Bay Lake Tower Review

[RCM]

I like the High rise hotel like resorts for when we go as adults sometimes but when we come with our children & grandkids SSR works out so nice for getting the children outside so much easier then walking down halls and using elevators. The reason we come from up north is to be outside more then inside.

 

[Safari Queen]

You've been very lucky to be able to check in on arrival. That's not the norm at any DVC property.

 

[ClockWork23]

I didn't see a dress code for the bar upstairs. What I was refering to is that it's really a nice fancy hangout spot, and I like to dress to my surroundings.

Personally I wouldn't show up in flip-flops and shorts.

 

[ClockWork23]

We stayed at BLT Jan 23-30. In our view, as a DVC "resort", this one falls way short. Convenience of MK does not out-weight the shortfalls. We felt like we were staying in a hotel, not a resort. It also has a feel that you're "borrowing" from the Contemporary resort because you had to go there for everything... restaurants, shops, buses, monorail. The rooms are o.k., but... there's no lock on the bathroom doors... and there's about an inch gap on both sides of the door... we were like WHAT??? Careful of the pull-out bed... the steel corners can be dangerous... my wife and I both sustained cuts on our legs from them. Not trying knock on BLT... to each his own and all that stuff... but for the points that they're commanding, this one just seems so un-DVC and un-Disneylike. We're glad we stayed once... just so we know what we're not missing.
Oh, we were in room 7706 on the north side (bay lake view). We had a view of bay lake and a perfect view of MK. We did watch the fireworks from our balcony one night and once from TOTWL. I'm sure it gets crowded in the busy season, but there might have been 10 people there at 7pm... and maybe 20 during the fireworks. It cleared out immediately afterwards.

Thanks for backing-up what I first wrote about. I left out the stuff about the bathroom doors but you're exactly right. We had to warn everyone before we went in.

Funny enough we stayed the exact same week you did and we were in 7504.

 

[thelionqueen]

Thanks to the OP for sharing your experience @ BLT. I absolutely LOVE reading all reviews whether or not they are the same as mine. That said, and as a disclaimer, I have been a fan of BLT when it was CRV (should've been CRV but I digress....)

I have been to WDW more times than I can count, and my first stay ever was @ CR. I have stayed there many, many times since, and I have never, not once, thought of it as catering to conventions or business folk. I went to a convention there about 5 years ago and was thrilled to be going. At that convention I noticed the attendees in the convention area, and around the hotel more, but had Never, not-once noticed the same in my years of visits before. Saying that is just to outline that I think if you're looking for it, or have that idea in your head before staying there, that is what you'll see. Even since that convention, I hadn't gotten that sense at all, just me.

We had absolutely AMAZING experiences at Check-ins without incident. In fact, it was well organized, very welcoming, and our room was ready very early. Bell Services and Valet went "above and beyond" and it was definitely the quickest, friendliest and most accommodating check-in we've had at any Disney resort or DVC.

I do not think having a separate checkin @ BLT is necessary. I LOVE my MF's right where they are thank you

Again, to each their own, but to say that there is a lack of "Disney Magic" at BLT or the Contemporary is just completely foreign to me. The only place on earth, IMHO, that has more Disney Magic is the Disneyland Hotel. I mean, having the monorail above your head while eating breakfast with Mickey, then walking 100ft to board it and arrive in the MK is PURE Disney Magic to me. I have NEVER had any experience at ANY Disney resort or DVC that even comes close to having more "Disney Magic" than that to me.

I do agree that the CH and Kids Club @ BLT is my least favorite which was a HUGE disappointment. And the pool is just so-so, definitely nothing special. But the ability to walk across a picturesque bridge to multiple dining and shopping destinations, then steam on over to MK well over shadows those downfalls for us. We eat in our villa, so the lack of a QS @ BLT has no bearing for us either. The HUGE balcony and close location to parking is amazing!! A private lounge is a special perk, that no other location has (let's hope it stays that way-fingers crossed).

I have never been to AKV or Kidani but have heard that Kidani is hugely spread out and has no CS at all-you must head to Jambo. So if you're looking to get away from the BLT to CR walk, it seems as if you will be in the same situation @ AKV. But having never stayed there, I can only offer these comments on others reviews.

I LOVE SAB and the feeling @ BC so I will be staying there for 5 days in May. Then my family wants to stay @ AKV so I am trying it out for 2 nights so my kids can see the animals. I would NEVER have stayed @ AKV for any other reason that availability and my children's desire to stay there, just not my cup of tea. But owning DVC, I can do these quick stays without worry. I have feelings about not liking AKV before ever staying there, so I will likely be looking at the negatives when I arrive (trying to have an open mind...really trying people), but hope I am COMPLETELY wrong and love it. We will see.

Again, I enjoy all comments on all resorts and thank the OP for sharing theirs.

To be completely honest, I'm glad there are those who don't like the resort, more availability for me

 

[jade1]

Again, to each their own, but to say that there is a lack of "Disney Magic" at BLT or the Contemporary is just completely foreign to me. The only place on earth, IMHO, that has more Disney Magic is the Disneyland Hotel. I mean, having the monorail above your head while eating breakfast with Mickey, then walking 100ft to board it and arrive in the MK is PURE Disney Magic to me. I have NEVER had any experience at ANY Disney resort or DVC that even comes close to having more "Disney Magic" than that to me.

