Great stay in BLT

[geauxlsutigers]

I just came back a few days ago from a 5 night stay in BLT. We booked a 1 bedroom MK view 11 months ago and requested a room above the 8th floor. We arrived at 7:00AM Good news was room was ready, bad news was it was on 3rd floor. We were told that because we did an Online check in we were assigned the first available room which happened to be on the 3rd floor. We huddled and decided we could wait if another room was available. We were given keys to our room but were told that it wouldn't be ready until the current occupants checked out and Mousekeeping did their thing. So off to the MK we went, waiting for a text message to come about the room. We come back at 4:00PM and the room had not been cleaned so we parked on a sofa. BUT my daughter was breastfeeding and asked if there was a place she might be able to use. She was given a key to a studio and told we could stay there until our room was ready.

The room, 7926,was spotless with the exception of the sofa which had a few tears and stains. I just think that the material is not suited for heavy use. A water spill which was promptly dried still left a mark. I loved the art work! The view was wonderful and Wishes looks so cool from a new angle. Watching the Monorails passing by never got old.Contemporary Cast Members were really nice and riding the monorail was great (no folding up the strollers). We actually found it easier to walk to MK that ride there. Great slide in the pool and a small slide for little kids that my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter loved! Walk over to Contemporary wasn't too bad, through I might request a 5th floor room next time to avoid elevator wait time. Food at the Contempo Cafe counter service was very good and the Top of the World was very nice for a quiet drink. Nice staff. On top of everything else the Saints beat the Vikings I love Bay Lake Tower!!

 

[ToddyLu]

Who Dat? (We live on MS Gulf Coast, so we share the Saints with you, right?). It sounds like you had a great time and very nice view. I can't imagine a better resort for a 2 1/2 yr old. I hope one day to tour the place since my BIL is expressing an interest in maybe owning there one day. He will become a stepfather (actually more like a real Daddy) to a precious 6 year old next summer, so he thinks its a great location. We of course own at AKV and really enjoyed our first trip there last year. SO glad you had fun memories with your family. Geaux Tigers, too!!!

 

[geauxlsutigers]

Hello fellow Mississippian! We moved here (Picayune) after Katrina flooded us in New Orleans. We'll be staying at AK next August. Can't wait.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I just came back a few days ago from a 5 night stay in BLT. We booked a 1 bedroom MK view 11 months ago and requested a room above the 8th floor. We arrived at 7:00AM Good news was room was ready, bad news was it was on 3rd floor. We were told that because we did an Online check in we were assigned the first available room which happened to be on the 3rd floor. We huddled and decided we could wait if another room was available. We were given keys to our room but were told that it wouldn't be ready until the current occupants checked out and Mousekeeping did their thing. So off to the MK we went, waiting for a text message to come about the room. We come back at 4:00PM and the room had not been cleaned so we parked on a sofa. BUT my daughter was breastfeeding and asked if there was a place she might be able to use. She was given a key to a studio and told we could stay there until our room was ready.

The room, 7926,was spotless with the exception of the sofa which had a few tears and stains. I just think that the material is not suited for heavy use. A water spill which was promptly dried still left a mark. I loved the art work! The view was wonderful and Wishes looks so cool from a new angle. Watching the Monorails passing by never got old.Contemporary Cast Members were really nice and riding the monorail was great (no folding up the strollers). We actually found it easier to walk to MK that ride there. Great slide in the pool and a small slide for little kids that my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter loved! Walk over to Contemporary wasn't too bad, through I might request a 5th floor room next time to avoid elevator wait time. Food at the Contempo Cafe counter service was very good and the Top of the World was very nice for a quiet drink. Nice staff. On top of everything else the Saints beat the Vikings I love Bay Lake Tower!!

Thanks for the great trip report! Glad you enjoyed it!! I wonder myself if online check-in is a positive or a negative regarding room requests. I, too, used on-line check in last April and requested Highest floor possible....but got the 6th floor. And although the view was lovely, I was disappointed that we didn't even get half way up. Not sure if we'll use on line check-in next year.... it's the Luck of the Draw anyway!

