Cheapest Points Worth It?

[Capwkidd]

I plan to go to WDW 2x every year for the foreseeable fureture. It would appear, staying 4 nights each time works out best (after 5 days of walking that many miles, I am ready for my after vacation, vacation!). I figure I need about 180 points per year to stay at BLT (studio, theme park view) for the first week of December (around December 5th), and earlier in the year, between late Feb and Mid May (my birth month, yeah!). But, I wonder, can I get away with buying points from one of the cheaper resorts, and use them at BLT? What is the likelihood I would be able to get into BLT 7 months out, for the time frames I mentioned? I wonder if I should just buy 90 "cheap" points to start, to get ready for my Christmas trip... What do you all thing? Thanks!

 

[JDirrim]

In my opinion, if BLT tower is where you want to stay, especially in a studio and in December, then you need to buy at BLT. Early December is the busiest time for DVC, and the common phrase of "buy where you want to stay" would definitely apply here.

 

[holden]

I don't think you would regret buying where you want to stay (BLT in your case), but you might regret buying somewhere else if you won't be happy staying there. If you bought less expensive points (say SSR, for example) and couldn't get into BLT when you wanted, would you be happy at SSR or AKL or anywhere else? If not, buy BLT.

 

[disneynutz]

Another issue is when the honeymoon is over, you will be spending more time at the resorts and less in the parks. DVC members tend to take longer vacations due to travel costs and they aren't in a hurry to do things because they have done everything many times over.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

BLT studio theme park view first week of December is about as close to zero chance at 7 months as you can get. 4 days sometime in Feb to Mid-May would have decent possibilities. But if you'd be disappointed to not have that specific room for your trips then buy BLT. You will need it for the Dec trip.

 

[Capwkidd]

BLT studio theme park view first week of December is about as close to zero chance at 7 months as you can get. 4 days sometime in Feb to Mid-May would have decent possibilities. But if you'd be disappointed to not have that specific room for your trips then buy BLT. You will need it for the Dec trip.

Wait a minute.... Does this mean it might be too late to rent for December 4 through the 8th of this year already?!

 

[ParkHoppers]

Another issue is when the honeymoon is over, you will be spending more time at the resorts and less in the parks. DVC members tend to take longer vacations due to travel costs and they aren't in a hurry to do things because they have done everything many times over.

Bill

Great point Bill. This is exactly why we just bought a resale contract for VWL. When we start to spend more and more time at the resort itself WL is where I would most likely want to be. Best grounds for relaxing on property IMO.

 

[supersnoop]

Wait a minute.... Does this mean it might be too late to rent for December 4 through the 8th of this year already?!

If you want anything at BLT, then, yes, it's too late.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Wait a minute.... Does this mean it might be too late to rent for December 4 through the 8th of this year already?!

BLT studio MK view? Sorry to say but yes. We're past the 7 month mark for those dates but they've been gone for quite awhile already. I didn't pay attention to when they booked up but I booked BLT MK view 2BR for that week a couple years ago and it was gone within 1-2 weeks of the 11 month opening. This year I had booked an MK view studio right at 11 months for Dec 12-19th, 2015 which is a little bit less in demand than the first week. I then needed to move up our dates 3 weeks later and only LV was available - so that was calling to book for that Dec time frame more than 3 months ago and it was gone.

 

[Capwkidd]

Wow, I had no idea.... Now I have found the page on Dave's rentals where is says when it suggests to book.... Great! I had no idea.... this is ridiculous! Now all my plans are shot.... I can, of course get a regular room, but it will be more.... sigh. And I was hoping to finally see what the rooms look like in person.

Ok, the, does this mean, that studio in BLT for Feb is sold out also? Is there a way for a non-member to see actual availability?

Why does Disney's site show BLT as available then? Do they keep a certain number of rooms for direct rental? Or, are the rooms different some how?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The DVC points rooms inventory is different from what you see on the CRO site. What you see on the CRO website is either DVC owned rooms or rooms that have been turned over to CRO for cash because a DVC owner has traded out. There is no way for a non-owner to see rooms available for point reservations.

Feb very likely has rooms available, especially if you are flexible on the dates.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO the BLT TPV is over rated, the lake view is fine. The TPV has a good view of the parking lot on the lower floors and a view of the space mountain roof with the small castle off in the distance. You don't see into the park and from the north side of BLT you are looking at a backstage area beyond the fence.

