How important are future resorts to you?

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

The location piece is valid - especially when you compare to Crescent Lake properties. Fair and valid take.

I guess it’s all relative. As someone who spends substantially more time in EPCOT and HS, I would take RIV’s location over POLY any day…(but yes, no contest compared to BWV and BCV)…

 

[vdangelo239]

Better than Grand Floridian? That seems hard to believe though I admit I haven’t stayed there. My gut says Polynesian is a better location too due to the TTC. But I have no direct experience there.

Depends - done both. Monorail to MK from Poly and Skyliner to Epcot from Riv are very close. HS and Epcot comparisons the same. It’s a toss up of preference honestly.

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

Better than Grand Floridian? That seems hard to believe though I admit I haven’t stayed there. My gut says Polynesian is a better location too due to the TTC. But I have no direct experience there.

Sorry wasn’t clear initially. I was only talking about the point charts. The location of the riviera is terrible

 

[abiksr]

My take is similar to many here as well. For me personally, it was worth spending the extra to get direct for the following reasons:

1. Betting on Disney introducing more restrictions in future
2. Many resorts are expiring in under 20 years. I am in my early 30s and feel like if I am traveling to Disney in my 50s, I would want unrestricted access to all the new resorts at that time.
3. With more competition from Universal on the park side, I feel Disney will soon feel the pressure with DVC sales and will start adding more “direct benefits”

 

[Sandisw]

Better than Grand Floridian? That seems hard to believe though I admit I haven’t stayed there. My gut says Polynesian is a better location too due to the TTC. But I have no direct experience there.

I think they meant charts are better. I have stayed in both and I’d say that the rooms at RiV and VGF are very comparable in how nice they are.

Locations being better or worse is dependent on what one sees as important.

 

[kanerf]

I think they could be more creative in new resorts, like they used to with Animal Kingdom and Wilderness Lodge. Perhaps a Villain's themed resort to go along with the new land. Seeing as I have plenty of points, I can always trade into any new resort and don't need to purchase.

 

[CastAStone]

I am currently in the market for my second DVC contract. I am 30 years old, and the more I look into it, the more direct points are attractive to me due to future resorts being built that will likely be unavailable to book with resale points (I’m looking at you, rumored Adventureland gate resort).

Conversely, of course the resale market looks more attractive financially. How do you navigate your DVC decisions and how important is access future resorts for you?

I do not care one iota about future resorts.

If future me cares, he can rent out some points and pay cash for a room. Or sell his contract and buy a new one.

Current me needed more points for less money now and can’t be bothered with hypothetical potential things future me might want that may happen but also may not. That’s a trade off of spending money on *anything* - you may always wish later you had bought something else.

Imma make the best decision I can for me now. And that’s resale resale resale.

 

[tx911]

Better than Grand Floridian? That seems hard to believe though I admit I haven’t stayed there. My gut says Polynesian is a better location too due to the TTC. But I have no direct experience there.

I don't have any personal experience with Poly.

But I was just at VGF, eating at Narcoosee's. The view of MK at night from VGF is unparalleled. It is a full on frontal view of MK, and it feels like it's right there. I don't think you can match that view from any of the other monorail resorts.

 

[Tatebeck]

I don't have any personal experience with Poly.

But I was just at VGF, eating at Narcoosee's. The view of MK at night from VGF is unparalleled. It is a full on frontal view of MK, and it feels like it's right there. I don't think you can match that view from any of the other monorail resorts.

Isn't technically the VGF view from the side and Poly has more of a straight on view?

 

[tx911]

Isn't technically the VGF view from the side and Poly has more of a straight on view?

Yes I think it is slightly to the side, but Poly would obviously be much farther away.
It looked to me kind of like the Poly tower is facing more towards the Contemporary.

 

[Tatebeck]

To the OP:

For me, future resorts (and future-proofing) definitely do have some appeal. Not enough to pay around $200 per point for the current direct offerings for sure, but enough to buy a big chunk of points when Riviera was a great deal with all of the multiple incentives earlier this summer. I like many members have a hybrid membership with a bunch of resale points and at least 150 direct points for benefits and future resort use.

I started with resale points at resorts that I knew I would want to stay at for location as I love easy access to parks. This was why I got BWV, BLT, VGC, and then also AKV because I love the theme and idea and it was a very affordable resort. After going on a few trips I knew access to the cheaper annual pass would be beneficial and also I wanted a resort that give us access to the EPCOT and HS parks after our BWV expires in 2042 as that is our favorite area. I also wanted something that I can use occasionally at VDH since we don't have that many VGC points and those are the only 2 California DVC resorts at the moment (and VGC is rough at 7 months). The math was decent on some RIV points this summer and now we can use those when we want more time in that area, use them at BWV or BCV when we want a 1BR, or use them and VDH or any other new resorts we may like, like any new Disneyland resorts.

