BLT current experiences August?

[mattevanemilymel]

We (two adults and two children) are planning to head to BLT for five days at the end of September. Does anyone mind sharing their current experiences so far with how it is going now? For example, how crowded the hotel is overall? Does it still feel like Disney with everything going on? Able to stay safe distances as necessary? I really appreciate any input. Thanks.

 

[bcuinohio]

We spent two nights at BLT last week. BLT didn’t feel crowded. We did not have any problems with the elevators. There are two sets of elevators too. The pool wasn’t too bad but there were times when it was hard to to maintain a respectable distance. The pools tend to get more crowded after MK closed. The Contemporary felt more crowded than BLT. Service was slow at Contempo Cafe.

This was a resort only stay for us. It was our first stay at BLT. We did two nights at the Poly and moved to BLT for two more nights. I always considered the Poly to be my favorite resort but BLT has me rethinking my choice. My adult son and I were talking after the trip how much we liked BLT. We recently bought onto DVC and BLT is our home resort. This trip confirmed that we made the right choice.

Since it was a resort only trip, we did a lot of resort hopping. We did the Monorail resorts. We drove to WL and ate dinner at Geyser Point. We also drove to AKL and ate at Sana’a for lunch. We drove over to DHS and parked there. From there we hopped on the skyliner and stopped at all of the resorts on the skyliner. We also went to Disney Springs a few times. DS gets busy in the evening. If you want to shop, I would go earlier as lines started to form for some stores in the evening.

This was an unplanned trip. When our DVC contract transferred in June, there were unexpected points for 2020 on there. Previous owner must not have been able to use them before it transferred. Since they were banked from 2019 we had to use them up. We decided to take a trip and use them up.

 

[Lumpy1106]

First week in August - BLT was not crowded at all. We were on the first floor, Standard View 1 BR. Loved it. We could always find chairs at the pool. We didn't see anyone using the Foosball tables, ping pong tables etc. I went running in the mornings < 7a and never wore a mask while I did that, nor did anyone ask me to (not that there were a lot of people around at that time). The coffee place in the Contemporary was NOT open - that was a bummer. The Contempo Cafe is not set up well for the social distancing requirements. Everyone was socially distance, it's just that it was really throwing off their service. You had to mobile order, then wait until you were called, then get the food. You aren't allowed to touch anything that you have not ordered except the condiments and plastic ware dispensers. If there was anything out of the ordinary then someone had to stop what they were doing and come talk to you. I could see it being far better without all the restrictions - maybe more than anywhere else we saw on property. Buses were a mess. We waited over an hour 4 times during the week. The worst was DHS before opening and DS right around dinner time. We ended up ordering a Lyft for both of those. The TTT to Epcot monorail is not running so getting to Epcot was bad too.

 

[TonyTigger]

We also were there the first week of August in a 1 BR lake view and it never seemed crowded and we had no issues getting elevators. I agree the busses are a mess so you need to decide if you want to wait on the front end of the bus ride or wait as it might take 2 or 3 busses before you can load. We found that getting to the bus stop about 1 hour before the park opening worked as we usually waited about 15 minutes for the first bus and all the parks were opening the turnstiles about 30 minutes earlier than the posted opening time. I have told people that we went to the safest place on earth, I certainly felt safer at WDW than my local grocery store or especially Walmart. Also, place your quick service mobile orders as you walk to the restaurant, they will not let you in until you can show on your phone that your order is ready at a designated area. People waiting to get in the restaurants was the only place I felt we and to social distance ourselves.

 

[monorailmom]

We are here now! Arrived on Saturday and are here for a couple more days. We have had a fantastic stay. No problems with elevators, and while I hate to say it and possibly jinx it, the best bus service we may have ever had. The pool has never been crowded for us, but we go just after lunch, not when the parks close, so that may make a difference. Contempo has been fine for us, both the mobile ordering and feeling like we could keep our distance when eating there. We ate at the Wave for lunch and had a great experience. We were even able to enjoy a glass of wine at the bar last night while being very socially distant from others which was just awesome. One fun thing: when walking across the Sky Bridge last night we noticed that they were showing Happily Ever After on the big movie screen after their showing of Cinderella. Oh my goodness, I know it was just on a screen, but being here and still getting to see Happily Ever After totally made me tear up. All of the CM’s have been above and beyond wonderful. It’s going to be so hard to leave!!!

 

[mattevanemilymel]

I really appreciate all of the replies. I feel much better about going after seeing how it has went for each of you. I will keep the bus situation in mind though since we have normally relied upon them (rather than uber or lyft). We will actually have our car this time so I might consider driving and parking. Thank you all again so much!!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

What size villa are you booking? If a studio, that might feel really small for four people. A one bedroom will feel perfect.

 

[mattevanemilymel]

I was thinking the the one bedroom or two bedroom snice we could eat breakfast and maybe even dinner in the room if we needed to do so. We have always stayed at the swan or dolphin before but this time bay lake tower seemed like a better option.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was thinking the the one bedroom or two bedroom snice we could eat breakfast and maybe even dinner in the room if we needed to do so. We have always stayed at the swan or dolphin before but this time bay lake tower seemed like a better option.

Request an even numbered villa, north end of the building at BLT if you book Lake view. That could give you a slight MK view.

 

[bcuinohio]

I was thinking the the one bedroom or two bedroom snice we could eat breakfast and maybe even dinner in the room if we needed to do so. We have always stayed at the swan or dolphin before but this time bay lake tower seemed like a better option.

One BR would probably work well for four people. There are two pullouts in the living room. If you had the extra points, a dedicated 2br would give everyone their own bed.

 

[bcuinohio]

I really appreciate all of the replies. I feel much better about going after seeing how it has went for each of you. I will keep the bus situation in mind though since we have normally relied upon them (rather than uber or lyft). We will actually have our car this time so I might consider driving and parking. Thank you all again so much!!!!

Your car is definitely a better option than taking the buses. Not sure what the rule is on resort hopping with car but they did allow me to drive into WL to eat at Geyser Point. I would definitely recommend Geyser Point if you’re looking for something between a QS and TS meal. The buffalo burger was very good. It is a sit down with a server. Technically it’s the pool bar but it’s by far the best one on property IMO.

 

[Piglet843]

Thank you OP for asking questions about BLT. We to will check into BLT at the end of September.
We are excited to go.
Can anyone weigh in on the Cleanliness of the Rooms and Resort? ie - are they really doing way more than they used to? Do I need to bring my own Clorox wipes and Lysol??
Thanks in advance!

 

[monorailmom]

We just got home last night! Had a fantastic stay. We found our room and the resort in general to be immaculate. There were CM's everywhere wiping things down constantly. I did bring and use my Clorox wipes and Lysol spray in the room. They aren't doing full cleanings during your stay during this time (which was fine with me, I preferred not to have anyone else coming in the room anyway) and it was nice to be able to wipe up the kitchen and bathrooms every day. We also used the Clorox wipes to wipe down our phones in the evening.

One thing about the buses: this was by far the best bus service we have ever had. Typically at BLT we have struggled but this time was completely different. You never know, I guess!