Direct DVC September Sales

[airjay75]

After reading the article, im wondering if PIT is slowing Riv sales down? Seems like Riv was doing really good in the first months of 2024.

I really dont see the motivation for them to give better incentives for PIT, they simply dont need to unfortunately.

Also the projection of when PIT is going to sell out would make it so that i could wait and see how we like LSL, but then I won't be direct for my next long WDW vacation

Since i know for sure we love PIT, I feel like I should just go with that

If you love PIT (which I think you do), I really wouldn't hesitate. Just decide on the right timing before it sells out. I wish I had loved PIT the way I do RIV - PIT is an easier decision because, even if you change your mind the next day, you can recoup the vast majority of what you spent.

On the PIT vs. RIV sales, yes, I think PIT definitely became the sales leader once it came online, but RIV has a long and complicated history. Had COVID never happened, there would never have been a PIT vs. RIV match up because RIV would be sold out by now. RIV, in addition to being the first restricted resort, is the resort that is most affected by COVID. It truly is the red-headed stepchild of DVC in more ways than one.

 

[Girlstar30]

If you love PIT (which I think you do), I really wouldn't hesitate. Just decide on the right timing before it sells out. I wish I had loved PIT the way I do RIV - PIT is an easier decision because, even if you change your mind the next day, you can recoup the vast majority of what you spent.

On the PIT vs. RIV sales, yes, I think PIT definitely became the sales leader once it came online, but RIV has a long and complicated history. Had COVID never happened, there would never have been a PIT vs. RIV match up because RIV would be sold out by now. RIV, in addition to being the first restricted resort, is the resort that is most affected by COVID. It truly is the red-headed stepchild of DVC in more ways than one.

Yes im not even going to worry about incentives because im not banking on them getting much better.

March is my one year and im sure youll be seeing my graduation celebration thread I hope you will attend

The redheaded stepchild def has the best food imo. Can't wait to go back to Topolinos for dinner! We're doing the dining plan next year and ive been doing research and Primo Piatto is one of the best bangs for your buck on QS.

I wish I could stay in every hotel each time . Id love to do that kind of challenge. Stay a month in WDW and split stay every hotel. Exhausting, but satifying.

 

[VGCgroupie]

After reading the article, im wondering if PIT is slowing Riv sales down? Seems like Riv was doing really good in the first months of 2024.

I really dont see the motivation for them to give better incentives for PIT, they simply dont need to unfortunately.

Also the projection of when PIT is going to sell out would make it so that i could wait and see how we like LSL, but then I won't be direct for my next long WDW vacation

Since i know for sure we love PIT, I feel like I should just go with that

The extra years LSL would give you over Poly is worth waiting to see if you like it enough to buy imo.

 

[Girlstar30]

The extra years LSL would give you over Poly is worth waiting to see if you like it enough to buy imo.

I was afraid you would come at me with logic Imagine if I buy pit and then that lazy river is banging My wife loves nature. I love fancy hotels. This might be the life for us

 

[atthebeachclub]

I was afraid you would come at me with logic Imagine if I buy pit and then that lazy river is banging My wife loves nature. I love fancy hotels. This might be the life for us

I wouldn’t worry; it’s going to be a huge hotel! I don’t think you’ll have any trouble staying there not as an owner, much like at AKV. But that doesn’t change the extra years argument.

 

[Girlstar30]

I wouldn’t worry; it’s going to be a huge hotel! I don’t think you’ll have any trouble staying there not as an owner, much like at AKV. But that doesn’t change the extra years argument.

Well if its a 50 year contract ill be 91-92 by the time it expires

With Poly ill be 81. Id like to think id still be alive and chillin at Ohanas at Poly. I cant see myself in the lazy river at 92

 

[atthebeachclub]

Well if its a 50 year contract ill be 91-92 by the time it expires

With Poly ill be 81. Id like to think id still be alive and chillin at Ohanas at Poly. I cant see myself in the lazy river at 92

There is a strong chance my VDH contract will outlive me! It is possible I may outlive it, but by that age I’m really going to need my kids to be using my points, because I doubt I’ll want to deal with baggage and flying at that age.

So maybe buy your Poly now! And if at 81 you need more points, YOLO!

 

[Girlstar30]

There is a strong chance my VDH contract will outlive me! It is possible I may outlive it, but by that age I’m really going to need my kids to be using my points, because I doubt I’ll want to deal with baggage and flying at that age.

So maybe buy your Poly now! And if at 81 you need more points, YOLO!

Maybe I should do direct at CFW to take me into the early 90s

 

[sticker231]

I bought over $37K in DVC this year + a DCL cruise + a cash stay at WDW…

… and we bought season passes at our local Six Flags park, with dining plans, which cost us about $800 total.

And I think I overspent $800 this year. Guess where.

We are getting back into DVC and waiting for our second contract to pass. I have no problem justifying my Disney spending.

As others have said, putting it into comparison to other locations easily gives me peace of mind.

