First time DVC buyer

[Heidi Drum]

I will add that at least for me, location and transportation are huge benefits for VGF. This alone would make me lean towards VGF.

I'm CA based, but we purchased direct at BLT and resale at Poly. We generally have luck at other resorts at 7 months for 1 and 2 bedrooms, not studios as much - although we've stayed at Animal Kingdom a few times in studios. We're also in our 50s with one son in college and one in 8th grade, so the youngest is usually the only one going with us. We love Hawaii, but I don't think owning there (given the dues) makes sense unless you go there a lot. I like Riviera but the resale issue (if you needed to sell for some reason) kept us from buying there. Good luck!

 

[Bucketfoot]

I know this is kind of off my original question, but a question from my wife is...

If we were to buy say 200pt for VGF through Disney, then bought 50pts resale for let's just say BLV; how does the distribution of points work?

Can we use all 250 points for either/other resort or are there restrictions on this?

 

[hglenn]

As long as you buy direct from Disney, there are not "restrictions" outside of the 11 month and 7 month booking windows which apply to all contracts. You would be able to book your 200 pts at VGF at the 11 month mark and your 50 points at BLV at 11 months. But if you wanted to use your 50 BLV points at VGF you'd have to wait until 7 months to apply those and vice versa if you wanted to use your 200 VGF points at BLV, you'd have to wait until 7 months to use those. Does that make sense?

 

[Her Dotness]

There can be an enjoyable advantage to having a very small contract like a 50 at a second home resort.

We're looking to get one via resale for SAP or "sleeping around points." We don't like to unpack and then pack again but prefer to settle in for a long stay at VGF and have tacked on a 1-2 nighter at another resort on occasion.

Since we drive to WDW, we generally arrive in early afternoon and like to "camp out" in another resort on arrival night, living out of suitcases and not going into a park. Gives us an opportunity to see how much better we have it at VGF...no, seriously, we do enjoy briefly exploring the other DVC resorts.

A small contract also gives you a fill-in night elsewhere if you'd be unable to get a night or two at your main resort which has occasionally happened to us. Additionally, you can get everything booked and in place at 11 months which we prefer to do rather than waitlisting or constantly checking to see if the nights we need have opened up.

 

[Bucketfoot]

As long as you buy direct from Disney, there are not "restrictions" outside of the 11 month and 7 month booking windows which apply to all contracts. You would be able to book your 200 pts at VGF at the 11 month mark and your 50 points at BLV at 11 months. But if you wanted to use your 50 BLV points at VGF you'd have to wait until 7 months to apply those and vice versa if you wanted to use your 200 VGF points at BLV, you'd have to wait until 7 months to use those. Does that make sense?

I think the answer is yes, but is it the same if I buy the 200 pts direct from Disney, but the 50 points from the resale market?

 

[Bucketfoot]

There can be an enjoyable advantage to having a very small contract like a 50 at a second home resort.

We're looking to get one via resale for SAP or "sleeping around points." We don't like to unpack and then pack again but prefer to settle in for a long stay at VGF and have tacked on a 1-2 nighter at another resort on occasion.

Since we drive to WDW, we generally arrive in early afternoon and like to "camp out" in another resort on arrival night, living out of suitcases and not going into a park. Gives us an opportunity to see how much better we have it at VGF...no, seriously, we do enjoy briefly exploring the other DVC resorts.

A small contract also gives you a fill-in night elsewhere if you'd be unable to get a night or two at your main resort which has occasionally happened to us. Also, you can get everything booked and in place at 11 months which we prefer to do rather than constantly checking to see if the nights we need have opened up.

I've heard that if you change resorts during a stay that Disney will take care of transferring luggage between the two. Is this accurate?

 

[hglenn]

I think the answer is yes, but is it the same if I buy the 200 pts direct from Disney, but the 50 points from the resale market?

LOL...Yes, with one exception - if you buy 50 BLV resale, then you can book those points at BLV at 11 months any any other resort at 7 months, excluding RIV. RIV resale can only be used at RIV at 11 months and any other resale cannot be used at RIV at all.

 

[Mle8308]

I've heard that if you change resorts during a stay that Disney will take care of transferring luggage between the two. Is this accurate?

Yes, Disney will transfer your luggage between resorts.

 

[Her Dotness]

I've heard that if you change resorts during a stay that Disney will take care of transferring luggage between the two. Is this accurate?

Yes, they will but will not transport any items requiring refrigeration. You must take those to your next resort yourselves but can have bell services store them safely until you can get into your room.

The drawback for us is that we've nearly always gotten into our room long before the bags were delivered, which can be late afternoon. For us, just when we're wanting to dress for dinner.

If you'll rent a car, frankly I think it far easier to transport your things yourselves and ask bell services to store them for you at the new resort. That's what we do. Much easier.

