Hard time deciding how many points we truly need.

[Wedgeout]

I still feel like the cheaper upfront cost of VDH is probably a wash when you add up TOT costs.

But you don’t needs to add up any TOT costs. That’s paid only when you play at the Disneyland Hotel. Those taxes exist already with any Anaheim lodging & most likely still cheaper outcome then cash stays.

You don’t pay a yearly TOT. Stay somewhere else, you pay their fees. Most $0 with a little to Hawaii on those stays.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah, the TOT is a big negative and it’s unfortunate that they had to build that into it. Still there’s a lot of positives for you. I wouldn’t worry about your age. That’s a problem for another day.

Yeah....future me has a lot of problems waiting for her though.

But you don’t needs to add up any TOT costs. That’s paid only when you play at the Disneyland Hotel. Those taxes exist already with any Anaheim lodging & most likely still cheaper outcome then cash stays.

You don’t pay a yearly TOT. Stay somewhere else, you pay their fees. Most $0 with a little to Hawaii on those stays.

Well, if we buy at VDH, our points would mostly be used there. At least until 2042 when our BRV expires. After that, maybe we'd use some for WDW. But maybe not since the whole reason we want to add more points is so that we can get into 1-bedrooms for Disneyland trips.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I just did the math for a 6 night stay in June 2027 at VDH in a 1-bedroom.

TOT would be $788.31 or $806.64, depending upon which nights.
Not a ton of money, but probably still more than the tax that I'm paying (lumped into my dues) at VGC.

Thankfully, we would be alternating with VGC if we bought VDH so it wouldn't be an every single year/visit charge.

I still think the upfront cost difference between resale VGC and direct VDH would even out over time. Partly due to TOT. And also because if we do VGC, we'd really be looking more for a contract of 100 points instead of 150 at VDH. So less in dues every year.

(And in the end, cost won't be the driving factor for us anyway.)

 

[Wedgeout]

But maybe not since the whole reason we want to add more points is so that we can get into 1-bedrooms for Disneyland trips.

This exactly. VDH is the answer. Don’t worry about the TOT. (If drive like us, the parking fees are non existent so you feel better with the TOT bill). You will have the points for each and every 1 bedroom trip. Use them all at VDH or not. Each year vacation plans may change anyway.

 

[Wedgeout]

Buying resale VGC for Disneyland is similar to buying resale Riviera for WDW. You are stuck at one DVC resort.

 

[atthebeachclub]

You can buy direct VDH and may be able to 7 month or waitlist into VGC but still have a Disneyland booking reserved if wanted, but you can’t do the opposite with resale VGC. And if you decide to just do Disneyworld instead, you can spare some of your BRV points by using VDH instead at 7 months.

 

[ClaraOswald]

This exactly. VDH is the answer. Don’t worry about the TOT. (If drive like us, the parking fees are non existent so you feel better with the TOT bill). You will have the points for each and every 1 bedroom trip. Use them all at VDH or not. Each year vacation plans may change anyway.

That's the trickiest part. Right now, we are basically limited to how often we go during the school year. I only like to pull my son out of school for 5 days for vacation. But once he graduates (2032), who knows what we'll want to do. It's possible we would want to go more often. Or during more expensive times. I really don't want to keep having to buy more points every few years.

We had decided when we purchased BRV, we'd go to WDW 2 years in a row, then a break year. Then repeat that. 2 years on, 1 year off. We are likely to always go in January. So that would be our winter vacation and then we'd do Disneyland in the summer. And then on that "off" WDW year, we'd do a winter DLR trip. That's the cycle we are currently in and we just took our winter DLR trip. So that means there's been a gap between our WDW trips - January 2025 and then January 2027.

Well, tonight, my husband said he wouldn't mind going to WDW every winter with maybe just a one off year here or there with a DLR winter trip. He's missing WDW right now in this long gap. And also, he prefers our flight to Florida (non-stop) over the one with a layover to CA. (We don't do road trips in winter months.)

