BLT impressions from an AKV connoisseur

[gkrykewy]

We were delighted to check in to BLT today for four nights in a lake view studio.

(For the first edition of this mini trip report from our Kidani stay, see this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2253537)

So, BLT! First the positives:

(+) The building and grounds are absolutely gorgeous.

(+) Upon checking in, we were given the option of whether we wanted a pool/lake or a lake view, and whether we wanted a high or low floor. Just being given the choice was so nice - at AKV, we've always been assigned a room and felt as if we were having a major personal favor granted if we asked for a somewhat different view preference. Following our requests, we have an **AWESOME** room on the 11th Floor with an excellent view of Bay Lake, the contemporary, monorails, seven seas lagoon, and all the way to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom on the horizon. Simply breathtaking.

(+) I haven't stayed in a monorail resort since I was little. The ability to be at the Polynesian for dinner at Ohana in 5 minutes each way is simply a revelation.

(+) less than an hour ago, I watched the electric water pageant from our balcony, and then took the elevator downstairs to watch Wishes from the connecting bridge. Fantastic live views of both, all within 30 seconds of my room. Is there anything better than this for a Disney World nerd? Perhaps not.

Now, the negatives:

(-) This room is small. Literally smaller than an AKV *value* studio small. So small that the living space is pretty much a square rather than a rectangle (like a manhattan hotel room). However small you think the BLT studio is, it is smaller.

(-) There is no full length mirror. For my wife, this is apparently an unmitigated disaster... she had to stand on the couch to get ready for dinner. Apparently an odd and shocking oversight, which I wouldn't have noticed without her.

In summary, brilliant location and we're thrilled to be here, particularly in this room. That said, it comes with some somewhat significant tradeoffs -- the points per square foot, even for a LV room, would seem to be quite high.

[LisaS]

Thanks for the report! I had a similar reaction to the size of the BLT studio when we toured the model room at SSR. In the model room, the sofa was so close to the sliding door that the curtains didn't hang straight and that's in a room that doesn't even have a nightstand (just a small shelf on each side of the bed). But we figured we would still give it a try one day, just for the view and the monorail access.

Odd that there is no full length mirror in the room. And how are you finding the combined bathroom vanity/kitchenette? I didn't like that arrangement when I saw it in the model room.

[gkrykewy]

The combined vanity/kitchenette is odd but functional for us, since we don't really use the kitchen.

[mrsswat]

we checked in 8/5 and weren't given an option of where our room was. However, you must be very near where we were - also 11th floor facing marina. Loved it!

[Freddi6440]

Im arriving in two weeks in a Lake View Studio, do you remember your room number#? Im thinking about changing it to a one bedroom after hearing your post about how tiny the studio was. did you take the pool lake view or the regular lake view. What has a better view the north or south tower?

[gkrykewy]

We are still in the room, so I'd rather not post the number I believe EPCOT, etc., are south of magic kingdom, which would put us on the southern side - beautiful view.

This is regular lake view, not pool lake view. I would try the studio at least once - it might work for you. Works for us okay, at least for 4 nights. Honestly I love it.

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Originally Posted by gkrykewy

(-) This room is small. Literally smaller than an AKV *value* studio small. So small that the living space is pretty much a square rather than a rectangle (like a manhattan hotel room). However small you think the BLT studio is, it is smaller.

In summary, brilliant location and we're thrilled to be here, particularly in this room. That said, it comes with some somewhat significant tradeoffs -- the points per square foot, even for a LV room, would seem to be quite high.

Looking at picures that others have posted, I thought the same thing about the size of the rooms. The size of the living room area just seems condensed. We were at Kidani a few months ago and there just seemed like there was more room to stretch out between say the end of the kitchen and the sliding glasss doors to the balcony.

Just wondering, are the studios at BLT really smaller than the "value" studios at AKV?

[gkrykewy]

Originally Posted by Robo-Daddy 3000

Looking at picures that others have posted, I thought the same thing about the size of the rooms. The size of the living room area just seems condensed. We were at Kidani a few months ago and there just seemed like there was more room to stretch out between say the end of the kitchen and the sliding glasss doors to the balcony.

Just wondering, are the studios at BLT really smaller than the "value" studios at AKV?

They are definitely smaller than the regular AKV studios, and I believe they are smaller than the value studios. However, I could be wrong on that since I have not seen an actual square footage comparison. I'll stick with "pretty sure".

[ADP]

Originally Posted by gkrykewy

They are definitely smaller than the regular AKV studios, and I believe they are smaller than the value studios. However, I could be wrong on that since I have not seen an actual square footage comparison. I'll stick with "pretty sure".

Some have said the square footage at BLT includes the room deck/patio where other DVC resort rooms do not. I'm not sure if that is accurrate, but it might be.

[work2play]

Originally Posted by gkrykewy

We were delighted to check in to BLT today for four nights in a lake view studio.


(+) Upon checking in, we were given the option of whether we wanted a pool/lake or a lake view, and whether we wanted a high or low floor. Just being given the choice was so nice - at AKV, we've always been assigned a room and felt as if we were having a major personal favor granted if we asked for a somewhat different view preference. Following our requests, we have an **AWESOME** room on the 11th Floor with an excellent view of Bay Lake, the contemporary, monorails, seven seas lagoon, and all the way to EPCOT and Animal Kingdom on the horizon. Simply breathtaking.

Awesome! I can't wait to check in on Friday! Can you please post to the BLT views thread when you get back?

It is here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

[Tara]

Originally Posted by gkrykewy

They are definitely smaller than the regular AKV studios, and I believe they are smaller than the value studios. However, I could be wrong on that since I have not seen an actual square footage comparison. I'll stick with "pretty sure".

BLT studios are about 15-16 sq ft bigger than AKV value studios. (I think it's 315 vs 331. Clearly, not a big difference.

[gkrykewy]

Originally Posted by Tara

BLT studios are about 15-16 sq ft bigger than AKV value studios. (I think it's 315 vs 331. Clearly, not a big difference.

And at a 50-100% point premium!

Thanks for the confirmation. This is probably a point to be remembered as a rule of thumb, since some on the boards have found the AKV value studios to be unlivably small. Those folks may want to steer clear of BLT studios.

[Tara]

Originally Posted by gkrykewy

And at a 50-100% point premium!

Thanks for the confirmation. This is probably a point to be remembered as a rule of thumb, since some on the boards have found the AKV value studios to be unlivably small. Those folks may want to steer clear of BLT studios.

They should probably steer clear of both studios then.

[toniosmom]

Curious -- how does the 1BR at BLT compare to other resorts, like AKV or SSR? Is that smaller as well?

[flipflopmom]

Originally Posted by ADP

Some have said the square footage at BLT includes the room deck/patio where other DVC resort rooms do not. I'm not sure if that is accurrate, but it might be.

I specifically asked my guide this, and he said it does not, only includes the in room "livable space"