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

[MicheyMouse]

Future resorts - not a big deal now since I don't need to stay at RIV or CFW but could see this being important in the future.

Especially in 2042 when resale would be left with what, 7 resorts to choose from if you wanted to stay in WDW, assuming the contract goes beyond that?

 

[squeezeplay101]

For us, it's been the Sorcerer's pass and restriction free on DVC resorts.

 

[RMDVC24]

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

Thank god! We haven't been to a park since becoming DVC (resale) and if we didn't get the 'Welcome Home' we may have went straight to a DVC kiosk and added 150 points

 

[VGCgroupie]

1) Bought Riviera direct because it's where we wanted to be.
2) Wanted unrestricted points for future resorts and to pass to our kids
3) AP
4) Discount
5) Not a perk, but it's still a shocking surprise how easily those direct points load in your dashboard when you buy direct. I am so impatient, that's probably what helps suck me back down the direct rabbit hole.

Now we have "enough" direct points, and I would like to think we could add on resale at CC, but something tells me direct LSL may win out. I'll have to see what it looks like with incentives.

I also like the idea of VDH direct as a base of operations on the West Coast en route to Aulani, but I need to stay there first to decide. I think it could be an awesome SAP+, but I'm not plunking down 20k sight unseen when we've never been out there. So VDH having resale restrictions and so niche, that would be direct for us at this point so we could use it at WDW as part of our larger pool of direct points.

This part of it is so great, no stress no dealing with seller and title companies and delays. You say yes sign and bam points!

 

[Girlstar30]

Closing costs vary by the total purchase price. There are fixed costs (i.e. document prep fee) and then the parts that change based on how many points you buy and the value of the overall contract (i.e. insurance).

This is PVB as an example on the DVC website:

100 points = $694.63
View attachment 973247


200 points = $1,103.68
View attachment 973248


300 points = $1,508.85
View attachment 973249


If you were to purchase three separate 100 point contracts you're paying $2,083.89. If you were to purchase one 300 point contract you're paying $1,508.85. The doc prep fee is $250 so that additional $500 is most of the difference.

Thanks I forgot they show it online!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Has anyone ever done the math for how much it would cost to rent/pay cash for their expected stays outside their home resort over the course of their contract? For anyone buying resale today, there are restrictions on using the points at one or more of the other resorts. Many people have mentioned “using my points anywhere” (including me) as a motivation for buying direct (particularly at Riviera). But I have to admit I haven’t done the math on that “benefit” of direct.

I have not since now that I am DVC I likely would never stay on cash. But I do have spreadsheets to track all my stays and keep all contracts separately so I know when I break even on specific contracts. My direct spreadsheet gets subtractions based off things I save money on for being direct.

 

[intamin]

I have not since now that I am DVC I likely would never stay on cash. But I do have spreadsheets to track all my stays and keep all contracts separately so I know when I break even on specific contracts. My direct spreadsheet gets subtractions based off things I save money on for being direct.

That's a smart way of doing it, I kind of wish I had done it that way instead of putting all of the contracts together in one spreadsheet.

My spreadsheet isn't perfect but it should give me a least an estimate of when we've broken even as a whole.

 

[VGCgroupie]

That's a smart way of doing it, I kind of wish I had done it that way instead of putting all of the contracts together in one spreadsheet.

My spreadsheet isn't perfect but it should give me a least an estimate of when we've broken even as a whole.

I love seeing the numbers go down. My husband make the spreadsheets and I just messaged him that I need him to add a % to it so I can see in that form too. One of my contracts is at around 70% paid for itself already... the satisfaction!

 

[intamin]

I love seeing the numbers go down. My husband make the spreadsheets and I just messaged him that I need him to add a % to it so I can see in that form too. One of my contracts is at around 70% paid for itself already... the satisfaction!

Yeahhh it's really nice. I track every single one of my trips. We only became members a few years ago now but I know after our trips to Aulani and Vero later this year I'll have spent 2075 points thus far.

Where it gets hazy is when I use points from multiple resorts on a single reservation. The best solution I've come up with was just to do it based on how many points came from each contract and then divide the rack rate accordingly between the points. Then you add in borrowing where we don't know how much the dues of the future points are going to cost so I just assume a 5% increase for the next year at least until the real values are released in December.

 

[EPCOT Terran]

I have not since now that I am DVC I likely would never stay on cash. But I do have spreadsheets to track all my stays and keep all contracts separately so I know when I break even on specific contracts. My direct spreadsheet gets subtractions based off things I save money on for being direct.

