*DID IT!* See #27! Coach me-likely buying 160 VWL points directly from Disney...

[Dodie]

I had an initial conversation with someone other than our actual guide - the person we've spoken with a few times over the past 10 years or so that we've been thinking about doing this The guide is going to call us on Monday and they're shipping us the most recent "materials" for early in the week.

I was told this:

We could get 160 VWL points directly from Disney. UY would be September. They would "throw in" the 160 2007 points as well. There would be no maintenance fees for the 2007 points. We'd get the 2008 points in September 2008. The maintenance fees for 2008 would be "prorated." He also said (which has been disputed on the boards already for a sold-out property), "One of the benefits of buying directly from Disney is that we "throw in the closing costs."

I know we could get a resale cheaper, but after waiting all this time (literally YEARS) to decide to do this, we just want to do it quickly and get it over with. We know we want VWL. There's no question about that.

What else do I need to know to get the best deal we can?

The guy told us that there were no "incentives" available for purchasing sold-out properties from Disney. True or false? Should we push on this?

Would the referral program get us anything for buying NOT at AKL or SSR? Do I need to look for a referral on that thread?

Some have mentioned in various threads receiving perks like 2 APs, a $500 or $1000 Disney gift card, etc. Are those a possibility I should ask for?

Thanks!

 

[RobDoc]

I had an initial conversation with someone other than our actual guide - the person we've spoken with a few times over the past 10 years or so that we've been thinking about doing this The guide is going to call us on Monday and they're shipping us the most recent "materials" for early in the week.

I was told this:

We could get 160 VWL points directly from Disney. UY would be September. They would "throw in" the 160 2007 points as well. There would be no maintenance fees for the 2007 points. We'd get the 2008 points in September 2008. The maintenance fees for 2008 would be "prorated." He also said (which has been disputed on the boards already for a sold-out property), "One of the benefits of buying directly from Disney is that we "throw in the closing costs."

I know we could get a resale cheaper, but after waiting all this time (literally YEARS) to decide to do this, we just want to do it quickly and get it over with. We know we want VWL. There's no question about that.

What else do I need to know to get the best deal we can?

The guy told us that there were no "incentives" available for purchasing sold-out properties from Disney. True or false? Should we push on this?

Would the referral program get us anything for buying NOT at AKL or SSR? Do I need to look for a referral on that thread?

Some have mentioned in various threads receiving perks like 2 APs, a $500 or $1000 Disney gift card, etc. Are those a possibility I should ask for?

Thanks!

If you were told there would be no closing costs, hold them to that offer. Some have reported no closing costs for initial purchases at sold out resorts - but first purchases at SSR and AKV definitely have closing costs. Add-on purchases for existing owners do not have closing costs.

DVC has never offered any incentives for the soldout resorts (although they do offer reduced pricing at times - ie currently VB and HH are available at $87 thru DVC for 50 or more point add-ons). It can't hurt to ask, but don't get your heart set on it.

The current incentives (Gift card) and past incentives (free APs, free admission passes, $10 per point discounts, Developer Points) have always been offered only on the resort(s) they are currently selling - presently SSR and AKV. There have never been an referral incentives for resorts other than those being currently sold by DVC - never for soldout resorts.

 

[Dodie]

If you were told there would be no closing costs, hold them to that offer. Some have reported no closing costs for initial purchases at sold out resorts - but first purchases at SSR and AKV definitely have closing costs. Add-on purchases for existing owners do not have closing costs.


DVC has never offered any incentives for the soldout resorts (although they do offer reduced pricing at times - ie currently VB and HH are available at $87 thru DVC for 50 or more point add-ons). It can't hurt to ask, but don't get your heart set on it.

The current incentives (Gift card) and past incentives (free APs, free admission passes, $10 per point discounts, Developer Points) have always been offered only on the resort(s) they are currently selling - presently SSR and AKV. There have never been an referral incentives for resorts other than those being currently sold by DVC - never for soldout resorts.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer, WebmasterDoc - FELLOW HOOSIER!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Someone else will have to comment, as I'm not sure what you can get from the sales office in Chicago, but being a few hours from Chicago, you may search the boards and see if a few hours drive might be worth your time. Some have reported better deals from Chicago.

