BLT - Theme Park View worth it?

[Crispity]

Hi all - we're looking at staying at BLT next spring for 8 nights in a one bedroom, and I am debating on which view to pick. Theme park view is a total of $730 more than standard view. We have two daughters, who will be 1 and 4 when we go. The 4 year old loves fireworks, so would definitely like to be able to see them from the balcony. Is the view spectacular? What about the parking lot - does that detract a lot from the view, especially during the day?

If we don't get the TPV, what would be a good place to view fireworks from the resort? Also, is an upgrade from standard view to Bay Lake view worth it if we don't go with TPV? That upgrade would be less than $200 total.

TIA!

 

[buzzrelly]

Personally, I would pay the money to upgrade to TPV. There's nothing in the world like it, especially when everyone is tired out at the end of the day. You get to sit there and relax and watch the fireworks. The parking lot never bothered me. I barely noticed it until everyone on these boards pointed it out. To me, it's not a big deal at all. I stayed in Lake View last year and I would NOT pay extra (points, in my case) to stay there again. For us it'll be TPV all the way! I just added a bunch of pics from my trip in a TPV 1 bedroom from this past April to my trip report. The link is in my signature. If I were in my computer I would post them here but I'm on my phone.

 

[buzzrelly]

Just thought I'd come back and share our "View" photos.












And see, teenagers get tired too! So for the days when you just can't muster the energy to stand on your balcony, you just lay in bed and watch!

 

[Nancyg56]

Under your circumstances I would probably pay to upgrade. I normally do not pay for views at Disney, but with little ones who like firewoks there is not much better. I had Theme Park view at the Grand, and it was dead bang on the Castle. It was awesome!

 

[addiln]

We were there last year and the theme park view is awesome. I have stayed there before and had a lake view when it first opened and it was a waste. If you are going to upgrade to any view you might as well go all the way and get the best view possible. Watching the fireworks from your room is awesome and walking over to Magic Kingdom is just as good. I doubt you would regret spending the extra money for the view. Also as the pp mentioned you really don't notice the parking lot when you are looking out the window.

 

[Crispity]

Thanks so much, everyone, especially buzzrelly for the pictures! I think we may have to go with the theme park view

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks so much, everyone, especially buzzrelly for the pictures! I think we may have to go with the theme park view

I think you will not regret it. My DH is a view guy when it comes to the MK. When my own adult children were young, we took them to the CR over a New Years Eve holiday. We had to save forever for this vacation, but ,y hisband would not bend when it came to view. The Electric Water Pageant was the only regular evening entertainment back then, so he ponied up for Lake view in a room that was as high up in that tower as we could secure. It was expensive, but so worth it. The kids will love it as my as my children appreciated that little extra treat at night.

 

[beccasmom]

We were switched over to BLT last summer from OKW due to a mechanical issue. We were on the 8th floor in a one-bedroom unit. Our unit was situated a little off center of the castle to the right. It was considered lake-view, but we actually had a great view of the MK and greatly enjoyed watching Wishes from our balcony. I would highly recommend it.

 

[AshleeH]

We love TPV - it's what we always book at Bay Lake (and have another one coming up in just a few months). We're not the commando people who only go to the room to sleep - we're in the room for a midday break everyday and we try to be in at least two nights out of every vacation to watch the fireworks from the balcony. A view is a huge part of the vacation experience for us, no matter what resort we stay in. We love the parks, but there's something about early mornings or late nights on a balcony that really makes it feel like a vacation. Some say it's not worth it because the show is better in the parks - I find it's not worth it to battle the crowds in the parks only to have someone put their child on their shoulders right in front of you when the show starts.

There is nothing like kicking back on the balcony with the Wishes or HalloWishes music playing on TV and enjoying a park treat (I like to get a Starring Rolls cupcake or something from Karamel Kuche) while relaxing and watching the show.

 

[DSG]

Love the views from the CR and BLT. I still hit the parks pretty aggressively but when things slow down after another trip or two I'm hoping to jump into this experience!

 

[disprincess2213]

So heres the deal. DH and I have been to WDW many times (never to CR or BLT). Once we had a baby, we took DD (16 months at the time) to WDW for the first time. This was our first trip as a "family". We splurged on the CR TPV for 6 nights (DH almost died when I told him the price!!! I lived with anxiety for 3 months before even getting there to even know if it was worth it!) and we went. And we enjoyed. And to this day....6 trips later....it was our most INCREDIBLE trip in the universe. We watched the fireworks every night in our PJs. DD sat with us on the balcony and loved every minute. We have these memories for the rest of our lives!!! Since that trip, we are proud DVC members and stay at BLT at LEAST once a year TPV with an even BETTER view from the CR. Point here is- that one trip of splurging for TPV with DD so young gave us the incredible memories that pushed us to always come back for more!! If you have young children (which you do) and want to be in the comfort of your own room experiencing Wishes...do it....you will NOT regret it. The thought of our first TPV trip brings me to tears even writing this. It was worth it for us!! Good luck with your decision!!

 

[YankeePrincess]

I enjoyed our theme park view. It was nice to sit on the couch and watch the fireworks!

 

[lulubel88]

What I liked even more was having my morning coffee on the balcony and watching them bring the monorail out to the main beams.

 

[NYMommy80]

We are booked into TPV and I do my online check in tomorrow. What floor is best? THANK YOU!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We are booked into TPV and I do my online check in tomorrow. What floor is best? THANK YOU!

High floor. Higher the better.

 

[NYMommy80]

High floor. Higher the better.

Thank you I am so excited for this trip!

 

[lizard1]

High floor. Higher the better.

Most definitely! We had a TPV room on the 14th floor and it was AMAZING!