First time Renting Points

[Boston Disney Bride]

This will be our first time renting points. We are a family of 3 with one child who will be 4 at time of travel. We originally wanted BLT Studio Theme park view, but after tons of research and reading reviews, I'm a little leary. I'm trying to decide if the perks outweigh the bad. The perks are obvioulsy walking distance to MK which is the park we will spend most our time, Chef Mickeys, on the monorail. The complaints I'm seeing are about customer service, condition of room and cleanliness of room. I started researching other DVC resorts after reading and really like BCV, VGF and AKV. We are looking for a studio and the only ones we would want a special view are BLT or AKV.

Which would you recommend? Also what are my chances of finding a person who rents whose home resort is BLT or VGF to book at the 11mo mark?

 

[Pattil1960]

We stayed at the Boardwalk. It was beautiful. The walk to EPOCT was nice. The bus ride to MK was not bad, and the Greeter at the bus stop, Nico, was wonderful! He gave us pointers on what was going on in the parks and what we may want to change. He went above and beyond to help people have the perfect day. The pool had activities eery afternoon and movies every night. You are close to Beach Club and Yacht Club for other dining choices.

About finding points -We used a company, but look on the boards and see what you can find. You can also put out a request for what you want.

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

We stayed at the Boardwalk. It was beautiful. The walk to EPOCT was nice. The bus ride to MK was not bad, and the Greeter at the bus stop, Nico, was wonderful! He gave us pointers on what was going on in the parks and what we may want to change. He went above and beyond to help people have the perfect day. The pool had activities eery afternoon and movies every night. You are close to Beach Club and Yacht Club for other dining choices.

About finding points -We used a company, but look on the boards and see what you can find. You can also put out a request for what you want.

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[mjillard]

With a four yr old, stick with blt. Only pay for mk view if that is all that is left. Boardwalk is nice but the blt walk to mk is just unbelievably convenient. With a child that age, you will have no short supply of moments when you wanna rip your hair out. If staying at blt prevents a few headaches, it is worth the extra cost, even if you have to spring for the expensive view.

 

[staffieri]

Just rented point from a person on this board at $11 a point. It has been great. They booked everything and all the confirmation have been sent to me. I am getting mail all the time direct from Disney on my reservation. It has been super.

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

With a four yr old, stick with blt. Only pay for mk view if that is all that is left. Boardwalk is nice but the blt walk to mk is just unbelievably convenient. With a child that age, you will have no short supply of moments when you wanna rip your hair out. If staying at blt prevents a few headaches, it is worth the extra cost, even if you have to spring for the expensive view.

So we were planning on paying for an MK view...why do you say to only do it if it's all that is available? Not worth it?

 

[sleepydog25]

So we were planning on paying for an MK view...why do you say to only do it if it's all that is available? Not worth it?

I'm a DVC owner who owns at VWL and love it as my home resort. However, we are currently staying at BLT for the second time, and I only have glowing recommendations for this resort. Any resort, at any time, can have issues with cleanliness, wear & tear, or CM service. BLT has gathered a reputation for some regarding wear & tear in particular, and given the dark nature of some of the furnishings, I can see where the occasional scratch or worn piece of furniture can be found. If I was an owner here, I would also be a bit more critical of such things; however, I'm not and I've found the rooms to be very nice indeed. We've had no maintenance issues in either visit, and the service we've received at BLT has been exemplary. Keep in mind that you will spend most of your time at a park--mostly at MK--and the important thing for me would be to have quick access to the park a 4-year old would want to visit the most. Not only do you have an easy walk to MK, but you have quick access to the monorail. For me, BLT would be a dream resort if I had a small child. While I'm not saying those who have complained about BLT in the past didn't have valid criticisms, I wouldn't let online comments change my mind unless they were overwhelmingly and consistently poor reviews which I've not found to be the case. There is no guarantee that you will get a great room and superb service here at BLT, but that holds true for any resort at any given time. At least if you stick with BLT, you will definitely have easy access to the Magic Kingdom and Chef Mickey's (though to be fair, it is not close to being on the list of places where I enjoy dining). Good luck and don't sweat your resort choice too much!

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

Thank you so much for your post. You eased my mind so much and reminded me that I do spend most time at the parks.

Would you recommend a MK view so my 4 yr old will be able to watch fireworks from our room?

 

[Msmithmd]

If money is no object, the theme park view is good- at least from the highest floors. Lower level TPV rooms are sometimes referred to as "parking lot view." So much so that DVC has to recharacterize the lowest rooms initially offered as TPV to standard.

If I were you and were planning on being at the parks most of the time, I would book the least expensive view available. There is good viewing from the deck at the contemporary if you want to be back at your resort by fireworks time, if you can't see it from the room you end up in. Although TOWL is reserved for DVC members only, the contemporary deck is open to everyone.

