Not impressed with BLT

[liznboys]

The location alone is enough to impress me! But I'm a fan of the decor too. I would not want to live somewhere decorated like that, but I want to visit it.

 

[BigEeyore]

Nothing better than looking out your window at the castle and watching the fireworks from your room but...I am with you on the decor. It seems geared more toward adults and older teens - families with young children (like us!) may not enjoy it as much.
Also - it is a very "expensive" resort points-wise. I would rather spend my precious points elsewhere.
One last thought - how popular would BLT be if it switched locations with, say, SSR? It really is all about location!

 

[christa112]

Add another person to the not impressed list. For us, it is just not our style. Very classy and upscale. I think it would be great for DH and I do go down and spend a long weekend if and when that day comes. But for now we are very happy with our AKV purchase and can't wait to go in Jan.

 

[jakenjess]

That really is the wonderful thing at DVC; they're all different and offer a great variety for every taste. We will be staying at BLT in Jan. and can't wait! We saw the models when we were at SSR in April and I thought it looked much better in person than the pictures I had seen, but when it comes down to it the location is key. The decor is not what I would have in my home, but it's nice on vacation to have something completely different. Our kids fell in love with it, and though I didn't like the studio layout, I thought the 1 and 2 BRs were fantastic.

 

[jade1]

One last thought - how popular would BLT be if it switched locations with, say, SSR? It really is all about location!

We would never stay at BLT if it was in SSR's location (within a choice anyway). We would stay at SSR if it was at BLT's location-but would wish it was taller to see into MK and had a rooftop viewing area, and wasn't so spread out, and you didn't have to walk outside to get to dining or the monorail, and had room service and not so many bus stops.

 

[dizfan]

One last thought - how popular would BLT be if it switched locations with, say, SSR? It really is all about location!

You hit the nail on the head. We would never have even looked at the BLT models in Chicago if it wasn't located within walking distance or monorail from a park. For us, WDW is all about the parks.

We loved our stay at AKL in May, but would have continued to look at BCV or BWV resales simply because of the access to the parks.

 

[photobob]

I'm kind of indifferent about BLT. I'll stay there at some point, but the area isn't as big a draw for me. We tend to spend more time at Epcot than anywhere so it will be nice to monorail there. The ability to quickly get to MK will be very nice too, one of the few DVC resorts that don't require a bus ride to get there.

Someone mentioned the pool and I noticed looking at some photos that the pool itself looked rather small for a resort of its size. Of course there really wasn't much in the photo to give it scale so I could be wrong.

 

[gkrykewy]

There are positive and negative aspects, as well all of the resorts. We're staying in just a couple of weeks! Can't wait. It will be in a studio (LV), so I'll have first-hand impressions after then.

 

[El&Asmom]

For us the big draw of BLT is the 1bd layout. We have three kids now with the youngest being 8 months. When they are all in beds, and we want to conserve points by getting a 1bd, AKV and BLT will win out with the two bathrooms and the sleeper chair.
We like the location of BLT better then AKV, but the theme of AKV wins out.

If we don't want to conserve points, a 2bd at BCV would be our choice. Very easy access to two of the parks. A walk through EPCOT and monorail ride away from MK, and only one bus trip to AK. For us it's not necessarily about theme alone, but access to parks, the pool, and activities surrounding the resorts. This is why we love the EPCOT resorts. So much going on even when we aren't in the parks.

Although we have yet to meet a DVC that we don't like, so we'll stay anywhere and be happy.

 

[DoOverDreams]

I'm not really that fond of the whole Austin Powers type decor, but I do love the layout of the one bedrooms (love that second bathroom). And the location is wonderful!

I can't wait to check in on the 4th!

 

[gkrykewy]

The kitchen furnishings do kinda scream "housing bubble" -- are there SUB ZERO fridges?

 

[jbrowna]

When we saw photos of BLT's pool area, we were concerned that there would not be enough shaded areas. Then it occurred to me that the pool is on the east side of the BLT crescent, so maybe there would be lots of afternoon shade. We prefer shady spots around the pool and we try to avoid overexposure to the sun. I guess this is another example of how DVC has something for everyone's tastes & preferences!

I have to agree with you there. I'm not much for laying around in the sun (melanoma, anyone?), and the cement tends to get incredibly hot around most of the pools. I'll take the shade.

We just got back from 5 days at WDW (2 nights at Poly, and 2 nights at Kidani). We were able to take the very last member tour of BLT on Friday, so we got to go up into the tower to see a Grand Villa, and the members' lounge. The presentation went on WAY too long, but it was nice to see a real room instead of the model. I don't think the models really do BLT justice. The pool looked really neat, especially at night, with the moving lights on the slide! We have a couple of nights booked in September in a BLT studio, and we are looking forward to it.

 

[Tara]

The kitchen furnishings do kinda scream "housing bubble" -- are there SUB ZERO fridges?

Funny, I think they have the best kitchens of any DVC (and of most houses)!

I sure wish all this BLT disdain would translate into my waitlist coming through!

 

[Tara]

I have to agree with you there. I'm not much for laying around in the sun (melanoma, anyone?), and the cement tends to get incredibly hot around most of the pools. I'll take the shade.

Ha, good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way!

 

[jade1]

One last thought - how popular would BLT be if it switched locations with, say, SSR? It really is all about location!

I checked on google earth and one end of SSR to the other, is further than walking from BLT to the MK gate and up to the castle. So it would spread a long way down the shore of Bay Lake and be a much longer walk-

 

[tmgandolph]

That is too funny!
SSR must be huge (never been)
Thanks for a great post.

 

[tmgandolph]

That is too funny!
SSR must be huge (never been)
Thanks for a great post.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

I guess I am in the middle ground when it comes to BLT. While it is very exciting to stay somewhere new the truth of the matter is when the new wears off will the location justify the amount of points required to stay. We will be there in January and hopefully will get the answer to this question. We are true lovers of AK and it is going to take something really special to change where our heart lies. The main draw for us right now is first of all it is new and second it is on the monorail line. Either way how bad can any stay be when you are at Disney regardless of the resort?

 

[toniosmom]

I haven't had the opportunity to see the property in person and hope to stay there one day. I'm a little concerned about the pool. It appears to be quite small in the photos. Is it?

 

[GrumpyBelle]

I am a true fan of AKV. As someone said theming is important to some. I am one of those people that if I am spending money to purchase a "home", I am going to be truly happy with my home. BLT does have some disney touches and art works that I thought were very nice, however, it reminded me of an inner city loft which I find quite boring. I didn't find the space inviting at all, and I think the best thing we did was take our kids along. They were quite honest with their opinions. It was not someplace they had any interest in spending a week in. They were so excited to be in AKL and walk around the grounds and see the animals. They could have just spent the whole day here. Also, I hated the frosted glass doors on the bathrooms. Although you cannot see through them, you can see shadows.