Lake Views at BLT

[jrtoastyman]

Just got back from our first DVC stay, which was at BLT. Simply put, we loved it! One question, though: we had a "lake view" room, which was on the south wing. While you could technically see the lake, our actual view was of the north wing of the building, across the courtyard leading to the pool. Is this normal? If so, what does a standard view look like? Seems to me that you'd be able to see water from just about any room, so if that's the standard, aren't they all "lake view" rooms?

While it didn't detract from our stay one bit, our takeaway from it was that the "lake view" in that particular room wasn't really worth the premium. The rooms in the center of the property, sure, but not the rooms on the wings.

Thoughts?

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I had the same compliant in a similar interior unit.

Bottom line is DVC seems to over-classify the lake view....if you can catch a glimpse of the lake, it can be called lake view.

Hera are two recent discussions of the subject: thread one and thread two.

I think they need to make some new view categories.

 

[wcpamotm]

Maybe it would be better if Lake View rooms were instead classified as "Preferred View" rooms, as there are better views from them than the Standard Rooms (which are all on lower floors). But I have no real issue with the current classifications.

Now, I do support the correct reclassification of Theme Park View rooms. If someone is paying the premium for a theme park view, then by golly they should see a theme park!

 

[luckyman_apd]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

Here is a link that someone has listed all the rooms by category of SV,LV, and TPV, as well as studio/1br/2br.

If it isn't on the lowest 2 floors, it's a LV, unless you can see the park, which is TPV. I agree with the above poster, renaming it as Value room, Preferred View, and Theme Park View would more accurately describe it. Don't think the label of Lake View means Lake front. I do like the view from the upper floors, but I'd rather stay on the first two floors and save my points.

 

[jrtoastyman]

I had the same compliant in a similar interior unit.

Bottom line is DVC seems to over-classify the lake view....if you can catch a glimpse of the lake, it can be called lake view.

Hera are two recent discussions of the subject: thread one and thread two.

I think they need to make some new view categories.

Kinda funny, both of these people were in the exact same room position as mine, i.e., XX35. Ultimately, it didn't detract from the experience at all, but had I known that would be the view, I probably would have tried to save the points and get a standard view first.

 

[spiceycat]

most of the standard views are worst - either they are also seeing a service area - or they are too low to see anything.

had that area too - enjoyed it - because of the EWP - you should have gotten a slight view of it too.

 

[jrtoastyman]

most of the standard views are worst - either they are also seeing a service area - or they are too low to see anything.

had that area too - enjoyed it - because of the EWP - you should have gotten a slight view of it too.

Was on the wrong side of the building to see it -- could see the barges lining up and could hear the music, but by the time they turned on the lights, they were already out of my line of sight.

 

[Sandisw]

This type of classification isn't unique to DVC either. I had a water view room once at POR and it was because I had a slight view from the walkway of the pool. To me, not worth the extra $15/night I paid.

I do think, though, that it can be a bit misleading and I think Disney should change the term to Preferred, like suggested, or do something like it has for Aulani, where there is a notation about the views.

I think that is why they changed Magic Kingdom view to Theme Park view--to give a bit more wiggle room in explaining things to guests.

 

[spiceycat]

This type of classification isn't unique to DVC either. I had a water view room once at POR and it was because I had a slight view from the walkway of the pool. To me, not worth the extra $15/night I paid.

I had the same problem with POR water views - mind were of the fountains....
which made me mad - because the month before stayed there and got also the same room on standard view.

 

[PirateFrank]

(FYI, I'm commenting as an owner at BLT, so take that into consideration as you read this)


IMHO, DVC made two serious mistakes with BLT....

First, they designated too many points for the building. Second, either as a result of #1 or to compound it, they developed three point categories.

The problem with #2 above, is that there are a handful of MK views that are basically glorified Std views. There are also plenty of Lake views (as evidenced by the OP) that are, well, glorified Std views. As a result, you've got a handful of preferred level views (in the lake and theme park category) that are really disappointing to the vacationer. I've stayed at BLT two times since we've purchased, and I have to say, I've argued with the front desk at the contemporary each and every time, after being presented with awful rooms.

The problem, unfortunately, isn't as simple as moving all of the bad-view rooms from MK/lake view down to Std and calling it a day. If you do that, (and this is where problem #1 above comes into play) you need to re-allocate the difference in those mk/lake view points into the Std view....which would raise the point cost for std views to something that would be untenable for most DVC owners at BLT.

Had DVC had a more modest point total for the building and launched with 2 point categories, preferred and standard...where preferred has the best views to offer on either side of the building and Std made up the remainder of the rooms in the building....alot of these problems would be nonexistent. Moreover, I suspect BLT would have sold out 1-2 years ago with relative ease.


Regardless, my favorite category is lake view. Standard is such a small block of rooms..and you're virtually guaranteed a view of a dumpster or something equally undesirable. MK view isn't all that it's cracked up to be, given your access to the TOTW lounge. The other benefit of lake view is that since there's such a large percentage of the building in this category, if you get to the contemporary and find your room offering sucks...if you make enough of an uncomfortable squealing noise in the contemporary lobby, the cast members will generally try to find you a new room.