GF, BLT, or Contemporary?

[ZZBane]

We just got back from WDW and booked a bounce back. I had my heart set on BLT, but it wasn’t available. We got a really good price for GF, so we booked it due to the proximity to MK, which is why we prefer these particular resorts. If a discount becomes available for BLT or rooms open up at Contemporary, we may switch. My question is, is that a good idea? I’ve read all about all 3 of these places and because our trip is in May, the walkway from GF to MK will likely be finished. They all have their pros and cons, but can anyone weigh in that has stayed at all 3?

 

[vikequeen]

Are you staying dvc for GF? Do you care about swimming? Lots of differences depending on room type. I’ve stayed GF and BLT. Both really nice. Mostly a matter of what your tastes are. I prefer the pools at GF. Theming at GF slightly more my taste but many find it stuffy. We had theme park view at BLT and that was fantastic. Walkway there I think will be shorter than GF. All Great choices...

 

[holden]

The walk from BLT to MK is about 5-7 minutes. The walk from GF will be longer.

I like the theming of GF better than BLT, but we own DVC at BLT because of the walk to MK and the extra bathroom in the 1 and 2 bedroom units.

if you stay at GF you can take the boat back after your day in MK. GF is the first stop so it’s a short ride.

Both resorts are close to many great restaurants. You can walk to Poly from GF. It’s a short walk from the DVC building, probably 5 minutes or so.

You really can’t go wrong with either.

 

[Babsy]

We have stayed at all three. Which one is best depends upon many factors such as the ages of the people going, personal taste in themes, if swimming is important, budget and availability, whether or not you want to use Disney transportation to other resorts and more. You mention both CR and BLT. Do you prefer DVC type accommodations or hotel style? How many people and what room categories are you considering in each of the resorts? A studio in BLT may be technically able to accommodate 4 people, but I wouldn’t stay in one with more than three (2 adults and 1 child). The two of us felt cramped. A one bedroom, however, is spacious and beautiful. At CR all rooms have two queen beds and a daybed and are quite spacious, but only have one bathroom and no kitchen/ kitchenette.
GF likewise has large comfortable rooms, usually with 2 queens and a daybed. VGF are very comfortable spaces as well, with more spacious studios than those at BLT. The proposed walkway to the MK will be a welcome addition when completed, but the walkway is shorter at BLT and already present.
pools at the BLT and CR are both available to BLT guests. However the pools at GF are nicer, iMO. CR guests have access to the pools at CR only, which are fine but relatively unthemed and simple.

all three resorts are very nice and convenient to the. M K in particular,so all are good choices with small children.

i would be very happy with a good rate at the GF,FWIW.

good luck!

 

[ZZBane]

Are you staying dvc for GF? Do you care about swimming? Lots of differences depending on room type. I’ve stayed GF and BLT. Both really nice. Mostly a matter of what your tastes are. I prefer the pools at GF. Theming at GF slightly more my taste but many find it stuffy. We had theme park view at BLT and that was fantastic. Walkway there I think will be shorter than GF. All Great choices...

No, we are booking through Disney on a bounceback. I actually had no interest in staying at GF, but we got a good price and it’s close to MK.
Actually, I had no interest in CR or BLT, but my son and my mother love MK. The walking distance is honestly the selling point for us.

 

[ZZBane]

The walk from BLT to MK is about 5-7 minutes. The walk from GF will be longer.

I like the theming of GF better than BLT, but we own DVC at BLT because of the walk to MK and the extra bathroom in the 1 and 2 bedroom units.

if you stay at GF you can take the boat back after your day in MK. GF is the first stop so it’s a short ride.

Both resorts are close to many great restaurants. You can walk to Poly from GF. It’s a short walk from the DVC building, probably 5 minutes or so.

You really can’t go wrong with either.

I do like the idea of being able to walk to the Poly. I almost forgot about that!

