Thinking of buying a small contract at VWL

[helenk]

The small resale contracts for the "sold out" resorts go so quickly so I was wondering if it might not be easier to go through DVC instead.
I know it would cost more money but then I could get exactly what I wanted.
I'd like to get the 11 month advantage around the holidays for the VWL so I was thinking of getting 50 to 60 pts with a Dec UY. I would even consider an October UY, if getting a Dec UY would be harder.
Any thoughts?

 

[DenLo]

Just to clarify, to purchase a small contract (usually less than 160 points) directly with the DVC, it must be an add on contract. Which means you must already own a DVC contract. Second, if you purchase direct with DVC, your new add on contract cannot be a separate use year than your original contract.

So if you have a current contract that is not a December UY, to get a VWL contract with a December UY you will have to purchase a new master contract of a 160 points. (There is a current incentive for AKV and SSR that allows only 100 points for a master contract.)

 

[Sandisw]

Make sure you are on the email lists of all the resale brokers. I have read on here that some will even take down what you are looking for and try to find you a contract that fits your needs.

But, as PP said, you can only add on at Disney is you are a current member and for the same UY you already have unless you buy the minimum of 160 (or, in the case of SSR and AKV, I believe it has been temporarily reduced to 100).

Good luck!

 

[silmarg]

Make sure you are on the email lists of all the resale brokers. I have read on here that some will even take down what you are looking for and try to find you a contract that fits your needs.

Sandi is 100% correct. Get on all the resellers mailing lists... tell them what u r looking for.

You will find what you need in a reasonable amount of time.

Good luck!

 

[helenk]

oops I did not realize that I did not mention that I am currently a DVC member, I own at the AKV, with a Dec UY.
I did not realize though that buying into the older resorts that you needed to buy 160 points, if you want a different contract.
I have seen more October UYs than Dec UYs available so I was trying to give myself more options.
I have put my name into 3 brokers, but so far no luck. It's not like I have to buy the points within the next month or so but it just seems like a long process.

 

[FloFlo71]

I have managed to get a 25 point AKV contract resale by being a back up on contract that had a sale pending. But if you are looking for a particular use year then I expect that makes it more dificult.

Good luck.

 

[ldo]

since you are a DVC member, you can easily add on as little as 25 points. There are no closing costs, either. It must be your same use year. If DVC doesn't have any at the moment, you can get on a waiting list and it usually only a few months until they have it. Also, with a Dec add-on, it is under your master contract--so that you can combine all points at 7 months. If you get a different use year, I believe you have to "transfer" points into your other contract to make a combined reservation---thus, since you want a Dec UY anyway, having everything be Dec is a good thing.
And, you are right, having the ability to book early at a small resort is key. Plus, since you can bank and borrow--many times a smaller contract is all that you need for those trips. I bought a 50 point VWL contract just for Christmas--our big trip is this year, then, after that, we really only want AKL--too bad we can't just trade them in! LOL. Elaine

 

[DenLo]

Oh, good, I'm glad to hear you are a member and can do an small add on. After looking at the charts, it looks like 60 points would get you a week in a studio with banking, using current year and borrowing at Christmas time. Whew that's an expensive time of year. Although VWL and WL is so beautiful that time of year. Someday I'll get to stay there, but probably not at Christmas since it's not my home resort.

The new incentives should be out soon. And it'll be interesting to see if it will worth buying direct on a small contract again. You'll have to compare the complete cost, points and closing cost and if you get two years of points all the MF's you'll pay for the two years. Buying direct from DVC the MF's are usually prorated too. We were all ready to buy direct for a small AKV contract when they raised the price the day we called. End up buy a little larger (an extra 25 points) contract resale at a great price.

Good Luck. I'd call and ask your guide how much to buy direct, after you check out the rate the points are running on the resale market.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...The new incentives should be out soon. And it'll be interesting to see if it will worth buying direct on a small contract again. You'll have to compare the complete cost, points and closing cost and if you get two years of points all the MF's you'll pay for the two years. Buying direct from DVC the MF's are usually prorated too. We were all ready to buy direct for a small AKV contract when they raised the price the day we called. End up buy a little larger (an extra 25 points) contract resale at a great price.

Good Luck. I'd call and ask your guide how much to buy direct, after you check out the rate the points are running on the resale market.

No incentives on sold out resorts. Only on the ones they currently offer for sale. So you pay the going rate if you buy directly from Disney. There won't be closing costs on an add-on (but that means the same UY).

