How is the pool at Bay Lake Tower?

[JoshF]

I like the location of BLT for quick access to MK and the 2 full bathrooms in the 1BRs. How would you rank the book compared to other Deluxe resorts? I think I would want to spend a few hours per day at a pool that's fun for kids ages 6-10. How would you rank the pool in terms of the following?

1. How crowded does the pool get?

2. Are the lounge chairs hard to get?

3. Is the slide good for a 6 year old?

4. Are there food / drinks options at the pool?

I like the looks of the Poly pool more but would prefer a 1BR so I get a full kitchen. Should I be looking at another resort? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[cedricandsophie]

While I like bay lake one bedroom with two bathrooms the pool is very small. And there is a lot of shade. So if you wAnt chairs in the sun it can get busy. There is a slide that’s not bad. There is a small food place which sells a few sandwiches and salads and also liquor. You are allowed to use the contemporary hotel pool which is short walk away. Bay lake also has bocci court and shuffleboard close to the pool.
Personally for kids I like old key west. The pool is large, the kids program is great both by the pool and at the community house, the slide is fun, there is a sand playground which little kids like and there is tennis, shuffleboard, pool, ping pong very close by. At night there is a fire with s’mores and a movie. And a small outdoor cafe and bar are right there.
thr one bedroom is very large but only has one bathroom. We always reserve close to hospitality house so the kids can walk to the pool on their own.
Old key west also has Olivia’s which is a good sit down restaurant and a boat to Disney Springs.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The pool is boring. As is the pool at the Contemporary, truly.

I think they win as "most boring pools" at a DVC resort. While the quiet pools at most resorts are bland, the feature pools usually arwn't. (And the quiet pools at Poly and VWL are neato, per my kids.)

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

The pool is boring. As is the pool at the Contemporary, truly.

I think they win as "most boring pools" at a DVC resort. While the quiet pools at most resorts are bland, the feature pools usually arwn't. (And the quiet pools at Poly and VWL are neato, per my kids.)

MOST BORING POOL AWARD

Awarded by: _auroraborealis_
This 14th day in July, 2020
​

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

We have done Stormalong Bay, the Poly pool, and the Contempo pool. I know you were asking about BLT but the BLT pool is just as bland as the CR pool and as BLT guests you’ll have access to the CR pool.

So for my kids (ages 5 and 2.5 at CR and ages 3 and 1 at Poly) they truly did like all the pools equally. The CR slide is great for a 6 year old, my DD loved it at age 5. We’ve never had an issue getting lounge chairs and they have the “Sand Bar” for food (hot dogs, ice cream, that type of fare.)

I thought that the kiddie pool area was much nicer at Poly but your kids are too old for it anyway. The Poly’s water slide for older children/adults is covered and to me, that made it scarier than the CR slide but YMMV. DD wouldn’t do it but she was only 3 then. SAB is far and away the greatest pool at a Deluxe resort and your kids would probably love it, but here’s the thing... the BLT pool gets the job done! In hot weather and on vacation, a pool is nice no matter what

 

[Aussie RJ]

The pools are definitely bland (and small), however as per advice from my 8 year old.. "The slide is cool, better than Wilderness Lodge but not as good as the clown". I've never had a problem getting chairs. The food is ok, I'm more than willing to make sacrifices at BLT for Fireworks views, walking to MK, and and quick access to TOTWL. And if one beds are what you're after, BLT one bedroom is arguably or at least as good as the best onsite.

 

[JoshF]

And if one beds are what you're after, BLT one bedroom is arguably or at least as good as the best onsite.

What else would you say is on that list of best onsite?

Is the Poly pool so good that I should consider a studio there instead? I only travel w 2 or 3 ppl total but may want options for more one day.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

What else would you say is on that list of best onsite?

Is the Poly pool so good that I should consider a studio there instead? I only travel w 2 or 3 ppl total but may want options for more one day.

Are you looking for a specific trip or for which resort to make your home with a DVC purchase?

If you're debating between BLT and Poly as a home resort, but you want more room size options, you're going to need to go with BLT of those two.

