About to buy at Bay Lake. Mistake??? please help.

[Frontside720]

This is my first post on the forum but I have been researching for a while know. Great communitity, glad to be a part of it.

I'm thinking of purchasing a DVC contract for my family. (3 kids @ 5,3, & 10mths).

We have gone to disney 3 times in the last year and have stayed at the contemporary everytime. It's really convenient for us but it's ridiculasly expensive. Our last trip was $7K+ and our trip in April is $6K+ yes it includes meals and tickets for 4 days/trip.

Anyways, I don't see an end to our Disney vacations and I thought why not buy a resale contract.

My budget is $30,000 for points and that would buy me 320pts (2 x 160) at BLT.

I have no plans to travel in the summer months or during Christmas it would mostly be some time in the mid March/Early May/ or end of November (kids birthdays) although when all the kids are in school I may need to rethink that but I have no problems pulling them out for a week.

So I called one of the timeshare resale companies and the person I spoke with, suggested that I should buy Saratoga Springs points because 7 months out for booking BLT and the time of year I want to go should be fine.

Anyone have experience with loading up on cheaper points and booking better resorts in non-peak times? I'm sure there are hundreds out there.

My main concern is that I don't want to stay at Saratoga Srpings (have before, decent place) because it's not convenient for us when we fly into orlando and don't rent a car. Not to mention in our ealy years it's nice to walk back to our resort and do a swim break.

I'm really torn because $30/point is a lot of money and I want to make the right decision.

Thanks in advance for any/all replies.

 

[Nancy F]

I would buy where you want to stay. So that would be BLT. That's what we did. JMHO.
Nancy

 

[GrnMtnMan]

buy where you want to stay

Ditto. Most people in timeshares will tell you this.

The only thing you are absolutely contractually guaranteed in DVC is the right to use the resort you bought at...everything else is subject to DVC's business decisions and can be changed by them unilaterally.

While it might be true right now that BLT has availability in your preferred vacation times at the 7-month mark, things could change.

 

[chalee94]

as long as you can book 10-11 months in advance, i'd buy BLT if you have a strong preference to stay there.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

We bought at BLT last year (resale) because it is our favorite resort and we knew that we would want to stay there most times. Even with teenagers, it is really convenient. You also have monorail access to Epcot as well as a "bus depot" at MK which will bring you to practically anywhere else on Disney property that you want to go.

DVC is a big purchase--do it right--buy where you want to stay. It would be a shame to make such a big purchase and then be ho hum about it.

Good luck!!It is a big but exciting decision. The ROFR wait time will almost kill you!!

 

[kenny]

We used to own SSR and sold it for BLT.

SSR is a beautiful resort, and we really do like staying there. However, after staying at BLT we sold our SSR contract and bought all BLT.

Yes you can get BLT at 7 months and probably always will be able to at some point during the year. However, that does not mean that whenever YOU want to travel you will be able to get it. Also take in to account views. If you ever want a standard or Theme Park view you will be hard pressed to ever get that a 7 months. I called 3 days after the 11 month window and couldn't get Theme Park for next Nov. While we won't always do a TP view, it is amazing and nice to know I can when I want.

As everyone has said, buy where you want to stay. If you have the money to afford what you want at BLT, I would buy that if that is what you like. You will never be disappointed.

While it cost us more to sell SSR and buy BLT, we are happy knowing that we can always get BLT and it was worth the extra money.

 

[crisi]

My only question is will BLT be your long term preference. With kids the ages yours are, it is now, but mine are 12 and 13 now and MK is a check on a list. The Studios or Epcot is where the excitement is for them.

 

[montrealdisneylovers]

We bought at BLT last year (resale) because it is our favorite resort and we knew that we would want to stay there most times. Even with teenagers, it is really convenient. You also have monorail access to Epcot as well as a "bus depot" at MK which will bring you to practically anywhere else on Disney property that you want to go.

DVC is a big purchase--do it right--buy where you want to stay. It would be a shame to make such a big purchase and then be ho hum about it.

Good luck!!It is a big but exciting decision. The ROFR wait time will almost kill you!!

 

[wcpamotm]

So far, our favorite place that we have stayed at (other than our current home of VWL) has been at BLT. So we are strongly considering adding on points there. Without question they are more expensive, but it's a nice knowing that we would be able to return there whenever we want.

 

[Dean]

This is my first post on the forum but I have been researching for a while know. Great communitity, glad to be a part of it.

I'm thinking of purchasing a DVC contract for my family. (3 kids @ 5,3, & 10mths).

We have gone to disney 3 times in the last year and have stayed at the contemporary everytime. It's really convenient for us but it's ridiculasly expensive. Our last trip was $7K+ and our trip in April is $6K+ yes it includes meals and tickets for 4 days/trip.

