Adding on...but where? Advice wanted...

[cg1200]

I've been thinking for a while about adding on to my DVC membership. My family of 5 (kids are 11, 7 and 5) owns 150 points at BWV (Feb UY). We typically travel once a year to WDW and with at least 1-4 other guests so we generally need a 2BR. I usually wind up borrowing points from the following year to cover the costs which leaves me in the hole almost all the time. So I figured maybe another 100 BWV points would put me in good shape. A 2BR BWV villa is about 205-225 points for the 5-6 day visits we usually make.

Just a few weeks ago we stayed at BLT with just our family of 5 in a 1BR (this was our first trip in 6 years with just our family). We weren't thrilled with the generic theming but loved the location, the 2nd bathroom and the modern amenities.

So now my dilemma is do I buy into BLT or add on at BWV? I'm still leaning toward adding on at BWV because I'd then have 250 points at one resort all (hopefully) with the same UY. If I bought 150 points at BLT it would still leave me short for the 2BR unless I borrowed from the following year as a matter of rule.

Buying another 100 points at BWV is relatively cheap (though annual dues are higher than at BLT) and there's probably a good chance of getting a 2BR at BLT at the 7 month window if we want to stay there instead. Still, the BWV points expire in 2032 compared to, what, 2060 for BLT? Once my kids reach college it's doubful we will all still vacation together so in 20 years it may not matter where we own.

We still love the boardwalk and have no problem at all staying there. But BLT was nice too (primarily because of the location and 2nd bathroom). Really tough decision.

Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.

 

[Sandisw]

If you add on at BLT, what you could do is alternate the resorts every other year so you can utilize the 11 month booking window.

For example, one year do BWV and the other BLT. With banking/borrowing, you could do this on a regular basis.

For example, you buy 100 points at BLT. In 2010, you borrow and use all 200 to stay the trip at BLT. AT the same time, you bank your BWV points. In 2011, you won't have any BLT points, but 300 BWV points to use toward your 2 bedroom.

The only other way is to do split stays each year between the two resorts. I own at BLT and bought because of the location. While the length of contract is much longer, if you buy BWV, you will save money (about $30. - $40 per point) and, as you said, still be able to book BLT at 7 months.

I know for me personally, I didn't want two home resorts as I originally started with VWL to become a DVC member. I sold after only 2 months so I could own all at BLT.

Good luck!

 

[wdrl]

So now my dilemma is do I buy into BLT or add on at BWV? . . . . Still, the BWV points expire in 2032 compared to, what, 2060 for BLT? Once my kids reach college it's doubful we will all still vacation together so in 20 years it may not matter where we own.


Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.

Actually, BWV expires in 2042, but its still 18 years before BLT. Who knows for sure what our vacations will be like in 20 or 30 years? You mention that its doubtful you'll still be vacationing together in 20 years. But you might have little grandchildren by that time, so you might still need a 2 bedroom if you travel with them. Or you might really want that easy access to MK offered by BLT. Good luck on your decision!!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think it depend on where you really want to use the points. Do you like BLT enough to want to book a vacation there? I don't think it's going to be easy to book 2 bedroom standard or MK view at BLT at 7 months, so it would most likely be lake view that's available. If you had all your points at BWV, you could book your whole vacation at BWV and then move your whole vacation at 7 months instead of taking a chance on a split vacation.

Bobbi

 

[cg1200]

If you add on at BLT, what you could do is alternate the resorts every other year so you can utilize the 11 month booking window.

For example, one year do BWV and the other BLT. With banking/borrowing, you could do this on a regular basis.

For example, you buy 100 points at BLT. In 2010, you borrow and use all 200 to stay the trip at BLT. AT the same time, you bank your BWV points. In 2011, you won't have any BLT points, but 300 BWV points to use toward your 2 bedroom.

The only other way is to do split stays each year between the two resorts. I own at BLT and bought because of the location. While the length of contract is much longer, if you buy BWV, you will save money (about $30. - $40 per point) and, as you said, still be able to book BLT at 7 months.

I know for me personally, I didn't want two home resorts as I originally started with VWL to become a DVC member. I sold after only 2 months so I could own all at BLT.

Good luck!

