BLT vs BW

[drusba]

Do not trust that statement about the extension of BWV. That sales rep is saying something he is not supposed to say and, based on Disney prior history, he really hasn't the foggiest idea whether Disney will offer an extension or for how much. DVD management plays any type of major events like that close to the vest and employees learn of them only days before they are announced. In other words, he is most likely making it up and I am guessing the $15 figure simply comes from his knowledge of the OKW extension which was for $15 a point (after a discount). Most believe Disney will eventually offer an extension but his knowledge of whether and when it will actually occur is likely no greater than ours, which is nil.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Do not trust that statement about the extension of BWV. That sales rep is saying something he is not supposed to say and, based on Disney prior history, he really hasn't the foggiest idea whether Disney will offer an extension or for how much. DVD management plays any type of major events like that close to the vest and employees learn of them only days before they are announced. In other words, he is most likely making it up and I am guessing the $15 figure simply comes from his knowledge of the OKW extension which was for $15 a point (after a discount). Most believe Disney will eventually offer an extension but his knowledge of whether and when it will actually occur is likely no greater than ours, which is nil.

Agree with dsruba. OKW extension was such a mess I don't think anything will be offered anytime soon. I personally will not extend any of my 2042 contracts.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

The BW is awesome.

We bought in 2005 and actually paid $12 more per point and got 13 less years on our contract then we would have gotten if we purchased SSR.

However, I have never regretted my choice. Mf are higher as well, but being so close to 2 parks is so priceless to me. Plus the atmosphere of the BW is awesome-- it is so great to come back to the boardwalk after the parks have closed and enjoy everything the BW has to offer. Last trip we even went over to the beach club and watched a movie on the beach under the star with the camp fire roaring to our left. It was so peaceful after a hectic day in the park to sit there with a blanket and watch the boats and the lights while the kids enjoyed Bolt.

We have stayed at the BC and AKV and it just didn't have the same appeal to us that the BW has. The only negative I have about the BW is that we have to share buses with the Swan/Dolphin and sometimes the YC/BC which really puts a drag on the transportation times to/from the AK and MK. We have solved the MK problem-- we added on at the BLT to be close to the MK.
We will now do split stays and enjoy each resort and be within walking distance to 3 parks.

The only thing I would consider if you do buy in at the BW is the length of contract time. In addition the MF are higher at the BW. However, the points to stay in a standard view room are lower then the BLT. Since I own both and took into consideration how much I paid for both and the MF and the points needed, it is actually cheaper for me to stay at the BLT---because the initial cost of the BW at this time is so much higher because it only has 32 years left vs 50 years for the BLT.

Its too bad you can't buy resale(due to financing)as that would make all the difference in the value of the BW. But, I really feel in the next few years, you will be able to get the BW at 7 months if you call right at 7 months. I got the BW this year at 5 months out (I had booked a studio during Easter Week and got Developer points to use at any resort for 3 nights and upgraded to a 1 bedroom and had no problem at 5 months out) With the economy and the 2 new resorts I think its not that big of a problem. However, since DVC is growing, booking the BW may be a problem in the future.

Its a big decision especially with the price difference, but in the end you need to go with your heart. I am such a frugal person, and even though SSR was Cheaper, I feel that I got a Bargain buying in at the BW because of the convenience. GOOD LUCK!!! Either way we will be neighbors!!

 

[dizfan]

When we bought BLT, we looked at the number of rooms at several resorts to take a guess at which resort will be easier to book at 7 months. Keeping in mind the ability to book rooms changes once a resort fully sells out.

According to DVCNews.com
Boardwalk Rooms: 383 (max 532)
BLT Rooms: 295 (max 428)

You can also find information on other resorts at DVCNews.com

 

[LSchrow]

all good points.
from a personal perspective:
we started with 270 BWV points (we had stayed there prior to purchase). after a trip to the YC, we added on 60 BCV points. a great deal came along, & added 100 SSR points.
now, after years of DVC, we find we only want to stay at the BWVs, with BW view (BW view is definately addictive ).
we usually rent out the BCV points (after a few stays, found it was just not the resort for us). we occassionally stay at SSR (beautiful resort, but it's up against tough competition), but mostly try to use the points at 7 months for BWVs.
20-20 hindsight says we should have just added all our points at the resort we love the most, BWVs

 

[RAD]

20-20 hindsight says we should have just added all our points at the resort we love the most, BWVs

I've done 3 add on's since the initial purchase, all at BWV. The having to keep track of what points were at what resort and what windows were available just wasn't for me.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I did the same thing...added on to BLT so now can walk to 3 out of 4 parks. BWV's are such an attraction at WDW, I'm sure something will come down the line as far as an extension. It's just too popular of a resort.

