Help - ready to buy, but feel like it's "too good to be true"

[avidadventurer]

Guides have been using that one for years also. And where your 30% ROFR number came from is unknown but I'd make a bet it isn't even close.

We did a search that with a company my father uses to track title/deed transactions, it might be a little skewed but not too much

 

[avidadventurer]

But a big consideration is the upfront money. $168 vs $90 IS a potential deal breaker if the two resorts are viewed similarly by the prospective buyer. Your 100 point example would result in a difference of $7800. Yeah Poly term is longer, but coming up with the extra money can be a turn off, especially if the OP is just as happy at AKV.

It is still not saving money, math doesn't lie, save on purchase upfront loose on back end down the road, and restrict your membership, I have thought this long and hard and did the math ( Statistics major) and unless you are staying at one resort and the one you buy your deed out of it makes no sense. Unless you get a new property for under $90 pp

 

[graychef]

It is still not saving money, math doesn't lie, save on purchase upfront loose on back end down the road, and restrict your membership, I have thought this long and hard and did the math ( Statistics major) and unless you are staying at one resort and the one you buy your deed out of it makes no sense. Unless you get a new property for under $90 pp

What if that resort is unavailable direct?

 

[avidadventurer]

Guides have been using that one for years also. And where your 30% ROFR number came from is unknown but I'd make a bet it isn't even close.

And it's good math, unless you have better math than what we learned in Grade school. Simple division and multiplication

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So there's an announcement on the member website about new restrictions on resale. Seems like restrictions on member events and discounts. Of course, they really just started even having member events and they are rarely announced far enough in advance for those who don't live by to take advantage of unless they are already going. So taking away something that more or less just started is, well, ridiculous. The discounts. I haven't found the actual extras acknowledgement yet that might fully outline what that means.

Current members seem to be grandfathered in again.

 

[avidadventurer]

What if that resort is unavailable direct?

I wanted to purchase Grand Floridian and Bay Lake Towers and nothing was available last week, I received a call from DVC and was told they just received a few hundred points in both resorts, just call a guide is your best bet. My guide is very good, a few members on here have him as well and love him.

 

[avidadventurer]

So there's an announcement on the member website about new restrictions on resale. Seems like restrictions on member events and discounts. Of course, they really just started even having member events and they are rarely announced far enough in advance for those who don't live by to take advantage of unless they are already going. So taking away something that more or less just started is, well, ridiculous. The discounts. I haven't found the actual extras acknowledgement yet that might fully outline what that means.

Current members seem to be grandfathered in again.

So I guess I told you so,,,,,,,,,,and it only protects you if you bought before 2011.....

 

[avidadventurer]

So I guess I told you so,,,,,,,,,,and it only protects you if you bought before 2011.....

Just like we were informed, let me know if you need any other info, since I seem to have a good source.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

OP - just an FYI - there still isn't anything of great value being removed. And, as in the past, it seems that owning any qualified points will suffice. You could buy the AKV resale and later add on 25 points direct if you discovered there was anything you absolutely wanted to have. Many DVC discounts line up with AP discounts so even that doesn't have a lot of sting to it.

So I guess I told you so,,,,,,,,,,and it only protects you if you bought before 2011.....

That is incorrect per the letter. Current owners will not be affected.

 

[avidadventurer]

OP - just an FYI - there still isn't anything of great value being removed. And, as in the past, it seems that owning any qualified points will suffice. You could buy the AKV resale and later add on 25 points direct if you discovered there was anything you absolutely wanted to have. Many DVC discounts line up with AP discounts so even that doesn't have a lot of sting to it.



That is incorrect per the letter. Current owners will not be affected.

Ok, remember when I said I heard 3 phases, it may be next not sure, if I hear different I'll update everyone. I see where they are going, they want to generate a little more revenue and build more resorts but if everyone keeps buying resale then DVC will not grow as much as far as new resorts. I want more resorts and less of rental companies renting out one and two nights that take up a whole week that my family could use, that's what pisses me off. These rental companies don't mind renting out a night or two of points because they are doing a lot of volume but in the end it hurts members for reservations

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

To OP, here is the notification we received, I've pasted it below. Looks like exclusive Member experiences and discounts may be restricted for resale (although anyone who has already purchased retains the perk). These perks are probably not worth $8000 to me, but of course everyone is different.

___________________________________________________

Dear Disney Vacation Club Member,

Our goal at Disney Vacation Club has always been to create magical experiences for you and your families – experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else but Disney.

