BLT or POR???

[mcever4]

We just returned from POR for a wonderful 8 night stay! I absolutely LOVED the resort and think now it will be my choice for a moderate resort. On the other hand, I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at the Contemporary. I stayed there once as a teenager and loved it. I was checking prices for a December trip (not this year, just "playing" with prices). I hope to take DD next year the first week of December. I looked into renting points from David, and it looks like to get a room at BLT it would only cost around $500 more than POR. Before anyone says that my prices won't be accurate since I am planning for next year, I know that. I am just trying to get an idea on price difference between the two. Which would you choose and why? I don't think we would get PH's next trip, we will only have 4 park days so would spend a full day in each park.

Thanks for any input!
Robin

 

[AJKMOM]

If it's in the budget, there is nothing like staying at a Magic Kingdom resort, seeing the park when you are going there. You would be able to walk from BLT quite easily, and with a 5 year old, that would probably be her favorite park.

There are distractions though, which include fireworks every night that might delay her sleeping, or wake her up. Also, on the bay side, the Electric Light parade runs every night, and while it's fun to see once, after a week, it gets old. Other than that, it's very nice.

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with the pp that there's nothing like staying on the monorail. It's very convenient for going to MK (although at BLT you could walk ), but it's also convenient to a variety of dining options among all 3 of the resorts. We've never stayed at POR or CR/BLT, but I think BLT would be great, especially with a little one.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Try BLT! It's beyond awesome being able to just walk over to MK. And you can watch the fireworks from your room if you have an MK room or from the bridge. And see the Electrical Water Pageant from some rooms.

 

[mcever4]

We did walk from the CR to the MK when we had breakfast at Chef Mickey's and really enjoyed the walk! I remember thinking several times, late at night, waiting for the bus back to POR from MK, "Oh how I wish I was staying right over there!". Maybe the location is reason enough to pay the extra amount! I have never rented points, only booked through Disney. Is it easy? I am a little nervous about it and that is the only thing keeping me from just jumping in and trying BLT. It seems a lot cheaper to rent points than book through Disney.

Robin

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just returned from POR for a wonderful 8 night stay! I absolutely LOVED the resort and think now it will be my choice for a moderate resort. On the other hand, I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at the Contemporary. I stayed there once as a teenager and loved it. I was checking prices for a December trip (not this year, just "playing" with prices). I hope to take DD next year the first week of December. I looked into renting points from David, and it looks like to get a room at BLT it would only cost around $500 more than POR. Before anyone says that my prices won't be accurate since I am planning for next year, I know that. I am just trying to get an idea on price difference between the two. Which would you choose and why? I don't think we would get PH's next trip, we will only have 4 park days so would spend a full day in each park.

Thanks for any input!
Robin

The first week of December requires booking at eleven months out. It is the most popular week for DVC members. It can be hard to get exactly eleven months out with a DVC booking not directly through a member. The booking companies don't always have the highly desired points at eleven months out. The standard and Theme Park View will go the quickest.

If you are thinking of booking a studio, it is the smallest DVC studio (only the AKV value studio is a bit smaller). Most of the space is in the bathroom, kitchenette and hallway. So that leaves less space for the living area. When the sleeper sofa (double sized) is opened up, it will be close to the queen sized bed. But the one bedroom is very spacious.

 

[Main Street Matilda]

I never stayed at POR but really did enjoy BLT. Even with the other resorts we've stayed in, it was definitely one of our favorites so much so that we tried to get it again for our next trip in December. We are going first week of December this year and found great difficulty getting any resort other than our home resort. OKW was the only other we were able to get. (Love SSR, but we wanted to try something different if we couldn't get BLT or BCV.) So, I think the PP is right about booking for that week and perhaps consider another week, if possible. Good luck!

 

[mcever4]

Would the 2nd week in December be easier to get what I want? I was trying to avoid crowds. How are the crowds the 2nd week of December? Also, the Villas at GF will be open by the time I plan on going, so maybe that would make a difference in available rooms????

Robin

 

[jamal]

I don't think it's that hard to get a BLT Studio for the first week in December, unless I am misunderstanding the OP. I booked two last week for this year.

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at both. If you are looking at a studio at BLT for the 4 of you, I would think twice. A BLT studio has a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa crammed right next to each other, very little room to move around if the sofa is open. Now a BLT 1 bedroom would be awesome! You would have a king bed in the master, queen sofa sleeper & a twin sleeper chair.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I don't think it's that hard to get a BLT Studio for the first week in December, unless I am misunderstanding the OP. I booked two last week for this year.

If you are booking on DVC points, you need home resort advantage to get nearly anything for the first week of December. It is difficult to book a non-home resort at seven months out. The second week of December is the third hardest week to book after Christmas/NYE week.

 

[mcever4]

I've stayed at both. If you are looking at a studio at BLT for the 4 of you, I would think twice. A BLT studio has a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa crammed right next to each other, very little room to move around if the sofa is open. Now a BLT 1 bedroom would be awesome! You would have a king bed in the master, queen sofa sleeper & a twin sleeper chair.

Our next trip will just be me and DD. DS may possibly go, but he's not sure yet. I think a studio would work for us for sure if it is just me and DD. Surely it would be fine if DS decided to go. If by some chance DH does go, I would go with a 1 bedroom. Honestly, I hope he doesn't go! I love my trips with just me and the kids! This last trip was his first since he was 10 and I think probably his last! Disney isn't really his thing, but he went since it was DD's first trip!

Robin

 

[jamal]

If you are booking on DVC points, you need home resort advantage to get nearly anything for the first week of December. It is difficult to book a non-home resort at seven months out. The second week of December is the third hardest week to book after Christmas/NYE week.

Gotcha. I missed that she only wanted to do it on points. Sorry.

There may be a good discount coming out soon! Probably won't beat renting points, but if you really want BLT, you may be able to get a decent rate or Free Dining.