Planning a DVC trip...

[Chili327]

Sorry to bust this but BLT will not work this way since you are trying to take advantage of your 11 month window at each resort.

OTUP can only be used at the 7 month window. You can still buy them so that you can keep BWV in your back pocket or you can combine whatever AKL/BWV points at 7 months.

Damn, i didn't realize or remember that.
Bummer because I'm only a few points short, so we'll just have to book standard views & waitlist Lake view at 7 months.

If you book 2 standard BLT studios at 11 months do you have enough points?

If so I would secure the standard studios at 11 months and then modify one or both to lake view at 7 months as there should be plenty available at BLT.

Nope not enough for both to be lake view.... Unless I don't add the Friday at AKV (at 7mo), then I'd have enough.

 

[eticketplease]

so we'll just have to book standard views & waitlist Lake view at 7 months

I was thinking you could just modify it at 7 months but then I remembered it would use only the BLT contract. I’m not sure if a waitlist uses the existing contract or if there is a may to add another contract to pull points from. We need a waitlist expert to know for sure.

You can certainly call MS and they would be able to do it I would think if you can’t do it online. You would have to call in anyway if you were going to get the OTUP.

I was thinking lake view you would have plenty of time but I just remembered you are planning this for October when MNSSHP is happening

@Sandisw any wisdom you can provide?

 

[Chili327]

I was thinking you could just modify it at 7 months but then I remembered it would use only the BLT contract. I’m not sure if a waitlist uses the existing contract or if there is a may to add another contract to pull points from. We need a waitlist expert to know for sure.

You can certainly call MS and they would be able to do it I would think if you can’t do it online. You would have to call in anyway if you were going to get the OTUP.

I was thinking lake view you would have plenty of time but I just remembered you are planning this for October when MNSSHP is happening

@Sandisw any wisdom you can provide?

Yea, I believe at 7 months it’s easy to pull from anywhere (or OTUP)
Last time I had a waitlist come thru they called me to ask where I wanted to use points from. lol

 

[eticketplease]

Yea, I believe at 7 months it’s easy to pull from anywhere (or OTUP)
Last time I had a waitlist come thru they called me to ask where I wanted to use points from. lol

Yea I’ve never had one come through as I’m too impatient and I stalk the website waiting for the walkers to release the dates I need.

 

[Chili327]

Yea I’ve never had one come through as I’m too impatient and I stalk the website waiting for the walkers to release the dates I need.

I will definitely be doing that this time around as well.

 

[Sandisw]

I was thinking you could just modify it at 7 months but then I remembered it would use only the BLT contract. I’m not sure if a waitlist uses the existing contract or if there is a may to add another contract to pull points from. We need a waitlist expert to know for sure.

You can certainly call MS and they would be able to do it I would think if you can’t do it online. You would have to call in anyway if you were going to get the OTUP.

I was thinking lake view you would have plenty of time but I just remembered you are planning this for October when MNSSHP is happening

@Sandisw any wisdom you can provide?

If you waitlist at 7 months, it will pull in the order that you check the contracts when setting it up.

So, if someone uses BLT for SV studios at 11 months and wants to waitlist LV, just choose the contracts in whatever order you want so BLT first and the other one next. Or if you are trying to free up home resort points, check that second.

Since you are replacing a home resort booking, it won’t matter the order.

 

[Chili327]

They are happening this October but not one at MK. With MNSSHP they shift from MK to other parks. Obviously we can’t tell right now for 2025 but we can make predictions based on previous years.

Yea, looks like AK on Mon, & DHS on Wed.?
I'm not to sure its worth scheduling around that, but looks like Wed at BWV would still line up, but unfortunately not AK on Mon.

