Is my math on a direct add-on with the various incentives/discounts correct?

[VGCgroupie]

No! I don't need another option to consider. Haha. In all seriousness, if I did that, do you know if they would do it at the pricing that was available at the end of the last incentive period (which is what I got on my 300 points)?

Yes they will honor the incentives you were buying at since you haven’t closed. Do the math that might be a much bigger savings than poly. And I would 100% break the contract up into smaller ones with poly or riv

 

[maui22]

A direct Poly purchase may make much more sense over the long-term, even if we end up having a preference for staying at BLT.

We have owned BLT since 2009. The situations we find owning to be important are resort view (only booked SV and 2BR there) and the really hard DVC times (early December, etc). 1BRs should be even easier, but we haven’t tried yet.

We haven’t booked TPV in ages (we weren’t impressed with the points when RV can be a floor below), so I am not sure how easy difficult it is. We have multiple occasions had a resort view room facing front/MK fireworks. Even received RV rooms that were originally declared TPV. It’s a nice savings.

Unfortunately, 1BRs just spoiled us. BLT 1BRs are really nice. Their studios feel small to me, but I like their kitchenette area.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for the RV/SV point savings not sure we wouldn’t sell both BLT contracts. Preferred view (formerly lake view) has been easy to book at 7 months for most of the year.

Definitely walk from BLT to MK, avoid the monorail for that park (stops at TTC, Poly, GF, and finally MK). We have been able to walk, enter park, and get to Tomorrowland before other family members were able to ride the monorail all the way around to MK stop (and we left at the same time).

 

[Sandisw]

Alright, I really need to think about this. If BLT preferred view is what I really like (we'd probably be ok with anything, but I could see enjoying at least preferred view at BLT), we already own and love Riviera, maybe PIT direct points could make more sense than BLT resale points.

Going to need to have our guide give us a tour and offer on Poly direct points during our 7/12-7/19 trip before the current incentives expire and we go into the new incentive period so I can see whether the incentives get better or worse.

Just to add something to consider. We love RIV but bought a BLT a few years ago resale.

We sold after a year because it was frustrating having points that could not be used there.

Didn’t think it would make a huge difference but it did.

 

[VGCgroupie]

We have owned BLT since 2009. The situations we find owning to be important are resort view (only booked SV and 2BR there) and the really hard DVC times (early December, etc). 1BRs should be even easier, but we haven’t tried yet.

We haven’t booked TPV in ages (we weren’t impressed with the points when RV can be a floor below), so I am not sure how easy difficult it is. We have multiple occasions had a resort view room facing front/MK fireworks. Even received RV rooms that were originally declared TPV. It’s a nice savings.

Unfortunately, 1BRs just spoiled us. BLT 1BRs are really nice. Their studios feel small to me, but I like their kitchenette area.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for the RV/SV point savings not sure we wouldn’t sell both BLT contracts. Preferred view (formerly lake view) has been easy to book at 7 months for most of the year.

Definitely walk from BLT to MK, avoid the monorail for that park (stops at TTC, Poly, GF, and finally MK). We have been able to walk, enter park, and get to Tomorrowland before other family members were able to ride the monorail all the way around to MK stop (and we left at the same time).

This is a game changer for sure.

 

[AstroBlasters]

It's really hard, especially BLT with an April and Oct UY since those UYs are scarce. If the contract isn't fully loaded you can add $20 per point (magical beginnings) and you see how inflated the resale price gets compared to an active resort with incentives. Plus you're paying less dues direct with Disney since it's prorated and you can use discounted GCs.

Playing devils advocate, but booking an "affordable" one bedroom at PVB IT will probably be much harder than BLT. Both resort views in BLT and PVB IT will fill up in the 7-11 month window. If you got PVB points you have a very high chance of switching to BLT preferred view if you truly want BLT. There's 101 of just that category (total for BLT is 147) and PVB IT only has 74 one-bedrooms. Both have two full bathrooms, but BLT has larger living spaces. PVB IT has nicer bathrooms. Dues are basically identical. Plus the direct points can still be used at RIV which I know you really like. It's tempting!

Have you been to VGF to check out the original villas building?

