Taking the Plunge

Wed, 10/09/2019 - 19:20

Allie

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Also, when Disney upped the annual pass prices we jumped on the stock that Sam's Club still had at the old price to save for 2020. Now that we're looking at buying direct, we could have saved almost $450 purchasing me and Jon the Gold pass. Smack my head

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Wed, 10/09/2019 - 23:02

JanJ

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Wow, congrats! As you may recall, Ken and I struggled with the decision for 4 years but we are glad we did it and also glad we bought direct.

I know Copper Creek is difficult to get at 7 months (at least for a studio) so that would be my recommendation. I do enjoy Saratoga, but you can usually get a studio at the 7 month mark. Also, BLT seems to be easier than Copper Creek, albeit it's a lakeview that seems to be there at 7 months, so more points than standard.

You should also look at annual dues and if you're cost conscious, Saratoga may be the way to go.

Let us know what you decide.

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Wed, 10/09/2019 - 23:17

Mandy

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I'm so happy for you guys to make this decision! I'm sure no matter which you one you chose, it will be a great choice!

Thu, 10/10/2019 - 16:40

Allie

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JanJ wrote:

Wow, congrats! As you may recall, Ken and I struggled with the decision for 4 years but we are glad we did it and also glad we bought direct.

I know Copper Creek is difficult to get at 7 months (at least for a studio) so that would be my recommendation. I do enjoy Saratoga, but you can usually get a studio at the 7 month mark. Also, BLT seems to be easier than Copper Creek, albeit it's a lakeview that seems to be there at 7 months, so more points than standard.

You should also look at annual dues and if you're cost conscious, Saratoga may be the way to go.

Let us know what you decide.

Yup, all factors we are considering which is what makes it so hard! Saratoga and BLT have the lowest dues but Saratoga has the lowest buy in price and BLT has the highest of the ones we're considering. Saratoga doesn't give us much of an 11-month advantage but we like the resort just fine, we love Disney Springs, and the new room refurbishments look gorgeous. We LOVE BLT and Wilderness Lodge though (never stayed at Wilderness but have been there multiple times and I love the look of the Copper Creek rooms), but again, a higher buy in price on both of these and higher dues for Copper Creek. I also like the added value of more years at Copper Creek. Sigh. What to choose?!

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Thu, 10/10/2019 - 16:40

Allie

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Mandy wrote:

I'm so happy for you guys to make this decision! I'm sure no matter which you one you chose, it will be a great choice!

Thanks, Mandy! We're very excited! Hoping for a Moonlight Magic on our February trip!

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Thu, 10/10/2019 - 20:33

oHIo

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In the Wilderness Lodge lobby right now waiting for our Copper Creek room assignment. Will let you know!

Just left Saratoga after four nights in a two bedroom with our daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren one aged 4 years and the other 5 months. The complex is huge! Difficult to find your way around after dark. We prefer to have a vehicle when we stay there. But because it is so large there is usually plenty of last minute availability.

BLT was our first home resort purchased directly from Disney! We love it! (And so do our kids and grandkids) It is presently the only resort that is walking distance to Magic Kingdom, so no long lines for bus, boat or monorail! The studios are a little snug but the one and two bedroom villas have two and three bathrooms!

Good luck with your choice! You won't regret it!

Thu, 10/10/2019 - 21:08

Allie

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oHIo wrote:

In the Wilderness Lodge lobby right now waiting for our Copper Creek room assignment. Will let you know!

Just left Saratoga after four nights in a two bedroom with our daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren one aged 4 years and the other 5 months. The complex is huge! Difficult to find your way around after dark. We prefer to have a vehicle when we stay there. But because it is so large there is usually plenty of last minute availability.

BLT was our first home resort purchased directly from Disney! We love it! (And so do our kids and grandkids) It is presently the only resort that is walking distance to Magic Kingdom, so no long lines for bus, boat or monorail! The studios are a little snug but the one and two bedroom villas have two and three bathrooms!

