LaMickey
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 19, 2011
- Messages
- 103
I recently returned from a week at WDW with the family, and it was our 1st stay at BLT. We had a dedicated 2br lake view. Requested a even number (outside the C), higher floor. We got 7302 even number, 3rd floor. This actually turned out to be a great location for our family.
WE LOVED BLT!!! I know some people dont like the themeing, but it was nice. The room was in good shape and clean. DW is a stickler for hotel rooms and she had no issues. I only notice a couple of dings on furniture, but you really had to look to find them. Having the full kitchen, washer & dryer, and 3rd bathroom was a big plus with my crew. And the beds were very comfortable, even the sofa bed. But what really hooked us was the walk to MK. It was so nice to not have to wait for transportation. Even though we did take the monorail a couple of time for fun we could walk back in half the time. This is also where we realized the advantage of the lower floor. We could actually see Space Mountain and the Castle from one of the balconies so we caught the fireworks from the resort a couple of times the perspective is quite different than the front of the castle.
As for the amenities: The pool was a blast for all ages. My kids range from 3 to 15 so we used the splash area to the slide. It was a nice cool down in the afternoon, but actually got chilly after the sun went behind the tower. We had great housekeeping. It seemed like they really paid attention and tried to get in and out while you were away. And the food options were good. We ate at Chef Mickeys and got food from the Contempo Café a few times. Chef Mickeys was fun, but that was more for the characters. However, we were pleasantly surprised at the food from Contempo Cafe. I should also give a little love to the Outer Rim Lounge.
We had groceries delivered from Garden Grocer and a stroller rental from Baby Wheels of Orlando. We had no problems with either. This was the first time we had groceries delivered and it was so easy. We did not do a lot of eating in the room, other than breakfast, but it was handy to have snacks, water, etc. to take to the parks or have in the room. Bell services was great and delivered it all with our luggage.
The only negatives we experienced were at check-in and buses. When we arrived, about 5:15pm there was a question as to whether our room was ready. No problem as we had an ADR at Chef Mickeys. Gave them a number to text the room number when it was ready and headed up to see Mickey. After dinner we decided to catch the monorail for a quick loop around the resorts since we had not yet received a text. By the time we returned we were ready to get settled, but still no word. So, I headed down to check and wouldnt you know it the room was ready, but they had somehow forgotten to text us. In the end this was not a problem, but just not what I have come to expect from Disney. We didnt get into the room until almost 8:00pm, but bell services got our stuff to us quickly and we were settled in no time
As for the buses, the experience was also not horrible. I think part of it was we were spoiled by the walk to MK. They are crowded and it seems they really try to over-pack them. We shared service with e Poly and I think that extra stop it what made it so unenjoyable. I would venture to guess that overall this is the best location for transportation so never mind, its not a negative.
Ill get off BLT for a second here while talking about transportation. We had an experience one night on the monorail back from Epcot that I have never had before and not in a good way. We switched trains at the TTC and made it around past the Poly and GF. When we got to MK the crowds were crazy as they usually are right after Wishes. The doors on one side opened to let some out then the other side opens to let others in. At that point there was a group of what seemed like 100 that tried to cram into our car. Top set the scene, all the seats were already full and some of us were standing. I was standing with the stroller with my two littlest in it. They actually pushed so hard one of my teenage sons was forced out the other side and the stroller was partially pushed out. For the only time the whole week I yelled at them to stop and pushed back until the stroller and my son were back on. A lady proceeded to try to tell me that they were all together and needed to be on the train. I explained that we were also all together and already on the train and they could split between cars or wait for the next one. Anyway, no further incident and we were quickly at the CR and getting off. Sorry for the vent, but unfortunately that is my most vivid transportation memory.
So back to BLT a big thumbs up!
It is on the more expensive end, so if we went to Disney every year I am not sure we would choose it every time. And there doesnt seem to be many discounts offered understandable. We couldnt rent points this time because of some fluidity in our schedule, but we will probably look at that option in the future. I am sure we will try other places maybe an Epcot area resort but will certainly be back to CR/BLT.
