First time DVC Purchase - UK Based

[disney_lover_UK]

We are planning on making our first DVC Purchase on our next trip in April to WDW and are looking at Animal Kingdom which i believe is $188 per point direct!

We really want the full Disney treatment (e.g. the blue card/ discounts and parties) but for our budget we know you can get a lot more points through resale!

Really struggling on how to weigh up the pros and cons of direct Vs resale!

 

[RoseGold]

Some people value a blue card, but from what you've posted, I don't see how it's useful in your situation.

The parties are very hard to get into, even for locals. I doubt that would be much use for a UK person. I'd rather have the UK specific tickets than the AP. Those 15 or 21 day tickets are WAY cheaper than the AP anyway. If that's how you travel, I'd stick to that.

You can get the dining discount with the TiW card (often better than blue card), so that's $150.

There are a few other current blue card perks, like discounts on massages and the shopping discount (edit: and golf! Maybe you golf a lot at disney?), or maybe the odd dining that accepts DVC and not TiW, and some stuff like renting out boats and scooters and stuff. You'd really have to really be shopping a lot to get that to be worth thousands - and those perks can change at any time.

The rest of the Disney treatment you get with blue or white card. But if you want service, I'd stay cash, not DVC.

 

[Noodlez]

How many points do you need? If you really want the ‘blue card feeling’ are you able to purchase 100 direct and the rest resale or is it not a big enough purchase?

Buying direct is very unlikely to be worth it for the discounts (and you could probably just pay for after hours events with the money saved) but I understand that feeling of wanting to be part of it. I’m from the UK and we have both direct and resale points ourselves. Just make sure you’re fully aware of how little you’re gaining.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Party dates can be hard to flex around, even domestically.

Frankly, even as a blue card you won't get extra service level or fussing. It's a timeshare, and, once you own it, you're captive money for the Mouse. They tend to do more taking away than giving, such as how they've cut off two nights of Top of the World Lounge. The Epcot Lounge is almost certainly going to be a construction casualty in the next few years, and they've never even tried/hinted at a lounge in another park. DVD rentals? Well, okay.

 

[pinklotusflower]

Being from the UK we find the UK 14 day tickets more cost effective than the annual pass & buy them instead. you do get a discount on some purchases & dining but the amount you save on resale will more than make up for that. We've been to a couple of DVC events which we enjoyed but it was only by chance there was one when we were going & this year there isn't one when we go so very hit & miss. When they announce the dates the room availability goes very quick. Definitely look at resale as you'll get a lot more points for your money, which will give you longer trips.

 

[disney_lover_UK]

Thanks all for the replies! Still lots of research to be done, but for the first time in this process I think we might be swaying towards resale!

In terms of the contract itself, through presale, do Disney/ the broker update the contract specifically for us along with usual access to the reservation system just like you would get through direct? Can you link to MDE as normal?

Might sound like silly questions but really dont understand the full process!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

In terms of the contract itself, through presale, do Disney/ the broker update the contract specifically for us along with usual access to the reservation system just like you would get through direct? Can you link to MDE as normal?

The contract is put in your name through the purchase and closing processes. You get full online booking access. You own the real estate.

 

[disney_lover_UK]

For anyone that has purchased the smallest amount allowed direct (to get the perks) and the larger amount at resale, would you repeat that now if you was a first time buyer and had to purchase the 100 minimum? (we would not make use of the annual pass discount)

Thanks all really appreciate it!

 

[RoseGold]

For anyone that has purchased the smallest amount allowed direct (to get the perks) and the larger amount at resale, would you repeat that now if you was a first time buyer and had to purchase the 100 minimum? (we would not make use of the annual pass discount)

Thanks all really appreciate it!

If you aren't using APs, I have a hard time coming up with math that justifies a blue card. (golfing every day? buying the most expensive items in all disney shops?) Is a blue card worth it to you?

If the blue card doesn't matter, I'm not sure why you would buy direct at all, unless you really want to stay at RIV. RIV has zero appeal to me, for full disclosure.

Maybe I could be persuaded by the future California property.

The original resorts resale have plenty of flexibility and life left in them, even with resale restrictions.

 

[disney_lover_UK]

If you aren't using APs, I have a hard time coming up with math that justifies a blue card. (golfing every day? buying the most expensive items in all disney shops?) Is a blue card worth it to you?

If the blue card doesn't matter, I'm not sure why you would buy direct at all, unless you really want to stay at RIV. RIV has zero appeal to me, for full disclosure.

Maybe I could be persuaded by the future California property.

The original resorts resale have plenty of flexibility and life left in them, even with resale restrictions.

Thank you for your input/ honesty! Really love the openness on these threads!

I think as UK visitors that aim for a 10 night/ 2 week trip once every other year, Resale has a larger appeal too us! We are over in April this year for a trip so going to take a look around Animal Kingdom and Polynesian as these are the two resorts we are leaning towards!

 

[Noodlez]

For anyone that has purchased the smallest amount allowed direct (to get the perks) and the larger amount at resale, would you repeat that now if you was a first time buyer and had to purchase the 100 minimum? (we would not make use of the annual pass discount)

Thanks all really appreciate it!

We purchased a small amount direct and the larger amount resale and are completely happy with the decision, but I can’t say it was ‘to get the perks’. I love being a blue card holder, but we are unlikely to ever buy enough annual passes to make the difference worthwhile.

It’s a hard thing to describe, but we decided that we were happy to spend the extra money to be direct owners. We didn’t do it thinking that it would be cost efficient. It was just a personal thing.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Honestly, I think the novelty of fussing over DVC members ended sometime after they stopped giving away free park tix with purchase (we missed it by a year or two as we bought in 1996). I'd go for the savings and buy resale - just get over the white card/blue card thing... Remember when having a "gold" credit card was a big deal and you PAID for it? Same concept... You can always buy 100 direct add on later on if you really have to have it. Buy a boatload of points with the extra cash and your family will love you even more