 

[ssawka]

I just came back a few days ago from a 5 night stay in BLT. We booked a 1 bedroom MK view 11 months ago and requested a room above the 8th floor. We arrived at 7:00AM Good news was room was ready, bad news was it was on 3rd floor. We were told that because we did an Online check in we were assigned the first available room which happened to be on the 3rd floor. We huddled and decided we could wait if another room was available. We were given keys to our room but were told that it wouldn't be ready until the current occupants checked out and Mousekeeping did their thing. So off to the MK we went, waiting for a text message to come about the room. We come back at 4:00PM and the room had not been cleaned so we parked on a sofa. BUT my daughter was breastfeeding and asked if there was a place she might be able to use. She was given a key to a studio and told we could stay there until our room was ready.

The room, 7926,was spotless with the exception of the sofa which had a few tears and stains. I just think that the material is not suited for heavy use. A water spill which was promptly dried still left a mark. I loved the art work! The view was wonderful and Wishes looks so cool from a new angle. Watching the Monorails passing by never got old.Contemporary Cast Members were really nice and riding the monorail was great (no folding up the strollers). We actually found it easier to walk to MK that ride there. Great slide in the pool and a small slide for little kids that my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter loved! Walk over to Contemporary wasn't too bad, through I might request a 5th floor room next time to avoid elevator wait time. Food at the Contempo Cafe counter service was very good and the Top of the World was very nice for a quiet drink. Nice staff. On top of everything else the Saints beat the Vikings I love Bay Lake Tower!!

I'm shocked that they are still considering third floor a MK view. When we were "home" in January we were given a third floor MK view room. We were told that we could try to change later in our stay, but DW was not keen on packing everything back up to switch rooms. Anyway, when I got back I sent an email to Members Satisfaction complaining about the third floor MK view (not about our specific experience, but about the fact that third floor rooms are considered MK view). The CM from Members Satisfaction told me that they were in the process of "recategorizing" the rooms. I guess that didn't happen. Well, I for one will not waste the points on a MK room to find out that we are on the third floor again.

 

[melk]

Thank you for the positive review. We have a trip planned there in February, picked it for proximity to MK, and to try someplace new. I've gotten a little nervous about reviews lately but it's nice to read about a good experience.

I am rethinking on-line checkin though!

 

[Cyndibear]

I just came back a few days ago from a 5 night stay in BLT. We booked a 1 bedroom MK view 11 months ago and requested a room above the 8th floor. We arrived at 7:00AM Good news was room was ready, bad news was it was on 3rd floor. I love Bay Lake Tower!!

The same thing just happened to us!!! Just returned from a stay at BLT (9/5-9/10). Dh booked MK view at the 11 mth window and requested a room above the 7th floor. I did online check in too. We arrived around 9am--we were staying at VWL since the 2nd. Our room was ready too--on the 3rd floor. Dh was a little miffed. So we requested a higher floor. Cast member had to call someone and we were given one on the 9th floor--but it was not ready. We said we would wait and went to MK--got a text about 2:00pm & we were given room 7920. Have to rethink about that online check in thing. We just love Bay Lake Tower too!!!!

Cyndi

 

[Bigeasy]

On top of everything else the Saints beat the Vikings I love Bay Lake Tower!![/QUOTE]

WHO DAT!!!

We will be there in March for our first DVC trip home!

Bigeasy

 

[TiaMaria]

I'm shocked that they are still considering third floor a MK view. When we were "home" in January we were given a third floor MK view room. We were told that we could try to change later in our stay, but DW was not keen on packing everything back up to switch rooms. Anyway, when I got back I sent an email to Members Satisfaction complaining about the third floor MK view (not about our specific experience, but about the fact that third floor rooms are considered MK view). The CM from Members Satisfaction told me that they were in the process of "recategorizing" the rooms. I guess that didn't happen. Well, I for one will not waste the points on a MK room to find out that we are on the third floor again.

This is why I refuse to buy an add on here, or ever shell out points for an MK view. I would be so peeved every time I went if I got stuck with a crappy view not worth the points.

I had a lovely LV room in March, but my sister's LV directly across the hall, was one of those that looks right into the rooms across the "U". Of course if you went out on her balcony, stood as far left as possible, leaned over the railing as far as possible, and turned your head to the right, you could see the lake. My Guide got the points refunded for the difference between LV and SV, thank goodness.

Not worth the aggravation for me to have to call MS or my Guide every time I get stuck with a room here that should be catagorized as a "STANDARD VIEW". It's a beautiful resort, and I love the amenities, but Disney really needs to stand up and admit that they have way, way, way more standard view rooms than they admit - and adjust the points accordingly.

 

[ssawka]

This is why I refuse to buy an add on here, or ever shell out points for an MK view. I would be so peeved every time I went if I got stuck with a crappy view not worth the points.

