BLT negatives?

[rie'smom]

Hi, I'm just wondering if there are negatives. We're booked in a 1 bd MK view in April.

 

[DVCPAT]

I would say the pool is the resorts only weakness. Shopping, restaurants and the monorail are a short walk away. It’s a nice set-up to be close to everything, yet have restricted access to the resort.

 

[dizfan]

The negatives I've heard mentioned most are:

• Studios are small (seem to work fine for 2, but tight for more than 2 people)
• In studios, the kitchenette/bathroom sink layout
• Sliding bathroom doors don't lock (not sure if this is all or just the studios)
• Pool bar doesn't accept Disney dining plan
• Poor signage, not telling people to check-in at the Contemporary Resort
• Poor signage, making it difficult for people to find ice and vending machines.
• People paying for MK view assigned to lower floors (at least 3 and 4) have been very upset with the location view. The flip side, those paying for standard view, but getting 2nd floor MK side have been thrilled. I haven't heard of anyone paying for MK view and assigned to 3rd-6th floor being happy. Up to this point, it seems Disney has moved everyone who complains to at least the 7th floor.

Hopefully the bathroom doors will get locks in the near future. Should be easy to fix.
Also, hopefully Disney realizes the lower floor MK view problem and comes up with a new room category requiring fewer points.
Guessing Disney will improve the signs to make things easier for people unfamiliar with BLT. I heard similar signage complaints when Kidani first opened.

 

[rie'smom]

Thank-you both so much!

 

[cheezNE1]

The negatives I've heard mentioned most are:

• 
  [
• People paying for MK view assigned to lower floors (at least 3 and 4) have been very upset with the location view. The flip side, those paying for standard view, but getting 2nd floor MK side have been thrilled. I haven't heard of anyone paying for MK view and assigned to 3rd-6th floor being happy. Up to this point, it seems Disney has moved everyone who complains to at least the 7th floor.

I wonder if they will make this permanent.. MK view starting from 7th floor up...

 

[rie'smom]

I'm pretty nervous about our reservation because I do not want to be stuck paying for an MK view and being stuck on a lower floor. I did give the CM a request for an upper floor however, i don't know that I want to risk it. Maybe I'll just cancel.

 

[amandelba]

Sliding bathroom doors don't lock - this can be a big problem
Check-in at the Contemporary Resort - Why? Should have a checkin desk a la Kidani village.
Transportation seems to be a big issue generally. Unless you're going to MK, it takes forever to get anywhere.
Also, the door to the bridge and the gates to the pool do not seem to work right, so they tend to remain open and unlocked.

Overall, I have very few complaints and really liked BLT. We had a "lake view" on the 14th floor, but if you sat on the couch in the living room, you could see the entire magic kingdom. It was an awesome view.

 

[gkrykewy]

I will reiterate the transportation concern: unless you're traveling to MK or another monorail resort, it really does take FOREVER to get anywhere. The buses to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are shared with the GF and Poly, and the monorail to EPCOT takes longer than a bus would (because of having to transfer, and having to take the resort loop monorail the wrong way around seven seas lagoon on the return trip).

Less of an issue for those driving everywhere, obviously.

Our only other complaints were the studio size and lack of a full-length mirror.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I also heard complaints about lack of sheer cutains to block sun.

 

[rie'smom]

I appreciate all of the replies!

 

[Goofy DVC]

We stayed in a MK view 2 BR. The view was AWESOME!!! We were on the
8th floor.We loved the resort. My biggest complaint was the AC. When you closed either door to the bedrooms it became too warm in the BR. When you lowered the thermostat, the BRs cooled off, but then it was too cold in the LR/Kit. area????

 

[rubbergypsy]

I will reiterate the transportation concern: unless you're traveling to MK or another monorail resort, it really does take FOREVER to get anywhere. The buses to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are shared with the GF and Poly, and the monorail to EPCOT takes longer than a bus would (because of having to transfer, and having to take the resort loop monorail the wrong way around seven seas lagoon on the return trip).

Less of an issue for those driving everywhere, obviously.

Our only other complaints were the studio size and lack of a full-length mirror.

why wouldn't you just take the monorail to the ticket and transportation station and hop on a bus to ak or hollywood studios, very quick imo
the buses run quite often to both parks from there and it eliminates the sharing with the other resorts

 

[disneynutz]

Hopefully the bathroom doors will get locks in the near future. Should be easy to fix.

I don't see it that way. The doors hang and slide on the outside of the door jamb, not in the Jamb like a pocket door. There isn't anything to attach a lock to and even if there was, I doubt if Disney would spend the money required to retro fit hundreds of doors.

