Minimum Purchase on OKW Direct is 125 Points

[CarolMN]

I assumed the DVCNEWS.COM site was accurate when it says

“$165 base price; 50-point minimum purchase” for new members

and

“$165 base price; 25+ points” for current member add-ons

since that site seems to be referenced quite often.

@tjkraz can certainly take care of (and speak for) himself, but I have to say that this 125 minimum for all new Members is a very recent change. And AFAIK, it wasn't publicized anywhere officially and still isn't.

 

[Bjaiken77]

I’m sorry if I’m not reading carefully enough, but you said you have 200 ROFR points at HHI and would like to get a 25 point add-on for an on property add-on and access to the 11 month window (I’m trying to paraphrase). Apologies if this is clear, but I wanted to point out that a 25 point direct (or resale, for that matter) is only going to get you an 11 month window at the resort where you buy in. In other words, you will have an 11 month window for the 200 HHI points only at HHI and an 11 month window for OKW (if that’s where you decide to buy) only at OKW.

I guess that’s why I’m a little confused. Even at OKW, which has a super cheap point chart, it’ll only get you a couple nights. I know you can bank and borrow to get more every couple of years.

Anyhow, many apologies if you already have a plan and are aware of all this. I promise I’m just trying to help you avoid a mistake if you were not clear.

One final thing not to be overlooked: Even as a California resident with DL as a home resort, there are still discounts to be had with the blue card at both DL and HHI. I know you said you have the Disney Visa (as do I), but I believe there is a difference in blue card benefits and Visa perks. And buying direct also gives you some points you can use to book at the new DLT (at least eligible) if you ever are looking for a stay-cation.

 

[Sunnyore]

Just wanted to add, also SoCal resident and live 15 min away from dland… I bought direct points for the unrestricted access to all resorts. But I also did want the DVC AP because I wouldn’t be flying into Orlando for just short trips since it’s a 5+ hr flight each time so the AP will save me some money for 2 week long trips a year. And it may not come back, but my guide told me there’s Moonlight Magic events at Dland too.

But ya, you should definitely wait for your HH resale to load and buy your small direct contract after. This way you get the exact # of points you want and in your UY instead of chasing one off resale for a few hundred dollar savings.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I’m sorry if I’m not reading carefully enough, but you said you have 200 ROFR points at HHI and would like to get a 25 point add-on for an on property add-on and access to the 11 month window (I’m trying to paraphrase). Apologies if this is clear, but I wanted to point out that a 25 point direct (or resale, for that matter) is only going to get you an 11 month window at the resort where you buy in. In other words, you will have an 11 month window for the 200 HHI points only at HHI and an 11 month window for OKW (if that’s where you decide to buy) only at OKW.

I guess that’s why I’m a little confused. Even at OKW, which has a super cheap point chart, it’ll only get you a couple nights. I know you can bank and borrow to get more every couple of years.

Anyhow, many apologies if you already have a plan and are aware of all this. I promise I’m just trying to help you avoid a mistake if you were not clear.

One final thing not to be overlooked: Even as a California resident with DL as a home resort, there are still discounts to be had with the blue card at both DL and HHI. I know you said you have the Disney Visa (as do I), but I believe there is a difference in blue card benefits and Visa perks. And buying direct also gives you some points you can use to book at the new DLT (at least eligible) if you ever are looking for a stay-cation.

I have 200 points in ROFR for HHI.

I was going to start buying OKW or SSR, starting with 50 points and continuing to buy maybe up to 125 points, based on the ifo from the other site (obviouslyt not correct information). All direct, all qualifying for 11-month reservations and qualifying for Blue Card (eventually). I'm fully aware that only the home resort points are good at 11 months and the initital direct contract wouldn't have gotten me much (again, assuming I could have bought in at 50 points direct). I never said I was "only" going to buy 25 points, I was simply stating that with 200 points alreday in ROFR, I'm not desperate to get more points in a hurry. I'll survive with the 200 HHI points and a 7-month booking window everywhere on property, and staying in 1BR units wherever they are available (which is likely going to be SSR or OKW) for now and be happy. Again, our preferred travel window for Florida is usually mid-February through mid-June, so I'm pretty sure we'll get a 1BR at a few resorts within that booking window. I never intended to "blend" points, or use HHI ppints to book 11 months out at OKW. I know that's not how it works.

