BLT GF or Poly which to buy?

[mrsmickeywaffles]

We are trying to pick our home resort..we want to be on the monorail since we have 3 children. Just makes it easier.

We want to buy 50 60 or 75 points.

We would like to stay 3-4 days at a time in a studio.

Which resort do you think would be best?

 

[sxeensweet]

VGF would be my pic just because I love it there so much! We own at AKV and absolutely fell in love with VGF when we have stayed there. So our 2 faves are AKV and VGF.
Poly although we love to visit to eat and shop just does not wow us to stay there and feel the same about BLT. BLT Seems more like a modern office building (we go to the lounge often but that's it). Also the rooms finishing a have taken a beating at BLT. Just purely our opinion but if we buy additional points it will be VGF!

 

[KeithVH]

Optimally, GF. But realize (a) you are somewhat segregated from the rest of the hotel and (b) if you want/need to be close to the mono station, you won't be. It is a very nice building, some rooms with great views. But if you spend a lot of time at the pool (and such a thing is important to you), I don't think GF is the best choice.

OTOH, as was pointed out, BLT has seen some heavy usage. But great access to the main building and a short walk to MK. Plus a pool smack in the middle.

I would say no to the Poly for one reason - ferry noise right next to Moorea.

 

[MMDVC]

I think the small amount of points would give you more value at BLT Studios. The newer VGF and POLY are more point cost per night... BUT I don't think BLT Studios allow 5 guests in a studio. You should research DVC. I know of 2 sites that focus on resort ownership questions at Disney. I am not certain if it is allowed to mention other websites on WDWMagic but dvc news and mouse owners would be a clue to google search.
I hope your questions are answered on this site but ownership is very confusing and lots of info to learn before making this commitment.
Good luck!

 

[Tom]

I prefer the GF villas over the BLT villas, but otherwise, BLT wins in all other categories, for us.

Given the extreme unreliability of the monorail these days, the very short walk from BLT to the MK is awesome - especially if you have kids and don't want to fight the crowds on a boat, bus or monorail at the end of the day.

The amenities in the Contemporary tower are much easier to access from the BLT, than the amenities at the GF or Poly are to their respective DVC buildings. You have to walk outdoors to get to the Great Ceremonial House from any building at the Poly.

And while there's a covered walk-way from the GF Villas to the main building, it delivers you to the front of the building, which means you still have a long walk to any food locations (especially the very inconvenient mini mart), and up to the monorail platform.

At BLT, it's a short covered catwalk over to the tower, and then you're steps from everything.

Personally, I give convenience a much higher score at BLT than either of the other two. And at Disney, convenience carries a lot of weight when you're tired.

 

[Electricsoup]

We stayed at BLT prior to our DVC purchase. We were frequent GF guests, and the idea of being able to walk to the park was enticing! We also have friends who bought at BLT and we figured it'd be an easy sell. Boy were we wrong.

The studio felt restrictive and cold, not Disney at all. The hotel itself was more like.. well, a regular hotel, not a Disney resort. If you wanted to do anything other than walk to the park, the trip was longer than it seemed to be at any other deluxe resort, even staying at an outlying building. We ended up stuck there because of Hurricane Sandy, and ended up staying an extra night before they said we couldn't stay for our last night and made us move (luckily just over to the contemporary). No one ever occupied our room, which was just an annoyance overall. We loved getting a chance to stay in the Contemporary, and BLT felt so much less seeing what the attached hotel had to offer.

Last trip we decided to give DVC one last chance and toured the VGF. It was as close (if not closer) to the main building/Monorail/Gaspies as any of the other buildings, the rooms were spacious and stunning, and the theming was spot on. We never felt like the rooms were 'less' than those of the GF like we did for BLT. We bought on the spot.

Just a different POV. Unfortunately there may be a waiting list at VGF right now - my BIL just bought at the Poly because he didn't want to wait for VGF.

 

[sxeensweet]

We stayed at BLT prior to our DVC purchase. We were frequent GF guests, and the idea of being able to walk to the park was enticing! We also have friends who bought at BLT and we figured it'd be an easy sell. Boy were we wrong.

The studio felt restrictive and cold, not Disney at all. The hotel itself was more like.. well, a regular hotel, not a Disney resort. If you wanted to do anything other than walk to the park, the trip was longer than it seemed to be at any other deluxe resort, even staying at an outlying building. We ended up stuck there because of Hurricane Sandy, and ended up staying an extra night before they said we couldn't stay for our last night and made us move (luckily just over to the contemporary). No one ever occupied our room, which was just an annoyance overall. We loved getting a chance to stay in the Contemporary, and BLT felt so much less seeing what the attached hotel had to offer.

