Purchase BLT or BCV?

[peaches0313]

We are taking our 1st time trip to WDW this Fall. Renting points to stay at BLT. Love Disney and have stayed at DL Grand Californian 2x. *Considering* purchasing DVC at some point in future. My 1st thought is to purchase at BLT, assuming we like it this fall. I don't like making such a large commitment without staying where we will buy. However, BC is very appealing to me as well. Especially in a couple years I would like to try this when my kids are a little older and they can enjoy the pool there. My husband and I also would really like the walking distance to Epcot, which seems more of an "adult" park. However, BLT keeps coming back to me as a favorite, as if we bought there-- we could walk to MK and always just hop on the monorail to Epcot. Whereas if we buy at BC, even though we could walk to Epcot, we would always have to take a bus if we wanted to go to MK. (yuck). Am I missing something here?? If we bought into BLT, would we have a chance at staying at BC every now and then since we wouldn't be able to book that one until 7 months out? Thoughts? TIA!

 

[graychef]

We are taking our 1st time trip to WDW this Fall. Renting points to stay at BLT. Love Disney and have stayed at DL Grand Californian 2x. *Considering* purchasing DVC at some point in future. My 1st thought is to purchase at BLT, assuming we like it this fall. I don't like making such a large commitment without staying where we will buy. However, BC is very appealing to me as well. Especially in a couple years I would like to try this when my kids are a little older and they can enjoy the pool there. My husband and I also would really like the walking distance to Epcot, which seems more of an "adult" park. However, BLT keeps coming back to me as a favorite, as if we bought there-- we could walk to MK and always just hop on the monorail to Epcot. Whereas if we buy at BC, even though we could walk to Epcot, we would always have to take a bus if we wanted to go to MK. (yuck). Am I missing something here?? If we bought into BLT, would we have a chance at staying at BC every now and then since we wouldn't be able to book that one until 7 months out? Thoughts? TIA!

Many factors go into which resort to own. Most advice will be to buy into a resort you like, not one that's convenient. As your vacation plans change over the years, you'll always be staying at a place you want. For example, I bought into AKV because I really like the resort, not due to proximity (or lack thereof )to a park.

Other factors are maintenance fees and contract length. MF on BLT is currently $4.78/pt; on BC it is currently $5.79/pt. $1 may not seem like alot, but to some people it is a determining factor...especially when talking about 20-30-40 years of fees. BC contracts expire in 2042. BLT contracts expire in 2060. The longer contract term may be more desirable to some.

I'd suggest this: Pick a resort you and your family will love. As time goes by, if your preference changes, sell the contract and buy another.

 

[NoleFan]

They are both so different. You definitely should experience both before committing. You can also buy at both. We really enjoy BC during the summer when we get a lot of pool time. In December, it is not our first choice. I would also look at when you plan to travel, how many points, room size, etc.

 

[DizBub]

We own at both BLT and BCV. Totally different resorts and different vibes. Since neither one is my favorite resort I won't give any advice about where to buy. I will say that both locations cannot be beat and I feel fortunate to own at both a monorail and Epcot resort for the 11 month booking advantage which I need.

For what it's worth if you are staying at BCV you can walk through Epcot and get on the monorail to switch to another monorail or ferry to get to MK. But the bus is quicker if one comes in a timely manner. Epcot resort buses are the worst IMHO.

 

[disneynutz]

You won't know where you would love to own until a couple of years after you buy. Reading others peoples posts on their favorites is way different than living DVC yourself. Take your best guess, buy somewhere with the expectation of buying and/or selling again in a few years.

Bill

 

[nalajms]

If you're flexible with travel times and number of days, you'll be able to stay at either resort. We don't own at either, but have had more luck with BLT because it's a bigger resort. BC is very popular in warmer months and then there's F&W in the fall.

The pros of BLT is the standard view room, which are less points. We were lucky once and got 4 consecutive days at the 7m mark.

As for pools, my 4 & 1yo love the sand area at SAB. SAB also gets very crowded in warm months. But they prefer the splash area at VGF more. They did not care for the BLT pool.

For longer trips, we split our vacations with a few days at an MK resort then an Epcot resort. I can only handle a few days of the MK crowd.

 

[DVC Doctor]

I personally would take BLT as it has a longer RTU and lower annual dues. However BC. Is harder to book at 7 months than BLT.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Since you haven't visited WDW yet I think you should wait a bit and determine that you really do want to visit repeatedly. There are lots of people that prefer DL and vice versa. Or they discover that after a trip or two there are other things that they want to do and visiting Disney is something they do every few years. Overall reading other people opinions on the resorts, locations, transportation etc. does not mean that you will feel the same way about things. For instance I think the monorail access to Epcot to/from BLT can be a pain at times and would sometimes would prefer a bus. And I don't think AKV is in the middle of nowhere and think the bus service there is just fine. It would probably be in your best interest to try stays at resorts in both locations, see if you have a preference and also if you like visiting WDW.

 

[bakerworld]

BLT - you can trade into BC anytime between January to September

 

[CMOORE185]

BLT - you can trade into BC anytime between January to September

I could be wrong but I feel BCV's are and will be harder to book at 7 months than BLT. So if you have to choose one buy at the one that is harder to book.

 

[HokieGCC]

Everybody is different so don't take my suggestion as an absolute but as an example choice.

Our opinion is that the BC is the overall best resort (realize here that everyone has their own favorite). Here is why:
(1) You can walk to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios avoiding the buses to two of the parks (which I agree ... buses are a real negative for us). The drawback is that you get stuck with a bus to MK.
(2) It is the best pool and nicest resort to just hang out (with the boardwalk, Beaches and Cream etc).
(3) It is relatively small with easy access to snacks, coffee in the morning etc.
(4) Great place to run (around the boardwalk, to Epcot, and to Hollywood Studios). It is on the marathon route.

Having said all that we actually bought at the Boardwalk (our second favorite resort) for many of the same reasons but it is less expensive and our vacations will be in January which is not a good pool month. For me the bus is such a negative that alone puts me there. For us when we go for like a week for example - two or three days are comando-park type days but the others are light park days or just hang out around the resort days and the boardwalk area is nice for that.

 

[amypetecar]

all things being equal I would say BLT with a resale contract strictly because I think you'd get more money back when/if you eventually sell.

If you hang onto the contract for say 20 years until the kids are grown.... you'd still have 25 years left on your BLT, and therefore an asset to sell.

With Beach Club, you'd have 8 years left.... who would fork out any principle costs with only 8 years left on the contract?

All that said... it's a timeshare. Staying where you are happy to stay on a regular basis is the most important factor. So if you like BCV better... go with beach club!

 

[gfyjny]

Are you looking at resale or direct?
When I checked the resale pricing, BLT pricing seem lower than BCV.
Also why not GFV or wait until Poly opens up? Just a thought.