Tell me about BLT

[2binak]

DH is leaning towards staying at BLT for our next trip. I know nothing about the resort though so tell me all about it. Specifically, how far of a walk is it to the monorail, buses & restaurants? What is the lagoon view like? Can you hear or see much of the MK traffic from the lagoon side of the building? Any other info you want to share would also be great! Thanks!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

There are several threads about BLT here....

The Monorail station is at the Contemporary. How far the walk is to it depends on how close you are to the elevator and level 5 which contains the walkway over to the Contemporary Resort.

We did not stay on the Lagoon side, we were on the inside of the C and faced the pool / lake. It was very quiet on that side. Here's a picture of room 7521 (a 1BR Lake View Room on the inside of the C). By the way the location was awesome. We were about 200 feet from the walkway that connects to the Contemporary.

But you really only need to monorail over to the TTC to then go over to EPCOT. The walk from BLT to MK is really short and quite enjoyable. Especially at night when the lines to get out of the park are long.

Make sure you head up to the Top of the World lounge at least once and watch WISHES from there. Highly recommended.

There are no restaurants or gift shops at BLT. You have to head over to the Contemporary Resort for that.

I love BLT and can't wait to go back to it in 2011.

If you have any other specifics, go ahead and post things you need.

 

[WDWMom]

We stayed there last year and thought it was an interesting WDW experience.

First off, this is my opinion and others may think differently. We did not like the "feel" of the resort. No Disney magic, felt like we could have been anywhere. From the pool, you look up to a highrise hotel that could be in any large city. Not a fan of modern decor, but we knew that going in. We also didn't like having to walk over to the Contp. for meals. There are no restaurants in BLT except the pool bar and we weren't thrilled with that either.

The walk to MK is about 7-10 minutes if that. Convenient if you don't have a stroller or wheelchair. Monorail walk is about 5-10 minutes depending on where your room is and the elevator wait.

We had a view of the pool/lagoon. Don't remember hearing any traffic and the view wasn't anything spectacular, could have been anywhere. I think we were on the 7th floor.

Pool is nice, wasn't busy Easter week. Top of the World Lounge was great in the evenings to get a drink and relax. Brought family up with us and it was pretty dead.

There also wasn't much for our teens to do. The boys play b'ball at OKW daily. They do have tennis courts though and computers if you want them to be on them.

I would probably go back again if it was an adult trip as we liked the lounge. Mostly we just missed the Disney feel that we have gotten from the other resorts.

 

[monorailmom]

I have to say...we find BLT extremely magical!!!! We have stayed there twice now. Once with the kids, once just my husband and I for our anniversary trip. We LOVE having just a short walk over to the monorail, and being so close to the Contemporary with the fun shops and great dining options. Magic for us is having so many wonderful places to see Wishes! When we were in a SV, we could see Wishes out of our balcony. Yes, it was a little obstructed...but less so than when you're on Main St. behind a kid with a balloon!!! (haha) If you can't see Wishes from your room, you can go up to TOTW lounge (awesome) or to the elevator lobbies of the hotel...the views from there are spectacular. You also have the Sky Bridge, and the balcony at the Contemporary building. There is nothing like going to get your tea/coffee in the morning and crossing the Sky Bridge with Cinderella Castle in the distance.

 

[Sandisw]

We love it and find it a very peaceful resort but one which you can also find activity if you want it.

The walk to MK is great and very quick--about 10 minutes. From our room to the CR and the monorail was about a 5 - 6 minute walk.

We have never used the buses so not sure how that piece is but the walk to the bus stop (at CR) is again, maybe 5 minutes.

What is a benefit, IMO, is that you are close to the MK Bus Depot and can easily walk there to hop a bus to another resort if you have dining reservations.

We bought DVC because of BLT and so far, it has not disappointed us! And, the TOWL is wonderful and I enjoy watching the fireworks from there!

 

[jade1]

No Disney magic, felt like we could have been anywhere.

We kinda felt just the opposite last week.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I love your fog pictures jade1! I like the Christmas tree one as well. We stayed at AKV at Christmas time and we never stopped by home to see the tree. :-(

BLT is a lot like CR. Many people have had there issues with the theming. But standing on the skybridge and watching Wishes was just incredible....seeing the EWP from our room at night was a treat. Seeing the monorail zoom by.

BLT is why we bought into DVC (had stayed at CR about 4 times before that) so it's perfect for us. To each there own though. Everybody likes something different which is why there are so many different themes at the DVC resorts.

 

[JLitfin]

Love your photos.

I'll be there beginning of Feb. and staying at BLT for the first time. Can't wait.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I LOVED LOVED LOVED BLT! The location absolutely can not be beat!!!

