Wait List with David's for BLT

[have2getaway]

We were originally trying for 2 connecting studios st the Poly for Jan. 6-Jan. 13, but the waiting list was long and we felt we needed more room for 2 adults and 4 kids so I switched the request to a 2 BR at BLT. They have confirmed there is availability but there is a wait for someone with enough points. David's recommendation was for either VWL or BWV, which both would still have a wait, but apparently it's shorter.

We tried to go the DVC route for our most recent trip in January, but waited until Sept. and were unable to secure a villa. I definitely don't want that to happen this time. I'm just wondering if the odds are good that we will be able to secure a 2 BR at BLT just under 11 months out, or if I should consider going with a 2 BR at VWL or BWV? I never asked about Beach Club. Would that be easier or harder to book?

 

[have2getaway]

We were originally trying for 2 connecting studios st the Poly for Jan. 6-Jan. 13, but the waiting list was long and we felt we needed more room for 2 adults and 4 kids so I switched the request to a 2 BR at BLT. They have confirmed there is availability but there is a wait for someone with enough points. David's recommendation was for either VWL or BWV, which both would still have a wait, but apparently it's shorter.

We tried to go the DVC route for our most recent trip in January, but waited until Sept. and were unable to secure a villa. I definitely don't want that to happen this time. I'm just wondering if the odds are good that we will be able to secure a 2 BR at BLT just under 11 months out, or I should consider going with VWL or BWV?

 

[Brian Noble]

Beach Club is probably harder than BWV, which in turn is probably harder than VWL. You are also starting your stay on the Saturday of Marathon weekend, which is a very high-demand time for DVC reservations. If you have to wait for an appreciable amount of time, there is a good chance that the Standard View 2BRs at BLT are going to be gone. That means that BLT will cost you quite a few more points than either VWL or BWV would, as well.

Having stayed at all three, my advice: be willing to take VWL if someone with enough points shows up first. The expansion is expected to be done in 2017, so construction should not impact your stay at all. BLT has the advantage of being on the monorail and having views of MK from the elevators and walkways, if not from your room. But, VWL's theme is so completely carried out that it's a fantastic place for kids. The boat to MK is very nice, and while you bus to the rest of the parks, I don't think the monorail between CR and Epcot is not all its cracked up to be because you have to transfer.

I would probably not pick BWV, unless you plan to spend a lot of time in Epcot/DHS. Depends on the age of your kids, but for me BWV isn't nearly as "wow" of a setting as VWL.

 

[have2getaway]

Beach Club is probably harder than BWV, which in turn is probably harder than VWL. You are also starting your stay on the Saturday of Marathon weekend, which is a very high-demand time for DVC reservations. If you have to wait for an appreciable amount of time, there is a good chance that the Standard View 2BRs at BLT are going to be gone. That means that BLT will cost you quite a few more points than either VWL or BWV would, as well.

Having stayed at all three, my advice: be willing to take VWL if someone with enough points shows up first. The expansion is expected to be done in 2017, so construction should not impact your stay at all. BLT has the advantage of being on the monorail and having views of MK from the elevators and walkways, if not from your room. But, VWL's theme is so completely carried out that it's a fantastic place for kids. The boat to MK is very nice, and while you bus to the rest of the parks, I don't think the monorail between CR and Epcot is not all its cracked up to be because you have to transfer.

I would probably not pick BWV, unless you plan to spend a lot of time in Epcot/DHS. Depends on the age of your kids, but for me BWV isn't nearly as "wow" of a setting as VWL.

You are correct. I was already advised that the standard view is not an option, but was told there is a good chance I could get a 2 BR Lake view at BLT, which is more points. BWV and VWL were slightly less points and I was leaning towards VWL because it is very appealing to DH. We had also considered AKL but that seems way to remote, especially from MK. I was on the fence about the cost difference, but felt it was a small enough difference to try for the BLT. I'm currently on a wait list for a Lake View and am wondering are the chances I will be able to get it?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Frankly, I don't like your odds of any of the above.

Points requests for all major brokers right now far, far outstrip the number of points being offered for rent.

I would not expect to get any of those.

 

[have2getaway]

Frankly, I don't like your odds of any of the above.

Points requests for all major brokers right now far, far outstrip the number of points being offered for rent.

