AKL, CCV, SSR, or BLT

[TCRAIG]

As much as I don’t like the theme or pools at BLT - it’s the one I would pick for your family…good points chart, location, dues etc.

 

[wfjny]

Thanks so much for the thoughts! I feel like I am already in the position where I wish we bought earlier. Initially before knowing much, I think I was scared off by the general word “timeshare” as I knew several people who really regretted their timeshare purchase (none of which were DVC). That being said, not going to worry much about it, and excited for all the future memories!

And congratulations on the new addition to the family - how exciting!!

Thank you. We are very excited to be moving to the next "Chapter" of our lives.

I should add, while yes, I have heard the horror stories of timeshares, DVC is just a different animal. We have had our DVC for 12 years now, so roughly 25% of its lifetime. I could sell my points today for about 50% more than what we paid back in 2009 (that was a direct purchase). Probably one of our better investments.

The DVC discount lead to purchasing the AP at a discount. The fact we have AP means it is easier to make more trips. More trips also creates a lower "cost per trip".

Yes, it can be hard to find availability at times, especially today, but still possible. On Monday we booked SSR for this weekend. We had planned to stay off-site, but this "pick" just made things even easier.

 

[wilkydelts]

When everyone says "good points chart" for Bay Lake Tower, what does that mean? It is the same chart everyone can see like this right:



Please let me know if it is something different.

Also what makes someplace a better points chart then others? Is it more than just the number of points per night booking?

 

[Sandisw]

I would go with CCV or BLT. Those other two are more likely to be available for most times of the year.

The only drawback is the studios at these places are on the smaller side. 1 bedrooms are nice and with an every other year plan, it should be very doable. BLT 1 bedrooms have the 2nd bathroom which is a nice feature.

 

[RoseGold]

When everyone says "good points chart" for Bay Lake Tower, what does that mean? It is the same chart everyone can see like this right:

I picked a random week in July, 9 month out booking. 1BR standard view: BLT, AKL, RIV, VGF standard views (not value).

BLT is 240, and it's already got days missing. Kidani is 200, VGF is 308, RIV is 283. You have to decide whether it's worth paying 20-30% more points for RIV/VGF or 16% less points for AKL.

Charts that require less points can make the overall booking cheaper. Dues are a major factor on DVC. Even just considering dues, a cheaper chart looks more appealing. Boardwalk is actually 194 for the same week. So, even though the points cost more, if it takes so many less, it might still be worth it, and keep you at one of the best locations in all of Disney.

BLT is the only choice in these bookings with gaps right this minute, for a 9 month out booking, because the 1BR is so good (extra bathroom) and a good point value, compared to other properties.

 

[rubybutt]

I picked a random week in July, 9 month out booking. 1BR standard view: BLT, AKL, RIV, VGF standard views (not value).

BLT is 240, and it's already got days missing. Kidani is 200, VGF is 308, RIV is 283. You have to decide whether it's worth paying 20-30% more points for RIV/VGF or 16% less points for AKL.

Charts that require less points can make the overall booking cheaper. Dues are a major factor on DVC. Even just considering dues, a cheaper chart looks more appealing. Boardwalk is actually 194 for the same week. So, even though the points cost more, if it takes so many less, it might still be worth it, and keep you at one of the best locations in all of Disney.

BLT is the only choice in these bookings with gaps right this minute, for a 9 month out booking, because the 1BR is so good (extra bathroom) and a good point value, compared to other properties.

To add to this if you then take the point required and multiply by 2021 MF you get the following:
BLT $1,656
AKL $1,614
VGF $2,097
RIV $2,371


You can currently buy the resale contracts for approx this much per year left on contract:
BLT $3.8
AKL $3.6
VGF $4.4
RIV $2.9

There are many ways to look at this.

