BLT Photo Trip Report - PART 7: ILLUMINATIONS

[WelcomeHome]

The doors aren't transparent - they are frosted glass...or plexiglass, I suppose.

Yes, Tara, your absolutely correct. The precise technical term for the bathroom door is translucent - not transparent.

But that doesn't change the simple facts about this very poor, non-functional design:

1) Anyone in the room can easily peer through the 1/8 inch space that remains even when the door is "closed".

2) The door cannot be locked or even secured in any way which affords the occupant no privacy at all!

ON THE OTHER HAND, the bathroom door at BLT offers great potential for adventurous screams and genuine excitement.

Best wishes,
David

 

[WelcomeHome]

Top of the world lounge is really great and I hope everyone will be happy to hear that it’s finally catching on - the place was “comfortably” packed every night we were there right before "Wishes".

The observation deck is “ginormous” (as my daughter would say) enough to accommodate everyone in the lounge with a front row view!

Here's a couple more photos from the comfort and privacy of my balcony on the 12th floor:

And while it’s certainly very nice viewing “Wishes” from such an exclusive, private and comfortable location - the fireworks definitely do lose some of their impact from the distance of BLT for a die-hard fireworks aficionado.

The roar of the explosions, the pressure of the blasts which gentle caress your face, the ooh & aahs of the massive crowd and that distinct scent of gunpowder are all missing from this wonderful rooftop perch - cie la vie!

But no worries, here's the "real deal" for all you fireworks fans from the Magic Kingdom:

Next up, a section called "Feathers & Flowers" followed by "Guess where you are?"

Best wishes,
David

 

[WelcomeHome]

One of the things that I didn't photograph are the fantastic soaring birds (hawks, I believe) soaring around BLT and the Contemporary. They seemed to hover effortlessly in the air with their magnificent wings proudly displayed like freedom flags - it was inspiring to watch. The grace and beauty of these amazing creatures gliding & hovering in the wind like proud ships was incredible.

As magnificent as they were, the birds were simply too small and too fast to produce a coherent, attractive photo. So instead I'll show some flowers and friends I met along the way:

My trip report is finally almost over! Next Section: Guess where you are?

Best wishes,
David

 

[WelcomeHome]

Guess where you are?

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

I hope to complete the last section of my trip report tonight - "Illuminations"

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[wdrl]

2) The [BLT bathroom] door cannot be locked or even secured in any way which affords the occupant no privacy at all!

A few weeks ago someone posted that they used an ordinary door stopper to secure the door. While inside the bathroom, they wedged it between the sliding door and the wall. They reported that it worked fine. I can't remember where I saw the post, which included a photo of the door stopper, but if anyone finds it perhaps they can post a link to it.

 

[lisaviolet]

Remember when Ralph Kramden used to tell Alice he was "going to send her to the moon?" - well, Lisa, your next (LOL)!

YES (damnit), it felt smaller than other DVC studios when the opaque curtains were closed BUT ON THE OTHER HAND it felt wonderfully spacious when I had the curtains wide open to expose the expansive scenery and magnificent sky streaming in from the 12th floor!

Best wishes,
David

Yeah, what a fine answer testy Ralphy. Thank you so much.

And I understand completely - my last condo was ceiling to floor windows and 440 sq. feet and never felt small to me.

OMG. THAT is so incredibly beautiful! Holy crap it's beautiful.

 

[lisaviolet]

Gorgeous David.

 

[Tara]

Yes, Tara, your absolutely correct. The precise technical term for the bathroom door is translucent - not transparent.

But that doesn't change the simple facts about this very poor, non-functional design:

1) Anyone in the room can easily peer through the 1/8 inch space that remains even when the door is "closed".

I've never examined a studio closely, but IME, the very slim gap only provides an oblique view IF you stand right at it and peer through. If that is what's happening in a situation, I'd say the traveling group has issues bigger than the door installation.

2) The door cannot be locked or even secured in any way which affords the occupant no privacy at all!

I live in a 100-year-old house. None of the doors lock. I've never felt at a loss for privacy. Closed doors indicate the need to knock, right?

 

[dvc4life]

David -

Thank you so much for your wonderful TR and your outstanding photos! The fireworks photos are, wow, loss for words here. But they are beyond gorgeous!

We bought in to BLT last September on the DVC Members Cruise and our first stay will be this September after the Members Cruise. Seeing your photos makes it more exciting to stay there. We will definitely utilize TOTWL.

The security does sound like it could be a pain, but ya do what ya gotta do.

