BLT or OKW

[BEASLYBOO]

OKW-No brainer for us. Favorite Resort, most bang p/ point and BLT is no to my taste.

 

[Anal Annie]

I voted for the 100 points at OKW not because I like OKW but because you can ultimately do more with 100 points than 50.

 

[Raivyn]

If your max budget is $7200, then I think you have more options than buying only in one resort or another. Why couldn't you buy the minimum contract amount of 25 points at BLT for $2,800, and use the remaining $4,400 to buy 61 pts at OKW?

You would have 86 points total to use at a 7 month window. You would also have the ability to book *something* at the 11 month window for both resorts, and could do the borrow/bank deal if you needed more points.

You would get the benefit of the value of the less expensive points from OKW, and still have points for that 1 or 2 night stay at BLT. Since 50 points at BLT may not get you much of a stay anyway, but you are drawn to it, this would at least give you some options.

Just a suggestion. I'm new to DVC myself, but for me, there is a definite value in being able to book at BLT with an 11 month window vs. more points at a different resort.

 

[VLee]

I can't imagine owning less than 150-160 to get any kind of true DVC vacation. The point of DVC is to have the amenities of home. If you are only staying in studios all the time, you aren't getting the true use advantage out of DVC. With a 1 bedroom or larger, you will have a full kitchen, washer and dryer, Jaccuzi tub, stretchout space in the living room, etc, etc. .

Respectfully replying, and maybe YOUR point of DVC is to have the amenities of home. But not everyone feels that way.

It all depends on the family. Right now, I use DVC mainly for multiple stays and a way of "saving" on regular room reservations. We have had one bedrooms, but mainly studios and we are not bothered by the "closeness". Having a kitchen, heck even having the mini kitchen, does not do us a great deal, for we have NEVER cooked. Usually don't even make coffee, use our refills, are usually on the dining plans and don't even eat the snacks we bring from home when back in the room. I have an airjet tub at home and don't like the thought of using a Jaccuzi behind someone else.
With smaller children, we tend to spend most of our time park hopping and the room is mainly to sleep.

Besides, anyone owning less than 150-160 points may be planning on vacationing every other year or even every third year.

By the way, I own 550 points, so certainly have plenty to stay in one BR's if I thought they met my needs best.

 

[abeyst]

I vote for OKW. More points and lower MFs are a huge reason, but I just love the resort! BLT is not really my thing, neither is being on the monorail loop.

Yes, you have kids who might like to be by the MK, but they won't want to go there forever. Mine, who are now 10 and 6, have both been going since they were 1. They never cared much for MK, they like Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

You won't be staying at your home resort every trip - there's too many other hotels to try! My kids have their favorite (BCV), but they also enjoy trying new hotels. We visited AKV in July when we were there, and they want to stay there next time we go! I think OKW would give you more points and therefore more flexibility to try other things, exchange into II, stay an extra week by doing weekdays only....

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm of the "I've stayed in a 1 & 2BR now and can never go back to a studio" mindset, so my vote is for the 100 pts at OKW.

I voted for the 100 points at OKW not because I like OKW but because you can ultimately do more with 100 points than 50.

ITA!

Plus, while being closer to the MK when the kids are young is certainly appealing, I like the idea of having larger accommodations when they need to come back to the room and nap. 100 points will allow a 1 BR ressie, and so the kiddos can nap in the bedroom while you and DH watch TV or relax on the patio. Trying to be quiet in a studio while the little ones rest can be a PIA. JMO.

 

[Anal Annie]

ITA!

Plus, while being closer to the MK when the kids are young is certainly appealing, I like the idea of having larger accommodations when they need to come back to the room and nap. 100 points will allow a 1 BR ressie, and so the kiddos can nap in the bedroom while you and DH watch TV or relax on the patio. Trying to be quiet in a studio while the little ones rest can be a PIA. JMO.

Hey Kathi - A little off topic here but that's a pretty fancy tag ya got there. I like that scrolling do-ma-flatchy thang!

 

[Laurabearz]

I would like to toss BWV's into the mix... With the standard view point option (if you able to book far out) you can also buy a small contract.

Since your still "just a couple" having lovely dinners at Epcot, then strolling back to the resort really is a nice bonus to any vacation.

 

[DisFlan]

We don't mind the studio for just the two of us (we're empty nesters). We save points for the larger family trips. Staying in a studio occasionally means more trips!

