Future of Bay Lake Tower

[Crescent_Lake]

At other recent renovations that had to move people moved them to the same accommodation category at other resorts. So they might call and offer you a choice of a 1BR at AKV, SSR, or RIV or something like that. Whatever they have available.

I think I remember a poster on the BWV thread saying they were moved from a 1BR to a regular room at YC.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

That garden wing needs to go!

I love the garden wing so much! The 1 bedroom suites have windows on 3 sides and the views are just amazing. I'll be sad if the rumors are true. Of course, I will then immediately stay in the theoretical new tower.

 

[CastAStone]

I think I remember a poster on the BWV thread saying they were moved from a 1BR to a regular room at YC.

That’s atypical. Was that one of the people canceled at the very very last minute when they had to redo the boardwalk view wing?

 

[Crescent_Lake]

That’s atypical. Was that one of the people canceled at the very very last minute when they had to redo the boardwalk view wing?

Yes, that is how I remember it. There were no other DVC rooms available on the villa side of BW and the Inn side was totally full too, because of the short notice. That's why they ended up on the other side of the lake. The poster was pretty upset and as I recall not offered any compensation originally. I think that after they complained and went up the chain of command they were offered a minimal amount on a gift card. Something small, like $50 a day. I can't find the original post so this is just my best recollection of the situation.

My point in posting about it was just to agree with the poster I quoted who was trying to be prepared for the unpredictable nature of refurbs.

Edit: Actually @CastAStone , you quoted them and then I quoted you

 

[CarolynFH]

That’s atypical. Was that one of the people canceled at the very very last minute when they had to redo the boardwalk view wing?

It was when the BW view villa refurb ran late, back in March(?), not when the recent exterior work was done. They received the notice several days before checkin and were moved to a regular room. There was quite a discussion here because they weren’t given any points back for moving from a 1BR to the equivalent of a studio, because, according to DVC, if the YC room had been booked on points it would have cost the same as the BWV 1BR! It took several days, maybe even a week or longer, for them to even get the room credit to pay for breakfast! I still don’t think they were treated fairly.

 

[CastAStone]

It was when the BW view villa refurb ran late, back in March(?), not when the recent exterior work was done. They received the notice several days before checkin and were moved to a regular room. There was quite a discussion here because they weren’t given any points back for moving from a 1BR to the equivalent of a studio, because, according to DVC, if the YC room had been booked on points it would have cost the same as the BWV 1BR! It took several days, maybe even a week or longer, for them to even get the room credit to pay for breakfast! I still don’t think they were treated fairly.

That’s awful.

 

[CarolynFH]

That’s awful.

Exactly.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

It was when the BW view villa refurb ran late, back in March(?), not when the recent exterior work was done. They received the notice several days before checkin and were moved to a regular room. There was quite a discussion here because they weren’t given any points back for moving from a 1BR to the equivalent of a studio, because, according to DVC, if the YC room had been booked on points it would have cost the same as the BWV 1BR! It took several days, maybe even a week or longer, for them to even get the room credit to pay for breakfast! I still don’t think they were treated fairly.

Thanks @CarolynFH . This is the situation I was referring to.

 

[Bo1203]

I love the garden wing so much! The 1 bedroom suites have windows on 3 sides and the views are just amazing. I'll be sad if the rumors are true. Of course, I will then immediately stay in the theoretical new tower.

I looked those rooms up, they're cool (maybe not $2k a night cool!). But I'd still sacrifice them for a new tower with dvc rooms.

Hopefully they'll do a great job with the BLT renovation. Many of the recent reviews are pretty hard on the rooms, especially the studios. Hopefully Disney doesn't start rofr'ing BLT before or during the renovation. Direct is $275pp vs $130 resale.

 

[MartyParty]

Thinking of buying a BLT contract, we prefer tower style resorts and obviously the proximity to MK and other resorts.

I know the refurb is coming up, should we expect resale prices to climb post refurb? At $130pp average it trails GF and Poly significantly. Beach Club is selling around the same price point and expires 18 years sooner!

DVC has now + GF and Poly, is BLT next? Tear down the garden wing or take over a parking lot for an additional tower?

Hope we get some photos of refurbed rooms soon.

I believe prices can only go up from here. It’s the lowest resale price per point amongst VGF, Poly, and BLT. Refurb should definitely help. And since you’re in to towers it will be between BLT and the Poly Tower for MK choice. I think BLT points chart and room view options are reasonable compared to walking distance to MK.

Good luck…

 

[Smugpugmug]

I looked those rooms up, they're cool (maybe not $2k a night cool!). But I'd still sacrifice them for a new tower with dvc rooms.

