Considering BLT Resale Purchase

[airjay75]

Ok, this board has been so helpful to me with my initial DVC purchase of 300 direct Riviera points (https://www.disboards.com/threads/considering-a-poly-riviera-200-150-direct-purchase.3966386/). Of course, I've already got add-on-itis, and I haven't even officially closed on that Riviera purchase . Would love to get some thoughts from fellow DVC members to either tell me to slow down or, maybe, consider going for it.

I am very happy with my 300 points at Riviera. We love Riviera and, TBH, if that's all I ever purchase, I'll probably be happy. But, I do think it is a matter of time before I purchase a resale contract at one of the monorail Magic Kingdom resorts. I think our ideal week at Disney is going to be 3 nights at one of those resorts and 4 nights at Riviera - would probably love enough points for 2 weeks per year in 1 BR villas, but we're probably ok with some deluxe studio stays too for now. As I detailed in my prior thread, we toured Poly Island Tower and seriously considered purchasing there, but had never actually stayed there - the more research I did, the more I hesitated about Poly. It seemed like everything we liked about Riviera - the relaxed, laid back vibe - was not going to be found at the Poly, at least not in the same way. I think the tower itself is great, but once you step out of there, the Poly is (understandably) just a busier place. I think the points chart and some of the complaints I've seen about the views from even TP view rooms makes me hesitate even more about Poly being the right choice.

Of course, that has got me thinking a lot about the other 2 DVC monorail resorts - VGF and BLT. Aside from passing them on the monorail, I have never visited either of them. So, welcome thoughts from others. VGF seems like it might be slightly less busy resort than Poly, but still pretty busy - seems to me it isn't a stretch to refer to the GF as the flagship DW resort which draws quite a few visitors, especially at the right time of year. I also don't know that I love the Victorian/Mary Poppins theming. We've got 2 little boys - 4 and 6. On some level, as long as there are good pools and waterslides, they probably don't care where we stay. But, I don't see the theming there really doing anything for them either. I've also heard a few things about the Big Pine Key conversion not being the best and some people not really loving that there either. And, VGF seems to have a similar points chart to Poly. So, if I look at just VGF vs. Poly, I'm sort of like, I better stay at both of these places and see which one we like better before buying anything. Both places have enough to make me hesitate about whether they would be the right purchase.

Then, that leads me to BLT. The more I have learned about it, the more it seems like it might be the sweet spot for us. Refurb is coming to completion - seems like a lot of positivity on that. I've heard the 1 BR villas have 2 bathrooms (love that). Points chart is much better that VGF or PIT. I actually think my boys would like the contemporary/modern theming more than VGF (might be a toss-up with the tropical theming of the Poly). I understand the pool at BLT is just for BLT tower guests, but BLT tower guests can also use the Contemporary pool - I think I've got that right. Does that keep the crowding at the BLT pool a little less? I'm guessing it isn't any worse than VGF or Poly. Also seems to me like BLT is not as in demand as PIT or VGF - seems like it might be a bit less stressful trying to book at competitive times or during the 7-11 month window. And, maybe I'm wrong, but seems like the Contemporary Resort as a whole is not quite the draw that GF or Poly are for outside visitors. I'm sure it is still busier than Riviera just by virtue of being a monorail MK resort.

Ideally, I'd like to stay at BLT first. But, then I see those resale contracts available with the same October UY (which, although I think it seems like a great UY, seems like the availability of those are little less than some of the other UYs). And, I keep getting tempted. The sunk costs with buying resale are so much less than direct. I think about having those points for next year, and it starts to get really tempting. But, then that rational side of me says, you really should wait. Get into this a bit more, try out the MK resorts - there will be other October UY contracts available in the future. Take your time.

We're actually going back to Disney in July - renting points for more of a budget stay. Looked for BLT availability, but couldn't find anything that would work (doing a split stay at AKL and Riviera). Will probably do our first official booking on our 300 Riviera points in February 2026. Of course, my first thought was, let's do a split stay with BLT and Riviera! But, then I see the pool will be closed for refurbishment for the first half of 2026. So, then I'm sort of like, maybe try to use that welcome home booking to give PIT or VGF a try with a split stay. But, I really want to try BLT. And, I see a couple of those resale contracts, and I'm like, maybe I should buy one and then we can use it for next summer when the pool refurb is done! Surely, we'll love it, right?

