Rumor: Direct Minimum for DVC Purchase Increasing to 150 Points

[ScubaCat]

With the frequency of these increases (and knowing DVC) does anyone think DVC would potentially end the "grandfathering" practice to anyone below whatever the new minimum is?

Not 100% sure what that would cause and I imagine that would be a PR nightmare and administrative headache, but was just curious.

Disney has always honored what the deal was when you purchase something. They'll still redeem admission tickets from 1971 if you happened to have one (and wanted to part with it). I wouldn't say "never", but un-grandfathering members would be a really, REALLY significant departure from that long held practice. They've certainly undergone a lot of changes over the years, but never have modified the terms on anything a guest had already purchased. Legality aside, it would undermine consumer confidence in a major way IMHO.

I was hoping for the AP's to return and then would begrudgingly pull the trigger on the 125 but if this increase to 150 min buy in is true,..... like the fat kid in dodge ball I'm out.

LOL. People say that every single time they increase it. I'm old enough to remember when "25 was worth it, but 75 I just can't justify the math". And here we are today: 125 was OK, but 150... nope!

 

[qwerty2k]

This might potentially price us out of buying direct, still in the research and saving phase. Had anticipated buying next year but if the price per point keeps going up and now we would ‘need’ 150 points as well it may price us out of it.

 

[fixerupper]

Is the 125 something we can "lock in" ahead of time (like the price increase?) or do we have to be signed by the increase date?

 

[Sandisw]

Is the 125 something we can "lock in" ahead of time (like the price increase?) or do we have to be signed by the increase date?

You have to have signed the contract. Once signed, FL law gives you 10 days to cancel.

 

[Ruttangel]

The minimum was really 150 already as that is where incentives start so made sense to buyers to get those extra 25 points at a bit of a discount.
If incentives start at 200 then this will be another kick in the teeth.....maybe they will launch a new perk because $30-40k buy in is getting difficult to justify

 

[bwvBound]

FWIW, I'm pretty convinced that the great AP-reset will be tied to customer loyalty within/across the brand. I'm hoping for a better break at DLR given our DVC direct points, DCL status, D23 Charter, etc.

 

[Spinster Travel]

I wasn't at all surprised that the increase was announced, but I admit I was floored that it was announced now rather than in the Fall and that it might coincide with the sales of VGF2. I've got 25 direct points now and had been planning to purchase smaller additional contracts until I got to the 125 with the knowledge that I might have to bite the bullet all at once if they increased the minimum. I really wanted to see what the sales price would be for VGF2 before I committed to my next small add-on. I don't like to "panic buy", but I also know I was kicking myself for not buying the 100 points when I had the chance.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

So - we're finally getting back to where it was 12+ years ago.

In the meantime DVC's thought they needed to sell smaller amounts for a over the last decade to entice 1st time buyers introduced a lot of headaches and strain on the system. It's one of the few recent steps that has a responsible fiduciary side that is positive for the membership although it's almost certainly just a biproduct of a decision they feel will give them higher sales.

 

[jodifla]

When I bought in in 1996 the minimum was 150, then we added on 56 more points direct. They should have never lowered it to 25 IMO.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

I'm torn on opinion with this...

150 points can be a lot more than you need for a once per year week long studio stay. And I think a lot of people being pulled out of the parks to tour DVC are just looking for a deal on their "hotel room" for their annual trip. The longing for 2 bedrooms and add-on-itis will come later.

We tried to buy when they were selling AKV and SSR and we did the presentation and they're sitting their putting on paper how we need maybe 100 points for our stay but then refuse to sell us less than 160.

Obviously, we walked.

So, I guess I can see blue card status at 150, but a new minimum buy-in at 150 makes me think they are targeting only people who come frequently or stay more than 1 week or don't want studios. With no APs to offer right now, I think their target audience will not match that profile.

 

[RanDIZ]

Way to go Disney, kicking people while their down. Coming out of a pandemic and facing financial stress across world and Disney not only raises direct pricing, but also the minimum to buy.

I own 2 resales and it never once crossed my mind to buy direct. I saved almost $14k. I’m just venting for those who actually think direct is the way to go. Just remember, if staying at future DVC is a reason to buy direct because of resale restrictions, good luck trying at the 7 month mark. It’s hard enough now, sometimes impossible to get a reservation even at 11 months.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

150 points can be a lot more than you need for a once per year week long studio stay. And I think a lot of people being pulled out of the parks to tour DVC are just looking for a deal on their "hotel room" for their annual trip. The longing for 2 bedrooms and add-on-itis will come later.

This is exactly our problem. We want enough points for a studio week every other year and we'll maybe upgrade to enough for a week every year later. 100 was already a bit more than we wanted so the increase to 125 pushed us out. 150 is out of the question for an initial purchase.

Way to go Disney, kicking people while their down. Coming out of a pandemic and facing financial stress across world and Disney not only raises direct pricing, but also the minimum to buy.

To be fair, the vast majority of people in the economic class to buy DVC direct were unaffected by the pandemic. This is why resale prices never really fell.

 

[Bjaiken77]

Wouldn’t you think this has to mean some of the perks are coming back? I mean, they have to do something to justify this ask of people. 150 is a lot of points and the price per points is now sitting at $200 for most resorts. That’s $30K! If you’re asking that of people, you have to give them something in my opinion. Otherwise, re-sale is just fine.

