment isn't making sure that rooms are clean and maintained. It seems passing out free dinners to those that DO complain is cheaper than just having the manpower to do it right the first time.

For DVC it is even tougher. Everyone wants perfect Disney service, but they don't want the dues to increase.

As members, we just have to find a happy medium where we can enjoy our vacations, and maintain the level of service and upkeep we pay for.

Again, welcome to the site!!!

[LimeGreenCheri]

Wilderness01, Welcome to Sharing Disney Magic!! I'm sorry about your experiences with the DVC and it sounds like you took an appropriate course of action.

I hope you'll come by often and share some Disney magic with us. It sounds like you still love Disney even with your bad experience. Again, Welcome!

[JeanC]

Wilderness01 -- I'm so sorry that you had so many problems. We have been DVC members since 1994 and maybe we have just been really lucky, but I don't recall having any cleanliness problems, and we have stayed at all resorts at all locations (including VB & HH). Just got back from BCV last week and our studio was immaculate. I might add that T&T days have always been on Wednesdays so I don't know why they would tell you that it was Thursday. Also, I don't know how long you stayed, but a full cleaning is done on the 7th day of a stay. If your 5th day was Wednesday, then you would have the maids in 2 days later. Hope you have better luck next time around!

[wilderness01]

Thanks for the replys and support. I am hoping for better luck next time as well. I love the parks and want to love the DVC as well. I am hoping that it is just "flukes" and maybe some burned out housekeepers that dropped the ball that are now either doing it right again or are replaced. If not, we will go back and continue to stay at the CR which we have never had a problem with. We have found that the housekeepers there do a great job of keeping everything clean the first time around! :)

[Brer]

Have they(at BVC) fixed the showers yet so tha tthey give adequate hot water? or at least adequate water pressure ????

[JeanC]

Had no problem with hot water at BCV, but the shower water pressure is very low. I have noticed this at BCV resorts lately, including HH. I suppose it must have to something to do with the water shortages in Florida (not sure about HH - I think they have had low water pressure since they opened the resort). I'm glad I have short hair, or I would spend a LONG time trying to rinse the shampoo out.

[Tagrel]

I've heard about low water pressure there, but had no problems last August.... Wonder if it depends on which unit you get...

[Brer]

We had BOTH low water pressure and low water temperature. I couldn't stay in long enough to get rinsed (cause it was too cool) and couldn't get rinsed quickly cause there was not enough water pressure. I called and talked with a mgr, but he said it was preset. He also admitted that they had numerous other complaints. We stayed at AKL for 2 days at the end of that stay and the shower there was great. I did get a follow up phone call several weeks later. I feel it is probably due to the DVC trying to keep fees low,but as I told mgt "it would be just fine to go up on the fees 5-10...just please please please get some water" (either more pressure or warmer water)

[Tagrel]

I wonder if it is a time of day thing? I wake up really early and shower then (when most sane vacationers are still sleeping! :) )

If they didn't plan it correctly, then if everyone decides to shower around say, 8 or 9 am, it might use up all the hot water as well as create a low pressure problem. You'd THINK by now Disney would know better than ANYONE how to avoid a problem like that though...

Hmmmm... Its funny how everyone is different. We stayed at AKL last year, and while pretty and the animals were great - We really didn't care for it at all! I had my own sour CM problem there, and that Disney Magic we found at VWL and BCV was missing there. I think its a hit and miss thing for everyone! That, and the bad things seem to run in streaks.