BLT STUDIO - as small as a mouse's house

[barbarabini]

Just back from a split stay -lake BLT studio bay lake view -studio and BC 1 bedroom.

Pros
The pool is nice and so is the top of the world lounge.

Cons:
I traveled with my husband and two kids - 2 and 5. Upon entering, my5 year old said "mom this house is for a mouse and we are not mice."
Yes, it is that small. Reach out and touch the sofa bed from your bed small. No real room to walk around the bed small. - both on the sofa bed and regular bed area. Later that week she asked me why I couldnt get another hotel.

No lock on the bathroom door. Now, maybe its ok for two adults, or an open minded family that keeps the door open during bathroom time. But not for me. A simple sliding panel door is no match for a little kid who wants his mom. Eventually I took to using the public bathrooms when I needed to think.

The bathroom sink and kitchenette face each other in a galley type layout. So I can make breakfast while my husband shaves and ect. Who thought this was a good idea?

I called Member services and CRO every day trying to get a ressie in points or cash to get out of BLT and into a 1 bedroom to no avail.

During that week, I was in the SS and BWV studios as my parents and siblings were staying there. They are so much bigger and more well layed out.

Anyway BLT - its a novelty. It soon wore off. I think that if you go, with kids, you have to get a 1 bedroom or have your head examined.

We got to the BC on Friday and had a great stay.

[DonaldDoleWhip]

We stayed in a 1-bedroom and it was fabulous. But I completely understand what you're saying - after seeing the model, I would never want to stay in a BLT studio.

[Sandisw]

We also stayed in the BLT studio as well as BWV, and VWL. You definitely notice the difference.

There were 4 of us (me and the three kids) but we only were there 2 nights so it was manageable. DH and I are staying here in December and I think it will be fine for the two of us.

I already know that we won't be staying in them that much. Next year, we arrive on a Sat. night, at 8:00 pm, so we decided to save the points and just book one of these before checking in to the 1 bedroom the next day. I have a feeling that I am going to like the 1 bedroom so much better that I won't ever stay in a studio again!

[bobbiwoz]

Well, that was our opinion of the studio when we saw the models, but the 1-2 bedrooms really did appeal to us and we do have a 2 bedroom stay coming up.

I can't say that I never would want to be in a BLT studio, it would appeal to me for a solo trip for the location.

I'm glad you enjoyed your BC stay!

Bobbi

[Sammie]

Have to agree about the studios, very poorly planned and definitely small, I much prefer the large spacious rooms at the Contemporary over a BLT studio.

[Deb & Bill]

Check my signature block to see what I think about staying in a studio.

I totally agree with your comments about the BLT studio. It's an architectural nightmare. Designed by someone on drugs or with an electronic dog collar on being told to make it fit in the space or else they would be repeated shocked.

[liznboys]

Yeah, I can't imagine a family staying in a BLT studio... We were in a 2 Bedroom there and it was BIG. We LOVED it, bigtime at BLT, and I know our room was part of that.

I'm staying in a studio at BLT in January with my friend (another mom) as we are doing the Half Marathon together. We saw the studio model together at SSR so we know what it'll be like. We'll be there 2 nights.

[AKV707]

Sorry to hear that the studio is that small. Glad to hear that the OP had a good time at BCV. Anyone know the square footage of the studio at BLT? Didn't they used to have that in the planner? Or was that the dream book?

[BWV Dreamin]

Two people is all I would put in the BLT studio. Is it the same square footage as the Jambo "value" rooms?

[Sammie]

Not sure about the square footage but when I saw photos of the built in side table and it was barely wider than the phone and that is all the space between the bed and the couch, I knew when you opened the couch there was going to be no room between the two.

There is also no room between the sofa bed and window as it is right up against the drapery.

When the sofa bed is open you really have to watch your toes getting in and out.

The studio in my opinion is definitely only for 2 people.

[LIFERBABE]

Originally Posted by BWV Dreamin

Two people is all I would put in the BLT studio. Is it the same square footage as the Jambo "value" rooms?

I agree. Blt studios have about 20 feet on the value studios at Jambo I think.
I think the BLT studios are perfect for a couple despite the layout and don't think we will stay in one as a family. That is why I bought enough for the 1 bed @ BLT.

It's really too bad for those that rely on studios and the lower points. If we only stayed in studios Blt would be last on my list despite the awesome location.
We have couples trip in Oct and a solo trip in studio @ Blt coming up.

[TSMIII]

LIFERBABE is right.

AKV Value studios are listed at 316 sf (the same size as a Moderate hotel room) and BLT studios at 339 sf.

What I don't get is why did DVC skimp on the size of the BLT studios? I mean, almost everyone who has stayed in the BLT 1 & 2 BRs rave about how much room there is in those - so why shortchange the Studios? You'd think they could have shaved some sf off the 1BR side of a lockoff and some sf off the Dedicated 2BRs and make roomier studios?

And the whole design of the kitchenette/bathroom vanity could have been better executed with more space - like separating them with the entryway hallway as is done in some of the other resorts. The sliding bathroom door sounds like it was a compromise necessitated by the limited square footage -yet another reason to have added more space to the studios.

BLT is the showcase DVC resort and something like this should have been better planned and executed. Maybe their feeling was that this would be forgiven due to BLT's location - and maybe it will be.

I guess the conspiracy theory would be that DVC wants to discourage studio usage in favor of 1BR & 2BR usage, thereby prompting members to use up more points, possibly buy more points to stay out of a studio, and having BLT studios available for CRO rental and upgrades?

[photobob]

Personally I think more than two in a studio is going to be a bit tight regardless of resort.

[AKV707]

You would also think for the significant difference in points between a BLT studio and an AKV value studio that the BLT one would be much larger and better laid out. After all, the value rooms are retro fitted standard hotel rooms. At BLT it was a blank slate.

The Kidani studios are quite comfortable, have a sensible kitchenette setup, have a lock on the bathroom door, and the savanna view rooms have a, well, savanna view. Hard to beat.

[DenLo]

Originally Posted by BWV Dreamin

Two people is all I would put in the BLT studio. Is it the same square footage as the Jambo "value" rooms?

No the BLT studio is larger than the Jambo "value" rooms by all of 13 sq. ft! Per DVC News the value rooms are 316 sq. ft. and the brochure we received from our guide when we purchased BLT shows the studio is 329 sq. ft.

I guess people are going to start looking at the BLT studios like they do the value rooms at AKV, as a temporary place to stay until they can move to a 1 bedroom, or perhaps as a way to stretch their points.