Anyways, I don't see an end to our Disney vacations and I thought why not buy a resale contract.

My budget is $30,000 for points and that would buy me 320pts (2 x 160) at BLT.

I have no plans to travel in the summer months or during Christmas it would mostly be some time in the mid March/Early May/ or end of November (kids birthdays) although when all the kids are in school I may need to rethink that but I have no problems pulling them out for a week.

So I called one of the timeshare resale companies and the person I spoke with, suggested that I should buy Saratoga Springs points because 7 months out for booking BLT and the time of year I want to go should be fine.

Anyone have experience with loading up on cheaper points and booking better resorts in non-peak times? I'm sure there are hundreds out there.

My main concern is that I don't want to stay at Saratoga Srpings (have before, decent place) because it's not convenient for us when we fly into orlando and don't rent a car. Not to mention in our ealy years it's nice to walk back to our resort and do a swim break.

I'm really torn because $30/point is a lot of money and I want to make the right decision.

Thanks in advance for any/all replies.

SSR will be the best value but it sounds like most all of your stays would be at BLT. I think one should buy at the lowest place their happy staying most of the time, that sounds like BLT for you. Don't forget GF should go on sale within the next 12-18 months. You might consider buying the 160 at BLT now and GF for 160 later. Or you might consider buying SSR plus some BLT points as well. You can also buy BLT resale and still save a fair amount over retail. Good luck.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes, you might buy a smaller number of points resale (than 320 direct) and save a bunch of money and still get BLT. Then you can use the money you saved to buy other points if you still want to get more.

If the theme park view is important to you at BLT, then you'll want to own at BLT. BUT, if you can't book any further out than seven months out, any points will meet your needs. You have to use the home resort advantage at 11 months out to get the really plum locations.

 

[Sandisw]

We went through the same thing when we were deciding on DVC. We went to Disney often but almost every trip was to the CR--we even tried other resorts, but always wished we were at the CR and on a few trips, we switched mid trip from whereever we were to the CR.

Knowing this, we knew that BLT was the only resort for us. We knew we would just not be happy elsewhere.

At the time, BLT was only available direct so we had no choice to do that. But, we did consider SSR because it was so much less expensive, but at the end of the day, we decided we would rather spend $18,000 on something that we loved, instead of spending $13,000 on something we weren't even sure we would like.

When you consider that DVC is a long term committment, that extra $5000, over the life of our ownership didn't amount to much. We even figured if we owned for only 10 years, it meant we spent about $500 extra per year to own at a place we would love.

And, while there is a lot of success getting in to BLT at the 7 month mark, I did not want to have to book at SSR (or any other resort) and then be on pins and needles for 4 months hoping and praying that we could get it for our trips.

Plus, owning there has allowed us to stay in SV rooms for around the same number of points it would to stay at the other resorts we figured we would like (BWV, BCV, and VWL). So, being able to book during the home resort period has been important. Now, I have to say, after having done split stays for our summer trips and trying out those other resorts, we realized we also wanted to own at BWV so we could book there at 11 months as well and just bought last summer more points there and can now book exactly at the resorts of our choice from the start.

If you know you love that location and would feel at all disappointed if you were not there, then I say spend the extra money and get what you want.

Good luck!

 

[luckyman_apd]

If you are used to staying at the contemporary, and you are planning to continue, you WILL save money on DVC. We are currently waiting on ROFR for our BLT contract. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to go as often as you or to afford Contemporary reservations. That's WHY we are buying into BLT for DVC. So we can get the Contemporary location for less $ over time.

If this is where you are used to, then buy here. You would save money up front on SSR points, but if you plan ahead, want the standard view or MK view, you will want to own there. If you can afford the difference in the buy in, why risk being shut out of the place you want to stay?

I'll put it in the perspective I used to justify buying BLT over SSR (well this and my wife was NOT signing the papers unless it was for BLT). I got a BLT contract resale for LESS than SSR Direct. Hope that helps and good luck. I would consider the idea of buying 2 contracts that add up to the points you want instead of 1 contract for more points. If your plans change in the future, or you decide to go less often down the road, it will be easier to sell of 1 or 2 smaller ones than 1 large one. Just make sure you get the same U/Y for each if you go this route. I just see it as paying a couple hundred bucks extra in closing costs, to give yourself some security in the future. Just look at the price difference between smaller and bigger contracts on the resale market.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just to reemphasize - buying at BLT will only matter if you will consistently or always book during the home resort booking period of 7+ to 11 months out. If not then buy SSR or possibly an extended OKW.

 

[Frontside720]

WOW!!!!

