Undecided Between BLT Studio (renting points), CR Tower or CR Garden Wing Room

[kmdrago1783]

We are planning a trip for June 2018-- we def want to stay at the Contemporary since it's my husband's choice of resort this trip and that is his favorite. It is my husband. myself, and my two daughters who will be 3 and 7 at the time of our trip.

We have only stayed in the Garden Wing at the CR before. I am debating on splurging and getting a tower room.

I've also looked into renting points and reserving a BLT Studio-- this is the most cost effective option. However, I've heard that the rooms are very small and I don't like the lack of daily housekeeping/towel service.

Pro/cons for each of my three options?

We could technically afford to do the tower option but it's $200 more per night for an 8 night stay-- I keep thinking about all the other things we could do with $1600! (not including tax of course).

Help me out!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The BLT studios are really small when you open up the double sized sleeper sofa. They are pretty much wall to wall with the queen bed from the wall to the window and only a few inches between the two. There isn't a true night stand between the bed and the sleeper sofa because they are so close. The edge of the headboard on the bed has a little space for a cell phone or glasses. The kitchenette is nice sized and so is the bathroom. But that didn't leave much room for the living space.

 

[maramarrie]

Well, you already know what garden wing rooms are like, so I can't really add more to that. I haven't stayed in the tower or BLT (though we have often desired BLT). I do recall that when we stayed at CR (garden room) I was really glad we had that room. It was quiet and we had a nice water view. Each time we went into the tower it was so loud that I couldn't imagine what the noise level might be like for those rooms above. I remember reading that once you're over a certain floor the noise level is much lower. I probably wouldn't choose a BLT studio over garden wing or tower if the price was a lot higher...unless I needed the kitchenette.

 

[Sue M]

I'd stick with the garden room. That's the problem with studios, once pull out is down there's no room. And I've heard BLT studio is smaller than most. Not much of a holiday when you're tripping over people. You could request a ground floor patio so the kids have some outside space to play. And you'd have an extra space at night after the kids go to sleep.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree that it is often reported that the BLT Studios are really small - smaller than the regular rooms.
I would splurge on the tower if you feel you can afford it.

 

[buzzrelly]

I love staying in CR tower (MKV if you can swing it!)! There is no noise in the rooms from the restaurant or the monorail, though you might feel a slight vibration when it passes through.

As a DVC member I now stay in BLT 1 bedrooms with 4 of us. I have heard the BLT studios are really small. Maybe check and see how many more points you'd need to rent for the 1-bedroom?

Anywhere you stay on CR property will be great, no matter what you decide! Good luck!

 

[jo-jo]

How much would the "kitchen" area of a studio be of use to you? I don't know what is in a standard room, fridge, coffee pot???

 

[Lynne M]

After staying in a CR garden wing room, the BLT studio is going to feel very cramped. Especially with the sofa bed open.

 

[Cotillard]

Tower would be fun.Maybe you can get a better rate on the room as the date approaches.

 

[GoMegGo]

I've stayed in a BLT studio with 2 kids before. We didn't pull-out the sofa bed (3 year old slept on sofa) but we did have a pack and play and a double stroller to manage. The space felt TINY. I don't think we would ever stay in a studio again unless it was an adults-only trip. The kitchenette space is huge and the bathroom is good sized, but the living/sleeping area is tight. Personally, I would prefer a standard room at CR, either garden wing or tower. If we stay at BLT again, it will be in a one-bedroom villa.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

For a $1600 savings, I would choose the garden wing room. I actually prefer the garden wing - it's quieter than the tower and you don't have to deal with the overcrowded elevators. I wouldn't want to be in a cramped studio with only one real bed for a whole trip.

 

[PolyRob]

A BLT studio is very tiny! You would also forgo your daily housekeeping that you are accustomed to. I have never stayed in the main tower, but I loved my stay in the Garden Wing. The rooms were gorgeous and it really was not that far of a walk to the tower or MK.

 

[kmdrago1783]

Thanks everyone! I think I've definitely decided against BLT due to the size of the room and now am between Tower or Garden Wing-- if we do Tower I def want Theme Park View-- that's most of the reason I'm considering the tower... I've heard you can see the Poly, GF, Seven Seas Lagoon, the Monorail, and MK ... I think that it would be exciting for my kids to wake up to that view... hoping for better deals as we get closer but that's always up in the air so I have to be prepared to pay rack rate worse case scenario. Still debating!

 

[kmdrago1783]

How much would the "kitchen" area of a studio be of use to you? I don't know what is in a standard room, fridge, coffee pot???

Hardly at all. There's just a kitchenette and we would use the fridge but that's all--

 

[kmdrago1783]

Tower would be fun.Maybe you can get a better rate on the room as the date approaches.

That's what I'm hoping but I have to be prepared for worst case scenario.

 

[jo-jo]

Hardly at all. There's just a kitchenette and we would use the fridge but that's all--

So yeah, tossing out BLT is good decision for you. DH and I like to eat breakfast in room (I've brought frozen quiche in luggage), but others are good to go with a muffin or poptart. No need to give up all the living space just so a box of poptarts can live in the kitchen.

 

[bettybooplove]

Thanks everyone! I think I've definitely decided against BLT due to the size of the room and now am between Tower or Garden Wing-- if we do Tower I def want Theme Park View-- that's most of the reason I'm considering the tower... I've heard you can see the Poly, GF, Seven Seas Lagoon, the Monorail, and MK ... I think that it would be exciting for my kids to wake up to that view... hoping for better deals as we get closer but that's always up in the air so I have to be prepared to pay rack rate worse case scenario. Still debating!

It sounds like you really want to experience that special Theme Park View room in the Tower. Yes $1600 is a lot of money but since you said you could afford it maybe it would be worth the memories?

I hope it works out for you.

 

[SharonZ]

I vote for Garden View, TPV is not that important to me and I could use the extra money for extras that I may not be able to indulge in otherwise.