 

[davidl81]

So in the short term with the young kids I think BLT is your best choice. Being able to walk to MK is very, very, very nice as getting strollers off of buses etc can be a pain. And its likely you do more MK with the little ones. As they get older that may change some, but you can still monorail to Epcot.
I own SSR and AKV and I avoid staying at SSR if I can. It is a perfectly fine resort, but you have to take buses everywhere and it is very spread out. We do like AKV with the kids because the Savanna is exciting to them, but generally speaking studios and 1BR are open at 7 months at AKV so you always will have the option of switching there from time to time.
CCV is nice, boat ride to MK is a little longer than you would think but it is fine. Buses to other parks, but the biggest issue is how hard getting a studio can be even at 11 months.

 

[RoseGold]

To add BW to that math, it would be $1528 in dues and $6.3/point/year, that's with a BIG dues jump for 2021. The contract cost for BW would be 6.3 * 194 = 1222, vs RIV, 2.9*283 = 820 or 4.4 *308 = 1355 for VGF, assuming they are all linearly depreciating.

So, even though the points themselves cost more, the legacy chart does the work, and makes the overall booking competitive, assuming you are able to use that BW booking priority. Buying less BW points overall might be worth paying a few hundred extra bucks a year for the contract, or getting more bang for buying the same number of points -- or buying less points and putting down less money upfront.

In contrast, Riviera (and likely future properties) continue to escalate the charts. You can really see the escalation starting from BLT.

 

[Julia58]

To add BW to that math, it would be $1528 in dues and $6.3/point/year, that's with a BIG dues jump for 2021. The contract cost for BW would be 6.3 * 194 = 1222, vs RIV, 2.9*283 = 820 or 4.4 *308 = 1355 for VGF, assuming they are all linearly depreciating.

So, even though the points themselves cost more, the legacy chart does the work, and makes the overall booking competitive, assuming you are able to use that BW booking priority. Buying less BW points overall might be worth paying a few hundred extra bucks a year for the contract, or getting more bang for buying the same number of points -- or buying less points and putting down less money upfront.

In contrast, Riviera (and likely future properties) continue to escalate the charts. You can really see the escalation starting from BLT.

Thanks! Question on the point charts, they really don’t change much year to year, correct? Have major changes ever occurred? Was just thinking of BW specifically- the points required always strike me as low for the location and general popularity. I think these rooms would easily book for more points, but so individuals BW points aren’t devalued, Disney doesn’t really change the charts?

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks! Question on the point charts, they really don’t change much year to year, correct? Have major changes ever occurred? Was just thinking of BW specifically- the points required always strike me as low for the location and general popularity. I think these rooms would easily book for more points, but so individuals BW points aren’t devalued, Disney doesn’t really change the charts?

They can adjust the dates, etc. but overall, no they stay pretty consistent. However, that doesn't mean that your travel time will necessarily be the same. In 2021, and 2022, they did increase the time in the fall while reducing the time in the summer. So, those going in October will now have to spend more points for the same trip, but those going in the summer, will spend less. Basically, there will always be sometime in the year to get the same number of nights, for a certain number of points, but the actual dates could indeed change.

BWV charts are definitely lower as those were set a long time ago. So, the 2042 resorts have favorable ones. As time has gone on, and more resorts were added, the number of points to stay there are more and I think you will see that as more resorts are added. For example, in 2042, when BWV expires, any new resort there will come with a much higher chart, assuming that the resort is resold in some way.

So, right now, places like BLT, Poly, VGF and RIV have point charts much higher than those at BWV, BCV and BRV. When CCV was added to WL, even though it was its own association, the charts stayed similar to BRV, and some of us believe because the location was the same as BRV and those rooms were on the smaller side.

 

[RoseGold]

Thanks! Question on the point charts, they really don’t change much year to year, correct? Have major changes ever occurred? Was just thinking of BW specifically- the points required always strike me as low for the location and general popularity. I think these rooms would easily book for more points, but so individuals BW points aren’t devalued, Disney doesn’t really change the charts?

There’s lots of deep specifics with math here after some questionable point allocation. The short answer is not much. The resorts keep the same total point count. If one room/time period goes up, another goes down.

