Buying Copper Creek Direct

[Paul Stupin]

Am currently considering buying the minimum number of 100 points for Copper Creek Direct. We already have a number of Copper Creek resale points, but just the direct savings on the gold pass alone for my wife and I could save us about $1000 a year. So I figure that the extra cost of purchasing direct, say, about 6K, would be saved in about six years. Also, I’d rather be able to use these points at my home resort at 11 months, so I probably wouldn’t buy at SSR for just the benefits.

So my questions are: Before DVC stopped selling in April, what were their incentives for Copper Creek? And what was the actual cost of the points? Can you negotiate with them regarding point price or is the approx. $220 price set in stone? Also, is it possible they’d sell me less than 100 points? Are they still open for direct sales? Does anyone know if they’re already sold out?

Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

What park admission would you have purchased before you got the Gold Pass. I was amazed to see a Gold Pass costs $719 plus tax and the Platinum Pass (just four parks) for $899 plus tax. It's been a while since we bought regular passes (we moved to Florida and get resident tickets). I remember when DVC offered the Premium Annual Pass (four parks, two water parks, golf, no black outs, etc) for about $400 each.

The thing you have to realize is that there is no guarantee that DVC members will be offered discounted park admission in the future. Perks come and go and may go quickly. Like free valet parking disappeared overnight and DVC members who valet parked for free when they arrived were charged a fee the next morning. There is no negotiation with DVC on point prices. They are what they are. They will probably sell you fewer points than 100 since you already own points. But fewer than 100 direct wouldn't get you the discounts you seem to want. Plus as soon as you bought fewer than 100 points, they would raise the minimum to get the blue card to more than 100 points.

 

[Lorana]

This was the incentive that expired at the end of April. I am also hoping they offer new incentives for CCV when they open:

Current Member Incentive – Copper Creek Villas & Cabins

When You Purchase…	You’ll Save…	Savings Equal To…
135 to 169 Vacation Points	$2,200	10 Vacation Points
170 to 199 Vacation Points	$4,400	20 Vacation Points
200 to 229 Vacation Points	$5,500	25 Vacation Points
230 to 284 Vacation Points	$6,600	30 Vacation Points

It effectively means:
Direct Price: $220/point
@135 points: $203.70/point
@170 points: $194.12/point
@200 points: $192.50/point
@230 points: $191.30/point

 

[Paul Stupin]

What park admission would you have purchased before you got the Gold Pass. I was amazed to see a Gold Pass costs $719 plus tax and the Platinum Pass (just four parks) for $899 plus tax. It's been a while since we bought regular passes (we moved to Florida and get resident tickets). I remember when DVC offered the Premium Annual Pass (four parks, two water parks, golf, no black outs, etc) for about $400 each.

The thing you have to realize is that there is no guarantee that DVC members will be offered discounted park admission in the future. Perks come and go and may go quickly. Like free valet parking disappeared overnight and DVC members who valet parked for free when they arrived were charged a fee the next morning. There is no negotiation with DVC on point prices. They are what they are. They will probably sell you fewer points than 100 since you already own points. But fewer than 100 direct wouldn't get you the discounts you seem to want. Plus as soon as you bought fewer than 100 points, they would raise the minimum to get the blue card to more than 100 points.

What park admission would you have purchased before you got the Gold Pass. I was amazed to see a Gold Pass costs $719 plus tax and the Platinum Pass (just four parks) for $899 plus tax. It's been a while since we bought regular passes (we moved to Florida and get resident tickets). I remember when DVC offered the Premium Annual Pass (four parks, two water parks, golf, no black outs, etc) for about $400 each.

The thing you have to realize is that there is no guarantee that DVC members will be offered discounted park admission in the future. Perks come and go and may go quickly. Like free valet parking disappeared overnight and DVC members who valet parked for free when they arrived were charged a fee the next morning. There is no negotiation with DVC on point prices. They are what they are. They will probably sell you fewer points than 100 since you already own points. But fewer than 100 direct wouldn't get you the discounts you seem to want. Plus as soon as you bought fewer than 100 points, they would raise the minimum to get the blue card to more than 100 points.

All good points. If we got the gold pass, the savings aren’t huge. I neglected to factor in the maintenance fee for the 100 points, which would be another $750. And this Is the only perk of any significance to us.

 

[Lorana]

I was amazed to see a Gold Pass costs $719 plus tax and the Platinum Pass (just four parks) for $899 plus tax.

Just FYI, the $899 Platinum Pass price is for DVC Blue Card holders and Florida Residents. If you don't have a Blue Card, the Premium Annual Pass price is $1195. Additionally, the Platinum Plus is $999 for Blue Card/FL res and $1295 for everyone else.

 

[Ben@M1CK3Y]

You should also consider that the difference between buying direct vs. resale might grow given the current situation. I think you calculated 160$/point buying resale. For example: I just got a 75 points resale contract at CCV for 138$/point, which would mean 8200$ difference between direct vs. resale for 100 points (assuming closing cost is the same for both options).

