BLT STUDIO - as small as a mouse's house

[Cmbar]

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!

How did you get 5 in a studio? Do you have an infant??

 

[TSMIII]

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.

No, I do not believe everyone thinks it is a poorly designed studio. I know I do, and that my opinion will not be shared by all, but I'm sure I'm not alone.

Yes, many will be able to adjust and have it work out fine.

But ask yourself this question - If there was a larger, differently designed studio (i.e. a studio from one of the other resorts other than an AKV Value) right next door to one of these, which would you choose all else being equal (points, view, decor, etc.)?

For me, considering the studios at the other resorts, I've come to expect a certain size and layout. The BLT studio does not live up to that expectation and appears to me to have been a work around design, cost cutting design, space saving design, or some other compromise design which given all of the well executed other features of the resort is a disappointment at best and a harbinger of future DVC development designs at worst. YMMV

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Having read this thread through, I am now getting slightly concerned about our planned trip next year. We were planning on booking a MK view studio for 6 nights, there will be me, DH & our 2 boys who will be 6 and 3.

We are going to book the dining plan for the first time, so will be eating out all the time, and are planning to spend most of our time in the parks, so I figured a 1 bed would be a waste (we are moving to a 1 bed at AKV afterwards to 'chill out', where we will make more use of the room, resort pool and kitchen).

Do you think we will manage ok?? Our kids are still small and we will only really be using the room to sleep in and to sit on the balcony to watch the fireworks once the children have gone to bed!!

Oh and one more concern - we are visiting from England and will be in Florida for nearly a month - so will we have room for all our luggage??

What do you think, do I need to consider borrowing points to do the 1 bed - or will we manage ok?

DH and I have stayed in all different resorts inc values and mods, and we've always been fine, but we have only ever stayed at the poly with the boys and I know that size wise the BLT studio won't compete - but equally I'm not sure whether it will matter if we are only using it as a place to sleep?? What do you think?? - thanks ever so much for any replies, you guys really do help me!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Having read this thread through, I am now getting slightly concerned about our planned trip next year. We were planning on booking a MK view studio for 6 nights, there will be me, DH & our 2 boys who will be 6 and 3.

We are going to book the dining plan for the first time, so will be eating out all the time, and are planning to spend most of our time in the parks, so I figured a 1 bed would be a waste (we are moving to a 1 bed at AKV afterwards to 'chill out', where we will make more use of the room, resort pool and kitchen).

Do you think we will manage ok?? Our kids are still small and we will only really be using the room to sleep in and to sit on the balcony to watch the fireworks once the children have gone to bed!!

Oh and one more concern - we are visiting from England and will be in Florida for nearly a month - so will we have room for all our luggage??

What do you think, do I need to consider borrowing points to do the 1 bed - or will we manage ok?

DH and I have stayed in all different resorts inc values and mods, and we've always been fine, but we have only ever stayed at the poly with the boys and I know that size wise the BLT studio won't compete - but equally I'm not sure whether it will matter if we are only using it as a place to sleep?? What do you think?? - thanks ever so much for any replies, you guys really do help me!!

I would go with a 1 bedroom if I could swing it any way at all! We are an empty nest couple and we mostly do studios, but when it comes for us to book BLT in the future, DH and I will only do 1 bedrooms because of the furnishings that we lovedwhen we visited the BLT models.

Some people have a night or two staying in a BLT studio and they're "worried." I wouldn't change those...I would go with it and then decide for future bookings. However, you come from so far, you're staying rather long enough to appreciate the spaciousness and the amenities of the one bedroom.

Whatever, you decide...I love to spend points, my own and others, I suppose. Have a great vacation!!!

Bobbi

 

[MouseMomx2]

Having read this thread through, I am now getting slightly concerned about our planned trip next year. We were planning on booking a MK view studio for 6 nights, there will be me, DH & our 2 boys who will be 6 and 3.

We are going to book the dining plan for the first time, so will be eating out all the time, and are planning to spend most of our time in the parks, so I figured a 1 bed would be a waste (we are moving to a 1 bed at AKV afterwards to 'chill out', where we will make more use of the room, resort pool and kitchen).

Do you think we will manage ok?? Our kids are still small and we will only really be using the room to sleep in and to sit on the balcony to watch the fireworks once the children have gone to bed!!

Oh and one more concern - we are visiting from England and will be in Florida for nearly a month - so will we have room for all our luggage??

What do you think, do I need to consider borrowing points to do the 1 bed - or will we manage ok?

I think you will be just fine. I think there is a lot of talk about what is acceptable or not but, truly, it is personal preference. Your kids are still small. We'll be in a BLT studio in November with me, DH, DD17 and DS14 and I'm not worried about it at all. It may be cozy, but that's fine. We know about the unit size/layout going in and so we'll make the best of it.

 

[DenLo]

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.

I would think that the area between the Mini Kitchen and bathroom vanity would be about 36". I checked and our twin size aerobed is 39". So it wouldn't fit. I would think a sleeping bag would though. However, no one could wash their hands while someone was sleeping there even after a late night bathroom trip. I'd have some hand sanitizer available.

