For my most recent Disney trip, I found myself at Bay Lake Tower. I said I found myself here…read morebecause my booking was on relatively short notice so I grabbed whichever hotel I could find. I lucked out though as I'm a fan of the Contemporary and think it's one of Disney's better resorts on property. Since it's been over 10 years since my initial review (and my last stay), I figured an update was due. BLT opened in the mid-2000s, and is the Disney Vacation Club timeshare property attached to the Contemporary Resort. Because of these things, there are a lot of things to love about BLT. Being part of the Contemporary, you have access to all the resorts amenities: the shopping is some of the best at a Disney resort, and there are several dining options available. The California Grill, located on the 15th floor of the main resort, is one of my favorite restaurants on property. The location is also a huge plus. You're super close to the Magic Kingdom - so close that there is a walkway to get there. The hotel is on the monorail line, which you can take to get to Epcot or the other resorts on the monorail. BLT and the main resort also have observation decks which provide great views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electric Water Pageant. The room and theming in BLT spoke to me - the resort as a whole has a contemporary design; my room looked recently updated and kept very well. I was in a one-bedroom suite which contained a washer-dryer, full kitchen, a decent amount of storage, spacious living area, balcony, and (to my surprise) two bathrooms. The main detractor for me, despite my love of contemporary design, is the theming itself. I associate Disney resort with strong themes, and IMO the Contemporary and BLT have the weakest one. I also think the "lobby" area of BLT is poorly designed. I like the fact that the tower has its own check-in area, bell services, and porte-cochère, but the space is small with everything on top of each other. A good example was when I arrived - the cast members are standing in the middle of the space with tablets and no desk, leading to me standing there awkwardly with my bags. The bell services desk is too small, and they looked behind because there was a sea of luggage in front of it - not a good look. Lastly, these services are not 24/7, so if you're arriving during off hours you need to go to the main Contemporary lobby. Overall though, I enjoyed my most recent stay at BLT. Despite my criticisms, this is still one of the premier Disney resorts on property and one that I would stay at again.

I'm reading past reviews from my Yelp friends, did I have a different experience?…read more It's Christmas time and the Disney hotels are packed! Our last night, we couldn't book our last night stay at the Grand Floridian, we were waitlisted all the way down to the end so we spent our last night at Disney's Bay Lake Tower. Walking into the lobby, it felt small and did anyone tell them it's Christmas? They had a tree but with the small lobby, it made the entire checking in process seem less than underwhelming. When we took the elevator up to our room, the hall way felt futuristic. I almost had a Star Trek vibe as I walked into our space. Once inside, the room was very large and spacious. I love the fact the rooms have a nice deck to sit outside and take it all in. I had a nice 1/2 view of Bay Lake and the other half was a tennis court. I went to put my clothes in the closet and there was a safe in the middle. There was no room to hang clothes! I guess quality control missed this one when they remodeled the rooms. The pool area was also interesting. No Christmas decorations but more importantly, the gate access didn't work? Disney went from room cards to magic bands to bluetooth keys on your phone. Well the phone didnt allow me in. I see a lifeguard and I yell: Hey, can you let us in? He screams back: I can't leave my post sir! Brah, you're watching an EMPTY POOL! Someone did come over, its just dumb and not very magical. Wanna know something? Review is over, I will never come back to Disney's Bay Lake Tower.

