Now that Annual Passes are back, who will be adding on and where?

[Straulin]

The return of annual passes has basically cinched it for us. The addonitis is strong. So we are debating between Grand Floridian (175 points) and Animal Kingdom Lodge (200 points) for our first direct purchase. We are a family of four so the DVC sorcerer pass will save us approximately $1700 a year on annual passes. Seems like the time to go ahead and add on direct.

Animal Kingdom would be about $1000 cheaper even when we get a discount for our Disney Visa on the Grand Floridian points. By the math animal kingdom seems the clear winner, but we are probably going with Grand Floridian. We like Animal Kingdom, but would rather stay at GFV and would have a harder time booking grand Floridian outside of the 7 to 11 month window.

 

[TCRAIG]

AK should be easier to get at 7 months than VGF…

 

[Sandisw]

Congratulations! We will be adding on at some point…but not for APs…just because i want…waiting for Poly tower announcement

 

[zavandor]

The return of annual passes has basically cinched it for us. The addonitis is strong. So we are debating between Grand Floridian (175 points) and Animal Kingdom Lodge (200 points) for our first direct purchase. We are a family of four so the DVC sorcerer pass will save us approximately $1700 a year on annual passes. Seems like the time to go ahead and add on direct.

Animal Kingdom would be about $1000 cheaper even when we get a discount for our Disney Visa on the Grand Floridian points. By the math animal kingdom seems the clear winner, but we are probably going with Grand Floridian. We like Animal Kingdom, but would rather stay at GFV and would have a harder time booking grand Floridian outside of the 7 to 11 month window.

But AKV have a much better point chart. And I'm not talking about the value rooms, that are so difficult to get, but the standard rooms, which I think is the best DVC deal (with a chance of a partial savannahs view!).
The AKV points wouldn't just be cheaper, they can book longer stays.

On the other hand, don't focus on buy in only, VGF has lower MFs, which compensate a bit the buy in on the long term.
I know, I'm not making this easier

 

[lovethesun12]

Congratulations! We will be adding on at some point…but not for APs…just because i want…waiting for Poly tower announcement

Has there been any indication of when that announcement might be that you know of? I'm interested as well.

 

[Sandisw]

Has there been any indication of when that announcement might be that you know of? I'm interested as well.

Nothing official but a few DVC sales people at the kiosks when I was there a few weeks ago said they were hoping we would be hearing about the tower when the VDH info comes out.

So, I really hope that comes true!

 

[intamin]

Has there been any indication of when that announcement might be that you know of? I'm interested as well.

I don't think even Disney knows what they're going to say during that announcement yet

 

[mz-s]

Oh yeah my wife and I were just talking, we own 200 points at Riviera but once we get an AP we could see using at least 100 more points. If not more. Now whether we buy direct or not, that's up in the air, basically how bad do we want to use these add-on points at RIV vs. other resorts. Recognizing as time goes on the buy-in price is less and less important vs. the ongoing costs in dues.

 

[Electron_si]

I know a lot of people love VGF but when we did the DVC tour I didn’t like it as much as some of the other properties. I think the lobby is stuffy and I didn’t really like the restaurant choices. The lounge upstairs is nice, the rooms have been refreshed, and I do think the pools are fairly nice but it’s just not somewhere I would buy points to stay at.

Having said that AKV also has drawbacks, it’s big and can be a walk, transportation isn’t great, and the rooms need an update since they don’t offer the Murphy bed yet but I would still do AKV all things considered.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

I was out on AKL when I realized the dark wood trim reminded me of my college apartment. I like The Lion King, but not that much

Waiting on more info for Poly tower.

 

[Samfar]

We are on the same boat. Traveling to Orlando end of April and planning to get some direct points .. hoping AP will still be available for purchase

 

[Straulin]

We already have 360 BCV points we bought resale last year in June. We couldn’t get in at BCV for October last year but booked a split stay at AKL and VGF so have stayed at both. For me it is VGF all the way. The dues are cheaper, contract is longer, way better transportation options, better resale if we ever wanted to unload them, and the 11 month booking is more important there.

My wife keeps looking at the $1000 less for 25 more points and hesitating.

We asked or two kids (11 & 13) about it and they both instantly said VGF. I think that is where we will land. We will decide for sure by the 13th to be sure to get in on the passes before they are gone.

 

[Samfar]

Hi.. does anybody knows which fire sale resorts are going on for direct these days? We are in Bermuda and they don't want to answer anything regarding DVC on phone
I had heard of AKL up for fire sale.. we are planning to buy end of April during our visit to Orlando..

would really appreciate some feedback on this!

 

[Straulin]

Hi.. does anybody knows which fire sale resorts are going on for direct these days? We are in Bermuda and they don't want to answer anything regarding DVC on phone
I had heard of AKL up for fire sale.. we are planning to buy end of April during our visit to Orlando..

would really appreciate some feedback on this!

For current members AKV is $210 per point with a $45 discount if you buy 200 points. It is only $27 discount for 175.

 

[Samfar]

For current members AKV is $210 per point with a $45 discount if you buy 200 points. It is only $27 discount for 175.

Thank you.. this really helps!

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I purchased AKL when it went DVC - it’s us still one if my favorite DVC - Bay Lake holding top tier for me - I thought you can always book AKL - but Covid taught me you can’t - often shockingly AKL was booked solid - what a shock !
I’ve gotten concierge several times without walking the reservation - I’ve done it during DVC Member cruises - great fun ! That one perk in DVC rooms - being able to book concierge I love ! Otherwise I’d never be able to do it !
I’ve never thought the hotel was too far away - I feel I do just as much walking at the resort as any other - having just stayed at Old Key West and Beach Club - I did a lot of walking and I still prefer AKL or Bay Lake over those two - YMMV
The Animals are awesome - yes the dues are high but you’re taking care of animals in that . The points are slightly cheaper than Lake view room at Bay Lake but I can walk to MK or hop monorail at Bay Lake .
I like the Poly a lot but the fact that I would be inhaling Dole Whips nonstop keeps me out of the Poly - no I would never get tired of them
So tempted to buy AKL points during this sale but hoping they eventually have one on Bay Lake - then I’m whipping out my card
To me Covid drove home purchase where you want to stay - as it’s impossible for me to book Bay Lake when I want it now so that means I need points there !

 

[DavidMagic]

I just sent a contract for SSR SAP out literally 2 days before the announcement. I’m hoping the ROFR monster doesn’t wake up until I pass….

 

[BamaGuy44]

We are likely adding on when Poly 2 goes on sale, nothing to do with APs though. We'll buy Poly2 if we like it and the association/incentives/point chart. If not we will buy Riviera direct or CCV resale.

 

[Nursemanit]

VGF will rent much quicker if you ever want to rent out your points

 

[divehard]

So If I have a resale contract now how many direct points do I need to purchase for the AP discount?