Final questions (i hope) from newbie.

[DJJimmy9]

I have read through most of these boards, watched the Disney dvc DVD, spoken with friends who are DVC owners, and so on and so on.

By the way, this site has been a godsend to get information and see different points of view. THX!!!

I have decided we want BLT and want 225-250 pts. My strong preference is 2 contracts (200/50 or 160/75) so that I can easily downsize via resale when the kids are grown. I definitely want to do resale because of value (and BLT) and I really would want same use year as I plan on combining points often.

So my questions...

When making reservation via web or with MS, will they allow me to make a reservation at 11-months out for 3 years worth of pts? For instance, say use year is FEB, 200 pts come 2/1/14, I call in Nov-14 to make a September 2015 Rez using all of my 2014 pts (banked for 2015), all of my 2015 pts which haven't yet "arrived" yet, and all or most of my 2016 pts (borrowed for 2015) which certainly haven't arrived yet? And at the time of rez, does all that banking/borrowing happen immediately and is it permanent?

I'm pretty certain the answers are all yes, but I just want to confirm.

Also, any suggestions for strategies on how to get my needs from the resale market? I watch 4 popular resale sights daily, but I'm nervous finding 2 deals to match up will be tough. Should I take the plunge on the smaller contract and then hope I can match the bigger one later? I have time, as the 1st trip I have "planned" is the Sept-2015 trip in my above example. But this urge to buy now is strong even if I picked up 2013 pts that I would just end up renting.

Lastly, is it just coincidence that current resale listings have a high concentration of FEB use years? I have seen some 75-100 pt contracts in APR, JUN, AUG but if I picked up one of those now, how likely will I see a 150 pop up for the same use year. I haven't monitored the resale sights long enough to know how often BLT comes up.

Thanks again for all of the info / advice.
-Jim

 

[com_op_2000]

The answer is yes.
Additionally, it is when you travel that the points need to be available for use, not when you make the reservation.

 

[DJJimmy9]

Thanks com_op.

 

[disneynutz]

Banking and borrowing are final transactions, you are stuck if you cancel your vacation.

DVD for some reason sold a ton of February contracts and didn't offer other UY's for a long time.

A word of caution, make sure that you love BLT over the other resorts. As I have posted often, we bought BLT and it has turned out to be our least favorite resort. We like the theming of the other resorts much more than BLT which is like any high-rise anywhere. We also expected better Theme Park views which are IMO overrated.

Bill

 

[wilma-bride]

A word of caution, make sure that you love BLT over the other resorts. As I have posted often, we bought BLT and it has turned out to be our least favorite resort.
Bill

An interesting point, Bill. We really thought we would love BLT but it is also our least favourite - my DH says it is too 'clinical'.

 

[Judique]

I have read through most of these boards, watched the Disney dvc DVD, spoken with friends who are DVC owners, and so on and so on.

By the way, this site has been a godsend to get information and see different points of view. THX!!!

I have decided we want BLT and want 225-250 pts. My strong preference is 2 contracts (200/50 or 160/75) so that I can easily downsize via resale when the kids are grown. I definitely want to do resale because of value (and BLT) and I really would want same use year as I plan on combining points often.

So my questions...

When making reservation via web or with MS, will they allow me to make a reservation at 11-months out for 3 years worth of pts? For instance, say use year is FEB, 200 pts come 2/1/14, I call in Nov-14 to make a September 2015 Rez using all of my 2014 pts (banked for 2015), all of my 2015 pts which haven't yet "arrived" yet, and all or most of my 2016 pts (borrowed for 2015) which certainly haven't arrived yet? And at the time of rez, does all that banking/borrowing happen immediately and is it permanent?

I'm pretty certain the answers are all yes, but I just want to confirm.

Also, any suggestions for strategies on how to get my needs from the resale market? I watch 4 popular resale sights daily, but I'm nervous finding 2 deals to match up will be tough. Should I take the plunge on the smaller contract and then hope I can match the bigger one later? I have time, as the 1st trip I have "planned" is the Sept-2015 trip in my above example. But this urge to buy now is strong even if I picked up 2013 pts that I would just end up renting.

Lastly, is it just coincidence that current resale listings have a high concentration of FEB use years? I have seen some 75-100 pt contracts in APR, JUN, AUG but if I picked up one of those now, how likely will I see a 150 pop up for the same use year. I haven't monitored the resale sights long enough to know how often BLT comes up.

Thanks again for all of the info / advice.
-Jim

You can use a combo of banked, current and borrowed points at 11 months for a 7 day reservation. Each additional day will have to be added on as the window opens for it.

