So, a friend is going to let us use their DVC for a few nights as a wedding present, and my wife has always wanted to stay in the Contemporary Resort but the friend said that Bay Lake Towers has better views of the Magic Kingdom. I'm planning a surprise trip so I can't ask my wife what she prefers, but I wanted to ask yall: should I go for the Contemporary Resort or Bay Lake Towers? She's always wanted to stay at the Contemporary, but Bay Lake is right next to it. Thoughts?
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Contemporary or Bay LakeTowers?
- Thread starter mavlax20
- Start date
Schneewittchen
Well-Known Member
If you know what it is about the Contemporary that she likes, that might help you decide.
For me, the nostalgia associated with the Contemporary as one of the original resorts, seeing the monorail running through the hotel, the 5 legged goat and just the International styling from the architect Welton Becket would make it the preferable place to stay.
But, if she's all about the views, maybe Bay Lake Towers would be better.
Or go the silly way. Do you prefer green or black bedspreads?
For me, the nostalgia associated with the Contemporary as one of the original resorts, seeing the monorail running through the hotel, the 5 legged goat and just the International styling from the architect Welton Becket would make it the preferable place to stay.
But, if she's all about the views, maybe Bay Lake Towers would be better.
Or go the silly way. Do you prefer green or black bedspreads?
CaptainAmerica
Premium Member
The view at BLT is a waste IMO. The ugliness of the parking lot in the foreground outweighs the view of the Magic Kingdom. Plus, being able to see fireworks in your room is a perk for the one night you're going to actually watch them, but it's a nuisance the other nights.
Both resorts have white bedspreads.
Disney4family
Well-Known Member
We have done both resorts with a MK view. Both views were wonderful.
You are able to enjoy all of the amenities the Contemporary has to offer when you stay at BLT.
If she has always wanted to stay at the CR, then stay there. There will be another trip one day when you can try BLT.
If she likes the CR for its nostalgic history at WDW, she may enjoy a view from BLT more since she will be able to see the MK and the fireworks to her right and the CR to her left - kind of the best of both worlds. Just try to request a room in the middle of the resort. One room we had was in the North Wing of BLT - lake points but with a MK view to our left. The little fountain they have shooting up was in front of us. We didn't see the CR or the parking lot, really.
This year we used our points for a lake view. We had an amazing view of the CR, the Skyway Bridge and the monorail zooming around. I have a sentimental spot for the CR, too, since I remember going through it as a child when we had to stay off-campus. Now I get to be a part of it. I was in my glory for the whole trip. My husband thinks I took more pictures of the CR day and night than anything else.
Happy is where the magic is!
You are able to enjoy all of the amenities the Contemporary has to offer when you stay at BLT.
If she has always wanted to stay at the CR, then stay there. There will be another trip one day when you can try BLT.
If she likes the CR for its nostalgic history at WDW, she may enjoy a view from BLT more since she will be able to see the MK and the fireworks to her right and the CR to her left - kind of the best of both worlds. Just try to request a room in the middle of the resort. One room we had was in the North Wing of BLT - lake points but with a MK view to our left. The little fountain they have shooting up was in front of us. We didn't see the CR or the parking lot, really.
This year we used our points for a lake view. We had an amazing view of the CR, the Skyway Bridge and the monorail zooming around. I have a sentimental spot for the CR, too, since I remember going through it as a child when we had to stay off-campus. Now I get to be a part of it. I was in my glory for the whole trip. My husband thinks I took more pictures of the CR day and night than anything else.
Happy is where the magic is!
Wildflower
Well-Known Member
Not really a fan of BLT....the rooms feel cramped in comparison to CR. While having a kitchenette is sorta nice, the room space feels smaller, the nightstands are tiny and the counter space in the bathroom is weird. (Yes, I know it's weird at CR too, but it's more open.) And then there are little things such as I dislike having to go to another floor for ice, staff was less pleasant (but could have been an off day), and the room we were in didn't seem to be as kept up as CR *but this could be update/reno timing*. I DO like the (slightly) shorter walk to the MK and the view of the MK but as another poster mentioned, it IS over a parking lot...It is closer from BLT than CR, but depending on where your room is at BLT, the angle from CR might be a little better. We were at BLT in Nov for point of reference and CR in Jan.
