BLT LV or SV?

[ssawka]

I need some opinions. We are taking my DMom and DDad to WDW in the fall. This may be the last time they get to go as they are having a hard time getting around these days. Anyway, we currently have a 2BR SV room reserved, but I was thinking about changing to a LV. My parents are not very picky and normally stay at Pop or a moderate. I'd like their trip to be memorable, however I do not want to waste points as we will most likely be taking the in-laws next year and will need another 2BR. We really only bought enough points for a 1BR every year. We are also planning on going to HI in a few years. We also want to go to HHI sometime soon to decide if we want to buy there. With all of that, we could probably swing the LV, but it would mean several years of borrowing. So, what would you do? Get the LV and borrow for the foreseeable future in order to treat DMom and DDad a little more, or stick with the SV?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would stay with what I have and be sure to take them up to see the fireworks.

Bobbi

PS. You know, it's funny, but if it were at AKV, I would upgrade to the savannah view. I suppose I don't think the lake is that important.

 

[Sandisw]

We had SV booked last summer and at the last minute, I changed to LV as it was only 9 points (3 nights in a 1 bedroom).

Well, we ended up on the 6th floor. We loved the view as it was partial MK, but I realized that I was only 1 floor up from the SV room.

This year, we went with the SV 2 bedroom and are leaving it like it is. We did request "not first floor" since that is the only thing I hope we don't get. If we do, we'll see if I like it. IF I don't, then LV will happen from now on. Keep what you have.

 

[work2play]

I would go for the lake view. Although you could get a room one floor up from standard view, the odds are that you will get a higher up room. The lake views are really awesome! If you have a standard dedicated 2 BR, then you will get 7144 (the only SV dedicated 2 BR on the first floor, but with a good view), 7202 (view of trees and a little bit of lake through the trees), 7216 or 7230 (which look onto the parking lot, are below the monorail track, but you can see the fireworks at the MK) or 7217 or 7229 which look onto the bamboo trees, fountain and the shufffleboard court/bocce ball court). If you request an even numbered lake view room you will either see the MK fireworks (rooms end in 02) or the water pagent (rooms end in 44). There are 25 of those rooms!

 

[downontheBW]

I would stick with the SV. If they're used to POP/moderate, BLT will be impressive enough without a Lake View. It may not be that much better a view than SV anyway.

Save the points and treat them to dinner at CG with fireworks.

 

[deva]

We had a standard view and it was FANTASTIC. It was one floor up from the bridge level (maybe 5th floor?).

Anyway, we looked right at Space Mountain. Awesome view of fireworks right from our balcony. I don't think a lake view is anything that fabulous and there is always the chance you'll luck out with your standard room.

 

[ssawka]

Thank you to everyone that responded so far. I'm still debating, but your insight has really helped and I'm now leaning towards keeping my SV. I will add to the request to not get the bottom floor, but I know we will get the bottom floor if we keep the SV. We will be arriving on Thursday Night, so I imagine we will get whatever's "left".

 

[decklake]

We are planning to stay a 3 BR at BLT. Our party will consist of 4 children under 7. Which view would I be able to see the fireworks? can you watch from the roof?

 

[rlovew]

We are planning to stay a 3 BR at BLT. Our party will consist of 4 children under 7. Which view would I be able to see the fireworks? can you watch from the roof?

You can only be talking about a Grand Villa- a theme park or MK view will give you a view from your room. If you are staying on points (or cash through member services and are a member) you can use the lounge as the moment- they may make changes at any time to lounge use as it is not owned by the DVC.

 

[quirty30]

I too would stick with the standard view if you are trying to conserve points. We have stayed in Lake View twice now, but for our next BLT visit this summer, I booked right at 11 months so I could get standard view and save a few points. I did enjoy the lake view, but I can live without it.

 

[MinnieGi]

I would stick with SV too. You really might luck out and great a nice view and save points!

As someone else said too if your parents are used to Pop and mods, they will feel pampered in BLT anyway!!! That's how my parents felt in a SV at the BWV!

We had a LV on the 5th floor right in the center of the "C" and did enjoy the view of the sunrise every morning over the old Discovery Island, however I couldn't be picky or save points at 7 months out and on the waitlist - beggars can't be choosers!! LOL!

 

[Bullseye]

We have a SV booked for our first DVC trip this June. Is the only reason DVC'ers don't want the first floor is because they don't have sheers over the windows and passersby can look into the room if the curtains aren't closed?

Are there any other downsides to a 1st floor room? Is being at pool level a bonus to 1st flr room? Please advise.

Sorry to digress from your original question OP.

 

[katied]

I've stayed SV and LV. I didn't really enjoy SV, but that was because we have young kids, and take naps. The SV room was interior, facing the pool, and there are afternoon pool parties with music, etc., so naps are challenging with the noise.

We had LV this past trip (originally booked MKV, and changed because I didn't want to blow thru my points just for the view). LV was nice - on the Bay Lake side, it was quieter for the afternoon naps, but louder with the night time lake parade event.

In short, I plan on saving my points in the future and going with SV - maybe one time I'll splurge on a MKV, but likely not unless I have so many points I don't know what to do.

 

[rlovew]

We have had a 1st floor room (obviously SV) that was on the back side of the resort but not to far down (I think we were in the 1st studio from the lobby. I thought it was fine- I had not booked for the view and I liked being able to step outside and talk on the phone in the afternoon while DH was sleeping and be able to move futher than on the balcony. If you have someone staying in the room it would be nice for the pool- you don't have any way to lock the rooms from the outside in back so I wouldn't have been comfortable leaving the room unlocked so we could have gotten back in from the pool. It would be nice if you had 2 adults (or at least a second older child) to possibly send 1 person in while everyone else waited on the patio to walk in.

 

[AlwaysPlanning]

Great Thread! We have stayed LV and MK view and this Christmas will be SV. We loved both of our other room views, they were very different however both on the outside( mk view) We are looking to save points for a bigger room in a few years. I love the location of the building and we decided that we can always go up to the lounge if we cant see the fireworks and we want to see them. I am guessing we will enjoy our SV room as much as the other views. We are going into planning the room will be with first floor parking lot view. Anything more will be an upgrade!

 

[ssawka]

Thank you again to everyone who responded. I think the consensus so far has been to stick with the SV, which I probably will do. The funny thing is is that the poll right now is favoring LV, which leads me to believe that many DISers answer polls without reading the original post as to the reason for the poll. I believe that many of the people answering the poll think that I am asking "Which do you like better, LV or SV?" I find it so funny, because that question by itself would be a no-brainer! Again, thank you to everyone that actually read my post and took the time to answer.