Picture This: A BAY LAKE TOWER Review~Pictorial

[Babette01]

Absolutely fabulous! You have the most informative reviews and advice...thank you! I actually search for the 'kook' when I sign on to see what's going on. You are the best! Thanks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yay Kook! This is so timely, I was just wondering about BLT for our Dec 2013 visit (yes sooo far away!) and I just love all your pictures! Is the sleeper chair very big???

The sleeper chair is twin sized and pretty comfortable according to my son.

 

[familygoboston]

Oh no, our spoiled 11 year old DD wants to stay in the 1 bedroom. She wants her own plasma TV, bathroom and balcony. I told her it is definitely way more $s than our current res which is standard view garden wing w/free dining, she told me she'll chip in some money towards the cost When she is 16 I think I'll tell her to get a job to chip in money for all the upgrades that she would like for our WDW trips.

LOL! Mine are almost 16 and 18 and we usually just do the studio for 4 of us, but they've been dying to do a monorail resort, and we def splurged, because suddenly they are all grown up! This may be our last trip with them for a while ( grand babies in a decade maybe). So splurge we did, and from what Kook posted it looks like it will be worth it!

 

[hstrickland]

Putting the down, turning on the with a cup of joe....


....now back to reading.

 

[hstrickland]

Finished......now for the questions

So.....would you do a villa again??? Another location??? How does it compare to a deluxe room?? Perhaps that might be like comparing apples to oranges You hear so many people say that once you stay in a villa, it's hard to go back to a regular room. Did yall utilize the kitchen at all? When we're on vacation, I try NOT to cook...just wondering if you did.

Ok...I think that's all the questions for now.

Great pics
Heather

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

Greetings from the road home, currently in South Carolina!

KOOK, great pictures! You do such an amazing job capturing all views and aspects of BLUT!

We have stayed in a one bedroom at BLT twice. Having the extra bathroom with young adult daughters is amazing! I presume your DD loved it

Am I correct you could see the roof of your beloved WL from your balcony?

So now that you have tried BLT, how does it stack up in the resort list?

We will be in Virginia tonight, will wave as we pass through N VA tomorrow morning!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Awesome pics!!!

Thank you. I have many more of CR and all the BLT kitchen items if anyone needs to see them.

Oh no, our spoiled 11 year old DD wants to stay in the 1 bedroom. She wants her own plasma TV, bathroom and balcony. I told her it is definitely way more $s than our current res which is standard view garden wing w/free dining, she told me she'll chip in some money towards the cost When she is 16 I think I'll tell her to get a job to chip in money for all the upgrades that she would like for our WDW trips.

Just think, someday your famous and wealthy DD will be taking you and DH on trips and then you can stay in the Grand Villa

Yay Kook! This is so timely, I was just wondering about BLT for our Dec 2013 visit (yes sooo far away!) and I just love all your pictures! Is the sleeper chair very big???

I just noticed your query on the RC thread - I hope this answers your questions

I didn't take a photo of the sleeper chair, but I found one for you open:

http://preschoolears.com/blog/disney-vacations-for-families-of-5-or-more/

Thank you for posting these! We are staying in a studio next June but I love looking a the resort photos to get an idea of the layout of the land.

I love looking at photos before a trip, too. Happy planning!

I love your pics!! We just got back from BLT on 9/22 and we were in room 7536. What a wonderful resort!! Seeing your pics makes me miss it even more Thank you for sharing them!

You're welcome and I bet it seemed like a ghost town when you were there, especially at the pool?

Absolutely fabulous! You have the most informative reviews and advice...thank you! I actually search for the 'kook' when I sign on to see what's going on. You are the best! Thanks.

Awwww, thanks so much, Babette01. I really appreciate your kind comment and I'm glad you came out of lurkdom

The sleeper chair is twin sized and pretty comfortable according to my son.

Thank you for commenting on the comfort since we didn't use it.

