Just got off the phone with my guide -- BLT @ Contemporary Info

[tecodis]

I just ran some numbers for a 2 bedroom stay during Christmas at SSR, compared to BLT.....wow. Lake view was 33% more points, MK view was almost about 55% more

SSR 180 points
BLT 220 points standard view
BLT 244 points lake view
BLT 292 points MK view

BLT@CR lookin' like it gonna be pricey!! Ouchy!

 

[LisaS]

I didn't realize they had done this. I stand corrected. Thanks for the info!

It will be interesting to see if they do the same thing with the BLT models. With AKV, it just kept getting better as they replaced things over those first couple of months. Each new item was more in keeping with the style and character of the resort. The final product was much better than what they had when the model rooms first opened.

 

[lisareniff]

The decor at AKV changed quite a bit over the first few months of sales. Sales started in early Feb 2007. As of April 2007 they were still tweaking the furnishings in the model room. They changed the sofa, the dressers in both the 1BR and studio, the wardrobe, the dining table, chairs and bench, the side tables, some of the light fixtures, the bathroom tile and probably some other things I don't remember. It was quite interesting seeing the model rooms evolve as people would return from trips and post the latest photos.

Yes, I remember this. I really liked the first versions better. I thought it was a more sophisticated exotic look.

Here's hoping they tweak BLT@CR

 

[bookswin]

I'd like to see some figures on how they can operate this resort over 25% cheaper than the other "hotel like" resorts. Actually 37% less than BWV. Does it have to do with the points being more per room?

They won't be running anywhere near as many busses to/from this resort; people will be walking to MK or taking the monorail somewhere.

I assume they take that into consideration when calculating annual fees; if not, they should.

 

[Budshark]

DVC usually subsidizes part of the dues at first because all units are not sold. I'd like to see some figures on how they can operate this resort over 25% cheaper than the other "hotel like" resorts. Actually 37% less than BWV. Does it have to do with the points being more per room?

Its a combination of factors:

1) Its newer. They won't be replacing a roof or upgrading furniture next month.
2) The more points a room. If the room cost 30-50% more points (as has been thrown around on here) - the MF should likely be less.
3) Most Important - I haven't seen anyone comment on this yet. Its 1 building. 1 roof. 1 main sewer feed. 1 exterior. And its a cheap building. Mostly windows on the exterior. Paint and maintenance is lower. There's a reason high rises have windows - and its not because it makes it brighter inside. Its because its cheaper to maintain floors and floors of windows over having to paint an exterior.

There is also less landscape, overall land, etc. Its just fundamentally a cheaper facility to maintain. And even though your room "costs more" in points - the furniture/materials/features are all the same. So its just flat out cheaper.

Chris

 

[honeymo78]

Its a combination of factors:

1) Its newer. They won't be replacing a roof or upgrading furniture next month.
2) The more points a room. If the room cost 30-50% more points (as has been thrown around on here) - the MF should likely be less.
3) Most Important - I haven't seen anyone comment on this yet. Its 1 building. 1 roof. 1 main sewer feed. 1 exterior. And its a cheap building. Mostly windows on the exterior. Paint and maintenance is lower. There's a reason high rises have windows - and its not because it makes it brighter inside. Its because its cheaper to maintain floors and floors of windows over having to paint an exterior.

There is also less landscape, overall land, etc. Its just fundamentally a cheaper facility to maintain. And even though your room "costs more" in points - the furniture/materials/features are all the same. So its just flat out cheaper.

Chris

My guide also mentioned that fact that b/c it was built on the North Wing site, all the infrastructure was there - electric, sewer, water, etc.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I am not one of those whose buying at this time. Since I own points at the BWV, it would be VERY expensive for me to stay there in terms of maintenance fees compared to BLT owners. But, BLT owners can book rooms at OKW, with the lowest # of points and that will make their stays much cheapter, in terms of maintenance fees, than those that own OKW. Much cheaper. I am going to hold out for the Poly DVC or GF DVC. lol.

 

[Budshark]

I am not one of those whose buying at this time. Since I own points at the BWV, it would be VERY expensive for me to stay there in terms of maintenance fees compared to BLT owners. But, BLT owners can book rooms at OKW, with the lowest # of points and that will make their stays much cheapter, in terms of maintenance fees, than those that own OKW. Much cheaper. I am going to hold out for the Poly DVC or GF DVC. lol.

I guess I don't understand this thinking. MF are such a SMALL yearly difference - it surprises me people make such big decisions on them.