DisFlan

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I would like to toss BWV's into the mix... With the standard view point option (if you able to book far out) you can also buy a small contract.

Since your still "just a couple" having lovely dinners at Epcot, then strolling back to the resort really is a nice bonus to any vacation.

Yeah, I've thought a little bit about more points at our "home."

 

[Laurabearz]

Yeah, I've thought a little bit about more points at our "home."

Oh I hadnt even noticed you owned at BWV. I still think you should add on there lol

 

[jodifla]

When you have kids, you REALLY start to appreciate having a separate bedroom.

It's SO much more of a vacation when you can put the little one down in another room at night, pop open a bottle of wine on your BIG OKW balcony, and relax for the evening with your spouse.


Sneaking around in the studio or sitting in the bathroom until they fall asleep isn't the same thing.

I'd go for OKW, and stay at BLT occasionally.

 

[appleorchard]

50 at BLT(we bought 65). Having just stayed at SSR, and having stayed at OKW in the past, having to take a bus everywhere is a pain to me.
We toured the BLT models and found(like everyone else) that the studio sink setup is weird, but the 1 BRs are AWESOME! The living room seems huge because of the island counter and I love the extra bathroom!

 

[avamadison]

My vote would be BLT. Location, Location, Location

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

OK, we are probably going to just wait.

I know we would be happiest with either BWV or BLT points, but it is awfully hard to pass up the value of points selling for $67.50/pt. at OKW. Dh wants what he wants -- and he doesn't want OKW or SSR.

I really can't see paying almost double for BLT, but...

We'll just wait until we can purchase a contract at BLT or BWV.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Respectfully replying, and maybe YOUR point of DVC is to have the amenities of home. But not everyone feels that way.

It all depends on the family. Right now, I use DVC mainly for multiple stays and a way of "saving" on regular room reservations. We have had one bedrooms, but mainly studios and we are not bothered by the "closeness". Having a kitchen, heck even having the mini kitchen, does not do us a great deal, for we have NEVER cooked. Usually don't even make coffee, use our refills, are usually on the dining plans and don't even eat the snacks we bring from home when back in the room. I have an airjet tub at home and don't like the thought of using a Jaccuzi behind someone else.
With smaller children, we tend to spend most of our time park hopping and the room is mainly to sleep.

VLee....while I can certainly respect your reasons for owning DVC and what you feel are the best use of points for your family, but I'm with Diane on this one. We knew owning DVC would allow us, as a family, to really spread out. Studios are fine with shorter weekend trips or trips sans kids.

But when we have the kids with us, and I'm saying this as they are now teenagers, but even when they were little, having a room for dh and I to relax and spread out while they slept was worth it's weight in gold when they were small. With a studio, you either have to be very quiet while the kiddos sleep or hang out on the balcony (and if the weather is bad, that's not always fun). Also, we've had trips where the kids, dh or I have been very sick. One trip I had the flu. Having a separate room to sleep in was heaven. If one of us was ill, the others didn't have to tip-toe around us.

Now, with three teens, we are spoiled by the larger accomodations. Even though we do like having the kitchen, we can take or leave the jacuzzi. We love having the washer/dryer in the room. Saves ALOT of time from having to use the general laundry room and is a major convenience. To be able to pop our dirty laundry in the washer and head to the parks is a big perk to us. Then of course, the exta space a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom villa affords us, makes for a much more relaxed vacation. When we're all not on top of eachother, we feel much less restricted. But of course, everyone has different vacation aspirations. Having been to WDW more than 30 times, it comes down to quality----we have spent more times in our villa over the last several years and love having the extra space and amenities.

So more points will allow the OP more options for longer stays and stays in larger accomodations. True, the BLT resort will have location & luxury on it's side, but with the OP's choices of 50 vs 100 points, I just think they can do a whole lot more with the 100 points as far as vacation possibilities.

 

[dianeschlicht]

VLee....while I can certainly respect your reasons for owning DVC and what you feel are the best use of points for your family, but I'm with Diane on this one. We knew owning DVC would allow us, as a family, to really spread out. Studios are fine with shorter weekend trips or trips sans kids.