LOL! Mine are almost 16 and 18 and we usually just do the studio for 4 of us, but they've been dying to do a monorail resort, and we def splurged, because suddenly they are all grown up! This may be our last trip with them for a while ( grand babies in a decade maybe). So splurge we did, and from what Kook posted it looks like it will be worth it!

It is worth it and your family will love it. Your trips are going to take on a whole new meaning when it's just you and DH - you might just get some treasured 'bench time'

Finished......now for the questions

So.....would you do a villa again??? Another location??? How does it compare to a deluxe room?? Perhaps that might be like comparing apples to oranges You hear so many people say that once you stay in a villa, it's hard to go back to a regular room. Did yall utilize the kitchen at all? When we're on vacation, I try NOT to cook...just wondering if you did.

Ok...I think that's all the questions for now.

Great pics
Heather

Good morning! I've been doing some tweaking to the first page, but I'm ready to tackle your great questions:

We all agree that we would absolutely stay in a villa again and only at BLT. Bay Lake is our favorite WDW view/location so that makes BLT the winner right there.

I know you loved AK and you don't mind the location, so I might recommend Kidani for you. The interior is similar to BLT in that it is rather new, has modern touches and is the only other one bedroom villa with two bathrooms. If it weren't for its 'remote' location, we would have stuck with our Kidani reservation, but when a BLT room became available with our discount (it was our first choice), I made the switch since we love the CR, the monorail, Bay Lake and walking to the MK.

You're right, comparing a Deluxe room with a one bedroom villa is a little unfair. However, comparing a Deluxe room with a Studio is a legit comparison.The Deluxe rooms (RPC only at GF) come with club level access, but most aren't on the club level floor. That would be the biggest difference between any villa and a Deluxe room. The other notable differences are:

All (except the Studios) come with a washer/dryer, kitchen, twin sleeper chair and queen sleeper sofa, whirlpool tub, second full bath and more closets and drawer space. There is also access to the Community Hall and access to the CR pool when staying at BLT.

Other than washing our mugs and Orange Bird sippy cups:

I did not use the kitchen at all. But, it did have everything you would possibly need to feel at home - maybe even more! Everything was spotless and I do have photos of the interior of every drawer and cabinet if anyone would like to see them.

We did go back to a 'regular room' when we moved to WL/CL for 9 nights, but the transition wasn't hard at all, but we're only three people. Also, the WL room had just been completely renovated so it was brand new and felt fresh and bigger than it did in April, pre-rehab. I did miss the washer/dryer, having our own bedroom and bathroom/whirlpool tub, but we did gain our favorite club level.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Greetings from the road home, currently in South Carolina!

KOOK, great pictures! You do such an amazing job capturing all views and aspects of BLUT!

We have stayed in a one bedroom at BLT twice. Having the extra bathroom with young adult daughters is amazing! I presume your DD loved it

Am I correct you could see the roof of your beloved WL from your balcony?

So now that you have tried BLT, how does it stack up in the resort list?

We will be in Virginia tonight, will wave as we pass through N VA tomorrow morning!

You found me!

I can't believe your trip is almost ending, but I'm so glad you can now plan for NYE at WL/CL

DD LOVED having her own bathroom (and so did DH) and living area. If it were up to her, she would only stay in a BLT one bedroom from now on. She loved to perch like a cat on the ottomans which she placed right in front of the living room windows.

Of course that green roof was taunting me:

Our two favorite resorts are now WL/CL and BLT. If only BLT were at the Old Faithful Club

Please drive safely and will you be posting a TR after you get home? I have to go back to the Resort Changers' thread to see what you've been up to

 

[wendow]

You're welcome and I bet it seemed like a ghost town when you were there, especially at the pool?

