New to idea of DVC...looking for advice, info

[tmannelly]

Hi! My husband and I just returned from a WDW vacation with our 3 year old daughter. We stayed at the Polynesian...loved it. I have been to both WDW and DL many many times, my husband only twice. We were excited to share the magic with our daughter.

Anyway, we went to the DVC open house and got all of the information for buying into the BLT, which look fabulous. Plus, Disney is offering some great incentives...225 free points (at least we were looking at buying 225 points, so maybe they match the points) to be used at SSR or one other resort (can't remember) or banked in RIC for 2 years PLUS $5 per point (for us would be 1125$) toward down payment/on Disney visa, whatever. Basically a $5/point rebate. All of these incentives are if you commit while you are on vacation, of course. I still think paying $112 a point for BLT is pretty steep...

So, we returned home and started looking into resales. We are looking at BWV or BCV. While BLT looks amazing and getting a view of MK (if you can get it) would be fantastic) and being on the monorail line is great with small children, I like the idea of being by Epcot and Boardwalk for future use. Any opinions/pros/cons between BWV or BCV? I have stayed at Boardwalk hotel once before, but never the villas and never BCV.

Also, anybody have ROFR exercised recently on these 2 resorts? I am looking at some resales that are between $78-82/point for BWV and $89-93/point for BCV. Just don't know if the extra $10/point is worth it for BCV.

Just curious on people's thoughts...Sorry I am wordy, not used to these discussion boards.

 

[5forDiz]

Often (but not always) when you are told an incentive is only available while you are still onsite at WDW, you may still be able to get it at a later date within a reasonable amount of time; if you call guide you can ask if it can still be honored because that will sway you on the purchase.

imho, you are wise to think ahead and think about what would be a better long-term situation for you and your family - - kids do grow up quickly and we've found that our 3 kids as they've gotten older do prefer Epcot & DHS over MK and our kids like the freedom BWV / BCV resort areas gives them - - DS and older DD are at age where they like to venture around on their own to ESPN, Beaches & Cream, even Swan & Dolphin and also like being able to walk to Epcot & DHS instead of waiting for boat. Our youngest DD is 12 and she really prefers this location too for renting bikes to ride around Crescent Lake, Boardwalk enterntainment, carnival games, gift shops as you can walk to all the resorts and have lots to choose from. Our eldest 2 are old enough as well so that leaving our youngest in villa with them later in the evening allows DH & I to get in some time at one of the club's at BWV (Jelly Rolls or Atlantic Dance) or a nightcap at one of the hotel lounges if we want.

BWV has a great pool & BCV of course has Stormalong Bay Pool which is like having your own waterpark right outside your villa.

You'll most likely find a much better value on re-sale for BCV & BWV. Check board sponsor The Timeshare Store's listings ( click their banner at top of page). And here is link to Donald is #1's thread on contracts that have recently made it through ROFR or not - most recent post is #448 on Page 30. Each resorts is listed and it will give you a good idea at what they're going for.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1960185


Best wishes on your planning

 

[chalee94]

Any opinions/pros/cons between BWV or BCV? I have stayed at Boardwalk hotel once before, but never the villas and never BCV.

i assume you know that BWV and BCV expire in 2042 while BLT expires in 2060, but i'll clarify it anyway.

 

[Donald is #1]

tmannelly, as 5forDiz mentioned, please check out the resale thread. Also, please ask us any questions that you have.

 

[mooneyda]

I own at BW and BC actually I kind of prefer the BW of the two but the SLB pool at BC is the best.Why I prefer the BW is the BW view( like just above the big river grill)I had overlooking the lake and epcot .You can watch the fireworks from your balcony

 

[iloveokw]

Don't own either one (have OKW, Vero and HH), but have stayed at both more than once. If I were to buy points at one it would be BC. The pool is really nice and the hallways aren't as long as the ones at BW - which can be brutal after a long days in the park. Also parking is more convenient to BC than BW. Just my two cents for what they are worth

 

[Coach81]

DVC is a big-time investment. Please do as much research as you can, ask as many questions as you can before you decide to take the plunge. I would also recommend looking into the TTS hosting this board, we got our resale from them, and are very happy with them. As we have never stayed at BWV (heading to BWV this summer) or BCV as of yet, I cannot really comment on the resorts other than they both seem great from feedback on these boards.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[disneymamaof2]

I do not own at either BWV or BCV (own at VWL and AKV) however we have stayed at both and we love BCV!!! If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

 

[kerickson]

i assume you know that BWV and BCV expire in 2042 while BLT expires in 2060, but i'll clarify it anyway.

33yrs vs 60yrs is a big difference when you have a 3yo. If you want to share DVC/WDW with your grandkids, then you may want the 60 yrs at BLT. Also, BLT has lower maintanence fees, so it may be cheaper than BCV over the lifetime of the membership...

 

[crisi]

The differences:

BLT has a longer life to it than BWV or BCV.

BCV has SAB - which is a very cool pool. Its a very small resort and while its possible to stay there if you are not an owner, being an owner and booking more than seven months out really increases your chances for a room. You cannot pool hop to SAB.

BWV has standard view and boardwalk view booking categories. While its less difficult to get a room at BWV than BCV, its harder to get one of the standard or boardwalk view rooms if you don't own. Don't buy another resort intending to be able to take regular advantage of standard view points at the Boardwalk. Boardwalk has slightly higher dues (due to the standard view rooms) than BCVs.

Both BWV and BCV are walking distance to Epcot and DHS - BCV is a little closer to Epcot, but you do so much walking at Disney I don't believe the difference is material for most people.

 

[calgarygary]

Do yourself a big favour and first educate yourself about timeshares, both DVC and others. Visit TUG where you will find forums devoted to DVC and virtually all timeshare systems. While getting that education, take the time to determine how much you are willing to spend to stay onsite. If you are content with offsite stays, then DVC is not for you and quite possibly, a ts may not be necessary as it is quite easy to either rent DVC points or offsite timeshares - sometimes at rates below maintenance fees.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

When the contract is near done, do you get the chance to extend it?

 

[chalee94]

When the contract is near done, do you get the chance to extend it?

they offered OKW owners a 15 year extension last year (i.e. 34 years from being "near done.") but OKW is a standalone resort and others are connected to hotels and their fate may be also be connected to the hotel side.

so maybe you'll get a chance to extend it (for an extra bit of cash) and maybe you won't.

 

[Anal Annie]

Just make sure you ask to see the 2010 point charts first so you can base the number of points you purchase on the re-allocated ones not the 2009 charts. Many members are now short points with the restructuring.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Just make sure you ask to see the 2010 point charts first so you can base the number of points you purchase on the re-allocated ones not the 2009 charts. Many members are now short points with the restructuring.

Good point!