Direct vs Resale vs Renting over 10 years

[RivShore]

Just as an aside, and not to stir the pot on something we can do nothing about, but it was shocking how little or dues were affected by the removal of DME. You might have noticed that room rack rates didn't go down either but I was less shocked by that.

Not to side track this interesting discussion but DME cost was probably spread to every single hotel room on property so 36k rooms which is something like 13M nights, DME was not much more than a rounding error...

 

[ArmyChaplain Matt]

I'll go ahead and say it b/c I didn't see it mentioned unless I missed it......just kick all of this out, b/c ADDONITIS is real!!! OCT 2018 75 direct CCV, MAR 2019 150 BWV resale, MAR 2020 SSR resale and about to pull trigger on 200 DIR RIV, so do all the spreadsheets and planning and analysis, b/c I did but in the end, you'll spend more no matter what!!!

 

[iluvthsgam]

My Scrooge side just see's the $10k upfront savings... Longer term the less hassle/stress at 7months, longer contract, possible savings of direct perks, should probably go GF or RR. Anyone just uses points at 7months at not home resorts with success?

I am not sure if I am not the norm - or just not the norm on the DisBoards. But I own at SSR (bought 2011) and BWV (bought 2013). I use my points EVERYWHERE. I've stayed at Beach Club, Boulder Ridge, Bay Lake, Saratoga, Old Key West, Aulani, Animal Kingdom, Vero, (and rented for folks for Polynesian).

The "buy where you want to stay" works if you have very specific needs, for very specific rooms, for very specific time periods. Yes if you want Boardwalk standard studio during food and wine you probably need to own at Boardwalk. If you want Copper Creek over Christmas->New Years you probably need to own there.

The pandemic has not helped. But even throughout the pandemic I booked stays all over. There is no guarantee. I find lots of times I look for something and it is not available. But if you are looking at 7 months you should be able to find something most of the time. Just my .02.

 

[RamblinWreck]

Personally I do not consider resale value as part of the equation. IMO, it’s a bonus to get some of your buy in cost back when sold. But I think SSR will hold the least value of all those.

If you have some kind of "10 year plan" for going to Disney, I think you kind of have to make some attempt to make a guess at what you can get back from a DVC contract. Or just don't consider buying one.

But 10 years is probably the kind of timeframe that makes DVC ownership worthwhile.

 

[iluvthsgam]

If you have some kind of "10 year plan" for going to Disney, I think you kind of have to make some attempt to make a guess at what you can get back from a DVC contract. Or just don't consider buying one.

But 10 years is probably the kind of timeframe that makes DVC ownership worthwhile.

Agreed. DVC is an asset that has value. That is not the same as "an investment" which you hope goes up. Might go up, might go down. But either way, it is an asset and it has value. If you are calculating your cost over 10 years and then selling, you would have to include the sale price proceeds.

 

[Stargazer65]

so do all the spreadsheets and planning and analysis, b/c I did but in the end, you'll spend more no matter what!!!

What I see when a new resort is opening...


"Your distinctiveness will be added to the collective"

 

[RoseGold]

When I see math like this, I want to sell all of it and travel the world instead!

 

[Sandisw]

If you have some kind of "10 year plan" for going to Disney, I think you kind of have to make some attempt to make a guess at what you can get back from a DVC contract. Or just don't consider buying one.

But 10 years is probably the kind of timeframe that makes DVC ownership worthwhile.

Maybe but IMO it’s too unpredictable to have it part of the equation when deciding.

I think one should look at potential costs of buying snd dues at the resort you want against cash or renting..if renting is something you would do…and decide if it still makes sense in your 10 year plan..

If I was deciding and after seeing what the difference is, I might then compare that to potential resale value…but I wouldn’t use it to decide,

For example, if I was buying RIV, and after 10 years, it saved me only $1000, then I know it’s still a good deal because I’d have a chance to get something back.

But I wouldn’t go in saying I should get X back so this resort makes better sense

Everyone can do it the way that makes sense to them, but for us, we did.not worry and knew if we had to sell sooner than later, we may indeed not come out ahead if we didn’t get much from selling.

 

[Her Dotness]

But I own at SSR (bought 2011) and BWV (bought 2013). I use my points EVERYWHERE. I've stayed at Beach Club, Boulder Ridge, Bay Lake, Saratoga, Old Key West, Aulani, Animal Kingdom, Vero, (and rented for folks for Polynesian).

You are somewhat out of the norm, I think, if you primarily use those points for every other resort but SSR or BWV.

Booking at other resorts than one's home(s) is hardly unusual. Some aspire to stay at every DVC resort at least once.

Most, however, have at least one preferred "home base," I think, where they stay more often than at other resorts.

The "buy where you want to stay" works if you have very specific needs, for very specific rooms, for very specific time periods.

