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

[EPCOT Terran]

1) I bought direct RIV and didn't want to be tied to only RIV. In fact, I'm heading down in September and decided to extend a day and picked up a room at OKW.
2) Out-of-state Sorcerer's Pass
3) Moonlight Magic (somewhat rare when my trip overlaps but it's nice when it does)

In the future, unless there's an incredible fire sale, I'll most likely buy resale if (when?) I get more points.

 

[tx911]

Well, heck, if I knew that....

If they stopped doing this for resale owners direct sales would go to the moon!

 

[sethschroeder]

AP - as the discounts on the AP added up to paying the difference in buying a resale instead

Everything else is nice but the AP was the one that is really worthwhile.

 

[intamin]

We were resale only before becoming direct owners during the VGF fire sale. We immediately got Sorcerer passes and have upped our visits to 2-3x per year (used to do just 1 annual trip) which has definitely fueled addonitis -- it can be a bit of a slippery slope to a full blown addiction so proceed with caution.

Slippery slope or amazing waterslide?

I also love this, but I get it too as a resale member (and yes, I was happy I did!).

Somehow I now feel cheated kidding kidding ish

oh yeah well.. you'll never have access to the shiny wristbands at Aulani so HA!

In all seriousness I don't know which perk is more useless

 

[intamin]

Deleted

 

[Girlstar30]

Those moonlight magic events, if sold thru Disney would be $189 a pop per person for sure and then you get free treats too, if I was direct and doing a spreadsheet I would factor that in, Disney fans would def be paying for that

 

[byurick]

Not sure we'll ever get there but I am slowing working towards 150 direct. 25 point contracts via the Disney Visa, pay it off in six months, then rinse and repeat. On contract 2 now so only 4 more to go then I'll let you know haha

I've considered this strategy as well I just need to learn to be patient.

 

[Ruttangel]

I never saw any point in buying direct until buying VGF for $160’s in 2023, probably worth similar now, buying RIV and seeing an instant 50% loss is a tough one though

I’ve used the following perks and here are some honest reviews

• Moonlight Magic at DHS, so excited for this but no DVC merchandise, strange entertainment (crazy DJ) and very long queues for rare characters, eg 55 mins for Jawas. I just felt no one was a crazy DVC fan like us, still had a good time but felt a bit flat afterwards
• Lounge access, great the first year, last summer Epcot closed theirs and no alternate offered, Disney Springs one was nice but it’s in Disney Springs and I usually avoid that. I can’t buy MMB so will have to watch lots of guests queue jump me this summer
• Discounts have been good but comparable with AP/Visa but nice to see 40% off some restaurants in the summer, I just booked Tiffins which I’ve never been to, seems rude not to with that discount

Its nice to be official but have a serious think if it’s worth it, I don’t need AP’s so maybe that helps some but dont overvalue direct perks!

 

[sethschroeder]

Those moonlight magic events, if sold thru Disney would be $189 a pop per person for sure and then you get free treats too, if I was direct and doing a spreadsheet I would factor that in, Disney fans would def be paying for that

Difference is the $189/person option is likely available during your stay and you pretty much are guaranteed to get tickets if you want them. With MM its unlikely to happen during your stay, you are maybe 50/50 on if you get tickets, and you really need to be willing to schedule your trip around the announcement of when the event is going to be.

Additionally MM rotates between parks. So its not like every month there is a MM in MK or HS and instead you might visit when its a water park MM.

 

[sethschroeder]

I never saw any point in buying direct until buying VGF for $160’s in 2023, probably worth similar now, buying RIV and seeing an instant 50% loss is a tough one though

Bought RIV direct for $155/point and seems its value is around $120/point. Not to bad for being the only Epcot resort that doesn't expire before retirement.

 

[Brian Noble]

Those moonlight magic events, if sold thru Disney would be $189 a pop per person for sure and then you get free treats too, if I was direct and doing a spreadsheet I would factor that in

It is worth $189, but the chance of getting one is small(ish), so the expected value is probably quite a bit less.

buying RIV and seeing an instant 50% loss is a tough one though

You only lose the money if you sell!

seems its value is around $120/point

I think it has dropped a bit more recently. Current asking prices are now often in the teens.

 

[Ruttangel]

Bought RIV direct for $155/point and seems its value is around $120/point. Not to bad for being the only Epcot resort that doesn't expire before retirement.

You’d need a Delorean to get that price now and that was at 300 points not 150

 

[Orbiter_Fan]

We joined last summer...almost at our 1 year anniversary, ha. I'd say (1) ability to stay at other resorts and (2) for us, we purchased a FW, so we don't have to worry about planning anything through 2070, unless we want to deviate from our FW.

 

[jason423]

Main benefit is the annual pass. The lounge access is fine and the discounts are ok but the only real financial benefit is that pass access if you have a family that goes often enough. Otherwise I am not really sure what the main selling point is for anyone to buy direct without some wild incentives.

 

[Girlstar30]

This thread is helping me a lot too and has really solidified my opinion that only a good incentivized sale can really justify this direct purchase in my situation, but at the same time not really because who wants to be blocked out of the future resorts.

I think that one 150 point contract is necessary to really get the full experience.

As far as losing 50% of your money after buying Riv, I have been considering going for poly just because of that, albeit it probably not being my preference (we will see) but then I thought splitting a 150 point contract to 50/50/50 or 75/75 can really be a lucrative for when the resort sells out and a direct owner is looking to supplement their points without committing to a huge restricted contract.

Does anyone know how much these small riv contracts are selling for? I never see them they're probably gone pretty fast if available. A restricted contract at a small resort at Riv will probably be more valuable than me waiting for a big resort like LSL that may take a while to sell out if the need arises to sell. Anyways sorry to hijack the thread, but its really got me thinking about my next move

 

[cruisehopeful]

Not sure we'll ever get there but I am slowing working towards 150 direct. 25 point contracts via the Disney Visa, pay it off in six months, then rinse and repeat. On contract 2 now so only 4 more to go then I'll let you know haha

I had the same plan. I was going to keep buying 25 point contracts and pay off with the Disney credit card until I had enough points. It's definitely a unique way to get there. I ended up going a different route, but it's something I will consider again if I start needing more points regularly.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Those moonlight magic events, if sold thru Disney would be $189 a pop per person for sure and then you get free treats too, if I was direct and doing a spreadsheet I would factor that in, Disney fans would def be paying for that

100% in my spreadsheet! (direct) My free parking is too! (resale) Even my resale gets a spreadsheet

 

[Girlstar30]

I had the same plan. I was going to keep buying 25 point contracts and pay off with the Disney credit card until I had enough points. It's definitely a unique way to get there. I ended up going a different route, but it's something I will consider again if I start needing more points regularly.

My only issue with this is, dont you have to pay closing costs every time? This could be a viable option for me if there's a firesale before im comfortable with the price of a full 150

 

[VGCgroupie]

My only issue with this is, dont you have to pay closing costs every time? This could be a viable option for me if there's a firesale before im comfortable with the price of a full 150

Yes you do which can really add up. But in the end it can be way less than paying interest

 

[CVG]

The math will change all the time, but when I last looked it would have cost me an extra $15,000 going direct over resale. Only you will know how many trips and how many of those benefits you might rack up, but for me (UK - planning on 5-10 trips only) it never made financial sense to buy direct.