So I guess now I'll need to take some time to run some point scenarios with doing a WDW trip most winters. This actually would mean possibly less Disneyland than originally planned then. At least until 2032 and beyond.

Being type A is really hard when there are so many unknown variables!

 

[Wedgeout]

Best of luck & hope don’t end up pulling too much hair out…go into it full zen mode.

I’d look at my purchase like insurance. Have points for DLR when I need them. Manage the points like any other. 7 month bookings at WDW & elsewhere, 11 month for VDH.

(Wouldn’t want California resale points, because I’d want to have options for RIV, CFW, & all the other new pop ups in the future..even the next DLR DVC..it will happen).

 

[ClaraOswald]

Well, we do already have VGC resale. So if we went that route, we'd just add more resale with no intent to use it elsewhere.

I won't pull my hair out much. I kind of enjoy running all the difference scenarios even though it may not help me get any closer to a decision. My husband does get bored of listening to it all which is why I come here to talk about it all the time.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Being type A is really hard when there are so many unknown variables!

Are you still thinking it'll be a year or two before you buy? If so, your desires and needs might change by then. It's good to learn as much as you can, but when you are absolutely ready to buy, I'd just buy what makes the most sense for the travel you are doing at the time vs what you believe you'll be doing eventually.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Are you still thinking it'll be a year or two before you buy? If so, your desires and needs might change by then. It's good to learn as much as you can, but when you are absolutely ready to buy, I'd just buy what makes the most sense for the travel you are doing at the time vs what you believe you'll be doing eventually.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Since there's really no real way to know what we'll do eventually. It would just be a bummer to end up with too little points...or too many.

We aren't exactly sure when we will buy. I suppose if the unicorn VGC popped up sometime in 2026, we may consider it, if we could financially swing it with the home projects we have coming up.

Otherwise, who knows....still could do 2026. Or 2027. I don't suspect we'd want to wait too much longer than that but I guess we'll see.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Last night I asked my husband if we could financially swing it right and the perfect 100 VGC contract popped up for around $250-$260 a point....would he choose that or would he choose 150 VDH with incentives.

He surprised me and said VDH! Of course, then he said "don't ask me tomorrow because my answer could change."

I asked what his least favorite things about VDH were and he basically just said the walk could be a little annoying when it's hot. And that he really likes the 'feel' of walking into the Grand California and he doesn't get that same feeling at the Disneyland hotel.

But then he listed several positives to VDH - possibly better parking, being any to use direct points elsewhere down the road, ability to eat our Pizza Port food at the lounge (it was seriously so annoying trying to find seating on this trip!)

 

[VGCgroupie]

I stayed in a duo by myself once and I pretty much hated it. Half the room was a restroom.
When I had room service for breakfast, the person brought it didn't know what to do with it because there was no obvious place to put it and just gave me the tray.

I could only do it again if I was only going to sleep and shower in the room. I do see the appeal of booking one night if I were arriving late.
Maybe the garden studio would be better because of the balcony view. I'm on no hurry to find out.

Yes I cant imagine getting room service in a Duo, it was very hard in a regular studio for us.

I didnt stay in the Dup my daughter did, but I agree the bathroom is way too big nd they should've allocated that to the sleeping space. Also... I could be wrong but her duo without a balcony felt bigger inside than when she had a duo with a balcony.

 

[VGCgroupie]

That's the trickiest part. Right now, we are basically limited to how often we go during the school year. I only like to pull my son out of school for 5 days for vacation. But once he graduates (2032), who knows what we'll want to do. It's possible we would want to go more often. Or during more expensive times. I really don't want to keep having to buy more points every few years.

We had decided when we purchased BRV, we'd go to WDW 2 years in a row, then a break year. Then repeat that. 2 years on, 1 year off. We are likely to always go in January. So that would be our winter vacation and then we'd do Disneyland in the summer. And then on that "off" WDW year, we'd do a winter DLR trip. That's the cycle we are currently in and we just took our winter DLR trip. So that means there's been a gap between our WDW trips - January 2025 and then January 2027.

