DVS Resale vs Direct - new resorts?

[DVCRookie2023]

Hi there folks - brand new to this research so I apologize in advance if this is too elementary of a question.

The price savings (especially now it seems) of resale seems too good to pass up; however, I find the idea that we will not be able to stay at the new resort(s) (I suppose now it is only Riviera) in the future holding me back a bit.

Am I correct in assuming that my resale points will only and always only be good for existing resorts? That is, I will not be able to stay at any of the planned new resorts in the future?

If so, was this a big turn off to you when purchasing resale? Is this a common hang up for those debating between direct and resale?

Thanks for any words of advice or just general guidance.

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

For sure can’t stay at Riviera on recently purchased resale contracts (unless it’s a Riviera contract and then you can only stay at Riviera). Everyone assumes that will be the case at the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel (would be surprised if it weren’t). The Poly Tower addition people are not sure about since it’s an addition to an existing resort. But yes new resorts will be shut out for non-grandfathered resale contracts. But so many options still and you could always rent out your points for your home resort and then rent points for one of those new resorts.

 

[Sandisw]

Based on the current rules, resale points bought now are indeed restricted to just the original resorts.

You are locked out of RIV and all future. Now, DVD can certainly change rules at any time. But, I would not go in expecting that.

The good news is that we do have VDH opening for sales in the next few months..we think.. and will give us some insight into whether they are continuing the path of restrictions. If they have them, it’s a pretty good indication that they are still part of the long range plan for DVD.

Personally, we won’t buy resale anymore because of it. But to be fair, RIV is our top resort so we want points good there.

But, we also want access to it all and since we are in it for the long haul, the extra is worth it to us. Especially since in 2042, if this is still the program you loose access to those resorts which shrinks the options.

I still believe number one is tk buy at a resort you want to stay at. If RIV or VGF are not too, they do have decent incentives on AKV which, while more than getting it resale, it does give you access to future resorts.

 

[DVCRookie2023]

Based on the current rules, resale points bought now are indeed restricted to just the original resorts.

You are locked out of RIV and all future. Now, DVD can certainly change rules at any time. But, I would not go in expecting that.

The good news is that we do have VDH opening for sales in the next few months..we think.. and will give us some insight into whether they are continuing the path of restrictions. If they have them, it’s a pretty good indication that they are still part of the long range plan for DVD.

Personally, we won’t buy resale anymore because of it. But to be fair, RIV is our top resort so we want points good there.

But, we also want access to it all and since we are in it for the long haul, the extra is worth it to us. Especially since in 2042, if this is still the program you loose access to those resorts which shrinks the options.

I still believe number one is tk buy at a resort you want to stay at. If RIV or VGF are not too, they do have decent incentives on AKV which, while more than getting it resale, it does give you access to future resorts.

Are you saying that ALL resale contracts are now restricted to only their home resorts? So if I were to buy resale at Grand Floridian, I would only be able to stay there?

Also thanks so much for your response. It was very helpful.

 

[DVCRookie2023]

For sure can’t stay at Riviera on recently purchased resale contracts (unless it’s a Riviera contract and then you can only stay at Riviera). Everyone assumes that will be the case at the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel (would be surprised if it weren’t). The Poly Tower addition people are not sure about since it’s an addition to an existing resort. But yes new resorts will be shut out for non-grandfathered resale contracts. But so many options still and you could always rent out your points for your home resort and then rent points for one of those new resorts.

The person below seemed to indicate that resale contracts are only good for their home resort. I may be reading it completely wrong but just wanted to be sure.

Thanks for your reply!

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

Oh no. Riviera is the first for that (and likely those going forward). But yes Riviera resale can only book at Riviera.

 

[Just654]

The person below seemed to indicate that resale contracts are only good for their home resort. I may be reading it completely wrong but just wanted to be sure.

Thanks for your reply!

Right now this only applies to Rivera. It is possible this will apply to the new Disneyland Tower and the Poly Tower. We are not sure.

As someone that is a white card resale holder. If I ever wanted to stay a Rivera, I would just rent the points needed to stay there.

With no annual pass available to buy. There really isn't any justification with the way prices are right now to buy direct.

 

[DVCRookie2023]

Right now this only applies to Rivera. It is possible thsi will apply to the new Disneyland Tower and the Poly Tower. We are not sure.

As someone that is a white card resale holder. If I ever wanted to stay a Rivera, I would just rent the points needed to stay there.

With no annual pass available to buy. There really isn't any justification with the way prices are right now to buy direct.

Ah I see. So you would essentially rent your points out to someone and use those proceeds to buy Riviera eligible points? Cool!

 

[Just654]

Ah I see. So you would essentially rent your points out to someone and use those proceeds to buy Riviera eligible points? Cool!

Yep!!

 

[Sandisw]

Are you saying that ALL resale contracts are now restricted to only their home resorts? So if I were to buy resale at Grand Floridian, I would only be able to stay there?

