What would you do

[dacky041208]

Ok, we are now leaning towards purchasing Bay Lake Towers. We have a trip planned for this summer, late July to early August. We wanted to buy resale, but if we do move forward with BLT, we aren't so sure that would be best, so I just wanted your opinions on what you'd do here. If we buy through Disney, we could cancel the 2nd half of our trip (5 night room only reservation) and we could use some DVC points for this year in August. I know it's only 4 months away, but do you think we'd have a problem getting a 5 or 6 night ressie at any of the DVC properties for this summer? I know BLT would be a loooong shot, but we'd be happy exploring any of the DVC options. Doing this could save us 1300 dollars off our trip which would basically even out the Disney price with any savings we would have from buying resale. Any thoughts on this?


ETA: Minor question #2, if you do buy directly through Disney, can you request a specific Use Year if you are a new DVC member? We would probably like an April Use Year since we do most of our trips between May and August.

 

[dbs1228]

If you are looking at BLT there is not that much savings on the resale market, we just pulled out of a contract because we realized we would only be saving 200.00 (it was an add on so we would not have closing cost thru dvc but new dvc owners do pay closing costs about 300.00, resale you pay closing no matter what) Buying resale you would have at least 45 - 60 days before you can even book a ressie with your points, buying through Disney you can book your ressie after the deposit is made. (we bought a resale at SSR deposited it 2/26/10 and right now we are waiting to close since it took dvc 3 weeks to waive ROFR) It is worth the 4000.00 savings but BLT there was no savings.

Right now they are offering 2009 points as an incentive (double points to start) which more then made up for the 200.00 savings we were going to get resale and no wait. I would ask your guide about UY and if you are really set on a certain UY I think if it makes or breaks a sale you will be able to get it. Not sure how it would inpact the 2009 points, for us we needed to bank our points by 3/31/10 since we have an Aug UY. With that being said make or break a sale I think they will work with you. Good luck

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, I bought last year around this time and was able to secure a summer reservation.

Matter of fact, if you go directly through Disney, mention to your guide that getting a reservation somewhere is important to your decision is you will be replacing your current cash reservation with DVC.

I did that as I was originally getting developer points and wanted to be sure I would get a room at SSR (the only place they were good). My guide called MS and said there would be no problem.

Once my trip was booked, I made some changes in June for the Aug trip and had no problem finding other resorts to switch to (from SSR to BWV, BLT, and VWL).

Good luck!!!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

If you are pretty sure you are going to purchase, buy now. As PP mentioned, tell your guide that you really want reservations for July/Aug and that is a big incentive for you to purchase.

To this day, it makes me sick that we paid for a 1-BR at OKW and bought in the next month. Like you, we thought we were going to purchase. I just didn't understand enough at the time to realize that I could have purchased, put that $1600+ toward the purchase price, and still took the vacation! Ugh!

If your heart is set on BLT, buy through Disney. Of all of the resorts, you'll most likely get a better deal by going through Disney. By the time you get incentives, pay reduced closing costs, and possibly get what people will refer to as a "loaded" contract (points available now, and additional points coming sometime in 2010 depending on your UY), you'll come out ahead overall.

We've been members since 2007, and have added on twice since then. This is one purchase where I can honestly say we've had no buyer's remorse. I wish you the best of luck with your decision!

 

[DMKEDM]

A quick timing thought: If you will be buying an April UY, if you want those double points, buy today or tomorrow...the "double points" are really no more (and no less) than getting current UY points as part of your purchase...so w/an April UY, you need to buy prior to April 1...

Unless something has changed, you will not get double points (i.e., 2009 points along w/your 2010 points) if you buy after the start of your use year (in this case, April 1)...

Good luck w/your decision...we love our DVC m'ship, and hope it brings you as much magic as it brought us!

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, you can get an April UY. But as PP said, you would have to buy before April 1st to still get 2009 points.

The only other UY that would come with 2009 points if you miss the April 1st date, would be Dec. This way, your May through Aug trips would still be covered as you have until July 31st to bank. Any August trips would be have to be changed or cancelled by then anyway because of the 31 days before travel rule to avoid holding points.

Even if you are not 100% positive, and really want April, you may want to contact a guide today, put down the deposit, get the paperwork started, and go from there. At least, you would lock in those 2009 points. You always have 10 days from the time you sign the papers to cancel out of the deal.

Good luck!!!

