Contemporary or BLT?

[fiversmama]

We are heading to WDW in March and trying to finalize accommodations. I've been reading all the posts on the Contemporary and BLT, but I can't decide.

Can anyone give me the pros and cons to BOTH?

Family of 4, definitely, and possibly have one grandparent with us.

Thanks!

 

[mariamouse]

We are heading to WDW in March and trying to finalize accommodations. I've been reading all the posts on the Contemporary and BLT, but I can't decide.

Can anyone give me the pros and cons to BOTH?

Family of 4, definitely, and possibly have one grandparent with us.

Thanks!

Do you know yet what kind of room you are considering at BLT (i.e. studio, 1BR, 2BR)? If you end up being five with the grandparent included, I'm pretty sure that you would have to shell out for a 2BR since I believe the studios and 1BRs only fit 4.

I would always choose a regular hotel room over a studio (plus the BLT studios are the smallest on property). The 1BR is really nice with the full kitchen, but the kids would still have to sleep on a pull-out sofa and it won't fit 5 if the grandparent joins. How old are your children? That might make a difference in their willingness to sleep on a sofa bed. A 2BR would be awesome if in the budget and would definitely be the choice over a room in the tower if money is not a concern.

I would probably opt for a tower room if you end up being five for cost savings purposes. Plus, it is fun to be in the middle of the magic in the tower and have flexibility if the grandparent does decide to join. Go for the MK view if you can swing it! So awesome to have that castle view at night.


ETA: Oops! Glad to see that I was wrong about the 1BR only fitting 4 people. If the grandparent doesn't mind sleeping on the pullout chair, then that would definitely be a good option. It would just be a matter of deciding whether you care more about the extra space of a 1BR (and full kitchen) versus the option of being in the middle of everything in the tower and having your kids be able to sleep in an actual queen bed/grandparent in a daybed. A 2BR would certainly be more comfortable than the 1BR, though, if it won't break the bank.

 

[Babsy]

With a family of four and a grandparent, I would book a 2 BR at BLT or 2 rooms at the CR. If that is a bit pricey, all 5 can sleep in the CR room, but it depends on how much togetherness you like. 2 rooms in the garden wing would definitely give you the most space on a budget and would be lovely as well. FYI, Ground flor rooms in the garden wing have patios, upper floors do NOT have balconies in the garden wing.

 

[d3boyz]

If you've never stayed at one or the other resort, you might want to try the one that is 'new' to you. That way, you have personal knowledge concerning how the property accommodated you and your family, and the ease with which you could get around.

I am anxious to try BLT on our next trip to the world. We have three teenage+ boys, and none of them are small ...

You could also look into renting points from a DVC member to find out how you might save on the trip vs paying cash!

Deb

 

[MinnieGirl33]

You can put 5 in a 1 BR at BLT. There will be a King in the master & a pull out sofa plus a pull out chair in the living room. 1 BR's at BLT also have 2 full bathrooms.

If you are looking to do a studio, even with 4, I would go CR instead. The studios at BLT are SMALL You will have more room in a regular CR room, plus you will have the daybed.

 

[ElizabethG]

You can put 5 in a 1 BR at BLT. There will be a King in the master & a pull out sofa plus a pull out chair in the living room. 1 BR's at BLT also have 2 full bathrooms.

If you are looking to do a studio, even with 4, I would go CR instead. The studios at BLT are SMALL You will have more room in a regular CR room, plus you will have the daybed.

This.

I would choose a BLT 1 bdrm over a CR room. You would get much more space with the full kitchen, w/d, 2 bathrooms. The capacity is 5, but only one real bed (king bed, queen sofa sleeper, single sleeper chair). The BLT studio will only sleep 4 (+ 1 under 3). Also, it would be a lot tighter than a room at CR. That said, my family of four has stayed in a studio at BLT twice and will again this year. We are comfortable there, but we do fold the sleeper sofa each day. (FYI: sleeper sofa is a double in a studio and a queen in larger units). However, if I was paying cash, I would get the room at CR instead of the BLT studio.

 

[fiversmama]

Do you know yet what kind of room you are considering at BLT (i.e. studio, 1BR, 2BR)? If you end up being five with the grandparent included, I'm pretty sure that you would have to shell out for a 2BR since I believe the studios and 1BRs only fit 4.

I would always choose a regular hotel room over a studio (plus the BLT studios are the smallest on property). The 1BR is really nice with the full kitchen, but the kids would still have to sleep on a pull-out sofa and it won't fit 5 if the grandparent joins. How old are your children? That might make a difference in their willingness to sleep on a sofa bed. A 2BR would be awesome if in the budget and would definitely be the choice over a room in the tower if money is not a concern.

I would probably opt for a tower room if you end up being five for cost savings purposes. Plus, it is fun to be in the middle of the magic in the tower and have flexibility if the grandparent does decide to join. Go for the MK view if you can swing it! So awesome to have that castle view at night.


ETA: Oops! Glad to see that I was wrong about the 1BR only fitting 4 people. If the grandparent doesn't mind sleeping on the pullout chair, then that would definitely be a good option. It would just be a matter of deciding whether you care more about the extra space of a 1BR (and full kitchen) versus the option of being in the middle of everything in the tower and having your kids be able to sleep in an actual queen bed/grandparent in a daybed. A 2BR would certainly be more comfortable than the 1BR, though, if it won't break the bank.

Thanks to you ALL for your opinions. Most of you validated what I was thinking. Our kids will be 11 and 5 and are versatile/adaptable sleepers, thank goodness. That said, I don't know if I can handle up close and personal togetherness with my MIL (who is a very dear person, of course ) for 6 straight days.

I am just reading and learning about DVC rental points, too. No matter what my search reveals, I can't see spending cash for the BLT, if rental points aren't available for our travel dates. We will likely go for a CR room. Maybe we'll also investigate a second room in the garden wing for my MIL, if she decides to come at a later date.

Thanks again!