BLT vs BCV for 12/20-12/27...opinions needed please

[reluctantredhead]

Hi everyone!

We're looking to take our first trip back (since Covid) to WDW from 12/20-12/27. We've been many times this exact week, so I'm already aware of the perils and pitfalls, crowds, etc., lol.

Traveling party will be my husband (50), myself (48), and our daughter (19). When we take family trips, for the past several years we've typically stayed in a 1 BR CL suite, though we have stayed in both BLT and BWV 1BR suites and enjoyed them as well. Since CL is currently suspended, and BVW isn't available for our dates, the choice comes down to a BLT or BCV 1BR. I should also add that during our Christmas stays, we typically do a split stay between MK and EP resorts, but we're thinking for this year that since there's a good chance that Covid protocols will still be in place, we don't need the added stress/work of doing a split stay. We will also be renting a car this year instead of using the Minnie Van service, as we typically do.

We're having a hard time deciding between the two...in part because we don't know whether MVMCP or the Candlelight Processional will be back, whether park hopping will be allowed, or how extensive the FOTH at EP will be. I guess we also don't know for sure whether the monorail will be running or whether it will have reduced capacity and long lines.

Our favorite parks now that our D is older are EP and HS, so that has us leaning towards BCV. But...having the 2nd bathroom at BLT is a pretty big deal with a college age daughter, and my husband actually prefers those rooms. Plus, if MVMCP is happening, it's so nice to be able to walk back to the room after the party instead of waiting for transportation. But...it's also so nice to be able to walk back and forth to EP from the Beach Club, since it's our favorite park and has all of our favorite restaurants.

Anyone stayed at both recently and have an opinion? Are there other considerations I haven't thought of? Any and all opinions and suggestions are welcome. TIA

PS -- We were also interested in trying out RR, but it's already sold out for those dates.

 

[philharmagic fan]

We stayed at BLT over New Year's and have stayed at Beach Club in the past. I'm going to assume you're driving to the parks. If you're rope-drop people, I'd definitely go with BLT. On MK days you can walk directly there without having to worry about buses or when the monorail or ferry start running. On our Epcot day we drove to Studios, parked (Studios opens an hour or two before Epcot), and walked to Epcot (boats are running as well if you prefer) in time to be near the front of the line at International Gateway. We had dinner at Trattoria al Forno at Boardwalk, took the boat to Studios, and got in a couple of rides right before closing.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

whether park hopping will be allowed,

You may have meant park hopping as it was in normal times, but just in case you didn't and haven't kept up with Disney news, wanted to point out modified park hopping has returned: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/park-hopper/

Sorry if I'm reading too much into the way your phrased it!

As for MVMCP (and again, maybe you're already taking this into account, if so SORRY!) but your dates are pushing the end of the normal MVMCP season. Here are the last party dates the last few years.

Sunday 12/22/2019
Friday 12/21/2018
Friday 12/22/2017
Thursday 12/22/2016
Friday 12/18/2015

Hard to say what MVMCP dates could be this year, but you may be right around that line. (BTW, I too hope they have it in some form!)

You have a few conflicting motivations in your post (room size/layout of BLT vs BCV location).

When I think of those kind of busy holiday weeks, I first think of transportation. Since you've been there during that time, you know how things can get a little 'full' - if you will. To me, being able to walk to two parks (especially parks that are your favorite) is just so key during that time. I have not personally stayed in a BCV 1 BR so I can't comment on the room type/layout - but if this were us, location probably trumps most everything else, so BCV would get the nod.

Good luck with your planning!

 

[reluctantredhead]

You may have meant park hopping as it was in normal times, but just in case you didn't and haven't kept up with Disney news, wanted to point out modified park hopping has returned: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/park-hopper/

Sorry if I'm reading too much into the way your phrased it!

As for MVMCP (and again, maybe you're already taking this into account, if so SORRY!) but your dates are pushing the end of the normal MVMCP season. Here are the last party dates the last few years.

Sunday 12/22/2019
Friday 12/21/2018
Friday 12/22/2017
Thursday 12/22/2016
Friday 12/18/2015

Hard to say what MVMCP dates could be this year, but you may be right around that line. (BTW, I too hope they have it in some form!)