Good luck with your choice! You won't regret it!

Thanks, oHIo! I'd love to hear your feedback on the Copper Creek rooms! We've stayed at Saratoga twice, once in a two-bedroom and once in a one-bedroom and we'd likely only ever stay in a preferred room since the place is so large. The room refurbishment they're going through right now looks stunning. We've also stayed in a BLT two-bedroom and loved it. So many factors to consider!

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Thu, 10/10/2019 - 22:14

JanJ

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If it was me, I would go with BLT based on location, location, location!

It's on the monorail, within walking distance to MK and great restaurants. You'll have great resale value if you ever need to sell and the 8 years doesn't make a huge difference in my opinion.

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Fri, 10/11/2019 - 03:00

Allie

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JanJ wrote:

If it was me, I would go with BLT based on location, location, location!

It's on the monorail, within walking distance to MK and great restaurants. You'll have great resale value if you ever need to sell and the 8 years doesn't make a huge difference in my opinion.

I think that is the way we are leaning. Copper Creek is so gorgeous though!

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Fri, 10/11/2019 - 21:59

Kristen K.

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OOoOooOoooo! How exciting! I'm happy for you guys.

Sun, 10/13/2019 - 02:49

Mandy

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Allie wrote:

Mandy wrote:
I'm so happy for you guys to make this decision! I'm sure no matter which you one you chose, it will be a great choice!

Thanks, Mandy! We're very excited! Hoping for a Moonlight Magic on our February trip!

You're welcome!

Mon, 10/21/2019 - 03:12

oHIo

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Allie wrote:

oHIo wrote:
In the Wilderness Lodge lobby right now waiting for our Copper Creek room assignment. Will let you know!

Thanks, oHIo! I'd love to hear your feedback on the Copper Creek rooms! We've stayed at Saratoga twice, once in a two-bedroom and once in a one-bedroom and we'd likely only ever stay in a preferred room since the place is so large. The room refurbishment they're going through right now looks stunning. We've also stayed in a BLT two-bedroom and loved it. So many factors to consider!

Allie,the studio with walk-in shower at Copper Creek was rather non descript. While I love the Wilderness Lodge itself and the associated restaurants, the studios and 1 bedroom at Boulder Ridge were also just okay. I would stay at either one again but there is no desire to purchase points to have it as an additional home resort. Adding on points at BLT, BC and Kidani is another matter. If there was going to be an additional home resort it would most likely be Boardwalk. Although ask me again in January after our four night stay in a one bedroom at Grand Floridian! (Followed by two nights at Jambo in a one bedroom.....Club Level!)

Allears.net has a great write up about the DVC resorts, including pictures!

oHIo

Wed, 10/23/2019 - 01:00

Emilio

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Congratulations !

Wrt my advise on which one to purchase directly from Disney, I would buy at Saratoga Springs and use the saved cash to buy later-on at the higher cost one (Bay Lake Tower (BLT) or Copper Creek (CC)) on the resale market with the saved $$$$.

100 pts at Saratoga Springs is $16,000.
100 pts at BLT is $22,500
100 pts at CC is $21,000

Just saw a pending sale (resale market) of 100 pts of BLT for $155 a point, $15,500. Just a thought from an old dog

Enjoy whichever one you purchase. Cheers

Wed, 10/23/2019 - 14:30

Allie

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Emilio wrote:

Congratulations !

Wrt my advise on which one to purchase directly from Disney, I would buy at Saratoga Springs and use the saved cash to buy later-on at the higher cost one (Bay Lake Tower (BLT) or Copper Creek (CC)) on the resale market with the saved $$$$.

100 pts at Saratoga Springs is $16,000.
100 pts at BLT is $22,500
100 pts at CC is $21,000

Just saw a pending sale (resale market) of 100 pts of BLT for $155 a point, $15,500. Just a thought from an old dog

Enjoy whichever one you purchase. Cheers

All great advice!

Thanks for the room review, Ohio!

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