Of course buying direct would give you the advantage to pay with a CC (and get some cashback etc.), but I think you still have to consider a difference of about 7500$, at least at the moment. What might help is, if Disney would give you current UY points without paying MF for them, but therefore your UY has to be "in the future", means if you buy -for example - in June, your UY has to be "after" June in order to get 2019 and 2020 points on the contract, if I recall correctly.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Just FYI, the $899 Platinum Pass price is for DVC Blue Card holders and Florida Residents. If you don't have a Blue Card, the Premium Annual Pass price is $1195. Additionally, the Platinum Plus is $999 for Blue Card/FL res and $1295 for everyone else.

The thing is, without DVC direct points, the platinum pass will cost my wife and I $2390. With the points, the cost will be $1798 + the $750 maintenance fee for a total of $2548, so the direct point discount is meaningless. That said, since my wife and I are new to DVC and enamored of all things Disney (as are we all!), we'll probably spring for the $1295 platinum plus at a cost of $2590. Even if we decided to be more frugal if we had DVC direct points and get the gold pass for $719 each, the savings would be only $402 (including maintenance), and even less if we went once or twice to a water park over the course of a year.

So, obviously, it doesn't make sense to buy direct just for the annual pass discount. It might be a different story if we had kids, however. The only other direct point perk that would have been nice to have was moonlight magic, but since we live in Los Angeles, the odds of us being there and actually getting tickets for one of these events is pretty small, I'd say almost nonexistent. And we don't care about staying at The Riviera, which for us is a huge miss because it looks so generic. Reflections looks beautiful, and, who knows, by the time it opens we might be ready to buy direct, if they ever lift the real restrictions.

So, in the meantime, if we want to buy more points, I think we'll stay with resale.

 

[Paul Stupin]

You should also consider that the difference between buying direct vs. resale might grow given the current situation. I think you calculated 160$/point buying resale. For example: I just got a 75 points resale contract at CCV for 138$/point, which would mean 8200$ difference between direct vs. resale for 100 points (assuming closing cost is the same for both options).

Of course buying direct would give you the advantage to pay with a CC (and get some cashback etc.), but I think you still have to consider a difference of about 7500$, at least at the moment. What might help is, if Disney would give you current UY points without paying MF for them, but therefore your UY has to be "in the future", means if you buy -for example - in June, your UY has to be "after" June in order to get 2019 and 2020 points on the contract, if I recall correctly.

Another great point. But one thing about the current situation. I was just listening to a podcast sponsored by a major DVC resale site, and they mentioned that, surprisingly, business in April was almost equivalent to the year before, and that they're inventory is actually going down. There appear to be more buyers still than sellers. Though there is the occasional deal out there (and it appears you got a great one, especially for the usually pricey small contracts), I don't think we're going to see huge price reductions, especially since things are starting to turn around. Prices still seem pretty healthy out there, so at least the value of what we all own isn't being substantially diminished. I think contracts of 100 points or less, with a particular UY you might want, aren't that common, and will still command a non fire sale price. Of course this won't stop me from looking!

 

[Sandisw]

The thing is, without DVC direct points, the platinum pass will cost my wife and I $2390. With the points, the cost will be $1798 + the $750 maintenance fee for a total of $2548, so the direct point discount is meaningless. That said, since my wife and I are new to DVC and enamored of all things Disney (as are we all!), we'll probably spring for the $1295 platinum plus at a cost of $2590. Even if we decided to be more frugal if we had DVC direct points and get the gold pass for $719 each, the savings would be only $402 (including maintenance), and even less if we went once or twice to a water park over the course of a year.

So, obviously, it doesn't make sense to buy direct just for the annual pass discount. It might be a different story if we had kids, however. The only other direct point perk that would have been nice to have was moonlight magic, but since we live in Los Angeles, the odds of us being there and actually getting tickets for one of these events is pretty small, I'd say almost nonexistent. And we don't care about staying at The Riviera, which for us is a huge miss because it looks so generic. Reflections looks beautiful, and, who knows, by the time it opens we might be ready to buy direct, if they ever lift the real restrictions.

So, in the meantime, if we want to buy more points, I think we'll stay with resale.

I am not sure that I would take into account the MFs because those you pay no matter how you buy..direct or Resale,

Disney does not negotiate prices so you pay whatever they are charging with whatever incentives apply.

They will certainly sell you less than 100, UY in order to get the AP discount, you have to own 100.

In addition to the AP, you do get merchandise and some dining discounts. While those don’t amount to a lot, if you wouldn’t buy an AP at full price, it is at least a plus.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Another great point. But one thing about the current situation. I was just listening to a podcast sponsored by a major DVC resale site, and they mentioned that, surprisingly, business in April was almost equivalent to the year before, and that they're inventory is actually going down. There appear to be more buyers still than sellers. Though there is the occasional deal out there (and it appears you got a great one, especially for the usually pricey small contracts), I don't think we're going to see huge price reductions, especially since things are starting to turn around. Prices still seem pretty healthy out there, so at least the value of what we all own isn't being substantially diminished. I think contracts of 100 points or less, with a particular UY you might want, aren't that common, and will still command a non fire sale price. Of course this won't stop me from looking!