 

[ZZBane]

We have stayed at all three. Which one is best depends upon many factors such as the ages of the people going, personal taste in themes, if swimming is important, budget and availability, whether or not you want to use Disney transportation to other resorts and more. You mention both CR and BLT. Do you prefer DVC type accommodations or hotel style? How many people and what room categories are you considering in each of the resorts? A studio in BLT may be technically able to accommodate 4 people, but I wouldn’t stay in one with more than three (2 adults and 1 child). The two of us felt cramped. A one bedroom, however, is spacious and beautiful. At CR all rooms have two queen beds and a daybed and are quite spacious, but only have one bathroom and no kitchen/ kitchenette.
GF likewise has large comfortable rooms, usually with 2 queens and a daybed. VGF are very comfortable spaces as well, with more spacious studios than those at BLT. The proposed walkway to the MK will be a welcome addition when completed, but the walkway is shorter at BLT and already present.
pools at the BLT and CR are both available to BLT guests. However the pools at GF are nicer, iMO. CR guests have access to the pools at CR only, which are fine but relatively unthemed and simple.

all three resorts are very nice and convenient to the. M K in particular,so all are good choices with small children.

i would be very happy with a good rate at the GF,FWIW.

good luck!

Well, it’ll be myself, my parents, and my nearly 3 year old son. We are, however, getting 2 rooms no matter where we stay.

Idk if I prefer hotel or dvc style, mostly because we have only stayed at AoA so far. Honestly, our stay at AoA was phenomenal, even though our Xmas party was canceled and my son was super sick. The biggest downside for us was being so far from any of the parks. MK ended up being our favorite park and we did walk to CR to catch a cab in the pouring rain after the Xmas party was canceled. That’s when we realized it would have been amazing if we were just staying there.

I guess my struggle is that I had my heart set on BLT and never had an interest in GF. But I made some ADRs and I forgot about all the food options right there! Idk. I think I’m just torn. That walk from MK was so easy. I know it’ll be a bit longer to GF...I guess I just need to wait til it’s finished to see about how long the walk really is

 

[Babsy]

With a nearly three year old son, you are perfect for a BLT stay. It would be my choice, too. Yes, the GF is wonderful as well, though.

Walking from BLT or the CR to the MK is simply AWESOME!!! If possible, I would switch to BLT in your situation, and get a two bedroom on rented points. You can get a lock off so that your parents have their own space, but you can all still share the same living space. You will have a full kitchen and ,living room, three bathrooms (IIRC) and a laundry right there in your room. You will have a king bed in one room and a queen with a pull out bed in the other bedroom. If you opt for a 2 bedroom dedicated villa, then you will have two queens in one bedroom and a king bed in the other. I'm not sure how much you are paying for two rooms at the GF, but you might find that a points rental for a 2 bedroom at BLT would be comparable. Worth checking out, at least to see how much and, if available.

One thing to be aware of is that you cannot change or cancel a rented points reservation. Plus you need to b book at least 7 months in advance to get this.

You are sometimes able to get cash reservations for these through WDW, even on discounts, so you 'might' be able to get this through your BB offer. I don't know.

Either way, staying in a MK resort is your best choice for your family. two rooms at the CR or a two bedroom at BLT would be the best choices, but GF would be a very close second choice.

Enjoy!

 

[Karebear]

One thing to be aware of is that you cannot change or cancel a rented points reservation. Plus you need to b book at least 7 months in advance to get this.

Enjoy!

While the above is true, DVC rental store has insurance that you can purchase that lets you cancel and get a full refund for any reason. I just used them to book a trip to Aulani for next summer and the cancel protection made me feel a lot more comfortable. Have fun planning!

 

[ZZBane]

With a nearly three year old son, you are perfect for a BLT stay. It would be my choice, too. Yes, the GF is wonderful as well, though.

Walking from BLT or the CR to the MK is simply AWESOME!!! If possible, I would switch to BLT in your situation, and get a two bedroom on rented points. You can get a lock off so that your parents have their own space, but you can all still share the same living space. You will have a full kitchen and ,living room, three bathrooms (IIRC) and a laundry right there in your room. You will have a king bed in one room and a queen with a pull out bed in the other bedroom. If you opt for a 2 bedroom dedicated villa, then you will have two queens in one bedroom and a king bed in the other. I'm not sure how much you are paying for two rooms at the GF, but you might find that a points rental for a 2 bedroom at BLT would be comparable. Worth checking out, at least to see how much and, if available.