Would love the hear thoughts on the good/bad/ugly of BLT, particularly as compared to Poly or GF. And, welcome any thoughts telling me to go for it or to slow down (or whatever else you might like to say ).

Will also note I've given a passing thought to Wilderness Lodge - I know it gets you easy boat access to MK. But, haven't really looked into that option much. Just been focused on those monorail resorts. I imagine there are some folks who say to look there as another MK option too.

 

[Patmcpsu]

Bay Lake Tower is "off to the side" of the Contemporary which is a good thing and a bad thing.

On the plus side, there are zero non-guests passing through Bay Lake Tower just to check the place out. On the negative, if you want any food/drink, you'll have to venture into the Contemporary-proper, which is a loud overwhelming madhouse during peak hours.

Bay Lake Tower in itself is much more serene, but to the point that it may seem sterile. There's enough Disney ambiance that it feels like Disney, but I wouldn't call it heavily themed nor luxurious. As a BLT owner, I would consider it to be an efficient, practical place to buy and stay.

 

[airjay75]

Bay Lake Tower is "off to the side" of the Contemporary which is a good thing and a bad thing.

On the plus side, there are zero non-guests passing through Bay Lake Tower just to check the place out. On the negative, if you want any food/drink, you'll have to venture into the Contemporary-proper, which is a loud overwhelming madhouse during peak hours.

Bay Lake Tower in itself is much more serene, but to the point that it may seem sterile. There's enough Disney ambiance that it feels like Disney, but I wouldn't call it heavily themed nor luxurious. As a BLT owner, I would consider it to be an efficient, practical place to buy and stay.

Thank you - the food/drink options is only something I have given a passing thought too and one of those things that an actual stay can really help you out with, so appreciate hearing this.

 

[Patmcpsu]

Thank you - the food/drink options is only something I have given a passing thought too and one of those things that an actual stay can really help you out with, so appreciate hearing this.

It's insane to me that BLT doesn't have a waterfront lounge like Wailulu or Geyser Point:

1. It would be a money maker
2. It would make staying in BLT more desirable
3. There is enough land available for it
4. It can easily be retrofitted into the existing area

Disney tries to suck every cent out of visitors (in ways that diminish the guest experience), but overlooks profit opportunities like these which would make everybody happier.

 

[airjay75]

It's insane to me that BLT doesn't have a waterfront lounge like Wailulu or Geyser Point:

1. It would be a money maker
2. It would make staying in BLT more desirable
3. There is enough land available for it
4. It can easily be retrofitted into the existing area

Disney tries to suck every cent out of visitors (in ways that diminish the guest experience), but overlooks profit opportunities like these which would make everybody happier.

You're really giving me the hard sell - haha. I feel your pain, though - when you come up with the list of things like this that Disney does, it is sometimes a wonder how so many of us are willing to give them so much of our money, but here I am . And, then Disney has all the more reason to be lazy, and the vicious cycle just repeats itself. A topic for another day, I suppose.

Back to BLT, something like this probably doesn't dissuade me too much, since my main goal at buying points is to have something with easy MK access for shorter stays. Currently eyeing either a 125 or 160 point resale contract. By point of comparison, just took a look at the current cost per point differential on BLT vs. Poly vs. VGF, and BLT is significantly cheaper per point (although I suppose it also has a shorter contract which needs to be factored in).

 

[matt_in_nh]

Just bought BLT resale and have never stayed there but we did visit. People say it feels like a hospital and I get that walking around. The rooms once inside don't feel that way. It is not the nicest resort in terms of ambiance compared to some others but I went with overall value....it is cheaper than the others, it is on the monorail and in some ways it has the best location of any resort with the shortest walk to MK. It will always be in some demand just for it's proximity to MK.

