BLT Advice

[FinnFogg]

We are planing a trip with our kids (13, 11, 9) and my parents (in their 70s) next March. It’s my parents first trip. We are there for two weeks in two bedroom villas. I booked us into OKW and AKL at our 11 month window, but booked 4 nights OKW, 5 nights OKW and 5 nights AKL with the hope of switching one of the OKW bookings for BCV or BWV at the 7 month mark, so my parents would be close to Epcot and HS for part of the stay. I’ve been stalking the sight religiously, but nothing at all at BWV or BCV. Then suddenly tonight a two bedroom lock off standard view at BLT popped up. I grabbed it, even though I have never stayed there or had any desire to stay there (I think it looks way too sterile compared to the other DVC resorts) with the thought that it would be good for my parents to be within walking distance of MK. I also waitlisted BCV and BWV (with automatic BLT replacement) for the same nights. I’m now wondering whether I have underestimated BLT. What do people here think? What are the pools like? Do you love BLT and if so why (other than proximity to MK)? What am I missing? Hoping to be sold on BLT so that I can cancel my waitlists and get excited about trying something new!

 

[TCRAIG]

Your 2Br will have 3 full bathrooms - so that’s a big plus…and the lobby smells really good.

 

[cellomom]

I’m part of that group who never cared for BLT until I stayed there. Our group consist of 6 adults,1 toddler, & 1 infant.
Stayed in a two bedroom Lakeview ❤. Navigating the resort was easy. Even though we were at the end of a hallway an elevator was just 2 minutes away. Friendly CMs, 2br has 3 full bathrooms, walk to MK, short walk to bus stop from lobby, monorail to Epcot(edit: switch monorails at TTC) plenty of food choices at CR, hop on monorail to eat or shop at PVB & GF. Plenty of areas to view MK fireworks, BLT pool only for BLT guest but BLT guest may use CR’s pool.
Good luck with your decision and have a fabulous vacation.

 

[Henwen88]

BLT is awesome for 1 and 2 BR. And even better if part of a split stay b/c my biggest dislike is the less than stellar bus service to the rest of the World. But cannot beat walking to MK!!!

 

[Sandisw]

It is a great resort and what is really nice is that you have so many options via monorail for QS and drinks as you can easily visit Poly and Grand.

The 2 bedrooms are great and as mentioned, 3 bathrooms with that many people are good, plus that resort has the sleeper chair snd pull out in the living room for an extra sleeping place.

I can say the living room and kitchen area is much bigger than BCV and BWV, which when staying with 7 makes a big difference.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

We've owned BLT since right after it opened and have stayed in 2BR standards pretty much every trip we've stayed there. The Disney themeing is def understated...which I personally enjoy. Also, as others have covered, the walk to MK is amazing as is the 3rd bathroom. Also, being only a monorail away from the Poly and Grand Floridian is also nice...if you feel like exploring other resorts.

The pool is definitely not Disney's most creative, but we've enjoyed many nights out there and our nieces and nephews always liked the slide.

I would request an EVEN number room in the front of the building. We've had great success with doing this when booking STD view. Almost every trip we've ended up having great fireworks view for the standard price.

 

[bumbershoot]

Bay Lake doesn't feel as sterile as it looks on websites. It's quite nice. Plus that 3rd bathroom is excellent.

and the lobby smells really good.

That is NOT my experience. I have to wash all my clothes twice when I get home b/c they stink so much of that lobby smell. I cannot stand it. My cousin does not feel the same way.

 

[TCRAIG]

Bay Lake doesn't feel as sterile as it looks on websites. It's quite nice. Plus that 3rd bathroom is excellent.



That is NOT my experience. I have to wash all my clothes twice when I get home b/c they stink so much of that lobby smell. I cannot stand it. My cousin does not feel the same way.

I love the smell - reminds me of The Bellagio in Vegas the one time I was there…

 

[Boopuff]

I gotta be that person : BLT advice? Lightly toast the bread, crispy bacon, light Mayo

 

[Stargazer65]

I gotta be that person : BLT advice? Lightly toast the bread, crispy bacon, light Mayo

And the tomatoes...get fresh ones picked at the peak of ripeness so they are tangy and juicy.

 

[Stargazer65]

Your 2Br will have 3 full bathrooms - so that’s a big plus…and the lobby smells really good.

What is this lobby smell people keep talking about, I don't remember it!

I guess I'll have to take note when I go next year.

 

[Stargazer65]

I really like the extra bathroom because I can sit in the rain shower forever and no one's banging on the door to talk on the big white telephone.

