Help me pick BLT vs Boulder Ridge

[sarac87]

3 adults, 1 kid, and a toddler under 2. Looking at 1 bedroom villas, and we meet occupancy for both since baby will be in a pack and play. We’re paying in cash and price difference would be ~$500.

We love the location of BLT, and the fact we can walk to MK or hop on the monorail, but find the theming underwhelming for small children. The extra full bath is also nice, since it’ll be 3 adults.

Wilderness Lodge has been growing on me, and it seems like it would be a calm place to relax during midday breaks and in the evening. The pool looks great for kids. The boat ride to MK looks fun, but I’d rather not be tied to the schedule. The rooms also look a bit rough, and we’ll be going in the spring, so who knows what state the refurb will be in. Copper Creek is not an option.

Help me! Is BLT worth the splurge? Or is BRV better for the kids? Thanks!

 

[Jaydee51]

I would say CCV is the sweet spot. great for both kids and adults year round, but Holidays are extra special.

 

[brazzledazzler]

We stayed at BLT last month with our kids (3, 6 months), and absolutely loved it for its location. Kids don’t care about theming, they just want to go on rides and see Mickey. It took us ~10 minutes to get into the park and we could quickly exit to get back.

While the pool area isn’t extraordinary, looking at Bay Lake was relaxing we had fun! Also, you can see fireworks from the resort, so cool tbh.

It’s an easy resort to get in and out of and I highly recommend it!

 

[lynnfitz]

We love Bay lake, don't have little kids, but the access to MK is priceless. It's not my favorite themed resort, but we feel the other perks well make up for it. Going over to Contemporary to eat or shop is great-also nice if it's raining and you want to just walk around, stop in for a drink or shop. Like Wilderness Lodge too, it has grown on me a bit. We live in upstate NY, so when we go to Florida, I personally like to see more tropical settings, but the smaller foot print is very nice, good food options. I think with your little ones, Bay Lake would be a great choice. Nothing like waking up and walking over to MK!!

 

[jimmytammy]

IMO, you cant go wrong either way. Your statement,

Wilderness Lodge has been growing on me, and it seems like it would be a calm place to relax during midday breaks and in the evening. The pool looks great for kids.

this sums up reasons for staying at WL vs BLT.
BLT, on the other hand, as others mentioned, proximity to MK, is a big plus. And the extra bath, makes for a very nice added touch.
For me, it comes down to those 2 choices in your circumstances.
Weigh those 2 options and see which is more important for your current situation.

 

[sarac87]

Thanks everyone! I keep going back to the 2 full bathrooms. But I also wish the splash pad at the Contemporary wasn't so lame! My 3 year old isn't big enough for the waterslides at the main pools, but would love the little kiddie ones that most of the splash areas have. But we have access to something like that near home, so the walk to Magic Kingdom is winning...

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Someone would be sleeping with the 3YO at BRV, but not at BLT. I think that is a huge benefit of BLT.

Depending on the BRV timing, the existing queen sofabeds are simply awful.

 

[Micca]

While the theming at Boulder Ridge is exquisite, we didn't care much for the room layout. For us, BLT and OKW take turns being our first choice. Two full bathrooms is a huge advantage.

 

[DisneyKidds]

We’ve stayed at both the WL and CR. For us the choice would be 1,000% Boulder Ridge over BLT. As you’ve noted, and I agree, WL is the most relaxing and peaceful of place to escape the Disney bustle while still being in the middle of things. Heck, we gave my cheap brother and his wife with zero aesthetic sensibility, who own a concrete Hilton Grand Vacation Club in the middle of the I-4 chaos, a night at Boulder Ridge. They didn’t visit the parks, and they loved the WL and said how relaxing yet in the middle of things it is. For them to admit that (you know, how nice our vacation club is compared to theirs based on their WL experience) is big. They generally never cop to such things! . Can the walk to MK from BLT be more convenient than the boats from WL? Perhaps…but we’ve never really had any issue with the boats and the ride is a pleasant attraction in its own right. The monorail is cool….but if you are going to walk to the MK it’s really only useful to tour other monorail resorts. If you are taking the time to do that just add the pleasant boat ride from WL to MK then start your monorail resort tour from there. It will only add to your adventure. In the end the theming of CR just overall isn’t our thing (the whole place just feels like an airport terminal to us, vs. the PNW escape that is the grounds of the WL), not to mention the pools at CR don’t appeal to us. We also like the food and restaurant choices at WL better, and the bars. We are a party of 5 and the rooms have always been fine for us. You didn’t mention when you are going, but if it’s going to be between Thanksgiving and Christmas the WL is spectacular during the Holidays.

Listen to me now and hear me later, I hope I pumped you up to pick Boulder Ridge!

 

[CraigInPA]

I personally think BLT is a better choice for a group that includes 3 adults, due to the second bathroom, and certainly a better choice for a group that includes a toddler who will be taking afternoon naps. The Wilderness Lodge is a bus or boat ride from everything. BLT has the advantage of being able to take the monorail, which kids find totally amazing, as well as the quick walk to the MK.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Just to reiterate:

A BRV 1BR "sleeps 5" but what that means is there is a King bed, a queen pull-out sleeper (*depending on dates and refurbishment it could be a murphy bed, but we don't know timing on refurb or this stay), and "bring your own bed!" for a 5th. That means 2 adults or 2 adults + toddler in the king, adult on the queen sleeper (which, if not replaced, is really bad as I previously said but will emphasize here because holy wow), and baby in the P&P. If the toddler is not in the king, toddler is sharing the queen with the other adult, or sleeping literally on the floor unless you bring an inflatable mattress.

