BLT points: WOW ! Expensive, not $wise

[DVCDAVE]

I just did some "planing" on the DVC Member interactive points calculator. And WOW !! was I unpleasantly surprised !! BLT rooms cost a lot more points then either BWV and VWL. For my plans, about 20% more points for the same vacation and room/view equivalent (we usually go 10 or more days during Magic Season). I was amazed.

Upon examination, I see what the DVC powers to be did. They seemed to shave points off the weekend nights at BLT, BUT they added 1 or 2 points during the weeknights........well guess what! There are a lot more weeknights than weekend nights, and those extra weeknight points eat those points real fast!

IMHO,
DVCDAVE

 

[Mtnman44]

Yea, what is a 2BR MK view go for in the cheap season on the weekdays, something like 42 points per night...LOL

 

[dwelty]

This makes sense since there are always Friday and Saturday nights avaliable until really close to check in, when Disney starts renting them to non-members. DVC members have become savy at stretching their points. This is why Sunday is the busiest check in day of the week. I am suspecting that this new allocation will help spread out point usage throught the week.

This may be the new strategy for points allocation on all new resorts. If so, this will not work with the Grand Californian where weekend crowds peak and weekdays are much slower. An opposite strategy would work better (make weekend days substantially higher than weekdays to force people to reserve during the week). Only time will tell.

 

[Budshark]

It continues to amaze me people are surprised at the cost of BLT.

It was either going to cost $$$ or points...

The surprising part is people are surprised.

Contemporary is very desirable by location.
Contemporary costs more on a room basis than any other Hotel attached to a DVC.
Contemporary provides a room level that compares to nothing else DVC has (MK View)

Lake view is comparable to every other premium level out there (better views) - but its close to MK, so it costs a little more.

MK View - we have nothing like it in the system. Its got views, location, views and location. Of course its going to cost more.

There was never any doubt that the BLT rooms were going to cost more than rooms anywhere else...

 

[hakepb]

If BLT requires 20% more points, so MF's will be 20% lower per point, does that mean that BLT might be the cheapest resort in the long run, as long as you mostly use your BLT points outside BLT?
In dollars paid over a 50 year contract, you would essentially pay $50 less a point on MF's? (Now I realize that present value calculations reduce savings on front-end loaded investments)

 

[Mississippian]

If BLT requires 20% more points, so MF's will be 20% lower per point, does that mean that BLT might be the cheapest resort in the long run, as long as you mostly use your BLT points outside BLT?
In dollars paid over a 50 year contract, you would essentially pay $50 less a point on MF's? (Now I realize that present value calculations reduce savings on front-end loaded investments)

You have hit the nail on the head. BLT owners are going to have a real advantage because they are paying less MF per point.

 

[hakepb]

You have hit the nail on the head. BLT owners are going to have a real advantage because they are paying less MF per point.

But NOT when staying at BLT,
just at the other (current) DVC's that use fewer points.

 

[moredisneyplease]

You have hit the nail on the head. BLT owners are going to have a real advantage because they are paying less MF per point.

for right now...........I think it'll be low to start and then creep up quicker than others to catch up. I wouldnt count on it staying low!

As for the uniqueness of having MK views, I find it odd that they set up a resort w/ this amazing uniqueness of over looking MK but only 20% of the rooms are actually MK views. i would have tried to make at least half MK views!!!

 

[DebbieB]

for right now...........I think it'll be low to start and then creep up quicker than others to catch up. I wouldnt count on it staying low!

As for the uniqueness of having MK views, I find it odd that they set up a resort w/ this amazing uniqueness of over looking MK but only 20% of the rooms are actually MK views. i would have tried to make at least half MK views!!!

I think they wanted to keep the proportions similiar to the Contemporary. The only way to get more MK views would be to build it out into the parking lot more but then they would block the Contemporary's MK views and would be more visible from MK. I think it blends in nicely. I like the finished look better than the way it looks now. I wouldn't be surprised if sales go well that they tear down the south section and build another tower.

 

[hakepb]

I think they wanted to keep the proportions similiar to the Contemporary. The only way to get more MK views would be to build it out into the parking lot more but then they would block the Contemporary's MK views and would be more visible from MK. I think it blends in nicely. I like the finished look better than the way it looks now. I wouldn't be surprised if sales go well that they tear down the south section and build another tower.

If the BLT "crescent" opening faced MK, there might be more MK view rooms, or at least all would have fireworks on the balcony viewing. As is, there are just some rooms on the outsidde of the curve. I think several other design/functionality aestetics affected the # of MK view rooms. i.e my above idea would probably place the pool in the shade most of the day.

 

[TSMIII]

It continues to amaze me people are surprised at the cost of BLT.

It was either going to cost $$$ or points...

The surprising part is people are surprised.

Contemporary is very desirable by location.
Contemporary costs more on a room basis than any other Hotel attached to a DVC.
Contemporary provides a room level that compares to nothing else DVC has (MK View)

Lake view is comparable to every other premium level out there (better views) - but its close to MK, so it costs a little more.

MK View - we have nothing like it in the system. Its got views, location, views and location. Of course its going to cost more.

