I am pretty sure she owns at Bay Lake Tower (Contemporary Hotel). We are looking at peak dates: 3/28-4/4. We are interested in just about any other resort. I know this is hard but maybe other people aren't willing to spend the points for a 2br unit? (crossing fingers) As far as procedure, is there a best practice when we hit 7 months?
ETA: I don't know much about Bay Lake Tower. Maybe it's fine but doesn't seem as resort like as others. This is a once in a lifetime type trip for family members.
Changing an existing reservation at one resort to another at 7 months is easy - just click on the "View or Modify Details" button and look for availability at the resort(s) you are willing to stay at instead (though there are some intricacies surrounding the issue of the new resort being a different number of points).
Studios are the most difficult to book but 2BRs are close. 1BRs are usually somewhere between easier and much easier because they cost more points than studios but hold around the same number of people (depending on the resort, one more, one less, or the same). BLT *does* have dedicated 2BRs though so booking a 2BR there is less of a challenge that at resorts (e.g. BWV) that only have lock-off 2BRs (and so studio reservations block 2BR ones).
Lastly, BLT is arguably our favorite resort for a lot of reasons and is more resort-like than some others (e.g. it has a community room w/activities) but it *is* less obviously themed.
The first and foremost reason is the location. Walking to MK is priceless - not only because you don't have to go through the Ticket & Transportation Center but also because MK during Spring Break is open from early in the morning until late at night (or the wee hours of the morning). When our kids were little an afternoon nap was essential...when our parents got older an afternoon 'break' for them was equally necessary. And travelling to EPCOT via the monorail is fun (though we usually Uber/Lyft back).
The BLT exterior 2BR villas are generously sized (w/a Theme Park View you are guaranteed an exterior villa) and feel bigger than any other DVC 2BRs aside from OKW. The views can't be beat. And the 'extra' bathroom is really, really nice with teenagers/young adults.
The dining options are unparalleled. The Contempo Cafe is the best quick-serve of the MK/ECPOT resorts and The California Grill the nicest resort restaurant (unless you count Victoria and Albert...which is not our vibe). And the newly opened Steakhouse 71 is great (particularly the lounge). Moreover, because you are on the monorail and the boat network you can easily dine at the restaurants at Fort Wilderness, the Poly, and the Grand Floridian.
And did I mention the view? It truly is amazing to wake up every morning to the sight of the Seven Seas Lagoon with MK off to one side, Poly and the Grand Floridian on the other, and the monorail pulling out of The Contemporary. And every trip we've ended up enjoying the evening fireworks at least once - usually after a 'short' day at Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios.
