GCV Direct or Resale?

[Tatebeck]

It's so hard to consider buying anything else now after our deal on RIV direct last year! The price per point seems crazy I'm glad we went with the higher number we had considered, and regret that we couldn't spend even more then haha! Good luck in whatever you decide!

Yep, with the prices and "deals" we have seen recently I am glad I bumped my purchase up to 300 points at RIV instead of just 150-250 last year as well. The last 50 points were very "cheap" to add on comparatively

ETA: I just looked back, the last 50 were effectively $148 per point

 

[AstroBlasters]

Sure, VDH *can* waitlist at VGC but how often does it actually clear?

I would never never use my VGC points (whether direct or resale) at VDH, so the ability to waitlist there doesn't really matter to moi.

This is where I land-- except I believe the OP already has a decent number of direct at WDW? If you don't own direct anywhere yet, the gap between VGC direct and resale might be the narrowest of anywhere currently on sale direct for small contracts?

I owned 350 direct (split between AUL and VGF) when I finally bought 125 resale at VGC-- I might have bought direct if 80-120 had been offered to me before buying resale (and I'd consider adding 25-50 direct if they ever decide to sell my UY again... I kept being offered Feb and then when this month turned over Jun, eyeroll). I will never use more than a handful of my VGC points offsite unless I seriously screw something up (which is possible!) but I know I can use them at places I like better at WDW and AUL if it comes to that. I do think eventually there will be a new DVC property in DLR that I want to try, but I can use the large number of direct points to try it and if it is (somehow) better than VGC, I'll just buy a contract there in the future.

Oh, one other to think about--VGC's point chart is not that forgiving, so 75 points a year is never going to get you much more than 3 nights in a studio (and many times less!)-- so it's one thing to say a "5k" difference and another to think about whether it's 3 nights a year and change or enough for 5... if you're the kind of person who wants to visit more than 3 nights a year. I bought 125 figuring it would be enough for 2 nights in a 1 bd villa and 2-3 nights in a studio and am already realizing I need to be very limited on my dates if I want to make that work (or spend more nights in studios).

Counterpoint (caveat)-- the "never stay at VDH" analysis may not make as much sense to the "must stay in Disney bubble" crowd. For example, last night I walked with my two elementary school aged children from the esplanade down HARBOR (gasp!) all the way across Katella (double gasp!) to the Sheraton at 9:40pm, where I had booked a room for $200 (including taxes and fees) last minute, with a dead on view of the fireworks. We actually prefer to stay at the Westin over the Sheraton but it is often 1.5-2x as expensive.

I understand this feels scary and/or ruins the "Disney bubble" for some but if you are not afraid of the mean streets of Anaheim, it's *really* hard to justify buying VGC points at $330 (direct) only to spend them at VDH (where you'll get nailed with the ToT on top of it) and have a longer walk than many offsite hotels, with far less flexibility to book and adjust last minute trips.

I’m not booking a plane flight to stay off property.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I’m not booking a plane flight to stay off property.

Same. It's on property or bust for me.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I’m not booking a plane flight to stay off property.

Same. It's on property or bust for me.

I hadn't thought about it, but it kind of makes sense that people who view it as a whole vacation experience would see it differently than those of us within an easy drive. I prefer to be at VGC (which is why I finally went ahead and bought there, despite the inconvenience of having to plan VGC trips way way out in advance), but aside from VGC as a clear favorite, I'd alternate between DLH/PP/Westin/Sheraton/Springhill/Courtyard based on cost and room category-- I would also stay at the Fairfield due to it's great location, but the husband draws the line there.

As you may have guessed from my hotel selection, we are Marriott lifetime elite, so I usually get great views (arguably the best Disney views of anywhere in the U.S. parks is actually at the WDW Dolphin!) and free food.

Anyway, back to OP's conundrum, I can understand why you might want VDH direct if you aren't sure you'll make it out to DL often (and you like RIV and the other restricted resorts at WDW or want options in the future), but if you're committed to being at Disneyland, I think VGC is best and resale makes more sense... assuming you can find a contract that works for you. I would recommend watching availability during the weeks you want to travel before taking the plunge, it can be hard to find studios even at 9 months out during some seasons.

 

[intamin]

I hadn't thought about it, but it kind of makes sense that people who view it as a whole vacation experience would see it differently than those of us within an easy drive. I prefer to be at VGC (which is why I finally went ahead and bought there, despite the inconvenience of having to plan VGC trips way way out in advance), but aside from VGC as a clear favorite, I'd alternate between DLH/PP/Westin/Sheraton/Springhill/Courtyard based on cost and room category-- I would also stay at the Fairfield due to it's great location, but the husband draws the line there.

