Why I love BLT

[pinnocchiosdad]

I just returned from 5 nights at BLT. I stayed with DW in a 1 bedroom with a MK view. To me this will always be the premiere DVC MK resort. I studied the GFV project very carefully every time I passed on the monorail ( at least a dozen times during my trip). I walked around the construction site (outside the fence) while I waited for my wife at the GF spa. I am not that impressed. Yes, it is small, but thats not a big deal. What turns me off is that it will be a long walk to the monorail, some of this walk may be uncovered. The views are unimpressive, and the pool play area will be fine if you are staying with young children. BLT will forever be the only true MK DVC location to me. You can toss a baseball at Space Mountain from the guest parking lot. It is the only resort where you will find the sign, "Entrance to walkway to Magic Kingdom". The views are great, you cant beat having the MK Castle as your night light as you lay in bed and look out your bedroom window. When I was sitting on my BLT balcony next to the MK, the GF looked so far away. The lake views give you the VWL lodge of being somewhere other than Florida. You can keep the BLT pool, we favor the CR pool. Ver large with ample beach chairs and lovely white sandy beaches. We love renting a boat from the marina (DVC DISCOUNT) and cruising the seven seas lagoon. Firework viewing is available all around BLT and the CR but dont forget the TOTWL for wireworks at your own resort every night with only an elevator ride back to your room after the show. The Wave restaurant is on our top 5 list at WDW. Transportation is also an enjoyable experience, of course you have Disney bus service from off the lobby. But as mentioned you can stroll to the MK. We walk there at night just for the experience before bed some nights. It is enjoyable, and many people do not know that you can pass the MK and walk half way around the water almost to the GF. you cant beat the monorail to PR, GF, MK, and EPCOT. From BLT, cross the bridge and hop on the monorail. Keep in mind that CR is the original WDW resort and is do for a makeover. In time I expect alot of money will be pumped into this resort. Oops almost forgot the Ferry boats to MK and the WL and WLCG. My favorite thing about staying at BLT is that it can be seen as staying at 3 resorts thanks to the monorail. Some mornings we hop on the monorail and have breakfast poolside at GF. We have gone from our BLT room to sitting poolside at the Poly enjoying a Dole Whip in 12 minutes. And don't forget the current CR rumor (did somebody say rumor!!!). The south garden rooms may soon be torn down to erect a second BLT tower. Don't forget that BLT was once the north garden wing. This is all just my opinion. Everyone loves there home resort and I am not knocking other resorts. Its just with all the speculation on the soon to be released GFV prices and initial sales, I am missing the boat on the hype. The GF is a beautiful resort. But I will visit at the 7th month window and put my money towards more BLT points.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good for you! You really have the "right fit for you," DVC!

Bobbi

 

[akl-fan]

I really like BLT too . I am not sure i will like the décor of GFV and with so few villas I don't think they will be very easy to get at 7 months. I have always been able to get BLT at 7 months so I have no need to buy there. My next trip is a split stay between the excitement of BLT and the tranquillity if AKV. A perfect combo in my opinion. DVC and Disney has something for everyone!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just returned from 5 nights at BLT. I stayed with DW in a 1 bedroom with a MK view. To me this will always be the premiere DVC MK resort. I studied the GFV project very carefully every time I passed on the monorail ( at least a dozen times during my trip). I walked around the construction site (outside the fence) while I waited for my wife at the GF spa. I am not that impressed. Yes, it is small, but thats not a big deal. What turns me off is that it will be a long walk to the monorail, some of this walk may be uncovered. The views are unimpressive, and the pool play area will be fine if you are staying with young children.

BLT will forever be the only true MK DVC location to me. You can toss a baseball at Space Mountain from the guest parking lot. It is the only resort where you will find the sign, "Entrance to walkway to Magic Kingdom". The views are great, you cant beat having the MK Castle as your night light as you lay in bed and look out your bedroom window. When I was sitting on my BLT balcony next to the MK, the GF looked so far away.

The lake views give you the VWL lodge of being somewhere other than Florida. You can keep the BLT pool, we favor the CR pool. Ver large with ample beach chairs and lovely white sandy beaches. We love renting a boat from the marina (DVC DISCOUNT) and cruising the seven seas lagoon. Firework viewing is available all around BLT and the CR but dont forget the TOTWL for wireworks at your own resort every night with only an elevator ride back to your room after the show.

