BLT vs VGF

[goofy4wdw2]

If you've stayed at both BLT and VGF, which do you prefer and why?

 

[Johnny D]

If you've stayed at both BLT and VGF, which do you prefer and why?

My opinion:

VGF is a more beautiful and luxurious resort with bigger rooms for each category. I prefer the dining options, grounds, ambiance, and service I receive at VGF.

BLT: overall transportation and location is better, mainly because you can walk to MK. It is also 1 stop to the TTC where you transfer to the monorail for Epcot.

Also, the 1 bedrooms have 2 bathrooms which many people like.

BLT is one of my least favorite resorts just because of the lack of Disney feel. Being at different resorts gives you a different feeling just walking around. That feeling is one of the major components why people prefer one resort over another. VGF, BWV, and WL are my favorites. The others just don't do it for me. The sleek, steel and concrete modern look of BLT and the contemporary are just not my style. It just doesn't give me that tingle!!

 

[OKW Lover]

We've done both. Overall, the VGF is nicer. We're not fans of the BLT decor but you have got to love the location for ease of getting to/from the MK. Not that VGF is that much more difficult but we often just walk from BLT/Contemporary over to the MK and back. Can't quite do that at VGF.

 

[Silvermist999]

So far, we have only stayed at BLT in a 1 BR villa. The villa is spacious and the location is so convenient. We love the style of the resort since it is "contemporary". That's our style, so we love it - modern with clean lines. With that being said, after staying there 3 times in the past 4 years, we've decided that this year, we are going to stay at VGF to check out the new villas and experience the resort itself.

 

[McCrae]

Both are great and we have stayed at both times.

VGF is more of a resort IMO where it would great to stay even without going to the parks. It's the kind of place where you could easily just hang out and enjoy what's available.

BLT feels more in the heart of the action and is perfect for those wanting to have the parks as the main focus of attention.

We usually do a split stay between the resorts.

For a short stay I would go to BLT for a longer more relaxing trip VGF would be my choice.

 

[Sandisw]

We have stayed at both and I love VGF better...which was a complete surprise to me.

Why? I liked having the resort feel, the pool area, and the fact that you have options in terms of walking...around the resort, over to the Poly, etc.

But, both places are nice and since I love going to MK, I would be happy to stay at either.

Actually looking forward to trying the Poly once they are open to see how that compares. We are okay with studios, and are intrigued about the connecting studios as an option down the road for family.

 

[princessfionasmom]

We have stayed at both and I love VGF better...which was a complete surprise to me. Why? I liked having the resort feel, the pool area, and the fact that you have options in terms of walking...around the resort, over to the Poly, etc. But, both places are nice and since I love going to MK, I would be happy to stay at either. Actually looking forward to trying the Poly once they are open to see how that compares. We are okay with studios, and are intrigued about the connecting studios as an option down the road for family.

This is my exact sentiment also!

 

[sleepydog25]

Tough call. VGF does have more of a resort feel as one poster mentioned, but its location is less convenient than BLT. BLT does possess a certain sterile feeling which VGF doesn't; however, VGF can't match the excitement of being close to the action (i.e., the Magic Kingdom). Each has its highlights and shortcomings, but if I was forced to choose just one for a five-night stay, I'd like go with VGF (though the storage in the studios there is abysmal).

 

[Donna M]

I've stayed in both and will be back to VGF this Feb. The VGF are so luxurious. My house is nothing like them, so I really feel like I'm on vacation when I stay there. Everything seems to be more high end.

BLT was great the first time we stayed there because we had a gorgeous view, but the second stay gave us a view straight across into other peoples' rooms. We do like the Bocce ball court which can't be found anywhere else, and the proximity to MK is nice.

When walking up to the buildings, BLT is too bland for us. It seems like you could be anywhere, there's no magic for us.

We will be staying at VGF as often as we can and maybe we'll stay at BLT when we have grandkids and want to be close to MK.

 

[disneynutz]

We own both and have stayed at both several times.

VGF wins our vote for all of the reasons posted above, but I would never post this because VGF is a small resort that is difficult to book.

Bill

 

[Snurk71]

We own both and have stayed at both several times.

VGF wins our vote for all of the reasons posted above, but I would never post this because VGF is a small resort that is difficult to book.

Bill

Don't you have a fixed week at VGF (or 2) though?

