An argument for VDL as direct points at WDW

[take36]

VGC was not well received when it first start opened, I was offered discounts and the guide was definitely more "trying to close" then subsequent sales when I inquired about WDW. As I was a local everyone absolutely thought I was bonkers for buying a timeshare for DL. It wasn't until I met the greater DVC fandom that "discovered" GCV later on that GCV became so hard to book. I use to be able to call and get any dates I wanted! I didn't even know about use year, my guide set a alarm on my palm pilot for 1 week before my banking deadline ("call Disney if you haven't gone this year"), and I believe I even had house keeping daily.

WDW have fans but for many (most?) of DL locals that go, we aren't really fans more like its just part of us, it is in our backyard and we grew up going at least once a year whether we liked it or not. I have memories of being "forced to go to Disneyland" as my mom bought me a day ticket then shoved me over the turnstiles with 20 bucks for lunch and a bottle of water as she went off to work, Disneyland was literally a babysitter. DL is already "ours" we do not need to own a piece of it via DVC. Now add on the restriction, high initial outlay, monthly costs, and having to buy 150 pts to be a "full member," I Locals are ok with driving to parks and even splurging on a few nights for special occasions but the math does not add up for them. Maybe if they can use it in Aulani then the value goes up as many of us also go to Hawaii once every few years,.

I think DVD should market this heavily towards current DVC owners and WDW goers that make it to DL everyone 1 or 2 years.

 

[Amyunder]

I agree with the original poster. For those that don't like the point and dukes math Here is my new way of thinking about it.... VDH (and VGC) points in WDW is like using points on a cruise. Sure you can do it.... but better rent out the room to someone from the west coast who wants to stay there for 25% less than rack rate. They won't blink twice at added tax or paying for parking. Then take the $$ and pay $18 a point for transferred Saratoga points. VDH rooms will never be worth less than rack rate and if you look at CA real-estate please show me where real-estate there looses value. To me it's a safer bet... but I'm also super leery that if Disney isnt able to maintain the "bubble" in Florida and the infrastructure starts to look like that of actual Florida it could go south real fast.

 

[pianomanzano]

VDH (and VGC) points in WDW is like using points on a cruise. Sure you can do it.... but better rent out the room to someone from the west coast who wants to stay there for 25% less than rack rate. They won't blink twice at added tax or paying for parking. Then take the $$ and pay $18 a point for transferred Saratoga points.

This sounds like a lot of effort to squeeze out a tiny bit of value or justify using VDH for SAP points.

 

[DisVDS]

If renting it out was easy and for everyone, then Aulani contracts would not be going for sub $80 a point, since Aulani basically sells out at high rack rates on the cash side. The issue is the inflexibility and lack of marketing of secondary DVC points, this is why cash rates can be higher, and why people resell instead of just renting it out.

 

[Aussie RJ]

We are in the market for more direct points. I’m currently jumping between VGF or DLH. I already have 4 home resorts at WDW so we don’t have the 7 month issue there, although I would personally argue the 7 month switch is overstated (at least for 1 beds).
We already own points at Aulani and visit yearly, I could own more points there but direct at Aulani is a big no from me.
I am / was extremely disappointed in the cost of dues at DLH. Thinking about the case that it’s a standalone building without busses, verandas or no near by beach.. $9 makes no sense. BUT… WDW DVC is about to get hit with hikes for wage increases etc..so perhaps $9.00 is or will be the new median.

 

[Royal Consort]

We are in the market for more direct points. I’m currently jumping between VGF or DLH. I already have 4 home resorts at WDW so we don’t have the 7 month issue there, although I would personally argue the 7 month switch is overstated (at least for 1 beds).
We already own points at Aulani and visit yearly, I could own more points there but direct at Aulani is a big no from me.
I am / was extremely disappointed in the cost of dues at DLH. Thinking about the case that it’s a standalone building without busses, verandas or no near by beach.. $9 makes no sense. BUT… WDW DVC is about to get hit with hikes for wage increases etc..so perhaps $9.00 is or will be the new median.

With home resorts covered in Florida and Aulani, I am confused why you need more direct points? Is the future resort benefit what you're after? I would be interested in your aims.

Otherwise, I don't see why you wouldn't just explore a VGC resale contract. It takes the resort experience from WDW but plonked in California next to a better magic kingdom. SAP would probably be better direct at VGF, but again, you have Florida covered. You just need DL to stay at DL, no? You pay a higher upfront cost initially but the math on VGC works out in your favour compared with VDH. Even at $310 a point!

I don't have an issue with the $9 dues. I went through this rigmarole with Riviera. The issue isnt the MF, its charging premium pricing for a non-premium product: The views from VDH, in my opinion, are awful. The lack of balconies was an instant no, and on top of that, the tax continues to increase annually. That's a lot of expense for an unthemed tower without balconies looking over a parking lot.

 

[Cfabar1]

has the year that the deed expires for VDH been announced?

 

[intamin]

Deleted

 

[Royal Consort]

has the year that the deed expires for VDH been announced?

I remember reading 2064 somewhere.

January 31, 2074.

 

[intamin]

January 31, 2074.

