Direct purchasing

[DVCJones]

I agree with you too. Never over extend yourself or go into debt for vacations. Just a thought...Buy a decent size contract at SSR to use and bounce around at many of dvc resorts including BLT. I checked this morning and BLT was available at the 7th month window at 8am for a lake view studio for a week. Checked back at 9am and Oct. 25 was then gone. So you could even get a monorail resort(BLT )on SSR points if your conscientious. Then add on a small 85 point VGF contract that would get you 5 nights every year in early December or Oct. (food and wine) I know that is still a lot of doe, but something that may work.

This is what we did. We have a good size contract at SSR bought direct 10 years ago. We have used that contract at every WDW DVC resort with the exception of VGF (haven't tried my luck at 7 months yet). I can't justify using that many points to stay there even with my cheap SSR points. Especially when we really enjoy many of the other DVC resorts. I might try my luck at VGF for a short stay next year before our cruise because I want to try every resort at least once. But if I can't get in... No biggie. We will stay at BLT. I call on the first day of my 7 mos window and have always been able to get what I want. I used wait list only once and that came through too.

We are looking to add on next year and I plan on buying resale at SSR or AKV because they are less expensive. SSR is the cheapest w/ a nice exp date, and AKV is more money than SSR, but it is our favorite w/ a longer contract than SSR. I can justify paying a little more for AKV because we love it and it is still way less expensive than the other resorts. Also, either way, when I stay at other more expensive DVC resorts I stay with my "cheap" SSR or AKV points.

Imagine the price difference of my stay on SSR points to those who paid top dollar direct from Disney for VGF!!!

 

[Johnny D]

OK, I didn't see anything of fact where we disagree since there really isn't any there other than the sales numbers possibly, only as to how strongly a given type of usage is likely to be. At this rate VGF won't even be the fastest sell out of new DVC resorts.

I believe if we had an in depth discussion we would agree with 95% of each others analysis. I think you are very well informed and give valuable information though I think it is often slanted and incomplete. I do think like many, when the price hits a certain point there is a knee jerk reaction to say buying dvc is no longer worth it. And in certain situations they could be correct.

I'm not trying to dissect every word of every sentence you say, but you do seem to try to throw in a VGF zinger in many posts.

Example: "At this rate VGF won't even be the fastest sell out of new DVC resorts."

So what? As I said before price will effect demand to a certain point. However, when it comes to maximizing profit, speed of sales doesn't say much about popularity unless the price your comparing 2 resorts were equal. VGF is currently $155 a point. and selling at about 4% a month. Would you drop the price to $120 a point to sell it out in a year? With that strategy one could pound there chest and say VGF was the fastest selling resort and Disney would leave millions of dollars on the table. Believe me Disney's pricing strategy is right on. The speed of sales does not show popularity or desire for the resort. It however does show the economic realities of many people.

What makes this property different; even more than Disney only having one Flagship resort that they have been able to charge a small fortune for for years, is that in only has a total of 47 studios.

BCV, which I feel is the second highest demand resort, has 110 studios.

Back to supply and demand. So you have a perfect storm for maintaining price and value. Disney most popular resort based on scientific economic analysis of using supply and demand curves and price equilibrium, plus DVC's smallest resort, plus the most popular rooms in the DVC system (studios) having the least of the entire DVC WDW system.

No, VGF will not be the most popular resort for thousands and thousands of DVC members. Thousands and thousands will say, there is not that much difference to the other great DVC resorts, why spend the points. But there will be thousands and thousands with the view that they would love to stay at VGF and GF because it is perceived by many to be a special resort and Disney's best.

Believe me it is not for everyone and I'm not trying to put my value system on anyone. All is I'm really trying to get across is that you are not going to be able to stay there on the cheap once it sells out. That is not important to many, so for the vast majority of people it is better to buy SSR and take your chances at other resorts. You will have saved a ton of money on the buy in and still stay at some amazing resorts. You just will rarely if ever be able to stay at VGF in a studio. The 11 month window will never be more valuable then at VGF and soon to be Poly.

