CR or Baylake Tower?

[jrt1176]

Canceled my May trip....ugghhh!

Heading back in Sept. or Oct., havent decided which yet...

When looking up the "new" trip I saw that the Baylake Tower will be open by the time we go.

There will be 3 adults(my mother, brother and myself) and my 3 y/o niece going on the trip.

At CR we will need 2 rooms in the tower. The CR has the monorail just down the elevator.

At Baylake Tower 2 bedroom units dont seem that big and you have to walk a bit to get the monorails.

The price is about the same, or the Baylake Tower might be a bit cheaper.

I'll probably go with 2 connecting rooms at the CR. I just didnt think the Baylake Tower was as nice, from what I have seen, and there isnt that much more room. We also will be eating out, so we dont need the kitchen. It might help some with my niece, but its not a must.

Do they have daily housekeeping at the Baylake Tower?

Just curious on others opinions between the two.

Thanks in advance!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I don't think you can wrong with either choice. However of course staying at the Contemporary means you have easier access to the Monorail, because from Bay Lake Tower you need to find the walkway which goes from there to the 4th floor of the Contemporary Tower. It would also be the same when going to the 4th floor when you want to shop or wanting to eat at Chef Mickey's and the Contempo Cafe.

Finally from what I have read DVC Members who stay on points or guests who rent DVC points get housekeeping done every 4 days I think, however if you made a regular reservation with Bay Lake Tower through CRO you would get housekeeping everyday.

 

[winnapooh]

We saw the models for Bay Lake Tower, and they are really nice. We own DVC, and definitely plan to stay there at some point. You get multiple bathrooms, a whirlpool tub, and a washer/dryer along with the full kitchen (a fridge and microwave are nice for leftovers). We don't cook in the kitchens either, but have found that it's to have the kitchen sink for washing out refillable mugs, and the fridge/freezer is great.

I do believe that people staying on cash get regular daily housekeeping service.

 

[KatMark]

I've not seen any photos of the rooms in the Baylake Tower, but I would pick it simply because I really don't like the room decor at the CR at all and it is new.

 

[jrt1176]

I'll probably go with the 2 tower rooms at CR. I think they look much nicer to be honest...

I dont belong to the DVC, but the rooms at the Baylake Tower look more like a cruise ship room than a true condo. I know we wont be in the rooms all the time, but I would rather have a true "hotel feel" to the room than a small condo.

 

[mericletwins]

I was in the two bedroom model of BLT recently and it is definitely bigger than two rooms at CR would be. Also, having a three year old it is nice to have the kitchen for snacks and some foods that you know are healthy and she will eat. Three full bathrooms is another plus when you have three adults. I just stayed in a room at CR and while I really liked it, I would pick a 2 bedroom at BLT over 2 rooms at CR.

 

[jrt1176]

Three full bathrooms? I thought there were only 2?

I realize there is more space and a kitchen. But, I guess I was expecting it to me much nicer. It still had an "efficiency" feel to it to me. But, you cant beat it for the price, etc. It's not a suite, but it's not priced as one either!

I'll think about it, but I'll probably go with the 2 connecting rooms in the CR tower. There is always the next trip to try the other. I'll just have to think it over and check out the pics and videos more!

Thanks!

I was in the two bedroom model of BLT recently and it is definitely bigger than two rooms at CR would be. Also, having a three year old it is nice to have the kitchen for snacks and some foods that you know are healthy and she will eat. Three full bathrooms is another plus when you have three adults. I just stayed in a room at CR and while I really liked it, I would pick a 2 bedroom at BLT over 2 rooms at CR.

 

[vod2117]

It is hard to say. If you wanted; the coolest, most sleek accomodations, then I would go with a BLT 2 bedroom villas. However, if you want something close to it (in terms of the accomodations), and care that you are just an elevator ride to the monorail, then I would go with CR tower. Two rooms will definetly cost more than a 2 br villas but it depends upon what you prioritize.

DVC members and people staying on DVC points, only get the maid service every 3-4 days and you can pay an extra $15 for the services. However, guests staying on a regular reservation but yet are utilizing DVC villas get maid service like in the regular hotel.

 

[lvloopingbag]

Yes, the 2 bedroom villas there have 3 bathrooms.......

 

[jrt1176]

I know it's not open yet, but does the BLT have a "hotel" feel to it? Do you get the same service and have things like room service, etc.? I know you have to check in at the CR.

I havent seen pics of the true 2 bedroom with the King and 2 Queens, but that's what we would get and I am assuming that would be nicer than the 2 bedroom that includes the efficiency.

More space and living room area is appealing. I dont think we would use the kitchen, but we might with my niece to fix some of her favorites, etc.

Although, I still might miss seeing the monorail right outside the hotel room door and the convenience of it being an elevator ride away!

Do you catch buses at the BTL or do you have to go to the CR?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Do you catch buses at the BTL or do you have to go to the CR?

You get on the buses at the Contemporary.

 

[TagsMissy]

Three full bathrooms? I thought there were only 2?


Thanks!

Yup 2 BR at BLT get 3 bathrooms, and depending if the second room is dedicated or a studio you will get the kitchenette as well with the studio.

 

[TagsMissy]

Do you catch buses at the BTL or do you have to go to the CR?

You are mere steps away from CR's main building.... I don't know how many exactly but pretty darned close

 

[fla4fun]

As a person who almost exclusively stayed in the old north wing at CR, the walk to the main tower and the bus stops is not long at all. One thing we always liked about the north wing location was that it was a shorter walk back from MK than the tower or south wing.

Looking at the photos of the BLT rooms (there is one website with tons of pics of their tour as well as the floorplans of each unit type) it looks to me like the decor is very similar to the remodeled CR rooms, down to the striped draperies on the windows/sliding doors. I agree that the studios seem a little small, which may be where the OP is getting the cruise ship feel (I can't imagine brushing my hair and getting ready right in the middle of the kitchenette ) but I think the one bedroom and larger units are a little bigger than their counterparts at the other DVC resorts. I'll be staying there opening day in a 1BR and I can't wait!

 

[bjakmom]

Don't know if you have seen the floor plan yet for the 2 BR, someone posted them on this thread from the DVC forum: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2131698

Looks like your choice comes down to enjoying more space (each adult could have their own "room" with doors between and their own TVs (one would be the pull out bed in the living area - but we find the new ones quite comfy) and their own bathroom = you would have a fridge for drinks and snacks, a washer/dryer (we can always pack less if we want to do a small load or two during the trip at night= also like being able to throw our towels and suits in the dryer), and the large jacuzzi tub. The new BLT pool area looks like it will be nice, too (rumor is that BLT guests can use BLT or CR pools, but only BLT guests can use BLT pool). But you will loose the convenience of being in the main building, closer to the monorail, restaurants and stores. Either choice sounds great to me! I'm taking a friend to CR in May and then staying BLT with DGrD in Oct.

 

[jrt1176]

I have a while to decide! So, I will probably wait and see some pictures and reviews.

Odds are, knowing my family, we will stay in the CR since it's more convenient for the monorail, shops and restaurants.

But, I would like to see more info for a future trip. It's a vacation, so I want the "hotel" feel more than a "condo" feel...but, it would be nice to have the space.