It is always interesting when I am questioned about Disney being so expensive. I live by the beach in NJ and it is always funny hearing co-workers complain about taking their kids for a day on the boardwalk and spending a few hundred dollars

The $800 for season passes and dining at Six Flags isn't that bad, however my local Six Flags couldn't pay my $800 to go there for the day.

Disney math always pops up in my head and makes the decision easier.

 

[TheThousandthSoul]

We are getting back into DVC and waiting for our second contract to pass. I have no problem justifying my Disney spending.

As others have said, putting it into comparison to other locations easily gives me peace of mind.

It is always interesting when I am questioned about Disney being so expensive. I live by the beach in NJ and it is always funny hearing co-workers complain about taking their kids for a day on the boardwalk and spending a few hundred dollars

The $800 for season passes and dining at Six Flags isn't that bad, however my local Six Flags couldn't pay my $800 to go there for the day.

Disney math always pops up in my head and makes the decision easier.

I hear you. My brother keeps going at NJOC and keeps complaining about the prices.

$800 for the season at Great Adventure isn’t bad indeed.

Our local park however is left to rot, with untrained cast members, no parking, and chicken nuggets as the only viable option for food.

 

[Wedgeout]

I was afraid you would come at me with logic Imagine if I buy pit and then that lazy river is banging My wife loves nature. I love fancy hotels. This might be the life for us

I’ll add to the logic. You just answered what your conscience is telling you. WAIT. (They won’t blindside you and spontaneously post “Sold Out”).

 

[sticker231]

I hear you. My brother keeps going at NJOC and keeps complaining about the prices.

$800 for the season at Great Adventure isn’t bad indeed.

Our local park however is left to rot, with untrained cast members, no parking, and chicken nuggets as the only viable option for food.

I'm sure some of the Six Flags parks are fine. As you mentioned with the current status of Great Adventure, it is a terrible place to go in my opinion.

 

[airjay75]

It is always interesting when I am questioned about Disney being so expensive. I live by the beach in NJ and it is always funny hearing co-workers complain about taking their kids for a day on the boardwalk and spending a few hundred dollars

The $800 for season passes and dining at Six Flags isn't that bad, however my local Six Flags couldn't pay my $800 to go there for the day.

The OCNJ Boardwalk can easily be just as expensive as WDW. You will easily spend $5k on a week long rental during the summer for a 2 BR condo that may or may not have a dedicated parking space. You'll have to bring your own sheets and towels. And, you'll need to book it 6 months in advance and it will be completely nonrefundable from the moment you book it. We did it for a few years with our young boys. We did really enjoy it. Then Gillian's folded up, and I really started to think about whether we wanted to spend that kind of money again.

Dorney Park is our closest Six Flags (well, now it's Six Flags). We did season passes there a couple of years and also did Hershey Park one year. They're fine, but WDW is just in an entirely different league. There really is no comparison whatsoever. Now I'm of the mindset, why waste any of my money at those places - just save it for WDW!

 

[airjay75]

The extra years LSL would give you over Poly is worth waiting to see if you like it enough to buy imo.

This is a good point, @Girlstar30. And the DVCnews.com article said PIT's current sales pace puts in on track to sell out in Summer of 2028. So, you do have time. Poly's got a 2066 expiration date. LSL will presumably have a 2076 or 2077 expiration date. That's 10 more years. I know a lot of people prefer Poly because it doesn't have the resale restrictions, but as time goes on, that is going to affect whatever residual value these contracts have less and less.

And, even if you love Poly, I have a feeling preferred view rooms there are going to be easy to book once it is fully declared the same way BLT preferred view rooms are pretty easy to book - that's one reason I've gone with CCV for my resale contracts instead of BLT. Eight more years on the contract, but cheaper upfront cost than BLT, and preferred view at BLT is pretty easy to book at the 7-month mark. I have a feeling when I stay at BLT, I'm actually going to want preferred view rooms anyways for the views of the lake - maybe you'll feel the same way about Poly. Just some thoughts for you.

 

[sticker231]

The OCNJ Boardwalk can easily be just as expensive as WDW. You will easily spend $5k on a week long rental during the summer for a 2 BR condo that may or may not have a dedicated parking space. You'll have to bring your own sheets and towels. And, you'll need to book it 6 months in advance and it will be completely nonrefundable from the moment you book it. We did it for a few years with our young boys. We did really enjoy it. Then Gillian's folded up, and I really started to think about whether we wanted to spend that kind of money again.

Dorney Park is our closest Six Flags (well, now it's Six Flags). We did season passes there a couple of years and also did Hershey Park one year. They're fine, but WDW is just in an entirely different league. There really is no comparison whatsoever. Now I'm of the mindset, why waste any of my money at those places - just save it for WDW!

exactly.

If I go to the beach, it's in the off season, "local summer" is a lot more relaxing. Summer traffic by me is ridiculous. I do my shopping during the week to avoid the main roads.