Anyone staying at a BLT studio currently? Can you measure this area?

 

[barbarabini]

- we had two kids -- 2 and 5 and 1 piece of luggage.
I dont know where you would store the additional piece of luggage - two would be ok but more than that is a tight fit

The studios at the other DVC's are just bigger --there is some room for kids to sit and play.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Well, think of it this way. If you have smaller children sleeping in the sleeper sofa, you won't have to worry about them falling out of bed. There's no where for them to roll or fall.

 

[Cmbar]

- we had two kids -- 2 and 5 and 1 piece of luggage.
I dont know where you would store the additional piece of luggage - two would be ok but more than that is a tight fit

The studios at the other DVC's are just bigger --there is some room for kids to sit and play.

Is there a closet? You only had one piece of luggage and didn't have a place for it?? Even on our cruise we had room for our luggage in a Cat 9 room which is only 209 sq ft! Oh no, I am worried now.

 

[work2play]

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?

I am there now, I will check.....

There is 34 inches from the refrigerator to the cabinet with the sink.. That is the narrowest part. It is also not carpeted, so it would be cold on the tile! A better spot is at the foot of the bed to the dresser, there is 48 inches there and it is carpeted!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

work2play, can you post a shot off of your balcony? And a pic of the balcony itself? I am a "view' person, balcony sitter, and would appreciate this!!

 

[Cmbar]

I am there now, I will check.....

There is 34 inches from the refrigerator to the cabinet with the sink.. That is the narrowest part. It is also not carpeted, so it would be cold on the tile! A better spot is at the foot of the bed to the dresser, there is 48 inches there and it is carpeted!

Oh thank you so much! That will work, It will be tight, but at least we could have the option. Thanks again!

 

[work2play]

Is there a closet? You only had one piece of luggage and didn't have a place for it?? Even on our cruise we had room for our luggage in a Cat 9 room which is only 209 sq ft! Oh no, I am worried now.

There is lots of room for luggage in the studio, you can put it by the door into the connecting 1 BR (all studios are lockoffs). There is a 38 inch by 42 inch area that is out of the way. The closet is not good because the vacuum and pack and play take up much of the floor space.

 

[work2play]

work2play, can you post a shot off of your balcony? And a pic of the balcony itself? I am a "view' person, balcony sitter, and would appreciate this!!

Yes, coming soon. I started a trip report thread and it will be in my next post!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33287713

 

[DenLo]

Is there a closet? You only had one piece of luggage and didn't have a place for it?? Even on our cruise we had room for our luggage in a Cat 9 room which is only 209 sq ft! Oh no, I am worried now.

I am amazed that the DVC didn't adopt cruise ship bed frames. The frames are high enough off the floor that a fairly large piece of luggage will fit under the bed--instant storage space! We haven't stayed at a DVC resort, but the other WDW Disney resorts we've stayed at all have platform type bed frames with no storage at all under the beds.

It sounds like work2play's idea of using the area near the door to the 1BR lockoff would be best. I suppose some of the carry on luggage could fit around the the safe and pack 'n play and maybe some on the shelf above in the closet. Or perhaps some of the smaller luggage pieces could fit into the bigger ones. Good luck.

 

[Cmbar]

I am amazed that the DVC didn't adopt cruise ship bed frames. The frames are high enough off the floor that a fairly large piece of luggage will fit under the bed--instant storage space! We haven't stayed at a DVC resort, but the other WDW Disney resorts we've stayed at all have platform type bed frames with no storage at all under the beds.

It sounds like work2play's idea of using the area near the door to the 1BR lockoff would be best. I suppose some of the carry on luggage could fit around the the safe and pack 'n play and maybe some on the shelf above in the closet. Or perhaps some of the smaller luggage pieces could fit into the bigger ones. Good luck.

Yep, we have a large piece I always am able to put the smaller pieces in. Just wanted to make sure there was a space for the large piece of luggage and the space Work2play suggested sounds good.. Do the studios have a table and chair? Somehow that is where our luggage stuff always ends up. I am determined to keep the room uncluttered, especially since it sounds like it is so small. I keep telling myself it can't be that bad. We aren't used to staying in Deluxes, so this has to be just fine for us.

 

[Sammie]

Well, think of it this way. If you have smaller children sleeping in the sleeper sofa, you won't have to worry about them falling out of bed. There's no where for them to roll or fall.

Just make sure the balcony door is closed,

 

[queenie82]

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.

I gotta ask....what type of room were you in for the cruise.

I just don't understand all the whinging about the size of studios when the cruise rooms are SMALLER again and tighter...

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just make sure the balcony door is closed,

Then you just put the air bed on the patio.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I gotta ask....what type of room were you in for the cruise.

I just don't understand all the whinging about the size of studios when the cruise rooms are SMALLER again and tighter...

You are correct. That stateroom was tight for three adults(we had Cat 9). So staying in VWL after the cruise, well it felt huge! Ha! So any studio smaller than VWL, no way it would be big enough for more than a night or so.