*** Bay Lake Tower Owners Group***

[BWV Dreamin]

Hi DVCGeek! (How about that cruise poster!!) Anyhoo, a question for you. I have bought BLT points but won't get to stay until fall of 2012!! That is also when the new Fantasyland is to be open...do you think it will be super hard to ressie at 11 mos for that timeframe? Will be looking at a studio. I know all the inventory is not declared yet.....

Walking to MK is definitely easier and faster; by the time you walk to the monorail stop and then wait for it to go TTC, Poly, GF, MK it takes longer, and the walk isn't bad at all; I saw lots of people with small kids, strollers, etc. doing it when i stayed @ BLT.

I've never made a room request, but you should be able to make one either when you make the ressie initially or anytime thereafter; once you get to 10 days or less you can make (LIMITED!) requests online for at lest some of the resorts, but I'd recommend making it before that.

Don't have kids (human ones anyway; and fill in for us!) so I can't really comment on your other questions. have fun!

 

[DVCGeek]

do you think it will be super hard to ressie at 11 mos for that timeframe?

If you call right at 11 months you have first dibs just like all other BLT owners. from my experience fall is generally slower around MK (assuming you avoid holidays!); it's the Epcot resorts that are typically jammed for Food & Wine. Sooooo, I'd say your chances are pretty good; I doubt Fantasyland will cause BLT to be booked solid THAT fast. BUT, I'd certainly call @ 9 AM on 11 months just to be safe...

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We're new to DVC. We purchased on a recent cruise, but have attended 4 previous DVC seminars before finally taking the plunge.

I noticed in the previous posts to call at 9:00 am at 11 months to secure a reservation.

Since I'm new to DVC, is it better to call DVC directly or can you book it online? Which is better? Also, I assume that you should call 11 months from the first day of your trip. Thus, if we want a trip starting on May 15, 2011, for 8 nights, we could call 11 months before May 15th to book all 8 nights?


Thanks!

 

[Bobsdisneymoney]

We will be visiting BLT in June for 7 nights. DH, DS, DD, and I . The kids are teenagers.. a boy 15 and girl 13. They DON'T want to sleep together in the couch bed. I chose BLT because of the sleeping chair. So, as far as I know we will have a king sized bed, a couch bed, and a chair that will sleep one person. Can anyone tell me more details about this chair. Both of my kids aren't tiny, so I am wondering if I should bring my twin blow-up mattress. She isn't picky, I just hope it is big/long enough because she is about
5' 8". Can anyone help me??

 

[DVCGeek]

Since I'm new to DVC, is it better to call DVC directly or can you book it online? Which is better? Also, I assume that you should call 11 months from the first day of your trip. Thus, if we want a trip starting on May 15, 2011, for 8 nights, we could call 11 months before May 15th to book all 8 nights?

You can submit requests online currently, but that is basically an e-mail system that may take a few days to process (so you therefore may NOT get what you want if it goes quickly) and it is NOT interactive. Some people have reported good luck there, but personally I'm a bit of a control freak so I like to talk directly to DVC Member Services so I can make sure I get exactly what I want. Eventually a "real" online system is rumored, but time will tell if/when we see it in place.

Currently you can book up to 7 days from your arrival at the 11/7 month windows, so for your 8 day trip arriving May 15th I would call on June 15, 2010 @ 9 AM Eastern time (when MS opens) if you want something that is in high demand. You could book the first 7 nights of your trip then. On June 16th you would call again to modify your reservation and add the 8th night. Alternatively, you could wait to June 16th and then book the whole thing in 1 call, but you increase the chances of what you want NOT being available.

Hope that helps!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

You can submit requests online currently, but that is basically an e-mail system that may take a few days to process (so you therefore may NOT get what you want if it goes quickly) and it is NOT interactive. Some people have reported good luck there, but personally I'm a bit of a control freak so I like to talk directly to DVC Member Services so I can make sure I get exactly what I want. Eventually a "real" online system is rumored, but time will tell if/when we see it in place.

Currently you can book up to 7 days from your arrival at the 11/7 month windows, so for your 8 day trip arriving May 15th I would call on June 15, 2010 @ 9 AM Eastern time (when MS opens) if you want something that is in high demand. You could book the first 7 nights of your trip then. On June 16th you would call again to modify your reservation and add the 8th night. Alternatively, you could wait to June 16th and then book the whole thing in 1 call, but you increase the chances of what you want NOT being available.

Hope that helps!

Thanks! It's so strange being a novice again.

 

[DVC Owner in MA]

Hi everyone!

