VWL or BLT?

[LisaS]

We're planning a trip for May. I have already booked VWL, a resort DH and I really enjoy. We love the theming and also the proximity to the MK. We enjoy having breakfast at Roaring Fork, taking the boat to the MK or over to the CR for dinner. We like watching the fireworks and the water pageant from the beach or just sitting in the lobby over in the lodge. And I admit to enjoying the occasional "Lumber Jack" from the pool bar (it's not on the new menu but the bartenders will still make one for you if you ask.)

I noticed BLT has availability for our dates in a Lakeview 1BR and we've never stayed there. It's hard to let go of VWL but I'm very curious about BLT and am feeling inclined to book it. We would enjoy being able to walk to the MK. In fact, it would be very handy to be able to walk to the MK bus lot to grab a bus to AKL for dinner at Boma, or hop on the monorail to have dinner at the Poly (maybe I will finally get to 'Ohana).

So, is there a good place for breakfast over at the CR, either counter service like Roaring Fork or table service? How does the pool area compare to the one at VWL? Does a Lakeview room really allow you to see the lake? Can you see the water pageant from your balcony? Bottom line, will a couple of VWL fans be happy staying at BLT?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice you care to offer!

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

We are true BLT fans!! Love being on the Monorail; love the walk to MK and the bus depot overthere where you can take a bus to just about anywhere!!

When there we enjoy eatiing breakfast at The Wave at the Contemporary. Last year when we were there in December, they were offering a Buffet or a la carte. Chef Mickeys is always fun too although more pricey. There is also a counterservice restaurant right near Chef Mickey.

Enjoy your trip. Anywhere on Disney property is special.

 

[wendow]

I'm a newbie and I've never stayed at VWL so I can't do any comparisons for you. But we did just stay in a 1br LV at BLT and just LOVED it. We ate breakfast most mornings in our room but we did go over to CR for breakfast at The Wave one morning. It was delicious! Their sweet potato pancakes are just heavenly.

Our room was on the south side of the building, outside facing so we could see the top of WL, the CR, the marina and the lake. We did watch the water pageant from our balcony but we also enjoyed going out to the marina to watch it. We went to the sky bridge to watch Wishes the nights we didn't stay at MK for them.

We used the monorail a ton to hop over to the Poly. We ate several meals there.

We loved being able to walk to MK. It was awesome and for us and, with 4 kids & 2 strollers, it was just so convenient. I'm not sure as my kids get older, if I'd want to pay for that convenience but in your case, since you have the points and can stay there, I'd highly recommend giving it a try.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Contempo cafe is pretty good counter service. It's different from Roaring Fork but still good. I go back and forth between Roaring Fork and Mara for my favorite CS at the resorts but Contempo follows in 3rd behind them. And the Wave's breakfast gets really good reviews. One of my friends ate there and thought it was great but we have yet to do so.

Lakeview rooms are both on the inner and outer "C" so they pretty much mean you'll see water but not necessarily that you'll be able to see the electric water parade. It's very easy to get to viewing either on the bridge or the beach though - closer than it would be from most of VWL.

I'll add that I really like both resorts. They're different so hard to compare but I'd stay at either and not feel like I made a mistake. BLT is busier feeling because you can see so much action from the rooms - the boats, the monorail, the buses going to MK. But I've never been disturbed by it. VWL is more peaceful and I like the "views" there however in comparison BLT has more expansive views. And there's something very nice about not having to wait on any sort of transportation to get to MK. And you can still get in a boat ride if you wish over to FW.

 

[disneynutz]

We own at both resorts and love VWL for it's theming. BLT for us is like staying in any high raise condo that has pre-mature wear issues.

You need to give it a try at least once to decide for yourself. Being at WDW is great no matter where you stay.

Bill

 

[twinboysmom]

We stayed in VWL in May of 2011 and thought we had found the perfect resort for our family. That was until we stayed in BLT last month. We just loved it! We had a lakeview room and we had a beautiful view of the lake and water pageant. What I didn't like about the view was the view of other peoples rooms (we were in the inner c) but I did get used to it.

We loved contempo cafe but we like roaring forks as well. I consider them equal but with different items. As for the pool, I like them both. They're different. Both have a view of the lake and they are both wet. I think BLT is a little small but we had more trouble finding a place to sit at VWL than we did BLT (and at BLT you can also use the pool at the cr).

Try it. You might just love it like we did.

 

[dizfan]

We really enjoyed The Wave for breakfast in June. The buffet was very good and the service was also very good.
Contempo Cafe is a decent counter service restaurant. The fun part is watching the monorail while you eat.
Our favorite part of BLT is the lake activity and looking at the castle each time we cross the bridge.

We have not stayed at WLV yet, so we cannot provide a valid comparison.

 

[Granny]

Bottom line, will a couple of VWL fans be happy staying at BLT?

Lisa...we are big VWL fans and booked a trip at BLT last year since it was the only on-site resort we hadn't stayed at. Thought we'd just "check it off the list".

We really enjoyed our lake view room. Being a VWL fan, we love the Bay Lake setting but at BLT you can see it so much better and the pool runs right up next to it. Just a lovely backdrop for the pool and the resort.

Walking to MK is not to be underestimated as far as convenience, especially if you are leaving after Wishes at night and don't have to wait for a bus. Before most people even get on their bus you are back in your room!

Overall, we like the feel of BLT much more than we thought we would, having only seen the concrete and tile look of the Contemporary as we went through on the monorail. We thought BLT might be cold and not intimate, but we found ourselves enjoying it quite a bit.

If I were you, I'd give BLT a try. You know that even if you don't love the resort, you'll still have a great stay at WDW.

Now if you were going during the holidays, I'd say stick with VWL. But for this trip I think you'll be glad to "sample" BLT. Enjoy your decision either way!

 

[jade1]

Well you will likely go to WDW for years so why not try it? BUT, try to get an outer ring 1BR so its the larger LR (pie shaped with the windows the large side). We love VWL, but MK View at BLT was by far our best room and location ever at WDW. I know there is a parking lot below, but hearing the train and watching the MK and monorail/buses was just the best.

Our room was also in great shape and basically new, so it was another positive factor. Many DVC rooms are getting pretty old and dated so it was very refreshing.

And of course the walk to MK was wonderfull. Often popped back with FP's for later. And the nice thing is we could relax/swim/sleep/eat and know exactly when to leave our room to arrive at MK when we wanted. For rope drop at 8AM-left at 7:50AM-how simple is that? For a FP that expired at 5PM-left at 4:40. We would leave all other DVC's around 7AM to make 8AM rope drop, and for a 5PM ending FP at least 4PM if not sooner.

After Wishes you can usually be in you room before you would be on a bus/boat to start the journey home.

 

[LisaS]

Thank you all for your very helpful replies. We decided to go for it. I had to buy two one-time-use points to make it work but we've got a Lakeview 1BR at BLT. I'm very excited!

Thank you all very much!