Where to buy - BLT, AK, or SRS?

[El Guapo]

I think we have decided to take the plunge.

Just debating on which to use as our home resort. We have 2 small kids (6 and 3) and generally will be visiting around xmas break.

Any thoughts?

 

[robert@dvcstore]

As many members have mentioned on the board here in the past, it is a good idea to own you points at the resort you wish to stay at the most. If your vacation plans are to visit WDW during the Christmas season, it would be a good idea to be able to make those reservations at your home resort 11 months before check in. Having the home resort advantage really helps during the busy holiday seasons.

Good luck with your decision.

Robert

 

[Caren]

With little kids, I'd buy at BLT to be close to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Given the choice of SSR, BLT and AKV, I would go with AKV.

However, of the three, which most appeals to you? Aound the Christmas break home advantage will be very important if you book at the 11 month mark, where do you see yourself being happiest?

Bobbi

 

[El Guapo]

I love the location of BLT, but we're wondering if there is more to do at the AKV - they seem to have more play areas, and a "kids club" where you can drop the kids off (I assume there's a charge), etc. Does BLT have these amenities too?

 

[JoQuo711]

I love the location of BLT, but we're wondering if there is more to do at the AKV - they seem to have more play areas, and a "kids club" where you can drop the kids off (I assume there's a charge), etc. Does BLT have these amenities too?

There are play areas in the open area in the center of the tower, though I'm not really sure what's going to be there other than shuffleboard and the swimming pool. There's a community hall there as well so there will probably be more to do. As far as kids clubs, I believe that the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian all share the Neverland Club at the Polynesian, which is just a short monorail trip away (don't know what it costs offhand but there's definitely a charge for that). Also unique to BLT will be the reservation-only (and so far only available to DVC members) Top of the World lounge, but based on the descriptions they've offered, it doesn't exactly sound kid-friendly.

 

[logan115]

AKV is a pretty large resort, and if I had to flip a coin I'd guess that you'll have a better chance of getting in to AKV at 7 months than you will at BLT (especially for Christmas).

Obviously don't have any data to support this as BLT is so new, but just my gut assumptions.

If you're even considering SSR you should be looking at resale instead of buying SSR direct as you can save a TON of cash (SSR is around $91 direct with the current incentives and closer to $70 resale).

MFs at BLT are much lower at than AKV making BLT a much more "cost effective" place ot own over time.

HOWEVER - keep in mind that your points won't go as far at BLT as they will at AKV - this is the case regardless of where you own so it shouldn't really factor into your choice around AKV vs BLT as a home resort.

For example, a 1BR Savanah view at AKV in the "premier" season is 345 points, with the concierge view being 402. A lake view at BLT for the same period is 386, while the MK view is 466.

Again, the last paragraph shouldn't factor in "where" you own, but just something to keep in mind.

Good luck on your choice,

Chris

 

[tay72699]

We just went through this with an add on of 100pts. We initially thought that we would go with SSR with the better incentives (this included cruise incentives), but when we got home and did the math we went with BLT. The price per point was higher, but with the lower dues and five more years of ownership it was a no brainer. Also, we took into account the resale value if ,and that's a big if, needed to sell. Yes, the points are more to stay there, but you don't have to stay there for every visit. This gives you that home resort advantage though when you choose to stay there. I already have friends wanting to rent/transfer BLT points from us.

Good Luck...

 

[SSRFred]

I love the location of BLT, but we're wondering if there is more to do at the AKV - they seem to have more play areas, and a "kids club" where you can drop the kids off (I assume there's a charge), etc. Does BLT have these amenities too?

BLT has all the amenities plus monorail/walking access to some of the best restaurants in WDW. The Neverland club is a must do for my kids when we go.

 

[christa112]

We took the tour in Sept and saw both mock rooms for AKL & BLT. We loved AKL the rustic look and the savannah views sold us. BLT just seems a bit to fancy for our liking. I really don't mind riding the busses, so being on the monorail line wasn't a deal breaker for us. We have not seen Kidani yet, but when you walk into Jambo's lobby it is amazing! The theming is incredible. I just don't get that feel when walking into the Contemporary. We did get a brief tour of SSR and it is really nice, but again, I wasn't blown away like AKL

Also with having 3 kids, being able to check out all the animals and having a pretty killer pool will thrill my kids. They also have a fire pit at night, which I thought was pretty neat too.

My vote is for AKL.

 

[sabrecmc]

I'm facing the same choice as the OP. We're going down in a month and I'll tour the options. I've stayed at SSR and liked it, but it did not feel "Disney" to me. So, that leaves AK or BLT. I lean toward AK, which just looks so gorgeous. My mom wants me to go with BLT b/c of the monorail access.

