DVCnews May direct sales article

[kilik64]

Absolutely they are not enough. My family and I love visiting Disney on our resale points, but the restrictions are insulting. It is as because we are resale buyer we are treated like a 2nd class DVC owner. No way someone would logically compare the cost of direct purchase (with perks) to resale and consider a direct purchase as a better value. They must make the decision to purchase direct on other criteria.

Consider that Disney made their money on the original DVC point sale. Thereby the resale is no consequence to them on those points. But their motive is to disincentivize the resale purchase by implementing all these restrictions. So why do it? They can always ROFR any resale they want, put it back into their inventory and sell it again as direct and make their money again on those same points.

For us to enjoy our Disney vacation we have to ignore the slap in the face, and just enjoy what we are allowed to enjoy on our resale points.

Other then being locked out of a few resorts, what slaps in the face are you getting?

I don't get any when I go, so curious what places you go to get that?

 

[maui22]

RIV 2025: January 77k, February 72k, March 60k, April 45k, May 43k. Declined every month.
PVB 2025: January 91k , February 78k, March 91k , April 75k April, May 71k. Fluctuated.

February price increase.
April 29, new incentives.
I believe it was January or February when they changed from 90 days to make payments to a maximum of 60 days.
DVD started allowing 15 year mortgages (I do not recommended) and some guides indicated it was a game changer. Sales data does not reflect this.
Outside of Disney factors (economy or any thing else that Disney doesn't control).

I probably missed some things.

For me, none of the factors by Disney appear to explain why RIV sales are down more than 40% from January. RIV wouldn't have the hype fluctuations that the new Island Tower would see. It's easier to compare this month to month and year to year.

I recall VGF and RIV bouncing between which sold better based on incentives.
With PVB and RIV, aren't incentives essentially the same right now? If so, is RIV dropping because of PVB or is there some other factor? Maybe because shiny new tower? Or maybe because of something outside of Disney control?

 

[kilik64]

DVD started allowing 15 year mortgages (I do not recommended) and some guides indicated it was a game changer. Sales data does not reflect this.

Wasn't that fairly recent? Has it been around long enough to have an impact on sales data with the lag time that can happen in the county records?

 

[Hypaflex]

For what it’s worth, my DW is a retired dental hygienist. She loathes math and would often joke that she chose her profession because she only had to count to 32—that’s the number of teeth in an adult mouth!

I am so sorry if DW was in reference to you wife. I thought you were referring to your Disney sales associate. lol

I am in need of a DVC sales rep that you/anyone trusts. I am nervous about being randomly placed with one I do not trust or has terrible communication skills, etc

 

[Brian Noble]

With PVB and RIV, aren't incentives essentially the same right now? If so, is RIV dropping because of PVB or is there some other factor? Maybe because shiny new tower? Or maybe because of something outside of Disney control?

Timeshare is a product that is sold, not bought, so the simplest explanation is that the Guides are not pushing RIV as hard right now. Why? Who knows?

 

[Girlstar30]

Maybe it’s deliberate, Poly is for younger families and VGF is for those that like finer things in life

Yes I agree they def nailed that

 

[MartyParty]

I am so sorry if DW was in reference to you wife. I thought you were referring to your Disney sales associate. lol

I am in need of a DVC sales rep that you/anyone trusts. I am nervous about being randomly placed with one I do not trust or has terrible communication skills, etc

No worries and yes darling wife.

I'll private message you the guide we've been using for a few years now.

 

[Girlstar30]

Absolutely they are not enough. My family and I love visiting Disney on our resale points, but the restrictions are insulting. It is as because we are resale buyer we are treated like a 2nd class DVC owner. No way someone would logically compare the cost of direct purchase (with perks) to resale and consider a direct purchase as a better value. They must make the decision to purchase direct on other criteria.

Consider that Disney made their money on the original DVC point sale. Thereby the resale is no consequence to them on those points. But their motive is to disincentivize the resale purchase by implementing all these restrictions. So why do it? They can always ROFR any resale they want, put it back into their inventory and sell it again as direct and make their money again on those same points.

For us to enjoy our Disney vacation we have to ignore the slap in the face, and just enjoy what we are allowed to enjoy on our resale points.

As resale only, I see both sides (why they do it and why its rude and annoying). I do see buying direct as actually being part of a club. I actually dont think $8000 extra than resale as a one time isn't a bad deal to be part of an "exclusive club" that gives you lounge access and private member events that Disney has to pay for out of their own pocket compared to club 33 for example.

What annoys me most as a resale i think, is that some of these things are so simple to give to all members and even would be free for them to do. (A spot at the fireworks or world of color to sit at for example) or letting resale go on a members cruise that everyone has to pay for anyways.

I think that would be fair to let resale do these things, but they dont on purpose and I think that's off putting. Hell, even let resale pay after hours event pricing to go to Moonlight Magic or give them a lesser discount just to acknowledge that we pay dues to keep this thing running and are part of dvc too. I think being blocked out of resorts would be enough for someone to consider direct, without being a jerk and leaving people out because you didnt pay Disney more $$$ . Just my personal opinion.

