Addonitis back - is BLT worth it?

[wingkng]

Just came back from Christmas at VWL It was a wonderful trip with my DW and baby DD (16 mos old). My wife mentioned that on our next vacation at WDW, she would like to stay along the monorail. Somehow, addonitis struck right then and there, while we were riding the monorail...

Here is my situation. I have 375 points (150 at SSR, 150 at AKV, 75 at VWL). We plan to vacation at Disney one week a year (max) but would like to stay in a 2 BR for comfort. We would also like to take the Disney Cruise every so often on points. I was thinking it sure would be nice to be at BLT, and take the monorail to MK. My wife loved staying at VWL (with all the amenities of a hotel), but she is not fond of SSR (although we have never stayed there).

I am debating whether to buy some add-on points at BLT (maybe 100), but I am afraid that we may already have too many points. Should I just keep what I have and let the addonitis fade, or should I buy points at BLT (and perhaps sell off my SSR points).

My question is: is BLT worth it? Yes, BLT has access to MK via monorail, but VWL has direct access to MK via boat. I like the atmosphere at VWL but am not so sure about BLT. My wife (who is from Taiwan) says that BLT reminds her of one of the high rise apartments in Taiwan.

Please help.....

 

[hakepb]

I would wait it out, see how hard it actually becomes to book BLT at 7 months with your SSR points, then try out BLT.
It is a fairly large difference between SSR resale prices and new BLT prices
And remember, even if you miss all of the initial BLT sales from DVC, there will be BLT resales... Plus you need more points to stay at BLT.

Are you saying BLT reminds her of Taiwaneese apartments in a good or bad way?

 

[WeLoveAriel0505]

We recently bought in at BLT and our approach was that it will be a popular place to stay once built (so we'll want that 11 month window), and since our kids (4, 2, and infant) are in the MK years...........we'd probably want to stay there a bit more now. In the future, perhaps we can sell some of our contract off and buy in at another resort, however, for us we like the idea of being on the monorail for naps, being within walking distance of MK and being a monorail away from a night out at Epcot.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

PRE-DVC we stayed at the Contemporary Resort in both 1994 and 2002. That had been our only ON-PROPERTY experience. We decided to check out WL in 2005 and was really disappointed with the transportation.

I think you'll love BLT if only for the transportation. With the old decor -- dh and I were one of the few that got the tomorrowland tie-in.

As for adding on...we are very conservative point purchasers. We are pretty happy with our 100 BWV points, but love CR as well.

Dh and I had a really bad case of addonitis a few weeks ago when we found out that we would not be able to add on less than 100 points after January 15th. We looked at the point charts and decided that we would be better off to purchase 100 points later - when we have the money, than 50 points now, when we don't have the money.

 

[wingkng]

I would wait it out, see how hard it actually becomes to book BLT at 7 months with your SSR points, then try out BLT.
It is a fairly large difference between SSR resale prices and new BLT prices
And remember, even if you miss all of the initial BLT sales from DVC, there will be BLT resales... Plus you need more points to stay at BLT.

Are you saying BLT reminds her of Taiwaneese apartments in a good or bad way?

The BLT building itself just reminded her of home in Taiwan. It's neither good nor bad. It's just that most people go to Disney to get away from the familiar. I have heard many people from the Northwest who would not stay at VWL because the theming is too much like home. For me, on the other hand, VWL is exotic.

 

[Donald is #1]

Have you checked out the BLT models? If so, do you & your wife like the decor?

 

[wingkng]

Have you checked out the BLT models? If so, do you & your wife like the decor?

We never had a chance to go to the BLT models. We saw the pictures posted by others, and they seem nice enough.

I guess my main dilemma is whether or not buying into BLT is worth the extra money to make sure we can stay there. I guess it's too early to tell if it will be hard to get into at the 7 month window, especially during spring time, my favorite time to go to Disney.

When I bought SSR at first, we did not know what our travel preferences would be. Now, my DW and I find that convenience and amenities (like restaurants close by) are important factors. I still like the fact that SSR was my cheapest purchase and still the cheapest to own (low MF), but I am wondering whether we will like staying there.

 

[Donald is #1]

We never had a chance to go to the BLT models. We saw the pictures posted by others, and they seem nice enough.

I guess my main dilemma is whether or not buying into BLT is worth the extra money to make sure we can stay there. I guess it's too early to tell if it will be hard to get into at the 7 month window, especially during spring time, my favorite time to go to Disney.

When I bought SSR at first, we did not know what our travel preferences would be. Now, my DW and I find that convenience and amenities (like restaurants close by) are important factors. I still like the fact that SSR was my cheapest purchase and still the cheapest to own (low MF), but I am wondering whether we will like staying there.

Hmm, in that case, I would wait to see how easy it is to book at BLT at the 7 month mark. Then if you decide that you want the 11 month advantage, then I would look at whether you want more points or whether you want to replace your SSR points with BLT points.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

If you only want to go to Disney for 1 week MAX then I would rethink the add on!!

BLT points will always be there! So you can buy at any point if you decide you'd like to spend more time at Disney.

Check out how much a 2 bedroom will be for a week at the BLT, you may find you will only be able to go there every third year, especially when your little one starts school.

 

[DVC Mike]

but I am afraid that we may already have too many points.

Is there even such a thing as having too many points?

