BLT -- A Sandwich or a Resort? Nov 09 TR (12/9 Lessons Learned)

[Marshay]

The subtitle for this PTR is: "Let's add another day ... please?"

Hello! We just decided to go to WDW this fall to celebrate our family's newest addition -- another girl! Like we really need a reason to go to WDW ...

This will be our third DVC trip (previously at Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo).

Here we are!

at Polynesian


at DHS


and the newest addition:



I am a SAHM to two girls. One will be 4yo in July and the other was born in March. My oldest has been to WDW 3x already and asks us every few weeks, "when are we going back to WDW?"

I love to scrapbook, do crafts, play volleyball and plan trips to Disney! I will be 39yo in July. I've been to WDW over 30x. My parents started my love for Disney back when I was in school.

My DH is a self-titled Computer Geek. He is 46yo (and can't believe he is a dad again at his age!). He loves photography, not planning anything, going "out" and eating a good steak. Surprisingly, he is the one to suggest that we buy DVC -- so we did in early 2007. He did not grow up loving Disney but has learned that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!




TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page #1 - Introduction to Family and Vacation (5/9)
Page #6 and 7 - Park Priorities (5/28)
Page 8 - Restaurant Priorites (5/31)
Page 9 - Tentative Schedule (6/6)
Page 11 - OT -- Father's Day Craft (6/10)
Page 12 - Southwest and Magical Express (6/22)
Page 13 - AKV Points, Southwest Credits and Tickets (7/7)
Page 14 - Schedule (7/16)
Page 15 - Southwest Credit and Disney Maps (7/28)
Page 15 - Osbourne Lights and Tickets Again (7/29)
Page 16 - New Schedule (8/5)
Page 17-18 - New Schedule Again and DDP (8/17)
Page 19 - My Minnie Mouses (8/27)
Page 21 - More Autograph Book Pages (9/20)
Page 22 - Disney Magical Express (10/8)
Page 22 - Trip Purchases (10/11)
Page 23 - More Trip Purchases (10/15)
Page 25 - Family Park Must-Dos (11/9)
Page 27 - We're Back Pre-Quiz (11/18)
Page 27 - Will we make our flight? (11/23) #401
Page 28 - 1900 Park Fare (11/24) #408
Page 28 - More 1900 Park Fare and BLT at Night (11/24) #414
Page 29 - Surprises Today! (11/24) #422 and #423
Page 29 - Magic Kingdom Finally!! (11/29) #435
Page 30 - Magic Kingdom Finally!! cont'd (11/30) #437
Page 30 - Our Last Day (12/8) #448
Page 31 - Lessons Learned (12/9) #452

[Marshay]

So we really wanted to go to WDW in December to see the Christmas decorations but we also really, really, really wanted to go to BLT.

What?? We wanted to go to a Bacon Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich?

For those who may not know, BLT is the new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort at the Contemporary Resort. It's called Bay Lake Tower and it opens this fall.

Since we originally only planned to go for a short weekend and wanted to check out this resort ... just in case we wanted to add on more points here , we were so very excited about going. However, I'm the type of person who thinks a trip to WDW is not complete unless it is more than one week. My DH thinks it's perfectly fine to just go for Friday - Sunday.

So, I told him I'd rather not go at all if I can't go for at least 4 days. It just wouldn't be worth it to do all that packing (esp with a young one), so I'd rather wait until next year and go longer.

He agreed we could go for 4 days.

{Hmmm, can I get just one more day ...}

However, when we called Member Services, all the days we wanted to go in December were not available at BLT. So we switched to November 14 - 18.

What's that you say? Nov 14-18 is actually 5 days?!

{Said in a raised voice with an innocent look} Really?!!?

Yes, you are correct. Right after I found out that we couldn't get in BLT for Dec, my DH tells me, if we want to add another day, we can. Well, I didn't argue with him at all or question it. I added that extra day!

[Marshay]

So here's my immediate ToDo list (not in order):

1) Print menus and decide where we want ADRs

2) Figure out if we want to do the DDP again, just pay OOP, or do the TiW (Tables in Wonderland) card

3) Get Cheap airfare (decide if we buy a ticket for an 8 month old)

4) Prioritize attractions for each park

5) Once schedule comes out, plan days in park and make ADRs

6) Register for ME

7) Update packing list to include baby gear

8) Order groceries to be delivered

9) Send bulk package to resort (obviously decide what goes inside)

[Trentmom]

Found you!!!

Now Back to read

[Trentmom]

Way to go getting your fiive days

Can't wait to see your pics of BLT...no not the sandwhich

I would wait to see how squirmy DD#2 is before I decide on getting her a seat or not. If she is a very calm baby, I would just hold her

I am sure a lot of people will disagree

[kaoden39]

I'm here! Boy the Disneyland side is much easier to navigate.

[Marshay]

Originally Posted by kaoden39

I'm here! Boy the Disneyland side is much easier to navigate.

It's probably just me -- I like to plan!

