Advice - Getting to 150 Direct

[Steelers0854]

Good Morning wonderful people.

Looking for some guidance from the experts here. We bought our first contract last year resale for 100 points at Copper Creek, our absolute favorite resort at WDW. We wanted to make sure this was right for us and now we know we want to own 150 direct for the benefits, mainly for the discounted Sorcerer passes ( which will save us 1k per year). Also, I believe they will just be continually adding on to the member benefits as time goes on (Just my hunch, I know it could easily go the other way at any time).

Here is where I need the help. I am thinking of doing a 50 point direct add on now to Copper Creek to give us 150 there to use since we like it so much. My thought was then to wait and see if what offers may come up in the future to do a 100 point contract at a “good” price. We aren’t really picky where we buy at, our main goal is just to get to 150. I was thinking about a Poly contract but since we already have Copper Creek in the MK area was thinking it makes more sense to do either Boardwalk or Beach Club, or possibly Animal Kingdom as we enjoy the resort there and also very much enjoy Boma (specifically for breakfast).

Im not willing to finance this, Im going to pay cash, and looking at current deals im not excited about putting out 30k right now, which is why i thought the slow roll would be a good option for us. I also want to do the additional 50 points now as we are looking at Aulani in 2026 and I don’t have enough points with borrowing.

I should note that we almost always stay in Studios. It’s just the 2 of us and we never really need anything more than that. Also we travel in the off peak times, generally in December - February as we like the weather and our vacation schedules are totally flexible.

Thanks very much for all your thoughts in helping us out with this, I really appreciate the insight!

 

[atthebeachclub]

I would strongly consider more direct at Copper Creek due to the long expiration date. You could do Animal Kingdom or even Saratoga Springs to save money upfront. But Copper Creek is quite reasonable. I like to emphasize initial buy in cost, point charts, dues, location, and expiration when deciding where to buy.

Alternatively, if you are open to staying in the tower 2 person studios (which are not as unreasonable point wise), you could purchase at Polynesian.

If this were my method, I would be seeking a new credit card with a large sign up bonus for each new 50 point purchase to maximize best overall buy in costs.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

Good morning! I believe you need to buy 150 in one transaction direct to get direct DVC-Y membership benefits. After that, I think you can add on in 25-50-point increments direct, depending on if you want to finance those smaller transactions or paying cash outright.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Good morning! I believe you need to buy 150 in one transaction direct to get direct DVC-Y membership benefits. After that, I think you can add on in 25-50-point increments direct, depending on if you want to finance those smaller transactions or paying cash outright.

No, this is not true. The points just need to be in the same use year.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Buying direct at Beach Club or Boardwalk is insanity.

 

[Spinster Travel]

Currently in a similar situation - working up to the 150 direct points but not willing to finance or put approx $30K up all at once. While incentives can get good at times, in general they are usually not discounted for contracts under 100 points, so you may not find any super great deals if you want to add on incrementally. I just added 50 direct at Poly which gets me to 75 total direct points. I'm not getting any discount by adding on in 25-50 point increments but it works for my financial outlook on how I prefer to manage my cash and spend it on DVC. I'll spend more in the long run by not getting discounts and paying closing costs on each of these contracts, but I understand that going into it. In addition - should I need to shed any contracts - I like having smaller ones as they sell pretty fast.

Based on the resorts you mentioned away from the MK area - I'd look at AK over Boardwalk or Beac Club based solely on the 2042 expiration for BW and BC. In addition, the price per point at AKL is the lowest of those you have mentioned.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Copper Creek is $250pp direct vs resale at $125pp ish?

So on 150 points that’s an extra $18,750…..

Ouch….

This just isn’t a good incentive cycle… I’d wait until the next one and see if any better value comes up if you are looking for direct SAPs….

 

[atthebeachclub]

Copper Creek is $250pp direct vs resale at $125pp ish?

So on 150 points that’s an extra $18,750…..

Ouch….

This just isn’t a good incentive cycle… I’d wait until the next one and see if any better value comes up if you are looking for direct SAPs….

I agree. But incentives are not going to matter buying 50 point contracts since you won’t get any. Also, I am not clear that the buy in for direct is even close to worth it for a couple, as the math doesn’t work out for almost a decade for our family of four seeking the Sorcerers Pass.

But if you have a December use year by chance or need the points shortly, those 50 points now could be useful.

