BLT studios - BATHROOM sink in kitchen???

[BoardwalkSuzy]

All the photos of the BLT studio bathrooms look like they have what looks like a bathroom vanity sink with a tall goose neck faucet opposite a kitchenette in a gallery kitchen style design.

What were they thinking? First, the curved design of the bathroom vanity sink side doesn't match the styling of the kitchenette design in the photos I've seen. One side has a bathroom vanity look with a porcelain sink, 8" spread hot and cold handles, other side is kitchenette look. There's an ICK factor having bathroom tasks going on one side, and food preparation going on the other.

Do some of the studios have another sink in the bathroom too, or perhaps all the sinks are just in the kitchen? I think I saw a photo of a tiny corner sink in one of the studio bathrooms (maybe the outer curved side of building) that was right next to the toilet. Do some BLT studios have 3 sinks? I just saw another video of a BLT studio unit on YouTube, with NO sink in the bathroom, just 2 in the kitchen! The dvc.disney.go.com only shows a floorplan of dedicated 2 bedroom when I checked looking for the published studio floorplan.

Sounds appetizing to be making food on one side of the gallery style kitchenette area, and having something like hair spray flying just inches away at the bathroom vanity sink. Yuck.

Has anyone heard if they are going to do to change this design? I kept reading about the "strange" studio layout at BLT wondering what people meant by that. Now looking at photos and videos I see what everyone means.

 

[DebbieB]

I toured the model, there's no sink inside the bathroom in a studio. I haven't heard of any exceptions in the actual building. You may have seen the bathroom off the living room in a 1 bedroom, the sink is inside that one.

My guess is they did it because of the limited space the room has due to the curve of the building. I doubt there's anyway they could go back and change it, it would be a major renovation. Except for OKW, all of the DVC studios have the bathroom sink outside the bathroom so that one person could be using the shower and one getting ready at the sink outside. The problem at BLT is they are too close together. I don't know the statistics but the BLT studio seemed really small to me.

 

[Chuck S]

While there is no doubt there are some unusual design issues at BLT, it is doubtful they could correct them now. It would be an expensive proposition, requiring cabinet work as well as re-plumbing the bathrooms, and maybe moving some non-load bearing walls. A cost that would be born by members, whether through higher dues, increased per point purchase prices, or both.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There wouldn't have been enough room to have a bathroom counter inside the bathroom and orient the kitchenette the way it is. And if it wasn't oriented like it is, it wouldn't have fit anywhere in the studio. The BLT studio is an architectural mistake and whoever designed it should have known better. This is the smallest studio of all the DVC studios.

By the way, there is no room between the queen sized bed and the double sized sleeper sofa, just a built in bedside table that is part of the headboard. And the sleeper sofa is right up next to the sliding window.

The studio would only be comfortable for two adults, maybe only one, so that you could keep the sleeper sofa folded up as a sofa.

 

[Muhlenberg]

Yep...an architectural "disaster." We survived with 3 adults, but it wasn't easy.

I remember seeing pictures of the HA studios. The bathrooms in those have an extra shower and the sink IN the bathroom. However, for every advantage, there has to be a disadvantage, as the rooms are probably the same size due to the curvature of the building. They have no closet that I could see in the pictures, AND the kitchenette is the tiniest thing I've ever seen, with the microwave on the counter...and so it had basically NO counter space.

 

[CarolMN]

....(snip).... The BLT studio is an architectural mistake and whoever designed it should have known better. .........The studio would only be comfortable for two adults, maybe only one, so that you could keep the sleeper sofa folded up as a sofa.

Yep...an architectural "disaster." We survived with 3 adults, but it wasn't easy.....(snip)...........

Maybe so, but it doesn't seem to be negatively impacting reservations. According to reports on the DIS, very few, if any BLT DVC studios are going unused!

 

[rtobe]

Having experienced the BLT Studio myself with 2 other adults while trying to get ready for dinner after swimming the arrangement is interesting at best. There is something odd about trying to blow dry hair while your friend is fussing in the kitchen behind you.

 

[canluvpooh]

We stayed in a BLT studio last week and the design, although not the best, wasn't the biggest issue for us - it was the size of the space

There were four of us - two adults, two teens - and it was definitely tiny! That being said the location was wonderful and the resort itself was very well done - you just have to compromise with the space a little to get it.

We only stayed two nights - any longer and it would have been a little two much closeness for us it was like sleeping in one giant bed we were so close.

 

[Nancy F]

We're going April 23RD and staying for the first time in a BLT Studio. We usually stay at The GF Concierge so this is going to be a big change. But we liked what we saw when we toured in Dec. The kitchenette/bathroom sink aren't going to be an issue for us. If the size of the room is too small for us... I already told the Hubby we will be getting a One BR for our April 2011 trip. Already booked a studio for Dec. Hope it doesn't mean we'll have to add on points. Time will tell.

Nancy

 

[DenLo]

Maybe so, but it doesn't seem to be negatively impacting reservations. According to reports on the DIS, very few, if any BLT DVC studios are going unused!

