Have Decided to Purchase, But Still Seeking Some Advice.

[ToddyLu]

Dh and I purchased our 210 points directly from Disney after the bubble in June 2009. We financed for 10 years at 10.75% and I believe at that time they were offering a referral discount so our points were $93. So we have til 2019 to pay it off owing around $7000 ( principle) still to date. Do I recommend doing it this way....heck no...but at the time it worked for us. We could get a second mortgage I think at 8% to pay for it if I remember. But that seemed difficult and the ease of getting it through Disney kinda sealed the deal. We went into the loan with eyes wide open knowing that for DH and I there would be no other "vacation" spots. I have been very good about learning DVC and when I tell you I lament for hours using every single point....I truly do. This Timeshare is expensive and we have enjoyed it so much. When I was looking I did not know about resale...so of course it would be great to go back and re-do that aspect.

What you will find as you read through these threads is that you are always learning about a DVC nuance. Once you think you got it take another month and re-read. Passporter put out a very good guide describing the program several years ago as an e-book, which helped me too. If possible I would buy 3-100 point contracts. that way if you decide to sale you can break them up easier for re-sale. Also if you have children breaking them up for them might be a good thing. DH and I do not have children. While I know the children loved AKL I would take the next trip to really tour all the resorts. Luckily we picked the perfect one and it is wonderful that you have stayed there before. I would take the time to look at all the resorts because in a few years the twins might not travel with you and it needs to be the place you enjoy. I can't tell you how much DVC changes your trips...it just does...you stop going commando and enjoy the resort amenities. So while the children love the animals, you and your SO might enjoy the evening stroll around the Boardwalk as they get older, etc.

DH and I did not care for BLT at all. We stayed one night and are happy we purchased at AKL. It was a beautiful resort but the thought of purchasing the wrong one until 2054 or so would be excruciating. Of course you could sale it and purchase where you wanted but you should do that now....not purchase any resort sight unseen. We were so very lucky having never stepped foot on AK property...I would not recommend that to anyone knowing how important the resort eventually becomes.

Look forward to saying " Welcome Home"

 

[ToddyLu]

I remember looking into using points to book an ABD trip and it was 400 points per person for one week....um....no. A hotel near Biltmore was like in the 70s per night. 3 night cruise was about 130 per person....so no those are not good uses of my points....will stay on site twice a year in a vlue studio for 9 nights...with direct points I have these options....aint gonna happen.

 

[Dean]

Disney has taken away "benefits" before, but I am pretty sure that it was not retroactive. Meaning that if you had purchased resale before the date they implemented the new policy it did not apply to you. Plus what they took away was a very very poor use of points. You could book a hotel room at the Poly for 55 points in July or a DVC room at the Poly for 27 points. They should actually do the "buy direct" people a favor and take them away from them also, in my opinion.

Also, Disney has a very vested interest in keeping resale prices high. Imagine if they took away the ability to book other DVC resorts from the second hand market. It would make the resale price plummet. That hurts Disney also. Now they can tell people that all that members who bought the original OKW can sell their contracts for more than they bought if for because DVC holds it value. It's like the used car market. GM does not make any money when you buy a used truck, but they sure don't want a 2 year old truck that you paid $35000 to be worth $2000. Who would buy the new truck.

It wasn't retroactive but future changes could be and likely would be. They will not want to create multiple different groups and there's no legal or contractual reason they'd have to grandfather those potentially affected. Also, Disney really doesn't care about resale prices per se, what they care about is directing potential buyers to retail. There are other ways to do so even with a dramatic difference between retail and resale prices that would include further differentiating the 2 classes.

As I read it DVC cannot legally restrict a resale buyer to home resort only OR create a limitation on the booking windows between resale/retail. What they MIGHT be able to do would be create a VIP program that would include other benefits and restrict that to qualified buyers.

 

[jmmess]

It may be above, but you would likely be grandfathered in for any future changes they would make. This happened in March 2011 when they changed the rules, any prior owners - direct or resale were not impacted.

 

[jmmess]

It wasn't retroactive but future changes could be and likely would be. They will not want to create multiple different groups and there's no legal or contractual reason they'd have to grandfather those potentially affected. Also, Disney really doesn't care about resale prices per se, what they care about is directing potential buyers to retail. There are other ways to do so even with a dramatic difference between retail and resale prices that would include further differentiating the 2 classes.

As I read it DVC cannot legally restrict a resale buyer to home resort only OR create a limitation on the booking windows between resale/retail. What they MIGHT be able to do would be create a VIP program that would include other benefits and restrict that to qualified buyers.

Just found it, but I'm on the doubter side that they would make the changes retroactive. This would cause a big uproar, IMO.

 

[Dean]

Just found it, but I'm on the doubter side that they would make the changes retroactive. This would cause a big uproar, IMO.

I don't think DVD is overly concerned about people being upset in this area and I doubt retroactive changes would cause as much uproar as the initial change. Members have a history of more bark than bite when it comes to complaining anyway. But in reality they can't take away the core components of DVC which should be the main reason people buy in to start with.

 

[jerseyduke]

Looking at this in the simplest way possible:

Even if Disney could take away benefits, AND do so retroactively I do not think they can take away 15,000$ worth of benefits!

Also remember that once you do buy, that is it, you are a DVC member.

Should they decide to take away benefits from resale contracts, say annual pass discounts, as a member, you can buy a 25 point add on at whatever resort is for sale at the time, and get that benefit back. IF it came to that. And, if you are worried about losing that add on benefit, buy 25 less points at AKV resale, get your membership, then add on 25 Direct points. You have a direct from disney contract, the same number of points, and will save about 1200$ less...so like 13.8K vs. 15K


Most people would agree, the benefits that resale contracts are no longer eligible for, actually SAVE the DVC member money!

If I wanted animal kingdom points, I would not even think of buying direct.

Resale just takes more time. Stinks if DIS ROFRs one and you have to start over, but I do not think it is a painful process