WE LOVED BLT!!! I know some people dont like the themeing, but it was nice. The room was in good shape and clean. DW is a stickler for hotel rooms and she had no issues. I only notice a couple of dings on furniture, but you really had to look to find them. Having the full kitchen, washer & dryer, and 3rd bathroom was a big plus with my crew. And the beds were very comfortable, even the sofa bed. But what really hooked us was the walk to MK. It was so nice to not have to wait for transportation. Even though we did take the monorail a couple of time for fun we could walk back in half the time. This is also where we realized the advantage of the lower floor. We could actually see Space Mountain and the Castle from one of the balconies so we caught the fireworks from the resort a couple of times the perspective is quite different than the front of the castle.
As for the amenities: The pool was a blast for all ages. My kids range from 3 to 15 so we used the splash area to the slide. It was a nice cool down in the afternoon, but actually got chilly after the sun went behind the tower. We had great housekeeping. It seemed like they really paid attention and tried to get in and out while you were away. And the food options were good. We ate at Chef Mickeys and got food from the Contempo Café a few times. Chef Mickeys was fun, but that was more for the characters. However, we were pleasantly surprised at the food from Contempo Cafe. I should also give a little love to the Outer Rim Lounge.
We had groceries delivered from Garden Grocer and a stroller rental from Baby Wheels of Orlando. We had no problems with either. This was the first time we had groceries delivered and it was so easy. We did not do a lot of eating in the room, other than breakfast, but it was handy to have snacks, water, etc. to take to the parks or have in the room. Bell services was great and delivered it all with our luggage.
The only negatives we experienced were at check-in and buses. When we arrived, about 5:15pm there was a question as to whether our room was ready. No problem as we had an ADR at Chef Mickeys. Gave them a number to text the room number when it was ready and headed up to see Mickey. After dinner we decided to catch the monorail for a quick loop around the resorts since we had not yet received a text. By the time we returned we were ready to get settled, but still no word. So, I headed down to check and wouldnt you know it the room was ready, but they had somehow forgotten to text us. In the end this was not a problem, but just not what I have come to expect from Disney. We didnt get into the room until almost 8:00pm, but bell services got our stuff to us quickly and we were settled in no time
As for the buses, the experience was also not horrible. I think part of it was we were spoiled by the walk to MK. They are crowded and it seems they really try to over-pack them. We shared service with e Poly and I think that extra stop it what made it so unenjoyable. I would venture to guess that overall this is the best location for transportation so never mind, its not a negative.
Ill get off BLT for a second here while talking about transportation. We had an experience one night on the monorail back from Epcot that I have never had before and not in a good way. We switched trains at the TTC and made it around past the Poly and GF. When we got to MK the crowds were crazy as they usually are right after Wishes. The doors on one side opened to let some out then the other side opens to let others in. At that point there was a group of what seemed like 100 that tried to cram into our car. Top set the scene, all the seats were already full and some of us were standing. I was standing with the stroller with my two littlest in it. They actually pushed so hard one of my teenage sons was forced out the other side and the stroller was partially pushed out. For the only time the whole week I yelled at them to stop and pushed back until the stroller and my son were back on. A lady proceeded to try to tell me that they were all together and needed to be on the train. I explained that we were also all together and already on the train and they could split between cars or wait for the next one. Anyway, no further incident and we were quickly at the CR and getting off. Sorry for the vent, but unfortunately that is my most vivid transportation memory.
So back to BLT a big thumbs up!
It is on the more expensive end, so if we went to Disney every year I am not sure we would choose it every time. And there doesnt seem to be many discounts offered understandable. We couldnt rent points this time because of some fluidity in our schedule, but we will probably look at that option in the future. I am sure we will try other places maybe an Epcot area resort but will certainly be back to CR/BLT.
).
Looking to stay there for a long weekend on one of our upcoming trips and will try to rent DVC pts. 
DD thinks the monorail is the scariest WDW ride.
not laughing at you but them.
