Bay Lake Tower refurb dates

[jo-jo]

One things we’ve noticed… the table in the kitchen eating area is not very functional. It has a very wide base, so only two can fit on the space against the wall. (No where for legs in the middle) and then you have only two chairs. It’s ok for us, we only have 4 this trip… but most trips, we have 6. So, we could not all sit together. It’s an odd choice,

During our stay a few weeks ago, we pushed the old table closer to the bench to make it easier for DH with scooter. Sounds like not much room to move table closer to bench.

 

[LoveToDisney]

They made some bad choices with furniture originally with BLT…the cheap grade showed wear and tear almost immediately after it opened compared to other DVC villas at the time.
Regarding the dining table, it appears NO ONE deciding things ever sits down to see the real seating capacity at the table—the designer just chooses what they think will look good and forgets functionality. Sorta like the bad balcony chairs at BWV after refurbishment.
I sure hope the Murphy bed mattress is not rock hard like some have been. I wish the designers had to stay a week in their own “creation” before they committed the design on everyone and purchased the furniture/mattresses. If course that means planning a LOT farther out than they do n refurbishments—they really don’t care because the points are sold and owners get what they get.
Having said all this….I really, really hope we like the refresh when we stay next. I definitely like the hallway carpeting. The old carpet was horribly stained and was disgusting on some stretches of hallway when we stayed recently.

 

[eticketplease]

Regarding the dining table, it appears NO ONE deciding things ever sits down to see the real seating capacity at the table—the designer just chooses what they think will look good and forgets functionality.

I never got this either. DVC Selling the fact that you could save money by making meals in the room and then they put in the disclaimer "but remember to grab a trash can from Epcot to bring back to the room to eat off because while we offer sleeping surfaces for 9 we only offer a table for 4...."

 

[StayDis]

One things we’ve noticed… the table in the kitchen eating area is not very functional. It has a very wide base, so only two can fit on the space against the wall. (No where for legs in the middle) and then you have only two chairs. It’s ok for us, we only have 4 this trip… but most trips, we have 6. So, we could not all sit together. It’s an odd choice,

Do you know if there’s a full length mirror anywhere in the studio? I see that it was removed from the kitchenette area.

 

[babydoll65]

Are any of the theme park view studios being worked on as of yet? I rented DVC points to stay there in May with my adult son but there is no way I can handle that couch bed and he doesn't even fit on it. I love my son but I'm not sleeping in the same bed with him

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Some of the early updates? Have you seen the fridge (door) issues at many of the BRV refurbs?!?!

Bottom line is that these are literally hot off the refurb assembly line. It will take some time to work out the little kinks and fix things here and there. I personally prefer that they get the inventory back online once all major issues are addressed and then fix these sorts of minor things over time.

As to the overall refurb, as a BLT owner with the vast majority of my points there, I am pretty happy. I was a bit concerned about the kitchen backsplash when early (from afar) pics were posted and I still don't love it, but I feel like it at least flows well with the overall color scheme.

As has been said, you can't please everyone. It felt like everyone complained that the Beach Club soft goods refurb made everything too muted with no character. Here, I feel like they tried to balance muted (in the furniture, headboards, curatains) with some pops of color and character in the artwork, carpets and backsplash. I'm happy with the balance from what I've seen.

I hadn't seen that but am not surprised if there are. That's been the issue since they 1st replaced the fridges there. Have stayed there twice in 2 BR's since the full refurb and didn't have issues in either but BRV has minor differences in some rooms.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Are any of the theme park view studios being worked on as of yet? I rented DVC points to stay there in May with my adult son but there is no way I can handle that couch bed and he doesn't even fit on it. I love my son but I'm not sleeping in the same bed with him

Your son doesn't fit on a queen sized bed? The pull down couch beds are queen sized and they have all been very comfortable. I actually would rather sleep on them than the regular bed in the room. And, they are ten times better than a pull out.

I think you may be thinking of the pull down under the TV.

 

[babydoll65]

Your son doesn't fit on a queen sized bed?

That's not what I said. I said that I don't want to sleep on a couch (obviously he doesn't fit on a pull out couch) which means he'll automatically get the Queen sized bed leaving me stuck with the couch bed which I refused to sleep on.

 

[Tigger's ally]

That's not what I said. I said that I don't want to sleep on a couch (obviously he doesn't fit on a pull out couch) which means he'll automatically get the Queen sized bed leaving me stuck with the couch bed which I refused to sleep on.

The pull down couches are queen size and very comfortable.

 

[babydoll65]

The pull down couches are queen size and very comfortable.

If there anything like the one at the boardwalk villas (prior to the refurbishment) I'll pass.

 

[Tigger's ally]

If there anything like the one at the boardwalk villas (prior to the refurbishment) I'll pass.