Woops sorry that's what I meant lol just mistyped although that would've been hilarious. On top of insane dues and 230 pp, only a 40 year contract

 

[Aussie RJ]

You pay a higher upfront cost initially but the math on VGC works out in your favour compared with VDH. Even at $310 a point!

For a studio in June, the math is slightly better at VDH that is factoring in the Tax and $269 a point at VGC. And yes, I’m looking at futures as well. DW won’t let me skip Christmas at CCV (our direct points) and I like Riviera .
Having an 11 month option at DL to pair with a trip to Aulani makes sense to the way we travel. Plus it would be very easy to rent these points to Aussies, our friends are always asking for DL points. We have guests at Aulani right now.
DLH holds nostalgic memories for me and I do prefer the monorail pool to the pool at VGC from an unwinding point of view.
All that said.. we see the best value right now as VGF and yes VGC is a possibility. We did bid on a few contracts this week but they all sold for higher than I was willing to go.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I think the thing that makes this intriguing is the upside on the resale value.
The original buyers at VGC paid $112/point. They have seen these points triple in value Since 2009.

Even if you assume these “only” double in value in 10 years it is very compelling.

I think the odds of them at least holding their value are very high, and probably higher than for WDW resorts.

 

[Sandisw]

I think the thing that makes this intriguing is the upside on the resale value.
The original buyers at VGC paid $112/point. They have seen these points triple in value Since 2009.

Even if you assume these “only” double in value in 10 years it is very compelling.

I think the odds of them at least holding their value are very high, and probably higher than for WDW resorts.

Do you think that resale buyers will stay pay a high amount knowing they have to include the TOT as part of the equation as they will be stuck with that since that is the only place they can stay?

You don't feel that might impact resale value in a way it doesn't for VGC?

 

[NorCalFanatic]

.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Do you think that resale buyers will stay pay a high amount knowing they have to include the TOT as part of the equation as they will be stuck with that since that is the only place they can stay?

You don't feel that might impact resale value in a way it doesn't for VGC?

No. I don’t think it would impact resale value very much. The bottom line is that a hotel room at DLH goes for $600/700 per night plus tax. So say $3000 per week. I think people will still that getting that room for $65 out of pocket is a good deal. I don’t see what the fuss is between paying at checkout vs paying in dues.

 

[Aussie RJ]

If the tax was part of the deal to allow Disney to build the timeshare then I for one am very happy that it’s excluded from the upfront dues. That only benefits the owners.

 

[Sandisw]

No. I don’t think it would impact resale value very much. The bottom line is that a hotel room at DLH goes for $600/700 per night plus tax. So say $3000 per week. I think people will still that getting that room for $65 out of pocket is a good deal. I don’t see what the fuss is between paying at checkout vs paying in dues.

I think it’s the hefty amount compared to whet VGC owners pay and it does add a bit for each trip.

So, just wondering if this is going to play a role in what buyers who want this resale will pay.

It’s not like VGC in that regard.

 

[RoseGold]

Adjusted math for incentives. I think this is an option for some buyers.

 

[kboo]

Huh? Resale at RIV has not been tanked....there are still plenty of people paying in the $130's for it...considering the people selling now likely paid in the $160's, that is not tanked...especially given that most resorts right now are selling for so much less...heck, VGF is even down in the $150's.

4+ years ago I was all, "I'd get a RIV resale for $100-105 to use only at RIV" (our other points are unrestricted). I'm glad I didn't wait for RIV resale.

VGC was not well received when it first start opened, I was offered discounts and the guide was definitely more "trying to close" then subsequent sales when I inquired about WDW. As I was a local everyone absolutely thought I was bonkers for buying a timeshare for DL. It wasn't until I met the greater DVC fandom that "discovered" GCV later on that GCV became so hard to book. I use to be able to call and get any dates I wanted! I didn't even know about use year, my guide set a alarm on my palm pilot for 1 week before my banking deadline ("call Disney if you haven't gone this year"), and I believe I even had house keeping daily.

You had me at "palm pilot".

I know several people who will hop in their car Friday after work, drive 6 hours to DL, and hit the parks Saturday/Sunday and Drive back Sunday night, and be zombies Monday morning at work. Or make a 3 day weekend out of it, take Friday off and fly out Thursday night (like us).

I wonder if this will make it easier to book during the week (or if there could be a points adjustment depending on demand). Would be helpful in trying to figure out at the 7mo window. We'd always be visiting family in the area and would add on some days at DL before or after. This suggest we might do better booking a few days at DL in the middle of a weeklong visit. "Nice spending the day with you - we'll back on Friday!"

@RoseGold - you do have me thinking about VGF (resale or direct?) to add on ... it remains to be seen how easy it will be to get 1br and 2br units in the OG building, I'm not thrilled about the imbalance with studios now.

 

[JASBE06]

This sounds like a lot of effort to squeeze out a tiny bit of value or justify using VDH for SAP points.

Not really, Ill rent out VGC studios for $25-$30 pp over holidays. Then take that money and do a points transfer from another Member at $17-$19 pp and book a disneywolrd room. That difference is a weeks worth of food or an annual pass