But when we have the kids with us, and I'm saying this as they are now teenagers, but even when they were little, having a room for dh and I to relax and spread out while they slept was worth it's weight in gold when they were small. With a studio, you either have to be very quiet while the kiddos sleep or hang out on the balcony (and if the weather is bad, that's not always fun). Also, we've had trips where the kids, dh or I have been very sick. One trip I had the flu. Having a separate room to sleep in was heaven. If one of us was ill, the others didn't have to tip-toe around us.

Now, with three teens, we are spoiled by the larger accomodations. Even though we do like having the kitchen, we can take or leave the jacuzzi. We love having the washer/dryer in the room. Saves ALOT of time from having to use the general laundry room and is a major convenience. To be able to pop our dirty laundry in the washer and head to the parks is a big perk to us. Then of course, the exta space a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom villa affords us, makes for a much more relaxed vacation. When we're all not on top of eachother, we feel much less restricted. But of course, everyone has different vacation aspirations. Having been to WDW more than 30 times, it comes down to quality----we have spent more times in our villa over the last several years and love having the extra space and amenities.

So more points will allow the OP more options for longer stays and stays in larger accomodations. True, the BLT resort will have location & luxury on it's side, but with the OP's choices of 50 vs 100 points, I just think they can do a whole lot more with the 100 points as far as vacation possibilities.

That was a very good more wordy way of making my original point as well!

 

[Cmbar]

VLee....while I can certainly respect your reasons for owning DVC and what you feel are the best use of points for your family, but I'm with Diane on this one. We knew owning DVC would allow us, as a family, to really spread out. Studios are fine with shorter weekend trips or trips sans kids.

But when we have the kids with us, and I'm saying this as they are now teenagers, but even when they were little, having a room for dh and I to relax and spread out while they slept was worth it's weight in gold when they were small. With a studio, you either have to be very quiet while the kiddos sleep or hang out on the balcony (and if the weather is bad, that's not always fun). Also, we've had trips where the kids, dh or I have been very sick. One trip I had the flu. Having a separate room to sleep in was heaven. If one of us was ill, the others didn't have to tip-toe around us.

Now, with three teens, we are spoiled by the larger accomodations. Even though we do like having the kitchen, we can take or leave the jacuzzi. We love having the washer/dryer in the room. Saves ALOT of time from having to use the general laundry room and is a major convenience. To be able to pop our dirty laundry in the washer and head to the parks is a big perk to us. Then of course, the exta space a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom villa affords us, makes for a much more relaxed vacation. When we're all not on top of eachother, we feel much less restricted. But of course, everyone has different vacation aspirations. Having been to WDW more than 30 times, it comes down to quality----we have spent more times in our villa over the last several years and love having the extra space and amenities.

So more points will allow the OP more options for longer stays and stays in larger accomodations. True, the BLT resort will have location & luxury on it's side, but with the OP's choices of 50 vs 100 points, I just think they can do a whole lot more with the 100 points as far as vacation possibilities.

I also would like to respectfully comment on this. I just gotta believe that each family is extremely different when it comes to this. We have been planning on purchasing for forever but because we have a very good friend who rents us points it hasn't made much sense. But responding to the OP knowing they are a young couple without children and telling them that owning anything less than 200 points is kinda silly. Why would they buy more than they need at this point. Isn't that the beauty of DVC that you can adjust your purchase as your needs change. Our children are 9 and 11 and we have been staying in Studios since they were 2&4. It was NEVER a problem. Maybe we had good sleepers and we had a great weather everytime we went, but never, ever did I think.. "man I wish I had more of a hotel to sleep in" But that is because for us the attraction of Disney is the parks and pools. I ABSOLUTELY refuse to ever cook at Disney, never ever! So the kitchen doesn't do a thing for me. The laundry would be a plus, but we have used the laundry for studios and didn't find it too much of an inconvenience.

I guess my point is occassionally there are DVC members that make us prospective new owners feel that buying into DVC at the minimum with thoughts of staying in Studios feel as if we are not welcome in the club if we aren't at the economical wherewithall to buy in the 200-400 range. Some of us just love to come to Disney and want to own so we can come more often. I would never book a one bedroom or Studio type room at one the resort hotels, so I don't really see the point in doing it as an owner unless it is best for that trip, say going with family and getting a two bedroom. A one bedroom is ridiculous in point structure when you think you can't put any more family members in the accomodation. This is just my opinion. I would rather have two trip in a studio than one trip in a 1 bedroom. Just my humble opinion from the not so blessed to be able to buy the larger contracts. Now of course if you have a large family you would need to stay in a two bedroom and therefore you would have to buy more points. But for us we are a family that fits just fine in the Studio. For the OP they don't even have kids yet and my opinion is for them to buy the smaller contract at BLT because when they do have kids that will be invaluable instead of staying out at OKW in a one bedroom.