Disney can have my money.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

We live near 6FNE, like really close, and it's hit or miss with the rides. I go more for the water park, but they're taking away more and more lounge chairs and are understaffed to run all the water attractions. Food is meh to gross, at best, with very little variety. We do APs there since it's so convenient, but our son and DH are over it, so it will be just our daughter and I. If we didn't have the AP and dining plan (which sucks, but we can still make it work better than OOP every trip with lots of strategizing,) it's a semi reasonable outing, but if we just drove in from OOS for the day, a family of four would be $250 to walk in the gate, another $20 to park, and then another $200 at least in food/sodas, and that's before you spring for their version of a lightning lane. The water park is considered an add-on, so that's another $100, so $570-$700 for one day.

We also are near our regional state fair, which we also have APs, thank God, but that's another $120 just to enter/park, and then AT LEAST another $200 in food/drink for the day, probably more.

Movies, family of four, about $80 per movie.

For decades our family has rented a cottage near the beach in MA/ME/NJ, and that's at least $5k a week -- and I'm doing sheets and linens and groceries and cooking. No thank you! I love the Eastern seaboard and history and beaches and things to do, but it's just too expensive. I feel like I'm dying death by a thousand cuts with parking, snacks, ice cream, candy, mini golf, trinkets, hoodies, boardwalk attractions, arcades, and yet more food.

Disney/DVC are fixed costs at this point. I know the prices go up every year, but they're posted and I can budget for it. I really DO feel like DVC saves us money, and we love the rooms and resorts. The parks we love for more than the rides. We enjoy the ambiance, cleanliness, and spaciousness. We have never had anything but wonderful service from CMs, and we really notice the difference when we go other places. I am not saying that no-one has ever had a bad CM interaction, but I get a little offended on their behalf when I read on boards complaining about them. I have SEEN the abuse they get, and it's not right.

 

[Brian Noble]

It seems at some point sales will have to slow down with what’s going on economically.

Maybe. There is a pretty good argument that we are in a "K-shaped" economy: the uppper income households are gaining ground quickly, while lower income households are really struggling. Guess which of those two is more willing to drop $20K+ on a timeshare?

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/k-shaped-spending-sectors-showing-bifurcation.html

 

[atthebeachclub]

Maybe. There is a pretty good argument that we are in a "K-shaped" economy: the uppper income households are gaining ground quickly, while lower income households are really struggling. Guess which of those two is more willing to drop $20K+ on a timeshare?

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/23/k-shaped-spending-sectors-showing-bifurcation.html

I heard this referenced on NPR too, and I think I know which part of the K I'm in, based on my recent $20k+ timeshare purchase...

 

[atthebeachclub]

We live near 6FNE, like really close, and it's hit or miss with the rides. I go more for the water park, but they're taking away more and more lounge chairs and are understaffed to run all the water attractions. Food is meh to gross, at best, with very little variety. We do APs there since it's so convenient, but our son and DH are over it, so it will be just our daughter and I. If we didn't have the AP and dining plan (which sucks, but we can still make it work better than OOP every trip with lots of strategizing,) it's a semi reasonable outing, but if we just drove in from OOS for the day, a family of four would be $250 to walk in the gate, another $20 to park, and then another $200 at least in food/sodas, and that's before you spring for their version of a lightning lane. The water park is considered an add-on, so that's another $100, so $570-$700 for one day.

We also are near our regional state fair, which we also have APs, thank God, but that's another $120 just to enter/park, and then AT LEAST another $200 in food/drink for the day, probably more.

Movies, family of four, about $80 per movie.

For decades our family has rented a cottage near the beach in MA/ME/NJ, and that's at least $5k a week -- and I'm doing sheets and linens and groceries and cooking. No thank you! I love the Eastern seaboard and history and beaches and things to do, but it's just too expensive. I feel like I'm dying death by a thousand cuts with parking, snacks, ice cream, candy, mini golf, trinkets, hoodies, boardwalk attractions, arcades, and yet more food.

Disney/DVC are fixed costs at this point. I know the prices go up every year, but they're posted and I can budget for it. I really DO feel like DVC saves us money, and we love the rooms and resorts. The parks we love for more than the rides. We enjoy the ambiance, cleanliness, and spaciousness. We have never had anything but wonderful service from CMs, and we really notice the difference when we go other places. I am not saying that no-one has ever had a bad CM interaction, but I get a little offended on their behalf when I read on boards complaining about them. I have SEEN the abuse they get, and it's not right.

Locally....our state fair is amazing, but it was over $100 just to get my whole family in. It blew my mind. The food (notable) is also very expensive.

Movies, amazingly, are very very cheap where I live. $7 per person with my work ID; even new movies. I have a refillable annual popcorn bucket I can share with everyone for $5. It's probably the cheapest local entertainment around. I don't know how the economics of this can possibly work for the owner.

I'm with you on the CM abuse. Most CMs I've met are amazing people, trying to make your vacation amazing. I've been really impressed with Disney's hiring. The CMs deserve so much love (and tips) from us.

 

[Brian Noble]

For the record, I like my local Six Flags (neé Cedar Fair) park very much. Cedar Point is great. It's not a Disney park, but it is not trying to be. It's a different thing. And, the setting on Lake Erie is just fabulous. This is an older shot--the park looks quite a bit different now--but gives you an idea.