My observations on resale is that currently its the only game in town with direct not selling so it might be supporting it more. There's certainly listings happening though and a couple of the brokers have a very good inventory of CCV points. And personally I expect that to increase a bit rather than decrease. Now is the time that you'd typically see a newer resorts resales increase in availability. It's enough time for people who purchased on the spur of the moment to realize that it wasn't for them plus there will be a few prompted by the current economics.

 

[Lorana]

The thing is, without DVC direct points, the platinum pass will cost my wife and I $2390. With the points, the cost will be $1798 + the $750 maintenance fee for a total of $2548,

You pay MF regardless of direct or resale, so the savings is still $592 a year for Platinum Pass, and $962 a year if you got the Gold Pass, over the regular Platinum Pass. Depending on how long you expect to own your DVC, that adds up over time, and is not the only perk you get for having direct points to get a Blue Card.

I have 2 children so owning some direct points to get the blue card also made sense given that 4 gold passes saves us $1924 a year. We also want to stay at the newer resorts, such as Riviera, Reflections and the new DL Tower, and that requires owning direct points.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It's enough time for people who purchased on the spur of the moment to realize that it wasn't for them plus there will be a few prompted by the current economics.

Not to mention for some of the early buyers of 100 points to have been blocked out of studios more than once. I think that will become a factor in the resale market.

 

[CastAStone]

It’s not clear to me that they will be offering discounts on CCV again. They took it off of their pricing calculator a few weeks ago - it only shows Aulani and Riviera now. That might indicate that they feel it’s sold out.

 

[CastAStone]

The thing you have to realize is that there is no guarantee that DVC members will be offered discounted park admission in the future. Perks come and go and may go quickly.

I have seen this mentioned repeatedly by many in several threads - has there been any indication that this could happen? Rumors?

It’s a long time benefit that seems to be Disney’s only carrot to dangle to encourage direct purchases (which they make good money on for doing essentially nothing) vs resale. Didn’t it come about because early OKW buyers were told (incorrectly) that Florida resident discounts would be a perk and this was Disney’s way of dealing with that potential bait and switch? I swear I read that somewhere. That would lead me to think they wouldn’t want to modify it until 2057 or the last original buyer dies/sells.

I get that it’s possible but I’m trying to gauge if it’s likely, because it seems to me that it isn’t.

 

[Paul Stupin]

You pay MF regardless of direct or resale, so the savings is still $592 a year for Platinum Pass, and $962 a year if you got the Gold Pass, over the regular Platinum Pass. Depending on how long you expect to own your DVC, that adds up over time, and is not the only perk you get for having direct points to get a Blue Card.

I have 2 children so owning some direct points to get the blue card also made sense given that 4 gold passes saves us $1924 a year. We also want to stay at the newer resorts, such as Riviera, Reflections and the new DL Tower, and that requires owning direct points.

True, but like a new car when you drive it off the lot, the minute I buy direct points I've lost thousands of dollars should I ever wish to sell them. Its like the money just vaporizes...money which can pay for many years of passes. I think I'd still consider buying direct, but only after I've been a dvc owner for a while.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have seen this mentioned repeatedly by many in several threads - has there been any indication that this could happen? Rumors?

It’s a long time benefit that seems to be Disney’s only carrot to dangle to encourage direct purchases (which they make good money on for doing essentially nothing) vs resale. Didn’t it come about because early OKW buyers were told (incorrectly) that Florida resident discounts would be a perk and this was Disney’s way of dealing with that potential bait and switch? I swear I read that somewhere. That would lead me to think they wouldn’t want to modify it until 2057 or the last original buyer dies/sells.

I get that it’s possible but I’m trying to gauge if it’s likely, because it seems to me that it isn’t.

Yes, like I mentioned the free valet parking. One day all DVC members had free valet parking at the resorts. The next day, they had to pay for it including the members who had checked in under the free valet offer. Lots of ticked off owners. Ticket deals come all the time. The last best one that we used was the Premium Plus (four parks plus all the other stuff) for about $399. Then a few years ago, they offered an AP that was good for 15 months. Another was a free upgrade from Gold Pass to Platinum (maybe Platinum Plus). There have been short term deals where members got a 20% discount on some restaurants and shopping and it was good for only a few months. Never plan on a DVC deal years down the road. They might substitute another deal for the one you liked that you don't like as much or you like even better. You'll probably never get free dining though. As for Magic Evenings, it is often hard to book those since they come up with the dates like four or five months out when most owners have already booked their stays. I finally hit the one that was supposed to be in early May only to have it canceled and both the parks and resorts closed.

We bought in 1997 and were told by our salesperson that we would never be able to claim Florida Residency with our DVC ownership. So we moved to Florida three years ago. The original buyers were given park admission for half the occupancy of the villa for the length of the trip. That ended in 1997 before we bought. We were able to use what we paid for our stay at the Polynesian as our down payment (and that was a good deal for us). Some other offers throughout the years included one week cruises with a purchase of 100 (or was it 200) points. You didn't get to choose your dates from all the available dates, just the ones they had been given from DCL. Another time, they included developer points that had to be used at SSR and were limited to one year.