Lot of questions regarding the real $ value of loss of DVC member benefits.

[MaMudduck]

I am not sure where I should of posted this question, but here goes...

So after MANY years of being a DIS member... and many years researching DVC purchase & resales (but finally now only being in a financial position to purchase ). I wanted to know the true dollars loss from buying through resale vs. direct from DVC.
When I was there for a tour in Feb. 2020., the min. direct buy in is 100 points. contracts either at RIV $195p/p or AKL $186 p/p
some I've run the numbers and know what the tangle dollar difference between that and resale but how much money am I losing (well really "not saving" ).

Some facts that might help;
1) I live in Canada and already buy an annual pass and do 2 trips within the 12months time. (How much $ will I save with DVC) and other family member tickets are usually 6 day park hoppers.
2) Want to do a cruise but haven't yet? From research I wouldn't use points for that, but is there discounted DCL for DVC member?
3) Same question regarding Adventures By Disney and DisneyParis Collection- without using points are these things discounted? By how much?
4) Within 1 year, I would only be doing a Moonlight Magic event once a year, how much are those events going to cost. ($ not posted in DVC member pages)
5) what food & march discounts that I don't already receive as an annual passholder?

Any advice on this would help me decide if that little blue card is worth it or not? Thank you in advance.

 

[Ben E N]

I am not sure where I should of posted this question, but here goes...

So after MANY years of being a DIS member... and many years researching DVC purchase & resales (but finally now only being in a financial position to purchase ). I wanted to know the true dollars loss from buying through resale vs. direct from DVC.
When I was there for a tour in Feb. 2020., the min. direct buy in is 100 points. contracts either at RIV $195p/p or AKL $186 p/p
some I've run the numbers and know what the tangle dollar difference between that and resale but how much money am I losing (well really "not saving" ).

Some facts that might help;
1) I live in Canada and already buy an annual pass and do 2 trips within the 12months time. (How much $ will I save with DVC) and other family member tickets are usually 6 day park hoppers.
2) Want to do a cruise but haven't yet? From research I wouldn't use points for that, but is there discounted DCL for DVC member?
3) Same question regarding Adventures By Disney and DisneyParis Collection- without using points are these things discounted? By how much?
4) Within 1 year, I would only be doing a Moonlight Magic event once a year, how much are those events going to cost. ($ not posted in DVC member pages)
5) what food & march discounts that I don't already receive as an annual passholder?

Any advice on this would help me decide if that little blue card is worth it or not? Thank you in advance.

1. If you only go during Gold Pass times (not over winter break or around Easter), you can save about $400 per AP.

2 and 3. No, as far as I am aware.

4. There is no specific value, but they are comparable to the after hours events that are typically priced at about $100-120 per ticket.

5. None. 20% on merchandise, 10% on dining is what you get, same as AP. (With an exception of a couple of places, one of which is in the Swan).

 

[MaMudduck]

Ty- for such a quick answer.

 

[The Jackal]

Members can also get Tables in Wonderland. It is 20% off mostly sit down meals and drinks (alcohol included), but includes a 18% tip. So unless you tip extra you saved 2% from the original cost of the meal. To save over the annual pass discounts you would have to spend about $1,500, since TIW costs around $150 or so. You also get free valet parking when you go to a resort to eat a sit down meal, just tip the valet and show your receipt.

Moonlight Magic events are FREE to full members, the cost associated with them would be similar to After Hours events. There is no guarantee you will get in. The MK event is the easiest to get and Hollywood Studios is the most difficult. MK can handle a lot more people than HS.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Members can also get Tables in Wonderland. It is 20% off mostly sit down meals and drinks (alcohol included), but includes a 18% tip. So unless you tip extra you saved 2% from the original cost of the meal. To save over the annual pass discounts you would have to spend about $1,500, since TIW costs around $150 or so. You also get free valet parking when you go to a resort to eat a sit down meal, just tip the valet and show your receipt.

Moonlight Magic events are FREE to full members, the cost associated with them would be similar to After Hours events. There is no guarantee you will get in. The MK event is the easiest to get and Hollywood Studios is the most difficult. MK can handle a lot more people than HS.

They have an AP, so they already qualify for TIW.
Respectfully, I disagree with your $1500 break even tally, as TIW includes alcohol.

 

[MaMudduck]

Just to clarify: Do DVC members get TIW for free? which is a savings of $150? I can currently add TIW to my annual pass for $150.

and there is NO cost for Moonlight madness events? that I didn't know. (how many people is that for?)

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Just to clarify: Do DVC members get TIW for free? which is a savings of $150? I can currently add TIW to my annual pass for $150.

and there is NO cost for Moonlight madness events? that I didn't know. (many people is that for?)

No free TIW. Three groups are eligible to get it, DVC being one of them. DVC and AP can get it for $150, while Florida residents pay $175.

 

[twentyco]

For Adventures by Disney, I believe that DVC members get opening day pricing no matter when they book. The price of ABD trips increases as more people book the particular departure, so opening day is the lowest price, and DVC members keep that price no matter when they book the trip.