 

[helenk]

Thanks to all the good advice!! I just put an offer in on a 50pt contract at the VWL with a Dec UY. Here's hoping all goes well!

 

[LisaS]

Thanks to all the good advice!! I just put an offer in on a 50pt contract at the VWL with a Dec UY. Here's hoping all goes well!

Might be a bit late now but make sure you compare all the details between buying directly from Disney and buying resale. From now until Nov 30, you are still in your 2008 Use Year and buying from Disney means you start with a full set of 2008 UY points, no closing costs and less than 2 months' worth of dues for 2009. Yes Disney's price is higher but the extra points, lack of closing costs and pro-rated dues for 2009 can make the price difference between resale and direct small enough to be insignificant, especially considering that with Disney you get your points right away and can bank them into your next UY.

Buying resale, smaller contracts usually sell for a premium plus you have closing costs that could add up to $10/point plus dues reimbursement for 2009 which adds another $5/point. You must also look at how many points you will get with the resale contract because that can vary greatly between fully loaded (full set of banked points, all current UY points and all of the next UY's points intact) to completely stripped (no banked, no current, all of next UY's points used already).

 

[helenk]

Might be a bit late now but make sure you compare all the details between buying directly from Disney and buying resale. From now until Nov 30, you are still in your 2008 Use Year and buying from Disney means you start with a full set of 2008 UY points, no closing costs and less than 2 months' worth of dues for 2009. Yes Disney's price is higher but the extra points, lack of closing costs and pro-rated dues for 2009 can make the price difference between resale and direct small enough to be insignificant, especially considering that with Disney you get your points right away and can bank them into your next UY.

Buying resale, smaller contracts usually sell for a premium plus you have closing costs that could add up to $10/point plus dues reimbursement for 2009 which adds another $5/point. You must also look at how many points you will get with the resale contract because that can vary greatly between fully loaded (full set of banked points, all current UY points and all of the next UY's points intact) to completely stripped (no banked, no current, all of next UY's points used already).

Hmmm, When I had looked into this previously I was told that because it was past the banking period I would not get the '08 points from Disney.
The contract I am looking at does not have any banked points but does have the full 50 coming up on 12/1. I will not have to pay pro-rated dues for 2008. Even with the closing costs it still comes to a savings of $9 per point, not a huge difference but a savings nonetheless.
Perhaps I should call my guide and ask about the points from Disney, it would certainly be nice to get 2008 points. I have not signed anything yet.

 

[LisaS]

Hmmm, When I had looked into this previously I was told that because it was past the banking period I would not get the '08 points from Disney.
The contract I am looking at does not have any banked points but does have the full 50 coming up on 12/1. I will not have to pay pro-rated dues for 2008. Even with the closing costs it still comes to a savings of $9 per point, not a huge difference but a savings nonetheless.
Perhaps I should call my guide and ask about the points from Disney, it would certainly be nice to get 2008 points. I have not signed anything yet.

It does not matter that you are past your banking deadline -- MS will allow you to bank the current UY points you get with your add-on contract. What matters is whether Disney has the points available. When you purchase points at a "sold out" resort, they may not have your UY available at the time you call and you will have to go on a waiting list. When you are close to the end of your UY, you risk Disney not getting the points before the current UY ends and the next one begins. It's also possible that as you get close to the end of your UY, they may run out of current UY points. But it's definitely worth calling your guide to find out whether they have Dec UY VWL points available and whether they have 2008 UY points left.

 

[bblanch]

Hmmm, When I had looked into this previously I was told that because it was past the banking period I would not get the '08 points from Disney.
The contract I am looking at does not have any banked points but does have the full 50 coming up on 12/1. I will not have to pay pro-rated dues for 2008. Even with the closing costs it still comes to a savings of $9 per point, not a huge difference but a savings nonetheless.
Perhaps I should call my guide and ask about the points from Disney, it would certainly be nice to get 2008 points. I have not signed anything yet.

I just bought two 50 point contracts with Dec. Use Year at BCV through Disney. We received 2008 points and was allowed to bank into 2009.

 

[helenk]

I just bought two 50 point contracts with Dec. Use Year at BCV through Disney. We received 2008 points and was allowed to bank into 2009.

Okay, thank you for that information. Seems like a phone call is in order.

 

[helenk]

Well before I had a chance to call my guide I got the paper work for the resale and there are 50 banked points from 2008 in this contract. So I am going to go for it. If it does not pass ROFR, then I will consider getting additional points from Disney.

 

[robertdangelo]

I hope it works out for you! That resort is decorated nicely at XMAS!
Keep us posted.