But the ability to walk across a picturesque bridge to multiple dining and shopping destinations, then steam on over to MK well over shadows those downfalls for us.

Thats what I was thinking, but in fairness we wont be staying until December. Will see if it seems "un-Disney like" at that time. Walking over to MK as well as seeing MK from the bridge walking to your room (and hearing the train) as well as when your waiting for an elevator, on your balcony and from the TOTW-that sounds like the most Disney Magic possible.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

My husband and I stayed in a BLT studio during the last week of January. Loved the location and the property. I expected to not care for the decorating because I am not a fan of contemporary furnishings but was pleasantly surprised to find it pretty nice. Not what I would want it in my own home but not jarring to the senses like I expected.
There was a huge line at check-in but I have never seen any Disney resort so proficient at whittling down that line. They went through it in no time. While there were no Welcome Homes at check in there was a very pleasant CM who was engaging every person who waited in line. She asked how they were and where they were from, etc... Everyone told her their life story. She was great and helped pass the short time we were in line. Now, I have to admit, I am someone who doesn't need to hear "Welcome Home" every 15 seconds but I was extremely pleased with the speed and accuracy of check-in at BLT.
Now, the bad. The design of the studio. My husband, who never notices anything, just walked around shaking his head asking "What were they thinking?". I'm sorry, but you don't put the bathroom sink in the kitchen. I had to wash the dishes, dry them and put them away before I showered so that I could dry my hair without getting hair all over the dishes. Then I had to blow the hair off the kitchen counter. There is a ton of storage in the kitchen which in my own opinion was a huge waste in the studio. We used only one shelf and one drawer in the kitchen and the drawers in the bath vanity. I wish they had made a broom closet instead where they could store the vac instead of it taking up a large amount of floor space in the closet. We moved it into the kitchen for our stay.
The bathroom door. We were a long-married couple and uncomfortable. Add a friend or a couple of teens who are different sexes and it's not good.
My biggest gripe might be the lack of sheers. The view into everyone's room is amazing. You can really see how messy everybody is on vacation. And I can tell you that my hubby is not the only one who thinks nobody can see him on the other side of the windows I've heard that Disney might be adding them. That would be a huge improvement. We don't go to Florida in the winter to block out all the sun.

 

[thelionqueen]

Thats what I was thinking, but in fairness we wont be staying until December. Will see if it seems "un-Disney like" at that time. Walking over to MK as well as seeing MK from the bridge walking to your room (and hearing the train) as well as when your waiting for an elevator, on your balcony and from the TOTW-that sounds like the most Disney Magic possible.

I totally agree! I forgot to mention sitting on our HUGE balcony and watching monorail after monorail criss-cross right in front of me. I am totally serious when I say that I could easily spend an entire day watching monorails from my balcony

 

[ClockWork23]

Again, to each their own, but to say that there is a lack of "Disney Magic" at BLT or the Contemporary is just completely foreign to me. The only place on earth, IMHO, that has more Disney Magic is the Disneyland Hotel. I mean, having the monorail above your head while eating breakfast with Mickey, then walking 100ft to board it and arrive in the MK is PURE Disney Magic to me. I have NEVER had any experience at ANY Disney resort or DVC that even comes close to having more "Disney Magic" than that to me.

Thanks for the reply LionQueen... I never said there was no Disney Magic at the CR. I said the BLT building was dull and unimpressive. You really can't argue that the building is very blah and uneventful.

The CR has more than enough Disney Magic to last a lifetime (monorail, shops, restaurants). Which is probably why I expected more from the BLT.

 

[kevmag]

Interesting thread..I'm a relatively new DVCer, so I don't have much experience to draw on...but I don't understand the comments about the long walks to CR...maybe its just cause I like to stroll around ANYWHERE at WDW, but it seemed a breeze to me to head over to CR for quick meals, the shops, etc..

 

[PKWallaby]

Thanks for the review Clockwork23: we arrive in just over 2 weeks for split stay between BLT and AK Kidani, 2 resorts we have not yet tried. I appreciate reading the thoughts of those who have just been...thanks for taking the time to let us in on your trip.

PS: Did you make any requests for the one bedroom location or was this "luck of the draw?"

 

[thelionqueen]

Thanks for the reply LionQueen... I never said there was no Disney Magic at the CR. I said the BLT building was dull and unimpressive. You really can't argue that the building is very blah and uneventful.
The CR has more than enough Disney Magic to last a lifetime (monorail, shops, restaurants). Which is probably why I expected more from the BLT.

Actually, I can argue just about anything, just ask DH
I do disagree that the building is "blah" I think its GORGEOUS, clean, sleek and contemporary. Since BLT is "attached" to CR I consider them one in the same

 

[ClockWork23]

Thanks for the review Clockwork23: we arrive in just over 2 weeks for split stay between BLT and AK Kidani, 2 resorts we have not yet tried. I appreciate reading the thoughts of those who have just been...thanks for taking the time to let us in on your trip.

