Bay Lake Tower Review

[FindTheMickeys]

Well, I have not stayed at BLT yet but I plan to in the future. I fell in love with the rooms they have mocked up at SSR, which is my home resort. There isn't any 'shared' check in as SSR is pretty 'stand alone". However, SSR is more of a resort than a hotel. All access to rooms is outdoors, not in a long hallway. To get to the 2 restaurants at SSR, you walk. If you have a room in the THV or the Grandstand, it can be a LONG walk. However, I love walking... Most folks put me in the minority because they don't like SSR. It is all a matter of taste and personal preference... That is why DVC is great for everyone

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

To the OP did you have a car while you were there, because before Bay Lake Tower opened and after that the Cast Members working at the guard shack would always welcome home, after seeing that we were staying at the Contemporary.

 

[thelionqueen]

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

I completely, totally and utterly agree!!!
We were on the other side and it took a few minutes max to get to the sky bridge. Even less if I remembered to get on the right elevator!!

 

[kevmag]

I completely, totally and utterly agree!!!
We were on the other side and it took a few minutes max to get to the sky bridge. Even less if I remembered to get on the right elevator!!

I guess this is one of those things....to each their own.

I'm with the last few posters..i did not time it, but walking to the elevator in BLT...strolling across the skybridge into the CR..then walking past the stores to the Contempo Cafe...it just seemed like an easy, quick walk to me.

 

[gray52]

Dull and unimpressive. Perfectly put. Like i said, my biggest beef with BLT was that you had the feeling of "borrowing" your DVC resort amenities from CR. At other DVC resorts, you get to know your "people" within your resort... at BLT, you're sharing your restaurants, shopping and transportation so the personal touch is just not there. For me, that goes a long way when i'm spending my time there each year. It just does not have that "welcome home" feeling... IMO.
For the points they are commanding, it lacks IMO. For me, it requires 57% more points for a week at BLT over OKW. Just not worth it for a monorail (or MK) view.

 

[disneynutz]

Dull and unimpressive. Perfectly put. Like i said, my biggest beef with BLT was that you had the feeling of "borrowing" your DVC resort amenities from CR. At other DVC resorts, you get to know your "people" within your resort... at BLT, you're sharing your restaurants, shopping and transportation so the personal touch is just not there. For me, that goes a long way when i'm spending my time there each year. It just does not have that "welcome home" feeling... IMO.
For the points they are commanding, it lacks IMO. For me, it requires 57% more points for a week at BLT over OKW. Just not worth it for a monorail (or MK) view.

Due to the success of the DVC during the past 2 years, Disney is under the impression that if you build it, they will come. IMHO they are building to fast and skipping on some of the details in rush to increase profits.

I wish that they would slow down a little bit and focus on improving the Member experience, including MS, the Member website, the existing resorts, and Mousekeeping.

It's better to be great in a few areas than mediocre in many.

Bill

 

[Sandisw]

I guess this is one of those things....to each their own.

I'm with the last few posters..i did not time it, but walking to the elevator in BLT...strolling across the skybridge into the CR..then walking past the stores to the Contempo Cafe...it just seemed like an easy, quick walk to me.

Me as well. We stayed in #8206, almost at the northern end and it was a faster walk than from my VWL villa to Roaring Forks or my BWV villas to the Boardwalk Bakery to get coffee in the AM.

I have not stayed elsewhere yet (BCV this summer), but really did not think it was that bad of a walk at all.

 

[ClockWork23]

To the OP did you have a car while you were there, because before Bay Lake Tower opened and after that the Cast Members working at the guard shack would always welcome home, after seeing that we were staying at the Contemporary.

Yes I did, and I didn't receive a "Welcome Home"

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes I did, and I didn't receive a "Welcome Home"

I do think they are working on this. Last week when I pulled up to the guard shack and went through all the ID stuff the guard did say Welcome Home when he saw I was at BLT. Then, I had a trainee for check-in that was being supervised. When they saw I was a DVC member the trainer reminder the new CM to say Welcome Home. It doesn't bother me one way or another. At other places they say it to anyone and everyone.

