Buy all direct or part resale?

[Canchaser143]

Potential first time owner here, I am struggling on what would be the best choice for our family. We live on the West Coast, so DL will be our main destination, WDW maybe every two/three years due to flight expenses. I am wanting enough points for 1 bedrooms, I am thinking 150 total? We like to travel early May. The new tower being built at the Disneyland Hotel is really what I am interested in, as VGC is so points heavy
Here are the scenarios I currently have rolling in my head:
- Buy a small resale contract (50-100pts any resort that’s not aulani, VB or HH) to get access current member pricing incentives for VDH when they happen and buy 50 direct points, assuming this is enough for a 3 night stay at VDH

- Buy direct now, assuming that this will be the cheapest price per point we will see and they will increase the cost once VDH is active

- Or do I just say no thanks to VDH and buy all 150 resale and “settle” for VGC stays lol

My other thought is will it be a waste to have VDL be my home resort or do we think it will have high demand?

Can you tell I am an over-thinker? Help me oh wise ones!

 

[Sparky984]

If you’re only going to WDW every 2-3 years, and DL resorts remain in high demand, you may find the points unnecessarily hard to use when you want to go to DL with a mix of resale points at WDW (which may be excluded from DLT!). I think this is a case of buy where you want to stay.

My thought is wait and buy direct at DLT.

 

[Sandisw]

You need own VGC to stay there regularly so it’s going to cost a good amount resale.

And that would lock you out if VDH. Any small resale will get you the ability to buy less VDH but in terms of pricing, incentives don’t usually start until at least 100 points.

Personally, I’d go direct so all your points can be used at the new tower.

 

[Yankee626]

If you want to stay at VDH absolutely dont buy resale points ! They will be useless to you ! Dont expect to use any resale points at VGC either . Almost impossible to use points there unless you own there .

 

[AstroBlasters]

Some questions:

How did you come to the 150 point total?

I think May is the second least expensive point season for the West Coast properties. Are you sure that you will always be able to travel then and won’t need to go at any higher point seasons?

Do you have a strong preference for DLH or GC?

Does staying at RIV and the Epcot resorts past 2042 matter to you? What WDW properties are you interested in staying at?

Are you going to have FOMO of not getting any of the “membership magic” extras now or in the future?

 

[intamin]

If you think VDH is going to have a bargain point chart compared to VGC I have some news for you..VGC originally was selling at 99 per point, I expect VDH to go for 230 per point and have a similar point chart as VGC if not worse. If you want to be able to use your points at DLand, either buy direct VDH or resale VGC. Those are your only two options. If anything you should be buying 100-150 points direct at VDH and then a smaller resale contract to use at WDW that you would bank/borrow for those every 3 year trips.

 

[kanerf]

VDH Direct will probably come in around $300 per point. Perhaps $275 per point if you buy the minimum direct. That said, yes, you will need direct at least for the first few years to get into the resort. The point requirements for stays will probably be very high, at least as high as Riviera if not higher.

 

[Canchaser143]

I reviewed what the 1 bedroom rates looked like for some of the WDW properties for a 6 night stay.
September is another time I’d consider traveling to DL, but not WDW. Hurricanes? No thank you lol On occasion, maybe travel during the first week of December to see the holiday decor

I wouldn’t say I am partial to either resort, I just know GCV is much harder to get into and the price reflects that.

BWV is the resort that interests me the most for when we want to park visits. I have a toddler, and would like to minimize buses as much as possible otherwise AK would probably be number one. I am not opposed to staying at SSR to save a buck, I love the horse/derby theme. I think the RIV is beautiful, but I worry about it being tiny kid friendly, and the skyliner breaking

As far as the blue card benefits go, my better half hates cruises so I never really see us using points for cruises. The lounge access would be nice but not a deal breaker. I also don’t see myself regularly attending the Moonlight Magic Events, these seem to happen more at WDW? What bums me out is not having access to new resorts, since we are already so limited over this way.

Going to assume the VDH will be pricey, just hoping it won't fall into VGC territory which is madness lol. Do we think it will be popular and sell out like VGC does, or could I get a direct contract for one of the WDW Resorts now and use the 7 month window?

