Bay Lake Rip-off!

[movie77]

I kind of agree. I'm waiting for the Polynesian DVC to add some more points

 

[cheezNE1]

Did you factor in the higher point requirements at BLT vs SSR?

MG

yes, offset by locations for convenience and views of MK.

 

[jade1]

Did you factor in the higher point requirements at BLT vs SSR?

MG

Depends-you can use your BLT points at SSR.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

yes, offset by locations for convenience and views of MK.

Just my opinion, but I think the views of the MK are sub par. I don't like the fireworks from that angle, or that distance. The location is okay, but really only for walking to the MK.
I prefer the location of AKV, mostly because it's removed. This gives me a sense of realism. I couldn't imagine AKV with a view of Space Mountain rising over the savanna.

I don't have anything against BLT, but I will probably never stay there.
I do like the rooms, but I'm not a fan of the structure.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Depends-you can use your BLT points at SSR.

That's true, but I would bet very few people purchased BLT in order to pay a cheaper price to stay at SSR.

MG

 

[dianeschlicht]

I can see your point as it looks like the resorts you own don't have location as a factor. It is one of things we love about DVC! Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. You obviously like animals or you wouldn't have bought at AKV. Other than the cheap points for some rooms, I find the resort way too dark to enjoy. I guess it is nice if you like a dark dungeon feel on your vacation, liked to be bus blocked and look at ugly, hot, flat land in florida (Goodness florida has ugly trees) with a bunch of animals running around that you can check out on the Discovery channel! For some that is an amazing experience though. For us it is simply not our cup of tea

Well, frankly, AKV is my SECOND choice, and one of the reasons is because I don't care for the dark decor. To say I don't own at resorts with a location factor is incorrect though. I LOVE the location of both AKV and OKW. OKW is pretty easy to access all parks without NEEDING to walk to them or taking several modes of transportation that take a lot of time. The fact that I can be back in my room RELAXING to a beautiful view instead of an urban like setting is exactly the location I was looking for. Now, OKW does lack timely access to AK, and that was where AKV comes in. Since we like spending a lot of time at AK, we find it easier from AKV, and while at AKV, I feel like it is a total destination to itself....no need to worry if I get to the parks or not from there. That being said, I find the bus transportation at AKV to be excellent....just a little far from Epcot and DTD.

 

[photobob]

When we compare pricing, should it be from equal sources. So if SSR is $68 resale, the BLT listed resale currently is $98 per pt. Of course when comparing resale price to directly from disney, there's definitely a big difference. Just like SSR directly from Disney is no way $68/pts.

Good point!

 

[cheezNE1]

Just my opinion, but I think the views of the MK are sub par. I don't like the fireworks from that angle, or that distance. The location is okay, but really only for walking to the MK.
I prefer the location of AKV, mostly because it's removed. This gives me a sense of realism. I couldn't imagine AKV with a view of Space Mountain rising over the savanna.

I don't have anything against BLT, but I will probably never stay there.
I do like the rooms, but I'm not a fan of the structure.

MG

I liked AKV and SSR because they are away from it all, nice, quiet and relaxing. Now that i have a 3yo, we usually go to MK more than the other parks. So BLT was the perfect locations. My DS is afraid of fireworks, but now he can enjoy view of the fireworks without actually being close to it.

 

[jade1]

That's true, but I would bet very few people purchased BLT in order to pay a cheaper price to stay at SSR.

MG

You can compare BLT to SSR in this case, but really to any other DVC as well.

We have a family of 5, so a 1BR at BLT is fewer points than a required 2BR at SSR.

Also, some folks on here have correctly said "anyone" can stay at BLT if you own elsewhere. Just pointing out it works both ways.

 

[Cmbar]

Well, frankly, AKV is my SECOND choice, and one of the reasons is because I don't care for the dark decor. To say I don't own at resorts with a location factor is incorrect though. I LOVE the location of both AKV and OKW. OKW is pretty easy to access all parks without NEEDING to walk to them or taking several modes of transportation that take a lot of time. The fact that I can be back in my room RELAXING to a beautiful view instead of an urban like setting is exactly the location I was looking for. Now, OKW does lack timely access to AK, and that was where AKV comes in. Since we like spending a lot of time at AK, we find it easier from AKV, and while at AKV, I feel like it is a total destination to itself....no need to worry if I get to the parks or not from there. That being said, I find the bus transportation at AKV to be excellent....just a little far from Epcot and DTD.

Yes I agree. The location is definitely right for you. What I meant was the usual "location,location, location" you hear touted about in real estate! I think your idea of a vacation is in exact contrast to mine but I don't think it is any less valid. OKW has room size I hear that can't be beat and when my kids turn into big feet teens I may want more room I don't think we are done with parks yet, but maybe when we are vacationing just to relax we will try the other relaxing resorts. I think Jambo House's pool is one of the nicest on property and I think even better than Beach Club because I like all the palm trees and it is just pretty with a really nice hot tub. I wish I could just get past the dark colors and african theme. When we stayed at WL I loved the resort but hated the dark colors in the rooms so much that I felt kinda depressed. I need bright and light and that is why I come down from the north to Disney. So that is really the main reason why we didn't buy AKV and waited for BLT. Plus I just don't like animals. Ask me to go to the zoo and I'll give you a grunt! Too many memories of Lion Country Safari in the hot florida sun (that was our big "amusement park" in South Florida when we were growing up.) Yuck! Add to that we don't even have a car on property and I don't think OKW is going to be particularly easy to get around with the buses.

