What to do, what to do...I am having second thoughts about AKV!

[CMedley78]

My DH and I purchased a 50 add-point on contract at AKV last year. I always planned on adding on 100 more points there so we would have a larger contract to bank and borrow. We also have a 160 point contract at SSR and a 91 point contract at HHI (two places we ADORE!).

While I LOVE AKV, too, I am thinking about adding on at BLT (whose rooms were much more homier than I anticipated). Here's the problem. I really only want contracts at three places: SSR, HHI, and either AKV or BLT. It is easier for me to manage, and this way we bank and borrow so we are using SSR points one year, AKV or BLT points the next year. You get my drift.

We typically stay in 1 BR accommodations, so we really need AT LEAST 200 points to play around with (100 points per use year...ala bank and borrow) for our visits. Where I was dead set on adding on 50 more points at AKV, I am not so much anymore after seeing the BLT rooms. Now, I am worrying about NOT getting to stay at BLT when booking at the 7 month window. What do I do????? I don't know if I want to go the whole resale route (I am pretty sure I would lose money selling my points there right now) and I can't imagine DVC would buy back the points when they still have points to sell.

AAAHHHHH!!!! Who else has been or currently is in the same position as me right now? What is the right thing to do???? Any insights would be helpful from people who have experienced this before...

 

[Sandisw]

I went through the same thing as you last month.

I bought my first contract in February--a small one at VWL (my 2nd choice resort) with the intent of becoming a member so I could add on at BLT. At the time, Disney was stating that the minimum was going up to 200 for new members and I knew that was more than I wanted right now.

The plan was to add on BLT points when we went on our yearly trip to WDW in August. Well, I got so excited about BLT, that it took only a week to start the add on process. After I did, I realized that I did not want to have to always book split stays at 11 months and really just wanted to own at BLT.

So, I decided to just put my VWL contract up for sale (I asked Disney if they would buy it back so I could just buy more points at BLT and they said no) and then buy those points back at BLT once it sold. I knew that I would take a loss on the deal (although I am getting a vacation out of it), it was worth it for me. Luckily, the contract was perfect for someone else and we are waiting on ROFR.

When all is said and done, I will own all 180 points at BLT and can book my entire trip there at 11 months. If we want to try other resorts, we can switch a few nights at 7 months, but I no longer have to leave it to chance.

When I analyzed everything (my DH thought I was crazy!!!), I realized that, over the long run, the loss really doesn't amount to that much and I will be much happier.

In your case, I am not sure what type of loss you are looking at, but I would buy where you know you want to be. While getting BLT at 7 months will certainly happe, for me, it just wasn't worth taking the chance that I could end up elsewhere!

Good luck!!!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Will you want to stay there regularly? If so, I'd buy there, and consider selling your AKV points.

I had thought about adding on at BLT, but after I looked at the points charts, I decided against it. A small contract won't go very far, and I know me. I'm a points miser! I just can't see booking there often.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Since you have already purchased the 50 pt. AKV contract, I would keep it. Why? Unless you want MK view every time, you will have plenty of opportunity to get Lake view at 7 mos. There is something AKV has that BLT does not....concierge. I think MK view is overrated anyway. During the day, one would see the castle, park buildings, and possibly parking lot views/noise. I am a total view person, and still I think MK view would be a once in a blue moon ressie for me, an owner. Why don't you try to ressie at 7 mos first before considering selling?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I guess, how much is it worth it to you. If you take a $10 loss on each point from your original purchase price, its only $500, it's not a huge amount of money in the scheme of things.

 

[CMedley78]

Since you have already purchased the 50 pt. AKV contract, I would keep it. Why? Unless you want MK view every time, you will have plenty of opportunity to get Lake view at 7 mos. There is something AKV has that BLT does not....concierge. I think MK view is overrated anyway. During the day, one would see the castle, park buildings, and possibly parking lot views/noise. I am a total view person, and still I think MK view would be a once in a blue moon ressie for me, an owner. Why don't you try to ressie at 7 mos first before considering selling?

Good point about trying out AKV. Maybe I am just overreacting and overthinking things because I want to make sure we are making the correct add-on. After this add-on, We won't have the money to add on more points at either SSR or AKV for another couple of years because we need to add on points at HHI since they changed their point chart.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I guess, how much is it worth it to you. If you take a $10 loss on each point from your original purchase price, its only $500, it's not a huge amount of money in the scheme of things.

Don't forget about the commission to the real estate agent who sells the contract for you. 10-12% of the sales price.

 

[thelionqueen]

I think you need to evaluate your true vacationing needs. We bought BLT for the location and MK view. While we also LOVE the Bay Lake view, it was absolutely essential to me to be an owner there because if I wanted a MK view, I would have the opportunity to get it. I truly believe that MK views will not be available to non-owners at almost any time. There will be the rare occasion of a cancellation or the stars aligning just right at the time you make your reservations, but other than that I believe only BLT owners will get the "coveted" MK view rooms.
As time goes on, I think that it will even be hard for owners to beat out other owners to get that view, just my .02.

I also believe it will be far easier to use your BLT points @ the 7 month window at another resort, than using other DVC points to get into BLT @ 7 months.
Bottom line for me is, buy where you want to stay is my advice

 

[CarolMN]

Wait a while - there's no hurry to make a decision, since you will undoubtedly lose money if you sell AKV and buy BLT

Unless you just have to stay in a MK view or standard view, I agree with BWV Dreamin. Lake view rooms will not be all that hard to get at 7 months, especiaily the 1 bedroom villas. I got one for late November/early December at 7 monhts and did not even have to waitlist.

I also think many members will look at the BLT points and decide it's not worth it. I was surpriised to see that a savanna view at AKV is less than a standard view at BLT. Doubt I'll be booking BLT again. (Kind of having booking remorse already, LOL).

So wait and see how easy or hard it is to get BLT at 7 months for the times you travel before you make a decision.