starting out - direct vs. resale

[austinjoel]

As someone who is just planning to get into DVC... Ive been weighing some options of buying direct at Riviera or buying resale at other resorts. what is the actual benefit of buying direct aside from a few discounts and events? does that make a tangible difference in your vacation experience?

 

[RoseGold]

These threads used to show you how they could save you 10K on your APs. That's gone, and that was the main one IMO. The other important feature is that your points can be used at Riviera and probably the upcoming DL tower.

Maybe you will be able to use them at future resorts, which may or may not exist in the future. Riviera and the current AP situation have shown that Disney is willing to change things, and that you shouldn't buy on future promises. The changes seem to not benefit owners lately.

To me, I think your exit strategy matters in this discussion. Even when there were real benefits, if you don't plan to hold DVC, it's hard to justify direct.

 

[kanerf]

These threads used to show you how they could save you 10K on your APs. That's gone, and that was the main one IMO. The other important feature is that your points can be used at Riviera and probably the upcoming DL tower.

Maybe you will be able to use them at future resorts, which may or may not exist in the future. Riviera and the current AP situation have shown that Disney is willing to change things, and that you shouldn't buy on future promises. The changes seem to not benefit owners lately.

To me, I think your exit strategy matters in this discussion. Even when there were real benefits, if you don't plan to hold DVC, it's hard to justify direct.

Actually the AP discount is not really gone, just delayed for a time. As a DVC member you are allowed to buy a Sorcerers Pass, once the start selling them again, which is much cheaper then the Incredi-Pass, though it does come with some black-out dates.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Do you LIKE Riviera and want to stay there?

If not, I don't think there's any plausible reason to buy Direct in the current environment.

The other important feature is that your points can be used at Riviera and probably the upcoming DL tower.

I doubt many people will be getting into DL tower at 7 months anyways.

 

[erionm]

Actually the AP discount is not really gone, just delayed for a time. As a DVC member you are allowed to buy a Sorcerers Pass, once the start selling them again, which is much cheaper then the Incredi-Pass, though it does come with some black-out dates.
It's gone. Before they revamped the pass levels, DVC & FL Residents could purchase the Platinum and Platinum Plus Passes at a lower price than what a tourist would pay. Now everyone pays the same rate for the Incredi-Pass. The Sorcerer Pass is exclusive to FL & DVC and technically not discounted since no one else can purchase it.

 

[austinjoel]

Do you LIKE Riviera and want to stay there?

If not, I don't think there's any plausible reason to buy Direct in the current environment.


I doubt many people will be getting into DL tower at 7 months anyways.

I really like Riviera. it definitely had a 'wow' factor for me but not sure that it was wow enough for me if I can use my resale points at other resorts.. if I buy resale, how difficult is it to get stays at other resorts like Boardwalk or POLY at the 7 month mark. we typically go during the "slower" times.

 

[Nappy1380]

The short answer is nothing if you don't want to spend a few extra thousand to buy direct and stay at RIV.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

if I buy resale, how difficult is it to get stays at other resorts like Boardwalk or POLY at the 7 month mark. we typically go during the "slower" times.

Depends entirely on the resort and room type.

As a general rule (though not 100%), DVC members are "cheap" with their points and like to get the largest number of room nights possible. That means Studios fill up first, and people tend to not like paying for "premium" view categories.

It's also the case that "slow" for cash doesn't necessarily mean "slow" for DVC, because "slow" for cash usually means "cheap" for DVC (see above). For example, in my experience one of the easiest weeks to get at 7 months is Easter because it's so expensive in points.

Boardwalk can be difficult, but Poly often has good availability at 7 months, both in Standard and Lake view rooms.

Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Animal Kingdom (Kidani) are the most plentiful.

 

[BeachClub2014]

Do you LIKE Riviera and want to stay there?

If not, I don't think there's any plausible reason to buy Direct in the current environment.

Actually, there are plausible reasons to purchase RIV direct, whether it is your first choice of resort to stay. I would never try to change your opinion, but it is an opinion, not a fact.

Here are a few of the plausible reasons: the points, with incentives, are reasonably priced given the 2070 deed expiration. It has a great location, Isn't a massive, sprawling complex, comes with all of the benefits and perks of buying direct.

 

[sethschroeder]

"slower" times.

What times are those? DVC and Cash "slower" times don't match up.

Example basically from September through December is not something you should count on as well as Spring Break time.

About the only time I would feel confident at BWV (unless you have a ton of flexibility and dont mind split stays) would be in July/August but even then is going to start to tighten up a little bit as point charts shift to make summer less expensive.

With POLY I would feel okay maybe in September and June as well being added to the July/August at the current time.

In the end I am a big "buy where you want to stay". Many who get SAP do it because they truly will go around to a bunch of resorts, don't mind where they end up, have time to stalk availability, don't mind split stays, and have general flexibility.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Actually, there are plausible reasons to purchase RIV direct, whether it is your first choice of resort to stay. I would never try to change your opinion, but it is an opinion, not a fact.

I didn't say it was a fact. I literally said "I don't think..."

Here are a few of the plausible reasons: the points, with incentives, are reasonably priced given the 2070 deed expiration.

This would put Riviera squarely behind Copper Creek resale in terms of NPV. Two extra years 50 years from now are worth pennies on the dollar.

