Just back from WDW - we did the tour and bought into BLT!!!

[Crystal_27]

As an update, DH, DD, and I just returned from our magical stay at WDW during which we bought into BLT (220 points). We did the tour at SSR and the BLT rooms were just incredible (as is the entire SSR resort - WOW!!).

For those on the fence, just as an FYI, we were told by our guide (James) that the $5/point discount and the cruise incentives will be ending on March 15th (today). I scoffed a bit at that and asked if there were better incentives on the horizon and he said no, but he did assure me that if a better incentive program came along before our "closing," we would be eligible for it (even though all of the papers are signed, it will take about a month to actually complete the recordation of the deed). Also, we were able to book a two bedroom standard view at BLT for September 25th with no problem whatsoever.

BLT is still slotted to open in early August, and I was told that the club and the pool were on schedule to open on that date as well. Apparently, the club and pool are going to be exclusive to BLT DVC members only, and if you rent your points out, those staying on your points will not have access to the club/pool (although they can, of course, use the Contemporary pool).

Also, James did confirm that we can upgrade our cruise voucher to a verandah for approximately $80/person.

Finally, in addition to the icecream social, at the end of the tour, we were given 6 cards containing 3 FastPasses each which netted us 18 FastPasses for our trip which were very, very helpful in touring the park. The travel/sales pitch/touring/buying process took about 3 hours so make sure to set aside a substantial chunk of time to devote to the process if you decide to tour.

I think that's about it, but if anyone has any questions, since I'm fresh off the tour and the buying process, I'll be glad to help answer them. And thanks to everyone who has assisted me so much during these past few weeks as we debated on whether or not to join.

Now, where can I get one of those cool BLT icons for my signature?

 

[rcmsfeb04]

Congratulations!!!! How exciting!

We are in the process of closing on 185 points at BLT. We were starting to plan our non DVC vacation for next February and after looking at the price of lodging decided to go ahead and buy into BLT.

We were big fans of SSR and almost bought there but I am so glad we went with BLT!!

Congratulations again!

 

[~Kristina~]

We had a tour with James yesterday morning. How much were you offered off? I just heard someone else was offered 1150. 2 days ago and we were only offered 1000.

 

[Sandisw]

Congratulations and Welcome home Neighbor!!!!!

I am as excited about BLT as you!!!!

To get one of the signatures, you are welcome to copy mine! I have sent you a PM with how to do it!!!!

So glad to her your trip to WDW was magical!

Sandi

 

[Crystal_27]

Congratulations!!!! How exciting!

We are in the process of closing on 185 points at BLT. We were starting to plan our non DVC vacation for next February and after looking at the price of lodging decided to go ahead and buy into BLT.

We were big fans of SSR and almost bought there but I am so glad we went with BLT!!

Congratulations again!

And congratulations right back atcha!

We had a tour with James yesterday morning. How much were you offered off? I just heard someone else was offered 1150. 2 days ago and we were only offered 1000.

We opted for the discounted point price and the 4-night cruise instead of the $1,000 gift card and SSR stay. If you use an existing DVC member's name, you will get the discounted point price (to be used towards your downpayment or as a gift card) and the cruise. Feel free to PM me and I will give you my name if you prefer the discounted points and cruise.

The buy-in at BLT is $112/point, but you will get a $5 discount per point if you use an existing member's name as well as a 3-night, 4-night, or 7-night cruise depending on how many points you buy. I believe its 160-199 points for a 3 night cruise; 200-269 for a 4-night cruise; and 270+ for a 7-night cruise.

 

[~Kristina~]

Thanks for the response! We do know a DVC member and were offered the cruise. I'm sure my connection is almost over. Congratulations!! I'll be joining you soon in the Club!!

 

[Crystal_27]

Congratulations and Welcome home Neighbor!!!!!

I am as excited about BLT as you!!!!

To get one of the signatures, you are welcome to copy mine! I have sent you a PM with how to do it!!!!

So glad to her your trip to WDW was magical!

Sandi

Cool - how's it look?? Am I officially official? LOLOLOLOL

Thanks for the response! We do know a DVC member and were offered the cruise. I'm sure my connection is almost over. Congratulations!! I'll be joining you soon in the Club!!