Cost difference for BWV vs. BLT for a 33 pt room: $45.21
Yearly cost difference for BWV vs BLT for 300 pts: $411
Current purchase price difference (resale BWV vs. new BLT): >$7000

#1 I'm not sure I personally would make Disney vacation decisions based on a $45 difference - particularly for what you get at BLT
#2 If I'm buying in, and I don't want/need BLT as my home - it would still make much more sense to buy BWV and stay at BLT when I could to save the $$$
#3 If I already owned BWV - the $411 a year isn't enough that I would declare BLT much cheaper - particularly on a $20,000+ investment.

Just my .02...

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I am not one of those whose buying at this time. Since I own points at the BWV, it would be VERY expensive for me to stay there in terms of maintenance fees compared to BLT owners. But, BLT owners can book rooms at OKW, with the lowest # of points and that will make their stays much cheapter, in terms of maintenance fees, than those that own OKW. Much cheaper. I am going to hold out for the Poly DVC or GF DVC. lol.

As someone who currently owns at OKW and will own at BLT, I don't see BLT owners booking too often at OKW, unless it might be for a Grand Villa. And this is nothing against OKW, it is and probably always will be my favorite resort.

 

[MrDVC]

#2 If I'm buying in, and I don't want/need BLT as my home - it would still make much more sense to buy BWV and stay at BLT when I could to save the $$$

Here's where owning at BLT will make a difference, finances asside...

IMO, it depends on when you want to stay there. If you wish to spend your time at WDW during a major holiday and plan on visiting the MK on that holiday, then you do not have to worry about bus lines to get back to your room. You just walk. Personally, my family and I like visiting during major holidays.

 

[lugnut33]

While I think booking at the 11 month window will be a very important perk for owning BLT, what if it isn't? Wouldn't it make more sense to buy SSR resale at $72 a point and book at the 7 months? Wouldn't you effectively be buying BLT at a huge discounted price if you did this?

(I doubt anybody will be able to book at the 7 month window unless you get lucky. I would think DVC would sell the rooms back to central reservations at a huge markup and wouldn't want DVCers from other resorts making reservations there)

 

[DVCRSheridan]

Here's where owning at BLT will make a difference, finances asside...

IMO, it depends on when you want to stay there. If you wish to spend your time at WDW during a major holiday and plan on visiting the MK on that holiday, then you do not have to worry about bus lines to get back to your room. You just walk. Personally, my family and I like visiting during major holidays.

You're absolutely right, we also love to visit @ Halloween & Christmas and the bus lines are INSANE after MNSSHP & MVMCP! The convenience of just strolling back to the hotel will be awesome! We're going down next Sunday and will be attending MNSSHP while there so we actually just used our points to stay @ Poly knowing how much easier it will be to return home after the party. Granted it was a lot more points, but we had extra and the convenience is worth it to us.

 

[honeymo78]

RSheridan - we visit at halloween as well (mid Oct to be precise). Nothing beats walking back from MNSSHP or even watching Hallowishes from our balcony at CR. I'm so exicted that BLT has come to DVC.

 

[DVCRSheridan]

CR has always been my favorite resort and now to have the opportunity to stay there on most vacations is gonna be amazing.... and I for one actually like the decor! I can't wait, hopefully I can officially add-on while @ WDW next week!

 

[mgilmer]

Here it is:

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...rts/2009/2009PointsChart_DVC_BayLakeTower.pdf

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Here it is:

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...rts/2009/2009PointsChart_DVC_BayLakeTower.pdf

Thanks for the link!

 

[jdg345]

Here it is:

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...rts/2009/2009PointsChart_DVC_BayLakeTower.pdf

Didn't work for me; can you post a snapshot?

 

[CarolA]

.
3) Most Important - I haven't seen anyone comment on this yet. Its 1 building. 1 roof. 1 main sewer feed. 1 exterior. And its a cheap building. Mostly windows on the exterior. Paint and maintenance is lower. There's a reason high rises have windows - and its not because it makes it brighter inside. Its because its cheaper to maintain floors and floors of windows over having to paint an exterior.



Chris

Well, one thing to consider.

If the hurricane has strength when it hits MCO this type of building can be the costliest to repair. One of my former employer's facilities had to be COMPLETELY gutted after it was hit by a storm. So you better hope those dues are enough to build a decent reserve!

 

[Budshark]

Well, one thing to consider.

If the hurricane has strength when it hits MCO this type of building can be the costliest to repair. One of my former employer's facilities had to be COMPLETELY gutted after it was hit by a storm. So you better hope those dues are enough to build a decent reserve!

It would take a hurricane of untold measure to be strong enough to cause that type of damage in Orlando (central Florida)...

But with that said, Florida building codes should protect them as well as insurance protect the owners... I think its safe to take this risk versus having to paint the building constantly.

Chris