I thought about this. I just wondered how complicated it would/could get. There's something very appealing (and simple!) about having all my points at the same resort (especially one we truly love - BWV), assuming I can get a Feb UY on the 2nd contract.

Hard to predict availability at the 7 month window. 2BR in general seem harder to come by so I agree it may get difficult to get into BLT without BLT points. Who can say for sure?

I don't think I want 2 home resorts either but it may be the best compromise.

 

[cg1200]

I think it depend on where you really want to use the points. Do you like BLT enough to want to book a vacation there? I don't think it's going to be easy to book 2 bedroom standard or MK view at BLT at 7 months, so it would most likely be lake view that's available. If you had all your points at BWV, you could book your whole vacation at BWV and then move your whole vacation at 7 months instead of taking a chance on a split vacation.

Bobbi

This is the problem - we like both locations. I like both enough to want to stay at both in the future. And I'm fine with a LV. We had that this past time and it was great.

 

[bobbiwoz]

This is the problem - we like both locations. I like both enough to want to stay at both in the future. And I'm fine with a LV. We had that this past time and it was great.

OK..well, do you want to stay at both during the same trip, or do you want to alternate years? If you want to alternate years, then I would buy the new points at BLT and bank and borrow to have great vacations in the EXACT type of villas you want there. Maybe you would want a dedicated 2 bedroom at BLT, BWV doesn't have them, and that's my one "beef" with BWV. Maybe someday you would want a MK view at BLT. Buying the points there would mean that you would have the best chance of getting what you want.

If you wanted to have split stays, and were willing to take the lake views, I would buy more BWV.

We don't think we need to own at BLT. We are staying in a dedicated 2 bedroom lake view for 5 nights in January, over the Marathon weekend time frame. If we fall in love with it, I'm in big trouble.

Bobbi

 

[work2play]

We have both BLT and BWV. Since we don't know how popular BLT will be in the future, we decided that we would like to own there to make sure we can get what we want. We followed the advise on the boards, buy where you want to stay.

 

[cg1200]

OK..well, do you want to stay at both during the same trip, or do you want to alternate years? If you want to alternate years, then I would buy the new points at BLT and bank and borrow to have great vacations in the EXACT type of villas you want there. Maybe you would want a dedicated 2 bedroom at BLT, BWV doesn't have them, and that's my one "beef" with BWV. Maybe someday you would want a MK view at BLT. Buying the points there would mean that you would have the best chance of getting what you want.

If you wanted to have split stays, and were willing to take the lake views, I would buy more BWV.

We don't think we need to own at BLT. We are staying in a dedicated 2 bedroom lake view for 5 nights in January, over the Marathon weekend time frame. If we fall in love with it, I'm in big trouble.

Bobbi

Do NOT want to split my trips. We want to stay at one hotel for the length of the trip.

The LV room we stayed in was fine. With the TOWL and the views from the skybridge I think I'd be ok foregoing the MK view if it came down to it. It's really the 2nd bathroom and the short walk to MK we loved which we'd get no matter which room we got.

 

[cg1200]

We have both BLT and BWV. Since we don't know how popular BLT will be in the future, we decided that we would like to own there to make sure we can get what we want. We followed the advise on the boards, buy where you want to stay.

So I guess if we want to stay at both in the future it would make sense to do this (buy at both). Still it's a big difference in upfront costs. 15K for 125 points at bay lake vs 8K for 100 points at BWV.

I won't be ready to purchase until January so I guess I'll have time to torture myself some more.

 

[dclfun]

I would probably buy at BLT just for the home resort priority to be able to get exactly what you want. We almost added on another 100 points there but decided to buy VGC instead, figuring we'd only go every 2-3 years to Disneyland and it's a smaller resort so we felt we wanted the home resort priority there. We bought at OKW many years ago when we had our four kids still at home. Now my kids are grown and I'm a Grandma with two grandchildren in two different families and another one on the way, so our vacationing needs have changed over the years. I like the idea of choices- we now have three different home resorts and it's worked really well for us- we have the best of three options with a booking priority. Good luck with your decision!--Kathy

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do NOT want to split my trips. We want to stay at one hotel for the length of the trip.

