Fall Incentives

[maui22]

BLT direct prices climbed rapidly over 4 years, but I’m having a hard time pinning down what people actually paid. Posts like this from late 2012 point at good offers:

If anybody remembers what they paid BLT direct after discounts c2009-2013 it’d be greatly appreciated to share.

During their 2009 webcast spring promotion, we bought 160 BLT for $96/pt with incentives. From what I recall, they had two additional promotion levels. I forget the amount of points needed, but what I recall is the lowest was $91/pt.
From what I recall, they lowered promotions in early 2010. Sales slowed, then they had one last major promotion for BLT during Black Friday 2010. Back then, they had DVC stores in a few location (NY, Boston, Chicago, not sure if there were others). The stores ran a Black Friday promotion for about a week that lowered BLT to $97/pt. People literally booked flights or drove hours to get to these stores for that promotion.

We added on a second contract BLT in 2012. I believe we paid $120/pt.

While that sounds like a great deal, 2009 spring webcast also had VGC with even bigger deals. I believe 160 points resulted in a price around $90/pt, but larger purchases had it at $85/pt (maybe even lower).

Disney kept similar promotions going through the end of 2009. DVD made terrible business decisions that resulted in AKV Kidani, SSR THV portion, BLT, and VGC all opening during the worst economic times most of us have ever lived through. They added more than 10 million points to sell during a period they were offering buy 4 get 3 nights free, 40% discounts, literally closed entire hotels for a period, upgrading people from value resorts into 1BR or larger at SSR, some people in moderates were upgraded to GF. Disney was in dire times (as were many).
Back then, Disney used another party for all their mortgages. There was some contractual language in there to incentivized the mortgage lender. Well, things went so bad, Disney had to buy the foreclosures back from the mortgage company. This company refused to be part of the loans and Disney had to finance all their own mortgages. (In the long-term, that probably helped Disney because timeshare mortgage rates provide a good return for the lender).

I sure hope Disney isn't making the same mistake they did back then. Aulani, VDH, RIV, Poly tower, and CFW all expected to be in active sales by the end of 2024. Disney is already being forced to offer more discounts on hotels and they are not doing much to the parks to increase demand.

 

[intamin]

Really? I would have assumed that you need to decide on MB (sell-back) by the time you sign the contract.

As @DanCali was saying you do have to sell the points at the time the contract is signed but if you’re buying near the end of the UY you would have to sign and sell the points at least 4-5 days before the UY ends otherwise you must use them as banked points

 

[Genie+]

We added on a second contract BLT in 2012. I believe we paid $120/pt.

While that sounds like a great deal, 2009 spring webcast also had VGC with even bigger deals. I believe 160 points resulted in a price around $90/pt, but larger purchases had it at $85/pt (maybe even lower).

$120 in 2012 is still very good! That’s about $160 today. BLT officially opened Aug 4, 2009 with 2060 expiration. Buying in 2012 likely came with near 50 years use left, right?

In July 2012 BLT full direct price hit $165 ($220 in today’s $). Sept 2008 initially offered $112 (both before incentives).

VGC was the ultimate DVC unicorn so far, lol. BLT not shabby either though. The economic context is interesting, thanks for putting that in perspective.

 

[maui22]

$120 in 2012 is still very good! That’s about $160 today. BLT officially opened Aug 4, 2009 with 2060 expiration. Buying in 2012 likely came with near 50 years use left, right?

In July 2012 BLT full direct price hit $165 ($220 in today’s $). Sept 2008 initially offered $112 (both before incentives).

VGC was the ultimate DVC unicorn so far, lol. BLT not shabby either though. The economic context is interesting, thanks for putting that in perspective.

Here is DVCNews article on the Black Friday 2010 promotion. After seeing the article, it was Doorway to Dreams stores.

From what I remember, BLT had the $12 incentive and AKV (possibly SSR) had the $18 incentive.
https://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/1431-dvc-black-friday-sale

 

[Genie+]

Here is DVCNews article on the Black Friday 2010 promotion. After seeing the article, it was Doorway to Dreams stores.

From what I remember, BLT had the $12 incentive and AKV (possibly SSR) had the $18 incentive.
https://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/1431-dvc-black-friday-sale

Wow that’s wild. Black Friday DVC in physical stores. Fantastic deal with the extra 10% off.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Here is DVCNews article on the Black Friday 2010 promotion. After seeing the article, it was Doorway to Dreams stores.

