BVC vs. BLT

[DrMomof3]

We've been considering DVC since our 1st trip in January, 2008. We've gone to Disney 1-2 times per year since then. DH and I recently became AP holders. We always stay deluxe or in a villa so I really think DVC makes sense for us. My DH and I both did long residencies and had 3 kids in 4 years so we've been working on getting out of debt before buying DVC. We are finally reaching a place where DVC may be possible (especially with the lower 100 point buy-in). I know we'd eventually need 200+ points but if we started with 100, we could still take advantage of DVC and then maybe pay cash for alternate years.

The question for me is where to buy?

Even though our kids are quite young (6, 4, and 2), we love Epcot. DH and I stayed at YC for a work conference in April and loved the location. We've also stayed at Contemporary and Poly and loved them both. With young kids in strollers, the monorail is fabulous! But our kids are getting older every day. We had a great stay at SSR last May. I wouldn't make that my home resort because we prefer to NOT rent a car and the buses were very hit or miss (some days were great and some were absolutely horrible - 45 min waits) but I'd be happy to stay there again.

After staying at YC we thought about BCV as our home resort. SAB is great for the whole family. The Boardwalk area is fantastic. However, we're a family of 5. That means we need a 2 bedroom at BCV (once the little one turns 3) instead of a 1 bedroom at BLT. Plus the "contract" ends sooner at BCV. I also think about the Grand Villas because we have a large extended family that would want to join us on occasion. Since we don't "do" cars at Disney, location is very important for us!

Now that my oldest is in school, we'll likely be traveling mostly in late August. My fantasy is to spend Christmas at Disney (crowds and all) but that remains to be seen. I'm also training for the Disney 1/2 marathon in January so that could become a regular trip. What should I choose as a UY?

Opinions? Advice? My DH isn't quite there yet so it may be another year before we buy (I'm trying to get this to be a 40th bday present for me next year!).

Thanks for the great info!
Amanda

 

[Sandisw]

You do want a UY that happens just before your typical time of travel. If that is August, the holidays and January for the marathon, I would go with an Aug UY.

This gives you until to March 31st to bank any points if you ever had to cancel or change a trip. Since trips need to be cancelled at least 31 days in advance to avoid getting holding points (which have a whole new set of rules), any trip through April would be covered.

I think you are great candidates for DVC. In addition to the longer contract life, BLT also has lower MF"s than BCV and may be something to consider.

We travel in early August and had no problem this year trading out to BCV from BLT at the 7 month mark. We are doing a split stay as we are also ones who love to be close to parks. However, MK is our favorite park and that is why we bought there.

I have a feeling we will be doing those split stays between BCV and BLT for a long time. We tried BWV and VWL last summer and liked them as well (but not as much as BLT).

I think getting in to BLT at the 7 month mark, once it sells out will be harder but I think you should go with what you love. And, if you would be disappointed if you could not get BCV for the entire trip, then buy there.

If you had to be at BLT and that would do, then go with that. I agree, the 100 point buy in is a nice option. Of course, after owning, if you find that you can't get what you want at BCV, then you could add on there, and simply use banking/borrowing and alternate your trips (one year to BLT and one year to BCV) or do split stays

We really like the split stay as it makes it feel like a new trip, but that is us and our kids are older.

Good luck!

 

[DrMomof3]

Thank you for your thoughtful response! You've given me a lot to think about!!!

Amanda

 

[Crystal_27]

It sounds like BCV would be a great choice for you! For what it's worth, we bought into the BLT because we prevoiusly had stayed at the Poly and we loved the convenince of the monorail. However, in all honesty, as much as I love BLT, I wish that we would have taken a closer look at BCV... DH and I are already seriously considering adding on at BCV.

Split stays are definitely a possibility for you. You simply buy half your points at BLT and half at BCV; however, do understand that your points retain their home booking advantage and cannot be combined to book at non-home resorts until 7 months (i.e., you cannot use your BLT points to book at BCV at the 11 month mark - - you have to wait until 7 months).

And, rest assured, your fantasy of spending the holidays at Disney is a very real possibility. We bought into DVC in 2009 and are taking a trip that I never thought possible - 2 weeks at Disney over Christmas!! The cost of this trip had we paid cash would have been almost $8,000, which we could have never in a thousand years done. But, with DVC, we are doing it. We've also found that Disney gives us the flexibility to cruise (paying cash) *and* have a parks vacation (paying points) every year (which I felt guilty doing when we were paying cash for both). I can't say enough great things about DVC and I wish you the best of luck in making your decision.

