I mean at this point, why is anyone buying direct?

[tom1944]

They could grant extensions or some accommodation for specific use years

 

[Artemis Fowl]

Its posts like these I start to write a reply and stop. If resale owners are jealous and want to try to trash direct owners to feel better that is on them.

I must be the oddball but I have 200 at BLT and 200 and poly that were all resale and I'm always a little regretful that I didn't just buy the 400 direct at RIV. I prefer the skyliner to the monorail and Epcot and HS to MK. I'm a resale owner that will freely admit I'm a little jealous of the direct buyers.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

I must be the oddball but I have 200 at BLT and 200 and poly that were all resale and I'm always a little regretful that I didn't just buy the 400 direct at RIV. I prefer the skyliner to the monorail and Epcot and HS to MK. I'm a resale owner that will freely admit I'm a little jealous of the direct buyers.

I get what you mean in some ways. We are new to resale and I loved the savings over direct. For years, I would check the direct prices periodically and come away with a feeling we were too poor for DVC (I am unwilling to finance a timeshare.) After seeing the cost of a stay at AoA for a week, finding out about resale, and seeing the cost of MFs for Poly, we decided we should consider resale Poly. At the time of purchase, we saved over $100 per point by going resale. But $250 per point Poly direct isn't necessarily the best comparison for savings when VGF could have been bought at $207 (albeit, I like the theming and points chart better at Poly.) I think the numbers game can be used to rationalize decisions we make with DVC. Right now, I have no regrets with resale, but twenty+ years from now, when my boys may have families of their own, I may be regretting not having access to the newer resorts (that's purely speculation.) and those with a wider range of accommodations (that's a likely reality depending on what happens with the new tower.)

Either way, I'm just happy we made the decision to buy DVC. It's expensive, but everyone in our family is so excited this is a reality for us every year.

 

[Jack Kerouac]

I think I am a good example of why DVC and WDW will be a viable business in the future. I grew up going to WDW every year (and sometimes more) even though we lived in IL. However, I didn't really go once I was done with college until I was married and had three boys (more than 10 years after my last visit.) After our first trip as a family in April 2022, I told my wife I want to do an annual WDW trip with the boys and she agreed. We just recently bought DVC and will travel in August 2023, May 2024, and probably late May every year after. Our boys love all things Disney, as do my wife and I. I have been to other theme parks around IL and the country and they are entertaining. But WDW is something entirely different (better and more magical) and it's not limited to a book series or a single movie franchise. Disney's IP is as strong as any company around the world. And I'm not a demographic anomaly. A podcast I listen to on a weekly basis is hosted by a 40 year old and a 37 year old. The 40 year old took his family to WDW in February 2022 and the 37 year old with his family in February 2023. My best friend for the past 30 years just took his family in May 2022. Businesses may be born, grow, and die. But if WDW were to die, I would guess we have all been dead much longer.

 

[KimMcGowan]

I will say that I most certainly do not think that Direct buyers are idiots. Rather, I am a little bit envious. To make it economically feasible our only option was resell. (Well…we could have purchased far fewer points direct. But that didn’t make sense.). However, even though I am jealous about all the direct owners that can stay at Riviera, I am still fine with being a white card owner because every single trip I can stay at my two favorite resorts - and that is money well spent.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I will say that I most certainly do not think that Direct buyers are idiots. Rather, I am a little bit envious. To make it economically feasible our only option was resell. (Well…we could have purchased far fewer points direct. But that didn’t make sense.). However, even though I am jealous about all the direct owners that can stay at Riviera, I am still fine with being a white card owner because every single trip I can stay at my two favorite resorts - and that is money well spent.

you're not missing much. My first contract was a 225 point direct at CCV, followed by 4 resale contracts. I don't regret my direct purchase, but I have not been able to take advantage of the direct perks that much outside of the 10% discounts and the Epcot lounge. I've yet been able to buy the so-called DVC Annual Pass. MLM never falls during my trips and I don't care to stay at Riviera. I do look forward to using my direct points at VDH from time to time but I'm guessing 7 month availability at VDH will be tough like VGC so it probably won't matter if you own direct anyways. All of my resale contracts combined saved me $70k. NO amount of direct perks is worth that.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I do look forward to using my direct points at VDH from time to time but I'm guessing 7 month availability at VDH will be tough like VGC so it probably won't matter if you own direct anyways.