I would only buy more direct points now if it is an absolutely amazing location (like a resort with it's own entrance to one of the expansions, the redo of BWV or BCV after 2042, etc), an absolute steal of a deal (then maybe sell a couple resale points?), or a resort that I absolutely fell in love with and wanted guaranteed stays there often.

I bought all of my points recently and even with a big chunk of direct points at RIV and some VGC, my point average was around $135 I believe, which for what I can do with my selection of resorts, is much better than paying the current direct prices with very little incentives.

 

[tx911]

Back on topic, the future resorts are very important to me.

Heck, the current restricted resorts are important to me.

I want to be able to use my points at Riv, VDH, and yes, even the cabins. That will probably be doubly true with Reflections coming and whatever else they build in DL.

That said, anyone owning 100% resale still owns a great product, and has the benefit of probably getting most or all of their money back if they sell.

 

[DanCali]

I am currently in the market for my second DVC contract. I am 30 years old, and the more I look into it, the more direct points are attractive to me due to future resorts being built that will likely be unavailable to book with resale points (I’m looking at you, rumored Adventureland gate resort).

Conversely, of course the resale market looks more attractive financially. How do you navigate your DVC decisions and how important is access future resorts for you?

Generally, I think that O14 resale is greatly preferred due to the financial savings but, depending on the buyer's needs, there may be some good reasons to pay a premium and buy or add-on direct, namely:

1. The first 150 direct points
2. A great deal at a (unrestricted) resort you'd want to own. I say "unrestricted" because when I say "great deal", I mean that the direct price is close to the resale price and I don't think you'd get that with Riviera, VDH, CFW or any other restricted resort once the prices for restricted resorts settle. This obviously applied to the VGF fire sale last year. It didn't (yet) to PIT.
3. If you can't easily get what you want on the resale market - for examaple, (i) a specific fixed week (ii) a very small (eg 25pt) contract.
4. If the developer is giving you something extra you can't get otherwise. Marriott/Westin have been playing the resale restrictions game for a long time and, for savvy resale owners, they'll offer to "enroll" multiple resale weeks if you make a direct purchase, basically treating those resale weeks going forward as if purchased direct. If DVC were to start a resale "point washing" program for direct buyers, that's something I couldn't get anywhere else with my resale points, and I'd listen to the pitch carefully with a checkbook in the back pocket (even if what they are selling direct was restricted). I honestly think that, if they want to continue selling restricted resorts, they will eventually end up here, because everyone else did... How else will they sell out future resorts at $200+/pt if RIV resale prices may end up at sub-$100/pt in a few years?

As for your question on the importance of access to future resorts - I think at your age I might care a bit more. Not necessarily because of rumored future resorts, but more because resorts like BRV, BWV, and BCV are going to expire in 17 years and, if resale restrictions persist, the O14 become a much smaller group, and it may get harder to exchange to the remaining resorts you have access to. That said, you have 17 years without that problem and a nice collection of O14 resorts to play with until then, including Hawaii, CA, HHI and VB.

We do have some direct points which are nice to use at places like CFW and RIV, and take advantage of Moonlight Magic (especially since we live within driving distance) and lounges. Frankly, I personally care more about the "extras" than the new resorts. It does enhance the experience, which is why I think it's easier to go direct with the first 150 direct points. We also got relatively lucky with the pricing/timing on our direct points. I feel we'll be much pickier with direct purchases going forward.

 

[DanCali]

I bought all of my points recently and even with a big chunk of direct points at RIV and some VGC, my point average was around $135 I believe, which for what I can do with my selection of resorts, is much better than paying the current direct prices with very little incentives.

We ended in a very similar place - own at 7 resorts, with about 1/4 of the points direct and the average buy-in price was about $130 (albeit bought some stripped contracts in the process).

Our 2024 annual dues average around $7.90/pt, a number I made a conscious effort to keep low since that's the main expense over time.

 

[Chili327]

Not important enough to us to pay the currant direct prices.
If a resort ever pops up that I absolutely love, we would probably just buy a resale contract at that resort.
So far, there haven’t been any new ones that I feel like I am missing out on.

Agree… we may have a nice option to purchase BWV 2.0 or BCV 2.0. (or Yacht Club DVC).

If new resorts open and we love them but can't use resale there, we will deal with it then.

Yep. When something comes along that makes it feel worth it, we’ll deal with it then.

