Hello + DVC Newbie Seeking Advice!

[thomaspp]

Hello everyone. I have been browsing the boards for months and am grateful for all of the tremendous resources here. This subforum has been particularly helpful as I navigate the confusing DVC waters!

My wife and I are in our mid-thirties and re-discovered the Orlando parks only several years ago as "adults." I have become particularly passionate in the last two years and we keep coming back and back to both WDW and Universal although our Universal trips have been slowing as now we have an almost 2 year old daughter and so have been finding WDW a much more enjoyable experience now. We live in Miami and making the 3.5 hour drive to Orlando is becoming a more common occurrence! I seem to find myself addicted to be frank! We just came back from a great trip over 4th of July weekend and stayed at Wilderness Lodge (having previously stayed at Poly, Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom).

We are now seriously considering a DVC purchase and thanks to the resources here on the forum are considering purchasing a 200-250pt contract via resale at Bay Lake Tower. We would buy outright and pay cash, and then would like to try to add on a 25pt contract for the additional Disney perks. Ideally I would like to have close to 275-300pts contract(s) which would give us about 8-10 nights during our regular travel dates in a 1 bedroom villa at BLT. We would most likely split our time most years into 3 trips or so.

So here goes:

1. Anyone care to talk me out of this crazy idea? Should we just rent points for a couple of years first? We are total DVC newbies.... We have never rented points though we did try once through David but I couldn't secure the resort of our preference. We have stayed at DVC properties twice via Disney reservations.

2. We have never stayed at BLT but are booked for the last weekend in August in a studio at BLT to give it a try. Should we consider another DVC property? Our favorites are BLT and BCV, and my wife loves Grand Floridian but I have such a hard time justifying the cost of points there.... I like BLT because it offers a good mix of conveniences, location and "modern" décor (which is more our style).

3. Does anyone know if buying a 25pt add on contract at BLT is possible? Are they available at this point?

Thank you!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would ask: what I s your typical planning timeline? Is it more than 7 months in advance? DVC points work best when plans are made at least 7 months out; in fall, closer to 11 is more important.

 

[disneynutz]

A problem IMO is that you won't know if you love a resort until you stay there and stay at other resorts to compare it to. I would venture to guess that there are many owners who have convinced themselves that they love the resort they bought even though they really love another resort better. They hope to book elsewhere at 7 months, sometimes they get it, sometimes they don't. We bought BLT and don't care for it, we enjoy BWV, VGF, and BRV more.

Bill

 

[ptlohmysoul]

Because you already are staying at 1 bedroom villas versus the studios only, I think you're a good candidate for buying into dvc. You have time to look for a good deal on BLT and after that can purchase a 25 point contract direct. This is a luxury purchase so if you can purchase with cash with disposable income, why not? Also agree with PP about making reservations far in advance if you want to stay at a particular resort. However, living so near, you could also stay anywhere on site that is available at close to last minute. Remember, you will not qualify for free dining with dvc.

 

[thomaspp]

I would ask: what I s your typical planning timeline? Is it more than 7 months in advance? DVC points work best when plans are made at least 7 months out; in fall, closer to 11 is more important.

Thanks. Yes we can plan in advance though frankly on our last Trips to the parks we have only planned 3 or so months out. But we need to be better planners and I have digested this "issue" of DVC. Best

 

[thomaspp]

A problem IMO is that you won't know if you love a resort until you stay there and stay at other resorts to compare it to. I would venture to guess that there are many owners who have convinced themselves that they love the resort they bought even though they really love another resort better. They hope to book elsewhere at 7 months, sometimes they get it, sometimes they don't. We bought BLT and don't care for it, we enjoy BWV, VGF, and BRV more.

Bill

Thanks Bill. Very interesting to hear. We will be staying at a DVC property at BLT in 6 weeks so will have a better feel then. What don't you like about it? Or what do you prefer about the others? Interesting to see you list BRV there....

 

[thomaspp]

Because you already are staying at 1 bedroom villas versus the studios only, I think you're a good candidate for buying into dvc. You have time to look for a good deal on BLT and after that can purchase a 25 point contract direct. This is a luxury purchase so if you can purchase with cash with disposable income, why not? Also agree with PP about making reservations far in advance if you want to stay at a particular resort. However, living so near, you could also stay anywhere on site that is available at close to last minute. Remember, you will not qualify for free dining with dvc.

Thanks! Yes we've never used the free dining... we are picky eaters.

