Does ANYONE think it's a good idea to buy direct from Disney??

[DisneyfromDeland]

If you want to split the points between two resorts you could still use one contract's points to book a week by borrowing points from the next UY on that particular contract rather than using the two contracts together. So, the contract you aren't using this year, you would bank those points into the next UY since you wouldn't use them. On the resort contract you want to use, you borrow points from the next UY to have all of the points you need for a week. This way, you alternate the contract you are using every other year. I hope that makes sense.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

we bought direct in 2010 when there were still promotions for BLT. Very glad we did so, only wish I would have bought more (cost was pretty close to resale prices for BLT now). I just did a small resale add on and truthfully (since its BLT and was a small contract), I didn't save much by going resale and then I have to wait 2-3 months to get the points. If you want to buy SSR or VWL, I could see buying resale for a large contract, it seems like a good value. I realize DVC direct costs are high, but it's much less of a headache as well. We are currently on a waitlist direct to buy more BLT points.

 

[loveglobe]

It makes sense but it assumes that we'd want to go every year and alternate resorts every year too, which is not the case. We're thinking we'd go every other year during Premiere season while we've got school calendars to consider and prefer the BLT now, but once we're empty nesters would probably want VGF during a less in-demand season and where our points wouldn't get us as big a room. So in our situation, I don't think that strategy would work, which is why I asked about swapping points for cash at 7 months.

 

[loveglobe]

ML if you don't mind my asking, what UY are you waiting for and is it also a 1-2 month wait for you?

 

[nalajms]

And you're buying them by paying MF's for 2014.They aren't giving them to you for nothing.

Kinda... if you buy Sept UY now, it's still in the 2014 UY so they'd give you points. But you're currently paying 2015 dues.

Also, our guide just let me know that if we want to have a Sept UY at VGF we'd have to start the paperwork today because they're switching to Oct now that it's February. So of course we now have to make a fairly quick call on whether to buy direct or go with resale! : 0

Unlikely. It's prob just a sales strategy to rush you. If you buy in June and only want a Sept UY, that guide will make it happen.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So I guess the question I'm trying to figure out is that for the convenience and time saving and trading points benefits is it worth it going direct and paying that premium. I'm leaning towards yes but then again I do love a bargain. Any thoughts on what I wrote originally about the value of using points for the Collections in the future when the cash costs for those are much higher than they are now?

IMO there is no good reason to go direct unless you absolutely have to have PVB or in some cases are just looking for a very small add on. At this point even buying a large VGF contracts leans toward resale also. It will be approx a $30 difference/pt so on 200 pts $6000 dollars less or in a different perspective the savings would pay for approx 5+ years of annual dues on those points.

For the collections points - those are not fixed. They have and will continue to go up so don't base the decision on the thought that they remain static and at some point down the road will be less than cash. I feel relatively certain that Disney would not let that happen.

It sounds like you've been going to Disney for quite a bit of time and so waiting for 8-10 weeks to buy a resale wouldn't seem like that big of ordeal - it just makes financial sense.

I missed it if you mentioned why the Sept UY? Usually most travel habits will allow for at least a couple good options for UY. Since you have nothing to match up it's usually allows for more flexibility in your purchase.

Oh - and your other thread question, which leads back to your intended travel time. Getting 2BR's at VGF is not exactly like getting studios. I think there will always be buyers at every resort who will not book in the home priority period - or even just were sold the resort as the only option even though they find they would like to stay at a different resort so there will be options to get in. So if you bought BLT and are happy to stay there with the thought that you'd like to get into VGF sometimes if possible I think you'd have decent success but there are certain times of travel that will mean higher probabilities of success and others will be lower.

 

[Minniesgal]

It really depends on what and when you want to buy. We have a mixture of both. If I wanted to buy a large contract at SSR or AKV I'd go resale for sure. If I wanted a specific small contract at VGF I'd go direct. If I wanted the Poly no choice. If time was no object I'd do resale, if I was in a hurry I'd buy from disney if they had available points.

When we wanted to buy VGC I didn't think I'd get my use year easily resale so I wait listed with Disney and right the next week the perfect contract came up so we bought resale.

I think with BLT you would get your contract quicker resale as I think Disney has a wait list but I could be wrong. They are mad busy selling the Poly right now (I'm struggling to get them to process my small VGF direct add on they are so busy with Poly) so I'm not sure they'd be in too much of a hurry to ROFR to sell a BLT. So in your case I'd watch the resale market for a while. Usually a good if not perfect contract comes up sooner or later. Don't just watch one broker watch them all and be prepared to offer the minute you see what you want and good luck.

 

[nalajms]

but once we're empty nesters would probably want VGF during a less in-demand season and where our points wouldn't get us as big a room.

That's exactly how I approached it, and ended up buying VGF. You have a better chance at booking BLT than VGF at 7m. If it's really important to you to get BLT now, then buy BLT. Then when you're empty nesters, sell that for whatever resort you prefer. In which case, I'd go for resale now because the loss would be much less than buying direct.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

ML if you don't mind my asking, what UY are you waiting for and is it also a 1-2 month wait for you?