There was never any doubt that the BLT rooms were going to cost more than rooms anywhere else...

You make excellent points - I think it is just a shock to see the actual numbers.

When you see a BLT Standard View in Magic Season going for the same points, or more, as a BWV Boardwalk View it kind of makes you sit up and take notice.

 

[DVCDAVE]

I don't want to be looked upon as complaining here, when I started this post. I too wanted to add on at BLT. But, when I started to look at the point charts in order to decide how many points to add on, I was a little taken aback at how many points I would need.

 

[Budshark]

I don't want to be looked upon as complaining here, when I started this post. I too wanted to add on at BLT. But, when I started to look at the point charts in order to decide how many points to add on, I was a little taken aback at how many points I would need.

I definitely understand. I guess we just built that in from the beginning knowing how much Contemporary costs as a hotel.

We were planning on $150/pt. Well instead of the points being 20-30% more, the rooms are 20-30% more and the MK views are even more.

Its very close to what we expected. Lake View will be the norm at a 30% premium to other resorts and MK view will be reserved for those with more discretionary spending then we have and for special events.

I'm not that concerned with MK views or the % of MK Views. We want BLT for convenience - we aren't room sitters. If I'm watching fireworks its because I'm in the park! But boy will it be nice to walk back or ride the monorail all the way back!

 

[keishashadow]

I definitely understand. I guess we just built that in from the beginning knowing how much Contemporary costs as a hotel.

We were planning on $150/pt. Well instead of the points being 20-30% more, the rooms are 20-30% more and the MK views are even more.

Its very close to what we expected. Lake View will be the norm at a 30% premium to other resorts and MK view will be reserved for those with more discretionary spending then we have and for special events.

I'm not that concerned with MK views or the % of MK Views. We want BLT for convenience - we aren't room sitters. If I'm watching fireworks its because I'm in the park! But boy will it be nice to walk back or ride the monorail all the way back!

yet, this is the fly in the ointment for us , if we can't snag a MK view i def would expect to be guaranteed a spot on rooftop viewing area...don't think it's asking too much

ps, don't know ur age; yet circumstances change & u may one day find urself a very tired 50 something y.o. who wants nothing more than to plop down after the end of a long day on ur balcony in ur jammies, adult beverage in hand to bask in the glow an indescribeable delight! U cannot underestimate the allure of being able to dive into bed a few minutes afterwards either!

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

You make excellent points - I think it is just a shock to see the actual numbers.

When you see a BLT Standard View in Magic Season going for the same points, or more, as a BWV Boardwalk View it kind of makes you sit up and take notice.

Oh, I took notice all right! If you are buying at BLT, buy alot of points if you want to actually stay there.

To compare to AKV, we've got a week booked at AKV 1BR standard view at Kidani for next June for 225 points. But to stay at BLT on the same dates, in in a standard view 1BR, I'd need 270!!! That's a big jump anyway you look at it. Simply put, it's going to take a lot of points to stay at BLT.

 

[Budshark]

Oh, I took notice all right! If you are buying at BLT, buy alot of points if you want to actually stay there.

To compare to AKV, we've got a week booked at AKV 1BR standard view at Kidani for next June for 225 points. But to stay at BLT on the same dates, in in a standard view 1BR, I'd need 270!!! That's a big jump anyway you look at it. Simply put, it's going to take a lot of points to stay at BLT.

Yep - it will! I think Disney better fire up the luggage transfer services. I'm willing to bet a lot of people will do what we are contemplating... a 2/2 or split vacation.

Prior to BLT we'd never think of splitting our stays. Now, we are seriously considering 2 nights at BLT with MK trips, and 2 nights at BWV for Epcot and Hollywood...

It actually sounds really nice to us to spend our vacations this way. Always walking/boat ride distance to the park. Experience two separate areas... Looking forward to it!

 

[nickmom]

May I ask what the current per point price is on AK vs the new BLT? I read somewhere BLT will go for $112/point. I have never done a split stay, but now will consider it to stay in the MK view.
Carla

 

[Brian Noble]

if we can't snag a MK view i def would expect to be guaranteed a spot on rooftop viewing area...don't think it's asking too much

Well, lets see. 80% of the rooms don't have MK view....several hundred rooms...a few thousand guests...

Yeah, a viewing area for a few thousand guests. Not too much to ask for at all.

 

[mnra]

BLT cost more like all real estate it is about location location location and views. I sure can agree it will be nice to watch fireworks from balconey and then relax and not fight the crowd back. Do you think they will have the music from the fireworks in the room. LOL Now that would be magical

 

[LIFERBABE]

I saw the 270 for the 1 week 1 bedroom too! Those are trade out prices! I can trade out to Aruba for 1 week in a Marriott and stay in a 2 bedroom during peak season for 270 points. I will have to pay the $95 though!

Maybe they are trying to "guide" the new owners of BLT to trade out more by making trading a decent value in comparison.

Let's put it this way, We took 42 people to SSR for 3 nights in a Grand Villa and 9 studios in Magic Season, and it cost 615 points. And we had DTD views!