BLT STUDIO - as small as a mouse's house

[Cmbar]

Well count us as the unlucky ones who had to buy BLT (because I just couldn't justify buying AKV when there was a monorail DVC) but only enough for studio stays. We are staying in a studio in November and we are a family of four. The way I look at it is we were just at POP century for a week and were fine (would have wanted more bathroom counter space) and those rooms are only 260sq ft. So a 329sq ft should seem roomy right? I am dissapointed about not having a full length mirror. What were they thinking? We really didn't like the design of the kitchen/sink combo. Stupid design and totally unnecessary. I sure hope that designer was fired.

 

[twinklebug]

Thank you for your report - This just confirms that any possible upcoming stays at BLT with my kids will either be a single night deal in a studio (first night in?) or a 1 br unit.

That bathroom sink layout as well as the lack of a lock on the bathroom door creeps me out a bit too. I think I've been spoiled, but I love the Kidani Studio layout.

 

[Cmbar]

Thank you for your report - This just confirms that any possible upcoming stays at BLT with my kids will either be a single night deal in a studio (first night in?) or a 1 br unit.

That bathroom sink layout as well as the lack of a lock on the bathroom door creeps me out a bit too. I think I've been spoiled, but I love the Kidani Studio layout.

Don't they have the lock problem on the 1br unit too?

 

[twinklebug]

Don't they have the lock problem on the 1br unit too?

From what I've read, yes they do, I was just pointing out how the whole setup of the studio really doesn't sit well with me... lockless door included.

 

[Cmbar]

QUOTE=twinklebug;33281666]From what I've read, yes they do, I was just pointing out how the whole setup of the studio really doesn't sit well with me... lockless door included.[/QUOTE]

Well that is a dissappointment. I mean not that we ever lock our bathroom doors, but I can see my MIL complaining about in November I have a feeling this may be our last trip to BLT. We will have to see if the resort out weighs the room size. But keep in mind we are one of the DVC members that bought DVC for the resort, not the room. I am too afraid to try a 1br for fear we will love it! We were happy at POP, so I think this will be a big step up from that

 

[brianheather]

We booked a BLT studio for my DH and I and I think we will be fine.. We don't spend that much time in the room.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Personally I think more than two in a studio is going to be a bit tight regardless of resort.

My family grew up in studios. My boys were young and we did not have to worry about school we stretched our trips by staying in studios.

We once stayed 2 weeks at BCV and then 2 weeks at SSR so we see the benefit of staying in studios to stretch points.

I agree that if a family enjoys valuesand mods and did not join DVC for more space, they will be fine in a Value studio or BLTstudio.

I remember staying in the N Wing and the room was a nice size. How big were those rooms?

 

[Sammie]

The Contemporary Resort rooms average 436 square feet.

As to the comparison of Pop sq. feet to the BLT studio, the beds at Pop are full size, you have a queen bed and full sofa sleeper in a BLT so you lose floor space between beds.

 

[maburke]

I guess the conspiracy theory would be that DVC wants to discourage studio usage in favor of 1BR & 2BR usage, thereby prompting members to use up more points, possibly buy more points to stay out of a studio, and having BLT studios available for CRO rental and upgrades?

I don't know if I'd call it conspiracy theory, but is it not true that the 1BRs usually book last? Maybe they are just trying to balance the demand, and with lock-off 2BRs, they have to balance 1BR demand with studios. 2BR bookings relieve this, too.

 

[work2play]

No! No! Not a conspiracy theory!!! I think there are many DVC members that find a studio affords them an adequate amount of space, and that they will not be be dissuaded from staying at a BLT studio because it is smaller than other resorts' studios. BLT's location, access to the monorail, views, etc, may be more important factors than square footage to some of our fellow members. If square footage was the primary concern to all DVC members, then I would expect that OKW rooms would be in great demand.

I agree! I am at BLT right now in a studio (myself, DH and DS17) and I would take it over a studio with more square footage any day. I stayed in a studio at SSR in May, and I think they are both pretty tight. The bathroom set up does not bother me and I am not cooking, so the kitchenette is fine for holding cold drinks in the frig... The balcony is a really nice size, and sitting out on it and looking at bay lake, space mountain and the fireworks cannot be beat! And that does not even include the short walk back to the resort from the MK.

In the future, I do not plan on staying in anymore DVC studios if I can get into a 1 BR. I could only get the studio on short notice, and I wanted to try BLT (the main reason we joined DVC and bought points at BLT!). Having now stayed at BLT, it will be hard for me to want to stay anywhere else, we love it! From now on, I am going to take DVC Mike's advice and pick the 1 BR, even when it is only the two of us.

 

[Cmbar]

I agree! I am at BLT right now in a studio (myself, DH and DS17) and I would take it over a studio with more square footage any day. I stayed in a studio at SSR in May, and I think they are both pretty tight. The bathroom set up does not bother me and I am not cooking, so the kitchenette is fine for holding cold drinks in the frig... The balcony is a really nice size, and sitting out on it and looking at bay lake, space mountain and the fireworks cannot be beat! And that does not even include the short walk back to the resort from the MK.

