Someone talk me out of this...

[MamaBelle4]

First, I don't think TIW is coming back. Second, APs may or may not and if they do, it likely won't be the same as what we had. Plus when you say family of 7...they all have to be living under DVC owners roof with same address and any adult will need to show ID as proof. Just not sure if your other 5 are your kids under 18 or adult kids or include the grandparents who also live elsewhere. But if all 7 of you qualify for the DVC pass, then it may be worth it (what it the savings on APs and how many years to catch that 7K difference?...like 10?).

I personally would not buy direct if it's a 7K difference. We bought some direct expensive points but small add ons that didn't hurt as much (25, 25, 55 and 70 pointers). We recently sold off a huge chunk of our points (650 down to 275). So you can say the pixie dust has worn off for us. But still, would not buy direct unless under 75 points where price difference isn't as bad (small resales go for more...small to me is 25-90ish points, 100 starts to be regular and above around 250 is larger). I would buy SSR though. It's a good deal and their new renos are outstanding.

Our family of 7 is myself, DH and 5 kids, the oldest of whom is currently 12. So we would have a good many years of the APs for 7 in our future.

I think I'm going to keep our options open. I'll continue scouring the market looking for a resale deal, but if I can't find one what works for us, then I'll buy direct. I'm open to either.

 

[limace]

OH Thank you for that. I haven't had a chance to see the block out dates. I thought they were normally around the highest travelled days. I'd be travelling in the 2nd lowest DVC season. We would do December (if possible) this time around, and then in 2-3 years, move to January. We prefer January anyway but December 2022 is right before my middle child turns 10 in January, so it's more strategic.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but if you’re buying APs I don’t think age matters so you might not need to plan around the birthday in the same way.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but if you’re buying APs I don’t think age matters so you might not need to plan around the birthday in the same way.

Oh, right, but for other things (like dining plan and such) it still matters.

 

[limace]

Oh, right, but for other things (like dining plan and such) it still matters.

Sure though remember dining plan doesn’t exist currently.

 

[DVCsloth]

We used to get the dining plan almost every trip, I have tried just using our DVC or season pass discount and it seems like we spend a little less without the dining plan.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

And finally, DH is leaning towards buying direct because our initial resale contract predates the 2019 restrictions and he doesn't want us to be limited if DVC builds a new property we want to go to.

It sounds like there are other reasons why you would want to buy direct, such as the annual pass benefit and dining. But regarding the ability to stay at future resorts if you buy resale, keep in mind that you could always rent your points and then use that money to rent points from a member at one of the new resorts. For example, I bought resale last year at BCV which restricts my ability to stay at Riviera using my points, but I can rent my points and then use that money to turn around and rent from someone at Riviera. I personally don’t see myself wanting to stay at Riviera that often, maybe only once to experience it. But that option is always there.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Sure though remember dining plan doesn’t exist currently.

I know. I can't imagine they won't bring it back though as it is really lucrative for them.

We used to get the dining plan almost every trip, I have tried just using our DVC or season pass discount and it seems like we spend a little less without the dining plan.

I'll have to calculate it then and try to figure it out. We didn't really do it last time, but usually we do a bunch of character meals and I know that's where we recoup our savings of the plan.

 

[MamaBelle4]

But regarding the ability to stay at future resorts if you buy resale, keep in mind that you could always rent your points and then use that money to rent points from a member at one of the new resorts.

Very true. Personally, I'm pretty happy with the original 14 properties, it's DH that doesn't want to have that limitation. But that's definitely a good point too.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

OH Thank you for that. I haven't had a chance to see the block out dates. I thought they were normally around the highest travelled days. I'd be travelling in the 2nd lowest DVC season. We would do December (if possible) this time around, and then in 2-3 years, move to January. We prefer January anyway but December 2022 is right before my middle child turns 10 in January, so it's more strategic.

Is Dec your UY? (I'd assume because of your travel preferences.) If yes....

I'd buy 125 SSR direct late this year (Oct /Nov) if APs are back.

Rent 125 2020 UY points (you can't really use and you will only be paying a couple months 2021 dues).
At only $14 / pt that gets you $1750 back in your pocket.

