Purchase BWV or BLT

[Liam518]

Looking to purchase approx 150 points and have narrowed it down to either BWV or BLT. We would most likely get a studio most of our visits, as it is just me my wife and 5yo daughter. We love the walk ability of both of these resort to Epcot or MK (our favorites).

My wife is concerned that the BWV appeared dated, but we also have heard that the studios in BLT are smaller.

I do understand this is purely personal preferences, but would love to hear people’s experiences and views on these two resorts.

Thanks

 

[meekey7197]

You’ve pretty much hit all the pros and cons. Time on BLT contract is longer. Your points go a little further at BWV.

 

[meekey7197]

BLT studios ARE smaller but the kitchen and the amount of storage made it seem not so small. There was a place for everything!

 

[Phatscott25]

Since it sounds like you're a young family I would pick BLT due to it expiring 18 years later than BWV. There is much more at MK for your DD5 than EP so being able to walk there will be more beneficial IMO. I'm partial to BLT though (stayed in both - like them both) and I wouldn't be surprised if more people say BWV.

 

[DduzDis]

We have two daughters 3 and 6. We currently own BLT and are in the process of buying BWV. If I had to choose I would still go with BLT first. It is the perfect 'home base' with kids. We also spend more time in MK so that walk home after park close is priceless.

 

[Deb & Bill]

BWV does have the bunk sized murphy bed in the studio. So if the two of you could share the queen bed and your daughter sleep on the murphy bed, you could leave the sleeper sofa folded up. BLT doesn't have the bunk sized murphy bed in the studio, just the queen bed and double sleeper sofa. And BLT is pretty small. BWV just did a complete renovation about two years ago. I think BLT is due for one in the next few years.

 

[stuartsong]

I would start with BLT due to the longer contract. Then later add BWV. Once you start, the addonitis will come on and you will need to purchase more.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

BLT won't ever get a 5th sleep surface. So the point about BWV allowing child on murphy and leave the sofa as a sofa is point-on.

 

[skippytx]

Like you said, personal preference. Both resorts have their advantages. I bought at BLT because of the location and how we like to tour. We end almost every night at MK, so the walk home is priceless to us.

Some common complaints about BLT though are
- Have to go to the Contemporary for any sort of food or snacks, nothing much at BLT besides the TOTW lounge
- Many people feel it's cold and sterile and not Disney themed. This doesn't bother me in the slightest, and I actually prefer it, but I do understand others point of view on this.
- Don't count on getting Standard view rooms. There aren't many of them and they can go quickly. I suggest getting enough points for the minimum stay you want in a lake view and if you get standard consider it a bonus.
- Transportation is somewhat limited. The monorail is neat but can be a pain in the butt to deal with especially during busy times. Triple so if you have a stroller or scooter and have to use that elevator.
- Studios are small. We usually get 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom units if family joins us, but for the location you can compromise a bit I guess. We use the kitchen and laundry a lot so the extra cost in points more than pays off for us.


BLT just had a "soft goods" refurb about 3 years ago. (Linens, carpets, stuff like that), and probably won't have a full "hard goods" refurb until it's been open about 14 years, so figure 2023 on that one.

 

[Wendy98]

I own at both if that tells you anything. BLT was our first--never had to even think about it. But we love the 1 bedrooms for our family of 5. Not long after that, I bought BWV for possible shorter trips, still intending on 1 bedroom units. Now it is turning into BWV as our "adults weekend" trip in a studio--so much bang for the points buck! I love them both--you can't go wrong.

 

[kboo]

BWV does have the bunk sized murphy bed in the studio. So if the two of you could share the queen bed and your daughter sleep on the murphy bed, you could leave the sleeper sofa folded up. BLT doesn't have the bunk sized murphy bed in the studio, just the queen bed and double sleeper sofa. And BLT is pretty small. BWV just did a complete renovation about two years ago. I think BLT is due for one in the next few years.

This is the biggest issue, if you have 1 child and are sure you are not having any more. We bought BLT first, with 2 kids, but very quickly decided that we didn't want to stay too much in studios, especially smaller ones, with the pullout couch open. When DD2 was smaller and in a crib, we stayed in studios at VGF and BCV, and they were very nice with my older kid in the little murphy bed and the baby in a crib. Once the baby was no longer in a crib, though, you're looking at having the couch unfolded a lot, and we will be experiencing that for the first time in a studio this April.

So, if you're sure you are 1 and done, you could stay quite comfortably in studios with the bunk murphy, and I would recommend buying at a home resort that has those studios. I.e., not BLT.

BUT - the 1br at BLT are really nice - they have 2 full baths - and that is now our villa of choice with 2 kids sharing the pull out in the living room. And you need to have home resort priority to get access to the standard rooms, which are a great value for the size, the extra bath, and walking to MK.

