First time DVC buyer: New Poly tower direct, or resale?

[samsp99]

It sounds like you want to travel in Oct and Mar - some of the most points heavy times of the year. I would seriously look at the value of DVC for those dates compared to booking rooms direct at a medium resort like Coronado Springs, or staying offsite.

 

[Steelers0854]

I didn’t see a lot of discussion about renting out your points. You can get say $17 a point in renting/transferring them. This was great for us when we had a year where it didn’t make sense for us to bank due to our planned travel schedule. So even if you buy now and don’t use for a while you can “make” money by renting your points until your next trip.

We bought resale 100 points at Copper Creek. We are now looking at doing some small point purchases to get us to the 150 direct. We couldn’t afford the full 150 point outlay direct. We are really happy with our resale purchase but miss some of the benefits like the pretty huge annual pass discount plus dining and merchandise. Reading the tea leaves it looks like with the new lounges coming up, new DVC resorts being built that Disney is going to slowly start making direct not only more valuable but in some ways necessary. But being we are now in DVC it’s afforded us the opportunity to do these small point add ons that mean I don’t have to finance it and we can work our way up to 150 over a few years.

IMO if you can afford direct go direct. If you can’t afford it go resale and you can always do direct later.

Just my 2 cents, from a DVC Rookie.

 

[AdamsMum]

When we bought in 2003 the minimum was 160 and it was for a while, it's why you see so many 160 pt contracts for resale.

This is precisely why I started with a small resale contract. I didn't have $16,000 (laughable today, I know) in 2007 to fork over for a timeshare. I was impatient to wait to save that much money for a full direct purchase. On closing I bought another small direct contract, and I've added direct and resale since then. That year my first resale was $87 per point, fully loaded BWV contract. My direct add on was only $98 per point. Only an $11.00 difference, and no resale restrictions. That blows my mind!

 

[Road_Dog]

Thanks again to everyone who helped out. All in all, I think in my brain I knew resale was a better option. But... I have officially paid my deposit on 150 direct points at Poly!

I did research and knew I could save an easy $10k upfront off the purchase price for the same number of points at BLT or CCV. However, I kept going back to "buy where you want to stay" and I wasn't 100% sold on having BLT or CCV as my home resort, since I've never even visited either let alone stayed there (as opposed to Poly, which I already know I love). As someone who did not have his feet in DVC, it just felt like unfamiliar waters to require my strategy to be "book BLT at 11-months, then fish for Poly at 7".

I got to looking at Poly resale, and the difference between resale and direct is roughly $50/point. It's not chump change, but it felt like enough where I could make up the difference solely due to one big selling point of a direct purchase--being able to use a credit card. The combination of:

• Multiple credit card sign-up bonuses (Amex Business Platinum and/or Chase Ink Business)
• Getting 3% on unbonused spend (Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Taking advantage of 0% APR offers (Currently have 0% APR on my Discover until June, and the Chase Ink Business cards are 0% APR for a year, or the Disney Visa for 6-months)

...was just too big to ignore. I won't be able to make up the cost difference with sign-up bonuses or the points earned on the purchase itself, but it does help--and being smart with floating money on 0% APR cards means I can let more money continue to earn interest in my HYSA at 4.5% until it's time to pay down the balances in 12-months.

Plus, I think my wife is going to be MUCH happier being a direct member, having the blue card, and getting the full DVC experience, (however small and quant the benefits are) even if it's just discounts at the merch stores or getting into a lounge. It also allows us to talk about doing some kind of AP strategy where we go twice in 11-months and buy APs every other year.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks again to everyone who helped out. All in all, I think in my brain I knew resale was a better option. But... I have officially paid my deposit on 150 direct points at Poly!

I did research and knew I could save an easy $10k upfront off the purchase price for the same number of points at BLT or CCV. However, I kept going back to "buy where you want to stay" and I wasn't 100% sold on having BLT or CCV as my home resort, since I've never even visited either let alone stayed there (as opposed to Poly, which I already know I love). As someone who did not have his feet in DVC, it just felt like unfamiliar waters to require my strategy to be "book BLT at 11-months, then fish for Poly at 7".

I got to looking at Poly resale, and the difference between resale and direct is roughly $50/point. It's not chump change, but it felt like enough where I could make up the difference solely due to one big selling point of a direct purchase--being able to use a credit card. The combination of:

• Multiple credit card sign-up bonuses (Amex Business Platinum and/or Chase Ink Business)
• Getting 3% on unbonused spend (Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Taking advantage of 0% APR offers (Currently have 0% APR on my Discover until June, and the Chase Ink Business cards are 0% APR for a year, or the Disney Visa for 6-months)

...was just too big to ignore. I won't be able to make up the cost difference with sign-up bonuses or the points earned on the purchase itself, but it does help--and being smart with floating money on 0% APR cards means I can let more money continue to earn interest in my HYSA at 4.5% until it's time to pay down the balances in 12-months.

