Bay Lake Tower thoughts and video

[steilkurve]

Hello all. Just back from our Disney vacation at Bay Lake Tower. We thoroughly enjoyed and I thought I'd give back to the members of this board who helped us plan our stay with our own thoughts and video on the resort and our one bedroom villa. The link to the video is below and our thoughts follow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXQ_XzsGwgA

What we loved about Bay Lake:

- The 'like home' convenience. We have two kids (9 and 7) and so having a kitchen, washer/dryer, two baths and our own bedroom definitely made things easier. Not that we cooked a lot or did a ton of laundry but we had breakfast in suite every morning and cut down on packing by doing a couple of washes before heading off on the cruise. By the way, we ordered from Garden Grocer as many here suggest and it worked great (some fruits could have been fresher but that's a minor thing).

- Monorail access and proximity to Contemporary. I've always loved Contemporary but it is getting older and while they fixed it up, I appreciated staying in the newer tower while being close to the iconic hotel and its still very cool monorail.

- Walkway to Magic Kindgom, which is especially helpful at park closure when the mad rush to the monorail and other transportation options occurs.

- Pool on Bay Lake. The waterfront here is gorgeous. You are in a busy resort with thousands of visitors and modern-looking hotel but feel extremely secluded in a very natural setting.

While we have very little negatives to say about the resort, here's a couple of things we liked less. Our last stay was at the Grand Floridian. Before that, All Sports and Port Orleans. And this time we had dinner at the Boardwalk Inn and Animal Kingdom Lodge. What we missed at Bay Lake that all the previous resorts have is strong theming. Bay Lake Tower is meant to be modern like Contemporary but the tower doesn't have unique architectural features like its next door neighbour. And so while we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, we may go back to a more theme-intense resort next time. Finally, we are curious to see how Bay Lake will age without a not too-distant refurbishment. Our room showed signs of wear and tear with worn soft goods, malfunctioning door hardware and the like. Again, nothing to take away from what was more than pleasant week.

Any question, please do ask!

 

[olive]

Thanks so much for this review and video! We are currently booked at the Polynesian for a week as part of a split stay, and I keep going back and forth on the 1 bedroom at BLT. We will have an infant and 5 year old, and the separate bedroom is pretty appealing in case the baby wakes up so our older son won't be disturbed. We could just keep the pack n play in the bedroom with us... We have stayed at the CR and don't mind the theme at all, so one of your major minuses is okay with us. I am a little sad, though, that California Grill will be closed while we're visiting. This will help with our final choice - thanks so much!

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We always stay at the CR. Are there 2 bedroom suites at Bay Lake Tower? Can you get MK view? Are you able to free dining when it's offered? The main reason we stay CR is so we can watch the fireworks from our balcony, is the view just as good at Bay Lake?

 

[steilkurve]

If it helps, we have officially become addicted to separate bedrooms with this trip. Not sure we'll ever be able to go back to everyone in one room... Really helps everyone's sleep and that's a big part of vacationing!

PS: Why are they closing California Grill? Hadn't heard.

 

[steilkurve]

We always stay at the CR. Are there 2 bedroom suites at Bay Lake Tower? Can you get MK view? Are you able to free dining when it's offered? The main reason we stay CR is so we can watch the fireworks from our balcony, is the view just as good at Bay Lake?

We didn't have a Magic Kingdom view but there is one. It probably isn't as good as Contemporary but pretty close I would imagine. And yes, they have two bedroom villas.

 

[Reberella]

That video was very helpful! Thank you! Do you think that that 1 bedroom suite would be big enough for a family with 2 adults, a 17 year old, and a 14 year old? Thank you!

 

[steilkurve]

That video was very helpful! Thank you! Do you think that that 1 bedroom suite would be big enough for a family with 2 adults, a 17 year old, and a 14 year old? Thank you!

I think so. The living room as both a sofa bed and a sofa chair. Plus, it has its own separate full bath and TV. Two teens could fit in there comfortably I think.

