BLT Studio floorplan -- odd bathroom?

[mecllap]

This is the floorplan shown in the Dream book-- it looks like the vanity sink is not in the bathroom, but in the kitchenette. That seems wrong in so many ways -- anyone stayed in a studio like this? Or seen one? Does it work (toothbrushing or shaving while someone else is getting a bowl of cereal in the morning, etc.).

(If this is how it is really set up, I may lose interest in getting some points there -- since we would likely be limited to staying in a studio, at least sometimes).

 

[LisaS]

I don't like it either. DH and I stopped by SSR to look at the BLT models to see it for ourselves. I just don't like the idea of one person blowdrying their hair while the other is trying to fix breakfast in the same space. Having said that, there really isn't room for two people to occupy that space at the same time anyway unless they don't move around much.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We looked at the models and nope - I don't think it works that way. The hair in the kitchen is a big turn off and also there really isn't room for two people so one can't make breakfast while the other is using the sink/vanity (of course that may be a good thing!)

The person who showed us thru indicated it has really gotten a mixed reaction - perhaps 50/50 for those who like it and those who don't.

 

[lizziepooh]

We saw the models and did NOT like the vanity setup at all. I do not like the idea of hair being combed or blown dry, teeth being brushed or someone shaving so close to the kitchen. We often have one person getting ready using the vanity while another fixes coffee or cereal at the same time. I think it was a very poor design and find it hard to believe that some people actually like it. In my opinion, I think it would have been better to put the wall on the other side of the vanity and just include the vanity in the bathroom.

 

[LisaS]

The other thing I don't like is that to go from the bathroom to the vanity area, you have to walk down the hall a little bit and are within view of the sliding door. At the other DVC resorts, the bathroom and vanity area are directly connected and hidden from view. You can come out of the shower wrapped in a towel and use the vanity area and feel like you are in a private space, not visible through the sliding door. This is not the case in the BLT studios.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The other thing I don't like is that to go from the bathroom to the vanity area, you have to walk down the hall a little bit and are within view of the sliding door. At the other DVC resorts, the bathroom and vanity area are directly connected and hidden from view. You can come out of the shower wrapped in a towel and use the vanity area and feel like you are in a private space, not visible through the sliding door. This is not the case in the BLT studios.

That's another good point - it could be real interesting on a ground floor studio!

 

[sznk]

We also checked out the BLT models in the setup at SSR.
Very poorly designed Studio kitchen area, imo. As others noted - cramped, and just icky to do hair stuff in the kitchen, two feet from the food.
I mentioned this to the CM and her reply was, "Well, it was designed based on Member's requests." I don't believe that for a moment, and we didn't appreciate her lame excuse. Fortunately, our Guide is much more diplomatic than that.
While the sink being included in the bathroom would require a shorter sink area and rotating the toilet 90 degrees, it would allow for a small but functional 'all-inclusive' bathroom. That would make a lot more sense than no sink in the bathroom and two sinks in the kitchenette.
We typically enjoy the Studio layouts in the other DVC resorts (although can't speak for HH or Cali .)
The good news is, we don't have to live there. The not-so-good news is that they spent lots of money on a poor design.

 

[LisaS]

That's another good point - it could be real interesting on a ground floor studio!

Based on some of the photos of BLT that have been posted, people in the Contemporary with a zoom lens on their camera can see into many of the rooms on the higher floors. And given the shape of BLT ("C" shape) if you are in a room on the inside of the "C" you may be able to see into rooms on the opposite side.

Very poorly designed Studio kitchen area, imo. As others noted - cramped, and just icky to do hair stuff in the kitchen, two feet from the food.
I mentioned this to the CM and her reply was, "Well, it was designed based on Member's requests." I don't believe that for a moment, and we didn't appreciate her lame excuse. Fortunately, our Guide is much more diplomatic than that.

The BLT studios are smaller than the studios at other resorts (except AKV's Value studios) so it looks to me like they came up with this design to squeeze a few square feet out of the studio. A BLT studio is 339 sq ft. To use other recent resorts as a comparison, the studios at SSR and AKV (non-Values) are 355 sq ft.

 

[bwvBound]

We were also quite turned off when touring the BLT studio model. What were they thinking with that bathroom/kitchen design?? I can't imagine entering a kitchen area with unwashed hands ... or the thought of blow drying my hair in the kitchen ... or the mess of personal products that will sit out on the vanity sharing space with food prep. Uuuuugh.

 

[DisFlan]

"Well, it was designed based on Member's requests." I don't believe that for a moment, and we didn't appreciate her lame excuse.

Sigh. This seems to be DVC's (and DVC CMs) standard response for lots of stuff these days. I'm afraid I might have blurted out, "Name one!"

