Deciding AKV/BLT

[IluvXU]

We are ready to take the plunge and buy the 160 points. The issue is where?

BLT is more per point, but dues will eventually wash that cost out. The issue really is our family size, we have three kids so we 'fit" into the 1 bedroom at either BLT or AKV. The one bedroom is costly at BLT, so we probably won't be able to do that, so we would probably end up staying at AKV, however I am sure we might add on more points later.

The real question is

If we buy at Bay Lake will we be able to get the sleep five one bedroom at AKV. We will probably travel mostly the "busy" times - summer since I am a teacher?

Thoughts much appreciated.

 

[dd08]

We are ready to take the plunge and buy the 160 points. The issue is where?

BLT is more per point, but dues will eventually wash that cost out. The issue really is our family size, we have three kids so we 'fit" into the 1 bedroom at either BLT or AKV. The one bedroom is costly at BLT, so we probably won't be able to do that,

Thoughts much appreciated.

What I highlighted is why IMO, the dues may not eventually wash that cost out as much as people are assuming.

If you want to buy enough points to stay at a 1BR x a set # of nights (e.g. 7) you are going to have to buy more points overall for BLT than any of the other WDW resorts. More points mean that lower cost of MF per point is evened out as you may wind up having about the same total bill.

Now if you buy at BLT but always stay somewhere else, that is your best chance of getting a "deal" from the lower MF per point at BLT.

 

[DVCGeek]

The general rule is buy where you want (or at least wouldn't mind) staying and for busy times book at your home resort 11 months in advance. So, for your situation i would probably buy at AKV since that is where you expect to stay. Just make sure you have enough points to continue to cover things if the point charts change for the times you travel! (and there is always banking & borrowing if you don't go every year)

 

[kristenrice]

First of all, let me preface by saying that BLT does nothing for me and we are owners at AKV so I might be a little biased...

The "sleep 5" 1BR's are ALL of the 1BR's available except for the 10 value 1BR units. All of the standard, savanna and concierge 1BR units sleep 5. So, yes, if you buy at BLT, you should have a reasonable chance of getting a 1BR at AKV in the 7-month window. There are more savanna view than any other category so for "point budgeting" purposes, that it what I would plan on booking. Although most people stay at AKV for the savanna view, I do not mind saving points and booking standard, or even value in our case.

As a family of 5, you also may want to consider your options down the road. We just stayed in a value 1BR (me, DH and 2 DD's ages 3 and 5) and we thought it was perfect. We even had a great SAVANNA view! If you ever think you might want a 2BR, the value category is great since you can save a lot of points and you still have a 40% chance of a savanna view. (I believe the views of the values break down to 40% savanna, 40% pool and 20% parking lot.) Now, since there are so few value units available (10 2BR lockoffs and I think 4 dedicated studios) you will most likely need the 11-month booking window to get one.

The value units are smaller than the standard/savanna rooms and they are only available at Jambo House so that is another thing to consider.

AKV has the most categories and room options (4 room categories and 2 buildings to choose from!) so it can get confusing.

Good luck with your purchase decision! Ask all the questions you want! You have come to the best place for answers.

 

[CarolMN]

We are ready to take the plunge and buy the 160 points. The issue is where?

BLT is more per point, but dues will eventually wash that cost out. The issue really is our family size, we have three kids so we 'fit" into the 1 bedroom at either BLT or AKV. The one bedroom is costly at BLT, so we probably won't be able to do that, so we would probably end up staying at AKV, however I am sure we might add on more points later.

The real question is

If we buy at Bay Lake will we be able to get the sleep five one bedroom at AKV. We will probably travel mostly the "busy" times - summer since I am a teacher?

Thoughts much appreciated.

The only 1 bedroom villas at the AKV that sleep just 4 are those in the value category. Value villas are only available in the Jambo House (main lodge building) adn there aren't all that many of them. By far, most of the 1 bedroom villas (standard view & savanna view categories) sleep 5.

So the question really is will you be able to book a 1 bedroom villa at AKV in the summertime? I think that you will. Summer time, although busy in the parks, is actually an easier to book DVC accommodations than are many other times of the year.

You should still plan to call as soon as the 7 month window opens, though.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[brookelizabeth]

First, I have to say-since I read your TR, your secret is safe with me! (but I think everyone has pretty much guessed anyway )

I think I would follow the "rule" and buy where you most likely want to stay. However, with that said, Kidani is a LARGE resort, so getting a 1 bedroom at 7 months might not be all that much of an issue, esp if you are a bit flexiable on the category.

(If you buy Kidani, I'll say 'HELLO NEIGHBOR' in advance!)

