BLT Resale vs. Poly Direct Add-On vs. RIV Direct Add-On

[eticketplease]

Four days prior to the end of the UY.

T&C are at the bottom of this page:
https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/savings

Great thanks!

 

[airjay75]

I recognize that initial rush of being a timeshare owner, and it is very easy to fall into the "wow, buying that felt good, let's buy some more!" trap.

However, you have time. Your first "decision point" isn't until some time in September: that's the latest you can buy direct and still get UY24 points. If you go this route, you'd have points in hand well before the 7-month date for your June '26 trip. Furthermore, I would argue against letting the June '26 trip drive your decision making about what (and when) to buy a product that will deliver decades worth of value.

Here's what I would do if I were in your shoes: First, plan to do the Monorail Tour during your July trip. It is only six weeks from now at this point. That will give you a lot of clarity about what you want, and how badly you want it. Then, wait at least two weeks (and preferably a little longer) after you get home to get through the pixie dust withdrawal before making any moves. A lot of dumb decisions are made in early sobriety.

I don't think it is critical to have MK-area priority given your preferences. For much of the year BLT Lake View is doable in a studio at 7 months outside of Fall Frenzy, Marathon, and P-week. 1BRs are even easier (but still hard in Fall Frenzy/Marathon). Source: https://dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables It's also often possible for a longhouse studio at Poly. However, if you decide that GFV or the Poly Tower are your jam, then things are probably different---likewise if you think Standard view at BLT matters a lot to your plans. I am in a semi-similar position, but have a later decision point plus a more popular UY at BLT.

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I think the sentence I have bolded really hits a part of my brain that is much needed. It is easy to start thinking ahead to that June '26 trip (which I wasn't really even planning until I started entertaining the prospect of more points). We will get our money's worth on APs just doing our July 25 and February 26 trips. Maybe we decide to buy more points and get a 3rd trip on points - or, if not, and we really decide we want another trip before the APs expire, we rent points, book a moderate, or (gasp!) get a cheap Airbnb. The DVC points purchase should be made with the long-term in mind, and it is so easy to get wrapped up in the euphoria of more points and envisioning your very next vacation rather than thinking about the value over the long-term. This is really helping me.

 

[airjay75]

I'm in a very similar situation with a healthy amount of RIV points, looking for MK home resort priority. Like you, I love the charts and location of BLT. Poly while I love the theming the point charts and crowds make me hesitate. I'm getting the feeling though you're not as big of a fan of Poly as I am and just want it because it's direct to potentially pair with RIV?

You could potentially buy BLT resale and with the savings wait for a direct resort you actually want to buy?

The difference with me is I like both Poly and BLT so I think I kind of want a combination of both and am planning to alternative annually which is also a potential option for you the choices are endless

Yeah, I hear you - almost too many choices sometimes. I may have come across as more negative on Poly that I am. Basically, on our last trip, we toured RIV, then toured PIT, then stayed 1 night at RIV. We thought PIT was wonderful . . . but, the resort seemed very busy, and pools crowded. At first, I thought that might have been primarily on account of the day of our visit (Easter Sunday afternoon), but most people seem to corroborate that with their experiences at Poly - it is just a busier and more crowded resort, as our all the monorail resorts to some degree. And, I'm ok with that, even at BLT and the CR. But, the better points chart, lower priced entry, dedicated pool for DVC guests, recent refurb, less competitive 7-11 month booking window, walking distance to MK, etc. are all things that have made it seem like it might be our preferred MK resort.

This may all really be bringing me back full circle to advice people have offered to me both most often and consistently on this board - go stay at the resorts before you buy them. And I may well finally be getting myself to that conclusion. Slow down, think about the long-term, stay at these resorts and then decide what you want for the long-term. (Cue the dvc for less alert for a new Oct UY resale contract haha)

 

[Brian Noble]

if not, and we really decide we want another trip before the APs expire, we rent points, book a moderate, or (gasp!) get a cheap Airbnb.

Another possibility: A Getaway via Interval through your DVC corporate account.

Right now, I see 1BRs (or larger) at the following lovely properties checking in between 6/11 and 6/25, complete with prices (possibly before tax). Note that these prices are all for a full week.

Marriott Grande Vista: 1BR for $872
Marriott Royal Palms: 2BR for $1,252
Sheraton Vistana Resort: 2BR for $602 to $772.
Sheraton Vistana Villages: 2BR for $1,072

There are plenty of others, but those are the only ones I would consider. There were probably quite a few more several months back.

 

[eticketplease]

or (gasp!) get a cheap Airbnb.

Well at least you would get free parking with that AP

 

[airjay75]

Another possibility: A Getaway via Interval through your DVC corporate account.

Right now, I see 1BRs (or larger) at the following lovely properties checking in between 6/11 and 6/25, complete with prices (possibly before tax). Note that these prices are all for a full week.

Marriott Grande Vista: 1BR for $872
Marriott Royal Palms: 2BR for $1,252
Sheraton Vistana Resort: 2BR for $602 to $772.
Sheraton Vistana Villages: 2BR for $1,072

There are plenty of others, but those are the only ones I would consider. There were probably quite a few more several months back.