 

[Crystal_27]

As others have mentioned, if you do end up buying through Disney, you could make a "condition" of your purchase that your Guide get you into BLT for your stay. If your Guide can't get you into BLT, perhaps see if he can get you into your second choice resort. It can't hurt... I do agree that you should go ahead and get your points through Disney. If you went resale, keep in mind that although some BLT contracts are passing ROFR, with your timetable, if Disney did exercise ROFR on a contract, you really would be cutting it close to closing on a second contract before your trip. Hope we'll be welcoming you home soon!

 

[ssmerdel]

We were in this very same scenario. We bought through Dinsey, at the end of February for a March UY. We had already paid for our summer vacation starting in early June. Completely paid for. We decided to contact DVC and the stipulation was that we were able to get a room at Vero Beach and AKV (Kidani) for the same exact nights we had already paid for. Once we gave them a deposit, they booked us with no problem. Once we were approved, we cancelled our existing reservations and got 100% of our money back. With the money we got back, we were able to put 10% down into DVC, buy Premium Annual Passes and have money put back for the dining plan without saving any extra. For us it was well worth it.

 

[SFD998]

We have made two resale purchases and are in the process of a third right now. We have also made one direct from Disney purchase. With some of the current BLT incentives it is probably not worth it for resale. In addition to not getting 2009 points alot of the BLT contracts I have seen are stripped of their points until 2012. If I could pay for the 150 points we want I would go direct. Unfortunately, it will have to wait.

 

[dacky041208]

Yes, you can get an April UY. But as PP said, you would have to buy before April 1st to still get 2009 points.

The only other UY that would come with 2009 points if you miss the April 1st date, would be Dec. This way, your May through Aug trips would still be covered as you have until July 31st to bank. Any August trips would be have to be changed or cancelled by then anyway because of the 31 days before travel rule to avoid holding points.

Even if you are not 100% positive, and really want April, you may want to contact a guide today, put down the deposit, get the paperwork started, and go from there. At least, you would lock in those 2009 points. You always have 10 days from the time you sign the papers to cancel out of the deal.

Good luck!!!

Do you mean that December is the only other UY that would come with the 2009 points, or just that it would be the only other one that would work ok with when we usually vacation? I've been trying to call my guide yesterday and today and haven't gotten to him yet. I'm just going to call the 800# and talk to whoever is available.

 

[dacky041208]

Do you mean that December is the only other UY that would come with the 2009 points, or just that it would be the only other one that would work ok with when we usually vacation? I've been trying to call my guide yesterday and today and haven't gotten to him yet. I'm just going to call the 800# and talk to whoever is available.

Nevermind, I just called and had everything answered. It looks like in a few hours we are going to be putting our deposit down for BLT.

 

[princessfionasmom]

That's awesome!!! Welcome home!!!!

 

[dacky041208]

That's awesome!!! Welcome home!!!!

Thanks, we just were approved and put down the deposit. BLT was available for our trip too. Woooo, saving the money we had put down and getting our first DVC stay!

 

[VrBchJ]

Welcome Home. This has turned into a win/win for you.

 

[dizfan]

Congratulations and home!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

congrats OP on your decison and purchase! And Welcome Home!

Yes, you can get an April UY. But as PP said, you would have to buy before April 1st to still get 2009 points.

The only other UY that would come with 2009 points if you miss the April 1st date, would be Dec.

Actually, if someone did not purchase by today the only UY's that won't come with 2009 points are Feb, Mar and Apr. June - Dec will all still have 2009 points.

 

[Crystal_27]

Thanks, we just were approved and put down the deposit. BLT was available for our trip too. Woooo, saving the money we had put down and getting our first DVC stay!

Congratulations and welcome home "neighbor."

 

[dbs1228]

Congratulations! We did a small add-on at BLT yesterday and the points were in our account last night which I banked on-line since our UY is Aug. My guide said not to worry they would bank them when I got my contract just call MS. I was amazed the points were there in less then 6 hours!

Ok I need to stop the addonitis since coming home in Feb. I have added on twice (one resale) and I still have not travelled as a dvc member yet! lol I have a lot of big plans though!

 

[dbs1228]

Congratulations!

 

[Sandisw]

congrats OP on your decison and purchase! And Welcome Home!



Actually, if someone did not purchase by today the only UY's that won't come with 2009 points are Feb, Mar and Apr. June - Dec will all still have 2009 points.

Yes, I know but my comment was in reference to her time of travel and that as a 2nd choice, Dec UY would be good and still have those 2009 points.