Best home resort if I plan to convert points for AoA a lot?

[Mike with One Eye]

We are doing our homework for buying into DVC right now, however my family of 6 mainly stays at the family suites at Art of Animation. We love the theming of the property, 3 different pools for my kids, and especially the Skyliner. What I am paying every year now for family suite at Art appears to make it worth getting into DVC. I understand DVC points can be converted to reservation points to use at Art if we want, however what are opinions on the best home resort to buy into if we would use points at Art but may plan to stay at the DVC resort occasionally? We do love the Skyliner as a transportation option, but we are open to exploring monorail resorts (or other resorts if the deal is right). Riv has good deals right now, however I am concerned with the restrictions from resale. Better to go direct or resale in this scenario? Would love to hear thoughts from veteran DVCers.

 

[Sandisw]

First, you have to buy direct to do that. Resale points are not eligible for booking that.

Second, point charts for Disney owned resorts go up every year and they do not have to continue to allow those trades. So the cost in points today won’t stay stagnant and can be raised as high as they want.

Trading to non DVC resorts at WDW is considered a perk which can go away anytime..not to mention the cost is quite high. And there is no guarantee that a room will be available either.

So, if that is your goal? I don’t think DVC is the right product for you.

But, if you do decide it doesn’t matter, then buy RIV since it’s on the Skyliner and has the best incentives right now for WDW resorts.

 

[The Jackal]

The point exchange for non DVC resorts like AOA is not worth it. Do not buy DVC to stay in a non DVC room at WDW. If you wanted to buy DVC and once in a while stay at AOA. Rent out your points and use the cash for other hotels. Also only direct or grandfathered points can be used to stay at AOA. Unfortunately a party of 6 for DVC requires either 2 studios or a 2 bedroom villa. 2 studios will be less points than a 2 bedroom. But they are not guaranteed to be close to each other and 1 party has to be over 18 in the room.

For example a family suite at AOA for beginning of November 2022 39 points per day Sunday-Thursday and 48 points per day Friday and Saturday. A standard view 2 bedroom at AKV is 36 point per day Sunday-Thursday and 41 points per day Friday and Saturday. So it’s 291 vs 262 points. It is cheaper point wise to stay in the deluxe villa than a value family suite for 7 nights. The 2 bedroom AKV villa sleeps 9 people, has 3 full bathrooms a full kitchen and a washer and dryer in the room.

 

[CarolMN]

Buying DVC to use at a non-DVC resort will cost you MORE, A LOT More, than just paying cash. The point cost PER NIGHT for AoA ranges from 39 ( least expensive season) to 67. Don't do it!

 

[wnielsen1]

Buying DVC to use at a non-DVC resort will cost you MORE, A LOT More, than just paying cash. The point cost PER NIGHT for AoA ranges from 39 ( least expensive season) to 67. Don't do it!

Exactly, just book a DVC 2 bedroom somewhere (anywhere).

 

[DaveNan]

Even if you found yourself wanting to exchange for AoA on a rare occasion, it is better to rent the points and take the proceeds from the rental to pay cash for AoA. In this case you would want the lowest cost DVC resort (that is point cost and maintenance fee cost).

 

[sndral]

DVC isn’t a good fit for everyone.
To trade into AOA OP would need to buy direct points & there’s no guarantee they could use those points for AOA w/ any frequency.
OP likes the Skyliner, the only DVC resort w/ Skyliner access is Riviera. OP likes the AOA theming which Riv. d/n have & OP likes access to 3 pools, Riv. only has 2.
I assume OP likes the larger size of the family suites which accommodate a 6 person family.
DVC resorts do offer 2 br. villas, which a family of 6 would need, but those 2 br.s cost a lot of points - for a 7 day stay in a Riv. standard view 2 br. in June you’d need 362 points. @ the current direct buy in price of $178 per point for Riv. you’d have a buy in cost of $64,000+.
Thereafter Riv.’s MFs on 362 points would cost $3033 per year (and that number goes up every year.) An AOA family suite costs around $575 per night or $3450 for a 7 day stay. To me the math doesn’t work, especially since OP loves AOA.

 

[Brian Noble]

I understand DVC points can be converted to reservation points to use at Art if we want

You can, but it is generally terrible value. You'd be better off renting your points out and using the proceeds to pay cash for AoA. And, given the ROI for points rentals, you might as well just put the purchase price plus annual dues in a stock fund and use that to pay for your stays.

 

[Mike with One Eye]

I knew I came to the right place. Thanks to everyone for the insights!

 

[cbyrne1174]

Even if you found yourself wanting to exchange for AoA on a rare occasion, it is better to rent the points and take the proceeds from the rental to pay cash for AoA. In this case you would want the lowest cost DVC resort (that is point cost and maintenance fee cost).

Some people just don't want to have the headache of having to file a Schedule C on their taxes to report the income. Startng this year, there's no way to avoid paying taxes because all the rental websites report to the IRS anything over $600.

 

[RoseGold]

A party of six would require a 2BR or two studios. You should look at those choices and decide if they are appealing to you.

They won't have pools the size of AoA, but they will have the deluxe late night hours and amenities like a washer dryer in the room.

If your objective is a "deal," then the cheapest options are going to be SSR or OKW, which are less points, but much further and older than other resorts.

 

[havoc315]

Exactly, just book a DVC 2 bedroom somewhere (anywhere).

Or, for far less cost -- book 2 studios.

 

[supersnoop]

Some people just don't want to have the headache of having to file a Schedule C on their taxes to report the income. Startng this year, there's no way to avoid paying taxes because all the rental websites report to the IRS anything over $600.

Even the Canadian ones?

 

[cbyrne1174]

Even the Canadian ones?

I guess not.

 

[DaveNan]

Even the Canadian ones?

But even the Canadian ones pay you through either Paypal or ACH. And with the new regulations Paypal will report anything over $600 that is for goods and services, which I believe is how the Canadian rental monies are classified, and banks track anything over $600......

 

[Jgc014]

Some people just don't want to have the headache of having to file a Schedule C on their taxes to report the income. Startng this year, there's no way to avoid paying taxes because all the rental websites report to the IRS anything over $600.

Just to clarify for anyone reading, you would not have to file a Schedule C for rental of DVC points. Under the terms of your DVC contract, rental of DVC points should never rise to the level of a “business”, which is what Schedule C is used for.

And ultimately, any reporting to the IRS does not change your obligation to report your income from rental of DVC points. Legally any rental income needs to be reported regardless of whether you are issued a Form 1099-K or not.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Just to clarify for anyone reading, you would not have to file a Schedule C for rental of DVC points. Under the terms of your DVC contract, rental of DVC points should never rise to the level of a “business”, which is what Schedule C is used for.

And ultimately, any reporting to the IRS does not change your obligation to report your income from rental of DVC points. Legally any rental income needs to be reported regardless of whether you are issued a Form 1099-K or not.

Do not file a Schedule C for rental income. The IRS will expect you to report self-employment tax on the income.

File a Schedule E. The front page is specifically for rental income. Make sure you deduct your rental expenses on Schedule E (for example due and maintenance fees).