Also thanks so much for your response. It was very helpful.

Sorry,, they are restricted to trading only into the original 14 resorts.

So, if you buy today you can trade into all resorts that came before RIV, but nothing else. As those resorts expire, the pool of resorts for trading will become smaller

 

[Sandisw]

Right now this only applies to Rivera. It is possible this will apply to the new Disneyland Tower and the Poly Tower. We are not sure.

As someone that is a white card resale holder. If I ever wanted to stay a Rivera, I would just rent the points needed to stay there.

With no annual pass available to buy. There really isn't any justification with the way prices are right now to buy direct.

Just to clarify that white or blue card doesn’t have anything to do with being able to stay at RIV and future resorts.

I have three memberships that are eligible for extras and if I buy resale points now, those new points still won’t be good at RIV or future resorts.

 

[Just654]

Just to clarify that white or blue card doesn’t have anything to do with being able to stay at RIV and future resorts.

I have three memberships that are eligible for extras and if I buy resale points now, those new points still won’t be good at RIV or future resorts.

Very true.

 

[Brian Noble]

Am I correct in assuming that my resale points will only and always only be good for existing resorts? That is, I will not be able to stay at any of the planned new resorts in the future?

Do we know that? No we do not know that--at least not for sure. I think most of us think it is likely, but there are definitely naysayers. I think it is very likely, and am willing to bet a big pile of mickeybars on it.

But if you assume it, you cannot be disappointed.

 

[intamin]

So, if you buy today you can trade into all resorts that came before RIV, but nothing else. As those resorts expire, the pool of resorts for trading will become smaller

Definitely something to consider for those who plan to buy SSR as SAP, once 2042 hits and BRV, BWV, BCV in the WDW bubble go offline, it may become a lot harder to book rooms at 7 months since they will likely be remade into new associations which resale points cannot be used at. If you love SSR it doesn't really matter but again it comes down to buy where you want to stay because at the very worst you want to be stuck somewhere you love at 11 months.

 

[Minniemoo15]

We bought 2019 so our points can’t be used at Riv. So far this hasn’t bothered me because I love our Poly home and the original resorts so much. And with VGF 2.0 being open to us & possibly even Poly 2.0… I am surprised with the direction they are taking with this. I would have thought they would have done anything they can to lock us post 2019ers out.

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

The price savings (especially now it seems) of resale seems too good to pass up; however, I find the idea that we will not be able to stay at the new resort(s) (I suppose now it is only Riviera) in the future holding me back a bit.

Am I correct in assuming that my resale points will only and always only be good for existing resorts? That is, I will not be able to stay at any of the planned new resorts in the future?

If so, was this a big turn off to you when purchasing resale? Is this a common hang up for those debating between direct and resale?

Price has always been our #1 factor… and the ability to stay at any/all resorts is super close behind it- like #1a. So, yes, it’s a big deal to us.

Since AP sales are still suspended, having unrestricted points is the only real perk with significant value that is left when buying direct, IMO.

The majority of our points are resale bc we like finding the best deal for our favorite resorts (having home priority matters a lot to me). Note- our first resale contract was purchased in 2017 & was/is unrestricted. That said- we do have some direct points which we bought at VGF when incentives brought our $pp down to less than resale (but just at that exact time- obvs this no longer holds true). We had planned to buy VGF resale just before VGF2 was announced… but then we waited to see what the difference btw direct & resale would end up being. Now, I did assume that VGF resale prices would drop again once VGF2 sales were in full swing, but I also really wanted direct points & knowing they were a better deal at that exact moment was the only thing that allowed me to rationalize the purchase. But where the resale market is at right now… I really do NOT like what we paid. Yes, I wanted direct points- yes, I’m glad I have them (esp. at a resort we love that has lower dues)- but, no, I don’t like knowing those points could have been $7-8k cheaper, especially when the rest of our points have “kept their value” during this dramatic downturn. Once resale prices go back up, I think I’ll be happy we made the decision… but with the Poly2 project, I’m even more torn!

Another way to combat the restricted points issue is to buy resale contracts at the new resort(s). Which we have also done! We purchased RIV resale (early & cheap- before the market set a value on it) bc I knew I wanted to stay there & after trying the “rental swap” (ie- renting some of my points out to pay for renting my stay at RIV), I knew I didn’t like renting & that we love RIV enough to dive into those seriously restricted points.

Basically, where there’s a will- there’s a way

 

[tom1944]

Price has always been our #1 factor… and the ability to stay at any/all resorts is super close behind it- like #1a. So, yes, it’s a big deal to us.

Since AP sales are still suspended, having unrestricted points is the only real perk with significant value that is left when buying direct, IMO.

