Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary Resort - *2 New Parties Added! “Enchantment at the Top” & New “Bound to Be Bad” Dates Added

[Sandisw]

Resale Buyer: "I don't care one tiny bit about perks or benefits, buying direct is a waste of money and I'm saving $50,000. You direct buyers are throwing money away because Disney keeps taking perks away anyway."
DVC: "Hey, were making that TOTWL perk a direct-buyer only benefit."
Resale Buyer: "Hey, hold on one second..."

And even a direct buyer should understand how incidental benefits work and what is or is not part of the POS.

IMO, everyone should buy expecting nothing more than being able to stay at DVC resorts.

They could decide tomorrow to end any and all benefits programs and not even an direct owner can complain.

If these special paid events happen more often, and are successful, we could see it become the norm and no owners gets to visit for free

 

[Huskerpaul]

And even a direct buyer should understand how incidental benefits work and what is or is not part of the POS.

IMO, everyone should buy expecting nothing more than being able to stay at DVC resorts.

Which is one of the main reasons I bought resale. Why pay so much more for things they can just take away without any notice. I saw the TOWL news and shrugged. I do find it funny that I just got my new DVC membership email a few weeks ago and about the only perk it mentioned I had was TOWL access. So I guess I had that perk for a few weeks. Frankly I was amazed I could get in there as a white card member. My thought was there had to be some legal concerns or they would have switched it to Blue Card only long ago.

 

[wnielsen1]

Absolutely had not considered this point as carefully as you did - thank you for that value-add comment! While the wife and I are both owners (The wife is the "additional purchaser" - which always makes smile for the wrong reasons of course), I had not thought of making this more concrete beyond the two of us and part of any traditional estate planning.

I will add my girls after the youngest graduates college.

 

[john7994]

And even a direct buyer should understand how incidental benefits work and what is or is not part of the POS.

IMO, everyone should buy expecting nothing more than being able to stay at DVC resorts.

They could decide tomorrow to end any and all benefits programs and not even an direct owner can complain.

If these special paid events happen more often, and are successful, we could see it become the norm and no owners gets to visit for free

Exactly my position buying in on both direct and resale - its nothing more than a potential hedge on future prices for the room over rack rate costs - and the optionality to stay at a mix of resorts - provided you are able to reserve it. Even at that - the proposition could be argued as to real value in both of those situations - it is what it is.

 

[tjkraz]

It's not about me or my situation, it's about the value (or lack thereof) in buying direct.

Most of what you have said seems limited to the scope of your situation.

And the lack of reasonable entry to blue card status (unless you want to buy VGF, then maybe) A topic that seems to upset many and trigger defensive justifications.

Sharing a different perspective doesn’t mean that someone has been “triggered.”

DVC isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Resort preference, contract size, use years, contract length, intended usage patterns and many other factors all play a role in determining the best path for each buyer. Resale does tend to be cheaper—though we could have an interesting side discussion about VGF circa March 2022. Whether or not the added value offsets the cost is a decision every buyer must make. And the math varies greatly depending upon what the buyer wants vs the current state of the resale market.

On several occasions, I’ve applauded the fact that you found the right path for yourself. Not sure why you seem so determined to tell others that they’re doing it wrong. Until you accept that the formula varies from buyer-to-buyer, we probably don’t have much common ground to continue.

My situation was simply an illustrative example.

An example which doesn’t translate to every resort or contract size equally.

 

[Sandisw]

Which is one of the main reasons I bought resale. Why pay so much more for things they can just take away without any notice. I saw the TOWL news and shrugged. I do find it funny that I just got my new DVC membership email a few weeks ago and about the only perk it mentioned I had was TOWL access. So I guess I had that perk for a few weeks. Frankly I was amazed I could get in there as a white card member. My thought was there had to be some legal concerns or they would have switched it to Blue Card only long ago.

It wasn’t a legal reason why it was open to all. As a commercial space, it was run by Disney, not DVD/DVC, and it was there to make money,

When the initial rules limited it to only those staying at BLT, it didn’t. So Disney decided to include all owners to increase revenue. The fact it never went to cash guests...which most likely would have been legally allowed…meant it must have been doing okay.

Now that it’s a membership perk, it is in DVDs hands so the profit isn’t going to be the same nor does it need to be.

For all we know, Disney was happy to let DVD take it over. Had they not, it could have simply remained closed because Disney didn’t want or have the staff to run it.

 

[heynowirv]

We leave WDW the day of the first party. Looking forward to the free access on the August trip. ( I hope it’s free!)

Us too, we're staying at Poly at the end of August and it's just a hop, skip and a jump to get there.

 

[heynowirv]

The triumphant return of a TIW-type option would be awesome. That was the best perk ever for my crew.

Us too. We still have a few NE tickets left so really TIW was our favorite perk.

 

[john7994]

Can Disney up the minimum blue card threshold of points to retain/gain perks - or is it once a blue cared always a blue card regardless of what level you bought in at? Talking about legally, especially in light of rumored membership tiers - I see direct points being a potential factor going forward.
(I get future blue-card qualification minimums can go up)

 

[Matty B13]

Can Disney up the minimum blue card threshold of points to retain/gain perks - or is it once a blue cared always a blue card regardless of what level you bought in at? Talking about legally, especially in light of rumored membership tiers - I see direct points being a potential factor going forward.
(I get future blue-card qualification minimums can go up)

Since the perks are not Deeded, DVC can do what ever they want with the perks. In the past they have grandfathered all perks, but they don't have to. They don't have to even grandfather past Direct Contracts. They can create a Tiered System whenever they want.