Awesome info! Thank you.

 

[eticketplease]

Another possibility: A Getaway via Interval through your DVC corporate account.

Right now, I see 1BRs (or larger) at the following lovely properties checking in between 6/11 and 6/25, complete with prices (possibly before tax). Note that these prices are all for a full week.

Marriott Grande Vista: 1BR for $872
Marriott Royal Palms: 2BR for $1,252
Sheraton Vistana Resort: 2BR for $602 to $772.
Sheraton Vistana Villages: 2BR for $1,072

There are plenty of others, but those are the only ones I would consider. There were probably quite a few more several months back.

These only seem to pop up for when you are close to the trip dates correct?
These aren't something you could do at 11 months out unless you did an exchange?

I have thought of doing this but I like to plan

 

[Brian Noble]

Orlando is overbuilt, becuase it is an easy town in which to sell timeshares. It is PACKED with high-quality resorts. You can pick your week and wait for something suitable to show up. With the possible exception of Week 52, you are going to see some options---and even there, probably.

 

[Brian Noble]

These only seem to pop up for when you are close to the trip dates correct?

Looking around my "normal" week 9 in late February early March plus or minus a week or two, I see:

Marriott Harbour Lake: 2BR for $1,872
Marriott Grande Vista: 1BR for $1,372

It is likely that more will show up around the 5-ish moth mark.

 

[airjay75]

Noooo! Just got an alert for a really well priced BLT contract. Please don’t tempt me!

Seems like the new DVC “personal” use language is all the more reason to hold out on resale contracts, right?

I think I must be getting to a better place because, at the moment, I am not feeling a strong urge to place an offer. Will see if it lasts.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Noooo! Just got an alert for a really well priced BLT contract. Please don’t tempt me!

Seems like the new DVC “personal” use language is all the more reason to hold out on resale contracts, right?

I think I must be getting to a better place because, at the moment, I am not feeling a strong urge to place an offer. Will see if it lasts.

Delete those alerts.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Not forever. Just until July.

 

[LilyJC]

Noooo! Just got an alert for a really well priced BLT contract. Please don’t tempt me!

Seems like the new DVC “personal” use language is all the more reason to hold out on resale contracts, right?

I think I must be getting to a better place because, at the moment, I am not feeling a strong urge to place an offer. Will see if it lasts.

Came here to see if you grabbed that one…

 

[cruisehopeful]

Noooo! Just got an alert for a really well priced BLT contract. Please don’t tempt me!

Seems like the new DVC “personal” use language is all the more reason to hold out on resale contracts, right?

I think I must be getting to a better place because, at the moment, I am not feeling a strong urge to place an offer. Will see if it lasts.

I don't think buying a resale contract is related to the new booking language. If any reservations get cancelled, you'll just have more points available when you close.

 

[airjay75]

I don't think buying a resale contract is related to the new booking language. If any reservations get cancelled, you'll just have more points available when you close.

Yeah, there is that consideration with respect reservations potentially getting cancelled. I’m more thinking that we are in a new period of uncertainty with respect to resale contracts and their pricing. Does the new language cause a lot of contracts to get dumped into the resale market? If so, when do they get dumped and what effect, if any, do they have on pricing? Will it take time for any effect to be felt? A few days ago, I felt like I could better predict the future value of a resale contract than I can today.

 

[pzw90]

Yeah, there is that consideration with respect reservations potentially getting cancelled. I’m more thinking that we are in a new period of uncertainty with respect to resale contracts and their pricing. Does the new language cause a lot of contracts to get dumped into the resale market? If so, when do they get dumped and what effect, if any, do they have on pricing? Will it take time for any effect to be felt? A few days ago, I felt like I could better predict the future value of a resale contract than I can today.

I don’t think we’ll see a large dump for a while. Not until there are actions taken by Disney and consequences are known. Why would someone sell now? To get ahead of some hypothetical exodus by commercial renters?
Also, if you have an active reservation you can’t close. So with the June 1st change, any reservations made before then, up to 11 months (and potentially walked forward) are still grandfathered under previous terms and safe.
It’s when you tell a child “Don’t make me count to three” Disney saying they will go after the commercial renters was one, the update to the terms is two, what is missing is the three and the consequences

 

[airjay75]

As I continue to think about this, unless one of two things happen - either (1) suddenly decide I love PIT and the overall Poly resort, or (2) decide I have to have priority booking at BLT in the 7-11 month window for some reason - I might be leaning towards Option 3 and buying more direct points at RIV. Gets me my SAPs, helps provide some future proofing if I need priority booking on larger rooms at RIV, and it seems like I'll be able to get access to at least 1 BR Preferred View BLT rooms most of the time.

I think one thing that always steers me away from RIV are the resale restrictions and, accordingly, lower resale value - feel like I'm putting more money at risk. But, if I actually look at what 50 point contracts at RIV are fetching vs. what 50 point contracts at Poly are fetching, the difference is not as great as I might have thought. (And, to be clear, I would be buying with a long-term plan in mind, I just always think about worst case and sunk costs with these purchases.)

