New Year's Eve at BLT

[Disney Dad Canada]

Our next WDW visit is from Dec 31st to Jan 11th in a lake view studio at BLT. Since we have never stayed at BLT, I had a few questions.

1. I'm assuming Top of the World will be crazy. What time should we head up there?

2. Being in a studio, would a regular milk jug fit in one of the mini fridges? I usually order from Garden Grocers, but I'm used to the full size fridges in the 2 bedrooms.

3. Is there free laundry facilities for studios, or do we have to pay? Getting American change can be a pain.

4. I'm assuming the longer you stay in January, the smaller the crowds. Has anyone been at this time of year? Just wondering what to expect.

 

[rlovew]

Our next WDW visit is from Dec 31st to Jan 11th in a lake view studio at BLT. Since we have never stayed at BLT, I had a few questions.

1. I'm assuming Top of the World will be crazy. What time should we head up there?Could be but I have never seen it crazy. We enjoy going up there and hanging out so we typically head up there by 7pm for a light dinner of flatbreads and to sip on some drinks for the evening. You should be fine if you head up at least an hour before the fireworks.

2. Being in a studio, would a regular milk jug fit in one of the mini fridges? I usually order from Garden Grocers, but I'm used to the full size fridges in the 2 bedrooms.It will fit but not much else will fit with it. It depends on what all you are planning to refridgerate.

3. Is there free laundry facilities for studios, or do we have to pay? Getting American change can be a pain.they are free and located on the first floor near the lobby, you will need your own detergent or change to buy detergent there (I think it may be available in the store at the CR.)

4. I'm assuming the longer you stay in January, the smaller the crowds. Has anyone been at this time of year? Just wondering what to expect.

Things will probably be fairly crazy until the marathon weekend is over so expect crowds to die down about the 9th or 10th. You will have some slack off during the week after the 31st but not too much as many schools will still be out here in the US and many people will be traveling in for marathon weekend.

 

[dizfan]

NYE is the one night I remember reading posts where people had to wait for others to leave before they were allowed up. Unfortunately, I forget how long they said they had to wait and what time of night it was.

 

[Daddio]

Our next WDW visit is from Dec 31st to Jan 11th in a lake view studio at BLT. Since we have never stayed at BLT, I had a few questions.
1. I'm assuming Top of the World will be crazy. What time should we head up there?

We went up to the lounge last year at 11:20 and had no problems getting in. There was a DJ playing on the observation deck and it was busy.

2. Being in a studio, would a regular milk jug fit in one of the mini fridges? I usually order from Garden Grocers, but I'm used to the full size fridges in the 2 bedrooms.

Yes it will.

3. Is there free laundry facilities for studios, or do we have to pay? Getting American change can be a pain.

Laundry facilities are free and located on the main floor.

4. I'm assuming the longer you stay in January, the smaller the crowds. Has anyone been at this time of year? Just wondering what to expect.

As rlovew said, crowds hang around until after the Marathon and then some. It didn't quiet down last year until the middle of the month.

Have fun. We'll be there again this year.

David

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

dear daddio , did you take a picture of the crowd? we were
there, and the place was packed. [ i know there's a limit due
to capacity & it seem way over. ]

we return to the parking lot earlier, we couldn't find a place
except way, way back. we were there 2 weeks, & this was
the only night liked this.

[did you read on the parks site, about how people talked about
"using" the valet. once they get in, what would keep them
from parking illegal in the lots instead of paying valet? especially
since some are telling others how to do it, i can see this problem
growing. ]

 

[Pirate Granny]

Not sure how you would access the property. We were there in 2004, and had reservations at Chef Mickey's and unless your name was on the clipboard listing ALL reservations at the Contemporary for the day...you DID NOT get into the parking lot. They were pretty firm, no exceptions.

That said, I was bad also...and just valet the car that day and did stay in the Contemporary lot until after the fireworks that night. Walking to the park after our breakfast at Mickey's...But since there are now BLT and Contemporary, I bet they are even more careful during the holidays with people trying to park on site...

 

[Daddio]

dear daddio , did you take a picture of the crowd? we were
there, and the place was packed. [ i know there's a limit due
to capacity & it seem way over. ]

we return to the parking lot earlier, we couldn't find a place
except way, way back. we were there 2 weeks, & this was
the only night liked this.

[did you read on the parks site, about how people talked about
"using" the valet. once they get in, what would keep them
from parking illegal in the lots instead of paying valet? especially
since some are telling others how to do it, i can see this problem
growing. ]

No we didn't take any pictures of the crowd. We were too busy boogying to the beat of the music. It was packed though and not a great deal of room to move around. We left 10 minutes before the fireworks to watch from our balcony and drink some champagne (just the DW and I). We lucked out with a studio on the uppermost floor (directly below the Grand Villas) directly facing Cinderell's castle.

Parking wasn't a problem for us as I hadn't moved the car during the day leading up to NYE. I did notice many cars turned away at the gate though. I did not read the other post you are mentioning but no one can pass the gate without staying at the resort or having dinner reservations. The restaurants only hold so many people so I don't see parking being an issue, even in the future. There are LOTS of spaces.

David

 

[dvcblt93]

dear daddio , did you take a picture of the crowd? we were
there, and the place was packed. [ i know there's a limit due
to capacity & it seem way over. ]

Due to fire codes there is limit (499) and counts are taken on an hourly basis. They have never gone above capacity up there, even on NYE.

 

[dizfan]

Due to fire codes there is limit (499) and counts are taken on an hourly basis. They have never gone above capacity up there, even on NYE.

499 is for the lounge and viewing area.

I think David was referring to the crowd inside the lounge, which has a significantly smaller capacity. (Around 100)

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

really ? when were up there, it was shoulder to shoulder. more
liked 1500. ...are you saying someone does a count?
when we got there, everything was "full' & you could not get
inside the lounge.

boy, you sure was lucky mr. d. ! nothing liked a mk view all to yourself,
, we had that the first week but because we were
spending our second week @ universal, we wanted a first floor room.
we we got back that evening, the whole parking lot was nearly
full & i had to drop the family off and parked near that car with the
boot.


if i may mr d.? how do they stop those "saying " they are using
valet , but then just drive into the blt parking lot?

also later on, there were 2 drunken ladies [ they fell to the floor],
and they had no under garments on , they feel against our door.
[ not happy to see this- just glad we had our kids inside.]
not a pretty site but they were very "friendly".

also mr. d. , you seem to have very good insights as i read all
your tips. anyhoo, i wanted to "see" where all the cars came from
so i was sitting on the bench. very obviously , many "cleared out"
afterward. but as i saw them leave i also saw cabs picking up
guests @ 130 am. it looked like they took the cabs to get
inside the gate. and then they went to the 16th floor and
up the stairs.


what we learn from this first experience is to get a room off the
first floor. the convience isn't worth it. as there is alot of
traffic & no security. [ we reported but was ignored ]. the
thing was, the room was very close where we stayed when it was
the old wing, and this was a totally different experience.

thanks for your input,