Tough decision - what would you do

[mrsr2ro]

I'm trying to decide between the following for a trip that includes myself, my two girls (1 and 3), my sister, and my parents (older, in good shape but will need to keep a slow pace).

Do I

1) Pay full price to get a 1 BR at BLT (has 2 bathrooms, my parents would sleep on the king, My sister and I would do pull out couch, 3yo on pull out chair, 1yo in a crib). I stayed in a 1BR at BLT last year with my mom and two boys and it is plenty of space. I know we will be fine space/comfort wise. It may not be for some, but I know it will be doable for us. The issue is, I can't get the current "room only" discount rate on it.

OR

2) Get the 35% off of a THV (has 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms). But, we would rent a minivan for this option. We stayed in a THV 2 years ago when it was my parents, my DH and I and 3 kids at the time. Plenty of space and bedrooms but we didn't like how far it was from the parks. Rental car is a must for this option, and with 6 of us, we'll need a van ($$).

When I run the math... there really isn't much of a price difference between these two options. Sure I can get the discount on THV, but then I end up spending the savings on the rental car. We'll have more space in the THV which is nice. But I have to say when I compare my previous two trips, we liked being at BLT better since it was SO CLOSE to MK. We will primarily be at MK on this trip I'm planning with the little ones. Hope to do character breakfasts at Poly and GF. Nice to just monorail over there. It kills me though to pay full price...

Note: we are not planning on doing the dining plan, but I checked the FD offer and it also does not apply for a 1BR at BLT anyway. Since we plan to do character breakfasts and eat minimally the rest of the day (use the kitchen in the villa), the DP is not a good deal for us.

UGH ... what do you all think???

 

[MMrules]

That is a tough decision. I haven't stayed at either location before, but I can tell you what others have read.

BLT is great b/c you are so close to Magic Kingdom. That would be beneficial for the little ones traveling with you. If you want a MK location did you look at WLV???I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge before and it was a boatride away from MK. The prices are cheaper too so if you can't get a discount then it may save you some money.

The tree house villas look great and would have more space. That being said, from what I have read is they are very far from everything and a mini van would be a necessity. I don't rent cars at WDW b/c I dont' want to be bothered driving and then having to park on vacation. I prefer to take the buses. Even within the resort, the buses to the food area in Saratoga from the treehouses is very far. I know getting a room discount is great, but having to pay for a van making it a wash would make me lean towards BLT.

Good luck choosing. I would look at Wilderness lodge villas though just for a price comparison.

 

[DebbieB]

The Villas at WL don't have the sleeper chair, so it's a max of 4 plus one under 3. OKW, AKV (except value) and BLT have the sleeper chair.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you are ok with paying the rack rate at Bay Lake Tower I would recommend staying there because of their overall location, walkway to the Magic Kingdom and Resort Monorail access from the Contemporary.

 

[Kimberle]

I would stay at BLT because it is closer to the MK and easier to get around. If someone want to go back to the room for a nap or swim, the others can stay in a park. You are also closer to many restaurants.

 

[DanPadavona]

I totally agree with MMRules regarding the location of the Wilderness Lodge, if you want to be near Magic Kingdom. The WL is one of the few resorts we haven't stayed at, lol. But we have visited it many times. And yeah, it is a very short boat ride to and from MK. It's very relaxing.

We have seen WL rooms, and the rooms are just as gorgeous as the resort property.

 

[waynesgirl]

My DH and I stayed there last Nov with out son. They upgraded us from a standard to a HUGE room with 2 bathrooms, a master bedroom area with a king bed, and table for 6, a sofabed and loveseat and another coach that both kids could sleep on and plenty of room for a crib. This room fit like 6 people easy with a lot of room. I am willing to bet it is cheaper than the BLT.

I think my room was like 1304 or 1311...I can see. It was awesome- next to the beach. Little noisy in the morning and it took a bit longer to walk to the Guest Services desk, but hey...it was awesome.

 

[mickeynut1]

We haven't stayed at either, but I think BLT would be a good choice. If the cost is about the same paying rack rate at BLT without a rental car vs. a discount at THV with a rental car, I'd go for the convenience to MK. Plus if you are planning on meals at the Poly and GF, it would be alot easier getting there for breakfast from BLT .

