Questions for BLT purchase

[theostwalts]

We are a family of 5. Oldest dd is heading off to college next year and our youngest dd is turning 10 this year. We have been going to WDW for the last 3 years, with 2 of those being week long stays at WDW and one being a Disney Cruise preceeded by a day at the MK.

I am looking at purching a points for a week in June, probably in the Magic Season. If our oldest continues to go with us, and brings a friend we would have a total of 6. That looks like a 2 bedroom unit would be needed for six. And a week with a MK view would be 468 points!!!!!!!!!!

If I can get over that initial shock how should I structure those points? Just buy 468? Buy 500? Or buy 2 250 point contracts?

Thanks for the input!!!

 

[JaxFLBear]

If I'm reading correctly, you have 3 kids? If so, you could split your purchase into 3 160 points. If you plan leaving your DVC to them as part of your estate planning, having the 3 contracts would make that easier.

 

[theostwalts]

If I'm reading correctly, you have 3 kids? If so, you could split your purchase into 3 160 points. If you plan leaving your DVC to them as part of your estate planning, having the 3 contracts would make that easier.

Yes that is right, 3 daughters. That is a great point about 3 160's. Hadn't thought of that.

Thanks!!!!

 

[5forDiz]

We are a family of 5. Oldest dd is heading off to college next year and our youngest dd is turning 10 this year. We have been going to WDW for the last 3 years, with 2 of those being week long stays at WDW and one being a Disney Cruise preceeded by a day at the MK.

I am looking at purching a points for a week in June, probably in the Magic Season. If our oldest continues to go with us, and brings a friend we would have a total of 6. That looks like a 2 bedroom unit would be needed for six. And a week with a MK view would be 468 points!!!!!!!!!!

If I can get over that initial shock how should I structure those points? Just buy 468? Buy 500? Or buy 2 250 point contracts?

Thanks for the input!!!

Think initial buy-in through Disney is 160 points at BLT. There was an initial buy-in for 100 points recently at AKV but don't know if that is still in effect.

You can cut the number of points to purchase in half going every other year - 234 points for example; you would bank for instance your 2009 allotment of points into 2010 Use Year and then would have 2 years worth of points to use during 2010 Use Year. Travelling every 3 years you can bank a years worth into upcoming Use Year and borrow the upcoming Use Year into that year as well for 3 years worth of points to utilize ( ie bank 2009 allotment into 2010 Use Year and borrow 2011 allotment into the 2010 Use Year).

You would probably be better off buying smaller contract initially on resale market (at present to my knowledge no BLT contracts have shown up on resale market however - that may take awhile but who knows with the way the economy has been going) Buying resale allows you to start smaller if your wish and then you can purchase add-on contract(s) for additional points as you see the need as time goes depending on your family's vacation habits.

If you buy a resale contract you may buy into DVC for less points than Disney requires on first purchase. You may then do add-on contract(s) at BLT if you like or any other DVC resort with a 25 point minimum purchase through Disney ( 50 point minimum if when purchasing add-on through Disney you decide you want their financing package ).

You asked about purchasing contracts in smaller points amounts - this is often a wise way to do it because you can sell off some contracts in future years if you find you don't utilize all the points you own and also, in the future should you decide to pass on points to your heirs it is easier to do.

Our youngest is 12 and two eldest are 18 and 21 and like you have found, when the kids get older they do want to bring along friends but even DH and I find we like to have some extended family along on some trips .

Best wishes on your planning

 

[sjcampbl]

I definitely wouldn't buy that many points in one contract. It will be way too difficult to sell if you ever decide/need to. Large contracts are much more difficult to resell. 250 points is about the limit.

Small contracts are really valuable on the resale market as people can't buy into DVC that way initially. However, they can be sold off individually on the resale market. This allows some people to get into DVC with a smaller outlay and then bank/borrow or transfer from others to build up usable point balances.

If you buy into say one 160 pt. contract and then do 3-100 pt. add-ons you would have the total points you're looking for and still have a pretty manageable/resalable membership.

