Questions about DVC contract strategies

[Steelers0854]

^ Interesting nuance about that with Direct. Guide told me that they do not actually charge/collect the downpayment until documents are signed (which does not mean closing, obviously) and so dues do not begin accruing until that point. I see my new direct 250 point contract listed on my dashboard, but the points are 0 out of 250, presumably until I sign the contracts and they collect the downpayment (at which time i would have access to the points). Then it's just a process of making final payments and finishing closing process.

That's different than the way it used to work where the deposit was charged/collected and you had the points available even before you got documents emailed to you.

Are we sure this is correct? That would drastically delay access to points since you have to get signatures notarized when you sign the documents. Also does that mean you have to call back again once you sign the forms to make the payment? Im not certain this is accurate, if it is thats very unfortunate as one of the best parts was getting access to points almost before you hung up the phone. I don’t see why they would do this, they can always claw back points and cancel bookings if for some reason you didnt complete the process.

 

[airjay75]

Are we sure this is correct? That would drastically delay access to points since you have to get signatures notarized when you sign the documents. Also does that mean you have to call back again once you sign the forms to make the payment? Im not certain this is accurate, if it is thats very unfortunate as one of the best parts was getting access to points almost before you hung up the phone. I don’t see why they would do this, they can always claw back points and cancel bookings if for some reason you didnt complete the process.

I think they mean the e-sign of the initial documents, not the notary appointment that follows that. I bought in late April. As soon as both me and my wife e-signed, our credit cards were charged. Then, at our convenience, we scheduled a notary appointment that formalized everything. I wasn’t paying too much attention to when our points were loaded, but I would think once you’ve e-signed and your credit card has been charged, the points would be there. And, you can basically do that the same day you tell your guide what you want.

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

I think they mean the e-sign of the initial documents, not the notary appointment that follows that. I bought in late April. As soon as both me and my wife e-signed, our credit cards were charged. Then, at our convenience, we scheduled a notary appointment that formalized everything. I wasn’t paying too much attention to when our points were loaded, but I would think once you’ve e-signed and your credit card has been charged, the points would be there. And, you can basically do that the same day you tell your guide what you want.

Yes!

 

[Takeitforgranite]

Circling back to this thread, after doing a couple months of researching and spreadsheeting. I have a better understanding of UY timing, MB, banking, and borrowing…I think.

I have come to the conclusion that buying 150+ pts direct is the best option for me, mainly due to the Sorcerer pass cost savings. There isn’t a huge sample size, but the Incredi-pass is increasing at a higher rate than the Sorcerer pass. The cost spread gets a little wider for 2026. All the other perks are not much of a factor, but the idea of spending so much and not be a full card-carrying member is worth something.

I did reach out to DVC and emailed a guide a few times about a month ago. I asked about picking UY, and he mentioned that “we can go backwards no more than 8 months typically, so April is possible up to the end of November”.

It really didn’t sink in what that fully meant at the time. Since our 2026 summer trip is already booked, my goal is to buy DVC and have enough to use the points for summer 2027. Our typical summer stays have ranged from 183 to 187 pts. Based on what my guide said, if I can get a UY that’s on a month prior to close, say FEB, MAR, APR, I could, potentially rack up 3 UY’s worth of points before June 2027, right?

Scenario 1: Deposit in November, get an APR UY

APR 2025: 150
APR 2026 :150
APR 2027: 150

Scenario 2: Deposit in November, get an APR UY

APR 2025: Use MB
APR 2026 :150
APR 2027: 150

Is my thinking right on this? Sounds like there is flexibility on 8 months backwards, too.

 

[eticketplease]

Circling back to this thread, after doing a couple months of researching and spreadsheeting. I have a better understanding of UY timing, MB, banking, and borrowing…I think.

I have come to the conclusion that buying 150+ pts direct is the best option for me, mainly due to the Sorcerer pass cost savings. There isn’t a huge sample size, but the Incredi-pass is increasing at a higher rate than the Sorcerer pass. The cost spread gets a little wider for 2026. All the other perks are not much of a factor, but the idea of spending so much and not be a full card-carrying member is worth something.

I did reach out to DVC and emailed a guide a few times about a month ago. I asked about picking UY, and he mentioned that “we can go backwards no more than 8 months typically, so April is possible up to the end of November”.

It really didn’t sink in what that fully meant at the time. Since our 2026 summer trip is already booked, my goal is to buy DVC and have enough to use the points for summer 2027. Our typical summer stays have ranged from 183 to 187 pts. Based on what my guide said, if I can get a UY that’s on a month prior to close, say FEB, MAR, APR, I could, potentially rack up 3 UY’s worth of points before June 2027, right?

