New DVC Purchase Advice - BLT or Poly

[bxboriqua]

Hi All,
I'm struggling with purchasing 130 PTS direct from DVC for Poly or buying resale and adding points direct for BLT. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the information out there so i hope you can help. I have a family of 4 ( with a 2 yr old and a newborn) with our 1st use year probably in 2018. The DVC sales guy is trying to spook us out of resale by saying the Disney could be removing additional benefits, his customers feel like 2nd class citizens since it shows in there system that it was purchased resale, and that adding-on does not guarantee gaining the membership benefits lost. I could purchase 175+ Pts resale\addon at BLT for the same $ as 130 PTS at Poly and annual dues are lower so am I just over thinking this?

My wife and I would prefer some separation from the kids as they get older so a 1 BR would seem like the ideal accommodations long term. We also prefer to be close to MK or monorail to be able to escape back to resort for a bit mid-day... it took approx. 1hr to get back to the parking lot last week after the fireworks so we want to avoid that at all costs

. To those with experience, do you find it substantially longer or more inconvenient to\from Poly compared to BLT?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Marriedbythemouse]

Okay there are many reasons for and against direct/resale. For me the biggest difference is length of contract. We bought 2 contracts through resale because hubby and I will be in our late 70s when they run out and we weren't planning on passing them to our kids.
You are probably much younger than we are (judging by your children's ages), so you might want the full life of the contract.
As for "second class" status I have never been made to feel less of a member because I bought resale. I think that's just a scare tactic and shame on them for trying to scare you into buying direct.
The second part of you question - Poly is further and takes longer to get back to than BLT. You can walk to BLT. Poly you need the boat or monorail. That being said I have never had an issue getting back to the Poly after fireworks. But if you think you might want 1 bedroom in the future then Poly won't work for you. Poly only has studios and the large bungalows.
Hope this helped!
Deb

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Disney could be removing additional benefits

Benefits aren't guaranteed for ANYone. There are pretty strong disclosures tonot buy a real estate interest with expectation of "benefits" beyond the timeshare all over DVC"s own materials.

his customers feel like 2nd class citizens since it shows in there system that it was purchased resale

Sure, maybe. Depends on what that's worth to you.

adding-on does not guarantee gaining the membership benefits lost

As of right now, it gets you most of the lost benefits. You still won't be able to use the resale points for the Disney Collection, but that is a poor value for points anyway.

I could purchase 175+ Pts resale\addon at BLT for the same $ as 130 PTS at Poly and annual dues are lower so am I just over thinking this?

Probably. I would definitely advise to look at the dues costs annually.

If you want to be able to book 1BRs, do not buy Poly. Being "a member!" and getting a bunch of benefits you're unlikely to use (based on your point buy-in and room interest, APs don't sound like a strong value, you're likely not going to happen to be on campus for a lot of special events and will need to be booking around school schedules in a matter of years, etc. etc.) is not a value if you can't book the type of unit you want. Poly is all studios, and will never be anything but on the current point sales.

 

[Roxyfire]

Hi All,
I'm struggling with purchasing 130 PTS direct from DVC for Poly or buying resale and adding points direct for BLT. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the information out there so i hope you can help. I have a family of 4 ( with a 2 yr old and a newborn) with our 1st use year probably in 2018. The DVC sales guy is trying to spook us out of resale by saying the Disney could be removing additional benefits, his customers feel like 2nd class citizens since it shows in there system that it was purchased resale, and that adding-on does not guarantee gaining the membership benefits lost. I could purchase 175+ Pts resale\addon at BLT for the same $ as 130 PTS at Poly and annual dues are lower so am I just over thinking this?

My wife and I would prefer some separation from the kids as they get older so a 1 BR would seem like the ideal accommodations long term. We also prefer to be close to MK or monorail to be able to escape back to resort for a bit mid-day... it took approx. 1hr to get back to the parking lot last week after the fireworks so we want to avoid that at all costs

. To those with experience, do you find it substantially longer or more inconvenient to\from Poly compared to BLT?

Thank you in advance!

Honestly the guide will tell you the potential downsides of buying resale as s/he makes zero commission on such sales. That being said, many posters here, including myself, here have purchased a resale contract and then added on and now have the full benefits they want. It does take quite a while to complete the process. My resale took about 6 weeks total.

Only you can compare the costs side by side and decide if the savings are worth it. To me, they are. But I would not buy based on the benefits today, the DVC website and documents all say these are not guaranteed and can end at any time for resale and/or direct. You might consider researching a bit more, look at some room layouts to see what will work best. Others suggest renting points and that's a good idea too.

 

[bxboriqua]

Thank you for the quick replies! I expressed the studio concern with the sales rep and he mentioned that we could book adjoining studios for similar price point a 1BR and have a total of 4 baths. That approach is concerning in that I would have to make sure 2 rooms are available as opposed to 1. I also understand that the benefits aren't guaranteed to anyone but I don't want to be held at a different status because of buying resale...again probably a rookie move of over thinking the importance of "inclusion" of buying direct.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Of course the guide is telling you to run away from resale.