Personally, I don't place the value on the views that would justify the premium for the Magic Kingdom view. In fact, we bought in with the intention of reserving standard views pretty much exclusively (although lake views are not significantly more). We want to be close to the Magic Kingdom, and in a monorail resort. We're generally in the parks during the night-time shows anyway. And, otherwise, generally don't open the curtains. But, that's purely a personal decision.

 

[TLSnell1981]

If I'm reading correctly, you have 3 kids? If so, you could split your purchase into 3 160 points. If you plan leaving your DVC to them as part of your estate planning, having the 3 contracts would make that easier.

I think this is really good advice.

 

[DeeCee735]

Just my two cents here, but if that amount of points is shocking, you could consider a 6 night/7 day stay in a two bedroom, cutting out the most expensive night of the week - Saturday. Start with 3 contracts for whatever amount of points would allow the 6 night stay and add on in the future, possibly resale add on to minimize purchase price?

Good luck and have fun planning.

 

[DeeCee735]

Just checked the points chart. By cutting out a Saturday night stay in a MK View 2 bedroom, that saves 94 POINTS! WOW. At $107 per point that's an initial buy in savings of $10,058!!!! WOW.....again, just my two cents.

 

[WendyinNC]

We are a family of 6 and always stay in a 2BR Sunday - Thursday. If I were purchasing my 1st contract I would start with the number of points needed for a 5 night stay Sunday - Thursday. Depending on how much you want a particular view the number of points would range from 205 - 280. I would get one 160 point contract and then add one or more smaller contracts to get to the total you want. You won't always need a 2BR. Oldest DD may get too busy with college to go with you. There may be summer studies abroad, internships, etc. Start small. It's very easy (too easy) to add on points later!

 

[dcfromva]

I don't think I would buy that many points to start with (even as 3 separate contracts). Another option is you could buy 160 and then add on. Start with a 1BR unit for just your family (or if you had 170 points X 2=340 would be enough for a 1br in June for 1 week if you banked or borrowed)

Disney is not really offering any good incentives right now. I am wondering if they are going to offer better incentives as time goes on.

If you are aiming for a June visit and a June UY, you will get Jun 2009 points, but BLT won't be open until Sept 1st and you won't be able to use your points until Sept 1st 2009 and later. So, your first June visit would be in 2010.

If you bought right now, Disney would want the money for the contract at closing (which takes about a month). You dues start Sept 1st 2009. As long as DVC does not increase the price per point and gives you the same $5.00 off per point I don't see any real advantage to buying right away. You could wait until June 2009 to make your purchase. You could bank your first set of points and then make a reservation at 11 months prior to your reservation (in July 2009--you can make a reservation even before you close). If you wanted, you could book that 2br by borrowing the 2011 points.

Often times when you do an add on contract if you are not past the banking window, they give you current UY points (assuming they are not sold out). So, after you make your initial purchase in June 2009 you could reevaluate as to whether you wanted to add on more points--you could do it incrementally over the next few months (assuming the price doesn't go up). Disney doesn't currently charge you closing costs for add on contracts.

 

[5forDiz]

Just my two cents here, but if that amount of points is shocking, you could consider a 6 night/7 day stay in a two bedroom, cutting out the most expensive night of the week - Saturday. Start with 3 contracts for whatever amount of points would allow the 6 night stay and add on in the future, possibly resale add on to minimize purchase price?

Good luck and have fun planning.

Just to expand upon what DeeCee points out above, Friday night is 94 points as well (Friday & Saturday nights at any DVC resort require the most points)
and as DeeCee points out if you elimante 94 points from your purchase the savings is significant, double that amount even more so - $20,116 !!

