Poly vs Bay Lake Towers

[SharonS]

I am trying to decide between a lake view studio at Poly vs a theme park view at Bay Lake Towers. I have stayed at Bay Lake before and really enjoyed it. Would love feedback and opinions from others who have stayed at these resorts.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What is your party size? For anything greater than 2, Poly.

 

[SharonS]

What is your party size? For anything greater than 2, Poly.

Just me

 

[DenLo]

We own at BLT but really like the Poly too. We always stay in studios so the only thing we gain with the Poly room is really more space, and a head on view of MK when you have a lake view. We prefer showers and because of that we used the shower bathroom to store all of our toiletries. The other bathroom could have been a powder room for way we used it.

We really enjoyed eating at the Kona Cafe. And you can get Sushi or appetizers at the bar next to the cafe if that is all you want for dinner. Also we decided that the inside of Trader Sam's wasn't for us, but really enjoyed the terrace where we could order appetizers and drinks. They had a singer outside after sunset and you could see the evening lighting of the torches, fire dance on the lawn nearby. We haven't had a chance to use the Oasis pool as it was not open the last time we stayed there. We have eaten there several times since though. It is great watching the fireworks at MK as well.

 

[hakepb]

Poly has the advantage of beinf able to walk to TTC to get on the Epcot monorail, but MK would need a pleasant boat ride or monorail instead of walking to MK.

Upper floor lake view at Poly is said to be an amazing MK view (but ground floor lake view is mostly blocked by bungalows)

Walking around the exotic, lush tropical vibe of Poly is amazing (... as long as it's not raining, as buildings are not connected)

 

[DVCRSheridan]

The main benefit to Poly obviously is the size of the room compared to BLT. Being just you, that doesn't really matter as much. We love both resorts, but would probably tend to go with BLT more times than not.

Ask me again in 15 mins and I may say Poly though lol You really can't go wrong, especially not having to worry about room size as much. If you haven't stayed at Poly then it may be worth it to give it a shot and have an idea for the future as to which you prefer.

 

[suebeelin]

We like Poly bc of the salt water pool.... we went there every afternoon....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Could be a good chance to try a different resort since you've stayed at BLT. Their both different but I like both.

PVB has a great location - can walk over to TTC to catch the Epcot monorail and can walk over to TTC and either get on the Ferry or the express monorail and skip other hotel stops.
What I don't like about lakeview category there is that you can end up on the first floor with much of the view blocked by the Bungalows.

BLT also has a great location - can walk over to MK and easily access buses to any other resort. Also has the boat transportation to WL and FW. And you have TOTWL just upstairs and close views of the castle all night.

 

[Shellyred8]

I would go for Poly to try out a new resort. I don't know that I would splurge on the lake view though, as someone else said, you could get the first floor and really wouldn't have a great view.

I have stayed at both and enjoyed both. I liked the Poly because I could sit on the beach and watch the fireworks. I also liked being close to the TTC for "quick" transportation to MK or EP. I liked the laid-back feel to the Poly. BLT is brighter and seems more "excitable". Not a bad thing, they are just different from each other in that perspective.

Have a great trip!

 

[Savagekids]

I love BLT but if it is just you, studio at Poly wins. I love the richness of those Poly studios.

 

[Days In the Sun]

I would pick the Poly for the reason that you haven't stayed there. Poly was our family's favorite resort (pre-renovations) and we own at BLT, so we like both.

We love the new salt water pool and eating options at Poly better, we like the jogging trails and fitness centre (but it's at GF so a bit of a walk but the stroll between the two resorts is lovely). We like the quick access to EPCOT (we usually use the TTC rather than Poly's pickup location).

We like the fireworks better at BLT as the viewing area at Poly is now small and often crowded. It is sometimes hard to hear over the less interested people who prefer to talk during it. For us nothing beats seeing it from in front of the castle or your own private balcony at BLT. When I was in a poly lake view room last August, the music channel for Wishes was not available so watching from the room was a bit pointless. Not sure if that has changed.

I won't go on about BLT since you've been there. When it's our whole family going, we always choose BLT. In smaller groups, our resort choice depends on personal taste and where we want to spend our time.

Also, be prepared for a "bungalow view" if you choose the Poly as 1/3 of the LVs have no view of the lake. I was given a ground floor handicap room last trip and while the porch was a peaceful spot to have breakfast each morning, the only lake I saw was the boat docking at the ttc to the far right.

 

[supersnoop]

I really enjoyed the lake view room at PVB. But I like BLT better. Personal preference. I'd only stay at PVB in a lake view, but I would never spend the points for a theme park view at BLT. With the Top of the World Lounge (and our touring style), I'd never be in the room looking out the windows. That just seems pointless to me.

 

[Mousewerks]

There is a time and a place for everything. I just booked two nights in a Theme Park Studio just for the novelty of it.

 

[DVCRSheridan]

There is a time and a place for everything. I just booked two nights in a Theme Park Studio just for the novelty of it.

Nice, hope you have better luck than we did when we did the Theme Park view. Ended up on the lowest Theme Park view floor just over the entrance. Wasn't bad, but not nearly worth the extra points. It was essentially a parking lot view most of the day. We'll definitely give it a try again sometime though.

 

[supersnoop]

Nice, hope you have better luck than we did when we did the Theme Park view. Ended up on the 2nd floor just over the entrance. Wasn't bad, but not nearly worth the extra points. It was essentially a parking lot view most of the day. We'll definitely give it a try again sometime though.

Must have been a long time ago. Theme park view starts on the fifth floor now.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Nice, hope you have better luck than we did when we did the Theme Park view. Ended up on the 2nd floor just over the entrance. Wasn't bad, but not nearly worth the extra points. It was essentially a parking lot view most of the day. We'll definitely give it a try again sometime though.

2nd floor is not theme park view. I actually don't think it ever was.

 

[buzzrelly]

I love both and now own at both! You can't go wrong with either…pick the one that fits your needs/points budget

 

[DVCRSheridan]

2nd floor is not theme park view. I actually don't think it ever was.

Sorry, just realized I wrote 2nd, should really pay more attention when typing! We were on the 5th I believe (maybe 4th). Whichever is the lowest for TP views.