VGF direct or BLT resale? Which MK resort/contract is best for us?

[Her Dotness]

Congrats and Welcome to the absolute best DVC resort.

Not that I'm at all biased, of course. Never guess the majority of our points are at VGF, would you?

If you haven't already run across the VGF thread, do look into it. People there are tremendously welcoming and helpful.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...idian-resort-spa-owners-lovers-group.3813125/

And, mrsap will add your screen name to the owners list if you like.

 

[SalmonFam]

Hi - so I was pretty set on buying BLT resale until the latest round of direct incentives hit and now I'm a bit confused. Not sure which option is the best for us.

We're a growing family of 3 (DD is 2-years old), never stayed at a DVC property before but we've been to Disney many times. Pre-kids, we'd stay mostly at Value or Moderate resorts and now we stay in a 1br suite off-site with the toddler. I don't mind driving to most of the parks, but having to park at the TTC and take the monorail to MK is such a pain. Hence the desire to own at a MK resort. The idea of being able to walk to MK from our hotel is just too good to resist.

Initially, I was set on BLT given it's the closest resort. Assuming I can get through ROFR at $140/point, how does that compare with the current VGF promotions (~$167/pt for first time buyers)? I don't necessarily care for being blue card members, especially since we already have Florida resident APs. How much further of a walk is VGF vs. BLT to MLK entrance? We did the walk from the Contemporary this past visit after dining at Chef Mickey's and that was what sealed my decision to buy DVC. I've only been to VGF for dining, never tried walking to MK from there.

Is the current VGF promotion "too good to pass up"? If I do opt for BLT resale, should I wait for prices to drop further? Obviously no one has a crystal ball but it's hard to believe this is the bottom when there's all this talk of impending recession.

Hi! Sorry - I'm new at DisBoards so I'm not sure if this is allowed. BUT where do you locate the current VGF promotion? My husband and I have 4 kids (& we're expecting a 5th via adoption this year) and we were weighing out the pros and cons of resale v. direct as well. Do you have a link to the VGF promotion for first time buyers? Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[kboo]

I like that BLT has its own pool that is just for BLT guests. I haven’t stayed in a 1bd there yet, but the studios are tiny. Would like to see how they update the rooms in the refurb.

Thanks everyone for the comparisons - I'm increasingly leaning toward getting both but doing VGF direct first given the current promotions and hopefully getting BLT resale next year.

From everyone's comments, seems like we should own at BLT for MK proximity and better 1br availability (studios will not work for us since we like to stay up after kiddo goes to bed).

Have you compared the point chart at both resorts? Let's say you could stay one extra day at one for the same number of points as you would need for the other resort would that impact your decision?

I was all set to respond to all of these but saw OP ended up buying VGF direct! As you can see, we own at our 3 favorite resorts and my kids actually love VGF most of all!

When they were in strollers and needed naps, we stayed at BLT, always walked in both directions, and the BBQ pavilion is a great place for an afternoon stroller nap.

Although you can walk to/from VGF (and I have done it a few times), our preferred way of going is to monorail 1 stop TO MK, and take the boat 1 stop FROM MK. It's a beautiful walk, but I wouldn't want to do it in the midday heat. You have to fold the stroller on the boat, but if you're using a light umbrella stroller it's quite easy.

And finally - this would be the main reason: BLT studios are much smaller than VGF or RIV studios. Our family of 4 still stays in studios at VGF and RIV from time to time (to stretch our points). We are always low on BLT points because we book 1br or larger when we stay there.

Welcome home!

 

[MartyParty]

I didn’t read through all the comments but I am a BLT owner who’s most recent stay in May was at VGF so I would just like to share my opinion since convenience to MK seems to be important to both of us. I love BLT because I hate TTC so when I go to WDW I usually make sure one of my split stay resort is a monorail resort. I don’t have any insight on the walk from VGF to MK because the path was closed during my stay. I see a huge difference in the monorail position though if that might matter to you. When I stay at BLT I’ll usually walk to MK and then end of day ride the monorail back because I’m dead tired. Comtemporary as the first monorail stop is huge for me. Riding the monorail almost full circle end of night felt like a huge drag. Then walking down the stairs and then to the DVC building just felt extra far. I’m sure reality is BLT is probably the same distance but not having to go down any stairs just feels slightly more convenient for me. And if end of the night the monorail is a hot mess, I’ll just walk back to BLT. I don’t think the path will ever be close whereas the path to VGF seems to be closed often. You can take the boats I guess but in terms of convenience, BLT wins for me. Also I love if I’m lucky my standard rooms at BLT can still have views of the fireworks from my balcony. I also love Top of the World Lounge but if you’re buying BLT resale then it’ll be a perk you won’t qualify for.

