Questions regarding purchasing in person

[Rgrif3]

My family is traveling in September to WDW and staying at Kidani (we used a rental site to get this reservation). We would like to purchase DVC direct in person while we are there. I have a few specific questions that if anyone has thoughts on, I would very much appreciate it:
1. Can we sign the paperwork and complete everything at one of the DVC booths at the resort, or do I need to go somewhere else to complete the process?
2. How long is the process? we do not want to go on the tour this trip, just complete the paperwork.
3. My wife, daughter, and I had purchased Platinum Plus annual passes that we had not activated/used yet. I was hoping to purchase DVC direct, then perhaps go to guest services and attempt to change these annual passes to Gold passes (we know that these do not include water parks and have date restrictions). Is this something that anyone has done before? If so, is it a difficult process?

Thanks to everyone in advance for his/her help! We had been reading lots of threads, watching the DVC show, talking with friends who are members. We feel we are going in with our eyes wide open, so thanks for all the free advice y'all have been giving on these boards.

 

[Rgrif3]

I should also mention that we have had a few conversations with a guide over the phone, so he knows about what use year we want, where, etc. Thanks.

 

[doubletoast]

1. Can we sign the paperwork and complete everything at one of the DVC booths at the resort, or do I need to go somewhere else to complete the process?

You can't do it at the booth, but they will arrange travel to a location where it can happen. From Kidani they offered us Disney Springs, or Boardwalk. We went to Boardwalk so we could walk over to Hollywood after.

2. How long is the process? we do not want to go on the tour this trip, just complete the paperwork.

We were there for about 2 1/2 hours. They rearranged a few fast passes for us, and gave us some new ones. Had our points before we left the room.

3. My wife, daughter, and I had purchased Platinum Plus annual passes that we had not activated/used yet. I was hoping to purchase DVC direct, then perhaps go to guest services and attempt to change these annual passes to Gold passes (we know that these do not include water parks and have date restrictions). Is this something that anyone has done before? If so, is it a difficult process?

We changed in the other direction. Upgraded our tickets to gold passes. Took about 15 minutes at Hollywood.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Depending on the resort you want, they may not be able to sell it to you on the spot. Have you confirmed they have points at your chosen resort in preferred UY?

If you want Riviera you're fine. Anything else, you should confirm before getting too far ahead of yourself.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I didn't think they would allow you a refund on tickets. So you could upgrade (and you are at the highest level already) or keep it the same. I don't think you will get money back by purchasing DVC Gold pass. Hopefully, I am wrong in your case.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I didn't think they would allow you a refund on tickets. So you could upgrade (and you are at the highest level already) or keep it the same. I don't think you will get money back by purchasing DVC Gold pass. Hopefully, I am wrong in your case.

That's my understanding as well. Once or twice I've heard of people getting funds back on a gift card but that's been so rare it's not something to be expected. Last year my niece was upgraded to Platinum DVC APs instead of Gold APs from their tickets. I arrived shortly after them and saw the mistake so we were looking to get it correct within 10-15 minutes of the transaction. It took a bit of prodding to get them to make the change. Had we waited an hour? Can't imagine.

 

[Rgrif3]

Thanks everyone! We are planning on purchasing Riviera (knowing about resale restrictions) and the guide confirmed that the specific use year was able to be purchased. Regarding the "downgrading" of the passes, the guide suggested that it was possible; however, perhaps he was thinking about getting the DVC price of the platinum plus pass, not going from one type of pass to another. It would really be some pixie dust though, to save ~500/pass ($1500 total) by getting the gold pass instead of ~220/pass ($660 total) to get the DVC price adjustment for the platinum plus pass!

 

[Sandisw]

If you know for sure you are going to purchase, why not contact your guide now and have him get everything set so your time there would be limited?

In terms of passes, while downgrading isn’t usually allowed, in this case, they may be able to get it to happen for you since you are buying.

Good luck

 

[CarolMN]

If you know for sure you are going to purchase, why not contact your guide now and have him get everything set so your time there would be limited?

In terms of passes, while downgrading isn’t usually allowed, in this case, they may be able to get it to happen for you since you are buying.

Good luck

Agree.

Call your guide and make an appointment to sign everything for a time that will be convenient for you while you are there. Be sure to ask to guide about downgrading your Platinum Plus Pass to a GOLD at the appointment, and let him know that your understanding is that Guest Services normally doesn't do refunds. So is there anything he could do to help with that.

Assume you know that the GOLD does not include admission to the water parks or golf course. If you want those options, you will need the DVC Platinum Plus pass. It's still a discount over what the public can get, but not as much of a discount to downgrade to a Gold.

 

[Disney_Bliss]

Depending on the resort you want, they may not be able to sell it to you on the spot. Have you confirmed they have points at your chosen resort in preferred UY?

If you want Riviera you're fine. Anything else, you should confirm before getting too far ahead of yourself.