 

[Sandisw]

It definitely sound like starting with 50 CCV is a good idea. Just remember that DVD can raise that 150 minimum at any time.

In terms of other options, if RIV doesn’t appeal to you as an option, since PVB tower isn’t at the top of your list, then if it were me, I’d choose from one of the others you mentioned.

if you have the Disney Visa, you can put your purchase on that and get 6 months. 0% interest to at it off!

I have a hard time recommending the 2042 resorts, especially direct.

I am a big supporter of buy a home resort you love, if there is one and if not, one you are okay staying at if you can’t trade.

 

[Steelers0854]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! Im really not concerned about break even points with the benefits and discounts. We have decided to own direct and so really the main thing im focused on is trying to spread out my exposure so im not dropping all our money at one time. I know there is always a risk they will increase the minimum required, that is what it is. I don’t really need or want more than 250 points in total (im sure that comment wont age well lol). I think the best choice is doing to 50 points now at Copper Creek, and waiting and seeing what things look like next year. We can always sell either the 100 or 50 point contracts down the road if we need to if we find something better.

Thanks again!

 

[Steelers0854]

I agree. But incentives are not going to matter buying 50 point contracts since you won’t get any.

You will when you get to 150 points bought direct.

 

[atthebeachclub]

You will when you get to 150 points bought direct.

That’s true…but only if you buy them at one time. You do get member pricing though since you already are an owner. The incentives just don’t exist for smaller purchases though.

 

[AstroBlasters]

You will when you get to 150 points bought direct.

The incentive thresholds aren’t inclusive of any previous direct purchases.

 

[Sandisw]

You will when you get to 150 points bought direct.

I think that poster is referring to the discount incentive when purchasing, not the discounts you get as an owner once you are DVC Y.

DVC doesn’t offer purchase incentives below 100 so it’s not part of the equation if you are buying 50 points.

 

[Steelers0854]

I think that poster is referring to the discount incentive when purchasing, not the discounts you get as an owner once you are DVC Y.

DVC doesn’t offer purchase incentives below 100 so it’s not part of the equation if you are buying 50 points.

Yup, thats my bad, I thought they were referring to getting the Blue card, my misunderstanding.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Given that the additional costs of direct vs resale are around $19k + additional closing costs of multiple small contracts then you are looking at a $20,000 buy in difference plus about a $800 a year that money could earn in a 4% savings account.

I’m all about buy where you want to stay, and understand the reasons to go direct vs resale, but man CCV resale is so affordable right now….. that’s a lot of money for Membership Extras and Discounted Passes….

 

[Polyfan70]

Planning on buying Polynesian on Tuesday as a new member. If there are no incentives to the price $225 at 150 we would like to start with 100 points, then add on 50 later. Our guide was really pushing 150 as a new member for the direct perks but I’m wondering if they may have more price incentives in a year or two when we plan to buy 50 more. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[disneylandtour]

I think that poster is referring to the discount incentive when purchasing, not the discounts you get as an owner once you are DVC Y.

DVC doesn’t offer purchase incentives below 100 so it’s not part of the equation if you are buying 50 points.

It has been years, but DVC has offered discounts on 50 points before. I think the last time was Aulani. Again, this is rare. But I wouldn't be surprised if we saw this for the Cabins.

 

[disneylandtour]

Planning on buying Polynesian on Tuesday as a new member. If there are no incentives to the price $225 at 150 we would like to start with 100 points, then add on 50 later. Our guide was really pushing 150 as a new member for the direct perks but I’m wondering if they may have more price incentives in a year or two when we plan to buy 50 more. Does this sound reasonable?

Honestly, the sales rollout for Poly Tower hasn't been great. It seems the current plan is to see how many contracts they can sell with little or no incentives. Unless you're in a hurry to buy for an upcoming trip, you at least might want to see how well sales to non-members goes over the next few weeks. That will likely tell you if there will be better incentives in the near future. If prices go up, it'll likely be at the start of the new year. So you have a couple of months. Also, if you're going to buy 150 in the near future, I'd just wait until there were decent incentives at 150.

 

[disneylandtour]

PS Here's a link for what I think was the last time there were incentives at 50 points. It was for AUL and AKV. It's been a while. But again, somehow they're going to have to sell some of those cabins...

https://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/2408-fall-2013-direct-pricing-update