 

[gkrykewy]

why wouldn't you just take the monorail to the ticket and transportation station and hop on a bus to ak or hollywood studios, very quick imo
the buses run quite often to both parks from there and it eliminates the sharing with the other resorts

We tried that too, and I agree that it's better than taking the (in)direct bus. However, it's still far less than ideal. The first time we did that (to go from BLT --> HS), we saw and ran for an HS bus at the TTC, only to have it sit and wait for 5-10 minutes until it was full. Bus service from the TTC is situated and feels very much like a second class afterthought, as it does from the monorail resorts (which I thought was strange, considering what cash guests pay for those). Further, the return trip still has the "wrong way loop around seven seas lagoon" issue.

It's not awful, but it does add a significant amount of time no matter how you slice it.

 

[rie'smom]

This is what I have so far:

1. Make sure to knock before entering the bathroom.

2. Call CRO and request an upper floor.

3.We have a 1 bd, so small studio won't be an issue on this trip but I'll remember for subsequent trips.

4. Small pool but that won't be an issue because it will be my daughter's BF's frist trip and we'll be in the parks. Also, we're moving to BWV after 2 nights. Will also keep this in mind for other trips.

5. Call member services to complain about check in at the CR.

6. Rent a car or call a cab.

7. Tell my daughter's boyfriend to bring a heavy robe. He's sleeping on the sofabed in the living room and I refuse to be warm at night.

8. Remember we need keys at all times because when the doors decide to work, we won't have them.

9. Bring sleep masks.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[WDW-BWV]

Love BLT for location, location, location.

We are OK with the furniture choices but love the layout of our 1 BR

WE VERY MUCH DISLIKE:

Having recived a standard FIRST FLOOR ROOM the lack of sheer curtains. We could not enjoy the sunshine whithout those playing Boccee (??) ball outside our living room looking in. FORGET the bedroom. A dark cave.

Did you know that on floors 1 to 3 you HAVE TO TAKE YOUR TRASH UP TO the 4th floor. DUMB.

The Mousekeeping is learning ... but don't be surprised (at least the first week) with the lack of extra trash bags or TP. Only having one trash can linner extra was ... well lacking for that trip to the 4th floor.

I agree, and we did have a nice conversation with a senior CR manager that the CR staff seems to see the DVC crowd as the poor cousins from the hills. Another former WL lodge CM confirmed this attitude and told me they are working on it. I will say, bell services was very good, but the front desk staff stunk.

As for the card access, it was poorly thougthout for TOW. Having the check in desk down the hall from the elevators is ... well, dumb.

Finally, for those of us EXCITED abut snaging rooms the first week it opened and not being able to buy any special pins, shirts, etc marking the occasion stunk! A real missed opportunity for those of us there the first week.

 

[gkrykewy]

I agree, and we did have a nice conversation with a senior CR manager that the CR staff seems to see the DVC crowd as the poor cousins from the hills. Another former WL lodge CM confirmed this attitude and told me they are working on it. I will say, bell services was very good, but the front desk staff stunk.

Actually my staff experiences were opposite: bell services was competent but not all that pleasant, and the front desk staff was exceptional (letting us choose a view type, high/low floor, etc.). That said, I suppose we are the poor cousins from the hills, relative to typical guests who pay $450/night

 

[Sammie]

As to the poor cousins, I think that happens at any resort that DVC adds on, after the fact. It happened at VWL, and BCV and AKV. They will probably come around eventually or be transferred.

Those that have nevered worked a DVC resort just don't get the differences right away.

 

[cbeehler3]

This is what I have so far:

1. Make sure to knock before entering the bathroom.

2. Call CRO and request an upper floor.

3.We have a 1 bd, so small studio won't be an issue on this trip but I'll remember for subsequent trips.

4. Small pool but that won't be an issue because it will be my daughter's BF's frist trip and we'll be in the parks. Also, we're moving to BWV after 2 nights. Will also keep this in mind for other trips.

5. Call member services to complain about check in at the CR.

6. Rent a car or call a cab.

7. Tell my daughter's boyfriend to bring a heavy robe. He's sleeping on the sofabed in the living room and I refuse to be warm at night.

8. Remember we need keys at all times because when the doors decide to work, we won't have them.

9. Bring sleep masks.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[hakepb]

I will reiterate the transportation concern: unless you're traveling to MK or another monorail resort, it really does take FOREVER to get anywhere. The buses to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are shared with the GF and Poly, and the monorail to EPCOT takes longer than a bus would (because of having to transfer, and having to take the resort loop monorail the wrong way around seven seas lagoon on the return trip).

Less of an issue for those driving everywhere, obviously.

Our only other complaints were the studio size and lack of a full-length mirror.

At least the EPCOT monorail entrance is a a rather grand experience, wisking around Spaceship Earth before disembarking (not time efficient, but cool ), and the monorail station is a lot closer than the rediculously long walk to most of the EPCOT bus stops (At least the EPCOT bus stops always seemed to be the farthest from a park entrance IMHO)