No, the pull downs are great. The pull outs (prior to the refurb) are horrible.

I think you need to request a refurbed room or hope to get a refurbed room. Big difference between the pull down and the pull out.

 

[babydoll65]

No, the pull downs are great. The pull outs (prior to the refurb) are horrible.

I think you need to request a refurbed room or hope to get a refurbed room. Big difference between the pull down and the pull out.

These look very similar to the ones at Boardwalk pre refurbishment. I'm staying in a studio and I don't think the rooms that have not been refurbished have the trundle bed that you're talking about similar to ones in the 1 in 2 bedroom units.

 

[CarolynFH]

I wish the designers had to stay a week in their own “creation” before they committed the design on everyone and purchased the furniture/mattresses.

Hear, hear, Disney!!

A week with the villa filled to its stated capacity!

 

[jo-jo]

Hear, hear, Disney!!

A week with the villa filled to its stated capacity!

With full grown people!

 

[Tigger's ally]

These look very similar to the ones at Boardwalk pre refurbishment. I'm staying in a studio and I don't think the rooms that have not been refurbished have the trundle bed that you're talking about similar to ones in the 1 in 2 bedroom units.

That is a pull out, not a pull down. Yeah, those are terrible.
These are better. The whole thing pulls down over the couch and has a nice 9" mattress with springs built in, instead of the 3" one on the pull outs.

 

[babydoll65]

That is a pull out, not a pull down. Yeah, those are terrible.
These are better. The whole thing pulls down over the couch and has a nice 9" mattress with springs built in, instead of the 3" one on the pull outs.

View attachment 925740

That was kind of the whole point to my original post. I know the new studios are being replaced with the queen sized murphy beds, My question was I rented dvc points to stay in a theme park view studio and wanted to know if those rooms have started to be refurbished this way I know I'm already getting the murphy bed. It's the reason why I stay at resorts that only have these at this point like the Riviera and the Polynesian and avoid ones like Animal Kingdom lodge. I think you're misunderstanding what I mean by couch bed meaning the pull out sofa not the Murphy bed.

 

[3Anderboys]

I never got this either. DVC Selling the fact that you could save money by making meals in the room and then they put in the disclaimer "but remember to grab a trash can from Epcot to bring back to the room to eat off because while we offer sleeping surfaces for 9 we only offer a table for 4...."

and seating for 4. Sleeps 9, one loveseat and one chair. If you’re lucky two chairs

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That was kind of the whole point to my original post. I know the new studios are being replaced with the queen sized murphy beds, My question was I rented dvc points to stay in a theme park view studio and wanted to know if those rooms have started to be refurbished this way I know I'm already getting the murphy bed. It's the reason why I stay at resorts that only have these at this point like the Riviera and the Polynesian and avoid ones like Animal Kingdom lodge. I think you're misunderstanding what I mean by couch bed meaning the pull out sofa not the Murphy bed.

I think what was missed was the inquiry if any of the TPV studios were refurbed yet because you don't want the pull out sofa bed. AFAIK they have started on the south side (that's what they closed off when we were there in Oct) so probably no TPV studios are completed yet but some are probably in progress. By May I'd expect at least some will be completed.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

and seating for 4. Sleeps 9, one loveseat and one chair. If you’re lucky two chairs

That also seems to be a new design "feature". We've always had to use the dining or counter stools to have enough seating when a group gathers at BLT.

 

[Days In the Sun]

That was kind of the whole point to my original post. I know the new studios are being replaced with the queen sized murphy beds, My question was I rented dvc points to stay in a theme park view studio and wanted to know if those rooms have started to be refurbished this way I know I'm already getting the murphy bed. It's the reason why I stay at resorts that only have these at this point like the Riviera and the Polynesian and avoid ones like Animal Kingdom lodge. I think you're misunderstanding what I mean by couch bed meaning the pull out sofa not the Murphy bed.

I only noticed it when walking to my room on the 8th floor from the south elevators. They were clearing the rooms from the elevators until the center of the “middle” section (lobby section). Those rooms ending in 27,28… can’t say if the were doing the same with the south wing, but can check later.

Above is a post from September on this thread implying upper 28's were being renovated. TP studios end in 18 and 28. IF the upper 28's have been done ( I am just back but didn't notice), then by May likely all 28's done with half the 18's under renovation. So by May, 16 rooms, 4 under renovation, 4 not renovated (ending in 18), 8 renovated (ending in 28). Since most will request renovated rooms, I think you have about 50/50 odds for a renovated room .

All hypothetical. If you need a guarantee of a murphy bed rather than a pullout queen couch, most dvc resorts now have them and would give you a 100% guarantee. AKV, OKW I believe are the only two DVC resorts left to get them.