Starting with the great stuff - every employee we encountered was amazing, especially the one who…read morechecked us in on Saturday 3/14, the ones I picked up breakfast from at Sanaa on Tuesday 3/17, and the pool bar employees later that same night. We had a safari view room and while we maybe didn't have the best location for animal views, we still loved seeing them right from our balcony! The room itself was a good size and had plenty of storage - we had a small closet, another decent-sized sort of armoire/wardrobe for hanging things, and plenty of drawers. Also lots of outlets, both for plugs and USBs. Being able to order quick service breakfast from Sanaa was awesome. Everything we ate there was delicious. The pool/water play area is also amazing. I believe it's smaller than the main lodge pool, but it's still great, and I think the slide is way bigger, which is cool :) Buses from Kidani ran regularly and the app helping us with timing was great when we were going TO the parks. Getting home from the parks was a bit of a different story, but having seen people claim you had to walk to Jambo House for buses and finding out we did in fact have our own bus stop was a huge plus. The not amazing stuff...if you're in a "deluxe studio", the only usable mirrors are in the bathroom, which isn't ideal. The light-up Lion King themed mirror in the sleeping area is cool, but doesn't work for applying makeup or anything other than a basic glance at yourself. (Seriously, why isn't there any sort of full length mirror or even partial length mirror in a better lit area outside of the bathroom, in a room with SO MANY DOORS?) Also, the "sleeper sofa" (which for us was actually a Murphy bed so we might have had a recently updated room?) is rock hard/not comfortable. The main bed is fine. We were also located pretty far from the lobby, which wasn't the best for drink refills with our dining plan cups or picking up food. Admittedly, we weren't that far from the bus stop which was nice. It probably doesn't help that they were doing a lot of parking garage construction, and to top it all off it seems one of the people in our party had part of their truck muffler stolen while we were there (as in it was intact when we arrived, they didn't drive their truck anywhere else around property throughout the trip, and it was missing when they left). That and when we arrived and actually had to bring our stuff up to the room (around 5:30 PM on a Saturday), there was ZERO parking available anywhere near our room location and we had to hike a LONG way with our bags to get to our room. Thankfully we were able to move our car closer later that night and didn't use it the rest of the trip so our exit was a lot easier. Overall: we enjoyed our stay, but honestly only stayed at Kidani Village because we were traveling with family members who had a big villa there and wanted to be close to them - I would stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge again for sure, but I would probably choose a room in the main area over a studio at Kidani.

Overall Disappointed.The room (2 Bedroom suite ) was recently update and was nice.!The staff also…read moreis very accommodating and friendly. The rest of the place falls short, very few options to eat and the couple that are there are not good. The food by the main pool is all done in a microwave or wonder countertop oven. You honestly could get better food at a 7-11. Sanaa wwwqq the restaurant on property is convenient but average at best. We ate there twice and both times very underwhelmed. We had to go off property as none of our group liked the food, packaged pastries, frozen waffles etc... The pool is good size with a bigger slide and one small slide for the little ones. Some fun water features, and two hot tubs. It does feel a bit dated. If you're a coffee drinker, or like a good cocktail forget about it. The auto espresso machines and not good at all, and the $6.50 cup of Joffrey coffee is just not good. Cocktails very limited, a few bourbons, beers, couple rums and tequilas all basic well items. To be advertised as a premium/ premiere property this definitely is not.

I recently stayed here for 2 nights with my friend and it was a great experience! They have boats…read morethat bring you to and from Disney Springs that we used (super helpful after a long day walking at the parks!) and they also have shuttles that bring you to the parks. We had no problems at all with wait times or anything (we probably waited 5 mins for the bus to come pick us up and bring us to Hollywood Studios in the morning). Not bad at all! The room was very clean and we also got the perk of entering the park earlier than others since this is a Disney resort.