I've gone back and tried to add some clarity to a couple of posts.

As to discounts, as I said I don't need an AP (two family members with silver main gate passes, so we get up to 8 in free every day, 35% off merch, and 20-40% off food, depending on location), we won't be there for too many Moonlight Magic events, and there's zero chance I'll ever pay to stay at DLH DVC. I've stayed at the hotel dozens of times now since I was a kid, and wasting points to stay 15 minutes from home isn't going to happen. A regular room in one of the towers (all rehabbed while the hotel was closed) with cash will do if I absolutely HAVE to go.

As an out-of-state member, I only see some value in AP's, food discounts, merchandise discounts, and the 11-month booking window. There's zero value for me in the other perks, and with family Disney CM's, it's just not a real deal maker for me.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Just wanted to add, also SoCal resident and live 15 min away from dland… I bought direct points for the unrestricted access to all resorts. But I also did want the DVC AP because I wouldn’t be flying into Orlando for just short trips since it’s a 5+ hr flight each time so the AP will save me some money for 2 week long trips a year. And it may not come back, but my guide told me there’s Moonlight Magic events at Dland too.

But ya, you should definitely wait for your HH resale to load and buy your small direct contract after. This way you get the exact # of points you want and in your UY instead of chasing one off resale for a few hundred dollar savings.

Don't believe your guide, there are no Moonlight Magic events at Disneyland, never have been. They did have Magic Mornings (think Early Magic Hours) for hotel guests, but that's it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Don't believe your guide, there are no Moonlight Magic events at Disneyland, never have been. They did have Magic Mornings (think Early Magic Hours) for hotel guests, but that's it.

DVC did have Moonlight Magic events at DL.

 

[DonMacGregor]

DVC did have Moonlight Magic events at DL.

Ok, well I still have two family cast members there, one since 1981 and one since 1996 and both are now managers, and neither of them has ever seen or heard of one. Just what I'm being told. They did some mix-ins at DCA a couple of years back, but not Disneyland Park. That may be the confusion.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Ok, well I still have two family cast members there, one since 1981 and one since 1996 and both are now managers, and neither of them has ever seen or heard of one. Just what I'm being told.

And I'm just offering correct information. Absolutely 100% there were Moonlight magic events held at Disneyland Resort. I know at least one was at DCA and it's possible they all were. I had twice signed up but ended up having to cancel so don't recall if one was ever in DL.

 

[DonMacGregor]

And I'm just offering correct information. Absolutely 100% there were Moonlight magic events held at Disneyland Resort. I know at least one was at DCA and it's possible they all were. I had twice signed up but ended up having to cancel so don't recall if one was ever in DL.

Yes, DCA, not Disneyland. From what I understand, they were limited to a handful of rides and some food venues and some sort of a dance party like thing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, DCA, not Disneyland. From what I understand, they were limited to a handful of rides and some food venues and some sort of a dance party like thing.

Correct. That's what the Moonlight Magic events are. Usually a modified fireworks of some sort too.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, DCA, not Disneyland. From what I understand, they were limited to a handful of rides and some food venues and some sort of a dance party like thing.

FYI I did a quick search and the 2019 Moonlight Magic was in DL.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Yeah, and you won't even get fireworks. Anaheim allows one fireworks event per evening (and only under the correct atmospheric conditions), and all the equipment (mortars, fire suppression watches, etc) for fireworks are backstage at DL, behind Toontown next to where Minnie and Minnie's Runaway Train is going in. About as far away from DCA on property as you can get. Downside to being built in the middle of a major urban area. Much more freedom for pyro in FL.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yeah, and you won't even get fireworks. Anaheim allows one fireworks event per evening (and only under the correct atmospheric conditions), and all the equipment (mortars, fire suppression watches, etc) for fireworks are backstage at DL, behind Toontown next to where Minnie and Minnie's Runaway Train is going in. About as far away from DCA on property as you can get. Downside to being built in the middle of a major urban area. Much more freedom for pyro in FL.