They told us when we checked in at BLT that they were pretty full and there were always people all over but you are right, the pool was not crowded at all. We were there at some point in the day just about everyday and sometimes there was only 3-4 other people in the pool. It was great

For the person who asked about using the kitchen, we did. We ate most breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners in the room not necessarily to save money but with little ones, they just needed a break sometimes. We don't eat out much at home so eating out for all meals just doesn't work for us. I did not cook big meals though. Just simple things like grilled cheese, pizza, tuna fish salad sandwiches, eggs, etc.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...You're right, comparing a Deluxe room with a one bedroom villa is a little unfair. However, comparing a Deluxe room with a Studio is a legit comparison.The Deluxe rooms (RPC only at GF) come with club level access, but most aren't on the club level floor. That would be the biggest difference between any villa and a Deluxe room. ....

Comparing a studio with a deluxe room would be easy. Take the deluxe room every time. The only perk you'd be missing is a microwave oven in your room. Plus you'd be getting two real beds (and maybe a day bed) versus a queen sized bed and a double sleeper sofa (no sleeper chair in the studio). Also, the BLT studio is the smallest of all the WDW studios except for the AKV Value Studio which is three feet in depth shorter than the standard or savanna view studio at AKV. I'd choose a standard CR resort room (wing room, tower room, whatever) over a BLT studio anytime just for the space and to be able to stretch out a bit

But if you can get a one bedroom villa, that's easy. Take the one bedroom over the hotel room. It adds so much to what you get.

 

[lilpooh108]

Wow, what a GREAT review!

I love reviews with awesome pictures...and your posts were like formatted perfectly (how did you do the borders around the pictures?)

Thanks! I will be bookmarking this thread to read again if our DVC waitlist for a 1bdrm at BLT ever comes through for our next trip!

 

[psac]

Nice review, glad you liked it. Have you posted your WL review yet? Since you liked it so much, have you thought about DVC resale, or would you miss the housekeeping and all that good stuff?

My one regret from we stayed there was not fighting for the room request we had made and didn't get, which was your view. Of course they might not have had it available (and it is just a request, of course), but we were tired, and the inner room they were giving us was ready for check-in, so we just took it. The pool view is nice, but nowhere near as good as yours.

 

[WDWKOOK]

They told us when we checked in at BLT that they were pretty full and there were always people all over but you are right, the pool was not crowded at all. We were there at some point in the day just about everyday and sometimes there was only 3-4 other people in the pool. It was great

For the person who asked about using the kitchen, we did. We ate most breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners in the room not necessarily to save money but with little ones, they just needed a break sometimes. We don't eat out much at home so eating out for all meals just doesn't work for us. I did not cook big meals though. Just simple things like grilled cheese, pizza, tuna fish salad sandwiches, eggs, etc.

I see all your children in your signature and I can certainly see why an in-room meal would be so appealing, especially with their age variances. It must have been nice for you to have both the bar and banquette to sit and eat or the living room or even balcony. You must have made great use of the washer/dryer.

Did your children use the Community Hall? When I went in to take photos, it was empty. There was one CM working there and no children. It looked liked the perfect haven on a rainy day or in between activities. Everything was so neat and inviting - I wanted to hang out there

Comparing a studio with a deluxe room would be easy. Take the deluxe room every time. The only perk you'd be missing is a microwave oven in your room. Plus you'd be getting two real beds (and maybe a day bed) versus a queen sized bed and a double sleeper sofa (no sleeper chair in the studio). Also, the BLT studio is the smallest of all the WDW studios except for the AKV Value Studio which is three feet in depth shorter than the standard or savanna view studio at AKV. I'd choose a standard CR resort room (wing room, tower room, whatever) over a BLT studio anytime just for the space and to be able to stretch out a bit

But if you can get a one bedroom villa, that's easy. Take the one bedroom over the hotel room. It adds so much to what you get.

You're so right about the Studio Vs. a CR Std. room. Other than the kitchenette or wanting to use up points, I can't figure out why someone would choose it over a CR room. The CR room is bigger and costs less.

Wow, what a GREAT review!