In the future, I do not plan on staying in anymore DVC studios if I can get into a 1 BR. I could only get the studio on short notice, and I wanted to try BLT (the main reason we joined DVC and bought points at BLT!). Having now stayed at BLT, it will be hard for me to want to stay anywhere else, we love it! From now on, I am going to take DVC Mike's advice and pick the 1 BR, even when it is only the two of us.

Work2Play! How nice to see a fellow BLT/Howard County resident! You getting in that last stay before the kiddies go back next week (or is your DS out of high school yet?).

So are you saying that the BLT studio is NOT doable for the view? In the first part you say you would take it over any other studio even though it is small and yet you say at the end you will only pick a 1 bedroom. What do you think is the big advantage of a 1 bedroom for just you and hubby? Do you want the kitchen or does the studio feel claustrophobic? I understand wanting the bigger room, but I guess we are too new of DVC owners to understand "wasting" the points on one bedrooms - especially if it is just DH and I. I guess I won't understand until I stay in a 1 bdr! Didn't know DVC Mike had given that advice. Oh to be able to just add on more points.

Do you think we are going to hate the BLT studio with our family of four? Now I am getting nervous. We don't spend much time in the room so I just assumed the smaller size wouldn't be a problem. Ugh! Enjoy your trip!

 

[gkrykewy]

The balcony is a really nice size, and sitting out on it and looking at bay lake, space mountain and the fireworks cannot be beat!

It is certainly lovely (and don't forget the electric water pageant!), but there are unpleasant elements to it. Lots of bugs and massive quantities of bird excrement, namely. Careful where you step!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Work2Play! How nice to see a fellow BLT/Howard County resident! You getting in that last stay before the kiddies go back next week (or is your DS out of high school yet?).

So are you saying that the BLT studio is NOT doable for the view? In the first part you say you would take it over any other studio even though it is small and yet you say at the end you will only pick a 1 bedroom. What do you think is the big advantage of a 1 bedroom for just you and hubby? Do you want the kitchen or does the studio feel claustrophobic? I understand wanting the bigger room, but I guess we are too new of DVC owners to understand "wasting" the points on one bedrooms - especially if it is just DH and I. I guess I won't understand until I stay in a 1 bdr! Didn't know DVC Mike had given that advice. Oh to be able to just add on more points.

Do you think we are going to hate the BLT studio with our family of four? Now I am getting nervous. We don't spend much time in the room so I just assumed the smaller size wouldn't be a problem. Ugh! Enjoy your trip!

We just stayed in a studio at VWL this past May with myself, DH, DS(20). It was for 3 nights post a cruise. For a short period of time, it was fine. Never again for any longer with the DS. Now for just the DH and myself, it would have been perfect. If the BLT is smaller (like it suggests) than the studio at VWL, no way I would have more than two people in it for any length of time.

 

[Sandisw]

Work2Play! How nice to see a fellow BLT/Howard County resident! You getting in that last stay before the kiddies go back next week (or is your DS out of high school yet?).

So are you saying that the BLT studio is NOT doable for the view? In the first part you say you would take it over any other studio even though it is small and yet you say at the end you will only pick a 1 bedroom. What do you think is the big advantage of a 1 bedroom for just you and hubby? Do you want the kitchen or does the studio feel claustrophobic? I understand wanting the bigger room, but I guess we are too new of DVC owners to understand "wasting" the points on one bedrooms - especially if it is just DH and I. I guess I won't understand until I stay in a 1 bdr! Didn't know DVC Mike had given that advice. Oh to be able to just add on more points.

Do you think we are going to hate the BLT studio with our family of four? Now I am getting nervous. We don't spend much time in the room so I just assumed the smaller size wouldn't be a problem. Ugh! Enjoy your trip!

I just finished my stay with 4. It was only for 2 nights so I did not think it was that bad. It was me and my 3 children who are 20, 16, and 13. We did not use the kitchen that much and we didn't have a lot of conflicting times with the sink area.

We have a LV studio and the view was just wonderful. We watched Wishes from the balcony. I bought in to DVC for BLT and I have to say, the location did not disappoint.

While I will also be only staying in the 1 bedrooms from now on for most of my yearly trips, I will stay in one for the 1st two nights of my trip since we arrive late and it will allow us to save a few points.

DH and I are going for just 2 nights in December and will have a SV studio and am hoping for one of the ones on the even side of the building.

If you know that you don't spend a lot of time in the room, I think you will be fine. My DD didn't want to sleep with me, so she slept on the floor, between the bed and the TV. It made it a little tight at night but luckily, no one needed to use the bathroom.

I don't know how long you are staying, but I think that you will manage. Of course, if you find that it is not to your liking, you know that 1 bedrooms are it for the future.

Have a great trip!!

 

[TSMIII]

I agree! I am at BLT right now in a studio (myself, DH and DS17) and I would take it over a studio with more square footage any day...

You have just made Disney's day! This is what I was alluding to earlier - will the members forgive DVC for a poorly designed studio based on the other aspects of the resort? Apparently, yes they will.