 

[cbg1027]

I would book the Treehouse for now. It's got more space, which would be nice. Plus, having a car with that many people is a huge benefit.

I'd then keep my eye open and hope a room discount comes out that you could use at BLT. If it does, than change your reservation to that option.

I personally am not willing to pay rack rate for any room at Disney so that plays a huge part in my decisions.

 

[Aliceacc]

Do I

1) Pay full price to get a 1 BR at BLT ...I know we will be fine space/comfort wise. It may not be for some, but I know it will be doable for us.

2) Get the 35% off of a THV (has 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms). ... we didn't like how far it was from the parks. Rental car is a must for this option, and with 6 of us, we'll need a van ($$).

When I run the math... there really isn't much of a price difference between these two options. ...when I compare my previous two trips, we liked being at BLT better since it was SO CLOSE to MK. We will primarily be at MK on this trip I'm planning with the little ones. Hope to do character breakfasts at Poly and GF. Nice to just monorail over there. It kills me though to pay full

What I would do doesn't matter.

It sounds to me as though you really want BLT, but it's just killing you to miss a discount. I can sympathize; I hate the thought of paying full price too.

Based on what you've written, the price will be the same. But BLT offers the important perk of convenience for your kids and your parents. It sounds as though that's an easy tradeoff for you as opposed to the larger room elsewhere.

Plus, there's the added convenience of freedom. If one of your girls is tired, either you or your parents could take her back to the room for a nap. With a rental van, that flexibility is missing.

I say BLT.

 

[MJMcBride]

I think I would do the treehouse villas as well. I always like having a car and u have a bit more space at the villas

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

I would say BLT for a bunch of reasons. It sounds like your trip might be kind of MK-centric, so BLT is obviously much better for that. The young age of your children makes the convenience and transportation options of BLT much better for you. Most importantly, it sounds from your post as if you really would prefer to be at BLT, and you say the price difference between both options is minimal. So it sounds like what's really bothering you is the principle of paying rack rate. I also hate paying rack rate (makes me want to stay off-site), but if it's not actually going to cost you more and will put you where you really want to be, then maybe it's the right choice.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I don't know about BLT or THV, since I have never stayed at either one. BUT - I do know about 60ish parents.

Seriously - have you considered separate rooms at a Mod? The cost would be about the same for 2 rooms, but the availability of some "alone time" would be a great bonus for your parents.

Sorry to confuse the decision pool, but this might be a good alternative.

 

[makthompson]

We stayed at the THV this summer and we didnt need a car. it was a short walk to the bus stop, then caught the next bus from The Springs. It was pretty easy to get around.

If you go BLT route which of course would be closer. I would suggest you rent at the rent/trade board and save you some money there.

 

[mrsr2ro]

Thank you all for the input -- it is true that I would prefer BLT but it's killing me to pay the rack rate!!!

Change of plans today though -- Mom has told me that Dad decided he's not going to join on the trip after all. So it will be three adults (Mom, Sister, Me) and the two little girls (at the time of trip they will be 3 1/4 and 21mo).

Now I'm trying to decide if we could swing a standard room at CR (where I CAN get the 35% off). All three of us are the "20min" shower and get ready type so I think we could swing it with 1 bath. Waiting on their input to see if it will work. My mom is very kid friendly (has 17 grandchildren, 16 of which are under 10). She's shared a hotel/room suite with us twice at WDW and several times to other locations. Once she and I took all four of my kids to visit my brother and we shared one of those Holiday Express rooms that have 2 double beds and a pull out couch - all in one room, only 1 bath - and we were fine. The kids were 6, 4, 21mo, and 3mo at the time. Oh and my sister -- she taught PreK/Kinder for 10 years and is great with kids. She has two boys were are 9 and 10 -- they've done Disney as a family but she wants to join us on this "girls" trip by herself.

OH and I had not looked into WLV because we were a party of 6 -- now that we are 5, I need to check it out. Not as convenient as CR/BLT but I don't think we'd need a car there.

Thanks again!!!!!

 

[larryz]

I would suggest that if you were going to pay rack rate, ask if they can throw in the free dining for your group...

But since that isn't an issue any more, good luck on getting the larger standard rooms at CR. Poly rooms are also pretty large if I remember correctly.

If it were me, I'd do CR -- poly isn't my cup of passionfruit juice.