Need Assistance in convincing my better half

[mustinjourney]

Ok -- so I'm looking at adding on a 25 point direct purchase in order to get the current AP discounts, which will also give me TIW card access as well. Other DVC member benefits aren't that big of a deal, since we live out of state and will not likely make any of the other extras. I understand member benefits can and will change -- but I'm thinking they might stay fairly constant the next year or two.

I called DVC sales and he basically said I could get anywhere right away, with the exception of BCV, VGF and VGC...which are the three that I would be most interested in adding.

I currently own 150 DEC at VGF and am in the process of closing on 130 APR at VGF.

My ultimate goal was to get 25 points at BCV in APR so that we could go to F&W every other year for 3 or 4 nights. That gives me a nice UY for F&W that aligns with one of my VGF contracts. While I would only get member privileges until 2042, I am fine with that since I'm really only looking at having this for the next 10-20 years anyways.

BCV direct is at 160 points, and roughly around $115-$120 or so resale for a not stripped, small contract), so the extra expense is about $40-$45 dollars per point to buy direct. With that said, I haven't seen any 25 point contracts for sale at BCV at all -- so not sure what the market price would be.

I will be purchasing at least three APs this next year (2 in Nov and 1 in Jan 2017), which means DVC membership gives me a savings of $300 ($12 per point if buying 25 points), plus if I buy the DEC UY for BCV, I can get 2015 points for "free" -- which is probably equal to another $10-$15 a point in utility value. Therefore, direct purchase would save me about $25 per point just in the first year (this doesn't account for lower closing costs, which would probably be another $100-$200 over resale). If we do APs another time, we will be buying four of them, which means the savings would be around $400 (have to buy one for the kid that just turned 3), which is another $16 per point savings.

Essentially, that is a $41 per point "discount" after just 13-15 months of ownership, which brings $160 down to $119 a point. This almost seems like a no brainer to me. I have the cash in hand to pay for the purchase, so there is not a money issue involved. It's just that my wife is an engineer that needs solid numbers to convince her it's a good idea, and she's already a little shocked after spending around $40,000 for the current 280 points we have.

Am I missing any other items that would put it more in my favor?

Fall back might be to buy BWV right before our trip in November in order to get the discounts for APs and TIW -- but I think, based on the pictures and video tours I've seen online, that we prefer the style of BCV over BWV. We absolutely loved VGF when we stayed there last February -- and BCV seems to be a little more high end feeling than BWV.

That and that clown scares the sh*t out of my wife.

At a minimum, I would think that I could buy a 25 point direct BWV contract, strip it and then sell it for about $105 (net about $90 per point after realtor fees and other fees). If I got a DEC UY, I could use 2015/2016/2017 points for a stay for F&W in Fall 2017 which means that I would have paid about $10 for those 75 points ((119-90)*25/75). Throw in MFs for 2017 that the new buyer wouldn't pay for and I'm up around $15-$16 a point -- which is what you'd pay to rent/transfer those points.

But if I kept the contract longer than a few years, it would seem to pay for itself rather quickly.

Any comments/thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

 

[cdnjason]

As a matrimonial attorney, I advise you to discuss and weigh all options with your wife. The two of you should reach a consensus on which DVC contact (including which home resort, amount of points, etc.) you will purchase, if any. No sense in buying something your wife will resent you for.

If all else fails, do what she says.

 

[supersnoop]

I didn't make it through your entire post. I got lost at the point where you already own VGF. Was this purchased recently? Unless it was very recent, you should already have the benefits you want.

Also, I don't believe TiW is restricted.

Oh, and why did you buy multiple use years at VGF? That seems like a bad idea unless you did it on purpose with intent.

 

[disneynutz]

If the numbers work and you know for sure that you need the DVC perks, then go for it. For us we don't really use the perks that much and we haven't used an AP in a few years because we only go into the parks a couple of times per trip. Waiting in lines and pushing through crowds isn't a vacation to me.

Bill

 

[mustinjourney]

I didn't make it through your entire post. I got lost at the point where you already own VGF. Was this purchased recently? Unless it was very recent, you should already have the benefits you want.

Also, I don't believe TiW is restricted.

Oh, and why did you buy multiple use years at VGF? That seems like a bad idea unless you did it on purpose with intent.

Went with a different use year because I Got the second contract for basically $123 a point.

 

[mustinjourney]

I didn't make it through your entire post. I got lost at the point where you already own VGF. Was this purchased recently? Unless it was very recent, you should already have the benefits you want.

Also, I don't believe TiW is restricted.

Oh, and why did you buy multiple use years at VGF? That seems like a bad idea unless you did it on purpose with intent.