It has a great location, Isn't a massive, sprawling complex

As I said, if you like Riviera and want to stay there, there are good reasons to buy Direct.

comes with all of the benefits and perks of buying direct.

Such as?

 

[chalee94]

I really like Riviera. it definitely had a 'wow' factor for me but not sure that it was wow enough for me if I can use my resale points at other resorts.. if I buy resale, how difficult is it to get stays at other resorts like Boardwalk or POLY at the 7 month mark. we typically go during the "slower" times.

Yeah, DVC has a term called "Fall Frenzy" for owners who book from September to mid-January. Some of that period might be slow for cash guests as CaptainAmerica says, but it's very very busy for DVC points. (Although that may be changing as DVC is adjusting the point charts to make that period more expensive to balance demand.)

If you typically go during the slower times - meaning, February during a non-holiday week or during the summer - those are some slower periods for DVC.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

In the end I am a big "buy where you want to stay". Many who get SAP do it because they truly will go around to a bunch of resorts, don't mind where they end up, have time to stalk availability, don't mind split stays, and have general flexibility.

I like to modify "buy where you want to stay" to "buy where you wouldn't mind staying." I totally agree, if you're a Polynesian die-hard and will only be happy with a Lapu Lapu in your hands, you should buy Poly.

For me, I like all of the DVC resorts and wouldn't mind staying at any of them. If that's how someone describes themselves, then it becomes a numbers game and they should buy where they find the best value contract.

 

[Karlk]

If you buy resale can you only use those points at your home location?

 

[BeachClub2014]

I didn't say it was a fact. I literally said "I don't think..."


This would put Riviera squarely behind Copper Creek resale in terms of NPV. Two extra years 50 years from now are worth pennies on the dollar.


As I said, if you like Riviera and want to stay there, there are good reasons to buy Direct.


Such as?

Yeah, not gonna get into a point-by-point, tit for tat. Thanks for setting me straight, always appreciated.

 

[SG131]

I own only resale as I wanted to get the most for my money. Though when I bought prices were a good bit lower than they are now. I've taken plenty of trips with my membership, and never once have I lined up with a moonlight magic event when they've been announced. By the time the dates are released, its often too late to change the trip. There are times that I wish I could get the annual pass, but I wouldn't use it regularly enough for it to have been worth the direct costs.

That said, if I had the money I'd probably buy some direct points at grand floridian. It's a bit shorter contract, but a similar price point and no resale restrictions. Then I would have to option to use them at DL Tower in the future if I get lucky and find an open room at 7 months.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If you buy resale can you only use those points at your home location?

If you buy Riviera resale you can only use those points at Riviera.

If you buy any other resale you can use those points at any of the "original 14" resorts, but NOT Riviera (and probably not any future resorts to come, but we technically don't know that for certain yet):

Bay Lake
Poly
Grand Flo
Beach
Boardwalk
Saratoga
OKW
Copper Creek
Boulder Ridge
Animal Kingdom

Grand Cal

Aulani
Hilton Head
Vero

 

[RoseGold]

Actually the AP discount is not really gone, just delayed for a time. As a DVC member you are allowed to buy a Sorcerers Pass, once the start selling them again, which is much cheaper then the Incredi-Pass, though it does come with some black-out dates.

Even when APs were sold for a few months, DVC couldn't be bothered to cough up a $50 discount on the Incredipass. DVC has not gotten a Blue Card AP. I don't see why you think this discount will come back, when it has been gone for years. Or APs in general, after Chapek was very clear about $$$ expectations from guests.

 

[austinjoel]

Depends entirely on the resort and room type.

As a general rule (though not 100%), DVC members are "cheap" with their points and like to get the largest number of room nights possible. That means Studios fill up first, and people tend to not like paying for "premium" view categories.

It's also the case that "slow" for cash doesn't necessarily mean "slow" for DVC, because "slow" for cash usually means "cheap" for DVC (see above). For example, in my experience one of the easiest weeks to get at 7 months is Easter because it's so expensive in points.

Boardwalk can be difficult, but Poly often has good availability at 7 months, both in Standard and Lake view rooms.

Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Animal Kingdom (Kidani) are the most plentiful.

We are pretty flexible on where we would stay or even doing a split stay… I see that you can get on a waitlist to try to get something specific. if I were to own at SSR can I book there at the 11 months and also get on a waitlist at 7mo for POLY or even more than one waitlist at a time (ie poly AND boardwalk) to see if anything becomes available?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We are pretty flexible on where we would stay or even doing a split stay… I see that you can get on a waitlist to try to get something specific. if I were to own at SSR can I book there at the 11 months and also get on a waitlist at 7mo for POLY or even more than one waitlist at a time (ie poly AND boardwalk) to see if anything becomes available?

Yep, that's exactly what a lot of people do. If you'd be disappointed getting "stuck" with Saratoga, then you probably wouldn't want to pursue this as a long-term strategy. But if you're happy with Saratoga and wouldn't mind staying there, then absolutely use those wait lists to try and snag the occasional "upgrade."

One other area where this can get kind of messy is it can mess up banking and borrowing a bit. Say you needed to borrow some points to book that initial SSR reservation. If the reservation you waitlist is cheaper (in points) than the SSR reservation, there's no way to un-borrow those points. But SSR tends to be one of the cheaper resorts so this isn't too common.