 

[disneynutz]

Just came back from Christmas at VWL It was a wonderful trip with my DW and baby DD (16 mos old). My wife mentioned that on our next vacation at WDW, she would like to stay along the monorail. Somehow, addonitis struck right then and there, while we were riding the monorail...

Here is my situation. I have 375 points (150 at SSR, 150 at AKV, 75 at VWL). We plan to vacation at Disney one week a year (max) but would like to stay in a 2 BR for comfort. We would also like to take the Disney Cruise every so often on points. I was thinking it sure would be nice to be at BLT, and take the monorail to MK. My wife loved staying at VWL (with all the amenities of a hotel), but she is not fond of SSR (although we have never stayed there).

I am debating whether to buy some add-on points at BLT (maybe 100), but I am afraid that we may already have too many points. Should I just keep what I have and let the addonitis fade, or should I buy points at BLT (and perhaps sell off my SSR points).

My question is: is BLT worth it? Yes, BLT has access to MK via monorail, but VWL has direct access to MK via boat. I like the atmosphere at VWL but am not so sure about BLT. My wife (who is from Taiwan) says that BLT reminds her of one of the high rise apartments in Taiwan.

Please help.....

I am a firm believer in not buying sight unseen and not buying at a resort unless we have stayed their and loved it.

You already bought at a resort that you have never stayed at. Do you really want to do that again with BLT? What happens when you get tired of the monorail?

If it were me I would stay at SSR, check things out and decide if you want to keep SSR.

Stay at BLT and check things out.

Decide which resort(s) you like the best, increase your holdings in that resort(s) to cover your 2 bedroom, and decrease your holdings at your other resorts.

Having the home resort advantage is going to a requirement for happy stays in the years to come.

 

[wingkng]

Thanks everyone for talking some sense into me. I know in my heart that buying more is not a good idea, and my wife already told me no. I just needed some others to confirm that.

I agree that I should try to stay at BLT one day, see if it is really going to be difficult to get at 7 month, and see if we really like to stay there.

To be honest, we bought all three home resorts sight unseen. We lucked out at VWL. As for AKV, we stayed at Jambo House and were surprised that we didn't like the dark decor (we were there in Feb 08, and all of us got sick and stayed indoors mostly). We have yet to stay at SSR, so I don't know how that will be.

Thanks for helping to save a few grands, and perhaps my marriage.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks everyone for talking some sense into me. I know in my heart that buying more is not a good idea, and my wife already told me no. I just needed some others to confirm that.

I agree that I should try to stay at BLT one day, see if it is really going to be difficult to get at 7 month, and see if we really like to stay there.

To be honest, we bought all three home resorts sight unseen. We lucked out at VWL. As for AKV, we stayed at Jambo House and were surprised that we didn't like the dark decor (we were there in Feb 08, and all of us got sick and stayed indoors mostly). We have yet to stay at SSR, so I don't know how that will be.

Thanks for helping to save a few grands, and perhaps my marriage.

Been there, done that.

Now my DW has decided that BWV is her favorite resort. Guess I need to sell BCV.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Been there, done that.

Now my DW has decided that BWV is her favorite resort. Guess I need to sell BCV.

Yep, I am visiting HHI on a members's cash discount in the off season ($82/nite!). I feel this will be the perfect way to see the resort and island, and know if I'll tolerate the drive (10 hrs. from MD).

 

[december14disney]

You should give a stay at SSR a try. I read ALOT on the DVC disboards about people that were about SSR and then stayed there and LOVED it. I would do that before you sell off....just my opinion though..I'm obsessed with our home resort.

 

[msabol01]

Everyone's tastes are different and that's the beauty of DVC, there is a diverse range in property types. My opinion is simply that an opinion.

For me, I'd hold off on BLT right now and see how the 7 month booking look after the 'honeymoon' period. I purchased originally from Disney but for add on points will most likely go resales.

A few other things to conisder is that BLT points are not only more expensive than any other resort but the points per stay are higher as well. So your 350 points won't secure you as much of a vacation.

Finally, as others have said I highly recommend an SSR stay. We didn't think much of it when we toured but after staying there we really liked the laid back atmosphere. It was a nice escape from our park vacation!

 

[spiceycat]

for me BLT is definitely worth it - but I LOVE the MK. being that close to the MK was something that I had to buy.

selling OKW (which I have had since 1993) to buy it - but no complaints. won't be able to go as often since now will only have 230 points - where before had 350 points.

that is okay - because where I am is more important than going more often.

If miss OKW - then can stay there.

SSR is the biggest of the DVC resorts - so you could always stay there if you wanted too.

the standard view at BLT is the same as BCV, VWL and preferred BWV. So that view is no more expensive.

now the MK view is definitely more expensive. BL is also more expensive but only 3 points more (studio) than BCV, VWL and pref BWV.

so just depends upon what you are looking at. for me that is 15 points for 5 night stay - not enough to complaint about.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Although SSR has a few drawbacks, (not adjacent to parks, no need for 11 mo. window) the resale price right now is VERY attractive, or in your case, very unattractive to sale.

I say...keep the SSR contract! Try it out!

I've only visited, but the villas seem very nice, and it does seem like a very nice resort.

If either of my sisters were remotely interested in DVC, I think I would push them on a SSR. SSR is a real bargain right now, IMHO.