Amazing responses. Thank you all very much for all your reply's. Very insightful information.

I need to learn how all the acronyms. I had to do 4 searches to figure out what resorts everyone was talking about but I'm getting there.

There's a lot of info I'm trying to remember to respond to and I apologize for not outlining who said what.

Here are a couple points:

1) I'm assuming U/Y is use year. The points I'm looking at are two separate contracts that actually have the same renewal month and 2060 expiry. Someone suggested that I should keep these contracts separate in case I wanted to resell them. I think I would prefer to merge them if I can to help with booking and one account number. Is this possible? Recommendations?

2) Someone pointed out that our preferences may change when the kids get older and our days may be spent HS or Epcot. This is a valid point but after talking with my wife, it's a real challenge to travel on buses with a stroller and 3 kids under 6yrs. I'm sure when they are older MK will be a check on the list but sitting on a bus with a 10yr old will be a lot easier then scrambling for strollers and diaper bags.

3) People have mentioned the different room types in regards to views. Can someone clarify what views are most desired? I'm guessing MK view, SV, LV (in that order). If this is the case... excellent!! We have stayed there 4 times in the last 2 years. 2 x's with lake view, 1 x with MK view and once in the contemporary garden wing. After a long day at the park and the organized chaos that is disney, we prefer the LV and sitting on the balcony with some peace and serenity. I have never stayed in a SV so I am curious on how those rooms are and what they look at.

4) The points I'm looking at are resale at $90/point

In a perfect world we would love the opportunity to bank points for year and head to Hawaii once the kids are older and can handle a 14hr flight (Toronto). It's a dream place we always wanted to visit and this would be an added bonus to us.

One last caveat, we currently have a shared vacation home with my brother and his family in Aventura, FL (North Miami) and the only thing we would miss out on is those last minute "lets drive to Disney" trips.

Thanks again for the amazing responses. I'm glad to be a part of the community and hopefully an owner of DVC very soon.

 

[Deb & Bill]

WOW!!!!

Amazing responses. Thank you all very much for all your reply's. Very insightful information.

I need to learn how all the acronyms. I had to do 4 searches to figure out what resorts everyone was talking about but I'm getting there.

There's a lot of info I'm trying to remember to respond to and I apologize for not outlining who said what.

Here are a couple points:

1) I'm assuming U/Y is use year. The points I'm looking at are two separate contracts that actually have the same renewal month and 2060 expiry. Someone suggested that I should keep these contracts separate in case I wanted to resell them. I think I would prefer to merge them if I can to help with booking and one account number. Is this possible? Recommendations?

2) Someone pointed out that our preferences may change when the kids get older and our days may be spent HS or Epcot. This is a valid point but after talking with my wife, it's a real challenge to travel on buses with a stroller and 3 kids under 6yrs. I'm sure when they are older MK will be a check on the list but sitting on a bus with a 10yr old will be a lot easier then scrambling for strollers and diaper bags.

3) People have mentioned the different room types in regards to views. Can someone clarify what views are most desired? I'm guessing MK view, SV, LV (in that order). If this is the case... excellent!! We have stayed there 4 times in the last 2 years. 2 x's with lake view, 1 x with MK view and once in the contemporary garden wing. After a long day at the park and the organized chaos that is disney, we prefer the LV and sitting on the balcony with some peace and serenity. I have never stayed in a SV so I am curious on how those rooms are and what they look at.

4) The points I'm looking at are resale at $95/point

In a perfect world we would love the opportunity to bank points for year and head to Hawaii once the kids are older and can handle a 14hr flight (Toronto). It's a dream place we always wanted to visit and this would be an added bonus to us.

One last caveat, we currently have a shared vacation home with my brother and his family in Aventura, FL (North Miami) and the only thing we would miss out on is those last minute "lets drive to Disney" trips.

Thanks again for the amazing responses. I'm glad to be a part of the community and hopefully an owner of DVC very soon.

You, sir, have done your homework. The two contracts would remain separate, but under one member number if they have the same use year (month that the points start). So, if you want to sell one in the future, you could do that. But you can combine those points to make single nights if you want to. Make sure DVC understands that you want to combine them under one member number. They need to be titled exactly the same.

Enjoy your contracts and your vacations.

 

[chalee94]

1) I'm assuming U/Y is use year. The points I'm looking at are two separate contracts that actually have the same renewal month and 2060 expiry. Someone suggested that I should keep these contracts separate in case I wanted to resell them. I think I would prefer to merge them if I can to help with booking and one account number. Is this possible? Recommendations?

only disney can really "merge" 2 contracts together.

as deb&bill said, you really want to have everything under one membership number for simplicity. you can still sell or will the contracts separately.