The best things about the Poly Lava Pool are the pitch-black slide (it's so fun!) and the view of the fireworks and the castle from in the pool.

The best thing about the Poly Oasis Pool is that it's saltwater, which feels amazing. Otherwise, it's pretty basic.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The best thing about the Poly Oasis Pool is that it's saltwater, which feels amazing. Otherwise, it's pretty basic.

You forgot the pool bar. That is an excellent pool bar/QS that is only available to users of that pool.

My kids love the zero entry and... well, the ducks. I haven't explained duck poop to them.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

You forgot the pool bar. That is an excellent pool bar/QS that is only available to users of that pool.

My kids love the zero entry and... well, the ducks. I haven't explained duck poop to them.

Yes, the zero entry with the bubbler things is fantastic! Also, that pool tends to be a bit calmer than the Lava Pool - very relaxing.

And yes, the food/bar is within the fence!

 

[JoshF]

Looking for a home resort. I want something that is newer and higher quality, with good food, rooms and food. I think I'd spend 4-6 hours max t the park and will definitely want some quality pool time.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

. I want something that is newer and higher qual

I guess I would warn you that on a 7-14 refurb schedule, and 95%+ occupancy, everything gets beat up. By the time RIV has its first softgoods refurbs, everyone will be complaining about the beat up furnitufe and doorframes. At 14, the full refurb will remove all European influence and the units will look like a nice Holiday Inn in Rockford.

 

[ColonialMouse]

BLT is great for location, the view (whether you like lake or mk), and the extra bathroom.

Everything else about it (due to being "contemporary") is totally bland. The pool has the standard features of standard DVC pools, but nothing memorable. The room decor is great if you like Ikea. The food (excluding CA Grill) is decent but not trying to be interesting.

(we own at BLT. I'm not saying don't buy there, just don't buy there for a reason other than location)

But, more seriously, DVC rooms aren't refurbed that often. They're generally in decent shape but a little bit worn. They will fix broken stuff of course (we've had a fridge and dishwasher swapped out). But if you're looking for "newer and higher quality" you probably should stay with deluxe resorts and not DVC. Ultimately we pay for refurbs with our maintenance fees and no one is yelling for them to go up so the rooms can be refurbed more often.

Bruce

 

[kboo]

I like the location of BLT for quick access to MK and the 2 full bathrooms in the 1BRs. How would you rank the book compared to other Deluxe resorts? I think I would want to spend a few hours per day at a pool that's fun for kids ages 6-10. How would you rank the pool in terms of the following?

1. How crowded does the pool get?

2. Are the lounge chairs hard to get?

3. Is the slide good for a 6 year old?

4. Are there food / drinks options at the pool?

I like the looks of the Poly pool more but would prefer a 1BR so I get a full kitchen. Should I be looking at another resort? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

1. BLT doesn't get terribly crowded.
2. no (see answer to #1)
3. I've not known a 6-yo to deem a water slide "NOT good," unless it's all dark and they're afraid still (SAB/BCV). Both the BLT and Contemporary pools have decent large water slides, and the BLT also has a teeny one good for toddlers.
4. I do like the food/bar option at the BLT pool - it is very close to the pool itself and has good food.

The pool is boring. As is the pool at the Contemporary, truly.

I think they win as "most boring pools" at a DVC resort. While the quiet pools at most resorts are bland, the feature pools usually aren't. (And the quiet pools at Poly and VWL are neato, per my kids.)

I agree with the "most boring pool" award to BLT/Contemporary. By a landslide waterslide.

As for other resorts?
To each their own, I think. While my husband and I love Stormalong Bay at BCV - it has some drawbacks - our kids are still too young to use many of the features on their own, and they are decent swimmers - the waterslide entries are across the public walkway, and the "lazy river" is all-deep. Maybe when they are older ... BWV - I happen to love the clown pool, but I don't recall there being many shade options.

We own at BLT, VGF and RIV, and have reasons for liking all of them.

While the pools at BLT/CR are boring, we love the proximity to MK and CCV (we often go there for dinner), the restaurants (The Wave and CG), and the 1 and 2br units are big, have the second bath, and generally have good views. Probably the most economical near-MK resort, especially if you have little kids and want the ease of going back and forth.