We bought at 160 point add on at BLT during a DVC event held in Boston last year. We are heading down next weekend for our first visit there and will be staying in a Grand Villa. Another family will be vacationing with us, and this is their first trip to Disney.

We're very excited to see BLT and to experience a Grand Villa. We've owned DVC for about 8 years, and have only stayed in a Grand Villa once (at OKW).

 

[minster22]

Question for Bay Lake owners.....we are staying at Bay Lake the first time in 10 days and are wondering if when we check in early in the am and get our KTW card will we be able to access the pool etc even if our room is not ready? I know that you need a key for most areas and are planning on hanging around the pool until our room is ready ( we never count on that til 4pm or later....love it if it happens earlier but....). I am assuming that we can do this but wanted to check to make sure. TIA.

 

[helloconnie]

Our first trip to BLT is scheduled for Feb. 2011! I have a couple questions:

For those with kids.....our are DS-4 and DD-2.....is it easier to have them use the bedroom at night in a 1-BR Villa (lake view)....or easier to have them use the living room? Just wondering. We needed a 1-BR b/c they still take afternoon naps....which is why we stayed at the cabins for our last trip.

Have any BLTers ever used Kids Night Out? Just wondering your thoughts on their service and whether or not you can use them at BLT or any DVC.

Was it easier to walk from BLT to Magic Kingdom or take monorail?

Should I have made a room request when I made the reservation.....or can I add the request now?

Any other advice for staying in a hotel setting for the first time with two little ones would be appreciated. The cabins were easy b/c we could step outside and DS could play. My wife and I toured the AK and BLT rooms when we were there in Feb though and decided to buy at BLT. Thanks. AC

For naps I would would recommend they sleep in the bedroom since teh access to the patio is off the living room. While they are sleeping, you can either relex inteh living room or sneek out unto the patio. At night, you might want to put them on the pull out couch bed so you can have the real bed!

I have used Kids Night Out for the last two years and have had wonderful experiences. I am using them again during our trip in May.

It's quicker to walk to the MK. If you take the monorail from the CR to the MK, you will go the long way around and stop at the Poly and GF before arriving at the MK. With that said, if your kids LOVE the monorail as much as mine do, you will find yourself taking it instead of walking. Great thing about the monorail, you don't need to fold up strollers like you do on the buses.

If you call Member Services, they can add your room request right now.

Hi DVCGeek! (How about that cruise poster!!) Anyhoo, a question for you. I have bought BLT points but won't get to stay until fall of 2012!! That is also when the new Fantasyland is to be open...do you think it will be super hard to ressie at 11 mos for that timeframe? Will be looking at a studio. I know all the inventory is not declared yet.....

If you are staying during school months, fall is typically not too difficult to get a ressie, EXCEPT if you are planning on staying during the EPCOT F&W Festival. The rooms book very fast. A lot of DVCer's go during this festival.

We're new to DVC. We purchased on a recent cruise, but have attended 4 previous DVC seminars before finally taking the plunge.

I noticed in the previous posts to call at 9:00 am at 11 months to secure a reservation.

Since I'm new to DVC, is it better to call DVC directly or can you book it online? Which is better? Also, I assume that you should call 11 months from the first day of your trip. Thus, if we want a trip starting on May 15, 2011, for 8 nights, we could call 11 months before May 15th to book all 8 nights?

Thanks!

Traveling during early May is a GREAT time to go! That is usually when my family visits. It is typically not too crowded and not too hot. Booking a room during this timeframe should not be too difficult. To absolutely ensure you get the room accomodations you want, it is best to call at the 11 month window. I am going over Memorial Day Weekend. I called at the 11 month window but did not call right at 9:00 am. I would definitely call versus submit the request through the DVC website. Currently, that is just an email that gets sent. New systems are suppose to be coming later this year which will allow online reservations for DVC members.

Hi everyone!

We bought at 160 point add on at BLT during a DVC event held in Boston last year. We are heading down next weekend for our first visit there and will be staying in a Grand Villa. Another family will be vacationing with us, and this is their first trip to Disney.

We're very excited to see BLT and to experience a Grand Villa. We've owned DVC for about 8 years, and have only stayed in a Grand Villa once (at OKW).

Congrats! Sounds like fun! I want to stay at a GV someday!

Question for Bay Lake owners.....we are staying at Bay Lake the first time in 10 days and are wondering if when we check in early in the am and get our KTW card will we be able to access the pool etc even if our room is not ready? I know that you need a key for most areas and are planning on hanging around the pool until our room is ready ( we never count on that til 4pm or later....love it if it happens earlier but....). I am assuming that we can do this but wanted to check to make sure. TIA.

