Just back BLT.... some new 1sts:-)

[alldiz]

Hi,
Can’t believe we are actually back from our long awaited trip:-(
WE all had a very magical time.
This was DD’s sweet 16 trip instead of a party.
Our crew consisted of myself, DH, DD, DM, DD her 3 friends and one of my friends (BTW this as her VERY 1ST WDW trip ever)!!! So excited to see her reaction. And my friend is ahem ... we are talking “jaded NY’er”!! We stayed in a dedicated 2BR LV at BLT.
This was perfect for our needs!!!
Girls in bedroom with their own bathroom! That mess was behind a closed door Mom on pullout couch, my friend on pullout chair, DH and I in the bedroom. Full bathroom in living area is PRICELESS!!

We had room 7917 which is on the 9th floor pretty much center of pool looking at slide. Great location! Great view!! AC worked great even without a ceiling fan . Ahem my least favorite aspect when I stayed at BLT a while back. When I heard refurbs included NO ceiling fans anywhere ok I digress.... lol

What I loved about BLT.

1.Ok the best aspect for me by far is being able to walk to MK. Honestly I almost don’t even want to stay at GF after looking at the monorail line.(last on Wdw property DVC to try) Long line, tired crowded people after firework; I was in my room before next monorail arrived;-)

2. TOTWL !! Amazing, beautiful space! After show pressing 9 on the elevator and being back in room 1 min.... Priceless!!

3. Wave Bar..... some of the friendliest bartenders I have ever had the pleasure of talking to!

What I Didn’t Love.

1. Monorail to Epcot. OMG what a PIA.
Felt like back in Brooklyn. After a long hot Park day.... monorail.... then change (train)monorails... which then makes multiple stops in standing room only. For me I don’t get the monorail.... long lines multiple stops. Instead of a direct bus

Listen Disney EXECUTIVES.... BLT/ Contempoary NEEDS a BUS option to EPCOT! And FWIW so does GF if they don’t have one. At least at Poly u can walk to T&T center.
You can get to Epcot from the Allstars quicker than the “deluxes” not to mention The flagship GF....
Do they have an Epcot bus... GF?

2. I don’t love the “decor” at contemporary. My least favorite “theme” feels lil cold and sterile. But that did not take away for one second my amazing trip! And I knew this going in!!! DD wanted to stay here and being able to walk to MK was so amazing. Ok I turned that negative into a positive

New for this trip!!!

1. Ok well already mentioned TOTW
2. Epcot member Lounge
We had half hour before next attraction after soarin so we asked where it was. So cool t be able to chillax for a lil while!!!!! Drinks , Coca Cola machines with all different sodas. I just had water though. I don’t like soda. ( if they had wine/ beer) The snack cart came out just as we were leaving.
Ok Disney EXECS.... keep this perk and cheap AP and we might be on to something

3. FOP. OMG!!!!
I am a recovering ride chicken. I worked up the courage for FOP, I don’t like EE, RNR, Space, love BMTRR,
7DMT, soarin and star tours.
LIFE CHANGING for me!!!! Almost had the courage to ride EE after that ride. One of the most Most exhilarating experiences of my life!! So much so I woke up crack o dawn for park opening to ride it again next day! Worth it!!! Open gates 7:30 , off ride 8:10 then did Navi, safari and dinosaur by 11:00 After 10 minutes of humming and hawing about EE

Ok security....

1. Love the enhanced perimeter. More security checkpoints equal less lines! And a larger secure perimeter!!!!

2. Room checks. They knocked while I was in room 2nd day and asked if they can come in room, and offered to take trash. Next day I figure we good. They won’t come and if they did they would never just take the trash. Yes they did... how do I know because trash was gone!! So Thankyou Disney for keeping us safe...and takin the trash;-)

Ok and as for my “newbie” I could literally see the hardness chip away. I must admit I tried to see it (Disney) from her eyes as a first timer. The never ending smiles and friendly CM’s can be unnerving. For at least 1st 24 hrs I was watching her wait for the other shoe to drop. Day 2 she smiling and still can’t quite figure out we take the magic bus everywhere.... and the magic band takes care of everything else...Day 3 she like wow why are all those people waiting on those lines without the fastpasses. Day 4 we trying to negotiate her coming on my OCT trip. Yup the magic had been released!!!

Final thoughts.
This was the 1st time we did the matching shirt thing. It was FUN! Also it made me notice everyone else’s shirts.... which were even funnier.

My fav... goes something along the line of.... at this point my sweat tastes like dole whip and I fart pixie dust! LOL!!!

Th Is truly was an amazing trip! To see my DD with her friends on their own, my 1st time friend, and time to actually do what I wanted because DD with friends...Priceless!!!!
Any questions ask away
Kerri

 

[bbn1122]

So, happy for you. We own at BLT and love everything you mentioned.

We are staying at VGF for the first time this August.

I didnt love what you had to say about the monorail, but there is the boat too.

I just was able to switch our FP to FOP. Did you see Avitar?
I her and he ride is great. No motion sickness, I can’t ride Mission Space.

Thanks.

 

[kboo]

Listen Disney EXECUTIVES.... BLT/ Contempoary NEEDS a BUS option to EPCOT! And FWIW so does GF if they don’t have one. At least at Poly u can walk to T&T center.
You can get to Epcot from the Allstars quicker than the “deluxes” not to mention The flagship GF....
Do they have an Epcot bus... GF?