Congrats on your upcoming purchase! I love being a DVC member!!!

 

[Saratoga Souris]

From what I can see your info is accurate. I bought 100 pt add-on from Disney in January and there were no closing costs. As well, we got the 2007 deal just as you say.
I looked at re-sale and couldnt find a better deal when I factored in price + closing costs+ the value of the 2007 points (which seemed to be completely or partially stripped from all the re-sale contracts I looked at).
In addition, no headache for ROFR - got the points right away and booked a vacation before I left Orlando

 

[RobDoc]

Someone else will have to comment, as I'm not sure what you can get from the sales office in Chicago, but being a few hours from Chicago, you may search the boards and see if a few hours drive might be worth your time. Some have reported better deals from Chicago.

Congrats on your upcoming purchase! I love being a DVC member!!!

I believe the Chicago incentives are also only available for SSR and AKV purchases so there would not likely be a benefit for a VWL purchase.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

I believe the Chicago incentives are also only available for SSR and AKV purchases so there would not likely be a benefit for a VWL purchase.

Good catch, Doc. Forgot they were looking at VWL.

 

[disneynutz]

I had an initial conversation with someone other than our actual guide - the person we've spoken with a few times over the past 10 years or so that we've been thinking about doing this The guide is going to call us on Monday and they're shipping us the most recent "materials" for early in the week.

I was told this:

We could get 160 VWL points directly from Disney. UY would be September. They would "throw in" the 160 2007 points as well. There would be no maintenance fees for the 2007 points. We'd get the 2008 points in September 2008. The maintenance fees for 2008 would be "prorated." He also said (which has been disputed on the boards already for a sold-out property), "One of the benefits of buying directly from Disney is that we "throw in the closing costs."

I know we could get a resale cheaper, but after waiting all this time (literally YEARS) to decide to do this, we just want to do it quickly and get it over with. We know we want VWL. There's no question about that.

What else do I need to know to get the best deal we can?

The guy told us that there were no "incentives" available for purchasing sold-out properties from Disney. True or false? Should we push on this?

Would the referral program get us anything for buying NOT at AKL or SSR? Do I need to look for a referral on that thread?

Some have mentioned in various threads receiving perks like 2 APs, a $500 or $1000 Disney gift card, etc. Are those a possibility I should ask for?

Thanks!

The way I see it you will only save a few hundred dollars buying resale. If time is a factor, buying direct is the way to go.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

 

[gblast123]

From what I can see your info is accurate. I bought 100 pt add-on from Disney in January and there were no closing costs. As well, we got the 2007 deal just as you say.
I looked at re-sale and couldnt find a better deal when I factored in price + closing costs+ the value of the 2007 points (which seemed to be completely or partially stripped from all the re-sale contracts I looked at).
In addition, no headache for ROFR - got the points right away and booked a vacation before I left Orlando

There is a difference for add-ons and new contracts.

With add-ons, there have been no closing costs.

For new contracts, they have been charging closing costs.

Hope this helps.

David

 

[Anjelica]

The way I see it you will only save a few hundred dollars buying resale. If time is a factor, buying direct is the way to go.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

I second that!!! We also bought from Disney for VWL a couple of years ago and decided to go that route due to not really wanting to deal with resale, closing costs (Disney had no closing costs for us at that time). We did have to go on a waiting list for points but were called within 1 week of being put on the list.

Such a great purchase for us and we love it. We also just recently added AKV and I am so happy we took the plunge on that now as well. Good Luck!!!

 

[Inkmahm]

I agree with everything posted so far. The only thing I'd add is to make sure that the September UY is the right UY for you based on when you plan to travel. The only real advantage of buying resale could be that you get the UY that you want (if it isn't September.) Or, you may have to go on VWL waitlist to get the UY that you want.

We purchased BWV through resale, first. It was a hassle to have to go through ROFR and then wait for the sellers to take their good natured time on returned the final paperwork so the deal could close. The timing was a pain. We bought resale VWL points through Disney soon after we closed on the original BWV points and we realized how many points we'd REALLY need to be happy. Dealing with Disney was SO easy. We were on a waitlist for our October UY for a very short time, maybe a week or so.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

The reason I love these boards so much is..... so much info with so many different experiences and opinions.