We are April UY, they told us 3-4 months

 

[loveglobe]

Ok I just spoke with my Guide and he clarified that the reason why it's moving from the Sept to Oct UY is actually that they divide new resorts into 12 parts one for each month and then sell each section sequentially so once Sept is sold out, they move on to the next month. It's not really a sales tactic just how they do things logistically, and once that month is sold out they physically can't sell it anymore (unless they get it through ROFR which is highly unlikely given that would require someone to have just purchased it and now be reselling). I might be able to request a Nov or Dec UY, but can't get one that's already been fully committed. He mentioned that another DVC perk is having access to the cash discounts on vacations too, for whatever that's worth.

nalajms we have thought about splitting the points between the two resorts, but the thing is we'd like to go for at least a week at a time so if the points are split then I believe we'd lose the home resort 11 month booking advantage... unless you can book with home resort points and cash at 11 mo and then switch out the cash for the other resort's points at 7 mo?

Also, to answer my own question, my Guide says you can only book with cash starting at 6 months, so we wouldn't be able to book with home resort points and cash at 11 months and then swap out with other points later.

KAT4DISNEY We want Sept UY because of that 8 month banking window. There's a snowball's chance in hell that we'd visit during the summer months because of the weather (oh, THE HUMIDITY!), so really by 8 months we'd have either used our points, or want to bank them for the next year. Plus, we imagine that at some point in the future we'll want to come in Sept for the Food&Wine Fest (that is, assuming it'll still be happening then!) and that way we'd be able to have the new UY's points or even borrow the future year's for that trip.

Minniesgal you're right there's BLT waitlist. Per our guide it's 11 people for Sept UY and 84 people for all UYs. ML_LovesDisney good luck with the waitlist I hope it happens soon for you!

So after much consideration, we're going to go with VGF through Disney. Yes, yes, I know we could save a lot of $$ through resale and believe me that hurts, but since VGF is small and doesn't have a lot of resale options now especially for our preferred Sept UY direct seems to make more sense. And fingers crossed we'll still be able to book BLT at 7 months when we want to.

SUPER EXCITED to be DVC members! Thank you everyone for your advice!!

 

[SecretPoohLove]

I am getting 2014 for no mf, only paying prorated 2015 according to my guide

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Ok I just spoke with my Guide and he clarified that the reason why it's moving from the Sept to Oct UY is actually that they divide new resorts into 12 parts one for each month and then sell each section sequentially so once Sept is sold out, they move on to the next month. It's not really a sales tactic just how they do things logistically, and once that month is sold out they physically can't sell it anymore (unless they get it through ROFR which is highly unlikely given that would require someone to have just purchased it and now be reselling). I might be able to request a Nov or Dec UY, but can't get one that's already been fully committed. He mentioned that another DVC perk is having access to the cash discounts on vacations too, for whatever that's worth.



Also, to answer my own question, my Guide says you can only book with cash starting at 6 months, so we wouldn't be able to book with home resort points and cash at 11 months and then swap out with other points later.

KAT4DISNEY We want Sept UY because of that 8 month banking window. There's a snowball's chance in hell that we'd visit during the summer months because of the weather (oh, THE HUMIDITY!), so really by 8 months we'd have either used our points, or want to bank them for the next year. Plus, we imagine that at some point in the future we'll want to come in Sept for the Food&Wine Fest (that is, assuming it'll still be happening then!) and that way we'd be able to have the new UY's points or even borrow the future year's for that trip.

Minniesgal you're right there's BLT waitlist. Per our guide it's 11 people for Sept UY and 84 people for all UYs. ML_LovesDisney good luck with the waitlist I hope it happens soon for you!

So after much consideration, we're going to go with VGF through Disney. Yes, yes, I know we could save a lot of $$ through resale and believe me that hurts, but since VGF is small and doesn't have a lot of resale options now especially for our preferred Sept UY direct seems to make more sense. And fingers crossed we'll still be able to book BLT at 7 months when we want to.

SUPER EXCITED to be DVC members! Thank you everyone for your advice!!

Thanks loveglobe, glad you've made your decision and you're happy with it!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Ok I just spoke with my Guide and he clarified that the reason why it's moving from the Sept to Oct UY is actually that they divide new resorts into 12 parts one for each month and then sell each section sequentially so once Sept is sold out, they move on to the next month. It's not really a sales tactic just how they do things logistically, and once that month is sold out they physically can't sell it anymore (unless they get it through ROFR which is highly unlikely given that would require someone to have just purchased it and now be reselling). I might be able to request a Nov or Dec UY, but can't get one that's already been fully committed. He mentioned that another DVC perk is having access to the cash discounts on vacations too, for whatever that's worth.
.......
Also, to answer my own question, my Guide says you can only book with cash starting at 6 months, so we wouldn't be able to book with home resort points and cash at 11 months and then swap out with other points later.

You've heard the old saying about timeshare sales? Your guide is not quite correct about the whole sell out then move on but DVC does select the UY's that they are to sell to new buyers. There's been nothing about any UY's not being available yet but a new buyer does get guided certain directions. As was mentioned even if they had moved to setting up new with Oct UY's I'm relatively certain if someone walked in and said they would only buy a Sept UY then it would happen.

