BCV vs BLT

[dvc points]

planning to buy BLT soon, but one question lingers...

*i like BCV and would like to stay there often, perhaps split between stays at BLT.
*buying into BLT makes sense - 51 yrs versus 33 for BCV, lower MF, although resale for BCV is cheaper upfront, split over the years of ownership, BLT is a better deal.
*would need fewer points for BCV stay though

so, how difficult is it to book 6 nights in a 1-BD at BCV 7 months out from the month of January or September? would like the water view, but it's not necessary.

i am new to dvc and this would be my first purchase, so if i'm missing anything, please let me know.

thank you!

 

[disneynutz]

Buy where you love to stay. If you haven't stayed there, don't buy. Would you buy a new car sight unseen?

Do you really plan to keep your membership for 33 years? Most people don't.

IMHO BLT dues are artificially low right now to stimulate sales. They will be adjusted later.

BCV at 7 months is getting harder to get as new members want to stay there. Buy where you love to stay.

Take the time to learn all you can about the DVC and the resorts. BCV doesn't have a water view unless you count the little pool or drainage canal.

 

[spiceycat]

Sept will be easy.

Jan - might be - might not - just depend upon when you are going and what is going on at WDW.

 

[jns]

I was able to get BCV for the beginning of Sept this year no problem at the 7 month window

But wish now I had bought at BCV instead of SSR

 

[Disney Princess]

I don't know how easy BCV is at 7 months - I haven't really tried. But, if you like both resorts, you might consider buying points at each one. For example, instead of 200 at BLT, buy 100 at each. Of course the exact # of points you need depends on your plans, unit size, etc. But that way you'd have points for the 11 month window at each resort. (Keep in mind - you cannot combine the points until the 7-month window.) You might be able to get something at the 7 month window, but if you know you'll want to be at both, you may want to split the contracts.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[disneybride96]

We have gotten a 1BR at BCV the past two years in January with no problems. BTW- BCV does not have a lake view. It is located behind the Beach Club Inn.

 

[Dean]

Ideally owning at both might be your best option. BCV will likely do better than BLT given your stated preferences. The price difference will account for much of the difference in length of contract. OTOH, you will also likely need to own at BLW to get a MKV very often. Ultimately it's a personal decision and I wish you luck as you can't go wrong either way if you'll use the points for DVC itself.

 

[Sandisw]

It sounds like buying at both resorts might work out for you. Since you can get BCV resale, you could do that first. Once a memeber, you can then add-on at BLT, with only 100 pts (instead of the minimum 160 you have to do as a new owner).

That is what I just did--bought 50 VWL, and then added on at BLT. Took less then a month to close on VWL and bought the BLT in a week.

 

[LadyKay]

Buy where you love to stay. If you haven't stayed there, don't buy. Would you buy a new car sight unseen?

Do you really plan to keep your membership for 33 years? Most people don't.

IMHO BLT dues are artificially low right now to stimulate sales. They will be adjusted later.

BCV at 7 months is getting harder to get as new members want to stay there. Buy where you love to stay.

Take the time to learn all you can about the DVC and the resorts. BCV doesn't have a water view unless you count the little pool or drainage canal.

We've bought site unseen twice. BCV and BLT and never looked back. Buy at both, you won't regret it. If you choose to buy only at BLT I think Jan. & Sept. would be doable at the 7 month window for BCV.

 

[Pakey]

I own at BCV but often don't plan ahead at the 11 month window. This Jan (09) is the first Jan I've been able to get in at BCV at 7 months. The past 3 years, I've had to waitlist and did not have them come through. With the ecomony the way it is, it might be easier right now but I would not count on it being that way always.

I think Sep would be easier.

 

[dvc points]

thank you all so much for your very helpful responses. they've now generated two more questions:

if i buy at BCV and at BLT, wouldn't it make it impossible for me to book all my points at the 11 month window for either location? i'd have to book the BCV points at BCV and the BLT points at BLT. if i book 3 night at BCV and the subsequent 3 nights at BLT as back up, then try to move the BLT nights to BCV at 7 months out, and it's booked up, i may end up having to move in the middle of the vacation.

how likely is it to "complete" the vacation at the 7 month window?

also, i never thought of buying resale for BCV first then adding on at BLT. great idea! would i still pay closing costs for the BLT points since i would already be a member and it's just adding on although a first purchase through disney.

 

[Sandisw]

You can only use the points at 11 months for the resorts, so yes, you would have to do a split stay if you wait list at the 7 month mark at one or the other and it doesn't come through.

The other option (which is what we are considering) is borrowing points one year so we can stay at the one resort, bank the other resorts points, and then flipflop it the following year.

As far as adding on, you do not pay the closing costs after you are a member. We closed on our VWL resale on 2/2 and bought BLT on 2/7 and did not incur any closing costs for the transaction.

And what was great is that my gude worked hard (I called at 3:15 pm on the 7th) to get the points into my account by the end of the day so I could book BLT on opening day, the 8th. He called me at 5:30 pm and they were there!!!

 

[dvc points]

wow. that was so useful. although i knew about banking and borrowing points i had not thought of using them this way. see what a newbie i am.

so now having both BCV and BLT points makes perfect sense!

thanks so much.