The LV room we stayed in was fine. With the TOWL and the views from the skybridge I think I'd be ok foregoing the MK view if it came down to it. It's really the 2nd bathroom and the short walk to MK we loved which we'd get no matter which room we got.

You really like the amenities at BLT, you are a bit concerned about the 2042 ending of the BWV points, but you were able to get into BLT using BWV points and don't know if the upfront extra purchase price is worth it.

Well, people here caution others against buying into VB because of the high maintance fees. The cheaper up front costs are eaten away after "x" number of years because the MF's are higher and eventually you've paid more for the VB points than you would have for _________. I suppose that should be considered here. Plus if you ever do sell, the BLT should be worth more than the BWV, of course, you did pay more. Maybe you are leaning toward BLT, and I think in your place, that's the one I would buy.

Bobbi

PS. Since you were happy with the general amenities at BLT, another reason to buy there is that you would more likely be able to get Standard view if you owned there. That way, you could get the things you like at a lesser point cost than you would with your BWV points.

 

[cg1200]

You really like the amenities at BLT, you are a bit concerned about the 2042 ending of the BWV points, but you were able to get into BLT using BWV points and don't know if the upfront extra purchase price is worth it.

Well, people here caution others against buying into VB because of the high maintance fees. The cheaper up front costs are eaten away after "x" number of years because the MF's are higher and eventually you've paid more for the VB points than you would have for _________. I suppose that should be considered here. Plus if you ever do sell, the BLT should be worth more than the BWV, of course, you did pay more. Maybe you are leaning toward BLT, and I think in your place, that's the one I would buy.

Bobbi

PS. Since you were happy with the general amenities at BLT, another reason to buy there is that you would more likely be able to get Standard view if you owned there. That way, you could get the things you like at a lesser point cost than you would with your BWV points.

I did run some numbers on upfront costs and MF over the course of 20 years and it is true; it comes out pretty close or cheaper to buy BLT even at the higher initial cost. Still, the 8K now is tempting. I'd rather spread the higher costs over 20 years than pay more now and less in dues over time.

It may come down to what's available at BWV when I'm ready to purchase in Jan. We're contemplating a trip for Thanksgiving in 2010 and I'm fresh out of BWV points. I'd have to borrow my 2011 BWV points just for a 1BR so if I add a 50-100 point BWV contract I'd be in good shape.

If I go BLT contract in Jan, I'm stuck with 1BR at either BWV or BLT and would have to wait til 7 month window to move up to 2BR. Sheesh. This is starting to make my head hurt.

 

[bobbiwoz]

...
If I go BLT contract in Jan, I'm stuck with 1BR at either BWV or BLT and would have to wait til 7 month window to move up to 2BR. Sheesh. This is starting to make my head hurt.

So, in a very important way, having all of your points at one resort, BWV makes your life easier. You know that sounds like a plan you can live with too! You are right, I wouldn't want to have to wait until 7 months out to get what I really really want for a particular trip, but people here do that. For many many people on the Disboards, the 7 month plan works like a charm.

Bobbi

 

[cg1200]

So, in a very important way, having all of your points at one resort, BWV makes your life easier. You know that sounds like a plan you can live with too! You are right, I wouldn't want to have to wait until 7 months out to get what I really really want for a particular trip, but people here do that. For many many people on the Disboards, the 7 month plan works like a charm.

Bobbi

But that would only be true for this year. Help me play out a scenario.

I buy a 160 point BLT contract in Jan of 2010 with a UY in Feb. I book my Thanksgiving trip for 2010 at BLT using all of my 2010 BLT points. I can only get a 1BR with this amount. Since I have no 2010 BWV (I borrowed for 2009)points I am basically stuck at this point unless I want to to borrow my 2011 BWV allotment to book a 2BR. Let's say I do that, and borrow 50 points from 2011 to book a 2BR at BLT for thanksgiving at the 7 month window.

So fast forard to 2011. I have my full 160 BLT points and 100 BWV points (I own 150 at BWV but borrowed 50 from 2011). So I can book a trip at BLT in 2011 using my points and bank the 100 BWV points for 2012. That would give me 250 BWV points in 2012. I can then bank my 2012 160 BLT points and save them for 2013.