And the 6 months cash isn't correct. There isn't always rooms available for cash bookings but they are available up to 11 months out. All in all your sales person is either not well informed or is giving mis-information to complete the sale or maybe a little bit of both.

KAT4DISNEY We want Sept UY because of that 8 month banking window. There's a snowball's chance in hell that we'd visit during the summer months because of the weather (oh, THE HUMIDITY!), so really by 8 months we'd have either used our points, or want to bank them for the next year. Plus, we imagine that at some point in the future we'll want to come in Sept for the Food&Wine Fest (that is, assuming it'll still be happening then!) and that way we'd be able to have the new UY's points or even borrow the future year's for that trip.

Makes sense but just to clarify a bit - September is very hot and humid too. Seriously though - August would be a decent UY option also. UY is mostly about getting "free" insurance against last minute cancellations and if you recognize that it's good to get the best UY possible for you. However if you schedule far in advance and never cancel a reservation it won't matter a bit what UY you have.

 

[nalajms]

they divide new resorts into 12 parts one for each month and

I hope you misquoted him, otherwise I'd request a different guide... (not likely but you can try). They do not divide it by 12 because there are not 12 UY. There's no Jan, May, July, and Nov. And the UY for prior resorts are not evenly distributed, which makes me think the UY is based on demand. If more people request Sept, then they will sell more Sept. I'll bet VGF is heavily weighted for April because it was the first UY they were pushing during the grand opening.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I hope you misquoted him, otherwise I'd request a different guide... (not likely but you can try). They do not divide it by 12 because there are not 12 UY. There's no Jan, May, July, and Nov. And the UY for prior resorts are not evenly distributed, which makes me think the UY is based on demand. If more people request Sept, then they will sell more Sept. I'll bet VGF is heavily weighted for April because it was the first UY they were pushing during the grand opening.

I was also going to edit my post but when I saw this I figured I'd add on to yours. The guide the OP is talking to is giving out enough incorrect info that I personally would also request a different guide. This one is either very poor at their job or very good at picking out what they need to say to complete a sale.

Changing a guide is actually very easy.

 

[DisneyfromDeland]

This thread has me thinking about a small VGF add-on!

 

[disneynutz]

I hope you misquoted him, otherwise I'd request a different guide... (not likely but you can try). They do not divide it by 12 because there are not 12 UY. There's no Jan, May, July, and Nov. And the UY for prior resorts are not evenly distributed, which makes me think the UY is based on demand. If more people request Sept, then they will sell more Sept. I'll bet VGF is heavily weighted for April because it was the first UY they were pushing during the grand opening.

Disney has a reason for everything, we just don't know what those reasons are. DVD sold BLT Feb UY's for months and months, somewhere there is a post breaking down the contracts sold by UY and there is a large disparity.

Bill

 

[loveglobe]

Guys I'm sorry this is my fault not the Guide's. He just said they divide it into parts but didn't specify how many. I then assumed it was 12 parts bc I didn't realize they don't sell every UY month - mea culpa! He was actually telling us that an Oct UY would work for us too so there was no pressure coming from his end on locking in the Sept UY. He also explained what KAT4DISNEY did that since we'd probably be booking 11 mo in advance the UY wouldn't matter that much, so I really don't think he's inexperienced or trying to dupe us on this.

However, he did clearly say we couldn't book for cash at 11 months, so I'm not sure where the breakdown is on that one. Is there anything official from DVC that says that we can do that?

 

[JimMIA]

By the way, by going direct, I am getting 2014 amd 2015 points ....just some extra info. Loded contracts seems to be creeping up in ppp.

This is one of the most misleading statements DVC timeshare sales personnel make, and one of the most harmful. It is as close as they usually come to telling an outright lie. It's sucker bait that naive prospective buyers fall for.

When you buy direct, you get all the points you are entitled to -- and are PAYING for. That's not anyone being benevolent -- that's just obeying the law. If you purchase during the 2014 UY, you get 2014 points or someone at DVD goes to jail for fraud.

You are paying FULL PRICE for those points, but you don't get anywhere near full use of them. For example, OP is talking about a September UY. If they buy direct now, they will get 2014 points, because the 2014 UY runs from 9/1/2014 to 8/31/2015. They only have have half the UY left, so nowhere near a full year, and probably very diminished availability, but they're paying full price.

"But they can bank the points and use them during their 2015 UY!"

Sure -- but other owners could have used those 2014 points from the beginning of their 2012 UY for borrowing into 2013. They lost that ability in addition to losing six months of 2014.

There's no such thing as "free points."

 

[JimMIA]

He also explained what KAT4DISNEY did that since we'd probably be booking 11 mo in advance the UY wouldn't matter that much...

Use Year has NOTHING to do with when you can book. It has to do with when you can BANK points you are not going to use.

If your DVC timeshare salesman told you UY didn't matter because you'd be booking during your home resort window, either:

• You misunderstood him, or...
• He has no clue how DVC works