Buying resale. One question....

[ThisIsJason]

.....which I am sure will turn into many.

Went on the DVC tour just the other day, and I am hooked, will be buying before my next vacation.

As I understand it, if you buy a resale you cannot do the Cruises, Disney Collection or the Adventures by Disney.

Question: If I buy resale, can I buy more points direct from Disney and then use them to do the above, or would I just want to buy new?

 

[ELMC]

.....which I am sure will turn into many.

Went on the DVC tour just the other day, and I am hooked, will be buying before my next vacation.

As I understand it, if you buy a resale you cannot do the Cruises, Disney Collection or the Adventures by Disney.

Question: If I buy resale, can I buy more points direct from Disney and then use them to do the above, or would I just want to buy new?

Your understanding is correct. That being said, those choices are generally considered to be an inefficient (read: costly) use of points. Fiscally speaking, you would be better off renting out your points and paying cash for those vacation alternatives.

As far as your second question, each time you make a purchase those points are labeled. So if you bought a resale contract those points would be earmarked as resale points and would have the restrictions. If you purchased direct points at a later date, those points would be eligible to use for the options you described above (although that is a non guaranteed benefit of direct purchases and can be taken away at any time).

Furthermore, there was some discussion on another board that the possibility exists that you could transfer resale points into your direct contract and then use them for the above options. However, there was not a consensus on this. Some thought it was a loophole that would soon be closed, others disagreed that it could actually happen. I'm just sharing what I read, but perhaps some of the long time DISers could weigh in on this some more.

My advice...buy resale and save a ton of money. Then use that savings to go on a cruise or two.

 

[CarolMN]

.....which I am sure will turn into many.

Went on the DVC tour just the other day, and I am hooked, will be buying before my next vacation.

As I understand it, if you buy a resale you cannot do the Cruises, Disney Collection or the Adventures by Disney.

Question: If I buy resale, can I buy more points direct from Disney and then use them to do the above, or would I just want to buy new?

If you buy resale points and direct points, only the direct points can be used to pay for the options in the Disney Collection (including cruises), the Adventurers Collection & the Concierge Collection.

But if that is what you want to do, do not buy DVC. It will be less expensive to just pay cash for those options. Plus the cost (in points) of those options has gone up every year with only a few isolated exceptions.

You will get the best value from DVC points by using them to stay at a DVC resort.

IMO, DVC did folks a favor by disallowing resale points to be used for the non-DVC options.

 

[k3chantal]

Just wanted to offer the other side of the coin. I have used my points for RCI and for a Disney cruise. Even though, it may have not been the best financial move, it is definitely a wonderful way to have use my points. I have no regrets and would do so again in a heartbeat.

That said, the next time I buy points I probably will buy resale just to save money and perhaps have another home resort. This way I can have more points to use at WDW and still save my direct buy for vacations like another Disney Cruise. To me it is not all about flow charts and financial graphs; its about how I feel about my experiences and those vacations were fantastic.

As pointed out in an earlier post, these perks may be taken away. But other 'perks' may be added. No one knows. Buying direct gives you the opportunity to fully enjoy everything Disney may offer. So, having both type of points can be advantageous.

 

[ThisIsJason]

Ah okay. Thanks everyone. I was fine just going back to WDW every 2 years with DVC, but when my wife started looking through the book and saw some of the things she got excited.

Guess when we get back home on Friday we will have to start talking about what we want to do.

 

[ELMC]

Ah okay. Thanks everyone. I was fine just going back to WDW every 2 years with DVC, but when my wife started looking through the book and saw some of the things she got excited.

Guess when we get back home on Friday we will have to start talking about what we want to do.

Ok, so I'm glad that you said that. There's a reason why those things are in there....it's a marketing tool. People see all the options that they can have with their timeshare (not just DVC) and get all emotional and excited and decide that it's great and they have to have it. Disney Cruise Line and Concierge Collection and all that stuff are great. But do your homework and see how much they would cost out of pocket vs. what they would cost using points. (Hint: it's much more expensive using points).

