BLT--many "pros"and one "con"

[Uncleromulus]

Just back from our first stay (on points) at BLT. We had room 7204 (second floor, lake view) and it was just fine. A plus was that it was very close to the stairs and then but a short walk down and out of the building--no need to use the elevator unless we actually wanted to. We could even see the fireworks quite well, as the room also had a view of Space Mountain. The room was nice, I like that second bathroom in the main area. The bed was comfortable and the balconey was very private. Of course BLT is convenient to the MK and we walked over each time we went. The Top of the World Lounge was also great. And even tho it looked like the room thermostat was one of the "motion " types, it had apparently already had been by-passed and we had no trouble at all with the temperature. Parking the car at BLT was a breeze--all kinds of space available.

MY one "con" --the pool. Far too small--it should be half again that size. It was mobbed every day. And almost NO shade--just 6 tables with an umbrella in the whole area. They were always taken each and every time we went to the pool, so we were forced to sit in the little "pavillion" area next to the bar. Those tables seem to be intended for folks eating food from the bar, but we weren't about to roast in 93 degree heat and we were determined to enjoy the pool. How hard would it be for them to add another 6-10 tables with shade????
Anyway--when points permit, we'll again stay at BLT!!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Thank for the trip report. The Summer heat has begun, if the pool is crowded now, wait till June-Sep. BLT will have to increase it's shaded areas. We're looking forward to staying at BLT for 2 nights (2br), MK view in Jan when we as Floridians would most probably not use the pool! Can't wait to see the fireworks from the villa, if only once or twice. (points are a little steep)

 

[evenrude]

We also just got back from BLT Room 7241, Lake View (Really a pool view) but not bad. First of all we had a great time, however, I have to echo the concerns posted on other threads, the condition of the room was not terrible, but it wasn't good either I call it average which is not good for the age of this resort. Furniture is worn/torn/stained (especially the couch and the dinner table bench), the safety latch on the front door was busted (i.e. hanging by one rivot on the door), the TV did not work in the second bed room, mold in the tile of the master bathroom shower (not a little either a notcible amount, I belive the tile grout was never sealed in the shower and the mold is having a field day in the grout) and the master bathroom tub took over an hour to drain. We did call maintenance and the took care of the safety latch, replaced the TV but didn't fix the plumbing, but it was just a nusance. Also I really didn't mind the sliding doors on the bathrooms I know a lot of folks were complaining, FYI if you need privacy there is a lock on the bedroom doors. We loved the pool and slide!!! The best was Wishes from the TOTWL, just awsome and the bar is great too!!!! In summary the common areas of the resort are fantastic, however, they are going to have to address the room wear and tear problems ASAP, BLT owners need to really hammer this home to DVC management, I emailed the customer satisfaction folks already.

 

[Inkmahm]

MY one "con" --the pool. Far too small--it should be half again that size. It was mobbed every day. And almost NO shade--just 6 tables with an umbrella in the whole area. They were always taken each and every time we went to the pool, so we were forced to sit in the little "pavillion" area next to the bar. Those tables seem to be intended for folks eating food from the bar, but we weren't about to roast in 93 degree heat and we were determined to enjoy the pool. How hard would it be for them to add another 6-10 tables with shade????
Anyway--when points permit, we'll again stay at BLT!!

No bugs at night around the pool and in the building?
that was a huge con for me a weekand a half ago.

 

[Uncleromulus]

No--no bugs to speak of. It was REALLY hot so maybe that had something to do with it??

 

[londonderrydisneyfan]

At what point does the sun go past the building so the entire pool area is shaded? Is it too late in the day to be of any relief?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Takes awhile --depending on the time of year I guess. In any event it was too late in the day to be of any help to us. We left the pool around 3:00 -3:30 or so each day and the sun was still shining brightly.

 

[dis-happy]

Just back from our first stay (on points) at BLT. We had room 7204 (second floor, lake view)

I thought that 3rd floor and down were all standard view???????

We have a lake view 1 b/r reserved for August and I'm wondering what to expect.

 

[disprincessatheart]

No bugs at night around the pool and in the building?
that was a huge con for me a weekand a half ago.

We must have been there at the same time - the bugs were INSANE!! What were those things anyway?

The BLT pool was so crowded we never even bothered - just went over to the EMPTY Contemporary pool area - we had an entire row of 25 chairs just to our family of 5 - in the shade.

We also had a 1BR lake view on the second floor - room 7236. We were on the outside of the C looking at the Contemporary pool and marina area. It was a lovely view.

 

[Micca]

Hi 'Ya Uncle R! Glad you had a nice trip, we had our first BLT earlier this year and loved it! Any dining reports this time?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Micca: Already did Shula's on the restaurants Board. Blue Zoo will be next.
Dis-happy:
Don't know about any of that. Can only tell you that our one bedroom was on the second floor and the view was clearly of the lake. We could see some of the tennis courts and as I said, Space Mountain and just the tip-top of the Castle. Fireworks were clearly visable from our balcony. I suppose higher up would have been a "better" view, but we were quite happy being "low" and private. I should add that other than "lakeview" we made no specific room request. We figured that if we really wanted an up high view, all we had to do was go up to the Top of the World Lounge!!
I believe there is an extensive thread out there that lists the view of each and every room at BLT--

 

[BCV23]

Enjoyed your review. Let's hope they add some more tables around the pool. We're headed back this month and may have to visit the CR pool this trip.

We were in a standard view villa ending in 10 and loved the view. It was so peaceful looking at the lake and trees but also fun to see the fireworks at night.

Did you happen to notice the hours of ToTW?

Looking forward to your dining reviews as always.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

We got back late Monday evening from BLT. Stayed on the 5th floor in a 1 bedroom with a view of the pool and lake.