Did any of you guys request it? Anyone? No? And I sure didn't. They need a new excuse.


DisFlan

 

[mecllap]

Thanks everyone -- glad it's not just me that thinks it's actually rather gross. What were they thinking, indeed? Can't believe anyone could say they like it. (And very hard not to throw in a comment about who must have designed it!). But then again, I read a comment by someone that they would stay in a shack if it was within walking distance of MK -- and there's something to that (I haven't actually made that walk yet, so will try it in June to see if it works for me -- of course I may succumb to the purchase temptation before then and just lump it). I guess DD can blow dry her thick, very long hair with an extension out on the balcony (not really, that would bother the neighbors).

 

[rkwier]

Originally Posted by LisaS

Based on some of the photos of BLT that have been posted, people in the Contemporary with a zoom lens on their camera can see into many of the rooms on the higher floors. And given the shape of BLT ("C" shape) if you are in a room on the inside of the "C" you may be able to see into rooms on the opposite side.

Yep, this seems to be the case. We were on the observation deck on the 4th floor of the Contemporary in January and could easily see into the rooms with our digital camera. Granted, the drapes were wide open at the time. Maybe they will have some sort of sheer drapes to pull closed to help provide a little bit of privacy and still allow some light in. I can't remember from the model.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

It doesn't really bother me. I'm thinking that they might have set it up this way because most people who have studios don't really use the kitchen alot . When we book a studio we normally only us the kitchen for making coffee in the morning (I get it ready the nite before soe I only flip a switch in the am) or for storing our drinks/leftovers in the frig. I think it's better than a regular room where you only have one sink and it's in the bathroom. I like to be able to put on makeup, brush teeth, etc. without waiting for DH to get out of the bathroom. Don't most people who do "cooking" get a 1 bedroom at least?

 

[sznk]

It doesn't really bother me. I'm thinking that they might have set it up this way because most people who have studios don't really use the kitchen alot . When we book a studio we normally only us the kitchen for making coffee in the morning (I get it ready the nite before soe I only flip a switch in the am) or for storing our drinks/leftovers in the frig. I think it's better than a regular room where you only have one sink and it's in the bathroom. I like to be able to put on makeup, brush teeth, etc. without waiting for DH to get out of the bathroom. Don't most people who do "cooking" get a 1 bedroom at least?

not necessarily - we almost always get a studio (just the 2 of us) and we always use the kitchenette several times a day - coffee, breakfast, tea in the evening, sometimes lunch, etc.

 

[LisaS]

Whether we stay in a studio or a 1BR, we usually fix the same breakfast: toast, cereal, juice and coffee and maybe some fresh fruit. One of the things we really like about DVC is being able to have breakfast in the room and it works just as well for us in a studio.

 

[Anal Annie]

It doesn't really bother me. I'm thinking that they might have set it up this way because most people who have studios don't really use the kitchen alot . When we book a studio we normally only us the kitchen for making coffee in the morning (I get it ready the nite before soe I only flip a switch in the am) or for storing our drinks/leftovers in the frig. I think it's better than a regular room where you only have one sink and it's in the bathroom. I like to be able to put on makeup, brush teeth, etc. without waiting for DH to get out of the bathroom. Don't most people who do "cooking" get a 1 bedroom at least?

While we don't "cook" in our studios we DO toast bagels & make oatmeal etc. You can bet I wouldn't be combing my hair or brushing my teeth in my kitchen at home - especially if it was that small. Let alone have DH shave in the kitchen! Not with THAT itty bitty hair mess!!! EWWWW!! I have decided that I must SEE the studio model in person next time we go to know if I could "live like that" for a few days or not. Since it's so point intensive we'd have to use a studio to stay there. Definitely not the brightest design idea they ever had.

 

[Judy WI]

Mark me as one who hates the sink in that area.

 

[Ella's Mom]

I saw the BLT model at the DTD in Woodfield. It was a strange setup. I remember thinking it was very narrow between the vanity and the kitchen counter. Larger people might find it kind of uncomfortable - way too crowded!

 

[TyGuy]

We'll be staying in a Studio in December. We've only seen the plans and not walked through the model, but the sink - kitchen setup did concern us. There will only be my wife and I so we'll make it work. We've mostly stayed at the Yacht Club and the coffee makers are always on the bathroom sink counters and we never really thought anything of making coffee while I was shaving or she was doing her hair.

 

[PrincessV]

Yep, I think it's absolutely idiotic. Aside from the obvious hair issues, what about the fact that you can't wash your hands immediately after using the toilet before handling the door?! Unless you wash them in the tub... and I'm quite certain NO DVC member ever suggested THAT alternative!