The majority of our points are resale bc we like finding the best deal for our favorite resorts (having home priority matters a lot to me). Note- our first resale contract was purchased in 2017 & was/is unrestricted. That said- we do have some direct points which we bought at VGF when incentives brought our $pp down to less than resale (but just at that exact time- obvs this no longer holds true). We had planned to buy VGF resale just before VGF2 was announced… but then we waited to see what the difference btw direct & resale would end up being. Now, I did assume that VGF resale prices would drop again once VGF2 sales were in full swing, but I also really wanted direct points & knowing they were a better deal at that exact moment was the only thing that allowed me to rationalize the purchase. But where the resale market is at right now… I really do NOT like what we paid. Yes, I wanted direct points- yes, I’m glad I have them (esp. at a resort we love that has lower dues)- but, no, I don’t like knowing those points could have been $7-8k cheaper, especially when the rest of our points have “kept their value” during this dramatic downturn. Once resale prices go back up, I think I’ll be happy we made the decision… but with the Poly2 project, I’m even more torn!

Another way to combat the restricted points issue is to buy resale contracts at the new resort(s). Which we have also done! We purchased RIV resale (early & cheap- before the market set a value on it) bc I knew I wanted to stay there & after trying the “rental swap” (ie- renting some of my points out to pay for renting my stay at RIV), I knew I didn’t like renting & that we love RIV enough to dive into those seriously restricted points.

Basically, where there’s a will- there’s a way

My priority was initial cost per point and to identity best point charts. That gave me enough of a selection.

In 2042 when we lose access to BRV, BCV and BWV I can consider adding RIV if we need access.

 

[RoseGold]

This is a more complicated question than drawing a line at Riviera, as was shown by VGF2, which used the old rules, when it didn't have to.

Disney is not bound by DVC at all and could set up DVC2 that doesn't take any legacy DVC points. We just don't know what DVC will do in the future.

Consensus is that the new DL property and Poly tower will be in DVC, based on how they have advertised and permitted them. The restrictions likely similar to RIV, just speculating. But there's no reason they have to be in the future, or even in DVC at all. Buying direct doesn't necessarily mean you get ALL future resorts.

 

[tom1944]

This is a more complicated question than drawing a line at Riviera, as was shown by VGF2, which used the old rules, when it didn't have to.

Disney is not bound by DVC at all and could set up DVC2 that doesn't take any legacy DVC points. We just don't know what DVC will do in the future.

Consensus is that the new DL property and Poly tower will be in DVC, based on how they have advertised and permitted them. The restrictions likely similar to RIV, just speculating. But there's no reason they have to be in the future, or even in DVC at all. Buying direct doesn't necessarily mean you get ALL future resorts.

Whatever they do I will figure out a way to make it work for me.

 

[DVCRookie2023]

Price has always been our #1 factor… and the ability to stay at any/all resorts is super close behind it- like #1a. So, yes, it’s a big deal to us.

Since AP sales are still suspended, having unrestricted points is the only real perk with significant value that is left when buying direct, IMO.

The majority of our points are resale bc we like finding the best deal for our favorite resorts (having home priority matters a lot to me). Note- our first resale contract was purchased in 2017 & was/is unrestricted. That said- we do have some direct points which we bought at VGF when incentives brought our $pp down to less than resale (but just at that exact time- obvs this no longer holds true). We had planned to buy VGF resale just before VGF2 was announced… but then we waited to see what the difference btw direct & resale would end up being. Now, I did assume that VGF resale prices would drop again once VGF2 sales were in full swing, but I also really wanted direct points & knowing they were a better deal at that exact moment was the only thing that allowed me to rationalize the purchase. But where the resale market is at right now… I really do NOT like what we paid. Yes, I wanted direct points- yes, I’m glad I have them (esp. at a resort we love that has lower dues)- but, no, I don’t like knowing those points could have been $7-8k cheaper, especially when the rest of our points have “kept their value” during this dramatic downturn. Once resale prices go back up, I think I’ll be happy we made the decision… but with the Poly2 project, I’m even more torn!

Another way to combat the restricted points issue is to buy resale contracts at the new resort(s). Which we have also done! We purchased RIV resale (early & cheap- before the market set a value on it) bc I knew I wanted to stay there & after trying the “rental swap” (ie- renting some of my points out to pay for renting my stay at RIV), I knew I didn’t like renting & that we love RIV enough to dive into those seriously restricted points.

Basically, where there’s a will- there’s a way

Thank you for this answer. Very helpful.

What I find confusing is: what is the draw of mixing and matching contracts with different home resorts? It seems as if you lose the advantage of the earlier reservation time slot and would be left with your other points essentially “sitting on the bench” unused or you would have to book another reservation that would require you to (likely) switch rooms mid stay?

I suppose I may not be factoring folks who travel more often than we would so I seem to be answering my question in real time as I type this!

Seems as if you travel enough then having mix and match contracts works so long as you are able to not allow any points to expire unused! Correct?