The most obvious example of this is Christmas, which has gone through the roof over time, like the cash pricing. Generally, the charts don’t move a ton, but they do move some over time.

 

[drusba]

Julie58, do not buy:

(a) AKV, with any expectation to get value studios. Owners can book their home resort starting at 8 a.m., 11 months out from date of arrival. Throughout almost the entire year, the value studios disappear within moments after 8 a.m. at 11 months out from any particular date. The winners are simply those whose computers communicate faster than other members' computers with DVC' computers, and many lose that battle.

(b) BLT with the expectation of getting standard studios many times of the year, particularly May, Sep, Nov or Dec, which you mention, because BLT standard studios have the same issue at those times as AKV value studios.

(c) CCV with the expectation of getting a studio (either one with a shower or one with bathtub/shower) a number times of the year such as Nov or Dec, because it also has that 11-month issue like the above resorts during that time.

In other words, if your expectation is to get the lowest point cost rooms at a particular resort that you own, then SSR is the only safe choice of the four you mention. And if looking at other DVC resorts other than the ones you mention, that 11-month issue also exists almost year round for BWV standard view studios, for Riviera tower and standard studios a number times of year including Nov and Dec, and VGF studios at least parts of Nov and Dec. Also, if your thinking about Dec to go during its lowest point cost times, the first or second week of Dec., more than just lowest point cost studios can be at risk at 11-months out because the first week of Dec is the highest DVC demand week of the year at WDW, and the second week of Dec is third highest (close behind number two, Christmas week).

 

[Lorana]

Julie58, do not buy:

(a) AKV, with any expectation to get value studios. Owners can book their home resort starting at 8 a.m., 11 months out from date of arrival. Throughout almost the entire year, the value studios disappear within moments after 8 a.m. at 11 months out from any particular date. The winners are simply those whose computers communicate faster than other members' computers with DVC' computers, and many lose that battle.

(b) BLT with the expectation of getting standard studios many times of the year, particularly May, Sep, Nov or Dec, which you mention, because BLT standard studios have the same issue at those times as AKV value studios.

(c) CCV with the expectation of getting a studio (either one with a shower or one with bathtub/shower) a number times of the year such as Nov or Dec, because it also has that 11-month issue like the above resorts during that time.

In other words, if your expectation is to get the lowest point cost rooms at a particular resort that you own, then SSR is the only safe choice of the four you mention. And if looking at other DVC resorts other than the ones you mention, that 11-month issue also exists almost year round for BWV standard view studios, for Riviera tower and standard studios a number times of year including Nov and Dec, and VGF studios at least parts of Nov and Dec. Also, if your thinking about Dec to go during its lowest point cost times, the first or second week of Dec., more than just lowest point cost studios can be at risk at 11-months out because the first week of Dec is the highest DVC demand week of the year at WDW, and the second week of Dec is third highest (close behind number two, Christmas week).

One possibility if you love CCV and know what time of year you might like to travel, is to buy a Guaranteed Week (also called Fixed Week). Of the resorts on this thread, it’s the only one that offers it (CCV, PVB, VGF, AUL, RIV all offer them).

The cost of the FW is 10% more than the weekly cost of the room type *when the resort opened.*. For a number of FWs, that’s now LESS than the cost of the week is currently going for. For example, one of my FWs is Week 47, which most years is Thanksgiving week. That week cost me 118 to purchase, but now costs 153 to book, but if I go for the week, I only ever pay 118 points. (The reverse is also true; if the point cost goes down, you still pay the same price). The beauty of the FE is that Disney books it foryou ahead of the 11 month window. You are always guaranteed to have that week, and don’t have to scramble at the 11 month mark to have it.

You also don’t have to use it. You can cancel and get the points back (or use the points before the FW is booked). They otherwise act EXACTLY like other DVC points. I have 3 FWs at CCV (and am regretting not getting one at RIV!) and I have yet to actually use them, but we got them for Future Piece of Mind when we DO want to use them, most likely once the kids are off on their own. We knew we’d want to visit during the holidays and runDisney and would want a Studio, so we bought FWs to make sure we could do that without hassle when we do choose to go over F&W, Thanksgiving, or early Christmas holidays (my FWs are 44,47 and 48. All cost 118 points for a studio at CCV).