 

[CWO4DVC]

Stayed at BLT last week of January. No I was not very impressed. Had a studio and it already was showing signs of wear. Carpet stained, furniture nicked up just to mention a couple things. Additionally, ther room was not quiet. We heard a child crying for about 30 minutes and it was not from either side, it was coming thru a vent in the hallway. Go figure. Called CR front desk to no Avail. No plans to stay here in the future. Points spent not worth the feeling being in Fort Knox.

 

[pixie921]

Dull and unimpressive. Perfectly put. Like i said, my biggest beef with BLT was that you had the feeling of "borrowing" your DVC resort amenities from CR. At other DVC resorts, you get to know your "people" within your resort... at BLT, you're sharing your restaurants, shopping and transportation so the personal touch is just not there. For me, that goes a long way when i'm spending my time there each year. It just does not have that "welcome home" feeling... IMO.

VWL and BCV also have no real amenities in the buildings housing the villas.

And I guess I feel closer to the main hotels in a building connected to them (at BLT, VWL or BCV) than in an outer building that might be a looooong way away from the main areas (SSR and OKW). To each their own.

 

[pixie921]

Stayed at BLT last week of January. No I was not very impressed. Had a studio and it already was showing signs of wear. Carpet stained, furniture nicked up just to mention a couple things. Additionally, ther room was not quiet. We heard a child crying for about 30 minutes and it was not from either side, it was coming thru a vent in the hallway. Go figure. Called CR front desk to no Avail.

Calling the front desk simply routes your call to a central call center. If you need to have something addressed, you need to actually go to the front desk of the resort in person. It's frustrating, but it's the way it is at every WDW resort.

 

[skinnietink]

My kids are probably the reason that there are no locks on the Bathroom doors. In 1/2009 my 3 year old locked himself in the bathroom three times when we stayed in a 2BR villa at AKV. The maintenance crew was not very happy, so I am guessing they decided locks might not be in their best interest.

 

[corpcomp]

My kids are probably the reason that there are no locks on the Bathroom doors. In 1/2009 my 3 year old locked himself in the bathroom three times when we stayed in a 2BR villa at AKV. The maintenance crew was not very happy, so I am guessing they decided locks might not be in their best interest.

SOOOOO it was your fault I could not lock the door!!!

 

[LPnerd]

we loved BLT. but I see your points too. we had a pool view and could see epcot fireworks, and had a great view for the light parade each night. also, all the elevator waiting areas have huge windows and you can see MK from there or go up to the lounge, OR, take the mono to the first drop off, and walk down and see the show, hear the firworks and the music is piped in there too! It's great esp on very mery xmas nights.
loved the pool slide with the grand kids, and they signed up and did crafts and found plenty to do plus, one night we rode the monorail to epcot and back for fun and then had icecream back at the hotel . Those kids went right to bed! We use the kitchen for brkfst and dinner each day, ( save untold milions that way, ha ha). So walk to food and shops makes us think twice. I like to shop at DTD and in the parks and have to watch the budget. we will stay there again, but are making the rounds as of yet with this batch of kids. My fav is still Boardwalk, but BKLT is close second. this year first time at AKV Kidani, savannah view.

 

[GEB@okw]

We were looked at as crazy when we asked to check in early. At the Beach Club we were always given our room as soon as we arrived, no matter what time it was, usually around 9 am.


Wow, this has not been my experience. I hope the previous guests were allowed to leave before you came in

 

[jade1]

"All together, if you're looking for the DVC feel when staying on property, the Bay Lake Tower doesn't really offer it." ??????????????????

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.

Turned out to be by far the most "Disney like" room we have ever had. Nothing even close.

LR:

Sitting on the Master King Bed:

 

[tara98]

I recently stayed at Bay Lake Tower for a one week stay.

Let me just warn you that I am writing as a DVC member who believes in the Disney Magic and that being a DVC member should have something of a special meaning when you arrive and throughout your stay.

Let's start with the fact that check-in is done in the main building at the Contemporary...and that's where the problem begins.

The Contemporary has long been catered to conventions and businessmen, who have no interest in the Disney Magic, parks, etc. So when we checked in, instead of being greeted with our usual "Welcome Home" we were received as any other guest just passing through.

We were looked at as crazy when we asked to check in early. At the Beach Club we were always given our room as soon as we arrived, no matter what time it was, usually around 9 am.

Now let's move on to Bay Lake Tower...

