Just returned from BLT About This Page:

[poohbr2015]

We just returned from 8 nights at BLT, so I figured I would give a little report. The first night was just dh, ds and myself so we had a standard studio but requested a partial park/water view and even gave room numbers that I found on the disboards. We ended up with a 4th floor room, on the balcony if we looked to the left we could see Space Mountain and the top of the castle, almost straight ahead were the tennis courts and off to the right was the water. It was a decent view for standard points. We were dissapointed with the size of the studio, even with only being two adults and a toddler, we felt really closed in. We did not like the setup at all, how the bathroom sink and the kitchenette are in the same nook opposite each other. It felt really strange to me, to spritz my hair with spray and know that I was more than likely also spritzing the microwave!! We checked out of that studio the next morning telling each other that we did not think we could stay in one at BLT ever again. I honestly don't know how 4 guests plus 1 child in a crib could ever stay in that room. A room at All Star would have been bigger.

We then moved into a dedicated 2 bedroom villa with mk view. We had done online check in for both rooms which turned out to be a great thing. Our villa was not ready yet so since we had freshed up in the studio and sent our bags down to holding, we went over to MK for a while and had our early dinner at Tony's. I received a text that our room was ready at 12:45 PM with our room number. We requested highest floor and were granted the 12th floor which is the last floor of 2 bedroom villas before the grand villas. We entered our new room and headed straight for the wall-to-wall window in the living room to find that we had an amazing panoramic view of MK. Honestly I have to say that the view almost brought tears to my eyes, especially after my 18 month old saw the monorail go by while yelling TRUCK with his face pressed to the glass! I don't think there are words to describe how happy we were with this room, it truly was amazing. Both bedrooms were spacious, the 3rd bathroom was a huge bonus especially when we had 2 more guests stay with us for a few nights. The beds were very comfy and the comforters were so soft (just like the contemporary). We happnened to be in the room on two different nights when the Hallo-wishes took place and to see those fireworks stretch across the sky from one end of MK to the other was breathtaking.

We did ask about the size of the studio and were told that BLT has the smallest studio's out of all of the vacation club resorts. Least amount of square feet. I honestly think if they didn't box off the kitchenette and vanity, the room would feel bigger but it was like it was divided into 3 small sections. The DVC rep told us that OKW has the largest of the rooms since it was the first resort built.

We had no complaints with the 2 bedroom villa. We did have to call about the bathtub not draining properly, they had someone there later that day to fix it, there was a chunk of something in the drain from when the place was built! Funny that no one complained about the draining before us! The tub would literally fill up around your feet if you took a shower. We also had to call for toilet paper and paper towels because after the 6th night we were running out. They did trash and towel service on the 4th day.

The pool area is very nice and we even got to try out the baci ball court. The tangerine dream from the cove pool bar was yummy!

One suggestion is that if you are going to stay at BLT or the Contemporary and enjoy being able to stroll on over to MK for a dessert or "late night" snack, plan your vacation around MNSSHP and MVMCP. We found that there were really only about 3 nights during our stay when MK was open later for regular guests. We opted not to do the party since ds is only 18 months, but we have always enjoyed being able to walk over to MK for a snack, hot dog or to jump on 1 or 2 rides and we were unable to do that. It sort of stinks when you are staying right there but park hours are limited.

I have to say that we have been told the Bay Lake view is very nice and would be more than willing to try it to save on points, but once you stay with MK view, it is very hard to settle for anything else!!

[Ariel&Alice]

WONDERFUL review! Thanks for tips on the studio, we had considered renting one, but will now go with a 1 br!

[chezp]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I must admit, the second we saw the model rooms for Bay Lake Tower, I immediately said "these have to be the smallest DVC studios" and the guy confirmed they were. They're certainly compact from the models I've seen.

[spiceypj]

for a solo or a couple then studio is fine.

anything bigger yea at least a 1-bedroom.

some of the studio area went to the 1-bedroom. the 1 and 2 bedrooms are big - the only one bigger is OKW.

so dvc has made it very plain - if you want room go with at least a 1-bedroom.

the BLT studio are small - but bigger than value or moderate (except CBR) rooms.

the design is different. that say decided that I liked it. Of course solo traveler so might agree with you if there are more people.

really loved TOW - did you go to it any of your nights? you could have gotten a snack here. the pool bar also offers snacks.

[poohbr2015]

I have to say that we have stayed in both moderate and deluxe resorts and we felt that we would have had more space in those than the studio. The studio may have more square footage but the layout does not make it spacious. We were 2 adults and an 18 month old and we felt very closed in. I think if the kitchenette was out on the wall like in most studios and the bathroom was one space, it would be different. I did not like or understand why they would put the bathroom sink across from an area where you can prepare food. Just the thought of hair spray or hair being in that area gives me no desire to keep food there!