 

[Jennasis]

Thanks for the report. We've been in love with CR since our honeymoon in 2005 (when we could only afford ONE night there in the tower facing the MK...rest of trip was spent at BC). We've been on a MISSION to get back there and this September....MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

DH's uncle gave us a boatload of his DVC points to take a vacation and we're doing 4nights at BLT in a theme park view studio. We can't wait! I know the "theming" of BLT isn't for everyone, but DH and I LOVE it!

 

[steilkurve]

Really happy for you. No doubt you will enjoy!

 

[Mamato3Princes]

Thanks for the video and review! I've been searching for a video of the 1 bedroom that wasn't shaky or didn't have someone talking with the camera constantly on their face . Thanks again!

 

[olive]

PS: Why are they closing California Grill? Hadn't heard.

I read on this board and all ears that it is closing in early January for renovations. The menu will also be updated. Reopening won't be until late summer.

 

[NOLAmom]

Thanks for posting. we will be at BLT in January with 2 young kids in a lake view room. Very excited. How was the check in process? I was just about to search to see if they do early check in there and to see if possible to get in our room before 4?
Also, did you have a car? Is the parking convenient there?

 

[sara mom]

We always stay at the CR. Are there 2 bedroom suites at Bay Lake Tower? Can you get MK view? Are you able to free dining when it's offered? The main reason we stay CR is so we can watch the fireworks from our balcony, is the view just as good at Bay Lake?

If staying on DVC points (renting or your own), you can not get free dining if it is offered during your stay, BUT you can always add it to your reservation. BLT does have 2 bedroom and Grand Villa units with MK view. There is a lounge (Top of the World Lounge) at BLT for guests who want to watch the fireworks and the music is piped in.

 

[njmom76]

Thanks for this info! We are in the early stages of planning a trip for next August and are torn between BLT and Beach Club. We LOVED BC during our last trip, but will be traveling with my mom, a 5 year old and an 8 month old and are thinking a 1 bedroom at BLT will be ideal. Definitely need the 2nd separate rooms with a baby and the 2nd bathroom makes me want to choose this over BCV. Glad your trip was a success.

 

[steilkurve]

Thanks for the video and review! I've been searching for a video of the 1 bedroom that wasn't shaky or didn't have someone talking with the camera constantly on their face . Thanks again!

lol

No problem.

 

[steilkurve]

Thanks for posting. we will be at BLT in January with 2 young kids in a lake view room. Very excited. How was the check in process? I was just about to search to see if they do early check in there and to see if possible to get in our room before 4?
Also, did you have a car? Is the parking convenient there?

Our flight came in at 5 pm so we didn't ask for early check in. We didn't have a car either but parking does seem really convenient as it is right in front of the tower. Not much walking needed from the car to the lobby.

 

[steilkurve]

That's just me but I like to try different hotels when visiting the same area repeatedly. We did GF last time, BLT this time and will likely venture elsewhere next time. Perhaps AK, the new DVC at GF if ready or the BC. Proximity to Epcot for the latter is appealing!

 

[4Ds4Diz]

We have stayed here twice. One trip a studio LV for 2 nights before the Disney Dream cruise. Last time we stayed in the 1 bedroom for 5 nights. I agree with OP that we may never go back to a studio or regular room again, we loved the 1 bedroom so much.

Kids had their space (12 & 10 year old boys), and we had the bedroom with that king size bed. I loved the bathroom, nice and roomy. Shower was great. TOTWL is awesome

We stayed at the CR a few years back and we happen to love the CR and BLT for the location to everything, yet we find the grounds to be quiet and not alot of people around.

I want to try AK next time, but it is going to be hard to not come "home".

 

[steilkurve]

We too are tempted to try AK next time. Visited for dinner and thought the theming was impressive. Then again, DVC at Grand Floridian will be tempting!

 

[4Ds4Diz]

We too are tempted to try AK next time. Visited for dinner and thought the theming was impressive. Then again, DVC at Grand Floridian will be tempting!

Good luck with your next trip. If you go to AKL hope you have a great time. We are not planning to return til spring 2014. A stay as AKL a few days and then another Disney cruise.

Now to decide on Jambo or Kidani....hmmm I will have to do some more research on this one! Tough job to have!!