Disneysea05
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Love BLT. We were lucky enough to get a lake view facing north, with practically a complete view of Magic Kingdom to the left. So no parking lot for us.
mouse_luv
Well-Known Member
FYI, if your friend is letting you use their DVC, it's BLT..... The Contemporary is not available on DVC points. Which we actually liked a lot, and if you ask for between the third and fifth floors, getting to The Contemporary via the bridge is a breeze
^exactly! The DVC offered at the Contemporary is BLT.
71dsp
Well-Known Member
We've stayed at BLT a few times in the Studio and 1 bedroom with theme park views. We've loved it each time, except this past time. We were in a lake view that was handicap accessible, and the room was bad. The table was scratched badly, fixtures in the master bath were loose, and the caulking around the tub was BAD (my 11 year old could have done better). It was a really short stay, so we didn't complain (we should have). That said, we are going to try it again on the next trip because we love the view (although I agree that the parking lot is a big turn off), and walking to Magic Kingdom is awesome.
We love Animal Kingdom Lodge, but loathe the bus ride.
We love Animal Kingdom Lodge, but loathe the bus ride.
FrostyNaples
Well-Known Member
All this talk about BLT's are making me hungry for bacon...
I would stay at the freshness of the new construction, and simply visit contemporary since they are connected and still be able to check everything out.
I would stay at the freshness of the new construction, and simply visit contemporary since they are connected and still be able to check everything out.
pmaljr
Well-Known Member
You can't go wrong with the CR. It was our dream too, and we finally go to go for a week in November. It exceeded expectations, and that is saying something. It was so nice getting off of the monorail, having the concourse amenities available, and then just catching the elevator up to the room. The walk from MK wasn't bad either. It totally changed our view of the entire WDW experience.
worldfanatic
Well-Known Member
While my BLT view of the Magic Kingdom was great, looking to the left, the Monorail & Contemporary view was even better.
We stayed in BLT back in October and had a standard view room. While we were on the side facing the parking lot, we had a great view of the Castle and Space Mountain.
My one issue. That door for the 2nd bathroom in the 1 bedroom and up (the bathroom as you walk into the room). Seriously, Disney, you couldn't have figure out how to install a pocket door that (1) didn't give everyone a great view of you on the commode and (2) actually locked? That, and the teeny tiny bowls they considered soup/cereal bowls were our only complaints. Oh, one more - and this is common to almost all DVC properties - SCREENS on the sliding glass doors. Come on, Disney, this is Florida. The land of bugs, especially the state bird one - the mosquito.
As another poster said, if a friend is giving you their DVC points, you will be staying at BLT. However, if you want a really nice DVC for that wedding present, I'd see if your friend can swing a couple of nights at the GF villas. Not sure exactly what the Lake view gives you, but even a studio in that resort beats a 1 bedroom in just about any DVC. And you are the last stop on the monorail before the MK. And tell your wife that there is a Basin store in the 2nd floor lobby of the GF.
Here are some pictures of the room and the floor plan. If I remember correctly, the studio has a split bathroom - amazing glass shower on one side with vanity and toilet/combo shower/tub on the other side.
My one issue. That door for the 2nd bathroom in the 1 bedroom and up (the bathroom as you walk into the room). Seriously, Disney, you couldn't have figure out how to install a pocket door that (1) didn't give everyone a great view of you on the commode and (2) actually locked? That, and the teeny tiny bowls they considered soup/cereal bowls were our only complaints. Oh, one more - and this is common to almost all DVC properties - SCREENS on the sliding glass doors. Come on, Disney, this is Florida. The land of bugs, especially the state bird one - the mosquito.
As another poster said, if a friend is giving you their DVC points, you will be staying at BLT. However, if you want a really nice DVC for that wedding present, I'd see if your friend can swing a couple of nights at the GF villas. Not sure exactly what the Lake view gives you, but even a studio in that resort beats a 1 bedroom in just about any DVC. And you are the last stop on the monorail before the MK. And tell your wife that there is a Basin store in the 2nd floor lobby of the GF.
Here are some pictures of the room and the floor plan. If I remember correctly, the studio has a split bathroom - amazing glass shower on one side with vanity and toilet/combo shower/tub on the other side.
MaryJaneP
Well-Known Member
Our last family trip had sib family in BLT while we were in CR. Not really sure we understand how BLT room was cramped when we think CR rooms are tiny and sib's room in BLT was much bigger. Also, as above mentioned, BLT has DVC participation that is not in CR. We like both however.