I love reviews with awesome pictures...and your posts were like formatted perfectly (how did you do the borders around the pictures?)

Thanks! I will be bookmarking this thread to read again if our DVC waitlist for a 1bdrm at BLT ever comes through for our next trip!

Aren't you kind, thank you. I use Photobucket and edit the photos by adding borders.

I hope your waitlist comes through. I paid cash, but a one bedroom wasn't initially available with our discount, but I kept calling, almost everyday and about 2-3 weeks prior to arrival, one opened up. Don't give-up!

Nice review, glad you liked it. Have you posted your WL review yet? Since you liked it so much, have you thought about DVC resale, or would you miss the housekeeping and all that good stuff?

My one regret from we stayed there was not fighting for the room request we had made and didn't get, which was your view. Of course they might not have had it available (and it is just a request, of course), but we were tired, and the inner room they were giving us was ready for check-in, so we just took it. The pool view is nice, but nowhere near as good as yours.

No, I'll never buy DVC or use points because we've been very fortunate to be able to use the military room-only 40% off discount for years and/or the AP discounts, and it includes housekeeping when we book with cash. Besides applying discounts, we prefer the flexibility of booking different resorts and not paying any other fees. For us, cash works best, but I don't begrudge others who prefer using points. It's great having so many great options when staying at WDW

I posted my August WL review a few weeks ago and put the link in my signature. It's located here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2987881

Don't feel bad about not pushing for your request. Traveling takes a lot out of you and sometimes it's better to just get settled and relax ASAP. I can't recall from your review if you said you'd stay at BLT again? If so, maybe next time you'll get an outer villa. Is BWI still your favorite resort?

 

[pas130]

We did love it and DH really didn't even miss CL that much. He liked being able to have a good excuse to eat a hot breakfast and the king bed was a hit, too.

Just what I need, another contender for summer...DH would LOVE a villa...he made mention to VWL when we were there

 

[WDWKOOK]

Just what I need, another contender for summer...DH would LOVE a villa...he made mention to VWL when we were there

Posted at the same time - great minds

I can't recommend the BLT one bedroom enough, but like I told Heather, I might recommend Kidani for you guys since you like AKL so much. There is so much room at BLT, it has the walkway and monorail, the CR next door and the views are amazing. I really think the familia pas would LOVE IT!

 

[pas130]

Posted at the same time - great minds

I can't recommend the BLT one bedroom enough, but like I told Heather, I might recommend Kidani for you guys since you like AKL so much. There is so much room at BLT, it has the walkway and monorail, the CR next door and the views are amazing. I really think the familia pas would LOVE IT!

We had a 2 Bedroom at Kidani and it was HUGMUNGOUS !!!! Made pancakes for the kiddos, awesome pool! We did a resort only stay...kinda like heather did

But WOW! DH does trust your judgement wholeheartedly ever since WL CL They would love it, I am head over heels for Bay Lake Maybe a split stay....I am saving $$$ by doing Pop (even though my mechanic is reaping the benefit of that...)

 

[wendow]

I see all your children in your signature and I can certainly see why an in-room meal would be so appealing, especially with their age variances. It must have been nice for you to have both the bar and banquette to sit and eat or the living room or even balcony. You must have made great use of the washer/dryer.

Did your children use the Community Hall? When I went in to take photos, it was empty. There was one CM working there and no children. It looked liked the perfect haven on a rainy day or in between activities. Everything was so neat and inviting - I wanted to hang out there

Yes, we are quite the crew The full kitchen and the washer/dryer was priceless to us. I washed a load every single day! As for eating, we did use all the eating places. We do not have a bar at home so that was the coveted spot that my kids were after.

