Why buy at Bay Lake Tower?

[jade1]

We added on at BLT for all the great reasons above plus its the fewest points to stay for our family of 5 than all DVC resorts at WDW and all seasons (except AKV which we will never stay at-too far from everything). Plus the cheaper dues makes it even more of a value. That said, we will still plan 1/2 the week at BLT and the other 1/2 at BCV or BWV-perfect.

 

[cg1200]

Sorry, I can't do it. I don't like the up front cost per point or the point chart itself. If I were in the market to make my first purchase I would buy OKW or SSR resale in a second over BLT.

To each his own. I've never stayed at OKW or SSR and probably never intend to. We prefer the convenience of the Epcot area or BLT. It is moreup front at BLT but OKW and SSR are just too far away for our tastes. We prefer to be closer to the "action".

But depending on your travel habits and preferences, buying at SSR or OKW may be the right thing for you. It's great that we all have options to do what's right for our families.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

To each his own. I've never stayed at OKW or SSR and probably never intend to. We prefer the convenience of the Epcot area or BLT. It is moreup front at BLT but OKW and SSR are just too far away for our tastes. We prefer to be closer to the "action".

But depending on your travel habits and preferences, buying at SSR or OKW may be the right thing for you. It's great that we all have options to do what's right for our families.

I am assuming that you are making your reservation more than 7 months in advance. In my opinion if you make your reservation more than 7 months in advance then you simply need to buy at the resort you like best regardless of price per point, length of contract, annual dues, etc.

In my opinion if making reservations less than 7 months at this point and time (1/18/10) then Saratoga Springs is the way to go. You can purchase typically for about $67 to $73 per point (sometimes more and sometimes less) and the annual dues are the third lowest at $4.46 per point.

Jason

 

[culli]

I am assuming that you are making your reservation more than 7 months in advance. In my opinion if you make your reservation more than 7 months in advance then you simply need to buy at the resort you like best regardless of price per point, length of contract, annual dues, etc.

In my opinion if making reservations less than 7 months at this point and time (1/18/10) then Saratoga Springs is the way to go. You can purchase typically for about $67 to $73 per point (sometimes more and sometimes less) and the annual dues are the third lowest at $4.46 per point.

Jason

Jason - just saw your tag line of "I support addonitis" You got the cure right!!! Hope all is well, I'm sure I will be coming to Dr. Jason for an addonitis cure in the near future

 

[cg1200]

I am assuming that you are making your reservation more than 7 months in advance. In my opinion if you make your reservation more than 7 months in advance then you simply need to buy at the resort you like best regardless of price per point, length of contract, annual dues, etc.

In my opinion if making reservations less than 7 months at this point and time (1/18/10) then Saratoga Springs is the way to go. You can purchase typically for about $67 to $73 per point (sometimes more and sometimes less) and the annual dues are the third lowest at $4.46 per point.

Jason

Yes. I almost always book between 7-11 months out. As my kids get older its getting harder to pull them from school so we are going at busier times of the year. Hence the 11 month window has some value to me.

I do agree that if you are booking within the 7 month window typically then there is no reason to buy BLT. Also, if you generally only need a studio or 1BR, you have a larger inventory to choose from at the 7 month window than if you need a 2BR. I own at BWV and have had trouble booking a standard view 2BR at 9 months. They go quickly.

 

[delauzons]

OP - I wrestled with this exact dilemma though I was deciding between BWV and BLT. We already own at BWV and love it. We stayed at BLT back in Nov and though we weren't blown away by the sterile theming, the location was just too good to be true. Walking to MK was just so convenient. My kids are still young so we spend a lot of time there.

The other thing we really liked was that the 1BR has a 2nd full bathroom. That is a nice bonus with a family of 5.

It was really the upfront cost that put me off. 17K for 160 points at BLT vs about 8K for 150 points at BWV (resale). However over time, factoring in the dues it evened out. So did I want to spend more now or over time? Tough call. In the end we decided to buy BLT at the higher upfront cost. We felt the 11 month window might be more valuable over time as my kids get older and going off-peak season will get harder.

FWIW, I never considered AKV or SSR despite the lower costs. I never wanted to be "stuck" staying at a resort I really didn't like very much if the other resorts were full at 7 months.

