BLT: Why so much availability?

[Pennykay]

I really thought it would be a hard reservation to get, but they have alot of availability the last week of August. Kidani is booked, I wonder why BLT isn't?

 

[Tara]

Maybe because owners had already settled on when they wanted to go before the opening date was moved up?

 

[cheezNE1]

I really thought it would be a hard reservation to get, but they have alot of availability the last week of August. Kidani is booked, I wonder why BLT isn't?

i bet it's not MK view...

 

[Pennykay]

No, not MK view. Do you think availablility will be an issue in the future at 7 mos.? My family wants to stay at BWV, but I am thinking maybe now is a good time to try BLT simply because I can easily get a reservation.

 

[klofan]

I assume because BLT is only somewhat sold out, so not alot of members are fighting for the rooms. ?? Maybe..

 

[DVCGeek]

Do you think availablility will be an issue in the future at 7 mos.?

Probably not in the off season for Lake Views, at least not right away. BLT is big and only 1/3 or so sold, therefore only a relatively small # of people are able to book now at 11 months. (SV & MK view will probably go fast since there are a lot fewer of them)

Also, I think the comment about owners making plans for > Sept. trips is probably on target; then they just didn't want to make changes due to the earlier opening. Similarly, we didn't go to Disney parks for my DW's BD and don't plan to for mine; this year we decided we wanted to see the Christmas decorations @ WDW...

 

[cheezNE1]

No, not MK view. Do you think availablility will be an issue in the future at 7 mos.? My family wants to stay at BWV, but I am thinking maybe now is a good time to try BLT simply because I can easily get a reservation.

No doubt, definitely gonna be a tough one for 7 mos. Especially after the open date. That's why i added on to get me some 11 mos window. And I'm sure if you get the MK view, you'll fall in love with the resort. imo.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I'd guess it's because BLT is one building and AKV is a bunch of smaller buildings that are going to open as the resort sells. Disney will declare sections of BLT as needed but can rent the whole thing on points from day 1 if there is little interest in paying cash.

 

[cheezNE1]

Also, i notice that Aug. and Sept. are the months that people are getting availablity. I'm guessing maybe due to the economy, people are cancelling it and postponing. And BLT owner are prbly taking advantage of their 11 months window to book trips further out in 2010.

 

[DVC Mike]

I think many BLT owners will be using their developer points to book first, and then to book BLT later.

Also, with the recession, I think a lot of DVC owners may be banking their points to next year. We're seeing many atypical reports of booking BCV during F&W festival, VWL at Christmas, etc. This year is not shaping up to be a typical DVC year as far as booking goes.

 

[JimMIA]

With the size of BLT alone, I think 7-month window ressies will be doable after the initial rush, especially if you are a little flexible on dates.

I'm sure there will never be a 7-month MK view, any more than there will be a standard view BWV ressie at 7 months for F&W. Those will (and should) go to owners of those resorts. And I'd think the busy Thanksgiving - New Years period will be very difficult at 7 months...as it is at most resorts.

I think BLT will be generally easy for the time being, becoming more difficult as it gets closer to selling out. We have to remember that this is a single building, with all of the units being finished and put into service at about the same time -- not spread out over several years like SSR and AKV.

Once it's mostly sold out, there will probably be a period (a year, maybe two) during which everyone wants to stay at their new home. After that, however, I think it will cool off a good bit. For one thing, people who own only at BLT will look at the much lower points costs elsewhere and will want to maximize value for their points. And also, it IS a big resort, with lots and lots of rooms. More supply = better availability.

But don't go looking for MK view unless you own there.

 

[JimMIA]

Also, with the recession, I think a lot of DVC owners may be banking their points to next year. We're seeing many atypical reports of booking BCV during F&W festival, VWL at Christmas, etc. This year is not shaping up to be a typical DVC year as far as booking goes.

Good point, but I've heard this both ways. I've talked to several friends who are doing expensive vacations this year, because they expect 2010 and 2011 to be much worse economically.

 

[cheezNE1]

And also, it IS a big resort, with lots and lots of rooms. More supply = better availability.

But don't go looking for MK view unless you own there.

how is it big? i thought its 2nd smallest after BCV. I don't see how that consider a big resort ?

 

[bblanch]

how is it big? i thought its 2nd smallest after BCV. I don't see how that consider a big resort ?

Looking at the 2 bedroom lockoffs as individual 1BR and Studios since they can be booked that way... BCV = 282 rooms, BLT = 428 rooms.

 

[mom2rb]

When I bought BLT, I was told it would open in September. I planned my vacation for then. Now BLT is opening in August but my dates are set. I can't be the only one. Plus I only booked two days at BLT, the rest will be at SSR with developer's points.

 

[cheezNE1]

When I bought BLT, I was told it would open in September. I planned my vacation for then. Now BLT is opening in August but my dates are set. I can't be the only one. Plus I only booked two days at BLT, the rest will be at SSR with developer's points.

Good point- there you go, that's another reason why August is not filled.

 

[monami7]

I booked yeterday for Sept 25-27 with SSR points. It is LV but we are happy with that. Last time we stayed for our HM we had a 1st floor view of some Ducks! We loved it then so it doesn't really matter what we see.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I booked yeterday for Sept 25-27 with SSR points. It is LV but we are happy with that. Last time we stayed for our HM we had a 1st floor view of some Ducks! We loved it then so it doesn't really matter what we see.

We're going that weekend, but I just can't give up BCV for F&W. I hope that we can try BLT sometime in the future and I don't regret not trying it now.

Bobbi

 

[Sammie]

I think many BLT owners will be using their developer points to book first, and then to book BLT later.

Also, with the recession, I think a lot of DVC owners may be banking their points to next year. We're seeing many atypical reports of booking BCV during F&W festival, VWL at Christmas, etc. This year is not shaping up to be a typical DVC year as far as booking goes.

Based on what I was told by Disney resort managment while I was at the world recently, that would be very accurate. For the first time in a very long time I saw large discounts on Disney merchandise in every store.

According to one friend, every time the stock market makes a deep dive, they have many cancellations.

I think this will be a record year for banking.

I will say that I was not impressed with the online renderings of BLT, but it a very impressive building in person.

 

[thelionqueen]

We also used our DP's to stay @ SSR 5/24-6/4/09. We will be going home to BLT 12/13 for 11 nights , MK view of course
I agree that it will be easier to get rooms @ BLT after the initial 2 year rush, but I seriously doubt that anyone but owners will ever get MK views, just my
.02