How easy to get BLT?

[msmdisney]

Hi- I am hoping to join DVC soon and looking to purchase a 300 point contract via resale at SSR. While I'd be interested in staying at many of the DVC properties, my primary interest would be in staying at BLT. I'm looking to purchase at SSR as many do though b/c of the less expensive price point. I'm curious to know anyone's thoughts on hard it would be to get a 1 or 2 BR at BLT with the shorter booking window if going in late January, late October, or early December (the only times we typically go to WDW). Thanks!

 

[rlovew]

Hi- I am hoping to join DVC soon and looking to purchase a 300 point contract via resale at SSR. While I'd be interested in staying at many of the DVC properties, my primary interest would be in staying at BLT. I'm looking to purchase at SSR as many do though b/c of the less expensive price point. I'm curious to know anyone's thoughts on hard it would be to get a 1 or 2 BR at BLT with the shorter booking window if going in late January, late October, or early December (the only times we typically go to WDW). Thanks!

You should be able to get a lakeview room easily at BLT in late January. Since BLT has been booked up to owners before the 7 month window opens in Dec regularly over the years I would say stays at that time are unlike. In fact during those weeks in Dec it is hard to get anything other than your home resort. October is hit or miss depending on the part of October but possible if you book at 8am on the 7 month window (the Epcot resorts book up first followed by VGF and BLT at that time). If those are your travel times to Disney you are booking during the busiest quarter for DVC for 2/3rds of your trips and should buy where you want to stay.

 

[Msmithmd]

Late January easy. Late October difficult. Early December impossible.

Also generally you won't get a standard view any time of the year if you don't own at BLT.

Your plan is reasonable, as long as you understand it should get you BLT a third of the time or so. If you want to stay there consistently, especially in the fall/early winter, then you need to own there.

 

[msmdisney]

Thanks-makes sense. I think 1/3 of the time may be enough. That said, are either of those times difficult to get a room at BLT with the 11 month window? My assumption all along is that with the 11 month window you should be good booking at your home resort, but is that a correct assumption? I guess I ask b/c if it's hard to get BLT at those Oct and Dec timeframes even with the 11 month window, then I may as well just buy at a less expensive resort and just plan on trying to get BLT in January only. Thanks for the comments.

 

[chalee94]

Thanks-makes sense. I think 1/3 of the time may be enough. That said, are either of those times difficult to get a room at BLT with the 11 month window? My assumption all along is that with the 11 month window you should be good booking at your home resort, but is that a correct assumption?

generally, yes.

but standard view villas at BLT are relatively more limited in number, so those can be iffy to get at the 11 month window for extremely busy periods like early december.

 

[disneynutz]

If you 100% want to stay at BLT, then buy BLT. Every year booking at 7 months gets more competitive.

If you don't mind the occasional booking disappointment, then buy SSR.

Bill

 

[DVCcurious]

If you 100% want to stay at BLT, then buy BLT. Every year booking at 7 months gets more competitive.

That is my thought and exactly what I just did.

I was considering buying SSR to save some cash, but I only want to stay at BLT. The $20 per point difference is like .50 per point each year over the life of the contract.

The question to ask isn't "Can I get in at 7 months with the current number of DVC members" it's "Will I be able to get in to BLT at 7 months when DVC expands to 4 more resorts by 2025".

Remember, if you're buying you're looking at a 40 year commitment, I guarantee there will be a ton more DVC members in 20 years which is half way through that commitment period. I think the ability to book at the popular resorts at 7 months will be gone in the next 10 years.

You'll always be able to book at non-home resorts with low demand like Animal Kingdom, SSR, and OLD Key West but I doubt you'll be able to book 1 full week at BLT, GFV, Poly, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, or Boardwalk.

 

[Msmithmd]

I think the ability to book at the popular resorts at 7 months will be gone in the next 10 years. You'll always be able to book at non-home resorts with low demand like Animal Kingdom, SSR, and OLD Key West but I doubt you'll be able to book 1 full week at BLT, GFV, Poly, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, or Boardwalk.

I like your sentiment. But it really depends on what DVC decides to do "next" after Poly.