The point about it being easier to book at AK at 7 months out vs. BLT makes some sense. We tend to do one trip in the summer and then a couple of trips during non-peak times (we love October and my daughter's birthday is late January). I think my hang-up with BLT is that I am not a fan of contemporary decor. I know, that's a stupid reason to make a decision like this!

Anyway, I appreciate hearing the opinions.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

As had been said many times on this board - Buy where you like to stay.

BLT will probably be the hardest to get in Dec at 7 months. It also has the lowest dues. With the kids you will be really close to MK and you can't overvalue the convienence of being so close to your DVC home at the end of a "Park" day.

Of the 3 I think I like the theming at AKV the best. Nicest pool. It is a little remote.

I really like SSR. I think it is beautiful resort and you now have the treehouses. But I think this will be the easiest resort to book at 7 months (excluding those treehouses)

So, although it sounds like I'm recomending BLT, I wouldn't want to stay there as it just seems like a big modern "blah" hotel to me. Back to the original point - Buy where you like to stay.

 

[disneynutz]

I think we have decided to take the plunge.

Just debating on which to use as our home resort. We have 2 small kids (6 and 3) and generally will be visiting around xmas break.

Any thoughts?

Until you stay at the resorts, how do you know what you love? I get the feeling that many buy the "current deal" and latter, may have questioned their decision.

When we started buying we spent over a year checking out the different resorts and even after we purchased, our favorites have been modified.

You will be spending several thousands of dollars and buying site unseen or buying without experiencing the resort is a mistake IMHO.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

You've received good advice so far.

If I had to choose between the three, it would be AKV followed closely by SSR.

Best wishes in your decision.

 

[katiedid0801]

We have the same dilemma. We are (finally!) ready to buy, and I'm still undecided between BLT & AKV. In my heart I want AKV because I fell in love with the lodge when we visited there a few years ago. But I know BLT will be next to impossible to get at the 7 month window, and we do plan on travelling with our grandkids (ages 2 to 12). I think BLT would be great for them and we'd stand a better chance of getting AKV at the 7 month window if we so chose. Then I start thinking that if I'm mainly planning on booking at the 7 month window maybe I ought to look at an inexpensive resale like OKW. Can you tell I tend to rethink myself a hundred times before making a decision? Maybe we just need to go with BLT now (we'd get the webcast incentive) and add on at AKV later. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

 

[VallCopen]

I am pretty new to this but why don't people who are torn just buy half their points at one resort and the other half at another, then bank/borrow those points every other year and alternate resorts? Atleast this way you would have priority and enough points every other year at both resorts?

 

[disneynutz]

I am pretty new to this but why don't people who are torn just buy half their points at one resort and the other half at another, then bank/borrow those points every other year and alternate resorts? Atleast this way you would have priority and enough points every other year at both resorts?

You may be new... but you are very smart.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

BLT is a little too rich for my blood right now.

I love it...but I don't know that I love it almost twice as much as other resorts when you add the point cost and the points per night.

 

[ELKHUNTER]

I think we have decided to take the plunge.

Just debating on which to use as our home resort. We have 2 small kids (6 and 3) and generally will be visiting around xmas break.

Any thoughts?

One of the main things to consider is not only the resort you would like, but how much you are willing to spend on points compared to how long and how many vacations you will take a year. The newer resorts require a considerable amount of points per night more than ex. SSR or OKW etc.
Just something to think about.

 

[Dean]

I am pretty new to this but why don't people who are torn just buy half their points at one resort and the other half at another, then bank/borrow those points every other year and alternate resorts? Atleast this way you would have priority and enough points every other year at both resorts?

For many, this is a valid plan and can work right out of the box for someone well familiar with Disney AND the DVC resorts. Even then the newness and emotions can color your judgement so you need to be careful. Buying at more than one resort can be a valid plan, many of us have done it. However, it's rare for a potential new owner to know enough to truly know this is what they want to do. Often, buying the lower amount of points at one resort then re-evaluating over time about the other points can be the best option for one considering points at multiple places up front.

IMO, one needs to go through a process to decide about buying DVC, unfortunately many get the cart before the horse. You first need to decide how likely you are to stay at DVC resorts the next 33-50 years (depending on the resort), then if you truly can afford it (often the show stopper, and I don't just mean payments), and then how you'll use the points. The latter sounds simple but really isn't. For example, one how knows they want to stay at BLT most trips, should buy there but one who wants to stay at BLT a couple of trips then try the other resorts, likely shouldn't buy BLT right now given the economics. The price difference can be as much as $40 a point or more and the dues can be more than $1 a point difference depending on specific choices and resale vs retail.

Ultimately you are correct that owning multiple options (UY or home resort) can be beneficial but it can also have a cost both in $$$ and complexity.