BLT ($) or SSR?

[Gina35]

Hi...Have points reserved for a studio at SSR for a long weekend in Nov. Also have on hold BLT Bay Lake view studio for cash. Must decide by Monday. We are 4 adults and a 20-month old. Obviously we'd love to have the monorail access and the walk to MK, but don't know whether we want to spend the $$ to have it. If we go with BLT, we'll save our points for a summer, or fall '10 trip. For those of you who've stayed with toddlers, is the convenience worth the extra $$? Thanks for your help!

 

[Sandisw]

While I love being on the monorail and I do think it would be great with a toddler, the BLT studios are small. IMO, I think you may feel a bit cramped.

We stayed at BWV, VWL, and BLT during the summer and there was a noticeable difference between the rooms. It was me and my 3 kids. We did okay as we were only there for 2 nights but not something I would do with other adults.

If it were me, I think I would go with SSR, if for nothing else but the extra room.

Have a great trip!

 

[Gina35]

While I love being on the monorail and I do think it would be great with a toddler, the BLT studios are small. IMO, I think you may feel a bit cramped.

We stayed at BWV, VWL, and BLT during the summer and there was a noticeable difference between the rooms. It was me and my 3 kids. We did okay as we were only there for 2 nights but not something I would do with other adults.

If it were me, I think I would go with SSR, if for nothing else but the extra room.

Have a great trip!

I didn't realize this!! Thanks so much for the info; it's very helpful.

 

[wdrl]

Hi...Have points reserved for a studio at SSR for a long weekend in Nov. Also have on hold BLT Bay Lake view studio for cash. Must decide by Monday. We are 4 adults and a 20-month old. Obviously we'd love to have the monorail access and the walk to MK, but don't know whether we want to spend the $$ to have it. If we go with BLT, we'll save our points for a summer, or fall '10 trip. For those of you who've stayed with toddlers, is the convenience worth the extra $$? Thanks for your help!

As the PP mentioned, BLT studios are smaller than SSR studios. But here is a convenience factor that can favor BLT over SSR. Unless you intend to drive a car from SSR to MK, you'll need to deal with the Disney buses for your transportation. If your 20-month old is in a stroller, you'll need to fold up the stroller before you can board a bus. This can be a little tricky if he or she is sound asleep. If you stay at BLT, you can walk to and from BLT, or you can roll the stroller, sleeping toddler & all, directly onto the monorail. Does this convenience justify the $$$ of BLT?

 

[Gina35]

As the PP mentioned, BLT studios are smaller than SSR studios. But here is a convenience factor that can favor BLT over SSR. Unless you intend to drive a car from SSR to MK, you'll need to deal with the Disney buses for your transportation. If your 20-month old is in a stroller, you'll need to fold up the stroller before you can board a bus. This can be a little tricky if he or she is sound asleep. If you stay at BLT, you can walk to and from BLT, or you can roll the stroller, sleeping toddler & all, directly onto the monorail. Does this convenience justify the $$$ of BLT?

Not sure...that's what I'm so confused about!! We were there this summer & stayed at BC, so I know how annoying it can be with the stroller on a bus. If the rooms are definitely that much smaller, though, I'd consider it a major factor...especially since I'd have to pay for it! Still deciding; would appreciate any other feedback. Thanks!

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the studios were as follows:

SSR: 335 square feet nope, I'm wrong it's 355
BLT: 339 square feet

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

Forget that, I am wrong, it's 355 for SSR.

So, the difference between SSR and BLT is 16 square feet or a 4' x 4' area.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Four adults AND a toddler in a studio (doesn't matter if it is SSR or BLT) sounds like certain death to me. A one bedroom would be far too small for four adults and a toddler.

I'd get both of them. You just have to decide who is going to stay where.

 

[kikiq]

Four adults AND a toddler in a studio (doesn't matter if it is SSR or BLT) sounds like certain death to me. A one bedroom would be far too small for four adults and a toddler.

How old are the adults? And are you related? It will be cozy. We had 4 adults in a SSR studio last summer and we were stepping all over each other. I don't know that being close to MK would make up for losing 16 sq ft of space and having a toddler in the mix. Now I do think that a one bedroom would be better. We had 4 in an one bedroom this summer and it was definitely better BUT we were all family.

 

[photobob]

Four adults AND a toddler in a studio (doesn't matter if it is SSR or BLT) sounds like certain death to me. A one bedroom would be far too small for four adults and a toddler.

I'd get both of them. You just have to decide who is going to stay where.

I totally agree. Four adults and a toddler would be tight in a one bedroom, I'm assuming the OP does realize that a studio is a queen sized bed and a fold out couch.

I'm planning on a studio for next October for DW, DD17 and me and I'm afraid it is going to be too tight for us, but we really don't have the points for a one bedroom without borrowing from the next year. I may just have to bite the bullet and get a one bedroom. This past summer we did a two bedroom for four adults and needed every bit of it!