What about the benefits is important to you? Just being part of the "club" even if you can't ever do any of the things they have started to entice you to buy direct?

Reality is that they could stop giving qualified status for a 25 point add on at anytime but so far they are still doing it so IMO no reason to be driven a different route due to fear put in place by a timeshare sales person. A direct contract starts at 50 points for the most part so at worst, if you had to be qualified that would probably be the target it was moved to.

Overall you've said what you want from accommodations, separation from the kids!, and that is the only true benefit of DVC - the rooms. Buy at a place that has the accommodations you want to have and BLT has that. PVB doesn't. I suspect that having the room you want vs access to some party you may never have line up on a stay will be far more satisfying. But I'd bet that you'll get the add on and get qualified if that's what you end up doing.

If someone refers snidely about resale, if it every happend which is unlikely, I'd recommend laughing and telling them you like the extra 50 points or the money you have in the bank more.

BTW - 2 connecting studios is still nothing like a 1BR and the amenities it offers AND it will require more points than a standard and LV 1BR's at BLT in most or all cases.

 

[Marriedbythemouse]

Thank you for the quick replies! I expressed the studio concern with the sales rep and he mentioned that we could book adjoining studios for similar price point a 1BR and have a total of 4 baths. That approach is concerning in that I would have to make sure 2 rooms are available as opposed to 1. I also understand that the benefits aren't guaranteed to anyone but I don't want to be held at a different status because of buying resale...again probably a rookie move of over thinking the importance of "inclusion" of buying direct.

They never guarantee adjoining studios. I have teenagers and we get two studios a lot. Also you would have to put one adult in each room, this might not be convenient for your family.
We bought our first resale before the latest change in the benefit status so we have membership cards. So far people have been able to buy resale and add on direct to gain the membership cards. It has been my experience that the resorts treat you as a member, no matter where you bought your points.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thank you for the quick replies! I expressed the studio concern with the sales rep and he mentioned that we could book adjoining studios for similar price point a 1BR and have a total of 4 baths. That approach is concerning in that I would have to make sure 2 rooms are available as opposed to 1. I also understand that the benefits aren't guaranteed to anyone but I don't want to be held at a different status because of buying resale...again probably a rookie move of over thinking the importance of "inclusion" of buying direct.

A resale buyer without direct points cannot get discount APs (non-guaranteed long-term benefit), enter the EPCOT lounge (not a long-term benefit; it will go when Epcot gets seriously re-done) or attend member events like Moonlight Magic.

Member events are not announced 11 months out. They really are luck of the draw being on campus for them, and you'll have schedule concerns that involve "2 kids," not "maybe DVC will have a member event this week!" Heck, one they announced this year they actually CHANGED THE DATE after announcement. Kind of a nuisance for those who thought they'd be there for it.

The guaranteed status items -- home resort at 11 months, ability to switch as available at 7 -- are completely the same between resale and direct. You can go to Top of the World. You will not be treated like toe fungus made large.

 

[Dean]

Hi All,
I'm struggling with purchasing 130 PTS direct from DVC for Poly or buying resale and adding points direct for BLT. I'm a little overwhelmed with all the information out there so i hope you can help. I have a family of 4 ( with a 2 yr old and a newborn) with our 1st use year probably in 2018. The DVC sales guy is trying to spook us out of resale by saying the Disney could be removing additional benefits, his customers feel like 2nd class citizens since it shows in there system that it was purchased resale, and that adding-on does not guarantee gaining the membership benefits lost. I could purchase 175+ Pts resale\addon at BLT for the same $ as 130 PTS at Poly and annual dues are lower so am I just over thinking this?

My wife and I would prefer some separation from the kids as they get older so a 1 BR would seem like the ideal accommodations long term. We also prefer to be close to MK or monorail to be able to escape back to resort for a bit mid-day... it took approx. 1hr to get back to the parking lot last week after the fireworks so we want to avoid that at all costs

. To those with experience, do you find it substantially longer or more inconvenient to\from Poly compared to BLT?

Thank you in advance!

Scare tactics. They can't remove usage options, they can and may remove or block you from other perks/benefits. You should spend several months investigating so you'll be more informed as to the choices and it often starts with a post such as this. In the end it depends on what's best for you but in no case is buying retail for 130 or more points worth it just for the retail benefits though there are some cases where informed buyers may decide to go retail to get a new resort, something they can't get otherwise, smaller package (50 or less) or where the price difference isn't large enough. I'd plan for a 1 BR and buy enough points to get that for a week as a minimum. IF you're looking at lower seasons like Adventure or choice, I'd buy a little extra. Between the 2 you mentioned BLT resale plus a 25 pt retail add on may be best but you may be in the size range where it's best to just forego the perks and get a larger retail contract, say 150 or so. SSR will be significantly cheaper long term but you'd want to be OK staying there if you couldn't get something else at 7 months out. AKV will also be close long term to BLT costs, less up front, more in dues.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

enter the EPCOT lounge (not a long-term benefit; it will go when Epcot gets seriously re-done)

Or will be used for something other than DVC after the end of 2017 as that is all that it is announced to last for.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Or will be used for something other than DVC after the end of 2017 as that is all that it is announced to last for.

