bay Lake Tower Tips and Secrets?

[thebwit]

What are your tip and secrets for Bay Lake Tower? The family will be staying there and I know there has to be some interesting things and what not.

 

[blessedby3]

We stayed at BLT this past May in a 1BR and LOVED it!! It is hands down our favorite resort now We are Magic Kingdom lovers and it is so nice to be right beside the Magic Kingdom. The walkway to the Magic Kingdom is one of the best perks of BLT. You can take a leisurely stroll to and from the MK while all the others are getting on the busses, boats and monorail. There is never a big crowd on the walkway and it is so quick. I loved being on the monorail line too. We would use it lots too I also loved having the washer and dryer and if you are in a 1 or 2 BR then it will be in a separate room with lots of storage. We put all our suitcases in this utility room and stored our extra case of water there too. It is very spacious. My kids also loved the arts/crafts and kids fun things in the Community room that is off the pool area. Lots of things to do while at the resort. We were chosen family of the day at check in. There is a link in my siggy if you want to see some pics of BLT. We had a killer view of the lake Just beautiful....enjoy!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Not sure if you know this but check-in, valet services, bell services, transportation options, restaurants and stores are all located at the Contemporary. So when you need those things you will have to go over there since they aren't inside or at Bay Lake Tower.

 

[RocketEAR99]

What are your tip and secrets for Bay Lake Tower? The family will be staying there and I know there has to be some interesting things and what not.

Any chance you are DVC and staying on points??? If you are, I highly recommend going to the balcony by the lounge at the top and checking out the fireworks at MK! Of course if you're booking a room with a view of MK, I hear they stream the music for the fireworks through your TV so you can watch from your own room!

Also, regardless of the above, they have a "light parade" every night on barges on Bay Lake. It stops out in front of Contemporary and puts on it's display of lights and music. It's not as wow as MK's Main Street Electrical Parade, but it is rather neat. When I was there, it would show up around 9 or 10 pm.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Of course if you're booking a room with a view of MK, I hear they stream the music for the fireworks through your TV so you can watch from your own room!

They also do that on channel 20 for all the rooms located at the Contemporary, so it's not just for the guests with the Magic Kingdom View.

 

[thegreggersmom]

Sorry to hijack a little bit, but what are the rules regarding accessing the lounge if you are staying on rented DVC points -- not as a member?

 

[Greysword]

Disney Vacation Club members using their points may access the Top of the World lounge. The CM at a podium in the lobby will check your Key to the World card to see if it states membership.

 

[AC7179]

So, if I rent points from someone, I would not have access to the lounge because I'm not a member, or I would because I'm using a member's points versus going through Central reservations?

 

[jimandami]

So, if I rent points from someone, I would not have access to the lounge because I'm not a member, or I would because I'm using a member's points versus going through Central reservations?

You would not have access to the TOWL either way. You must have a DVC membership card.

 

[spiceycat]

They also do that on channel 20 for all the rooms located at the Contemporary, so it's not just for the guests with the Magic Kingdom View.

they changed it - don't remember the new channel - but it is no longer on 20 - at least at BLT.

at BLT lake view and standard also have views of the MK - now not full views like you get with TP view - side views. but hey any view of the MK I can get is worth it for me.

It has fountains for the little ones - but more teens are in it than little ones. the slide is pretty fast at BLT. there is also a wheelchair ramp to the swimming pool but little ones use it as a slide also. the pool is zero entry so the wheelchair ramp is not really needed.

the pool itself is not deep - it is around 3 feet - but watch your kids anyway. remember the hours now are only when there is a life guard.

the CR pool - not far - is deeper.

they also have tennis on the side yard (north) - the marina at CR - there is a activity center on the first floor - that has computer games, plus arts and crafts.

this gives a good description
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/baylaketower.htm

there is a bar by the pool as well as hot tub

if you want more - Fort Wilderness is a short boat ride away (marina)

if you have a problem with heights then don't pay for a MK view - the standard views are on floors 1-5th and some lake views.

the BLT connects with CR on floor 5 (BLT) to floor 4 CR. skywalk

 

[VbChristy]

Will a pack and play fit in the laundry room in a 2br?

 

[spiceycat]

Will a pack and play fit in the laundry room in a 2br?

there are 2 types of laundry rooms - one - yes a pack and play would fit - but the other is a closet. think the odd number (most lake views) have the bigger one. the even number ones think have the closet.

there is more than enough room in the living area.

 

[RoosMama]

You would not have access to the TOWL either way. You must have a DVC membership card.

We just stayed at BLT over Christmas and they let us go up there. I wasn't sure, since I had heard varied experiences on the boards. I explicitly told them we had rented points at check-in and the guy who checked us in checked with someone else and they said we could use it. We went up a couple days later (different people at the desk) and all we had to do was enter the pin I made that corresponds with your MagicBands (I did this during online-checkin). That brings up your reservation and they can see that you are staying on points.

Anyway, it's at least worth asking! Although we ended up preferring the sky bridge as a place to watch the fireworks. They also pipe the music in, and it is not that crowded because you have to be staying at BLT, not Contemp.

 

[jimandami]

We just stayed at BLT over Christmas and they let us go up there. I wasn't sure, since I had heard varied experiences on the boards. I explicitly told them we had rented points at check-in and the guy who checked us in checked with someone else and they said we could use it. We went up a couple days later (different people at the desk) and all we had to do was enter the pin I made that corresponds with your MagicBands (I did this during online-checkin). That brings up your reservation and they can see that you are staying on points. Anyway, it's at least worth asking! Although we ended up preferring the sky bridge as a place to watch the fireworks. They also pipe the music in, and it is not that crowded because you have to be staying at BLT, not Contemp.

I think sometimes it depends on the CM working. You aren't supposed to be allowed up there but I have heard a few reports that some people have been.