 

[AstroBlasters]

VDH Direct will probably come in around $300 per point. Perhaps $275 per point if you buy the minimum direct. That said, yes, you will need direct at least for the first few years to get into the resort. The point requirements for stays will probably be very high, at least as high as Riviera if not higher.

I am going to completely disagree with you on the initial cost per point.

 

[MartyParty]

Good timing on your question Canchaser143. My wife and I have been having a similar conversation. We live it Texas and split time between Disneyland and WDW. Our first preference is Disneyland/DCA. I almost bought Villas Cali resale BUT:

• If we buy resale Cali we won't be able to use those points at VDH (Villas Disneyland Hotel)
• Speculation but I think VDH will be priced at current VGF and Ploy new tower pricing and thus less than Cali resale
• If buying VDH and you desire 1 bedrooms in WDW at the 7 month mark you will not have a problem finding a room
• If buying resale at WDW and trying to book in California you might have a problem booking at the 7 month mark

For us, the priority is going to Disneyland/DCA via DVC. We will be waiting for the VDH which will likely go on sale this year. Yes it will be pricy but I suspect in 10 years time the VDH will go higher in price just like Cali did. I regrettably missed buying in to Cali direct when it was around $100 (and resale below $200). I won't miss the west coast opportunity again.

But this our my family's thoughts. Sharing. Hope it helps. But regardless no matter which way you go you'll still be traveling, staying, and enjoying Disney one way or another.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I reviewed what the 1 bedroom rates looked like for some of the WDW properties for a 6 night stay.
September is another time I’d consider traveling to DL, but not WDW. Hurricanes? No thank you lol On occasion, maybe travel during the first week of December to see the holiday decor

I wouldn’t say I am partial to either resort, I just know GCV is much harder to get into and the price reflects that.

BWV is the resort that interests me the most for when we want to park visits. I have a toddler, and would like to minimize buses as much as possible otherwise AK would probably be number one. I am not opposed to staying at SSR to save a buck, I love the horse/derby theme. I think the RIV is beautiful, but I worry about it being tiny kid friendly, and the skyliner breaking

As far as the blue card benefits go, my better half hates cruises so I never really see us using points for cruises. The lounge access would be nice but not a deal breaker. I also don’t see myself regularly attending the Moonlight Magic Events, these seem to happen more at WDW? What bums me out is not having access to new resorts, since we are already so limited over this way.

Going to assume the VDH will be pricey, just hoping it won't fall into VGC territory which is madness lol. Do we think it will be popular and sell out like VGC does, or could I get a direct contract for one of the WDW Resorts now and use the 7 month window?

If you can swing the financials, I would council you to buy a small resale WDW contract at your favorite resort and then get 150 points direct at VDH. I’m assuming VDH is around the same price as current resorts, with some new member add on incentives similar to what RIV had pre-sale, and a RIV point chart.

If you start the resale process now you should be in the DVC system by the time VDH goes live.

Go with enough WDW points to where you can bank/borrow every 3 years at a location/room type you’d be happy to stay at.

Also, don’t count out Aulani. It’s an amazing resort and a very easy flight for us Best Coasters.

 

[RichVIII]

@AstroBlasters nailed it. I would go that strategy.

 

[MartyParty]

Agree and Roger that!

 

[Canchaser143]

If you can swing the financials, I would council you to buy a small resale WDW contract at your favorite resort and then get 150 points direct at VDH. I’m assuming VDH is around the same price as current resorts, with some new member add on incentives similar to what RIV had pre-sale, and a RIV point chart.

If you start the resale process now you should be in the DVC system by the time VDH goes live.

Go with enough WDW points to where you can bank/borrow every 3 years at a location/room type you’d be happy to stay at.

Also, don’t count out Aulani. It’s an amazing resort and a very easy flight for us Best Coasters.

This sounds doable! Thank you!!!!

 

[Canchaser143]

I appreciate you all taking the time to give input!!! It really helps see things more clearly

 

[intamin]

Astroblasters taking all the credit in here when I said the same thing earlier LOL kidding. Sort of.

 

[Canchaser143]

Astroblasters taking all the credit in here when I said the same thing earlier LOL kidding. Sort of.

Not to worry you get credit as well!

 

[intamin]

Not to worry you get credit as well!

