Live from BLT with first impressions

[pinnocchiosdad]

I was pretty surprised to see how worn our room looked already. The stainless steel on the side of the dishwasher was mangled...the sofa had a lot of stains...the bench seating at table was dirty...other furniture was dented...tall lamp was tippy. It's pretty sad to think how much damage has been done already.

I was looking at the living room couch and thinkung the same thing. The fabric colors are pretty, but so light that they will be destroyed shortly. Also the dark wood on the kitchen cabnets as wee as other furniture is already getting nicks and you see the white colored wood. This will only get worse. On the subject of the living room, the TV is so far from the couch that it works out to the equivalent of watching a 13" TV.

 

[dzney2001]

We just left blt (Feb 5 - 11). Was not too hard to leave do to the cold weather. We've had no luck this winter with the weather. We were there January 7 - 11 with the cold weather, also. I'm going March 11 for a few days, so if it's my luck of bad weather don't go at that time.
I agree with the lighting!!!!
I had room 7808 (studio) booked with Bay lake view.
Could see the castle from the balcony.
Does anyone know which rooms are the castle view?

 

[KristiMc]

We just left blt (Feb 5 - 11).
I had room 7808 (studio) bookedwith Bay lake view.
Could see the castle from the balcony.
Does anyone know which rooms are the castle view?

We were neighbors! We just left today and were in 7806 studio. We really liked the room and view.

 

[dizfan]

Does anyone know which rooms are the castle view?

work2play has a thread with the rooms
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082

 

[dzney2001]

Did you notice the room service trays not picked up for long periods of time.
Other than that I loved BLT.
p.s. I had great neighbors!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We just left blt (Feb 5 - 11). Was not too hard to leave do to the cold weather. We've had no luck this winter with the weather. We were there January 7 - 11 with the cold weather, also. I'm going March 11 for a few days, so if it's my luck of bad weather don't go at that time.
...

I'm going this weekend, we were all there January 6-11. My spring break is later than you're going...it begins on March 20th. Lets hope things improve! They even are beginning the F&G show earlier this year...it could be a very costly move for them. Last year the movie they showed mentioned frosts and having to replant hundreds of flowers, this year they may be replanting thousands!

Bobbi

 

[spiceycat]

Lets hope things improve! They even are beginning the F&G show earlier this year...it could be a very costly move for them. Last year the movie they showed mentioned frosts and having to replant hundreds of flowers, this year they may be replanting thousands!

Bobbi

going Feb 28 - March 10 - staying offsite, then BLT, BWV - forgot about the cold weather - F&G starts March 3 this year.

they might have problems...

 

[thelionqueen]

Thanks for the review, hope you're able to stay the extra day!

I just wanted to chime in regarding posts about not getting a MK view because of the high point cost.

I can tell you that I was in that boat originally as well. I purchased (what I thought) was WAY more points than we needed "just in case" we decided to get a MK room (which I thought would be just on a special occasion).

Well our first (and last) Christmas trip we "splurged" on a MK view, and had to borrow points to do so. I will tell you, without any doubt whatsoever at all, I will ONLY stay with a MK view from now on. I will not even consider another view, I would pick another resort!

I agree that there are many views of the fireworks, etc. And I absolutely love the Bay Lake View, but there is something SO SPECIAL about waking up, and seeing that view 24/7 that is beyond words.

I would highly recommend everyone having a MK view, for even one night, to compare to other views.

I almost wish I had booked a Lake view first. I got spoiled from the get-go and I cannot imagine staying @ BLT without a MK view. I wanted to own there for many reasons, none of them (initially) was to get MK views @ 11 months. Now that is one of the perks I hold most dear!

I too LOVE BLT !!!

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

going Feb 28 - March 10 - staying offsite, then BLT, BWV - forgot about the cold weather - F&G starts March 3 this year.

they might have problems...

We took a tour last week and we were told over half the flowers and plants died. They have been ordering replacements from all over the world. They usualy work at night when guests can not see "the magic", but they were planting all day and night.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Thanks for the review, hope you're able to stay the extra day!