One of our FWs is a runDisney week (Week 44 for Food & Wine) which some years includes Halloween. Only CCV offers the runDisney weeks, which allows you to book your week starting on a day other than Sunday (so long as runDisney events continue).

I just wanted to throw that out there as a possibility if you think there’s a specific week you’re likely to want to travel, even if you don’t travel during that week every year

 

[kdm31091]

Of your options, I think the best buy is BLT or CCV. You generally do not need the 11 month advantage often at AKV or SSR unless you want the value studios (AKV) or a super peak time of year. If you want one bedrooms, you would rarely have a problem getting them at SSR or AKV, so owning there doesn't help much, other than lower cost buy in for the points. CCV and BLT at least are somewhat more limited on availability so I feel like you get more of an advantage from owning them.

That said, you should choose the resort that speaks to you the most and the one you would be happy to stay at if nothing else were ever available.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I agree with PP and would say CC #1 and AK #2. Buy more than you think you need for point inflation and addonitis. Also, once you get a hit of that sweet one-bedroom drug of privacy, king-sized bed, and a kitchen and laundry, you’ll never want to do a studio as a family again. As a couple; yes, it’s fine, but not with kids. We pack so little now as the kids are almost 8 and 9. It’s no big deal to throw a load of laundry in at night while we’re sprawled out in bed watching a movie in the Murphy bed at Riviera.

Also, I am a big proponent of enjoying the resorts, and we seriously cringed at the size and aesthetics of BLT when we toured there. I know Chef Mickey’s and CA Grill, Steakhouse 71 are close, but I don’t like the styling there, and the pool area did not entice us in any way.

Our kids LOVE pools. We did a Riviera resort-only stay in February vacation (we’re from Northeast, too,) and I wondered if the kids would mind missing out on parks. Pfft. Not at all! It was our favorite vacation. We slept in, never rushed, had coffee and breakfast in our jammies, used the pool all day, read poolside and had cocktails and lunch. We met up with friends who were on vacation the same week and invited them up for dinner (scored Topolinos reservation last minute.). The kids and our friend’s daughter babysat in our room, then everyone hung out for drinks and popcorn in the room after dinner.

Point being, these are beautiful resorts with awesome amenities. We’re going April vacation and plan to do after 4 p.m. parks so we can slowly start our day and then wander around. Once you’ve gotten the initial mania of being park warriors out of your system, you won’t need to be dawn-to-duskers, nor will you want to. That begs the question: Where do you want to buy to STAY.

There will be trips where someone gets sick, FL gets monsoonal rain for hours on end, they get swimmers ear, etc., and you’re stuck in the room. Where would you be happy being stuck? We love the small footprint of Riviera, the great on-site food options, and all options under cover from the element.

We are eyeing CC so we have 3/4 parks covered, and two of our friends own at AK, so we can figure something out with them in a pinch. CC/BR have Geyser Point, Whispering Canyon, Artist’s Point (eventually will come back,) and maybe Trail’s End, access to Hoopty-Doo Review and Fort Wilderness stuff kids love. If it’s raining all day, can you get food without a hassle?

Our friends bought AK after being stuck at the resort for two days in rain there. They had gotten upgraded from AofA to AK one-bedroom savanna view and fell in love. My friend said she just sat on her balcony with wine watching the animals all day. Her kids loved using the view stations.

Somewhere someone found a link of every category of room by sq/ft. It’s helpful, but I liked checking out the floor plans, too. I prefer the newer styles for kitchens in CC/RR that are alley style to move around. We did a CC 2-bedroom and I really disliked the w-shape of the units with the kitchen in the center and all the weird angled walls in the foyer and main bathroom. Tons of wasted space and cramped for 7 to get around. Look online at the videos of the style room you’ll be using. I love Beach Club, but the rooms seem tight to me. I snagged one night studio for our April trip to try the pool though, so will have to see.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

Also, are you aware of the borrowing restrictions right now? You may need more points to do every other year with borrowing cut in half. The scuttlebutt is that around 2023/2024 the restrictions could be lifted, but no one knows for sure. If they limit borrowing, you may need another 50-100 points to get the room size/time of year you want.

