GFV or BLT?

[red1der1]

Which would you choose? Grand Floridian Villas or Bay Lake Tower? We want to be close to MK so either will work for us distance wise. Looking at the décor I prefer GF over BLT. But curious as to what others think. It is more points at GF. Is it worth it over BLT? Gove me pros and cons with each. Thanks!

 

[erionm]

You can't walk to the MK from VGF, but you can from BLT.

 

[Dacky619]

We are planning to go next summer and are booking BLT for several of the reasons you mentioned (we also prefer the food options at CR). Now, my wife is dying to stay at GFV so if standard view is available for our trip at 7 months we will switch for this one trip, but we think BLT wins out for us.

 

[McCrae]

We own at BLT and are currently at the VGF in a 2br, we are doing a split stay and will be at BLT later.

We just love GFV and hope to stay at the resort many more times. BLT and GFV are so different and both are great resorts... If you had to choose between them I would go for GFV.

 

[officer tigger]

We just returned from a split stay at both. We did a week at BLT (2 bdrm) then switched to the VGF (1 bdrm) for three days. We liked the BLT better for the convenience to the MK. It was much more pleasant to walk back and forth. The crowds at the monorail after a parade or fireworks can mean an uncomfortable ride.
At the VGF we took the boat back at the end of the night which is nice and never really crowded. However, it's a long walk to the villas. Also, every morning I would go for a cup a coffee and the walk at VGF was much further and not covered if it's raining.
We loved the room at the VGF and the resort is beautiful. We had a great time staying there but our family just like the BLT a little better.

 

[Andrew015]

Both BLT and VGF are attached to premium, deluxe resorts, and thus, the amenities are very similiar. Both offer multiple pools, lots of dining options, excellent transportation options including boat, bus and monorail transit, spa facilities, and so on and so forth. Naturally, the Grand Floridian is the "flagship" resort, and you will pay a premium for that in terms of either points or cash at VGF / GF as compared to BLT / CR. That premium gets you more opulence, so if you like that feeling of luxury, then perhaps the premium is worth the price of admission for you and your family.

If points / money isn't the biggest concern, the decision really comes down to what theme you prefer. One is turn-of-the-century coastal living, drawing themes from the Hotel del Cornado (San Diego) culminating in a beautifully executed resort with great theming. The other is a more "contemporary" (obviously) theme. Some feel BLT / CR to be too "plain" or "sterile" looking. I had this impression of BLT initially prior to staying there, but after my first night at the resort, I must say that I really enjoyed it and felt the theme to be well executed. So much so, that I am returning again for 9 nights this October.

I would love to stay at VGF, and know that I would enjoy it as I love the main resort, but have a hard time forking over the nightly point requirements. For me, I would probably prefer VGF slightly more in terms of theme, but BLT wins out due to better value and having a very similar level of amenities. Also, BLT has one transportation advantage over VGF - the ability to walk to MK - which is a nice perk. Also having TOTW Lounge makes for a really nice retreat to grab a drink and look at the MK / Orlando skyline.

 

[Johnny D]

I have stayed at all DVC resorts except the one in Hawaii. I own at BWV and VGF. My opinion comparison:

Grounds: VGF

Pools: VGF

Room Sizes: VGF

Room Finishings: VGF

Ambiance: VGF

Spa: VGF (none at BLT)

Restaurants: VGF

Cast Members: VGF (I know they are all trained the same, but they seem to up it a notch at GF)

Lobby: VGF and GF

Transportation: Edge BLT

Note: It's a good 8 to 10 minute walk and over a quarter mile from front door of BLT to MK. Great option, but room to park by walking, or room to park via monorail from VGF, is about the same time. I do enough walking in the park so its not a big deal to me. I prefer the monorail because the time is about the same or difference is negligible. Walk back when monorail is crowded is a great option. Usually take the boat back to VGF when monorail is crowded. It is more convenient to get to Epcot from BLT.

Views: Edge BLT. Both very nice, slight edge BLT because of the theme park view. However, I could never get over having a parking lot view with my theme park view. Standard view however is much better at VGF.

 

[DebbieB]

What size room & how many people? I would not do more than 2 adults/teens in a BLT studio.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What size room & how many people? I would not do more than 2 adults/teens in a BLT studio.

I was going to ask the same thing. If you are staying in a studio, with four I'd do GFV. If two and maybe one very young child, the BLT studio might be okay. But it is a lot smaller than the GFV studio.

 

[Minniesgal]

We do BLT when we are doing a parks trip so we have easy access to the MK. We so VGF when we are doing a no parks trip and are more interested in restaurants etc.

 

[Andrew015]

I know you prefaced this by saying this is your opinion, and while I agree with some, I find many others to be the opposite. This is just my opinion

I have stayed at all DVC resorts except the one in Hawaii. I own at BWV and VGF. My opinion comparison:

Grounds: VGF Agreed.

Pools: VGF Totally subjective, but in my opinion, neither hotel has the best pool options. However, BLT definitely has more of them. BLT has 3 adult pools, 1 kiddie pool, 3 hot tubs, 2 water slides and a splash & play area. VGF only has 2 adult pools, 1 hot tub, 1 water slide and a splash & play area

Room Sizes: VGF Agreed.

Room Finishings: VGF Agreed.

Ambiance: VGF Again, very subjective.

Spa: VGF (none at BLT) Not true. Both resorts offer spa services. I'm not an expert on this because I never take advantage of spa services, but I believe VGF's spa to have more options than BLT's. So I agree VGF gets the nod, but BLT does offer spa services.

Restaurants: VGF. I do not view this category as a "resort-specific" accommodation, as anyone at BLT can eat at GF, and vice versa. While VGF certainly has the most exclusive restaurant with V&A's, BLT is not far behind with California Grill (typically ranked only second to V&A's on property). At BLT, you are also only a short boat ride away from Artist Point, and a quick monorail ride away from the Poly & GF's restaurant options. Slight nod to GF for having the most options under one roof, but BLT is not far behind.

Cast Members: VGF (I know they are all trained the same, but they seem to up it a notch at GF). While I have heard others echo these sentiments, I have never noticed the difference personally.
Lobby: VGF and GF Disagree. While GF lobby is beautiful, the Grand Canyon Concourse at CR is an incredible sight. I never grow tied of taking in the sight as you ascend the escalator into the GCC.

Transportation: Edge BLT Agreed.