 

[Hypaflex]

No worries and yes darling wife.

I'll private message you the guide we've been using for a few years now.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it

 

[MartyParty]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it

Well, you may have direct message blocked or I'm not smart enough to connect.

Here is the info for our guide:
Rey Camarena
714-520-6006
Reynaldo.Camarena@DisneyVacationClub.com

We've went through several guides over the years. After a lot of trial and error we landed with Rey Camarena in California. He's fantastic. Easy going. No pressure. Will answer any question you have. Feels like speaking to a regular family friend. He's been with DVC a long time.

If interested, I think if I (or someone already DVC) makes a referral, you get $500 off your first direct purchase, and we get a dinner voucher. Don't quote me on this as I could be wrong, or it has changed. But overall, don't worry if not wanting to do the referral thing or do a referral through someone else.

We worked with Rey to buy our VDH contracts plus when there was a fire sale on OKW last year.

Good luck!

 

[Brian Noble]

some of these things are so simple to give to all members and even would be free for them to do. (A spot at the fireworks or world of color to sit at for example)

This doesn't count as "free", though. It doesn't cost Disney any extra to do this, but Guests will happily pay for such things, so if you give it away, you are forgoing the revenue it would have generated.

letting resale go on a members cruise that everyone has to pay for anyways.

FOMO is among the best motivators disney has.

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I can't empathize with the 'resale owners are treated poorly" thing. I mean, I understand that people feel that way, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around why. I spent nearly 20 years staying in DVC villas as an inbound exchange guest who did not own DVC at all. I was treated just as well as any other guest, and the way I am treated is no different now that I am a blue card owner.

 

[Girlstar30]

This doesn't count as "free", though. It doesn't cost Disney any extra to do this, but Guests will happily pay for such things, so if you give it away, you are forgoing the revenue it would have generated.


FOMO is among the best motivators disney has.

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I can't empathize with the 'resale owners are treated poorly" thing. I mean, I understand that people feel that way, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around why. I spent nearly 20 years staying in DVC villas as an inbound exchange guest who did not own DVC at all. I was treated just as well as any other guest, and the way I am treated is no different now that I am a blue card owner.

I dont think that resale is treated poorly either and I dont get offended or try to do things im not allowed/able to do like ive seen others do. Having the 100 extra points for 9k cheaper than direct from my last contract was enough to sway me that this was the better way for me to go.

I do think these things can be easily offered, but understand that Disney is a business and are here to make more money. That's why I have decided to buy direct soon (given better incentives, if that ever happens).

To me its actually the opposite of me feeling like im being treated poorly, they dont do enough for direct only to have me justify the cost now, yet. I am watching carefully. I think some better incentives are on the horizon (or maybe thats just what I want )

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

To me its actually the opposite of me feeling like im being treated poorly, they dont do enough for direct only to have me justify the cost now, yet. I am watching carefully. I think some better incentives are on the horizon (or maybe thats just what I want )

That’s the thing though, you said the quiet part out loud. If buying direct is already barely more appealing then resale, wouldn’t giving resale access to things, even small things, make one even less likely to buy direct? And selling direct is their whole point. If MM is something you feel FOMO about but then can get access to it as a paid addition, why bother fighting the hordes to for a free spot when you saved thousands on your resale and can afford the occasional extra cost?

If DVD can’t afford to (or don’t wish to) spend more on making direct more appealing, then the easy thing to do is make resale as basic as possible. Resale gets great rooms at great prices and still makes you a DVC member. It’s still a pretty great exchange.

 

[kilik64]

and the way I am treated is no different now that I am a blue card owner.

Resale still lights up purple at the tapstyles so you don't even get that only as a blue card

 

[TinkAgainU]

I am just wondering if vgf has always been a hot ticket like this alongside the resorts on sale or is this a new trend?

Why are people being drawn to it when pit has incentives and is a monorail resort too?

Is it just because its a beautiful resort and people like it or maybe they're anticipating the nice refurb or whats up?

Remember, there were No VGF direct points available for a long while. Likely some pent up demand.

 

[Girlstar30]

That’s the thing though, you said the quiet part out loud. If buying direct is already barely more appealing then resale, wouldn’t giving resale access to things, even small things, make one even less likely to buy direct? And selling direct is their whole point. If MM is something you feel FOMO about but then can get access to it as a paid addition, why bother fighting the hordes to for a free spot when you saved thousands on your resale and can afford the occasional extra cost?

If DVD can’t afford to (or don’t wish to) spend more on making direct more appealing, then the easy thing to do is make resale as basic as possible. Resale gets great rooms at great prices and still makes you a DVC member. It’s still a pretty great exchange.

I agree its a tradeoff and resale just needs to accept that the membership route they chose was more points for less vs perks.