As our Member community continues to grow, we want to make sure we can continue to deliver the Membership Extras that add value to your overall experience – offerings that are provided as a premium advantage to our Members who purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club.

With that in mind, please be aware of a policy change regarding the availability of Membership Extras to our membership. As previously communicated (effective March 21, 2011), Getaways included within the Disney Collection (e.g., Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney) and the Concierge Collection, which are now part of Membership Extras, have not been available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Club. Now, effective April 4, 2016, Members who do not purchase their ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Club will not have access to other Membership Extras, such as exclusive Member experiences and discounts. Please know that as a current Disney Vacation Club Member (regardless of when or where you bought your membership), your access to Disney Differences and these additional Membership Extras will not be affected by this policy change. For more details about our Membership Extras program, please refer to our Membership Extras Acknowledgment and Disclosure Statement available online at disneyvacationclub.com.

We see this policy change as a very positive step to ensure that, going forward, our Members who purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club receive a premium advantage – in addition to all the magic that Disney has to offer.

Speaking of membership advantages, you’ve probably heard about the exciting Membership Extras introduced as part of the Disney Vacation Club 25th Anniversary. With this celebration, we’ve created unprecedented and exclusive Disney experiences for you and your family. In fact, just weeks ago, nearly 16,000 of you were able to enjoy the Disney Vacation Club 25 and Beyond Bash at Magic Kingdom Park. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 Members have entered our Disney Vacation Club Silver Anniversary Sweepstakes, and thousands of you have booked the Member Cruise sailing from New York later this year.

In the coming months we’ll be bringing you even more spectacular Membership Extras as part of the anniversary, from exclusive merchandise and one-of-a-kind events (including exciting plans for the West Coast) to an all-new Member Lounge opening later this spring in the Imagination! Pavilion at Epcot. And there’s so much more Disney Vacation Club fun on the horizon! Thank you, as always, for being part of the Disney Vacation Club family – a family we are proud to serve. We look forward to welcoming you home again soon!

 

[avidadventurer]

To OP, here is the notification we received, I've pasted it below. Looks like exclusive Member experiences and discounts may be restricted for resale (although anyone who has already purchased retains the perk). These perks are probably not worth $8000 to me, but of course everyone is different.

___________________________________________________

Dear Disney Vacation Club Member,

Our goal at Disney Vacation Club has always been to create magical experiences for you and your families – experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else but Disney.

As our Member community continues to grow, we want to make sure we can continue to deliver the Membership Extras that add value to your overall experience – offerings that are provided as a premium advantage to our Members who purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club.

With that in mind, please be aware of a policy change regarding the availability of Membership Extras to our membership. As previously communicated (effective March 21, 2011), Getaways included within the Disney Collection (e.g., Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney) and the Concierge Collection, which are now part of Membership Extras, have not been available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Club. Now, effective April 4, 2016, Members who do not purchase their ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Club will not have access to other Membership Extras, such as exclusive Member experiences and discounts. Please know that as a current Disney Vacation Club Member (regardless of when or where you bought your membership), your access to Disney Differences and these additional Membership Extras will not be affected by this policy change. For more details about our Membership Extras program, please refer to our Membership Extras Acknowledgment and Disclosure Statement available online at disneyvacationclub.com.

We see this policy change as a very positive step to ensure that, going forward, our Members who purchase directly from Disney Vacation Club receive a premium advantage – in addition to all the magic that Disney has to offer.

Speaking of membership advantages, you’ve probably heard about the exciting Membership Extras introduced as part of the Disney Vacation Club 25th Anniversary. With this celebration, we’ve created unprecedented and exclusive Disney experiences for you and your family. In fact, just weeks ago, nearly 16,000 of you were able to enjoy the Disney Vacation Club 25 and Beyond Bash at Magic Kingdom Park. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 Members have entered our Disney Vacation Club Silver Anniversary Sweepstakes, and thousands of you have booked the Member Cruise sailing from New York later this year.

In the coming months we’ll be bringing you even more spectacular Membership Extras as part of the anniversary, from exclusive merchandise and one-of-a-kind events (including exciting plans for the West Coast) to an all-new Member Lounge opening later this spring in the Imagination! Pavilion at Epcot. And there’s so much more Disney Vacation Club fun on the horizon! Thank you, as always, for being part of the Disney Vacation Club family – a family we are proud to serve. We look forward to welcoming you home again soon!

Did you see the BOLD type that said "This Policy Change" be ready for more....