I would not expect to get any of those.

I'm fairly new to renting and still learning about DVC. What exactly does this mean?

 

[supersnoop]

I'm fairly new to renting and still learning about DVC. What exactly does this mean?

When the economy is good, people are using their points, not renting them out. Your problem is two-fold: the room being available and someone with the right points who wants to rent them out. I'd give you about a 10% chance. Even the lake-view rooms book up early for that week in January.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And right now, every broker has more requests for rental points than owners with points who want to rent. Brokers are a matching service. Brokers do not have points themselves.

 

[have2getaway]

When the economy is good, people are using their points, not renting them out. Your problem is two-fold: the room being available and someone with the right points who wants to rent them out. I'd give you about a 10% chance. Even the lake-view rooms book up early for that week in January.

So, what do you suggest? Are there any likely options to rent that week? I asked about changing our travel dates to 1/7 - 1/14, but was told they can tell there is availability, just a matter of finding someone with points.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We were originally trying for 2 connecting studios st the Poly for Jan. 6-Jan. 13, but the waiting list was long and we felt we needed more room for 2 adults and 4 kids so I switched the request to a 2 BR at BLT. They have confirmed there is availability but there is a wait for someone with enough points. David's recommendation was for either VWL or BWV, which both would still have a wait, but apparently it's shorter.

We tried to go the DVC route for our most recent trip in January, but waited until Sept. and were unable to secure a villa. I definitely don't want that to happen this time. I'm just wondering if the odds are good that we will be able to secure a 2 BR at BLT just under 11 months out, or if I should consider going with a 2 BR at VWL or BWV? I never asked about Beach Club. Would that be easier or harder to book?

The thing is none of us really know. The broker is the only one with a good idea and it sounds like they have provided advice. Since they match up renters to owners they just have to wait for an owner to ask the to rent out their points. They'll have some idea of how it usually goes but it's not going to be 100% predictable.

Have you thought about renting direct from an owner? Then you'll know and not be waiting in a queue. That does take more trust and investigation as you wouldn't have the guarantee that a broker provides to refund money if something happens but most transactions go off without a hitch.

Changing dates with a broker won't make a difference. They will either have points to rent or not - it's nothing to do with availability in this case. If there weren't room availability then switching dates would make a difference.

 

[supersnoop]

So, what do you suggest? Are there any likely options to rent that week? I asked about changing our travel dates to 1/7 - 1/14, but was told they can tell there is availability, just a matter of finding someone with points.

You might have luck with a trip a week later and booking at the 7 month point. At 7 months, any points can be used, but you risk less availability. The second half of January would likely have more options at 7 months.

Otherwise, try to find a BLT owner yourself. I think I saw one active BLT listing in the rental forum here.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Both times we have rented DVC, we have had the availability we requested but had to wait for the broker to find points. Both times, the broker was successful. This last trip was a longer wait for finding points, but the points were eventually found. Waiting for the points meant hoping the villa type and dates were still available when points were found. Again, we were lucky both times. I'm starting to think about a back up plan for our next trip, though. It sounds like it's getting more and more difficult to rent.

 

[drusba]

The issue is January 6. That is the Saturday of marathon weekend, one of the highest DVC demand times of the year. For that night, every 2BR at BLT, BWV and BRV could disappear soon, although you will likely have some time, possibly a month , for BRV, and possibly BLT lake view, and BWV pool/garden view, but likely is not a certainty and you should assume you have some risk, if you wait, of being blocked out for Jan 6 at all three resorts. Sunday, Jan 7, could also have an issue but you can probably wait longer for that one; moreover, Saturday definitely, and Sunday likely, will be gone before 7 months out when owners of any DVC resort can begin reserving resorts they do not own. If your arrival date were Monday, Jan 8, you could easily wait to reserve any of those until 7 months out.

 

[have2getaway]

The issue is January 6. That is the Saturday of marathon weekend one of the highest DVC demand times of the year. For that night, every 2BR at BLT, BWV and BRV could disappear soon, although you will likely have some time, possibly a month , for BRV, and possibly BLT lake view, and BWV pool/garden view, but likely is not a certainty and you should assume you have some risk, if you wait, of being blocked out for Jan 6 at all three resorts. Sunday, Jan 7, could also have an issue but you can probably wait longer for that one; moreover, Saturday definitely, and Sunday likely, will be gone before 7 months out. If your arrival date were Monday, Jan 8, you could easily wait to reserve any of those for any of those until 7 months out.