Perhaps, but I see the buy-where aspect as simply buying at the resort you can afford and LIKE best. Sure, needing a multi-bedroom would currently mean you're unlikely to buy at Poly unless you can afford enough points for a lengthy bungalow stay. I think most who recommend buying where you want to stay realize that people consider all these practical concerns you listed. The "gut level" factor, which resort feels most like home for a given solo owner or family, is the one I think you're omitting. That's more what is meant by buying where you want to stay, IMO.

Yes if you want Boardwalk standard studio during food and wine you probably need to own at Boardwalk.If you want Copper Creek over Christmas->New Years you probably need to own there.

I don't think either is a "probably" anymore. Definitely not a studio at any Epcot resort during F&WF unless you want to stalk or waitlist.

But if you are looking at 7 months you should be able to find something most of the time.

Fine, if you and the OP are happy booking whatever is available. To each their own. I doubt that would suit very many other DVCers. Certainly wouldn't DH and me. As ever, you're certainly entitled to differ.

 

[Sandisw]

Probably studios, maybe a 1 bedroom if we borrow points, do a shorter trip. Jan-May is when we tend to go to Florida, hoping to do a Dec use year. That would be a great split stay, I'm jealous!



That's a great article thanks. All about seeing these others calculations, like their spreadsheet.

Traveling January to May gives you a bit more opportunity to find studios at 7 months.

But, I can tell you from my own experience, VGF and RIV SV studios have been tough to get more than a few nights here or there, without having to stalk the website.

Poly has been pretty good in terms of getting something. Having flexibility is key.

So, it does come down to how unhappy you would be at SSR and if the savings buying resale there and not being able to stay at RIV or any new resorts proves to be what happened.

 

[Bo1203]

I am not sure if I am not the norm - or just not the norm on the DisBoards. But I own at SSR (bought 2011) and BWV (bought 2013). I use my points EVERYWHERE. I've stayed at Beach Club, Boulder Ridge, Bay Lake, Saratoga, Old Key West, Aulani, Animal Kingdom, Vero, (and rented for folks for Polynesian).

The "buy where you want to stay" works if you have very specific needs, for very specific rooms, for very specific time periods. Yes if you want Boardwalk standard studio during food and wine you probably need to own at Boardwalk. If you want Copper Creek over Christmas->New Years you probably need to own there.

The pandemic has not helped. But even throughout the pandemic I booked stays all over. There is no guarantee. I find lots of times I look for something and it is not available. But if you are looking at 7 months you should be able to find something most of the time. Just my .02.

That's good to hear no matter which home resort you have. Would like to stay at many of them!

Agreed. DVC is an asset that has value. That is not the same as "an investment" which you hope goes up. Might go up, might go down. But either way, it is an asset and it has value. If you are calculating your cost over 10 years and then selling, you would have to include the sale price proceeds.

I want the value proposition to be there even without selling, and I think it is resale or direct. If your going to be spending $2500+ per year on accommodations near Disney the math checks out. That mouse savers article and spreadsheet are great.

So, it does come down to how unhappy you would be at SSR and if the savings buying resale there and not being able to stay at RIV or any new resorts proves to be what happened.

We have 2 young kids, not being near a park would be bad. GF is in the lead. I think it has the best potential resale in the future even with the additional units. The lower dues help as well. Hopefully it will still have a good incentive next month when its available to all.

 

[RamblinWreck]

That's good to hear no matter which home resort you have. Would like to stay at many of them!



I want the value proposition to be there even without selling, and I think it is resale or direct. If your going to be spending $2500+ per year on accommodations near Disney the math checks out. That mouse savers article and spreadsheet are great.



We have 2 young kids, not being near a park would be bad. GF is in the lead. I think it has the best potential resale in the future even with the additional units. The lower dues help as well. Hopefully it will still have a good incentive next month when its available to all.

I’d keep a watchful eye on the resale market as well!

 

[Sandisw]

That's good to hear no matter which home resort you have. Would like to stay at many of them!



I want the value proposition to be there even without selling, and I think it is resale or direct. If your going to be spending $2500+ per year on accommodations near Disney the math checks out. That mouse savers article and spreadsheet are great.



We have 2 young kids, not being near a park would be bad. GF is in the lead. I think it has the best potential resale in the future even with the additional units. The lower dues help as well. Hopefully it will still have a good incentive next month when its available to all.

With young kids, I think VGF is a really good choice!!

 

[iluvthsgam]

You are somewhat out of the norm, I think, if you primarily use those points for every other resort but SSR or BWV.

Booking at other resorts than one's home(s) is hardly unusual. Some aspire to stay at every DVC resort at least once.

Most, however, have at least one preferred "home base," I think, where they stay more often than at other resorts.

Perhaps, but I see the buy-where aspect as simply buying at the resort you can afford and LIKE best. Sure, needing a multi-bedroom would currently mean you're unlikely to buy at Poly unless you can afford enough points for a lengthy bungalow stay. I think most who recommend buying where you want to stay realize that people consider all these practical concerns you listed. The "gut level" factor, which resort feels most like home for a given solo owner or family, is the one I think you're omitting. That's more what is meant by buying where you want to stay, IMO.