Last trip we decided to give DVC one last chance and toured the VGF. It was as close (if not closer) to the main building/Monorail/Gaspies as any of the other buildings, the rooms were spacious and stunning, and the theming was spot on. We never felt like the rooms were 'less' than those of the GF like we did for BLT. We bought on the spot.

Just a different POV. Unfortunately there may be a waiting list at VGF right now - my BIL just bought at the Poly because he didn't want to wait for VGF.

Agree and we love VGF as well but bought at a fave of ours right before VGF started selling points at AKV (stayed at AKV Kidani several times before deciding to become owners, as regular cash guests, also stayed at SSR before buying as well as cash guests). So we did not have the funds to buy more points at VGF. We have stayed at VGF in 1 and 2 bedroom villas and fell in love.
BLT just feels cold to me and like a corporate office building. We only go there to go to DVC lounge on top. Have no desires to stay there and would pick VGF again in a heartbeat over BLT. We mostly stay at Kidani but also enjoy like mentioned VGF, SSR, The Boardwalk etc.
We were hoping to add on points at VGF before it sold out but financially it was not feasible and now there is a waiting list. And we do not want to bother with resale and rather buy direct like with our first contract. We can still stay at VGF and it's usually not that hard to get a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom at the 7 month mark. We never stay in Studios eventhough it's just me and DH because we like the extra room, washing machine, etc. Studios there are harder to get at 7 months but not impossible. Kidani we love because we get 2 full bathrooms in the 1 bedroom Villa and comes in handy to have an extra sink, and toilet when me and DH are doing things at the same time. Lol

 

[LAKid53]

The most important thing to consider is the number of points per night at each resort. You can go to DVC's website and do a quick comparison between the 3 resorts. That being said, I would purchase BLT over the other two, just because the # of points needed per night will be cheaper. Plus, BLT may be cheaper per point to purchase also. Poly & GF are both $160/point, I believe (just love how GF went up $10/point from the original $150/point).

Just looked at the points chart for the 3 resorts you are considering:

Standard view for all, time period January 2016 (lowest point/night period):

BLT: 14 points/night for Sun-Thursday (# of points per night increases for Friday - Saturday)
Poly: 16 points/night for Sun-Thursday
GF: 17 points/night for Sun-Thursday

The maximum number of points/night is for Spring & Christmas, running 25 - 31 points/night for Sunday-Thursday

So a 4 night stay at a standard view Studio at BLT during the lowest season will be 56 points. Any extra points from your use year can be banked to the next year - which means an upgrade to a 1 bedroom villa, a longer stay or a more expensive time of the year. Note that purchasing DVC only makes sense if you plan on visiting at least every 2 years. Otherwise you will be throwing away points (unless you rent them out). A minimum purchase contract is 50 points and most folks buy more than that. And if you need extra points, you can either borrow from the next use year or purchase up to 24 points in any one use year for $15/point (hopefully it's still the same price). Or just buy another contract; minimum will be 25 points.

One final thing to consider is the size of the studio rooms at each resort. I believe most of the studios are listed as sleeping 4 (GF is 5 - has a pull down bed in the entertainment center) and all rooms come with a Graco pack & play. I was going to double check that for you and give you the exact room size, but apparently both the WDW and DVC websites have decided to take Friday night off.

Good luck and welcome to DVC!

 

[Electricsoup]

The most important thing to consider is the number of points per night at each resort.

This was a great review, but for us (and you if you can afford it) the MOST important thing I've found is booking window time. If you can't book at your desired resort because it's so busy right now, then you should probably consider at least buying small there so you have reservation rights.

 

[GoofGoof]

BLT is the best value of the 3. BLT is less points per night and also can be purchased resale for significantly less per point. It also has the lowest maintenance fees of the 3. It also is the only resort with a walk to MK which is a nice perk especially at closing or after wishes when the crowds surge to the monorail and bus stations.

Unfortunately it also has the smallest studio rooms of the 3 by far (not much bigger than rooms at the value resorts). BLT studios don't have the fold down sleeper thing so they only sleep 4 which will be a problem with 3 kids once the youngest is out of a pack and play. Both Poly and GF sleep 5. Here's the square footage for studios:

BLT: 339 square ft
GF: 374 square ft
Poly: 415 square ft

The Poly rooms are the largest and newest. The one downside is that Poly only has studios. If you wanted to skip a year and then bank the points into the next year to upgrade to a 1BR villa you can't at Poly. You could still trade in, but you have to wait for the 7 month window.