It's going to be very interesting to see what VDH does the VGC and overall demand at Disneyland Resort in the coming years. I think the "trick" might be to purchase a few points at VDH and try and book a split VDH/VGC stay and then trade in and extend your VDH with your direct points at 7 months so you can bank your VGC for later. I'm not sure if this makes sense, but I've heard of others trying to extend the VGC stays at 7 months with non VGC points. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure it would work in the less popular higher point months (thinking summer).

 

[intamin]

It's going to be very interesting to see what VDH does the VGC and overall demand at Disneyland Resort in the coming years. I think the "trick" might be to purchase a few points at VDH and try and book a split VDH/VGC stay and then trade in and extend your VDH with your direct points at 7 months so you can bank your VGC for later. I'm not sure if this makes sense, but I've heard of others trying to extend the VGC stays at 7 months with non VGC points. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure it would work in the less popular higher point months (thinking summer).

That's not a bad idea, I still think it'll be hard to make to get those rooms at 7 months but it's nice to have some insurance if for whatever reason you can't extend out that stay. I'm planning to buy a small direct contract at VDH just to give my family in the future the ability to just stay for a weekend. Worse comes to worst I end up staying at my parent's house 20 minutes down the road. I'd actually prefer a VGC contract but with us also being RIV owners I can't pass up a small VDH to add extra flexibility.

 

[NVDISFamily]

I will say that I most certainly do not think that Direct buyers are idiots. Rather, I am a little bit envious. To make it economically feasible our only option was resell. (Well…we could have purchased far fewer points direct. But that didn’t make sense.). However, even though I am jealous about all the direct owners that can stay at Riviera, I am still fine with being a white card owner because every single trip I can stay at my two favorite resorts - and that is money well spent.

I think many direct buyers, me included, were also just lucky with timing. The only reason I bought in direct was I was lucky to hit at just the right time when the direct incentives lowered the price of Riviera to just within 20 to 22 dollars of what the resale market was asking for at that time. And for that price, it was worth it for the flexibility and perks.

I was a bit more silly with the CCV direct purchase, but even then the deal was only about 40 dollars off of the ROFR average and they threw in banked 2021 points and allowed me to bank them well past the banking window so net those out at 18 ish a point and were getting close to that only 20 bucks more a point threshold that makes it tempting.

If VHD hits with very aggressive incentives due to market conditions (and even more likely Poly 2 soon after), I'd guess you are going to see a lot more people having at least some direct points. As for right this second, there is nothing that could make me recommend someone go direct over resale given the market. The delta between direct and resale is just too big right now. I'm looking to add on another 200 to 400 points and they will all be resale given the deals.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

It's going to be very interesting to see what VDH does the VGC and overall demand at Disneyland Resort in the coming years. I think the "trick" might be to purchase a few points at VDH and try and book a split VDH/VGC stay and then trade in and extend your VDH with your direct points at 7 months so you can bank your VGC for later. I'm not sure if this makes sense, but I've heard of others trying to extend the VGC stays at 7 months with non VGC points. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure it would work in the less popular higher point months (thinking summer).

I honestly don't need more than a 7 night stay at Disneyland and I have enough points to give me that in a 1BR at VGC once a year in November. While it's tempting to buy a small contract at VDH for the exact purpose you stated, I'm not sold. I already hate split stays because I don't like to repack and unpack. But since VDH will be so new, I'm curious to try, at least at the beginning. I think VGC demand at 7 months might open up a bit once VDH comes on line, but once VGC gets its hard refurb and VDH luster has worn off a bit, most everyone will still try to book VGC because of all the obvious reasons previously stated.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I honestly don't need more than a 7 night stay at Disneyland and I have enough points to give me that in a 1BR at VGC once a year in November. While it's tempting to buy a small contract at VDH for the exact purpose you stated, I'm not sold. I already hate split stays because I don't like to repack and unpack. But since VDH will be so new, I'm curious to try, at least at the beginning. I think VGC demand at 7 months might open up a bit once VDH comes on line, but once VGC gets its hard refurb and VDH luster has worn off a bit, most everyone will still try to book VGC because of all the obvious reasons previously stated.