You have a few conflicting motivations in your post (room size/layout of BLT vs BCV location).

When I think of those kind of busy holiday weeks, I first think of transportation. Since you've been there during that time, you know how things can get a little 'full' - if you will. To me, being able to walk to two parks (especially parks that are your favorite) is just so key during that time. I have not personally stayed in a BCV 1 BR so I can't comment on the room type/layout - but if this were us, location probably trumps most everything else, so BCV would get the nod.

Good luck with your planning!

@GADisneyDad14, I was hoping you would chime in!

Yes, I did mean "park hopping as it was in normal times," lol...though admittedly I haven't been following the boards much lately. DH and DD both have underlying conditions that make them more susceptible to severe cases of Covid, and we've had to cancel 3 WDW trips since Covid hit...so reading the boards was getting me down to be honest, and for my own mental health I had to step away for a while.

We typically (and from 2017-2019) make it for the final or second-to-last MVMCP of the season...so I believe we were at the 12/20/19 party (the one that had such torrential rains that a lot of people got refunds) and I think we were at the 12/21/18 party as well (unless I'm getting my years reversed!). At any rate, yes -- we usually just barely make that last party of the year. I'm so glad you brought this up, because in looking at the calendar, I see that the 19th is actually a Sunday...so that means we need to add a day and arrive on 12/19 to potentially catch the last party. If the last party ends up being on 12/17, though, we'll just be out of luck because my daughter doesn't get out of her fall semester of college until that day.

I completely agree with your reasoning about transportation and the walkability of BCV. That's the whole reason we usually do a split stay -- to be able to walk to the parks as much as possible during this traffic-heavy time of year. We typically will do GF/CR (sometimes WL and use the boats) for the first half of the trip, only visiting MK and AK (and taking a Minnie Van to/from there) on those days, and then switch to an EP resort and only visiting EP/HS for the second half of the trip (I LOVE doing this...relying on my own foot power instead of waiting around for transportation!). I wish we could do a split stay this time too, but we are just feeling like it will be too much for this trip.

DH prefers BLT, my D voted for BCV, and I'm the tiebreaker. I think I'm gonna go with my gut, and your advice, and book BCV. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and advice...it is much appreciated!

 

[reluctantredhead]

We stayed at BLT over New Year's and have stayed at Beach Club in the past. I'm going to assume you're driving to the parks. If you're rope-drop people, I'd definitely go with BLT. On MK days you can walk directly there without having to worry about buses or when the monorail or ferry start running. On our Epcot day we drove to Studios, parked (Studios opens an hour or two before Epcot), and walked to Epcot (boats are running as well if you prefer) in time to be near the front of the line at International Gateway. We had dinner at Trattoria al Forno at Boardwalk, took the boat to Studios, and got in a couple of rides right before closing.

Yes, we would drive to any parks we couldn't walk to...and I strongly prefer walking. The walk from BLT is so short and very convenient, especially after MVMCP or a long day at MK!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you a DVC member using your own points, renting a DVC reservation or booking for cash through Disney Reservation Center? If you are using points, I see that RR is still open for booking. But it could change immediately.

I'd book an Epcot area resort since none of you are single digits in age. You can always hop a bus to MK (driving could be a pain with the parking lot).

 

[reluctantredhead]

Are you a DVC member using your own points, renting a DVC reservation or booking for cash through Disney Reservation Center? If you are using points, I see that RR is still open for booking. But it could change immediately.

I'd book an Epcot area resort since none of you are single digits in age. You can always hop a bus to MK (driving could be a pain with the parking lot).

We are booking cash through Disney, as we aren't DVC members.

And yes, ITA with you about the Epcot area! I convinced my husband on that point, and we booked BCV. I appreciate on that! And ugh, yes...I hate driving to MK and parking, which is why I was tempted by BLT. We can't do the buses because my husband and I both get extremely carsick on them. We usually take a Minnie Van, but I think that due to Covid we'll be renting a car and driving, and have to do the dreaded parking at MK.