BLT November 2013 availability???

[p&tbrown]

We own at SSR but want to stay at BLT for our upcoming November 3-11 trip in 2013. My brother and his family are going with us and we will have 4 boys between us, 5, 4.5, 3 and 18 months. We wanted a 2 bed (std view) at BLT because of the proximity to MK for the inevitable naps and meltdowns. Because it's not our home resort we have to wait until the 7 month mark to make the ressie. Just wondering if anyone out there has had luck at BLT at the 7 month mark for std view 2 Bed? We really want to stay there and I'm already anxious about the room availability. I know that we could probably get into OKW no problem, and it's beautiful there but I know the boys would love being at BLT and seeing monorail, etc.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

I am a BLT owner and had trouble getting a SV two bedroom at 10 months for an August trip in 2011. Not the same time but one that is even less busy.

That view is really hard to get if you don't own there as they are the first to go. IMO, I'd plan on LV. I think if you call right at 7 months you will get that. You could then wait list.

 

[rlovew]

I would say that you should plan on lakeview and make sure you have the points available for it. I have been bloocked from standard before 10.5 months in Nov in the past. You are also looking at a time when food and wine is still going on and BLT tends to be the resort taken for that after BCV and BWV as well as Christmas parties at MK are starting while you are their and you are hitting Veteran's Day weekend. With all of those factors and with the limits of the number of rooms that are standard view I would doubt you would be able to get a stay for the whole time in standard- I suggest planning on lakeview and calling/reserving online at exactly 7 months out.

 

[DebbieB]

We own at SSR but want to stay at BLT for our upcoming November 3-11 trip in 2013. My brother and his family are going with us and we will have 4 boys between us, 5, 4.5, 3 and 18 months. We wanted a 2 bed (std view) at BLT because of the proximity to MK for the inevitable naps and meltdowns. Because it's not our home resort we have to wait until the 7 month mark to make the ressie. Just wondering if anyone out there has had luck at BLT at the 7 month mark for std view 2 Bed? We really want to stay there and I'm already anxious about the room availability. I know that we could probably get into OKW no problem, and it's beautiful there but I know the boys would love being at BLT and seeing monorail, etc.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks!

I think your best chance is for lake view. I recently booked a studio for the beginning of March at 7 months and all that was available was lake view. If you don't get standard, you could try to waitlist.

 

[p&tbrown]

Thanks for your thoughts. Didn't think about veterans day. Maybe we will move around the week. We don't have enough points for lake view. We were think OKW as a back up. What do you think about AKL at that time? I heard the bus ride is far from there. What would be your back up resort? Keep in mind that we will have the four boys with you. Thank you in advance.

 

[Ragnrok23]

Thanks for your thoughts. Didn't think about veterans day. Maybe we will move around the week. We don't have enough points for lake view. We were think OKW as a back up. What do you think about AKL at that time? I heard the bus ride is far from there. What would be your back up resort? Keep in mind that we will have the four boys with you. Thank you in advance.

I actually think the busses at AK are the best. Yes it is a little further distance wise from most of the parks, but since it only stops at Kidani and Jambo, you don't spend the extra time making multiple stops at the resort

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I would suggest picking a date and booking that date at your home resort at the 11-month point. When you get to the 7-month point, see what's available to switch to, and waitlist if necessary.

 

[drusba]

This year at 7 months out you would not have been able to get standard view at BLT for that time of year. Moreover, even Lake View had difficulties with a day or two missing if you wanted as long as you do, 8 nights, requiring a waitlist.

BCV VWL and BWV also all had issues with getting anything at 7 months out for that time. AKL savanna and standard was open but if you are thinking possibly value rooms they were booked full at 7 months out. AKL would be my backup in your situation, particularly Kidani because of its large 2BRs. AKL busses are usually good and you have only two resort stops, Kidani and Jambo. Trip may seem long but I am also a member at BWV and AKL trip to MK is actually shorter than BWVs piece of junk that it calls a bus system.

 

[jel0511]

Just a note, that time is going to be EXTREMELY difficult to get standard view IMO. That week is Jersey week and the parks while not extremely crowded, there still will be a lot of people there. I agree with a PP, book at your home resort at 11 months then try to change it at 7 months.

