Why own at two resorts?

[happymommy]

I'm looking into DVC (we go to WDW about 1-2x a year and only deluxes, but stayed at BWV twice through disney AP discounts).

I liked BWV location, but think the kids would like stormalong bay (DD7 and DS9). I like the close proximity to Epcot also, so I'd like to look into BCV (we may go during spring break so we'd need the 11 month window).

If you own BCV and BWV, you COMBINE points? So can you book 11 months out only if your BCV points are sufficient for the trip, or does that matter? Or do you have to have enough BCV points for that trip?

Also, when you make your ressie, do you have to have the points currently available, or do you just have to have the points available by the time you check in? Like if you have some points but your use year is coming up, then you'll have enough, do you have to wait to book the stay?

It seems like BCV is hard to get. Any advice is SO APPRECIATED! This is a bit confusing.

 

[bicker]

You only get home resort advantage with the points from your home resort. Remember that with banking and borrowing, you can amass up to three times your normal allotment, all of which with the advantage, if you plan ahead and are strategic.

Personally, I don't think the differences between BCV and BWV are worth owning at both. By the same token, I do believe the differences between BCV or BWV and VWL are worth owning at two resorts.

 

[jade1]

Why own at 2 resorts?QUOTE]

We own VWL to reserve XMAS week at 11 months and BCV to reserve Spring Break week at 11 months.

 

[happymommy]

Those are excellent points! I like both BCV and BWV, but have never stayed at VWL. I've eaten at WL twice and love the theming.

So... If I need 350 points for a 2br over spring break, and want BCV, I'd need 350 points at BCV regardless of any other home resorts? Taking into account borrowing and banking, it still has to be BCV for the 11 month advantage, eh? I'm starting to understand what I need to buy (if I can get DH to agree to let me do it.).

It would be so nice to have the space (and the washer/dryer).

 

[Caskbill]

Those are excellent points! I like both BCV and BWV, but have never stayed at VWL. I've eaten at WL twice and love the theming.

So... If I need 350 points for a 2br over spring break, and want BCV, I'd need 350 points at BCV regardless of any other home resorts? Taking into account borrowing and banking, it still has to be BCV for the 11 month advantage, eh? I'm starting to understand what I need to buy (if I can get DH to agree to let me do it.).

It would be so nice to have the space (and the washer/dryer).

That's correct. Suppose you owned 200 BWV points and 150 BCV points.

At 11 months you could make a 200 point BWV reservation and a 150 point BCV reservation. You could NOT make a 350 point reservation at any of the DVC-resorts, whether it's one of your home resorts or not.

At 7-months all points may be combined. Thus at 7-months you could make a 350 point BWV reservation, OR a 350 point BCV reservation, or a 350 point reservation at any DVC resort, dividing the points you use between your two home resort accounts in any proportion you'd like. EG you want to make a 250 point reservation at VWL. You could use all 200 BWV points and 50 BCV points, or 150 BWV + 100 BCV, or any other combination you'd like. At 7-months home resort no longer matters.


Suppose you want to have a 350 point vacation each year and need to have the 11-month window. You accomplish this via banking and borrowing. If you purchase 175 points at BWV, and 175 points at BCV, you can have the 11-month window at each resort, every other year.

Year 1: Bank all 175 of your BCV points into year 2's account. Borrow all 175 of BWV's year 2 points into year 1. This now gives you 350 BWV points to use, and 0 BCV points to use, in year 1. Make a 350 point reservation at BWV.

Year 2. You do not receive any BWV points since you borrowed them and used them in year 1. You receive 175 new BCV points, which along with the 175 BCV points you banked from last year, you have 350 total BCV points to use. Make a 350 point reservation at BCV.

Year 3, repeat what you did for year 1
Year 4, repeat what you did for year 2

And so on. You'll see that each year you're taking a 350 point vacation, but because of banking & borrowing, you're able to use the 11-month home resort booking window each time.

Hope this helps.

 

[keys2kingdom]

Thanks for the very thorough explanation Batesville Bill.

 

[happymommy]

I get it - the more info, the more confused!

Sounds like if I really LOVE the BCV or BWV, I should concentrate on buying what I need there. And can't combine points until the 7 month point, at which BCV would be booked up over spring break.

Now to sell my DH on the idea...

 

[Blue&Gold]

The question isn't why own at 2, buy why NOT own at all 7?

 

[happymommy]

If I win a lottery - I will!