Future of Bay Lake Tower

[Beth]

We also love the setup of the studios. I know that many do not, but we mostly go as a couple and very much appreciate that, IMHO, BLT has the best studio kitchenette setup with it being almost a separate room.

So glad to hear someone else say this. The BLT studios get so little love - but we prefer them over most others. The kitchenette is great!

 

[achinforsomebacon]

So glad to hear someone else say this. The BLT studios get so little love - but we prefer them over most others. The kitchenette is great!

We've never stayed in the studio but were really surprised how much roomier it felt given the smaller square footage vs other studios. Definitely goes to show you really need to see the rooms in person to get a feel for if it will work for you.

 

[Anthony1971]

For the record we do not like BLT. The studios were ok but Melrose place comes to mind for everything else. I do appreciate CR for what it is and was the first resort I stayed at over 30 years ago.
As far as resale pricing the largest change in price will be related to movement in the housing market. Timeshares as DVC is are Condo's which will traditionally drop far more than housing and faster as happened in the late 2000's. A refurb can help if but only if the demand is so high and dare I say some can rent points for a premium. Personally I think there is to much competition for that to happen in the MK area. GF and Poly command a premium as the grounds are and views of MK are far nicer with much larger rooms. With that as above I still like the monorail going through CR walking out of you room and seeing that.... But BLT unfortunately does not offer that.
Buy where you like at a price you can accepts truth is the dues will cost you far more through the years DVC is not a $ investment it is a money drain. It does offer a great discount on a hotel.

 

[CastAStone]

As far as resale pricing the largest change in price will be related to movement in the housing market. Timeshares as DVC is are Condo's which will traditionally drop far more than housing and faster as happened in the late 2000's

Well, I generally agreed that the larger DVC market has more impact on pricing than any refurbishment, DVC and other timeshares follow the luxury goods market, not the housing market. In the late 2000 DVC resale prices held throughout the 2007-08 bank failures and didn’t really go south until more like 2010 when the broader recovery had already started. There’s old threads about it here somewhere if you search.

 

[kboo]

As long as we get Murphy beds and still sleep 9 in a 2br, I'm good.

I love the Incredibles, would be fun, but I prefer the mid-century look and I feel like BLT can do that better with wall art and colors.

And ... that walk to MK beats everything. (When we are at VGF, we use transportation; when at BLT, we walk.) We were staying at VGF last trip, had dinner at California Grill, walked to MK to hit some late Genie rides and then fireworks. Kids rode Space 2x (on mine and DH MBs), Buzz, 7DMT, and Tron between dinner and fireworks. We didn't quite make it back to Main St. but watched fireworks from Tron, which was still pretty cool.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

Does anyone else feel like the theming for VDH would be perfect for BLT? It’s slightly mid-century, classic Disney cartoons (which feels appropriate for the hotel closest to MK) and would be such a fun welcome to the current dreariness of the interiors!

 

[MartyParty]

Does anyone else feel like the theming for VDH would be perfect for BLT? It’s slightly mid-century, classic Disney cartoons (which feels appropriate for the park closest to MK) and would be such a fun welcome to the current dreariness of the interiors!

Yes! We own both BLT and VDH. Fingers crossed that some of the VDH aesthetics ends up in BLT. But not to much. We like the contemporary feel and not all things Disney directly in our face at Bay Lake.

Now VDH and Disneyland is another story. It’s Walt’s heart and soul. Love all the Disney theming we can get there. Heading back for are second visit this January.

 

[Kailunkat]

Does anyone else feel like the theming for VDH would be perfect for BLT? It’s slightly mid-century, classic Disney cartoons (which feels appropriate for the park closest to MK) and would be such a fun welcome to the current dreariness of the interiors!

A really swanky MCM design with subtle Disney touches would be amazing. The current rooms just do nothing for me though

 

[JCCalistri]

So glad to hear someone else say this. The BLT studios get so little love - but we prefer them over most others. The kitchenette is great!

I totally agree. I love that it is its own seperate space. I don’t want my daughter to roll over and have the kitchen in her face like you see in the Poly tower drawings.

 

[MartyParty]

I totally agree. I love that it is its own seperate space. I don’t want my daughter to roll over and have the kitchen in her face like you see in the Poly tower drawings.

So DVD won’t do an exact duplicate of VDH theming for BLT, but something like these pics for inspiration. Fingers crossed DVD a) does some theming b) but not over do it.

 

[Kailunkat]

That is beautiful for sure. But I think something like this is more in line with the contemporary resort in general. Either would be a massive upgrade.

 

[Upcharge]

That is beautiful for sure. But I think something like this is more in line with the contemporary resort in general. Either would be a massive upgrade.

I love this! You get the nod to the original color scheme without any hint of Incredibles or other IP. Classy!

 

[MartyParty]

That is beautiful for sure. But I think something like this is more in line with the contemporary resort in general. Either would be a massive upgrade.

Yep, good with this as well. I guess we will know soon.

 

[BL2020]

BLT is a great value resale. I think it will always have its devotees, especially for those nostalgic for the Contemporary. We bought a resale there in 2020, our first DVC, and while it isn't maybe my favorite I never mind staying there. The tower is a plus, less outside walking, short walk to MK, good dining options and more just a monorail away. Love the two bathrooms in the one bedroom, really useful when traveling with adult children. I did feel the studio was small and the separate kitchen very, very dark. I hope the refurb improves the lighting. The Lakeview rooms are very peaceful, think it's rated as one of the quietest DVC buildings. The pools are kind of meh, but not a dealbreaker. The large contemporary lobby, while always fairly busy, still has adequate spaces if you want to chill somewhere. I view it as a safe value purchase that I can resell if I decide to. We since added on with the VGF direct incentives last year. Since I am miserly with points, don't mind staying elsewhere with my VGF points, but like knowing I can lock in at BLT at 11 months and not be disappointed.

 

[supercarrie]

If BLT ends up looking even remotely like VDH, I'm immediately buying more points. The VDH rooms are absolutely gorgeous in person. I live less than 10 mins from DL so couldn't justify buying in, but every time I am on property, I eye it up enviously. Apart from the giant Tiana portrait in the 1 bedrooms

I hate the Contemporary rooms with a passion, so going in that direction would make me use BLT as SAP only. I'd rather be at SSR and look at horses than stare at Mr. Incredible.

Really hoping this renovation keeps the actual Contemporary touches and doesn't just go in the direction of SSR/BWV. I like those both, but the Contemporary has such a distinct style, it would feel very off to have a general kitchen.