If I was you I would hit the breaks and use your 300 points once or twice before committing to more...it does depend on the room types you want. But that is always up to your personal situation, I just don't think you have to race to get a deal right now, I don't think the DVC resale market is ready to explode in growth any time soon. Since you have points, use some of them to stay at BLT before committing is my thought. We have 320 points and with schedules I am struggling to find times to use them, if it is just me and the wife, we want a studio if its the kids we would get a 1BR. Maybe I need to change that to just always get the 1BR....have not even stayed in one yet though but I read a lot that once you do you wont want to go back.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Ok, this board has been so helpful to me with my initial DVC purchase of 300 direct Riviera points (https://www.disboards.com/threads/considering-a-poly-riviera-200-150-direct-purchase.3966386/). Of course, I've already got add-on-itis, and I haven't even officially closed on that Riviera purchase . Would love to get some thoughts from fellow DVC members to either tell me to slow down or, maybe, consider going for it.

I am very happy with my 300 points at Riviera. We love Riviera and, TBH, if that's all I ever purchase, I'll probably be happy. But, I do think it is a matter of time before I purchase a resale contract at one of the monorail Magic Kingdom resorts. I think our ideal week at Disney is going to be 3 nights at one of those resorts and 4 nights at Riviera - would probably love enough points for 2 weeks per year in 1 BR villas, but we're probably ok with some deluxe studio stays too for now. As I detailed in my prior thread, we toured Poly Island Tower and seriously considered purchasing there, but had never actually stayed there - the more research I did, the more I hesitated about Poly. It seemed like everything we liked about Riviera - the relaxed, laid back vibe - was not going to be found at the Poly, at least not in the same way. I think the tower itself is great, but once you step out of there, the Poly is (understandably) just a busier place. I think the points chart and some of the complaints I've seen about the views from even TP view rooms makes me hesitate even more about Poly being the right choice.

Of course, that has got me thinking a lot about the other 2 DVC monorail resorts - VGF and BLT. Aside from passing them on the monorail, I have never visited either of them. So, welcome thoughts from others. VGF seems like it might be slightly less busy resort than Poly, but still pretty busy - seems to me it isn't a stretch to refer to the GF as the flagship DW resort which draws quite a few visitors, especially at the right time of year. I also don't know that I love the Victorian/Mary Poppins theming. We've got 2 little boys - 4 and 6. On some level, as long as there are good pools and waterslides, they probably don't care where we stay. But, I don't see the theming there really doing anything for them either. I've also heard a few things about the Big Pine Key conversion not being the best and some people not really loving that there either. And, VGF seems to have a similar points chart to Poly. So, if I look at just VGF vs. Poly, I'm sort of like, I better stay at both of these places and see which one we like better before buying anything. Both places have enough to make me hesitate about whether they would be the right purchase.

Then, that leads me to BLT. The more I have learned about it, the more it seems like it might be the sweet spot for us. Refurb is coming to completion - seems like a lot of positivity on that. I've heard the 1 BR villas have 2 bathrooms (love that). Points chart is much better that VGF or PIT. I actually think my boys would like the contemporary/modern theming more than VGF (might be a toss-up with the tropical theming of the Poly). I understand the pool at BLT is just for BLT tower guests, but BLT tower guests can also use the Contemporary pool - I think I've got that right. Does that keep the crowding at the BLT pool a little less? I'm guessing it isn't any worse than VGF or Poly. Also seems to me like BLT is not as in demand as PIT or VGF - seems like it might be a bit less stressful trying to book at competitive times or during the 7-11 month window. And, maybe I'm wrong, but seems like the Contemporary Resort as a whole is not quite the draw that GF or Poly are for outside visitors. I'm sure it is still busier than Riviera just by virtue of being a monorail MK resort.

Ideally, I'd like to stay at BLT first. But, then I see those resale contracts available with the same October UY (which, although I think it seems like a great UY, seems like the availability of those are little less than some of the other UYs). And, I keep getting tempted. The sunk costs with buying resale are so much less than direct. I think about having those points for next year, and it starts to get really tempting. But, then that rational side of me says, you really should wait. Get into this a bit more, try out the MK resorts - there will be other October UY contracts available in the future. Take your time.

We're actually going back to Disney in July - renting points for more of a budget stay. Looked for BLT availability, but couldn't find anything that would work (doing a split stay at AKL and Riviera). Will probably do our first official booking on our 300 Riviera points in February 2026. Of course, my first thought was, let's do a split stay with BLT and Riviera! But, then I see the pool will be closed for refurbishment for the first half of 2026. So, then I'm sort of like, maybe try to use that welcome home booking to give PIT or VGF a try with a split stay. But, I really want to try BLT. And, I see a couple of those resale contracts, and I'm like, maybe I should buy one and then we can use it for next summer when the pool refurb is done! Surely, we'll love it, right?