Scenario 1: Deposit in November, get an APR UY

APR 2025: 150
APR 2026 :150
APR 2027: 150

Scenario 2: Deposit in November, get an APR UY

APR 2025: Use MB
APR 2026 :150
APR 2027: 150

Is my thinking right on this? Sounds like there is flexibility on 8 months backwards, too.

Yes, your thinking looks correct. However, you may want to wait till January or further if possible to purchase. Reason being annual dues are prorated per day when you are buying a direct contract and are based on the calendar year. Therefore, you will not pay any 2025 annual dues even though you will be able to get the points since they’ll be able to bank them for you as a exception when buying direct even when passed your banking deadline or they’re used for magical beginnings.

You would then bank your April 26 points into 27 for your June 2027 trip. If you bank the 2025 points instead of using them for magical beginnings, they would expire on March 31, 2026.

Since you’re not planning on traveling until 2027 on points, I would do magical beginnings (2025 points) bank your 2026 points into 2027 and you’ll have plenty for your trip but if you wanted to change things up or stay longer, you could always borrow from 2028 at that point

 

[Takeitforgranite]

Thanks! Great. Eticketplease to the rescue again.

 

[airjay75]

I did reach out to DVC and emailed a guide a few times about a month ago. I asked about picking UY, and he mentioned that “we can go backwards no more than 8 months typically, so April is possible up to the end of November”.

I highly doubt they will lose the sale if you decide you'd like a December, February, or March UY. They would probably prefer not to, but if you explain why you would like the UY you want and that you are prepared to buy now, they will likely give you whatever UY you want. And, by law, my understanding is that they have to give you all of the points for the contract in the current UY that you would be in.

So, I would decide which UY you personally want. My rule of thumb for the best UY is what months are you LEAST likely to travel to WDW - ideally, you want those to come just before the start of your UY. Once you decide what you would personally want, e-mail your guide why you'd like that UY and that you'd be ready to move forward if you can get what you want.

As @eticketplease points out, a common strategy is to wait to buy until closer to the start of your UY so you can get points for the whole preceding UY, and only prorated dues from the date you decide to purchase. Use magical beginnings for a nice discount if you're ok foregoing the points (I think MB is a great deal). So, if December were your preferred UY, now would be a pretty good time to buy.

 

[Genie+]

I did reach out to DVC and emailed a guide a few times about a month ago. I asked about picking UY, and he mentioned that “we can go backwards no more than 8 months typically, so April is possible up to the end of November”.

While this is a thing, it is not written in stone.

Direct will sell the month or months before a UY but that depends on a few things.

It will automatically happen if an owner already has that UY. DVD will sell a DEC UY to someone with a DEC UY in November.

When that is not true then guides try to push buyers into certain UYs. Sometimes out of necessity, like when a resort is nearing sold out and there is not much inventory left. Then DVD will prioritize existing members to those upcoming UY sales.

If a resort is not close to selling out then there’s a better chance a new buyer can ‘persuade’ DVD to sell them a certain UY no matter what month it is currently. Letting the guide know that you are ready to buy now only if you can get the UY desired seems to help them get authorization lol.

 

[airjay75]

By way of example, I had my first direct points purchase in late April. I asked for an October UY, explained why, and it was easily granted. That wasn't quite 8 months back, but pretty close.

And, TBH, it makes sense. If you're an existing owner, they'll match your UY, and plenty of existing owners wait until the last month before their UY ends. Why would a new owner not be able to get the same deal (and typically with not as good of incentives)?

Again, I do not think they will lose a sale over UY - I have yet to hear a story where someone insisted on the UY they wanted, and they said, well, unfortunately, we just can't sell to you then. If my guide insisted on that, I'd get a new one.

Of course, if you're happy with a spring UY, then no big deal anyways.

 

[eticketplease]

I have come to the conclusion that buying 150+ pts direct is the best option for me

Reminder if you are going to go direct before resale to save an extra $500 by being referred by someone on the referral board.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/dream-it-forward-referral-thread.3924074/

 

[Brian Noble]

While this is a thing, it is not written in stone.

As a data point, I bought a Feb UY during the first half of January. However, that was partly because my first interaction with my Guide was a straightforward "Here's what I want. Please draw it up; I'm ready to pay cash." I later told her my goal was to be the easiest commission she ever earned.