Help me decide: POFQ or BLT?

[ILoveToRun]

So here's the situation:

We're going to WDW for one week (December 6-13, 2012) before we go on a 3-night cruise on the Dream. It'll be our first time going to WDW in December. We've narrowed it down to two resorts and now we're having a hard time deciding between POFQ and BLT.

POFQ:
We're banking on getting a free dining offer for POFQ. If we do, it'll roughly be approximately $2053 including a 7-day park hopping ticket and it'll obviously include dining. If for what ever reason, we don't get FD, we'll try for a room discount. If we cannot get either discount, it'll be $2009 for the tickets and the room only rack rate. We would be putting a deposit on this in about a week for the rack rate room just to make sure we have a room, or whenever we can make up our minds, to make sure we have a room in this resort.

We have stayed here before and we like it. We spend a lot of time at DTD, or at least more than most usually do, so it would be nice to be closer. Also, we like the dining options and the proximity to POR's shops and dining options as well. Unlike at BLT, there will be two real beds which is definitely a plus but the outside corridors is a BIG negative, it's the main reason why we usually pick deluxe after location.




BLT:
We've always wanted to stay here but we haven't yet because going through Disney is expensive or renters usually want $12-14 per point. We found a person who will rent for $10pp and who we've gone through before who we just found out owns at BLT. We'd get a studio in any of the views. The prices for these (in addition to the price of the ticket we'd need) are in the order of preference:

• Magic Kingdom view: $2054
• Standard view: $1664
• Lake view: $1874

But of course, this wouldn't include dining. The only TS we feel like me must do is a Candlelight Precessional package (~$100) but we'll still need to eat so if we say around $30 pp/day, we're looking at about $500. And another factor is availability, I know some rooms are already unavailable for BLT studios but I think we'll at least be able to get the lake view.

The biggest pro for staying here is that we'd get to walk to MK and the buses to/from CR are always great (pretty much never crowded). Also, we plan on visiting WL and GF a few times so the boat ride to WL and the monorail ride to GF are a big plus, too (even though I dislike the monorail).

I think a big reservation I have is that if we don't/can't get MK view, is that we'll be stuck at the furthest away part of the tower to make the convenience of the resort go away or at least be diminished.

A big con for BLT for me is that there is only one bed in the studio rooms and because it's my mom and I, I get stuck on the sofa bed because personal space trumps actual bed comfort. The sofa beds aren't horrible but they aren't comfortable either. Sometimes I don't open it at night because it's more comfortable that way.



Which one would you pick and why? Any insight?

As of now, we're not flexible about what resort we're going to stay at. We don't want to stay in any value because of Pop Warner, none of the other moderates appeal to me (we've either stayed in them or been to them enough to know so), and the only other deluxes we'd want to stay at are not going to happen because we're trying to make this a cheaper trip than usual mainly because I'm going back to WDW and DL the next month for marathon weekend and the Tinker Bell half.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

About 19 months or so ago, I took the official tour of DVC properties with a view of the "mock" rooms for each location. At the time, I remember saying to my tour guide, that BLT was a wonderful resort because of the extra bathroom in the 1-bedroom suite, but I would never want to stay in the studio there. He said, "Most people do not pick up on that. You are very observant." Now, I am trying to remember why I felt that way. It seems like the studio at BLT felt much smaller. There was something wrong with it. It did not seem nearly as nice to me as the studios at the other DVC properties.

I will say that (having stayed in a 1-bedroom at BLT) the living room furniture was very comfortable when converted into beds. In fact, it was more comfortable than the living room furniture at Kidani. I could not have slept any better than I did on the sofa at BLT. So to me, sleeping on the couch would not be a concern at all, and I am a person who needs comfort when I sleep. BLT delivered in that area!

Also, I would not be concerned about being in the furtherest part of the tower. Since it is round, really no room is that far away from an elevator and the lobby below. We had a view of Bay Lake, but it was so easy to get downstairs to the lobby and then out the door to either the CR or the pathway to the MK. The pathway to the MK is heavenly. To see all of those people waiting for a bus after the fireworks, and to know that all I need to do is walk five minutes and I am back in my room--well, words cannot adequately describe how wonderful that is.

We loved watching the Electrical Water Pageant from the resort every night, too. It was so much fun to see that bit of nostalgia.

As for making a decision, I have not yet stayed at POFQ. The resort has just been refurbished, which is nice. Also, there is something to be said for making a reservation with Disney (that includes the dining plan) and just relaxing and not worrying about all of the details. But there is ALSO something to be said for trying a new resort. This one is a tough call.

If you are worried about budgeting for food, I would go with POFQ and the Disney Dining Plan. If you know that you can relax and enjoy your vacation without the meal plan, then I would rent points and go with BLT. It is always fun to try a new resort, especially a DVC property!