The building itself was very uneventful. There's nothing to do other than a community hall that was very boring and plain. Not even a single decoration to let you know you're in a DVC area.

We had to go to the Contemporary for all our activities, (food, shops, transportation and arcade) even though we did have our own pool.

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.

We stayed in a one bedroom suite. The room itself was quite impressive...

Very spacious, and I especially enjoyed the fact that the room had two full bathrooms. Great for extra guests or visitors!

As far as the view, here is a tip that will save you points... I reserved a standard view room, but if you request a low even numbered room above the 3rd floor, you'll get a castle view. Anything that ends in ..02 to ..20

Odd numbered rooms have a view to the pool.

We stayed in room #7504, and we had a view of Space Mountain with the castle in the background, great to see the fireworks!!! We also had a view to Bay Lake.

The only thing the building had that was really nice was that on the 16th floor there is a "Sky Bar". The only problem is that no matter where in the building you're staying, you have to go all the way to the first floor to meet with someone behind a counter who has to give you access to the elevator which takes you to the top floor...bring your room key.

The bar itself is pretty nice, (waiter service, appetizers, one TV on ESPN) and only open 5pm till Midnight.

The whole point to the bar is so you can see the Wishes fireworks show from a high view. You can either watch them from the inside or an outside terrace, both complete with music from the show. Another tip... I heard you can also see Illuminations from the terrace.

Let me just say the view is amazing from up there, but I thought it was not too much better then from our room. In other words, I wouldn't get dressed up to go upstairs just for the view, but it was a pretty nice hangout spot.

All together, if you're looking for the DVC feel when staying on property, the Bay Lake Tower doesn't really offer it. The rooms are amazing, very nicely decorated, and not at all cluttered with furniture.

Close to the monorail yes, but, I don't know that it's enough to get me to come back...

Our next stay will be Kadani Village at AK

P.S. Please remember that this review was written from a very biased view from someone who loves the Disney Magic and the extra mile that other hotels go through to make you feel special as a DVC member.

Please reply and let me know if you found this review helpful

I couldn't agree more. We have stayed 2 times at BLT, mostly for the convenience (with an infant first time, and toddler the next). It is a "nice" hotel, but we did not get that "DVC" feeling there like we have a SSR or OKW.

 

[Cmbar]

I realize this is a very old post of from the beginning of the year, but I was simply amazed at the reasons the OP didn't like BLT. I can understand style, I am not a big fan of contemporary, but the dings like sharing restaurants and shops with the Contemporary really stumped me. What DVC doesn't do that? It was funny to hear the OP was going to stay at AKV next Very nice resort, but can't think of any more of a resort that is inconvenient than that. Buses everywhere, no quick service in your resort and almost ridiculous to try and walk to the main building. I guess if you consider a zoo feel for "Disney Magic" it has it but to say that BLT doesn't have Disney magic must simply mean you are blind when you walk outside your room. Wow. I have stayed at all the DVC resorts at Disney except OKW and I can't think of any other resort that has a "Disney Feel" more than the one with a monorail running outside my window (or at least outside my hallway window) and views of the Castle at any time.

Thanks for posting those pictures!

 

[Cmbar]

I couldn't agree more. We have stayed 2 times at BLT, mostly for the convenience (with an infant first time, and toddler the next). It is a "nice" hotel, but we did not get that "DVC" feeling there like we have a SSR or OKW.

OK that makes sense. You want a stand alone resort that is all DVC owners. I personally don't like the "timeshare" feeling of those resorts. They were set up expressively for the timeshare type of vacation. Some people like that and want the "this is my home". I guess because I grew up in Florida and looked at canals and golf courses for much of my life it feels too much like "home"! I wanted DVC to take me to the Magic of Disney and make me feel like I am in the magic. BLT does that. So does Beach Club and Boardwalk because to me Disney is the parks, not the DVC rooms or resorts. I also don't like walking all over the resort to get things. SSR now has a new, MUCH NEEDED additional pool with food on the other side of the universe from Artist palate. If you are the type to stock your room and stay at your resort these resorts are great. I just want the benefit of staying at better located resorts to the parks for my DVC.

It is great that DVC is different for different people! I think they have done a good job providing various different resorts for various types of people. Can't wait for the Grand Floridian DVC! I want to see the castle and hear fireworks at my resort and this will give us one more option!