Plus, I think my wife is going to be MUCH happier being a direct member, having the blue card, and getting the full DVC experience, (however small and quant the benefits are) even if it's just discounts at the merch stores or getting into a lounge. It also allows us to talk about doing some kind of AP strategy where we go twice in 11-months and buy APs every other year.

Congrats!! Love that Disney takes credit cards. Free flights for awhile!

 

[Chili327]

Thanks again to everyone who helped out. All in all, I think in my brain I knew resale was a better option. But... I have officially paid my deposit on 150 direct points at Poly!

I did research and knew I could save an easy $10k upfront off the purchase price for the same number of points at BLT or CCV. However, I kept going back to "buy where you want to stay" and I wasn't 100% sold on having BLT or CCV as my home resort, since I've never even visited either let alone stayed there (as opposed to Poly, which I already know I love). As someone who did not have his feet in DVC, it just felt like unfamiliar waters to require my strategy to be "book BLT at 11-months, then fish for Poly at 7".

I got to looking at Poly resale, and the difference between resale and direct is roughly $50/point. It's not chump change, but it felt like enough where I could make up the difference solely due to one big selling point of a direct purchase--being able to use a credit card. The combination of:

• Multiple credit card sign-up bonuses (Amex Business Platinum and/or Chase Ink Business)
• Getting 3% on unbonused spend (Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Taking advantage of 0% APR offers (Currently have 0% APR on my Discover until June, and the Chase Ink Business cards are 0% APR for a year, or the Disney Visa for 6-months)

...was just too big to ignore. I won't be able to make up the cost difference with sign-up bonuses or the points earned on the purchase itself, but it does help--and being smart with floating money on 0% APR cards means I can let more money continue to earn interest in my HYSA at 4.5% until it's time to pay down the balances in 12-months.

Plus, I think my wife is going to be MUCH happier being a direct member, having the blue card, and getting the full DVC experience, (however small and quant the benefits are) even if it's just discounts at the merch stores or getting into a lounge. It also allows us to talk about doing some kind of AP strategy where we go twice in 11-months and buy APs every other year.

Sound logic, & now you can add all the resale you want.

 

[JackosinDIS]

Thanks again to everyone who helped out. All in all, I think in my brain I knew resale was a better option. But... I have officially paid my deposit on 150 direct points at Poly!

I did research and knew I could save an easy $10k upfront off the purchase price for the same number of points at BLT or CCV. However, I kept going back to "buy where you want to stay" and I wasn't 100% sold on having BLT or CCV as my home resort, since I've never even visited either let alone stayed there (as opposed to Poly, which I already know I love). As someone who did not have his feet in DVC, it just felt like unfamiliar waters to require my strategy to be "book BLT at 11-months, then fish for Poly at 7".

I got to looking at Poly resale, and the difference between resale and direct is roughly $50/point. It's not chump change, but it felt like enough where I could make up the difference solely due to one big selling point of a direct purchase--being able to use a credit card. The combination of:

• Multiple credit card sign-up bonuses (Amex Business Platinum and/or Chase Ink Business)
• Getting 3% on unbonused spend (Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Taking advantage of 0% APR offers (Currently have 0% APR on my Discover until June, and the Chase Ink Business cards are 0% APR for a year, or the Disney Visa for 6-months)

...was just too big to ignore. I won't be able to make up the cost difference with sign-up bonuses or the points earned on the purchase itself, but it does help--and being smart with floating money on 0% APR cards means I can let more money continue to earn interest in my HYSA at 4.5% until it's time to pay down the balances in 12-months.

Plus, I think my wife is going to be MUCH happier being a direct member, having the blue card, and getting the full DVC experience, (however small and quant the benefits are) even if it's just discounts at the merch stores or getting into a lounge. It also allows us to talk about doing some kind of AP strategy where we go twice in 11-months and buy APs every other year.

Congrats! I think sometimes we forget that a DVC purchase is as much an emotional decision as it is a financial one… and the heart wants what the heart wants! You don’t need to justify the numbers, just enjoy your time at Poly!

 

[Genie+]

Thanks again to everyone who helped out. All in all, I think in my brain I knew resale was a better option. But... I have officially paid my deposit on 150 direct points at Poly!

