*** Bay Lake Tower Owners Group***

[kenny]

Just back from 1st BLT stay and all I can say is WOW. We added on when the resort 1st went on sale.

The minute we walked into the CR (not ever BLT), my wife looked at me and said, we are adding on again.

Once we walked into our room, it was a done deal. 11th floor, castle right in the middle of the window. AMAZING! had poly castle view once but this blew it away. Could see part of every land from our room. I told my wife, if Disney wanted to sell this resort out fast, they should comp every disney resort guest 1 night in our room. Once you see that view you can't help but purchase!

Sure enough, before we left we called our guide and added on again. Decided this is where we want to be. While we still have out SSR contract, majority of our points are now BLT. At some point would love to sell SSR (love it but can get it at 7 months) and make them all BLT.

the extra points for the MK view are SOOOOOO worth it. Of course we had a high floor. From the lower floors maybe I wouldn't feel the same way.

 

[DVCGeek]

the extra points for the MK view are SOOOOOO worth it. Of course we had a high floor. From the lower floors maybe I wouldn't feel the same way.

7th floor MK view room 7728 (studio( I had about a month ago was OK but not really exceptional in my book, and I'm on the fence if it was worth the extra points. Looking directly ahead we had a great view of the monorail. Looking right you could see the castle from the balcony and from the right spot on the sofa:

However, my inlaws were in Standard View room 7228 (another studio, 5 floors directly below) had this view when looking to the right:

So was my room worth 21 points per night when theirs was only 15? (6 points is 40% more!) Tough call. Granted I think they had a very nice room for a SV, but that is indeed the view they had. My parents were on the 4th floor and could see fireworks from the balcony in their SV studio!

Anyway, I did like watching the monorails go by though... It would be nice if upper floor MK view was actually a booking category; the top several sound like they might be SIGNIFICANTLY better.

Of course, for theme park views NOTHING at BLT can match VGC since it is SOOO close. The castle seems small from BLT I thought, just not as intimate as VGC is. Then again, if nothing at CA interests you (or you only travel to WDW) that doesn't mean much! Glad I own at both.

 

[Nancy F]

Just back from 1st BLT stay and all I can say is WOW. We added on when the resort 1st went on sale.

The minute we walked into the CR (not ever BLT), my wife looked at me and said, we are adding on again.

Once we walked into our room, it was a done deal. 11th floor, castle right in the middle of the window. AMAZING! had poly castle view once but this blew it away. Could see part of every land from our room. I told my wife, if Disney wanted to sell this resort out fast, they should comp every disney resort guest 1 night in our room. Once you see that view you can't help but purchase!

Sure enough, before we left we called our guide and added on again. Decided this is where we want to be. While we still have out SSR contract, majority of our points are now BLT. At some point would love to sell SSR (love it but can get it at 7 months) and make them all BLT.

the extra points for the MK view are SOOOOOO worth it. Of course we had a high floor. From the lower floors maybe I wouldn't feel the same way.

And what kind? Studio? One bedroom?? Would love to ask for that room when we go.

Nancy

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

the extra points for the MK view are SOOOOOO worth it. Of course we had a high floor. From the lower floors maybe I wouldn't feel the same way.

You were one of the lucky one's kenny - congratulations! I, like DVCGeek had one of the xx28 studios - 4th floor, MK view. Not so hot and it didn't induce any adding on.

It's really not to bring you down but an FYI to not be surprised in the future that you probably won't always get the grand view you had on your first trip.

 

[MiaSRN62]

It's really not to bring you down but an FYI to not be surprised in the future that you probably won't always get the grand view you had on your first trip.

This is exactly what I'm thinking Kathy. I've been following the threads about views. I think Kenny probably had a terrific view but I also think it's pretty much sheer luck to get a MK view that awesome. I agree, some of the standard and lake views look just as good if not better than some of the MK views. I'll be there for the first time in May. Hoping for the best............

Maria

 

[ssawka]

7th floor MK view room 7728 (studio( I had about a month ago was OK but not really exceptional in my book, and I'm on the fence if it was worth the extra points. Looking directly ahead we had a great view of the monorail. Looking right you could see the castle from the balcony and from the right spot on the sofa:

However, my inlaws were in Standard View room 7228 (another studio, 5 floors directly below) had this view when looking to the right:


So was my room worth 21 points per night when theirs was only 15? (6 points is 40% more!) Tough call. Granted I think they had a very nice room for a SV, but that is indeed the view they had. My parents were on the 4th floor and could see fireworks from the balcony in their SV studio!

