Bay Lake Towers Dearest Property So Far?

[john storey]

As the opening of Bay Lake Towers get closer the 'breathtaking views' are also 'breathtaking points' compared to existing rival accomodations. Assuming everyone is keen to get a MK view (what's the point otherwise) you will be getting rid of 166 points for 1 week in a studio in May, this is around 43 points dearer than Boardwalk, 49 points dearer than AK Savanah view & 54 points dearer than Saratoga. If you stump for Bay Lake view then you will be 27 points better off but as I said earlier what's the point, (excuse the pun). Like everyone, I would like to stay there sometime but can't help thinking it would be a 'short stay'. Also talking about Bay Lake I hope the access to the 'Top of the Tower Lounge' is strictly monitored, (ie guests only get to use it or priority at least) as it would end up being a glorious free for all every night for best viewing seats, I expect they will have some sort of system that they use for the California Grill. Any thoughts.

 

[Shooby doo]

John couldn't agree more but as the channel 4 programme says "location,location,location"! Although you could probably argue that it's not so much the point cost but how many points you need for your stay. Yes you can walk to MK & see wishes every time that it's on but how many times do you go to MK on a 2/3 week stay & how many times are you actually in your room at that time? So I think that perhaps DVC have made the points cost so high that you will generally only have a short stay then move on.
SD

 

[Elise79]

We have bought at BLT and will be staying there for the first time next April

We have only booked a standard view though but our reason for wanting to stay there is that we can walk to MK and with our DD just being a year old we see this as a benefit that can't be beaten by any other property.

Even before DD we would spend about 50% of our evenings in MK as we love it there at night

 

[amystevekai&bump]

we have bought just 55 points at BLT, and fully intend to just stay for a few nights and then move on to AKV, where we have most of our points.

Whilst the proximity to MK is why we bought into BLT, its also the reason why we didn't buy more points there!!

We know that long term we will be using AKV to have a more relaxing, away from it all vacation (and shock horror - we might not even visit the parks on some trips!!), so owning solely at BLT wasn't for us - as I can't imagine having a 'pool/relaxation only' type trip there, when I can literally see the castle from my window - how could I NOT go in??!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Assuming everyone is keen to get a MK view (what's the point otherwise)

I don't own there and don't plan to buy there. But I would stay there if I wanted to be within walking distance of the MK for whatever reason. And I would NOT book a MK view (they'd be hard to get at 7 months anyway). Too many points and you get the same proximity no matter what section of the building you are in.

'Top of the Tower Lounge' is strictly monitored, (ie guests only get to use it or priority at least) as it would end up being a glorious free for all every night for best viewing seats,

Not sure how this is really going to work but what I have heard is: It will be restricted only to DVC members staying on points at BLT, and the best views will not have seating - it will be standing room on an outdoor deck.

 

[mikki.young]

The lounge will apparently have 77 seats - seems very low even if only open to folks staying at BLT. Got to say I don't think Disney thought this one through properly.

We stayed at the ordinary contemporary and had bay lake views - these were nice too but agree MK views would be best and hardest and priciest in points.

I would say greed is getting the best of Disney but people are still buying BLT like mad so we are told.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

The lounge will apparently have 77 seats - seems very low even if only open to folks staying at BLT. Got to say I don't think Disney thought this one through properly.

We stayed at the ordinary contemporary and had bay lake views - these were nice too but agree MK views would be best and hardest and priciest in points.

I would say greed is getting the best of Disney but people are still buying BLT like mad so we are told.

I'm not sure, I thought I had read that the viewing area is standing only outside, so I guess they only need the seats for those sitting and having drinks/snacks at other times - but I could well be wrong!!

I for one, don't think we will really use the lounge, as we have bought assuming we would book a MK view (that is the main draw for me) and I love the idea of my own 'private' viewing space, so I wonder whether the people in other MK view rooms will feel the same and therefore won't bother with the lounge??

 

[penlanspice]

Whilst BLT isn't for everyone for some it's ideal. We stayed at the Contemporary a few years ago and loved it, the view was second to none and we would sit out on the balcony most nights and watch the fireworks ( it was also Halloween so many nights the park was closed early and we still got to see the fireworks)

We will probably do the same and make a small add on here at some point if the dollar gets a better, it is a lot of points on a night for night basis compared to other resorts but then the same goes for the price of hotels around MK.

Sam

 

[lawgs]

The lounge will apparently have 77 seats - seems very low even if only open to folks staying at BLT. Got to say I don't think Disney thought this one through properly.

We stayed at the ordinary contemporary and had bay lake views - these were nice too but agree MK views would be best and hardest and priciest in points.

I would say greed is getting the best of Disney but people are still buying BLT like mad so we are told.

supposedly occupancy level is 499 but only 77 seats for ....


from allears.com

Occupancy for the Top of the World lounge is 499 people, however, there is only seating for 77 people. The lounge is one big open room, with a long bar

 

[suzycute]

I agree that the "breathtaking points" are one reason why I would hesitate to buy here.

However we are staying at BLT in just over 6 weeks (bay lake view studio) using our SSR points and am looking forward to weighing up whether an add on here would be right for us . . . . watch this space - I might change my mind !

 

[tubtruck]

Would like to stay here myself, but would not be bothered at all about the view. Would only really be interested in the location and the monorail.

Different folks.......

 

[_scar]

how are the standard views at BLT? Do you get top of the world lounge benefits either way? I'm new lol sorry :/


Sorry for this massive thread bump, I sorta googled this and didn't realize I'm a year off :/

 

[amystevekai&bump]

how are the standard views at BLT? Do you get top of the world lounge benefits either way? I'm new lol sorry :/


Sorry for this massive thread bump, I sorta googled this and didn't realize I'm a year off :/

I got an email telling me I had subscribed to this thread & that someone was responding, I re-read my post and thought I had gone mad as I didn't remember posting it at all - then I saw it was over 12 months old and breathed a sigh of relief that I am not quite as forgetful as I thought I was!! Anyway.........

I understand some of the standard views are quite good, and even have views of the fireworks - there is an excellent thread showing photos of people's views somewhere on here.

You can go up to the TOTWL as long as you are staying at BLT using points, regardless of what room type you have booked - at least that is how I understand it - I am eagerly awaiting my first trip home in Dec, so i am not the expert by any means!!

 

[Elise79]

You get to go to the TOWL if you are staying in any room at BLT on points or cash booked through MS.

We had 2 standard view rooms in May (room change long story) one was a ground floor 'outer' room with a fantastic view of the contemporary marina.

The second was a third floor 'inner' room and we could see the pool with Bay lake behind.

We have standard booked for our next 2 trips.

 

[LORNA ANN]

We stayed 2wks last Oct& loved it we had a 1 bedroom on 7th floor over looking the contmpary marina & lake. We had to show our room key which said DVC on it to get taken up to the lounge in the evening for the fireworks. When we went to the lounge during the day no more than a dozen people in it & it was far from busy in the evening.

 

[cindrella]

I already have...

 

[Revtel]

We stayed there for two nights during our latest trip. Lake view, over Contemporary pool area, with Epcot in the distance.

The lounge is nice, rather expensive for drinks, and was never particularly busy. As someone has said, you have to stand outside to see the fireworks. It's interesting to see just how much "Wishes" is dependent on the placing of the castle just in front of the fireworks. It's great from Mainstreet, but from BLT, the fireworks are so far removed from the castle that the impact is lost.

Pleasant view, small room, long hike from the car, longer hike to the crowded pool, wouldn't care to go back there.

Just my opinion, of course, but for us, not worth the extra cost, nor the additional points.