Direct *and* Resale?

[david26]

Has anyone bought the minimum direct points to get the member benefits *and* resale points at the same time to get your total number of desired points? I'm having direct FOMO.

 

[intamin]

I think most members on here are hybrid members.

 

[airjay75]

I recently bought direct and keep getting tempted by resale. But, everytime I run the math for the resorts in which I'd be interested in resale, I keep coming to the conclusion that I'd rather put any money towards more direct points. That said, my direct points are also at RIV (and I do love that resort) so it makes resale a bit less appealing for me because I wouldn't ever be able to use those points there. If I were say, a Poly direct holder, and didn't care about RIV or any new resorts, resale would likely be much more enticing.

 

[DisMomNCM]

I recently bought direct and keep getting tempted by resale. But, everytime I run the math for the resorts in which I'd be interested in resale, I keep coming to the conclusion that I'd rather put any money towards more direct points. That said, my direct points are also at RIV (and I do love that resort) so it makes resale a bit less appealing for me because I wouldn't ever be able to use those points there. If I were say, a Poly direct holder, and didn't care about RIV or any new resorts, resale would likely be much more enticing.

I am a Poly direct holder and even then, when I want to stay at Riviera or the new resorts, I just know I have to use my Poly points rather than any of my resale contracts!

 

[Sandisw]

I recently bought direct and keep getting tempted by resale. But, everytime I run the math for the resorts in which I'd be interested in resale, I keep coming to the conclusion that I'd rather put any money towards more direct points. That said, my direct points are also at RIV (and I do love that resort) so it makes resale a bit less appealing for me because I wouldn't ever be able to use those points there. If I were say, a Poly direct holder, and didn't care about RIV or any new resorts, resale would likely be much more enticing.

We tried to own resale and be locked out of RiV given we have so many points…

It was frustrating

 

[Pens Fan]

Not only do we have enough to direct points to get the membership benefits, but we also have enough to assure we can stay at any new, restricted resort we'd like in the future. Then we started buying up resale contracts at our favorite resorts where we'd always be happy to stay regardless. For us, it's the best of both worlds.

Edited to add: But then our favorites are all part of the original, unrestricted 14. It your favorites are one of the newer resorts then that changes things.

 

[sndral]

Has anyone bought the minimum direct points to get the member benefits *and* resale points at the same time to get your total number of desired points? I'm having direct FOMO.

Historically you didn’t need direct points to qualify for member benefits, so not getting benefits wasn’t a concern back when I bought resale.
Then there was no minimum on how many direct points you needed to qualify for most member benefits & many folks bought resale & added on 25 direct points (the minimum you could buy) to qualify for member benefits during that era.
These days w/ the introduction of restricted resorts like Riviera the decision is harder IMO, 150 minimum direct to qualify is a steep price to pay for the ability to get discounts, into member lounges, etc., but if you want a shot at reserving the restricted resorts at 7 months like Riviera then you’ll need direct points.
If I were buying now, I’d likely start w/ resale to try out the DVC system & see if it worked for me & whether I truly cared or could use the direct benefits & if I did care then add on direct.
We’re never at WDW when they offer the member nights, I get basically the same discounts from my Disney Chase Visa, we’ve been inside the Epcot lounge exactly 1 time, I cruise w/ other cruise lines, our annual trips often include sorcerer pass block out days so it’s rare that we can save money via an AP, & I’ve no interest in staying at Riviera - indeed, I generally stick w/ my home resorts, so for me there’s no compelling reason to own direct, although I did add on at VGF direct because I needed more points there .

 

[Girlstar30]

I have come to see that being resale can be challenging with DVC because they are consistently inconsistent with how they implement things and it being irritating as hell is an understatement.

Just yesterday I had an issue with switching the dates of my MNSSHP tickets because the app gave me the DVC discount when purchasing and no where on there did it say resale couldnt purchase or must be eligible for membership extras so I thought this was okay. I was hesitant when I saw that, but got reassurance from members services that if its letting me purchase then go right ahead.

Well i needed to change the dates of those tickets because we had a change of plans which is perfectly allowed for anybody to do. Didnt think twice about calling them, giving them my resale member number and doing this. Wasted an hour of my life with ticketing services with them in shock of how was I able to purchase this, the system should have blocked me, I must know someone direct that purchased this for (i do not) they need to speak to managers etc. Ridiculous bs that is a waste of time and isn't my problem.

Agent told me I should really keep this discounted ticket and not switch the dates because I got "lucky". I said i dont need your damn discount, give me a refund and I'll buy the tickets with AP discount or AAA! So after being on hold forever with her going back and forth with management, they gave me a refund rather than just switching it when I want to go to their freaking event.