However, this may just invite further cost cutting designs in future developments. If sales are unhindered by this, then Disney bet correctly.

I frankly would have expected better and will continue to for future developments as I expect DVC to be on par with the other high end timeshares - Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood, etc. The rest of BLT appears to be spot on, hopefully the BLT studios are an aberration and not a portent of things to come.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

You have just made Disney's day! This is what I was alluding to earlier - will the members forgive DVC for a poorly designed studio based on the other aspects of the resort? Apparently, yes they will.

However, this may just invite further cost cutting designs in future developments. If sales are unhindered by this, then Disney bet correctly.

I frankly would have expected better and will continue to for future developments as I expect DVC to be on par with the other high end timeshares - Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood, etc. The rest of BLT appears to be spot on, hopefully the BLT studios are an aberration and not a portent of things to come.

You are assuming that everyone thinks it is poorly designed. While I have not stayed there yet, I have been thru the models a couple of times. I do not have an issue with the kitchenette/vanity layout in the studio. I actually like it better because you are not looking into the kitchenette while in the bedroom. It will work for us since we don't prepare food while in a studio, only cold drinks. I do think the bathroom door not closing all the way is an issue--it seems someone didn't measure correctly somewhere along the line--and it is something that should somehow be corrected. But all in all, I think the design lends itself to more storage space, which is a plus to me.

 

[Cmbar]

I just finished my stay with 4. It was only for 2 nights so I did not think it was that bad. It was me and my 3 children who are 20, 16, and 13. We did not use the kitchen that much and we didn't have a lot of conflicting times with the sink area.

We have a LV studio and the view was just wonderful. We watched Wishes from the balcony. I bought in to DVC for BLT and I have to say, the location did not disappoint.

While I will also be only staying in the 1 bedrooms from now on for most of my yearly trips, I will stay in one for the 1st two nights of my trip since we arrive late and it will allow us to save a few points.

DH and I are going for just 2 nights in December and will have a SV studio and am hoping for one of the ones on the even side of the building.

If you know that you don't spend a lot of time in the room, I think you will be fine. My DD didn't want to sleep with me, so she slept on the floor, between the bed and the TV. It made it a little tight at night but luckily, no one needed to use the bathroom.

I don't know how long you are staying, but I think that you will manage. Of course, if you find that it is not to your liking, you know that 1 bedrooms are it for the future.

Have a great trip!!

Thanks for the feedback. We are really excited about staying at BLT. We have Lake View, so I don't know what to expect for our view, but just being so close to MK will be awesome. I was just hoping we could get by with Studios. We will have to see. Each family is different.

When you say your DD slept on the floor, did you bring a sleeping bag or blow up or something? I was wondering if the area where the kitchenette and sink are can hold a twin blow up. My kids are getting where they don't want to sleep with each other, but even a one bedroom (except at BLT and Kidani) won't solve that problem. I would be wasting all those points for then to have the exact sleeping arrangements.

 

[gkrykewy]

I was wondering if the area where the kitchenette and sink are can hold a twin blow up.

That is an extremely narrow space.... maybe 2 or 2.5 feet wide. Maybe 3? Too small for anything but a person lying down, maybe in a sleeping bag. Perhaps one of your children could sleep standing up in the closet?

 

[DenLo]

Oh no! Guess my family of 5 will be pretty tight. Luckily it will only be for 1 night until we switch to a AKV 1 br!

I think your family will be using the Studio unit like many families do at AKV in the Value units.

A BLT studio works fine if there are just two of you.

Actually, my wife had a complaint that was much worse to her than the square footage: no full-length mirror. This made things very difficult for her to get ready for dinner (apparently).

I guess the 1BR does have a full length mirror? Surely this oversight is something Disney can fix.

I agree! I am at BLT right now in a studio (myself, DH and DS17) and I would take it over a studio with more square footage any day. I stayed in a studio at SSR in May, and I think they are both pretty tight. The bathroom set up does not bother me and I am not cooking, so the kitchenette is fine for holding cold drinks in the frig... The balcony is a really nice size, and sitting out on it and looking at bay lake, space mountain and the fireworks cannot be beat! And that does not even include the short walk back to the resort from the MK.

It's good to here more good reports of BLT. We too really only use a studio to hold cold drinks. Looking forward to your trip report later.

 

[Cmbar]

That is an extremely narrow space.... maybe 2 or 2.5 feet wide. Maybe 3? Too small for anything but a person lying down, maybe in a sleeping bag. Perhaps one of your children could sleep standing up in the closet?

Yeah I have told them that before. Either zip it about sleeping with your sister or sleep in the closet. Of course they usally win and I end up with DD in the bed and my DH ends up with DS on the sofa. Last time we were at SSR my DH got the sleeper sofa with DS which was ok. But maybe this time DH will hate it and say we have to buy more points to sleep in 1 bedroom from now on. Since my DS has hit his growth spirt I am guessing this next trip will be less comfortable for DH, so I was trying to see if we could fit a blowup somewhere! Oh well, I think more points have to be in our future!