If I had bought Riviera resale, I would not be able to stay at BCV, BWV, OKW, SSR, etc. on points and would have to stay on cash if I was going to stay at one of the other resorts. So, a similar thought about why buy DVC at all (save on future cash stays) but calibrated more toward direct vs resale, if that make sense.

 

[VGCgroupie]

If I had bought Riviera resale, I would not be able to stay at BCV, BWV, OKW, SSR, etc. on points and would have to stay on cash if I was going to stay at one of the other resorts. So, a similar thought about why buy DVC at all (save on future cash stays) but calibrated more toward direct vs resale, if that make sense.

Yeah that makes sense

Yeahhh it's really nice. I track every single one of my trips. We only became members a few years ago now but I know after our trips to Aulani and Vero later this year I'll have spent 2075 points thus far.

Where it gets hazy is when I use points from multiple resorts on a single reservation. The best solution I've come up with was just to do it based on how many points came from each contract and then divide the rack rate accordingly between the points. Then you add in borrowing where we don't know how much the dues of the future points are going to cost so I just assume a 5% increase for the next year at least until the real values are released in December.

yes the multiple contracts makes things harder. I have so many the way you do it I think makes sense.

 

[BrianLo]

Number one is being able to stay outside of the O14. I doubt I’d own anything direct otherwise.

I have benefited from some of the discounts on merch, dining, a Sorcerers Pass, and Halloween ticket. Been to one moonlight magic (missed out on one), gotten some free booze on DCL and flaunted my shiny bracelets.

I don’t know if those “savings” will ever equivocate. But being able to stay at Disneyland during biannual D23 conventions reliably, is my massive savings. I’m ahead despite that resorts questionable value metrics because of the duo studios.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

For the 20% merch discount, just show your membership ID with the Y? Also which stores give the 20% discount?

 

[intamin]

For the 20% merch discount, just show your membership ID with the Y? Also which stores give the 20% discount?

Pretty much any store in any of the parks. The Disney branded stores like world of Disney in Disney Springs will also give it to you. Some of the non Disney stores at DS will also give you a discount for being DVC but sometimes it's like 10 percent.

 

[Ruttangel]

For the 20% merch discount, just show your membership ID with the Y? Also which stores give the 20% discount?

Joffreys and Karamel Kuche too!

 

[muppets3d]

The biggest for me are the ability to buy the Sorcerer pass, the access to lounges, and Moonlight magic.

When I bought the AP sales were still suspended obviously so that didn't figure in to our purchase, but it's been great since.

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

"Its nice to be official but have a serious think if it’s worth it"
In fact it is extremely difficult to calculate the financial worth. To justify direct purchase requires other motivating criteria because financial value just does not compute.

I think that’s the whole point of this thread…everyone is pointing out their non-financially motivated reasons for justifying direct purchases outside of financial value because everyone agrees that doesn’t compare to resale…and yet plenty of people have found value in direct purchases regardless.

 

[Disney.dad]

/ ⑧mane

1) Bought Riviera direct because it's where we wanted to be.
2) Wanted unrestricted points for future resorts and to pass to our kids
3) AP
4) Discount
5) Not a perk, but it's still a shocking surprise how easily those direct points load in your dashboard when you buy direct. I am so impatient, that's probably what helps suck me back down the direct rabbit hole.

Now we have "enough" direct points, and I would like to think we could add on resale at CC, but something tells me direct LSL may win out. I'll have to see what it looks like with incentives.

I also like the idea of VDH direct as a base of operations on the West Coast en route to , but I need to stay there first to decide. I think it could be an awesome SAP+, but I'm not plunking down 20k sight unseen when we've never been out there. So VDH having resale restrictions and so niche, that would be direct for us at this point so we could use it at WDW as part of our larger pool of direct points.

VDH is great. We bought 306 pts there to be able to have a weeks worth of points in a 1 bedroom in summer on our way to Aulani and as a bucket of direct points to use at future resorts. We already own plenty of resale RIV so that one wasn’t a concern. We have done a studio and a 1 bedroom and both have been great. We were not a fan of Goofy’s Kitchen at all but the pools are wonderful and my kids favorite resort pool.

 

[MicheyMouse]

Did anyone close their Direct sale at WDW? I'm considering setting up the entire purchase with my guide, then just closing while there on a cash stay if that is possible.

It would potentially let us apply our ticket price towards at least one Sorceror Pass.

 

[Girlstar30]

Out of curiosity, how much is a sorcerer pass in points for direct members and does Disney let you pay monthly if you choose cash?

Did anyone close their Direct sale at WDW? I'm considering setting up the entire purchase with my guide, then just closing while there on a cash stay if that is possible.

It would potentially let us apply our ticket price towards at least one Sorceror Pass.