Value wise the promo right now for VGF is pretty awesome though so it’s a tough decision. You can probably always stay at BLT with your VGF points if you don’t care about standard view rooms. Some people almost never stay at their home resorts.

Good luck with your decision!

Another monorail benefit of BLT is one resort monorail ride to the ticket center, change to the Epcot express monorail, and you're on your way to EPCOT.

As for BLT vs VGF, you cannot go wrong with either choice. I own and love BLT but given your family is on the young side I would suggest going direct. Being local, you'll be able to take advantage of all the current and future direct options on the spur of a moment. As one person mentioned Moonlight Magic for one. Another would be access to EPCOT's DVC lounge. I think there will be more lounges and benefits to come in the future with the future being 20 some years of ownership as your kids get older.

But again...you cannot go wrong with either choice.

 

[myth2001]

Hi! Sorry - I'm new at DisBoards so I'm not sure if this is allowed. BUT where do you locate the current VGF promotion? My husband and I have 4 kids (& we're expecting a 5th via adoption this year) and we were weighing out the pros and cons of resale v. direct as well. Do you have a link to the VGF promotion for first time buyers? Thanks so much in advance!!

Here is a good post from Disney_Addicted:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/summer-incentives.3920216/post-64874432

Some other things you can do in addition:

• refuse title insurance to lower closing cost
• if pay in full, can pay with credit card (3 payments over 90 days) to earn cash back. (Chase Sapphire reserve being one of the best option, which gives 3 ultimate reward points back per dollar)

 

[jscottnc]

We own at both BLT and VGF. I lean toward VGF direct because of the incentive price point. The DVC building at VGF is dripping in theme; BLT, to my eye, is (slightly) upscale IKEA. The walk to MK from VGF is longer than BLT to MK, but I find the walk much more pleasant AND you don't have to cross a busy street. VGF has been updated to the new Murphy beds instead of the pull-out couch. (I expect BLT to get this update, someday.)

All that said, we do own more points at BLT because it is easier to get multiple villas for family get togethers.

 

[jscottnc]

My signature images are having trouble.

 

[SalmonFam]

Thanks so much for posting that thread!! That's really helpful! I didn't know about the 3 payments over 90 days - that's HUGE!

 

[Sunnyore]

Another monorail benefit of BLT is one resort monorail ride to the ticket center, change to the Epcot express monorail, and you're on your way to EPCOT.

As for BLT vs VGF, you cannot go wrong with either choice. I own and love BLT but given your family is on the young side I would suggest going direct. Being local, you'll be able to take advantage of all the current and future direct options on the spur of a moment. As one person mentioned Moonlight Magic for one. Another would be access to EPCOT's DVC lounge. I think there will be more lounges and benefits to come in the future with the future being 20 some years of ownership as your kids get older.

But again...you cannot go wrong with either choice.

Oh yes I’ve timed it and I can go from my room at BLT and at Epcot entrance via Monorail in 23 minutes. Its awesome!

 

[Sandisw]

Oh yes I’ve timed it and I can go from my room at BLT and at Epcot entrance via Monorail in 23 minutes. Its awesome!

That’s pretty fast. Our experience has not been that good

It had always been 30 to 40 minutes when we took it and that was from the platform at CR.

 

[architectonic]

My family of 5 went through the same exact dilemma. We absolutely love BLT and the convenience of the walkway to MK solidified our love. Our kids are 4, 6, and 8. We took our oldest child 2x a year since she was 4 months. The location of BLT made traveling with little ones more enjoyable. My daughter, again now 8, really enjoys the walk from MK back to BLT after a long day. We had great conversations on that walk. She loves stopping by and speaking with the security (another convenience). We stayed at AKV, BWV, and RIV…. And while the resorts were fine, we longed for the convenience of BLT. Can’t beat it!