A BLT 1BR you get a king, a queen pull-out, and a chair bed. This means your toddler gets the chair bed and no one gets toddler foot in their liver at 2AM, and toddler is not on the floor.

Now, you may see where my bias kicks in, because very early in my younger child's life I declared that any situation requiring me to sleep with her was not particularly acceptable because I would invariably have her doing bad things to my abdominal organs at 2AM.

 

[Brian Noble]

Ordinarily, I prefer the serenity of WL to the frenetic activity of CR. But, for your travel party specifically, the extra sleeping surface would trump that for me.

 

[sarac87]

Thanks again everyone!

@DisneyKidds, let me say, if Boulder Ridge had two separate toilets, I would so be with you. We're going in the spring, so sadly, no holiday decorations.

We're bringing a folding travel cot for the 3 yo, and the baby will have the pack and play, so sleep surfaces isn't really an issue. The two separate bathrooms, I think is the biggest game changer, since we won't be juggling access to the toilet and shower in the morning.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thanks again everyone!

@DisneyKidds, let me say, if Boulder Ridge had two separate toilets, I would so be with you. We're going in the spring, so sadly, no holiday decorations.

We're bringing a folding travel cot for the 3 yo, and the baby will have the pack and play, so sleep surfaces isn't really an issue. The two separate bathrooms, I think is the biggest game changer, since we won't be juggling access to the toilet and shower in the morning.

The juggling act isn’t bad, honestly. While there is only one commode and one shower, there are two sinks/areas for people to get ready. With 4 adults in a 1BR we do just fine, even if occasionally someone needs to wait for someone to conclude their…ummm…business. Same was true when we were two adults with 3 kids/tweens/teens. But every family is different though so go with what’s more important to you. We’d never give up the relaxing vibe of the WL over a toilet, not given how much time you’ll spend enjoying the entirety of the resort versus sitting on the throne. But that’s us. If the CR is your kind of jam and it suits your bathroom needs you can’t really go wrong there. Everyone should stay at the CR once at least, being a MK original!

pssst……just so you know, there are a bunch of quiet toilets to be found at BR and close by around the WL. Sometimes we go use those if we want a little, ahhh, privacy. Just sayin’…..

 

[Dizzydizney]

We recently did a trip with a 3 year old, stayed at BLT. Not having to deal with a stroller getting on a bus or boat was a blessing. Or even just waiting for a boat....when the 3 year old is cranky. Or trying to escape the madness after fireworks...was a pleasure to just walk 10 minutes and be on the elevator. And the extra full bath with the tub/shower combo....much easier to bathe the 3 year old vs using the jacuzzi tub.
Not to take anything away from Wilderness Lodge....love it there too for all the reasons listed above. But you don’t get to do too much relaxing with an infant and toddler. The community hall is nice too at BLT. And four places to eat...Contemporary Cafe, steakhouse 71, Chef Mickeys, and California Grill (but would not take young kids there).
Personally I would never be able to handle 4 or 5 adults in a one bedroom (exceptions being AKL-Kidani, BLT, Riviera...don’t know the configurations of OKW or VGF). Between men shaving, women showering and washing hair (which is needed daily due to the amount of sweat on head), morning sit downs (which I could NEVER do in a public restroom unless it was an emergency...but that’s just me) nope, not happening. Being stressed out in the morning before heading out to a park is not fun.

 

[peabody58]

BLT!

The CR has more options for eating, the BLT Rec Center is awesome for young children. Don't underestimate how much fun the kids could have at the BLT pool. They would love the splash pad and will wear themselves out laughing and playing. Sleeping for 5 and 2 BR's. Parking is so much easier and closer at BLT. Monorail access for MK and Epcot. Very easy to visit Poly and GF resorts.

We own at BLT so we may be biased, but come on.... 2 BR's! I love WL, but DW feels it's too dark for her taste.

Consider planning on another trip with the kiddo's to WL when they are older and can appreciate the theming/amenities. Either way, enjoy your trip and don't second guess your decision (even if you're waiting on an available bathroom at a most inconvenient time).

 

[DisneyKidds]

Good points all!

Let me just say this, though….and call me selfish if you want to….but rather than picking a resort based on how much you think the kids might enjoy it, we pick based on how much we know the adults will (and need to ) enjoy it! Honestly, kids will be happy anywhere, and anyone with little ones can deal well with a stroller in any situation. Heck, many years we had 3 in strollers (a tandem double and a single) and we still really enjoyed the WL. Obviously, right?! Gotta admit, I am persistent….

Also…if you ask any of our 3 progeny which resort they always liked better (having stayed at both)? Yeah, WL.

 

[Brian Noble]

rather than picking a resort based on how much you think the kids might enjoy it, we pick based on how much we know the adults will

Strong second.

 

[bakerworld]

Have you figured the Villas in the Wilderness Lodge? I'm not a big fan of Boulder Creek but if your focus is MK and you've experience BLT than I've vote for BC. Still, if you can actually stay in Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek villas than that would be my selection.

 

[sarac87]

Thanks everyone! We ended up going with BLT because we're only staying for 5 nights, and want to be as efficient as possible. BLT takes the cake, due to all the transportation options, especially ones that are guaranteed not to have to fold the stroller.