The best use of DVC is to stay at DVC resorts. Given that, I feel that resale gives you the best value for your vacation dollar. Good luck as you do your research and make your decision!

 

[Mtnman44]

I would bet that most DVC owners don't even own enough points to take a family on a Cruise or Aventures by Disney. Check out the point charts for those and you'll see why almost everyone advises not to waste points on those trades. You get much more value in using them for DVC reservations. Would you order a special room service pizza at WDW for 10 DVC points or a 7 day park hopper for 100 points? It might be "fun and magical or wonderful", but that would be a stupid thing to do. (those are not real options, just hypotheticals to illustrate the point.)

DVC points are simply your hard earned money converted into specific accomodation currency, "DVC dollars" if you will. Just because they aren't real dollars, doesn't mean it now makes sense not to think about things from a financial perspective. Either your use of DVC makes economic sense or it doesn't. Don't let emotion and marketing make you forget that your purchase and every subsequent use of your points is nothing more than a financial transaction.

One final example, simplified with arbitrary figures for illustration purposes.

1 week DVC unit stay = 200 points
1 week DVC unit stay cash market price = $2,000

cruise = 400 points + $95
cruise cash market price = $2,500

You get a lot more actual value for your vacation currency by using DVC points for DVC, than by trading out. Hence, it makes no sense to own DVC points for trading purposes.

 

[Tunseeker1]

I would bet that most DVC owners don't even own enough points to take a family on a Cruise or Aventures by Disney. Check out the point charts for those and you'll see why almost everyone advises not to waste points on those trades. You get much more value in using them for DVC reservations. Would you order a special room service pizza at WDW for 10 DVC points or a 7 day park hopper for 100 points? It might be "fun and magical or wonderful", but that would be a stupid thing to do. (those are not real options, just hypotheticals to illustrate the point.)

DVC points are simply your hard earned money converted into specific accomodation currency, "DVC dollars" if you will. Just because they aren't real dollars, doesn't mean it now makes sense not to think about things from a financial perspective. Either your use of DVC makes economic sense or it doesn't. Don't let emotion and marketing make you forget that your purchase and every subsequent use of your points is nothing more than a financial transaction.

One final example, simplified with arbitrary figures for illustration purposes.

1 week DVC unit stay = 200 points
1 week DVC unit stay cash market price = $2,000

cruise = 400 points + $95
cruise cash market price = $2,500

You get a lot more actual value for your vacation currency by using DVC points for DVC, than by trading out. Hence, it makes no sense to own DVC points for trading purposes.

The numbers should be based on
1 week cruise vs 1 week stay at Dvc resort with dxdp and unlimited snacks and room service and shows.

 

[Missyrose]

The numbers should be based on
1 week cruise vs 1 week stay at Dvc resort with dxdp and unlimited snacks and room service and shows.

Wait, are you now trying to argue that using points for a cruise are a good value? Oh geez.

 

[ELMC]

I would bet that most DVC owners don't even own enough points to take a family on a Cruise or Aventures by Disney. Check out the point charts for those and you'll see why almost everyone advises not to waste points on those trades. You get much more value in using them for DVC reservations. Would you order a special room service pizza at WDW for 10 DVC points or a 7 day park hopper for 100 points? It might be "fun and magical or wonderful", but that would be a stupid thing to do. (those are not real options, just hypotheticals to illustrate the point.)

DVC points are simply your hard earned money converted into specific accomodation currency, "DVC dollars" if you will. Just because they aren't real dollars, doesn't mean it now makes sense not to think about things from a financial perspective. Either your use of DVC makes economic sense or it doesn't. Don't let emotion and marketing make you forget that your purchase and every subsequent use of your points is nothing more than a financial transaction.

One final example, simplified with arbitrary figures for illustration purposes.

1 week DVC unit stay = 200 points
1 week DVC unit stay cash market price = $2,000

cruise = 400 points + $95
cruise cash market price = $2,500

You get a lot more actual value for your vacation currency by using DVC points for DVC, than by trading out. Hence, it makes no sense to own DVC points for trading purposes.