I just wanted to chime in regarding posts about not getting a MK view because of the high point cost.

I can tell you that I was in that boat originally as well. I purchased (what I thought) was WAY more points than we needed "just in case" we decided to get a MK room (which I thought would be just on a special occasion).

Well our first (and last) Christmas trip we "splurged" on a MK view, and had to borrow points to do so. I will tell you, without any doubt whatsoever at all, I will ONLY stay with a MK view from now on. I will not even consider another view, I would pick another resort!

I agree that there are many views of the fireworks, etc. And I absolutely love the Bay Lake View, but there is something SO SPECIAL about waking up, and seeing that view 24/7 that is beyond words.

I would highly recommend everyone having a MK view, for even one night, to compare to other views.

I almost wish I had booked a Lake view first. I got spoiled from the get-go and I cannot imagine staying @ BLT without a MK view. I wanted to own there for many reasons, none of them (initially) was to get MK views @ 11 months. Now that is one of the perks I hold most dear!

I too LOVE BLT !!!

Just curious why you say your "first and last Christmas trip"?

 

[KristiMc]

Did you notice the room service trays not picked up for long periods of time.
Other than that I loved BLT.
p.s. I had great neighbors!

We did notice the trays. I don't know why they can't go by after so long and pick up from where they dropped off.

 

[MrsBlovesDisney]

I will tell you, without any doubt whatsoever at all, I will ONLY stay with a MK view from now on. I will not even consider another view, I would pick another resort!

I agree that there are many views of the fireworks, etc. And I absolutely love the Bay Lake View, but there is something SO SPECIAL about waking up, and seeing that view 24/7 that is beyond words.

I too LOVE BLT !!!

Awwwe....you're singin' our tune!! We LOVE the MK view (although we have only witnessed it from the CR....cannot WAIT to view it from our NEW HOME)!!

We, too, are under that MK view "spell"...
Glad you had a Magical time!!!

 

[thelionqueen]

Just curious why you say your "first and last Christmas trip"?

I said our last Christmas trip because we're just not "Christmas at Disney" kind of folks! I booked our BLT the very first day BLT owners could book (I'm sure you read the threads back then, they were nightmarish ). We were looking forward to our first BLT home stay @ Christmas trip for almost something like 7 months (crazy)!

I might have "psyched" myself up too much, or heard too much hype, or whatever, but it just didn't live up to what I was expecting. We absolutely LOVED BLT, but we just didn't get that old "Christmas Spirit" anywhere.

I would like to say, as a disclaimer, we live in Colorado, so the "spirit" is everywhere., that could be a major reason as well. But for us, it just wasn't Christmas. We even stayed @ VWL for a portion of the stay as we heard how wonderful it was; just didn't work for us.

We also heard (or read on the DIS rather) that they vastly cut down on the decorations and stuff, so maybe that was it as well. I think too that since we want to go swimming and lounge at the pool the majority of our trips, going at this time of the year is probably not the best choice either

A myriad of reasons really,but basically just not our cup of tea. I am glad I experienced it though, I always felt like I was missing out on something

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

I said our last Christmas trip because we're just not "Christmas at Disney" kind of folks! I booked our BLT the very first day BLT owners could book (I'm sure you read the threads back then, they were nightmarish ). We were looking forward to our first BLT home stay @ Christmas trip for almost something like 7 months (crazy)!

I might have "psyched" myself up too much, or heard too much hype, or whatever, but it just didn't live up to what I was expecting. We absolutely LOVED BLT, but we just didn't get that old "Christmas Spirit" anywhere.

I would like to say, as a disclaimer, we live in Colorado, so the "spirit" is everywhere., that could be a major reason as well. But for us, it just wasn't Christmas. We even stayed @ VWL for a portion of the stay as we heard how wonderful it was; just didn't work for us.

We also heard (or read on the DIS rather) that they vastly cut down on the decorations and stuff, so maybe that was it as well. I think too that since we want to go swimming and lounge at the pool the majority of our trips, going at this time of the year is probably not the best choice either

A myriad of reasons really,but basically just not our cup of tea. I am glad I experienced it though, I always felt like I was missing out on something

If you ever have the chance give Mickey's not so scarry Holloween party a try.