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I will say what many say, "buy where you want to stay". We just bought at BLT because we love to stay at the CR. It is our favorite location. We enjoy walking to the MK, taking the monorail to MK, Poly, GF & TTC, taking the boat to FW. Have you stayed at CR &/or AK before? If so, would you stay there again? I think (but am not sure) it would be best to buy at BLT because it would be harder to make a reseravation there at the 7 month window and probably easier to make a reservation at AKV at the 7 month window. Good luck!

 

[dizfan]

Like everyone else, I would suggest buying where you want to stay (or at least don't mind).

We loved our stay at AKL last month. It was like having two vacations in one (parks and Africa). We are hoping to stay at AKV now that we bought in.

Having said that, we decided to buy at BLT. For us, location and the monorail were the deciding factor of where we want to stay most. We don't mind buses, but the monorail is one of our favorite rides at WDW. We are hoping that because AKV has more rooms it will be easier to book at 7 months, but again for us we would be happy staying at BLT every trip.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...
250 AKV 1BR
147 BLT 1BR

 

[Slakk]

We are ready to take the plunge and buy the 160 points. The issue is where?

BLT is more per point, but dues will eventually wash that cost out. The issue really is our family size, we have three kids so we 'fit" into the 1 bedroom at either BLT or AKV. The one bedroom is costly at BLT, so we probably won't be able to do that, so we would probably end up staying at AKV, however I am sure we might add on more points later.

The real question is

If we buy at Bay Lake will we be able to get the sleep five one bedroom at AKV. We will probably travel mostly the "busy" times - summer since I am a teacher?

Thoughts much appreciated.

I own at both AKV and BLT. Personally I would own at BLT if I really wanted MK or Standard view. I bought BLT because I have to have a 1 BR MK view for F&W.

If you ever want conceirge then you need AKV points

I think if you are willing to take either then it is really up to you - both are wonderful resorts - what about buying points at both? Then you could switch back and forth.

That is what we did - we have enough BLT points for our yearly trip and 100 AKV points we use EOY (we have a EOY Marriot for alternating years)

 

[toniosmom]

If you buy at BLT and select your use year to be later in the year, like November or December, will you get last year's points?

I spoke with my guide yesterday about adding onto AKV with a Dec use year and I will get Dec 08 points that I can bank, plus the Dec 09 points in a short 6 months. Purchase pricing is the same at both AKV and BLT -- the diff is in the dues.

If the 08 points deal is not available if you purchase BLT, it may be the deciding factor for you to buy at AKV.

 

[Cheloconnell]

We added on at AKV last weekend and requested an April use year. They gave us this past April's points. I have become torn lately between these two properties, but the deciding factor for us right now is the decor and how small the rooms at BLT seem. We went to the AKV and BLT mock ups and much perfer the room decor at AKV. We are staying at BLT in October just to see what it is like. This will really be the deciding factor for adding on there in the future. I definitely believe in buying where you want to stay. We really like Boardwalk as well and it is pretty impossible to get a Boardwalk view without owning. For us, it will come down to BLT vs. BWV after October. Our guide said they could get points for any category. We might just have to wait until they could find some in the use year we wanted. That is when they would probably exercise their ROFR.

 

[Sandisw]

If you buy at BLT and select your use year to be later in the year, like November or December, will you get last year's points?

I spoke with my guide yesterday about adding onto AKV with a Dec use year and I will get Dec 08 points that I can bank, plus the Dec 09 points in a short 6 months. Purchase pricing is the same at both AKV and BLT -- the diff is in the dues.

If the 08 points deal is not available if you purchase BLT, it may be the deciding factor for you to buy at AKV.

There are no 2008 BLT points. If you buy, the first set you will receive is for 2009.

Good luck!

 

[DVCGeek]

If the 08 points deal is not available if you purchase BLT, it may be the deciding factor for you to buy at AKV.

No 2008 points exist at BLT, however the contract is longer so you get 3 more years at the end; another potential deciding factor. All depends on how long you plan to keep the contract!

 

[toniosmom]

I forgot about the extra time on the contract. Good point.

 

[ILuvTigger]

No, DVC is not offering 2008 points for BLT. When I spoke to my guide a couple of weeks ago, she said I would get 2008 points for AKV. Which is very tempting (I would love to have more points there)...LOL. Dh wants SSR for the treehouses, and at the time they were not offering the same incentive. I want VGC, or Hawaii....so I am waiting. LOL

To the OP, I have to agree with everyone else, buy where you really want to stay. As PP mentioned, you will have a better chance getting a 1 bedroom at AKV at the 7 month window, than you would at BLT. But if you are interested in concierge you will have to buy at AKV to guarantee getting one of those rooms. Another plus for AKV is the offering of 2008 points in addition to your 2009 points. Good luck with your decision!

 

[gkrykewy]

Here's my reply from another thread asking the same question:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32504669&postcount=11