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Ok, remember when I said I heard 3 phases, it may be next not sure, if I hear different I'll update everyone. I see where they are going, they want to generate a little more revenue and build more resorts but if everyone keeps buying resale then DVC will not grow as much as far as new resorts. I want more resorts and less of rental companies renting out one and two nights that take up a whole week that my family could use, that's what pisses me off. These rental companies don't mind renting out a night or two of points because they are doing a lot of volume but in the end it hurts members for reservations

Yes, certainly they need to provide incentives for people to buy direct. But resale value is obviously important to Disney, thus the existence of ROFR, because they realize that part of what makes DVC valuable is that it tends to retain its value on the secondary market. This may mean changes to the perks, but I don't think that they will change the fundamental functions of DVC resale (point system, booking rooms). And even if they do, I think the chances are extremely slim that they would make the changes retroactive, as all changes thus far (including this last one) have not affected those who have already bought in.

However, again everyone wants something different out of DVC and has a different risk tolerance.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Ok, remember when I said I heard 3 phases, it may be next not sure, if I hear different I'll update everyone. I see where they are going, they want to generate a little more revenue and build more resorts but if everyone keeps buying resale then DVC will not grow as much as far as new resorts. I want more resorts and less of rental companies renting out one and two nights that take up a whole week that my family could use, that's what pisses me off. These rental companies don't mind renting out a night or two of points because they are doing a lot of volume but in the end it hurts members for reservations

So rental restrictions is the next thing you are sharing?

Aren't you just buying? Why so pissed off about rentals? They are such a tiny part of things they aren't hurting the general DVC owner.

And here's the catch. DVC may be only hurting current owners who end up having to or wanting to sell.

What they continue to forget is that the value is in the room. They can't remove that and that's what it all comes down to. Perhaps it's because we've owned for awhile, although definitely not from the start, but what they are doing means nothing to my membership. I actually find it very disappointing of Disney and DVC. They can be different but they keep heading down the same old path. Will it get them a few more sales? I suppose it will. But, the other catch is if it actually did hurt resale. And lower the price. Then more people will head that direction because the spread will be greater and......the value is in the room.

 

[graychef]

I wanted to purchase Grand Floridian and Bay Lake Towers and nothing was available last week, I received a call from DVC and was told they just received a few hundred points in both resorts, just call a guide is your best bet. My guide is very good, a few members on here have him as well and love him.

With the newer resorts, I agree that the resale savings aren't that great. But in the case of older, "sold out" resorts, the savings of buying resale outweigh the added benefits in my opinion. I use the points for room reservations. That's it.

Going back to AKV, had I bought direct, I would've paid somewhere around $155 per point (February 2014). As it was, I paid $78 per point via resale. The restrictions couldn't make up for the $27,000 or so in savings I realized for all my points.

 

[freediverdude]

1. The member cards are also available electronically through smartphones, so you don't have to have a physical card with you, although I don't know about the not sending cards, doubt they would do that. I believe that it is true that you must be a direct member to go on a DVC cruise, however. The other events they don't check that though.

2. Poly is ok *right* at 7 months right now, but disappears soon after. Not as hard to get as VGF, but needs to be booked soon after 7 months. I think Poly will get harder to get as it sells out, it's such a popular location.

3. What are your ages? Also if you plan to sell it or give it to relatives when you get older, the extra years might make a difference.

4. It's pretty easy to rent out DVC points. Right now 11 month Poly points would command a higher rental than the AKV points, but who knows in the future. But it's easy to rent out points from any of the resorts for the 7 month window.

Well, since we now have new news regarding the resale perks, I guess I need to revise this post from earlier- sorry I didn't know about the new policies coming in. So I guess apparently resale purchasers as of today may not be getting membership cards? And also the events going forward will require being a direct purchaser. I don't know if that will make a difference to you- remember the main thing you're buying this for is to stay in the rooms, which isn't changing. It may feel less like you're part of the "club" though, if some of these perks are restricted.

 

[zavandor]

Shocking.
While reading this thread I was going to reply as others with "resale restrictions are a rumor that come and go"... Well, it looks like I was wrong.
For a moment I hoped for an April's fool, but it's the 4th, a bit late.

 

[MinnieB]

I am curious how much value per point people think this knocks off of resale contracts? I would suspect prices have to drop a little, no? At a minimum I would think that the annual pass discount has real value for some.

 

[freediverdude]

I was saying this over on another thread, that I think this means that DVD thinks that the market is strong enough that they can implement this to help boost sales without affecting resales enough to make a difference. They must be pretty confident.

 

[T00dles]

So just an aside to OP. Unless you want AK value or concierge rooms, most bookings are available at the 7 month mark. Just FYI.