Home Resorts

[Fade_to_Blah]

I believe I know the answer to this question, but I will ask to just make sure!

We currently own BLT, and we love it. I am already thinking of buying more DVC points already!

So lets say I have 160 points at BLT and I buy 160 points of AKL.

Can I use all 320 points to book 11 months advanced to BLT? Or can I only use the 160 that I own there?

 

[AmongMadPeople]

You can only use your 160 points at BLT to book BLT at 11 months. At 7 months you could use your AKV points toward your BLT reservation, but that is assuming what you want to add is available at 7 months.

If you need more than your 160 for your BLT reservation at 11 months, you'd have to use banked or borrowed BLT points from past/future use years to book it.

 

[slappy magoo]

To add to the prior answer, if you're going to add that many more points to your DVC membership, but at a different resort, it'd probably make more sense to keep banking and/or borrowing. The year you want to stay at BLT, borrow next year's points and use those 2 years' worth of BLT points at the 11-month window, and bank the VAK points for that year. Then the following year use the 2 years' worth of VAK points to book at the 11-month window because you already used your BLT points for that year during your trip the previous year. Lather, rinse,repeat. This will allow to you to always book at the 11 month window.

 

[Fade_to_Blah]

Thanks for your help everyone

 

[tjkraz]

To add to the prior answer, if you're going to add that many more points to your DVC membership, but at a different resort, it'd probably make more sense to keep banking and/or borrowing. The year you want to stay at BLT, borrow next year's points and use those 2 years' worth of BLT points at the 11-month window, and bank the VAK points for that year. Then the following year use the 2 years' worth of VAK points to book at the 11-month window because you already used your BLT points for that year during your trip the previous year. Lather, rinse,repeat. This will allow to you to always book at the 11 month window.

'Course that only works if you actually like both resorts.

My suspicion from OPs post is that AKV is in the mix largely because of the lower cost. AKV is 20-25% less than BLT when buying direct.

Owning multiple resorts is very wise if you plan to use your points at those multiple locations. But as stated, the Home resort booking privileges only apply to points owned at a given location. Even though you own some number of points at BLT, you cannot purchase an AKV add-on and book BLT at 11 months with those points.

 

[Fade_to_Blah]

We do like AKV, but not quite as much as BLT (why we bought there originally). Now I have to decide if I enjoy BLT enough to purchase more points there and if its worth the cost vs AKV.

 

[bgraham34]

Don't forget to think about your use year as well. You might want to keep the same use year the one you have currently works for you.

 

[PhilharMagician]

We do like AKV, but not quite as much as BLT (why we bought there originally). Now I have to decide if I enjoy BLT enough to purchase more points there and if its worth the cost vs AKV.

Keep in mind the cost for maintenance fees through the years. BLT is the least expensive of all the resorts and AKV is near the top. The differance of a few hundred per year will add up over time.

Also ask your DVC rep about other resorts that are available. Disney has has foreclosures and buybacks available for all the resorts, but they are limited and not advertised by sales reps. So maybe you look at Boardwalk, Beachclub or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[JWG]

We do like AKV, but not quite as much as BLT (why we bought there originally). Now I have to decide if I enjoy BLT enough to purchase more points there and if its worth the cost vs AKV.

Take if for what it's worth, but we own at BLT and BWV. We booked BLT at the 11-month mark for 12/2-12/7 using our BLT points and 12/7-12/9 at BWV using BWV points. My hope was at the 7-month mark to move our BWV reservation to BLT. Couldn't do it - waitlisted. At the 7-month mark when Member Services opened, there were no 2BRs available in any category.

On the flip side, I booked AKV at the 5-month mark for middle of December, 2010 with choices. I could go Jambo or Kidani, I could do any room type. To be fair, standard view and concierge were not available, only Savannah - but the rooms were there. At BLT the rooms weren't there in any category.

 

[ptdreher]

I am in the same boat. I will most lilely add more points for BLT in a couple of years. I would suggest checking the timeshare store for the same Use year for BLT, therefore you can utilize the 11 month window for all of your points.

 

[tjkraz]

I would suggest checking the timeshare store for the same Use year for BLT, therefore you can utilize the 11 month window for all of your points.

Use Year has absolutely no bearing on the 11-month booking window. You can always book 11 months in advance of arrival at a Home resort regardless of the Use Year of the points.

However, having all points with the same UY and deeded owners allows the contracts to be linked together by DVC. This makes point management much easier in the long run.

 

[ptdreher]

Use Year has absolutely no bearing on the 11-month booking window. You can always book 11 months in advance of arrival at a Home resort regardless of the Use Year of the points.

However, having all points with the same UY and deeded owners allows the contracts to be linked together by DVC. This makes point management much easier in the long run.

Understood. I guess I was not clear. It sounded like the original poster wanted to link points for that very reason.