[fjs08]

Trip Report.

Disney service is suffering. We had a major problem with the rooms when we arrived. They tried to put 4 adults into one room. We had reservations for 2 rooms and I actually had to show them my reservation papers before they believed me. Not sure why it wasn’t in the computer.

Then they came up with 2 rooms and the one we got was unacceptable. They had the sinks stuck right next to the toilet and shower and it was all in the same room. You literally had to balance yourself between the toilet and the counter to use the sink. I’ve never had a room at the Beach Club like this. Always the double sinks are set off of the shower/toilet room, so someone can use the sinks, etc and another could shower without getting in each others way. They kept telling me that this is how all the rooms are and have always been. I had to laugh at this one. I told them I’ve been coming since it opened and never ran into this. We mentioned that our son has one of the rooms like we have, but they countered with this is how all the rooms are. The whole process took about 3 hours and about 5 discussions with the Front Desk, not to mention 3 phone calls at dinner. We crabbed all nite. They were very rude. Finally we went over after dinner and found a guy there who was reasonable. They moved us the next day. It was what we wanted. If there is a complaint e-mail address, I’d love to have it. I’m going to call and discuss this with the manager when I get home.

Prices are outrageous, but this is Disney.

Great restaurants. We did a lot of seafood as Noah is a vegetarian. They have a new chef at Flying Fish at the Boardwalk, we ate at Narcoosee’s at the Grand Floridian. Great too. It sits over the water looking out at the Contemporary, Magic Kingdom, and the monorail path. Kinda cool eating and watching the castle at the Magic Kingdom. Food was excellent too. California Grill has you check in on the 2nd floor and they escort you up to the restaurant. Guess they’ve had problems with folks just showing up for the fireworks. They just opened a new restaurant in the Dolphin. It’s a Todd English restaurant called The Blue Zoo. Very modern décor with very well done dishes. That was my favorite.
Using the Disney Dining Experience (DDE) card saved us a bundle. 20% off of all the meals except the Blue Zoo. Dolphin doesn’t participate.

Alfredo is back on my “not worth it” list. I loved the restaurant when it first opened, then went through a stretch of about 6 yrs where I wouldn’t go. It was great last year, but not this time. We went for lunch. Waitress basically tried to read the entire menu to us, until I politely told her we know what we wanted, unless there were any specials. They indeed did have specials which my son ordered. Of course she came back 10 minutes later and told us they didn’t have it any more?? At 12:15pm I find that hard to believe. Especially since the place opened up at noon<g>. It was her 2nd day and she was still getting used to her programming, I guess. My son and I had to laugh when she “recommended” certain items. We wondered how she could know on her 2nd day. Maybe she spent the first day eating. That could be a great job!!! They really have limited their lunch menu and the food was bad. $ 15.50 for pasta is way overdone.

Also, Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki has changed too. Dinner was fine, but you used to get a salad and I believe soup with your dinner. That’s all extra now. The steak had lots of fat, and you don’t get any dessert any more either. Correct me if I’m wrong on all the inclusions in past years. They have great sushi though. We love just going to the bar for a Kirin and sushi.

Belle View Lounge in the Boardwalk is a fun place to hang out too. Very nice décor. I love listening to the old radio shows. Great place to hit before or after Flying Fish. They take DDE, but the bartender had to call a manager to come up and key it in??? Ale & Compass is now open again. Fun but noisy. Low ceilings and wooden floor really splash the sound around. Crew’s Cup is solid. Great service and amenities. We didn’t eat at Yachtsman. Noah couldn’t find anything there and I wasn’t displeased. Steaks are $ 35-42.

Beaches & Cream! I love the place, but they need to be more organized. Lots of empty seats inside with lots of people waiting outside. Their manager needs to get more involved. Plus, why do you get a full glass and the extra milkshake if you eat in, but not if you go through the take out.

Pools at Beach Club were top notch. The Jacuzzi’s at Storm-A-Long bay actually worked and they were clean. Beach Club Quiet pool was done nicely too. Nice Jacuzzi and clean too.