YAY - another happy BLT owner! Congrats!

 

[pixierella]

Congratulations and welcome home! We also took the tour on our last trip and bought right then and there. Can't wait to explore our new home.

 

[Crystal_27]

Congratulations and welcome home! We also took the tour on our last trip and bought right then and there. Can't wait to explore our new home.

Thank you so much, neighbor!! We are very, very excited!!

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

A couple things stood out for me that you and James discussed and raised some questions. Maybe you discussed this with James and can provide some insight.

For those on the fence, just as an FYI, we were told by our guide (James) that the $5/point discount and the cruise incentives will be ending on March 15th (today). I scoffed a bit at that and asked if there were better incentives on the horizon and he said no, but he did assure me that if a better incentive program came along before our "closing," we would be eligible for it (even though all of the papers are signed, it will take about a month to actually complete the recordation of the deed). "

"BLT is still slotted to open in early August, and I was told that the club and the pool were on schedule to open on that date as well. Apparently, the club and pool are going to be exclusive to BLT DVC members only, and if you rent your points out, those staying on your points will not have access to the club/pool (although they can, of course, use the Contemporary pool). "

1. How would they be able to give you the current offerings if the papers are signed by both sides and just waiting to be recorded? Did he say DVC will reimburse you if the point discount is greater than $5.00 and or provide whatever other incentives are available? Would that change the recording info on price paid?

2. How will they know if someone rented their points vs when a DVC member let their guests, family or friends, use their DVC? Are they saying that if you give a room as a gift to your children, parents or other family members and friends that they cannot use the pool or club? This is a different policy than SAB where if you are staying in the BCV you can use the pool. Will they also limit the use of the pool and club to cash paying guests who book through CRO?

I can't help but feel James is just telling you what he thinks you want to hear.

Cogratulations on your BLT purchase. We go back and forth on whether this is something we should do or just use our existing points and stay when we want.

 

[Sandisw]

A couple things stood out for me that you and James discussed and raised some questions. Maybe you discussed this with James and can provide some insight.







1. How would they be able to give you the current offerings if the papers are signed by both sides and just waiting to be recorded? Did he say DVC will reimburse you if the point discount is greater than $5.00 and or provide whatever other incentives are available? Would that change the recording info on price paid?

2. How will they know if someone rented their points vs when a DVC member let their guests, family or friends, use their DVC? Are they saying that if you give a room as a gift to your children, parents or other family members and friends that they cannot use the pool or club? This is a different policy than SAB where if you are staying in the BCV you can use the pool. Will they also limit the use of the pool and club to cash paying guests who book through CRO?

I can't help but feel James is just telling you what he thinks you want to hear.

Cogratulations on your BLT purchase. We go back and forth on whether this is something we should do or just use our existing points and stay when we want.

Changes can be made to any of the contracts up until they actually close. I added on at BLT in February (the 7th). I have since changed things 3 times (added more points) and just received the revised contracts Friday, March 13th, more than a month after I initiated my original deal.

Matter of fact, I had even sent the first set of contracts back already signed and a week later, wanted more points, and got my guide to pull the papers.

So, if a new incentive comes out and the actual closing has not happened, the buyer could, if they wanted to, call Disney and ask that they redo the contracts.

Once a buyer signs, I believe, under Florida law, they have 10 days from signing, to change their mind. Closing is usually scheduled after that 10 days so it is possible.

Once the contract is closed, however, your deal is final.

I am not sure how they are going to keep certain BLT resort guests (with DVC owners, renters/family members, or guests staying on cash) from using the pool/lounge. Can you imagine paying money to stay at a resort and being told you can't use it?...even if that was their intent, it would change very quickly!!!

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

Thats good to know that the incentives can change and you can benefit from them if you haven't closed. Then people don't have to wait for the next set of incentives to be announced before making a decision.

As for the pool use, I'm guessing that the only thing they can enforce is that only guests staying at BLT can use the pool or the lounge regardless of whether it's because you rented your points, you gave them to family or friends or CRO rented them out.

I won't be happy if CRO rents a room and those guests are allowed to use all the facilities but if my children are staying there with their families on my points they will not be allowed to use all the facilities. Can they even do that? The DVC contract experts on this board will enlighten me I'm sure.

