Warning about BLT models

[logan115]

Once you see them you're gonna want to own there !!

Have been seriously contemplating buying into DVC for the past few months (and dreaming about it since we stayed at BCV in a 1 BR nearly 3 yrs ago) as it seems to be a good thing for us (me, DW, DS (5) and DD (4 mos), and I've been doing a lot of the required homework (aka researching here on DIS and elsewhere, crunching the numbers based on our vacation habits and choices) so that I can make the most informed decision.

Brought up the idea of buying DVC to DW earlier in the week and convinced her to pack up the kids and drive thru the thunderstorms yesterday (we only live about 15 mins from Woodfield so it's a short drive) afternoon to see the BLT models at Doorway to Dreams.

Well, you wouldn't believe the way her jaw dropped when she saw the first model - and that was the studio ! The 1BR/2BR's are amazing, the layout, decor, and the thought of looking out at MK or even Bay Lake rocks. Not to mention the location and being on the monorail.

I know there are dozens of BLT-loving threads already, and didn't mean to clog up DIS with another, however I've never seen my DW be so close to wanting to sign on the $17K dotted line - which we didn't.

Anyway, just wanted to put the warning out to those within driving distance of Doorway to make sure that if you go, you bring you're willpower with you.

I think we'll ultimately buy into DVC via resale, will be contacting some of the recommended resalers this week to start the search for the right contract. Will probably end up buying at SSR (best value IMHO to start with) as we stayed there last year and liked it, and if the worst thing that happens is that we can't switch at 7 months we're ok with that and it won't be the end of the world. Would imagine that over time and with Kidani open that it will be easier to get into AKV at 7 months, and MAYBE in a few years even BLT (but I'm not holding my breath about ever being able to get a MK view at BLT at 7 mos), but as I'm already seeing some BLT points for rent/transfer maybe we'll go that route down the line.

Again - be forewarned about a serious case of addonitis or for non-owners sign-the-dotted-line-itis.

Chris

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Thanks for the warning!!

We'll be at WDW in about 2 weeks.

I think we will be able to resist though. Thanks to the market, that figure is now close to our life savings.

 

[DVC Mike]

I bought some points on at BLT before I saw the model. After seeing the models, I added on more.

I am steering clear of the models on this trip, as I don't want to be tempted.

 

[diesel]

I told my husband there was no way we were going to buy points at BLT. End of story.

Then on our trip in November we stopped by to see the BLT model rooms and we were hooked.

We were good we only bought 50 points bringing our grand total of combined DVC points to 450 (bwv, bcv and blt). Oh well I tried to resist buying but just couldn't.

So yes you are correct avoid the BLt models if you don't want to buy more points.

 

[logan115]

Driving over there yesterday I knew there was no way, I mean no way that I was even going to consider signing anything yesterday. It took all the willpower I had not to get sucked into the moment and do it Perhaps it was seeing the payment chart that saved me.....

So we won't be buying 160 pts at BLT to start things off, but the upside is the DW has suddenly changed her tune from *letting* me spend $7-$8K to buy in via resale for trips every other year or 2 out of every three years, to "just buy whatever you have to so that we can stay in a 1BR here every year."

Now suffice to say I don't have enough cashola to buy over 300 pts, but suddenly our bar has been raised and I'll probably be buying in (somewhere) for 100-150 pts and go from there.

Slightly off topic, but what kind of luck have people been having getting into AKV at 7 mos ?

Chris

 

[spiceycat]

even BLT - BL view is not off of the way.

not really expecting BLT to sell out for years (think DVC still has hopes of this year) - would say 2012 or 2013.

so if you buy in even at SSR you could probably get BLT. of course that is probabaly a bad thing - makes you want BLT more often and yes in a few years, when it is sold out, it will be a hard trade.

also price okw - it is sometimes a better price than SSR and the point chart is a little better.

everytime wanted AKV have been able to get it - really love it - but loved BLT more. sold my OKW to get BLT...

 

[logan115]

even BLT - BL view is not off of the way.

not really expecting BLT to sell out for years (think DVC still has hopes of this year) - would say 2012 or 2013.

so if you buy in even at SSR you could probably get BLT. of course that is probabaly a bad thing - makes you want BLT more often and yes in a few years, when it is sold out, it will be a hard trade.

also price okw - it is sometimes a better price than SSR and the point chart is a little better.

everytime wanted AKV have been able to get it - really love it - but loved BLT more. sold my OKW to get BLT...

Thanks Spicey -

Have been looking at SSR resales more than OKW based partially on the longer expiration (I know they have extended contracts but those seem to be a bit pricier), but point taken about the cheaper/better point charts.

I'm thinking that at some point down the line (say 5-10 years) once BLT resales start to really hit the market I can look at switching over to BLT from SSR as a home resort. Who knows, maybe in 5-10 years there will be a Poly DVC that everyone will be drooling over and take the premium off of BLT.

Chris

 

[RLRDA]

Haven't seen the models but we will be seeing the real thing in August. We were able to snag 3 nights in a MK view 1BR at the end of our AKV trip. What do we do now ? If the models make everyone add-on, we haven't got a prayer . Maybe I should cancel those BLT nights to be on the safe side !

