Deciding between BWV vs BLT?

[stinkerbellsmommy]

Hello all,

We're planning to rent a studio for a trip in January, and are having trouble deciding between Boardwalk Villas and Bay Lake Towers. The trip will be myself, DH, DD (3), and DS (6 months). We've stayed at Wilderness Lodge (not the villas, just the "regular" lodge) previously, and have enjoyed it there, but would like to try something new. I know that BWV will be cheaper than BLT, but are there any major advantages/disadvantages to either? I figured I'd post in the DVC planning thread, and ask the experts! Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated!


TIA!!

 

[Sammie]

You will definitely have more room at the BWV.

 

[dizfan]

Some people report that the BLT studios are a bit small with more than 2 people in the room.

BLT Studio: 339 sq.ft.
BWV Studio: 359-412 sq. ft.

If you decide on BLT, you could ask the renter to first check for a Standard View room. It should be fairly close to the point cost for a BWV Preferred view room. Some of the BLT standard views even have a view of MK and the fireworks.

 

[BWV2001]

I fully expect most responders to tell you that with the age of your kids, you'll want to be on the monorail. But my opinion....stay wherever you would if it were just you and DH. Neither of your kids will remember this trip, and although I've never been to BLT, I feel safe in saying that both resorts make great vacations.

 

[spiceycat]

for a studio you definitely have more room at BWV.

plus if you can get the standard view, it is much cheaper.


the standard view at BLT is just as expensive as a pref view at BWV, or BCV or VWL.

the other views - BL and MK are higher.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We haven't stayed at either yet although we are in the process of renting points for a BLT studio room. Like you we have small children but ours are currently 2 and 6 (when we travel next spring they will be 3 and 7).

I do wish the rooms were a little bigger but we chose BLT because we spend the majority of our time at MK - at least 3 days of our trip. We don't touch the Animal Kingdom park anymore. It's too much walking and it's always hot with very little shade. My kids just aren't into it. We spend about 1/2 a day at Hollywood Studios and about 1 1/2 days at Epcot. I'm also looking forward to using the pool at BLT as we do try to spend several afternoons outside of the parks.

 

[katybug34]

I fully expect most responders to tell you that with the age of your kids, you'll want to be on the monorail. But my opinion....stay wherever you would if it were just you and DH. Neither of your kids will remember this trip, and although I've never been to BLT, I feel safe in saying that both resorts make great vacations.

The reason I would advise you to stay on the monorail with kids that age is specifically for the parents. You can easily stroll the kids to the MK from BLT. This would allow you to come in and out of the park without much trouble. With children that age, I assume most time will be spent in MK.

 

[Sandisw]

If your plans are to go to MK, you can not beat the ease of getting there from BLT. You can either take the monorail or walk. With strollers, it is so nice NOT having to fold them up to get on a bus.

I will say, however, that the BLT studio is smaller than BWV and you won't have quite as much room.

However, with children that young, I think you will be fine. We did 2 nights with 4 people--me, DS 21, DD17, and DD14---and managed. I would not do it for long periods with this many "grown ups", but with your family, I think it will work.

Also, the pool is zero entry and they have the kids play area. You also have access to the CR pool as well.

If you can get it, as far as cost, a SV room at BLT would actually be less.

 

[Checkers]

We own at BWVs and just recently returned from a stay in a studio at BLT. Although it is beautiful (we had a lakeview) I would be hesitant to take my small grandchildren there because the balcony is just not safe for small children, imho. The monorail is very nice and that is one of the reasons my DH & I chose to stay there this time, however, when we saw the balcony (we were on the 6th fl.) we ruled it out when taking our DD, SIL, & 3 DGC with us in the future. JMHO.

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

Thanks everyone for your responses! Here are my thoughts on it, as crazy as they might seem....

BLT is appealing because of what people have mentioned, the monorail access, but I was concerned that the resort would feel too modern for kids. Theming seems great for adults, but I don't want to have to be worrying about sharp edges and/or breakable items in the room. But, I still keep going back to the fact that with our dual stroller, the monorail would be SO much easier to just wheel them on to...

With BWV, DH likes the idea of all the entertainment the Boardwalk has to offer. My sister's family, and my parents might be joining us for the last few days of our trip, and staying at BWV would be nice to just walk around in the evening. I get the Atlantic City-type theming, but did anyone think that it was maybe just a tad too kitchsy? I think I've read that the rooms should all be updated by November 2010, so that's always a comfort....


I appreciate everyone's input on this. Both resorts have their ups and downs, so I guess we just have to figure out what's a matter of preference for us: space & lower cost vs. convenience....

 

[cseca]

My heart belongs at BW and WL but we also own at BLT... specifically like you mentioned, because of the monorail convenience.

We stayed at BLT studio this past may with our 1yo and had a grand ol time. The room is small, way smaller than I expected but the convenience being so close to MK was really above what I expected.

Now, that being said I probably won't stay at BLT studio again if we are to go with DD. For 2 people no problem. With a toddler who needs her roaming space... mmm... not so much. Next time we'll be there in a 1br.

BW on the other hand is very lovely. I never had any issues staying there. I even stayed there in a studio during our wedding trip (got married at BW) and never had any issues. I had people coming and going in my room to prepare for the ceremony and never felt cramped like we did at BLT. At one point we had 5 adults in the room getting ready and still feel ok.

I think if you mostly will visit MK, staying at BLT would be worth it. But if you will be hopping between park to park and not necessarily spend a lot of time at MK or the hotel, BWV would be a great option for you.
Plus BW has the wonderful weekend night entertainment... it's very lively and so fun to watch people go by.

Good luck choosing and what a wonderful dilemma to have

ps: FYI, not sure if you know about BW busses. The one thing I don't like about BW is their bus service. Not that there isn't enough busses or anything but they stop at so many resorts it's really annoying. Usually they stop at Swan Dolphin Yacht Beach and BW. Just giving you a heads up.

 

[clc053103]

we stayed at BWV several times, then stayed at BLT once and became DVC members there. We love BLT- it is just easier to use the monorails, and also have the option to walk or monorail to MK and take their buses directly to other locations (like BW, other resorts). I agree with PP that said bus service at BWV is not good and has too many stops.

that being said, my DS (now 5- was 3 when we stayed there last) LOVES the boardwalk and wants us to stay there again! He liked the nightlife on the BW, the boats to Epcot.

 

[Muhlenberg]

From a practical standpoint, with the need for the PNP to be in use as well as the sofabed, there really wouldn't be much space at BLT. You would probably need to fold up the sofa AND the PNP when not in use. You also mentioned a double stroller. You would have to put that on the balcony or in front of the L/O door.

I really think that space-wise, BWV would be a better choice.

 

[spiceycat]

if you want to use the monrail - there is another slightly problem with BLT.

it used the monrail at CR. for years there was no elevator to use the monrail.

for handicapped accessible they added a small (and I mean small) elevator. So it is better to fold up the stroller and carry it up the escaltor.

some people have no problems - others get in the line for the elevators. if you were on a bus you would has to fold up the thing.

some people even had enough room for the kids to ride - would NEVER do this just for safety - but others are braver than me.

 

[Deb & Bill]

From a practical standpoint, with the need for the PNP to be in use as well as the sofabed, there really wouldn't be much space at BLT. You would probably need to fold up the sofa AND the PNP when not in use. You also mentioned a double stroller. You would have to put that on the balcony or in front of the L/O door.

I really think that space-wise, BWV would be a better choice.

You are going to have to fold that double stroller to get it into the room at BLT. You really need to look elsewhere for your villa.