BLT or OKW at Christmas

[Swimmergirl]

We are making our first Christmas trip this year during the first week of December. Currently we have a 1 bedroom booked at BLT (our home resort). We're headed to BLT for the first time this summer, so hopefully we'll love it! I was looking at point charts and noticed we could book a 2 bedroom at OKW (which we love) for less points. There is a slim chance my mom might join us in December, so the extra space would also be nice. So...

1. Which would you do at Christmas, BLT or OKW?
2. Are the crowds bad enough that we would want to be on the monorail?
3. Does either resort do anything cool for the holidays?

Decisions, decisions!

 

[wrighter]

I've never stayed at BLT, so I can't speak from a comparison perspective. But I would think OKW would be lovely at Christmastime. Very Jimmy Buffett/Margaritaville/Christmas Island.

The benefit of BLT is definitely that monorail - but remember it doesn't help you with all the parks. What we love about OKW - especially when traveling during peak season - is that you really have that feeling of "escape." Once you leave the crazy parks and get back to OKW, you can sit on that huge deck, put your feet up, and feel like you're away from it all.

You'll have a great time either way - that's for sure!

 

[disneynutz]

It depends what you are looking for. Christmas decorations are better at all of the the non DVC resorts except the Contemporary. IMO BWI, BC, WL, and Jambo all have the best decorations. The stand alone resorts SSR and OKW come in 2nd and BLT with very few decorations comes in 3rd.

Bill

 

[Sammie]

I would go with extra space and honestly as much as the monorail lately has broken down and got stuck on the tracks I would prefer the buses.

From Thanksgiving on the parks are getting more and more crowded each year, getting away from all of that at the end of the day in a spacious OKW villa would be wonderful.

 

[DVC Dude]

It depends what you are looking for. Christmas decorations are better at all of the the non DVC resorts except the Contemporary. IMO BWI, BC, WL, and Jambo all have the best decorations. The stand alone resorts SSR and OKW come in 2nd and BLT with very few decorations comes in 3rd.

What do you think about this decoration?

 

[DVC Dude]

What do you think about this decoration?

It can easily be seen from the BLT walkway.

Sure it is not as impressive as the VWL tree.

 

[mdsd8700]

Have never seen OKW at Christmas, agree that CR and BLT are a bit lacking on the inside for that feeling of Christmas although I have seen the big Mickey Wreath and it is pretty cool

If you have a chance to visit all the resorts while you are on your trip you will definately be able to experience all the Christmas Spirit each has to offer.

Have a Wonderful Trip!

 

[Sammie]

Sure it is not as impressive as the VWL tree.

That is the Wilderness Lodge tree

Here is the Villas of Wilderness Lodge tree. Nice but not the same.

 

[Halle]

What do you think about this decoration?

We were there in November 2009 when they were putting it up. We stayed at BLT and had breakfast ressies at the Polynesian.....wouldn't let us take the monorail (it was closed) because they were running late putting up the wreath!!!

 

[JWG]

What view do you have at BLT? I can't wait to do MK view over Christmas. That view isn't appealing to me most times of the year, but during the holidays - being able to see the castle lighting ceremony, the fireworks, etc...

I'd go for BLT if MK view, if not the space of OKW is very nice.

 

[Disneywedding2010]

We were at OKW for Christmas this year and while it was pretty I'd stay at BLT only because its my home resort. I like having access to the monorail however we stayed at OKW cause it was cheaper point wise. I'd love to stay at VWL for Christmas.

 

[smidgy]

we made a point of visitng CR this last dec. and were very disappointed in the few christmas decorations they had.

we have enver been to OKW during the holidays.

remember, you can always walk to MK in stead of the monrail.

 

[ems_mom]

BLT 100% !

We haven't been to OKW during the Xmas season but we did stay at SSR one year and while they had lovely decorations it was nothing on the scale of the hotel/DVC properties.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

don't be silly, blt , 110 %!

we were there for 2 weeks over christmas & new years.

the trees in the lobby were really neat.

on certain nights they had special character meets. [ we
were in our pj's. - disney, of course. ]

you will be in "the middle of the action!" notice, there
was nobody there but us.

@ night , it was fun returning to our home, & looking for
the christmas lights on our balcony. [ mk view near the top.]

i think the big tree in front of the contemporary is my favorite
except the one inside m.k. [ great photo op. ]. & just the thought
of "almost home"- on the buses or monorails when the
crowd was heading out, made the days end better as we passed
that tree every night. [ also they decorated the main gate
leading to magic kingdom with giant mickey & minnie snow~
persons! ]

then catching the extra fireworks from inside our room and/or
towl viewing was in~deeds, very special. while inside , we had
an old, 4ft, aluminum christmas tree with the "color" wheel.
they matched the decor. from when i was growing up. [ we
haven't used that tree in years ].

& the bonus was having the merry mixer next door.


ps, wonder if the holly berries a secret mickey or just an accident?

that darn~

sometimes, there are hidden treasures that most don't see. blt
may be modern but it also has lots of christmas spirit.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I really don't think Christmas decor makes a lot of difference to us in the long run. Mostly that's because when we are there in December, we usually travel to all the resorts to look at the trees, ginger bread houses and the like.

I make my decision about where to stay based on where I will be most comfortable, and for us, that is usually OKW. That being said, I do like being at AKV during the holiday time, and this year will be our second AKV Christmas trip.