 

[msteddom]

Hmmm...I can see limiting access to the lounge, but limiting access to the pool??? If I am a guest at that property, I should be allowed to use to the pool, no matter how I booked my reservation. It just seems strange...

 

[Sandisw]

Hmmm...I can see limiting access to the lounge, but limiting access to the pool??? If I am a guest at that property, I should be allowed to use to the pool, no matter how I booked my reservation. It just seems strange...

I agree...how would they ever do that? First, the pool would have to be enclosed (and maybe it is). They would also have to have someone checking, but what? A DVC member card? Since my children don't have member cards, would that mean that they couldn't (they are older) go down to the pool by themselves? I guess you could use room keys because they say DVC, but don't people renting points have that on their KTTW cards?

And, to be honest, if I was paying for a room from CRO and told I couldn't use the pool, but had to walk over to the CR to use it, I would not be happy unless I was told that before booking the room.

I think this is the same as the observation deck. Disney can and will say anything right now and until the resort opens. Once it opens, they can do whatever they want, including changing the rules as they go along.

Personally, I am okay with anyone staying at BLT (either on points, as renters, or paying cash through CRO) using the pool. But the CR guests, since they have their own pool, should be limited to just that.

 

[Sandisw]

Same discussion is being debated on the Disney resort boards right now. Someone who booked a cash reservation through CRO was told by the CM that she would have access to all the pools at BLT, as well as that at CR (but that CR guest would not have access to BLT).

Also, when you try and book BLT through WDW website, it includes the pool as one of the amenities available to all guests.

So, any mention to DVC owners that the pool will be exclusive to DVC owners is not the same message being advertised to those booking with cash through CRO.

Here is the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2119464

 

[Crystal_27]

2. How will they know if someone rented their points vs when a DVC member let their guests, family or friends, use their DVC? Are they saying that if you give a room as a gift to your children, parents or other family members and friends that they cannot use the pool or club? This is a different policy than SAB where if you are staying in the BCV you can use the pool. Will they also limit the use of the pool and club to cash paying guests who book through CRO?

I can't help but feel James is just telling you what he thinks you want to hear.

Cogratulations on your BLT purchase. We go back and forth on whether this is something we should do or just use our existing points and stay when we want.

Yeah, I honestly don't know how the club and pool is limited (or why it would be, frankly) but that is one thing that James specifically told me, unprompted, when we looked at the concept drawings of the pool and club at BLT when we did the tour. He said that we, as DVC members, would have access to both pools, but those staying at the CR and anyone we rented points out to would not have access to either (although, of course, those we rented points to would have access to the main CR pool). Again, that seems silly to me (and unenforceable) but I'm just passing along what he told me, especially because it's something that I had not heard or read before. I guess only time will tell on this one...

 

[stopher1]

Congratulations, and welcome home!

 

[DVCGeek]

First, Welcome Home!

He said that we, as DVC members, would have access to both pools, but those staying at the CR and anyone we rented points out to would not have access to either (although, of course, those we rented points to would have access to the main CR pool). Again, that seems silly to me (and unenforceable) but I'm just passing along what he told me, especially because it's something that I had not heard or read before. I guess only time will tell on this one...

Was he possibly referring to Pool Hopping privileges? Those are for members only (and guests with the member present at the time). That means you can use pools at most of the other resorts during most times of the year, not only the one you are staying at. However, everyone staying @ BLT should have pool access from what I was told (haven't asked recently). The club on top of the tower is a different story; it is NOT considered part of the facility that members own so anything goes with it. Be interesting to see what happens when people start staying there!

As for the pool, it will probably be gated and require a room key for entry. That is how they were at the Grand Californian HOTEL when I was there in mid-November 2008. Not sure about PP or DLH, but my guess is yes so there wouldn't be pool crashers from other hotels, Disney or otherwise.

 

[oakmanner]

Congrats and Welcome Home!

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

I can see them limiting pool usage to those who are guests at BLT and doing so by either gate access with a room key or wrst bands where they have someone check room keys like they do at BCV. I can't see them limiting the use to only members leaving CRO guests and member guests outside looking in. If they do but they allow CRO guests and not my family who I have given a room then I will be very upset. I just don't see them doing it.