Well, it depends on the night. I've been there for NYE and DCA did have fireworks and of course they have multiple on that night at DL too. Fireworks at DL are nothing to be counted on though that's for certain! I would guess they probably didn't have fireworks though for the west coast events.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Well, it depends on the night. I've been there for NYE and DCA did have fireworks and of course they have multiple on that night at DL too. I would guess they probably didn't have fireworks though for the west coast events or otherwise to reference them as DLR Moonlight magic events.

I think that depends on your definition of fireworks. I've lived my entire life within 15 minutes of Disneyland, worked there for over a decade, and have been to both parks literally hundreds of times, and I have never seen or heard of any "real" pyro at DCA, beyond the low-level fire effects during World of Color, and the small ground mortars that don't go above the Incredicoaster. They're similar to the ones they use in stadiums during player introductions, etc. Of course, they are definitely stil "fireworks" so I will concede that to you. And World of Color is truly amazing, regardless of how many or how big the fireworks are.

If you've ever see the quipment the parks use for the real pyro, seen the fire watches required (guys literally on the castle roof and up on the Matterhorn), and all the concern about fallout, there's no way they're lauching aerial fireworks at DCA. Even the DL fireworks can sometimes drift over the residential neighborhoods just west of the park (they had the occasional palm tree fire back in the day and Anaheim FD dropped the hammer). For DCA, you'd be exploding them over the Hilton, or somewhere across Harbor or Katella or right over the guests. At least DL has a decent back stage area to work with.

I'll ask a buddy who's still on the DL Fire Department though, just to be sure. I don't know how often the firworks at MK are cancelled, but they literally send up a little ballon before the DL fireworks every night, and if it just blows in the wrong direction, the show is cancelled "due to weather", usually with about 15,000 people crammed in to Main Street.

It's not a Moonlight Magic thing, they could have the President there on July 4th and if the wind speed and direction aren't perfect, no big boom. They're just that paranoid. It was particularly bad during the 60'th when shows got cancelled. Many unhappy folks at City Hall.

 

[Sunnyore]

When I did a quick search here too and it looks like there was a Moonlight Magic event every year the last few years (pre-covid) alternating Disneyland and DCA locations. I hope this comes back and gives me something to look forward to! But I guess first I would like my AP or whatever they're creating in place of it back.

 

[DonMacGregor]

When I did a quick search here too and it looks like there was a Moonlight Magic event every year the last few years (pre-covid) alternating Disneyland and DCA locations. I hope this comes back and gives me something to look forward to! But I guess first I would like my AP or whatever they're creating in place of it back.

Yeah, it's really weird. Every cast member I've reached out to this evening has no recollection of them. Everyone remembers all the Disney After Dark events, Oogie Boogie Bash, Minnie's Moonlit Madness, etc., but the Moonlight Magic events are a mystery (absolutely not saying they didn't happen). What's weird is that over the past few years (and primarily sytarting when DCA opened), Disneyland has been host to an almost non-existent schedule of after-hours parties. Virtually everything is done at DCA due to its smaller size, ease in blocking off areas, and vastly smaller staffing needs. Any party in DL would stick out, you would think.

When I was a kid, all sorts of after closing events went on with private parties for corporations and other closed to the public events happening year-round. After DCA opened, all that changed. Grad Nights and most other large parties that weren't mix-ins moved to DCA. Of course, back in the day the park (DL) actually hosted the annual cast member only Christmas Parties for two or three nights a year, where one year you had a good chance that Mike Eisner and Jeff Katzenberg might serve you a hot dog at Coke Corner. My tenure in the park spanned that period from early 1980's to mid-90's.

We'll see what happens with AP's. My guess is a scaled version of the Flex Pass with cost increasing based on anticipated usage and blackout dates. I also wouldn't be surprised if installment plans went out the window.

 

[LilyJC]

the Moonlight Magic events are a mystery

We are very local to DLR, and we have indeed attended at least two Moonlight Magic events at each park (as in two times each at both DL and DCA). The offerings changed from event to event, but still worth it for us since we live so close. They DO exist (or at least did…who knows if they’ll return )!