 

[AstroBlasters]

No! I don't need another option to consider. Haha. In all seriousness, if I did that, do you know if they would do it at the pricing that was available at the end of the last incentive period (which is what I got on my 300 points)?

I would ask.

 

[AstroBlasters]

If you want “chill” close to MK, you really have to check out CCV/WL.

@VGCgroupie ran the numbers and it’s an incredible value with the price, contract length, and point chart.

Which goes back to…. it’s worth waiting to actually check out the resorts.

 

[atthebeachclub]

If you want “chill” close to MK, you really have to check out CCV/WL.

@VGCgroupie ran the numbers and it’s an incredible value with the price, contract length, and point chart.

Which goes back to…. it’s worth waiting to actually check out the resorts.

...or, run the numbers, look at the data and the maps (and the online room tours), and YOLO, like me!

I don't actually recommend this to most people, but it's worked well for me so far.

 

[airjay75]

Ok, I'm busting out the spreadsheets to do some math. Probably going to post a new thread at some point to solicit feedback. I think someone answered this, but we're sure that an AP holder (e.g. Sorcerer Pass) can get $1,000 off a DVC add-on purchase currently? And the D23 Gold will net you another $450? And add-on purchases would be eligible for magical beginnings (if 150 points or more)? And when you do an add-on, I assume they give you points going back to the start of the current UY in which you're in? That's the math I'm assuming to start.

If that's right, it would actually only cost me about $1,350 more to do a 200 point RIV add-on under current promotions than if I went back and added it to my current 300 point purchase under the prior period incentives. And, our July trip just happens to span the end of the current incentive period, so I could play the same game as I did last time to see if current incentives get any better after July 14th. Plus, that gives me more time to decide what I actually want to do.

EDIT: I didn't factor in that I would have less pro-rated dues for the add-on, so that probably cancels out some of that $1,350 which makes it even more of a no brainer to wait, I think.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Ok, I'm busting out the spreadsheets to do some math. Probably going to post a new thread at some point to solicit feedback. I think someone answered this, but we're sure that an AP holder (e.g. Sorcerer Pass) can get $1,000 off a DVC add-on purchase currently? And the D23 Gold will net you another $450? And add-on purchases would be eligible for magical beginnings (if 150 points or more)? And when you do an add-on, I assume they give you points going back to the start of the current UY in which you're in? That's the math I'm assuming to start.

If that's right, it would actually only cost me about $1,350 more to do a 200 point RIV add-on under current promotions than if I went back and added it to my current 300 point purchase under the prior period incentives. And, our July trip just happens to span the end of the current incentive period, so I could play the same game as I did last time to see if current incentives get any better after July 14th. Plus, that gives me more time to decide what I actually want to do.

If you were to add on RIV why would spend more to add on vs just upping the amount you are buying originally? Is it to be able to roll in to the new incentives?

 

[airjay75]

If you were to add on RIV why would spend more to add on vs just upping the amount you are buying originally? Is it to be able to roll in to the new incentives?

Yes, I got the $1k Disney Visa and $500 referral as part of my original purchase. Upping the points purchase wouldn't increase those amounts (although if I go from 300 to 500 points, I do get an extra $2 pp off incentive). I'm not an AP holder yet, but plan to be before our July trip, and I can easily join D23 Gold (I asked about that with our original purchase, but guide that it was either that or $500 referral). So, the add-on would basically allow me to double dip on those promotions so to speak.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yes, I got the $1k Disney Visa and $500 referral as part of my original purchase. Upping the points purchase wouldn't increase those amounts (although if I go from 300 to 500 points, I do get an extra $2 pp off incentive). I'm not an AP holder yet, but plan to be before our July trip, and I can easily join D23 Gold (I asked about that with our original purchase, but guide that it was either that or $500 referral). So, the add-on would basically allow me to double dip on those promotions so to speak.

But still pay $1350 more? I dont see an upside here. That equates to 6.75pp more than if you just upped your original purchase.

 

[Brian Noble]

Check with your Guide to make sure they will re-write the previous deal with a larger point total. I am not 100% sure they would still do that---especially because I assume you are past your rescission date, so it is not like you can say "Increase it or I walk."

