LIVE from BLT!

[girlmom]

We'll be in a lake view room in Oct. Is the 8th floor where we want to be? Should we request something higher or lower?

I can't remember...is there a washer & dryer in the one bedrooms?

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for the live update! I can't wait to read more and hoping to see more pictures. Thanks again

 

[anbouk]

Yea....can't wait to hear more! I will be there in two weeks, too !

 

[MomsGoneGoofy]

Thanks for posting! We check in on 08/13, Magic Kingdom view. Can't wait.

 

[TaraPA]

Just the thread I was looking for - I'll be there in November with 5 friends at BLT! Thanks for posting!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Hi! Thanks for the live update. I can't wait to see pictures and hear about everyones experiences there. Thanks

 

[MOM POPPINS]

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/08/bay_lake_tower_opening_day_1.html

http://land.allears.net/blogs/debwills/2009/08/bay_lake_tower_opening.html

These reports are on www.allearsnet.com

 

[MOM POPPINS]

There is also a you tube video at the end of Jack Spence's blog on the first link or go here for the video!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dop7...er_opening_day_1.html&feature=player_embedded

It's a beautiful resort!!!!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Very cool! Thanks for the live report! Have a great time!

 

[fla4fun]

OP here again! I'll answer as many of the questions you have posted as I can.

Yes, there is a washer and dryer, in a closet in the hall between the entry door and the kitchen.

I am in what they referred to as a "ring room" at the front desk, which I assume is the term they are using to refer to the rooms on the outside of the circle. I'm near the end of the hall on the marina side. With the curve of the building, you really don't notice any other balconies, even standing at the railing. When they told me I was on the eighth floor, I asked if they had anything facing the same way on a higher floor, but they had already pre-assigned them. I know they didn't have all the rooms taken though, because I ran into someone who was in line this morning, who told me their first MK view room was on the third floor, and not much of a MK view (we joked that it must be the Utilidor view) and they were able to move up a few floors. The view from the eighth floor is very good, and I'll have a perfect view of the EWP. I think anything from about the fifth floor up would give you a decent view (by the way, the sky bridge access is on the 5th floor), and personally I would prefer to be on the outside of the curve. There are windows every so often in the hallway that show what the pool courtyard area view would be like, and it wouldn't be my cup of tea.

I thought of another question that was asked before opening - how the rooms are numbered. Floors 1 through 9 start with a 7, then the floor number, then the room number on the floor. So if you had room 7402, you would be on the fourth floor in room two. The tenth floor and up start with the number 8 and follow the same pattern. The map they gave us is very generic and doesn't show where any of the rooms are actually located - just a list of what room numbers are on which floor.

I'm afraid I'm using a dial up connection on a very old laptop, so I can't post any pictures from here - hopefully a DVC member with complimentary high speed will be able to post some. I'll keep checking back every so often and answer questions as I can.

 

[PolynesianLily]

Wow!
Thank you for the update!!

 

[DLo]

Thanks for taking the time to report during your trip! I am hoping to stay there one day!

 

[ruthfamilyvacationer]

Thanks soooo much for posting! Thats awesome, its makes me that much more excited to stay there!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Here is a you bube video of the fireworks from BLT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvQVC-308FA&feature=related

 

[disneyandme]

Can you drive up to the lobby of the BLT or do you have to unload at Contemporary? Is valet only at Contemporary or will it be at BLT also?

 

[fla4fun]

OP here again!

In answer to the valet and bell services question - valet parking and bell services are handled through the CR lobby. The only desk in the BLT lobby is a DVC desk. If you want luggage assistance on your way in, you have to unload at CR and then park your car at BLT. I just parked at BLT and brought in my own luggage - I needed something to do that early in the morning anyway!

Room service is also handled through CR. The menu looks pretty good, although I haven't ordered anything yet. I have bought a few odds and ends at the new Marketplace store. Their selection is pretty good, and the prices are about the same as any convenience store. I wouldn't rely solely on their selection, but it's good for things you run out of or couldn't pack.

I didn't realize I would miss ceiling fans so much. There aren't any in the room, and I'm so glad I packed my small fan. I like to have air moving when I'm sleeping.

Speaking of sleeping, the beds here are unbelievably comfortable. I could just spend the entire trip sleeping! Well, maybe not the entire trip, but most of it.

The sky bridge is very convenient except for one thing. They put in automated accessible doors and they are time consuming to use, and the doors are really heavy to move if you don't use the automated function. The automated opener at the CR door doesn't work at all for me - I push the button and hear it click, but nothing. The walkway itself is nice - although I wonder how it is in a rain storm (we had a blinding rain yesterday for about an hour - I couldn't even see the ground ouside the windows).

I can see the Epcot fireworks from my room, as well as the EWP, so I feel this room is in a good location.

Keep asking and I'll keep trying to answer!

 

[flipflopmom]

Thanks so much for the update! It's great to live vicariously through you! Have you tried out the sleeper sofa?

 

[vac'nlovr]

Thanks for all the great info.....really getting me hyped up for our Sept 30th trip!

Being somewhat geographically challenged, I am confused about something. Can anyone tell me what route the EWP takes -- does it travel through the Seven Seas Lagoon AND Bay Lake? We have a MK view 1 BR villa booked, and I'd orignally assumed that only the Bay Lake view rooms would give you a view of the EWP. I'm now looking at a map of WDW and wondering if you can see the Seven Seas Lagoon (and the EWP) from the MK view rooms?

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Thanks for the live reports. How exciting! Have a magical time at BLT!

 

[glovergirls]

Thanks for the updates. What are some of the room service prices for the adults and kids meals. Thanks and have a great trip!