 

[Johnny D]

This is what we did. We have a good size contract at SSR bought direct 10 years ago. We have used that contract at every WDW DVC resort with the exception of VGF (haven't tried my luck at 7 months yet). I can't justify using that many points to stay there even with my cheap SSR points. Especially when we really enjoy many of the other DVC resorts. I might try my luck at VGF for a short stay next year before our cruise because I want to try every resort at least once. But if I can't get in... No biggie. We will stay at BLT. I call on the first day of my 7 mos window and have always been able to get what I want. I used wait list only once and that came through too.

We are looking to add on next year and I plan on buying resale at SSR or AKV because they are less expensive. SSR is the cheapest w/ a nice exp date, and AKV is more money than SSR, but it is our favorite w/ a longer contract than SSR. I can justify paying a little more for AKV because we love it and it is still way less expensive than the other resorts. Also, either way, when I stay at other more expensive DVC resorts I stay with my "cheap" SSR or AKV points.

Imagine the price difference of my stay on SSR points to those who paid top dollar direct from Disney for VGF!!!

Given your considerations, you are doing all the correct things. I would still buy SSR if I were you. Contract year difference is not that great, and you can pick up points a lot cheaper on the secondary market at SSR. I don't think anyone really has any trouble getting in AKV at 7 months.

 

[DVCJones]

Given your considerations, you are doing all the correct things. I would still buy SSR if I were you. Contract year difference is not that great, and you can pick up points a lot cheaper on the secondary market at SSR. I don't think anyone really has any trouble getting in AKV at 7 months.

The only reason I would consider AKV is because having access to concierge and their cheap 1 BR value rooms are good deal and never available at 7 mos. But you're right, SSR is the better deal if those things were not important to me.

 

[Dean]

I believe if we had an in depth discussion we would agree with 95% of each others analysis. I think you are very well informed and give valuable information though I think it is often slanted and incomplete. I do think like many, when the price hits a certain point there is a knee jerk reaction to say buying dvc is no longer worth it. And in certain situations they could be correct.

I'm not trying to dissect every word of every sentence you say, but you do seem to try to throw in a VGF zinger in many posts.

Example: "At this rate VGF won't even be the fastest sell out of new DVC resorts."

So what? As I said before price will effect demand to a certain point. However, when it comes to maximizing profit, speed of sales doesn't say much about popularity unless the price your comparing 2 resorts were equal. VGF is currently $155 a point. and selling at about 4% a month. Would you drop the price to $120 a point to sell it out in a year? With that strategy one could pound there chest and say VGF was the fastest selling resort and Disney would leave millions of dollars on the table. Believe me Disney's pricing strategy is right on. The speed of sales does not show popularity or desire for the resort. It however does show the economic realities of many people.

What makes this property different; even more than Disney only having one Flagship resort that they have been able to charge a small fortune for for years, is that in only has a total of 47 studios.

BCV, which I feel is the second highest demand resort, has 110 studios.

Back to supply and demand. So you have a perfect storm for maintaining price and value. Disney most popular resort based on scientific economic analysis of using supply and demand curves and price equilibrium, plus DVC's smallest resort, plus the most popular rooms in the DVC system (studios) having the least of the entire DVC WDW system.

No, VGF will not be the most popular resort for thousands and thousands of DVC members. Thousands and thousands will say, there is not that much difference to the other great DVC resorts, why spend the points. But there will be thousands and thousands with the view that they would love to stay at VGF and GF because it is perceived by many to be a special resort and Disney's best.

Believe me it is not for everyone and I'm not trying to put my value system on anyone. All is I'm really trying to get across is that you are not going to be able to stay there on the cheap once it sells out. That is not important to many, so for the vast majority of people it is better to buy SSR and take your chances at other resorts. You will have saved a ton of money on the buy in and still stay at some amazing resorts. You just will rarely if ever be able to stay at VGF in a studio. The 11 month window will never be more valuable then at VGF and soon to be Poly.

I'm sure we would agree on most items and where we disagree, it would be on a scale as it is for this item. I'm open to where you think the info is slanted or incomplete. I believe it's factual that there will be all type of buyers at VGF as there have at every resort. The numbers may be different than some but all will be represented and therefore they will receive a benefit and value proportional to how they use it. No zingers intended, beauty may be in the eye of the beholder. My intend it to simply discuss the info itself. Some have represented that VGF will be the most in demand resort in history, to be so would it sell out slower than other resorts and would it have a lower repeat visitor rate than any other resorts so I feel this is important info to the discussion? To me this is simply a discussion of the info, it seems more personal for some.