Edited to add: I voted for POFQ, because I enjoy the dining plan and not having to worry about budgeting money for food. Also, something bothered me about the studio at BLT. I wish I could remember what it was--it may just have been that it felt more cramped than the other studios. Whatever it was, it wasn't horrible. But I do distinctly remember saying to myself that I would not want to stay at a studio at BLT, whereas the other studios seemed great.

 

[DemoBri1]

In reading your post it seems as though you've already answered your own question. You are looking for comfort with the two beds, you like being closer to DTD, and you've stayed at PO before and enjoyed it.

I really think it comes down to your budget. If you're really set on being able to get into the dining plan then go for PO.

If you do decide to go the BLT way keep this in mind. Many people have actually stated that they preferred the Bay Lake view in BLT rather than MK view, and to be honest from the pics that I've seen I'd have to agree. Yes, you will be able to see the fireworks from your room, but you also get a nice view of the parking lot in most cases as well. At least with the Bay Lake view you get a nice natural view for the most part, and you can always go up to the lounge or the viewing decks at CR to see the fireworks.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

BLT without a doubt!! You cannot put a price on being able to walk out your door over to the MK. Also, it's Christmas, you are going to want to visit the resorts to see their decorations......you can easily do that by walking to the MK and jumping on any bus to any resort. It's December, it's going to be busy. You want "ease" and being at BLT with it's close proximity to MK and monorail to EPCOT.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[gray52]

My DW and I would choose POFQ. We just said after or last trip that we kinda miss it there. Of the DVC resorts we've stayed at, BLT is by far our least favorite. If you have little little ones (like 2 in strollers), BLT is very convenient because you can just walk to MK (where parents of little kids spend most of their time) and hop the mono-rail to Epcot. However... taking the bus to the other two parks seems excruciating at times. Stopping at other resorts first... and then the ride to MGM or AK seems to take forever. Since you're sharing buses with CR, they can get crowded very quick. BLT/CR are first on, first off, however... so there's that.
BLT studios seem much smaller than any other room/studio we've stayed at on property. They seemed to have tried to pack in as much furniture as possible, leaving little room for much else. They made the kitchenette it's own dedicated area, including a lot of kitchen storage space, which is nice... but takes up space from the sleeping area, and typically with a kitchenette, you're not really making full meals so there's some wasted space i think.
BLT guests have to go to the Contemporary for most of their needs (everything other than swimming)... there are no restaurants, general store or dedicated buses. Not a big deal, but as DVC'ers, it was a minor annoyance for us that a DVC resort wouldn't have its own amenities.
BLT feels like a Holiday Inn to us. It's a tower surrounded by a parking lot and a lake. For us, part of the appeal of our favorite resorts is being able to take a stroll around at night or early morning to "get away" from the hustle and bustle of park life. There's just no draw to make you want to have an easy day and hang at the resort for a few hours.
As for POFQ... before joining DVC, it was our favorite Disney resort. Small and comfortable... we loved the "feel" of it. It always seemed quiet and laid back.
So... for the money... my vote goes to POFQ, hands down.

 

[Greysword]

I think I can help...go for POFQ

I just checked online booking for BLT in your date range, and there are no studios available (ok, they have Thursday available, but no other day) nor did a 1BR have all the dates available (Lake View had all but the first or second day).

Thus, unless your friend already booked, I doubt they will be able to get BLT on points in that date range. It is the most popular time for DVC members.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would also go with Bay Lake Tower for the exact reasons Carrie in AZ already posted.

 

[goldenears]

For me, it is all about location, location, location and IMHO, you can't compare PO location to BLT's. We have stayed in a 2BR Lake View @ BLT before and we have also been in December several times. My DVC home resort is SSR, so I understand the convenience of being close to DTD, but if you typically take a boat to DTD from PO, the bus ride from BLT probably isn't much longer.
The lake view at BLT is VERY nice. A bonus is that the electric water parade passes by nightly. It is quirky, but I loved relaxing on the balcony at night and watching it.
Another BIG reason why I would pick BLT would be because this is your first time going in December. There are so many "extra" things to see in Dec. Staying at PO, you will be spending a lot of time on buses. Staying at BLT wll eliminate the need for some of that. Being able to walk to MK is priceless. And as someone else mentioned, you will want to check out some of the resort decorations. WL and GF are two that would be on my list and from BLT you can easily get to both of those.
Regardless of what you decide, you will have a great time. WDW in Dec. is extra magical

P.s....BLT studios are configured differently with a little kitchenette/wet bar. If you do a google search, you can find some pics. This may be what a PP was talking about.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Up until we stayed at BLT in November 2011, POFQ was our favorite. Then we stayed at BLT in November 2011 and fell in love in location and everything else BLT has to offer. WE loved BLT so much, we actually bought a DVC resale at BLT and closed in February 2012. My vote would be BLT hands down.