From what I remember, BLT had the $12 incentive and AKV (possibly SSR) had the $18 incentive.
https://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/1431-dvc-black-friday-sale

Interesting that you could buy AKV, SSR and BLT for under $100/pt ~10 years ago. It kind of makes sense why that might be a price resistance range now. People who got 10 years of use might be happy to sell roughly where they bought it, but a big drop below that is less palatable?

I am not planning to sell my VGF or AUL ever, but if I can sell within 10% of what I bought direct in 2035, I would think it’s a fantastic investment.

 

[Plutopian]

Any thoughts on why the AKV incentive is so small. Only $8 for 200 points when it was $45 just a few months ago. Why even bother with these tiny incentives for the larger less expensive resorts which are abundant in the resale market?

 

[Sandisw]

Any thoughts on why the AKV incentive is so small. Only $8 for 200 points when it was $45 just a few months ago. Why even bother with these tiny incentives for the larger less expensive resorts which are abundant in the resale market?

I think it’s just to have another option for someone who might want it but wants direct.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Any thoughts on why the AKV incentive is so small. Only $8 for 200 points when it was $45 just a few months ago. Why even bother with these tiny incentives for the larger less expensive resorts which are abundant in the resale market?

My theory is that they are still testing out the price point at which they can get people to buyvarious resorts. I don’t know how many AKV points Disney is sitting on, but they know they can move it with $45 in incentives, so they might periodically offer different incentives to see how many people they can get at only $10/20 of incentives, especially if they don’t have that much inventory left.

Another possibility might be that they don’t want unrestricted AKV to cut into the sales of RIV, so they need to keep a meaningful price gap.

 

[sethschroeder]

I am not planning to sell my VGF or AUL ever, but if I can sell within 10% of what I bought direct in 2035, I would think it’s a fantastic investment.

Which is why you really need to factor in long term selling a contract when comparing options. When one contract expires vs the other having life left in it.

 

[MicheyMouse]

What‘s the current direct price for a new purchaser of 150pts at either Riviera or VGF using the first year point sell back option?

 

[thelionqueen]

Which is why you really need to factor in long term selling a contract when comparing options. When one contract expires vs the other having life left in it.

Not necessarily imo. You’re prepaying for vacations in general. Riv has more than twice the number of years left that BCV has and is priced for less and sakes are weak. Although it’s been a great investment for me, I don’t take length of contract into consideration at all. I buy where I want to vacation and not plan the next 40 years

 

[herewegooo]

What‘s the current direct price for a new purchaser of 150pts at either Riviera or VGF using the first year point sell back option?

At 150 points, you get $1,650.00 incentive value (or $11 per point credit). total is $30,900. If you do the buy back Magical Beginnings, that’s a check for $3,300 which you’ll get in about 30 days.

 

[DanCali]

I don’t take length of contract into consideration at all. I buy where I want to vacation and not plan the next 40 years

That must be an exaggeration. Would you pay $120/pt if there were only 3 years left on the contract? It'd be a lot cheaper to rent than prepaying that much for 3 years of vacations.

People will pay what they are willing to pay - you can't control the going resale price. I knowingly overpaid (imo) for BRV villas as well, albeit intentionally limited it to just 50 points, because I wanted to own there. I don't really expect to sell it before expiration. But if I owned more 2042 points and the appetite for those resorts remained very strong even in 2035, and I can get back over 50% of what I paid this year, I would take the money and run. With 50 points it's not going to matter much either way...

 

[thelionqueen]

That must be an exaggeration. Would you pay $120/pt if there were only 3 years left on the contract? It'd be a lot cheaper to rent than prepaying that much for 3 years of vacations.

People will pay what they are willing to pay - you can't control the going resale price. I knowingly overpaid (imo) for BRV villas as well, albeit intentionally limited it to just 50 points, because I wanted to own there. I don't really expect to sell it before expiration. But if I owned more 2042 points and the appetite for those resorts remained very strong even in 2035, and I can get back over 50% of what I paid this year, I would take the money and run. With 50 points it's not going to matter much either way...

Well it’s not an exaggeration. And no I wouldn’t buy a contract at that price for 3 years but absolutely would (and did) at my favorite resort with 19 y left which I’ll never sell. I never suggested I controlled resale price, I’m simply stating facts.

 

[sethschroeder]

You’re prepaying for vacations in general.