The calendar I saw keeps Epcot on Monday nights but rotating AKL & HS on Wednesdays

I keep watching YouTube for Halloween info for this year to try to use for my planning for next year, but it is going to be tough to plan for. lol

Extended Evening Hours (Week of Halloween)

• Mondays - AK (i see EEH at Epcot, on Mon 28th?)
• Wednesdays - DHS

• MNSSHP - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun (changes weekly)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/c...kingdom,hollywood-studios,epcot,magic-kingdom

 

[eticketplease]

I keep watching YouTube for Halloween info for this year to try to use for my planning for next year, but it is going to be tough to plan for. lol

Extended Evening Hours (Week of Halloween)

• Mondays - AK (i see EEH at Epcot, on Mon 28th?)
• Wednesdays - DHS

• MNSSHP - Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sun (changes weekly)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/c...kingdom,hollywood-studios,epcot,magic-kingdom

I would still keep Mon Night @ BWV in case it does stay at Epcot or switches to DHS. Remember if it is at DAK no matter where you stay your transportation will be bus, your own car, Lyft/Uber/MinnieVan so to me that EEH doesn't really matter where you stay.

 

[Chili327]

I would still keep Mon Night @ BWV in case it does stay at Epcot or switches to DHS. Remember if it is at DAK no matter where you stay your transportation will be bus, your own car, Lyft/Uber/MinnieVan so to me that EEH doesn't really matter where you stay.

Hey, that is very true, makes it much less stressful to think about. I should be covered as much as I possibly can be. Thanks!

 

[Chili327]

This is just me thinking out loud, sorry, it's just easier for me to copy & paste into a new post. But feel free to chime in if you feel like.


I'm debating buying some transferred BLT points to accommodate an upgrade to Theme Park View for at least one of the BLT studios...
Looks like for both 34 is needed, but for only one I may be able to swing it on my own and just get Lake view at 7 months?

October 2025										EACH RESORT	TOTAL PTS
SCENARIO 1b	Friday (optional)	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
BLT - 122	21	27	24	24	24	24	24	27	27	78 x2 = 156 - 122 = 34 needed (or 16 for one)
BWV - 150	17	17	14	14	14	14	14	17	17	42 x2 = 84 (66 left)
AKV - 103	20	20	19	19	19	19	19	20	20	39 x2 = 78 (25 left) add Fri = 118	145 x2 = 282 (add Fri 322)

So 156 for both upgrades to TP, or 138 for standard (upgrade to Lake at 7mo) & TP at 11mo, i basically looking at using 16 (or less) VGC points at 7 months? (VGC my cost is $15.50 vs $20 for transferred?)

Actually i'd be risking not being able to get the 3rd day this way, but i'm pretty confident id be able to get lake view at 7mo. (and upgrade my other 2 nights at the same time)

Sorry to bust this but BLT will not work this way since you are trying to take advantage of your 11 month window at each resort.

OTUP can only be used at the 7 month window. You can still buy them so that you can keep BWV in your back pocket or you can combine whatever AKL/BWV points at 7 months.

If you book 2 standard BLT studios at 11 months do you have enough points?

If so I would secure the standard studios at 11 months and then modify one or both to lake view at 7 months as there should be plenty available at BLT.

Thoughts on my new scenario?
I'm thinking i'd book 3 nights in TP & 2 nights standard, then upgrade the standard to Lake view at 7 months and adding the 3rd night, borrowing whatever i have left & possibly using up to 16 VGC points ($15.50 as opposed to buying transferred points for $20) also 4 of my VGC points will go to waste if i don't use them, so technically its only using 12 at the most.

 

[eticketplease]

Thoughts on my new scenario?
I'm thinking i'd book 3 nights in TP & 2 nights standard, then upgrade the standard to Lake view at 7 months and adding the 3rd night, borrowing whatever i have left & possibly using up to 16 VGC points ($15.50 as opposed to buying transferred points for $20) also 4 of my VGC points will go to waste if i don't use them, so technically its only using 12 at the most.

Since you are bringing people that have never gone before, I think I would risk losing the four VGC points and banking the other 12 and transferring the BLT points in as this would allow the 7-11 month advantage. This may also help as the refurbishment has started and they will start to pull rooms out of inventory. The refurbishment should be done by the time you go but who knows when the inventory will be back in the system.

Also VGC points are so valuable I would hate to use them for SAP even for this great trip you are planning.