I did not get to the TOW because I was laying down with our son the one and only time my dh and parents went to check it out. They said it was nice but dh did not like the feeling out on the observation deck. He has no issue with heights but for some reason when he was close to that edge he felt extremely nervous.

I would suggest going with the 1 bedroom if you can swing it with points. I know you aren't in your room that much but I personally don't like feeling closed in and I also like to feel comfy in our room and honestly I have been more comfy in the moderate rooms than this studio!

[spiceypj]

see everyone is different.

definitely would not do this studio with 4 people. It is definitely too small.

but for a single or couple - it is fine (my opinion)

allergic to hair spray - so that is not a problem. have long hair and generally brush it in an area with more room anyway - either the bathroom (and yea it definitely needs a mirror - or the bedroom.

[Luvsun]

Thanks so much for the review and for the info on the size of the studio!
I think if I stay there in the future, I will try for a 1 bedroom.

[aliceinwdw]

Ok so I posted this question in a previous thread, but the more opinions the better and since you were just there; how were the rooms with regard to outside noise? Anything filter through; i.e. from the hallway, neighboring rooms?

Thanks for the report. DH and I have enough points for a Studio for the 2 weeks we generally go and I know I'm not going to be content! I loved the 1-bedroom at SSR and don't know what we'll do with a smaller-than-usual Studio at BLT!

Thanks again!

[poohbr2015]

As far as noise goes, in the studio there was a connecting door and I did notice I could hear a child next door and I could hear a toilet flush. I honestly think you hear more noise in the studios because you are in one room whereas in the larger villas, the entrance to the villa is in the living area so your bedrooms tend to be a bit more sound proof. The only thing I can remember hearing in the 2 bedroom villa was an occasional toilet flush, like just that woosh sound (you know how powerful those toilets are in disney, they could suck you right down)!! We were only in the studio 1 night. I don't remembe hearing any hallway noise. I kind of hope that others didn't hear a lot of hallway noise either because everytime we walked the halls to get to our room, ds (18 months) would giggle and yell and just liked to hear his echo basically!

Kelly, I hope that if you do spend 2 weeks in a studio that maybe you won't have the same complaints as me, for your sake!! I know once you stay in a larger room it is hard to go back to the smaller accomodations. I remember you saying how nice it was to have the living area of your 1 bedroom, its just nice to have a little extra space. But if it means staying at BLT, I am sure you could manage and just spend less time in the room! Could you do a split stay, maybe do 1 week somewhere else to where you have enough points to do a week in a 1 bedroom at blt? I think the view helps too, if you have a nice view and keep your drapes open, it makes the room feel bigger!

[Colexis Mom]

Glad you had a great time in the 2 bedroom villa!

[poohbr2015]

The 2 bedroom was AMAZING!

[poohbr2015]

I put a picture of our view as my sig pic. That is without zooming. I will change it to another picture later. We had a wonderful view of the park, could actually make out the tops of the buildings and see the railroad between the trees. We also had a great view of the Grand Floridian and the ferry boat.

[spiceypj]

Originally Posted by aliceinwdw

Ok so I posted this question in a previous thread, but the more opinions the better and since you were just there; how were the rooms with regard to outside noise? Anything filter through; i.e. from the hallway, neighboring rooms?

Thanks for the report. DH and I have enough points for a Studio for the 2 weeks we generally go and I know I'm not going to be content! I loved the 1-bedroom at SSR and don't know what we'll do with a smaller-than-usual Studio at BLT!

Thanks again!

the lock out door is near the bathroom - not the bedrooms. So yes you might hear some noise in the bathroom - but really don't think you will heard anything in the bedroom.

between you and the lock out door is on one side a hallway with a closet - on the other is the bathroom and kitchennett area.

the hallway is small - so if you have problems with little area - you won't like this.

so is the kitchennett/bath sink for that matter. It is small.

though the bedroom/living area and balcony were just fine. those balconies are pretty big and very nice!

[aliceinwdw]

Could you do a split stay, maybe do 1 week somewhere else to where you have enough points to do a week in a 1 bedroom at blt?

Oh I'm gonna work that angle as best I can for next year!

I appreciate the info. Yeah we did a split stay while at SSR and the Studio was ok, but obviously the 1-bedroom was better. It is just the two of us, but that door barrier to the hallway and the extra TV to not have to share with the DH and endless sports was fabulous!

(I laughed about the toilets too! The first time we flushed one I jumped back and checked all my jewelry. )

Oh and that view, spectacular!

[poohbr2015]

I agree the 2nd tv is really nice, I can watch something other than ESPN!