Would love the hear thoughts on the good/bad/ugly of BLT, particularly as compared to Poly or GF. And, welcome any thoughts telling me to go for it or to slow down (or whatever else you might like to say ).

Will also note I've given a passing thought to Wilderness Lodge - I know it gets you easy boat access to MK. But, haven't really looked into that option much. Just been focused on those monorail resorts. I imagine there are some folks who say to look there as another MK option too.

I think you also need to check out Bolder Ridge and Copper Creek at Wilderness Lodge.

What would be ideal is for you to use your Welcome Home stay points to book a room at Poly in July and then ask the guide who just sold you 300 points to give your family a tour of Grand Flo, Bay Lake Tower, and Wilderness Lodge.

The Welcome Home stay can use inventory from DVC’s points (i.e cash rooms).

 

[airjay75]

Just bought BLT resale and have never stayed there but we did visit. People say it feels like a hospital and I get that walking around. The rooms once inside don't feel that way. It is not the nicest resort in terms of ambiance compared to some others but I went with overall value....it is cheaper than the others, it is on the monorail and in some ways it has the best location of any resort with the shortest walk to MK. It will always be in some demand just for it's proximity to MK.

If I was you I would hit the breaks and use your 300 points once or twice before committing to more...it does depend on the room types you want. But that is always up to your personal situation, I just don't think you have to race to get a deal right now, I don't think the DVC resale market is ready to explode in growth any time soon. Since you have points, use some of them to stay at BLT before committing is my thought. We have 320 points and with schedules I am struggling to find times to use them, if it is just me and the wife, we want a studio if its the kids we would get a 1BR. Maybe I need to change that to just always get the 1BR....have not even stayed in one yet though but I read a lot that once you do you wont want to go back.

Thank you - that is the practical advice I probably need to hear. The only counter argument I can muster is that, as Disney continues to market PIT to direct purchasers, one could see some increased demand for VGF and BLT as people like myself start to say, hmm, I would really like something on the monorail, what are the other options? I know some of the DVC podcasts I have listened to have speculated that is why Disney has been exercising ROFR on some of the VGF resale contracts. But, haven't heard that happening with respect to BLT, so there really probably isn't much harm in slowing down.

 

[airjay75]

I think you also need to check out Bolder Ridge and Copper Creek at Wilderness Lodge.

What would be ideal is for you to use your Welcome Home stay points to book a room at Poly in July and then ask the guide who just sold you 300 points to give your family a tour of Grand Flo, Bay Lake Tower, and Wilderness Lodge.

The Welcome Home stay can use inventory from DVC’s points (i.e cash rooms).

More sound advice. I've actually already rented points for our July stay - doing more of a budget stay, used magical beginnings for our 2024 points, and wanted to save our welcome home stay for next year. But, I'm sure I can have our guide arrange tours at the other MK resorts. As always, your advice is so good, @AstroBlasters. Thank you.

 

[CraigInPA]

My wife and I had stayed at the Poly 20 times before they announced the DVC conversion of three longhouses. However, we had been waiting for the Tower, which, as you know, was finally built. Between the initial DVC conversion and Tower, which was like 10 years, we decided to try various resorts that we thought we'd like by renting points. We required a resort that we could walk to at least one park. Poly was out, because the longhouses they converted were on the "wrong" side of the resort. We figured BCV would be a hit for us, but after spending five days there, we were convinced it wasn't for us. We crossed VGF off due to the high price coupled with the high number of points. We didn't like BWV at all. The corridors seemingly go on forever, and the "clown pool" freaked us out. That left BLT. As soon as we got in the room, looked out at the view, and then did the short walk to the Contemporary for some lunch, we were hooked. Had we seen it first, we likely wouldn't have stayed at BCV at all.

I strongly encourage you to try out the various choices before committing to a resale purchase.

 

[MeridaMonkey]

My husband and I bought a resale BLT contract last year (we’ve owned direct at CCV since 2018) and couldn’t be happier with our decision. The points chart is incredibly reasonable, the extra bathroom in the 1 bedroom is a game changer, the contract end date works for us and the dues are very reasonable as well. Add in the walkability to Magic Kingdom and I think BLT is probably the best resale option on the market.

