Bay Lake Tower or Grand Floridian room

[epcotobsessed]

This is for July, for a quick two night stay after a BC stay so that we can be walking distance to MK on those park days. We haven't stayed in GF in maybe 10 years, and never in BLT (have stayed in the main Contemporary building). Which standard room/studio would you choose for a 16yo, 13yo, two parents? Room quality and size are important to us, but more important is resort amenities - does either one have more things open right now? Thanks in advance.

 

[Marionnette]

This is for July, for a quick two night stay after a BC stay so that we can be walking distance to MK on those park days. We haven't stayed in GF in maybe 10 years, and never in BLT (have stayed in the main Contemporary building). Which standard room/studio would you choose for a 16yo, 13yo, two parents? Room quality and size are important to us, but more important is resort amenities - does either one have more things open right now? Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't stay in a BLT studio with 4 people unless 2 of them were little kids. Those studios are tiny and the sleeper sofa is only a full size, not queen size.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that. The BLT 1br is $270 more than the studio or the GF room (those two are $3 apart in price). Would you pay for the BLT 1br or stick with a GF outer building lagoon view?

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that. The BLT 1br is $270 more than the studio or the GF room (those two are $3 apart in price). Would you pay for the BLT 1br or stick with a GF outer building lagoon view?

The BLT 1BR has 2 full bathrooms. That alone would be worth the price to me if I had 2 teenagers. You would also have a full kitchen with real dishes, flatware and glassware, a dishwasher and a washer/dryer right in the villa. As much as I love GF for its landscaping and décor (BLT loses on that comparison), I would go with BLT for those amenities over a GF lake view hotel room.

 

[Marthasor]

I would do the GF standard room. You will have more real beds and, overall, I think GF is the better resort.

 

[SG131]

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that. The BLT 1br is $270 more than the studio or the GF room (those two are $3 apart in price). Would you pay for the BLT 1br or stick with a GF outer building lagoon view?

If a 1 bdrm is in your price range it would be a great setup for your family.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I don't see how anyone could ever choose BLT over GF any longer now that GF has its own path to MK.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Thanks everyone, I'm so torn! We were able to snag a Deluxe Room at BC by booking early, so we will have lots of space for most of the trip. I'm willing to spend the extra $ for the 1br at BLT but just can't decide between the two resorts. Seems like there's no wrong answer.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Ok, maybe GF is the better answer, given your replies Thank you!

 

[03GirlsMom]

The GF is one of my favorite resorts. I've never been a fan of the Contemporary and have no desire to stay there.

With that said, I would always opt for more bathrooms with teenagers. Heck, I don't have teenagers yet but I have 3 girls. I still go with the room that gets us as many bathrooms as possible.

 

[epcotobsessed]

And now a Poly Deluxe Studio has opened for my dates - I've seen this one pop up, then disappear, several times now. I really have to make a decision! If everything in Poly were open, this would definitely be my choice, but so many things aren't opening until "late July" and we'll be there mid-July.

 

[03GirlsMom]

And now a Poly Deluxe Studio has opened for my dates - I've seen this one pop up, then disappear, several times now. I really have to make a decision! If everything in Poly were open, this would definitely be my choice, but so many things aren't opening until "late July" and we'll be there mid-July.

My only issue with the Poly studio is the pull-out couch. Would your kids be ok sharing a bed at their ages? I think this is a great option for families with younger kids but as they get older and want their own space, it might be trickier. But, the size of the pull-out is nice. Plus, 2 showers!

 

[epcotobsessed]

We've only ever stayed in a regular Poly room, not the studios/bungalows, but this description says it has a Queen bed, Queen sleeper sofa, and single pull-down bed. That last one is probably getting tight for either of my kids, but I'm squeezing out one room for as long as I can! Grand Floridian may not give us three sleeping surfaces, only two are guaranteed, so the guarantee of three in the Poly studio is appealing.

 

[supersnoop]

My only issue with the Poly studio is the pull-out couch. Would your kids be ok sharing a bed at their ages? I think this is a great option for families with younger kids but as they get older and want their own space, it might be trickier. But, the size of the pull-out is nice. Plus, 2 showers!

Poly studios also have a pull-down bed.

 

[jimmymc]

BLT studios are pretty small. The 1 bedrooms are standard size, and the GF rooms are a good size.

But, if walking is the main reason you're staying, then BLT is 5 minutes vs 15 to 20 for GF. If you can splurge for the 1 bedroom, even by renting points, I would try for that.

 

[kc51570]

If you are now deciding between a regular room at GF, a studio at Poly, and a 1br at BLT, I would do the 1br. We’ve stayed in all 3 at different times. The one bedroom is very spacious with 2 bathrooms-you will also have a washer/dryer in case you don’t like to repack all your dirty clothes. My least favorite is the Poly studio. 3 of us (1 pre-teen) stayed there for 5 days and it felt really crowded. I think we’re too spoiled by the 1 bedrooms. The GF is very nice, but again with 4 people, the room will feel crowded, but I love the resort itself. I feel like we slow down a little by the end of our trip so it’s nice to have some extra room space.

 

[cvjw]

BLT 1 bedroom. No reason to ever stay in a studio if a 1 bedroom is an option.

 

[Shellyred8]

Another vote for BLT 1 br if it's an option for you.

 

[JakeAZ]

I'd take extra room / bathrooms over a view or nicer property 100% of the time.

 

[rwdavis2]

Isn’t that extra $270 for BLT essentially a drop in the bucket as compared to the rest of the drip. That’s how I would look at it,