The BW is awesome.

We bought in 2005 and actually paid $12 more per point and got 13 less years on our contract then we would have gotten if we purchased SSR.

However, I have never regretted my choice. Mf are higher as well, but being so close to 2 parks is so priceless to me. Plus the atmosphere of the BW is awesome-- it is so great to come back to the boardwalk after the parks have closed and enjoy everything the BW has to offer. Last trip we even went over to the beach club and watched a movie on the beach under the star with the camp fire roaring to our left. It was so peaceful after a hectic day in the park to sit there with a blanket and watch the boats and the lights while the kids enjoyed Bolt.

We have stayed at the BC and AKV and it just didn't have the same appeal to us that the BW has. The only negative I have about the BW is that we have to share buses with the Swan/Dolphin and sometimes the YC/BC which really puts a drag on the transportation times to/from the AK and MK. We have solved the MK problem-- we added on at the BLT to be close to the MK.
We will now do split stays and enjoy each resort and be within walking distance to 3 parks.

The only thing I would consider if you do buy in at the BW is the length of contract time. In addition the MF are higher at the BW. However, the points to stay in a standard view room are lower then the BLT. Since I own both and took into consideration how much I paid for both and the MF and the points needed, it is actually cheaper for me to stay at the BLT---because the initial cost of the BW at this time is so much higher because it only has 32 years left vs 50 years for the BLT.

Its too bad you can't buy resale(due to financing)as that would make all the difference in the value of the BW. But, I really feel in the next few years, you will be able to get the BW at 7 months if you call right at 7 months. I got the BW this year at 5 months out (I had booked a studio during Easter Week and got Developer points to use at any resort for 3 nights and upgraded to a 1 bedroom and had no problem at 5 months out) With the economy and the 2 new resorts I think its not that big of a problem. However, since DVC is growing, booking the BW may be a problem in the future.

Its a big decision especially with the price difference, but in the end you need to go with your heart. I am such a frugal person, and even though SSR was Cheaper, I feel that I got a Bargain buying in at the BW because of the convenience. GOOD LUCK!!! Either way we will be neighbors!!

 

[crisi]

If you want the longer contract length, but are going to try for BWV at seven months more often than not and view isn't important to you, I'd buy a SSR resale unless you'd be really disappointed if you had to occationally stay at SSR. I'm not an SSR fan as a resort - but as a value its a great deal resale....dues are reasonable, contract length is long, and you can get a real bargain resale right now.

The exception to this advice is if you really don't like SSR as a resort at all - there is some chance you'd get "stuck" there and at seven months none of the resorts that hold more interest for you would have openings.

 

[mccathy]

Thanks everyone...

We went with BLT - I really don't like the location of SSR - and when you're spending this much money why not go for what you really want? Close location and longer contract.

I can tell that owning DVC is going to change the way our Disney vacations go - last time we went we were all about seeing as much as we could. This time I'm already thinking, "oh, the kids would like that more when they're older so we don't need to do that..." And we've already got our first three trips planned out in our minds, so hopefully that'll all work out. =)

 

[mikron]

We own SSR & OKW but always stay at BW with BWV. We think it is the best view of all the resorts. You have boat activey along with the board walk. I think a diet of BLT with either lake or MK view could get tired. BW changes all the time.

 

[dizfan]

Thanks everyone...

We went with BLT - I really don't like the location of SSR - and when you're spending this much money why not go for what you really want? Close location and longer contract.

I can tell that owning DVC is going to change the way our Disney vacations go - last time we went we were all about seeing as much as we could. This time I'm already thinking, "oh, the kids would like that more when they're older so we don't need to do that..." And we've already got our first three trips planned out in our minds, so hopefully that'll all work out. =)

Congratulations and home!!!