Please help me with choice: BLT, BCV or BWV

[BWV2001]

Currently, I have a std view 2 BR at bwv booked for our upcoming Oct. trip. Staying there will be me, dh, ds (16), dd (13), ds (6) and sil. Okay, here is the deal. We have stayed in a 2 BR at BWV, our home and LOVED it. Love all the space and the bargain number of points for std. view. However, I'm wondering about maybe adding a little variety. If it's possible to get, I think a 2 BR at BCV would be nice, giving us SAB to swim in. Of course, it's an extra 7 or 8 points per night, and I can't decide if SAB is worth it. Then I consider maybe 2 studios at BCV. Since my SIL will be with us, she can take a kid or 2 to her room, so I think we'd have plenty of room, and the points won't be a factor. Then there's BLT. Even for lake view, which I assume would be all I could get at 7 mos., the 2 BR is something like 10-12 points per night more than my BWV std. view. Again, 2 studios is an option here, but now all the posts about the not-closing-all-the-way bathroom doors in the studios is making me question how great that would be. And not having the washer/dryer in the room seems a little inconvenient, too. FWIW, DS (16) votes for BC, DD (13) says she wants either BLT or BCV and DH votes for BWV. I was just about sold on BLT until all the posts about the bathroom doors, now I can't decide. Any opinions would be appreciated!

 

[Kimmy]

I really like BWV & BCV. I prefer the location. You will be there during the Food & Wine festival, so I think it would be nice to be next to Epcot. We stayed at BCV last year & will be there again this May. My sons (10 & 13) love SAB. We walked over to the BW at night. We also go to Epcot & HS more often than MK.

 

[sweetdana]

If they were a hair younger it is totally worth the the price diff for BC. Being that most are over 7, I doubt the sand in the pools will be a primary game for them. I'd save the points. BW is wonderful, walking from Epcot, and the Boardwalk itself is great. If you decide to bring 2 girls under 6 with you BC is worth double the points.

Main selling features of BC over BW
- sand castle clb, (night care for date night) With a 16 yr old ..no sale.
- Sand in pool - age specific not much for 16 and 13 yr old. The 6 yr yes.
- The size of the villa. It is smaller you cannot end up in Guam in any room.
- Seperate bus, doesn't share with any other hotel. (BW shares with S/D, could always change.)

BW over BC
- the Board Walk
- Water slide your older ones will love it.
YOU will love both.

 

[BWV2001]

So no votes for BLT?

I appreciate the feedback, but I probably should have clarified...we have stayed at both BC (one time about 7 years ago) and BWV (many times, most recently Oct. 2008).

I'd love to hear from someone with a vote for BLT!!! I want to be convinced to stay there.

 

[spiceycat]

well I love BLT.

but teens they are hard crowd to please. the pool is probably too small and not deep enough for them.

the community hall is called activity room and it is definitely the smallest - that say it is packed with stuff to do. the CM here is hardily out of her teens so they might get along.

now your adults will love it. the top of the world for drinks while watching 'Wishes' is pretty wonderfully. being able to walk over to the cr for meals and shopping. of course this might appeal to your teens.

seeing EWP at night from the beach at cr or your room at blt.

now it big thing - walking to MK is probably the best.

 

[dizfan]

but teens they are hard crowd to please. the pool is probably too small and not deep enough for them.

OP, they are all great choices. Regardless of which one you choose, you'll be able to walk to at least one park.

You know all the great things to do in the BW area and SAB is the best pool on property. BCV and BWV are the best locations for F&W.

BLT is great for access to MK, lake activities, monorail resorts, and a nice boat ride to WL/FW area. MNSSHP will be going on during your stay. Young and old like to dress up and have a great time trick or treating. If you decide to go to TOTWL, I would suggest going up on a MNSSHP evening. When we were there in December, the MVMCP fireworks were much better than the Wishes fireworks. When we ride the monorail back from Epcot, we like to hop off at the Poly get a self serve Dole Whip (piling it high), then riding back to BLT. One of my favorite memories from my teen years was riding the little speed boats around the lake area. Other activities here include: shuffleboard, ping pong, bocci, and beach volleyball (CR).

