BLT or Poly for 2nd Contract?

[Thegoatfeeder]

Evening guys. So we are current owners at the Riviera, and are planning on buying a 2nd contract resale.

We have enough points at Riviera to do around 9-10 nights a year (we're coming from the UK), and are looking at buying around 100 points with the same UY through the resale market to add 4 or 5 nights onto our Riviera stays. We like the idea of a MK area resort, and have been really taken with the Poly and CC having visited them both numerous times.

We are hesitating with CC because we tend to travel in early December or during food and wine, and since we stay in studios we know these can be hard to book even at the 11 month window during these periods at CC.

That leaves us with the Poly and BLT, we really like the Poly and that's kind of my first choice, but the fact you can really easily walk from BLT to MK is a really really strong pull for that. What do you guys think? I've been monitoring the resale market for a while and 100 points at either seems to be a pretty similar price, so I am guessing money doesn't come into it too much. I guess the only thing I haven't factored in between the 2 is the annual dues!

 

[EM Lawrence]

I’ve not stayed at BLT, but have seen feedback that the studios there are particularly small, so that may be a con. The pro is that you have all the options from studio up to Grand Villa, and their 1 BR has a second bath which is a huge plus.

Poly has great studios, which are large and have a second half bath, but the only other option is the points-hungry bungalows.

They are both great options.

*Technically* once the bridge is complete, you should be able to walk to MK from both GF and Poly, although I think it will be a long walk from Poly. I assume this is right because you can walk from the Poly to GF right now, so I assume you can then walk past the GF and on to MK.

 

[Sandisw]

I am in the process of buying BLT but had been looking at Poly too, I will say there are a lot more Poly contracts out there than BLT, especially smaller ones,

I will say that the BLT studio is one of the smallest. Poly has the split bath and is bigger for sure. I do think going from RIV to BLT will feel cramped, unless it’s just two of you,

However, Poly has no 1 or 2 bedrooms so if you ever decide you want those, BLT might be better,

You are right that the walk to MK is a big selling point.

 

[macman123]

I am from the UK too.

I have 2 x 200 point BLT resale contracts
1 x 155 point BLT direct contract.

So I have all BLT - so I can book at month 11 then switch to other resorts at month 7. Bought 155 points direct to allow me to stay at RVA and other new resorts.

 

[holden]

We own at BLT. The walk to MK and the extra bathroom in the 1 and 2BR units sold us. There’s nothing like walking back to your room at night when most of the crowds are waiting for the monorail, boat, bus, ride share...

 

[badeacon]

Poly has large studios and low maintenance fees. One of the most economical resorts to purchase.
I would pick Poly as prejudiced since current owner there.

 

[macman123]

See:

https://www.dvcresalemarket.com/blog/best-economical-dvc-resort-to-purchase-spring-2020/

 

[rich dream vacations]

Your analysis is solid: Purchase prices are similar ($135-$150 per pt range), annual dues per point similar ($6.58 BLT vs. $6.80 Poly), only studios at Poly vs all types at BLT, studio room size (445sf Poly vs 338sf BLT). If holding onto this for the long term I would probably choose Poly for the 2066 contract expiration date vs 2060 for BLT. But if you are planning on reselling that contract I personally think BLT will have the better resale appreciation down the road than Poly (but if you can pick up a 100 pt Poly for 125 to 135 like I have seen recently and it passes ROFR then I can only see pricing upside to Poly.

 

[bcuinohio]

I think it boils down to what type of room you normally get. If you like studios, I would do the Poly. If you are thinking villas, I would go BLT. We stayed in Poly Studio last July and it was awesome. We just closed on a BLT contract this week. We went with BLT since we want villas. I like having the kitchen and the washer dryer in the room.

 

[Fauntleroy]

We went with BLT b/c we prefer 1 BRs, the dining options (California Grill, Wave, etc.) at the Contemporary, and adore the easy access to TOWL. Toss in walkable to MK (and Monorail to Epcot)- and it’s been absolutely fantastic for us.

That said- it really is a very personal decision. If you are studio-only travelers as many are- I would imagine Poly is the best of the best on that front. We stayed in one a few years ago and loved it (totally forgot it was a studio b/c so roomy). Also, like the Contemporary- there’s a vintage WDW-feel at the Poly that is really special. Love the atmosphere over there- including having the Luau show on property.

Good news is both great, convenient resorts, with comparable pricing. So just put the emphasis on how you like to travel, and you can’t go wrong between these two IMHO. Enjoy!

 

[Hopfather28]

In interest of full disclosure, I've not stayed at BLT. However, I have stayed at Poly. IMO the walk to TTC is more valuable than the walk to MK. That is to say that the convenience factor for 2 parks is more important to me than the convenience to 1. If you book lake view PVB the only longhouse that has those studios is also the closest to TTC.

 

[Lorana]

I love all the advice everyone is giving. I do not think we will ever outgrow our favorites - BRV, CCV, AKL - but we do love the Poly, it just kills me there are no 1BRs. I wonder if our opinion on that will change, once our kids are grown.

I certainly would love being able to do 6-8 weeks in Disney in winter when we retire, but I also recognize that’s a LOT of points for 1BRs...

I keep waivering on the idea of BLT. Contemporary is not our favorite resort theming wise, but when we stayed in an MK view room for our anniversary 4 years ago, I was definitely sold on the view. I think I need to plan a stay at BLT to get a real feel for it. View and walk to the parks may sell us. I certainly know that one of the reason I keep considering eventually adding BCV, BWV, or RIV is ease of getting to the parks...

 

[CarolMN]

We've stayed in studios at both BLT and the Poly. It's true that the BLT studios are quite small, but in my opinion, they are very well laid out and quite comfortable for a couple. That's especially true if you are only staying a few nights. I wouldn't want to stay a week or more, though. It was a fantastic location for the MK, but not so wonderful for anywhere else. The resort dining options were a plus as was the access to the Top of the World Lounge.

We liked the Poly, but thought the point cost was very high compared to other studios. The two showers were a plus, although I would have preferred another toilet over the extra shower, or better yet, more space for the kitchenette/living pace. Even though we couldn't walk to the MK, we could walk to the TTC to catch the ferry or express monorail to the MK, and the monorail to EPCOT. (Monorail to EPTCOT from BLT was NOT convenient, due to the need to transfer. Coming back it could take an hour or more because BLT is the last stop on the resort monorail). We like KONA & Captain Cook's is OK, but we aren't ohana fans. The restaurants at the GF are nearby (walk-able distance), so that is a plus for us. Poly grounds are gorgeous

We did not use pools or the laundry at either resort.

Good luck with your decision..

 

[lovethesun12]

It helps asking the SO! Here's how my conversation went:

Me: lets discuss the pros/cons of resorts
DH: -----

*what DH heard*
Me: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, *poly bigger/2nd half bath*, blah, blah, blah, .....

*decision making*
DH: poly
Me: But BLT points...
DH: poly
Me: But BCV pool/SS/AKL animals
DH: poly

It made it easier

 

[EM Lawrence]

It helps asking the SO! Here's how my conversation went:

Me: lets discuss the pros/cons of resorts
DH: -----

*what DH heard*
Me: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, *poly bigger/2nd half bath*, blah, blah, blah, .....

*decision making*
DH: poly
Me: But BLT points...
DH: poly
Me: But BCV pool/SS/AKL animals
DH: poly

It made it easier

My DH. Same! That is why I’m on the hunt for a small Poly contract to make him happy. I’ll buy more points elsewhere for me and the kids. DH only ever wants Poly.