Yes. First contract was resale post 4/4. Second contract is waiting on sellers sending in closing paperwork.

So I don't have the perks right now.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Mine would be advice to wait and use what you are buying first before adding on. It sounds like DVC doesn't have what you really want anyway, correct? And perhaps after a trip or two your wife will be more on board or maybe you'll decide that AP's are not necessary. I'm not positive but think you may get the TIW without the direct (haven't specifically seen that referenced as being restricted). And the $300 extra spent while waiting may be well worth it.

 

[CMNJ]

I'm confused about the buying BWV part-are you saying you would buy and then sell after only a year? You do realize that you have to continue to own direct points (or those grandfathered in) to be eligible for the perks you are looking to obtain. If you sell the direct points in a year or two you will no longer be eligible for those discounts. Or is it that you think you wouldn't really lose money if you are unhappy there and could sell and buy direct elsewhere?
Also keep in mind a dec UY is not ideal for traveling during F&W regularly (especially if you plan to regularly bank/borrow to do so) since you would be traveling at the end of your UY all the time.

 

[mustinjourney]

I'm confused about the buying BWV part-are you saying you would buy and then sell after only a year? You do realize that you have to continue to own direct points (or those grandfathered in) to be eligible for the perks you are looking to obtain. If you sell the direct points in a year or two you will no longer be eligible for those discounts. Or is it that you think you wouldn't really lose money if you are unhappy there and could sell and buy direct elsewhere?
Also keep in mind a dec UY is not ideal for traveling during F&W regularly (especially if you plan to regularly bank/borrow to do so) since you would be traveling at the end of your UY all the time.

Yes -- I do realize that if I resold the 25 points I would no longer get access to the perks. That last line was really just my thinking out loud that there wouldn't be a huge loss if we absolutely hated F&W and/or BWV.

I am also aware that DEC isn't the ideal UY for F&W -- August/September clearly would be the choice -- but since I already have a Dec UY (and an APR coming in a couple months), I figured I didn't want to have a third UY to deal with.

April would be better than DEC -- but I was basing the decision on getting the 2015 points from Disney when buying direct. If I bought an APR contract with them, I wouldn't be getting 2015 points...with DEC, I should get those points. At least that's my understanding of how it works.

 

[CMNJ]

Yes -- I do realize that if I resold the 25 points I would no longer get access to the perks. That last line was really just my thinking out loud that there wouldn't be a huge loss if we absolutely hated F&W and/or BWV.

I am also aware that DEC isn't the ideal UY for F&W -- August/September clearly would be the choice -- but since I already have a Dec UY (and an APR coming in a couple months), I figured I didn't want to have a third UY to deal with.

April would be better than DEC -- but I was basing the decision on getting the 2015 points from Disney when buying direct. If I bought an APR contract with them, I wouldn't be getting 2015 points...with DEC, I should get those points. At least that's my understanding of how it works.

Yes buying a Dec UY even on Nov 30 would get you the 2015 UY points since the 2016 UY doesn't start until Dec 1 2016. We own April UY BWV (closed in early 2015). Have you not been to F&W yet? This will actually be our first time staying at BWV this fall for F&W. We bought at BWV with an April UY to cover both spring (F&G) and fall (F&W) travel. Honestly though after visiting in May and Oct the past two years I almost prefer F&G to F&W. F&W is fun and the weather is great but it is mobbed on weekends and nights are so much busier when MK closes early for MNSSHP. However the low points cannot be beat-our standard BWV studio only costs us 78 points/week during F&W.

 

[mustinjourney]

Yes buying a Dec UY even on Nov 30 would get you the 2015 UY points since the 2016 UY doesn't start until Dec 1 2016. We own April UY BWV (closed in early 2015). Have you not been to F&W yet? This will actually be our first time staying at BWV this fall for F&W. We bought at BWV with an April UY to cover both spring (F&G) and fall (F&W) travel. Honestly though after visiting in May and Oct the past two years I almost prefer F&G to F&W. F&W is fun and the weather is great but it is mobbed on weekends and nights are so much busier when MK closes early for MNSSHP. However the low points cannot be beat-our standard BWV studio only costs us 78 points/week during F&W.

We have not gone to F&W yet -- heading there 11/5-11/9. Currently doing a split stay, with one day at each resort. Not ideal, but it'll be a good way to tour all of the resorts for us...and since the kiddos won't be with us, it won't be nearly as much of a headache as it otherwise would be.

Right now we have:

BLT (studio)
AKL (1 BR)
BWV (1 BR)
BCV (1 BR).