 

[yekcoh_99]

I'm 40 with 2 kids (DS 4, DD 2). We bought BCV resale last July. We stayed at AKL for a 5 night stay in March - last minute decision during peak season. We're staying at BCV next May and can't wait!! As the kids get older, I think the pool and fun location of BCV (near boardwalk festivities, etc) will be a HUGE draw. Especially SAB. I'm not a fan of contemporary looks so BLT never appealed to me - despite it's close proximity to MK. VWL were appealing, but in the end, BCV location and SAB were the draws for me because of the kids.

While at AKL recently, we had to do a split stay because we booked so late. Studios both times, one parking lot view, one Savannah view. It was nice changing over to a Savannah view, but I don't think we'll ever want to do a split stay again -- or atleast not until the kids are MUCH older. Too much extra work. Once I unpack - I don't want to do it all over again in a few days. Something to consider if you haven't done it yet. I thought I'd be fine with it, but once we were in the midst of it -- I was not thrilled. Even though I tried to get things together in the morning before we hit the parks, we still ended up staying up way too late getting things packed/organized to move to a new location the next morning. Including food/refrigerator items, etc. I created more work than I'd want to do again personally. Just MHO.

Best of luck in your decision!! In the end, buy where you love to stay. We thought about SSR because of how cheap it was, but I would not be happy getting stuck there, so we sucked it up and went for BCV. I can't tell you how HAPPY I am that we made that decision. People are always talking about how Disney may not always let DVC'ers change resorts, etc. Not sure how much validity there is in those remarks, but I supposed it's an option Disney could exercise if they wanted. And BCV may allow for an extension someday like OKW. We'll be well into our 70's when the current expiration date hits. By then we may have other places we want to go like Europe....so a longer term contract didn't really matter in the end to us. We bought where we wanted to be right now and figured we'd deal with the other stuff when the time came. Whose saying we're not going to buy add ons between now and then anyways.. by the way - we bought resale 150 points with a Feb use year. Figuring we'll be going spring vacation or summer mostly. If we go at xmas, we'll know well enough in advance I think.

 

[DrMomof3]

Thank you SO much for the opinions (and please keep them coming!).

Question: Do you think that when the kids get older, we'll want a 2 bedroom in either location for personal space issues? That's one of the issues I'm struggling with. We're 99.99% done with having more kids so we're going to be a family of 5. That still means a 1 bedroom at BLT vs. a 2 bedroom in the older resorts. Should that factor into my decision-making? Or should we just assume that we'll eventually want a 2 bedroom so the teenage boys will be in one room and my daughter elsewhere (poor thing will likely end up in the living room and sharing MY bathroom!).

Amanda

 

[Sandisw]

Thank you SO much for the opinions (and please keep them coming!).

Question: Do you think that when the kids get older, we'll want a 2 bedroom in either location for personal space issues? That's one of the issues I'm struggling with. We're 99.99% done with having more kids so we're going to be a family of 5. That still means a 1 bedroom at BLT vs. a 2 bedroom in the older resorts. Should that factor into my decision-making? Or should we just assume that we'll eventually want a 2 bedroom so the teenage boys will be in one room and my daughter elsewhere (poor thing will likely end up in the living room and sharing MY bathroom!).

Amanda

We just bought in to DVC last year and have been going as a family of 5 since 1998. We always stayed in hotel rooms and managed.

Now, my kids are older and we are down to traveling with just 3 (as two are college age) but doing a 1 bedroom for 1/2 the trip.

I think you will be able to manage in a 1 bedroom at BLT in the future, given the 2 bathrooms. However, I would plan on those two bedrooms as it will always be nice to stretch out as the kids get older.

Remember, the two bedrooms at BLT have 3 bathrooms so DD will have her own!!

 

[DrMomof3]

We just bought in to DVC last year and have been going as a family of 5 since 1998. We always stayed in hotel rooms and managed.

Now, my kids are older and we are down to traveling with just 3 (as two are college age) but doing a 1 bedroom for 1/2 the trip.

I think you will be able to manage in a 1 bedroom at BLT in the future, given the 2 bathrooms. However, I would plan on those two bedrooms as it will always be nice to stretch out as the kids get older.

Remember, the two bedrooms at BLT have 3 bathrooms so DD will have her own!!

So would you recommend BLT as our home resort?

Amanda

 

[Sandisw]

So would you recommend BLT as our home resort?

Amanda

I think it really depends on how happy you will be there. I know you have said that the Epcot area is your favorite and buying in at BCV so you can book there at 11 months could be important, especially depending on the time you travel.

I am a huge believer in buying where you want to be and only buying elsewhere if where you stay is not that important.

I don't think I would buy BLT solely so that you can get the 2 bedrooms with the extra bathroom unless that is where you will want to be most of the time or will be if you are going to be okay with it if you can't trade in to BCV.

