1st WDW visit-GFV or BLT?

[peaches0313]

We are planning our 1st trip to WDW hopefully for next September. I am thinking about renting points. Our 1st choice is GF (villas) but I realize they are brand new, and I might have a difficult time "securing" those. Our 2nd choice is BLT. I am wondering if we should try to get BLT first, just since it may be easier and our children will be 3 and 5 so walking to MK would also be nice. Or, should we not settle and first try for GF villas? I'm thinking at this point it would just be easier to go with BLT.. .and cheaper. But our first choice was GF due to the princess dining there and Alice in Wonderland play area. (CR looks boring to me theme-wise) Help! I keep going back and forth...

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I'd say GFV. Your kids will probably love the play area. The villas ate just beautiful!

 

[princessap]

I say Gfv too. Looks more kid friendly to me!

 

[herb102211]

I would say GFV. They look amazing and are newer than BLT. Plus, you're closer to MK, too.

 

[Desnik]

I'm at BLT now & we did the tour of the GFV a few days ago. BLT location cannot be beat! Walking to the MK is fabulous. The views here are fantastic too! I like the theming & decor of the rooms at GFV, but BLT 1 bedrooms have 2 full bathrooms. That is a huge plus for our family! Our room at BLT is on the 5th floor not far from the skyway bridge & is so convienent to everything. We've stayed at the GF before & the location of BLT is much better. The GF is beautiful though!

 

[princessap]

I'm at BLT now & we did the tour of the GFV a few days ago. BLT location cannot be beat! Walking to the MK is fabulous. The views here are fantastic too! I like the theming & decor of the rooms at GFV, but BLT 1 bedrooms have 2 full bathrooms. That is a huge plus for our family! Our room at BLT is on the 5th floor not far from the skyway bridge & is so convienent to everything. We've stayed at the GF before & the location of BLT is much better. The GF is beautiful though!

Can I ask if you paid rack rate or rented points? we are debating between GFV and BLT for next fall too but am leaning towards GF as the theming of CR doesn't appeal to our family. thanks

Hope you have a great stay!!!

 

[hedberg1661]

I would say GFV. They look amazing and are newer than BLT. Plus, you're closer to MK, too.

You are actually closer to MK from BLT. 5 minute walk and you are there. Plus if you don't feel like walking back from a tough day at the park you can just hop the monorail and you are the first stop instead of the 4th.

I just stayed at BLT and love the location. The rooms will be newer at GFV but I would still, for the time being, opt for BLT until the GFV have some time to work out the kinks.

Cheers!

 

[Desnik]

Can I ask if you paid rack rate or rented points? we are debating between GFV and BLT for next fall too but am leaning towards GF as the theming of CR doesn't appeal to our family. thanks

Hope you have a great stay!!!

We are DVC'ers! We own at SSR & AKV and will be adding on again very soon!

Before we bought in we rented points twice and had a good experience both times. This was about 10 years ago before there were brokers.

If you rent you will save a lot of money! If I were you, I'd rent through a broker afiliated with these boards. Yeah you won't get houskeeping everyday, but the savings is worth it.

The theming of BLT doesn't appeal to us either, GF is more our style, but I've gotta tell you, we are all loving this resort. Honestly, the furniture isn't holding up well to guest use and that is disappointing. But, like I mentioned, the 2 bathrooms, location, overall amenities at the resort are huge pluses.

In our opinion as far as overall best resort with best rooms, cleanliness, room layout, amenities, etc, AKV wins hands down. It's just far away from the parks and that is both a positive and a negative

Anyway I don't think you could go wrong with either BLT or GFV!

 

[hedberg1661]

I also noticed the furniture and room furnishings etc. did not hold up very well considering this is a newer resort (BLT). AKV are quite nice.

Not a DVC member simply because I don't think it is worth the money but I have stayed at these locations with DVC Members in the past.

~Cheers!