I've waitlisted another BCV (1BR) to trade out with BWV in hopes that we can try and not switch rooms at least one night -- but if it doesn't go through, I won't be heart broken. I've only had access to bookings for about 5 days, and I'm amazed at how quickly things open up and then are gone. I've had 5 different rooms that were there, and then gone when I tried to book them. It's been crazy!

 

[luvdisneyland]

Ok -- so I'm looking at adding on a 25 point direct purchase in order to get the current AP discounts, which will also give me TIW card access as well. Other DVC member benefits aren't that big of a deal, since we live out of state and will not likely make any of the other extras. I understand member benefits can and will change -- but I'm thinking they might stay fairly constant the next year or two.

I called DVC sales and he basically said I could get anywhere right away, with the exception of BCV, VGF and VGC...which are the three that I would be most interested in adding.

I currently own 150 DEC at VGF and am in the process of closing on 130 APR at VGF.

My ultimate goal was to get 25 points at BCV in APR so that we could go to F&W every other year for 3 or 4 nights. That gives me a nice UY for F&W that aligns with one of my VGF contracts. While I would only get member privileges until 2042, I am fine with that since I'm really only looking at having this for the next 10-20 years anyways.

BCV direct is at 160 points, and roughly around $115-$120 or so resale for a not stripped, small contract), so the extra expense is about $40-$45 dollars per point to buy direct. With that said, I haven't seen any 25 point contracts for sale at BCV at all -- so not sure what the market price would be.

I will be purchasing at least three APs this next year (2 in Nov and 1 in Jan 2017), which means DVC membership gives me a savings of $300 ($12 per point if buying 25 points), plus if I buy the DEC UY for BCV, I can get 2015 points for "free" -- which is probably equal to another $10-$15 a point in utility value. Therefore, direct purchase would save me about $25 per point just in the first year (this doesn't account for lower closing costs, which would probably be another $100-$200 over resale). If we do APs another time, we will be buying four of them, which means the savings would be around $400 (have to buy one for the kid that just turned 3), which is another $16 per point savings.

Essentially, that is a $41 per point "discount" after just 13-15 months of ownership, which brings $160 down to $119 a point. This almost seems like a no brainer to me. I have the cash in hand to pay for the purchase, so there is not a money issue involved. It's just that my wife is an engineer that needs solid numbers to convince her it's a good idea, and she's already a little shocked after spending around $40,000 for the current 280 points we have.

Am I missing any other items that would put it more in my favor?

Fall back might be to buy BWV right before our trip in November in order to get the discounts for APs and TIW -- but I think, based on the pictures and video tours I've seen online, that we prefer the style of BCV over BWV. We absolutely loved VGF when we stayed there last February -- and BCV seems to be a little more high end feeling than BWV.

That and that clown scares the sh*t out of my wife.

At a minimum, I would think that I could buy a 25 point direct BWV contract, strip it and then sell it for about $105 (net about $90 per point after realtor fees and other fees). If I got a DEC UY, I could use 2015/2016/2017 points for a stay for F&W in Fall 2017 which means that I would have paid about $10 for those 75 points ((119-90)*25/75). Throw in MFs for 2017 that the new buyer wouldn't pay for and I'm up around $15-$16 a point -- which is what you'd pay to rent/transfer those points.

But if I kept the contract longer than a few years, it would seem to pay for itself rather quickly.

Any comments/thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

I would tell your guide that they only resort you want is BCV, VGF or VGC and to add you to the wait list if they say they can't or aren't willing to, I would try to speak to another guide. From what I have been reading, there seems to be discrepancies on if you can be added to a waitlist or not. A friend of mine added 30 points at BWV and they had it available and let her add right there and then- no waitlist. Good luck! And yes, do what makes your wife happy

 

[mustinjourney]

just realized that the videos and pictures I saw online of the BWV rooms were all pre-refurbished. The new rooms look much nicer.

 

[mustinjourney]

I would tell your guide that they only resort you want is BCV, VGF or VGC and to add you to the wait list if they say they can't or aren't willing to, I would try to speak to another guide. From what I have been reading, there seems to be discrepancies on if you can be added to a waitlist or not. A friend of mine added 30 points at BWV and they had it available and let her add right there and then- no waitlist. Good luck! And yes, do what makes your wife happy

Sometimes my wife can be stubborn and I have to decide what will make her happy. hahaha

In all seriousness though, the guide at least did not tell me that BCV or VGF would be impossible -- but that there was no "official" waitlist anymore. I told him to keep an eye out for contracts that would work for me.

He did say BWV was fairly easy for him to get -- likely less than a week right now.