I did research and knew I could save an easy $10k upfront off the purchase price for the same number of points at BLT or CCV. However, I kept going back to "buy where you want to stay" and I wasn't 100% sold on having BLT or CCV as my home resort, since I've never even visited either let alone stayed there (as opposed to Poly, which I already know I love). As someone who did not have his feet in DVC, it just felt like unfamiliar waters to require my strategy to be "book BLT at 11-months, then fish for Poly at 7".

I got to looking at Poly resale, and the difference between resale and direct is roughly $50/point. It's not chump change, but it felt like enough where I could make up the difference solely due to one big selling point of a direct purchase--being able to use a credit card. The combination of:

• Multiple credit card sign-up bonuses (Amex Business Platinum and/or Chase Ink Business)
• Getting 3% on unbonused spend (Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Taking advantage of 0% APR offers (Currently have 0% APR on my Discover until June, and the Chase Ink Business cards are 0% APR for a year, or the Disney Visa for 6-months)

...was just too big to ignore. I won't be able to make up the cost difference with sign-up bonuses or the points earned on the purchase itself, but it does help--and being smart with floating money on 0% APR cards means I can let more money continue to earn interest in my HYSA at 4.5% until it's time to pay down the balances in 12-months.

Plus, I think my wife is going to be MUCH happier being a direct member, having the blue card, and getting the full DVC experience, (however small and quant the benefits are) even if it's just discounts at the merch stores or getting into a lounge. It also allows us to talk about doing some kind of AP strategy where we go twice in 11-months and buy APs every other year.

Congrats! Personally I love Poly and since upgrading from resale to direct last year we have really enjoyed what it’s added to our DVC/WDW experience. Family, Poly, Direct, WDW - enjoy all the good times ahead!

 

[CarolynFH]

However, I kept going back to "buy where you want to stay" and I wasn't 100% sold on having BLT or CCV as my home resort, since I've never even visited either let alone stayed there (as opposed to Poly, which I already know I love).

That’s what we mean when we say, “Welcome HOME!”

 

[Road_Dog]

Sound logic, & now you can add all the resale you want.

That’s how I see it! I can be done with direct until some crazy fire sale happens. Even then, I’ll probably just sit back and wait for the perfect add-on with my UY

 

[SeanW]

Thanks again to everyone who helped out. All in all, I think in my brain I knew resale was a better option. But... I have officially paid my deposit on 150 direct points at Poly!

I did research and knew I could save an easy $10k upfront off the purchase price for the same number of points at BLT or CCV. However, I kept going back to "buy where you want to stay" and I wasn't 100% sold on having BLT or CCV as my home resort, since I've never even visited either let alone stayed there (as opposed to Poly, which I already know I love). As someone who did not have his feet in DVC, it just felt like unfamiliar waters to require my strategy to be "book BLT at 11-months, then fish for Poly at 7".

I got to looking at Poly resale, and the difference between resale and direct is roughly $50/point. It's not chump change, but it felt like enough where I could make up the difference solely due to one big selling point of a direct purchase--being able to use a credit card. The combination of:

• Multiple credit card sign-up bonuses (Amex Business Platinum and/or Chase Ink Business)
• Getting 3% on unbonused spend (Chase Sapphire Reserve)
• Taking advantage of 0% APR offers (Currently have 0% APR on my Discover until June, and the Chase Ink Business cards are 0% APR for a year, or the Disney Visa for 6-months)

...was just too big to ignore. I won't be able to make up the cost difference with sign-up bonuses or the points earned on the purchase itself, but it does help--and being smart with floating money on 0% APR cards means I can let more money continue to earn interest in my HYSA at 4.5% until it's time to pay down the balances in 12-months.

Plus, I think my wife is going to be MUCH happier being a direct member, having the blue card, and getting the full DVC experience, (however small and quant the benefits are) even if it's just discounts at the merch stores or getting into a lounge. It also allows us to talk about doing some kind of AP strategy where we go twice in 11-months and buy APs every other year.

Congratulations on the purchase! I was reading the whole thread and had some things to add, but my say was going to be for direct too. One thing I would add is that you asked why did people buy direct first and my wife and I are in the same boat as you. We are in our 30's as well (bought at 32 & 30) and when looking at it, we thought the benefit of buying direct outweighed the cost savings of buying resale. For us, buying at GFV at the time, there was only $16 so we figured we would easily be able to make up that difference with the discounts from merch and food over our 40+ years at Disney, plus we used our Disney card to pay the loan and got all of the points with doing that.

We like to go during October and my Sister in Law owns at Poly as well so maybe we will unknowingly bump into you guys at one point as well lol