As you may have guessed from my hotel selection, we are Marriott lifetime elite, so I usually get great views (arguably the best Disney views of anywhere in the U.S. parks is actually at the WDW Dolphin!) and free food.

Anyway, back to OP's conundrum, I can understand why you might want VDH direct if you aren't sure you'll make it out to DL often (and you like RIV and the other restricted resorts at WDW or want options in the future), but if you're committed to being at Disneyland, I think VGC is best and resale makes more sense... assuming you can find a contract that works for you. I would recommend watching availability during the weeks you want to travel before taking the plunge, it can be hard to find studios even at 9 months out during some seasons.

I just wanted to add that even if you're not committed to DL.. VGC resale might make more sense since you'll be able to resell it and take much less of a loss compared to selling off a direct VDH contract and you could potentially pivot down the line to another resort if you decide you don't want to do Disneyland anymore. I think VGC will hold it's value to the bitter end like we're seeing with the crescent lake resorts right now. The dropoff for VDH probably won't be as steep as for like a Riviera but still.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I hadn't thought about it, but it kind of makes sense that people who view it as a whole vacation experience would see it differently than those of us within an easy drive. I prefer to be at VGC (which is why I finally went ahead and bought there, despite the inconvenience of having to plan VGC trips way way out in advance), but aside from VGC as a clear favorite, I'd alternate between DLH/PP/Westin/Sheraton/Springhill/Courtyard based on cost and room category-- I would also stay at the Fairfield due to it's great location, but the husband draws the line there.

As you may have guessed from my hotel selection, we are Marriott lifetime elite, so I usually get great views (arguably the best Disney views of anywhere in the U.S. parks is actually at the WDW Dolphin!) and free food.

Anyway, back to OP's conundrum, I can understand why you might want VDH direct if you aren't sure you'll make it out to DL often (and you like RIV and the other restricted resorts at WDW or want options in the future), but if you're committed to being at Disneyland, I think VGC is best and resale makes more sense... assuming you can find a contract that works for you. I would recommend watching availability during the weeks you want to travel before taking the plunge, it can be hard to find studios even at 9 months out during some seasons.

We’re also a lifetime elite Marriott Family so I completely relate to this (though I have to say our view from the Swan Reserve last summer was our best yet )

While I do very much appreciate being in the Disney bubble, there are times when we travel to WDW, that it really does not make financial sense to use points (ex. $225 nightly rates inclusive of tax/resort fees at Swan in August). So it’s cheap AND it still feels somewhat in the bubble compared to offsite properties in Anaheim - but that opinion is based purely on one trip!

 

[VGCgroupie]

We’re also a lifetime elite Marriott Family so I completely relate to this (though I have to say our view from the Swan Reserve last summer was our best yet )

While I do very much appreciate being in the Disney bubble, there are times when we travel to WDW, that it really does not make financial sense to use points (ex. $225 nightly rates inclusive of tax/resort fees at Swan in August). So it’s cheap AND it still feels somewhat in the bubble compared to offsite properties in Anaheim - but that opinion is based purely on one trip!

I’ve never stayed at Swolphin but even though it’s not Disney owned I very much would consider that still in the Disney bubble, completely different than being outside the bubble in Anaheim.

 

[KPeterso]

I’m not booking a plane flight to stay off property.

Same. It's on property or bust for me.

I hadn't thought about it, but it kind of makes sense that people who view it as a whole vacation experience would see it differently than those of us within an easy drive. I prefer to be at VGC (which is why I finally went ahead and bought there, despite the inconvenience of having to plan VGC trips way way out in advance), but aside from VGC as a clear favorite, I'd alternate between DLH/PP/Westin/Sheraton/Springhill/Courtyard based on cost and room category-- I would also stay at the Fairfield due to it's great location, but the husband draws the line there.

As you may have guessed from my hotel selection, we are Marriott lifetime elite, so I usually get great views (arguably the best Disney views of anywhere in the U.S. parks is actually at the WDW Dolphin!) and free food.

Anyway, back to OP's conundrum, I can understand why you might want VDH direct if you aren't sure you'll make it out to DL often (and you like RIV and the other restricted resorts at WDW or want options in the future), but if you're committed to being at Disneyland, I think VGC is best and resale makes more sense... assuming you can find a contract that works for you. I would recommend watching availability during the weeks you want to travel before taking the plunge, it can be hard to find studios even at 9 months out during some seasons.

I am a Disneyland local. I live about 20 minutes away. If I am doing a Disneyland staycation, it is on property. Otherwise, I would rather drive home and sleep in my own bed. I do 2-4 staycations on Disneyland property each year and actually own at both VGC and VDH. I honestly love them for different reasons and use them for different staycations.