PS: Did you make any requests for the one bedroom location or was this "luck of the draw?"

No it was just luck of the draw, but I wrote that in because I like to know what I'm getting when I get there and I figured everyone could use it

 

[dizfan]

Thanks for your review.

I can see what you mean by dull and unimpressive if you're talking about the hallways and interior activities (no shopping, no restarantants, no significant CMs). When we were there, we kept wondering why so many people were trying to sneak across the skybridge.

The wow factor of BLT is the views from the rooms (90% of the rooms are lake and MK view) and the location (lake, monorail, and short walk to MK).

BLT relies on the Contemporary/monorail for many activities (boats, fishing, restaurants, large pool, nighttime movies, firepit, large beach, beach volleyball, pirates and princess cruise, fitness room, lakeside cabanas, children water area, etc).

One tip, if you want to have a shorter walk to CR (and it's activities) request the South side (worst case, a 2BR unit is only 3 2BR units from the elevator near the skybridge). Room to CR is just a few minutes away, doesn't require much walking, and half of the trip you'll be able to enjoy views of MK, lake, and monorails.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

Interesting thread..I'm a relatively new DVCer, so I don't have much experience to draw on...but I don't understand the comments about the long walks to CR...maybe its just cause I like to stroll around ANYWHERE at WDW, but it seemed a breeze to me to head over to CR for quick meals, the shops, etc..

The issue is if you are on the North side of the building it is a hike to get to everything. It is sort of like the spokes at AKL when you are on the end. Everything is farther away and after a day at the parks it seems even farther.

 

[ssawka]

i did read ur post & think u were 'robbed' I'd have been really miffed. When i called to make the request for my kids, i was told MK rooms were floor 5 & higher, below (even if facing MK were standard) (their trip was 2nd week of Dec. & I paid for stand view).

DVD made good, I wasn't expecting anything, but they did make amends.

 

[get_us_to_WDW]

As far as the pool is concerned, the first thing you notice is that you need your room key to get in to the very undersized pool. It has a slide and a kids area plus a quick service food bar, but nothing to get too excited about.

I am so excited about the BLT pool! I have a 12yo, 8yo and 2yo and our home resort is BCV. Now of course we all love SAB, but I am looking forward to BLT pool area because it has all the features each kid (and adults) will enjoy (big slide, little slide, sprinkler area, zero entry area, bar, snacks) in a compact space that will allow me to stay in the toddler friendly areas with my 2yo while my bigger kids are well entertained but still closeby. And, I like to fact that there is a fence. I think BLT pool area will be perfect for us - fun for them - low stress for me!

 

[TagsMissy]

Thanks for your review. It is great to hear the good AND the bad; even if it's just personal perception.

Personally when we went to BLT this past Sept we were greeted with a Welcome Home. We had a fantastic CM at the check in desk.

There was a slight issue at check out, but really it wasn't a big deal that ruined our vacation or anything and the issue could have happened anywhere and isn't even worth mentioning what happened as it doesn't reflect on my feelings on the resort.

Personally we can't wait to return to BLT. OP you will have a great time at AKV. And remember not everybody will love all resorts and that is why they are all so different from each other.

We all have our favorites and least favorite. Again this is my personal feelings and also realizing that I've only stayed in 3 locations so far but I'd go back to BLT and AKV any time. SSR would only be my backup if nothing else was available and that's OK. Me not wanting to be there keeps rooms free for those to want to be there and vice versa. We need to check out the other locations over the next handful of years and who knows maybe after we visit a few others SSR won't be at the bottom of the list anymore

 

[spiceycat]

The issue is if you are on the North side of the building it is a hike to get to everything. It is sort of like the spokes at AKL when you are on the end. Everything is farther away and after a day at the parks it seems even farther.

you are kidding right?
this is definitely the smallest floor wise that DVC has build.
nothing is far.
had a north side standard room - it is a short walk to the skywalk and you get a view of the MK...

if you think it is far don't even think about VWL, BWV, BCV, AKV

 

[corpcomp]

I understand your concern.

We fortunately have never had a bad check in at either BCV (Home resort) or BWV so far. I did have a horrible checkin for a convention I was holding for 40 companies at the Yacht Club - as the main convention person, my own reservation was lost and they did not have the room designated for me by the Disney Convention people. We ended up taking what they had and moved the following day. After spending $40,000 on the two day meeting, I anticipated a smoother stay. Although they did leave a $100 Disney watch in my room as a thank you. Nice watch too. Made in China with Japan movement.

But frankly, if you have stayed at BCV, the pool, arcade & fitness room are way far away from the resort. While its a trek, I enjoy it so much I don't mind the walk. So having to go to the Contemp is really not a big deal by comparison. And your view is way better than any view at BCV. But I don't mind the tree or pool view. It's quiet and if I want activity (or a nice Pizza or the thrill of the ESPN Club) I walk a few hundred yards to Boardwalk.

The shallow pool is probably as a result of safety concerns. Most pool companies (fiberglass pools) are designing 6' pools now. They are also cheaper to heat.