Had another great trip, looking at DVC again

[dizfan]

We recently returned from a trip to AKL Jambo. Had the best trip we've ever had and realize Disney will be part of the rest of our life.

After AKL, we never want to stay in another value again. Moderates are ok, but after this trip, we definitely prefer the deluxe. Loved having everything in a single building. Of the deluxes, we've stayed at BW and AKL. I've stayed at Poly. We enjoyed BW, loved AKL, Poly location is great which is why we're considering BLT.

We're looking at four properties...

BCV resale - love Epcot and typically travel when F&W is going on, love the beach theme, love the location, easy access to Epcot for lots of dining choices, costs less than BLT, but has higher maintenance fees. Fewer points to stay here than at BLT. Pool area.

BWV resale - love the location, similar to BCV, but less expensive on the resale.

AKV resale - love the theme, loved watching the animals, has potential of getting CL, resale prices are less expensive, love Bomas, two vacations in one (WDW and feel like we're in Africa). Downside is that it's further away (which is needed for the animals). Harder to get to F&W and MK.

BLT new - love the location, monorail, seems like it will hold it's value similar to BCV, guessing it will be hard to stay here without the 11 month window. Walking distance to MK. Boats. MK view, LK view. Because of the demand here, would there be a reasonable chance we could occassionally arrange a swap with a BCV member? What about with a AKV member?

Of these four, we really lean towards BCV and BLT as our top choices.

From what I understand, if we get a referral, BLT would be $98/point (for 160 points) right now. Is this correct?

Are there other pros/cons I'm missing?
Our favorite parks are Epcot, MK, and AK. Not real big on DHS. Typically travel to DTD at least a couple times.
We're in our late 40's/early 50's.

What would you do?
Sorry for the long post.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

You need to decide what feature you feel is #1.

For me it was the location to the parks. We went with the BW for the location to Epcot & DHS and got the added bonus of the 2 tier point values on the rooms and the general atmosphere of the resort). We just love it there. We recently did an add on of 160 points for the BLT for the same reason. I don't really care what the inside of the rooms look like (although I really love the BLT decor and set up) as long as it gave me easy access to the parks. What is better than coming home at 12:00 am tired from touring the parks all day, hopping on the monorail and being "home" in 5 minutes? vs. waiting 5-20 minutes for the bus to pick you up and then traveling 20 minutes to your hotel (stopping at 3 stops before you get to your hotel). Same with the BW or BCV from Epcot- 5 minute walk or boat ride from the international gateway ---priceless!!!

Another thing you need to look at when picking a property is the availablity at 7 months out. I feel that the AKV and the BWV would be a lot easier to get at 7 months out then the BLT and BCV.(especially during the food & wine festival) I just love VB and have thought about adding on there, but the MF are quite high and it seems like there is always availability at 7 months out for what I want (Garden view studio) so the need to own there is not that urgent now. However, if that changes, I will definitely add on there.

If the cost for each resort is a factor, please remember that what you think is expensive or less expenses really isn't. The BW was more that SSR at the time I bought and I got 37 years vs 49 for SSR, but imho, I feel I got a better deal because the BW offers 2 tier points. So if I decide to splurge on a BW view 1 bedroom one year, I can get a Standard view 1 bedroom or studio the next year. The AKV and BLT offers different view rooms too, however the BCV don't.

However, the MF is highest at the BW at this time, so more points at the BLT are actually cheaper to Maintain then the BW, even though BLT has higher point values for each room. So if it cost 40 points to stay at the BW or BC and you are paying $5 MF per point= $200 vs 50 pts at the blt for $3.67=184 per night in MF.

Good luck with your choice and remember that even though you bought into one resort, the best thing about DVC is that you can stay at ANY resort (subject to availability of course).

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, if you have a member referral, you can get BLT as low as $96.00 per point for 200 + contracts.

I have heard that they are now allowing new members to buy more than one resort as long as the total points being bought are more than the 160 minimum.

I love the location of BLT and that is where we bought. If you love Food & Wine, you may want to consider doing both BLT and BCV so that you have the option to stay at both (BCV for Food & Wine) and still be able to take advantage of the 11 month booking window.

