BLT ...

[jlsHouston]

Just got back from a week at BLT and I absolutely loved it! We had a standard view and we could see space mountain and the castle...so we were able to watch wishes from our room. We were on the 5th floor...same floor as the sky walk so it was a short walk over to Contemp Cafe for breakfast/filling mugs. We were there on my parent's DVC points and they did not allow us to go to TotW. I enjoyed the pool....it was a little small, but not very crowded so that was nice. I absolutely loved being able to walk to MK. The monorails were down last week from 11am-7pm, so that was kind of a bummer, but we usually start at the parks early so it wasn't a huge deal for us. Here was our view for fireworks:

OMG..that is spectacular. I just looked at my confirmation and what I bought was a deluxe studio standard view. I want to be on the 5th floor....How do I add that to my reservation??? That request ?

 

[geebee721]

OMG..that is spectacular. I just looked at my confirmation and what I bought was a deluxe studio standard view. I want to be on the 5th floor....How do I add that to my reservation??? That request ?

I did online check in and had originally requested a higher floor for my room....but when we arrived they said we would have to wait for a higher floor....or they had a 5th floor room. I'm not sure how your do requests...I heard that you can fax a request? Not entirely sure. We were in room 7514. Another thing...I found the bathrooms a little small. I'm used to having the sinks outside the room, but the sink is in the bathroom. But in the kitchen there was a full size mirror and a counter to the left of it with a plug, so I used this as my "makeup" area. I could straighten my hair and all that stuff...and there was still another counter on the other side too.

 

[jlsHouston]

I did online check in and had originally requested a higher floor for my room....but when we arrived they said we would have to wait for a higher floor....or they had a 5th floor room. I'm not sure how your do requests...I heard that you can fax a request? Not entirely sure. We were in room 7514. Another thing...I found the bathrooms a little small. I'm used to having the sinks outside the room, but the sink is in the bathroom. But in the kitchen there was a full size mirror and a counter to the left of it with a plug, so I used this as my "makeup" area. I could straighten my hair and all that stuff...and there was still another counter on the other side too.

From pictures the BLT studios look bigger than the one at BWV I stayed in.

 

[epcotisbest]

Great so we can use the CONT pool? When I read the TR @epcotisbest wrote they visited all the pools between the 2 properties when they stayed at BLT last Sept., but he is actually a dvc member, not just purchasing points.

Yeah, BLT guests can use Contemporary pools but Contemporary guests can't use BLT pool. The BLT pool is gated and requires key access, or maybe now it has changed to band access to open the gate, not sure as we were there in Sept. and had key cards then. It is a small pool compared to some, but when we went, it was never crowded and the shade of the building was a plus in the hot afternoons. I'm sure it could be an issue when it is a cooler time of the year and someone is seeking to soak up the sun.

 

[Disneykidder]

BLT is our home resort and we love it!! The proximity to MK is fabulous. We'd walk to MK (shorter than the mono) and take the mono home at night (20 second ride). The mono is a short ride to Epcot. We had a theme park view in August and it was so amazing...going to sleep looking at Cinderella's Castle and waking up to it was incredible. I liked getting up before everyone and just chilling on my IPad on the balcony looking at it. The Contempo Café is yummy and a minutes walk. One night we turned in early and took the mono to the Poly's Captain Cooks for some salad and Dole Whips. The pool is fun and you can also use the pool at CR. It is wonderful and you will be very pleased.

 

[epcotisbest]

I would try it anyway your KTTW will say DVC if it's a slow night and a relaxed CM they will probably let you up there. On a busy night they are quite strict about access, DW and I are founding members of BLT

If challenged about membership card just say you are staying as guests of the member

Yes, there are cast members who work extra hard to give guests a little extra magic, and you never know until you ask.

 

[slappy magoo]

OMG..that is spectacular. I just looked at my confirmation and what I bought was a deluxe studio standard view. I want to be on the 5th floor....How do I add that to my reservation??? That request ?

Just don't get your hopes up, most standard views are of parking lots or other grounds of the Contemporary.

 

[slappy magoo]

As others have written, there is restricted access to the BLT pool, it's gated so your card (or maybe now your wristband) unlocks the gate to get you in. The official Contemporary pool is not gated, and unlike the BLT pool (at least when I was there) there have afternoon pool parties for the kids, silly contests, music blaring. My kid loved it there.

 

[71dsp]

BLT is our favorite resort - you'll love it!

 

[ToTBellHop]

I enjoy a good BLT.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We stayed at BLT in September and just got back from a 1 night stay at BWV last week. Comparing the two, BWV had a MUCH nicer room. At BLT, our room left much to be desired. The shower rings were rusty, there was about a 1 inch gap between the bottom of the door to our room and the floor, the lock on the bathroom door was loose... At BWV, the room seemed a bit larger and in better shape. probably won't stay at BLT again anytime soon. While it was great we could walk to MK and hop on the monorail, all the food and shopping was over at the Contemp. The pool at BWV was much better than the pool at BLT. Everyone has their own preference though. If I had to pick between the 2, BWV would win hands down.

