BLT - Not 4 Us

[Magic4Four]

We just got home from our 8 night stay at WDW. We split 3 at BCV and 5 at BLT. At BLT, we stayed in a studio, LV -12th floor. The location, the access to the monorail and short walk to MK cannot be beat, if that is where you want to be. We have stayed at every DVC resort now, own at SSR and are considering adding on points. For anyone staying here or thinking of adding on as well, we just have a few observations. Of course, they are just opinions and preferences b/c everyone has their own tastes and priorities when vacationing!

The room was on the smallish side for 2 adults and 2 small girls. There was no place to hide/store the pillows that come off the couch once opened so they were actually on the floor the entire time, in the way. The dresser had 6 drawers and held plenty of clothes as did the cabinet above. The closet, however, was tiny and the safe in the middle, the pack-n-play on the floor and ironing board took up way too much room. Didn't mind the kitchenette, plenty of storage but it took getting used to leaving the bathroom to wash hands. I was also constantly cleaning up hair in the kitchen from blow drying. The table and chairs were small and made eating for more than 2 people at a time very difficult. Our view was of the marina, Contemporary and Bay Lake. A lot more concrete and metal than I would have liked. The Top of the World Lounge is very nice if you plan on sipping drinks quietly with adults. I felt uncomfortable going in with my two younger daughters. We had to hold them in our arms for the entire fireworks show b/c the wall is very high (for very good reason) and the girls could not see otherwise. There are better views for watching the fireworks in my opinion. The pool area is beautiful. The zero entry is great for all. There were plenty of lounges available and they are comfy and wide. The slide is fun, the bar area had a good selection of things to eat. They had told us that you needed your room key to access the pool area. The gates were unlocked the entire time and you could come and go. We went to the Contemporary pool /splash area and pool there was also very nice.

Our trip to BLT solidified the fact that we are looking for a very "Disney" experience. We found the BLT to be very stark and cold in contrast to all the other DVC resorts. I know that the theme here is "contemporary, clean lines and minimalist" but we prefer by far, the warmth and abundance of foliage that is found at WLV, AKV and BCV. We just didn't get that wave of Disney feelings that we always get whenever we walk into a lobby at a DVC resort. I honestly felt that if I closed my eyes, I could have been in a Marriot anywhere in the US. And that's not what I want from a vacation at DisneyWorld. In the end, we are glad that we now know this when adding on points but would have had a better vacation if we just stayed at BCV the whole time.

Again, we realize that this is just our preferences and tastes and opinions and don't want to insult anyone. We hope that this just gives another perspective. Truthfully, no matter where you stay in WDW, it's just wonderful to be there, anywhere.

 

[rentayenta]

for the review. The view and location can't be beat but I agree with the theme. The Studio vanity/kitchenette set up is a little icky too

 

[Coach81]

This sounds very similar to what others have said. Looks like for a lot of people it's either hit or miss with BLT. You love it.. or you don't care for it much. Thanks for your opinions, we are hoping to make our own within the next few years.

 

[jakenjess]

Thanks for the review! We're staying at BLT in January, but in a 2 BR. I agree that the studio setup seems very tight, and I'm not sure I like the bathroom/kitchenette setup either. I really think we're going to love a 1 BR or larger there, though, as we are MK folks and you can't beat the location for that. That's what I love about DVC, there's definitely something for everyone. We've stayed at all the on-site DVCs except BLT and AKV and have loved them all, each for different reasons!

 

[Coach81]

Oh you have GOT to check out AKV!!! The savannah is magical!!!!

 

[cogero]

Great review thanks. We just added on there because we like the monorail. We did a tour while staying at SSR at Easter and thought it wasn't for us LOL.

I guess you stayed in a studio and we are looking into 1BR and 2BRs a studio is way to small for me LOL.

I know there is a place at Disney for everyone which is one of the things I love.

 

[Pennyguy23]

I couldn't agree more. We just stayed 8 nights a couple weeks ago and I didn't like it one bit. I am VERY glad I didn't add on. We were very close. It didn't feel like a disney vacation at all to me. We walked over to BCV to get some ice cream and I didn't want to leave. This resort will be just ahead of OKW on your list with everything else above it. Another reason why I love DVC

 

[dizfan]

Thank you for your review.

it took getting used to leaving the bathroom to wash hands.

I'm confused. I have heard OKW is the only one with a sink in the bathroom. Is that not the case?

 

[DenLo]

We just got home from our 8 night stay at WDW. We split 3 at BCV and 5 at BLT. At BLT, we stayed in a studio, LV -12th floor.

Did you stay in a studio at BCV? If yes, would you compare the two rooms for us? However, if you stayed in a larger unit that would be an apples and oranges comparison. It would be interesting to hear from someone that on the same trip and stayed in the same type of unit at each place. Hopefully the comparison would include the views, balconies and the interior of the room.

Also could you provide your BLT room number and some photos of the view for Work2Plays thread on BLT rooms/views?

Thanks.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Your review sounds much like what I would expect from BLT. I, however, didn't expect to like the concept of BLT much, so I would never waste my points staying there. Besides that, MK is our least favorite park, and not our most frequent destination of choice while at WDW.

I'll take my water and golf views, vacation home embiance and big covered porch at OKW any day!

 

[work2play]

I totally agree on the size of the studios at BLT! They are small! We were there in a studio in August (me plus DH and DS17). I stayed at SSR in a studio in May, and felt the same way. Studios in general are just too small and there is no "vacation home" feel to them. We would prefer a regular room with two beds at a moderate resort to a DVC studio. We have become 1 BR (or greater!) people.