To Diane and Mia, I totally understand why more points work for you, just trying to state why less works for some of us.

 

[Anal Annie]

We also see no need to discriminate against those of us who feel a studio is a better use of our points. I mean, a 1 bedroom would be NICE but we can go twice (or for 2 weeks) in a studio at SSR for only 3 points more than what a one bedroom unit would cost for only 1 week in the Magic season!! THAT'S HUGE!!

We purchased 250 points with the idea that being a family of 3 who spends a lot of time at the parks that we would rather have more time / days / trips than the bigger unit for 1/2 the amount of time. We could even spread our points into 3 shorter trips if we planned it just right.

I totally agree that the point charts are reasonable for the studios and the 2 bedroom units but I think the points for a 1 bedroom unit is clearly unbalanced in comparison. Our DS would love to have his own bed to sleep in (a REAL bed not a pullout) and a 1 bedroom still doesn't accomplish that for us. (And yes, I know OKW has 2 beds in a studio but we don't like OKW.) So if we're still not getting more BEDS there is still no point to using more points for the 1 bedroom. (Not only am I not cooking on vacation beyond breakfast but I am not doing laundry either so still no big advantage to the larger unit!)

Some of us just have to be more frugal with our points to make it work. I find the biggest advantage with a studio over a reg. hotel room is the kitchenette. It is definitely easier to at least have breakfast in the room. Obviously, if you are a larger family the larger units are necessary.

(Note that in my first post on this thread I also said the OP should go for the 100 pts at OKW vs the 50 pts at BLT - NOT because I like OKW but because they can do more with the 100 pts over the course of time. It's just a more frugal purchase IMO.)

 

[Alisha&Jay]

I would choose 100 pts OKW for the following reasons:
You're planning on having kids, you might discover you need or want the extra room a 1bedroom provides you. You don't know now if that is what you will prefer, so I would opt for the extra points. You can afford the 100pts at OKW now, what if you buy only the 50 points at BLT now and find you need more points later, but can't afford them (kids are expensive, I have 3!) From my experience, the 1 bedroom is a must when we have to do naps, this was never accomplished when we have stayed in a studio. BTW, we have stayed in a studio several times with 3 kids (right now they are 6 DD, 3 DS, and 2 DS). Or, like you said, you can just wait. We own 300 pts and it's not enough for our family, we like to go atleast twice a year (preferably 3 times: a couple of long weekends, 1 trip of 6 or 7 nights). Our next trip is Fri Dec 5 thru Tues Dec 9 (flying from CT to FL) and we are staying at BWV in 1 bedroom Pref view and then we are going in Feb, driving down and we'll get there on a saturday and stay offsite or pay cash onsite for one night (to save those sat night points!) and then we'll stay in a 2 bedroom from Sunday through Saturday (on this trip we'll need the 2 bedroom because I'll have my 3 kids plus my stepson).

I also think that BLT points charts are ridiculous, meaning that the LV or MK view rooms are astronomical in points requirements. IMO, the SV rooms are the only ones that are fair in the amount of points required, I checked and to stay in the Standard view BLT room is almost the same as a VWL, BCV, or BWV Pref/Garden/Boardwalk view room. But again, that's for standard view at BLT. What exactly is the standard view looking at/facing?

Anyway, my DH wants to buy more points at BLT!! We want to add-on next year, 150 points. I figured that we are going to spend $16,050 ($112 pp minus the $5 credit), and if we bought resale at AKV (because comparable number of years of ownership, 2057 vs 2060) we may be able to get for $85 pp? so, it would cost $12,750, or we could spend the same amount as BLT, but get more points at AKV, around 189 points vs the 150 at BLT. I think I would prefer the extra points since we like to go so much. My DH refuses to consider the other resort resales (BWV, VWL, BCV, OKW) because of the contract length being only through 2042. He says even though we may save several thousand upfront, the extra 15 years of vacations for us and our children and future grandchildren is worth much more. Can you imagine the cost of a trip 35 years from now? Anyway, just my opinion.