 

[tjkraz]

Can Disney up the minimum blue card threshold of points to retain/gain perks - or is it once a blue cared always a blue card regardless of what level you bought in at? Talking about legally, especially in light of rumored membership tiers - I see direct points being a potential factor going forward.
(I get future blue-card qualification minimums can go up)

They have always grandfathered people who currently qualify, even if the threshold is raised. The restrictions were first enacted in April 2016 and all previous resale buyers still qualify for perks. The threshold was raised several times and anyone who bought-in at the then-current minimum is grandfathered.

There’s no expectation that anyone will lose perk eligibility if the criteria changes again.

 

[john7994]

Since the perks are not Deeded, DVC can do what ever they want with the perks. In the past they have grandfathered all perks, but they don't have to. They don't have to even grandfather past Direct Contracts. The can create a Tiered System whenever they want.

This is closest to what I was thinking - so they could in fact say - to meet future blue-card perk eligibility - you need 150 (combined or otherwise) direct contract points.

 

[Sandisw]

Can Disney up the minimum blue card threshold of points to retain/gain perks - or is it once a blue cared always a blue card regardless of what level you bought in at? Talking about legally, especially in light of rumored membership tiers - I see direct points being a potential factor going forward.
(I get future blue-card qualification minimums can go up)

Yes, I believe that they can. Some do not. But, the terms for incidental benefits can change and it states right it in, that they can. More likely, though, they will create a tiered benefit program that allows those who qualify now still eligible for some things...like this...and move better discounts to a higher level or paid tier.

The easiest way for them to do it, to be honest, if they didn't want to grandfather anyone, is to simply end the "Membership Extras" program, and create a brand new program, with a new name, and then list the qualifications to be part of it.

But, as I said, I don't see them doing that, as there would be no need since a tiered system basically can accomplish the same thing.

 

[john7994]

Yes, I believe that they can. Some do not. But, the terms for incidental benefits can change and it states right it in, that they can. More likely, though, they will create a tiered benefit program that allows those who qualify now still eligible for some things...like this...and move better discounts to a higher level or paid tier.

The easiest way for them to do it, to be honest, if they didn't want to grandfather anyone, is to simply end the "Membership Extras" program, and create a brand new program, with a new name, and then list the qualifications to be part of it.

But, as I said, I don't see them doing that, as there would be no need since a tiered system can basically accomplish the same thing.

Thank you. Makes sense - all this discussion - kicked off the monthly discussion of moving from resale to direct a little early

 

[Jenglish13]

Resale Buyer: "I don't care one tiny bit about perks or benefits, buying direct is a waste of money and I'm saving $50,000. You direct buyers are throwing money away because Disney keeps taking perks away anyway."
DVC: "Hey, were making that TOTWL perk a direct-buyer only benefit."
Resale Buyer: "Hey, hold on one second..."

That's a good one but a little bit of a cheap shot! Taking away access from a venue within a resort you own is a little different. Welcome Home! Oh, sorry not you, you're not welcome here, get back downstairs where you belong with the rest of the drooling mouth-breathers!

The loss of totwl itself is not the big deal, it's the principle. And besides, as had been pointed out, there's really nothing left to take away now anyway. Yes I know they can legally. It's funny how most who've retained access find nothing wrong with the move and those who've lost access have a problem with it. Kudos to those of you who've retained access and still have the ability empathize with us pee ons who've not.

But you do make a great point about restrictions not mattering until they do. I doubt the loss of totwl moves the needle much for most. But maybe over time there will be a cumulative effect. Or maybe it will matter in 2042. I guess I'll have to invest all my savings from resale so I can afford direct in 2042!
I'll be honest I am a little jealous, I want access to everything too I just need a fairly reasonable value proposition to do it. I hope eventually it does make sense for me.

On a more serious note, what happens to my BLT resale points if/when I purchase an additional 150 points direct with DVC? Does my entire membership get the benefits of unrestricted resort choice or only the points specifically bought direct?

 

[BeachClub2014]

Oh, sorry not you, you're not welcome here, get back downstairs where you belong with the rest of the drooling mouth-breathers!

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are!

It does ignore the fact that snooty blue card blue-bloods are also downstairs in the rooms next to the drooling mouth-breathers, as you described.

 

[Huskerpaul]

It wasn’t a legal reason why it was open to all. As a commercial space, it was run by Disney, not DVD/DVC, and it was there to make money,

When the initial rules limited it to only those staying at BLT, it didn’t. So Disney decided to include all owners to increase revenue. The fact it never went to cash guests...which most likely would have been legally allowed…meant it must have been doing okay.

Now that it’s a membership perk, it is in DVDs hands so the profit isn’t going to be the same nor does it need to be.

For all we know, Disney was happy to let DVD take it over. Had they not, it could have simply remained closed because Disney didn’t want or have the staff to run it.

This makes total sense. Thanks for explaining the history.

It also makes sense that if DVD is running it they would want it behind the FOMO wall.

 

[pianomanzano]

What if you own direct (enough for a blue card) and own resale? Are we like Beverly Hillbillies? lol

 

[john7994]

What if you own direct (enough for a blue card) and own resale? Are we like Beverly Hillbillies? lol

And proud of it

 

[BeachClub2014]

What if you own direct (enough for a blue card) and own resale? Are we like Beverly Hillbillies? lol

Yes! That's us all the way around! We got both types of points so I feel like I have a foot planted firmly in each camp.