Disney Direct vs Resale

[mickey0930]

Hello, would buying resale affect me not getting any DVC incentives? Is there a thread that better explains this already started? TIA

 

[Genie+]

Buying resale before buying direct is almost always better pricing as the ‘existing member’ incentives are typically a higher discount. Like currently existing members save an extra $4pp over new members on 150pts at RIV. Existing member is anybody who already has a DVC membership, whether they bought resale or direct doesn’t matter.

https://dvcfan.com/news/winter-early-spring-2026-dvc-incentives-revealed/

We used this strategy a few years ago when we first became DVC members. Bought a small BWV resale contract, then bought direct and enjoyed an extra $6pp off VGF. As new members our final cost would’ve been $189pp; as existing members it was $183pp.

We then also sold back first year of points through Magical Beginnings, which brought the price down another ~$20pp.

 

[Genie+]

When you’re ready to buy direct make sure to find out if any other incentives apply. D23, Dis+, Disney Visa, and many others have offered additional incentives that are stackable. Our purchase used 4 different incentives available at that time.

 

[VGCgroupie]

When you say incentives do mean the monetary incentives for purchasing direct? Or do you mean perks like Moonlight Magic and use of DVC lounges? If the former then genie what said. Buying resale first can really help you get the best incentives when buying direct.

 

[Wedgeout]

Bit confused on the question. Do you own points now? If a direct member & add resale, you won’t lose incentive status. If you are just now buying a resale contract, you get just that, a resale contract.

 

[RMDVC24]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking.

If you're asking if resale points qualify for direct member benefits (perks), the answer is no.

If you're asking if having resale points affects your ability to get pricing incentives on direct points, or if they affect your ability to qualify for/keep direct perks, the answer is no. If you already have direct perks, adding on resale will not affect that. If you wanted to start buy purchasing resale, you can still get the direct perks by adding on the minimum required direct points (currently 150 points).

I hope that answered your question

 

[sndral]

When we talk about incentives & DVC that usually means whatever discounts DVC is offering to reduce the cost of a direct purchase of DVC points from them. Here’s an article explaining the current incentives https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program-men...e-winter-2026-disney-vacation-club-incentives. Incentives only affect direct prices & they change every couple of months.
When we talk about benefits we’re referring to extras DVC offers specifically to those who qualify because they own at least 150 points purchased directly from DVC (or are grandfathered in because they bought when the rules were different.) Examples of benefits are being able to visit the DVC lounges, register for moonlight magic events, get discounts on merchandise & some food purchases, or be eligible to purchase Florida resident Sorcerer’s APs. Benefits can change & aren’t guaranteed.
Purchasing resale points is less expensive than buying direct points. Resale points won’t qualify you for membership benefits. If you buy one of the newer resorts resale - Riviera, Ft. Wilderness Cabins, or the Disneyland hotel - you can only use those resale points to stay at the resort you bought. If you buy one of the original DVC resorts (OKW, BWV, BC, BRV, CCV, SSR, AKV, VGF, Poly, HH. Vero, Aulani, VGC) you can use those points to reserve your stay at the resort you bought plus you can reserve any of the other 12 original resorts at 7 months but you cannot use those resale points to reserve a stay at any of the new restricted resorts (Riviera, Cabins, VDH.)
I have purchased points/contracts via both resale & direct & there’s no difference in how I access, use or combine the points on the DVC site when I’m booking.

 

[MyDogTink]

I believe if you purchase resale first, you need to be a member for one year before accessing the “current member incentive pricing” for adding on direct points. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

@sndral - excellent summary above.

 

[byurick]

Nope you get the current member incentives you just don't get the better financing interest rate.

 

[mickey0930]

When you say incentives do mean the monetary incentives for purchasing direct? Or do you mean perks like Moonlight Magic and use of DVC lounges? If the former then genie what said. Buying resale first can really help you get the best incentives when buying direct.

Hello, I mean like perks. Discounts for merchandise, food, Moonlight Magic..etc

 

[mickey0930]

Bit confused on the question. Do you own points now? If a direct member & add resale, you won’t lose incentive status. If you are just now buying a resale contract, you get just that, a resale contract.

Not a member yet, comparing options and trying to figure out what you get and do not get other than a deed buying direct vs resale.

 

[mickey0930]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking.

If you're asking if resale points qualify for direct member benefits (perks), the answer is no.

If you're asking if having resale points affects your ability to get pricing incentives on direct points, or if they affect your ability to qualify for/keep direct perks, the answer is no. If you already have direct perks, adding on resale will not affect that. If you wanted to start buy purchasing resale, you can still get the direct perks by adding on the minimum required direct points (currently 150 points).

I hope that answered your question

That is every helpful and pretty much what I was looking for. Thanks

 

[IsDVCForMe?]

Not a member yet, comparing options and trying to figure out what you get and do not get other than a deed buying direct vs resale.

The downside with resale is not getting the perks you get with direct. That’s what you have to weigh between direct and resale. But the price difference is huge. I think some people get direct for the benefits and don’t realize the cost savings with resale.

Edit: for example, we’re planning to go to Disney every 2 years. The direct perks wouldn’t be worth it for us.

 

[Wedgeout]

Not a member yet, comparing options and trying to figure out what you get and do not get other than a deed buying direct vs resale.

Resale limited with O14 clause. Save cash!! Sometimes they overlook & give you merch discounts but resale nowadays is just that.

I started resale then wanted the extra and member magic extras. I say easier to start resale, get established membership first. More Use Year options. Then the direct is simple add to membership. Go from DVC-ND to DVC-Y. Just like that.

 

[airjay75]

By far, the biggest benefit to buying direct points is that they can be used at RIV/CFW/VDH and any new resorts going forward. That is a benefit that is likely to become more and more significant over time. The other benefits are very small and make it difficult to justify buying direct over resale based on the financial aspects alone (in most cases).

I think a significant question to ask is, how long do I see myself keeping these points? If it’s a long horizon - say, 20+ years, one could argue that direct may well be a better decision. If you’re not sure or if it’s a much shorter time horizon - say, less than 10 years - resale is likely the better way to go.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I say buying resale and learning the product will help you understand if buying direct is worth it to you for the extra perks.

 

[Dis_Ohana5]

I believe if you purchase resale first, you need to be a member for one year before accessing the “current member incentive pricing” for adding on direct points. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

@sndral - excellent summary above.

No we bought resale in Feb of last year and member pricing was available to us as soon as our contract closed. We ended up adding on direct in the fall with member pricing.