We had a Fast Pass (FP) to Test Track on Friday and it broke down. Computer malfunction as they say. Couldn’t get back to use the FP on Friday or Saturday, so while we were there on Sunday, I mentioned that we couldn’t use Friday’s FP and couldn’t get back, and would they be good today. They let us use them. I thought that was nice.

Fast Passes are the greatest thing going. I can’t understand why more folks don’t use them.
Did the e-Ticket nite last Wednesday. Great way to get a bunch of rides in. Guess they rotate the attractions. Last time Pirates was on, this time they were off. But, I must say, I can remember the days when MK was open until midnite in summer and you didn’t have to shell out another $ 12/person to ride late. I still think they close all the parks way to early, and I just don’t understand why World Showcase doesn’t open until 11am. But that is a lost cause question. I’ve been complaining about that for a long time now.

We took the kids to see Cirque du Solil. Exciting show. We had seen it before, but the kids hadn’t. They loved it

Lots of nasty people working for Disney. The DDE Card is supposed to get free Valet parking. Went to the Contemporary, to dine at the California Grill. Great food!! Came out and the guy wanted 6 bucks for valet. I told him we have a DDE and in a very nasty tone, he asked to see it. Seemed almost upset that I did indeed have one. Upon checkout I noticed they billed us for valet at the resort (Beach Club). I went to the counter and again they were nasty, this time saying I didn’t get free valet. I guess this is debatable if you are staying at the resort. Anyway, I argued and the girl behind the counter consulted with some middle manager who said just give it to him, it isn’t worth arguing over. I went out to the bell stand and asked and they confirmed I should be getting free valet. I asked them to please inform the Front Desk.

All in all though it was fun. Great food, mostly great weather, it was fun to spend time with the kids.

Disney now gives you a USA Today each morning, but they are slick. You don’t get one the day you arrive, and you don’t get one the day you leave. A bit cheap, but what can you do.

Also, their Health Club, ShipShape, which is usually a charge item, like $ 45 for a family length of stay to $ 15/day pass, is now free. I was surprised. I don’t know why, but will have to find out.

Frank

[ilvminnie]

Even though BC is our home resort we try to not stay there if at all possible. Our first (and only) experience with the front desk was not at all pleasant & it turned us off immediately. We always make our reservations there 'cause we can do it 11 months out, but then as soon as the 7 month mark hits we switch to BWV (1st choice) or WL (2nd choice).

[ilvminnie]

Originally Posted by fjs08

If there is a complaint e-mail address, I’d love to have it. I’m going to call and discuss this with the manager when I get home.

keep an eye on your mail. I've gotten postcards after my last few trips asking for comments & there's an email address on there, too. Let me know if you get a response, though. I had to send several emails before I even got an acknowledgement that they received them & then I never really got an apology or explanation or any other comments back from them. Good luck!

[tragic312]

i remember getting the USA Today paper just about every day that we were there in June. i remember reading it in the morning while rob got ready and finished it at night. i would recycle it when i was done. i don't remember if we got it in january though. i do remember last june.
i'm sorry to hear about your unpleasant stay at the BC. i loved it there. we had no problems at all. i wish i had an email address for you but why not look up the phone number to the BC to speak with a manager? maybe that'll help.

[mickaholic4077]

That's a shame that you were treated this way. After paying all that money to stay at BC,you'd think that you would get top-notch service. My advice to you is to find out the address of Mr. Al Weiss,the president of Walt Disney World resort,and e-mail or snail mail him about your experience.

[Dana]

I am sorry to hear about your unpleasant stay at WDW. It sounds as though that little or nothing met up to your expectations. I can totally understand why Disney just asked to see your Disney Diney card. How are they suppose to know if you are one or not? Do you realize how many people try to scam Disney for free parking? Regardless, they should have asked you and treated you politely and not in the rude way you are reporting. While staying at the deluxes, I received a paper every single moring as did every single room whether it was a check in or check out day. I had one waiting at my room when I checked in after 3pm in January. Perhaps a room near yours "borrowed" an extra. I was glad to read of the few things that went right. Who wants to go all the way to WDW just to be dissappointed? Again, sorry for you unpleasant stay. Maybe you should try a new resort. The AKL is quite beautiful as is the Polly and the WL. Maybe a change in resorts will add a little magic to your next stay.