A few questions for anyone. I know everything at PIT is hard to book at the 7-month window - new resort, everyone wants to try it, limited inventory. Everyone seems to say that 1 BR preferred view at BLT is fairly easy to book at 7-month mark. Anyone have experience with 2 BR villas at BLT and/or 1 or 2 BR villas at VGF and how hard those are to book at 7-month mark? If you're willing to do a split stay where you only want to secure one of those at BLT or VGF for 3-4 nights, is it easier? Trying to get a feel for just how easy it will be to use RIV points on at least one of the resorts on the monorail at the 7-month mark.

I will add that, unless there is a big sale during the next incentive period or I become very confident in wanting more RIV points after my July trip (and want to take advantage of magical beginnings), I may well wait until after my Feb. 2026 trip to pull any trigger - I think I am finally realizing the importance of slowing things down and taking my time.

 

[Brian Noble]

(And, to be clear, I would be buying with a long-term plan in mind, I just always think about worst case and sunk costs with these purchases.)

When I am evaluating any luxury/leisure purchase, I assume the salvage value will be zero when I get to disposal. If the purchase still makes sense to you in that case, any salvage value is found money. In the words of a former Hyatt timeshare sales agent: It's a TOY. You are buying a TOY. Treat it like a TOY.

It makes RIV direct a lot easier to buy, I'll tell you that much for free.

 

[supercarrie]

As I continue to think about this, unless one of two things happen - either (1) suddenly decide I love PIT and the overall Poly resort, or (2) decide I have to have priority booking at BLT in the 7-11 month window for some reason - I might be leaning towards Option 3 and buying more direct points at RIV. Gets me my SAPs, helps provide some future proofing if I need priority booking on larger rooms at RIV, and it seems like I'll be able to get access to at least 1 BR Preferred View BLT rooms most of the time.

I think one thing that always steers me away from RIV are the resale restrictions and, accordingly, lower resale value - feel like I'm putting more money at risk. But, if I actually look at what 50 point contracts at RIV are fetching vs. what 50 point contracts at Poly are fetching, the difference is not as great as I might have thought. (And, to be clear, I would be buying with a long-term plan in mind, I just always think about worst case and sunk costs with these purchases.)

A few questions for anyone. I know everything at PIT is hard to book at the 7-month window - new resort, everyone wants to try it, limited inventory. Everyone seems to say that 1 BR preferred view at BLT is fairly easy to book at 7-month mark. Anyone have experience with 2 BR villas at BLT and/or 1 or 2 BR villas at VGF and how hard those are to book at 7-month mark? If you're willing to do a split stay where you only want to secure one of those at BLT or VGF for 3-4 nights, is it easier? Trying to get a feel for just how easy it will be to use RIV points on at least one of the resorts on the monorail at the 7-month mark.

I will add that, unless there is a big sale during the next incentive period or I become very confident in wanting more RIV points after my July trip (and want to take advantage of magical beginnings), I may well wait until after my Feb. 2026 trip to pull any trigger - I think I am finally realizing the importance of slowing things down and taking my time.

I've appreciated this thread as a Riv/BLT owner who is planning to add on more points after my Feb 2026 trip unless there is a compelling reason to do so before then. (Although your addonitis is catching, haha)

I'm in a similar boat - for a number of reasons, I'm leaning on adding on more direct points instead of picking up another resale contract. Let's be honest - over the next five years, I'll probably end up doing both. My curveball is I may add on more direct points at VDH - future proofing as although we live in SoCal now, but long term as we inch toward an early retirement, we may leave SoCal to enable us to unlock the equity in our home and retire sooner. (I say this as someone in my late 30s who is over the corporate life.) Having VDH points would be fantastic for trips back home.

I appreciate the availability tables at www.dvcfieldguide.com, if you haven't checked there already. Both look fairly easy to obtain.

 

[airjay75]

I've appreciated this thread as a Riv/BLT owner who is planning to add on more points after my Feb 2026 trip unless there is a compelling reason to do so before then. (Although your addonitis is catching, haha)

I'm in a similar boat - for a number of reasons, I'm leaning on adding on more direct points instead of picking up another resale contract. Let's be honest - over the next five years, I'll probably end up doing both. My curveball is I may add on more direct points at VDH - future proofing as although we live in SoCal now, but long term as we inch toward an early retirement, we may leave SoCal to enable us to unlock the equity in our home and retire sooner. (I say this as someone in my late 30s who is over the corporate life.) Having VDH points would be fantastic for trips back home.

I appreciate the availability tables at www.dvcfieldguide.com, if you haven't checked there already. Both look fairly easy to obtain.

Thank you! I saw those availability charts the other day, but already completely forgot about them. Much appreciated.

I’m glad I don’t (yet) have any interest in an DL resort to further complicate my calculations. And I hear you on the addictiveness of addonitis!!