How best to go about checking out resorts in person?

[Dizzydizney]

Actually the bridge between BLT and Contemporary is locked at a certain point in the evening and you need a magic band to enter. And it is unlocked in the morning sometime after 6:30 am (so don’t forget your magic band if going early to fill your coffee mug).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Actually the bridge between BLT and Contemporary is locked at a certain point in the evening and you need a magic band to enter. And it is unlocked in the morning sometime after 6:30 am (so don’t forget your magic band if going early to fill your coffee mug).

I am assuming OP is going during regular hours and not being a hall creeper at 2am.

Don't be a hall creeper at 2am.

 

[carli_h]

Christmas 2018 we looked around Poly, AKL, VGF, BLT, SSR, CC, BW and BC. We got the bus from a park or DS and walked into each of them.

There is a showroom for BW just off the boardwalk if you would like to see a BWV room. We did the tour at SSR and saw CC, Poly and Aulani rooms. I assume it’s RR, CC and Aulani now.


We went into the corridors and had a look in CC as we were seriously considering buying there. We also did the same at BLT. The only places we couldn’t get into were some pool areas as you needed a magic band. You can walk into the lobby at BLT but we were also able to access the bridge from contemporary. No one asked us what we were doing at any point or turned us away. Disney encourages visitors to look around the resorts and we did ask if we could look at the corridors and every cast member we spoke to was really helpful. We just couldn’t look in the rooms.

We ended up buying RR before it was open but are staying at BC, AKL, VGF in a few months as we intend to add on a resale contract. If you have time I would recommend a tour.

 

[Dizzydizney]

I am assuming OP is going during regular hours and not being a hall creeper at 2am.

Don't be a hall creeper at 2am.

There are people besides the OP that are reading this thread, and that was erroneous information.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are people besides the OP that are reading this thread, and that was erroneous information.

...anyone checking out the hallways between 10PM and 6:30AM is a creeper.

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

We took a tour of BLT after it opened and I remember the guide telling us only members are allowed on the bridge to BLT. BLT to me, is location and nothing else. I already went through the 70's and don't want to go back as I didn't like the brown and orange decor back then. Rooms are tiny as well but many people love BLT so do your homework online as far as floor plans and videos of the villas.

Only the studios are tiny. 1 and 2 bedrooms are larger than most on property. I had initially ruled BLT out because I kept hearing how small the rooms were. Then I found out people were referring to studios which I had no interest in anyway.

 

[countrypilot]

Only the studios are tiny. 1 and 2 bedrooms are larger than most on property. I had initially ruled BLT out because I kept hearing how small the rooms were. Then I found out people were referring to studios which I had no interest in anyway.

If I did BLT then I'd buy enough points for a 1 BR.

 

[JETSDAD]

Only the studios are tiny. 1 and 2 bedrooms are larger than most on property. I had initially ruled BLT out because I kept hearing how small the rooms were. Then I found out people were referring to studios which I had no interest in anyway.

More like middle of the pack for 1 & 2 BR, but yes much better than studios.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And the Skyliner to BoardWalk?

Sure you just get off at Epcot and walk back to the BWV or BCV. They are on opposite sides of Crescent Lake.

 

[ClemTig]

More like middle of the pack for 1 & 2 BR, but yes much better than studios.

I've really not been dissatisfied with room size in any of the 1 or 2 BR rooms in DVC. I don't stay in Studios. The only rooms that I have felt were noticeably bigger are those in OKW, all the rest are fairly comparable.

 

[Deb & Bill]

BLT one bedroom outside the C has a much bigger living room than the BLT one bedroom inside the C. About five feet in width by the living room window.

 

[countrypilot]

BLT one bedroom outside the C has a much bigger living room than the BLT one bedroom inside the C. About five feet in width by the living room window.

I just hate the one bathroom at OKW.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just hate the one bathroom at OKW.

Why? The shower and toilet are in a room with a sink. The tub and another sink are in another space. There is a door between them.

 

[countrypilot]

Why? The shower and toilet are in a room with a sink. The tub and another sink are in another space. There is a door between them.

Good information to know. The 1BR at other villas all seem to have two bathrooms. That layout is fairly functional. The only other issue would be the lack of elevators then.

 

[Best Aunt]

Good information to know. The 1BR at other villas all seem to have two bathrooms.

No.

 

[DaveNan]

The 1BR at other villas all seem to have two bathrooms.

Only at BLT and AKV Kidani. All others have 1 bathroom in a 1 BR. Some have split toilet, shower, tub, sink arrangements. Some are separate rooms containing different fixtures, but only one toilet. To me the number of rooms with a toilet defines the number of bathrooms.

 

[countrypilot]

Why? The shower and toilet are in a room with a sink. The tub and another sink are in another space. There is a door between them.

I looked back at the floor plan on the official Disney DVC site. Do you have to go into the bedroom to get into the bathroom and to the toilet? If true then I'm not a fan of having my kids or some other guest have to enter our bedroom in the middle of the night should someone need to go to the bathroom.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I looked back at the floor plan on the official Disney DVC site. Do you have to go into the bedroom to get into the bathroom and to the toilet? If true then I'm not a fan of having my kids or some other guest have to enter our bedroom in the middle of the night should someone need to go to the bathroom.

They changed that with Phase 2 of OKW. They added a door through the laundry room into the toilet/shower area. Villas numbered higher than 29 have that door. So Turtle Pond and South Point, plus the later three buildings that were added much later (which also have elevators). OKW space beats all the rest.

 

[countrypilot]

So if I bought DVC and booked far enough ahead could I count on getting those rooms? What about a building with elevator too?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

So if I bought DVC and booked far enough ahead could I count on getting those rooms? What about a building with elevator too?

Could not count on it. Not a bookable category.