That said, I joined DVC with a requirement that I have the ability to confirm a great water view from my room. We have BWV and BLT for that reason. When I stayed at SSR, I felt like I could have been in any condo, it was similar to staying offsite at Windsor Hills, same view of a parking lot!

It is really great that there are so many options available that will appeal to people in different ways with different priorities.

Here is the link to the BLT views thread, please post your room info and any view pics you might have-

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

 

[toniosmom]

I have not yet experienced BLT, but would like to one of these days, although I do not own there. MK is our favorite park (my son is only 4), so having that type of access will be wonderful.

I am an owner at AKV and we have our first trip planned next March. I have a feeling that my DS4 (will be 5) is going to love the AKV savannah view so much that it is going to take me several trips before we will be able to stay anywhere else. I think whatever resort we try after AKV, my son will run to the balcony and ask where are the animals???

 

[DonnaL]

We have not stayed at BLT yet.......we have a 2 bdrm lockoff booked for the first week of January. However, although we did like the models, I do have to agree with everyone who says it's not as warm as some other DVC resorts.
As for myself, I don't know that I would stay there at all, since my style is not the chrome contemporary style at all. However, my husband and one son, in particular, want to stay there, so we thought we'd better book before all points are sold, since we probably would have a hard time booking at 7 months then.

 

[Scraper]

I agree and have just posted pics of the bathroom/ kitchen on my thread (Just back from the Baylake) much to cold for us I need the Magic. BCV. AKV. and WLV. our favorites.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I agree and have just posted pics of the bathroom/ kitchen on my thread (Just back from the Baylake) much to cold for us I need the Magic. BCV. AKV. and WLV. our favorites.

Can you post your thread link here? I found it! What room were you in? Your view doesn't look too bad. I hope it wasn't a lake view though!

 

[Anthony1971]

.

That said, I joined DVC with a requirement that I have the ability to confirm a great water view from my room. We have BWV and BLT for that reason. When I stayed at SSR, I felt like I could have been in any condo, it was similar to staying offsite at Windsor Hills, same view of a parking lot!

This was always my problem with BLT and CR for that fact the huge parking lot you see with a MK room sad IMO they should have the parking lot in the back like GF and POLY.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Thanks for the info, good to hear another point of view.

I think a studio anywhere is somewhat tight for 4, even if 2 are young kids. Just my opinion. Of course the odd setup at BLT with the bothroom sink makes it worse.

I think we will like the decor at BLT, but I can see why many would not. The decor at the Contemporary was always a little lacking, as well. (We own at BCV, and love it there.) We will be at BLT over New Years, and I think that will be fun.

 

[ssawka]

I really can't compare to anything as we have only done one DVC stay at BCV. We are new owners at BLT, but we won't be taking our first trip home until January. However, although I liked staying at BCV, I didn't really anything there all that exciting besides SAB (and that was under construction). The actual villas have very little in the way of views. I also found the decor to be nice, but nothing special. I guess part of it depends on where you come from. For us coming from VA, the colonial/beach motif is nothing special to us. BLT on the other hand is complete different from the places we usually stay, and I like that on vacation. But, like I said we have not stayed at BLT yet, so maybe my opinion will change, but then again being that close to MK is going to be so awesome that I don't think I'll pay much attention to the accommodations.

 

[whitfamily]

The issues the OP pointed out is the big reason why we chose AKV over BLT. I think we will want to stay there at least once, but in general it never really appealed to us. BLT seems like a hotel, AKV seems like "home".

We stayed at BWV our last trip- I think when it comes time to Add On, which would be TODAY if we paid off our initial contract yet, we'll probably go resale for BWV or BCV.

 

[Magic4Four]

Did you stay in a studio at BCV? If yes, would you compare the two rooms for us? However, if you stayed in a larger unit that would be an apples and oranges comparison. It would be interesting to hear from someone that on the same trip and stayed in the same type of unit at each place. Hopefully the comparison would include the views, balconies and the interior of the room.

Also could you provide your BLT room number and some photos of the view for Work2Plays thread on BLT rooms/views?

Thanks.

We did stay in a studio at BCV - room 222 which was right off of the elevators, with a view of a beautiful,tree-lined pathway to EPCOT. At night, through the trees, we could see some of the fireworks. The room was a good size. There was definitely more room between the couch and queen size bed. We didn't feel like we were right on top of the next bed. It just felt like there was more space to move around in. Also, the fold out bed had a place to store the top cushions right underneath so they did not affect our moving around the beds at all. Very smart design! The vanity was right next to the bathroom too. The closet was deeper so we had more room for shoes and to hide two suitcases and get them off of the floor. I know that we probably were lucky with this room assignment b/c some of the villas can be further away from the elevators and main area of the hotel where the counter service and lobby are. A room further away could be a hike.

At BLT, we were on the 12th floor, room 8238. Our view was of the marina, part of the lake, the Contemporary's pool and the entire back of the Contemporary itself. On a clear day, we could see the Tower of Terror, Spaceship Earth, The Tree of Life and Expedition Everest in the distance. That was very cool!! Along with that view, we also were treated to the power washing of the endless concrete and pavers around the pool area of the Contemporary each morning before the pool opened. The balcony itself was quite roomy but I was very nervous whenever my two girls walked out there. Our room is actually dead-center on your signature picture of BLT, three floors down from the top since there is not a 13th floor! It's a much longer walk to get a cup of coffee at BLT.

We are not quite sure how to get pix on Work2play, so we hope this is descript enough.