Considering a Poly/Riviera 200/150 Direct Purchase

[airjay75]

I think the only risk is if the next incentives and prices aren't any better or worse, and you pull the trigger, but the round after is better you would feel like you missed out.

I think you're best off having a contract now and you at least make sure you have the best deal in two periods. If pricing is the same or better on April 29 you can use the same strategy and then you have the best deal across three periods.

The longer you wait, the less in prorated dues you pay, the more your money can sit in a high yield saving account.



From what I've read some others have put their guide through , I think you'll be fine

Thank you. I think I'll be ok if the incentives come October are better - well, I guess if they are WAY better and/or would exceed the magical beginnings benefit, I might regret it just a bit, but I think I'd get over it.

I think I'll be very nice and upfront with my guide when I speak to her tomorrow about what I'm thinking. She has been incredibly nice so far, especially with the many e-mails and calls I gave the first few days after our tour as I was getting myself familiar with all of this.

 

[supercarrie]

Been thinking about this, particularly given that we are not planning on another Disney trip until late January or early February and are likely to sell back our first year points. On April 29th when they reveal the new offers, I am presuming there will also be an end date to those incentives announced at the same time (although maybe I'm wrong on that, and they provide that later). So, let's say I give the green light to my guide tomorrow, and the incentives are better on April 29th. So, I cancel my contract. If, instead of re-writing the new offer now, I then wait until the next round (say it's June 25th again) and do the same thing to straddle the incentive dates to see whether the June-September offers are better. Since I want an October UY, probably couldn't wait any longer than that. Seems to me this would ensure I get the best deal possible between these three offer periods while minimizing current year dues. It might make that Jan/Feb trip slightly harder to book if we want to stay at Riviera for part of all of it, but still wouldn't be in the 7-month window, so wouldn't be jeopardizing other resort availability. Of course, all of this is moot, if the new offers on April 29th are worse.

Is this a sound strategy? Am I risking something that I don't see? I imagine the fine print says they can change their offers and pricing any time, but it seems as a practical matter, that is highly unlikely to happen. I'm sure the guide is likely to be a bit annoyed, but I would think I'm not really doing anything wrong. Welcome any thoughts from anyone.

Yes, you definitely could do this. One thing to consider is that for a late January trip, you'd want to have the points loaded in your account by mid-June. They load within a couple hours when buying direct. Of course, you could always ask for a Welcome Home stay, too.

1 bedroom resort views at Riviera tend to last longer in the 7-11 month window over studios (which often are booked at 11 months out on the dot), but I wouldn't cut into the 7 month window if I wanted to stay at Riviera in February.

The offers can technically change earlier (for example, they had a great sale on Old Key West last year, and they pulled that down early for the high point tiers). In practicality, I can't think of an example where they pulled incentives early for an actively selling resort.

 

[airjay75]

Yes, you definitely could do this. One thing to consider is that for a late January trip, you'd want to have the points loaded in your account by mid-June. They load within a couple hours when buying direct. Of course, you could always ask for a Welcome Home stay, too.

1 bedroom resort views at Riviera tend to last longer in the 7-11 month window over studios (which often are booked at 11 months out on the dot), but I wouldn't cut into the 7 month window if I wanted to stay at Riviera in February.

The offers can technically change earlier (for example, they had a great sale on Old Key West last year, and they pulled that down early for the high point tiers). In practicality, I can't think of an example where they pulled incentives early for an actively selling resort.

As always, thank you so much. All of the data and information I've been able to obtain from you and everyone else has been just incredible. I feel like a plan is very much starting to gel for me as to how to get this going.

I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on how this goes.

 

[CarolynFH]

We feel very safe letting the kids get more independent as they become teenagers,

Yes, this is a wonderful thing too! Being able to let them go off on their own makes us happy as well as them.

 

[PolyRob]

Thank you so much for these thoughts. You're helping reinforce my decision to go with Riviera. And, on your last point, I totally get what you're saying. I was trying to explain to a couple of co-workers yesterday (who were trying to talk me out of this) that, look, it's not an investment (at all). There are plenty of rational reasons not to do this. But, if I do do this, my approach to vacationing is going to change. Instead of being my normal miserly self, and always waiting until later to book vacations and constantly second guessing whether we do this or do that, and whether staying here or staying there makes the most sense, I'm sort of saying, look, our family really likes Disney. Sure, we might decide to take other vacations and we always have the option of renting out our points to help with that too, but it's going to put me into a pattern of focusing travel planning around Disney trips for the foreseeable future. My wife and I are already planning when we want to use our points next. If I didn't do this, there is no way I'd be thinking about that right now - I'd be like, we'll get around to it. If we want to do Disney, we can figure it out later - there's always plenty of options. Half the fun of vacation is looking forward to it. Going this route means you pretty much always put a Disney vacation on your calendar and have it to look forward to. I am finding it very appealing given how I know I would approach our future vacations if we don't do it.