And then too you can factor in the savings on annual MFs on the points too (approx $689 per yr savings for BLT on 188 pts). To get a better idea on MFs at DVC resorts take a look at this thread
( Post #2 by LisaS ) that shows history of MFs & amounts they've changed over the years :

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1966427

If you book a Friday and/or Saturday night stay at another DVC resort that requires less points on Fri & Sat or even book 2 studios instead that's a savings on points (such as at OKW) or maybe do as many members do: opt to book a cash reservation for trips that you want to include Fri / Sat nights.

If you & your family have heart set on always staying at BLT well then imho it is probably best that you buy all or majority of your points there because you would have the 11 month booking advantage then (this would be important if you will regularly plan trips 11 months ahead but if you think your pattern will be to plan only 7 months or less in advance then the playing field is same at all resorts). If you would be happy staying at any DVC resort at WDW ( we are, it adds to the adventure to stay at different resorts & they each have their own uniqueness) then trying to book BLT using 7 month window may work from time to time for you & your family.

Definitely thoroughly explore all your options on purchasing both directly from Disney & via resale market. Right now there are extremely attractive resale prices at SSR which has 2054 expiration & so convenient to Downtown Disney which our eldest kids have really come to enjoy and in June TreeHouse Villas will become available here - and speaking for my kids & even DH & I we are more excited for these accommodations than BLT's . But that is the great thing about DVC - something for everyone & no matter what your home resort you can always try to book into any other DVC at 7 months.

Enjoy planning the DVC adventure that works for your family

 

[theostwalts]

Just to expand upon what DeeCee points out above, Friday night is 94 points as well (Friday & Saturday nights at any DVC resort require the most points)
and as DeeCee points out if you elimante 94 points from your purchase the savings is significant, double that amount even more so - $20,116 !!

And then too you can factor in the savings on annual MFs on the points too (approx $689 per yr savings for BLT on 188 pts). To get a better idea on MFs at DVC resorts take a look at this thread
( Post #2 by LisaS ) that shows history of MFs & amounts they've changed over the years :

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1966427

If you book a Friday and/or Saturday night stay at another DVC resort that requires less points on Fri & Sat or even book 2 studios instead that's a savings on points (such as at OKW) or maybe do as many members do: opt to book a cash reservation for trips that you want to include Fri / Sat nights.

If you & your family have heart set on always staying at BLT well then imho it is probably best that you buy all or majority of your points there because you would have the 11 month booking advantage then (this would be important if you will regularly plan trips 11 months ahead but if you think your pattern will be to plan only 7 months or less in advance then the playing field is same at all resorts). If you would be happy staying at any DVC resort at WDW ( we are, it adds to the adventure to stay at different resorts & they each have their own uniqueness) then trying to book BLT using 7 month window may work from time to time for you & your family.

Definitely thoroughly explore all your options on purchasing both directly from Disney & via resale market. Right now there are extremely attractive resale prices at SSR which has 2054 expiration & so convenient to Downtown Disney which our eldest kids have really come to enjoy and in June TreeHouse Villas will become available here - and speaking for my kids & even DH & I we are more excited for these accommodations than BLT's . But that is the great thing about DVC - something for everyone & no matter what your home resort you can always try to book into any other DVC at 7 months.

Enjoy planning the DVC adventure that works for your family

So, if I understand you right, you could book a Friday or Saturday night with cash. What are those rates and how does that process work?

 

[sjcampbl]

DVC member discount rate at DVC resorts (when available) is 25%. Here's a nice consolidated rate list. Don't forget the 12.5% tax!

 

[RSHEALAND]

Heres another thing to consider. If your future college student were to sign up for a term in the Disney College Program you would get a 15% discount on vacation club purchase. Our duaghter is currently in the program and it saved us $3360.00 on our 200 point add on at BLT. This discount is on top of any other offer like the $5 off per point.

 

[Terry S]

Heres another thing to consider. If your future college student were to sign up for a term in the Disney College Program you would get a 15% discount on vacation club purchase. Our duaghter is currently in the program and it saved us $3360.00 on our 200 point add on at BLT. This discount is on top of any other offer like the $5 off per point.

Has this contract finalized yet? The discount just went up to 20% through the end of the year.