 

[Sandisw]

Wouldn’t you think this has to mean some of the perks are coming back? I mean, they have to do something to justify this ask of people. 150 is a lot of points and the price per points is now sitting at $200 for most resorts. That’s $30K! If you’re asking that of people, you have to give them something in my opinion. Otherwise, re-sale is just fine.

I think it could be a good sign of things to come. Remember the issue with studio availability now vs 12 years ago when I bought is real and in great part to them lowering the minimum for new buyers.

I think this move its more about making sure people are buying enough to encourage flexibility in room size.

Granted it may turn people away but we also have seen a slight decrease in the interest Disney charges to buy in so the payment different monthly on those extra 25 is going to be negligible over 10 yearrs.

But adding more studios to the system IMO is in response to people now looking as you say for a cheaper hotel room vs a home away from home that was the initial thought behind DVC. The

 

[Divaofdisney]

I wonder if an announcement is coming to further reveal updated perks to coincide with the increases at SSR and new planned add on at GF?? It would be really nice to see some of those perks return. I hope they do something soon.

 

[ajsanford]

Th

Wouldn’t you think this has to mean some of the perks are coming back? I mean, they have to do something to justify this ask of people. 150 is a lot of points and the price per points is now sitting at $200 for most resorts. That’s $30K! If you’re asking that of people, you have to give them something in my opinion. Otherwise, re-sale is just fine.

That is my hope.... We are looking at buying RIV or VGF2.. At first I was mad about the 150 point increase, but I am planning to buy enough points to stay in a 1BR every other year, so in reality, 150 is a good number for me. I am kinda sitting back and waiting to see what happens with VGF2 before we decide.
If they started increasing the perks (especially discounts on park tickets), that would push me over the edge to go direct.
I just hope they keep the discount incentives at 150 points...
The pricing that I have for RIV doesn't expire for several months, so I think they have to honor that though?

 

[Sandisw]

Th


That is my hope.... We are looking at buying RIV or VGF2.. At first I was mad about the 150 point increase, but I am planning to buy enough points to stay in a 1BR every other year, so in reality, 150 is a good number for me. I am kinda sitting back and waiting to see what happens with VGF2 before we decide.
If they started increasing the perks (especially discounts on park tickets), that would push me over the edge to go direct.
I just hope they keep the discount incentives at 150 points...
The pricing that I have for RIV doesn't expire for several months, so I think they have to honor that though?

They only have to honor it if you actual sign a contract by the time it expires. And IIRC, the language for incentives has the notion it can be rescinded at any time.

That doesn’t happen very often, but it can. many times with little notice. Right now guides got a one day notice for SSR going to $180 from $165 which is all we got as the general public.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm torn on opinion with this...

150 points can be a lot more than you need for a once per year week long studio stay. And I think a lot of people being pulled out of the parks to tour DVC are just looking for a deal on their "hotel room" for their annual trip. The longing for 2 bedrooms and add-on-itis will come later.

We tried to buy when they were selling AKV and SSR and we did the presentation and they're sitting their putting on paper how we need maybe 100 points for our stay but then refuse to sell us less than 160.

Obviously, we walked.

So, I guess I can see blue card status at 150, but a new minimum buy-in at 150 makes me think they are targeting only people who come frequently or stay more than 1 week or don't want studios. With no APs to offer right now, I think their target audience will not match that profile.

It is a tough question about what the minimum allowable purchase should be for a new member. It just never should have been 50 pts or less. Also most of the resorts were built with varying size accommodations and not meant for such heavy studio demand.

 

[MICKIMINI]

That is my hope.... We are looking at buying RIV or VGF2.. At first I was mad about the 150 point increase, but I am planning to buy enough points to stay in a 1BR every other year, so in reality, 150 is a good number for me. I am kinda sitting back and waiting to see what happens with VGF2 before we decide.
If they started increasing the perks (especially discounts on park tickets), that would push me over the edge to go direct.
I just hope they keep the discount incentives at 150 points...
The pricing that I have for RIV doesn't expire for several months, so I think they have to honor that though?

"I can’t guarantee any price..." That was my DVC guide yesterday.

My guide also said yesterday, he will "honor the price we were discussing for 14 days".

If you haven't already, you may want to touch base with your guide and ask questions... Good luck!

 

[Sunnyore]

Way to go Disney, kicking people while their down. Coming out of a pandemic and facing financial stress across world and Disney not only raises direct pricing, but also the minimum to buy.

I own 2 resales and it never once crossed my mind to buy direct. I saved almost $14k. I’m just venting for those who actually think direct is the way to go. Just remember, if staying at future DVC is a reason to buy direct because of resale restrictions, good luck trying at the 7 month mark. It’s hard enough now, sometimes impossible to get a reservation even at 11 months.

I managed to book Riviera Tower rooms under 6 months out. Made me glad I have some direct points to book it. I only stuck with the min 125 points but I think that’s sufficient for me to have some unrestricted access. I currently have more resale than direct points. So far no regrets for the direct points and relief that I don’t have to scramble and make rash decisions to buy some under the pressure of point increase. I knew it was going to be raised at some point but didn’t think it would be so quick.