 

[BrerNashville]

This year's experience isn't necessarily an indication of 2013 availability for SV, b/c they apparently switched some rooms from theme park view to standard view (boy would I have been mad if I had used all the points a TP view requires to stay in one of those rooms!). However, right now, you can't get 8 nights in a row in a standard view for May, and we're still in the 11 month booking window. I'd say still very little chance for November which, as previous people have stated, is very popular for F&W and the MK parties.

 

[p&tbrown]

Thanks everyone! I will probably book at SSR at 11 mths just to make sure we have a room. I appreciate all ur input.

 

[dizfan]

Definitely book your home resort and then call when they open phone lines at 7 months.

Things that will improve your odds...
As previously mentioned, 10 rooms at BLT move from theme park view to standard view.
Fall of 2013 GFV is expected to open. When a new resort opens, many want to stay there. This will draw away some of the people wanting to stay at BLT.

Good luck with your reservation.
Also, don't be afraid to go on the wait list. We were told we would never get BCV during Columbus Day weekend (F&W and I believe it was Jersey week). However, our wait list came through.

Regardless of where you stay, you will be at Disney with family. Life is good.

 

[Pirate Granny]

We had the points, but for the first night of our 8 night stay we had a theme park view at BLT...a Saturday night in mid June..2 bedroom, deluxe dining plan. Worked out perfectly...wonderful view on the 12 floor. Didn't unpack...Then we moved to OKW the next day for the rest of our visit...after going to MK and walking back to swim the day we were switching resorts. My DGD were 5 and 3 and did beautifully without a nap that day.
I hope to get a TPV GV at BLT in late May of 2014

 

[lesabrowning]

We own at AKL and also like to go in November. (we do two trips a year, one at AKL and one at another resort) We always book the November trip at our home resort at the 11 month mark and then get on the phone right at the 7 month mark and start trying for what we really want. Last year we did get BLT, but we wanted a Lake view. (although I swear we had our choice of views right at the 7 month mark either last year or the year before) Just make sure you have a room at 11 months and then try on the phone at 7.
Good luck!

 

[luckyman_apd]

This year is not an indication for next year. This year was a perfect storm of events. We are BLT owners going Nov 6-11 this year and we had to waitlist a few nights (they came through) as that is Jersey week, There is a half marathon on the 9th, it's the last week of Food and Wine, and it's Veteran's day weekend. Clump that all together and it explains the lack of availability. SV should be view as a longshot as you are not an owner there, but LV should be available. If not then definitely waitlist as ours came through at the 6 month mark. Good luck to you.

 

[p&tbrown]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm def going to book at SSR at 11 month window. And try for BLT at 7 months. Maybe we will get lucky and the Disney magic will make it come thru. We are now thinking about goi g Nov10-18 as to better our odds. Any opinions on this week versus the previous week? Again, thanks for your feedback.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm def going to book at SSR at 11 month window. And try for BLT at 7 months. Maybe we will get lucky and the Disney magic will make it come thru. We are now thinking about goi g Nov10-18 as to better our odds. Any opinions on this week versus the previous week? Again, thanks for your feedback.

Might be a better plan if you can do those dates. Jersey week is ALWAYS the week of election day. NJEA teacher's convention is the Thurs & Fri on the week of Election Day. So school is closed. Many districts close for election day if the school is a polling place, or they often have an inservice day on election day or the wednesday. Bottom line, most NJ school kids only have 2 days of school that week, so many go on vacation that week. So in 2013 Jersey week is from Nov 4 to Nov 8 plus the weekends before and after.

 

[dbs1228]

The other problem you may run into even though they did adjust the inventory at BLT I thought I was told by MS that there was either 4 or 6 2 bedroom std rooms total! I remember the number seemed ridiculously low. You may want to check into that also.

 

[Meggysmum]

We own at BLT but I ended up making a late booking for my daughter in a studio and was amazed to find I could get 3 nights in a SV at 3 months notice, when I had checked the previous week there had only been LV available. I would also book at 11months and then swap, I think you stand a good chance of AK and I cant believe any child would be disappointed to wake up and see animals outside their room!

 

[ebirrane]

I'm a BLT owner, and have often had a similar thought regarding BCV.

While a bit more financially risky, has anyone done the following:

- At the 11 month window, *rent* at BLT for the time you want, thereby increasing the chance you get what you want.

- Put the SSR points up for rent in the year to offset the rental cost. Or, worst case, bank them and have a bigger place next year.

Even if you lose a few dollars per point, it may be worth a few hundred to get where you want to be when you want to be there. Maybe not if finances are really tight, but if location were very important it could get you where you need to be.

-Ed