 

[cellomom]

When I was there for a tour in Feb. 2020., the min. direct buy in is 100 points. contracts either at RIV $195p/p or AKL $186 p/p

FYI: Direct sales from Disney blue card benefits can change, they are not guarantee
Are RIV and AKL the only resorts you are thinking of buying direct from Disney? Because you can buy direct from Disney OKW (exp 2057) @ $165 per point. I believe SS is also $165 direct from Disney. You may have to go on a waiting list, if points are not readily available.
Not as cheap as resale, but less expensive than RIV and AKL direct.

 

[cellomom]

and there is NO cost for Moonlight madness events? that I didn't know. (how many people is that for?)

No cost. Four or the number of guest on your resort reservation. Limited space and a registration process. As @The Jackal said...

Moonlight Magic events are FREE to full members, the cost associated with them would be similar to After Hours events. There is no guarantee you will get in. The MK event is the easiest to get and Hollywood Studios is the most difficult. MK can handle a lot more people than HS.

 

[pineapplepalms]

5) what food & march discounts that I don't already receive as an annual passholder?

If you care about spa treatments, I believe with DVC you get 25% off vs 15% off with an AP. They’ve had a special promo for DVC when it was 40% off, which I definitely appreciated, but that probably doesn’t happen frequently.

For Moonlight Magic, I didn’t have any issues booking for AK and MK this year and they didn’t fill up super fast.

 

[MaMudduck]

FYI: Direct sales from Disney blue card benefits can change, they are not guarantee
Are RIV and AKL the only resorts you are thinking of buying direct from Disney? Because you can buy direct from Disney OKW (exp 2057) @ $165 per point. I believe SS is also $165 direct from Disney. You may have to go on a waiting list, if points are not readily available.
Not as cheap as resale, but less expensive than RIV and AKL direct.

Yes they did quote me on RIV, AKL, OKW & SS ($165p/p) but my "resort of choice" would be AKL, but with the longer contract time at RIV the $3000 difference isn't the deal breaker point in this direct buy option.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The advantage of After Hours (paid) vs. MM is that After Hours happens all the time. MM you have to coincide with an offering AND get tickets.

 

[MaMudduck]

The advantage of After Hours (paid) vs. MM is that After Hours happens all the time. MM you have to coincide with an offering AND get tickets.

Agreed, thats why I figured I'd only maybe be able to go to 1 a year. But I am happy to hear that its free of charge.

 

[FreeTime]

Agreed, thats why I figured I'd only maybe be able to go to 1 a year. But I am happy to hear that its free of charge.

And keep in mind MM could be eliminated at any time.

 

[Sandisw]

Honestly, the biggest benefit is the AP discount, which is now closer to $500 less for the Gold AP.

Depending on how many would be getting that discount from your household, it could help cover the price difference going direct over a shorter vs ,longer time.

if AKV is $186 vs. resale around $105..could get a little less...that $81/pt...or $8100 more to go direct on 100 points, Since you always get the AP now, the foods and merchandise is pretty much a wash. With one person, it would take about 16 years to break even. For a family of 4, it takes only 4 years to do that.

The only other aspect of going direct is the ability to stay at RIV and future resorts.
I
Remember, you only need to have 100 points direct so if you are looking at more than that, you can buy the rest resale so you hsve the direct benefits, but still save.

 

[MaMudduck]

Honestly, the biggest benefit is the AP discount, which is now closer to $500 less for the Gold AP.

Depending on how many would be getting that discount from your household, it could help cover the price difference going direct over a shorter vs ,longer time.

if AKV is $186 vs. resale around $105..could get a little less...that $81/pt...or $8100 more to go direct on 100 points, Since you always get the AP now, the foods and merchandise is pretty much a wash. With one person, it would take about 16 years to break even. For a family of 4, it takes only 4 years to do that.

The only other aspect of going direct is the ability to stay at RIV and future resorts.
I
Remember, you only need to have 100 points direct so if you are looking at more than that, you can buy the rest resale so you hsve the direct benefits, but still save.

That's exactly why I've been crunching the numbers every which way I can, trying to get the break even point of that $9000 or so. I know I'm going to need more points than just 100, so I was trying to see if the "other" savings justified buying 100 direct or 200 resale (obviously that varies depended on resort).

 

[MaMudduck]

And keep in mind MM could be eliminated at any time.

I know Disney is notorious for canceling all the good stuff.

 

[The Jackal]

They have an AP, so they already qualify for TIW.
Respectfully, I disagree with your $1500 break even tally, as TIW includes alcohol.

I did state it includes alcohol, but most lounges at the resorts do not accept TIW. The Gurgling Suitcase at OKW does. AP get usually 10% off for most things, there are a couple that give 15% and a few that give 20% off. TIW costs $150. You save 10% with TIW compared to AP. To make up the cost of TIW you have to spend $1,500. If you spent $1,400 your AP savings would be $140, TIW savings would be $280. Subtract out what the AP savings would be. $280-$140= $140. TIW cost $150. You are $10 short. $1500 is the break even point over AP. If you don’t have an AP $750 is the break even point. The good thing about TIW is that it’s good for 13 months. We get 3 trips out of it.

 

[soniam]

Is the discount on AP only for gold or does platinum get the discount too?