The Wave restaurant is on our top 5 list at WDW. Transportation is also an enjoyable experience, of course you have Disney bus service from off the lobby. But as mentioned you can stroll to the MK. We walk there at night just for the experience before bed some nights. It is enjoyable, and many people do not know that you can pass the MK and walk half way around the water almost to the GF. you cant beat the monorail to PR, GF, MK, and EPCOT. From BLT, cross the bridge and hop on the monorail.

Keep in mind that CR is the original WDW resort and is do for a makeover. In time I expect alot of money will be pumped into this resort. Oops almost forgot the Ferry boats to MK and the WL and WLCG. My favorite thing about staying at BLT is that it can be seen as staying at 3 resorts thanks to the monorail. Some mornings we hop on the monorail and have breakfast poolside at GF. We have gone from our BLT room to sitting poolside at the Poly enjoying a Dole Whip in 12 minutes.

And don't forget the current CR rumor (did somebody say rumor!!!). The south garden rooms may soon be torn down to erect a second BLT tower. Don't forget that BLT was once the north garden wing.

This is all just my opinion. Everyone loves there home resort and I am not knocking other resorts. Its just with all the speculation on the soon to be released GFV prices and initial sales, I am missing the boat on the hype. The GF is a beautiful resort. But I will visit at the 7th month window and put my money towards more BLT points.

If you can throw a baseball from the guest parking lot to Space Mountain, you have a career in baseball. Yeah, I know you were exaggerating.

I thought the CR was totally renovated about the time they started construction on BLT. That was also the time they converted the Concourse Restaurant into more Chef Mickey and the grab and go at CR, plus converted the first floor space to the Wave. And made a much smaller arcade. And they renovated the CR pool about that time, too.

We stayed at BLT last October and thought it was nice, but still prefer OKW. We thought our villa inside the C was really noisy during the day from the constant noise at the pool and even at night with the water parade. I'd hate to see the South Wing building torn down because that is just a gem. We did like walking from BLT to the MK because it was much quicker than taking the monorail.

One quick question? How do you do a poolside breakfast at GF? I've eaten at 1900 Park Faire and at GFCafe, but neither of those were poolside dining.

I'm glad you like BLT and I'm glad all the DVC villas are not like BLT. It gives us all a choice for our favorites.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I love the BLT Too. And for most of the reasons you mentioned!

I love the decor of the rooms, the 2nd bathroom in the 1 bedrms, the overall spaciousness, hopping on the monorail and the TOWL.

 

[spiceycat]

I thought the CR was totally renovated about the time they started construction on BLT. That was also the time they converted the Concourse Restaurant into more Chef Mickey and the grab and go at CR, plus converted the first floor space to the Wave. And made a much smaller arcade. And they renovated the CR pool about that time, too.

It was. the arcade as well as all the gift shops were put more in the middle for DVC members than CR guests.

the quick service is much nicer than it was before this change (more expensive too). Contempo Cafe. thou do miss the Concourse steakhouse.

Deb you need to try it again - this time ask for an even number room - these are on the outside of C and are generally quieter.

 

[spiceycat]

to the OP - don't worry about the VGF - have never like the GF and don't plan on even staying at VGF

that say agree - the views from BLT are much better than VGF will ever be.

don't try to discouraged those that want to buy VGF - really think the sales at VGF have to good for there to be a VPolyn resort.

now the VPR - definitely want!

 

[Deb & Bill]

It was. the arcade as well as all the gift shops were put more in the middle for DVC members than CR guests.

the quick service is much nicer than it was before this change (more expensive too). Contempo Cafe. thou do miss the Concourse steakhouse.

Deb you need to try it again - this time ask for an even number room - these are on the outside of C and are generally quieter.

I like the new Contempo Cafe better than the old Food & Fun Center.

And I would like the try the outer C rather than the inner C rooms, but the points are just so high. It just seems a shame that you have to get a villa on the outer edge of the C to get a quiet room. They need to limit the noise at the pool (pool parties) to maybe one hour per day instead of all day long.