Speed of sales is a big factor in DVD's resort formula to the point that they abandoned at least 3 off property resorts due to the slower than expected sales at VB and HH though I feel they could have easily sold them had they taken a different approach.

IMO it will be possible to stay there without owning there, it is now and I believe it will be in the future. Personally I feel it is actually more difficult now than it will be in 3-4 years because DVC resorts have a habit of such but only time will tell. I am confident that I can stay there periodically if I make it a priority.

 

[Tdisney]

Appreciate all the feedback. After contemplating and almost pulling trigger at BLT we just bought more BC. We just love the location too much. I do like BLT but it is kind of sterile feeling compared to many other DVC resorts. Also it seems as many BLT rooms as there are that we would have a chance to get in at 7 months.

 

[lovin'fl]

Appreciate all the feedback. After contemplating and almost pulling trigger at BLT we just bought more BC. We just love the location too much. I do like BLT but it is kind of sterile feeling compared to many other DVC resorts. Also it seems as many BLT rooms as there are that we would have a chance to get in at 7 months.

Congrats!! Did you go direct? If so, did you have to go on wait list or did they have points in your use year?

 

[DizBub]

Appreciate all the feedback. After contemplating and almost pulling trigger at BLT we just bought more BC.

Congrats!! Did you go direct? If so, did you have to go on wait list or did they have points in your use year?

Congratulations! Recently heard about someone else buying an add-on direct at BWV and got it for $7 off the base price. Did this apply to BCV too?

 

[Noelle]

Congratulations! Recently heard about someone else buying an add-on direct at BWV and got it for $7 off the base price. Did this apply to BCV too?

I believe so...We were offered the same deal for OKW direct. If you were already a member, 50 points or more $7 per point off the $130 = $123 per point.

 

[DizBub]

I believe so...We were offered the same deal for OKW direct. If you were already a member, 50 points or more $7 per point off the $130 = $123 per point.

Cool! With small contracts being so scarce and higher in price, especially at BCV, adding on direct is starting to look more desirable. Something to think about.

 

[Tdisney]

No I bought resale. It was still about 25 per point more to go direct. I wasn't looking for a small contract. But small contracts are steep resale as well.

 

[NattyMouse]

I'm sure you are all asked this many times, but bear with me for one more....

We just took the tour for DVC yesterday, and are considering buying into VGF at 60 to 100 pts, so we can book the 11 months there, then buying points resale at another base, say OKW or SS.

They are offering us 2013 points if we join this month, so we would start with those points free with no dues at VGF. My question would be the resale side, if we have VGF already, would it make sense to buy resale at vero beach even if we probably would never stay there? or would you pay the little extra to get OKW? Sorry for the all the questions, there is alot of information out there on DVC to wade through.

thanks

 

[LisaS]

They are offering us 2013 points if we join this month, so we would start with those points free with no dues at VGF.

Are you sure you will owe no dues on those 2013 UY points? They usually pro-rate the dues starting from your purchase date. If the 2013 UY points are completely free, then your dues would not start until the start of your 2014 UY and I haven't heard anything to suggest that they are offering a deal like that to new buyers.

If they are offering the standard deal, your dues will be pro-rated from your purchase date so you will save some money on the dues on those 2013 UY points but they will not be completely free of dues.

My question would be the resale side, if we have VGF already, would it make sense to buy resale at vero beach even if we probably would never stay there? or would you pay the little extra to get OKW? Sorry for the all the questions, there is alot of information out there on DVC to wade through.

I would only buy VB if you intend to stay there. The dues at VB are very high and since you would not be able to use your VB points to book a stay at WDW until you are within 7 months of check-in, you run the risk of getting shut out of WDW at certain times of the year for the room size you want. If you purchase a contract at OKW or SSR with no intention of staying there, you can book there 11 months out and take your chances at switching to another resort 7 months out. You still run the risk of not getting what you want 7 months out but at least you will have a place to stay at WDW.