Out WEST We were…read moreguests of Disney's Old Key West Resort for 4 nights in November 2025. This was 1 of 3 resorts we stayed at during our trip, as we had wanted to do a "split stay", an idea given to us by AJ from DFB Guide (thanks AJ!). NOTES 1. The resort is large and spread out. If one needs to visit the main building of the resort (where the pool, registration, and Olivia's is located), wear comfortable shoes as the walk may be lengthy (depending on which building your room is located in). 2.We paid a little extra when to a book/reserve a room closer to the main building; it was about a 5-10 minute walk from our room. 3. I highly recommend downloading the My Disney Experience app, as this will allow you to check park hours, ride times, place mobile orders, and.....use as your room key. That Disney magic is wonderful. 4. There was no elevator in the building complex we were assigned to, so just be aware. Thankfully the building was only 2 stories (yes, if you haven't guessed already, our room was on the 2nd floor). 5. We checked in via the app, we so were able to go straight to our room. Unfortunately, the "room key" function on the app was out of order due to some network outage/problem. Thankfully, a worker (I think a manger of some rank) saw us struggling to enter our room, and came by to help us. After verifying our res, she unlocked the door. She also sent a worker to our room with physical room keys while we were settling in. 6. Reservation made thru David's Vacation Club; essentially we bought DVC (Disney Vacation Club) points to secure the res. 7. Parking was plentiful in the building lot (the lot was never full during our stay). 8. Guests will have to pass thru a security checkpoint before entering the resort property. HOTEL Amenities 1. As already stated, the main building contains the registration desk, pool, fitness center, ice machine (we found this out the hard way), gift shop (of course), and Olivia's restaurant (where we did have breakfast on our last day). Unfortunately, we only visited the main building for ice, and for breakfast at Olivia's.....and to drop off our suitcases for luggage transfer to our next resort. ROOM Amenities 1. 2 Queen beds 2. Flat screen tv 3. Small kitchenette area with microwave, sink, small fridge, toaster, and coffee maker with condiments. 4. Small lanai/balcony with table and chairs. 5. Small sitting area with table and chairs (this was our "dining table" and snack table during our stay). 6. Spacious bathroom with a decent amount of counter space. There were dispensers in the shower containing shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We thought the room was incredibly spacious, and we appreciated the extra space beneath the beds for luggage storage. Since OKW is considered a DVC resort, we also were thankful for the kitchenette area, especially the small fridge where we stored drinks and leftovers. Lastly, the beds were quite comfy.....which made for a restful sleep after long days in the park. Though we paid extra for a room closer to the main building, I thought it was worth the additional fee(s) for the convenience. This was helpful since we had to drop off our suitcases over for the luggage transfer service. BOTTOM LINE Spacious room, comfy beds, considerable storage space, and friendly and helpful staff. Recommended.

What Makes It a 5-Star Experience…read more * Prime Location: Nestled beside Epcot and the Disney Boardwalk, the Beach Club Villas offer walkable access to two theme parks and a host of dining and entertainment options. * Stormalong Bay: This sprawling, sand-bottom pool complex is often hailed as the best pool at Walt Disney World, featuring a lazy river, waterslides, and a shipwreck-themed play area. * Refurbished Villas: The newly updated studio villas blend New England beach house charm with modern comforts. Guests will appreciate the fresh decor, spacious layout, and well-equipped kitchenettes. * Dining Variety: From the casual Beaches & Cream Soda Shop to the upscale Yachtsman Steakhouse next door, the resort offers diverse dining options without needing to leave the property. * Atmosphere & Service: The friendly cast members, cleanliness, and peaceful ambiance will make the villas feel like a true home away from home. Ideal For... * Families who want easy park access and a resort that's fun for kids and relaxing for adults. * Couples seeking a romantic, coastal-inspired retreat with deluxe amenities. * Disney Vacation Club members and non-members alike-- As always Cheers

Stayed here rece tly and the thermostat seemed to not cool that well. Everything seemed grungy and…read moredated. The view was directly into Epcot, which was nice, and it was super close to Epcot that walking was faster than transportation. The staff were nice but the hallways were so long that we were very far from the elevator. The marketplace was not that great and kinda small. The pool was exceptional. The attached restaurants we tried weren't as good as other locations. Honestly, I would stay at Yacht Club which is next door.

