BLT: The Good and The Bad

[ssawka]

We just returned from a wonderful trip to BLT 1BR MK View (1/27-2/2) and I'm planning on writing a full trip report, but until then, I wanted to make a few comments about BLT.

First the good:

• Location, Location, Location (If you love MK and like to visit the other resorts as well as Epcot, you couldn't ask to be at a better spot).
• Beautiful rooms (if you like that look, which we do).
• Two bathrooms.
• Bay Cove Pool (I was worried that the slide would be too scary for DD, but she loved it.)
• Sky Bridge (Very easy to get to Contemporary)
• Community Room (This is the first time we stayed at a resort that had one)

The Bad:

• Room location. We had reserved a MK view room, which technially we got, however we were assigned the absolutely worst possible MK room (7326) It is a MK room from the living room only, and only if you are sitting on the couch. If you are on the balcony, the support from the BLT awning is right in your line of sight. When we checked in I asked the CM at the front desk if they had anything higher, but they did not. She did say we could switch if another room later in the trip if we were not satisfied. DW was not keen on the idea of moving our luggage and food, so we stayed where we were. I believe being assigned this room was because of when we checked in. We checked in on a Wednesday night, so I do believe that there was not another MK room available at the time. It is just that I will not waste the points in the future for a view of the parking lot.
• Ice maker is very loud and I heard it all the first night. It was so loud that I thought there was a public one on the other side of the wall before I realized if was the Fridge. I'm not sure how DD did not hear it as she was sleeping on the pullout. As a side note, the first night DW said she had a dream that DD was playing with the pots and pans in the kitchen before I told her it was the ice maker. Anyway, we turned it off each night so it was not really a problem.
• There seems to be a number of things that were missed in construction. In our room the garbage disposal was not connected to the switch, and there were light switches that didn't seem to do anything.
• The BLT rooms are not very "kid safe". There are no locks on any of the doors. The knifes are in a drawer that kids can easy reach (we moved them) and the thermostat is also within kids reach (I assume that was for ADA, still a flip-up cover or something would be nice).
• Mousekeeping did not include all of the supplies needed. First, there were no blankets or pillows for the pull-outs. For the first night we gave DD the green bedspread and requested a blanket the next day, though it did take two calls to actually get them to bring one. They also did not put hot pads or cooktop scrapers in the room. They also did not provide more toilet paper during trash and towel service, so we "stole" one from one of the maid's carts. I realize you can call and have these things delivered, but you should not have to. The occasional missed item is understandable, but I consider the number of "missed" items a lack of quality assurance.
• The TOTWL is not very "family friendly". The only thing on the menu is appetizers, none of which are appealing to children, and it takes a long time for them to be delivered, I'm assuming they are walking them over from the Contemporary. Also, we brought some friends up with us, who also had two kids, and another customer was staring at us because the kids were a little excited and making noise. I didn't say anything, but my attitude was "hey, this is Disney and we paid just as much to be here as they did!" Believe me, if they were being overly loud or unruly we would have left, but they were just being kids. Luckily by fireworks time, the place was full of kids.
• The bus service could be better as the buses are shared with Poly and GF.

I know it seems like I have more negative comments than positive ones, however the negatives are more annoyances than actual issues. All in all, I'd have to say that we really had a wonderful stay, and since we own at BLT we are looking forward to returning. (once we've tried some of the other resorts that is )

 

[dvcblt93]

[*]The TOTWL is not very "family friendly". The only thing on the menu is appetizers, none of which are appealing to children

One of the nights we went we asked and the staff was very accommodating!

They brought us plain cheese nachos and a plain cheese flatbread!

 

[ssawka]

One of the nights we went we asked and the staff was very accommodating!

They brought us plain cheese nachos and a plain cheese flatbread!

That's good to know, I'll have to remember to ask next time.

 

[AJKMOM]

We were only there 3 nights, and there were a few things that may keep me from going back. The Electric Water Parade was very loud starting at 10:05 each night.