[GrumpyDad]

Wow, what a bummer! The Y&BC are our favorite resorts, a special treat when we can afford them. It really is too bad when a few less then enthusiastic cast members throw off your stay.

We are now trying some of the different resorts when we do go, it may be a while before we return to the Y&BC, I certainly hope they get it back together by then!

-harry

[disneyguy]

I noticed lately we have be recomending the Yacht and Beach Club more, and more. And I have noticed more and more that these resorts are getting bad reviews.

[fjs08]

Once we got the right room, things went well. Seems that the Front Desk was the problem. I noticed others crabbing about the Front Desk while we were at the pool.
We are going back for the Epcot Food & Wine and are trying to change to the Yacht side.
I talked to others on another Disney board who basically live in Orlando and frequent WDW. They mentioned that I should have showed the valet my DDE card immediately and that valet is only for diners, not "stayers." Guess I should have told them I was only going to eat there, but the luggage would have given me away<bg>! So I stand corrected on a bunch of this stuff.
Frank

[CaraMia]

Here you go....we had a lot of problems at the Coronado Springs Resort back in September of 03. They responded and issued us these special "fast pass" type of passes that let us go through the fast pass line at any particular time, rather then at a set time <it wasnt a huge deal...but at least it was something>. We had problems at the All-Star Resort back in Dec of 2002 and they credited us one night's stay, which we were happy about. We wrote a letter to Mr. Al Weiss, and then sent another copy (cc: noted on the bottom so they saw we also sent it to Al Weiss) to guest communications. For as much as they charge you would expect courteous service and nice rooms at these resorts. For no other reason....because it is DISNEY.


Mr. Al Weiss
President
The Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Walt Disney World Guest Relations
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830



Good Luck! I am sure if you write to them you will get a response within a month or so.

[fjs08]

CaraMia,

Thanks for the address to Disney. I'll be getting off a letter today to them.
I'll post when and if I get a response.

Thanks again,

Frank

[Dana]

Frank -

Your complaint wasn't the first that I have heard about The Beach Club recently. I hope they get their act together. I have alwasy wanted to try that resort, but find myslef hesitating becasue of recent reports. You shoudl try and switch sides sorta speak and try out the Yacht Club. Again, sorry for your bad experience.

[inluvwithdisney]

Well reading some recent reviews of the Beach Club certainly makes me happy that we opted to stay at the Poly!!! I went back and forth between the two for a while and ultimately decided on the Poly! Now seeing your experience was so negative I am very glad!!!

The Poly was a big splurge for us and I want it to be unreal!!! Not unruly!!

Sorry your trip was not very good!! Hope your next one is better!!

[llama]

We stayed at the BCV for a week last January and must admit that we had no problems at all. The cast was courteous - especially the valets - and we enjoyed the resort very much. Everyone has different experiences at different resorts and it naturally reflects on they're opinion of that resort. No one will ever convince me to try WL again - but that is based on the problems we had with castmembers and circumstances at that resort. But the vast majority here love it. So, don't write off a whole resort based on a few bad experiences by others. Your experience may be completely different.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by llama

We stayed at the BCV for a week last January and must admit that we had no problems at all. The cast was courteous - especially the valets - and we enjoyed the resort very much. Everyone has different experiences at different resorts and it naturally reflects on they're opinion of that resort. No one will ever convince me to try WL again - but that is based on the problems we had with castmembers and circumstances at that resort. But the vast majority here love it. So, don't write off a whole resort based on a few bad experiences by others. Your experience may be completely different.

You are so right. I loved the Wilderness Lodge and would have hated it had I had the stay that your family had. I guess it's hit and miss sometimes with these resorts.