I think in your case, with 3 kids, you pretty much have to eliminate BLT. GF and Poly are pretty similar in price per point and also annual maintenance fees. GF would give you an option to upgrade to villas at some point. The decision comes down to resort style and preference. You can't really go wrong with either.

 

[JWG]

Buy where you want to stay. All 3 of these are exceptionally popular resorts that likely require your home booking window for any remotely popular season. BLT standard view rooms are VERY hard to get as there are not many of them.

BLT is the most economical of the 3 from a point perspective, but also the smallest. And quite small given the layout of the kitchenette.

BLT also affords walking distance to MK and the MK bus stops (if you want to bus to another resort to eat). Being able to avoid the monorail at close and other peak times is nice.

 

[Disneykidder]

We own at BLT and VGF. Just remember that BLT studios do not accommodate 5. VGF, Poly, WLV currently sleep 5 in a studio with BWV and BCW currently being refurbished to sleep 5.

BLT location is great. We would walk to MK and catch the mono home if it isn't busy. If it is, it's a short walk. The views from all 3 mono villas are amazing. Even the standard view at VGF were awesome. We also have 3 children and like staying on the mono loop. It is convenient and easy.

 

[Blairnicol]

We have been DVC members since 94 & have stayed at several properties. Our stay at VGF was our favorite. The rooms are the nicest we have been in. It offers you a great amount of space, the choice of studio, 1BR, 1BR & Grand Villa, & you can see the MK fireworks from several rooms. I found the building very close to the main building & the pool & beach are right there as well. It's also very convenient to a walk to the Poly.

 

[Seanual757]

We opted for the VGF for our purchase this past March we have 2 2BR reserved for March 2016 We love this resort out of the 3 that were available (Aulani, VGF, and POLY) we felt we would book this one more often than the others.

 

[aw14]

We are currently in the process of the possible purchase. Right now it seems the only ones available for purchase are Poly & Aulani. Was hoping for BLT, but I was advised I would need to be on a waiting list

 

[LuvtheGoof]

True, but the waiting can be very short, or a few months. If you really would rather buy at BLT, then I would definitely waitlist it. If that is where you want to stay for most of your trips, it will be worth the wait. If you are OK with the Poly, then go for that. You just might not get into BLT when you want to go, though.

 

[ToTBellHop]

We are currently in the process of the possible purchase. Right now it seems the only ones available for purchase are Poly & Aulani. Was hoping for BLT, but I was advised I would need to be on a waiting list

You can find BLT resales.

 

[slappy magoo]

I'm all about BLT right now. I don't have an issue of the "cold"-ness of the resort. Ironic, since it's part of the "Contemporary" but I find the whole grounds to have a sort of retro charm, that late 60s-early 70s vision of what "Life! An active, fulfilling lifestyle! In the FEW-CHAH!" would be like. But as others have pointed out, those studio rooms are very very small. Even if they will sleep 5 (and I'm not sure they do), as your kids get older, that's going to feel really really cramped. Had you been thinking about enough points to always get a 1BR, I'd be more vocal about BLT as that extra full bathroom comes in sooooo handy. But always a studio for a family of 5? I'd probably go Poly.

 

[Disneykidder]

The BLT studios are small and do not sleep 5. However, it does have the best kitchenette I have seen anywhere in a studio. it is almost like a real kitchen. The bathroom also has lots of shelves for storage. The theme park view also is incredible!!!!

 

[JAG107]

I would not put 5 in ANY studio, myself.
BLT is definitely my fav of the 3, though I have not stayed at Poly. VGF was nice but not worth the extra points to me. Walking distance to MK from BLT is PRICELESS, more so with 3 little ones! Not folding up strollers and waiting in long bus lines is a huge relief.
My advice is:
1. Reconsider your purchase and budget for a 1 bedroom
2. Buy RESALE BLT points, and get enough for a standard 1 bedroom for the number of nights and time of year you plan to go. If you don't need the points, you can rent them out at a profit.
Consider that Poly does NOT have 1 bedrooms as an option, so if you decided down the road that you need a bigger room, you may be stuck hoping for something else to be available at the 7 month mark...and have to use your expensive Poly points to do so!