What would be a good use year for us?

[mickeyplanner]

We are considering purchasing a BLT resale and traveling to Disney every January. What would be a good UY month for us to consider? Also how soon are BLT one-bedrooms booking up, is it crucial for us to have BLT as our home resort or could we go with a different/less expensive home resort and still get a one-bedroom at BLT at the seven month window?

 

[CarolMN]

Moved the above post from RRA Forum to Puchasing DVC Forum so others will see mickeyplanner's questions.

 

[got4boys]

We are considering purchasing a BLT resale and traveling to Disney every January. What would be a good UY month for us to consider? Also how soon are BLT one-bedrooms booking up, is it crucial for us to have BLT as our home resort or could we go with a different/less expensive home resort and still get a one-bedroom at BLT at the seven month window?

December would be a good use year if you are traveling in January. January is not very busy. Just note, there may be rides closed for refurbishment in January and February (usually after the Christmas holidays and before President's week).

January would be rather easy to book (unless it falls right at New Years) with other points at the 7 month window.

 

[drusba]

Usually recommended that you get use year that begins shortly before you go each year. The reason for that has to do with the risk of having to cancel and then being able to bank your points if you do; use year does not determine when you can go (anytime of year), and when you can call to reserve, 11 months at home resort, 7 at others. Your ideal use year if you go Jan yearly is, in order of preference, Dec, Oct, or Sep.

If you reserve 11 months out you will get what you want. First three to five days of Jan can be difficult at BLT at 7 months. Otherwise, as long as you call exactly 7 months out, you should be able to get Lake View in Jan. However, standard (about 11% of all rooms) and MK (20%) view can be difficult at 7 months any time of year.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree that during most of January you will most likely be able to get something at BLT with the possible exception of the first few days of January. The marathon weekend is also a difficult time.

 

[DVCBrian]

A large fraction of BLT is "lake view" - something like 70% or so?? The rest is either standard view (cheaper) or theme park view (more expensive).

If the 1BR room you would want is "lake view", then because of the fact that so much of the resort is classified as lake view, you can expect to have little trouble getting this booking category at 7 months. If however you are planning exactly the number of points to get a 1BR standard view room for your trips, then you may need the home resort advantage that BLT points gives.

 

[sam_001]

a December use year is best if you travel in January if you don't have any emergencies any use year will do you just have to be committed to those dates and cross your fingers that you don't have to cancel the reservation and lose those points for that year