Also the plumbing in the 1 BR was very loud. We could hear the spa tub going from the upper floor, and hear the toilet flushing right through the walls. I knew that when we used our bathroom, it would be very loud for the people below us.

I also could tell that the fireworks would wake us up, especially on nights when there was a special party going on at the MK.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Thanks for your input, and I agree with you, the villas comes with a list of supplies and they should be there, resupplying the villas once guests leave should be automatic, not on a call basis. The pull out is considered sleeping arrangments and you shouldn't have to look for sheets, pillow, blankets for it , they should be available.

We are hoping to book a week-end at the 7 month mark at BLT and the only reason is for the MK View so it's good to know what area toa void if possible.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I have to agree, we had several of the same experiences with our stay over Thanksgiving that you have described here. We checked in and no extra pillows or blankets for the pullouts. We had to call to get those. And I think they must believe in toilet paper rationing.

We had my 12 month old nephew with us for the stay and he kept bumping his head into the handle on the bathroom door. I appreciate the modern look of a sliding door, but the handle stuck out and he bumped into it several times, and left with more than one bruise from our room! Also, you had to make sure that if you were using the restroom, you went fast because you never knew when he was going to pull open the door and expose you to everyone! A lock would be nice!

 

[DenLo]

Thanks for the mini report. Maybe since BLT is not always sold out, mousekeeping has not figured out the routine. It does sound like no one is supervising nor doing any quality control based on the number of times I've read similar comments as yours.

I also read on a thread that the CMs at TOTW lounge provided PB& J sandwiches for a member's children. So maybe you should ask the next time if there are any other food options for your children.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Room location. We had reserved a MK view room, which technially we got, however we were assigned the absolutely worst possible MK room (7326) It is a MK room from the living room only, and only if you are sitting on the couch. If you are on the balcony, the support from the BLT awning is right in your line of sight. When we checked in I asked the CM at the front desk if they had anything higher, but they did not. She did say we could switch if another room later in the trip if we were not satisfied.

Well this is disappointing to hear considering the point cost for a MK view. Makes me hesitant to reserve a MK view now. I know you were given an opportunity to switch, but this won't always be an option I'm sure in the future. I had a very disappointing Preferred View at the BWV too---primarily the valet parking lot. Thanks for the head's up.


Maria

 

[disneylovin24]

I'm going to be in a 1 bedroom MK view in a week and when I first looked at all of the negatives I got scared but then I started reading them and none of them really bothered me. Only two that Im worried about is not having sheets for the pull outs (but now I'll be sure to ask for them as soon as I get there) and the view. What floor was your room on?

 

[Sammie]

There seems to be a number of things that were missed in construction. In our room the garbage disposal was not connected to the switch, and there were light switches that didn't seem to do anything.

The new BLT is a beautiful building with a fabulous location, but I have to wonder how well built this building actually is.

I am afraid there are going to be problems with it down the road.

 

[ssawka]

I'm going to be in a 1 bedroom MK view in a week and when I first looked at all of the negatives I got scared but then I started reading them and none of them really bothered me. Only two that Im worried about is not having sheets for the pull outs (but now I'll be sure to ask for them as soon as I get there) and the view. What floor was your room on?

We were on the third floor. At BLT, the second number indicates the floor number, starting at 7100 for the first floor and ending at 8500 for the fifteenth floor.

As I said in my last line, "...the negatives are more annoyances than actual issues" I just wanted others to be aware of them. The only one that really bothered me was the so called "MK View" on the third floor.

 

[MiaSRN62]

We were on the third floor. At BLT, the second number indicates the floor number, starting at 7100 for the first floor and ending at 8500 for the fifteenth floor.

I thought I read somewhere that MK views were higher than the 3rd floor ? I wish this was all spelled out somewhere. I cannot imagine being on the 3rd floor and getting a quality MK view ?