There are a lot of things which make the buy in 'worth it' on resale. For instance if it has a full contract of points available. A lot of resales have points that are 'coming' in the next use year - say October. Sure you can borrow them for use now. But, perhaps Disney will sell you a contract with 2012 October points that can be used now and may give you a one time banking exemption, which would mean (160 point buy in) 320 points available Oct 1, 2013. (I am not sure what Disney is actually selling now - you have to ask them these questions.)

I am not sure about the Feb use year availability.

How do you plan to use your points? All at BLT? On cruises? Or ABD or trades?

If you always plan to use your points to book BLT and see a good contract with the use year you want and loaded with at least next years points, go resale. I'd worry about that second contract later. I'd definitely buy in smaller chunks - 100, 125, 150, 160 even 75.

If you can't wait to buy resale, Disney will take your money and give you no restrictions and I think they pay closing costs, (but it will cost ya full price!)

I should add that I am a satisfied member since 2000.

And 'buy where you want to stay'!!!

 

[kristenrice]

An interesting point, Bill. We really thought we would love BLT but it is also our least favourite - my DH says it is too 'clinical'.

I stayed there once and the "clinical" description is spot on! I was walking down the hallway towards the community hall and half-expected someone pushing a stretcher to come around the corner. The room was fine, albeit tiny ( we stayed in a studio) but I found the overall resort to be nothing special. Of course, I am an AKV fan (and owner) and that resort is totally on the opposite end of the spectrum. That's what is so great about DVC... There is something for everyone.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ImagineerTHAT]

I just bought BLT after staying there last year. I like the modern "clinical" feel and the simplicity of the building, but the real reason I bought is the proximity to MK. We love DAK Lodge, but the transportation to get to our favorite park during peak season is reason enough to love BLT.

Second favorite being EPCOT, we hop on the monorail at Contemp and switch at TTC.

No buses makes me happy!

 

[Sandisw]

In terms of UY, you are more likely to find those Feb UY more often than the others and if it is a UY that works for you, then its the one I would go for as it will be easier to match in the future.

I would go for the larger contract to start and then try to add on the other points to meet your needs. We always thought that our original amount of 210 would be enough...we are now up to 430!!

You may find, after adding on that 160 or 200 points, that instead of that 60 to 75 points, you'll want a bit more, making it easier to find what you are looking for.

And yes, if everything is the same UY, and same resort, you will be able to make reservations at 11 months easily.

Everything is based on date of stay and your points are really "there" from the beginning. Its just their status changes at the start of the UY, going from next UY's points to current UY's points, etc.

What makes it easy for me to figure out what I can use, is first determine UY of travel, and then I know when I call, whenever that is, I can use banked points from the UY prior to travel, points from the UY of travel, and borrow points from the UY after travel to complete the reservation.

Good luck!

 

[DannysMom]

February is one of the larger use years. Check put this info from DVCNews.com
http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/owning-dvc/2014-updated-points-distribution-by-use-year

So if you find a good feb UY contract, grab it & worry about matching it later.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards App please excuse any typos and autocorrects!

 

[DJJimmy9]

Thanks all. Very helpful...especially the info about use year distributions by property.

We have stayed at BLT, and while I understand its modern decor and lack of a typical disney theme is a turnoff for some, my wife and I like the decor and love the location. We have a 3y/o, a 1y/o, and another on the way. We are going to be walking back and forth to the MK a lot over the next 10 years. We also are Epcot fans and love the dining options at the grand Floridian, poly, and contemporary. The monorail is perfect for what we want. At some point we may try the other resorts, I think the kids would like AKV, but our home resort has to be BLT.

Anyway, we put our 1st bid in on a Feb u/y at BLT tonight. Wish us luck. And here's hoping a 2nd smaller Feb contract comes up soon. My target is to have everything final and completed by Oct-2014 so we can make our 1st DVC trip in Sept-2015. (Yes I am a planner - but isn't everyone on this board a planner - LOL.)

I cannot thank all of you enough for the guidance, advice, and sharing if opinions.

 

[kristenrice]

Thanks all. Very helpful...especially the info about use year distributions by property.

We have stayed at BLT, and while I understand its modern decor and lack of a typical disney theme is a turnoff for some, my wife and I like the decor and love the location. We have a 3y/o, a 1y/o, and another on the way. We are going to be walking back and forth to the MK a lot over the next 10 years. We also are Epcot fans and love the dining options at the grand Floridian, poly, and contemporary. The monorail is perfect for what we want. At some point we may try the other resorts, I think the kids would like AKV, but our home resort has to be BLT.

Anyway, we put our 1st bid in on a Feb u/y at BLT tonight. Wish us luck. And here's hoping a 2nd smaller Feb contract comes up soon. My target is to have everything final and completed by Oct-2014 so we can make our 1st DVC trip in Sept-2015. (Yes I am a planner - but isn't everyone on this board a planner - LOL.)