Bill

 

[ziravan]

DVC works, but as you are learning, you have to plan.

Here are three rules to recap this thread:

1. Buy where you want to stay.
2. If dates/specific rooms are important to you, book at 11 months.
3. Be flexible.

Indeed, DVC only works well if you plan long term and are flexible.

For example: My June trip is ready to roll, fastpasses and all. My Oct trip is booked and ADRs are scheduled (we do at least 3/trip: 2 character meals for my DGS2, and 1 adult meal with Kona being our current fav). My Dec trip is booked and waiting for ADR window to open. Just before my June trip, the 11 month window will open and I'll book my May, 2016 trip.

In 3/4 of those trips I'll be staying where I bought, booking at or near 11 months. For one of those trips, Oct, my MIL is coming and I originally booked a studio (which I booked well within the 11 month window). So, I searched the availability tool relentlessly 4-5/day for a month and finally found a 1BR at BWV. BWV for F&W was a great find.

Before DVC, Disney was a once every 5 year trip. DVC has changed the way I do Disney. I love it when people say,"You're going again!?"

Yes. Yes I am.

 

[CarolMN]

Wait a minute.... Does this mean it might be too late to rent for December 4 through the 8th of this year already?!

It is - unless you want to stay at SSR. (And don't wait too long to book SSR if you want to go at that time this year).

I've been checking availability for the first week of December since a week or so before the 7 month window opened. As of yesterday morning, only SSR still has studios available for the first 6 nights of December. A few of the others at WDW have a scattered day or two still available. BLT TPV was totally booked for the entire month of December last I looked and so was Standard view. 7 month window isn't even open yet for most of December. There arre still a few nights left in Lake View, but the first two weeks are booked. Most of those nights were booked early in the home resort priority period.

Just reinforcing - if you want to stay at BLT in December, you need to own there and book as soon as the 11 month window opens for your dates.

Again, December is very popular! Any studio availability at 7 months is gone in seconds for BLT, VGF, Poly, VWL, BCV & BWV. The others aren't far behind. SSR is very large and not near a park so it lasts a little longer in the 7 month window.

 

[Capwkidd]

IMO the BLT TPV is over rated, the lake view is fine. The TPV has a good view of the parking lot on the lower floors and a view of the space mountain roof with the small castle off in the distance. You don't see into the park and from the north side of BLT you are looking at a backstage area beyond the fence.

Bill

I loved the view from the main building when I stayed there last.... Yeah, the view from BLT is a little further to one side.... Too bad they did not build a hotel right in front of the park, like Paris

 

[suebeelin]

There's a thread on the most vied for rooms (BCV and GFV studios, then BLT and BWV std or view studios, etc) and the busiest dvc seasons (sept-mid January and certain holidays)

We bought where we want to stay. We wouldn't be happy in certain resorts so we don't even take the chance. Sure, we paid more but we also have peace of mind.

 

[rcbarker]

Now all my plans are shot.... I can, of course get a regular room, but it will be more.... sigh.

You can also post to see if anyone has a confirmed reservation for your dates to rent you.

 

[CarolMN]

You can also post to see if anyone has a confirmed reservation for your dates to rent you.

No, you can't - unless you do so somewhere besides the DIS.

The Rent/Trade Board here does not accept reservation wanted ads.

You may reply to a thread offering to rent a confirmed reservation that matches your dates (if you can find one). You can also reply to a thread offering to rent points, but unless there is availability, that will not get you a reservation.

 

[rcbarker]

No, you can't - unless you do so somewhere besides the DIS.

The Rent/Trade Board here does not accept reservation wanted ads.

Right, got confused with ***********... you can do it there!

 

[Missyrose]

IMO the BLT TPV is over rated, the lake view is fine. The TPV has a good view of the parking lot on the lower floors and a view of the space mountain roof with the small castle off in the distance. You don't see into the park and from the north side of BLT you are looking at a backstage area beyond the fence.

Bill

I will completely agree with Bill. I splurged for TPV for my birthday trip last month and we ended up on the lowest possible floor for TPV and all the way over by the skybridge, which really hindered the view from inside the room. From now on, I'll stick to booking LV (and hope for one of the "magical" LV villas" because even the worst LV villa has always had a tranquil, beautiful view for us.