Well, tonight, my husband said he wouldn't mind going to WDW every winter with maybe just a one off year here or there with a DLR winter trip. He's missing WDW right now in this long gap. And also, he prefers our flight to Florida (non-stop) over the one with a layover to CA. (We don't do road trips in winter months.)

So I guess now I'll need to take some time to run some point scenarios with doing a WDW trip most winters. This actually would mean possibly less Disneyland than originally planned then. At least until 2032 and beyond.

Being type A is really hard when there are so many unknown variables!

All the more reason VDH makes more sense. Feelings and things change over time. Using very expensive VGC points at WDW is a tough one to swallow. You have even more booking options at WDW when you have unrestricted points to stay there.

TBH when looking at the financials of things, if money is factor, which it seems like it is, I really cant justify recommending VGC to anyone.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Last night I asked my husband if we could financially swing it right and the perfect 100 VGC contract popped up for around $250-$260 a point....would he choose that or would he choose 150 VDH with incentives.

He surprised me and said VDH! Of course, then he said "don't ask me tomorrow because my answer could change."

I asked what his least favorite things about VDH were and he basically just said the walk could be a little annoying when it's hot. And that he really likes the 'feel' of walking into the Grand California and he doesn't get that same feeling at the Disneyland hotel.

But then he listed several positives to VDH - possibly better parking, being any to use direct points elsewhere down the road, ability to eat our Pizza Port food at the lounge (it was seriously so annoying trying to find seating on this trip!)

Yeah I totally get the "feel" aspect of it in regards to VDH vs VGC.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Just want to say last night I told my husband last night right before bed we might be selling our VGC. I know my situation is different than yours, but it's not something I ever thought Id consider being that I love it so much. My reasoning is I was looking at availability and it appeared that a room I need was already being walked about 2 weeks out (not a studio). I said if I dont get the reservation I need at 11 months we will be selling. When I woke up the room was available again so not sure what happened there, the VGC gods heard me I guess But I still standby my statement, if I cant get it at 11 months I am done. My bank account will be 35k richer (until I sink it into another DVC resort)

 

[Wedgeout]

He surprised me and said VDH! Of course, then he said "don't ask me tomorrow because my answer could change."

Go Go Go…Merry Christmas Time! But buy when it’s an advantage to your UY. (Getting prior year points). That would be in January for all the UY’s. (otherwise up to a month before your UY year in 2026).

Don’t cookie cut the contract to 150. Be fun like: get 155. The 1st Walt Disney Park, opening in 1955!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Go Go Go…Merry Christmas Time! But buy when it’s an advantage to your UY. (Getting prior year points). That would be in January for all the UY’s. (otherwise up to a month before your UY year in 2026).

Don’t cookie cut the contract to 150. Be fun like: get 155. The 1st Walt Disney Park, opening in 1955!

ooff my deal hunter inside me thinking about not getting any incentive that extra 5 points

 

[Wedgeout]

ooff my deal hunter inside me thinking about not getting any incentive that extra 5 points

No incentive for me . Was already a direct qualified member. Plus didn’t have the full cash right away, not really knowing 5 months later we would add to VDH.

So first VDH contract at release. Was 67 points. For the release year of Jungle Book & those Duo’s! Then the second contract is 88 points. For the year the Disneyland Hotel transferred to Disney ownership. Turned out my total is 155 at VDH. (Not all are twisted thinkers like me).

 

[VGCgroupie]

No incentive for me . Was already a direct qualified member. Plus didn’t have the full cash right away, not really knowing 5 months later we would add to VDH.

So first VDH contract at release. Was 67 points. For the release year of Jungle Book & those Duo’s! Then the second contract is 88 points. For the year the Disneyland Hotel transferred to Disney ownership. Turned out my total is 155 at VDH. (Not all are twisted thinkers like me).

Mine are split into odd numbers. Originally was buying 200 but modified to add 100 more before my 90 payment was up so it still all fell under the same incentive.

My resales though have many odd numbered contracts. It's funny to see how some people buy in odd numbers.