 

[igrsod]

So many great responses so far and good advice given. My two cents.... I love your choices.
We own at SSR and AKV, and love having both. We REALLY love owning at AKV. It's such an amazing resort and it feels like a vacation within a vacation while you are there. The buses can be a bit tiresome at times, but we don't mind really. Having the ability to have the value studio is perfect for stretching points. It does require booking at 11 months and potentially walking prior to that, but I've had lots of success... in fact I have a value studio booked for a week in Feb and Sept next year.
As for the other resorts, it sounds like you would also love CCV as well... I've never stayed there yet, but I can see it would be awesome. So I don't think you would regret that purchase. From the sounds of it, you would have to book early to get studios though.
We also own at SSR, and we have stayed there and had a great time. It's not the wow of some of the other resorts. When we bought it was so economical that we purchased it for extra sleep around points. I don't know if it is the best option for what you seem to love about Disney.
Lastly, BLT. We stayed here in a studio with just two of us and found it cramped. I don't know how I would feel with 4 people. The kitchenette design makes that area very functional, but it takes away from the space in the main area. The two beds are basically side by side with very little room to walk around if the pull out bed is out. The proximity to the monorail is pretty cool, but for us, it didn't make up for the lack of space or the theming of the other resorts. It felt cold and convention like.

So... in conclusion... I would recommend CCV or AKL for you. Enjoy, Congrats on your decision. We love owning DVC and wish we had done it earlier.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

FOund the link of room category/size/sq. ft.
https://*******.com/dvc-room-size-comparison-charts/#studios

 

[Julia58]

I agree with PP and would say CC #1 and AK #2. Buy more than you think you need for point inflation and addonitis. Also, once you get a hit of that sweet one-bedroom drug of privacy, king-sized bed, and a kitchen and laundry, you’ll never want to do a studio as a family again. As a couple; yes, it’s fine, but not with kids. We pack so little now as the kids are almost 8 and 9. It’s no big deal to throw a load of laundry in at night while we’re sprawled out in bed watching a movie in the Murphy bed at Riviera.

Also, I am a big proponent of enjoying the resorts, and we seriously cringed at the size and aesthetics of BLT when we toured there. I know Chef Mickey’s and CA Grill, Steakhouse 71 are close, but I don’t like the styling there, and the pool area did not entice us in any way.

Our kids LOVE pools. We did a Riviera resort-only stay in February vacation (we’re from Northeast, too,) and I wondered if the kids would mind missing out on parks. Pfft. Not at all! It was our favorite vacation. We slept in, never rushed, had coffee and breakfast in our jammies, used the pool all day, read poolside and had cocktails and lunch. We met up with friends who were on vacation the same week and invited them up for dinner (scored Topolinos reservation last minute.). The kids and our friend’s daughter babysat in our room, then everyone hung out for drinks and popcorn in the room after dinner.

Point being, these are beautiful resorts with awesome amenities. We’re going April vacation and plan to do after 4 p.m. parks so we can slowly start our day and then wander around. Once you’ve gotten the initial mania of being park warriors out of your system, you won’t need to be dawn-to-duskers, nor will you want to. That begs the question: Where do you want to buy to STAY.

There will be trips where someone gets sick, FL gets monsoonal rain for hours on end, they get swimmers ear, etc., and you’re stuck in the room. Where would you be happy being stuck? We love the small footprint of Riviera, the great on-site food options, and all options under cover from the element.

We are eyeing CC so we have 3/4 parks covered, and two of our friends own at AK, so we can figure something out with them in a pinch. CC/BR have Geyser Point, Whispering Canyon, Artist’s Point (eventually will come back,) and maybe Trail’s End, access to Hoopty-Doo Review and Fort Wilderness stuff kids love. If it’s raining all day, can you get food without a hassle?