I would try to figure out what activities you will likely do and base my decision on that. Good luck, those are three great options!

 

[snowhyte]

I'd stick with BW. You love it, have an awesome location, and will save points.

 

[CarolMN]

I would not trade a 2 bedroom for two studios, no matter what.

Kitchen, laundry, king size bed, privacy & jacuzzi tub trump a swimming pool and a monorail, esp if the studios are small (like those at BLT).

 

[PatMcDuck]

I would like BLT for the option to walk to MNSSHP. We stayed at BLT over New Years and loved it. BUT, we got good rooms. If you get a lower floor there it might be disappointing.

I am not so sure you would be able to book BCV in October at 7 months out.

 

[BWV2001]

Thanks for all those good points. While I was wanting to be convinced to try BLT, now I'm thinking of keeping BWV (or possibly trying for BCV 2 BR) and maybe trying for BLT in 2011. There's a chance that when we go in 2011 it will just be the 5 of us, so in that case we could all fit in a 1 BR and I wouldn't have to use so many points. When I think of roughing it in 2 studios, it does seem not very DVC-like---not too special. Thanks, everybody! (I'm still open for opinions if anyone has any!)

 

[allshookup]

I agree with everyone else who says they wouldn't trade a 2BR or even a 1BR for 2 studios. I really need my kitchen & laundry, and if we're travelling w/ friends or family, it's nice to have the livingroom & kitchen to congregate in.

However, like PatMcDuck, we also stayed at BLT over NYE & LOVED it! So much that we are seriously thinking of adding on there. We also had a fantastic lower view of the MK, even though our view was considered Stnd. We did really enjoy the TOTW lounge, convenience to MK & the monorail, shops, the Wave, etc.

That being said, we also love the Epcot resorts, the boardwalk, restaurants, convenience to Epcot. Of course we also love SSR & the convenience to DTD, so if it came down to points, I would choose the resort with the lowest & get the best accomodations.

 

[stitchineeyore]

Thanks for all those good points. While I was wanting to be convinced to try BLT, now I'm thinking of keeping BWV (or possibly trying for BCV 2 BR) and maybe trying for BLT in 2011. There's a chance that when we go in 2011 it will just be the 5 of us, so in that case we could all fit in a 1 BR and I wouldn't have to use so many points. When I think of roughing it in 2 studios, it does seem not very DVC-like---not too special. Thanks, everybody! (I'm still open for opinions if anyone has any!)

Sounds like a great idea! For that 2011 trip -Five can fit quite nicely in a 1BR at BLT. Even the sleep chair is really comfortable - my 21-year-old daughter used it at Halloween and loved it! And having two bathrooms in a 1-bedroom is awesome. Also, Have fun at BWV! We'll be there in less than a month, and out of the snow

 

[thelionqueen]

All great thoughts already posted, but I would want to stay @ BCV in the hotter months. SAB is truly a destination in the SUmmer, so much so that we are staying there for a few days on our upcoming summer trip. To that end, I LOOOOOVE me some BLT (the sandwich too ) but you would likely have a hard time getting there under 7 months I think. I personally would try to get a 2 BR @ BCV for a summer stay, just my .02

 

[clc053103]

I have stayed numerous times cash at BWV, stayed once at BLT and was so in love that we are now DVC owners there. The walk to the MK is priceless. We also loved the ease of getting to other resorts- you can walk over to MK and hop on a direct bus- at BWV it was not that easy to get to another resort. the bathroom doors did not bother me in the least- a closed door meant it was occupied.

We stayed in a 2 br villa and I agree I would never trade it for 2 studios.

 

[culli]

I would give BLT a try since you have never been. We prefer and love the EPCOT area, but stayed at BLT to give it a try as when things get sold out I'm not sure what my chance of staying there are in the future. We really liked BLT but we still prefer EPCOT area. However, since I have never stayed at contemporary resort before was very glad that we gave it a shot.

 

[BWV2001]

Just what I was hoping for, votes for all three! Thanks everybody. Maybe when I narrow my choice down to 2 I'll ask again! But I'll be happy to listen to any other thoughts...