 

[Blondie58]

We are planing a trip with our kids (13, 11, 9) and my parents (in their 70s) next March. It’s my parents first trip. We are there for two weeks in two bedroom villas. I booked us into OKW and AKL at our 11 month window, but booked 4 nights OKW, 5 nights OKW and 5 nights AKL with the hope of switching one of the OKW bookings for BCV or BWV at the 7 month mark, so my parents would be close to Epcot and HS for part of the stay. I’ve been stalking the sight religiously, but nothing at all at BWV or BCV. Then suddenly tonight a two bedroom lock off standard view at BLT popped up. I grabbed it, even though I have never stayed there or had any desire to stay there (I think it looks way too sterile compared to the other DVC resorts) with the thought that it would be good for my parents to be within walking distance of MK. I also waitlisted BCV and BWV (with automatic BLT replacement) for the same nights. I’m now wondering whether I have underestimated BLT. What do people here think? What are the pools like? Do you love BLT and if so why (other than proximity to MK)? What am I missing? Hoping to be sold on BLT so that I can cancel my waitlists and get excited about trying something new!

Not a fan of the hotel feel of BLT BUT love everything else!! I think you made a great decision to snag this reservation. Have fun.

 

[bumbershoot]

I love the smell - reminds me of The Bellagio in Vegas the one time I was there…

That's excellent info for me. It's the ONE place in Vegas I've ever wanted to go. Knock that off the list now!

 

[ColonialMouse]

I have very fond memories of watching the sun rise over Bay Lake when our youngest was 3mo and was waking up before dawn. It’s quite nice at dawn.

Other than that, BLT is all about the location, whether MK or Poly or GF.

Bruce

 

[TCRAIG]

That's excellent info for me. It's the ONE place in Vegas I've ever wanted to go. Knock that off the list now!

We’ll - at least you can knock ‘Smelling Bellagio’ off the list

 

[FinnFogg]

We've owned BLT since right after it opened and have stayed in 2BR standards pretty much every trip we've stayed there. The Disney themeing is def understated...which I personally enjoy. Also, as others have covered, the walk to MK is amazing as is the 3rd bathroom. Also, being only a monorail away from the Poly and Grand Floridian is also nice...if you feel like exploring other resorts.

The pool is definitely not Disney's most creative, but we've enjoyed many nights out there and our nieces and nephews always liked the slide.

I would request an EVEN number room in the front of the building. We've had great success with doing this when booking STD view. Almost every trip we've ended up having great fireworks view for the standard price.

Thanks for the advice on rooms! I’m having trouble figuring out the lay of the land. I understand that the even number rooms may get a fireworks view, but do they also look over the parking lot? I hate looking at cars and parking lots from my balcony. If we requests odd numbers, are we more likely to get a pool, garden, greenery view?

 

[princesscinderella]

What is this lobby smell people keep talking about, I don't remember it!

I guess I'll have to take note when I go next year.

Most hotels use a company called scentair that will manufacture a custom scent for your property that is distributed using big cartridges with fans to pipe it in. BLT has a distinct “sea” type smell in the lobby. It used to be much stronger than it is now. The RIV resort has a horrible cloying floral smell that gives me a headache. I actually complained to my DVC guide about it, as a smell allergy is a thing and florals set it off for me. VB has an orange blossom scent that’s it’s very floral and not like oranges, I couldn’t visit that lobby either.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Thanks for the advice on rooms! I’m having trouble figuring out the lay of the land. I understand that the even number rooms may get a fireworks view, but do they also look over the parking lot? I hate looking at cars and parking lots from my balcony. If we requests odd numbers, are we more likely to get a pool, garden, greenery view?

We've had 3rd to 4th floor rooms very close to the bridge to the Contemporary or just over the entry way. While yes, you can see cars...you also get a great view of the top of space mountain and the lake in front of magic kingdom. Not to mention the monorail comes whizzing by every few minutes.

While not the best view at WDW, a standard view at BLT facing the MK at fireworks time is in my opinion...one of the best "values" in the DVC system.

 

[Stargazer65]

Most hotels use a company called scentair that will manufacture a custom scent for your property that is distributed using big cartridges with fans to pipe it in. BLT has a distinct “sea” type smell in the lobby. It used to be much stronger than it is now. The RIV resort has a horrible cloying floral smell that gives me a headache. I actually complained to my DVC guide about it, as a smell allergy is a thing and florals set it off for me. VB has an orange blossom scent that’s it’s very floral and not like oranges, I couldn’t visit that lobby either.

Thanks for the clarification. It's funny I've been to all 3 lobbies you mentioned but the smell doesn't stick out in my memory. I know some people are less scentsitive (sorry for the pun...well, not really sorry lol) than others to smells, especially guys. Now that I'm thinking about it, I'll probably notice it more next time.