It is starting to make sense why they said VWL would be a short wait. They mentioned someone in the office had points for that resort.

We certainly could switch to 7-15, but just thought MLK weekend would be even busier.

 

[drusba]

MLK weekend is a moderate DVC demand time for which you can easily get BLT Lake view, BWV pool/garden view and BRV at 7 months out. The DVC demand for marathon weekend time makes MLK weekend, Easter and July 4 time look like slow off seasons. If instead you are just looking at size of park crowds, then MLK weekend will be busier.

 

[have2getaway]

The thing is none of us really know. The broker is the only one with a good idea and it sounds like they have provided advice. Since they match up renters to owners they just have to wait for an owner to ask the to rent out their points. They'll have some idea of how it usually goes but it's not going to be 100% predictable.

Have you thought about renting direct from an owner? Then you'll know and not be waiting in a queue. That does take more trust and investigation as you wouldn't have the guarantee that a broker provides to refund money if something happens but most transactions go off without a hitch.

Changing dates with a broker won't make a difference. They will either have points to rent or not - it's nothing to do with availability in this case. If there weren't room availability then switching dates would make a difference.

Yes, We have considered going directly with an owner, but it's very hard when I don't understand all the ins and outs. Some of the points posted I noticed are only available for certain resorts before 7 months out. It's also been hard fining someone with enough points for a 2 BR.

 

[have2getaway]

MLK weekend is a moderate DVC demand time for which you can easily get BLT Lake view, BWV pool/garden view and BRV at 7 months out. The DVC demand for marathon weekend time makes MLK weekend, Easter and July 4 time look like slow off seasons.

Thank you! I'm going to just sit tight and wait.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, We have considered going directly with an owner, but it's very hard when I don't understand all the ins and outs. Some of the points posted I noticed are only available for certain resorts before 7 months out. It's also been hard fining someone with enough points for a 2 BR.

For most what you are doing is renting a room for the time you request. Some will give payments but most want payment in full for the rental. They should list the price per point and you can find charts to know ahead what the point requirements are for the stay you want. You will buy tickets separately - either from Disney or a discount broker and you will add those to MDE. If you want dining or MDE you will have to have the owner add it - just like you would thru David's. Some owners are good hand holders thru the process, some will not and now and then there are owners who don't know all the in's and out's either. With David's you are paying for a consistent experience in the rental. Going direct you may get even better service but you may get worse.

As mentioned, if you do have a bit of leeway in your time you can just wait on the BLT and see if they find an owner to match up for you and if it's not going far they will have more points available at 7 months which is the time where the home resort priority ends and no matter where one owns they can book a room at any of the resorts. Home priority is 11-7 months and you have to find an owner of that resort you want to stay at.

 

[have2getaway]

For most what you are doing is renting a room for the time you request. Some will give payments but most want payment in full for the rental. They should list the price per point and you can find charts to know ahead what the point requirements are for the stay you want. You will buy tickets separately - either from Disney or a discount broker and you will add those to MDE. If you want dining or MDE you will have to have the owner add it - just like you would thru David's. Some owners are good hand holders thru the process, some will not and now and then there are owners who don't know all the in's and out's either. With David's you are paying for a consistent experience in the rental. Going direct you may get even better service but you may get worse.

As mentioned, if you do have a bit of leeway in your time you can just wait on the BLT and see if they find an owner to match up for you and if it's not going far they will have more points available at 7 months which is the time where the home resort priority ends and no matter where one owns they can book a room at any of the resorts. Home priority is 11-7 months and you have to find an owner of that resort you want to stay at.

I think, at this point, I'm going to follow the advice I was given with David's and wait a few more weeks. They have been very thorough with feedback and questions I have had. I don't want to jump ship and go rogue so soon. I'm not a big risk taker. If I had more experience, I would be willing to take a risk and try to do a deal with an owner, but I'm nervous that, as you put, the service could be worse. We will most likely want to add at least the basic dining plan.

 

[CarolMN]

Merged OP's duplicate threads (both had responses).