We ultimately bought VGF direct. 150 points a month ago. The promotion was just too hard to pass up. The longer term, blue card, likely better resale and retaining value, etc, played a factor.

While I did not and do not have any regrets in the purchase, we are awaiting ROFR on a BLT resale of 225 pts. So although I’m happy with the VGF direct, BLT has honestly given us so much in terms of experience and memories. Hence the move to get it at resale.

 

[holden]

Buy where you want to stay. Also, buy for the future.

BLT has an extra full bathroom in the 1BR units and up. That is priceless when your kid(s) get older.

We also love the walk to MK. Not a fan of BLT's decor, but the other features above make up for that.

We did stay in a 2BR at VGF and loved it! It was beautiful! I'd love to stay there again, but with the higher points and one less bathroom, BLT wins for us every time.

 

[Candace]

Can someone tell me the current promotion/direct price for VGF is?

 

[intamin]

Can someone tell me the current promotion/direct price for VGF is?

It seems like after incentives and using magical beginnings on 200 point contracts after selling back the points for current members I think 165? Someone who bought recently correct me on this

 

[DanCali]

Can someone tell me the current promotion/direct price for VGF is?

You can read a lot more in the Summer incentived thread.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/summer-incentives.3920216/

But basically, for existing members, the 150 point direct VGF purchase promos get the price to $183.10, and you can add the Magical Beginnings promo on top of that which gets you a rebate of $22 per point in exchange for selling your first year points to DVC - so effectively $161.10 per point. Given the timing, those could be 2022 points you sell back (e.g. if you pick Aug, Sep, Oct or Dec use year) or 2023 points (e.g. if you pick Feb-June use year). Going up to 200, 250 or 300 points is actually a slightly worse deal per point.

 

[Magic•Happens]

With the incentives and Magical Beginnings, it hard to pass up buying direct right now. Besides the blue card, it opens up the points to be used at Riviera and all future resorts. Definately worth the slight premium right now.

 

[cncm]

Congrats and Welcome to the absolute best DVC resort.

Not that I'm at all biased, of course. Never guess the majority of our points are at VGF, would you?

If you haven't already run across the VGF thread, do look into it. People there are tremendously welcoming and helpful.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/t...idian-resort-spa-owners-lovers-group.3813125/

And, mrsap will add your screen name to the owners list if you like.

Thank you - will head over there now! Just booked a deluxe studio at VGF for next Feb, can't wait!

 

[cncm]

Here is a good post from Disney_Addicted:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/summer-incentives.3920216/post-64874432

Some other things you can do in addition:

• refuse title insurance to lower closing cost
• if pay in full, can pay with credit card (3 payments over 90 days) to earn cash back. (Chase Sapphire reserve being one of the best option, which gives 3 ultimate reward points back per dollar)

Thanks so much for posting that thread!! That's really helpful! I didn't know about the 3 payments over 90 days - that's HUGE!

I ended up splitting the payment over 2 different credit cards: I put most of it on the Chase sapphire preferred (I don't have the Reserve) which gave me 2x points - but most importantly, I used My Chase Plan on the purchase which basically split the charge over 24 months at no interest and no fee (you qualify for no fee if it's your first time using this payment plan option) and because I had hit my credit limit, I put the rest of it (~$3k) on my Chase Disney visa where I get 0% financing for 6 months (plus 2x points as well!). Alternatively, you can apply for some of the 0% APR cards out there (Bank of America has one where it's 0% on purchases for the first 21 months)

 

[dvc lover 1970]

I would buy which ever has the best deal. I am not sure what the direct incentives are right now for VGF as I have not looked. BLT standard view is in line with the 2042 resort charts (same for CCV). VGF points are high, but you can use them anywhere. I have never had an issue booking lake view at BLT but I think you really need direct points for standard view. Same goes for VGF - I think you need direct points to book standard there.