That said, we knew what we were getting into when we bought (we’d stayed at BLT twice prior to our purchase) so I definitely recommend a reconnaissance stay prior to buying.

 

[Matty B13]

My wife and I had stayed at the Poly 20 times before they announced the DVC conversion of three longhouses. However, we had been waiting for the Tower, which, as you know, was finally built. Between the initial DVC conversion and Tower, which was like 10 years, we decided to try various resorts that we thought we'd like by renting points. We required a resort that we could walk to at least one park. Poly was out, because the longhouses they converted were on the "wrong" side of the resort.

You would think if the Tower was part of the original plan they would have converted the Longhouses on that side of Poly????? It's really confusing the build decisions for DVC at Poly, hence why we probably will never buy there even though it is one of my favorite resorts.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I bought direct at BLT in fall of 2024. I agree a bit with some users opinions about the theming of the resort, but when you get inside the refurbished rooms I love the Mary Blair inspired artwork from all the different lands of the MK. The views cannot be beat for watching fireworks with a TPV room and sometimes even a resort view room. I had stayed at BLT 2x before we became owners there both times in a 2 bedroom room. While some don’t like the pool at BLT I like the neon Mickey lights on the waterslide, love being able to see the Electical Water Pagent from either the rooms or the huge windows on each floor, and think that the view off towards the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness of Bay Lake is great. If you’re a refillable mug type of family the pool has a station available, and when the skybridge is opened, it really isn’t much of a walk to get to Contempo Cafe. I really wish that there was some sort of quick service/shop in BLT proper and agree with the above poster about opening something waterfront adjacent to meet those goals. I don’t mind walking over to Contemporary to get items for the family. I would stay in a 1Bedroom for a few nights before I purchased if I was you. Even as a very happy camper with the purchase I made, it doesn’t mean your family will enjoy it. However, IMO nothing can beat walking back to the room in less than 10 minutes from Main Street in MK.

 

[airjay75]

Thank you all for the continued comments, although a few of you are also making me think BLT might end up being a really good fit for me . I think everyone saying to wait and try it out (or at least go for a tour) are making really good points. I guess one counter argument I keep thinking (which is the part of me trying to talk myself into this) is what is the worst case if I buy a resale contract, use my points for a few years and then decide, really wish I had bought elsewhere, want to get out and buy someplace else. I guess, then you're in the situation of selling/buying again - or, at a minimum, renting out your points until you're ready to sell. Probably some depreciation in your point value given there are a few less years left on your contract (although that is obviously hard to predict). And, it looks like the commission on DVC contracts is around 9.5%.

So, for example, I'm currently eyeing a 160 point contract that is listed for $145 pp ($23,200 total). Let's say I'm able to buy it $140 pp ($22,400), and 2 years or so down the road, have to sell it for $130 pp ($20,800). Let's say $1,000 in closing costs I have to pay on the initial purchase, but not when I sell (although you'd have to add another $1,000 if you're going to buy a different resale contract because you wanted something else - leaving that out for now). And, I have to pay a 9.5% commission on the eventual sale. So, I'm out $22,400 - $20,800 + $1,000 (closing costs) + $1,976 (9.5% of $20,800). That's $4,576. Of course, you gotta pay your annual dues during those few years - 2 years of dues looks to be around $2,500. But, if I actually used the contract during those two years, I got probably 7-10 days in a 1 bedroom villa over the course of those 2 years. My total out of pocket expenses for this are just over $7k (not taking account of the time value of money or interest lost on the cash investment - I suppose you could throw on another $2k-$3k if you want to account for that) Of course, all of this assumes no financing too.

Am I looking at the math wrong here? I think these are pretty conservative assumptions. I realize there are other risks inherent in this. No guarantee I can sell 2 years down the road, point value could go down more than I've assumed here and/or could be selling at a really bad time. But, if my assumptions above turn out to be correct, it seems to me, you're not going to lose more than $2k-$3k on this if things don't go as expected. Of course, that's not nothing, but it's no where near the kind of sunk cost on a direct contract.

Welcome any thoughts.