Our friends bought AK after being stuck at the resort for two days in rain there. They had gotten upgraded from AofA to AK one-bedroom savanna view and fell in love. My friend said she just sat on her balcony with wine watching the animals all day. Her kids loved using the view stations.

Somewhere someone found a link of every category of room by sq/ft. It’s helpful, but I liked checking out the floor plans, too. I prefer the newer styles for kitchens in CC/RR that are alley style to move around. We did a CC 2-bedroom and I really disliked the w-shape of the units with the kitchen in the center and all the weird angled walls in the foyer and main bathroom. Tons of wasted space and cramped for 7 to get around. Look online at the videos of the style room you’ll be using. I love Beach Club, but the rooms seem tight to me. I snagged one night studio for our April trip to try the pool though, so will have to see.

Thank you - all really good points! I'm also a big fan of enjoying the resorts and have never minded paying more for a resort that has a lot to offer. That being said, my historical mindset was that I would pay for the resort, but then would go with a cheaper room there, since I rather be out at the pool, grabbing a drink, etc than in my room. But with kids, I am sure it is a whole different game. It's timely because right now our whole family is sick, the weather is terrible, and we are going stir-crazy inside our house, which is certainly bigger than a studio room. So in cases where we are unexpectedly stuck inside the room, I am sure a room bigger than a studio would be a game changer!

And your recent trip to Rivera sounds wonderful - previously I have always been a park warrior, but right now both my husband and I have been swamped at work, the girls are in a really fun stage, but constantly on the go, and not much sounds better than sleeping in, breakfast in pajamas, and lounging by the pool. With 2.5 year olds, I don't think we are quite at that stage where they'll let us sleep in and lounge at a pool, but something we would definitely be up for in the future! We are actually headed to Disney in a week, and although, we will only be there 3 nights, we are also only going one day to the MK, and looking forward to just some resort hang-out time!

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

Thank you - all really good points! I'm also a big fan of enjoying the resorts and have never minded paying more for a resort that has a lot to offer. That being said, my historical mindset was that I would pay for the resort, but then would go with a cheaper room there, since I rather be out at the pool, grabbing a drink, etc than in my room. But with kids, I am sure it is a whole different game. It's timely because right now our whole family is sick, the weather is terrible, and we are going stir-crazy inside our house, which is certainly bigger than a studio room. So in cases where we are unexpectedly stuck inside the room, I am sure a room bigger than a studio would be a game changer!

And your recent trip to Rivera sounds wonderful - previously I have always been a park warrior, but right now both my husband and I have been swamped at work, the girls are in a really fun stage, but constantly on the go, and not much sounds better than sleeping in, breakfast in pajamas, and lounging by the pool. With 2.5 year olds, I don't think we are quite at that stage where they'll let us sleep in and lounge at a pool, but something we would definitely be up for in the future! We are actually headed to Disney in a week, and although, we will only be there 3 nights, we are also only going one day to the MK, and looking forward to just some resort hang-out time!

Yes, Riviera really is home for us, but really, all the one-bedrooms and larger have something nice going for them. I accidentally wrote that I didn’t like the w-shaped CC 2-bedroom. I meant Saratoga Springs 2-bedroom. Tons of wasted space with that design, and I think that’s the de facto shape until CC/RR/AK?

Having a bedroom with a DOOR is huge. Kids napping, you can read or watch TV in your bedroom or balcony, shower and get ready for dinner, adult time, whatever.
Get groceries and alcohol delivered for quick breakfast stuff and snacks. Fill up lidded sippy cups and snack cups in the side door of the fridge and let them watch cartoons or whatever in bed while you get breakfast going.

We use owners lockers to store WDW/DVC gear and dry goods, leftover full-size alcohol, and now only need to fly carryons. They’ll even store your double stroller down there if you don’t want to rent one, or golf clubs. DVC is such a nice home away from home.