Staying on the 5th floor was GREAT. Just a short walk down the hall and we were on the skybridge over to the Monorail.

We actually didn't use the pool at BLT at all, our DD3 wound up playing over in the Contemporary pool / water play area. Not because BLT was busy, just sorta happened that way.

It was very hot while we were down there (90+ each day except Monday).

And while there were no bugs around BLT, we got swamped over by the Campgrounds. We took the boat one night for a pleasure cruise (on the Contemporary / Lodge / Campground) loop. No bugs at Contemporary, no bugs at the Lodge, but we got swarmed with bugs over at the Campground! The benches on the boat were completely covered by them while we were docked waiting for people to disembark / board.

 

[thelionqueen]

Those lovely little "bugs" everyone is referring to are nicknamed "lovebugs" If you've seen them there is no further explanation necesary

If you haven't they fly around in groups of 2...I'll let your imagination finish off the explanation

They are not specific to BLT, they are EVERYWHERE! Heaviest in May and October (early part of both months). They are unpleasant and completely unaffected by every type of insecticide on the planet. A CM once told me that they are attracted to the scent of dead love bugs, so by killing them, you are really attracting hundreds more. No cure...they are just incredibly annoying...but that should not affect your opinon of BLT..they are everywhere!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

Thanks for the Report Uncleromulus. When points allow us we would love to stay at BLT. What a big different in new resorts. The pool area at AKL Kidani is huge. It would be so great to be able to walk to the MK.

 

[Inkmahm]

Enjoyed your review. Let's hope they add some more tables around the pool. We're headed back this month and may have to visit the CR pool this trip.

We were in a standard view villa ending in 10 and loved the view. It was so peaceful looking at the lake and trees but also fun to see the fireworks at night.

Did you happen to notice the hours of ToTW?

Looking forward to your dining reviews as always.

TOTW is open 5 pm to midnight

 

[Inkmahm]

Those lovely little "bugs" everyone is referring to are nicknamed "lovebugs" If you've seen them there is no further explanation necesary

If you haven't they fly around in groups of 2...I'll let your imagination finish off the explanation

They are not specific to BLT, they are EVERYWHERE! Heaviest in May and October (early part of both months). They are unpleasant and completely unaffected by every type of insecticide on the planet. A CM once told me that they are attracted to the scent of dead love bugs, so by killing them, you are really attracting hundreds more. No cure...they are just incredibly annoying...but that should not affect your opinon of BLT..they are everywhere!

Nope, I looked up the pictures and the bugs I saw looked nothing at all like love bugs. They were only near the water at night and they looked more like mosquittos.

 

[n2mm]

Those lovely little "bugs" everyone is referring to are nicknamed "lovebugs" If you've seen them there is no further explanation necesary

If you haven't they fly around in groups of 2...I'll let your imagination finish off the explanation

They are not specific to BLT, they are EVERYWHERE! Heaviest in May and October (early part of both months). They are unpleasant and completely unaffected by every type of insecticide on the planet. A CM once told me that they are attracted to the scent of dead love bugs, so by killing them, you are really attracting hundreds more. No cure...they are just incredibly annoying...but that should not affect your opinon of BLT..they are everywhere!

No they were not love bugs. We've been going May and October for the last 20 years and certainly do not have a problem with love bugs. I too saw the bugs. They were some type of night bug that is attracted to the lights. Every morning when we went to our car the sidewalks would be filled with the dead ones. They were alot like a flying ant. They were at the pool too, but not nearly as bad as when the sun went down. They were in swarms, not like love bugs that just float along and look like fire-flys (lightening bugs).

 

[n2mm]

Nope, I looked up the pictures and the bugs I saw looked nothing at all like love bugs. They were only near the water at night and they looked more like mosquittos.

Yep, we were there too and saw them too. They were the worse in the outside lighted walkways. We actually had to avoid them as my daughter (35) does not like bugs in numbers. However, the ducks and ducklings were feasting on them several mornings.

 

[n2mm]

Just back from our first stay (on points) at BLT. We had room 7204 (second floor, lake view) and it was just fine. A plus was that it was very close to the stairs and then but a short walk down and out of the building--no need to use the elevator unless we actually wanted to. We could even see the fireworks quite well, as the room also had a view of Space Mountain. The room was nice, I like that second bathroom in the main area. The bed was comfortable and the balconey was very private. Of course BLT is convenient to the MK and we walked over each time we went. The Top of the World Lounge was also great. And even tho it looked like the room thermostat was one of the "motion " types, it had apparently already had been by-passed and we had no trouble at all with the temperature. Parking the car at BLT was a breeze--all kinds of space available.

MY one "con" --the pool. Far too small--it should be half again that size. It was mobbed every day. And almost NO shade--just 6 tables with an umbrella in the whole area. They were always taken each and every time we went to the pool, so we were forced to sit in the little "pavillion" area next to the bar. Those tables seem to be intended for folks eating food from the bar, but we weren't about to roast in 93 degree heat and we were determined to enjoy the pool. How hard would it be for them to add another 6-10 tables with shade????
Anyway--when points permit, we'll again stay at BLT!!

I agree, the pool does not meet the size needs for BLT. OP, we were also there (May 1-7) and it was so hot and the pool was so packed. We actually did walk over to the CR quiet pool, but that's a long walk with a 2 yo and 5 yo. The pool is TOO small and too loud. We thought it would be great if they could take the tennis courts out and build a quiet pool area.....we were at the BWV the first week (April 24-May 1) and we were missing the villa quiet pool. However, the grand daughters loved the slides. Even my 2 yo grand daughter went down the big slide. We also played the trivia contest one day and tied for first place.