On the other hand, if you are going to try and trade out anyway to 2 bedrooms with less bathrooms, then I say go with the resort that puts you where you love to be.

As I have mentioned before, we love the BLT area and the ease to MK. We also plan to trade out the BCV at the 7 month trip for part of our trip every year, if we can, so that we can be in walking distance to Epcot as well. But we love split stays and if we can't get BCV, we are very content just going to BLT.

If you would be okay with this, then go with BLT as it does have a longer expiration and the MF's are less than BCV. However, if you know you really want to be at BCV for most trips, just go with that resale and spend the extra you would save buying BCV for getting yourself the extra points. You can probably get 200 BCV points resale for the same buy in price as 150 BLT points.

Once you own, you can always try to get BLT at 7 months. If you can't, you would still be at the place you know you will be happy.

 

[dbs1228]

Family of 5 here (3 teenaged girls) and have either stayed in 2 basic (connecting) rooms or some type of suite, like the 1 bedroom (BLT, AKV) that sleep 5. We also need/want more room and have our next 2 trips booked in a 2 bedroom BLT. As long as we travel for more then 3 nights to Disney with our kids (or another couple) it will ALWAYS be 2 bedroom. That is just us, we like to hang out at the resort and spread out. Or resort time is as important to us as park time.

 

[dizfan]

A little over a year ago, we had it narrowed down to BCV and BLT.

Both are great location resorts.

What we did is make a list items that we felt were important to us. Then, we went through the list and gave the resorts our personal preference rank for each item. In the process, we determined what was right for us.
(Each person and family is different. Their list and preferences should reflect it.)

Over time, vacation habits can and do change. The fun part is when your children start having children, you will likely come back to what is important to you and your children today.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

It sounds like BLT may be a good choice for your home because of being able to sleep 5 in a one bedroom and because of the Grand Villa. (Just stayed in one a month ago--fabulous!) It's still easy to get to Epcot on the monorail.

We are a family of 5 and hopefully growing. We own at BWV (instead of BCV because of the GV situation) and BLT. I love home advantage at BLT because it's always a great location! I like being close to Poly, GF, and WL for the restaurants. I love home at BWV because of home advantage during F&W festival.

You can always own at BLT and use BCV from time to time. We actually split our stay between the two last month. While it's not guaranteed that there will be availability, at 7 moonths we haven't had a problem. It could be virtually impossible to get a GV at BLT at 7 months though!

 

[DrMomof3]

Everyone is making such good points! I really appreciate hearing all the opinions. Each post has given me something to think about (in a good way!).
I'm still up in the air with which we will ultimately choose. We're staying at BCV in August so that will certainly be a factor. But I keep thinking about the GV issue, as well as the extra bathroom. We stayed at Contemporary in December and loved the location. My DH didn't even realize the Boardwalk area existed until our recent work-related trip to YC! I think he's being influenced by the novelty of it.
We're not in a hurry. I know prices might go up, etc. It seems that if you're patient, you can find a "deal" that works for you. We want this to be a financially responsible decision as well as an emotional one!!!

Amanda

 

[Kmango]

Thank you SO much for the opinions (and please keep them coming!).

Question: Do you think that when the kids get older, we'll want a 2 bedroom in either location for personal space issues? That's one of the issues I'm struggling with. We're 99.99% done with having more kids so we're going to be a family of 5. That still means a 1 bedroom at BLT vs. a 2 bedroom in the older resorts. Should that factor into my decision-making? Or should we just assume that we'll eventually want a 2 bedroom so the teenage boys will be in one room and my daughter elsewhere (poor thing will likely end up in the living room and sharing MY bathroom!).

Amanda

In a word, yes. Maybe your family is different from mine, but once you get to having three teenagers, having all the kids in one room is no longer a viable option. Ideal option: 2 bedroom at BLT or Kidani Village where you have three bathrooms. I was surprised how easily one can access Epcot from BLT. Then again, add-on-itis is a powerful and contagious disease, so it's possible that even if you by at BCV, you may have BLT points by the time you have teenagers anyway. It happens...

 

[DrMomof3]

In a word, yes. Maybe your family is different from mine, but once you get to having three teenagers, having all the kids in one room is no longer a viable option. Ideal option: 2 bedroom at BLT or Kidani Village where you have three bathrooms. I was surprised how easily one can access Epcot from BLT. Then again, add-on-itis is a powerful and contagious disease, so it's possible that even if you by at BCV, you may have BLT points by the time you have teenagers anyway. It happens...

I'm having enough trouble getting my DH to make the initial purchase. I think I'll protect him from the whole concept of add-on-itis!

