BLT Studio comments

[Pig Pen]

During our Christmas trip to Florida (non-Disney trip), we stopped at SSR to tour the new BLT model. I love modern contemporary architecture and was looking forward to finally being able to stay at the Contemporary Resort on points. However, I do have a question. Why is the bathroom sink in the kitchenette? How is one to blowdry hair while someone else is making oatmeal? DH was shuddering at the thought of hair flying into his food.

While the decor is amazing, the studio also felt very cramped to me.

The 1 br was great, except for the fact that the balcony is off the bedroom rather than the living room (however it is accessible from the living room).

That being said, others taking the tour seemed very excited about the model.

Maybe we are the only ones who found the layout odd?

 

[KLR-wlv]

We're in the process of adding on at BLT - I haven't seen the models in person but the virtual tour of the studios looked very cramped - I wasn't sure if it was just the way the virtual tour was but it looked like the couch was crammed up against the curtains. We are now a family of 5 - so no more studio stays for us. I'm happy the square footage of the 1 br are bigger than the DVC average and I am happy they decided to do a different layout with these - but not sure if the kitchenette in the bath area is such a great idea. Can't wait to see them in person though!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

The BLT studios are arranged like that because they're smaller than rooms at Caribbean Beach. DVC needed to be creative with the space so they could include expected amenities like kitchenettes.

However, the 1-bedrooms look incredible. Imagine an MK view with those big windows! We're thinking of doing a cash-stay in a 1-bedroom villa.

 

[dcfromva]

The BLT studios are arranged like that because they're smaller than rooms at Caribbean Beach. DVC needed to be creative with the space so they could include expected amenities like kitchenettes.

I don't know why they couldn't have turned the wall around so that the sink was in the bathroom and there was just a wall in the kitchenette side... but I guess there is no turning back now.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Evidently a man designed the room.

But, when you think about it, all the other DVC studios (except for OKW - the Original Disney Vacation Club) have the bathroom in the kitchenette. They just have a little more space between the sinks.

 

[tomandrobin]

I liked the studio layout. The Studio does feel smaller, compared to the SSR studio. The reason I liked the layout is it takes the kitchenette out of the walkway. It drives me crazy that the kitchenette clogs the walkway.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I liked the studio layout. The Studio does feel smaller, compared to the SSR studio. The reason I liked the layout is it takes the kitchenette out of the walkway. It drives me crazy that the kitchenette clogs the walkway.

That's kind of why I don't like the added bathroom at AKV and BLT that's located right at the front door. You walk in the front door and there's the bathroom.

 

[roberte114]

I too found it odd that they would put the bathroom sink in the kitchenette area, especially since the kitchenette area already has a small sink.

 

[DebbieB]

I toured the models in October with several other current members and we all commented on the bathroom sink/kitchenette issue. DVC really needs to bring some current members in as a focus group when they do new resort design.

 

[vicki_c]

That was the first thing I said to my husband in the studio model! I'm like the most unpicky person about so many things, but I just couldn't see drying my hair, brushing teeth, etc. with the kitchen 2 feet behind me. But the decor is beautiful and I definitely like the bigger model!

 

[twinklebug]

Evidently a man designed the room.
.

I had a co-worker once who used the phrase "Had to have been a man" at least once a day. No offense guys, but I'm going to agree with it on this.

 

[dan and scott]

Being a BWV owner and have just added on at BLT--I love the idea that you have to use "dirty hands" to open the bathroom door in the studio to go around the corner to wash them in the kitchenette.---What a genious idea---NOT!! GROSS!!!!!!

Scott

 

[dcfromva]

That's kind of why I don't like the added bathroom at AKV and BLT that's located right at the front door. You walk in the front door and there's the bathroom.

I am delighted with the extra bathroom. But, the BLT door has a frosted glass.... I suppose it is okay if it is just the immediate family, but otherwise I'm not so sure...

 

[BWV Dreamin]

That was the first thing I said to my husband in the studio model! I'm like the most unpicky person about so many things, but I just couldn't see drying my hair, brushing teeth, etc. with the kitchen 2 feet behind me. But the decor is beautiful and I definitely like the bigger model!

Haven't seen the models yet...is there at least another mirror and outlet in the studio bathroom?

 

[Bob Price]

Evidently a man designed the room.


I think a girl designed it for convenience. Now, she can get my dinner ready while fixing her hair. Multitasking. Just kidding.

 

[LisaS]

I had the same reaction back when I saw the floor plan for the BLT studio. It is noticeably smaller than existing studios so they made this major design change to squeeze everything in.

Being in the model room raised another issue: there is no room for two people to move around in the combined kitchenette and vanity area at the same time, unless both people are very skinny! There is very little space between the vanity and kitchenette counters. And while we were touring, another member came in and expressed her dismay at the layout so there seem to be a lot of us with that "ick" reaction to having hair blowing around and deodorant being applied in the kitchenette.

I also didn't like having the end of the couch right up against the curtains. And instead of a proper bedside table with a drawer and some storage space, there is a tiny table attached to the headboard, barely large enough to hold the alarm clock, though at least they provided one on each side of the bed.

I like the usual studio design where you can move from the shower to the vanity area to the closet without walking within view of the sliding glass door. It makes the bathroom and vanity area more private.

 

[LisaS]

Haven't seen the models yet...is there at least another mirror and outlet in the studio bathroom?

Yes there is a big mirror and at least one outlet. If you want to see for yourself, take a look at the online tour: http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/miniSite/index?name=CrystalMiniSitePage

Click on "Visionary Design", then either daylight or night, then when the floorplan image appears in the lower left, click on the studio.

 

[pixie921]

Being a BWV owner and have just added on at BLT--I love the idea that you have to use "dirty hands" to open the bathroom door in the studio to go around the corner to wash them in the kitchenette.---What a genious idea---NOT!! GROSS!!!!!!

Scott

Um ... all the other studios except OKW (and most of the hotel rooms at Disney) are the same way, are they not? The sink is outside the toilet/shower room, requiring you to open the bathroom door to wash your hands.

 

[kaffinito]

I haven't seen the models yet, and won't get a chance to until March 1st. But I like looking at the virtual tours and the photos of the models that have been posted. The studio does seem kind of "ick" to me. I like the AKV value studio better than the BLT Studio as far as layout. I'll have to check that one out in person though.

The 1 bedrooms are the rooms I'm really lusting after! Since my boys are 8 years apart in age, they will not share a bed, so that sleeper sofa and sleeper chair in the living room will be a godsend. No more packing an air bed. The extra bathroom is really nice too, because now I won't have to share a bathroom with the boys (gross! )

I can hardly wait for March to get here so I go and see them in person!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Yes there is a big mirror and at least one outlet. If you want to see for yourself, take a look at the online tour: http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/miniSite/index?name=CrystalMiniSitePage

Click on "Visionary Design", then either daylight or night, then when the floorplan image appears in the lower left, click on the studio.

I just looked at the link...it doesn't show a mirror or outlet IN the bathroom itself. If there were, this would solve some of the blowdryer issues.