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

[crys5]

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.

Do you know that if you buy into Animal Kingdom now, you would get 8 free annual passes plus 2008 points, if you buy 160 points, i think if you add on less you get 4 passes...there is also a webcast on dvc coming out in December on specials for DVC.

 

[Sandisw]

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).




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!

I certainly understand and adding on to DVC before one is ready is never a good idea. I am in the same position and will be waiting until January. MY UY is June so I know that I will be getting the 2009 points.

You may still want to give your guide a call right now and ask him/her whether or not getting the 2009 points for your January purchase (and the ability to bank) will even be an option. It might help in making your decision.

Now, if you bought at the 160 level, you can get any UY you want for BLT, but I personally found that the two UY (since you can't combine points for a single night reservation without a transfer) more of a hassle than its worth.

Good luck!

 

[DenLo]

Since the OP really only cares about two resorts, BWV and BLT.

Do you know that if you buy into Animal Kingdom now, you would get 8 free annual passes plus 2008 points, if you buy 160 points, i think if you add on less you get 4 passes...there is also a webcast on dvc coming out in December on specials for DVC.

It's only 4 passes for 160 pts. You have to buy 220 pts to get 4 APs in WDW and DL.

Per DVC News and this agrees with our guide told us a couple weeks ago:

Animal Kingdom Villas***

$112 per point 25-49 points
$112 base price less $10 promotional discount; 50-99 points
$112 base price less $12 promotional discount; 100-269 points
$112 base price less $14 promotional discount; 270+ points

Special Offer 1: Free Walt Disney World and Disneyland Annual Passes with purchase. Incentives are as follows:

100-159 points: 2 APs for Disneyland AND 2 APs for Walt Disney World; cost is $112 per point
160-219 points: 4 APs for Disneyland AND 4 APs for Walt Disney World; cost is $112 per point
220+ points: 4 APs for Disneyland AND 4 APs for Walt Disney World; cost is $108 per point ($112 less $4 discount)

BTW, our guide told us you can get 4 APs at either park. The APs at WDW are regular APs where the DL ones are premium APs to make for the most cost difference.

 

[dizfan]

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!

Definitely wise to make sure of your financial situation first.

Depending on when you will know in January, one option...

If you sign up for the webcast (Dec 8, 10, 12) and they offer a good incentive for BLT. It's likely they will give 7-14 days to decide on purchasing. If you wait until the last day and say yes, the contract will have to be sent to you, taking a couple more days. This puts it around Christmas. I suspect you would have until after the New Years to sign and return the contract.

If you'll know your financial situation the first week in January, you could either sign and return or call your guide and cancel. I think the only downside is that they would collect the 10% deposit while the contract is pending. If you cancel, I'm not sure how quickly they return the deposit.

When we purchased BLT after the June webcast, it was approximately 1 month before we closed and we returned our contract a couple days after receiving it.

 

[cg1200]

Now, if you bought at the 160 level, you can get any UY you want for BLT, but I personally found that the two UY (since you can't combine points for a single night reservation without a transfer) more of a hassle than its worth.

Good luck!

This was my question. I would likely add on at BWV going through re-sale market so I'd need to get lucky and find a contract with a Feb UY. I was just wondering how UY was determined on a new contract. I would definitely choose a Feb UY to make my life simple.

 

[cg1200]

If you sign up for the webcast (Dec 8, 10, 12) and they offer a good incentive for BLT. It's likely they will give 7-14 days to decide on purchasing. If you wait until the last day and say yes, the contract will have to be sent to you, taking a couple more days. This puts it around Christmas. I suspect you would have until after the New Years to sign and return the contract.

If you'll know your financial situation the first week in January, you could either sign and return or call your guide and cancel. I think the only downside is that they would collect the 10% deposit while the contract is pending. If you cancel, I'm not sure how quickly they return the deposit.

When we purchased BLT after the June webcast, it was approximately 1 month before we closed and we returned our contract a couple days after receiving it.

Interesting. Do I have to sign up for the webcast to take advantage of any offers? Based on your timeline above I could probably swing it.

I would need about 250-300 pts depending on type of 2BR I would get at BLT for our typical 5 night stay. So if I'm banking every other year I'd need about 125-150 points. Hopefully there will be some incentive at 160 to make it worth my while. As of now even at $112/point it's almost 17K. More than double my add on at BWV via re-sale.

 

[cg1200]

Just in case anyone was wondering I finally decided on BLT. What really swayed me was getting 2009 points. That enables me to book a 2BR in 2010 right from the start. I got the standard deal $110/point for 160 points. No closing costs. My guide even let me put off payng in full until Feb. This too was huge.

In the end, despite my nitpicking of BLT's theme (or lack thereof), it is still a gorgeous hotel with probably the best location in all of Disney. How can you go wrong?

Thanks to all for sharing with me. The other viewpoints were really helpful in coming to this decision.