For anyone that hasn’t yet stayed at the Bay Lake Tower….you are in for a treat.
Some info:
Check in:
Check in is at the main Contemporary tower. You can access the BLT from the skybridge or the main entry lobby, but must have your room key. The doors are locked otherwise.
Lobby:
Upon entering the main double doors check out the Andy Warhol esque lithographs of the castle in the entry. The lobby is small modern and bright with a view of the pool and linear fountain. The elevators are located down the hallways on either side of the main lobby.
Elevators:
The elevator bays are bright with beautiful open views of either the Contemporary or the Magic Kingdom. Access to the skybridge is on the 5th floor south elevator lobby. Each elevator bay has different modern artwork that is worth checking out. The 16th floor can only be accessed by 16th floor room key.
Skybridge:
The skybridge is curved, open sided, roof covered and a fun way to get between the towers with great views. However wind can really blow through the open sides and during a windy rain storm there is simply no way to not get wet. A sealed air conditioned environment would have obviously been a better (yet more expensive) alternate, yet impossible as it would have blocked access from the main tower’s fire stairs at floor 4. There is a small covered area between the access to the bridge from the grand canyon concourse, and there seem to be issues with the access door not opening on occasion. All the doors are mechanical yet can be opened also by hand, and are a heavy push. Traffic in this area gets jammed form time to time.
Hallways:
The halls are modern and obviously curved. The hidden mickey carpet has a nice pattern and feel. The room numbers are ultra modern backlit stainless panels and the wall sconces are accentuated by a subtle paint stripe below. Plenty of light washes in at the elevator lobbies and there are some good views of the pool.
Rooms:
The rooms are amazing, modern and well designed. Stainless steel fixtures, marble counters, comfortable beds, high thread count linens, modern furniture. Flat panel monitors, dvd player, hi speed internet (Ethernet cable). There is even an input station for digital video cameras or computers for TV viewing. The bathrooms are well appointed with turbo toilets. The door to the bathroom is a track slider and does not lock. Some rooms have a tub sliding partition to allow you to see out the window. The kitchen has limited utensils, glasses, cups, coffeemaker, toaster, microwave etc. The patios are nice sized and offer great views. There is a vacuum, iron, ironing board and safe.
Pool:
The pool area is very nice and typical Disney. There is a spiral waterslide with Mickey inspired steel tower staircase and a glass block hallway underneath. At the top of the slide there is a cool touch with a green/red light indicating when the next rider can launch. Also included is small kiddie slide, hot tub, zero entry area, Mickey shaped kids fountain etc. The pool side bar offers plenty of cold drinks, snacks and meals. There is plenty of covered seating and lounge chairs around. The pool is completely fenced in and accessible only by room key. No pool hopping here. Outside the pool is a really cool covered picnic area with 4 charcoal grills. The small beach are can be accessed through a gate at the back of the pool area. A no swimming sign is posted. Between the pool and tower there are shuffleboard and bocce lanes. The doors from the tower hallways leading to the pool are room key access and are almost impossible to open when it is windy. The wind blowing off the lake really gets moving inside the crescent shaped space of the building.
Skyview Lounge:
The lounge at the 16th floor is open at 5 pm to a maximum of 70 resort DVC members and their guests on a first come first served. You must check in at the lobby and show your DVC membership. It is not open to cash guests. You are escorted up in an elevator by a cast member. The lounge has a modern décor and open air feeling. There is a beautiful transparent painting of the old alweg monorails on the curved windows behind the bar. The observation deck has unreal views of the seven seas and Magic Kingdom and is probably the best place to see the fireworks. The music for wishes is piped into the lounge and “mickey” speakers on the deck. If it is raining there are several covered benches. The wind can really get moving up here, but the view is second to none. Be sure to check out the Mickey in the ceiling of the 16th floor north elevator lobby.
ETC:
There is a self serve laundry room on the first floor open to guests. Ice machines are located only on certain floors. The floor 1 community room has video games set up and arts and crafts for the kids (check schedules). There are a few drink vending machines on floor 1. No food is available in the tower other than room service or the pool bar. There are no shops etc: everything is located in the main tower. It takes approx 12 minutes to get from your room to the monorail platform if you take the skybridge.
CONS:
I had few complaints. The crows are already finding out that the space between the two towers is a nice spot. The mechanical doors to the skybridge often do not open correctly after unlocking. The doors to the pool are almost impossible to open if it is windy. The skybridge access often gets a little jammed and is very wet and windy during a storm. The pavement can be slippery when wet.
You will really enjoy the BLT. It is obvious it was built with very high quality materials and workmanship. The C shaped plan is unique and was obviously a challenge for the designers.
Have a wonderful stay! Welcome Home
