Tell Me What I Should Love About BLT

[Little E]

Hi Disfriends!

My family (DH, DS19 an DS17) and I are headed to WDW July 25-August 1. This is a highly anticipated trip as it "replaces" our March 2020 cancelled spring break trip that was to celebrate our high school senior. We have booked a 2BR at BLT for cash and-don't get me wrong-we are so excited. But, it's pricey and last night as I was noodling around online, I found a 2BR at Beach Club, and it was about $1500 less than what we have booked. I'm having a moment of self doubt, so I could really use some reassurance that BLT is going to be awesome.

We have stayed in a garden wing room at CR before, and we loved all that CR had to offer...especially the ability to walk to MK. We need three sleep surfaces, and our DS19 is a shower HOG, so the three full bathrooms that BLT offers is really a plus. We have never stayed at any of the Epcot/HS studio area resorts, so I when i found the 2 BR at BC, it gave me a moment of pause.

In advance, thanks so much for letting me know all the things you love about BLT!

 

[Stargazer65]

Castle, Fireworks and/or Water Parade views, Skywalk, Monorail (Easy access to a variety of places on the monorail), Walk to MK, Extra bathroom, Rain Shower, Retro Future Decor!

 

[Stargazer65]

We have booked a 2BR at BLT for cash

Do you know what view you will have?

 

[Lori Duck]

BLT owner here...you will love:
Location!!!!!!!!!! (Walking into MK & Contemporary)
Clean, airy feel of BLT, with not to many "Mickeys" starring at you
Monorail access (Epcot monorail hopefully returning to nearby TTC soon!)
BLT Cast Members!
Sky bridge
Access to two pool areas (one with lockers which we use on our last day to store travel clothes)
Lots of lake views from villas
Multiple bathrooms
Floor to ceiling views of MK Park from villa and/or elevator area
Dining and shopping at Contemporary

 

[cellomom]

We stayed at BLT this past May 2021 with extended family, grandparents to 4mo old granddaughter. Everyone fell in love with the resort.
Ease of navigating the resort, never felt far from an elevator
Resort monorail to visit MK, Poly and GF (Hopefully soon to Epcot)
Food and shopping options at the CR
beautiful views- GD loved looking at the lake and watching the boats
❤3 Bathrooms❤
the pools
community room
wonderful Cast Members
walkway to MK
MK fireworks
BLT 2br 1152 sq ft vs BCV 2br 1075 Sq ft
You won’t go wrong at BLT.

but $1500 is a lot of money, what does your family want?

 

[princesscinderella]

I love BLT but if you are pool and Epcot lovers I would switch to BCV and save the $1500. If you love MK more keep BLT. Both resorts are great! I love the lake view rooms in BLT and the extra bathroom is awesome!

 

[Ms.Minnie]

If it were me I would pick BCV for the following reasons:

1- The pool, I love the lazy river portion of this pool. You can only use this pool if staying at BC/YC resorts. The pool at this resort is much better than at BLT.

2- The location to Epcot, it's just a short walk to International Gateway and I think your children are at an age that they would probably prefer Epcot over MK.

3- The location to HS, you have multiple choices here. You can walk, take a boat or take the Skyliner from IG at Epcot. Again at the age of you children they will probably prefer this park over MK.

4- Many dining options around the YC/BC/SD/BW area, not to mention Epcot.

5- Last but not least the $1500 savings, that can’t be ignored.

With all that being said I do really like BLT, I own at BW so I already get all the pluses to this area. If I were to add a different resort it would be at BLT for many of the reasons already stated by other posters.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a very magical vacation.

 

[paults]

BCV for me, walk to 2 parks. Been at BLT and got hit with a fire alarm going off at 2:30 am. Had to walk down 8 flights and we are in out 70's, not fun. Anyway the place is very nice.

 

[Little E]

@Stargazer65 we have a lake view. Having never been at BLT, I'm not sure what that view is really like? Our only request is that we get a dedicated 2BR, and not a lock off. I'm hoping because we paid cash rather than rented points, we might be more likely to get the dedicated 2BR? I want both boys to have a real bed, and not the pullout couch.

For those who recommended BCV, you listed the perks of that area, and that's what gave me pause about BLT. *sigh* We love the idea of being able to walk to two parks, and I anticipate my guys are going to want to go off on their own at various times during our week there...we love EP and HS! However, we are MK lovers through and through, and there is something about being able to walk right to MK that is extra appealing. That, and the three bathrooms! I cannot stress enough how much our first born is a shower hog...the thought of everyone else not being held up by his lengthy showers as we struggle to get to rope drop is really appealing! Plus, we aren't huge pool people. Yes, we like to take a break from the parks after lunch and take a quick dip in the pool to cool off, but we are OK with the CR's pool. When we stayed in the garden wing, we were fine with what that pool had to offer. We don't typically devote a whole day to swimming...we are very parks focused on our trips.