From VGF on an Epcot day, we will walk to Poly, have breakfast at Kona Cafe, and then walk to TTC. At least there's that.

 

[alldiz]

So, happy for you. We own at BLT and love everything you mentioned.

We are staying at VGF for the first time this August.

I didnt love what you had to say about the monorail, but there is the boat too.

I just was able to switch our FP to FOP. Did you see Avitar?
I her and he ride is great. No motion sickness, I can’t ride Mission Space.

Thanks.

Thanks,
Ahhhh the boat!!! Yes take the boat!
How could I forget that, I know my home WLV has a boat and bus. Forgot about the boat to GF! Duh!
No I did not see Avatar somehow... but I will before my October visit!
FOP best ride of my life. I won’t ride mission because of claustrophobic, but if I ride EE might revisit that fear!

From VGF on an Epcot day, we will walk to Poly, have breakfast at Kona Cafe, and then walk to TTC. At least there's that.

That is a working plan
Kerri

 

[MouseyMin]

1. Monorail to Epcot. OMG what a PIA.
Felt like back in Brooklyn. After a long hot Park day.... monorail.... then change (train)monorails... which then makes multiple stops in standing room only. For me I don’t get the monorail.... long lines multiple stops. Instead of a direct bus

Listen Disney EXECUTIVES.... BLT/ Contempoary NEEDS a BUS option to EPCOT! And FWIW so does GF if they don’t have one. At least at Poly u can walk to T&T center.
You can get to Epcot from the Allstars quicker than the “deluxes” not to mention The flagship GF....

I'd like to second this opinion. The transportation from BLT/Contemporary to Epcot is horrible by monorail. Some nights it has taken me over 1 1/2 hours to get back - had to wait for the 2nd monorail at Epcot and the 3rd at Ticket and Transportation Center. Twice now I gave up on the second monorail and took the ferry from the TTC to MK, and then walked back to my hotel.

Yes, BLT/Contemporary NEEDS a BUS option to/from Epcot.

 

[alldiz]

I'd like to second this opinion. The transportation from BLT/Contemporary to Epcot is horrible by monorail. Some nights it has taken me over 1 1/2 hours to get back - had to wait for the 2nd monorail at Epcot and the 3rd at Ticket and Transportation Center. Twice now I gave up on the second monorail and took the ferry from the TTC to MK, and then walked back to my hotel.

Yes, BLT/Contemporary NEEDS a BUS option to/from Epcot.

This was the only down side of an amazing trip! I only knew there was not a bus because after 1st day crazy commute home, he left early next day and looked for the bus
Then he realized his quick scoot home was not so much;-)
Kerri

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree on Epcot from CR/BLT. Worst part of all WDW transportation although I don't really love the bus transport from any of the MK resorts as they often share with at least 2 of the resorts. BUT - the walk to MK is priceless. I do miss when they used to have the boat from CR to MK. With walking or monorail it wasn't really necessary but it was still an enjoyable way to get there.

 

[alldiz]

I agree on Epcot from CR/BLT. Worst part of all WDW transportation although I don't really love the bus transport from any of the MK resorts as they often share with at least 2 of the resorts. BUT - the walk to MK is priceless. I do miss when they used to have the boat from CR to MK. With walking or monorail it wasn't really necessary but it was still an enjoyable way to get there.

Yes love many options to avoid crowds
I don’t love the buses, but it beats driving. We went to AK and studios bus was direct no other hotels which was awesome!
Although maybe we did stop at WL on way back can’t remember if that was only MExpress LoL
Kerri

 

[BEASLYBOO]

truly was an amazing trip! To see my DD with her friends on their own, my 1st time friend, and time to actually do what I wanted because DD with friends...Priceless!!!!

Simply an awesome trip! We’re headed to BLT in August(2nd LV), last little vacation before the kids (the troupe) head back to college! I’ve owned DVC for many yrs and it’s been truly magical, to not only enjoy it ourselves but to see the joy it brings to those we love to share it with!

 

[Matty B13]

Going from Epcot to BLT, you could try heading to BCV or BWV and taking the bus to MK and then walk over.

 

[DVC92]

My biggest gripe with heading to EPCOT via monorail from the MK resorts is that you have to go through security twice. My wife gets real tired of having her bag pulled apart!

 

[jerseygal]

Going from Epcot to BLT, you could try heading to BCV or BWV and taking the bus to MK and then walk over.

THANK YOU for the tip, excited about our first stay at BLT this October!

 

[alldiz]

Simply an awesome trip! We’re headed to BLT in August(2nd LV), last little vacation before the kids (the troupe) head back to college! I’ve owned DVC for many yrs and it’s been truly magical, to not only enjoy it ourselves but to see the joy it brings to those we love to share it with!

Yes it really is the pixie dust they are selling

Going from Epcot to BLT, you could try heading to BCV or BWV and taking the bus to MK and then walk over.

Great idea! Especially because we had lunch at beaches n cream doh!!

My biggest gripe with heading to EPCOT via monorail from the MK resorts is that you have to go through security twice. My wife gets real tired of having her bag pulled apart!

Yes it is annoying but unfortunately in this crazy world they have no choice.
Walking from magic kingdom to BLT really is amazing!!! Quick security check never a line .
Kerri