BCV v. BLT for the holidays -- please help me decide...

[Crystal_27]

I have already secured a standard view studio at BLT for our December trip - December 18-January 1. However, I'm really torn about trying to change at the 7 month mark to BCV. Can anyone offer any input as to whether I should change or not? Our favorite parks are MK and Epcot, and we have 3 MK days, 3 Epcot days, 2 DHS days, 2 AK days built into our trip, and will be at Universal for 2 days as well (staying at Universal for one night). We will also have our own car (although we prefer not to drive during vacation). Also, for what it's worth, our BLT room costs us 302 points whereas a BCV room would cost us 300 points. And, although a split stay might make sense in this case, we really don't want to do a split stay (especially because we'll already be at Universal for one night...). Any input would be *very much* appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[jade1]

I think just because its so new and in demand I would stay with BLT, but with no doubt whatsoever-we would split with BCV. We would even do that for one week, much less 2. That would be incredible. You would save so much time with your walks to EPCOT and MK.

 

[chalee94]

it's a no-lose situation but in my opinion, i'd stay at BLT.

 

[speakupjc]

BCV. You are within walking distance of the EPCOT restaurants plus have an awesome pool. We enjoy going over to EPCOT to just get a counter servie meal from a country (Our fav is France) and then take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom from there.

 

[Pixieflip]

As the mom, I will always bear the brunt of the work involved in changing resorts. Having just done it a couple of weeks ago, I'm not inclined to vote for a split stay, especially since you're already going over to Universal at some point. Personally, I'd rather enjoy BLT for the entire time. You're right there by MK and can ride the monorail to Epcot, which is always popular with the kids. We visited BLT at Christmas, it was uniquely BLT! And very festive. If you can get BCV for the entire time, that's good, too.

Here's a question I always ask myself: what do you want your scrapbook to look like? A BLT modern Christmas or a BCV (if you can get it) seaside resort Christmas??

 

[Crystal_27]

Here's a question I always ask myself: what do you want your scrapbook to look like?

- - as an avid scrapbooker, I can certainly appreciate that sentiment.

I really do appreciate everyone's comments - thank you. I'm still undecided but I think that I'm going to put off worrying about it any more until I can actually see if there is even any availability at the 7 month mark at BCV. I think that it's really a roll of the dice and that we would do very well at both resorts. Still, I'm leaning toward keeping my BLT reservation just because MK is our favorite park (followed closely by Epcot) and it will be nice to have the option to pop over to MK on a whim if we choose to do so. Anyway, thanks again for the input.

 

[DenLo]

Any chance you will be going to MVMCP? If so BLT would be pretty convenient. It might be a mute point to switch anyway since BCV often book up. We just tried to add 2 days for October 7 and 8th to our next trip and hoped to get either BCV or BWV but no chance. We could have had one day but not till the 8th at BWV, Preferred view (no standard view studio available for either date). But did want to fourth split. We are already doing a three way split as it is between BLT-1BR; 2 nights, AKV-1BR; 5 nights and now SSR-Studio; 2 nights with a wait list for BWV, PV-studio to replace the SSR nights. We dropped to a studio at the end as our guest (DBIL) won't be joining us for that portion of the trip. Have to save some points for 2011's trip(s).

Have a great trip. And good luck if you decide to switch.

 

[ToddyLu]

Definitely BLT..decorations at the MK, WL and FW...all in a row....then decorations at CR,Poly and GF....all in a row. Holiday Wishes from the balcony, MK itself or the Beach at Poly. To top it off the monotail to Epcot....what's not to love??

 

[natt]

First; We just experienced our first Holiday week this past Christmas at BCV... and basically, we will never do it again.
That being said...
I think you have to seriously choose between which park is most important to you as far as walking distance goes, because it will be a big factor during this timeframe.

We did spend NYE(daytime) at Epcot, but left by 3pm because of crowd volume. We rung in the NY along the Boardwalk and had a nice time..our kids are a bit older and crowds much more manageable. We could still see fireworks at midnight.. then just a short walk back to our villa.

No clear choice... just make sure you have dining reservations and stick to them.. (and have some form of emergency meal for the villa if possible)...

 

[Sammie]

BCV, it was so beautiful this past Christmas, one of the best decorated resorts on property.

 

[Sandisw]

- - as an avid scrapbooker, I can certainly appreciate that sentiment.

I really do appreciate everyone's comments - thank you. I'm still undecided but I think that I'm going to put off worrying about it any more until I can actually see if there is even any availability at the 7 month mark at BCV. I think that it's really a roll of the dice and that we would do very well at both resorts. Still, I'm leaning toward keeping my BLT reservation just because MK is our favorite park (followed closely by Epcot) and it will be nice to have the option to pop over to MK on a whim if we choose to do so. Anyway, thanks again for the input.

The other piece is you need to see if they have to actual cancel the BLT rooms and then re-book at BCV. Most of the times they do and you could be at risk of losing both in those few minutes (it happened to me last summer trying to get a room at BLT opening week--I lost my BWV room as well). And, I think at the 7 month window, there may be others who are trying really hard to get in to BLT for the holidays.

I would suggest, especially given that time of year, to just stay put and plan for BCV the next time. Since you are not interested in the split stay (that is what we are doing next summer--3 nights BCV and 3 night BLT), keep BLT and enjoy!!!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

When we stayed at BLT in January, I was surprised that we actually did use the monorail to get to Epcot and that it wasn't nearly as inconvenient as I thought it would be. We loved the monorail access to the Poly and GF for meals there. We were there early enough in January to get to enjoy the Christmas decorations there, at BLT and at the other resorts.

I would stay at BLT.

I would however, be sure to get over to the Boardwalk area to see those holiday decorations!

Bobbi

 

[Crystal_27]

I want to thank everyone again for chiming in and offering more thoughts/comments. After speaking at length with DH about this last night, I think that we are just going to keep our BLT reservation. However, we will definitely be checking out all of the decorations at the other Deluxe resorts, and I will definitely post a full trip report of our adventures (chocked full of pictures) when we return.

Thanks again for all of the input....this is just another reason why

 

[Inkmahm]

I think just because its so new and in demand I would stay with BLT, but with no doubt whatsoever-we would split with BCV. We would even do that for one week, much less 2. That would be incredible. You would save so much time with your walks to EPCOT and MK.

I agree. I'd do a split stay. If you don't want to do that, I'd stay with BLT.

 

[CarolMN]

You can't go wrong with either.

Assuming you will have a choice (a rather big assumption since BCV is very small) and further assuming that you do not want to do a split stay, my advice is to decide based on where you want to be on New Year's Eve. That's the toughest night to book DVC accommodations.

If you want to be in the MK, then BLT is absolutely the way to go. Nothing like being able to walk home from the MK after the fireworks or to watch them from the TOTWL if you'd rather not be part of the mob. If you'd rather be in EPCOT or even DHS, then try for BCV.

If you just can't decide, then let fate decide. Try for BCV and if not available, waitlist. So fate will determine where you'll be for the Holidays.

Either way, that week is a very special time at WDW.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I just read what CarolMN offered above. One reason that WE pick the BW area for NYE is that MK offers NYE fireworks on the 30th as practice, at least it has in the past. We go to that on the 30th, and then on the 31st we just walk back to BWV from Epcot after their gorgeous display. So, we find that the BW area, hence BCV for your choices, would be our choice for the stay.

Bobbi

 

[mgilmer]

Given the size of BCV, its relative popularity, and the season, I would be very surprised if you found any availability at BCV at the seven month mark for Christmas, even in this economy.