That's because the points are so high many don't have enough points to stay in a larger villa.

We just stayed in a BLT studio, MK view, Villa 8028. If we leaned against the window from the couch we could see the castle, but could easily see MK from the balcony facing right. There was only two adults so we weren't affected by the furniture and bathroom/kitchen arrangement. When staying in studios, we don't really fix food in the kitchen, just snacks or simple breakfast items, like muffins or cereal. So we won't leave any food open on the counter. And I'll clean it before using it for food. One thing I will say is that combo sink and kitchen area has a lot of storage space. Maybe even more than the 1 BR kitchens at many of the other DVC resorts.

Some problems that I had with BLT and some could be fixed.

• There was no full length mirror. One could be added to the door of that opens into the 1 BR (all of the studios are part of a lock off at BLT).
  
• The mirror over the bathroom sink has a very wide frame, especially at the bottom. Anyone under 5' 2" wouldn't be able to see their entire face when looking into the mirror. I would think they could just turn these mirrors upside down.
  
• The vanity countertop was very high. Too high for most children to brush their teeth at. (Hey another use of an Owner's Locker, the kids could stand on it to brush their teeth.) We have a raised counter in our bathroom at home and it is lower than the one at BLT. At 5' 4", I felt like a child trying to use the sink and put on makeup.
  
• The lighting in the bathroom, lights the sink just fine, but somehow misses your face when putting on makeup. And since the counter is curved and at the widest point is at the sink I had trouble leaning forward enough to see into the mirror. My eyes just aren't as good as they used to be.
  
• The table and chairs across from the couch are not really usable for dining. You cannot turn the chairs to face the table with out hitting the entertainment/dresser. (Which showed damage of others trying to do use the chair this way.) And the chair on side with the sliding door just doesn't have the room to be turned. You have sit sideways.
  
• The night stands (or should I say shelves), the I-Home takes up most of the room one and the telephone on the other. At least they could have made them with a shelf underneath so you'd have somewhere to place a book or your glasses or a bottle of water.
  
• The fan in the bathroom would not stay on while you took a shower. The shower curtain would block the sensor and the fan would turn off. I found myself opening the curtain and waving my around to turn the fan back on. Florida is too humid for you not to have a fan that really works when taking a shower.

Wow that sounds like were unhappy with the studio and we weren't. We plan to stay there again and when it just the two of us, we'll stay in a studio. It worked fine for us.

 

[beccasmom]

Four of us stayed in a BLT studio last August. While we liked the resort a lot, we were pretty unhappy with the studio - too small for 4 (4 adults anyway! ) and we really were put off with the bathroom sink location. We found that to be extremely odd.

We were planning to return this August (in a 1 or 2 bedroom), but could not book all the nights we needed, so we're staying at our home resort since our vacation dates aren't very flexible. We're certainly okay with that, but hope to give BLT another try at a later date.

There is a lot to like about BLT .... the studio just didn't work for us.

 

[spiceycat]

yea any family size above 2 would have problems here.

that say generally go solo - so it works great for me!

love it.

dry my hair in the bedroom anyway and that still works. definitely agree about the mirrors. that needs to be fixed - they could put up in the bathroom on the wall next to the toliet. but it really needs one.

love the storage.

now did not like the refrigerator door opens toward the storage bins and not the entire room.

plus it is small even for a studio it is small. you have lay big cokes and milk on its side. (not a great ideal) - now the smaller milk will fit on the door. but even that is tight fit.

 

[TiaMaria]

Not happy with the teeny tiny studio at BLT. Stayed 1st week of March with pre-teen niece and nephew.

I don't do my hair in the kitchen at home and I was not happy about doing it there on vacation. The hair on the vanity and floor between my niece and I was disgusting.

No sink in the bathroom means handling the bathroom door without washing your hands - too gross for words - especially with kids.

No room in the main part of room to maneuver. Hard to even make the bed. Table and chairs were a joke.

Teeny tiny little closet was already filled up with a large safe (which I like -just not here), a pack-n-play, a vacume cleaner, etc. No room for shoes or extra bags. We put luggage rack in front of lock-off door and pushed our Owners Locker underneath that. Luggage and the kids backpack carryons went under the TV - we removed the garbage can and just stuck that at the other end of the drawers.

Loved the decor and the storage space in the pantry and the vanity, but that was about it.

Won't stay in a studio there again.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That's because the points are so high many don't have enough points to stay in a larger villa.

We just stayed in a BLT studio, MK view, Villa 8028. If we leaned against the window from the couch we could see the castle, but could easily see MK from the balcony facing right. There was only two adults so we weren't affected by the furniture and bathroom/kitchen arrangement. When staying in studios, we don't really fix food in the kitchen, just snacks or simple breakfast items, like muffins or cereal. So we won't leave any food open on the counter. And I'll clean it before using it for food. One thing I will say is that combo sink and kitchen area has a lot of storage space. Maybe even more than the 1 BR kitchens at many of the other DVC resorts.