Yeah. The first permit to work over near World of Energy was filed, which is a harbinger of a lot more work in Future World. Given how vacant it is around the lounge, it's hard to believe that area won't be redeveloped, and that the redevelopment will somehow magically go around the lounge and access to the lounge will be unimpaired while they're running concrete mixers and welders and etc.

IF the lounge makes it through, it'll still probably be no fly for more than a bit.

 

[bxboriqua]

Thank you everyone for the advice! My offer for 150 pts at BLT was accepted so fingers crossed that we get through ROFR.

 

[ktmo]

Congrats. I think you made the right decision.

 

[kboo]

Thank you everyone for the advice! My offer for 150 pts at BLT was accepted so fingers crossed that we get through ROFR.

Congratulations and good luck! I agree, you made the right decision. We have an almost 6yo and an 18 month old, and that walk to MK is invaluable. The only second guessing for us was whether VGF was worth the $ and no walking access for bigger villas.

 

[bxboriqua]

Congratulations and good luck! I agree, you made the right decision. We have an almost 6yo and an 18 month old, and that walk to MK is invaluable. The only second guessing for us was whether VGF was worth the $ and no walking access for bigger villas.

Thanks, the walking factor to MK and monorail were kind of big deal for us. Going this route has provided us the opportunity to purchase more points while saving money... in the resort we prefer. I plan to use those savings to add-on direct which should put us in a better position for use in all the available resorts.

 

[DVCcurious]

My 2 cents:

DVC is a timeshare.

A timeshare contract is the buyer prepaying for a hotel room for X number of years.

Disney allows you to move in and out of resorts, book at 11 months for your home resort, etc. But those things aren't in your contract, they are simply benefits that Disney allows.

Your contract only guarantees a number of points per year that can be used to rent a room at a certain resort.

Therefore buying direct or resale because of "extras" Disney offers is silly to me. Buy DVC because you want to prepay for your hotel room. You shouldn't consider anything else.

20 years ago Disney gave all DVC members annual passes FOR FREE. Now we just get a discount. The benefits WILL CHANGE. So don't buy based on benefits. Buy because you want to prepay for a hotel room at X resort. Then you won't be disappointed when they take away XYZ benefit.

 

[Dean]

My 2 cents:

DVC is a timeshare.

A timeshare contract is the buyer prepaying for a hotel room for X number of years.

Disney allows you to move in and out of resorts, book at 11 months for your home resort, etc. But those things aren't in your contract, they are simply benefits that Disney allows.

Your contract only guarantees a number of points per year that can be used to rent a room at a certain resort.

Therefore buying direct or resale because of "extras" Disney offers is silly to me. Buy DVC because you want to prepay for your hotel room. You shouldn't consider anything else.

20 years ago Disney gave all DVC members annual passes FOR FREE. Now we just get a discount. The benefits WILL CHANGE. So don't buy based on benefits. Buy because you want to prepay for a hotel room at X resort. Then you won't be disappointed when they take away XYZ benefit.

That's partly incorrect. There are legalities for the other resort usage that are contractual. If one wants to take that stance even the home resort continuing in the club or being inhabitable are not contractually guaranteed. There are methods by which a resort can be close down or even sold off.

 

[bxboriqua]

Just to update, we were in the ROFR stage and I was just notified that the seller had a change of heart and was no longer selling. The unfortunate part is that I can't find any loaded contract for 150-200 points at Bay Lake now that my time was wasted...

Not sure if I should wait it out for the right contract at Bay Lake or consider another home resort

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just to update, we were in the ROFR stage and I was just notified that the seller had a change of heart and was no longer selling. The unfortunate part is that I can't find any loaded contract for 150-200 points at Bay Lake now that my time was wasted...

Not sure if I should wait it out for the right contract at Bay Lake or consider another home resort

Contracts are listed every day so I'd suggest just waiting. Remember that this is something that has more than 40 years left to go so taking a little more time at the start can be worth it. If the pricing is right even getting a contract that has 2017 points that would be current for your 2018 trip might be fine. You seemed pretty happy with the decision for BLT so unless that's changed for some reason I'd stick with it.

 

[ELMC]

Just to update, we were in the ROFR stage and I was just notified that the seller had a change of heart and was no longer selling. The unfortunate part is that I can't find any loaded contract for 150-200 points at Bay Lake now that my time was wasted...

Not sure if I should wait it out for the right contract at Bay Lake or consider another home resort

So sorry to hear that. But don't lose heart. Your instincts told you that something about the direct purchase was not right for you....so trust your instincts. Resale is more work, no doubt about it, but it's a 2-3 month delay of gratification for 30+ years of use. Seems like a good investment to me. KAT is right, new contracts become available all the time. We just bought a loaded BLT 200 and right after we went to ROFR another one became available at a better price. From everything you have said, BLT appears to be the correct home resort for you. I would advise you to be patient, you'll be happy that you did. Good luck!