If they proceed with the rumored expansions at the Beach Club and Wilderness lodge, and then decide to do the serious swamp reclamation work that it would require to build out the final monorail pad (building a new deluxe on the area between the TTC and the Contemporary), then I think booking at high demand properties might get easier. Another very high demand option would be something attached directly to a park with a private gate, analogous to VGC. "Disney's Hollywood Tower Resort and Villas", anyone?...

If, on the other hand, they decide to build another massive resort further from the parks, that has buses with multiple stops as its' only transportation option, then you're absolutely correct about dwindling future seven month booking chances at any of the places you mentioned.

 

[mort1331]

Late January easy. Late October difficult. Early December impossible.

Also generally you won't get a standard view any time of the year if you don't own at BLT.

Your plan is reasonable, as long as you understand it should get you BLT a third of the time or so. If you want to stay there consistently, especially in the fall/early winter, then you need to own there.

We have two contracts, both with SSR, we stay at all resorts. This past October we had standard studio, and this March we have the same. We are also staying at 1bdrm BC this March too. I would never say anything is impossible, I have always had good luck getting what we wanted.

 

[skier_pete]

That is my thought and exactly what I just did.

I was considering buying SSR to save some cash, but I only want to stay at BLT. The $20 per point difference is like .50 per point each year over the life of the contract.

The question to ask isn't "Can I get in at 7 months with the current number of DVC members" it's "Will I be able to get in to BLT at 7 months when DVC expands to 4 more resorts by 2025".

Remember, if you're buying you're looking at a 40 year commitment, I guarantee there will be a ton more DVC members in 20 years which is half way through that commitment period. I think the ability to book at the popular resorts at 7 months will be gone in the next 10 years.

You'll always be able to book at non-home resorts with low demand like Animal Kingdom, SSR, and OLD Key West but I doubt you'll be able to book 1 full week at BLT, GFV, Poly, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, or Boardwalk.

I am not sure I understand this argument. No matter how many new resorts there are, if you are booking right at 7 months, you may be competing with more people, but you all have an equal shot of getting that booking. Booking at 7 months + 1 day will always be only available to the owners at that resort. The number of owners will never increase.

In fact, the older a resort is, I think it will become easier to get into it. BLT is a little easier now to get into at 7 months since VGF opened, and will become a little easier when the Poly opens. That's because BLT owners will want to book at the Poly if they can. And if they can, that will open more rooms at BLT. See?

Basically, I am saying I would expect BLT to be easier to get into right at 7-months 10 years from now than it is today.

However, it will probably never be available at 7 months during early December.

 

[crisi]

I am not sure I understand this argument. No matter how many new resorts there are, if you are booking right at 7 months, you may be competing with more people, but you all have an equal shot of getting that booking. Booking at 7 months + 1 day will always be only available to the owners at that resort. The number of owners will never increase.

In fact, the older a resort is, I think it will become easier to get into it. BLT is a little easier now to get into at 7 months since VGF opened, and will become a little easier when the Poly opens. That's because BLT owners will want to book at the Poly if they can. And if they can, that will open more rooms at BLT. See?

Basically, I am saying I would expect BLT to be easier to get into right at 7-months 10 years from now than it is today.

However, it will probably never be available at 7 months during early December.

It has to do with a combination of resort size and popularity. It doesn't matter how old BWV gets - there are a small number of bargain standard view rooms that are very popular at certain times of year. They are HARDER to get now then they were ten years ago - even though the resort is ten years older - because now there are more than twice as many members who might find those rooms attractive. As long as there are events that drive attendance at Epcot area resorts - those rooms will be hard to get.

We really don't know what will happen with BLT. If Disney builds a lot of off property resorts - and those people buy those resorts intending to use them at WDW every other year - BLT will be harder to book ten years from now.

 

[jasonv1]

Just got home from a 5 night stay 2 notes ago; 2 days at BWV and 3 at VGF. All 1 bedrooms, but not prime views (though this was intentional).

Originally had 2 at BLT booked but wait listed (and got) BWV to save a few points.

Both VGF and BLT were available at 7 months, and this was for a stay that included 2 chances to go to MNSSHP and of course food and wine. I remember some stuff being full at 7 months, but much was not.

 

[beer dave]

That is my thought and exactly what I just did.

I was considering buying SSR to save some cash, but I only want to stay at BLT. The $20 per point difference is like .50 per point each year over the life of the contract.

The question to ask isn't "Can I get in at 7 months with the current number of DVC members" it's "Will I be able to get in to BLT at 7 months when DVC expands to 4 more resorts by 2025".