I also think DVC really appeals to those of us who like to play the credit card games (which go hand in hand with purchasing your DVC contract). I have long played the credit card points game. Started with Chase UR universe, moved on to AmEx MRs, and have been full in on the AAdvantage miles/status games since American started letting people earn status with credit card spend. Playing the DVC game reminds me a lot of this. In some ways, it is like a hobby (although, some people might say addiction ).

I was booking at least three separate WDW trips annually before diving into DVC. Coworkers would scoff when they found out I was going to WDW again so I didn't even share that I purchased. It's a great feeling when you leave a WDW trip knowing you already have another one booked. It truly does feel like home!

I am also a CC churner and points hoarder. Getting direct DVC points subsidized by URs and MRs I cashed out, free flights, and dues covered by discounted Disney GCs that I accumulated throughout the year to hit minimum spend requirements on new credit cards makes the trips even more fun and exciting! Addiction is the right word. Just wait until you want to add on more points

 

[airjay75]

So, got my first contract set up with my guide - 2 150-pt Riviera contracts with October UY. $29 per point incentive, $500 referral credit, and $1,000 Disney Visa credit. Will check incentives that come out Tuesday and go from there.

The guide said I needed to decide on magical beginnings at the outset and could not wait until the end of the current UY. That seems to conflict with what others have said. Not sure if she is right - regardless, I don't care too much because I'm 99.9% certain I want to do it so just said yes.

I discussed my potential strategy with her about the possibility of fully cancelling and the straddling the next incentive end/start period. Of course, she noted that incentives can be pulled anytime, noted that if I want to go in Jan/Feb, I would be getting into that 7-month window which could make bookings a bit more challenging. I knew those things, and I probably do want to give some thought to the latter one. The other thing she said that she couldn't guarantee was my UY - said it would require approval from her manager, as they are currently suppose to offer December UY, and she's not sure she would be able to get it.

Any thoughts on that last point? I suspect that is a bit of a sales tactic to close the deal now, which I totally get, but maybe there is a small amount of truth to it. Let's say I fully cancel because the incentives are the same or better come Tuesday, call back in late June and say, I want to do this, but only if you can give me an October UY. Could they pull the magical beginnings since I'd be in the last 4 months of my 2024 UY? I don't want to be too much of a pain, but also how you have to play a little hardball sometimes to get exactly what you want. At the moment, probably leaning me to just stick with whichever is better, the incentives today or the incentives Tuesday. Might want to do it anyways, solely on account of the 7-month window opening up for my next desired trip.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

The guide said I needed to decide on magical beginnings at the outset and could not wait until the end of the current UY. That seems to conflict with what others have said. Not sure if she is right - regardless, I don't care too much because I'm 99.9% certain I want to do it so just said yes.

The agent spoke correctly. You have to give up your points from the beginning for MB, unfortunately. Maybe others misspoke or didn’t explain properly.

The other thing she said that she couldn't guarantee was my UY - said it would require approval from her manager, as they are currently suppose to offer December UY, and she's not sure she would be able to get it.

This is something they do all the time, especially with new members. They might actually have to get permission and approval but push back a bit and they will almost always give you what you want, specifically for resorts actively on sale. I think technically they do sell a specific UY for a few weeks/months to make sure they’re pretty balanced across UYs and try to push that on new members. When you become a member and go to add on, they will always match your currently UY regardless of what’s being sold at that time, unless you ask otherwise.

 

[DVC_Eeyore_Fan]

As a fellow RIV owner, just want to say Welcome Home! Pro moves for a direct purchase. Hopefully your guide allowed payments to be spread out over 60 days if you needed that.

And agreed with the previous poster, I believe they have been pushing new members to December and February use years lately, but can get permission for a different use year based on what I’ve read over various threads. Hopefully you get permission for an October use year.

Now you can access the site to start playing around with bookings and availability!

 

[AstroBlasters]

So, got my first contract set up with my guide - 2 150-pt Riviera contracts with October UY. $29 per point incentive, $500 referral credit, and $1,000 Disney Visa credit. Will check incentives that come out Tuesday and go from there.

The guide said I needed to decide on magical beginnings at the outset and could not wait until the end of the current UY. That seems to conflict with what others have said. Not sure if she is right - regardless, I don't care too much because I'm 99.9% certain I want to do it so just said yes.

I discussed my potential strategy with her about the possibility of fully cancelling and the straddling the next incentive end/start period. Of course, she noted that incentives can be pulled anytime, noted that if I want to go in Jan/Feb, I would be getting into that 7-month window which could make bookings a bit more challenging. I knew those things, and I probably do want to give some thought to the latter one. The other thing she said that she couldn't guarantee was my UY - said it would require approval from her manager, as they are currently suppose to offer December UY, and she's not sure she would be able to get it.