If you are able to later you might be able to modify at the end to take the 4 expiring VGC points and banking 4 of your own BLT points but I would not count on that.

I just know whatever you end up doing this family you are taking will have an awesome time.

 

[Chili327]

Again, just putting my thoughts on "paper" (the formatting is perfect for my brain. lol) I wonder if I could send this in a PM to myself, so its accessible from anywhere (unlike Microsoft word)
Trying to plan it out so I know exactly what I'm doing each day when it comes. (also still contemplating purchasing the 50 transfer points)


Total Points Available
AKV 103 Total available – In the end: 59 + 59 = 118 (103) need 15
BWV 150 Total Available – In the end: 135 (150) 15 left over ^
BLT 122 Total Available – In the end: 78 + 66 = 144 (-122) need 22 or 34 if TPV
SAP 4 VGC, + 41 Left over at 7 months


11 Month Window

• Nov 25th - Book AKV - Sat & Sun, Studio SV x2 - 39+39=78 (25 left)
• Nov 27th - Book BWV - Mon, Tues, Wed, 2bdrm Boardwalk/Preferred - 135 (15 left)
• Nov 30th - Book BLT - Thurs, Fri & Sat Studio ThemePark View - 27+27+24=78 (44 left)
• Nov 30th - Book BLT – Thurs, Fri & Sat Studio Lake View - 20+23=43 (1 left)

7 Month Window (45 SAP)

• Mar 30th - Book or Waitlist BLT Sat (anything) 23 (22 left)
• Mar 30th - Book/Add AKV Studio SV for Friday 20x2=40 (optional, but need 18)

*** Non TPV BLT Option *** ​

Total Points Available
AKV 103 Total available – In the end: 59 + 59 = 118 (103) need 15
BWV 150 Total Available – In the end: 135 (150) 15 left over ^
BLT 122 Total Available – In the end: 78 + 66 = 144 (-122) need 22 or 34 if TPV
SAP 4 VGC, + 53 Left over at 7 months


11 Month Window

• Nov 25th - Book AKV - Sat & Sun, Studio SV x2 - 39+39=78 (25 left)
• Nov 27th - Book BWV - Mon, Tues, Wed, 2bdrm Boardwalk/Preferred - 135 (15 left)
• Nov 30th - Book BLT - Thurs, Fri & Sat Studio Lake View - 20+23+23=66 (56 left)
• Nov 30th - Book BLT – Thurs, Fri & Sat Studio Lake View - 20+23=43 (13 left)

7 Month Window (57 SAP)

• Mar 30th - Book or Waitlist BLT Sat (Lake or anything) 23 (34 left)
• Mar 30th - Book/Add AKV Studio SV for Friday 20x2=40 (optional, but need 6)

 

[Chili327]

New plan. lol (sorry for anyone watching this thread, feel free to unfollow, or unwatch)


Travel/Trip: Jan 24th - Feb1st, 2026

BWV 150 Total Available – In the end: 123 (45, 39, 39), 27 left over
BLT 122 Total Available – In the end: 129 (43, 43, 43), need 7 for Lake View
AKV 103 Total available – In the end: 96 (48 & 48) 7 left over
SAP 4 VGC (+38) Left over at 7 months, -7 for BLT, 31 left, - 10 for Aulani, 21 left (rent?)

11 Month Window

• Feb 24th - Book BWV - Sat, Sun & Mon, 2bdrm Boardwalk/Preferred - 123 (27 leftover)
• Feb 27th - Book BLT - Tues, Wed & Thurs 2bdrm Standard View - 40+40+40=120 (2 leftover)
• Mar 1st(?) - Book AKV - Fri & Sat, 2bdrm Savanna View - 48+48=96 (7 leftover)

7 Month (Aulani)

• Feb 19 (wait till 3/1) - Book AUL - Thurs, Fri & Sat Studio OV - 75 (65 VGC +10 to make 75) rent?

