How many points to get benefits?

[Spring Training Fan]

I am considering getting some DVC points to get the benefits such as the lower priced Annual Passes. I would use them, but I already have 2 timeshares that I am having trouble getting rid of and can't afford 3 maintenance fees. I do, however, see that I should be able to rent out the DVC points (how ever many I buy) and off-set the fees. My question is, does anyone do this, and how many points do I have to buy to be able to get the Annual pass benefits? Is it 160 points which they say is the minimum for buying through DVC, or could I buy less?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am considering getting some DVC points to get the benefits such as the lower priced Annual Passes. I would use them, but I already have 2 timeshares that I am having trouble getting rid of and can't afford 3 maintenance fees. I do, however, see that I should be able to rent out the DVC points (how ever many I buy) and off-set the fees. My question is, does anyone do this, and how many points do I have to buy to be able to get the Annual pass benefits? Is it 160 points which they say is the minimum for buying through DVC, or could I buy less?

You could probably find a lesser point contract via resale (less than 160). The smallest Disney will let you buy direct (so the smallest one possible) is 25 points as a add on. If someone sold their add on, you could get into DVC for 25 points. But 25 points doesn't go very far except maybe every three years (75 points, banked, current and borrowed).

 

[Lynne M]

The discounts on tickets, etc, are not part of your membership. They're not permanent, and come and go at the whim of the division of Disney, or other company, that offers them. That AP discount has only been offered for a few years, and could go away tomorrow if Disney Parks decides it doesn't make good business sense to offer it any longer.

 

[POTCfan]

You can buy as small as a 25 point contract. Any discounts on annual passes, restaurants, or shops applies to any Disney contract (I believe it does not matter the amount of points, just that you are an owner). 25 points will not get you a lot in the way of rooms, but it sounds like you are not interested in getting rooms. As others have said, these discounts are not part of the contract (they are currently being provided but do not have to be) and can be taken away at any time. But, if Disney took these perks away, you are also welcome to sell your contract. There are no guarantees that you could sell the contract for as much as you bought it for - but a 25 point contract will not require a huge investment, thus your losses might not be that great either.

 

[wildernessDad]

As a DVC member, you can add on a 25 point contract directly from Disney, but you could not buy 25 points from Disney out of the gate. You would have to be a DVC member first.

 

[drusba]

As noted, perks such as discounted passes can be discontinued at any time. Also, some of perks require you to be staying as a DVC member on site and if you don't have enough points to do that, you won't qualify. As to getting perks, Disney has no stated minimum (although it could adopt one). As a practicable matter, you can buy no less than 25 points in the resale market because that is the minimum number of points Disney ever sold in one contract to members. If you buy from Disney, there are stated minimum purchases by new members, currently 100 points for most of the resorts.

You should not assume rentals will be easy particularly if you only have a small number of points like 25 because renters will usually be looking for more time at WDW than the often one or two nights that small number might provide.

 

[POTCfan]

As a DVC member, you can add on a 25 point contract directly from Disney, but you could not buy 25 points from Disney out of the gate. You would have to be a DVC member first.

But you can buy a 25 point contract resale without first being a DVC member.

 

[mb_uh]

I think Disney requires 100 intial for direct.