Couple of BLT questions

[jtowntoflorida]

We have a wonderful DVC owner that we found through the DIS to rent points from last year, and we're renting from him again this year. Last year we stayed at VWL and loved it, but this year we're thinking of trying BLT.

How is availability (generally) at BLT 7 months out? I know there's no definitive answer, just wanted to get a better feel for whether staying there is a pipe dream. We're planning on starting our vacation mid-October, so not a super busy time.

Also, how is the fireworks noise at BLT? We could hear them every night at VWL, so I'm just wondering if they're overpowering at BLT.

Thanks! Less than a month until we can book and know for sure which resort we'll be staying at this time!

 

[YankeePrincess]

Bay Lake does sell out pretty quickly. I think it is important to be flexible with the type of room you want (views). They are all great rooms no matter what and sometimes even the standard view rooms will get you a view of the lake or MK.

The fireworks have never bothered me but I am always watching them every night. You do hear the booming from them and it would probably be a bit louder than VWL. I actually think the water parade is louder .

 

[aclov]

Book as soon as the 7month period is because it books up quick! I was able to snag a lake view room right at the 7mo mark and that was all the views they had left and not many.

 

[seelyt2]

We were not able to get a 1 bedroom standard view at 9am on our 7th month date for our upcoming August 19 vacation. They did have a lake view for more points, of course. We bucked up and purchased the lake view. So flexibility is a good thing, if your renter has the points available. Good luck!

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

We were not able to get a 1 bedroom standard view at 9am on our 7th month date for our upcoming August 19 vacation. They did have a lake view for more points, of course. We bucked up and purchased the lake view. So flexibility is a good thing, if your renter has the points available. Good luck!

Standard view and MK view rooms go the quickest. The majority of the rooms are classified as lake view. There are some lake view rooms that have a partial MK view.

 

[vdub322]

We have a wonderful DVC owner that we found through the DIS to rent points from last year, and we're renting from him again this year. Last year we stayed at VWL and loved it, but this year we're thinking of trying BLT.

How is availability (generally) at BLT 7 months out? I know there's no definitive answer, just wanted to get a better feel for whether staying there is a pipe dream. We're planning on starting our vacation mid-October, so not a super busy time.

Also, how is the fireworks noise at BLT? We could hear them every night at VWL, so I'm just wondering if they're overpowering at BLT.

Thanks! Less than a month until we can book and know for sure which resort we'll be staying at this time!

We joined DVC today (and already had a 7 night trip planned for 4/27/12) and we gave our rep a list of our preferred accommodations, with BLT 1 BR Villa Lake View being at the top and we got it! She couldn't believe it and neither could we! So you just never know, but I would do it earlier than we did it.

 

[Sandisw]

We joined DVC today (and already had a 7 night trip planned for 4/27/12) and we gave our rep a list of our preferred accommodations, with BLT 1 BR Villa Lake View being at the top and we got it! She couldn't believe it and neither could we! So you just never know, but I would do it earlier than we did it.

When you buy direct from Disney, the guides have the ability to book rooms that are not available for members at a non-sold out resorts, like BLT. It appears they have some flexibility to book developer inventory that members can not.

Not that we know for sure but its possible that is what happened today when your guide secured the reservation on such short notice.

In terms of OP, October is a busy DVC time but I think if you call right at 7 months and are okay with the LV rooms, I think you should have a really good shot.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

We have a wonderful DVC owner that we found through the DIS to rent points from last year, and we're renting from him again this year. Last year we stayed at VWL and loved it, but this year we're thinking of trying BLT.

How is availability (generally) at BLT 7 months out? I know there's no definitive answer, just wanted to get a better feel for whether staying there is a pipe dream. We're planning on starting our vacation mid-October, so not a super busy time.

Also, how is the fireworks noise at BLT? We could hear them every night at VWL, so I'm just wondering if they're overpowering at BLT.

Thanks! Less than a month until we can book and know for sure which resort we'll be staying at this time!

The fireworks are definitely loud at BLT, but as we rush "home" to watch them every night, we do not mind-we actually enjoy it!!

My kids get a kick out of the car alarms that constantly go off when the big booms happen!!

The fireworks only last 10 minutes or so-it does not really matter-unless of course you are trying to sleep!!

 

[vdub322]

When you buy direct from Disney, the guides have the ability to book rooms that are not available for members at a non-sold out resorts, like BLT. It appears they have some flexibility to book developer inventory that members can not.

