Minimum points

[Sandisw]

This was in reference to the post that says people want a lower buy in for direct points even with no membership benefits.

Up until this change it was 150 or nothing…now, it’s a choice….we will let you in for less than 150 but it won’t come with benefits…

As I said, based on posts here, there are buyers out there who will jump at the chance to get in to DVC with direct at a lower level.

If a So cal resident wants the extras, they buy 150 and are in the same position as they were last week before the minimum is lowered

The point i made regarding maybe it was lowered because of VDH sales is because many said that 150 points would be a lot for those who go to DL because those tend to be shorter trips.

 

[Royal Consort]

Up until this change it was 150 or nothing…now, it’s a choice….we will let you in for less than 150 but it won’t come with benefits…

As I said, based on posts here, there are buyers out there who will jump at the chance to get in to DVC with direct at a lower level.

If a So cal resident wants the extras, they buy 150 and are in the same position as they were last week before the minimum is lowered

The point i made regarding maybe it was lowered because of VDH sales is because many said that 150 points would be a lot for those who go to DL because those tend to be shorter trips.

I can't shake the opinion the more complicated and confusing DVC makes all of this, the more they put new buyers off. Restrictions, no restrictions, grandfathering, minimum buy in, minimum for eligibility. If a flow chart is required to understand a timeshare something has gone awry.

 

[Sandisw]

I can't shake the opinion the more complicated and confusing DVC makes all of this, the more they put new buyers off. Restrictions, no restrictions, grandfathering, minimum buy in, minimum for eligibility. If a flow chart is required to understand a timeshare something has gone awry.

I just don’t see how it’s confusing….you can buy 100 points…if you want access to membership extras, you buy 150…

 

[tjkraz]

What are they paying for? Discounted hotel room? Sure we as dvc/disney fanatics knows the nuances but how are you going to convince them to do it? Maybe if they already have WDW DVC points then ok, but new Socal buyers are not going to like to be a second class for an expensive splurge that they really never needed.

The discounted hotel room is truly the ONLY good reason to buy. If a SoCal resident can't make those numbers add up, then it's a moot point. Admission to the Tomorrowland lounge and one Moonlight Magic event per year certainly shouldn't be reason enough to spend another $11k on DVC. If these hypothetical owners are Magic Key holders, they already have most of the dining and shopping discounts offered to DVC.

I'm guessing most people who are interested in DVC--especially at VDH where there's no other valid resale alternative--will talk themselves into 150 points. But if someone draws the line at 100 points, they really aren't missing out on much. And they can always add 50 points later at any other resort to gain access to the perks.

 

[take36]

Up until this change it was 150 or nothing…now, it’s a choice….we will let you in for less than 150 but it won’t come with benefits…

As I said, based on posts here, there are buyers out there who will jump at the chance to get in to DVC with direct at a lower level.

If a So cal resident wants the extras, they buy 150 and are in the same position as they were last week before the minimum is lowered

The point i made regarding maybe it was lowered because of VDH sales is because many said that 150 points would be a lot for those who go to DL because those tend to be shorter trips.

You could always get in for less then 150, you just need to ask the guide and be ok it does not coming with the membership extras. That is why I mentioned buying resale for WDW/VB/HH/Aulani for these folks. It's doable already.

I take my friends and family to WDW every so often with DVC points and I am always trying to convince them to buy in! It's great! They even buy merch with my discount and venmo me back, Moonlight magic, they like that! But they do not go to WDW every year, it is not worth it to them. Just like WDW probably wont go to DL every year, its just not their "home." So Disney want DL fans to make VDH their home, lets not do it by offering them second rate experience, that is all I am saying.

 

[Sandisw]

You could always get in for less then 150, you just need to ask the guide and be ok it does not coming with the membership extras. That is why I mentioned buying resale for WDW/VB/HH/Aulani for these folks. It's doable already.

I take my friends and family to WDW every so often with DVC points and I am always trying to convince them to buy in! It's great! They even buy merch with my discount and venmo me back, Moonlight magic, they like that! But they do not go to WDW every year, it is not worth it to them. Just like WDW probably wont go to DL every year, its just not their "home." So Disney want DL fans to make VDH their home, lets not do it by offering them second rate experience, that is all I am saying.

Getting in for less than 150 has been a hard no since June 2021….many people were turned down since that time…plenty reported here too.. I personally know a few and believe me, they…and me…tried.

But, this may not have anything with VDH…the direct sales have dipped the past few months so it is just as likely it is related to that…and it’s interesting that it came around the same time as AP sales resumption…now they have that as an additional plus….

And, I get the notion that it would have been great to see them lower both, but I just see this a positive for those on the fence with direct.

 

[Nursemanit]

I wonder if 100 points will get you the magic 3/4 studio nights at VDH - this could be a VDH sales gambit as Membership Extras don't mean the same to someone who just wants a DL trip each year.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Another thought...does anyone think that the lowering of minimum points and the info that they may have Sorcerer Pass available for DVC owners for sale when other passes are paused leads into any insight on what DVD might be thinking regarding resale restrictions??

I think that everything ends up being on the table with DVC when sales fall low enough. Dropping the minimum back down is a classic case of that. But I'm also not convinced that the restrictions really accomplished enough of what they wanted them to. Or at least not immediately and this management is unlikely to be around at the point it could start having a big effect however low sales right now do affect this management.

 

[Chili327]

Seems like a hard sell for a first time DVC member buying into VDH if you are not a "full member." I think they need to inflate the point charge or lower the minimum; otherwise they are going to be get almost no Socal residents and those that prefer DL as their primary destination.

The guides are going to make a sale initially then lose it when buyers realize they are not "full members" of DVC. It would just be a timeshare like any other and with the hotels closer then VDH on Harbor Blvd as well as residents would just drive it rather then treat it as a staycation.