We own at BWV also and just added on at BLT. We are a family of 5 and love the extra bathroom. We stayed at Kidani in July and BLT in September and the extra bathroom and sleeper chair worked out great! The location of BLT and the access to so many restaurants plus the extended years sold us over. We bought 3 60 point contracts-one for each daughter when they are older!

 

[cg1200]

We own at BWV also and just added on at BLT. We are a family of 5 and love the extra bathroom. We stayed at Kidani in July and BLT in September and the extra bathroom and sleeper chair worked out great! The location of BLT and the access to so many restaurants plus the extended years sold us over. We bought 3 60 point contracts-one for each daughter when they are older!

Sounds like a very similar thought process to ours. Nice touch adding the 3 contracts for the kids. I wasn't blown away by the theming at BLT but the location is just too good to be true.

 

[dizfan]

17K for 160 points at BLT vs about 8K for 150 points at BWV (resale).

Is this a typo? Were BWV resales really going for 53.33 per point?

 

[cg1200]

Is this a typo? Were BWV resales really going for 53.33 per point?

No, no. I wasn't clear. I was only looking at a 100 point contract at BWV to add to my existing 150. I basically need about 250 points per year for our trips. That's where I got the 8K for an add on at BWV. Going BLT basically forced me to go to 160 to get the price break. I think BWV resales are trypically in the low to mid 80's.

 

[Nancy F]

We always stayed at GF in the concierge level twice a year so we were spending the money anyway. Friends and family always told us how great having a DVC was. But I didn't want to travel by bus everywhere we went. So when I got a call in Nov. from DVC about BLT, I set up a tour during our Dec. trip and fell in love. We bought 250 points and have our two trips booked for 2010 with 10 pts banked for 2011. I was lucky to get my pts for $110.00. Can't wait to stay in a studio MKV in April and looking at the Castle from my room. But I'm sure going to miss staying at the Grand Foridian.
Nancy

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We always stayed at GF in the concierge level twice a year so we were spending the money anyway. Friends and family always told us how great having a DVC was. But I didn't want to travel by bus everywhere we went. So when I got a call in Nov. from DVC about BLT, I set up a tour during our Dec. trip and fell in love. We bought 250 points and have our two trips booked for 2010 with 10 pts banked for 2011. I was lucky to get my pts for $110.00. Can't wait to stay in a studio MKV in April and looking at the Castle from my room. But I'm sure going to miss staying at the Grand Foridian.
Nancy

I love your story. Now that you do own DVC, try out Boardwalk or Beach Club sometime. I bet you'd love them both!

 

[disneyrunningnut]

I just added on points this week so I could book a Standard View room. If I had lots of points and didn't mind spending extra points on LV I wouldn't have added on. I have been lucky and gotten, BC, and BW when I wanted at less then 7 months. Also think LV at BLT at 7 months won't be too difficult for awhile.

 

[cg1200]

Also think LV at BLT at 7 months won't be too difficult for awhile.

I agree. There seems to be good inventory on the LV rooms.

 

[Nancy F]

I love your story. Now that you do own DVC, try out Boardwalk or Beach Club sometime. I bet you'd love them both!

We may try to take a shorter trip in Oct. at some point and I'm thinking either of these would fit the bill nicely.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We may try to take a shorter trip in Oct. at some point and I'm thinking either of these would fit the bill nicely.

Availability at BCV and BWV tends to be low during F&W Festival, so make sure to call at 7 mos.

 

[Nancy F]

Just have to get the hubby to agree to another trip. We go the first week of Dec. so I have to work on him to go so close to that trip. But I'm starting from now so maybe by Nov. of 2010 I'll have convinced him to book at BLT and then I can see about getting it changed at the 7 month mark.
Thanks,
Nancy

 

[chawk]

Wishes!

The views of the castle and Bay Lake.

Location! Location! Location!

 

[missycj96]

If you are ok with a lake view, then 7 month availability at BLT has been pretty good. I have not been able to get MK view. Standard view is also hard. If you can be flexible with your dates, SSR is much less expensive. If you have your heart set on MK view or need specific dates, then to avoid disappointment, go with BLT.