Any thoughts on that last point? I suspect that is a bit of a sales tactic to close the deal now, which I totally get, but maybe there is a small amount of truth to it. Let's say I fully cancel because the incentives are the same or better come Tuesday, call back in late June and say, I want to do this, but only if you can give me an October UY. Could they pull the magical beginnings since I'd be in the last 4 months of my 2024 UY? I don't want to be too much of a pain, but also how you have to play a little hardball sometimes to get exactly what you want. At the moment, probably leaning me to just stick with whichever is better, the incentives today or the incentives Tuesday. Might want to do it anyways, solely on account of the 7-month window opening up for my next desired trip.

Welcome Home! I hope you and your family enjoy those points for many years to come!

 

[PolyRob]

So, got my first contract set up with my guide - 2 150-pt Riviera contracts with October UY. $29 per point incentive, $500 referral credit, and $1,000 Disney Visa credit. Will check incentives that come out Tuesday and go from there.

The guide said I needed to decide on magical beginnings at the outset and could not wait until the end of the current UY. That seems to conflict with what others have said. Not sure if she is right - regardless, I don't care too much because I'm 99.9% certain I want to do it so just said yes.

I discussed my potential strategy with her about the possibility of fully cancelling and the straddling the next incentive end/start period. Of course, she noted that incentives can be pulled anytime, noted that if I want to go in Jan/Feb, I would be getting into that 7-month window which could make bookings a bit more challenging. I knew those things, and I probably do want to give some thought to the latter one. The other thing she said that she couldn't guarantee was my UY - said it would require approval from her manager, as they are currently suppose to offer December UY, and she's not sure she would be able to get it.

Any thoughts on that last point? I suspect that is a bit of a sales tactic to close the deal now, which I totally get, but maybe there is a small amount of truth to it. Let's say I fully cancel because the incentives are the same or better come Tuesday, call back in late June and say, I want to do this, but only if you can give me an October UY. Could they pull the magical beginnings since I'd be in the last 4 months of my 2024 UY? I don't want to be too much of a pain, but also how you have to play a little hardball sometimes to get exactly what you want. At the moment, probably leaning me to just stick with whichever is better, the incentives today or the incentives Tuesday. Might want to do it anyways, solely on account of the 7-month window opening up for my next desired trip.

Welcome Home!

If the contracts are still open (60 days to pay) they can be rewritten and MB can be applied as long as it's more than three days prior to the start of the UY. Buying now with an Oct UY would never reach the three days timeframe, but you would have until late June for the 60 days before the contracts closed and can no longer be modified.

For example, say you confirmed you wanted to purchase a 150 point contract and keep your current 2024 UY allotment. No problem. You call your guide 30 days later while the contract is still open and now you want 200 points split as two, 100 point contracts with Magical Beginnings. DVC can 100% do that. Even if you didn't change the size of the 150 point contract (purchased 150 and 50) it will still be rewritten since the pricing has changed. The MB agreement is part of each contract and shows the calculation for whatever you are purchasing per contract number.

It is true certain UYs are pushed on new members, but if they are willing to sell a Dec UY which still has 2024 points there should be no problem in selling an Oct UY which also has 2024 points. The biggest UY issue is if you want something with 2024 UY points, but the available points are only for the 2025 UY. This is currently happening with VGC direct since it's not in active sales. The points are limited to what has been taken back via ROFR. RIV is in active sales and isn't 100% declared yet.

Fair warning, if you book even one night on your own in the 7-11 month window you forgo your "Welcome Home" booking assistance from MS. If you only want something well into the future like February 2026 that you previously mentioned at your home resort that is fine. If you wanted something under seven months at a high demand resort the MS help is beneficial.

 

[supercarrie]

Welcome home! Glad you are joining the RIV club with so many of us. The resort is so beautiful.

Keep us posted as you experience the other resorts, too!

 

[WeIcomeHome]

If they refuse your requested use year for reason XYZ, just threaten to back out of the purchase unless you can get that specific use year and they will magically be able to get it approved.

MB is included in the documents you will sign right away so that must be decided up front. I saw someone else misrepresent how that worked but thought another comment corrected it so I didn't chime in.

I actually did the same thing last summer you're considering. I cancelled my purchase from the end of the spring incentive period and rebought a couple months later because the summer incentives were slightly better. Saved me around $500 in dues.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

Welcome home, but push for the October use year! December is the worst, IMO, especially if you ever want that highly coveted early December trip, you may run into borrowing issues. I am not explaining it well, but I know it's a PITB.

 

[Disney Spaz]

Congratulations and Welcome Home!!!!