I had a lovely LV room in March, but my sister's LV directly across the hall, was one of those that looks right into the rooms across the "U". Of course if you went out on her balcony, stood as far left as possible, leaned over the railing as far as possible, and turned your head to the right, you could see the lake. My Guide got the points refunded for the difference between LV and SV, thank goodness.

Not worth the aggravation for me to have to call MS or my Guide every time I get stuck with a room here that should be catagorized as a "STANDARD VIEW". It's a beautiful resort, and I love the amenities, but Disney really needs to stand up and admit that they have way, way, way more standard view rooms than they admit - and adjust the points accordingly.

ITA, which is why I thought they were recategorizing. Actually, I would be happy if they just did away with categories and made all views the same # of points. Sometimes you would get lucky, sometimes you would not. That's pretty much what they have now! I also think that room requests should be honored based off of when you made your reservation, but I guess Disney's registration system is not sophisticated enough to handle that. That would also give owners an advantage over guests in getting "prefered" rooms.

 

[DMKEDM]

I have an opposite "problem"...I really, really, really want a ground floor villa for my Feb trip...but standard view was booked up and I could only get lake view...I'm not one to care much about views, but I really value the easy in-and-out of the ground floor...

So, I requested ground floor, but don't think there are any LV rooms on the ground floor...

Kind of sad, given how many people don't want the ground floor! And I don't care about the points (well, I do care--but I'm willing to "pay" LV points even for a ground floor villa!)

So, someone could make my day by telling me I'm wrong and there are some LV villas on the ground floor?????

Lest anyone misunderstand: it's not all that big a deal. I'm thrilled to have gotten a studio at BLT regardless of where I wind up...just would prefer ground floor...

Happy day everyone...

 

[LIFERBABE]

I have an opposite "problem"...I really, really, really want a ground floor villa for my Feb trip...but standard view was booked up and I could only get lake view...I'm not one to care much about views, but I really value the easy in-and-out of the ground floor...

So, I requested ground floor, but don't think there are any LV rooms on the ground floor...

Kind of sad, given how many people don't want the ground floor! And I don't care about the points (well, I do care--but I'm willing to "pay" LV points even for a ground floor villa!)

So, someone could make my day by telling me I'm wrong and there are some LV villas on the ground floor?????

Lest anyone misunderstand: it's not all that big a deal. I'm thrilled to have gotten a studio at BLT regardless of where I wind up...just would prefer ground floor...

Happy day everyone...

There are ground floor lake view villas

 

[DMKEDM]

Liferbabe: You made my day! Thanks so much!!!

 

[cseca]

...

Watching the Monorails passing by never got old.Contemporary Cast Members were really nice and riding the monorail was great (no folding up the strollers). We actually found it easier to walk to MK that ride there. Great slide in the pool and a small slide for little kids that my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter loved! Walk over to Contemporary wasn't too bad, through I might request a 5th floor room next time to avoid elevator wait time.

Completely agree with you there... that's why when someone post a question about where to stay with little kids I would ask where would they spend most of their time. If MK, then BLT is the way to go. The convenience with monorail is amazing.

And we got lucky the last time to stay on 5th floor and I would request that again in a heartbeat the next time we stay there. Just a walk over to Contemporary no waiting for elevator...

Glad to hear you had a great time! And so nice of them to loan you a studio. That was one concern of ours when I was still bf-ing. Trying to find a a good place to stop and bf. It's wonderful to hear that they helped you all out.

 

[wdrl]

There are ground floor lake view villas

Liferbabe: You made my day! Thanks so much!!!

So far, all of BLT's ground floor villas have been reported as being Standard View villas on work2play's thread on BLT Rooms and Views (see http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082). Do you know which ground floor villas have been categorized as Lake View?

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi geauxlsutigers,
Thanks for the trip report. I stayed at BLT last December and enjoyed the resort as well. Sounds like you had a great time. Now it's time to start planning your next trip! Thanks again for sharing.

 

[Greysword]

So it seems the net result of this is an issue with room categories versus onine check-in. If the categories were accurate, then online check-in would not produce aggregious results.

That said, if they take a bunch of MK and LV room and make them SV, then the overall point cost for some categories are bound to go up to adjust for the massive shift. I wonder if they would spread the incease evenly, make MK rooms uber expensive, or make SV rooms not worth it compared to LV.

Thoughts?

- Chris