Immediately buy 7 APs at a $2800 savings.

Your price gap is now less than 1 more set of APs away.

Even if you never get another set of APs the premium might be worth (at least to your husband) the ability to use everywhere and other random benefits.

ETA: Oops. Sorry, I just remembered you wanted to be talked out of this. Feel free to ignore.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Is Dec your UY? (I'd assume because of your travel preferences.) If yes....

I'd buy 125 SSR direct late this year (Oct /Nov) if APs are back.

Rent 125 2020 UY points (you can't really use and you will only be paying a couple months 2021 dues).
At only $14 / pt that gets you $1750 back in your pocket.

Immediately buy 7 APs at a $2800 savings.

Your price gap is now less than 1 more set of APs away.

Even if you never get another set of APs the premium might be worth (at least to your husband) the ability to use everywhere and other random benefits.

ETA: Oops. Sorry, I just remembered you wanted to be talked out of this. Feel free to ignore.

I appreciate it regardless

 

[michael730]

I think you have a lot of your questions answered but in terms of the resale amount price per point I recently passed Right of First Refusal with a Saratoga resale for $107 per point at 120 points (100 points were available this year for 2021, use year March). I would say $110 a point is a good deal if the contract has all of the 2021 points but it wouldn’t hurt to make an offer a bit less (the one I bought was listed at $110). Although, I do see a lot of passes of ROFR for Saratoga contracts at 100-103 recently; the highest I’ve seen them take back was $103 a point on here but that was probably due to the sellers paying the closing costs and the contract being loaded I believe. Hope this information helps! I would try to get it a little lower than $110 as $105 or more definitely seems safe to clear ROFR in my opinion.

 

[Mrs p]

My tuppance worth - a couple of weeks ago you could get $8 per point off direct if you buy 150 pts - that narrows down the gap a bit.

 

[princesscinderella]

Very true. Personally, I'm pretty happy with the original 14 properties, it's DH that doesn't want to have that limitation. But that's definitely a good point too.

It’s hard to get a better locations than the original 14. I too am content to stay at what’s already built. The point charts keep getting higher and higher with each new resort built so it makes them less attractive.

 

[Sandisw]

It sounds like there are other reasons why you would want to buy direct, such as the annual pass benefit and dining. But regarding the ability to stay at future resorts if you buy resale, keep in mind that you could always rent your points and then use that money to rent points from a member at one of the new resorts. For example, I bought resale last year at BCV which restricts my ability to stay at Riviera using my points, but I can rent my points and then use that money to turn around and rent from someone at Riviera. I personally don’t see myself wanting to stay at Riviera that often, maybe only once to experience it. But that option is always there.

To give another perspective, As someone who has both restricted and unrestricted, its not great having to work around that when staying at RIV is wanted.

Again, renting is always suggested but its not that simple when renting comes with work and that what you have to pay to then either go cash or find someone to rent from may not be easy or costs more.

In retrospect it was a mistake. I should have bought fewer points direct to keep the cost similar or spent the extra $5k for the same 100 points.

 

[RanDIZ]

It sounds like there are other reasons why you would want to buy direct, such as the annual pass benefit and dining. But regarding the ability to stay at future resorts if you buy resale, keep in mind that you could always rent your points and then use that money to rent points from a member at one of the new resorts. For example, I bought resale last year at BCV which restricts my ability to stay at Riviera using my points, but I can rent my points and then use that money to turn around and rent from someone at Riviera. I personally don’t see myself wanting to stay at Riviera that often, maybe only once to experience it. But that option is always there.

It’s a good point about renting to stay at RIV. Many people associate the benefit of buying direct to be able to stay at RIV and future resorts. One thing that’s not stressed is how hard it really will be at the 7 month mark for those. Next to impossible depending on travel time. It’s hard enough now with the current resorts to find openings at 7 months. I personally would not go into DVC direct hoping to use them anywhere but where my home is. So yes, renting from a RIV/future resort owner is probably the best bet.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

To give another perspective, As someone who has both restricted and unrestricted, its not great having to work around that when staying at RIV is wanted.