Bring on the resale contracts!!

There are no VDH resale contracts…..so if you want VDH you will have to buy direct for a while.

Also VDH resale probably won’t be usable at VGC and Aulani… so that may a big deal for some folks as well.

Not usable or tough availability? (at Aulani)

I can't shake the opinion the more complicated and confusing DVC makes all of this, the more they put new buyers off. Restrictions, no restrictions, grandfathering, minimum buy in, minimum for eligibility. If a flow chart is required to understand a timeshare something has gone awry.

Similarly to Genie+ and reservations, lightning lanes… it is a mess to someone unfamiliar.

I wonder if 100 points will get you the magic 3/4 studio nights at VDH - this could be a VDH sales gambit as Membership Extras don't mean the same to someone who just wants a DL trip each year.

Im thinking 100 should get you a studio for 4 nights most of the year, maybe even all the year. (like a 17-29 range)

 

[AstroBlasters]

Bring on the resale contracts!!



Not usable or tough availability? (at Aulani)


Similarly to Genie+ and reservations, lightning lanes… it is a mess to someone unfamiliar.


Im thinking 100 should get you a studio for 4 nights most of the year, maybe even all the year. (like a 17-29 range)

If VDH resale restrictions are the same as RIV then resale VDH would only be usable at VDH.

That may not matter to someone on the east coast, but could be a material difference for someone who lives on the west coast and wants to go out to Hawaii. IMO Aulani is like Grand Cal on the ocean with a lazy river.

Aulani has so many rooms that availability isn’t really an issue except in the lower point cost rooms.

One reason I purchased some direct AUL was to give myself flexibility for VDH deluxe studios if it ends up having availability within 7m for more “last minute” trips on airlines deals.

We love our VGC, but can never count on a “last minute” trip. If it were available within 7m, we would just use our resale AUL instead of the VGC points.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Disney can't just bank on WDW fans filling up VDH, WDW are pretty fanatical about WDW and for good reason. VDH needs someone that wants to go there yearly or once every 2 years. While we may understand that extras are not guaranteed, there has always been something for that Disney "magic." A regular DL fan family looking to buy VDH is not going to understand the nuances and are not going to be fooled by the "Disney" name on a timeshare especially if there are not membership extras. Disney should remember Grand Cal struggled to sell early on and amongst DL fans and Aulani is still struggling due to its location (not WDW). Families going to DL for vacations are looking to do many things in the Socal area and diehard DL fans are not going to be happy being a "lesser" member.

I completely get your point, but I think as a society we’ve become used to segmentation based on price paid.

I don’t think a local Magic Key holder would feel like a “lesser member” except for the DVC Lounge.

I don’t feel like a “lesser guest” if I don’t get to get access to the Magic Key Terrace or covered eating area for Magic Key holders during Food&Wine, but I do very much enjoy access to those places and find it to be a nice perk.

Given the high cost of staying on property, 100 points @ VDH is a great option for so-cal residents who want a discounted 4 nights-ish a year at the parks. The only issue will be if they can book last minute like people can at WDW or if it clears out at 7m. They can also pop over to Aulani if they’d rather have a Hawaiian trip.

Unpopular opinion: I think not letting post-2019 resale SSR/OKW/AKV points gobble up inventory for renting should make it easier for VDH owners to have some flexibility inside of 7m. I wish VGC had the same protections in place.

 

[Sandisw]

It’s been posted that the sign actually says the 100 points is now good for RIV, VGF and AUL…no mention about VDH.

So, my guess this is a direct response to slumping sales.

 

[hhisc16]

It’s been posted that the sign actually says the 100 points is now good for RIV, VGF and AUL…no mention about VDH.

So, my guess this is a direct response to slumping sales.

This is interesting news. We tried to buy 100 points direct in 2021, yet were told no. So we bought resale instead. We now own 75 resale and 25 direct.

 

[Sandisw]

This is interesting news. We tried to buy 100 points direct in 2021, yet were told no. So we bought resale instead. We now own 75 resale and 25 direct.

Yeah..they have been pretty strict, but at least they are responding to the slumping sales with a change!!

 

[Chili327]

If VDH resale restrictions are the same as RIV then resale VDH would only be usable at VDH.

That may not matter to someone on the east coast, but could be a material difference for someone who lives on the west coast and wants to go out to Hawaii. IMO Aulani is like Grand Cal on the ocean with a lazy river.

Aulani has so many rooms that availability isn’t really an issue except in the lower point cost rooms.

One reason I purchased some direct AUL was to give myself flexibility for VDH deluxe studios if it ends up having availability within 7m for more “last minute” trips on airlines deals.

We love our VGC, but can never count on a “last minute” trip. If it were available within 7m, we would just use our resale AUL instead of the VGC points.

Ha, I'm dumb... I was thinking there was some restrictions at Aulani, not thinking about the VDH restrictions. lol

 

[take36]

VDH can be a gateway for future Aulani buyers. Disney does this right and they can tap into a whole new customer pool.

 

[disney-inspired]

I could see myself buying direct in the future for VDH but definitely not the full 150. I'll have to wait until I see the point chart.

 

[take36]

So as the rules stand today. If I buy 100 VDH points I won’t be s full member, does that mean I can’t use my points at any other dvc property other then VDH?

 

[DonMacGregor]

So as the rules stand today. If I buy 100 VDH points I won’t be s full member, does that mean I can’t use my points at any other dvc property other then VDH?

Direct points can be used at any resort without restriction (aside from the normal booking windows).

 

[Chili327]

So as the rules stand today. If I buy 100 VDH points I won’t be s full member, does that mean I can’t use my points at any other dvc property other then VDH?

If you buy direct your points are good anywhere (at 7 months)