I had to call ticketing services back later to switch the park dates of my 4 day theme park tickets now that there was no halloween party in between which they easily did and I mentioned to the cast member what happened to me earlier and how messed up it all is for resale.

He told me you are dvc then you qualify for the dvc member discount, I can purchase them for you right now if youd like. I was beyond livid!!! Wasted an hour of my life before this going back and forth for nothing! I said hell no keep the discount im using other sources! Fix your app please!!!

Im just telling you this because ive been a member all but 3 months and things like this occur all the time. Youll hear about Resale members being able to book Riviera sometimes, sorcerer pass depending on who you talk to discount mishaps etc.you hear this all the time. It is deeply unfair for some resale to get things, some not and direct being promised things that everyone gets at times. This is a problem with dvc in general for everything really when it comes to the unfairness of it depends on who you talk to. It is what it is but id rather mitigate that as much as possible.

Since I have enough points, as soon as I qualify for the 8.99% financing after a year, if there is a decent incentive and magical beginnings i will be doing that.

After MB, incentives and discounts, it really only comes out to a few more thousand more extra than resale many times. I will rather pay the $6k extra for direct than deal with this BS constantly for the next 35 years

Forgot to add that i own 3 resale memberships and dont regret a single one. I would do it this way again, I just would like one 150 direct to get rid of some of these issues

 

[intamin]

I am glad I own both resale and direct, particularly for my resale Aulani points. There are several instances where resale just makes a lot more sense than how much direct is going for currently such as BLT, AUL, any of the the 2042s depending on use scenario. There are some cases when direct can make sense even with those resorts such as simply not wanting to wait for resale to close, wanting a small contract or just wanting to know all of your points are eligible at any resort at 7 months instead of having to do mental gymnastics to figure how many of your points can be used at a resale restricted resorts and not.

I probably could've done without AKV even though I do love the resort and I don't regret buying it still. I'm very content with my current setup of points and I think with the addition of 150 of direct Poly and 100 to 125 of resale VGC I'll pretty much be set for good. Unless for whatever reason we actually begin to vacation at DL which I don't think we will but never say never I guess.. I never thought I'd own a DL resort..

I'm glad we own both, it's given us the best of both worlds. The value of resale but also the perks and comfort in knowing I'm not missing anything by being a direct member. If I had to be one or the other though, I definitely would've done direct only. I'm in this for the long haul and as stupid as it is, I want to know that I didn't miss out on anything from the membership. I would've just corrected my mistake and probably kept everything in the same use year though.

 

[tx911]

I am glad I own both resale and direct, particularly for my resale Aulani points. There are several instances where resale just makes a lot more sense than how much direct is going for currently such as BLT, AUL, any of the the 2042s depending on use scenario. There are some cases when direct can make sense even with those resorts such as simply not wanting to wait for resale to close, wanting a small contract or just wanting to know all of your points are eligible at any resort at 7 months instead of having to do mental gymnastics to figure how many of your points can be used at a resale restricted resorts and not.

I probably could've done without AKV even though I do love the resort and I don't regret buying it still. I'm very content with my current setup of points and I think with the addition of 150 of direct Poly and 100 to 125 of resale VGC I'll pretty much be set for good. Unless for whatever reason we actually begin to vacation at DL which I don't think we will but never say never I guess.. I never thought I'd own a DL resort..

I'm glad we own both, it's given us the best of both worlds. The value of resale but also the perks and comfort in knowing I'm not missing anything by being a direct member. If I had to be one of the other though, I definitely would've done direct only. I'm in this for the long haul and as stupid as it is, I want to know that I didn't miss out on anything from the membership. I would've just corrected my mistake and probably kept everything in the same use year though.

I have 100 VGC resale and I wish I had 25-50 more! Can’t quite get enough nights in 1BR in the high seasons

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I bought in direct first. 450 points at BLT in 2024. I wanted all the direct benefits and to be able to use ALL my points at any resort. That seemed like enough and I thought I’d never be buying more points. But when they announced that Disney is trying to crack down on commercial renters I figured I’d stalk the resale market for more DVC points. I’m currently in the midst of a resale contract for 170 more points at BLT that carried over 2024 points as well. I got a great deal, but I keep having to remind myself I won’t be able to ever use those 170 points at any of the new resorts and VDH. I think the headache will be minimal for what points to use on what bookings, but I haven’t really had the experience to see if I dislike it. I definitely don’t like the resale process, putting offers in, having people counter with ridiculous counters (higher than their listing price), having the resale teams make mistakes (almost was sold a June UY contract that was labeled as Dec UY when I agreed to buy it), and the amount of time we have to sit twiddling our thumbs. When I bought direct as soon as I put my downpayment down my points were available to use to replace my cash 2 Bed TPV stay at BLT as a points based stay. I didn’t have to do anything.
Today I swapped between at 1 Bedroom BWV room to a Studio for the night of Moonlight Magic at Hollywood Studios on Sept 1st. I had borrowed points from 2025 for the 1 Bedroom, and when I reached out to Members Services via chat they were able to swap me to the studio, and put my 12 points back into 2025. I agree with @Girlstar30 above….I feel like direct members are treated better.

