Bay Lake Tower Refurbishment: Every Crucial Thing You Should Know [it's a major refurb]

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is about to embark on its first major refurbishment, a project that promises to transform the guest experience entirely.

Over the next year – from September 2024 to September 2025 – this resort will undergo extensive room renovations.

If you’ve stayed in one of the Bay Lake Tower Villas or Studios, you’ve probably noticed that they are feeling a little outdated – especially in comparison to most other Disney World DVC Studios.

Even if you haven’t stayed there in recent years, you’ve probably read or heard about it in plenty of Bay Lake Tower reviews.

I stayed in Standard View and Theme Park View Studios in August 2024, and although I loved them (even the “outdated” theming), I recognise that they need a little upgrade.

As long as that doesn’t mean tacky superhero theming … like the Incredibles rooms on the hotel side of the Contemporary (let’s keep our fingers crossed that this doesn’t happen!).

Whether you’re a DVC member or a guest who loves staying here, I’ve got the crucial details you won’t want to miss on the refurbishment.

This post is all about the Bay Lake Tower refurbishment at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Bay Lake Tower Refurbishment

Overview of this DVC Resort

Firstly, let’s cover the basics of this resort before we get to the refurb!

A Brief History of this Disney Vacation Club Resort

Bay Lake Tower opened its doors on August 4, 2009, as part of the Disney Vacation Club’s expansion.

The Bay Lake Tower Disney resort replaced the North Garden Wing section of the Contemporary.

Also, did you know? It was the second Disney Vacation Club resort in the Magic Kingdom area, following The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (now known as Boulder Ridge Villas).

Is Bay Lake Tower being refurbished?

A major refurbishment is underway, promising to bring exciting changes to keep the resort fresh and appealing.

From September 2024 to September 2025, the refurbishment will touch various parts of the resort, enhancing guest experiences.

This is not a mere soft goods refurbishment – where you’d expect small upgrades here and there to bedding or curtains.

Instead, it’s a hard goods refurbishment. This means we may see major upgrades and changes to the bathroom, kitchen, flooring and more.

bay lake tower at disney's contemporary resort — Deluxe Studio at BLT

We are also anticipating the addition of Murphy beds to replace the less-than-appealing sofa beds.

Disney has already added Murphy beds to these Disney World DVC Resorts:

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

And, of course, Riviera and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort opened with Murphy beds.

So yeah, it would be pretty surprising if this refurbishment didn’t include new Murphy beds!

Impact on Guests During the Refurbishment

This Disney World Resort is going through a major refurbishment, and if you’re planning a stay, you might be curious about what this means for you.

Here is what you may find if you stay here between September 2024 and September 2025:

Noise and Construction

One of the main concerns for guests during a refurbishment is the noise and construction activities. What should you expect?

Well, you can expect this to occur during the day when most guests are at the parks.

This helps to minimize disturbances during your stay.

But if you plan on spending a lot of time here during the day, you should be aware of this.

Availability of Rooms

During refurbishments, the availability of rooms can change, so it may be more difficult to book a stay here – especially if this isn’t your Home Resort (and you don’t have an 11-month booking priority here).

The Future of This Resort

Boost in Popularity

Once the refurbishment is complete, this resort will likely increase in popularity.

After all, it is in a prime location – just a 5-minute walk away from Magic Kingdom!

And it is the least expensive of all the Monorail resorts.

If you add refurbished Bay Lake Tower rooms into the equation, you have a popular resort on your hands!

Long-Term Value

Disney investing in such a dramatic refurbishment may also enhance the long-term value of this resort.

*Please note this is a prediction and not a guarantee. I do not recommend that you purchase a contract at Bay Lake Tower – or any DVC Resort – with the expectation of making a profit. Whilst this can happen, it can never be guaranteed.*

Higher Resale Value: For those who own Disney Vacation Club properties here, the refurbishments could potentially mean an increase in resale value.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Refurbishment

Is Bay Lake Tower DVC only, and will this change with the refurbishment?

BLT is the DVC Property at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. However, if you’re not a DVC member, you can still stay here by renting DVC points or booking directly through Disney.

*Please note that it is usually cheaper to rent points to stay here.*

How do I make a reservation at Bay Lake Tower?

If you are a DVC member, you can book through the Disney Vacation Club website.

If BLT is your Home Resort, you will be able to book here, 11 months in advance.

If this is not your Home Resort, you can book here 7 months in advance.

As mentioned previously, availability may be more limited than usual during the refurbishment.

If you are a DVC member, you can rent points or book directly through Disney or your travel agent – as mentioned above.

How many points do you need to stay at Bay Lake Tower?

This will depend on when you’re staying and the room category.

Here is a rough guide:

Bay Lake Tower Standard View Deluxe Studio (sleeps up to 4 guests): 13-29 points per night
Deluxe Studio – Lake View (sleeps up to 4 guests): 16-32 points per night
Bay Lake Tower Studio Room – Theme Park View (sleeps up to 4 guests): 18-38 points per night
Bay Lake Tower One Bedroom Villa – Standard View (sleeps up to 5 guests): 24-56 points per night
Bay Lake Tower 1 Bedroom Villa – Lake View (sleeps up to 5 guests): 29-62 points per night
One Bedroom Villa – Theme Park View (sleeps up to 5 guests): 35-75 points per night
Bay Lake Tower 2 Bedroom Villa – Standard View (sleeps up to 9 guests): 35-77 points per night
2 Bedroom Villa at Bay Lake Tower – Lake View (sleeps up to 9 guests): 38-84 points per night
Bay Lake Tower Theme Park View Two Bedroom Villa (sleeps up to 9 guests): 48-98 points per night
Three-Bedroom Grand Villa – Lake View (sleeps up to 12 guests): 82-171 points per night
Three-Bedroom Bay Lake Tower Grand Villa – Theme Park View (sleeps up to 12 guests): 101-207 points per night

Ta Ta For Now

So, are you excited about the refurbishment? Or are you worried that the refurb will take away the charm of the current Studios and Villas?

Let us know your thoughts!

This post was all about the BLT refurbishment at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Bay Lake Tower Refurbishment: Every Crucial Thing You Should Know [it’s a major refurb]