My oldest two did go to the community hall on our last day there while we attended a DVC presentation. They were only in there for about an hour, but seemed to enjoy themselves. They played video games I think. There were other kids in there also. Mine probably would have liked to hang out there more had I remembered it was even there

We just had the best stay there. I really hope we can stay there again next time

 

[familygoboston]

Finished......now for the questions

So.....would you do a villa again??? Another location??? How does it compare to a deluxe room?? Perhaps that might be like comparing apples to oranges You hear so many people say that once you stay in a villa, it's hard to go back to a regular room. Did yall utilize the kitchen at all? When we're on vacation, I try NOT to cook...just wondering if you
Heather

Ok if I weigh in too? Like some of you, we started with the villas years ago because we were coming with toddlers and grandparents and needed the nap space and the kitchen to prepare their breakfast and lunch. Now with teens we just flat out need space, DD2 is 5 foot 10.
We have been spoiled by the villa- we consider a deluxe, but know we would miss the kitchen. We do usually eat one big meal/ADR out and a snack/counter service, but we always always get to the parks early and having a big breakfast with the kitchen works great for us! This is the first time we've paid " rack" for the villas, we usually rent points, but hey, as I said its a splurge and probably the last " peak week" will ever have to do!

It is worth it and your family will love it. Your trips are going to take on a whole new meaning when it's just you and DH - you might just get some treasured 'bench time'

l.

Thanks! We are really looking forward to this trip. We've been doing a lot of international travel with the girls and our last Orlando trip was 2 years ago- and we went to the other park "which shall not be named", and stayed there. While we loved the HP park, we just missed Disney. My kids were not impressed with IOA, outside of Potter.
And yes, I was just saying to DH next time we go I want to go to the Epcot food and wine for a long weekend, stay at BW, and just wander...heavenly!
Thanks for sharing your pics- DDs are really psyched up now!

 

[WDWKOOK]

We had a 2 Bedroom at Kidani and it was HUGMUNGOUS !!!! Made pancakes for the kiddos, awesome pool! We did a resort only stay...kinda like heather did

But WOW! DH does trust your judgement wholeheartedly ever since WL CL They would love it, I am head over heels for Bay Lake Maybe a split stay....I am saving $$$ by doing Pop (even though my mechanic is reaping the benefit of that...)

Gee, I forgot you already stayed at Kidani, so ignore what I said. BLT is my definite recommendation for Familia Pas. That BBQ area has the most amazing view. You could buy frozen waffles and lunchmeat at Fantasia and grill them by the lake!!!

I lucked out with DD and DH loving BLT, but now they prefer it over any CL. I even reminded DH that it costs a bit more for BLT than WL/CL, but that didn't matter to him. What have I done?

Ok if I weigh in too? Like some of you, we started with the villas years ago because we were coming with toddlers and grandparents and needed the nap space and the kitchen to prepare their breakfast and lunch. Now with teens we just flat out need space, DD2 is 5 foot 10.
We have been spoiled by the villa- we consider a deluxe, but know we would miss the kitchen. We do usually eat one big meal/ADR out and a snack/counter service, but we always always get to the parks early and having a big breakfast with the kitchen works great for us! This is the first time we've paid " rack" for the villas, we usually rent points, but hey, as I said its a splurge and probably the last " peak week" will ever have to do!


Thanks! We are really looking forward to this trip. We've been doing a lot of international travel with the girls and our last Orlando trip was 2 years ago- and we went to the other park "which shall not be named", and stayed there. While we loved the HP park, we just missed Disney. My kids were not impressed with IOA, outside of Potter.
And yes, I was just saying to DH next time we go I want to go to the Epcot food and wine for a long weekend, stay at BW, and just wander...heavenly!
Thanks for sharing your pics- DDs are really psyched up now!

I'm glad that everyone is psyched. Ouch! Rack rate?! So there aren't any public discounts available for your dates, not even FD? You can apply applicable discounts to any cash reservation at any time, so be on the lookout so you can try and apply them before arrival. Mousesavers and the DIS are great resources for all the current discounts.

 

[Lynne M]

Great collection of photos! I'm going to move the to the Resort Photos and Videos board so folks looking for BLT pics can find it more easily.