bay lake towers

[tlaw66]

Hi,

I have a family of 4 dw, ds14, dd8 we are comming to disney in may june 2012 we are thinking about a studio for 11 days. we will not be spending much time in there except to sleep, for the money we are sprnd don't want to be at hotel. With that in mind can you tell me if you think the studio will be ok. Also id there a place to do laundry there? Thanks for your time answering my question

 

[rlovew]

I don't know if I could handle a studio for 4 for 11 days. The studios are very nice for 2 but you will need to put the sofa bed up just to move in the room. The nice thing is that at least there is a lot of storage space so everyone can put things away.You can do laundry on the first floor in the laundry room- you will need detergent or change for the machine.

 

[FreeTime]

Since you said for the money you are spending you don't want to be at a hotel, I assume you arepaying cash. Maybe a MOD would work better as you wouldn't have to deal with the sofa bed each day and the rate should be less.

Unless you are on points, but due to the cost of the tickets, etc. don't want to spend so much time in the room. In that case, if you are only in the room for sleeping, I think you would survive in a studio.

 

[Lynne M]

IMO, the studios are intended for singles or couples, or maybe a family with a small child. BLT's studios are among the smallest of all DVC resorts, and with the sofabed open, there's going to be barely any room to move. You're going to be climbing over furniture. For a night or two? Tolerable. For 11 nights? No way. I'd rather not go.

I know you say the room is only for sleeping, but are you really going to be out of the room, all day and all evening, for 11 days? No rest days? No one's going to want to come back to the room and relax for a couple of hours? What if someone doesn't feel well?

As the PP said, your alternative options depend on how you've booked the room. If you're a DVC member staying on points, or renting points, consider OKW. The studios are larger, they cost less points per night, and you'll have two queen beds.

If you're looking at a cash reservation, honestly, you'd probably pay less for two rooms at a value, or a family suite, and have plenty of room and two bathrooms. If you're never going to be at the hotel, why pay for the amenities of a deluxe resort that you'll never use? Or, split the difference and book one room at a moderate like CSR. You'll have two queen beds, and more room to walk around than at BLT.

 

[hakepb]

BLT studios are among the smallest on property. The bed/sofa area is pretty much the same as the bed area in a value (from what I felt in a model room)

I've done long stays like that at other DVC's with younger kids and it was OK in a studio, but I don't think BLT would work at all. (AKV value category would also seem too small)

And due to the design change, the bathroom sink is being moved inside the bathroom, so only 1e person can get ready at a time...

 

[tlaw66]

Thanks for the advice. The only reason we were looking at bay was my ds likes the train to get from park to park not the bus. and the money part was just due to time if we pay more for a room we will shorten the trip. We only go every 7 or 8 years. I think akv might be the best way thanks

 

[hakepb]

VWL gets you a boat to MK

BCV and BWV have boats to EPCOT and DHS (and if EPCOT is open and you don't mind the long walk...you can take walk though EPCOT and take the EPCOT monorail to TTC then MK) so it would be possible to avoid buses to 3 of the 4 parks..

 

[DenLo]

We've stayed in a value studio at AKV and a BLT studio and at value and moderate resort. The bedroom area at BLT is still larger than a value and is similar in size to the value. The kitchenette area is much bigger and has a lot of storage space which would be handy for a family. BTW the square footage of a value is 260 sq. feet and BLT's studio is 329 sq. feet.

I think if the kids won't mind sharing a bed for 11 days or mom and dad share with a kid, then you'll be okay. DVC members get used to having the big rooms that they forget some families can handle the togetherness.

It sounds like you still do the parks commando style so that really makes a difference compared to most DVC members who really enjoy the resort as much as the park.

BLT is a great location to do MK. And the monorail is great especially if you have a monorail geek in the family. I could sit and watch the monorail for hours from my balcony at BLT or for that matter from the bed or couch inside.

Also having stayed at AKL and AKV you could do well with a room there. The rooms at AKL with bunk beds are pretty cool and the kids always love them. And then there are the animals right outside the balcony door, if you get a savanna view. Or just down the hall there is usually a viewing area.

I don't think you could go wrong with either.

 

[hakepb]

The bunk bed rooms are really nice because 2 queens really pack the bed area of the normal 344 sq ft AKL rooms (The AKV value studios were made from the standard rooms but only have a reported 316 sq ft, but once you take a little of that space for the studio's kitchenette...)

The remaining Jambo DVC(standard,savanna, and concierge) units were converted from "deluxe" 381 sq ft rooms which gives you a bit more walking room when the bed is pulled out.

Really, all studios are bigger than the 4 person tent I slept in as a kid. But with the smaller studios (BLT and value), there's not much for walking space by the couch, so then a boy climbs over a girl to get out of bed...I'd be less hesitant with 2 boys or 2 girls.