I wonder what percentage of the VGC waitlist will move over to purchasing VDH direct.

 

[intamin]

I honestly don't need more than a 7 night stay at Disneyland and I have enough points to give me that in a 1BR at VGC once a year in November. While it's tempting to buy a small contract at VDH for the exact purpose you stated, I'm not sold. I already hate split stays because I don't like to repack and unpack. But since VDH will be so new, I'm curious to try, at least at the beginning. I think VGC demand at 7 months might open up a bit once VDH comes on line, but once VGC gets its hard refurb and VDH luster has worn off a bit, most everyone will still try to book VGC because of all the obvious reasons previously stated.

With your home resorts I def wouldn't be considering it. VGC has the superior location and theming in my personal opinion. Maybe it's cuz I grew up going to DL all my life but you definitely do not need more than a week at those 2 parks each year. You're better off buying poly2 or something else in WDW if you're itching for points.

 

[tjkraz]

I do look forward to using my direct points at VDH from time to time but I'm guessing 7 month availability at VDH will be tough like VGC so it probably won't matter if you own direct anyways.

VDH will have 6-7x as many rooms as VGC. Yeah, it will be a lot easier to book at 7 months.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I wonder what percentage of the VGC waitlist will move over to purchasing VDH direct.

Hard to say, especially since VGC direct waitlist is a complete unknown. But my guess is that those on the waitlist to buy VGC direct at $320pp really love VGC, or are crazy rich, or both! I'm sure some may move onto VDH but they probably REALLY want VGC.

With your home resorts I def wouldn't be considering it. VGC has the superior location and theming in my personal opinion. Maybe it's cuz I grew up going to DL all my life but you definitely do not need more than a week at those 2 parks each year. You're better off buying poly2 or something else in WDW if you're itching for points.

Agree about VGC's superiority, but that is my personal preference. Some others prefer DLH as a resort over GCH. I would be lying if I said I will not be tempted when VDH starts selling with all the fanfare and publicity. But I have more than enough points. My Annual Dues hit over $7k this year. My itch is gone.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

or are crazy rich

People who are crazy rich generally do not purchase timeshares. That's not the target demographic for timeshares.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

VDH will have 6-7x as many rooms as VGC. Yeah, it will be a lot easier to book at 7 months.

I honestly think so too. Most people don't need more than a 3-4 night stay at DLR. With all those millions of points and 300 studio villas, I'm not stressing about 7 month availability. Especially the first few years when DVC will likely declare more rooms for availability than points sold, similar to what they're doing at VGF and Riviera. Easy to book 7 months at those resorts.

 

[intamin]

Hard to say, especially since VGC direct waitlist is a complete unknown. But my guess is that those on the waitlist to buy VGC direct at $320pp really love VGC, or are crazy rich, or both! I'm sure some may move onto VDH but they probably REALLY want VGC.

Agree about VGC's superiority, but that is my personal preference. Some others prefer DLH as a resort over GCH. I would be lying if I said I will not be tempted when VDH starts selling with all the fanfare and publicity. But I have more than enough points. My Annual Dues hit over $7k this year. My itch is gone.

yeup I've heard those annual dues are what check you back in with reality.. and then there's me who's a brand spanking new owner who didn't have 2022 dues assessed on their annual dues this year with add on itis as bad as the spanish flu

 

[HIRyeDVC]

People who are crazy rich generally do not purchase timeshares. That's not the target demographic for timeshares.

I agree! I guess I believe that terms like crazy and rich are completely relative and subjective

 

[HIRyeDVC]

yeup I've heard those annual dues are what check you back in with reality.. and then there's me who's a brand spanking new owner who didn't have 2022 dues assessed on their annual dues this year with add on itis as bad as the spanish flu

Welcome to the club! Many of us were where you were at various stages of our DVC lives. I went from 225 points to 1k very fast. Now I'm just enjoying the fruits of my labor.

 

[NVDISFamily]

Welcome to the club! Many of us were where you were at various stages of our DVC lives. I went from 225 points to 1k very fast. Now I'm just enjoying the fruits of my labor.

View attachment 732257

LOL. The dues didn’t save me from my DVC planning spreadsheet and the low resale prices right now. We are what my grandmother would call the “well to do poor”. Enough income to spend 5 figures a year on dues but definitely not rich.