So, again, thanks for your report and wonderful photos. Can't wait to see the rest you will post.

 

[dianeschlicht]

BLT isn't my type of place, but I must say your photos are wonderful! You have a good eye for when to snap that shutter! LOVED the fountain ones and the glass blocks too.

As for the MK view....To me it looks more like a parking lot view. That's one of the things I don't care for about BLT. I did like the views from the end of the building where you get MK view to the side and lake to the front.

 

[DenLo]

Guess where you are?

1)

Poly's pool.


2)

Mickey giving Minnie flowers, no clue where that is.

3)

Chandelier in BLT lobby.

4)

Wow, I'm not sure, but I think this is the California Grille, boy does it look different in daylight.
5)

Contemporary Resort, lobby. If it had been darker I would have thought it was The Wave, waiting area.

6)

Port Orleans would be my guess, but that's all it is, as I've never been there.
7)

Founders Fountain (It might be called Tempo), BLT, looking into lobby.

I hope to complete the last section of my trip report tonight - "Illuminations"

Best wishes,
Dave

Am i even close?

 

[locodemickey]

One of the things that I didn't photograph are the fantastic soaring birds (hawks, I believe) soaring around BLT and the Contemporary. They seemed to hover effortlessly in the air with their magnificent wings proudly displayed like freedom flags - it was inspiring to watch. The grace and beauty of these amazing creatures gliding & hovering in the wind like proud ships was incredible.

As magnificent as they were, the birds were simply too small and too fast to produce a coherent, attractive photo. So instead I'll show some flowers and friends I met along the way:


Best wishes,
David

When we were at BLT in Dec., we loved watching the pelicans soar over the lake and then dive bomb to get the fish. It was really cool!

 

[arthur06]

Awesome photos!

 

[Tinks "SS"]

OMG!!!!!!! the last 2 sets of pics were absolutely fabulous! I would love to have them as a slideshow on my computer as a screen saver. The ducks and flowers are so gorgeous! You have done an absolutely amazing job taking photos for this TR.

Complete awe!

 

[twinklebug]

A few weeks ago someone posted that they used an ordinary door stopper to secure the door. While inside the bathroom, they wedged it between the sliding door and the wall. They reported that it worked fine. I can't remember where I saw the post, which included a photo of the door stopper, but if anyone finds it perhaps they can post a link to it.

Maybe like folk over on the other boards have fridge swaps we could have a door stopper swap

 

[DVC Mike]

Great photos!

I really enjoy a trip report with photos, especially since I'm 188 days away from my next Disney vacation.

 

[dsneygirl]

And finally, security at this hotel is silly at best - after a couple of days at BLT, security becomes an borderline rude annoyance.

You need you room key for EVERYTHING. Not only do you need it to get to Top of the World Lounge (which is appropriate), but you also need it to get in THE FRONT DOOR of the hotel, you need it to get into the pool, you need it to get back from the beach, you need it to use the skywalk from the Contemporary and you even need it to get back into the hotel regardless of where your coming from. If you forget your room key - YOU'RE DEAD!

Instead of feeling like I was on vacation, I sometimes felt like a prisoner in a maximum security prison - the ridiculous security at BLT is a big turn off. If Disney wants to sell more DVC memberships by making DVC members feel "exclusive," then DVC members should be allowed to roam free at any DVC site!

It’s foolish to treat other DVC members like a high school juvenile delinquents when they try to enter BLT and hardly conducive to increasing sales -DVC should provide stress free and relaxing vacations with across the board availability. ON THE OTHER HAND, it does provide any professional with bad intentions a very good laugh.

Despite my "suggestions for improvement," BLT still remains a fantastic and impressive resort!

Best wishes,
David

This was a huge pet peeve of mine our March stay at BLT. Dh said it felt "exclusive" I felt it annoying! And we were only there for 3 nights. A whole week would drive me batty.

 

[WelcomeHome]

Am i even close?

Congratulations DenLo - you got 5 out of the 7 correct!!!! Port Orleans was a terrific guess and 100% correct - specifically it's Port Orlean's Riverside section which used to be called Dixie Landing. The only 2 you missed are these:

Can anyone else guess where you are in these 2 photos?

Best wishes,
David

 

[msteddom]

Can anyone else guess where you are in these 2 photos?

Best wishes,
David

Gift shop on the Contemporary Concourse, and Citrico's at the Grand Floridian!

 

[ccigliano]

Wow, your pictures are beautiful. What kind of camera do you use?
Thanks for posting - We'll be at BLT for next month.