Some problems that I had with BLT and some could be fixed.

• There was no full length mirror. One could be added to the door of that opens into the 1 BR (all of the studios are part of a lock off at BLT).
  
• The mirror over the bathroom sink has a very wide frame, especially at the bottom. Anyone under 5' 2" wouldn't be able to see their entire face when looking into the mirror. I would think they could just turn these mirrors upside down.
  
• The vanity countertop was very high. Too high for most children to brush their teeth at. (Hey another use of an Owner's Locker, the kids could stand on it to brush their teeth.) We have a raised counter in our bathroom at home and it is lower than the one at BLT. At 5' 4", I felt like a child trying to use the sink and put on makeup.
  
• The lighting in the bathroom, lights the sink just fine, but somehow misses your face when putting on makeup. And since the counter is curved and at the widest point is at the sink I had trouble leaning forward enough to see into the mirror. My eyes just aren't as good as they used to be.
  
• The table and chairs across from the couch are not really usable for dining. You cannot turn the chairs to face the table with out hitting the entertainment/dresser. (Which showed damage of others trying to do use the chair this way.) And the chair on side with the sliding door just doesn't have the room to be turned. You have sit sideways.
  
• The night stands (or should I say shelves), the I-Home takes up most of the room one and the telephone on the other. At least they could have made them with a shelf underneath so you'd have somewhere to place a book or your glasses or a bottle of water.
  
• The fan in the bathroom would not stay on while you took a shower. The shower curtain would block the sensor and the fan would turn off. I found myself opening the curtain and waving my around to turn the fan back on. Florida is too humid for you not to have a fan that really works when taking a shower.

Wow that sounds like were unhappy with the studio and we weren't. We plan to stay there again and when it just the two of us, we'll stay in a studio. It worked fine for us.

Did you provide your comments to MS after your stay?

For those that have stayed there and have suggestions or have noticed shortcomings I'd suggest sending your comments to member services. After my studio stay I did this and was told that they are compiling a database of member comments/complaints that would be provided to the property manager and DVC/DVD. Some I mentioned had been heard many times before such as lack of enough towel bars in the bathroom. Number one on my list was no sheer curtains. And I also mentioned the lack of a full length mirror and no soap holder in the shower/tub.

I didn't bother with the room design shortcomings b/c nothing will be done there for a long time if ever. I didn't like the studio design from the start - and if I were DVD I'd never again hire the person who suggested it but at this point I figure it is what it is.

I also was told they would be reviewing the room view classifications but it would be very hard to say if or when anything would be done there. The good thing to note is they did do some reclassifications at AKV so it may not be beyond hope for BLT.

I don't know if the comments will change anything or get things like full length mirrors added but if they don't know that people are noticing these things then it's guaranteed nothing will be done. Speaking to a manager while there or responding to satisfaction survey's that are sent out after stays are other options.

 

[DebbieB]

No sink in the bathroom means handling the bathroom door without washing your hands - too gross for words - especially with kids.

This would be the same as most other DVC studios, as well as most WDW resort rooms.

 

[twinklebug]

I'll be testing the studio for 1 night in July for this exact reason. I have a feeling our VWL studio for 6 nights after the BLT one will feel wonderful and extraordinarily well thought out.

BTW - the comment about kids and bathrooms without sinks has me thinking of bringing wet wipes to leave in the commode area to aid with hand washing before leaving the room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

This would be the same as most other DVC studios, as well as most WDW resort rooms.

Except for OKW studio. The sink is in the bathroom.

 

[drusba]

I can't remember where the post is but I remember someone mentioning that BLT is the only place they have ever stayed where you can make toast and brush your teeth without changing positions.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I can't remember where the post is but I remember someone mentioning that BLT is the only place they have ever stayed where you can make toast and brush your teeth without changing positions.

Can you only imagine what Richyams would have said about BLT?

 

[DenLo]

Did you provide your comments to MS after your stay?

For those that have stayed there and have suggestions or have noticed shortcomings I'd suggest sending your comments to member services. After my studio stay I did this and was told that they are compiling a database of member comments/complaints that would be provided to the property manager and DVC/DVD. Some I mentioned had been heard many times before such as lack of enough towel bars in the bathroom. Number one on my list was no sheer curtains. And I also mentioned the lack of a full length mirror and no soap holder in the shower/tub.

I didn't bother with the room design shortcomings b/c nothing will be done there for a long time if ever. I didn't like the studio design from the start - and if I were DVD I'd never again hire the person who suggested it but at this point I figure it is what it is.

I also was told they would be reviewing the room view classifications but it would be very hard to say if or when anything would be done there. The good thing to note is they did do some reclassifications at AKV so it may not be beyond hope for BLT.

I don't know if the comments will change anything or get things like full length mirrors added but if they don't know that people are noticing these things then it's guaranteed nothing will be done. Speaking to a manager while there or responding to satisfaction survey's that are sent out after stays are other options.

I did today after I made my post above. I have to admit I surprised myself after making so many negative comments as we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at BLT.