The numbers should be based on
1 week cruise vs 1 week stay at Dvc resort with dxdp and unlimited snacks and room service and shows.

You are very, very incorrect in this statement and I believe that you misread the PP. The PP is comparing the different ways you could pay for the same thing. He (she?) is NOT comparing a DVC stay to a cruise. The cost of the cruise is 400 points plus $95 or $2500 cash. You get the same thing, it's just that in one situation you are paying a lot more.

Again, I implore you, please think about what you post before actually posting.

 

[k3chantal]

The numbers should be based on
1 week cruise vs 1 week stay at Dvc resort with dxdp and unlimited snacks and room service and shows.

I agree. Plus, for us; add in airfare. When we went on our cruise we drove to the Port of LA therefore saving $2500.00 dollars since we didn't have to fly.

The people who are so passionate about using points for only WDW should consider that there are other costs associated with going to DW like flying and eating and they should certainly be considered when evaluating the 'real' costs.

Next week I am off to AKL the costs are:
$2500.00 for my family of five to fly from CA
$1500.00 for my five day park hopper tickets
$1500 to $2000 to eat for the week (we have some character and signature dining reservations) and we have made an order for Garden Grocer to deliver so we can have breakfast in our room so 240 dollars of the whole amount I quoted is already spent.

My cruise I went on in Oct. for my family of five (we had two Port window adjoining rooms on deck 7)
$150 dollars for gas
$150 for my car to sit in the parking lot
No food costs (except for the wine/beer we drank and one night at Palo) so we probably spent $600.00)
port excursions $600.00
Yes, we went to DL for two days but the tickets were under $700.00
Hotel for two nights while at DL was 300.00

It's looking cheaper to me mainly because I don't have to cough up the thousands it takes of real cash when I booked the cruise. It would have taken two years of 'renting' my points to get the some of the cash I would have needed plus I would have magically have to not decide to spend it somewhere else.

There is no doubt that when all of this is put on a spreadsheet, the best way to financially use the points is to go to WDW. However, we would all be remiss not to look at the other factors like tickets and airfare.

 

[Tunseeker1]

Tired of trying to use facts

 

[Missyrose]

I agree. Plus, for us; add in airfare. When we went on our cruise we drove to the Port of LA therefore saving $2500.00 dollars since we didn't have to fly.

The people who are so passionate about using points for only WDW should consider that there are other costs associated with going to DW like flying and eating and they should certainly be considered when evaluating the 'real' costs.

Next week I am off to AKL the costs are:
$2500.00 for my family of five to fly from CA
$1500.00 for my five day park hopper tickets
$1500 to $2000 to eat for the week (we have some character and signature dining reservations) and we have made an order for Garden Grocer to deliver so we can have breakfast in our room so 240 dollars of the whole amount I quoted is already spent.

My cruise I went on in Oct. for my family of five (we had two Port window adjoining rooms on deck 7)
$150 dollars for gas
$150 for my car to sit in the parking lot
No food costs (except for the wine/beer we drank and one night at Palo) so we probably spent $600.00)
port excursions $600.00
Yes, we went to DL for two days but the tickets were under $700.00
Hotel for two nights while at DL was 300.00

It's looking cheaper to me mainly because I don't have to cough up the thousands it takes of real cash when I booked the cruise. It would have taken two years of 'renting' my points to get the some of the cash I would have needed plus I would have magically have to not decide to spend it somewhere else.

There is no doubt that when all of this is put on a spreadsheet, the best way to financially use the points is to go to WDW. However, we would all be remiss not to look at the other factors like tickets and airfare.

But wouldn't you rather rent out 250 points to pay cash for the cruise and still have 150 points left over for your own use? Because otherwise (using these same dummy numbers) you're using $4,000 in points (plus the $95 fee) for a $2,500 cruise.

I know you've been very happy with your purchase and the usage you've used but there is a financial component to value.

 

[k3chantal]

But wouldn't you rather rent out 250 points to pay cash for the cruise and still have 150 points left over for your own use? Because otherwise (using these same dummy numbers) you're using $4,000 in points (plus the $95 fee) for a $2,500 cruise.

