BLT vs BCV

[wsdavis]

We're planning a trip to Disney this November. What are some pros/cons of each resort?

 

[Deb & Bill]

We're planning a trip to Disney this November. What are some pros/cons of each resort?

They both book up pretty early since November can be a busy time. BLT has three room categories to book - standard view, lake view and theme park view. BCV has no view categories to book. BLT has studios, one, two and three bedroom villas. BCV has no three bedroom villas. BCV studios are larger than BLT studios.

 

[uramr]

Those are our 2 favorite places to stay at Disney. BLT gets the edge for us as the 1 bedroom villas have 2 bathrooms (only one in 1 bdrm at BCV).

 

[SugarLoaf]

For me, it would probably come down to at which park I intended to spend more time. If you love Epcot, BCV sounds great to me! Only caveat I've heard is that the buses aren't ideal for MK heavy trips. If you love MK, then it would be very nice being able to walk there from BLT!

I've never stayed at BCV, since Epcot is my least favorite park, and I usually go once per trip for dinner and am done. But the theme there is for sure more appealing to me than the atmosphere at BLT. However, I think you will have a much more difficult time finding what you want at BCV vs. BLT in early November, because of the F&W festival.

I think it's really just personal preference/taste and convenience to your favorite things to do!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[MagicJourney]

I think this is a easy call, not as hard as BCV vs. BWV. If you love MK, go with BLT. If Epcot is your tea, BCV hands down.

 

[HETRICKL]

Do you have kids? Mine LOVE the pool at Beach Club vs. BLT.

 

[wsdavis]

Have a 4 yr old and a 9 month baby at time of travel. I'm thinking the monorail access and convenience to Magic Kingdom will be a big plus for the little ones. We're excited not to have to break down the stroller for magic kingdom days.

 

[Upon a Star]

Definitely BLT. We loved being able to walk to MK. The monorail was also amazing. We felt the pool at beach club was actually too much for our young kids. Bay lake is our favorite!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Considering your children's ages, I would try for BLT.

 

[wsdavis]

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[VrBchJ]

With your children I would definitely recommend BLT. It's so easy to walk back and forth to MK. Don't wait too long to reserve your room. BLT will book up quickly.

 

[fflmaster]

In my opinion BLT is better for families with younger children and BCV is better with older children.

I prefer BCV when staying in November since we would be walking distance to Epcot! Food and Wine Festival.

BLT:
Pros-
1. Closest hotel to Magic Kingdom. You can literally walk everyday if you wanted.
2. Room decor (this is personal preference). I like the contemporary vs the beach style
3. View of fireworks from the balcony
4. Watching the castle while laying in bed. (love the magic kingdom views)
5. Monorail. Love being on the monorail system. easy access to epcot, grand floridian and polynesian

Cons-
1. balcony: to me if you are in a high floor room the view is fantastic, but I was always nervous of the little ones being able to walk out there.
2. wear and tear. Some of the rooms seem like they need to be spruced from all the nicks and cracks.
3. pool. probably the worst pool in all of the DVC. The main pool at the contemporary is very boring and old.


BCV:
Pros-
1. BEST pool in disney (my family's opinion)
2. walking distance to Epcot!
3. Just a boat ride to Hollywood Studios
4. Beaches and Cream. Kitchen sink!!! all I have to say
5. Location to Boardwalk and Epcot food
6. Did I say the best pool yet. It deserves a second mentioning in my family's eyes.

Cons-
1. Decor. Being on the east coast I see a lot of beach houses so this is boring to us
2. Smaller resort. Rooms can be difficult to get
3. View. There really isn't a good view from most rooms. (Not in my opinion)

Both are great and we love staying at each. Depends on the time of year, what is happening and who we are taking. Enjoy!

 

[wsdavis]

I think when the kids get older it'll be a no brainer to go with BCV as we love food and wine and the pool would be a lot of fun too. On a side note how is Cape May??

 

[cel_disney]

Have a 4 yr old and a 9 month baby at time of travel. I'm thinking the monorail access and convenience to Magic Kingdom will be a big plus for the little ones. We're excited not to have to break down the stroller for magic kingdom days.

We much prefer BLT at that age! The walk to MK is awesome and the pool is much better suited for younger kids! The splash pad will be perfect for your baby! Being able to watch fireworks from TOTWL and to see the water pageant from the hotel is great - really helps with sleepy kids/bedtimes to have those activities right at your resort! And my kids LOVE to watch the monorail!!!! (Warning - getting to the monorail with a double stroller is not fun but its manageable when necessary!)

We stay in a 1 bedroom (our first trip as a family of 4 was at BLT in early December with a 4 yr old and 4 month old in 2010)...

We have yet to stay at BCV though - we have visited the resort many times but just can't seem to pull the trigger - the pool is too deep and has a bit of a tide/current even for my strong swimmer - and I miss the 2nd bathroom and the sleeper chair....

We also prefer the monorail restaurants to the boardwalk area ones...

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have a 4 yr old and a 9 month baby at time of travel. I'm thinking the monorail access and convenience to Magic Kingdom will be a big plus for the little ones. We're excited not to have to break down the stroller for magic kingdom days.

Just one note. When we stayed at BLT about a year and a half ago, every time we got on the monorail at CR (heading to TTC to catch the Epcot monorail), the CMs there told everyone to fold up their stroller because it would be full. So you can't just plan on rolling the stroller into the monorail all the time.

BCV:
Pros-
1. BEST pool in disney (my family's opinion)

Only if your family has a bunch of good swimmers who don't need to be continuously watched. And you don't mind crowds. I hated SAB, but loved the Dunes Cove Pool (leisure pool at BCV).

 

[fflmaster]

I think when the kids get older it'll be a no brainer to go with BCV as we love food and wine and the pool would be a lot of fun too. On a side note how is Cape May??

My family thinks Cape May has decent food. Is it going to blow you away? NO.

But we find it a nice change from some of the other restaurants around Disney.

Only if your family has a bunch of good swimmers who don't need to be continuously watched. And you don't mind crowds. I hated SAB, but loved the Dunes Cove Pool (leisure pool at BCV).

I agree that since the slide entrance is OUTSIDE the pool area, you have to be comfortable with your kids on their own a bit. Also, since the pool area is rather large making sure your children are either very good swimmers or be with them at all times would be recommended.

My boys have been swimming since 4 years old, so they have been very strong swimmers for quite some time.