7 Month Window (38 SAP) June 30th

• Option 1 - Book or Waitlist Lake View for 2bdrm BLT 120+9=129 (need 7 + 2 leftover BLT), 31 leftover
  or
• Option 2 - Book or Waitlist Studios x2, TP View - 20+20+20=60x2=120, 2 leftover)
  or
• *Option 3 - Book or Waitlist 2bdrm TP View - 54+54+54=162, 122+40? (38 SAP, need 2)

*Option 3 is preferred.

 

[eticketplease]

New plan. lol (sorry for anyone watching this thread, feel free to unfollow, or unwatch)
View attachment 932295


BWV 150 Total Available – In the end: 123 (45, 39, 39), 27 left over
BLT 122 Total Available – In the end: 129 (43, 43, 43), need 7 for Lake View
AKV 103 Total available – In the end: 100 (48 & 52) 3 left over
SAP 4 VGC (+30) Left over at 7 months, - 7 for BLT, 23 left, - 10 for Aulani, 13 left (rent?)

11 Month Window

• Feb 24th - Book BWV - Sat, Sun & Mon, 2bdrm Boardwalk/Preferred - 123 (27 leftover)
• Feb 27th - Book BLT - Tues, Wed & Thurs 2bdrm Standard View - 40+40+40=120 (2 leftover)
• Feb 30th - Book AKV - Fri & Sat, 2bdrm Savanna View - 48+52=100 (3 leftover)

7 Month (Aulani)

• Feb 19 (wait till 3/1) - Book AUL - Thurs, Fri & Sat Studio OV - 75 (65 VGC +10 to make 75) rent?

7 Month Window (36 SAP) June 30th

• Option 1 - Book or Waitlist Lake View for 2bdrm BLT 120+9=129 (need 7 + 2 leftover BLT), 29 leftover
• or
• Option 2 - Book or Waitlist Studios x2, TP View - 20+20+20=60x2=120, 2 leftover)
• or
• Option 3 - Book or Waitlist 2bdrm TP View - 54+54+54=162, 122+40? (36 SAP, need 4)

2026?

 

[Chili327]

2026?

Yep, this fall was getting too hectic, so I just decided to push it & save a couple bucks/points.

 

[eticketplease]

Yep, this fall was getting to hectic, so I just decided to push it & save a couple bucks/points.

Wait how are you saving points? I thought you were going in Oct/Nov originally which is is in Season 5 and and your Feb dates are now in season 6 which should cost more.

 

[sndral]

New plan. lol (sorry for anyone watching this thread, feel free to unfollow, or unwatch) …

11 Month Window

• 
  
• 
  
• Feb 30th - Book AKV - Fri & Sat, 2bdrm Savanna View - 48+52=100 (3 leftover)

…

February doesn’t have a 30th day, so I think (but am not 100% sure) you’ll be booking the AKV portion on 3/1.
Speaking of AKV, Kidani’s refurb is scheduled to start 10/25, not sure how long it’ll last, but I doubt they’ll be done by January 2026. Personally I’d at least consider substituting a Jambo 2 br. & saving points by booking a standard view since a lot of the standard views overlook Sunset or Uzima savanna.

 

[Chili327]

Wait how are you saving points? I thought you were going in Oct/Nov originally which is is in Season 5 and and your Feb dates are now in season 6 which should cost more.

Feb is cheaper than Oct, but this trip is mostly in Jan which is even cheaper. Feb is Season 4 (early Feb).
The late Fab dates you're looking at is when I will be doing the 11 month booking, not actual travel dates.

February doesn’t have a 30th day, so I think (but am not 100% sure) you’ll be booking the AKV portion on 3/1.
Speaking of AKV, Kidani’s refurb is scheduled to start 10/25, not sure how long it’ll last, but I doubt they’ll be done by January 2026. Personally I’d at least consider substituting a Jambo 2 br. & saving points by booking a standard view since a lot of the standard views overlook Sunset or Uzima savanna.

Good catch. Funny that i even wrote Feb 30th. lol
I was just editing, not thinking.

Also, changes the amount of points being in Jan, not Feb. and yep, I might have to swap to Jambo, & look into the view.!!