 

[icc2515]

I am not going to try to talk you out of DVC, but I am going to make a suggestion based on what you wrote. You want to buy 275-300pts at BLT. You said you have stayed at AKL, BWV, Poly, and Wilderness lodge. You are my type of person, you don't limit yourself to 1 resort, so why limit yourself to 1 DVC home resort. You are buying a fair amount of points. How about 160 at BLT and 160 at BCV. You said that BLT and BCV are your favorite, so why not buy both. We own at BLT, SSR, BWV, and are going to buy some at the Poly. For me BLT is a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. I like the more laid back vibe of the Poly and BWV. But I love to stay at BLT every once and a while and watch the fireworks from my balcony. Now nothing beats staying at BWV during the food and wine festival. Being able to walk over the Epcot and HS is the best. Plus you feel a little better walking back after stuffing your belly. You say you go 3 times a year, do you really want to stay at the same place all the time? Depending on the time of year you can definitely get into many resorts at 7 months, but Oct-Dec you are staying at your home resort with some exceptions like SSR, AKL, and OKW.

 

[disneynutz]

Thanks Bill. Very interesting to hear. We will be staying at a DVC property at BLT in 6 weeks so will have a better feel then. What don't you like about it? Or what do you prefer about the others? Interesting to see you list BRV there....

IMO the only thing that BLT has going for it is the walk to the MK and the monorail. The TP view is overrated, yes you are close but you don't really see anything but the high fireworks. The pool is just okay, the theming is like any other hotel, at Disney I want something that I can't get at home. It is better now, originally you had to check in at the contemporary, there wasn't bell services on site, the rooms seemed to have more damage and wear than other resorts, the building HVAC had issues, and the dues are increasing around 6.4% per year.

Bill

 

[Popouri DVC]

I'm with Bill: I much prefer the VGF over BLT. Of course I have only ever stayed at a studio at BLT. I understand the one bedrooms are MUCH nicer...

 

[Marriedbythemouse]

We live in Tampa and love our DVC. I don't think you really need to add on for the perks since you already get the Florida resident discounts on passes and passholders get the same discounts as DVC. There are a few DVC only events, but other than that you should be able to get anything else as a passholder/resident.
We bought 200 points at Boardwalk so we could stay there during food and wine. I think you do need to stay at BLT before you buy there. My husband loves BLT, it's his favorite. But I find it too condo-like and not Disney enough for me.
Good luck!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

My point on pre planning is if you are not booking at 11 months, you need to buy with that in mind.

• In fall, booking at 7 months or after can be dicey. If you are trying to book short-term in fall, you will need 1BR points, not studio points.
• Balance of year, 7 month booking is often possible, but not the lowest cost rooms (either studio or 1BR) and a handful of resorts may still be out of reach.
• Home resort priority of points is worthless after 7 months. BLT is generally held to be the second-best value in resale, but if you aren't buying BLT to stay there or planning to mostly use 7 month booking, buying Saratoga still represents a good savings in both capital outlay and dues.

 

[kboo]

I agree with a PP about splitting 300 points into 2-160pt contracts to have 2 home resorts available at 11 months. Now as for BLT or another resort - I would suggest BLT or SSR for the following reasons:

My point on pre planning is if you are not booking at 11 months, you need to buy with that in mind.

• In fall, booking at 7 months or after can be dicey. If you are trying to book short-term in fall, you will need 1BR points, not studio points.
• Balance of year, 7 month booking is often possible, but not the lowest cost rooms (either studio or 1BR) and a handful of resorts may still be out of reach.
• Home resort priority of points is worthless after 7 months. BLT is generally held to be the second-best value in resale, but if you aren't buying BLT to stay there or planning to mostly use 7 month booking, buying Saratoga still represents a good savings in both capital outlay and dues.

• Currently the 2 lowest priced resorts right now when you factor in MFs
• With a 2yo (and possibly more kids to come), quick and easy walking access to MK is HUGE, possibly trumping all other resorts for the next few years
• 1-BR at a few resorts, BLT being one of them, have 2 bathrooms. This is SO great (2Br have 3 baths at BLT)
• With OP's plan to use 1BRs rather than studios, and for shorter trips with possible flexible dates, @_auroraborealis_ 's point highlighted above becomes an important one. Generally it's not too hard to find 1BR LV at BLT at <7 mo out, so SSR makes sense because at 7 mo all points are the same so you might as well use the cheapest points you can to book. (ie why pay top $ for VGF points to book OKW or SSR).
• BUT - if one wants guaranteed 1BR at BLT (or guaranteed 1BR standard), or you anticipate needing certain weekends where DVC gets really packed, you may want BLT points to have that 7-11 mo home booking advantage.

With that, I wonder what the $ diffential is in buying SSR points to use for 1 BR LV at BLT, versus using BLT points for a 1br standard or a studio of any size at BLT....

With those points in mind, we bought at BLT because we were thinking we'd mostly stay in studios or standard 1BR, and aren't as flexible with our dates, and so we wanted that 11 mo advantage. We have a 6yo and an almost 2yo, so BLT made the most sense for us.

