Reviews of Bay Lake Tower (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by disneymom35 Review Date: 01/26/2026
Rating: (6) Recommended
This is our home resort, so I usually know what to expect. Room was clean upon arrival and ready an hour early, so that was a plus. Our party had one 2BR. For a room that is supposed to sleep 9 people and one infant, it came with a whopping three small trash cans (I mean small) and they were only officially emptied once during our stay. Disney should assume if you're staying in a 2BR at Disney that there are probably several children/infants involved that generate a ton of trash (think diapers, juice boxes, snacks, etc.). We had to empty our own trash daily and place it in the hallway for pick up. The towels we had had to last the week and, again, assuming there's 9 people including many children, we ended up washing our own towels in our in unit washer with our own detergent, time, etc. There was no broom/dustpan or vacuum to sweep up messes, and we were literally walking on crumbs in the main living area constantly. We requested a broom and an additional pack and play on day two from housekeeping and never received it. We requested the broom again later in the week and never received it. Considering housekeeping services basically no longer exist, they should at least give you the means to clean up your messes yourself.
Pros:
Great location.Cons:
Lack of essentials in 2BR.Reviewed by CodyDisneyman1234567 Review Date: 10/26/2025
Rating: (10) Recommended
great
Pros:
close to magic kingdom great themeing and great stayCons:
far from other parks and no store in lobbyReviewed by mkymouse4ever Review Date: 10/15/2025
Rating: (10) Recommended
Just had 10 wonderful days at BLT. 1 br Villa. We where on 12th floor facing north. Lake view / with view of MK. Great location. Even down hall wasn't too far from elevators. The 1 br villa is spacious and well done. Great rehab! Quick, and friendly mousekeeping daily. (we are not dvc). Everything in total working order. Patio door a bit hard to lock to main room. But nothing else. Location was very quiet. Yes, pool can use some work, but it is to start in January. We love the CR pools too so used both. Had 1 interesting experience with the bellhop, who threaten that I better return the luggage rack. I told him should I haul it back out to the middle of the parking lot where I found it? (true). Yes, & I did return it to him.
Pros:
Being connected to the CR is a total plus. You go over and shop, eat, swim and return to our little quiet building. Best of both worlds. Parking although hard to find is all nearby, no issues. We saw several characters visiting. Transportation is easy and quick.Cons:
None, just didn't want to leaveReviewed by ScottK Review Date: 08/31/2025
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed August 23-30 2 Bedroom villa theme park view. Room was ready early was spotless and great amenities. Great view of theme park and fireworks. Plenty of room for our party of 7. The only draw back we had a toddler in our party and there was no vacuum or broom th clean up after him. Will be staying again.
Pros:
Monorail Loop, Dining options and walk to Magic KingdomCons:
No vacuum or broomReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 08/01/2024
Rating: (9) Recommended
I booked this for the first stay may 2024, not thinking it would be all the great but I was wrong. It was so clean and comfortable. We got a view of fireworks, made me cry to see our view. I am a new DVC owner and my heart was full brining my older children with me here. It is wonderful. We also bought a cabana space which was outstanding and I highly recommend. Truly a magical experience to stay at Baylake tower.
Pros:
Close to fireworks. Nostalgia is heartwarming and memorable. Clean rooms for lower points.Cons:
Tower and bridge is a little confusing and takes some asking around to get it straight.Reviewed by chansman Review Date: 08/17/2022
Rating: (9) Recommended
My family absolutely loves Bay Lake Tower. We used a 3rd party DVC point rental agency so the pricing was great. They actually placed us in a lake view room but we also had a great view of Space Mountain. From the lobby all the way to the room, this resort felt like it was the cleanest resort on property. It's almost sterile but that's not a knock. The walkway over to the Contemporary is quick and easy and makes up for the lack on onsite food and beverage. We would actually select Bay Lake over the Polynesian and Contemporary.
Pros:
quick and easy walk to MK access to Monorail transportation easy access to Contemporary restaurants and shopsCons:
not a lot of Disney themingReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 07/29/2022
Rating: (8) Recommended
We are not DVC members, but needed a large suite for our family. We stayed in the 2 bedroom/3 bath dedicated villa in June for 10 nights and loved it. It was spacious and fit our family’s needs wonderfully.
Pros:
Full kitchen, watching the fireworks from the observation deck, 3 bathrooms.Cons:
Long wait for the elevator after getting off the elevator as entire families use it not just 1 person pushing the stroller or a wheel chair.Reviewed by DisJen Review Date: 10/25/2021
Rating: (9) Recommended
we are a DVC fam and this is our home resort for good reasons - it's a short walk to MK, short walk to Contemporary/monorail and a good variety of dining options. That said, the studios are small and may not be a good choice for families with small kiddos. For just my husband and I, though - this is a great choice. When our adult son travels with us, we try to snag a 1 bedroom villa. The extra space and especially the two full baths in the villa are extra appreciated.
Pros:
proximity to MK, monorail and dining optionsCons:
studios are smallReviewed by ErinElisabeth Review Date: 06/27/2021
Rating: (8) Recommended
A hotel in the heart of the magic.
This resort is located on the heart line of the original Disney World-- the monorail, of course! At the time of writing, the EPCOT monorail is not yet open, and so this lovely highway in the sky is not as useful for Bay Lake and Contemporary patrons at the moment. It is much faster and easier to walk to Magic Kingdom.
If you are booked for just the right room (and it doesn't need to be theme park view!) you will be graced with views of the Contemporary and the monorail, and the Electric Water Pageant!
This resort is modern, and very well designed-- the galley kitchen in studios is fantastic-- but it is not as immersive as other resorts, such as Wilderness Lodge or Boardwalk. There is no food service, or shop, on site. Visitors will need to find these services at the Contemporary. Bay Lake also does not have a bus station of its own-- all forms of transportation are shared with, and located at, the Contemporary.
Overall, I LOVE staying here every once in a while-- but I would not make this my home resort, as it feels less themed than other options. The tiny lobby sets the tone-- this is a resort that would not stand on its own without its big sister next to it.
Pros:
Proximity to Magic Kingdom, and to monorail. Gorgeous views!Cons:
Not as themed as other resorts-- including the pool. Not as fun for kids-- no splash pad, and no characters except for the odd single piece of artwork outside the elevator on each floor.Reviewed by TyandMasonsMom Review Date: 03/16/2021
Rating: (8) Recommended
We really enjoy staying at Bay Lake Tower. This was one of the first properties we stayed at when we first joined DVC in 2014. We love that it is connected by a bridge to the Contemporary and the ease of access to the monorail. It also is home of one of our favorite quick service restaurants, Contempo Cafe. Another thing we love is that everything is in close proximity and mostly indoors rather than in multiple buildings. One downside is the size of the Deluxe Studio. They are rather tiny in comparison to the rooms at our two home resorts, The Polynesian and Grand Floridian. The size of the studio was fine when it was just my husband, our first child, and I. However, now we have a new baby boy and it would be very cramped with a crib in the room. We have stayed in a one bedroom as well and that was plenty of space.
