For those who bought Direct in the last 4 years, which benefits were worthwhile?

[MicheyMouse]

I want to limit this to new Direct owners in the past 4 years since the extra benefits enjoyed by Direct purchasers have varied considerably over time.

For those who purchased their first Direct contract in the past 4 years, which of the extra benefits have proven in practice to be the most valuable to you personally? A lot sound like nice to have benefits, but I am wondering if that has proven to be the case.

 

[DVCjj]

Definitely have saved money for sure on the 20% off discount for merchandise and even restaurants (some restaurants are 10-15% but still a savings). Occasionally AP is a 30% discount. Without a doubt, we've saved money.

Absolutely have saved money over Room Rack Rates as not always does a Bounce Back or even promos affect a resort you want. Plus rooms are snatched up quickly.

DVC 13 years ago was the best purchase I ever made.
Should have done many years sooner. VERY dumb mistake for my family. Brought up that 'timeshare' was a dirty word. DVC definitely is not.

 

[Girlstar30]

Following, great question

 

[accm]

I'd rate it as:
1 - AP
2 - Moonlight Magic (but only because I'd get the discount through my AP if not offered by DVC)
3 - Discount

 

[intamin]

I want to limit this to new Direct owners in the past 4 years since the extra benefits enjoyed by Direct purchasers have varied considerably over time.

For those who purchased their first Direct contract in the past 4 years, which of the extra benefits have proven in practice to be the most valuable to you personally? A lot sound like nice to have benefits, but I am wondering if that has proven to be the case.

Being able to buy sorcerer passes.

We've been very fortunate to have been able to go to 2 Moonlight Magics at Hollywood studios and also another at Typhoon Lagoon. A fellow member was extremely kind and let us into the Epcot Moonlight Magic as well so I guess technically us buying direct didnt help us with that one but the other 3 it did.

Lounges have also been beneficial to us. We took multiple of our friends into the lounge and it's such a nice break from the heat.

Is it worth the amount of money extra? Probably not but idk, there's something nice about knowing you won't be excluded from any event and that there is no resort DVC will make that you're excluded from and I really don't regret purchasing direct.

 

[RuntheMouse]

The ability to buy the Sorcerer Pass was a huge factor for us. We started with resale but ended up adding 150 direct to access that. We then were able to attend a Moonlight Magic event which was great and then the Moana 2 preview! So while the AP was the initial reason, we’ve also enjoyed some other benefits as well!

 

[byurick]

For me its the Sorcerers Pass and the ability to use my points at the new resorts.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Everyone has their different things. Mine is simple and most will this is not worth it. For me I adore lounge access.

Buying Sorcerers is nice and saved me quite a bit of money.
DVC discount is nice at certain locations too.
Attending blue membership only activities at Aulani was nice too

Oh and using points wherever I want is probably #2 (yes the lounge is #1 for me )

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Using the points at all resorts - we’ll be at VDH next week on RIV points and there’s maybe a 1% chance I would have stayed on property otherwise (I’m also using MMB and OTUP to stretch those points.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Using the points at all resorts - we’ll be at VDH next week on RIV points and there’s maybe a 1% chance I would have stayed on property otherwise (I’m also using MMB and OTUP to stretch those points.

Go to the lounge in DL. That bathroom is a breathe of fresh cool air

 

[airjay75]

Well, since we bought at RIV because we loved the resort, but also want the ability to try out other resorts, I suppose that is the biggest benefit for direct so far.

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

1) Sorcerer Pass has been fantastic. That adds up for a family of four.
2) Moonlight Magic was a blast.
3) Flexibility on our points for new/future resorts.

We already got the Disney Visa discount, but maybe the DVC discount is better?

We started with resale and then when APs came back just before VGF went on a deep discount it was too tempting to pass up. But of course once we had more points we had more use for the APs, once we had APs we started going even more so we needed more points... around and around we go! It's a delightful but vicious cycle.

 

[VGCgroupie]

1) Sorcerer Pass has been fantastic. That adds up for a family of four.
2) Moonlight Magic was a blast.
3) Flexibility on our points for new/future resorts.

We already got the Disney Visa discount, but maybe the DVC discount is better?

We started with resale and then when APs came back just before VGF went on a deep discount it was too tempting to pass up. But of course once we had more points we had more use for the APs, once we had APs we started going even more so we needed more points... around and around we go! It's a delightful but vicious cycle.

Sometimes it's better on merchandise. Not always though.

Yes vicious cycle... "must go to WDW again to make the best use out of this Sorcerers pass"

 

[cruisehopeful]

Using my points at VDH.
When my Magic Key for DLR expires, I'm sure I will appreciate the discounts. For now, my Magic Key gives me a better discount.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

Ability to purchase the Sorcerer's pass as non-FL residents. Always felt pressure to go to the parks all day long when we purchased individual tickets and it's nice to just go for a few hours at a time.

 

[Cfabar1]

Lounge access
Recognition on DCL Cruises/invitations to member events
Disney Files Magazine
Knowing we can book at CFW, RIV, DLH if we want to

The OTUP MMB+ perk was pretty nice too!

We are FL based so the discounts/AP rates were irrelevant to us. Could maybe be useful down the road, but we prefer larger accommodations and low annual dues, so I think we'd be more likely to do one longer trip and wouldn't make use of the AP as much as the discounted tickets.

We have enough points for direct ownership extras. I do not imagine us purchasing any more direct points ever.

 

[supercarrie]

1) Flexibility to use points at any resort
2) Lounge access - we are frequent DL goers and I have a neurodivergent child. Having a quiet, cool place to decompress with nice restrooms is an absolute gamechanger as far as our trips go.

 

[davidhr]

The best benefit is knowing I can use my points anywhere at 7 months. Half my points are resale and I love the savings, but every time I can’t book something because the points I have available are restricted, it definitely bothers me.

2nd best is the Sorcerers Pass.

I like the other benefits, but none of them would drive me to buy direct.

 

[NewDisneyEnthusiast]

• Sorcerer’s AP
• Eligible for Moonlight Magic
• Access to all DVC and future DVC resorts
• Eligible for the new members extra for the one time use points offer.

 

[tx911]

Lots are worth it to me, mostly what has already been posted.

- Sorcerer's pass
- Fluidity of points. This is huge for me. Being able to combine all of your points for any resort a 7months is incredibly useful. And this will become more important in the future with only restricted resorts coming now.
- 20% mech discount
- Moonlight Magic
- OTUP
- Lounges

All but the second one are available with 150 points only. The second point continues to pay off even more as more direct points are obtained.