I don't think either is a "probably" anymore. Definitely not a studio at any Epcot resort during F&WF unless you want to stalk or waitlist.

Fine, if you and the OP are happy booking whatever is available. To each their own. I doubt that would suit very many other DVCers. Certainly wouldn't DH and me. As ever, you're certainly entitled to differ.

I don't disagree with anything you said!! I am not so sure I am out of the norm only because we must consider the VAST MAJORITY of DVC owners are not on the DisBoards! I know a few members who don't know about the DisBoards and have no problems booking wherever. But that is only anecdotal to me. My family does not regularly go to the same "home" every time. I do not have a home base. I'm happy to go and book whatever is available. If that makes me a non-typical DVC owner, so be it, but I'm not sure the DisBoards alone is enough considering the millions of points in the system.

I also don't mind stalking the website and putting in waitlists and moving things around, etc. So in that sense, if you don't like that - that may be a consideration towards buying where you like.

All good data points for people looking to buy in.

 

[Sandisw]

I don't disagree with anything you said!! I am not so sure I am out of the norm only because we must consider the VAST MAJORITY of DVC owners are not on the DisBoards! I know a few members who don't know about the DisBoards and have no problems booking wherever. But that is only anecdotal to me. My family does not regularly go to the same "home" every time. I do not have a home base. I'm happy to go and book whatever is available. If that makes me a non-typical DVC owner, so be it, but I'm not sure the DisBoards alone is enough considering the millions of points in the system.

I also don't mind stalking the website and putting in waitlists and moving things around, etc. So in that sense, if you don't like that - that may be a consideration towards buying where you like.

All good data points for people looking to buy in.

I agree that we all here forget we are not representative of the large population of DVC owners.

I am the opposite of you. I have tried all but OKW, and realize that RIV and VGF are where I want to stay. I have back ups…BCV and BLT, but now I own enough of RIV and VGF to ensure I have what I want and can use the SSR points to replace at 7 months nights still available.

Of the other families I know, most are like me…stay the same one or two places but a few resort hop like you.

I still believe people should buy where they want to stay and not count on trading elsewhere. If there really is no set winner, then pick one that you don’t mind being at if trading doesn’t work out,

I too have used my SSR points lots of places but if that is all I owned, I don’t think I would be as happy as I know there i times I can’t swap my points foe the places I am booked.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Of the other families I know, most are like me…stay the same one or two places

Same here. We like the opportunity to stay at all of the resorts but generally stay at our favorites.

 

[WDWFERN]

Factoring in RIV cash room prices just led to my adding on at RIV and now considering adding on small VGF contract as we really love both resorts and an ideal vacation would be 2-3 days VGF in 2 resort studios and 4-5 days RIV

Now that our daughters are in high school, everyone sharing a studio has gotten trickier, and we really like having an in unit washer/dryer for at least part of the trip.

This week, we wanted to stay 2 days longer than our points would stretch, so paid for 2 cash nights to extend our stay. Yikes, that was painful and I ended up calling our guide to add on from the pool mid trip!

 

[Bo1203]

Factoring in RIV cash room prices just led to my adding on at RIV and now considering adding on small VGF contract as we really love both resorts and an ideal vacation would be 2-3 days VGF in 2 resort studios and 4-5 days RIV

Now that our daughters are in high school, everyone sharing a studio has gotten trickier, and we really like having an in unit washer/dryer for at least part of the trip.

This week, we wanted to stay 2 days longer than our points would stretch, so paid for 2 cash nights to extend our stay. Yikes, that was painful and I ended up calling our guide to add on from the pool mid trip!

Ya your not staying at RR or GF on cash or rented points cheaply. If I could guarantee I'd find a point rental for BWV or BCV for week or so every year maybe I'd go that route. But staying at RR or GF that way, ouch.

Even though my prediction is RR will be the more expensive option, because of dues and lower future resale, I think that's what we're leaning towards. We really like the skyliner and general feel of the hotel. RR point chart being better helps, might extend trips by a day. Legit can't make up our minds.

 

[Bo1203]

Bought at Riviera 150 points direct. Dec use year and came with '21 points. Worked with Reenier, he was great, took just a phone call and docusign, points arrived asap. They offered to buy the '21 points for $10 a point, but we wanted them. We'll bank them and try to squeeze some extra days out of our first few trips.

The fomo on staying at RR/future resorts and potential blue card perks killed buying resale for us. GF was a very close second place, just prefer epcot, hs, boardwalk area location. All the advice and opinions on these boards really helped.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I bought all of my points direct…..
i never use them anywhere but on property so i could have bought resale….

with the exception of The points i bought at bay lake 2 years ago , and the RR i bought in August all of my point are now worth about double what i paid. And i have either rented or used them ever year since 2006….

if you plan on going to the WDW only. And are not interested in the few remaining extras buy resale but buy where you want to stay…..