But seriously, WDW does have a bit more and having a baby along means I got to plan more too.

Oh, and welcome!!

[kaoden39]

Originally Posted by Marshay

It's probably just me -- I like to plan!

But seriously, WDW does have a bit more and having a baby along means I got to plan more too.

Oh, and welcome!!

Thanks. And yeah there is definitely more for you to plan for now.

[Marshay]

Originally Posted by Trentmom

Way to go getting your fiive days

Can't wait to see your pics of BLT...no not the sandwhich

I would wait to see how squirmy DD#2 is before I decide on getting her a seat or not. If she is a very calm baby, I would just hold her

I am sure a lot of people will disagree

I sure would love to save the $$ and we'll have 3 seats. Hopefully if we go thru Southwest, we'll get "A" and can pick 3 in a row...but then I was thinking maybe we want to reserve 2 seats (aisle and window) in one row and one aisle in another. As long as it's not a full flight, no one is going to want to take the middle seat between DH and my 4 year old...so perhaps we could get it anyway, w/o paying.

[Marshay]

Originally Posted by Trentmom

Found you!!!

Now Back to read

Yeah!!! My first reader!!

[Marshay]

The main reason for taking this trip (besides just having fun at Disney, of course!) is to check out Bay Lake Tower. It is scheduled to open on Aug 4th so we'll be getting there about 3 months after it opens.

Hopefully, this is enough time to get all the "kinks" out and the resort will run smoothly.

My thoughts on BLT, prior to experiencing:

1. The ability to walk to MK is an AWESOME perk. This is truly the highlight for staying at BLT. No having to fold up a stroller. No waiting for a bus or driving to the TTC and then getting on yet another vehicle to get to the MK.

2. Playing devil's advocate: Will the walk from door to door (BLT room to MK entrance) become a hassle? You still have to negotiate the hallways, elevators, cross-over bridge, more hallways, more elevators, the parking lot, the road, pass the bus stops and boats to the entrance...

3. The room decor is rather UGLY. Most people who have seen the room in photos believe that Disney dropped the ball on the design/decor of the room. However, those who have seen this in person, say that the pictures don't do it justice and it is nice. We'll see.

4. The prime location at BLT is to get a Magic Kingdom view. Next is a Lake view. We are in a standard view which basically means overlooking a parking lot. Will the standard view be good enough?

When we go to Animal Kingdom Villas, we love having the savanna view to watch all the Watusi, Zebras and Giraffes. What about watching the Odysseys, Camrys and Cherokees??

5. Will we regret not having a car? Is Magical Express all that magical??

The last 4-5 trips or so, we've gotten a rental car and it was wonderful. We like to visit the restaurants at the resorts, we like to go to Wal-mart for essentials and groceries and I don't like waiting in line. I actually do like driving and it's nice to pack some extras like snacks, food, change of clothes, water stuff (ponchos, umbrellas, etc) if we need them.

6. If you don't get your own MK view at BLT, then you can go to the BLT Lounge to see the fireworks along with the piped in music. However, since there are more people who won't have MK view then will be allowed in the lounge, I'm wondering how crowded this will be. Will there be plenty of chairs or will it be SRO? If SRO, will there be a special place so the kids can see the fireworks?

I wonder if this is just a room or if there will be any amenities there like food or drinks to purchase.

7. Disney's newest DVCs are changing up the 1BR. They are now sleeping up to 5 (one bed, one sofa bed and one sleep chair). They are also putting in a 2nd bathroom in the 1BR. I'm sure we will come to love the 2nd bathroom. It will certainly make getting ready easier in the mornings and after swimming in the pool.

8. Amenities: BLT is going to have its own pool and slide. I'm hoping that we'll get a chance to use this...however, weather in November can start to get cool, and even if the pool is heated, it can be a long, cold walk back to your room. So we'll definitely pack a swimsuit and at least walk around the pool area.

Also BLT has all the water sports and beach area that the Contemporary Resort has, so I definitely see those "water mice" in our future!

[Leger13]

I'll be curious to see how it all turns out. I've never stayed at a resort while it's still in it's first few months of operation. I really hope they work out the kinks (if their are any). And I hope that if the rooms are ugly that the comfort of the beds make up for it.

[Marshay]

Originally Posted by Leger13

I'll be curious to see how it all turns out. I've never stayed at a resort while it's still in it's first few months of operation. I really hope they work out the kinks (if their are any). And I hope that if the rooms are ugly that the comfort of the beds make up for it.

yeah, the beds should be good...not too many will have used them.

We did stay at AKV the month that it opened and everything was fine so I'm not expecting any kinks, to be honest.

[Leger13]

Originally Posted by Marshay

yeah, the beds should be good...not too many will have used them.

We did stay at AKV the month that it opened and everything was fine so I'm not expecting any kinks, to be honest.

yes very true

oh that's good So there is hope.

[Tat2ddisneymom]

My thoughts...yes you will regret not having a car. Disney transportation is not all its cracked up to be. But you know what they say about opinions.