It will take a year or two but eventually I should be able to get to a point where I can bank one resort's points for the following year thus allowing me to alternate resorts with the full 11 month window. The problem is I won't have enough points to book a 2BR on the next two trips. I might need a point transfer to get me setup for the future.

Have I got this straight? If so a BLT contract may be worthwhile for me. If I play my cards right I'd be able to switch between the 2 every other year with the full 11 month window.

 

[Sandisw]

But that would only be true for this year. Help me play out a scenario.

I buy a 160 point BLT contract in Jan of 2010 with a UY in Feb. I book my Thanksgiving trip for 2010 at BLT using all of my 2010 BLT points. I can only get a 1BR with this amount. Since I have no 2010 BWV (I borrowed for 2009)points I am basically stuck at this point unless I want to to borrow my 2011 BWV allotment to book a 2BR. Let's say I do that, and borrow 50 points from 2011 to book a 2BR at BLT for thanksgiving at the 7 month window.

So fast forard to 2011. I have my full 160 BLT points and 100 BWV points (I own 150 at BWV but borrowed 50 from 2011). So I can book a trip at BLT in 2011 using my points and bank the 100 BWV points for 2012. That would give me 250 BWV points in 2012. I can then bank my 2012 160 BLT points and save them for 2013.

It will take a year or two but eventually I should be able to get to a point where I can bank one resort's points for the following year thus allowing me to alternate resorts with the full 11 month window. The problem is I won't have enough points to book a 2BR on the next two trips. I might need a point transfer to get me setup for the future.

Have I got this straight? If so a BLT contract may be worthwhile for me. If I play my cards right I'd be able to switch between the 2 every other year with the full 11 month window.

Well, with a Feb UY, there is a chance, even buying in January 2010, that you will be given 2009 points since you will still be in the 2009 UY for Feb. That would give you an extra set of BLT points so you could book that 2 bedroom at BLT next Thanksgiving.

I know you are waiting until January, but if you have a Disney Visa, you can put up to $5,000 of the purchase and get 6 months 0% interest. Not sure if this might make a difference for you in terms of buying now (which increases your chances of getting 2009 points).

Just a thought!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm pretty sure that you will get your '09 points if you buy in January '10 and have a February UY. Be sure that you will be able to bank the points, recently, they have allowed it, but I added on one January, (I'm guessing it was '05) I have a March UY and one year I was not allowed to bank them. In the end, I donated the points for a Give the Kids the World volunteer stay, so the points were used, not wasted.

So, it looks as if with banking and borrowing you WILL be able to alternate years in a 2 bedroom as you want. That's great! Do you think you're set with the BLT add on...can you live with it?

Bobbi

 

[cg1200]

I'm pretty sure that you will get your '09 points if you buy in January '10 and have a February UY. Be sure that you will be able to bank the points, recently, they have allowed it, but I added on one January, (I'm guessing it was '05) I have a March UY and one year I was not allowed to bank them. In the end, I donated the points for a Give the Kids the World volunteer stay, so the points were used, not wasted.

So, it looks as if with banking and borrowing you WILL be able to alternate years in a 2 bedroom as you want. That's great! Do you think you're set with the BLT add on...can you live with it?

Bobbi

Very interesting regarding the Jan purchase. Do I get to choose my UY when I buy into BLT or does it just get assigned to me arbitrarily? If things play out as you describe it may work out.

I don't know if I'm totally there yet on BLT but I think I'm warming up to it. I think it gives me the most options. The biggest downside is upfront costs. BLT will be almost double my add-on investment at BWV (I know in the long run it will even out).

I know you are waiting until January, but if you have a Disney Visa, you can put up to $5,000 of the purchase and get 6 months 0% interest. Not sure if this might make a difference for you in terms of buying now (which increases your chances of getting 2009 points).

Just a thought!

Good thought. But I'm in an industry where year end compensation can vary quite a bit. I'll know for sure where I'm at in Jan. I'd hate to make a move now and then find out my employer put a lump of coal in my stocking!

 

[disneynutz]

I will always suggest that you buy where you love to stay.

Good luck on your decision.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

When you add on with Disney, you get the same UY your have. The only exception is if you didn't want it, and you bought a full contract, however many that is at the time you buy, and then you could get a different UY. I find that it's easiest to have just the one UY.

Bobbi