I was chomping at the bit to check out BLT and this week was my chance. Finished a major project at work and decided to take a 3 day relaxation trip to our new home at BLT.
I had a Standard View studio all to myself
My villa was 7209 and was on the inner part of the C overlooking the shuffleboard court, courtyard and pool area. Loved the location and the view. 4 doors to the left were the N. elevators and 4 doors to the right were the stairs.
I had easy access to the pool area and courtyard via stairs and the TOWL is served by the North elevators so 1 flight down to check in and an easy trip down and around the corner after the fireworks. The laundry is also on the first floor off the N. Elevators.
3 day solo trip, used ME and thought it was great though a little longer trip than I am used to. BLT is the last stop on the ME loop of MK resorts. We stopped at Poly, GF, and Wilderness Lodge before we were let out at the Convention Center of the CR. The valet area is under construction so everything has been moved to the Convention center side which is a decent walk to check in.
I already had some reservations about the BLT studios because of the size and layout and this trip just reconfirmed that. I liked the studio for myself and when Dh and I return next month, we will be ok, and I wont call it small, but I will call it "intimate" and leave it at that. I would not want to stay there with a coworker kwim?
Loved the balcony! It was larger than most for a studio and my view was great. It was like sitting on a cruise deck watching all the activity. I felt sorry for the older folks and some young folks trying to gain access to the key carded pool area. The gates were working, but sometimes you had to put your key in several times to get it to read.
Speaking of key cards, did they have a BOGO sale on these?!! They are everywhere at BLT!!! I work in a secure government facility and this place is locked up tighter than work. I wear my access badge around my neck at work and felt like I needed it at BLT too. Even the beach, which looks like the creature from the black lagoon is going to walk out of the water onto at any moment, is gated and key carded. It is not even a point of access!! I guess they dont want those Fort Wilderness people swimmimg over!
Once I arrived, my fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks!! I was tired and decided to take it easy this trip and truly enjoy some rest and relaxation. I scratched all plans to visit the parks. We will be back next month so no biggie. I did not leave the resort.
I hit the Fantasia Marketplace and purchased some wine and cheese and I wanted crackers but all they had were saltines so I bought a bag of baked Lays to go with. The FM has a nice selection and the prices were not too bad. A bottle of wine (750ml) ranged from $11.95 for Beringer White Zin to $21.95 for Kendall J. The Sparkling wines were fairly priced and next trip I am getting the Magicale to share with Dh!!!
Also for those wanting to know, FM does carry Matchlight charcoal for $3.95 a bag. (single use) So 
for FM!! Nice variety and decent prices.
My Ownerslocker moment also came at FM. I decided I would not order my locker for this trip, since it was only 3 days solo. What all could I possibly need? I knew I needed some toiletries, because I had carryon only and did not have time to pick up trial size items beforehand to bring with. Well after unpacking, there were 5-8 items that I NEEDED. I priced them out at FM since I did not have a car, and the smallest sizes would total over $40!!
I took my wine and cheese and went back to the room and got online and ordered my OL to be delivered the next morning!! It was promptly delivered around 10am the next day!! for OL for being there when I needed them and this trip alone saved me roundtrip baggage fees of $30 or $40 for not having to purchase the items I really needed. Plus I had all the other stuff that was nice to have, like a real knife to cut my cheese!! I will be adding a pair of sunglasses next trip since I forgot those too and refused to buy another pair. A small cooler bag would be nice also.
TOWL is very nice. I visited each night for the fireworks! I had a couple glasses of wine and service was great. The view is very nice, but that parking lot is a huge distraction. I know it has to be that way, but it's just kind of sad. One of the nights the fireworks were early like 8pm and the music was not piped up. The staff worked frantically to find out what happened but to no avail. There were some disappointed folks on the elevator that night.
My first night dinner was at the WAVE. We ate there last Christmas Eve, but it was a late seating and I was really tired. I remember it being good, but my dinner there was Awesome!! I had the Crab cake for appy which is beyond excellent!! Best Crab cake ever!! My entree was the beef tenderloin with String beans (sub for tomatoes). Small but excellent. Dessert I asked for fresh strawberries.
Dinner was soooo good at the Wave, that I immediately cancelled my other ADR's and scheduled to have dinner there every night!! I was not up for running around the world this trip and I loved the Crab cake and tenderloin just that much. I ate the same dinner for 3 nights and loved every bite! When I checked in on my 3rd night, the CM asked if I was going to try something different tonight, I told him NO!!
I had a new server each night and they were all very good and attentive. Sometimes slow but it was nice not to be rushed. When I did want to rush to catch the fireworks 1 night at TOWL, I was quickly given the bill and my dessert to go So for the Wave!
More later with pics................................
