(CLOSED) Disney's CONTEMPORARY RESORT and BAY LAKE TOWER INFORMATION THREAD

[minerva78]

Thanks for the opinions. I'm glad that I still have until July to make a decision, because I keep changing my mind about everything! if I do decide to rent DVC points, I'm pretty sure it would be worth it to stay at BLT, just for the convenience. But I still don't know if I want to go the route of renting points, because I don't know if I want to pay for and commit to a place 11 months in advance. It may be worth it to wait and see if I can get a decent room discount on the CR - it won't be as cheap as renting points, but at least I'd have a lot more flexibility.

 

[Missoutandabout]

Ahhh, Kook. Love those pics of your DD feeding the ducks.

Hmmm. You've really got me considering not requesting top floor (usually go for this since I'm such a light sleeper). King bed, patio?

 

[babyberger]

Thanks for the opinions. I'm glad that I still have until July to make a decision, because I keep changing my mind about everything! if I do decide to rent DVC points, I'm pretty sure it would be worth it to stay at BLT, just for the convenience. But I still don't know if I want to go the route of renting points, because I don't know if I want to pay for and commit to a place 11 months in advance. It may be worth it to wait and see if I can get a decent room discount on the CR - it won't be as cheap as renting points, but at least I'd have a lot more flexibility.

We don't rent points just because you never know what it going to happen and I would hate to be locked into something.

As far as discounts at CR, it definitely varies on the time of year. In Dec we only had about a 20% disc but for our stay just last week we had a 37% disc!

We truly loved CR!!! I can't say enough great things about it!!!!

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[scjo68]

Congratulations on booking. What a wonderful birthday memory for DD. I've never seen discounts shortly before and after T'giving or Christmas, they are usually blacked-out. But, sometimes if you book before a blacked-out period, the discount will continue, but that's rare. I don't know about AAA and their blackout periods though. Are you or your spouse military active or retired?

Thanks. I did try to use my AAA discoun, but no luck. Thanksgiving didn't seem to be blacked out so-to-speak, because the AAA discount was available for a king bed room at the CR, but not for a standard room. So I may keep trying on that. I do have an AP and a Disney Visa, maybe I will get lucky.
Can't believe I am paying full Holiday rate at the CR! Oh, well, DD only turns 16 once. It should still be cheaper than a huge sweet sixteen party. Or a new car! Now I am just afraid how much it will cost to fly at Thanksgiving!

 

[toodycat]

We are at BLT now staying in a one bedroom. I really like the one bedroom because it has so much extra space. I will say that the unit we are staying in is in need of some repair. There are stains on the sheets, curtains, sofa and carpets. There is a piece of veneer missing off the island in the kitchen. The glass shower door is holding on by a thread. And there are numerous bumps and dings in the stainless steel appliances and the walls.
We stayed here this time as the atrium level was being renovated so we decided to try BLT. Nothing against BLT but both my husband and I really prefer staying at the CR.

We are staying in a one bedroom lake view this summer. We're excited to try something new and to have extra space. If there are stains on the sheets, I would call housekeeping. It is hard to remove a stain from a sofa, but you should have spotless sheets. Do you think the unit will be spacious enough for three adults---DH, DS (18) and me?

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

We are renting DVC points for a stay Sept 15-20. This is going to be a long, painful wait. But we stayed at BLT last fall and with two in strollers and the joy of the 2br with my parents, I'm completely smitten! We booked lake view...hoping to see the electric water parade!

 

[psac]

We are staying in a one bedroom lake view this summer. We're excited to try something new and to have extra space. If there are stains on the sheets, I would call housekeeping. It is hard to remove a stain from a sofa, but you should have spotless sheets. Do you think the unit will be spacious enough for three adults---DH, DS (18) and me?

The 1BR is definitely spacious enough for three adults. The extra bathroom will really help as well, DS could basically take that over as his own. He'll love it.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Okay, I need some honest opinions here. We're planning for a Disney trip next year and I had convinced myself we would probably spend 7 nights at POR or POFQ. But I could not resist the draw of staying somewhere on the monorail line since we'll be doing 2 days at MK and probably 1 1/2 days at Epcot. Unfortunately the CR is going to be out of our budget. So now I think I'd like to try to rent points for 4 nights at BLT in a studio and 3 nights at POR or POFQ, which will cost about the same. The problem is everyone talks about how small the studios are! There would be four of us in the room - myself, DH, and two girls who will be 5 and 6. We'll definitely plan on spending a lot of time in the parks, but will try to come back to the resort each day for some down time, probably to swim and relax. There are several character and other TS meals we want to do that are in the MK area as well, so I thought it would be perfect to do our MK and Epcot days during the first part of our trip. So do you think the small studio is still worth it to stay at BLT?

