Trying to Figure out Why I would Buy Somewhere Other than BLT

[buck0086]

I currently have 445 BLT points and my wife and I are considering adding another 100-150 points so we can stay in 1BR's instead of Studios. (The kids are getting bigger!)

I have two question/issues:

QUESTION #1
It seems that with the current BLT incentives and the fact that I would get 2010 points (I have a September UY), that buying 100 points would be about the same as trying to go resale:
$130 per point
-$13 discount per point
=$117 per point
-$2 discount per point
=$115 per point
-$500 Visa Card (like a $5 discount per point)
=$110 per point
No Closing Costs (like a $4 discount per point)
=$106 per point
-2010 points (If I rented the points I would get at least $1000 = like a $10 discount)
=$96 per point
I also can break the 100 points into two 50 point contracts and avoid the hassle of ROFR.
How accurate is this perspective?

QUESTION #2
Originally, I thought about adding on at VWL or BWN/BC. But as I think about it more, I'd prefer to have the longer contract. I plan in advance so I'd book 11 months out at BLT and then try to get VWL or BWV/BC at 7 months. If I couldn't get it, I'd be just fine at BLT. What other issues or perspectives should I consider?

I know this is lengthy so THANK YOU to those who have read and anyone who is willing to offer their perspective. I appreciate the help!

Buck

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

"Trying to figure out why I would buy somewhere other than BLT."

Because you want to stay there and can book at 11 months!

You sound like you've already given yourself a pretty good sales pitch for BLT by adding in the many promotional incentives. Many are advocating a "buy where you don't mind staying" attitude, given the large price differences between the resales for "the condos" and "the beach resorts" and direct prices for BLT. Given that you probably plan on buying direct, I'd go back to "buy where you want to stay." BCV's resale value will endure and you might even be able to get VWL for a fair bit less than $96 resale. If you can book at 11 months, why not buy where you want to stay and take advantage?

 

[buck0086]

"Trying to figure out why I would buy somewhere other than BLT."

Because you want to stay there and can book at 11 months!

You sound like you've already given yourself a pretty good sales pitch for BLT by adding in the many promotional incentives. Many are advocating a "buy where you don't mind staying" attitude, given the large price differences between the resales for "the condos" and "the beach resorts" and direct prices for BLT. Given that you probably plan on buying direct, I'd go back to "buy where you want to stay." BCV's resale value will endure and you might even be able to get VWL for a fair bit less than $96 resale. If you can book at 11 months, why not buy where you want to stay and take advantage?

Can you explain how I would get VWL for less than $96 resale? Thanks.

Buck

 

[cvjw]

We bought VWL resale for $74 a point two years ago - a 170 point contract. I'm sure the same contract is selling for much less now! The contract had all points, and the seller paid most of the fees.

 

[mac_tlc]

The asking prices for the resales on the not-to-be-mentioned resale list posted at the top of the page range from 68-74 per point. Add another $4 for closing, still at 72-78 per point.

Of course, you may have to wait to find a 100 point contract, and/or one with yourcurrent Use Year (if that is important to you).

mac_tlc

 

[buck0086]

OK. I get it now. I could get VWL for significantly less going resale. Thanks for the clarification!

Buck

 

[Dean]

If you look at SSR, you could likely get those for around $60-65 a point total and if you want a few months, maybe $50-55 a point resale. I take it you're looking at extended or multiple stays of around 2-3 weeks a year. If so, you may want to consider some non DVC options that would be MUCH cheaper AND give you additional options you don't have now such as one of the other points systems or RCI points. You might even be able to trade back into DVC at times to supplement what you now own. More complicated, some additional work on your education but definitely a high potential return for many people. I would NOT buy BLT in your situation with the idea of using those points for other resorts at 7 months.

 

[DVC SSR Owner]

I got ssr for $55 pp in July with no closing costs so you could save 50 percent going that route!

 

[Sandisw]

I think your figures make sense in terms of adding on BLT through Disney vs. going resale.

My only suggestion is to consider whether or not owning 100 points at a different resort will allow you to book like you want. For example, you mention your reason for adding on is to book 1 bedrooms. Will owning 445 BLT and 100 somewhere else allow you to book what you want at that 11 month window?

We owned two resorts at one time and that was our problem. Neither contract was big enough to allow me to book all nights at 11 months without borrowing from either contract--which I did not want to do. We sold and now own all of our points at BLT.

Just be sure that whereever you buy and how many points you get does what you want it to do.

Good luck!

 

[jade1]

"Trying to Figure out Why I would Buy Somewhere Other than BLT"

The BLT 1BR was extremely impressive. 2 fulls baths and plenty of room for 5. If adding on gets you into those from the studio, I highly recommend it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If your goal is to stay in accommodations larger than a studio, then I would buy all your points at the same resort. It's sad that 450 points can only get you in a studio at BLT though. I have a LOT more room on a lot less points at OKW.

 

[jade1]

It's sad that 450 points can only get you in a studio at BLT though.

I wondered that too-450 at BLT will get you a month in a studio and 2 to 3 weeks in a 1BR.

Then again thats the price of location.