Again, renting is always suggested but its not that simple when renting comes with work and that what you have to pay to then either go cash or find someone to rent from may not be easy or costs more.

In retrospect it was a mistake. I should have bought fewer points direct to keep the cost similar or spent the extra $5k for the same 100 points.

I would definitely agree that being able to stay at RIV without having to rent points is the easier way to do it. If someone really likes RIV and would like to stay there quite a bit then they should definitely give serious thought to buying direct. Having to rent-rent on a routine basis just to stay at a certain resort would get old quick.

I was speaking in regards to wanting to stay at RIV (or any new resort) sporadically, or even just once or twice. I love the “original” WDW resorts and have no issues with being excluded from RIV since I bought resale last year. As a matter of fact, I foresee us rarely deviating from our home resort (BCV) because we love the resort and it’s location. When we stay somewhere else, it will most likely be a monorail resort. If the day comes where we want to stay at RIV just to check it out we will just do the rent-rent thing. For the money we saved buying resale it is worth the hassle of renting once or twice.

 

[Minniemoo15]

We are similar as PPs - I am happy with the original 14 resorts and will stay at our home resort of Poly 95% of the time. Trying to trade into RIv at 7 months will be very tricky and we would likely have to book a preferred room - which IMO is way overpriced points-wise. If we ever did want to try RIV, I would probably just suck it up and book a room through Disney. For the many thousands we saved we can justify doing that occasionally.

 

[DL1WDW2]

It seems like you are only focusing on price per point and member perks that might not be returning. The scariest thing about DVC and future is the unknowns such as the increasing dues and the point charts. Changing the 5 seasons into 7 seasons is just the beginning ... Do you understand how difficult it is to book at the 11/ 7 month windows?
Where are your current points ? Maybe you should match the use year and just add on at this location?
Do you also have to budget flights or do you live close enough to drive?
When your children start Middle School and High School , will their school vacations match with elementary and your work vacation times...
Are you paying cash or financing ? And what about all the other what if’s that happen ?
Obviously none of these are “ my business” ... I just think you need to be careful and consider all aspects .
Good luck

 

[MamaBelle4]

It seems like you are only focusing on price per point and member perks that might not be returning. The scariest thing about DVC and future is the unknowns such as the increasing dues and the point charts. Changing the 5 seasons into 7 seasons is just the beginning ... Do you understand how difficult it is to book at the 11/ 7 month windows?
Where are your current points ? Maybe you should match the use year and just add on at this location?
Do you also have to budget flights or do you live close enough to drive?
When your children start Middle School and High School , will their school vacations match with elementary and your work vacation times...
Are you paying cash or financing ? And what about all the other what if’s that happen ?
Obviously none of these are “ my business” ... I just think you need to be careful and consider all aspects .
Good luck

Thank you.

No, I'm not only focusing on that, but the price per point and perks are the biggest difference between resale and direct.

I understand the 11 month/ 7 month window. We've never had an issue as we are SSR owners who are quite happy to stay there.

The kids' school allows for vacations all the way through graduation as long as they don't coincide with standardized tests.

Financing a small portion, mostly cash. We have had many what ifs happen to us that made us realize that life is too short and we need to enjoy and treasure every moment.

I do genuinely appreciate your post. Thank you!

 

[lovin'fl]

Just want to add some little details about renting...
We rented points out to someone via a certain rental co. It was super easy but they took their cut. ANd we did have to make resie, forward the confirmation (showed incorrect age for someone so I had to change), then had to call in and book them dining plan. So a little work. Then what we didn't think about is you have to claim it on taxes. So not super easy. And even more time and work and chance for being frauded if you do it yourself. And after this past year and that certain rental companies issues...yeah, we won't rent anymore. WOuld be willing to trade bookings with someone we know (we know a few folks with DVC). But won't rent out anymore. We downsized instead and will use every last little point we have now.

Maybe, OP, you buy like 65 direct now (match your current UY) and wait a little while to add another 60 direct. Can wait and see on the APs in the meantime.