 

[RoseGold]

Your teenagers might really like Stormalong Bay. It is SO COOL at night. They can also Skyliner back to BC.

I guess it depends on how you are focusing this trip. For $1500, BC is a no-brainer to me.

 

[bakerworld]

How much do your teens love MK?

That is the whole question because if they're hard wired into POC, TMR, SM and you switch them to Sorin, TT, RoRc, TSM are they going to figure the better pool at BC is worth it? When my kids were teens they were over the parks and it was all about the resort so for us the easy answer would be BC and they'd be catching buses to spend an hour or two at the various parks. The last time we family stayed at BL our kids were all in their late 20's and loved to close out TOWL. It doesn't sound like your kids are there yet.

 

[Heather07438]

I found a 2BR at Beach Club, and it was about $1500 less than what we have booked.

Honestly as young adults I’d change to BC. There could be a case made for paying extra at CR after Oct 1st.

For summer I could see BC being a better choice for your group regardless of the bonus money though that is also an important point. Think about what you can spend that on instead.

BC pros-
The pool of course
Easy proximity to 2 parks. The value shouldn’t be underestimated. You can get to EP in 5 minutes and HS under 20, and not be at the mercy of transportation. You have a seriously great advantage at park closing (You’ll really see it walking past the Skyliner line after EP fireworks)
Exploring that whole area can be so much fun. You have quick access to many great food options.
Transport- walk or boat to HS & EP. Bus to MK to avoid ferry/monorail eating time. Bus or rideshare to AK.

Contemporary is awesome I just don’t find it better overall to BC unless taking an MK priority trip. Saving $1500 would be an easy switch to BC for us as adults & young adults.

 

[mom2rb]

I was going to tell you all of the amazing things about BLT, it is one of my favorites. I also love BCV. The views are better at BLT and the extra bathroom is nice but for $1500, I would choose BCV.

 

[redboat45]

We've stayed at both and like both. If you're pool people at all I'd switch to BCV.

If the Epcot monorail was running I might say stay at BLT but with it not running BCV wins IMO.

If you switch to BCV make sure it's a dedicated 2BR and not a lock off if you want 3 actual beds!

 

[Dismom18]

Castle, Fireworks and/or Water Parade views, Skywalk, Monorail (Easy access to a variety of places on the monorail), Walk to MK, Extra bathroom, Rain Shower, Retro Future Decor!

Yes, to all the above! My kids, like yours are older, being on the monorail means you can easily grab a dole whip at Poly, enjoy the atmosphere of the Floridian etc. That being said Stormalong Bay is fantastic and I love the boardwalk area, the vibe is more relaxing to me and I love the views of crescent lake. I know most people would disagree with me and you’re only there for 5/6 days but maybe do a quick split stay and enjoy both

 

[Little E]

All the folks who put forth compelling arguments for BCV made me check online again, and it looks like the 2BR at BCV I found yesterday is...gone. Yikes!! I guess that's the resort gods' way of tell me to stay at BLT.

Seriously though, you've all given me much to think about for our next WDW trip. Sounds like I definitely should check out the BCV in the future!

Any other reassuring tidbits for the BLT would be great, too!

 

[Stargazer65]

@Stargazer65 we have a lake view. Having never been at BLT, I'm not sure what that view is really like?

It's nice. The last time we booked Lake View we had a great view of the Lake, marina and pool area, and the Water Parade. Some Lake View rooms can also see the Theme Park...you may be able to request that but it is not guaranteed.

 

[redboat45]

We loved lake view. Just make sure to ask for a higher floor, 6 or above or you might have a tree blocking your view like we did. We loved watching the Electric Water Pageant every night.

 

[CraigInPA]

Call and ask them to put in a room request for a high floor north side, on the park side of the building (even numbers). Those rooms end in 02 or 12. If you're lucky, you'll end up in a 12, which is mostly a view of the park! The room that ends in 02 has a view of Tomorrowland on one side and Bay Lake on the other. These are "accessible" rooms, so there's no guarantee that you'll be able to get one.

If you prefer a view of the lake, as I do, request high floor south side, even numbered. From there you'll be able to see the electric light parade twice, one for the Contemporary, and once for the Wilderness Lodge.

I don't like to be on the odd numbered side of the building because the lower floors (standard view) have little view of the water, and the upper floors have great views of other balconies and the view of the water isn't that great except from the villas near the center of the building. It's a bit weird for me to look out my window and see some hairy guy sitting on a balcony across the way, so I always request even numbered side!

 

[Little E]

@CraigInPA I don't think I'd like the "hairy guy view" either! Thanks for the info! The only request I have made is for a dedicated room, not a lock-off. It's a cash booking; what are the odds I'll get a dedicated room and not a lock off? Can I make another request as you've recommended, or can I only make one request? I really want my boys to each have their own beds and not a pullout couch, but now you've made me want to avoid the odd numbered side of the building.