Thinking of purchasing BLT, but really want BCV...

[twins2xs]

We recently attended an open house at which point we were told our purchasing options. The only option that we would be slightly interested in is BLT, b/c of the incentives, expiration date. But, what we really, really want is BCV. We stayed their last year and simply fell in love with it. The location was the clincher! It really is the perfect match for our family.

The problem that we are having is the price per points of BCV vs BLT and most of all the sooner expiration date of 2042 vs BLT date of 2060. A 18 year difference is a BIG difference, especially for that kind of money!

What do you think...is it worth making a DVC of a home resort that we really don't want? I would imagine that we would give BLT a try at one point, but our heart is at BCV.

Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

In my opinion, no. We bought BLT because that is where we love. We paid more for it than we would have if we had bought SSR and just tried at the 7 month mark.

We just didn't want to take that chance as if we were anywhere else, we would not be happy. We did start out with a small VWL contract but realized owning everything at BLT was important so we sold it just two months later.

DVC is a lot of money and to invest in something that you don't love, is not worth it IMO.

While there is an 18 year difference in expiration, that is still over 30 years away. There is always the chance that they will offer an extension for BCV like they did for OKW.

And, you will save over $20 per point to get BCV resale over BLT direct. To me, put that extra money toward more points and enjoy your trips now and worry about the expiration later.

Good luck!!!

 

[crisi]

Buy where your heart is.

BCV is a small resort and availability at seven months can be uncertain - particularly at popular times of year.

 

[robertdangelo]

We own at BCV and added on at BLT last year.
I suggest buying BCV on the resale market. Once you close, you can do an add-on through Disney at BLT if you decide you want the 11 month booking at another resort. The Timeshare store is great to deal with.
Good Luck!

 

[snowhyte]

We bought at VWL because we love the resort and wanted the 11 month booking window for December. The fact that it expires in 2042 was of no concern. Who knows what will happen in the next 30 years anyway. I can't worry about that far ahead. We wanted to be happy now!

IF you really love and want to stay at BCV then you should buy there. We did resale. I would definitely recommend that route. It does take longer, but we didn't mind the 30 + days if it saved us money.

I know we will want to add on eventually and plan to try out all the resorts to see which one will be our "other DVC home". Maybe we will choose one that has a later contract end date. But most likely we will again go with what suits us best and that we really want to spend the $$$ on.

 

[staceymay00]

I would buy a resale BCV contract, then. I don't see the point in spending a large amount of money on BLT when BCV is what you really want.

We just purchased a 2042 exp. resale at OKW. I will be 71 when our contract expires in 2042. It's possible at that time we will wish our contract would continue. It's also possible we'll be ready to no longer have the annual fees to pay. Maybe my kids would want to use the points after 2042, but maybe they won't. I figure if down the road we decide we need more years we can buy something resale that expires later. To me it is just to far away to worry about.

 

[Sammie]

If you really want BCV, then look for resale, due to its size and popularity, seven months bookings are hard to get most of the year.

 

[ToddyLu]

Believe me it matters where you buy--I would buy BCV as everyone elsa has suggested. You will be much happier if that is where your family belongs. It didn't matter to me where we bought. I was willing to buy SSR but DH wanted AKV. Fine by me...I cannot get him to stay anywhere else right know. We are both very happy and both got what we wanted. He has his "pets" and I have my DVC.

 

[Crystal_27]

our heart is at BCV.

Thanks!

Then BCV is where you need to buy. Remember that BCV is one of the smaller DVC resorts, so your chance of being able to consistently trade into it at the 7 month mark for an uninterrupted stay is lower than if you wanted to trade into one of the larger DVCs. Add BCV's awesome location and pool, and your chances become even slimmer. AND, you never know if DVC will offer an extension to the BCV contracts, which would extend the years on the contract (for a fee, of course). Good luck!

 

[robertdangelo]

If and when Disney offers an extension at BCV... we will do so. Keep that in mind as you make your decision.

 

[lark]

I really think that worrying about something that's going to happen or not happen in 32 years is not a reason avoid buying where you want. 32 years from now, BLT may look lame in comparison to what else you could own in DVC. You might not even want to be paying dues there any more.

When you figure that BCV is also about $30/point less, it seems to be a no brainer. For 200 points, that's $6,000. Put that money in the bank. 32 years from now if you still want disney vacations, use that money (plus the 18 years worth of dues you'll save at the then-outdated BLT resort) and buy whatever new and fancy DVC disney is offering at the time.

 

[toniosmom]

I originally had all of my points at AKV -- my initial buy-in, plus two small add-ons. Last year, I decided I wanted an ownership at BCV so that we could vacation there every three years, so I bought a small contract and with banking and borrowing can book there at 11 months every 3rd year. I'm now looking for a 2nd small BCV contract so that perhaps we can go every other year. Unfortunately, I haven't found one with my December UY yet. (The 2011 point allocation has left me ONE point short of booking a week-long studio stay during Spring Break. )

I'm not concerned about the 2042 expiration -- I'm most concerned with being able to book a BCV trip when I wanted it. Yes, right now I'm hearing of many who have been able to get BCV at 7 months, but as DVC membership grows, it will only get harder.

I say start with a BCV resale. Enjoy the next 32 years of vacationing where you want to be.

Good luck!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Buy where you want to stay.

 

[DenLo]

Another vote for you buy where you want to stay. We recently tried to book BCV at 7 months for early October and couldn't get a studio or a 1 BR. Would you be disappointed if that had been you and you didn't get your preferred resort?

 

[dizfan]

I agree with the buy where you want to stay crowd, but there is one additional question.

Will you plan your vacations more than 7 month ahead of time? If you would not book more than 7 months ahead of time, the resort you own will not matter for booking. In that case, it's best to buy the lowest priced (taking into account annual dues). Currently, I think the lowest priced including annual dues is SSR resale.

If you will book your vacation more than 7 months in advance, your heart is at BCV so buy there.

NOTE: keep in mind for some dates you will likely need to book 11 months out or you may not get your home resort (Early December, major holidays, not sure about other dates).

As others have mentioned, resale prices are much less than buying direct from Disney.