Newbie needs some help Please.

[CapeCodMatt]

Hello all. Here is my question. I am looking to purchase DVC and I am looking at around 250 points. Here is the problem, BLT looks like the best deal, however this isn't my style of resort. I honestly see myself wanting to stay at BW, OKW, SS, BCV, etc. . . Is it a mistake to buy BLT for the longer contract and lower maintenance fees knowing that I really don't want to say at BLT. Will I have a hard time getting into other resorts. Keep in mind I don't book 7 months out. I am more like a 3 to 5 months out kind of guy. Thanks in advance.

Matt

 

[FigmentLady]

If the 11 month booking advantage isn't something you'd be using then I would personally buy whichever resort makes the most sense financially. BUT the only thing you are garunteed in your contract is access to your home resort. If you don't think you'd enjoy BLT at all, I wouldn't buy there.

 

[vicki_c]

I agree, planning 3-5 months out, I wouldn't buy at a place you wouldn't be happy staying. I'd start looking at the best deal you can get at the places that you could happily stay, even if you had to stay there every time you went.

 

[homedad]

if you only want to plan 3-5 months out, I hope your not looking to visit during traditionaal busy times, you may have issues getting what you want.

 

[BDJazz]

If you are not fond of BLT then I would steer clear. We stayed there in May and afterwards had very similar feelings to what you have regarding BLT. To us it was cold and uninviting and didn't harness the "Disney Magic" that we have come to expect. If I were you I would go to the timeshare store and purchase some points there. AKV is going for about $70 a point and OKW is in the high $50s low $60s. That is a much better deal than you can get direct through Disney for BLT.

 

[CarolMN]

DVC works best for those who plan ahead. If you really will not reserve more than 3-5 months ahead, my advice is to re-think DVC.

Attempting to reserve 3- 5 months out, you will be frustrated more often than not, unless you usually travel mid-January to mid-February, in May or September.. You will be using the waitlist, sometimes just to get consecutive nights at one resort. You may have to take a 1 bedroom when you really wanted a studio. Most of the time you will end up at SSR, OKW or AKV (Kidani).

Do people get reservations 3- 5 months out? Yes, of course, they do and you will read many reports of success. But IMHO, there are many more who do not report and are NOT successful at getting what they want.

Again, DVC works best for those who can plan at least 7 months in advance.

 

[Eeyorerocks!]

We love BLT and absolutely feel the Disney Magic there!

Ordinarily, I would not recommend buying at a home resort you don't like, however looking at it purely from a cost / benefit analysis, it may work for you if you get a good deal. And getting more years out of it is great. Plus my understanding is that the maintenance fees at BLT are favorable as compared with other DVC resorts. And since you would likely not be booking further out than 7 months anyway, home resort takes on less significance. That said, ideally you should be thrilled with your home resort. So I can see how it is a difficult decision.

Good luck!

 

[CapeCodMatt]

Thanks for all the replies. I will not be purchasing resale. I want to take advantage of the other things such as Disney Collections, concierge, overseas resorts. I never travel during peak times. I am troubled that I may be forced to take a one bedroom over a studio though. The comments seem to suggest that this will happen. Very tough decision.

Can I do this: Book my home BLT during a peak time and trade out with someone at another resort who wants to stay at BLT? I can see how someone would small children would want to stay at BLT due to monorail etc . . . Thoughts?

 

[iloveokw]

I agree that if you cannot plan at least 7 months out you might be disappointed. Also the traditional "low" season is not necessarily "low" DVC season because points are much lower. I believe in "buy where you want to stay".

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Thanks for all the replies. I will not be purchasing resale. I want to take advantage of the other things such as Disney Collections, concierge, overseas resorts. I never travel during peak times. I am troubled that I may be forced to take a one bedroom over a studio though. The comments seem to suggest that this will happen. Very tough decision.

Can I do this: Book my home BLT during a peak time and trade out with someone at another resort who wants to stay at BLT? I can see how someone would small children would want to stay at BLT due to monorail etc . . . Thoughts?

I always book at my home resort at 11months and call at 7months to change. That way I always have a room. I have had amazing luck at 7 months, BWV in October and BCV in August. I do call at the opening of MS on the 7th month mark exactly. If they don't have what I want I waitlist, and they have come through. I would buy at a cheaper resort then BLT if you don't plan on staying there.

 

[DebbieB]

Hello all. Here is my question. I am looking to purchase DVC and I am looking at around 250 points. Here is the problem, BLT looks like the best deal, however this isn't my style of resort. I honestly see myself wanting to stay at BW, OKW, SS, BCV, etc. . . Is it a mistake to buy BLT for the longer contract and lower maintenance fees knowing that I really don't want to say at BLT. Will I have a hard time getting into other resorts. Keep in mind I don't book 7 months out. I am more like a 3 to 5 months out kind of guy. Thanks in advance.

Matt

In your position, I would buy BLT for the longer expiration & the lower dues. Why pay the higher dues and shorter contract (BWV, BCV) and not use the 11 month advantage? BLT will also have a higher resale value if you have to sell in the future.

 

[friends with mickey]

Thanks for all the replies. I will not be purchasing resale. I want to take advantage of the other things such as Disney Collections, concierge, overseas resorts. I never travel during peak times. I am troubled that I may be forced to take a one bedroom over a studio though. The comments seem to suggest that this will happen. Very tough decision.

Can I do this: Book my home BLT during a peak time and trade out with someone at another resort who wants to stay at BLT? I can see how someone would small children would want to stay at BLT due to monorail etc . . . Thoughts?

If you are purchasing direct than ask Disney about an extended contract at OKW. The expiration is 2057, just 3 years less than BLT but the initial points cost will be much less than BLT. The MF's are higher at OKW, but history has shown that the MF's will rise at all resorts and will even out over time. SSR contracts expire 2054 and SSR and OKW will be where you end up most of the time at the 3-5 month window anyway. The MF's at SSR are lower than OKW but not as low as currents at BLT. You will get full usage of points purchased resale if submitted to Disney for ROFR by March 20th. This would be your least expensive option. After March 20, direct from Disney will be the only wat to get non restricted points. More to think about, good luck with your decision.

 

[Sammie]

I would never recommend buying DVC for anything other than staying at your home resort, as truly per your contract that is all you are guaranteed.

If you can not book at least 7 months out and want to travel to non Disney World locations then I would say DVC is not a good fit for your travel plans.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

I agree with Sammie. Having said that, if the other resorts are more your style...you mention SSR, buy there. We have been SSR owners for 6 years, and we love the resort. We are staying at Kidani for the first time in April, and we booked a 2 BR at 3.5 months out. However, I have to say, we're not fussy -- any day at Disney is better than (almost) any other place in the world.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[CapeCodMatt]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up purchasing BLT. I booked my first trip and got a two bedroom at Kidani for the end of June for a week. I am very excited. Bringing a crowd with me.

Here is my next question. I would like to send my parents to Aulani for their 40th Anniversary next November. Do you think that there will be a problem with availability?

Thanks.

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for all the input. I ended up purchasing BLT. I booked my first trip and got a two bedroom at Kidani for the end of June for a week. I am very excited. Bringing a crowd with me.

Here is my next question. I would like to send my parents to Aulani for their 40th Anniversary next November. Do you think that there will be a problem with availability?

Thanks.

Aulani has not even opened yet so no one really knows what the 7 month booking window will be like as it has not yet opened for November.

 

[CapeCodMatt]

thanks. I thought it was already up and running.