nervous - about Studio

[nolanboys]

Is the difference between OKW and BLT really that noticeable? We found the space in a 2BR at BLT to be more than adequate. (Our house is open concept and large, so we tend to notice cramped spaces.)

OP, sorry for kind of veering off topic.

Not so much in the 2 bdrms-although all rooms at OKW are huge, but in the studios there is a very noticeable difference. BLT studios are the smallest DVC studios.

 

[bumbershoot]

I suggested a split stay and my dad wasn't too sure about having them move our stuff and all. (We bring 2 laptops and they're in our carry-on when we take DME).
How do they move your stuff?

We had a car so we brought our stuff to the next resort and then checked it in ourselves with Bell Services, but if you let them know you have items like computers, they will put a big red tag on it that states "fragile", and they have a special locked cage inside the locked luggage rooms to put them.

If you do split between OKW and BLT, do BLT first. Otherwise, you may get very upset with the tiny room at BLT.

Absolutely.

We went from a 2 bedroom to a 1 bedroom at OKW, then to a hotel room at Royal Pacific Resort. Talk about tiny-feeling! And there's just 3 of us. Wi th the third being only 6. When we got back to WDW, to a Jambo 1 bedoom, it felt much bigger than it would have felt, if we'd gone from OKW to Jambo.

Is the difference between OKW and BLT really that noticeable? We found the space in a 2BR at BLT to be more than adequate. (Our house is open concept and large, so we tend to notice cramped spaces.)

OP, sorry for kind of veering off topic.

The 2 bedrooms aren't that off from each other (I have a list somewhere...OKW's 2 bedrooms are THE biggest, and I think Bay Lake's are second or third largest), but the studios are drastically different.

 

[Sandisw]

Is the difference between OKW and BLT really that noticeable? We found the space in a 2BR at BLT to be more than adequate. (Our house is open concept and large, so we tend to notice cramped spaces.)

OP, sorry for kind of veering off topic.

For the studios, definitely. We haven't stayed at OKW, but I noticed the difference between them when we stayed at BWV, BCV, and VWL. Since the OKW studios are larger than most, it would be a huge difference.

But, I would split between BLT and someplace else, and to be honest, given the lower point cost at OKW, the OP might be able to even book a 1 bedroom for not much more.

 

[Sammie]

Is the difference between OKW and BLT really that noticeable? We found the space in a 2BR at BLT to be more than adequate. (Our house is open concept and large, so we tend to notice cramped spaces.)

OP, sorry for kind of veering off topic.

Only in the studios is it very, very noticeable. Certainly the villas at OKW are the most spacious of all, but the studio difference is very pronounced.

http://allears.net/acc/blt/bltst2010e.jpg

Notice that space between the bed and wall is only the width of the alarm clock.

Between the bed and sofa bed, the width is about the width of the phone. It is so close they had to design a headboard with shelves as regular nightstands would not fit.

http://allears.net/acc/blt/bltst2010g.jpg

Notice in this photo, the sofa bed is touching the drapes, no space at all between it and the windows.

 

[staceymay00]

Is the difference between OKW and BLT really that noticeable? We found the space in a 2BR at BLT to be more than adequate. (Our house is open concept and large, so we tend to notice cramped spaces.)

OP, sorry for kind of veering off topic.

Here is the SF data for OKW and BLT. I've never stayed at BLT, but the OKW 2BR is very spacious. I'm sure my family of five would be plenty comfortable in a BLT 2BR as well, though.

OKW
Studio: 390 sq. ft.
1 BR: 1005 sq. ft.
2 BR: 1410 sq. ft.
GV: 2375 sq. ft.

BLT:
Studio: 339 sq.ft.
1BR: 803 sq.ft.
2BR: 1152 sq.ft.
GV: 2044 sq.ft.

 

[3dog2kidmom]

We just spent 8 nights in a studio at BLT over Christmas. Me, DH, DS13 and DD11. It was tight, but worked fine and the location made up for any inconvenience!

DS slept on the pull out and DD slept on a twin airbed placed between the pull out and the table. The difference in points between a studio and 1BR was dramatic enough to help us decide a studio would be sufficient. We did spend some time in the room, but mostly just got into bed(s) and watched TV.

 

[disneymath]

Thanks everyone for the replies about the difference in unit sizes at BLT and OKW. (I agree that the extra 50 square feet in the OKW studios would make a world of difference compared to BLT!)

And now, back to the OPs original dilemma ...

 

[Laurabearz]

Only in the studios is it very, very noticeable. Certainly the villas at OKW are the most spacious of all, but the studio difference is very pronounced.

http://allears.net/acc/blt/bltst2010e.jpg

Notice that space between the bed and wall is only the width of the alarm clock.

Between the bed and sofa bed, the width is about the width of the phone. It is so close they had to design a headboard with shelves as regular nightstands would not fit.

http://allears.net/acc/blt/bltst2010g.jpg

Notice in this photo, the sofa bed is touching the drapes, no space at all between it and the windows.

WOW! I had no idea the studios were so small at BLT!! it would be even easier to grab a beer from the fridge than BWV (love ya rich)

To the OP
How much time do you spend in your room?

A room at Pop Century is 260 square feet and I know several of families of 4 that stay there for extended periods of time and they dont have a fridge, microwave, balcony and access to free laundry like we do...

Is it tight... sure... But doable, esp if you dont spend a lot of time in your room...

AKV Value villas are a good deal as is standard view at the Boardwalk, although the value villa's at AKV are also small...

But it is hard to go back to a studio once you have had a one bedroom no matter the size....

 

[Sammie]

WOW! I had no idea the studios were so small at BLT!! it would be even easier to grab a beer from the fridge than BWV (love ya rich)

To the OP
How much time do you spend in your room?