It is hard to imagine 3 teenagers but I know it'll be here before I'm ready!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Another question: How difficult is it to get a GV at a resort that isn't your home resort? I'm sure that a GV for Christmas week is impossible, even at your home resort. What about the last week of August? Or during marathon weekend in January?

Amanda

 

[dizfan]

Another question: How difficult is it to get a GV at a resort that isn't your home resort? I'm sure that a GV for Christmas week is impossible, even at your home resort. What about the last week of August? Or during marathon weekend in January?

Amanda

I read a report in January where someone called at 11 months to get a MK View GV for Christmas at BLT but all of them were booked already.

Hopefully others can help with more information on other times of the year and the various resorts.

One more note, I would not pay too much attention to 7 month booking success right now. Several experienced DVC members have reported the 7 month window has been easier since the economy slowed. In addition, DVC opened Kidani, BLT, THV, and VGC in the last 14 months so members want to try the new properties making their home resorts easier to book at 7 months.

 

[thedon3]

I like the BCV myself due to it's location. I like the eazy walk to EPCOT.
Thanks
Bobby

 

[DenLo]

The DVC would be great for your family considering the amount of times you travel and the accommodations you like. I always recommend, buy where you want to stay. I would not buy into a resort because they have a GV, where you want to take other family members. Buy for your immediate family. You and your children are the ones who will use the villas the most.

Having said that, a 1BR at BLT or AKV would work better for your family than a 1 BR at BCV. Just having two bathrooms and the sleeper chair and pull out couch in the living room would give your children more sleeping and privacy options. Then later when you are comfortable with the additional expense, you could add on points at your home resort or another resort like BCV and go for 2BR units.

Another question: How difficult is it to get a GV at a resort that isn't your home resort? I'm sure that a GV for Christmas week is impossible, even at your home resort. What about the last week of August? Or during marathon weekend in January? Amanda

I have no direct knowledge of the availability of GVs at the various resorts at WDW. However there are two threads here on the DISBoards that people have posted (voluntarily) when they have been unable to get a reservation. One thread shows the current year and the other past years. Here's a link for the past months: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=171

I know I have seen posts where people have gotten GVs at the 7 month mark and even more where they couldn't get one. Keep in mind there are very few GV's compared to the other types of villas. I would think it would be easier to get a GV in late August versus around any holiday and the first two weeks of December. As to how difficult it would be to book one for the marathon weekend in January, I would think that would be hard unless you book it at the 11 month mark. It seems that marathoners are a sociable bunch and the larger villas book up quickly.

Good luck and I hope to welcome you home soon.

 

[DrMomof3]

I read a report in January where someone called at 11 months to get a MK View GV for Christmas at BLT but all of them were booked already.

Hopefully others can help with more information on other times of the year and the various resorts.

One more note, I would not pay too much attention to 7 month booking success right now. Several experienced DVC members have reported the 7 month window has been easier since the economy slowed. In addition, DVC opened Kidani, BLT, THV, and VGC in the last 14 months so members want to try the new properties making their home resorts easier to book at 7 months.

Thank you for that insight! I'm not shocked that the economy is making things easier but I wouldn't have thought about the new resorts. Good points!

I like the BCV myself due to it's location. I like the eazy walk to EPCOT.
Thanks
Bobby

My DH feels the same way!

The DVC would be great for your family considering the amount of times you travel and the accommodations you like. I always recommend, buy where you want to stay. I would not buy into a resort because they have a GV, where you want to take other family members. Buy for your immediate family. You and your children are the ones who will use the villas the most.

Having said that, a 1BR at BLT or AKV would work better for your family than a 1 BR at BCV. Just having two bathrooms and the sleeper chair and pull out couch in the living room would give your children more sleeping and privacy options. Then later when you are comfortable with the additional expense, you could add on points at your home resort or another resort like BCV and go for 2BR units.



I have no direct knowledge of the availability of GVs at the various resorts at WDW. However there are two threads here on the DISBoards that people have posted (voluntarily) when they have been unable to get a reservation. One thread shows the current year and the other past years. Here's a link for the past months: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=171

I know I have seen posts where people have gotten GVs at the 7 month mark and even more where they couldn't get one. Keep in mind there are very few GV's compared to the other types of villas. I would think it would be easier to get a GV in late August versus around any holiday and the first two weeks of December. As to how difficult it would be to book one for the marathon weekend in January, I would think that would be hard unless you book it at the 11 month mark. It seems that marathoners are a sociable bunch and the larger villas book up quickly.

Good luck and I hope to welcome you home soon.

Thank you. Good points. Again, not surprising that GVs are hard to find at the holidays or marathon weekend. And we may find that booking multiple smaller villas is better for privacy anyway.

Amanda