But for the record I totally get that you want remote more than Location, location, location! Makes sense! Again this is why I like that DVC has the different resorts. If they ever build a Grand Floridian DVC I am there because that is the ultimate in what I like... monorail, sounds of the MK and the light bright decor, great quick food court with excellent onsite restraunts. I'd sell BLT in a heartbeat to buy GF even if the views weren't as nice.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Cmbar, I think you have it wrong.
For some of us, remote IS "location, location, location".

Your idea of a good location is just different than ours.

MG

 

[CMOORE185]

BLT: 2060 end date; 51 UYs of points. $18k / 50 / 160 = $2.25 per point each year

SSR: 2054 end date; 46 UYs of points if loaded. $10.2k / 46 / 160 = ~$1.42 per point each year

Savings on purchase: ~$0.82ppy (per point / year)

BLT dues: $3.6709
SSR dues: $4.3353
difference: $0.6644

So, assuming no inflation BLT has a net cost of ~$0.1556ppy more.

But, when you factor in a similar % increase on dues at both, you are likely to pay LESS ppy overall because SSR has a higher starting price and therefore compounding will increase it a lot faster.

In the end, my analysis leaves me feeling BLT is likely to be cheaper in the long run even if 11 month booking isn't important to you, even at that price for SSR. Plus, DVC will almost certainly offer SOME incentive on the BLT purchase which could easily offset that and make it cheaper ppy without any inflation as well...

One fallacy in your equation is that BLT dues will remain lower than SSR dues. There is by no means a guarantee of this. That being said I do not think it is a bad deal to buy BLT or any other resort. We all have our legitimate reasons for what we purchased, and I hope we all get great value from it.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Jeezzz.....another resort bashing thread. So glad its not BWV for once!!

 

[ssawka]

To each their own, what I can't understand is why somone feels so compeled to post on a message board why they hate XYZ resort. They are of course entitled to their opinion, but I just find it odd to want to tell the world.

That being said, I own at BLT but have not stayed there. For us it was all about location. I love MK and quite frankly have never felt like I had enough time there due to the distance from other resorts. Also, we always fly and never rent a car and you can't beat the transportation options at BLT.

Lastly, while we are on the topic, the only DVC resort we've stayed in so far was BCV. It was a nice resort and the location to Epcot and DHS is cool, but honestly the decor did nothing for me. It was nice and all, but I just found it to be very boring. I live in Virginia, so the beach theme is nothing new for us. Also, I hated the quick service options there. The Marketplace just didn't have much of a variety.

 

[Anthony1971]

Wow I remember when I could sell my SSR contract for more than I paid. I also remember when AKV contrcats were $$$ resale.
I never bought my contracts (I own 2 resorts) to sell but to think that a DVC resort will hold its value becuase of location or any other reason is foolish.
All DVC resorts except AKV (has its own unique quality) have a great location it is just a matter of where you would like to walk to...
BCV was the only resort that did well for a period of time and more likely due to its size and few contracts being sold. BLT is large and there will be a lot of people selling reducing the price greatly on the resale market in the future.
The only people that can still make money are original OKW owners plus if they got the original perks they make out like thieves...

 

[dizfan]

The reality is we're all paying for one thing and that's years of family vacations at Disney. We could all get much better deals at places other than Disney, but everyone who owns at DVC and vacations at DVC resorts is paying for years of Disney magic.

Instead of looking at our differences and dislikes, look at what we have in common. We all love Disney, otherwise we're wasting our time on boards related to Disney.

 

[Anthony1971]

The reality is we're all paying for one thing and that's years of family vacations at Disney. We could all get much better deals at places other than Disney, but everyone who owns at DVC and vacations at DVC resorts is paying for years of Disney magic.

Instead of looking at our differences and dislikes, look at what we have in common. We all love Disney, otherwise we're wasting our time on boards related to Disney.

Disney Magic = taking a lot of peoples money
In return we get a great vacation in resort that meets personal preferences

 

[Figment_Fan]

I kind of agree. I'm waiting for the Polynesian DVC to add some more points

Darn, I was hoping to be the first on this thread to express an interest in a future Polynesian DVC!!! Oh well. At least I get to quote you.

As to the BLT, I like the Contemporary. Stayed there on my first visit in early summer of '72. Been a fan ever since. I remember when the lower level still had concrete instead of carpets/tile. I love being able to walk over to MK.

 

[Cmbar]

Cmbar, I think you have it wrong.
For some of us, remote IS "location, location, location".

Your idea of a good location is just different than ours.

MG

MG How do I have it wrong? I said what you just said. To you or some others the location to have is remote, but obviously I am not wrong that close to the parks is considered "location" at Disney. Otherwise why would WL or AK or OKW or SSR be less points and certainly less cash cost at the Disney resorts?

Diane started by saying that the actual close location to MK is what turns her off. The Remote location of AKV or okw is what she likes.

I am willing to concede that a great "location" varies based on what is important to each DVC member, but it is kinda not a fair statement to say that "location, location, location doesn't obviously mean physical location. According to Disney prices the Monorail resorts and BWI and BC all have higher costs than the other resorts. There is a reason for that and that is their physical location to the parks. Just defending my statement not trying to argumentative.

 

[Muushka]

This is so much fun. Just like the good old days. Resort wars!

Richyams, we miss you.