Addonitis strikes! Do I want a new (2nd) resort?

[MinnieGirl33]

So we're ready for another add-on (want to get it in before our April UY for those 09 points ) and are having a tough time deciding between staying with our existing home resort (SSR) and adding on at BLT.

Aside from the fact that we LOVE BLT (we were diehard CR guests before becoming DVC) the booking priority is tempting me, particularly for the first week in Dec since we try for 1BR Standard View.

We do love SSR but with the points charts fluctuating, we are finding ourselves looking to BLT & OKW more and more since their 1BR's are more comfortable for us. We have always done 2BRs at SSR so downgrading to the 1BR helps us stretch those points.

If we only do 100 pts. does managing more than one home resort become too much of a pain due to banking & borrowing? Am I better off just keeping everything at SSR?

WWYD?

 

[culli]

If you like BLT I would add on there for the booking window. I own at BCV, SSR and OKW - I don't have any issues. Just have to manage the booking windows. Not sure what you own at SSR, and it you add on SSR GO RESALE and save yourself a few thousand if not more. My plan is to addon on 25-100pts at a resort every tax season depending on my return and work bonus. Gives us some options on resort stays as I like to book well in advance and want the 11 month window.

 

[etpinge]

Weigh your decision with the amount of points you wish to add.

We made the "mistake" of adding a small amount (50) of points at a different resort with the idea of being able to 11 month window at both and carry the needed points to another.

When we booked at the 11 month window, we found out our second resort could not be used to book until the 7 month window. Had we have realized that, we would not have signed on for the second resort.

Did we make a mistake? No, those 50 are now a bonus to help fill other trips.

 

[DenLo]

Buy where you want to stay. Keep in mind that BLT is only about 48% sold out. So currently more rooms are available at the 7th month mark. But as more points are bought it will become more difficult to get a BLT villa at 7 months. Also if you are interested in the standard view rooms they are booking quickly at the 11 month mark.

Also I would really check the 2011 charts and see if the 100 points you plan to buy will get you the reservation you want at BLT. Or if you plan on banking and borrowing, will it sit well with you that you can only stay at BLT every two to three years? These are all personal decisions that only you can make.

Maybe one day I'll be able to say to you, Welcome Home, neighbor!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Weigh your decision with the amount of points you wish to add.

That's kinda what has me on the fence. Looking at the 2011 point charts, a 1BR SV @ BLT in Value Season will run 130 (Sun-Thurs). If we only add 100 then I will be forever in bank/borrow mode in order to book an entire trip at 11 months.

Just can't wrap my head around if it's worth the trouble.

I will say I am very Type-A, have to schedule things, have a plan, etc. Which actually is kind of ironic since once we arrive home we tend to kick back & wing it

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Buy where you want to stay. Keep in mind that BLT is only about 48% sold out. So currently more rooms are available at the 7th month mark. But as more points are bought it will become more difficult to get a BLT villa at 7 months. Also if you are interested in the standard view rooms they are booking quickly at the 11 month mark.

That's exactly what I'm thinking.

The early Dec stay is really the only week I am concerned about the 11/7 availability (right now, anyway). While I have no problem booking LV, I don't want to burn points on MK view (we used to stay MK side in CR Tower all the time when kids were small & while I miss it, right now it's not worth the extra points to me).

Other visits usually occur in May & August which we haven't had issue with in the past although who knows what the future holds

 

[stitchineeyore]

Ditto Denlo. Buy where you want to stay. We have several contracts (multiples at BW and BLT) and I am a planner too. It works. That said, have you considered buying your 100 at BLT now and possibly adding on a smaller contract later as you are able? Then you might not be forever in banking/borrowing mode. Gotta say I am biased, though - we've stayed at BLT twice and love it!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

That said, have you considered buying your 100 at BLT now and possibly adding on a smaller contract later as you are able? Then you might not be forever in banking/borrowing mode. Gotta say I am biased, though - we've stayed at BLT twice and love it!

I just had one of those "D'oh" moments!

Totally forgot the whole reason we are trying to get this done in next 6 weeks is to capitalize on our April UY! We will get 2009 AND 2010 points which means 200 to start off with

 

[Inkmahm]

So we're ready for another add-on (want to get it in before our April UY for those 09 points ) and are having a tough time deciding between staying with our existing home resort (SSR) and adding on at BLT.

Aside from the fact that we LOVE BLT (we were diehard CR guests before becoming DVC) the booking priority is tempting me, particularly for the first week in Dec since we try for 1BR Standard View.

We do love SSR but with the points charts fluctuating, we are finding ourselves looking to BLT & OKW more and more since their 1BR's are more comfortable for us. We have always done 2BRs at SSR so downgrading to the 1BR helps us stretch those points.

If we only do 100 pts. does managing more than one home resort become too much of a pain due to banking & borrowing? Am I better off just keeping everything at SSR?

WWYD?

You can tell from my signature what I'd do because I did it. We have points at 3 differenct DVC resorts so that we have the 11 month booking advantage at each. We stay at Kidani in the spring, BWV in October and VWL in December. I like being able to book at 11 months and not have to worry about the 7 month window.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good luck as you make your decision. I agree with having the home advantage for the "must stay at" vacations that we have. Buying before your use year begins is a great way to save even at the higher prices that buying direct will cost you. I am weghing a decision to call my guide for a small add on at BWV. My UY is March, and so I have less time than you to think about it.

Bobbi

 

[Coach81]

We will also be looking to add-on in the next year or two. I own at SSR and I'm concerned about the "trouble" of having different home resorts (booking windows, maint fees, etc.).. so I think I'll just wait for a Dec UY to open up when we are ready.. and hope that the Timeshare Store can find me a 100 pt SSR contract!

 

[cvjw]

We own at 3 different resorts, all with the same use year, and are trying for a 4th resort with a different use year. I have had no problems at all keeping up with the points for the different resorts, the DVC website does a good job. I think it is a little more trouble than one big contract - I have had MS pull points from the wrong contract during one reservation, but it was no big deal in the big picture. It is nice having the 11 month booking window for different resorts.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Thanks for all the input & reassurances everyone!

Finally made a decision. In the end it really wasn't as difficult as I thought When I sat down & started making a spreadsheet for 2 resorts/2 sets of points it all became clear (did I mention I'm a little Type-A?).

I do think we're going to wait a few weeks on the off chance that another promo hits before the middle of March but hopefully I'll be adding BLT to my siggie soon!