 

[Noelle]

My question would be the resale side, if we have VGF already, would it make sense to buy resale at vero beach even if we probably would never stay there? or would you pay the little extra to get OKW? Sorry for the all the questions, there is alot of information out there on DVC to wade through.

thanks

Vero Beach has very high dues in comparison to other DVC resorts. You could end up losing your savings on the initial purchase price pretty quickly after a few years of paying dues pending on the size of your contract. If you really are just looking for the lowest cost points to add to your VGF purchase, SSR or OKW might be a good choice. SSR is pretty reasonably priced resale and it has low membership fees. OKW is cheaper than SSR for purchase price, but membership fees are slightly higher. SSR is a longer contract than OKW.

I love Vero Beach only wish the MF weren't so high or I'd add-on.

 

[Dean]

I'm sure you are all asked this many times, but bear with me for one more....

We just took the tour for DVC yesterday, and are considering buying into VGF at 60 to 100 pts, so we can book the 11 months there, then buying points resale at another base, say OKW or SS.

They are offering us 2013 points if we join this month, so we would start with those points free with no dues at VGF. My question would be the resale side, if we have VGF already, would it make sense to buy resale at vero beach even if we probably would never stay there? or would you pay the little extra to get OKW? Sorry for the all the questions, there is alot of information out there on DVC to wade through.

thanks

The 2013 points isn't a special, it's just the way things work. Generally it's better to buy resale first then add on retail. As long as you bought prior to the start of the UY (even 1 day) you'd get the points and be able to bank them for the retail purchase. It's just much easier to find the right resale when you don't have the restrictions of a single UY or specific number of points hanging over you.

 

[zavandor]

We just took the tour for DVC yesterday, and are considering buying into VGF at 60 to 100 pts, so we can book the 11 months there, then buying points resale at another base, say OKW or SS.

Just to be sure you know it, please note that if you buy 60 points at VGF and more points at another resort, then you can only use the 60 points to book at the VGF at the 11 months mark.
Each contract has its own home resort and you cannot combine points from different resorts to book at 11 months.
You can combine them at 7 months.

if we have VGF already, would it make sense to buy resale at vero beach even if we probably would never stay there? or would you pay the little extra to get OKW? Sorry for the all the questions, there is alot of information out there on DVC to wade through.

Vero is cheaper to buy in, but has much higher MF.

SSR buy in: $70 - $75 per point
VB buy in: $45 - $50 per point

SSR MF: $4.91
VB: $7.75

With a difference of $25 per point to buy in and 2,84 in MF, it will take 9 years to make up for the difference, then in the long run you'll pay much more for Vero. And Vero expires earlier.

 

[BestDadEver]

I bought direct cause I didn't want the hassle of ROFR , I wanted all the benefits . Plus a slight fear of any restrictions down the road for resale buyers . If they start taking things away from resale owners I'd be upset u didn't buy direct . I am not saying that is going to happen though .

 

[Silver19]

We have two medium sized resale contracts and two tiny direct contracts. We buy resale when we're buying 50 or more points and direct when we're buying less than 50. When we want a small add-on, it sometimes takes six months just to find a resale listing with the right use year, and even then we are often outbid or miss it until it's too late. So direct is much easier.

Buying direct is also an incredibly easy process. I call my guide, pay via a Disney Rewards credit card, and the points are loaded that day. No ROFR waits -- no chance of a seller backing out.

For us, it's worth paying hundreds of dollars more per transaction to buy direct, but not thousands. Convenience and speed are worth money, it's just a matter of how much money they're worth to any particular family. If we can save $40 per point, resale is a no-brainer. If we can save less than $20, we'd probably go direct.

 

[NattyMouse]

thanks for the info

after looking at the resale prices vs direct, its hard to justify getting 100 pts at VGF when you can get 200 resale somewhere else for the same price

is the cruise line only available via direct buy?

 

[Noelle]

thanks for the info after looking at the resale prices vs direct, its hard to justify getting 100 pts at VGF when you can get 200 resale somewhere else for the same price is the cruise line only available via direct buy?

Yes