A room at Pop Century is 260 square feet and I know several of families of 4 that stay there for extended periods of time and they dont have a fridge, microwave, balcony and access to free laundry like we do...

Is it tight... sure... But doable, esp if you dont spend a lot of time in your room...

AKV Value villas are a good deal as is standard view at the Boardwalk, although the value villa's at AKV are also small...

But it is hard to go back to a studio once you have had a one bedroom no matter the size....

Well one good thing is if you fall out of bed, you won't hit the floor, just keep the balcony door closed if you are on the sofa as you could fall out there.

 

[spiceycat]

WOW! I had no idea the studios were so small at BLT!! it would be even easier to grab a beer from the fridge than BWV (love ya rich)

yea he would probably stay at BLT (like he stayed at BWV) and finally admit in Dec.

at BLT if that darn wall wasn't there you could definitely get a drink from fridge and never leave the bed.....

 

[TDC Nala]

Is the difference between OKW and BLT really that noticeable?

In the studios, definitely. The OKW studio is a good deal larger than the BLT studio.

 

[sweetdana]

I would consider 1st 4-5 nights a studio at BLT if you stay there, you can just walk down the hall to the 1 bedroom after. Moving is cake. If you cannot borrow, rent or transfer in points, go for CR use the room only discount or something. With 4 adults it should be less than 75$ a person per night, for there own bed. Do that until you have enough points for the remainder of the trip in a 1 bedroom.
It will save some points, and 13 days on a sofa bed for over say 8 is tough.

There are 3 in our party DH, DD6 and Me, and more than 4 nights, ideally 1 bedroom, more than 7 nights 1/2 time 1 bed room. If we don't have enough points, we go to FQ where we have 2 beds, for the 1st 1/2 then to a 1 bedroom for the rest. We don't mind splitting at all though.

13 nights 4 adults, 1 bed and a sofa bed, you will be ready to go home.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...A room at Pop Century is 260 square feet and I know several of families of 4 that stay there for extended periods of time and they dont have a fridge, microwave, balcony and access to free laundry like we do......

There are also only two double beds at Pop instead of the queen bed - so there is a space saver there. And no kitchen to take up space. So my guess is that Pop Century actually has more vacant floor space than a BLT studio. If I remember correctly, the studio bathroom at BLT was rather large - on the verge of an OKW studio bathroom - well, maybe not, but larger than the studio bathrooms at BWV, BCV, VWL.

 

[MollyMcDaniel]

We will be trying a studio at BLT for 4 nights and then switching to a 1bed at BWV for 5 nights during spring break. We have never been to BLT, but I'm wondering if the configuration of kitchenette and bathroom sink makes the living area smaller?

It seems people love the layout or hate it. I'm thinking I will like it because I'm always up earlier than my family and making coffee. In the past, I mostly fumble in the dark so I don't bother them, but BLT studio has almost a little room. Am I right?

 

[dianeschlicht]

It's me (17) my sister (14) and my mom and dad.

We loved BLT last year - the location, theme, fireworks lounge, pool. It was the first Disney hotel we stayed at and left wanting to return - usually we leave liking it but wanting to try another place. We do eventually want to stay at all of them though.

I suggested a split stay and my dad wasn't too sure about having them move our stuff and all. (We bring 2 laptops and they're in our carry-on when we take DME).
How do they move your stuff?

Thank you for all of the replies!!!

Since that is basically 4 adult sized people....NO WAY! Too small...only one bathroom, and you and your sister would have to share a sleep sofa (and it's not one of the nice big queen sized ones either). You definitely have to fold up the bed to get around the room during the day too. I would definitely NOT do that for anything longer than a night or two, and certainly not for two weeks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Is the difference between OKW and BLT really that noticeable? We found the space in a 2BR at BLT to be more than adequate. (Our house is open concept and large, so we tend to notice cramped spaces.)

OP, sorry for kind of veering off topic.

Yes, HUGE difference between a studio at OKW and BLT. First of all, OKW has two REAL queen sized beds while BLT has one queen bed and one double size sleep sofa.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since that is basically 4 adult sized people....NO WAY! Too small...only one bathroom, and you and your sister would have to share a sleep sofa (and it's not one of the nice big queen sized ones either). You definitely have to fold up the bed to get around the room during the day too. I would definitely NOT do that for anything longer than a night or two, and certainly not for two weeks!

I can only imagine how difficult it is to get into bed when both the bed and sleeper sofa are used. You'd have to crawl into the bed from the food of the bed.

 

[Sandisw]

I can only imagine how difficult it is to get into bed when both the bed and sleeper sofa are used. You'd have to crawl into the bed from the food of the bed.

That is exactly what we had to do. When the sleeper sofa was open, we had to find a place to put the cushions too and had to stuff them inbetween the bed and sleeper sofa. I can tell you that they just about fit--that is how small the space is!!

The only way we will do a BLT studio again is if there are only two of us for a few nights or when it part of our 2 bedroom.

 

[mrsswat]

count me in with the "no way" votes! DH and I did it for a few days last year, and would not go studio there with more than 2 adults! I love OKW, but the studio drawback there for us is the 2 beds - prefer the bed/pull out combo of other studios for the living space. Agree with east of split stay, we do it almost every stay with no problem. Let us know what you decide and how it works out

 

[Metsoskil]

We look at the studios as hotel rooms with a bonus sink and microwave. If you would be happy with your 4 adults in a hotel room for 13 days, then go for it.

If not, you need to look at other options. Personally, I'd stay in a 1BR or 2 studios at OKW in a heartbeat instead of one studio at BLT. Or at least split my stay.