3) People have mentioned the different room types in regards to views. Can someone clarify what views are most desired? I'm guessing MK view, SV, LV (in that order).

basically, yes. owners have early access to booking the best villas and the cheapest villas (standard) so those go first. over 2/3 of the resort is lake view if i recall correctly.

 

[quinnc19]

I encourage you to think about buying one contract now and one in a year or so. You could borrow from your next UY to have enough points for vacations until you get your next contract. Here are my reasons: 1) Addonitis is rampant and you may decide you would like to have 2 home resorts (e.g., one at EPCOT and BLT). 2) All prices are likely to go down, but IMO especially BLT given its relatively high cost now and increased competition from the GF villas (it will no longer be the only monorail DVC). When you buy your second contract, you can still have it "merged" if it's also BLT with the same UY. Good luck with your decision!

 

[luckyman_apd]

WOW!!!!

Amazing responses. Thank you all very much for all your reply's. Very insightful information.

I need to learn how all the acronyms. I had to do 4 searches to figure out what resorts everyone was talking about but I'm getting there.

There's a lot of info I'm trying to remember to respond to and I apologize for not outlining who said what.

Here are a couple points:

1) I'm assuming U/Y is use year. The points I'm looking at are two separate contracts that actually have the same renewal month and 2060 expiry. Someone suggested that I should keep these contracts separate in case I wanted to resell them. I think I would prefer to merge them if I can to help with booking and one account number. Is this possible? Recommendations

Yes, U/Y is use year. If you purchase 2 different contracts with the same U/Y and same resort, they can be combined as one contract under 1 membership #, just make sure your realtor understands this when you purchase so it gets deeded the same way.

Someone pointed out that our preferences may change when the kids get older and our days may be spent HS or Epcot. This is a valid point but after talking with my wife, it's a real challenge to travel on buses with a stroller and 3 kids under 6yrs. I'm sure when they are older MK will be a check on the list but sitting on a bus with a 10yr old will be a lot easier then scrambling for strollers and diaper bags.

Preferences my change, which is why I suggest 2 contracts instead of 1 big one. Right now you love BLT, but in the future who knows. You might be able to sell 1 of the BLT tower contracts in the future and pick up another. Who knows, maybe not. It will only cost you the extra closing costs (and maybe not depending on the total points purchased). It just gives you a little security in the future. We only bought 125 points, and if our plans change in the future we'll buy more, but 125 fills our needs now. I agree with you about strollers on busses. My wife was insisntant on BLT for this reason. We visit MK and Epcot the most. My kids are 2 and 6, and we use the sit and stand as my daughter at 6 still gets tired out from all the walking. But that thing is a beast to fold up on the bus.

People have mentioned the different room types in regards to views. Can someone clarify what views are most desired? I'm guessing MK view, SV, LV (in that order). If this is the case... excellent!! We have stayed there 4 times in the last 2 years. 2 x's with lake view, 1 x with MK view and once in the contemporary garden wing. After a long day at the park and the organized chaos that is disney, we prefer the LV and sitting on the balcony with some peace and serenity. I have never stayed in a SV so I am curious on how those rooms are and what they look at.

There is a great thread in the resorts category for BLT views. Many pics are posted in it from various rooms to give you an ideas. MK view costs the most points, and SV the fewest. If BLT is your home resort, you will almost certainly be able to book the MK or SV during your 11 month window. At 7 months, LV is the only thing I would plan that would available. Anything else would be a bonus at that time frame (certainly possible, but it would be foolish to buy SSR points and expect to be able to book SV at BLT everytime)

The points I'm looking at are resale at $90/point

In a perfect world we would love the opportunity to bank points for year and head to Hawaii once the kids are older and can handle a 14hr flight (Toronto). It's a dream place we always wanted to visit and this would be an added bonus to us.

We paid $95. You might be able to negotiate lower than that for more points but that is a good price in my opinion as long as all the points are there for 2012. If the U/Y you want is later in the year (like Sept,Oct,Dec) I would want 2011 points included

last caveat, we currently have a shared vacation home with my brother and his family in Aventura, FL (North Miami) and the only thing we would miss out on is those last minute "lets drive to Disney" trips.

If you're down there why not still take that "last minute drive". I have no idea how long a drive it is, but if you go as often as your first post, you will probably be using the Annual Pass discount. DVC only gets you room reservations. And who knows, you may find last minute places to stay, just what's left available.

 

[lions1995]

I encourage you to think about buying one contract now and one in a year or so.

I would agree with quinnc19. I am looking to get some BLT points resale myself, but I am waiting for the price to come down as it certainlky will over the next year or two. As stated, it will give you some time to see if you would like to have points at a different resort.