 

[Bucketfoot]

LOL...Yes, with one exception - if you buy 50 BLV resale, then you can book those points at BLV at 11 months any any other resort at 7 months, excluding RIV. RIV resale can only be used at RIV at 11 months and any other resale cannot be used at RIV at all.

One more question on this...

If I have 200 VGF points bought through Disney and I know I can book with these at 11 months out. But if I have the additional 50 points for BLV from resale, can I book at VGF using all 250 points 11 months out or would I need to wait until 7 months out to use all 250?

 

[hglenn]

One more question on this...

If I have 200 VGF points bought through Disney and I know I can book with these at 11 months out. But if I have the additional 50 points for BLV from resale, can I book at VGF using all 250 points 11 months out or would I need to wait until 7 months out to use all 250?

You would have to wait until 7 months out if you wanted to book all 250 together at one time at the same resort.

 

[redboat45]

I know this is kind of off my original question, but a question from my wife is...

If we were to buy say 200pt for VGF through Disney, then bought 50pts resale for let's just say BLV; how does the distribution of points work?

Can we use all 250 points for either/other resort or are there restrictions on this?

You wouldn't be able to combine them until 7 months out. And the 50 resale wouldn't be able to be used at Riviera and any future resorts that have that restriction.

Also, keep in mind that right now and for who knows how long, you are only allowed to borrow half of your points. So if you buy 200 points and you go every other year you'd only have 300 points to use time and then 400 to use every other year (banked from the year you borrowed, 200 from your current use year, and then 100 borrowed).

 

[Bucketfoot]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking the previous post was saying, but wanted to make sure I had a clear answer for my wife

 

[hglenn]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking your previous post was saying, but wanted to make sure I had a clear answer for my wife

Very wise...

 

[Sandisw]

I think the answer is yes, but is it the same if I buy the 200 pts direct from Disney, but the 50 points from the resale market?

Yes. Points never change home resorts for booking purposes, no matter what else you own.

So, if you own 200 VGF and 50 points somewhere Else,, each can only be used at its own resort until 7 months, and then you can combine.

The only exception is for RIV and future resorts. Only the direct points can be used at 7 months. Any resale points can not be used anywhere but the O14.

 

[sldrake3]

One more question on this...

If I have 200 VGF points bought through Disney and I know I can book with these at 11 months out. But if I have the additional 50 points for BLV from resale, can I book at VGF using all 250 points 11 months out or would I need to wait until 7 months out to use all 250?

You could always book a split stay at first, just to have all of your nights covered. Then you can reasses at 7 months to see if you can switch the nights to VGF.

 

[Docwheeze]

One more question on this...

If I have 200 VGF points bought through Disney and I know I can book with these at 11 months out. But if I have the additional 50 points for BLV from resale, can I book at VGF using all 250 points 11 months out or would I need to wait until 7 months out to use all 250?

Others have answered this. I am a newbie with similar concerns as I am in my 60s but with a young son. My wife and I initially looked at everything and read much from these boards so thanks to all of you. We initially planned to buy 200 points at VGF but then realized the point charts were high for one bedrooms and up which you may need the space with older children. Last week we finally closed on 250 points with 3 separate contracts of 150, 50, and 50 which allows us more flexibility as we become more familiar with DVC and explore the different resorts. Also allows us to book more confidently at VGF at 11 months.

You have already made the best first decision which is to seek advice from the knowledgeable members on these boards. Good luck!

 

[Her Dotness]

Last week we finally closed on 250 points with 3 separate contracts of 150, 50, and 50.

This is an excellent idea for buying direct as the 150 satisfies the required minimum, and all these sizes should go well on the resale market if you'd need to sell in future.

As long as you're buying the required minimum direct, you can then add smaller contracts.

You cannot, though, split the 150 into smaller blocs. To satisfy the minimum, it must be a bloc of 150 points.

 

[hglenn]

This is an excellent idea for buying direct as the 150 satisfies the required minimum, and all these sizes should go well on the resale market if you'd need to sell in future.

As long as you're buying the required minimum direct, you can then add smaller contracts.

You cannot, though, split the 150 into smaller blocs. To satisfy the minimum, it must be a bloc of 150 points.

You can also add smaller direct contracts even if you don't buy direct, right? And even if you don't have 150 pts? Like, I can buy a 50 pointer direct if I already have a 50 pointer resale? I just won't have blue card perks?

 

[Ashlotte]

Your comments did make me think of a different option. We have talked that we would likely add someplace else via resale sometime down the road.

Instead it might make sense for our first purchase to be via resale and do DLT when it is available as our second home resort?!?!

This is my strategy. We are buying Aulani resale now, and may add on DLT direct later. I like that once I am an owner, I won't have to buy 150 at DLT, but could have a smaller contract.