 

[jlsHouston]

We stayed at BLT in September and just got back from a 1 night stay at BWV last week. Comparing the two, BWV had a MUCH nicer room. At BLT, our room left much to be desired. The shower rings were rusty, there was about a 1 inch gap between the bottom of the door to our room and the floor, the lock on the bathroom door was loose... At BWV, the room seemed a bit larger and in better shape. probably won't stay at BLT again anytime soon. While it was great we could walk to MK and hop on the monorail, all the food and shopping was over at the Contemp. The pool at BWV was much better than the pool at BLT. Everyone has their own preference though. If I had to pick between the 2, BWV would win hands down.

Well...I really like the BW but I wasn't overly enamored of the studio villas, which is what I had in November...much prefer just the normal rooms at BWI versus BWV. I will totally agree that property has awesome pool, maybe it's my favorite even, and I guess I just really like being at an EPCOT resort location maybe even a tad more than a monorail...although I would be lying if I didn't say I loved the POLY ( my only monorail resort so far ).
Everytime I look at the pics of the studios of BLT they actually look bigger than what I remember BWV. The thing I did not like about BWV studio is the lack of closet space compared to the regular rooms. I need to spread my stuff out when I get to WDW and I need a big closet and drawers.
I love the people who work at BW. Nicest concierges, nicest front desk, nicest managers.

 

[slappy magoo]

Everytime I look at the pics of the studios of BLT they actually look bigger than what I remember BWV. The thing I did not like about BWV studio is the lack of closet space compared to the regular rooms. I need to spread my stuff out when I get to WDW and I need a big closet and drawers.

According to this chart: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/grand-floridian/news/2291-dvc-villa-square-footage-by-resort

the studios and grand villas in BWV are bigger than BLT, but the 1BR and 2BR units at BLT are bigger than at BWV. BLT studios are the smallest of all the studios except for the Values at Jambo House Animal Kingdom Villas. Largest are at OKW (if you don't count offsite -Hilton Head Island's are bigger).

 

[jlsHouston]

According to this chart: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/grand-floridian/news/2291-dvc-villa-square-footage-by-resort

the studios and grand villas in BWV are bigger than BLT, but the 1BR and 2BR units at BLT are bigger than at BWV. BLT studios are the smallest of all the studios except for the Values at Jambo House Animal Kingdom Villas. Largest are at OKW (if you don't count offsite -Hilton Head Island's are bigger).

STOP!!! I'm trying to be happy and excited and you're raining on my parade!!!

JK, I am still happy to stay at BLT. It's a first and we are only staying 2 nights, our last weekend so it will be okay.

I suspect though...I just don't like studios period. First I want 2 beds, and then of course I want closet and drawer space. I think I would like a 1 bedroom but well they aren't cheap if you are buying points you know.

I'm going to be positive about this. But thanks to your info I am going to not go open the door expecting this huge opulent room.

And I do like staying dvc. I love the free washer and dryer. That probably saved me $60 bucks the week we were at BWV.

I hope they put me on the 5th floor at BLT...I did kind of get my heart set on the 5th floor where the walkway is...

 

[eliz603]

It was my understanding that 'standard' at BLT were the lower level rooms. I *think* I remember seeing up to 4th floor, but don't quote me on that. We had a Bay Lake view room because I wanted to be higher.

We stayed in a 1 bedroom last year. It is our favorite resort! Sad to not be there this year, but there weren't any 1 bedrooms available for our dates.

 

[jlsHouston]

It was my understanding that 'standard' at BLT were the lower level rooms. I *think* I remember seeing up to 4th floor, but don't quote me on that. We had a Bay Lake view room because I wanted to be higher.

We stayed in a 1 bedroom last year. It is our favorite resort! Sad to not be there this year, but there weren't any 1 bedrooms available for our dates.

I actually would prefer the lower level rooms....weird like that...when we go to Vegas I always have to stay in a really high room with Jim and I just want to keep the curtains closed when I am in the room....I can't even get close to the window I have this strange paranoia the glass will shatter and I will fall...

 

[NormC]

There is a BLT desk now - which cost the members a pretty boost in MF's

Not really. Hardly noticed my annual increase. lol

 

[ParentsOf4]

Not really. Hardly noticed my annual increase. lol

It depends on how you look at it.

Percentagewise, BLT Maintenance Fee was up 6.4%, the highest of any WDW DVC and about double the average of the other WDW DVCs.

Dollarwise, MF was up $44.80 on 160 points, a tank of gas.

 

[NormC]

It depends on how you look at it.

Percentagewise, BLT Maintenance Fee was up 6.4%, the highest of any WDW DVC and about double the average of the other WDW DVCs.

Dollarwise, MF was up $44.80 on 160 points, a tank of gas.

True. For me though it amounted to 3.74 cents per month on our payment.

 

[DougK]

One thing I cannot understand is why there are no soap dishes in the showers at BLT, at least not in the studios. I have been in about 6 different studio units there and never have I seen a soap dish in the shower. A minor nuisance for sure, but a totally unnecessary problem which could be easily fixed. As a tall person I find keeping the soap on the bottom of the tub to be quite annoying. I have mentioned this to several CMs and everybody says it is the first time anyone has ever mentioned it to them. Strange if you ask me. But overall we love BLT!