Point advice for new purchase

[eyeshadow]

Hello,

We are a family of three, in the future it will just be two of us. We visit every June. We are interested in buying resale at BLT. Standard studio is 139 per week during that time. I have read that I should have a cushion, so I am looking for any advice on points. Also, booking 11 months out I am hoping I could land a standard studio. We have no issues with booking 11 months prior. I am a teacher, so we always go the same time. I know standard studios go fast, so I am hoping it will not be difficult at 11 months out. Would I need to get enough for a lake view just in case? That would be 152 points per week, so that would affect what we buy as well.

Thanks!

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

For June, 11 months would get you the standard most of the time. However, I agree with those who say to get a cushion so that you are not shut out if you cannot get the standard. (Actually, you would not be shut out, you would just have to cut your vacation to 6 days.)

So I would consider getting 5% to 10% extra points, and then get in the habit of banking the extra points each year to the next year. You will have enough points over time to cover yourself if the standards are gone, or to try a different time of year, or to splurge on a theme park view or a 1 BR.

It is just more economical to get the extra points now than to add them later.

If you are considering resale, you may have to review the available contracts for sale and pick one with an amount of points that is close to what you need.

 

[eyeshadow]

Thank you so much for the great info!
Looks like 160 would suit us!

 

[Toreby]

Just a heads up in case you're unaware. BLT has a proportionately large number of February contracts. I believe 38% of all BLT contracts are Feb u/y. If that works for you as a u/y then you might have an easier time finding a contract.

 

[mustinjourney]

I'd target 150-160 points. It's always nice to have a little wiggle room -- and you can always just bank the leftover points.

One thought for you -- since you go every year, an AP could be worthwhile for you to get every other year. All you have to do is go mid june one year and then first week of june the next year so you squeeze that second trip into the last bit of the 12 months. If that is something that interests you, target 125-140 points resale and then get a 25 point direct add-on. The Gold AP pass (available only to DVC members*) will save you a nice amount on your tickets each year (and it comes with photopass). The AP and direct purchase also gives you other food/merchandise discounts as well.

*DVC members are direct purchasers or those that purchased their DVC resale contract prior to April 4, 2016.

 

[eyeshadow]

Just a heads up in case you're unaware. BLT has a proportionately large number of February contracts. I believe 38% of all BLT contracts are Feb u/y. If that works for you as a u/y then you might have an easier time finding a contract.

We were hoping for a June use year, since we will always be going in June and possibly every other October or November. That may be hard to find then.

I'd target 150-160 points. It's always nice to have a little wiggle room -- and you can always just bank the leftover points.

One thought for you -- since you go every year, an AP could be worthwhile for you to get every other year. All you have to do is go mid june one year and then first week of june the next year so you squeeze that second trip into the last bit of the 12 months. If that is something that interests you, target 125-140 points resale and then get a 25 point direct add-on. The Gold AP pass (available only to DVC members*) will save you a nice amount on your tickets each year (and it comes with photopass). The AP and direct purchase also gives you other food/merchandise discounts as well.

*DVC members are direct purchasers or those that purchased their DVC resale contract prior to April 4, 2016.

Thank you! This could work for us!

 

[Dean]

Thank you so much for the great info!
Looks like 160 would suit us!

150 to 160 should be fine. I'd do 135-150 resale plus 25 retail in this situation.

 

[kniquy]

Would I need to get enough for a lake view just in case?

I would say buy 160 so that you have a cushion if you want/need to get a lake view. If you don't end up needing the points then bank them to the following year or just plan on staying and extra day or so. I would be on the hunt for 160 resale and with going every year AP make sense so really buying a 135 point contract then the 25 point add on to get the AP perks and more dining/shopping discounts.

One thing most people say is that they wish they had bought more points, so if you happen to find a 150 point contract and the right UY and you have to add on 25 pts direct -- you will be in a better situation than having just enough points.