I did three nights in a studio with my dh, 10 year old and 12 year old. We were really only in the room to sleep. We had enough space to move around easily. The storage leaves a lot to be desired. The closet wasn't big enough for our suitcases so we stacked them up in front of the ajoining door across from the bathroom.When you take the cushions off to use the sofa bed, there is really nowhere out of the way to put them.If things don't get put away the room can get cluttered up fast.
I think you'd be fine with your two little guys, but I think I pushed the limit with my tweens and I wouldn' stay in a studio with the four of us again.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We are at BLT now staying in a one bedroom. I really like the one bedroom because it has so much extra space. I will say that the unit we are staying in is in need of some repair. There are stains on the sheets, curtains, sofa and carpets. There is a piece of veneer missing off the island in the kitchen. The glass shower door is holding on by a thread. And there are numerous bumps and dings in the stainless steel appliances and the walls.
We stayed here this time as the atrium level was being renovated so we decided to try BLT. Nothing against BLT but both my husband and I really prefer staying at the CR.

Thank you for letting us know about your villa. That is just the sort of thing I worried about after having read some similar reviews. I guess we were just lucky to not have any of those issues with our oned bedroom in August. I think room condition can be more iffy with DVC since they are rehabbed infrequently and on a different schedule than non-DVC rooms. I understand how this would turn you off to BLT.

Have you considered going over to the CR lobby and speaking to a manager to let them know about the problems?

Ahhh, Kook. Love those pics of your DD feeding the ducks.

Hmmm. You've really got me considering not requesting top floor (usually go for this since I'm such a light sleeper). King bed, patio?

A king bed request will limit you as there are fewer of those that face Bay Lake than two queens. We, like you, always request a top floor when we're not staying CL. But in this case, walking right out onto your patio is and besides, there are no balconies on the other floors so a patio is nice to have.

We don't rent points just because you never know what it going to happen and I would hate to be locked into something.

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Spoken from the mouth of a Resort Changer

We are staying in a one bedroom lake view this summer. We're excited to try something new and to have extra space. If there are stains on the sheets, I would call housekeeping. It is hard to remove a stain from a sofa, but you should have spotless sheets. Do you think the unit will be spacious enough for three adults---DH, DS (18) and me?

Plenty big! DH, DD and I stayed in August and DD took the sleeper sofa and bath and DH and I had the master/bath. I'll tell you though, it's hard staying anywhere else at WDW after having 1000 SF.

We are renting DVC points for a stay Sept 15-20. This is going to be a long, painful wait. But we stayed at BLT last fall and with two in strollers and the joy of the 2br with my parents, I'm completely smitten! We booked lake view...hoping to see the electric water parade!

and happy planning! To assure you can see the EWP from your Lake View, you might want to request that as it might be difficult to see from some outer villas on the north side. I would think you can see it from all inner BLV villas and outer BLV villas on the south side nearest CR, like we had.

Taken from the Sky Bridge:

 

[Missoutandabout]

A king bed request will limit you as there are fewer of those that face Bay Lake than two queens. We, like you, always request a top floor when we're not staying CL. But in this case, walking right out onto your patio is and besides, there are no balconies on the other floors so a patio is nice to have.

Thank you o' wise one. I'll ditch the "King Bed" request and perhaps just ask for "no connecting door" -- is that what you usually add to your ressie? Oh duh, can you actually request a Lake view?! I've got a lot to learn about CR.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you o' wise one. I'll ditch the "King Bed" request and perhaps just ask for "no connecting door" -- is that what you usually add to your ressie? Oh duh, can you actually request a Lake view?! I've got a lot to learn about CR.

Yes, we ALWAYS request "no connecting door," though not with our upcoming cabin stay or BLT where it's kind of a moot point, too. If you book a Garden View, you can request "Facing Bay Lake." When you check-in, ask about your room location, even if the room isn't ready, they do have it blocked and know where it is and can show you on the map. If it isn't what you hoped, you can work with the CM who will most likely, "go to the back" and ask the room assignor.