Maria

 

[Crystal_27]

Thank you so much for the detailed report!! I agree with you that the lack of stocking of the rooms should be addressed.

 

[ssawka]

I thought I read somewhere that MK views were higher than the 3rd floor ? I wish this was all spelled out somewhere. I cannot imagine being on the 3rd floor and getting a quality MK view ?

Maria

I think they start on the third floor, but I'm not quite sure. To tell you the truth, I think the lake view would be a much nicer view. I think we'll try that next, after we try AKV and VWL.

 

[disney0505]

I totally agree. On the third floor the monorail would be higher than your room. They really need to re-examine the room categories. I would not be thrilled at using extra points and getting a third floor MK view considering there are lake views on high floors that can see the MK by looking slighty to the left. I think a new partial MK view category that requires less points could be a possible solution.

 

[keishashadow]

I thought I read somewhere that MK views were higher than the 3rd floor ? I wish this was all spelled out somewhere. I cannot imagine being on the 3rd floor and getting a quality MK view ?

Maria

my kids were in 4th floor stand studio in Dec. & said it was great view of MK FW, said they didn't notice monorail track

i thought the MK view started on the 5th

 

[jakenjess]

We were at BLT last week and really loved it. I definitely agree with your list of good points!

We had a LV 2BR ded., 7602. We had a nice view of the fireworks from our master balcony and could see Space Mountain from the sofa. I would be really upset if we spent MK points and had your room. They need to rethink how some of the rooms are categorized.

We didn't have the issue with the ice maker, but we did have a light switch that didn't do anything.

The bus service for the deluxe resorts in general could be much better. It's the same at BWV and BCV, and I've always felt the bus service is time consuming.

We were chatting with our server at the TOTWL, and the food is made right there. The kitchen is on the 15th floor, and there's a dumb waiter just outside the doors to the lounge.

 

[buzz5985]

The new BLT is a beautiful building with a fabulous location, but I have to wonder how well built this building actually is.

I am afraid there are going to be problems with it down the road.

I agree, we were in a SV studio last November and there were all rust stains in the tub from improperly fastened hand rails. All because the contractor didn't use a stainless steel screws, which if they had sealed around the rail - wouldn't have been evident so quickly. DH is a plumber and was disgusted when he saw this. No excuse for it, sloppy work.

 

[twinklebug]

I agree, we were in a SV studio last November and there were all rust stains in the tub from improperly fastened hand rails. All because the contractor didn't use a stainless steel screws, which if they had sealed around the rail - wouldn't have been evident so quickly. DH is a plumber and was disgusted when he saw this. No excuse for it, sloppy work.

This is the sort of thing that needs to be brought to the attention of DVC asap. Did you report it? I'm sure DVC is still well within their timeframe for reporting such poor workmanship with the builder & having it repaired before it becomes a huge lawsuit type issue.

Housekeepers won't report this sort of thing... they just do their job and leave.

As to the OP's opinion of BLT, everyone is entitled to their own! I have a one night stay at BLT coming up this summer just to give it a try before moving over to VWL. I suspect BLT won't be for me, but I'm always open to trying something new & I might be charmed by the place.

If we all loved the same resorts it'd be awfully hard to get reservations where we want to be.

 

[quirty30]

I think they start on the third floor, but I'm not quite sure. To tell you the truth, I think the lake view would be a much nicer view. I think we'll try that next, after we try AKV and VWL.

We had a lake view last September, on the outer part of the "crescent" on the 11th floor. Lake view straight ahead, MK view to the left. I thought it was the best of both worlds. Much as I might enjoy the MK view at night for the fireworks, I'm one who likes to sit on the balcony in the morning with a cup of coffee; this worked much nicer with a lake view than it would have with a parking lot view. For this reason alone, I don't think I'd ever book a MK view room (and I'd have been perfectly content if I didn't have that MK view to the left - I just thought of it as a bonus.) I highly recommend the lake view - in my opinion, it's a much better point value.