 

[Anthony1971]

I would think for a 20 month old SSR would be better. He or she will not care what park you are in, in a few years however that will change. SSR has a great play area, you are in walking distance to DTD with some great CS or SD options for you and the all important happy meals for child and Lego land is always a big hit. The boat ride is also a big hit if you do not want to walk to DTD. For the first few years up to maybe almost 3 being at the resort was fun for our child he did not want to spend the whole day at a park and asked to go back to the resort mid day. We stayed in the room for a short while and took him out to play. Folding a stroller.. never saw the problem especially with the new busses if it is rent one at the parks. I think the play area and outdoor space for walking will far outweight not having to fold up a stroller when you go to MK or EPCOT.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Don't forget you will need the extra space if you have a toddler and need to set up a pack and play for him/her to sleep. Plus you have to pull out the sofa bed for the extra adults. I would stay at SSR if it were me. Ask for a room in the Springs section and you will be close to the bus stop, main pool and the Artist Palette.

OKW has studio rooms with two queen beds and is the resort with the most studio space. Enough room for a pack and play to be set up.

 

[rkwier]

Four adults AND a toddler in a studio (doesn't matter if it is SSR or BLT) sounds like certain death to me. A one bedroom would be far too small for four adults and a toddler.

I'd get both of them. You just have to decide who is going to stay where.

Agree completely. DH and I stayed in a LV Studio at BLT earlier this month and we were tripping all over each other. My hat is off to anyone who stays comfortably in a studio with more than two people. Also keep in mind that at BLT, the studio bathroom door is simply a sliding door that does not lock. (There is actually a slight gap between the door and the wall when it is closed.) If your 20-month old seriously wants to know what Mommy is up to in there, they and everyone else will know!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would go with OKW and the 2 Q beds. Do you realize that the sofa bed in a studio is only double size?

Bobbi

 

[Cmbar]

I agree with Bobbi! Try to get it switched to OKW! Those studios are much bigger with two queen beds. Probably save you points too.

I would also make sure there isn't a one bedroom Value or Standard available at AKV. Those are cheaper points and you might get lucky! I would very much recommend not staying at BLT especially for Cash. From what I am hearing there is no way to fit all of you in the studio. Have you looked at pictures? You can actually touch the sofa bed from the bed and touch the sliding glass door from the sofa bed! Also the room set up (some engineer was drunk when they designed it and evidently so was everyone else when they approved it!) is really funky with the bathroom sink and the kitchenette sink back to back. I assume that is where you would put the packNplay since there is no other space. And forget luggage for four adults and a baby!


You didn't make it clear whether you are a DVC member or not, so if you are, think about taking your 20mth old when they can enjoy the resort being so close to MK.

One other thing. You said it was a long weekend in November. Is this Thanksgiving? If so, you may ignore all my other suggestions because it just might be priceless to be on the monorail during crazy crowds with a stroller.


Have an awesome trip! We are at BLT during Thanksgiving week too so if you pick BLT we will see you there!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I agree with Bobbi! Try to get it switched to OKW! Those studios are much bigger with two queen beds. Probably save you points too....Also the room set up (some engineer was drunk when they designed it and evidently so was everyone else when they approved it!) is really funky with the bathroom sink and the kitchenette sink back to back....

Excuse me, an engineer would never design something so illogical. It was an architect who created that fiasco.

I'm not so sure the AKV value one bedroom would be big enough for four adults and one toddler. It's a lot smaller than the other one bedroom villas.

 

[Cmbar]

Excuse me, an engineer would never design something so illogical. It was an architect who created that fiasco.

I'm not so sure the AKV value one bedroom would be big enough for four adults and one toddler. It's a lot smaller than the other one bedroom villas.

oops! Your right, I meant to say Imagineer but it was probably some drunk Architect. Whoever it was was not thinking about anything but saving space.

 

[Deb & Bill]

oops! Your right, I meant to say Imagineer but it was probably some drunk Architect. Whoever it was was not thinking about anything but saving space.

It's just that I AM an engineer and would never put anything so wrong in a villa.

 

[Cmbar]

It's just that I AM an engineer and would never put anything so wrong in a villa.

I figured you were an engineer, but now of course I have insulted the Architects! Who knows what they were thinking, but someone should really have nixed that many, many plans ago!

 

[toniosmom]

To the original OP -- I can't imagine that you would enjoy a studio (especially a BLT studio) with 4 adults and a small child. If you were never going to be in the room, it really wouldn't matter, but with a child that age, you will need to be there occasionally for naps, etc. You may regret it.

I have managed a stroller on the buses, and while it's not exactly fun, it's not horrible either. And I did it alone -- just me and my son. At least for you there would be another adult who could fold the stroller while you held your sleeping child, in that circumstance.

I like the idea about switching to OKW for the extra space. You may want to consider a 1BR there, if possible. I would definitely forget the BLT studio, especially since you are paying cash. Not worth it, in my opinion.

Regardless, have a wonderful time!!!