Really wanting to stay on property for our 10th anniversary, we lucked out after finding what I…read morebelieve was a cancelled reservation at the right moment. The All-Star Sports Resort is the first resort in the All Star Resort area so you won't miss it. Checking in was very easy and if you can, I highly suggest you use the MDE app. We were able to check in the we before, add any room preferences, and add if we were celebrating anything. I added our anniversary and when we got to the room, the tv announced our arrival with a "Happy Anniversary" message with towels shaped like a Mickey. The rooms are the same on all 3 properties and were pretty quiet despite the number of people we saw in the pool on a Saturday evening. The rooms were very clean and fully stocked with our favorite Sea Salt bath products. We brought water but we also wanted a soda so we went to a machine, coke of course, and the bottles were $5.50. It is what it is. We also visited the food court and they have a wide variety of food options. My babe grabbed a chili-cheese foot long hot dog with fries where I just got a turkey and cheese sando. Food was really tasty. All in all, it was a pleasant stay.

Great selection of lunch items. We went with the bacon jam burger and chili cheese dog. Lines…read moremoved quickly and the seating area was clean and plenty of available table space.

A Magical Anniversary Stay at Boulder Ridge…read more My husband and I recently stayed at Boulder Ridge at Disney's Wilderness Lodge for our 12th anniversary, and although we could only afford one night, Disney somehow managed to make those one night and two days feel absolutely magical. It is, without a doubt, my favorite Disney resort now! Our one-bedroom suite was amazing. Disney added such thoughtful touches to make our anniversary special, including wishing us a happy anniversary on both TVs, leaving a Mickey made from towels, and placing three chocolates on our bed. Those little details truly made us feel celebrated. Every Cast Member we encountered was wonderful--friendly, helpful, and genuinely committed to making our stay special. The Cast Members at the gift shop even went above and beyond trying to help me find a MagicBand I had seen online through the Disney Shop. Unfortunately, we couldn't track one down, so I guess I'll have to get it on our next Disney trip! We also took advantage of the complimentary water park tickets and spent the morning at Typhoon Lagoon, which was such a fun bonus. That evening, we had dinner with Snow White and the Evil Queen at Story Book Dining right there at Wilderness Lodge. The next morning, we had breakfast at the restaurant famous for giving you way too much ketchup . Since it was a Monday, I think many of the guests staying at the resort weren't there to participate, so it wasn't quite as lively as it has been for us in the past when we've gone on a weekend. Still, I'm glad we went. Unfortunately, our amazing server, Phil, experienced a family emergency and tragedy during this time. We are praying for him and his wife. After breakfast, we went back to our room, relaxed, and watched a Disney movie before taking advantage of our late checkout. Then we called for Bell Services, something we've never done at Disney before, and WOW--what a blessing! If you're planning to enjoy the resort after checkout, definitely have Bell Services come to your room and collect your bags. We had a Celebration Mickey cake that needed to stay refrigerated, along with some leftover sodas, and Bell Services was able to take everything, give us a ticket, and store it for us while we continued enjoying the resort. We spent the afternoon by the pool, had a gigantic pretzel and a drink from the outdoor bar by the water, and the Cast Members there were incredibly friendly and quick on their feet. The pretzel was delicious, although I have to admit, I was hoping it would come out looking like Mickey! After that, we went inside to the little café, split a sandwich, and had coffee. We were able to sit right there at one of the tables while they brought our food to us. We then picked up a few souvenirs from the gift shop, retrieved our belongings from Bell Services, and headed home. Everything about our stay was wonderful. From the beautiful room and thoughtful anniversary surprises to the amazing Cast Members, great food, pool time, and all the little Disney touches, it was the perfect way to celebrate 12 years. A couple of areas for improvement: Disney really should consider lowering room and restaurant prices so more average American families can experience the magic. Also, the transportation system needs attention. After Typhoon Lagoon, we waited over an hour at Disney Springs for a bus back to our resort while watching multiple buses arrive for other resorts. We even watched six buses sitting there while we waited in the hot Florida sun. If guests are expected to rely on Disney transportation, they shouldn't be left waiting that long. Thank you, Disney, for making our 12th anniversary so special. We can't wait to come back!