Yes but in 2042 there are two sides:

• Wanting to still go to WDW
  • Purchase a new contract at 2042 prices (minimum of $200/point adjusted for inflation)
  • Have points still for another 30 years with no additional cost
• Wanting to be done with WDW
  • Walk away
  • Sell a 30 year contract for amount of money

You absolutely should be accounting for what occurs in the future when comparing resorts. They are not similar length and they have different values at different times.

Another example you only want DVC for the next 10 years? So now you are selling a contract with 40 years or 10 years left. You dont think the math on the price of BCV and RIV wont be flipped at that point as an example?

Well it’s not an exaggeration. And no I wouldn’t buy a contract at that price for 3 years but absolutely would (and did) at my favorite resort with 19 y left which I’ll never sell. I never suggested I controlled resale price, I’m simply stating facts.

Which you can do but then you are not doing any math or comparing resorts. You are buying at where you want to stay regardless of what other options are.

Its like saying I am going to buy an Electric truck end of story. Well in that case you wouldnt compare your typical trips/towing range, cost of refueling, cost of maintance, ect. In the end you are buying electric and not part of the group actually discussing a comparison between two options.

 

[thelionqueen]

Yes but in 2042 there are two sides:

• Wanting to still go to WDW
  • Purchase a new contract at 2042 prices (minimum of $200/point adjusted for inflation)
  • Have points still for another 30 years with no additional cost
• Wanting to be done with WDW
  • Walk away
  • Sell a 30 year contract for amount of money

You absolutely should be accounting for what occurs in the future when comparing resorts. They are not similar length and they have different values at different times.

Another example you only want DVC for the next 10 years? So now you are selling a contract with 40 years or 10 years left. You dont think the math on the price of BCV and RIV wont be flipped at that point as an example?



Which you can do but then you are not doing any math or comparing resorts. You are buying at where you want to stay regardless of what other options are.

Its like saying I am going to buy an Electric truck end of story. Well in that case you wouldnt compare your typical trips/towing range, cost of refueling, cost of maintance, ect. In the end you are buying electric and not part of the group actually discussing a comparison between two options.

Actually we’re on totally opposite sides of this which is fine. Suffice to say I’m able to do exactly as I choose and that works for me, as you can do for you. I will reiterate, I’m paying for my vacations. I’ve been going annually, many times each year since birth, and that’s not changing ever. Soooo it’s not 2042, it’s 2023. And from this day until 12/31/2042, I’ll be staying at my favorite resort without any worry of staying where I want.

I couldn’t care less if Riv & BCV prices change or they don’t..nor when. There are many options that no one could ever document as to why people do what they do..it’s silly to try. This is a luxury purchase,m that prepays your vacations for however long your contract is.. nothing more. So feel free to rationalize how you see fit, you do you, and I’ll spend my vacation $$ as is best for me.

 

[Cfabar1]

My view is buy where you want to stay for a contract length you are comfortable with.

I'm not comfortable with a 2042 contract length and the prices for the resorts that interest me. Otherwise, I'd buy Boardwalk or Beach Club which are our favorite resorts. Instead I am buying VGF, which we also like, but we like the expiration more. We also aren't interested in buying SAP points as we aren't sure what that will look like after 2042.

 

[homey12]

My heart wants more Riviera points but I don't think I can make a case for it.

But we got August UY for VGF back in July, so we still have a lot of points to bank for Christmas 2024!

Im with you on this. I just can't make a case for more Rivera.

 

[sethschroeder]

Actually we’re on totally opposite sides of this which is fine.

We are not on opposite sides. If not comparing two options then what you are doing is exactly how I would suggest doing it. Which is the simple question "can I afford it?" You are buying X resort for Y amount of time for Z amount of dollars.

The part we were discussing though and my original comment was on is when comparing options the length of contract is part of what you account for.

I’m paying for my vacations.

Correct we agree

feel free to rationalize how you see fit,

No one is rationalizing anything they are going through a comparison/cost benefit analysis between multiple resorts. When comparing resorts you break down how A is different than B then decide which side is a better fit for you. Not all of this is financial either and some people completely skip that part as they know the exact resort regardless of the financials.

I’ll spend my vacation $$ as is best for me

No one is saying anything different.

You seemingly are missing that I made a comment on this thread regarding information that should be accounted for when comparing purchase options. If you dont want to financially compare resorts thats fine but then you are off topic regarding what is being discussed in my comments.

Many people dont break down the financials of DVC. Nothing wrong with that but typically on this purchasing thread area people are coming to these topics with the thought process of comparing various buying options.