This thread is full of great information about BLT and its views, etc.

BLT info<------click here!

 

[WDWFERN]

I agree with PPs that the location is outstanding! Walking to the MK is wonderful, especially with children, and having so many resort dining options available by monorail or boat is great! We absolutely enjoyed our stay there and are looking forward to our next trip "home".

 

[EeyoreEma]

We love BLT! The walk to the MK can't be beat! We are looking forward to our next trip home!

 

[Nparrotte]

I agree with PPs as well. The walk to and from MK is enjoyable especially after Wishes .

DW and I were on the 5th floor studio with MK view in May. It was a quick walk to monorail across the bridge and the Top of the World Lounge view was awesome. This is not a complaint but IMHO it would be nice to have a few more food options. Drinks and watching the sunset was really nice We would go up around 5:30 or 6 for a few cocktails and it was really quiet when we were there, we never stayed to view wishes so not sure how crowded that gets.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

We stayed there over Thanksgiving with our then 10 month old and we loved it. We were the room closest to the elevators, MK view and it was so convenient. We loved being close to the monorail and the view was amazing although our room wasn't the greatest MK view. We actually liked it so much that instead of staying at AKV's next Thanksgiving we are going back because it was just so convenient with the baby. I also found it very quiet despite being so close to the elevator. The only noise we encountered was from the fireworks every night but it didn't seem to bother the baby.

 

[toniosmom]

We were at BLT in early December and loved it. As far as theming is concerned, I found a lot of it. First, there were hidden Mickeys everywhere -- in the room, in the carpet, the pool, a manhole cover, etc. We had fun searching for them. I were in a LV room looking straight out onto the lake and it was lovely. I loved that every time we went to the elevator, I could see the castle and Space Mountain up close. I would get a little flutter of excitement. I was so drawn to that view that I hope to get MK view for our November trip.

We watched the fireworks from the TOTWL and it was phenomenal. MUCH better view than actually being in the park. You can actually see Tinkerbell flying from up there! What I also loved was that you could see the entire fireworks show. When we were in the park, we only saw what was overhead. Seeing them from the TOTWL was simply amazing.

Of course, don't believe me.....stay somewhere else so that I can get in there easier!

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[2binak]

Thank you all for the responses & the pictures. My one major concern is feeling like I'm staying at "just another high rise" but I'm hopeful that Disney has done well enough with theming that that won't be the case. Walking to get meals is not a concern for us. We tend to keep our room well stocked & we've stayed at AKV Kidani twice and didn't mind the walk to Jambo the few times we ate there. It would be great to be so close to other resorts and be able to try out their restaurants though. The walk to MK is another big draw for us. We have a 3 yr old and tend to spend at least one day there and usually go back for 1/2 a day to hit some of our fav attractions again. I think we'll try for BLT this year at the 7 month mark (hoping for an Oct or Nov trip). Thanks again all!

 

[jade1]

My one major concern is feeling like I'm staying at "just another high rise"

Pretty sure if the info/pics on this thread, or here on the boards haven't convinced you BLT is not just another high rise (hey there is CR, and maybe theres 100's of them next to MK I just haven't noticed) then take a safe route with something you've liked in the past. Maybe take the tour next time and that will help you decide for the next time.

 

[WDWMom]

jade1 - When the OP posted that quote, she was refering to what I had said, I think. I'm not sure if it was really how she felt.

On the other hand, I do feel that way about BLT. From the pool, when you look up at the building, I don't get any Disney feel from it. It looks like a high-rise that could be in any large city. The same when standing out front. The interiors are also very big-city and modern. Not something we look for at WDW.

I realize that is our opinion (DH and mine) and others feel differently. We love the feel of OKW, BCV and BWV. DH doesn't really like VWL but I do. So it is all about perception and opinion.

I liked lots about BLT. Convenience to MK and monorails are the best. Food at CR is good and varied. And the room layout is much better than BCV and BWV,

 

[2binak]

jade1 - When the OP posted that quote, she was refering to what I had said, I think. I'm not sure if it was really how she felt.

Nope - that's really how I feel & it's been my feeling since I first saw the artist renderings and my feeling didn't change when we saw it from the bus & monorail this past Fall. To me, it honestly does look like your average, everyday generic high rise building that could be found in any big resort city. DH on the other hand thinks it looks cool. We do like the convenience of being so close to MK, the monorail and the MK resorts which we've yet to explore so it is still on our list of possibilities, if only to try out the convenience factor.

 

[WDWMom]

Glad to know that DH and I are not the only people who feel it is like a high-rise

 

[Psav74]

BLT is the best.

I love how you can hear the whistle from the trains in MK.