As for renting before you buy --I wouldn't worry about it too much, as you seem pretty well acquainted with the WDW resorts. We are staying in August on rented points at VGF and BCV, 2 resorts we had also been considering when we thought we'd buy DVC late 2017 or into 2018. But we decided we didn't want to wait any longer and bought BLT with the idea of staying mostly in studios, having never even seen a BLT studio (we thought we'd "start small" ). We had rented points last year for a 2BR at BLT with extended family and loved it. Having booked a studio in 2018, I now wish we'd bought maybe 20 more points so we could afford a 1BR at BLT all the time. <----- Other than that slight regret (we can always add on, lol), we are happy with our resort choice, but also know that as our kids grow up our preferences could change, and it may be easier to stay in a studio once the girls can share a bed.

 

[kboo]

BTW, our "ultimate/long-range" plan, if DH gets onboard, which I think he will - is 2 contracts in the 160-180 point range at 2 different home resorts that will need 11 mo booking priority, possibly MK and EP. As the plan goes, that would enable us to comfortably have a week or more in a 1BR annually, using points from each resort in alternate years. (ie 1BR at MK home resort in year 1, 1BR at EP home resort in year 2, etc.)

 

[ELMC]

IMO the only thing that BLT has going for it is the walk to the MK and the monorail. The TP view is overrated, yes you are close but you don't really see anything but the high fireworks. The pool is just okay, the theming is like any other hotel, at Disney I want something that I can't get at home. It is better now, originally you had to check in at the contemporary, there wasn't bell services on site, the rooms seemed to have more damage and wear than other resorts, the building HVAC had issues, and the dues are increasing around 6.4% per year.

Bill

Oh Bill, the hate has gone too far! I will say that I agree with you about the wear and tear. The word on the street was that BLT was built on the cheap and dues were kept artificially low in the beginning to help sales. It was predicted that as the resort sold out and things started to go wrong, dues would go up quickly. Whoever said that was pretty wise, because they hit the nail right on the head. I'll also agree that the theming (or lack thereof) at BLT is not for everybody. But we actually love the theming and I think that the pool is fun and the TP views are amazing if you like to watch "stuff" such as the buses, boats, monorails, castle, rides, etc. etc. Point is, based on our completely differing opinions, you may want to check it out for yourself to see if it's a good fit for you.

BTW, our "ultimate/long-range" plan, if DH gets onboard, which I think he will - is 2 contracts in the 160-180 point range at 2 different home resorts that will need 11 mo booking priority, possibly MK and EP. As the plan goes, that would enable us to comfortably have a week or more in a 1BR annually, using points from each resort in alternate years. (ie 1BR at MK home resort in year 1, 1BR at EP home resort in year 2, etc.)

I think this is a great plan. If F&W is something that interests you at all, you really need to own an Epcot DVC resort. It's starting to get that way with F&G as well, but not as bad. Although...Swan and Dolphin typically have good availability during F&W much closer to the event, so that is always a good backup plan.

 

[Wakey]

Agree with many of the points. My 2 cents:

1. Wouldn't buy an Epcot resort. Given the age of your daughter and proximity, it's likely you could hold onto it for 20 years. Little resale value left by then. You are also young so it would expire too early if holding on.
2. Don't bother buying for perks, you already get FLA resident discounts and I take it you'll probably buy an AP?
3. BLT studios are poor in my view, too small . The 1 beds are a different kettle of fish, with 2 baths and 5 sleeping surfaces and are very nice rooms. Suspect they could be perfect for you and a growing family. Location is ideal with a 2 year old. If you fancied somewhere else long term when kids are older, you could easily sell and buy a different one. Chances are you won't lose money on BLT.
4. Buying 2 resorts may be a good idea, but question which ones? Epcot are out for me due to remaining time on contract. Poly is out as no 1 beds. VGF is potentially out because points numbers for a 1 bed to stay there are very high with higher buy in price, so I'd have to buy even more points. AKL not a bad choice. Given you book some trips with little notice you could end up at AKL, SSR or OKW anyway and out of those SSR is the best buy financially.
5. Whatever you do try to buy 2 contracts and not one big 300 pointer. Easier to sell and downsize.
6. Given you book a 1 bed, be aware there is MUCH more 7 month availability Jan to end Sept than a studio. As long as you book on 7 months you can (or have been able to, including checking next year) literally book anywhere in that period , including VGF in this period as long as you take the 1 bed . In fact it can be easier to get a 1 bed at VGF at 7 months than a studio at 11. If you will travel any time in this off season, which I assume you will, you could likely get a 1 bed at VGF with your cheap SSR points if you had a desire to stay there. Also there is some 1 bed availability in the busy season. 1 bed booking gives you much greater resort choice 7 months or less.
7. Weighing it up I'd get a split of contracts at BLT (if you like it after your stay) and SSR. BLT so you can get that close proximity to MK even in busy times if you book far enough in advance, good value resort, highly sellable. SSR because if you are booking late you may as well buy the cheapest, and it's a lovely underrated resort there if you get stuck there, highly sellable still in 20 years. I've seen numerous threads recently of BWV owners now saying they prefer DS on an evening to Boardwalk. If you hit lucky you can get a loaded SSR for around 75- 80 and remember you'll be able to use those points all over for your one bed. Happy buying.