BLT vs VGF

[KWanzek]

Hi, everyone! I am brand new here, and I would like some opinions about BLT vs VGF. I recently bought in to the DVC in March. My home resort is VGF and our first stay will be in December for 4 nights. I have also booked a 5 night stay from March 14-19 at the VGF. I now have the opportunity to switch to BLT, lake view. Since I won't have to chance to try out the Grand Floridian until December I'm not sure what to do, stay put or make the switch to BLT?!? Vacationing with me are my husband and two children (5 and 2). I haven't read the greatest reviews for BLT regarding room quality... Location is my main reason for wanting to switch to BLT.

Thanks everyone!

 

[DenLo]

Currently the monorail is being worked on so it is often shut down and people at GF are forced to take the ferry with long lines or a special bus that has been provided. I understand it is taking 45 minutes to get to MK.

I am not sure if the monorail refurbishment will affect your trips or not.

Per the DISboards:

As of 6/22/14: The monorail will have a different operating schedule than normal as an automation upgrade takes place. An automated monorail will allow for faster switching times, more frequent dispatching of trains, and accurate arrival information. Additional buses and watercraft will be available during this time (guests who have early breakfast reservations can also use watercraft or bus service). This schedule will be in place for a few months, but no specific end date has been set. The schedule will be:
Epcot - 9:00am-11:00pm
Resort monorail - 8:30am-midnight
Express monorail - 9:30am-11:30pm

However at BLT you can just walk to MK and be there in about 10 minutes.

 

[JWG]

Why BLT is better:
- Fewer points to stay as compared to VGF
- First monorail stop at end of day when tired
- Easy walk to MK when monorails aren't operating or are packed
- Easy walk to MK bus terminal when you need access to other resorts for dining reservations
- More view options
- Better MK views due to high rise
- More variety in restaurant choices (both types and cost as VGF tends to be a bit higher end)

All personal opinion of course. Full disclosure, we own there.

 

[wdrl]

Both VGF and BLT are great resorts. If I were you, I would switch to BLT for your March trip.

Now that you are a DVC Member, you'll have 50 years to use your points. You'll have lots of opportunities to stay at VGF, so take this opportunity to try another DVC resort. After staying at BLT for a few days, you might find that you like BLT, or you might find that you miss your home resort resort of VGF. At least you'll be able to form your own opinions about what you like or don't like about each resort. Here on the disboards you'll find all sorts of opinions about every DVC resort. Some people love VGF or BLT, others would rather die than stay at either resort.

Have fun using your membership!

 

[KWanzek]

Thank you, everyone! There were some excellent points made which made my decision much easier! Can't wait to stay at the BLT in March

 

[drusba]

If the monorail problem continues, I would likely make the switch since you can walk to MK from BLT but would do it if, and only if, you are considering a 1BR or larger. The VGF studios are 374 sq ft, are quite plush, and have a separate tub and shower. The BLT studio is a cramped, and in my view too small for any fasmily of four, 339 sq ft with combined tub/shower. If you go from staying first in a VGF studio to second in a BLT studio, you are likley to be disappointed. However, if you are thinking 1BR at BLT then you would be getting one of the larger and better DVC 1BRs.

 

[CarolMN]

If you are going to book a BLT studio, know that BLT studios are the smallest of all the DVC resorts. Many do not think they are large enough for a family of four.

But good to try for yourself and your children are small.

 

[Unyeah]

BLT would be better at least you can walk to magic kingdom and go to top of world lounge which is fun. Other than that nothing really special about the resorts. Monorail is nice but gets old quick. BLT and VGF longest bus rides ever stopping at multiple resorts and multiple parks.

 

[pharm55]

Have not stayed at VGF but stayed at BLT in July 2014 and my kids ages 13, 11 and 8 all loved it and want to go back there. We stayed in a 1 bdr villa and while I did not care for the layout of the ensuite bathroom/shower etc or the laundry (slowest fill rate of a washer ever!) the quality of the room was very good IMO. We stayed previously at AKV Kidani and when I asked my kids why they prefer BLT they said it was brighter in the room, not such a long walk to the room from lobby and pool and they loved the outdoor shuffleboard and bean bag toss etc. Other pro to BLT is the short walk to MK.
With respect to post about busses and multiple parks and resorts. The only resort we stopped at was the Poly and did not have busses going to multiple parks when we were there. If you got on bus to Epcot it stopped at Poly to pick up there and then on to Epcot etc. maybe this is different in low season?
the only exception to this I can think of is that the AK bus also went to Typhoon Lagoon (I think) after stopping at AK but we also had this at Kidani when we were headed back there from AK. When monorail is back up running in the am I don't think they have the bus to Epcot - you are expected to take the monorail.

 

[McCrae]

We own at BLT and are big fans of GF. GF is the premier Disney resort and is head and shoulders above any other property in Disney.

Saying that I also am a fan of BLT and have always enjoyed our stays there. Both are great resorts and I would recommend you stay at both.... But if I could only stay at one it would be VGF.

 

[disneynutz]

You need to stay at all of the DVC resorts a couple of times, then your experience can allow you to decide which resorts are your favorite and in which order. We find it helpful to keep a pro and con list on each resort so a few years from now, we will remember what we liked and didn't like.

We own VGF and BLT and prefer VGF. We don't have kids and we love to spend most of our time at the resort.

Bill

 

[DougEMG]

If you are going to book a BLT studio, know that BLT studios are the smallest of all the DVC resorts. Many do not think they are large enough for a family of four.

But good to try for yourself and your children are small.

We're in a BLY studio right now. Just the three of us and we all thought the room was quiet small. Lots of storage though.

Other than being able to walk to MK, I'm not a big fan of BLT. It just feels like any other modern hotel, not much of a Disney feel to it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We're in a BLY studio right now. Just the three of us and we all thought the room was quiet small. Lots of storage though.

Other than being able to walk to MK, I'm not a big fan of BLT. It just feels like any other modern hotel, not much of a Disney feel to it.

Yep, not much very Disney about it.

 

[disneynutz]

We're in a BLY studio right now. Just the three of us and we all thought the room was quiet small. Lots of storage though.

Other than being able to walk to MK, I'm not a big fan of BLT. It just feels like any other modern hotel, not much of a Disney feel to it.

That's are feeling also, the parking lot, roof of space mountain and the castle in the distance just isn't our favorite view.

The Monorail going buy is a plus though!

That's the great thing about WDW, they do a great job of theming and provide something for everyone taste.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That's are feeling also, the parking lot, roof of space mountain and the castle in the distance just isn't our favorite view.

The Monorail going buy is a plus though!

That's the great thing about WDW, they do a great job of theming and provide something for everyone taste.

Bill

Agreed. I think virtually all the resorts have excellent theming that lets you know your on vacation - but often little that I would call specifically Disney. In that way I think BLT, for all it's modern Ikea decor has some of the best - mostly because of location but they do have pretty big Mickey and Minnie pictures too and the big glowing Mickey on the pool slide. We listen to the boat and train whistles and I've always liked watching the monorail. I did realize the one thing missing in my picture was an actual monorail on the mono rail!

 

[disneynutz]

Agreed. I think virtually all the resorts have excellent theming that lets you know your on vacation - but often little that I would call specifically Disney. In that way I think BLT, for all it's modern Ikea decor has some of the best - mostly because of location but they do have pretty big Mickey and Minnie pictures too and the big glowing Mickey on the pool slide. We listen to the boat and train whistles and I've always liked watching the monorail. I did realize the one thing missing in my picture was an actual monorail on the mono rail!

At least you didn't buy BLT like we did and then find out that the contemporary theme is too contemporary for our liking.

Bill