 

[familygoboston]

We head to BLT in a week after a short visit with my folks on the west coast. Thanks to Kook, and others who helped us plan with pics and info here. We actually added a day due to a change in DH's work schedule and even though our TA was able to find a discounted rate on either WL or BW villas, we just decided to stay with BLT for our first experience at a monorail resort (with the kids) rather than go back to a resort where we'd already stayed.

I will post a little "review" here of our experience at the resort, when we return and post a few "live" photos with my phone.

If anyone has specific "pictoral" questions, (though there is not much that hasn't already covered here by Kook) I will try to get answers. We have a busy 4 days, so I may not have time.

Thanks again fellow posters

 

[WDWKOOK]

We head to BLT in a week after a short visit with my folks on the west coast. Thanks to Kook, and others who helped us plan with pics and info here. We actually added a day due to a change in DH's work schedule and even though our TA was able to find a discounted rate on either WL or BW villas, we just decided to stay with BLT for our first experience at a monorail resort (with the kids) rather than go back to a resort where we'd already stayed.

I will post a little "review" here of our experience at the resort, when we return and post a few "live" photos with my phone.

If anyone has specific "pictoral" questions, (though there is not much that hasn't already covered here by Kook) I will try to get answers. We have a busy 4 days, so I may not have time.

Thanks again fellow posters

Can't wait for you live photos and TR! Thanks for the offer to take photos and I hope you have a wonderful time at WDW and BLT!

 

[closetmickey]

Any photos of the ongoing soft goods refurb?? Wondering if they are replacing with the same or new designs?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Any photos of the ongoing soft goods refurb?? Wondering if they are replacing with the same or new designs?

babyberger just returned from CR and reported that they had only started on the club level floors which are closed and restricted due to the rehab so no photos yet - maybe next month? A housekeeper (more reliable than the bus driver?) told her that they were only putting in new carpeting, headboard, mattress and box spring.

 

[babyberger]

Any photos of the ongoing soft goods refurb?? Wondering if they are replacing with the same or new designs?

I honestly asked everyday, very nicely too, if there was anyway I could peak at a refurb'd room. Everytime I was shot down From what I was told the bed linens are staying the same as they were recently changed, but as KOOK said the carpets and headboards are changing. Also the day beds were mentioned, I think she said they were being resurfaced

Here is a pic I took of the bed, the circle design was not on the linens when we were there in December.

 

[Missoutandabout]

Yes, we ALWAYS request "no connecting door," though not with our upcoming cabin stay or BLT where it's kind of a moot point, too. If you book a Garden View, you can request "Facing Bay Lake." When you check-in, ask about your room location, even if the room isn't ready, they do have it blocked and know where it is and can show you on the map. If it isn't what you hoped, you can work with the CM who will most likely, "go to the back" and ask the room assignor.

Okay, that settles it then... I'll go for "Facing Bay Lake, No Connecting Door. Pretty please with sugar on top."

Regarding the refurb, I wonder if they'll eventually make their way out to the Garden Wing? All appendages crossed they'll be done by October, I'm looking forward to the quiet setting (i.e., please no upgrade, please no upgrade).

 

[WDWKOOK]

Okay, that settles it then... I'll go for "Facing Bay Lake, No Connecting Door. Pretty please with sugar on top."

Regarding the refurb, I wonder if they'll eventually make their way out to the Garden Wing? All appendages crossed they'll be done by October, I'm looking forward to the quiet setting (i.e., please no upgrade, please no upgrade).

According to the first page/post 1, the rehab is of all rooms and will be completed by March 22. I don't expect it to go over by 7 months - appendage crossing not necessary. Yes, adding sugar will help and a C-note at check-in.

 

[babyberger]

According to the first page/post 1, the rehab is of all rooms and will be completed by March 22. I don't expect it to go over by 7 months - appendage crossing not necessary. Yes, adding sugar will help and a C-note at check-in.

You're too funny We have had our room request met both times at CR, actually room requests have been met everywhere we have stayed recently No c-notes needed

 

[WDWKOOK]

You're too funny We have had our room request met both times at CR, actually room requests have been met everywhere we have stayed recently No c-notes needed

I think it's your warm and friendly smile