(IIRC, the legal right to rescind is based on ink-on-contract, not closing.)

 

[VGCgroupie]

Check with your Guide to make sure they will re-write the previous deal with a larger point total. I am not 100% sure they would still do that---especially because I assume you are past your rescission date, so it is not like you can say "Increase it or I walk."

They allowed me to do it. I went from 200 to 300 and kept the same original incentives I was buying with
Edit to add I was already 80 days in on a 90 day pay. (now its 60 day pay)

 

[Brian Noble]

How long back did you go? We are talking over a month now---plus these things can and do change. For example, they used to routinely allow payments spread over 90 days, and now give grief just to get to 60.

Until a Guide puts it in writing, I would not make irrevocable decisions based on it.

 

[VGCgroupie]

How long back did you go? We are talking over a month now---plus these things can and do change. For example, they used to routinely allow payments spread over 90 days, and now give grief just to get to 60.

Until a Guide puts it in writing, I would not make irrevocable decisions based on it.

Edited to add above I was 80 days in. This was last year. But at least then you can change anything as long as its not closed, point amount, even resort you are buying.

 

[airjay75]

But still pay $1350 more? I dont see an upside here. That equates to 6.75pp more than if you just upped your original purchase.

I also didn't account for the lesser pro-rated dues on the 200 add-on points, so that brings the difference down to about $1,050. Plus, this way I get to see what the new incentives are after 7/14 (what if they are better?) And, get another 60 days to figure out how I'm paying for it, possibly using a different 0% interest credit card (I've been thinking about the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card which gets 2% cash back and 0% financing for 12 months).

If I were more certain that this is what I wanted to do, might jump now, but I'm feeling like it is a small price to pay to give me some more time. We can go in July, do another PIT tour, VGF tour, take the monorail over to BLT and CR, and give myself some more time. Maybe I'll have cooled off by then, and decide to scrap it all for now.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I also didn't account for the lesser pro-rated dues on the 200 add-on points, so that brings the difference down to about $1,050. Plus, this way I get to see what the new incentives are after 7/14 (what if they are better?) And, get another 60 days to figure out how I'm paying for it, possibly using a different 0% interest credit card (I've been thinking about the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card which gets 2% cash back and 0% financing for 12 months).

If I were more certain that this is what I wanted to do, might jump now, but I'm feeling like it is a small price to pay to give me some more time. We can go in July, do another PIT tour, VGF tour, take the monorail over to BLT and CR, and give myself some more time. Maybe I'll have cooled off by then, and decide to scrap it all for now.

I was just coming back to here to say.. since you have a stay coming up very soon and you will already own 300 points I really think waiting until you have went is the best choice. Spend time looking through the availability at resorts via the portal at various times of the years. Go and see what being a member is like, take a little bit of time to see some other resorts. It’s a very large purchase and well worth waiting until July to decide.

I know adding on is very hard not to do. I went from 100 to 1000 points in under year.

 

[airjay75]

I know adding on is very hard not to do. I went from 100 to 1000 points in under year.

I can only imagine how exciting that was! It is hard to not feel all the Disney euphoria through this process, but I really do need to slow down - maybe if I keep typing it at the end of every post, I eventually will

 

[Girlstar30]

Just remember that if you buy riv resale you are stucking going there thru the life of the contract if you keep it that long.

45 years is a longggg time to go to the same hotel every single year to 2 years and also to have a timeshare more inflexible than it already is, which is pretty inflexible vs having cash to stay wherever you want and not have to fight for availability.

You would have to really really love it and it seems like with you are already interested in various other options that is def something to think about.

DVC will be building a lot of resorts i assume in the next 45 years.

Yes you have direct points as well, but if you dont use them there one year you will have to do split stays with your riv resale whenever you want to switch it up assuming you don't rotate every other year. I only mention this because in one if your posts you mentioned buying Riv resale.

For me its a very hard sell when something even cheaper resale unlocks access to 14 other hotels and the uncertainty of what will the value be long term of these newly restricted hotels and how will booking go down the line.

I can only imagine how exciting that was! It is hard to not feel all the Disney euphoria through this process, but I really do need to slow down - maybe if I keep typing it at the end of every post, I eventually will