I have been trying to find out about buying small contracts for existing properties (BCV, BWV) direct, but have not seen much on where to go to get info. I am assuming for those it is most likely a phone call to DVC to discuss? We will be at WDW next summer (new OKW DVC resale members) and might partake in a Boardwalk appointment if it could lead to a purchase of one of the home resorts I am interested in. My focus on being direct is the ability to book places like Disneyland Paradise Pier and other non-DVC Disney properties (which I believe you cannot do as a resale DVC member). Lights on MB readers and other discounts - unimportant (except on passes - Disney VISA covers the rest).

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have been trying to find out about buying small contracts for existing properties (BCV, BWV) direct, but have not seen much on where to go to get info. I am assuming for those it is most likely a phone call to DVC to discuss? We will be at WDW next summer (new OKW DVC resale members) and might partake in a Boardwalk appointment if it could lead to a purchase of one of the home resorts I am interested in. My focus on being direct is the ability to book places like Disneyland Paradise Pier and other non-DVC Disney properties (which I believe you cannot do as a resale DVC member). Lights on MB readers and other discounts - unimportant (except on passes - Disney VISA covers the rest).

Your small direct contract will not go very far booking Paradise Pier and other non-DVC properties. You might get one or two nights with a 75 point contract. You can't use resale points to book these if they were not grandfathered.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

My focus on being direct is the ability to book places like Disneyland Paradise Pier and other non-DVC Disney properties (which I believe you cannot do as a resale DVC member).

If you are buying to trade, why would you buy BCV or BWV, which are two of the costliest resorts direct when you consider all elements?

Direct Saratoga books PP and Disneyland Hotel far cheaper.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have been trying to find out about buying small contracts for existing properties (BCV, BWV) direct, but have not seen much on where to go to get info. I am assuming for those it is most likely a phone call to DVC to discuss? We will be at WDW next summer (new OKW DVC resale members) and might partake in a Boardwalk appointment if it could lead to a purchase of one of the home resorts I am interested in. My focus on being direct is the ability to book places like Disneyland Paradise Pier and other non-DVC Disney properties (which I believe you cannot do as a resale DVC member). Lights on MB readers and other discounts - unimportant (except on passes - Disney VISA covers the rest).

You have reviewed the point charts for booking PP and the other non-DVC Disney properties, yes? And know that they can change and have. ie, they can and have increased in point requirements? We were just at DL and I did check on availability using points to trade to both PP or DLH but in the end the cash I could get via renting my points and paying for the room with $$$$'s was better than booking with points. It would be a long time and it probably would never happen that you'd come out ahead buying direct to book non-DVC. Buy resale and rent out the points if you wish to stay at one of the Disney hotels. Or try and snag VGC on points - now THAT's the bargain compared to cash hotel prices at GC.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Or try and snag VGC on points - now THAT's the bargain compared to cash hotel prices at GC.

Or, for that matter: Buy VGC resale. Resale pricing for VGC is roughly what direct pricing for BWV and BCV is, with better upside for booking at DLR.

 

[Disney_Bliss]

You have reviewed the point charts for booking PP and the other non-DVC Disney properties, yes? And know that they can change and have. ie, they can and have increased in point requirements? We were just at DL and I did check on availability using points to trade to both PP or DLH but in the end the cash I could get via renting my points and paying for the room with $$$$'s was better than booking with points. It would be a long time and it probably would never happen that you'd come out ahead buying direct to book non-DVC. Buy resale and rent out the points if you wish to stay at one of the Disney hotels. Or try and snag VGC on points - now THAT's the bargain compared to cash hotel prices at GC.

Ah, that is a great point. I have a friend who has been DVC and heard the same thing about Disney Cruises - it can be cheaper to pay cash and rent your points out to pay for everything. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Disney_Bliss]

If you are buying to trade, why would you buy BCV or BWV, which are two of the costliest resorts direct when you consider all elements?

Direct Saratoga books PP and Disneyland Hotel far cheaper.

Mostly since we are more frequent at DL, but prefer BCV or BWV for our WDW trips - less frequent so more important (to me) to have the 11 month window. If DL hotels do not work out, there are other options for a shorter trip than a longer trip to WDW where we like to be in the EPCOT resort area.

 

[Disney_Bliss]

Or, for that matter: Buy VGC resale. Resale pricing for VGC is roughly what direct pricing for BWV and BCV is, with better upside for booking at DLR.

The only problem I see with VGC resale is that there are limited rooms at VGC, whereas adding DPP to available room options seemed to make more sense for short-notice trips to DL.

 

[Disney_Bliss]

Your small direct contract will not go very far booking Paradise Pier and other non-DVC properties. You might get one or two nights with a 75 point contract. You can't use resale points to book these if they were not grandfathered.

That I did not know. I thought being direct was like a doorway, and all points (resale or direct) were viable if you had at least one (1) direct contract. Keeping them separate permanently changes the recipe, for sure.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The only problem I see with VGC resale is that there are limited rooms at VGC, whereas adding DPP to available room options seemed to make more sense for short-notice trips to DL.

Rooms at PP on points are also.limited

 

[Katie L]

In terms of passes, while downgrading isn’t usually allowed, in this case, they may be able to get it to happen for you since you are buying.

This. Don't know how many points you are buying - but if it's at least a $15k transaction, I'd think they'd work some magic to keep from losing the sale...