VGF: my kids' favorite resort, although on any given day they also like RIV. They like the feature pool and its proximity to the villas and the splash area, the views, and the pool bar there is very good.

RIV: this is probably the adults' favorite pool (long enough to do real laps for exercise) but the feature pool and slide are deemed "too small" by our 8yo. The "big" slides at VGF and BLT are much larger. Food options - Bar Riva and the QS are across a walkway, and closer than the QS at either BLT or VGF, but there is no actual food option *within* the pool gates. On the other hand, the number and quality of food options at Primo Piatto and Bar Riva are much better than the QS or the pool bars at either BLT or VGF.

tl;dr: IF you aren't buying enough points direct to make the incentives "worth it" at Riviera, then probably VGF hits all your needs the best, but don't feel pressured to buy immediately - wait and watch prices and the ROFR thread. You may be able to get a VGF contract that isn't too much more $ than either BLT or Poly.

Another thought: the murphy beds at Riviera are WAY more comfortable than the pullouts. They feel like real beds. Also Disney+ access.

 

[Aussie RJ]

What else would you say is on that list of best onsite?

Is the Poly pool so good that I should consider a studio there instead? I only travel w 2 or 3 ppl total but may want options for more one day.

I love the poly but I couldn’t buy there as we are not a studio family. We enjoy more space and the full kitchen.
BLT has one of the more spacious one beds with an extra bathroom. Where I really fell in love though was for the walks back after a long day in MK. Your legs will thank you when you see all the drama of the monorail and boats after fireworks.
Kids love water, I really don’t think mine care about which pool they are at as long as they can swim.
Judging against VGF, I love it there too but the points charts can be more cost effective at BLT. Looking a BLT the dues are low and I’m guessing the current resale value is at $130 a point which is extremely attractive.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Looking for a home resort. I want something that is newer and higher quality, with good food, rooms and food. I think I'd spend 4-6 hours max t the park and will definitely want some quality pool time.

It sounds like you may have narrowed down to Poly and BLT as your top two choices.

Consider buying half your points at each resort and alternating years.

Wait...I think I remember some of your other posts. Aren't you the one who is on the West Coast and you're already under contract on Aulani and you're looking for a WDW home? If so, I am not sure I'd do both Poly and BLT, because you don't want to have too few points at any one resort, especially if you want larger rooms.

I think for you, between these two resorts, if you primarily want studios that sleep five, I'd go with Poly. If you want home-resort advantage at a resort with multiple room size options, I'd go with BLT.

Don't forget that WDW has two large water parks, so if you want something more amazing than the resort pool, you can visit them, although they're currently closed for Covid.

 

[JoshF]

Wait...I think I remember some of your other posts. Aren't you the one who is on the West Coast and you're already under contract on Aulani and you're looking for a WDW home? If so, I am not sure I'd do both Poly and BLT, because you don't want to have too few points at any one resort, especially if you want larger rooms.

I think for you, between these two resorts, if you primarily want studios that sleep five, I'd go with Poly. If you want home-resort advantage at a resort with multiple room size options, I'd go with BLT.

Yep, that's me. I'm open to any Deluxe resort as my WDW home. I figured it's best to be close to MK as my DS is 5, although being near Epcot is ok too. Open to any suggestions.

 

[DisneyGal24]

We’ve stayed at all WDW DVC properties except VGF and RR. I will just say my kids (14 and 11) rank the slide at BLT #1. I think BLT is special to them because it was our first DVC stay back in 2013.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Meh. The only pool area more boring than BLT is the Contemporaries. And super small for the amount of guests in BLT.

 

[Marionnette]

Yep, that's me. I'm open to any Deluxe resort as my WDW home. I figured it's best to be close to MK as my DS is 5, although being near Epcot is ok too. Open to any suggestions.

Your son won’t be 5 forever. Don’t make your choice based on wanting to be close to the MK just for that reason. Some day very soon, he will be a teenager that wants to go off on his own at Disney. And then off to college when he will have very little time to vacation with the parental units. Make your choice based on how much you like the resort.