The only reason I would even consider buying direct would be for access to the new/future resorts. (All other reasons to buy direct are not of value to me). But so far none of the restricted resorts stand out enough for me to buy direct. I can see myself buying direct WAY into the future once a new resort opens that appeals to me, but for as long as I have access to the O14, I'm good with resale only points for now.

Truth. VDH was close!

Imma make the best decision I can for me now. And that’s resale resale resale.

Agreed!

We ended in a very similar place - own at 7 resorts, with about 1/4 of the points direct and the average buy-in price was about $130 (albeit bought some stripped contracts in the process).

Do you go multiple times per year? (I assume it is tough to use points from 7 resorts without going multiple times per year)

Our 2024 annual dues average around $7.90/pt, a number I made a conscious effort to keep low since that's the main expense over time.

Thats my idea as well, but VGC, BWV and AKV kinda ruined the low BLT avg. lol

 

[FlyingDonut]

We bought OKW resale, not grandfathered in for anything. Since the deed will expire, the increase in restricted resorts post 2042 doesn't matter to us. If DVC looks like it's still a great fit for us in 10 years, we'll revisit.

We also like the O14 becuase they contain some of the better point charts (including OKW). We'd stayed at OKW before purchasing and knew we liked it. If you don't feel comfortable with at least one of the O14 resorts, I'd think that would change things too.

Edit to add: when we purchased the resale contract we told ourselves we'd pay cash, or rent through a broker to stay at a restricted resort if we ever wanted. Even if we didn't rent out our own points to offset, we could do it 1-2x and still come out ahead from the up front savings.

 

[DanCali]

Do you go multiple times per year? (I assume it is tough to use points from 7 resorts without going multiple times per year)

We're within 2.5 hours driving distance (even did a MM even one time driving from and returning home the same night) so, yes, we go to WDW multiple times per year, but it's mostly 1-2 night stays, and usually over a weekend which increases the price per night. We may do longer stays (3-5 nights) over spring break or December holidays. Summer and Thanksgiving longer trips are usually reserved for our Marriott/Westin ownership, unless we're at Aulani every few years.

We're also not far from VB, and can usually combine leftover points from various resorts at 7 (or 2) months out to put together a short stay there.

Thats my idea as well, but VGC, BWV and AKV kinda ruined the low BLT avg. lol

What keeps it low on my end is the AULs at $7.34/pt and BLT and VGF are also below my average. They're 3 out of my 7 resorts, but represent about 2/3 of the total points. AKV does sting but it's such a unique resort that it's worth it, especially since we usually try to stay Club and couldn't do it otherwise.

 

[smileyanna]

There is an interesting divide here about what "flexibility" means.

One argument for a direct purchase is about maximizing your options in the future, with the likelihood of new, restricted resorts and uncertain availability in the original resorts after 2042. Pay a premium now for future flexibility/options.

The mirror argument for resale is about flexibility, too. Why lock in a higher price now, when future resorts/locations/theming/points charts are unknown? If there are desirable resorts that you want to try in the future (especially post 2042), you can pay then.

Since I so heavily discount far-out future stays and uncertainty, a direct purchase mostly makes sense from a "flexibility" standpoint if you want to stay at the restricted resorts RIV/VDH/CFW multiple times in the next few years. Which many do!

 

[Bearval]

I am currently in the market for my second DVC contract. I am 30 years old, and the more I look into it, the more direct points are attractive to me due to future resorts being built that will likely be unavailable to book with resale points (I’m looking at you, rumored Adventureland gate resort).

Conversely, of course the resale market looks more attractive financially. How do you navigate your DVC decisions and how important is access future resorts for you?

We didn't know resale existed our first points were 75 direct ( this was the minimum at the time for benefits) with the intention of buying more after testing the waters to see if DVC would be for us. A year later we found out about resale and added two additional contracts. We are going once a year for 9 days 8 nights and stay in a 2 bedroom. RIV and the cabins do not really appeal to us and the point charts are a little high in my opinion. Also if and when my family tires of WDW the financial hit we would take for selling our resale contracts will be minimal. We usually stay at BLT, BWV, BCV & AKV. Our points are from AKV and BLT.

 

[Brittleebee]

Lots of great discourse here.

I tend to lean heavily to both sides of the argument. It’s important to me that I am financially literate (as one can be with a timeshare) and making the best choices as to where my dollars go. It makes sense to me that several people are saying they can revisit a direct purchase if a need ever arises, but for me the largest benefit to DVC is being able to buy and pay this off now while I’m single with no children so that in the future my only concern will be the dues. The prepaid vacation idea is solely what drew me to DVC in the first place. Thus, I do feel I add a time element to the decision. I want to know that I can pay this off ASAP. I’m not sure I’ll have the extra cash in the future to keep buying. I know I have it now. Anyone else have these weird thoughts?