 

[mjillard]

The theme park view has some people who prefer it, but it is a lot of extra points, and there are some standards I think are nicer. I think even some higher floor are parking lot view because no matter how you slice it, there is a parking lot between you and mk. You may have to book it anyway, because there is a good chance that's the only thing left. I was just saying there's a reason theme park views are the last to go. Regardless, it's a great resort and great location, especially location. If you have to spring for more expensive points, do it. When we have kids with us, we take whatever we can get at blt. When your child face plants on the sidewalk in the middle of fantasyland you will be thanking your lucky stars that you can carry them outta there. Enjoy!

 

[sleepydog25]

Thank you so much for your post. You eased my mind so much and reminded me that I do spend most time at the parks.

Would you recommend a MK view so my 4 yr old will be able to watch fireworks from our room?

While TPVs are undoubtedly wonderful, we prefer lakeside where nightly you can watch EWP and hear the boat horns on Bay Lake. Honestly, the main thing my now DD14 would remember from 10 years ago are the memories of Main Street, the character greets, and the rides. She remembers VWL (where we stayed) in general terms but certainly not in terms of views. Have fun! Enjoy your stay!

 

[disneynutz]

So we were planning on paying for an MK view...why do you say to only do it if it's all that is available? Not worth it?

IMO you are paying for the fireworks view, everything else is in the distance.

Bill

 

[mjillard]

You could check out the rooms and views thread. Just realize that some of the more impressive views are zoomed quite a bit. Also, requests are far from guaranteed. We requested a high floor and ended up on the fifth, which we ended up loving anyway.

 

[crisi]

IMO you are paying for the fireworks view, everything else is in the distance.

Bill

And they are expensive fireworks when you consider there is a viewing deck.

 

[RipperSB]

I'm a DVC owner who owns at VWL and love it as my home resort. However, we are currently staying at BLT for the second time, and I only have glowing recommendations for this resort. Any resort, at any time, can have issues with cleanliness, wear & tear, or CM service. BLT has gathered a reputation for some regarding wear & tear in particular, and given the dark nature of some of the furnishings, I can see where the occasional scratch or worn piece of furniture can be found. If I was an owner here, I would also be a bit more critical of such things; however, I'm not and I've found the rooms to be very nice indeed. We've had no maintenance issues in either visit, and the service we've received at BLT has been exemplary. Keep in mind that you will spend most of your time at a park--mostly at MK--and the important thing for me would be to have quick access to the park a 4-year old would want to visit the most. Not only do you have an easy walk to MK, but you have quick access to the monorail. For me, BLT would be a dream resort if I had a small child. While I'm not saying those who have complained about BLT in the past didn't have valid criticisms, I wouldn't let online comments change my mind unless they were overwhelmingly and consistently poor reviews which I've not found to be the case. There is no guarantee that you will get a great room and superb service here at BLT, but that holds true for any resort at any given time. At least if you stick with BLT, you will definitely have easy access to the Magic Kingdom and Chef Mickey's (though to be fair, it is not close to being on the list of places where I enjoy dining). Good luck and don't sweat your resort choice too much!

I am a BLT owner and echo most of what sleepydog writes. Our first trip to WDW and BLT was in 2012, as guests of our DS and DDIL who are DVCers with BLT as their home resort. Since then, we've joined the DVC and have been there two more times (with a third trip coming in Oct). We think BLT is a fantastic resort for all the reasons you had stated and have, honestly, not seen any of the criticisms. Walking distance to the MK (esp when you have a young 'un who might need a break in the afternoon), access to the monorail, The Contempo, the Wave, Chef Mickey's (always a favourite of ours on departure day) are all reasons why we are glad BLT is our home resort. I know others do not care for the theme (or lack thereof) but I like their "contemporary" take on the iconic Disney images (see what I did there?). Also, with so many great places at BLT to view Wishes like the Top of the World, the Skyway to the Contemporary and the patio at the Contemporary, I would rather take the Standard or Lake View and get more nights than view from the room. Cheers!

 

[pooh2001]

Boston - what about VWL (Wilderness Lodge Villas) - they have a boat ride to MK and is very close to the Wilderness camp sites next door with a petting animal area, the HHD, and a free Chip & Dale camp fire (cost for s'mores).

The WL is beautiful and the gift shop has many items you can "cook" in a microwave for a quick lunch or light dinner.
Buy milk in the gift shop for breakfast, it is less expensive than the CS, and you can do your own cereal in the AM to save some time and $$'s.

We prefer ECPOT - so my family leans towards renting BCV or BWV (preferred view).

Good Luck where ever you decide to go.