 

[Sammie]

I said our last Christmas trip because we're just not "Christmas at Disney" kind of folks! I booked our BLT the very first day BLT owners could book (I'm sure you read the threads back then, they were nightmarish ). We were looking forward to our first BLT home stay @ Christmas trip for almost something like 7 months (crazy)!

I might have "psyched" myself up too much, or heard too much hype, or whatever, but it just didn't live up to what I was expecting. We absolutely LOVED BLT, but we just didn't get that old "Christmas Spirit" anywhere.

I would like to say, as a disclaimer, we live in Colorado, so the "spirit" is everywhere., that could be a major reason as well. But for us, it just wasn't Christmas. We even stayed @ VWL for a portion of the stay as we heard how wonderful it was; just didn't work for us.

We also heard (or read on the DIS rather) that they vastly cut down on the decorations and stuff, so maybe that was it as well. I think too that since we want to go swimming and lounge at the pool the majority of our trips, going at this time of the year is probably not the best choice either

A myriad of reasons really,but basically just not our cup of tea. I am glad I experienced it though, I always felt like I was missing out on something

Have to agree especially this past year. We went about 10 years ago and thought it was fabulous, this past year it was just ok and it took away from things at home I wished I had done and seen but missed to be at Disney.

We will stick to traveling at non Christmas times.

 

[Anjelica]

Thanks for the insight. We are thinking about staying one night at BLT (our home resorts are AKV/VWL) for our upcoming trip in October after our cruise. I've already booked VWL for that night but was looking at moving it at the 7-month mark to BLT. I was wondering if I should get the MK view or not.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Thanks for the insight. We are thinking about staying one night at BLT (our home resorts are AKV/VWL) for our upcoming trip in October after our cruise. I've already booked VWL for that night but was looking at moving it at the 7-month mark to BLT. I was wondering if I should get the MK view or not.

It all depends on whether or not you want to spend teh points. We had a lake view and will use standard view on our next trip. It became a running joke on our trip to point out all the MK views around the resort. We could see the castle from the elevators (before the doors closed), from the fire stairways, from the skybridge, and many other spots.

 

[Anjelica]

It all depends on whether or not you want to spend teh points. We had a lake view and will use standard view on our next trip. It became a running joke on our trip to point out all the MK views around the resort. We could see the castle from the elevators (before the doors closed), from the fire stairways, from the skybridge, and many other spots.

I'm definetly leaning towards no especially with all the comments about being able to see MK Views from other points within the resort. What about lake view - do folks think that is worth the extra points?

Also - I may have missed this but is there a special place for BLK guests to view the fireworks?

 

[thelionqueen]

If you ever have the chance give Mickey's not so scarry Holloween party a try.

Good point! We've actually gone to the MNSSHP for 7 years in a row and decided to vacation differently and go at Christmas. There were and are many different opinions on which is better, but for us, hands down, MNSSHP is a much better event and worth the money vs. MVMCP. I'm just glad I got to experience it myself and form my own opinion

 

[thelionqueen]

I'm definetly leaning towards no especially with all the comments about being able to see MK Views from other points within the resort. What about lake view - do folks think that is worth the extra points?

Also - I may have missed this but is there a special place for BLK guests to view the fireworks?

Since it looks like you will be reserving a room at the 7 month window, I think you will have a hard time getting a standard view room (at least from what I've read on the DIS).

It is true that there are MK views all around BLT, which in itself is amazing. But it is something totally different when you can sit on your balcony, in you pajamas if you wish and watch the happenings from your room.

There is a dedicated viewing spot on the roof/lounge for BLT guests, which is fine. We watched from there the first night thinking it would be great, but the view from our room, in the comfort of our own room, was incredible!

We also liked being able to hear the "oohs & aahs" of those at the lounge and others viewing from CA grill-that was fun too!

If you're only looking for one night here or there, I think you will have better luck with a lake view, as far as availability goes, but, as with all things DVC, you just never know Enjoy BLT, we sure do!