Hopefully they'll do a great job with the BLT renovation. Many of the recent reviews are pretty hard on the rooms, especially the studios. Hopefully Disney doesn't start rofr'ing BLT before or during the renovation. Direct is $275pp vs $130 resale.

I was in a BLT studio Memorial day weekend and the sliding door to the bathroom almost fell off, which signaled to me that these room need a refurb ASAP. The sink in the kitchenette didn't drain, which I did tell staff about but no one came by during my stay to fix it so I have no clue if it was ever fixed. Also I had little to no cell reception inside my room. I tried the Disney wifi and data and neither worked. My computer was fine with the Disney wifi though.

All I ask for is no Incredibles theming in these rooms. It looks AWFUL in the Contemporary rooms.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

All I ask for is no Incredibles theming in these rooms. It looks AWFUL in the Contemporary rooms.

I could not agree more! I love the Contemporary but since the last refurbishment we only stay in suites, which thankfully did not get the ridiculous character inclusion. The suites (both in the tower and in the GW) have some subtle Incredibles framed artwork but the rest of the silliness was left out. Suites are mega bucks though and since it's usually just two of us I miss the option to occasionally just get a regular room, but I can't handle the current decor. I'm team beige and bland all the way LOL

 

[Disdreaming479]

I was in a BLT studio Memorial day weekend and the sliding door to the bathroom almost fell off, which signaled to me that these room need a refurb ASAP. The sink in the kitchenette didn't drain, which I did tell staff about but no one came by during my stay to fix it so I have no clue if it was ever fixed. Also I had little to no cell reception inside my room. I tried the Disney wifi and data and neither worked. My computer was fine with the Disney wifi though.

All I ask for is no Incredibles theming in these rooms. It looks AWFUL in the Contemporary rooms.

Plumbing that doesn’t drain is one of my biggest pet peeves when I’m on vacation eta: I also hate sliders on the bathroom and poor wifi

 

[MyDogTink]

It was when the BW view villa refurb ran late, back in March(?), not when the recent exterior work was done. They received the notice several days before checkin and were moved to a regular room. There was quite a discussion here because they weren’t given any points back for moving from a 1BR to the equivalent of a studio, because, according to DVC, if the YC room had been booked on points it would have cost the same as the BWV 1BR! It took several days, maybe even a week or longer, for them to even get the room credit to pay for breakfast! I still don’t think they were treated fairly.

Thanks for the reminder. Hopefully BLT’s refurbishment goes smoother.

 

[Aussie RJ]

I'm going against the grain. I don't hate the incredibles theming. We put travel partners in the Contemporary this past Christmas while we were in the 2Bed TPV. Our party also spent time at Beach Club and Wilderness lodge. They all said they liked the Contemporary the best. One size definitely does not fit all.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Am I the only one here that thinks BLT is a gargantuan monstrosity ??

I mean, I appreciate the CR for what it is, but the tower??

Fugly.

 

[JCCalistri]

We just bought a resale contract into BLT and close shortly as we passed ROFR. We are behind the refurb and don’t mind a minor inconvenience for the longer term gain. Perfect return home resort for a long night at MNSSHP and we look forward to escaping to a lake view room the end of the day. Plus if I’m being honest I enjoy being amongst other visitors at the Contemporary when I want and then escaping away to BLT for some peace. We also picked up a contract at VGF, my spouse’s favorite, so we find we got the best of both worlds after the community chatter helped us focus in on what was important to us both now, in the immediate future and those years beyond. Grateful for everyone here!

 

[Aussie RJ]

Am I the only one here that thinks BLT is a gargantuan monstrosity ??

I mean, I appreciate the CR for what it is, but the tower??

Fugly.

Yeah but 3 bathrooms and that TPV on NYE. That’s the only time I use that contract though.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I could not agree more! I love the Contemporary but since the last refurbishment we only stay in suites, which thankfully did not get the ridiculous character inclusion. The suites (both in the tower and in the GW) have some subtle Incredibles framed artwork but the rest of the silliness was left out. Suites are mega bucks though and since it's usually just two of us I miss the option to occasionally just get a regular room, but I can't handle the current decor. I'm team beige and bland all the way LOL

The theming looks so bad for a hotel room that can cost $900/night. I have 0 clue why the cash Polynesian rooms looks pretty decent but the Contemporary ones look really bad.

 

[Crescent_Lake]

Am I the only one here that thinks BLT is a gargantuan monstrosity ??

I mean, I appreciate the CR for what it is, but the tower??

Fugly.

For some reason, I don't even notice BLT against the Magic Kingdom area skyline. It's kind of tucked in. I think the placement really works. However, if they do take down the remaining garden wing and put up BLT2, that would bother me. Situated at the corner of Bay Lake and the canal between WL and MK, I think that would really be an eyesore.