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thanks everyone! We own at BWV but really enjoyed two stays at BLT and loved walking to MK. The Contemporary is nostalgic for me as I stayed there as a child, the shops are great, but I agree that the theming is a bit sterile. We're trying VGF in May and I can't wait! We're considering selling some of our BWV points for something on the monorail and since we prefer 1BR, it's likely between BLT and VGF. So far hubby says BLT but I think I'm going to love theming of the rooms and pool etc at VGF. One concern though about either resort...someone recently mentioned reduced resort monorail hours. Is that common or only due to DVC construction? Thanks!

 

[disneynutz]

Don't you have a fixed week at VGF (or 2) though?

Yes but our fixed week is our (if inventory isn't available) fall back plan. Our current 10 year WDW plan has us alternating between VWL and VGF every year.

Bill

 

[Hisgirl]

I stayed in both this past year and IMO, there is no comparison. None. BLT felt like a contemporary condominium unit that could be placed anywhere. No food, (in the contemp. yes, but not in BLT) practically no decor from disney, a very, very impersonal feel. And while yes, one can walk to WDW...to be perfectly honest, after a long day of walking miles...the last thing I wanted to do was to walk some more. I love the short stroll up to the monorail that took me right to GF.

GF was stunning. We sat on our balcony and watched the sky filled with fireworks and enjoyed all of our meals at the various restaurants. It was a vacation in and of itself being in such a beautiful location.

I would never go back to BLT. Even though I walked to contemp to get food, I was not a fan of the loud environment inside the contemp. and it just didn't work for me.

 

[Jennasis]

Not even close. BLT and the CR simply ARE Disney World to us. When I think about Disney and resorts, the first image that pops into my head is the monorail gliding into the concourse. We love the look, the feel, the theme, the shopping, the marina, the beach, the pool, the unbeatable convenience of being able to walk to MK. When we dreamed of buying DVC, we instantly dreamed of buying BLT...and then we did!

The GF feels so stuffy to us. I feel like I have to whisper when I walk around, and the decor looks like my grandma's house. SO not our thing.

But this is the beauty of WDW. There is a resort for every taste and budget! Maybe BLT isn't your thing, maybe GFV isn't your thing...but there is a resort that is!

 

[Unyeah]

VGF is so much better than BLT. The resort is better. The furnishings are way nicer than BLT. The only thing BLT and CR are good for is walking to Magic Kingdom. Other than that the magic stops with BLT. I find BLT to be one of my least favorite DVC resorts. BLT is like staying at a hospital.

 

[holula]

I have stayed at both. We are looking to buy a small contract at BLT over VGF and the Poly. (As much as I love the Poly I can't get over the sticker shock and those bungalow point costs!) VGF feels very grand and very resort-y. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I don't particularly care for the main GF building though - the overall resort feel to me is stuffy. BLT is much simpler with a very modern, simplistic feel and I really like that. Those studios are tiny though! Thankfully we are only two people. I love being able to walk to MK.

 

[Judique]

If you've stayed at both BLT and VGF, which do you prefer and why?

I've stayed at both and I prefer location, location and did I say location? of Bay Lake Tower!

If it were just the rooms to consider, VGF rooms are very pretty and comfy except for storage.

I love staying in a BLT Lake View north end of the tower on the outside on a high floor. Best rooms as far as I'm concerned! Off to your left you will have that MK and fireworks view and off to your right you will have beautiful Bay Lake with the boats, the birds, eagles, hawks, shorebirds, surrounded by forested area.

From that same room you can see and hear the Walt Disney World Railroad train coming around and opening up MK in the early morning or you can just walk over and watch the show as you get ready to enter the park.

Because it is a tower, there is none of that long walk to get to your room as in other resorts.

I also like the food options at the Contemporary - all within a few yards of your room. Contempo Café - love their flatbreads! Great buffet breakfast at the Wave and great dinner at California Grill plus Top of The World Lounge right in BLT. Chef Mickey's if you have that age group, but I like the food better at the others.

And, if you are driving, coming and going from the Contemporary just seems easier. Easier to get to Downtown the back way.

 

[nalajms]

We're trying VGF in May and I can't wait! We're considering selling some of our BWV points for something on the monorail and since we prefer 1BR, it's likely between BLT and VGF.

FWIW, it's really hard to give up that extra bathroom at BLT for 1BR. We also find ourselves eating more in the room at VGF (and AKV savannah rooms) and spending more time in the room, than at other resorts.

Since 1BR are usually the last to be booked, it may not be worth it to swap out BWV points. If you don't travel during busy DVC months, it shouldn't be too hard to book a 1BR. Plus with the Poly opening, demand for VGF may decline.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thanks everyone for all of your thoughts! Sounds like both are great resorts! Decisions, decisions!!