BLT impressions from an AKV connoisseur

[gkrykewy]

For the record, it was room 8140.

 

[cvrapclark]

I guess it's all about location. Here is a great example of a 100% point premium and how you paying for the location of the room. In 2010, during premier season, a MK view studio at BLT runs 30 points a night for Sun-Thur. At AKV, during the same season, a Value studio will cost 15 points per night.
It's double the amount to stay at BLT over AKV.

I'm not looking at charts right now, but aren't the points for a standard studio at BLT comparable to a value studio at AKV?

 

[Sandisw]

I'm not looking at charts right now, but aren't the points for a standard studio at BLT comparable to a value studio at AKV?

I just looked them up in Magic Season and a BLT SV studio is 17 points, with a LV being 19. At AKV, that is what is needed for Concierge. The value studio is only 11 points.

But, there is a difference between being at AKV and BLT, in terms of location and ease to parks. For me, I don't think I would stay at AKV over BLT, even if it did save me points. But we only bought DVC for BLT because proximity to MK is the most important piece to our vacations. Of course, I realize that we may be unique in this way.

 

[gkrykewy]

I just looked them up in Magic Season and a BLT SV studio is 17 points, with a LV being 19. At AKV, that is what is needed for Concierge. The value studio is only 11 points.

lake view is equivalent to concierge?

Fair point about accessibility, Sandisw, but these are both DVC resorts that are appended to deluxe hotels. I believe contemporary cash rack rates are higher than AKL savanna view, but I wonder if it's to the same extent.

EDIT:
- AKL savanna view regular season is $365/nt
- Contemporary garden wing $410, Tower Bay Lake $445 -- BLT valued about between the two, so say $428
- AKL concierge is $405/nt

So I suppose it all roughly corresponds (assuming that contemporary hotel rooms are comparably smaller than AKL cash rooms), except that the AKV value rooms are an unusual points bargain.

 

[bord1niowa]

Can't wait to try both in the same trip. First 2 weeks of March we'll stay at BLT studio MK view and 5 days at AKL Studio Savannah. Haven't stayed at either of them yet. Shouldn't be crowded as only 2 of us, for a change. lol

 

[hakepb]

lake view is equivalent to concierge?

Fair point about accessibility, Sandisw, but these are both DVC resorts that are appended to deluxe hotels. I believe contemporary cash rack rates are higher than AKL savanna view, but I wonder if it's to the same extent.

EDIT:
- AKL savanna view regular season is $365/nt
- Contemporary garden wing $410, Tower Bay Lake $445 -- BLT valued about between the two, so say $428
- AKL concierge is $405/nt

So I suppose it all roughly corresponds (assuming that contemporary hotel rooms are comparably smaller than AKL cash rooms), except that the AKV value rooms are an unusual points bargain.

An AKV owner pays $22.61 more/night in Annual fees to maintain the concierge studio room than a BLT LV studio owner. But for not BLT-owners, the points difference seems high.

FYI (per mousesavers) Contemporary cash rooms are larger than AKL cash rooms..

" Standard rooms at the Deluxe resorts vary in size from as small as 344 square feet at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge to as large as 440 square feet at Grand Floridian. Standard rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk Inn sleep up to 4 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib) on two Queen beds. Rooms with a Queen and a bunk bed are also available at the two lodges. Most standard rooms at the other Deluxe resorts sleep up to 5 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib) on two Queen beds and a day bed. All Deluxe resorts except the Polynesian have some standard rooms with King beds. "

and

" Contemporary's Garden Wing rooms are also worth considering, if you want Deluxe amenities at a reasonable price. At 394 square feet, Contemporary rooms are second only to Grand Floridian in size, and standard Contemporary rooms can sleep up to 5 (plus one baby under age 3 in a crib). "

 

[Sandisw]

lake view is equivalent to concierge?

Fair point about accessibility, Sandisw, but these are both DVC resorts that are appended to deluxe hotels. I believe contemporary cash rack rates are higher than AKL savanna view, but I wonder if it's to the same extent.

EDIT:
- AKL savanna view regular season is $365/nt
- Contemporary garden wing $410, Tower Bay Lake $445 -- BLT valued about between the two, so say $428
- AKL concierge is $405/nt

So I suppose it all roughly corresponds (assuming that contemporary hotel rooms are comparably smaller than AKL cash rooms), except that the AKV value rooms are an unusual points bargain.

I definitely think the points to stay at AKV are a good deal. And, I also think that they really inflated the point structure at BLT, banking that the location would outweigh the fact that staying there is much more expensive than elsewhere. And, in terms of size, the BLT studio is much smaller than the others so you are really getting less for more.

But I think they are counting on people like me who just have to stay there, point rich or not! .

Matter of fact, we did the same thing before DVC--stayed at CR most of the time--tried other places and almost every trip, changed to the CR after a few nights at other resorts.

But, for those that like the location of AKV (or are okay with being at that resort), you definitely get some great rooms for the points.