I am wondering if my experiences will change at all as a hybrid member or if I’ll still be treated IMO very well because a majority of my 720 points are direct.

 

[kanerf]

Once you get over the direct hump which is currently 150 (it was only 25 I think when I started) points are points with the exception of Riviera where only direct or Riviera points can be used. I am a hybrid member in the 1000 point club.

 

[intamin]

I have 100 VGC resale and I wish I had 25-50 more! Can’t quite get enough nights in 1BR in the high seasons

Yeah that's the reason why I'd want it, seems like there's a lot of 160s but I don't really want that many and would prefer to have less to not overcommit to DL. The play might be to find a 75 and a 50 pointer if I can even find that in my UY. But also 120 would give me close to 4 nights during the holidays in a studio which is when we're most likely to be back down. As crowded as it'll likely be at DL I still do love the vibes of VGC during Christmas which is why I'm leaning there instead of VDH.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Has anyone bought the minimum direct points to get the member benefits *and* resale points at the same time to get your total number of desired points? I'm having direct FOMO.

Is there another way to buy in? Yes, although I have more direct points because I need direct points for the way I use the points.

 

[muppets3d]

I feel like I own enough direct/unrestricted points, any further points I purchase (even for restricted resorts like Riviera) will be resale. The price delta is just too big to ignore. At least, assuming everything keeps going as it has been. A flash sale might change that of course.

 

[D-Trick]

Has anyone bought the minimum direct points to get the member benefits *and* resale points at the same time to get your total number of desired points? I'm having direct FOMO.

Most everyone owns both. Typically you wouldnt buy them at the same time though-- the general advice on these boards is to buy the resale first so that you get member preferred pricing on the direct contract and allowing DVD to automatically match your existing UY.

 

[DanCali]

If Disney came out with an incentive to pay an owner ~ROFR prices to swap out resale points for direct (and add on some more in the process), I bet there would be a lot of takers.

For example, if a resale-only buyer was faced with:

(i) Add 150 PIT to get blue card, OR

(ii) We'll buy your 200 resale VGF for $150/pt and sell you 300 points PIT direct (with the incentives for 300 points)

I think the second option would be quite popular.

Seems like a win-win to me (at least for those who want more direct points for different reasons). DVC gets a large sale, and they get for VGF inventory they can sell at sold-out prices. The resale-only owner gets their blue card, and gets a bunch of points at a comparable monorail resort that's a shiny new object, gets a better price per point for 300 points than for 150 points (maybe?), and saves the hassle of having to sell their VGF via a broker.

 

[muppets3d]

If Disney came out with an incentive to pay an owner ~ROFR prices to swap out resale points for direct (and add on some more in the process), I bet there would be a lot of takers.

For example, if a resale-only buyer was faced with:

(i) Add 150 PIT to get blue card, OR

(ii) We'll buy your 200 resale VGF for $150/pt and sell you 300 points PIT direct (with the incentives for 300 points)

I think the second option would be quite popular.

Seems like a win-win to me (at least for those who want more direct points for different reasons). DVC gets a large sale, and they get for VGF inventory they can sell at sold-out prices. The resale-only owner gets their blue card, and gets a bunch of points at a comparable monorail resort that's a shiny new object, gets a better price per point for 300 points than for 150 points (maybe?), and saves the hassle of having to sell their VGF via a broker.

That assumes Disney needs the points back. They aren't selling a great deal of points at many of the sold out resorts these days. VGF probably the only exception these days where it's actually outselling the cabins at ft wilderness (lol). But even then, selling way less than the other actively selling properties.

 

[DanCali]

That assumes Disney needs the points back. They aren't selling a great deal of points at many of the sold out resorts these days. VGF probably the only exception these days where it's actually outselling the cabins at ft wilderness (lol). But even then, selling way less than the other actively selling properties.

They can always pick and choose what points to buy in this manner. And if they accumulate more than they sell, they can always add some incentives and drop the price by $20-$30, or rent for cash rates in the meantime. Some buyers will buy BLT or CCV direct or even 2042 resorts like BWV and BCV if the direct price was at $220-$235 like the "new" resorts.