BLT vs AKV

[stacie_d]

We chose AKL (and sign our papers tomorrow...purchased over the phone and received the docs the other day). We have stayed in the regular AKL room on two occassions. We like the atmosphere. We toured both the AKL DVC model rooms and BLT DVC model rooms. AKL has a warmer, more relaxing feel. We don't plan to stay there every trip, but IF that was the only place we could stay, we know we would be satisfied. Since we have not actually been to BLT for a stay, its hard to know if the same would be true there. We also got the webcast special, so it was hard to pass up the AKL based upon the price difference, although I understand the difference in MFs and how over than, that could impact the value as well.

This is our first contract, and was bought with that idea. We plan to buy some additional small contracts in a couple years, and will base our decision on which other resorts with which we would be completely satisfied.

First DVC reservations already made...at BWV for the Flower and Garden festival.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

How about 100 pts at each?????

 

[hopare]

How about 100 pts at each?????

I like the way you think!

 

[JimC]

Home resort is important if you want to use the home resort booking advantage. At 7 months all points are the same. If home booking is not important then you are usually better off buying where your long term ownership cost is the least. The 2042 resorts may have more appeal to older buyers and the newer resorts to younger buyers because of the contract term.

Buying from Disney is important if you want into a resort before there is a resale market, want to participate in a special offer, need to use Disney financing or want to select your use year and contract size without searching the resale market.

Consider carefully if you split contracts between resorts. You need enough points at each to make use of the home booking advantage for that strategy to make sense. You might consider splitting a larger contract into two or more smaller contracts to give you greater flexibility to manage your ownership portfolio.

 

[KKKKCS]

We have never been to BLT so I can't comment on it, but we just stayed at our home resort AKV for the first time in a Grand Villa and it was unbelievable. Waking up to the family of 5 giraffes, water buffalo, zebras, etc. was awesome. We used the Disney transportation to get to the parks and found it to be quite convenient with just a little planning. One of the things we most liked about Kidani was the quiet. Jambo was BUSY! But Kidani was so quiet and relaxing, and gorgeous to boot. We went in with some pretty high expectations and I must say Kidani exceeded every one of them. I'm sure that whatever resort you decide on will be great. Good luck!

 

[jstone71]

I own at VWL however I said stayed at Kidani last year. Absolutely loved it. I haven't stayed at BLT yet but I plan to in the future. The one point I would like bring to the table is that if you own AKV, you actually have two options. One year you could stay at Kidani to get away and the next at Jambo house to be in the middle of it all. So AKV does offer you some flexibility that other resorts don't necessarily offer. Just one more perk. Good luck on your decision.

 

[SFD998]

We own at OKW and AKV. We attended a DVC event over the summer and planned to add on to AKV. We talked about BLT, but decided against it because the decor is not really our taste. You know what they say own where you want to stay. Plus, we figured the animals would be great for the kids (DS 7, DS 4). This past October was going to be our first trip to AKV Kidani. We cancelled the ressie in favor of staying at BLT, because we didn't think we would have a better shot at staying there then right when it opened. Needless to say we loved it. We stayed in a LV studio with a partial MK view on the 11th floor. See the following thread. Pics of room are on post #344 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2257082&page=23 The ability to walk to the MK was great and the view was even better. It was so good that we questioned our decision to add on to our AKV contract. We have a split stay trip coming up in June and will be staying there again this time with a MK view. We will be purchasing a BLT contract in the future.

However, this does not mean we don't also love AKV. Having giraffes right outside our room was great. We enjoy staying in both locations and each has its own unique benefits. Like a PP suggested you may want to consider splitting the points between both resorts. Either way I'm sure you will be happy with your decision. If not you could always add on!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'd personally go for BWV or BCV.

They have great theming and convenient locations.

...and Disney will sell you these resorts if you INSIST!

 

[Golden Rose]

BLT was still a rumor when we bought AKV, but we didn't care enough to wait to find out if it was going to happen. We prefer both the GF and the Poly to the CR... I suspected that the decor at BLT wouldn't be my thing, and it isn't.
DH likes it, BTW; it really is all about personal preferences. Yes, to some (including me), it seems sterile and cold, and to others it feels upscale, sleek, and elegant.

That said, we've considered adding on at it at some point just for the location. If they haven't announced another DVC monorail resort by the time we're ready to do another WDW add-on, we'll probably go ahead and buy it.

We bought where we want to stay most of the time - BWV and AKV - and we're extremely happy with both. Splitting our points into two contracts at two DVCs was the smartest thing we could have down. We didn't buy all at once, and we only bought one direct from Disney. We couldn't be happier.

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as some folks on here (and fairly new DVC owner), but I have to echo the sentiments of the MF-debate.

True, you need more points to stay at BLT, but just because you own there doesn't mean you stay there all the time. We used our DP to stay 11 days at SSR last Jan. We were planning on staying 4 nights at BLT this Jan, but work changed our plans. So, we ended up with a change to 2 nights at BWV (1BR) and 2 of our original nights at BLT (1BR) at less than a month out.

So, if you're making reservations at less than 11 months (or more specifically, 8-10 months) it doesn't matter as much where you own...but where you own does determine how much you spend every year on MFs!

I recently read the thread that talked about price per point per year, and in the long run, MFs factor more largely than original purchase price.

Just something to consider.

 

[spiceycat]

love them both. they are both wonderfully.

that say the reason to purchase BLT was the monrail plus the MK. waited 15 years for a DVC resort on the monrail and was NOT letting it get away.

so sold OKW and brought BLT.

VWL and AKV have alot in common rooms wise - they were both designed by the same architect.

that say thinking of getting rid of VWL to buy AKV...