 

[Unclelude]

Personally I'd look at it as bigger sunk cost. You really can't predict prices. Economy. Sentiment. Etc... Really the whole thing is ultimately at risk. It *is* timeshare...

A few years ago SSR was getting ROFR as high as $135, now it's sub $100 easy!!... You see $80s on ROFR thread.

Who knows, prices could go up!... but down is more likely the direction IMO.

Good Luck!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Am I looking at the math wrong here? I think these are pretty conservative assumptions. I realize there are other risks inherent in this. No guarantee I can sell 2 years down the road, point value could go down more than I've assumed here and/or could be selling at a really bad time. But, if my assumptions above turn out to be correct, it seems to me, you're not going to lose more than $2k-$3k on this if things don't go as expected. Of course, that's not nothing, but it's no where near the kind of sunk cost on a direct contract.

Welcome any thoughts.

I wouldn't buy if I thought there was any possibility that I would want to sell in a couple years. Life happens and I would deal with it as it comes, but absolutely don't buy if you seriously think you'll want to sell it in a couple years.

Buying dvc is much like buying a vacation home. You buy because you want to stay there on a regular basis. You can also rent accomodations and never buy this or any vacation home. Will it save you money over a long period of time? Very likely, yes, but again it comes down to where you would stay if you didn't own it. I was paying about $1k/night for a hotel room with tax and hefty parking fees added. Buying made sense because that's where I was going to stay. I was never going to stay at the $300/night place across the street.

 

[airjay75]

I wouldn't buy if I thought there was any possibility that I would want to sell in a couple years. Life happens and I would deal with it as it comes, but absolutely don't buy if you seriously think you'll want to sell it in a couple years.

Buying dvc is much like buying a vacation home. You buy because you want to stay there on a regular basis. You can also rent accomodations and never buy this or any vacation home. Will it save you money over a long period of time? Very likely, yes, but again it comes down to where you would stay if you didn't own it. I was paying about $1k/night for a hotel room with tax and hefty parking fees added. Buying made sense because that's where I was going to stay. I was never going to stay at the $300/night place across the street.

I totally get the point you're making. I think, for me, even with my recent direct points purchase, I personally have to go through the exercise in my mind of, ok, what is the worst case scenario here. Is that my expectation? No, but life doesn't always turn out that way. Even if I stayed at BLT, and was confident I loved it and hoped to stay there many times into the future, I'd still go through this exercise. But, of course, then I can be more confident that the worst case is less likely to happen because I decided I didn't like the resort.

Of course, the direct point Riviera purchase I made had a much more significant worst case loss to it (I think I calculated something more like $20k if I were to basically instantly change my mind), so I wanted to be more confident (and spent about $1,000 to stay there one night to get that confidence). Here, I feel like there are lot of things I can point to make me think I will like this resort - it is clearly the most economical DVC resort on the monorail and I do want to get a contract on one of the monorail resorts (although there is that Wilderness Lodge option I have yet to explore and I suppose I could also decide none of them are for me and I'd rather just stay at Riviera for MK trips). I seriously doubt I'm going to hate BLT. But, if I were to give PIT, VGF, BLT, and WL all a test-drive, how will I feel? That's what I don't know. How much $$ am I willing to risk for a roll of the dice on BLT? TBH, if I could be confident that $2k-$3k is all I'm going to lose, I'm probably willing to do it. But, it is still a roll of the dice, and I could lose more. Another consideration is whether I find a BLT contract that seems like a good deal? There's an opportunity cost there too because I could have to wait awhile for the right one to come along again. I could give BLT a try, love it, and wish I'd just bought the contract sooner.

Ok, enough of me sharing all the thoughts in my head . Really appreciate everyone's comments and thoughts so far, and welcome more.

 

[Patmcpsu]

If you are only looking to hold for a few years, there is a recent article on DVC Fan about how Hilton Head may be the savvy move. Scroll down to the "Possibly Worth It: Temporary Points" section.

 

[byurick]

If you are only looking to hold for a few years, there is a recent article on DVC Fan about how Hilton Head may be the savvy move. Scroll down to the "Possibly Worth It: Temporary Points" section.

I've also considered this as well for cheap temp points but the way things are going with those resorts I really doubt being able to resell that contract in another 5 years.