As I said, when I added on OKW there were no closing costs but I didn't pay any when I bought SSR (new separate contract from my original OKW) either. If your guide said no closing costs, then there won't be any!

 

[Saratoga Souris]

UY..... there has been a lot of discussion on the Boards about this

Personally, IMHO, UY does not matter for me! I guess it depends - for some it may come into play - but not for me!

 

[Inkmahm]

I thought of something else. Buying direct from Disney you can put the whole cost on your VISA and get $ back for it! Buying resale for our original points, I had to send a certified check to close. I much rather have the ease (and rebate) of using my VISA to pay for points. That's what we did for the two addons at VWL and AKV. Not big dollars in the scheme of things but 1% of the total can be enough for a good celebration dinner.

 

[DisneyTeacher]

There is a difference for add-ons and new contracts.

With add-ons, there have been no closing costs.

For new contracts, they have been charging closing costs.

Hope this helps.

David

We bought 200 points (new contract) at BCV a couple of months ago and didn't pay any closing costs.

 

[gblast123]

We bought 200 points (new contract) at BCV a couple of months ago and didn't pay any closing costs.

You may have gotten in under the wire...this stuff with closing costs only started recently.

Also, if you own DVC already, even if you buy a "new contract", that is considered an "add on".

I guess I should clarify...If you are a DVC member, you don't get charged closing costs, even if it is a "new contract" at a different resort.

If you have never bought DVC, then you should be charged closing cost now...but you never know what they are doing or changing regarding incentives...

David

 

[BigBahamaDada]

My advice would be to ask them to write the contract as 4 contracts of 40 points each, rather than a single contract of 160 points. They have been willing to do this for me previously on add-on, don't see why they wouldn't on an initial contract. It will give you more flexibility going forward. E.g. ability to sell off portions, easier to divide for estate planning, more attractive on resale.

And congratulations. We love VWL.

 

[Dodie]

I asked this on another thread a few days ago, but since it was brought up again here - we would typically travel IN SEPTEMBER. Would a September UY mess us up somehow? This is the only part of DVC that I truly don't understand very well.

 

[RobDoc]

A September Use Year would be fine for travel anytime in the fall.

 

[LisaS]

I asked this on another thread a few days ago, but since it was brought up again here - we would typically travel IN SEPTEMBER. Would a September UY mess us up somehow? This is the only part of DVC that I truly don't understand very well.

Your Use Year determines your banking deadlines. You can bank up to 100% of your points at any time during the first 8 months of your UY. You cannot bank any points during the last 4 months of your UY. It's helpful to have a UY where your primary travel dates fall into the early part of your UY in case you have to cancel a trip. When you cancel, the points go back into your account. If you cancel 31 days or more prior to check in and you had no plans to use those points for another trip before the end of your UY, you could bank them provided you are still within the first 8 months of your UY. If you cancel 30 days to 1 day prior to check in, the points go into "holding" and are not bankable and can only be used to book a stay within 60 days of check in. If it is early in your UY, you will have many months to try to use those points for another trip. If it's late in your UY you may not be able to book anything else before those points expire.

Quick example: you have a Sep UY and have a trip booked for Sep '08 using 2008 UY points. You cancel it in early Aug at least 31 days prior to check in. The points go back into your account and you have until Aug 31, 2009 to use them for something else or you can bank them. With the same Sep UY, in early July (31+ days prior) you cancel an Aug '08 trip that was booked with 2007 UY points. The points go back into your account but since you are past your banking deadline you cannot bank them. They expire Aug 31, 2008 so you have less than 2 months to use them for something else, and that is only if you can manage to book something on such short notice.

Again, this would only affect you if you had to cancel a trip. But something people often don't think about is that this can also affect you if you use the waiting list. Let's say you have a reservation booked and are waitlisted for something less expensive, for example you might be booked into a BWV/Preferred View and waitlisted for a BWV/Standard View, or you wanted a studio but there were none available so you booked a 1BR and waitlisted for a studio hoping to save some points. If the waitlist comes through, the extra points used for the original reservation are returned to your account. If you are already past your banking deadline when the waitlisted reservation comes through, those points you saved cannot be banked and may end up expiring unused. If you have a UY such that you always travel early in your UY or at least during the first 8 months, this won't affect you.