 

[luckyman_apd]

I like the new Contempo Cafe better than the old Food & Fun Center.

And I would like the try the outer C rather than the inner C rooms, but the points are just so high. It just seems a shame that you have to get a villa on the outer edge of the C to get a quiet room. They need to limit the noise at the pool (pool parties) to maybe one hour per day instead of all day long.

You can request an even room to get the outer C. I've stayed in both inner and outer of the C. I honestly found both just fine. I know many complain about the inner C as you can see across into other rooms, but if you are close to the inner most part on a high floor (especially the north side) it's a really nice view.

To the OP, I really love BLT too, and I'm glad we bought there. The MK is my wife's favorite park (and me too....deep down). The MK IS Disney to me. I don't have many points, so we don't get MK views (or I should say haven't and probably won't as we just passed our 1 year anniversary of becoming owners), but you create an excellent picture. I honestly don't care where I am in that building, as long as I'm in that building. I've been a fan of the monorail since I was kid, and even more so when traveling with my kids. We've had more miserable times on the busses. Someday we'll experience the joy of walking to Epcot, and taking the boat to Hollywood, but not until the kids are a little older.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

If you can throw a baseball from the guest parking lot to Space Mountain, you have a career in baseball.

I thought the CR was totally renovated about the time they started construction on BLT. That was also the time they converted the Concourse Restaurant into more Chef Mickey and the grab and go at CR, plus converted the first floor space to the Wave. And made a much smaller arcade. And they renovated the CR pool about that time, too.

One quick question? How do you do a poolside breakfast at GF? I've eaten at 1900 Park Faire and at GFCafe, but neither of those were poolside dining.

Space mountain truly is a stones throw away from the BLT parking lot.

As for CR renovations. They are ongoing as I write this. The California grill and the spa are closed indefinitely. There is scaffolding all around the exterior of the resort.

We get breakfast at Gaspsrillas Grill and eat at the outside dining tables.

 

[DebbieB]

Just got home from BLT, studio lake view. I requested even numbered room, north side. Got exactly that (7906):

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Just got home from BLT, studio lake view. I requested even numbered room, north side. Got exactly that (7906):

Looks like a lake/MK view. Good selection.

 

[spiceycat]

.

They need to limit the noise at the pool (pool parties) to maybe one hour per day instead of all day long.

they have to do something to distract you from the other guests who if they are crazy enough to leave the curtains open - you can see everything....

have one room on that side and say never again. for people like me it is just scary.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

My main BLT/CR complaint is all the non Disney guests. CR is a major convention hotel.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Just got home from BLT, studio lake view. I requested even numbered room, north side. Got exactly that (7906):

Very nice looks like the same room/ view we had 2 years ago from the 9th floor loved it

 

[kylmac]

Love BLT as well! We try to stay at a 1 bedroom when we go with a lake view. My daughter always says she wants a MK view but ends up sitting on the balcony enjoying her ipod and enjoying the lake view!
Elizabeth

 

[jekjones1558]

OP, you make me so excited for my first BLT stay next month! DH feels about BW view rooms the way you do about BLT, so I have a really hard time getting him to try anywhere else. We are at Kidani now and it is okay with him but he wants to go back to BWV next time. Because DH is not going along next month, I get to try BLT! Hooray for me! Hope I like it as much as you do (or maybe not, since I won't get to stay there often!)

 

[kiddisney]

so whole heartedly agree -

though we want to try a couple of other resorts - and we did wl villas - we keep coming back to blt - we can't resist the walk to mk - the nightly wishes from our deck -

wish we could be there right now -

 

[Micca]

BLT is our favorite of our 3 DVC homes. Funny thing is that we were never all that fond of CR as a resort. The monorail going through the building is just the coolest thing ever, and we used to really love the gift shops there, but the rooms just didn't have much appeal. For one reason or another we decided to check out the BLT preview and we were hooked! When we checked in for our first stay at BLT we liked it even better than the the preview. We're trying as many of the various DVC accomodations as we can, but we sure do love BLT the best.

 

[spiceycat]

My main BLT/CR complaint is all the non Disney guests. CR is a major convention hotel.

they won't allow conventions to stay in a DVC resort - that was promised back in 1992 when it was just DVC (OKW).

so would not even worry about the conventions.