This is a great resort with large and spacious rooms. It is one of the older areas of the resort,…read morebut it is one of my favorites. In fact, I like staying here more than I do copper Creek except for the cabins at Copper Creek, which I also enjoy a great deal

This is the 2nd time we've visited here in the past few years - the last time was during Covid!…read more Wowzer - I'd like to forget that ever happened! Spacious rooms - some of the largest on property at the WDW site! The overall experience was fantastic - complete with two showers in the room for a DVC Deluxe Studio type. Thanks DVC for another great stay!

5 Stars Our first…read morestay at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa was a great experience. We stayed in a Deluxe Studio, and the room had plenty of space to feel comfortable without being oversized. The microwave, toaster & mini fridge were convenient for drinks, snacks, and quick meals during the stay. We were on the first floor, and having a sliding glass door that opened directly to a patio made the room feel even more relaxing. The resort was peaceful, well maintained, and a nice escape after busy days at Disney. We would definitely stay here again.

This is my second time staying at this Disney Resort, and I still love it! The resort is colorful…read moreand beautifully themed around some of my favorite Disney movies. It is also very clean, and I have no complaints about the overall property. The only downside was the shower head in the hotel room. I'm not sure if it's designed that way, but the water pressure was extremely strong, and there didn't seem to be a way to adjust the settings. Aside from that minor issue, I had another wonderful stay and would love to return. The service is great and they do have a cafeteria and friendly big gift shop. Transportation to theme parks are accessible too! They have buses and skylines (go to Hollywood Studio and Epcot) that runs often; so you have option!

This was my first time staying at the art of animation Disney resort, I've stayed others, this will…read morebe the last time I stay at this resort. When you spend thousands of dollars at the happiest place on earth,you expect happiness , equivalent service and amenities. I should have done more research on where I booked in the resort. My family was in The Lion King section and my room was at the end in the Little mermaid section. I wasn't able to change my room when I checked in either. Upon arrival, there was a long line of guests waiting at the check-in area but not all we're checking in. I waited about 20 minutes. There were only 3 to 4 reps at the counters helping guests. Recommendation, have dedicated check-in counters and dedicated service counters clearly defined for guest as they arrive. It was a little chaotic. When I did check in, it was easy and the guest representative was very helpful. I waited in the reception area fory family and the headed to the animation store (so many fun things to buy. They have snacks, swag, collectables, and toiletries) then I went to the cafeteria with my three big Littles, they wanted some pizza. Best practice, by the refillable mug! It is worth the $22 investment. What went well: although this is a dated resort, it is well kept and very clean! My room was clean and comfortable. I've even tried to find the sheets because they were some of the most comfortable sheets I've ever slept in. There is an Alexa type device in the room to help you during the stay. Housekeeping comes every other day, the schedule is laid out in your room. You are able to request items as needed on the off days. The food in the cafeteria was really good, expensive but good. Great variety and you're able to mobile order from your resort app. The main pool was fun but a lot of people. You are able to go to one of the other pools that are not as crowded. There is a laundry facility on site near the main pool. Very convenient. You are able to refill your water bottles in the cafeteria drink area. There is a cute arcade in the main area We saw Disney characters several times in the main area What did not go so well: the long walk from where my room was to wear my family was to the main area was not ideal. I wish I would have known before booking. No AC in the elevators. Really. The elevators are a cremation box. Guest services was not the friendliest. I was shocked at how dismissive and rude they were. The bellman area employee was outright rude and miserable when I simply asked for my doordash order. Guest services over the phone we're not helpful and were rude when I called 2 times for assistance (luggage question, late checkout question) The majority of the cafeteria workers were not the friendliest. My grand Little's witnessed an employee yelling at a guest to hurry up and get her coffee she was taking too long. Sigh. Overall the stay was a mid experience. While the resort is well maintained and clean, the staff was not as welcoming. I will not stay here ever again, but if you do not care about the friendliness of the crew or care if it's a mid experience, I'd say go for it. Also, the kids love this resort so if you have Little's this may be the spot for you.