Resales need to not try to get the things they know will probably require a scanned membership or they're setting themselves up for disappointment and instead focus on the room they were able to get because of their decision or the longer stay (thats what I will do when I return to my one bedroom instead of studio)

Some things are a gray area and that is another frustration I have, but I always assume that if something doesnt say "must be eligible for membership extras" on the website, then it's fair game. If its not, i will point out to them and ask where it says that and in the future they should be more clear. I have yet to experience this, but ive only had one stay as a DVC member so far.

Once im direct, I will still care less if other resale people get a 10% discount or a hat, as i know its not going to be all smooth sailing for them and i somehow got jipped. They will still be blocked out of future resorts no matter if they save a couple of dollars.

Disney has swayed people to buy direct with the impression that there will be restrictions and/or events just for them. I try to see two sides to every coin and I can see how a direct member who possibly bought direct to access MM would feel sour if a paid resale member got it. So I take back that that should be an option, but the smaller stuff I feel would still be appropriate and still push people to buy direct.

If you take all the member perks away. I would still buy direct just knowing this is a long term commitment and plenty of new hotels are going to be popping up for my next 30+ years of membership. Now if I buy direct and they take away resale restrictions, im going to be pretty upset myself because that is my reason to take the plunge.

My previous post of why it sucks to be resale was more about me processing my decision to go direct and not complaining about being resale, although I feel it may have come across that way. I know exactly what I bought into and whats missing and whats better. I do feel that hybrid resale and 150 direct is the best way to go to feel like you got the deals and also are a full member without questioning, "can I get this or that?" That's assuming you are okay with split stays, which i am

 

[dontae]

Other then being locked out of a few resorts, what slaps in the face are you getting?

I don't get any when I go, so curious what places you go to get that?

Actually, I only intended that as figuratively rather than literally. For example, when they offer the Welcome Home greeting, they are nice enough to avoiding saying... but hope you understand that you are limited to what you are welcome to participate in at our home. That is reserved for our 1st class family members, of which you are not one.

 

[Girlstar30]

Actually, I only intended that as figuratively rather than literally. For example, when they offer the Welcome Home greeting, they are nice enough to avoiding saying... but hope you understand that you are limited to what you are welcome to participate in at our home. That is reserved for our 1st class family members, of which you are not one.

I mean if you pay 1st class for a plane ticket and you're all on the same plane, the first class member should get the lay back seat, the airport lounge and the food and drinks, they paid thousands more! Same applies to DVC. They paid more than me, they should get the lounge, free snacks and not me.

Except it can be argued that DVC resale is even better than direct because you actually can get a lot more for less. Think about if someone told you, would you like to stay at the Grand Californian hotel for an extra week this year and every year thereafter for the next 30 years with your family and friends or would you like me to give you some park tickets, some snacks, access to other theme parks instead of disney, and the opportunity to pay for more Disney events! Which is worth more?? Resale has it more than good! I say this as a resale myself.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Actually, I only intended that as figuratively rather than literally. For example, when they offer the Welcome Home greeting, they are nice enough to avoiding saying... but hope you understand that you are limited to what you are welcome to participate in at our home. That is reserved for our 1st class family members, of which you are not one.

I completely disagree with this. There are certain extras when buying with Disney directly which makes perfect logical sense. I don’t see them treating anyone as 1st class and 2nd class. Do you also get offended when VIP tour people walk on rides? They paid for that added value that doesn’t mean Disney only values them and not you in the parks.

 

[dontae]

As resale only, I see both sides (why they do it and why its rude and annoying). I do see buying direct as actually being part of a club. I actually dont think $8000 extra than resale as a one time isn't a bad deal to be part of an "exclusive club" that gives you lounge access and private member events that Disney has to pay for out of their own pocket compared to club 33 for example.

What annoys me most as a resale i think, is that some of these things are so simple to give to all members and even would be free for them to do. (A spot at the fireworks or world of color to sit at for example) or letting resale go on a members cruise that everyone has to pay for anyways.

I think that would be fair to let resale do these things, but they dont on purpose and I think that's off putting. Hell, even let resale pay after hours event pricing to go to Moonlight Magic or give them a lesser discount just to acknowledge that we pay dues to keep this thing running and are part of dvc too. I think being blocked out of resorts would be enough for someone to consider direct, without being a jerk and leaving people out because you didnt pay Disney more $$$ . Just my personal opinion.

The thing is that Disney receives certain incomes when the make the original direct sale. They get the revenue from selling the points and from regular payment of dues. Those 2 sources are permanent, whether the original points are kept by the original purchaser, or they are sold to another purchaser via resale. The annual dues are then picked up by the new owner. So that is all neutral for Disney. They made their money, and they keep their money. The ownership of points simply changes via a real estate transaction.

The problem with me is the Disney is not satisfied they made the money made. They want to make MORE money. They are a major corporation, with corporate objects, despite all the happy talk.

But don't get me wrong, making money is important so that they can continue to provide the family entertainment. It is just that their method for making more money should be focused on continuing to improve the product rather than taking punitive actions against people that buy their product on the real estate market.