What, in your opinion, would make BLT less "sterile"?

[kboo]

While I am waiting for my next purchase to close, I started thinking about the frequent "complaints" about BLT (and the Contemporary's) lack of "theming." I have always loved the Contemporary since I was a kid riding the monorail! through! the! hotel! (how amazing is that!!!!) and love looking at the vintage pictures.

And so I started wondering whether the Contemporary and BLT would seem less "sterile" and boring if they made it more mid-century, retro-contemporary? We have almost moved far enough past that time that there are probably people who are nostalgic for that look - and specifically making sure we have the "look" with modern day comforts, with vintage Disney art and posters from the 1970s.

What are your thoughts for better BLT/Contemporary "theming?"

 

[aoconnor]

While I don't feel that BLT has a theme per se, at least the rooms "feel Disney" with characters featured prominently in the artwork, etc. Some of the more recent refurbs like BCV have neither a theme nor Disney touches.

I agree that a retro future look would be a great option, especially since the architecture of the original Contemporary is so retro. There's plenty of fantastically dated Epcot artwork from the late 70s/early 80s that they could work with too

 

[Strikan]

While I don't hate the resort, I love the idea of going full mid-century modern.

 

[Ben E N]

I wouldn't mind a change to something more retro, but like the resort a lot where it's at right now. Stepping outside to walk to the Contemporary, you have a perfect view of the castle. At night viewing the lake, you get the EWP. There is plenty of sensory overload going on at the parks during the day, so a nice "clean" (or sterile) stop in the room is refreshing in my mind.

 

[MrInfinity]

I consider a lot of the resorts in the same theme-lacking ballpark as the Contemporary/BLT. I guess it's not lacking, just not unusually out of its element. Like the Grand Floridian or Beach Club which are equally lacking. A southern mansion or beach house is perfectly at home in Florida -- it's normal. Contemporary in this regard, stands out. It's different with the giant atrium and the Monorail going thru. That is kind of the theme. That's a huge draw to hang out in the atrium and watch the trains going thru whisking people off to the parks.

Changing it to Mid-Century Modern would not help at all. It would just be a different kind of retro contemporary. More spindley perhaps, less kid-friendly, and harder on maintenance. Basically if they don't transport you to another world, it's going to fall in the somewhat unthemed group. Like it should take you to the South Pacific or the Orient or a Galaxy Far Far Away. Any normal or local theme would not change the perception.

To make it less sterile -- add more foliage. Those trees in the BLT courtyard need to grow in more. They could add beach -- but that won't happen. Some trees or park-like feel along the walkway thru the parking lot would be nice -- that's the least enjoyable part of the walk home, once you cross the street and it's all pavement for the last 300 yards. But killing parking spots to enhance the walk is not going to happen either. Little things like this would make it feel more vacation-like and a little less sterile. They could sell Mickey-Bricks to BLT owners to fund it I'm sure. We would buy one.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I go back and forth on this. I think the feeling of "lack of theme" comes from it not really immersing you in a culture or far away place like most of the others do. It's more a design theme with clean lines and simplification. I don't really know how you improve upon that. Going retro would be really neat. I personally feel like there is a lot of concrete and metal outside that makes it feel more sterile.

 

[bumbershoot]

Contemporary IS mid century modern imo. IKEA mcm, but mcm all the same.

Nothing is not sterile about mcm except for the love of wood paneling.

I think people look at the outside and make a decision, then don’t look around once inside of blt and contemporary. There’s lots of loveliness inside both. Just gotta look.

 

[CraigInPA]

As a fellow BLT owner, I don't find it "sterile". While it's not over-the-top themed like Polynesian, it's got murals, hidden mickeys, and Disney touches all over.

I don't see the Contemporary Resort, which was done in a Bauhaus/modern style, ever supporting an interior of mid century modern "space age" and "jet age" furniture without it looking disconnected. Formica tables? No thanks. Amorphous shaped coffee and end tables? No thanks. Steel legged furniture with vinyl seats? Absolutely no thanks.

 

[CraigInPA]

Contemporary IS mid century modern imo. IKEA mcm, but mcm all the same.