So - if you're sure you will always stay in studios, then I'd go with BWV, but if there's any chance you would want to stay in 1BR, I'd go for BLT.

 

[Liam518]

I would start with BLT due to the longer contract. Then later add BWV. Once you start, the addonitis will come on and you will need to purchase more.

If I buy points at two different resorts, can I combine them to stay in one resort? I don’t know exactly how that works. Thanks

 

[meekey7197]

If I buy points at two different resorts, can I combine them to stay in one resort? I don’t know exactly how that works. Thanks

If they have the same UY you can combine at 7 months. Otherwise you can alternate years/resorts. Say you buy 75 at each. One year you bank BLT and stay at BWV with current UY and borrowed points from the next. The next year you have 150 at BLT with the banked plus current clear as mud, huh?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Looking to purchase approx 150 points and have narrowed it down to either BWV or BLT. We would most likely get a studio most of our visits, as it is just me my wife and 5yo daughter. We love the walk ability of both of these resort to Epcot or MK (our favorites).

My wife is concerned that the BWV appeared dated, but we also have heard that the studios in BLT are smaller.

I do understand this is purely personal preferences, but would love to hear people’s experiences and views on these two resorts.

Thanks

My first thought was BWV having the murphy bed which would offer a sleeping surface for your 5yo without using the sleeper sofa. It does have the shorter expiration though.
BLT studios are currently the smallest on property and do not have the murphy bed option.

 

[DougEMG]

I own both,, the main reason being that I can walk to parks for each of the resorts.

I would go with BLT though as you have a young family and BLT has the longer contract and is next to MK were you will probably spend more time to begin with.

Price wise BLT resale is about $130-$135 while BWV is $10-20 cheaper. Also BLT MF are cheaper than BWV.

 

[kboo]

Another possibility is that you determine what a good price is for each resort (and # points, UY, etc), and bid on the first best contract that comes up.

Reason being:
although BWV has a shorter expiration date, it is a little cheaper per point - how many points would it take to get into a BWV standard or preferred studio at the times you'd normally travel? Now, for those same times of travel, how many points would it take to get into a BLT 1br LV? 1br LV is often available at 7 mo, so if you're not set on staying there all the time, you could bank/borrow BLT points and stay there in a 1br from time to time. The danger is that once you stay in a 1br it is hard to go back to studios.

Another suggestion: rent once or twice and stay in the studios at each resort, and see how they feel, and try to imagine how they will feel i n10 years when your 5yo is 15.

 

[ParkHoppers]

My question for the OP is will you be buying enough points to only get the standard studios or enough to book other categories. I ask because standard studios are tough at BLT at times and BWV also I believe. After SWGE will the studios at BWV get even tougher than they already are? We bought BLT because of the shear number of rooms we could book. Yes we try for standard but having a huge lake view category to fall back on means we will always get a room. Not sure it’s that way at BWV or not. I didn’t think so. Hopefully others will chime in on this.

 

[Liam518]

My question for the OP is will you be buying enough points to only get the standard studios or enough to book other categories. I ask because standard studios are tough at BLT at times and BWV also I believe. After SWGE will the studios at BWV get even tougher than they already are? We bought BLT because of the shear number of rooms we could book. Yes we try for standard but having a huge lake view category to fall back on means we will always get a room. Not sure it’s that way at BWV or not. I didn’t think so. Hopefully others will chime in on this.

I am planning to buy approx 150 points. From the point charts it should be enough for 5 nights in 1 BR at BWV and I would have to bank points to have enough to get 1 BR for at least 4/5 nights in BLT. In the past, 5 nights has been enough for us most of our trips either way

 

[TexasChick123]

I am planning to buy approx 150 points. From the point charts it should be enough for 5 nights in 1 BR at BWV and I would have to bank points to have enough to get 1 BR for at least 4/5 nights in BLT. In the past, 5 nights has been enough for us most of our trips either way

I own at both. My suggestion is to buy at BLT. We’re also a young family, and the walking distance to MK can’t be beat. BWV is great, but Epcot isn’t my kids’ favorite park. The longer expiration at BLT is ideal. Also, in the event you need to sell, BLT will hold it’s value better because BWV expires in 23 years. I agree with previous posters about consider staying in 1-bedrooms. At BLT, you get the extra bathroom. That is a HUGE plus. The standard category is tough at both properties, but it is doable. I’ve only stayed in standard views at BLT and BWV. It’s doable.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

I'm in the "both" camp. We currently own BWV and are looking to add BLT. It's always interesting to see how many people own that same combo. It's the "walk to park" lovers dream combo I think!

Our kids are older and fav parks now lean more toward Epcot / DHS. Still love MK though, too!!. We plan on doing split stays for our trips. 3-4 nights BWV and 2-3 nights BLT. Switch day will be a late start / late night day split between AK and DS. The only bus day.