One thing to be aware of is that you cannot change or cancel a rented points reservation. Plus you need to b book at least 7 months in advance to get this.

You are sometimes able to get cash reservations for these through WDW, even on discounts, so you 'might' be able to get this through your BB offer. I don't know.

Either way, staying in a MK resort is your best choice for your family. two rooms at the CR or a two bedroom at BLT would be the best choices, but GF would be a very close second choice.

Enjoy!

That’s what I was thinking. Before I knew anything about Disney, I always wanted to stay at GF. Now that I know more and have my son, GF went to the bottom of my list.

Bay Lake really does seem like the better option for us, but it wasn’t available for a bounce back. CR was booked up apparently. We are FL residents and gold AP holders, so we’ll have options when the discounts are released. We got our GF rooms for $2200 per room for Monday-Friday. If I can get BLT for the same price or cheaper, then that’s what we’ll do.

I don’t think I’m comfortable with renting points yet. I’ve looked into it a bit and will eventually do it, but I like the easy cancellation policy Disney has. Especially since my son is so young yet. In fact, I had a trip booked for February that I had to cancel. It was easy.

I’ll keep my eye out for any discounts. If all else fails, at least we have an MK resort booked, so if I can’t get the other ones, it’s no great loss. I mean, who complains about having to stay at GF?!

 

[TheMacys]

Love BLT for how close it is to the kingdom, but we really love how it's a walkway away from the contemporary where the monorail is wooshing through and the shops and everything, it packs a magical Disney punch. I also like that its also seperated from the Contemporary so I'm not staying with all that hustle and bustle.

We stayed at GF for our honeymoon and it was amazing and romantic and all that fun stuff, but I think there is nothing better for a family trip than a park view at BLT.

 

[Babsy]

That’s what I was thinking. Before I knew anything about Disney, I always wanted to stay at GF. Now that I know more and have my son, GF went to the bottom of my list.

Bay Lake really does seem like the better option for us, but it wasn’t available for a bounce back. CR was booked up apparently. We are FL residents and gold AP holders, so we’ll have options when the discounts are released. We got our GF rooms for $2200 per room for Monday-Friday. If I can get BLT for the same price or cheaper, then that’s what we’ll do.

I don’t think I’m comfortable with renting points yet. I’ve looked into it a bit and will eventually do it, but I like the easy cancellation policy Disney has. Especially since my son is so young yet. In fact, I had a trip booked for February that I had to cancel. It was easy.

I’ll keep my eye out for any discounts. If all else fails, at least we have an MK resort booked, so if I can’t get the other ones, it’s no great loss. I mean, who complains about having to stay at GF?!

LOL! I agree with you completely! Never complain about having to stay at the GF myself! DH and I love staying there. Just beautiful!

We were also hesitant to book using points. However, our recent experiences renting through Davids and also the Disboards forum have been positive. I do very much prefer Disney's room only 5 day cancellation policy, though. I have had to cancel an occasional trip myself.

FYI: Our most recent points rental was from someone we found here on the Disboards DVC rental forum. We paid $5312 for a Lake View, 2 bedroom, at BLT for 8 nights earlier this month. Worth every penny, IMO. We were thrilled. Stayed in room 8110 and connected to 8108. Lake view to the right, MK castle and fireworks to the left from the balcony. Totally magical! Booked 11 months in advance, with half paid at booking and the balance paid 60 days out.

Meanwhile, staying at the GF is the greatest second choice, back up plan that I can imagine! I hope that you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I wouldn’t count on the walkway from GF to MK being done by May. As far as I know there hasn’t even been an official announcement yet. There is still probably lots to do as far as barriers and such between the water and the path.

 

[FSU Girl]

BLT will be expensive, I doubt the room will be the same as CR or GF. If you get a Studio know that they are very small. I love the one bedrooms there, but they are definitely $$$. I prefer CR/BLT over GF. I don't like spending all that money and having to walk outside to get to my room. The walkway might not be finished, if that's one of the biggest factors for you then you should look at switching. There are other discounts you could look into for Florida resident and see if a room is available that way.