 

[bwvBound]

The response is not entirely favorable. We walked through the models in January and came away with a strongly negative reaction. While we liked the slide out panty idea -- we were very turned off by the studio kitchen/bath arrangement and felt the decor, on the whole, came off "IKEA."

CMs responded that the reactions are fairly polar. I s'pose BLT is either something you love or hate.

 

[logan115]

The response is not entirely favorable. We walked through the models in January and came away with a strongly negative reaction. While we liked the slide out panty idea -- we were very turned off by the studio kitchen/bath arrangement and felt the decor, on the whole, came off "IKEA."

CMs responded that the reactions are fairly polar. I s'pose BLT is either something you love or hate.

I can definitely see that side too. I liked the studio kitchen/bath arrangement but that was the one thing DW wasn't raving about. I'm not that into modern or "contemporary" design (plenty happy with a basic comfy couch), but I thought the layout and use of space was great. Believe that the AKV villas have the same footprint and am having a ton of fun just looking thru the various photos layouts at the place we may be staying over the years after we buy into DVC.

 

[Minnie824]

The response is not entirely favorable. We walked through the models in January and came away with a strongly negative reaction. While we liked the slide out panty idea -- we were very turned off by the studio kitchen/bath arrangement and felt the decor, on the whole, came off "IKEA."

CMs responded that the reactions are fairly polar. I s'pose BLT is either something you love or hate.

I agree. DH & I last year went thru the AKV and loved them. Thats what made us buy...we had no intentions of buying. This year we went thru BLT and didn't care for them at all. I'm sure I'd like to stay there sometime, but not own there. Just not our taste.

 

[MouseMomx2]

The response is not entirely favorable. We walked through the models in January and came away with a strongly negative reaction. While we liked the slide out panty idea -- we were very turned off by the studio kitchen/bath arrangement and felt the decor, on the whole, came off "IKEA."

CMs responded that the reactions are fairly polar. I s'pose BLT is either something you love or hate.

This was our reaction too. I fully expected to fall in love with the BLT models and just didn't. They just felt kind of cold and unfriendly to me. Now, the AKV models...those I loved, but we won't be rushing to stay at BLT (or add on there) anytime soon.

 

[CarolA]

Been there, saw the models... had no urge to buy. So not everyone falls in love with them LOL!

 

[spiceycat]

I'm thinking that at some point down the line (say 5-10 years) once BLT resales start to really hit the market I can look at switching over to BLT from SSR as a home resort. Who knows, maybe in 5-10 years there will be a Poly DVC that everyone will be drooling over and take the premium off of BLT.

Chris

since BLT is not selling like DVC hoped. the chances of another monrail DVC resort are slimmer. So don't count on the Polyn anytime soon. would say these days 15 or more years for a Polyn DVC resort. they might even add on at the Yc before coming back to the MK resorts. (had the same problem with VWL, too)

 

[logan115]

since BLT is not selling like DVC hoped. the chances of another monrail DVC resort are slimmer. So don't count on the Polyn anytime soon. would say these days 15 or more years for a Polyn DVC resort. they might even add on at the Yc before coming back to the MK resorts. (had the same problem with VWL, too)

I know, was only using that as an example of another resort that people may line up to buy in to.

Maybe they'll end up extending the monorail to SSR and DTD.... now that would help SSR resales values.......

 

[CarolA]

I know, was only using that as an example of another resort that people may line up to buy in to.

Maybe they'll end up extending the monorail to SSR and DTD.... now that would help SSR resales values.......

No,no the monorail is going to DHS. There's going to be a stop in the Swan... the boatdriver told me all about how the "black" section can be removed for the monorail..

 

[stopher1]

We went to the Feb. Doorway event and saw the models there. We weren't all that excited about them - but definitely much better than the pictures we'd originally seen. Earlier today I went and saw them here in FL (here on business) and again - not all that excited about them. Yes, the proximity to MK is nice, and the view of the fireworks would be nice, but it was just kind of a George Jetson meets Ikea feel to me. I know there are lots and lots of folks who hands down love it, I'm just not one of them. But that's what's so nice about DVC - a variety of options. The one thing that I DID like about the model here in FL vs. the Doorway model in IL - the curvature of the tower is reflected in the FL model - whereas it isn't in the IL model, since they simply remodeled the old AKV space to "fit" the BLT model. Oh well - to each his/her own.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I suspect many DVC members might feel as we do....MK is our least favorite destination, so no real draw to staying near there. On top of that, we don't care for the decor OR the big hotel type atmosphere, so not really any draw there at all. Sure, I'd take a MK view for one night if someone gave it to me, but I probably wont ever spend the points for it.

 

[ohtarabell]

I also toured the BLT models and had no urge to buy. There was nothing wrong that I can point to, just didn't feel comfortable to me. The animal kingdom models won both my wife and I over. Maybe we are suckers for fake pictures of a giraffe!

 

[SLM]

Chris, we switched our week in a 2BR at BCV to a week in a 2BR Savannah view a little past the 7 month mark-this is for the middle of August (our daughter and her husband are teachers). When I called, the CM told me there were 5 units still available. We've since added on at AKV-something I thought we'd never do since our original 200 points seemed plenty for us! Thanks for the warning-I better stay out of those models!