Hahah I’m just screwing with Astro it’s all good. I’m just glad you have a good plan going forward that works for you!

 

[Royal Consort]

- Buy a small resale contract (50-100pts any resort that’s not aulani, VB or HH) to get access current member pricing incentives for VDH when they happen and buy 50 direct points, assuming this is enough for a 3 night stay at VDH

Buying resale now to save on a direct purchase (by buying fewer points) would lock you into trips to WDW and Aulani. You mentioned that the airfare is prohibitive so I'm not sure I'd recommend buying DVC outside of California if it isn't your central plan. You said "maybe" going to WDW every 2-3 years. Is "maybe" too ambivalent to buy a time share commitment in Florida?

- Buy direct now, assuming that this will be the cheapest price per point we will see and they will increase the cost once VDH is active

But then you have the 11 month window at WDW, not Disneyland where you want to be. I would strongly discourage this course of action. You would be better off paying an increased price per point for VDH than buying DVC in WDW. If you buy direct at VDH you can use your points at any current and future DVC resort at WDW.

Please be mindful that VDH is a studio heavy resort and competition for one bedrooms may be tough due to availability. Of the 350 rooms, 271 are studios. I wouldn't want to take my chances with that at 7 months, I would want to own there to ensure I get what I want.

- Or do I just say no thanks to VDH and buy all 150 resale and “settle” for VGC stays lol

My other thought is will it be a waste to have VDL be my home resort or do we think it will have high demand?

Firstly, I don't believe any DVC members are expecting the point chart for VDH to be low. It could well be a couple of points per night cheaper than VGC.

Using points at 7 months at VGC (as other posters have mentioned) is very very unlikely unless you own there.

An alternative option would be to purchase VGC on the resale market. You will be able to buy less than 150 points. Resale prices for VGC have reduced on the market recently so now isn't a bad time to snap up a contract.

VDH is a rather large association so it will have greater availability than VGC at the 7 month mark. I'd still want to own there if my main focus was DL. Personally I think Disney will struggle to shift sales and it won't sell as rapidly (after the first 2 months) as people have predicted.

I had been waiting for VDH info with the intent to purchase but after learning that the studios don't have a balcony, and that most rooms have a rather lacklustre view, I bought more VGC instead. Last stay, watched World of Color from the balcony.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I am going to completely disagree with you on the initial cost per point.

Me too, but at least give the crowd your educated guess

For me, I'm going to stick with my 180 to 190 ish per point for 300 points with discounts for the initial offer.

Firstly, I don't believe any DVC members are expecting the point chart for VDH to be low. It could well be a couple of points per night cheaper than VGC.

Using points at 7 months at VGC (as other posters have mentioned) is very very unlikely unless you own there.

An alternative option would be to purchase VGC on the resale market. You will be able to buy less than 150 points. Resale prices for VGC have reduced on the market recently so now isn't a bad time to snap up a contract.

VDH is a rather large association so it will have greater availability than VGC at the 7 month mark. I'd still want to own there if my main focus was DL. Personally I think Disney will struggle to shift sales and it won't sell as rapidly (after the first 2 months) as people have predicted.

I had been waiting for VDH info with the intent to purchase but after learning that the studios don't have a balcony, and that most rooms have a rather lacklustre view, I bought more VGC instead. Last stay, watched World of Color from the balcony.

All great wisdom here! I agree that there is no safe bet that DVC/Disney will do anything sane about the point chart at VDH. I would not be shocked it it's way worse than one could imagine.

The $.02 I will add is this. The value of 1BR suites at Grand Cal are worth much more $$$ than a similar room at Disneyland Hotel. You have to consider if the FOMO, only 38ish years left on the contract, etc. make it worth getting VGC over VDH. For me, it's not an issue at all. VGC over VDH all the way. With that said, I am looking to get 200 ish points at VDH IF the point chart is amazing and the incentives are solid.

Don't buy WDW points unless you want them for planned trips on a regular interval. If you do want to go every 2 ish years, then there is great value out there right now. For me, I would stay away from a MK area resort as Disneyland scratches a similar itch and focus on a Epcot area resort, SSR, or OKW(e), or AKV. AKV is a great value right now.