Some folks compare a Value Family suite to a small Poly/GF/CR rooms price.

 

[Mtnman44]

BLT is a pricey place to stay. IMHO the only reason to own points there is if you want to normally stay in a BLT standard or MK views. If that is not what you want to use your points for most of the time, then you are overpaying for DVC. Just my two cents.....

 

[crisi]

280 gets me a week at BWV in a two bedroom. I can't imagine 445 not being sufficient. You must take some very long trips at high point seasons.

If you have money to burn, buy all your points at a single resort and pay retail.

If you aren't going to take every one of your trips at BLT and are concerned about budget, you could go resale and get a "half price" resort. You are paying a LOT for those extra years - and by the time those extra years roll around, that bigger family will be all grown up.

 

[Dziactor]

I like BLT. Just did an addon there myself and while I don't have as many points as I'd love to have. I don't mind paying more for the location. With my 3 year it was just a great location. While it is more points per night the location for me was a huge factor in price.

 

[jcf]

Not knowing the future, if you have to sell part or all of your points I think BLT especially once its sells out this Summer will hold its value similar to BCV after it sold out.

I think the price for BLT on the resale market will increase after sell out from where it is now. No more discounts will mean buying from Disney $140+ point

 

[jade1]

BLT is a pricey place to stay......

Depends-for us 5 the 1BR is plenty large and a lot of DVC resorts you need a 2BR for 5 so the points are about the same or less.

IMHO the only reason to own points there is if you want to normally stay in a BLT standard or MK views......

Those are some very good reasons IMO. Also if you want BLT during busy times.

If that is not what you want to use your points for most of the time, then you are overpaying for DVC. Just my two cents.....

Then again the low dues at BLT make staying at other resorts even smarter.

Also you could argue that owning BLT and staying in a BLT studio (even a 1BR, maybe even a 2BR) is financially better in the long run than loosing continuous cash at the other monorail resorts.

 

[Mtnman44]

If you want to use your points for BLT, then it makes sense, esp for the high demand room types or certain busy times.

BLT points cost around $60 per point more than many resale options. For a 160 point contract that is $10,000 more in purchase price to get points with dues around $160 per year cheaper (about $1.00 per point cheaper than other DVC options).

You are correct that for those wanting to stay at BLT and use their DVC points for that purpose, then owning at BLT is probably the best choice. For those that want to stay at other properties or don't care for BLT, then BLT points are not a good value, even with the lower (currently) dues. This is probably common sense, but many might get distracted with current "incentives" and the low dues and think it is the best choice, even if they want to say in the treehouses, or AKV, or BWV, etc.

Depends-for us 5 the 1BR is plenty large and a lot of DVC resorts you need a 2BR for 5 so the points are about the same or less.



Those are some very good reasons IMO. Also if you want BLT during busy times.



Then again the low dues at BLT make staying at other resorts even smarter.

Also you could argue that owning BLT and staying in a BLT studio (even a 1BR, maybe even a 2BR) is financially better in the long run than loosing continuous cash at the other monorail resorts.

 

[jade1]

If you want to use your points for BLT, then it makes sense, esp for the high demand room types or certain busy times.

BLT points cost around $60 per point more than many resale options. For a 160 point contract that is $10,000 more in purchase price to get points with dues around $160 per year cheaper (about $1.00 per point cheaper than other DVC options).

You are correct that for those wanting to stay at BLT and use their DVC points for that purpose, then owning at BLT is probably the best choice. For those that want to stay at other properties or don't care for BLT, then BLT points are not a good value, even with the lower (currently) dues. This is probably common sense, but many might get distracted with current "incentives" and the low dues and think it is the best choice, even if they want to say in the treehouses, or AKV, or BWV, etc.

If you are using resale pricing for all other resorts, you should use resale pricing for BLT (unless you are recommending HH or VB). So its unfair and unwise to say its $60 more. And it should cost a lot more than some other DVC resorts. Personally I would pay $60 more at BLT than quite a few other DVC's if it were the only option.

If you have no desire to stay at BLT-then I would not recommend buying there. If you do-then I would recommend buying there even if substantially more, just like the other monorail resorts are more as well. But if you do own there-your points used at other resorts are a good value, and you have a better chance of success at 7 months than the other way around.

 

[DenLo]

I currently have 445 BLT points and my wife and I are considering adding another 100-150 points so we can stay in 1BR's instead of Studios. (The kids are getting bigger!)

Buck

Since you didn't say how long you like to stay, I just want to make sure you understand that you already can stay in a 1 BR at BLT for 445 points. A 1BR runs from 194 points per week to 384 points per week for a Lake view in Premier Season. If you want an MK in Premier Season, then you need 465 for a week.

Only you can decide if you are getting the best financial deal buying direct or resale. We have found for small contracts buying resale for BLT isn't always the best way to go. A lot has to do with the closing costs and the number points available on the contract. Also it's not always easy to get the UY you want on a resale contract.

Also if you should decide to buy at WL, you could do a split stay and have some extra days at VWL or a completely separate trip to WDW. Some people buy smaller contracts and bank, borrow and use the current year's points to stay at the second resort every two or three years.