Anyway, I did like watching the monorails go by though... It would be nice if upper floor MK view was actually a booking category; the top several sound like they might be SIGNIFICANTLY better.

Of course, for theme park views NOTHING at BLT can match VGC since it is SOOO close. The castle seems small from BLT I thought, just not as intimate as VGC is. Then again, if nothing at CA interests you (or you only travel to WDW) that doesn't mean much! Glad I own at both.

That was why I complained after our trip in January. I booked a MK view and I was 1 floor above your in-laws, in what would be the ajoining 1 BR (2326). So imagine paying that 40% more for your in-laws view.

 

[DVCGeek]

I booked a MK view and I was 1 floor above your in-laws, in what would be the ajoining 1 BR (2326).

You mean 7326, right? If so, I own that doorknob! : That and 7328 (the studio next door) make up Unit 13A and I have a 0.8147% interest (160 points) in it! Sorry to hear it was a MK view in name only though... Can't help ya' there!

 

[spiceycat]

boy though the 7th floor was okay. so need to change and tell people to go higher.

the standard views stop at the 5th floor.

the monrail is directly across from the 7th floor right?

got a studio standard for Dec - hope get 5th floor north side room again.

 

[BEANTOWNDR7]

We bought our 1st BLT last March (09) and are finally getting to use it this October, for our DD7 birthday. We booked a MK view so we can enjoy the views and possible fireworks. From reading the posts, what floors are the best for MK views? My kids are so excited and I don't want to disappoint if we are on lower levels, like it will make a difference anyways.

Also, if anyone has checked in online already, can you request certain floors?

thanks

 

[disneychic]

We did an add on at BLT in 2009, (100 pts.) but we don't have a reservation there until next Feb. We also just did an add on last month of AKV, and due to the addtion of the AKV points we decided to get another wdw vacation in this May (otherwise it would have been a LONG wait until our February visit!)

 

[pwiedower]

Just wanted to say hello, my wife and I bought into BLT last January and will be staying in a 2 BR MK view in Sept. We cannot wait and are already talking about adding on

 

[Mommee]

Just wanted to say hello, my wife and I bought into BLT last January and will be staying in a 2 BR MK view in Sept. We cannot wait and are already talking about adding on

Welcome! our first stay is approaching rapidly and we can't wait, either!

 

[Plucker001]

Just got back from a week stay 3/13-3/20. Had Bay Lake View, Room 7817-awesome view, pretty much in the middle of the building-looking out the windows from a sitting position, all you could see was the lake. If you stood on the balcony or all the way at the windows, then you could see other people's rooms. It was beautiful watching the sunrise, also a great view of the Electrical Water Pageant.

One complaint-the room was DIRTY! This is our 3rd stay at BLT-once right after it opened in late August 2009, then November 2009, and now. All three times I felt the rooms have not been particularly clean. I am not a clean freak either! Part of the problem is the sliding doors-I think when the housekeeping cleans, the doors are open so they don't see the dirt trapped behind. Also, the pullout couches and chair have had crumbs in them when I pulled them out to make into beds. The last straw was the dirty tissue and unidentified brown stain when I pulled out the chair to make the bed! We complained and housekeeping did resolve the matter and did a "thorough" cleaning the next day for free-I didn't notice any difference afterwards, though.

 

[Nancy F]

Just got back from a week stay 3/13-3/20. Had Bay Lake View, Room 7817-awesome view, pretty much in the middle of the building-looking out the windows from a sitting position, all you could see was the lake. If you stood on the balcony or all the way at the windows, then you could see other people's rooms. It was beautiful watching the sunrise, also a great view of the Electrical Water Pageant.

One complaint-the room was DIRTY! This is our 3rd stay at BLT-once right after it opened in late August 2009, then November 2009, and now. All three times I felt the rooms have not been particularly clean. I am not a clean freak either! Part of the problem is the sliding doors-I think when the housekeeping cleans, the doors are open so they don't see the dirt trapped behind. Also, the pullout couches and chair have had crumbs in them when I pulled them out to make into beds. The last straw was the dirty tissue and unidentified brown stain when I pulled out the chair to make the bed! We complained and housekeeping did resolve the matter and did a "thorough" cleaning the next day for free-I didn't notice any difference afterwards, though.

I will have a fit if I'm paying extra and they don't do a good cleaning. We're pretty neat. BUt I want more than just towels dropped in my room every day. If I'm paying (and I don't mind doing so)... it better be done right.

Nancy

 

[spiceycat]

I will have a fit if I'm paying extra and they don't do a good cleaning. We're pretty neat. BUt I want more than just towels dropped in my room every day. If I'm paying (and I don't mind doing so)... it better be done right.