Not that we know for sure but its possible that is what happened today when your guide secured the reservation on such short notice.

Well however she did it is fine with me...I wasn't expecting it this close to our vacation!

 

[spiceycat]

mid oct for dvc members is a super busy time.

Epcot is doing the food/wine festival - BWV and BCV generally sell out first - then because of the monorail to Epcot - BLT

so would find a BLT owner who can make your reservations NOW.

otherwise Sept or May are good time to go and you might find something at 7 months.

now if you would be happy with a lake view - then you might find something at the 7th months in Oct - but no guarantees.

fireworks for me BLT has better insulation than VWL does. so have been on the lake side of BLT (closest to CR) and unless have the doors open - did not here it.

now the standard view closes to the park you will definitely hear it.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Thank you for your responses!

At this point, we're leaning toward BLT but if we don't get it, it won't break our hearts. We've orally committed to renting through "our" owner and I'm not going to screw over such a wonderful person just to get a better shot at BLT now. As they say, renting points is all about trust on both sides. We trusted each other last time and it worked out well for both parties. If we can't get it at 7 months with him, it wasn't meant to be, I guess.

I would be more than happy with lake view. I know the 1 bedroom SVs are already sold out for our dates (based on the threads on here) and I didn't want to pay the premium for the MK view anyway.

 

[spiceycat]

you might get a lake view at 7 months.

good luc

 

[amypetecar]

For what it is worth, 1BR LV is available 7 months out right now. So is 1BR MK view everyday except 1, as is 2BR LV and 2BR MK view.

I realize Sept. is among the slowest months, but I don't think early to mid-october is that much more challenging.

I think you have a reasonable chance of grabbing something if you book right at the 7 month mark in the AM

 

[amypetecar]

Well however she did it is fine with me...I wasn't expecting it this close to our vacation!

For the premium you paid buying BLT direct.... you deserve it! Enjoy!

 

[vdub322]

For the premium you paid buying BLT direct.... you deserve it! Enjoy!

Thanks! We actually bought AKV (only 160 points to start) and fully intended to stay there, but decided to try BLT on a whim. It's our first trip with our three year old and the convenient location would help us a lot this time. It wasn't cheap to go direct, but we already had this trip booked and paid for with cash at another DVC resort and we didn't have the luxury of time if we wanted to use points for this trip. I hope BLT is as awesome as it looks!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

For what it is worth, 1BR LV is available 7 months out right now. So is 1BR MK view everyday except 1, as is 2BR LV and 2BR MK view.

I realize Sept. is among the slowest months, but I don't think early to mid-october is that much more challenging.

I think you have a reasonable chance of grabbing something if you book right at the 7 month mark in the AM

Thank you for this information, Amy! Very helpful!

 

[spiceycat]

For what it is worth, 1BR LV is available 7 months out right now. So is 1BR MK view everyday except 1, as is 2BR LV and 2BR MK view.

I realize Sept. is among the slowest months, but I don't think early to mid-october is that much more challenging.

Sept and May are the slowest of the DVC resorts months - followed by Jan. (holidays are always an exception)

Oct because of the food/wine festavial is one of the busiest - because of the monrail to Epcot that includes BLT.

if the op really wants a guaranteed reservation then she should allow her member to make the reservation now at his home resort then if possible exchange it for BLT

 

[wehavesix]

We booked a 2 bedroom lake view for the first week of June. We booked at the first opportunity when our 7 month window opened. Our reservation is linked to my sister's 2 bedroom MK view for the same week but I don't think that helped our reservation since we linked them after making the reservation. I think if you make that reservation as soon as your window opens you have a reasonably good chance of getting a reservation. May not be your first choice of view but at least you will be in the resort you choose.

Good luck!

 

[daisyx3]

We booked a 1BR lake view at BLT for April 3-5...which is the week before Easter and very busy. I was on the phone Sept. 3 at 9AM on the dot and didn't have a problem. Also got AKV standard view Kidani for April 6-9 (SSR points) at the 7 month mark. If Easter week was open, I think you will be fine.
Daisyx3

 

[Rob S.]

We joined DVC today (and already had a 7 night trip planned for 4/27/12) and we gave our rep a list of our preferred accommodations, with BLT 1 BR Villa Lake View being at the top and we got it! She couldn't believe it and neither could we! So you just never know, but I would do it earlier than we did it.

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