I know you've been very happy with your purchase and the usage you've used but there is a financial component to value.

I just went on the Disney Cruise line website and the cost (without any deals; of course) would be about $6000.00. So didn't I just 'save' myself $2000.00 plus the cost of airfare and food?

 

[Missyrose]

I just went on the Disney Cruise line website and the cost (without any deals; of course) would be about $6000.00. So didn't I just 'save' myself $2000.00 plus the cost of airfare and food?

Yes. If you're content to pay rack rate for cruises, then I stand corrected.

 

[ELMC]

I agree. Plus, for us; add in airfare. When we went on our cruise we drove to the Port of LA therefore saving $2500.00 dollars since we didn't have to fly.

The people who are so passionate about using points for only WDW should consider that there are other costs associated with going to DW like flying and eating and they should certainly be considered when evaluating the 'real' costs.

Next week I am off to AKL the costs are:
$2500.00 for my family of five to fly from CA
$1500.00 for my five day park hopper tickets
$1500 to $2000 to eat for the week (we have some character and signature dining reservations) and we have made an order for Garden Grocer to deliver so we can have breakfast in our room so 240 dollars of the whole amount I quoted is already spent.

My cruise I went on in Oct. for my family of five (we had two Port window adjoining rooms on deck 7)
$150 dollars for gas
$150 for my car to sit in the parking lot
No food costs (except for the wine/beer we drank and one night at Palo) so we probably spent $600.00)
port excursions $600.00
Yes, we went to DL for two days but the tickets were under $700.00
Hotel for two nights while at DL was 300.00

It's looking cheaper to me mainly because I don't have to cough up the thousands it takes of real cash when I booked the cruise. It would have taken two years of 'renting' my points to get the some of the cash I would have needed plus I would have magically have to not decide to spend it somewhere else.

There is no doubt that when all of this is put on a spreadsheet, the best way to financially use the points is to go to WDW. However, we would all be remiss not to look at the other factors like tickets and airfare.

I understand what you are saying, but you are overlooking one thing. Points have a real cash value of $10 each. So take the number of points it would take for a cruise and multiple it by 10. If the number is greater than the cash cost of the cruise, then it makes better financial sense to rent the points and pay for the cruise out of pocket.

 

[Tunseeker1]

Yes. If you're content to pay rack rate for cruises, then I stand corrected.

What would you pay for a Disney cruise?

Not made up numbers, real world examples that I can book today.

 

[Tunseeker1]

I understand what you are saying, but you are overlooking one thing. Points have a real cash value of $10 each. So take the number of points it would take for a cruise and multiple it by 10. If the number is greater than the cash cost of the cruise, then it makes better financial sense to rent the points and pay for the cruise out of pocket.

I did that, you must have missed it.

 

[ELMC]

I did that, you must have missed it.

No, I saw it, but as usual your numbers were all wrong. I'm not going to argue with you about this. Let's do this...you continue to buy VB direct contracts and use the points for DCL, and I'll buy my resale contracts and use the points to stay on site. Then we'll both be happy thinking we got the best deal.

 

[k3chantal]

I understand what you are saying, but you are overlooking one thing. Points have a real cash value of $10 each. So take the number of points it would take for a cruise and multiple it by 10. If the number is greater than the cash cost of the cruise, then it makes better financial sense to rent the points and pay for the cruise out of pocket.

Agreed; currently though, if I run the numbers (even using a real cash value of $11) I, at minimum, broke even using my points on my last cruise.

And I am not saying that that scenario is always possible or will be in the future. But there are reasonable situations where trading your points with RCI or with the DCL would be at least an equal trade.

I think this is the real issue: the thought that people would spend their points without looking at the real cash value. I am thankful that I am on these boards, you all have taught me to look at the cash value of my points. But I will also take away from this discussion that I did get a reasonable value on my past cruise and when I went to Hawaii (the condo would have rented cash for $2000.00 and I spent 160 points so $1600.00) using my points. In both of those very specific trips the numbers work. Will they always work?; probably not and that is the importance of educated yourself on your DVC membership and the reservation requests you make.