Another thread....BLT vs. AKL worth the extra $$?

[Jaylin]

Looking into a 5/14-5/22/11 stay. 2Adults, DS8, DD6, DD3 1/2. Staying at a 1BR. AKV is our home resort, BLT is 55 more points (standard views for both). Is it worth it? We've never stayed at either. Actually our 1st DVC trip is this year & we're staying at BCV. Prior to owning DVC I've only ever stayed on a monorail resort....I guess I'm worried about location for AKV.

What do you all think?

Also, we really want to be there during Star Wars Weekend, but not during the busy Memorial Day time. Do you think it's safe to use this year's dates and assume that 2011 will be the same? Seems like the last 2 weekends in May and 1st 2 weekends in June.....

Thanks!!!

 

[spiceycat]

with star wars who knows.

it started out in may - think it was the same day the first film was released.
but found out that in June - more kids (so more money for Disney) could go.
so what it will in the future is anyone guess.

for BLT - depends upon you. Are you a lover of the MK? if you are then yes the point cost is definitely worth it.

however if your favorite park is Epcot, Studios or AK - then no it really isn't.

now I do love BLT - but realize it is NOT for everyone. It is expensive and the studio are too darn small for families of 4.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Depends on your family.

We just bought BLT and had our first stay over Mother's Day Weekend (1BR, Lake View, 5th floor right near the skybridge to the Contemporary - awesome).

With DD3, being on the monorail was essential. We always came back to the room to relax for a while during the afternoon and being on the monorail was a blast.

Saying that, we're going to spend the first week of December at AKL (Studio, Kidani Village, Value). Going to rent a car for this one to try and balance out not having the monorail. Can't wait.

 

[rlovew]

If you are looking to book BLT and don't own there- make sure to budget for a LV room- the standard rooms are generally gone before 10 months to members of the resort.

We love BLT but tend to not do much in the parks except MK while we are staying there.

If you are really interested in Stars Wars weekend I would try to get into the BWV or BCV.

 

[Sandisw]

We think it is definitely worth the extra points, but we are huge MK fans and love how convenient BLT is to that park. Matter of fact, before we bought DVC last year, we typically stayed at the CR. We only bought DVC because of BLT. We had been visiting on and off since 1994 but never bought in because we didn't like the location of any of the DVC resorts.

What I would look at is what would you do with those extra points if you did not upgrade to BLT. If you would find yourself short constantly from this point on, then it is something to consider.

But, I would also plan for LV points, as PP mentioned. SV is very hard to come by as a non-owner (not impossible, but difficult). And, with new contracts at BLT being sold for only 100 points, there are going to be a lot more BLT owners who are going to be trying for the rooms, making getting in there at 7 months much harder, IMO.

Good luck!

 

[spiceycat]

bwv has standard rooms too.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

If you are looking to book BLT and don't own there- make sure to budget for a LV room- the standard rooms are generally gone before 10 months to members of the resort.

Agreed. BLT standard view is about 10% of the resort. If you call right at the 7 month mark you MIGHT be able to get lucky with it, but chances are good you'll need Lake View points to book there.

 

[Jaylin]

Thank you everyone for all your input. That gives me lots to think about and I'll definitely be working up a bunch of different scenarios. Since we are doing BCV this summer maybe I'll fall in love with that location and want to go back there.

Originally I thought my options were going to be limited to either AKV or BLT because our DD would be 3 that year so we would need a room that would accomodate 5pp. But I've been reading around here that anywhere would let me book a 1BR for the 5 of us. So that leaves me with many more options. I can guarantee you that 1 of the kids is going to be in bed with us! It's not like 2 beds isn't enough.

I didn't think about the BLT standard room availability problem. I'll have to recalculate how MUCH more it would be for the lake view. I figured it might not even be possible for us to get in anyway.

For now my plan is to book AKV at our 11mos mark. Probably Kidani, since I've been hearing how good the pool is for the kids. And I'll re-evaluate at our 7 months.

That's what everyone usually does, correct? Book your home resort at 11mos, guaranteeing you a spot and then changing to where you would really like to be a 7months?

The more I think about it, I'm kinda bummed that we didn't wait to purchase BLT. Can't believe the $ is cheaper than what we paid for AKV. With 4 little kids, I wish I would have considered AKV's location alittle more.

Oh well, second guessing things won't do us any good now!

Thanks again guys!

 

[quinnc19]

I just returned from a great trip where I stayed at both. I thought I would never like a resort as much as BLT, but then I stayed at AKV for the first time. I would do a split stay if I was in your shoes.

 

[Crystal_27]

For us (a family who loves MK and the convenience of the monorail), the answer is YES -- the extra points are worth it to stay at BLT (which is the primary reason we bought there). If you've primarily stayed on the monorail, you will probably be a bit frustrated with the busses (I know we were the first time we stayed off-monorail) but we made it through. BUT, AKV is such a unique resort, and I could imagine that if you ended up staying there, you would probably be wanting to fit more resort time into your vacation (opposed to park time) anyway. Also, your chances of getting a standard view at BLT at the 7 month mark are not very good, which would mean that you would have to book the higher point lake view category, resulting in the point difference between the 2 resorts being even greater. Either way, best of luck to you!