Yes, you can! When you check in you will get your KTTW card and will be able to do anything you want, except go to your room if it is not ready. Have fun!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

I haven't been able to find resort/lobby pics of BLT decorated for the holidays. Please share if you have them.

 

[dizfan]

I haven't been able to find resort/lobby pics of BLT decorated for the holidays. Please share if you have them.

Since BLT doesn't have much of a lobby (CR is used for checkin), it wasn't very decorated.
Last year, the Contemporary was decorated with the Small World theme.

We really enjoyed seeing the Contemporary with the Mickey wreath.

It was also fun to see some of the balconies decorated with Christmas lights. One of the GVs had Christmas trees with lights on all of it's balconies.

Also, we enjoyed watching MVMCP fireworks from TOTWL. It was noticeably better than the non-MVMCP fireworks (at least while we were there).

 

[dizfan]

Oops, double posted.

 

[peabody58]

New BLT owner as on late March - 160 points. Still learning the DVC ropes, but we do have a BLT S-LV booked in Sept for 4 nights. On a wait list for a 2 BR in early December for a family GTG (finger's crossed). I've never planned vacation more that 4-5 months in advance before, so this is a whole new mind set for me. The DW is loving the fact we will be returning again and again and again, and that we'll actually be getting to relax instead of having every minute planned out.

 

[DVCGeek]

I'm pretty sure I have some pics of the central lobby's Christmas tree... If no one else digs any up I'll try to remember to over the weekend!

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

Just back from 7 fabulous nights at the BLT!!! We stayed in room 7624....which is a 2BDRM MK view!! WOW!!! AMAZING!! I did request "highest floor possible", so I was sad when we didn't even get halfway up, and asked if there was anything higher - we spend a lot of time in the room (we have a special needs child who is either ON the monorail or WATCHING the monorail from our balcony). They checked and said "sorry - nothing available". Thankfully the view was spectacular!! Although after we went up to the TOTW Lounge....we were jealous....OH WHAT A VIEW!!! I hope in the future we will be able to get a higher room.

We loved the room(s)!! I slept on both the beds and the pull outs. I can tell you ALL WERE COMFORTABLE!! Our guests stayed in the master (with a crib - from housekeeping, not the PNP - and there was plenty of room). Our two kids ended up sleeping in the other bedroom, while DH and I took the pullout couch. But because the couch faced the CR (which was an incredible view in itself), I opened up the pull out chair and opened my eyes to the Castle a few mornings....ahhh!!

We loved mostly everything about the BLT....with maybe only a couple of cons :
- the outdoor walkway was dangerous with wind and rain - I thought it was slippery at the doorways....I wonder if they shouldn't just enclose it?
- didn't enjoy fighting with the bugs while waiting for the elevator doors to open...maybe just an April thing??

Anyway....WE ARE SOOO HAPPY WE PURCHASED AT THE BLT!! It's all we hoped for and more!! We are planning a 20th Anniv/Grad trip for 2012 and hope to score a GV!! Gonna bank next year's points (which means I will be watching and praying for discounts for a short cash stay next year at the CR)... ....we just can't stay away!!! I miss it already!!

Let me know if you have questions and I will do my best to answer them!!!

 

[Mommee]

6 days until we're there!

 

[thelionqueen]

Welcome home new owners!!!

I have a picture of the main lobby Christmas tree, I will post when I get home.

 

[MiaSRN62]

MrsBlovesDisney....
Sounds like you had an awesome trip and an awesome view. I'll be checking in on May 1 and can't wait !!!!


Maria

 

[MiaSRN62]

I haven't been able to find resort/lobby pics of BLT decorated for the holidays. Please share if you have them.

Here's a couple I snapped from this past December (maybe someone has some better ones and can post them) :

Honestly, wasn't too grand as far as holiday decor. I didn't think the Contemporary was either. Here are some I took from there :

And outside the Contemporary :

Maria

 

[Spacemonkaay]

Mrs. B: Your special needs child sounds like a good hang to me! I could sit and ride -- or watch -- the monorail all day, too. My wife thinks I'm a weirdo. When I was a kid, growing up in South FL, my favorite part of visiting Disney was riding the monorail. After a day at the MK, I always made my parents get off at the Contemporary on the way back to the TTC so I could walk around for a few minutes. I always wanted to stay where the monorail was. Now that I have BLT points, I'm in heaven . . . it's just a short walk away. Hehe. Hope you got some good pictures! Feel free to post them if you have time.