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Bay Lake Tower Deluxe Studio!
- Thread starter frontem1
- Start date
Thanks... I usually get a one bedroom at other places but at Christmas time the points are high and decided to just get a studio. I figured everything convenient would be far away but the walk might be worth the trip. Getting to MK is very difficult and figured I could drive everywhere else.
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journ116
Well-Known Member
We stayed in a "lake view" studio, and well, let's just say that will be our last stay in a studio there. Here's a review I wrote for another Disney site:
We stayed here for 2 nights (10/31-11/2) in a lake-view studio (7808) as a family of 4. The two things that drew us to this resort was the "newness" aspect and the simple fact that we could walk to Magic Kingdom (this was the biggest draw). Our lake-view was so-so, but as I turned my head to the left, and to my surprise, I could clearly see Magic Kingdom! And the Top-of-the-World lounge (it took us 3 attempts to access it: you have to go to the ground floor to get to the dedicated elevator and present your DVC card), and viewing area was nice: we watched and listened to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Hallowishes one night from up there! The decor was innovative and clean-lined, yet still had a touch of Disney. However, the good reviews stop there.
The studio is small compared to other DVC studios. Although the bedding was comfy, there was barely enough room to navigate the room when the pull-out couch was open. The layout could've been better thought out, utilizing the space more efficiently (i.e. making a horizontal kitchen instead of the vertical galley style). There were mosquitos EVERYWHERE: on the bed, in the bed, in the bath, on the doors! I realize that the resort sits right next to a lake, but those little pests still found a way in. By the time we left, my family and I had been bit from top to bottom in our sleep (no it wasn't bed bugs because I searched the bed and pull-out for signs of the nasty creatures).
As for the state of the room, it is already in need of a renovation. The carpet was dingy, there were stains on the bedside lamps, the shower curtain hooks were rusty and the bedding comforter, throw and couch cushions were stained. Although there were high-end materials used, dirt & grime were very visible given the lightness of the tiles.
In order to fill your resort mug, you had the option to fill it up at the poolside bar (need card to access pool) or walk over to the Contemporary (which had far more options).
Lastly, I have to agree with a previous poster who noted that the monorail to EPCOT is tedious and not worth all the effort. You have to hop one monorail at the Contemporary, get off at the TTC, go down the ramp, go back up another ramp, and hop on yet another monorail in order to get EPCOT. Even though we had sleeping children in a stroller, we gladly would've woken them up and hopped on a bus!
Overall, the place seemed high-end, but I think IF we ever stay here again, it will definitely be a 1 or 2 bedroom during the "Value Season," or pay out-of-pocket to stay at the Contemporary or Poly.
We stayed here for 2 nights (10/31-11/2) in a lake-view studio (7808) as a family of 4. The two things that drew us to this resort was the "newness" aspect and the simple fact that we could walk to Magic Kingdom (this was the biggest draw). Our lake-view was so-so, but as I turned my head to the left, and to my surprise, I could clearly see Magic Kingdom! And the Top-of-the-World lounge (it took us 3 attempts to access it: you have to go to the ground floor to get to the dedicated elevator and present your DVC card), and viewing area was nice: we watched and listened to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Hallowishes one night from up there! The decor was innovative and clean-lined, yet still had a touch of Disney. However, the good reviews stop there.
The studio is small compared to other DVC studios. Although the bedding was comfy, there was barely enough room to navigate the room when the pull-out couch was open. The layout could've been better thought out, utilizing the space more efficiently (i.e. making a horizontal kitchen instead of the vertical galley style). There were mosquitos EVERYWHERE: on the bed, in the bed, in the bath, on the doors! I realize that the resort sits right next to a lake, but those little pests still found a way in. By the time we left, my family and I had been bit from top to bottom in our sleep (no it wasn't bed bugs because I searched the bed and pull-out for signs of the nasty creatures).
As for the state of the room, it is already in need of a renovation. The carpet was dingy, there were stains on the bedside lamps, the shower curtain hooks were rusty and the bedding comforter, throw and couch cushions were stained. Although there were high-end materials used, dirt & grime were very visible given the lightness of the tiles.
In order to fill your resort mug, you had the option to fill it up at the poolside bar (need card to access pool) or walk over to the Contemporary (which had far more options).
Lastly, I have to agree with a previous poster who noted that the monorail to EPCOT is tedious and not worth all the effort. You have to hop one monorail at the Contemporary, get off at the TTC, go down the ramp, go back up another ramp, and hop on yet another monorail in order to get EPCOT. Even though we had sleeping children in a stroller, we gladly would've woken them up and hopped on a bus!
Overall, the place seemed high-end, but I think IF we ever stay here again, it will definitely be a 1 or 2 bedroom during the "Value Season," or pay out-of-pocket to stay at the Contemporary or Poly.
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patricia27
Member
This is our home resort, I LOVE IT.
Love all the photos. I guess the studios are small--but then would you spend much time in it? At OKW we have a one bedroom as we would be at the resort longer. Whereas if we stay at the Boardwalk we will have a studio,as we are always out and about .
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Are you a DVC member? What other studios have you stayed at? ARe they all better?
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wdwhoneymooner
Well-Known Member
We stayed there last June and had a great time. Yes, the room was small compared to other DVC locations, but we expected as much since it was billed a "studio". Our children were 10 & 7 at the time and found the layout to be roomy enough. But a family of 4 with teenaged kids may find it to be cramped. Everything was in perfect condition. No funny smells nor any stains on the carpet. We did see a large amount of Mosquitos and other flying bugs the first full day there, but maintenance must've sprayed because not one was sighted the rest of our stay.
Because if it's proximity to MK, we visited there almost every evening after we scooted back to the resort by 3pm for our afternoon break from whichever park we visited. We look forward to staying there again soon.
Because if it's proximity to MK, we visited there almost every evening after we scooted back to the resort by 3pm for our afternoon break from whichever park we visited. We look forward to staying there again soon.
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journ116
Well-Known Member
Yes, I am a DVC member (since March 2008, although we wished we would've joined sooner).
We have stayed in a 2-bedroom and studio (both standard & savanna view) at AK Jambo-House and Kidani-Village; studio at BWV; 2-bedroom at BCV, studio at WL; studio & 1-bedroom at SS; and studio at BLT. My favorite in terms of atmosphere is AKV (our home resort). Downside, it's secluded from MK, EP & HS; and the bus system can be long and tedious, but I guess it's all a part of the experience (same goes for SS). My favorite in terms of location are BCV, BWV, and BLT (ranked in that order).
We have also stayed at the deluxe resorts, such as: Contemporary, Polynesian, Wildness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Our absolute fav (including DVC resorts) is hands-down the Polynesian. Location, atmosphere and decor cannot be beat!
I do have an upcoming trip (Nov. 2012) in which we'll split our stay at OKW (2 studios) and another stay in a 2-bedroom at Kidani (I prefer Jambo, but it's not available for our entire stay...ah, the joys of booking and re-booking with DVC). I've read that the studios at OKW are the largest on property, but like SS, OKW is spread out and has multiple bus stops within the resort. We'll give it a try!
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