Remember, if you're buying you're looking at a 40 year commitment, I guarantee there will be a ton more DVC members in 20 years which is half way through that commitment period. I think the ability to book at the popular resorts at 7 months will be gone in the next 10 years.

You'll always be able to book at non-home resorts with low demand like Animal Kingdom, SSR, and OLD Key West but I doubt you'll be able to book 1 full week at BLT, GFV, Poly, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, or Boardwalk.

Not necessarily-- If they continue to build "desirable" resorts, ( poly for example) then the desirability will be spread out over more resorts. If they build another SSR, then yes you are correct.

If they build another howard johnsons DVC, they will have a hard time selling the points at the price they are now trying to get. I think it is unlikely.

In order for the DVC machine to continue, the offerings need to continually increase in desirability-- otherwise the product will lose value.

 

[RipperSB]

generally, yes.

but standard view villas at BLT are relatively more limited in number, so those can be iffy to get at the 11 month window for extremely busy periods like early december.

As members at BLT, we've booked 11 months out for 12 nights in Dec 13, 7 nights in Mar 14 and, recently 7 nights in Oct 14 and have not been able to get a Standard View Studio, all Lake View.

 

[crisi]

Not necessarily-- If they continue to build "desirable" resorts, ( poly for example) then the desirability will be spread out over more resorts. If they build another SSR, then yes you are correct.

If they build another howard johnsons DVC, they will have a hard time selling the points at the price they are now trying to get. I think it is unlikely.

In order for the DVC machine to continue, the offerings need to continually increase in desirability-- otherwise the product will lose value.

I wouldn't make that assumption. Disney in the past has been very opportunistic about DVC. We are pretty sure there is a large Ft. Wilderness/River Country design sitting around that would reclaim the River Country land - I don't know that would be nearly as desirable as the Poly. There is only so much room near parks - and they'll milk this cow past dry.

For Disney, the value is in the sale, and my guess is that well over half of people who buy DVC don't do much research - so they completely buy the song and dance that its EASY to book a Boardwalk Standard View room when you want it.

My biggest hope - as well as biggest fear for those booking at seven months - is that Disney will continue to expand its off park options - it would be nice to have other places to go like Aulani on points. We loved Hilton Head. But Disney fans who buy the Disney brand will want to go to Disney World.

 

[Missyrose]

My biggest hope - as well as biggest fear for those booking at seven months - is that Disney will continue to expand its off park options - it would be nice to have other places to go like Aulani on points. We loved Hilton Head. But Disney fans who buy the Disney brand will want to go to Disney World.

I vote for Aruba.

 

[daisyx3]

We have booked 7 months out twice--once for a 1 BR for spring break 2012 ( 3 nights) and just last weekend we spent 3 nights in a studio--both lake view. Booked both right at 7 months first thing in the AM.
Daisyx3

 

[beer dave]

I wouldn't make that assumption. Disney in the past has been very opportunistic about DVC. We are pretty sure there is a large Ft. Wilderness/River Country design sitting around that would reclaim the River Country land - I don't know that would be nearly as desirable as the Poly. There is only so much room near parks - and they'll milk this cow past dry.


A resort with it's own water park is fairly desirable, no? and maybe the points per stay would be lighter than the poly?


For Disney, the value is in the sale, and my guess is that well over half of people who buy DVC don't do much research - so they completely buy the song and dance that its EASY to book a Boardwalk Standard View room when you want it.

My biggest hope - as well as biggest fear for those booking at seven months - is that Disney will continue to expand its off park options - it would be nice to have other places to go like Aulani on points. We loved Hilton Head. But Disney fans who buy the Disney brand will want to go to Disney World.

Not my hope, and greatly a fear. This would be as bad for availability as another SSR. Lots of DVC members go to WDW several times a year-- who goes to Hawaii that often? If ever...

 

[crisi]

We hope it, because we don't do Disney often - when we do, we book eleven months out at our home resort which we are happy with. With no interest in "sleeping around at Disney" more resorts offsite gives us different places to use our points.

There isn't a waterpark at River Country and won't be. It would just be another large DVC resort - they don't allow swimming in Bay Lake any longer.

 

[djohn06]

I vote for Aruba.

I second Aruba. That would be sweet!