Nancy

thought that Disney had changed their policy.

what I think (and this is think) is happening - the guests in the room leave - take out all their luggage - then go to breakfast. in the meantime the maid thinks they are gone. so she cleans the room.

they come back and don't seem to understand that they MUST call housekeeping to tell them to clean the room again.

thought that disney had changed their policy to change the lock when the maid cleans the room. but if they are still having these problems - not sure.

 

[Nancy F]

thought that Disney had changed their policy.

what I think (and this is think) is happening - the guests in the room leave - take out all their luggage - then go to breakfast. in the meantime the maid thinks they are gone. so she cleans the room.

they come back and don't seem to understand that they MUST call housekeeping to tell them to clean the room again.

thought that disney had changed their policy to change the lock when the maid cleans the room. but if they are still having these problems - not sure.

If we get mousekeeping every day... I'd hate to think that when I get back to my room I won't be able to get in using my rm. key. LOL

Not sure if I understand your post?? Would we have to call every day to set up for a full cleaning??? Or can we just set it up for them to come when we check in??

Nancy

 

[mjaclyn]

DH and I bought into BLT last June and had our first visit in October 2009. We LOVED it!!! We had a one bedroom lake view for most of our trip, then a studio for the last two nights. We couldn't have been happier with the one bedroom. We have two small children and it gave them room to run around and play without us tripping over them. I also LOVE having the full kitchen and the washer/dryer in the room.

The studio, however, was a completely different story. We could barely move in that room and our double stroller literally got stuck in the entryway a few times. I HATED having the bathroom sink in the kitchenette area (horrible idea). The bed was literally touching the side of our open up couch. I just felt SO incredibly cramped in there, and I'm sure staying in the one bedroom beforehand didn't help the situation LOL. DH and I have only stayed in studio rooms before this trip and have had no problems with any of them. We've tried almost every DVC property and usually are perfectly happy with the studios. It really REALLY irritates me that BLT has the smallest studios of all the resorts and it shows. I don't plan on staying at a BLT studio again. If we don't have enough points for a one bedroom I'll be more than happy to sacrifice the convenience of the monorail for a larger studio at one of the other resorts.

Other than the studio room we absolutely loved BLT. Our room was close to the walkway and we had no complaints about the short distance to the Contemporary. Our DD had a great time in the pool and especially loved the fountains. The Contemporary has never been my favorite resort because of it's modern decor, but I have to say that I really enjoyed staying there and I can't wait to stay there again.

 

[spiceycat]

If we get mousekeeping every day... I'd hate to think that when I get back to my room I won't be able to get in using my rm. key. LOL

Not sure if I understand your post?? Would we have to call every day to set up for a full cleaning??? Or can we just set it up for them to come when we check in??

Nancy

dvc member don't get housekeeping.

if you are paying extra for housekeeping you should not have any problems.

the problem is your check out day. as I say the maid cleans the room, thinking (because everything is gone) that the family is gone. they are not - they come back and leave stuff. but they don't think they need to call housekeeping.

it would help it this situation if they told the maid - believe me she/he is not far.

but some people don't think.

they assume the maid will be back. but if she cleaned the room already why would she.

believe me - been in the situation - went to breakfast came back and the room was clean. It was plain that the maid though we had check out - so we did. others do not.

 

[spiceycat]

The studio, however, was a completely different story. We could barely move in that room and our double stroller literally got stuck in the entryway a few times. I HATED having the bathroom sink in the kitchenette area (horrible idea). The bed was literally touching the side of our open up couch. I just felt SO incredibly cramped in there, and I'm sure staying in the one bedroom beforehand didn't help the situation LOL. DH and I have only stayed in studio rooms before this trip and have had no problems with any of them. We've tried almost every DVC property and usually are perfectly happy with the studios. It really REALLY irritates me that BLT has the smallest studios of all the resorts and it shows. I don't plan on staying at a BLT studio again. If we don't have enough points for a one bedroom I'll be more than happy to sacrifice the convenience of the monorail for a larger studio at one of the other resorts.

believe me know the problem. It is especially irraiting because the 1-bedroom are so BIG. that say love the studio - but single and generally go solo.

maybe in 20 years or so when it is just you and your husband the studio at BLT will work for you.

 

[Mommee]

We received our magical express documents, park tickets, AND reservation confirmation in the mail yesterday..that's the kind of mail I want to get every day

Question: how long does it take to walk from BLT to the restaurants/stores in the main tower?