Actually, architecturally, the Contemporary Resort is more Bauhaus than mid century modern. Bauhaus style is visible heavy framing of steel or concrete, with glass in between. Mid century modern is glass with thin or hidden framing.

 

[disneynutz]

Maybe sterile isn't the correct word. BLT is glass, grey, smooth, a high rise. Same as many other buildings in any major city. We go to Disney for something different, WL has great theming, AKL has great theming, GF has great theming, many resorts have some type of theming that makes us feel like we are away from the city, in a special place.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If you ever stayed at the CR when they were trying to get Disney theming in the 90's or early 2000's you can appreciate how well they did it at BLT vs Mickey spit up thrown all over the room. We find BLT neither sterile nor without theme. I would not particularly care for mid-century modern personally and don't think of the building as fitting that theme. Maybe it would fit with CR but not so much BLT. The touches at BLT are very good without being over the top.

My one request is a different scent in the lobby. Or completely get rid of it. Supposedly it's the same one used at GF and BCV but it takes on a weird powdery odor at BLT. I can tolerate but don't love it.

 

[DenLo]

Very few people live in high rises, so I would think BLT would be a new experience. I think BLT is very Disney themed. I see more Disney features there than I ever did at BWV. But people didn't like the BWV for Disney features but features that reminded them of the Atlantic Boardwalk hotels, which I am not a fan of that look. So maybe if you like the one you can't love the other.

 

[kboo]

Very few people live in high rises, so I would think BLT would be a new experience. I think BLT is very Disney themed. I see more Disney features there than I ever did at BWV. But people didn't like the BWV for Disney features but features that reminded them of the Atlantic Boardwalk hotels, which I am not a fan of that look. So maybe if you like the one you can't love the other.

Ha! And I love both (and VGF). But then again, I also love the scary clown pool.

 

[Sparkly]

I loved the design and theming of BLT! I loved all the nods to the theme park next door and especially being able to see the fireworks from our balcony.

 

[rock_doctor]

I would get rid of the glass columns in the lobby. They cost a fortune to replace and there is always one broken. I would like to get rid of the furniture in the rooms. It is cheap and falling apart. The chairs, beds and couches are ok as they stay on top of their maintenance of these items. Otherwise it is what it is. I would also like exterior doors to the building that actually lock. The ones there now don't lock and many auto open w/o a key card.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

More monkeys.

 

[Vader-was-framed]

I think the building itself is fine the way it is. I actually like the design of the studios. The major upgrade I would like to see at blt is a better pool. Little small for the amount of rooms. My 10 and 6 year old say it is lame.

 

[buzzrelly]

I love BLT just as it is. CR was our favorite resort before we purchased DVC and made BLT our home. If people don't like it, there are plenty of other over-the-top themed resorts out there.

Also, when I think of mid-century modern, I think of Cabana Bay Beach Resort at Universal. It's actually pretty well done over there, but it's definitely not the look or style of a deluxe.

 

[Yojenitan]

Visited BLT for the first time a few weeks ago to head to the Top of the World for a drink before DAH since they wouldn't let us in until 7 and we got there at 5. The whole building was pretty creepy to me. It looks and feels to me a little bit like a bunker. The curving halls that you can't see around with the 70s style neon door marques. The pool area was so outdated, all concrete and weird plants and bright blue accents. The lobby felt cold and sterile. The top of the world lounge though? BEAUTIFUL! Why can't that bring that design to the rest of the building? I'd love to stay at BLT for the location and the pictures of the rooms look so gorgeous...but the pool area and the hallways will always turn me off.

 

[Spartan86]

We found BLT to be far less sterile than we expected. We stayed in a 2BR theme park view with our son and his young family. Sleek and linear yes, cold no. Even the giant piano headboard was surprisingly inviting at the end of the day. In the early mornings Mimi and Pops would sit and enjoy the view of “the world” waking up and sip coffee. It had its coziness. Just in its own way. It would probably not be our first choice for a resort centric stay. AKL wins that round. But we did enjoy it very much.