I had a Standard View studio all to myself
My villa was 7209 and was on the inner part of the C overlooking the shuffleboard court, courtyard and pool area. Loved the location and the view. 4 doors to the left were the N. elevators and 4 doors to the right were the stairs. I had easy access to the pool area and courtyard via stairs and the TOWL is served by the North elevators so 1 flight down to check in and an easy trip down and around the corner after the fireworks. The laundry is also on the first floor off the N. Elevators.
3 day solo trip, used ME and thought it was great though a little longer trip than I am used to. BLT is the last stop on the ME loop of MK resorts. We stopped at Poly, GF, and Wilderness Lodge before we were let out at the Convention Center of the CR. The valet area is under construction so everything has been moved to the Convention center side which is a decent walk to check in.
I already had some reservations about the BLT studios because of the size and layout and this trip just reconfirmed that. I liked the studio for myself and when Dh and I return next month, we will be ok, and I wont call it small, but I will call it "intimate" and leave it at that. I would not want to stay there with a coworker kwim?
Loved the balcony! It was larger than most for a studio and my view was great. It was like sitting on a cruise deck watching all the activity. I felt sorry for the older folks and some young folks trying to gain access to the key carded pool area. The gates were working, but sometimes you had to put your key in several times to get it to read.
Speaking of key cards, did they have a BOGO sale on these?!! They are everywhere at BLT!!! I work in a secure government facility and this place is locked up tighter than work. I wear my access badge around my neck at work and felt like I needed it at BLT too. Even the beach, which looks like the creature from the black lagoon is going to walk out of the water onto at any moment, is gated and key carded. It is not even a point of access!! I guess they dont want those Fort Wilderness people swimmimg over!
Once I arrived, my fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks!! I was tired and decided to take it easy this trip and truly enjoy some rest and relaxation. I scratched all plans to visit the parks. We will be back next month so no biggie. I did not leave the resort.
I hit the Fantasia Marketplace and purchased some wine and cheese and I wanted crackers but all they had were saltines so I bought a bag of baked Lays to go with. The FM has a nice selection and the prices were not too bad. A bottle of wine (750ml) ranged from $11.95 for Beringer White Zin to $21.95 for Kendall J. The Sparkling wines were fairly priced and next trip I am getting the Magicale to share with Dh!!!
Also for those wanting to know, FM does carry Matchlight charcoal for $3.95 a bag. (single use) So for FM!! Nice variety and decent prices. My Ownerslocker moment also came at FM. I decided I would not order my locker for this trip, since it was only 3 days solo. What all could I possibly need? I knew I needed some toiletries, because I had carryon only and did not have time to pick up trial size items beforehand to bring with. Well after unpacking, there were 5-8 items that I NEEDED. I priced them out at FM since I did not have a car, and the smallest sizes would total over $40!!
I took my wine and cheese and went back to the room and got online and ordered my OL to be delivered the next morning!! It was promptly delivered around 10am the next day!! for OL for being there when I needed them and this trip alone saved me roundtrip baggage fees of $30 or $40 for not having to purchase the items I really needed. Plus I had all the other stuff that was nice to have, like a real knife to cut my cheese!! I will be adding a pair of sunglasses next trip since I forgot those too and refused to buy another pair. A small cooler bag would be nice also.TOWL is very nice. I visited each night for the fireworks! I had a couple glasses of wine and service was great. The view is very nice, but that parking lot is a huge distraction. I know it has to be that way, but it's just kind of sad. One of the nights the fireworks were early like 8pm and the music was not piped up. The staff worked frantically to find out what happened but to no avail. There were some disappointed folks on the elevator that night.
My first night dinner was at the WAVE. We ate there last Christmas Eve, but it was a late seating and I was really tired. I remember it being good, but my dinner there was Awesome!! I had the Crab cake for appy which is beyond excellent!! Best Crab cake ever!! My entree was the beef tenderloin with String beans (sub for tomatoes). Small but excellent. Dessert I asked for fresh strawberries.
Dinner was soooo good at the Wave, that I immediately cancelled my other ADR's and scheduled to have dinner there every night!! I was not up for running around the world this trip and I loved the Crab cake and tenderloin just that much. I ate the same dinner for 3 nights and loved every bite! When I checked in on my 3rd night, the CM asked if I was going to try something different tonight, I told him NO!! I had a new server each night and they were all very good and attentive. Sometimes slow but it was nice not to be rushed. When I did want to rush to catch the fireworks 1 night at TOWL, I was quickly given the bill and my dessert to go So for the Wave! More later with pics................................
It's great to read that they are finally getting around to restricting the pool. Score one for Disney. Also, good to read that the Wave was so incredibly awesome (love the view of the crab cake - LOL). We're planning on hitting the Wave a couple times when we go in December, 2010, so hopefully the menus don't change between now and then. 
Thanks for the TR!