It sounds like the Epcot area may be a better fit for your travel habits. You might consider buying BCV resale and then adding on at BLT. However, they are saying that the price per point is going up at BLT June 15th, so you might risk loosing out on the current price structure if you wait to add on there after you buy BCV resale.

If it were me, I would contact a DVC guide and see what it would cost you to buy direct through Disney both BLT and BCV. While I know that BCV is cheaper via resale, it might not be that much more since you would still be eligible for getting BLT at the cheaper price.

Good luck!!!

 

[Crystal_27]

We also recently bought into BLT and couldn't be happier. We have been looking at DVC for many years but, given that we like to stay on the monorail, we hesitated to buy in at resorts that weren't on the monorail...I'm glad we waited for BLT.

Since your decision primarily seems to be between BLT and BCV, although we really don't have a good frame of refenrece as to how BLT is going to be at 7 months, BCV is one of the more difficult resorts to get into at 7 months, as I anticipate BLT will be as well. That said, I think that BLT is going to be doable at 7 months...you just may end up having to stay at a lake view instead of a standard view or MK view. It appears from the point charts that a standard view at BLT and BCV are pretty much on par with each other (although obviously once you start factoring in different views at BLT, it becomes more point-costly).

The incentives for BLT are very good right now, and if you believe the rumor mills, all incentives for BLT are going away as of June 15th, and I've even heard that DVC will increase the cost of BLT given that it's selling so well (again, please take everything I'm saying with a grain of salt in that I'm reporting rumors, not anything concrete).

I guess where that leaves you is just deciding which resort is more near and dear to your hearts and also looking at how many points you will need to purchase. Obviously, with BLT, unless you can find a rare resale, you are going to have to buy-in a minimum of 160 points whereas with BCV you will likely be able to find many available resale options. Another thing you will want to look at is maintenance fees...right now, BLT has the cheapest of the resorts (but, again, we have no idea what to expect in the future).

I would say with either of your choices you really can't go wrong. Best of luck as you journey through your DVC buying decision!!

 

[LSchrow]

remeber too, some views/categories are harder to get at 7 months (we own at BW b/c BW view is a non-negotiable for us ~ no way we're going to get that at 7 months out for F&WF...we've had to waitlist at 10 1/2 months out!)

from your post, i think you're leaning toward BCV ~ good luck whatever your decision!

 

[nunzia]

Also, BC is smaller than BLT so may be harder to get at 7 months. I bought OKW as a small resale to get into the system before VGC and am happy with the choice. But...I stayed at Beach Club way back and loved it and the closeness to Epcot.

 

[gkrykewy]

Since you like AKL (and have therefore demonstrated your excellent taste), you might consider waiting until 6/16 for the new incentives, to see whether the pricing gets better for AKV via Disney.

We recently added on 50 points at AKV, and went direct because we found that we really couldn't save money via resale, all things considered (and by going direct we were able to receive [and immediately use] 2008 points).

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I thought about adding on at BLT until I saw the point structure. I would like to stay there sometime, and even have a MK view, but that will be a splurge and not something I do often. Personally, it would not be worth it to me to regularly spend 361 points for a 1-BR, MK view for one week during the summer when I could get a week in a 1-BR at BCV for 270. Now, if you're willing to settle for a 1-BR standard view, the point difference between the two is minimal.

Also, does the contract term matter to you? If you are thinking of willing it to someone, BLT expires in 2060 and BCV in 2042. Over time, BLT will retain more value on the resale market simply because of the contract term.

As an FYI, we own at SSR, VB and are THISCLOSE to closing on an OKW contract. If you're flexible, we have never had a problem booking at other resorts at the 7 month window. For example, you may not be able to get a concierge room at AKV, or a boardwalk/standard view room and BWV, or a MK view at BLT at the 7 month mark. However, you more than likely will be able to get a room at AKV, BWV or BLT. We've really had great luck, and enjoy staying at all of the resorts. Depending on how many points you're going to buy, you may consider purchasing some points at both resorts for the 8 - 11 month booking advantage.

Best of luck, and have fun choosing!!!