I cannot thank all of you enough for the guidance, advice, and sharing if opinions.

Good luck on your purchase. FWIW, as much as I really don't like the decor and ambience of BLT, it is hands-down the best location for resort-to-resort transportation. If you enjoying dining at the other resorts, you are just a short walk from the MK bus stop which will take you to any of the resorts that you cannot access from the monorail. I thought my kids (now 7 and 10, but were 4 and 2 when we bought) would love the MK too, but it turns out that AK is their favorite park, with Epcot being a close second...go figure.

 

[dbs1228]

Thanks all. Very helpful...especially the info about use year distributions by property.

We have stayed at BLT, and while I understand its modern decor and lack of a typical disney theme is a turnoff for some, my wife and I like the decor and love the location. We have a 3y/o, a 1y/o, and another on the way. We are going to be walking back and forth to the MK a lot over the next 10 years. We also are Epcot fans and love the dining options at the grand Floridian, poly, and contemporary. The monorail is perfect for what we want. At some point we may try the other resorts, I think the kids would like AKV, but our home resort has to be BLT.

Anyway, we put our 1st bid in on a Feb u/y at BLT tonight. Wish us luck. And here's hoping a 2nd smaller Feb contract comes up soon. My target is to have everything final and completed by Oct-2014 so we can make our 1st DVC trip in Sept-2015. (Yes I am a planner - but isn't everyone on this board a planner - LOL.)

I cannot thank all of you enough for the guidance, advice, and sharing if opinions.

Good luck!!! We love BLT my DD's love the contemporary feel. I like the lay out of the larger units they just feel more spacious to me. MK is our favorite park (DD's 22, 20 and 18) so BLT is perfect for us! When we do stay at other resorts we always find getting to MK is the biggest pain! We always rent a car so driving to each park works for us but there is no easy way to get to MK - no park and go!

 

[Fantasia79]

I just bought BLT after staying there last year. I like the modern "clinical" feel and the simplicity of the building, but the real reason I bought is the proximity to MK. We love DAK Lodge, but the transportation to get to our favorite park during peak season is reason enough to love BLT.

Second favorite being EPCOT, we hop on the monorail at Contemp and switch at TTC.

No buses makes me happy!

Part of our decision there. We really want to be near EPCOT, but know with kids, we'll be spending quite a few years in the MK. If I can monorail or walk,my hats the dream.

Wife tends to like modern or classy before Disney themed. Decisions.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Fantasia79]

In terms of UY, you are more likely to find those Feb UY more often than the others and if it is a UY that works for you, then its the one I would go for as it will be easier to match in the future.

I would go for the larger contract to start and then try to add on the other points to meet your needs. We always thought that our original amount of 210 would be enough...we are now up to 430!!

You may find, after adding on that 160 or 200 points, that instead of that 60 to 75 points, you'll want a bit more, making it easier to find what you are looking for.

And yes, if everything is the same UY, and same resort, you will be able to make reservations at 11 months easily.

Everything is based on date of stay and your points are really "there" from the beginning. Its just their status changes at the start of the UY, going from next UY's points to current UY's points, etc.

What makes it easy for me to figure out what I can use, is first determine UY of travel, and then I know when I call, whenever that is, I can use banked points from the UY prior to travel, points from the UY of travel, and borrow points from the UY after travel to complete the reservation.

Good luck!

Is it pretty easy to use smaller contract (after adding on) to bank/borrow? I'm assuming, UY has to be carefully though through and Disney will be more flexible with smaller contracts.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Minniesgal]

Banking and borrowing are final transactions, you are stuck if you cancel your vacation.

DVD for some reason sold a ton of February contracts and didn't offer other UY's for a long time.

A word of caution, make sure that you love BLT over the other resorts. As I have posted often, we bought BLT and it has turned out to be our least favorite resort. We like the theming of the other resorts much more than BLT which is like any high-rise anywhere. We also expected better Theme Park views which are IMO overrated.

Bill

That makes me smile we didn't buy BLT because I didn't think I would like it and went for AKV instead turns out we love BLT and are always trying to trade out of AKV for BLT.

 

[disneynutz]

That makes me smile we didn't buy BLT because I didn't think I would like it and went for AKV instead turns out we love BLT and are always trying to trade out of AKV for BLT.

If you really want to smile, we also own at AKV but BWV is our favorite resort where we also own. I will admit that we bought too soon and it has cost us so far about $10,000 to sell some of our less favorite contracts.

All of the resorts have things going for them but there is just something special when you stay at your favorite resort. Problem is you need to experience all of the resorts to find your favorite resort and no matter what you read on the internet, you really need to experience the resorts for yourself.

Bill