Advice Wanted for Adding On

[Olaf]

We bought a 170 point contract at VWL in 2001. It was the only resort available at that time. BCV was being built, but we didn't want to wait, and we had a 6 year old, and the Magic Kingdom was where we wanted to be. Hubby was active duty AF, and getting to the parks more than every year and half was difficult for us, so 170 points was just right.

Fast forward to 2016. We're now empty nesters and Epcot has become our fav park. We absolutely love to do Food & Wine. We also love BCV and have had fairly good luck booking at 7 months out, however, I'm tired of the stress of doing that. I'd like to look into adding on with a smaller BCV contract. Should we go with Disney or the resale market? And how would the new rules on resales affect us?

 

[hakepb]

You may not have the option of BCV direct.
Last year there were reports of DVC closing direct points wait lists for BCV.

 

[drusba]

If you add on resale, the restrictions would be as follows: (a) the points in the add-on could not be used to reserve the Disney Collections (Disney hotels, the cruises, concierge collection hotels, Adventures by Disney) with the exception of Disneyland hotels; (b) the particular contract will not be applicable to numerous (not yet clearly defined) member perks including AP or any other ticket discounts, merchandise discounts, recreational discounts (such as boats and tours at WDW), event discounts such the Halloween and Christmas parties, or access to special DVC events or things like the new DVC lounge to Epcot. However, at this time that perk exclusion set out above in (b) would really have no impact on you if you purchased resale, since all those existing perks are usable under your existing membership at VWL and none depend on actual use of points like the Disney Collections do.

Thus, unless you consider the Disney Collections a critical benefit to have for use of your new points, you would likely be a candidate for a resale add-on. If you want BCV or BWV during Food & Wine, you really need to be an owner of the resort. BCV tends to be more expensive in resale than BWV. However, be aware that getting BWV standard or boardwalk view studios during Food & Wine can be a challenge even at 11 months out. For example, for October 2016, BWV standard view studios booked full for five of the days in Oct before 11 months out from the particular date and another twenty-two days within a minute or less after the 11 month window opened at 8 a.m. online for any particular date; for boardwalk view studios three of nights disappeared before 11 months out and another eighteen within a minute or less after the opening of the 11 month window online. For BCV, all rooms lasted at least a week beyond the 11 month window for reservations in October.

 

[Olaf]

OK, thanks for all that advice. I hadn't realized BCV wasn't being sold anymore by Disney. I guess I should have figured that. It's been awhile since we bought in, in other words, we're old.

So, if I were to buy a 100 point contract at BCV, book what I can at the 11-month window (we like the 1 bedrooms), then attempt to add on day by day at the 7 month window, for a week long stay. Is that feasible? A good idea?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Yes. You could also split-stay if needed.

 

[Olaf]

Right, I understand that, but what are my odds of being able to add on day by day at the 7-month window? Would that be easier than trying to book a week at the 7-month window? Or is it all a wash, and I'm wasting my time? Unless I want to purchase enough points for a one week stay at that time? I hope I'm not being too confusing.

 

[intertile]

If you are going during F&w, then adding days at the 7 month window will be incredibly difficult. I would buy the number of points you need to stay for the week, or bank/borrow and go every other year

 

[drusba]

I am not sure you are viewing the 7 month window correctly when you own at two resorts. If you buy at BCV, you will be able to use those points at 11 months out to reserve a BCV room during F&W. So let's assume you can get 4 nights that way for an Oct 8 arrival and Oct 12 departure and you want a total of 7 nights.. You can add on days to that reservation with your VWL points but you cannot do so until March 12, 7 months out from Oct 12, the first night you want to add, at which time you could add on the three more nights to make a week trip. The way you were phrasing it seemed to indicate that you might have thought you could add on nights starting March 8, seven months out from your original arrival date. That you cannot do with the points from VWL.

BCV is difficult to get at 7 months out during F&W. The 1BRs will likely have some more days open than other rooms but you still have the odds against. You would raise the odds of getting what you need somewhat because you are seeking less than 7 nights at 7 months out but for BCV that does not even get you to a 50% chance of success.. You may get lucky or wait list might work but you are not going to avoid a risk of striking out.

.

 

[Olaf]

OK, thanks for the explanation, drusba. You're right, I was not understanding it correctly.

I have been lucky the last two years, getting a 1 & 2 bedroom during Food & Wine, but I hate the stress of it. I need to give this some thought. Thank you.