Very new and thinking about purchase at DRR

[AdmrlAwesome]

Good morning all,

I'm extremely new to DVC, but I've been lurking for a little while on this site to really try to gain an understanding of how it all works. My wife and I have two younger (5 and 2) kids and are really considering purchasing out first points for DVC to DRR. We like the look and idea of the resort and aren't really concerned about resale because it's something that we're going to be doing at least every other year for a week and then more frequently as the kids get older, and we can go without kids some of the time. I know a lot of people are going to say to go for CCR, but we're not really into the camping theme.

My actual question is, how many points should we buy? I figured that whenever we travel as a family we would be in at least a 1br and possibly a 2br depending on time of year. But, I also wanted to future proof ourselves so that I wouldn't have to add on points later. My thought was between 200 and 250 and leaning more on the 250. Thoughts? Thank you so much.

 

[JayBaileys]

We bought in about 5 years ago. Our kids were younger, now they are 12 and 15. We've been to Disney 6 or 7 times since buying. Disney prices aren't going down so we pulled the trigger. We originally bought 200 points direct to Animal Kingdom. We've stayed there once, kids really enjoyed it. My wife and I started going down by ourselves for a few days in Feb., and I highly recommend it. We bought 100 points resale last year after staying at GF. 200 will get you a week most places except for Xmas and Easter I believe. We will probably never go then or in the summer. We typically go in October or early Dec. with the kids. I would look at the points chart, figure when you want to go and see how much it is for a week. The other thing to think about is the booking window, everyone says buy where you want to stay. We have stayed at our home resorts, and also BLT, SSR, and WL. I'm not up on all of the Riviera restrictions, I'm sure others will chime in. We have taken other families and stayed in 2 BR and have just taken ourselves and/or our kids, and don't regret our purchases at all. We've also used our points for a couple of RCI exchanges for a break from Disney too. Hope this helps, and good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Matty B13]

Have you considered any of the other resorts in the DVC collection? With your kids being 5 & 2, you will probably be spending a lot of time at MK, so you might want to consider one around there. I would first make sure DVC fits your vacation habits, then decide which resort you like best, and then look at the point charts and decide what number of points you need for a 1 bedroom, and then figure out which UY you need.

You don't have to buy CCV or DRR, you can buy the other resorts, just takes a little bit of patience, and also consider resale contracts as well.

 

[DduzDis]

I agree with the resale idea at an MK resort ^^^. We have 2 kids (6 and 3) and love the walk to MK from BLT and monorail to EPCOT. However, if you do buy direct at DRR, you might think about splitting up the big 250 contract into smaller pieces....maybe 1 x 100 and 2 x 75. The closing costs will be higher, but if you decide to downsize down the road you can sell one or both of the 75s as you need to. Just an idea.

 

[Minniemee14]

Im in almost the exact same situation. I would love to purchase all the points direct but the investment is more than we can afford now. I’m hoping to purchase the minimum direct then add with resale When we are able to. Fingers crossed it works out. I think with 250 points you can pretty much book what you’re looking for. Good luck!!

 

[Matty B13]

Also, remember if you buy a DRR resale contract, you will only be able to use those points to book at DRR and not at any other resort with the new restrictions.

If you buy CCV, you will be able to use those points a all of the L14 (Legacy 14) resorts, but not at any of the newer resorts starting with DRR.

 

[Minniemee14]

If you buy CCV, you will be able to use those points a all of the L14 (Legacy 14) resorts, but not at any of the newer resorts starting with DRR.

If you buy direct at CCV can you not stay at RR? I thought if it was direct you could??

 

[crvetter]

If you buy direct at CCV can you not stay at RR? I thought if it was direct you could??

The restrictions on where you can stay are only applicable to resale bought after 1/19/19. Direct points no matter the resort can stay anywhere.

The rules are
1) Direct Points stay anywhere
2) Resale Bought before 1/19/19 stay anywhere
3) Resale at L14 after 1/19/19 stay only at L14
4) Resale at DRR and future resorts stay only at home resort.

 

[Minniemee14]

The restrictions on where you can stay are only applicable to resale bought after 1/19/19. Direct points no matter the resort can stay anywhere.

Sounds like if your really wanting to stay at RR resort get points there. And direct gives you the option of other resorts to try in the future.

 

[Matty B13]

If you buy direct at CCV can you not stay at RR? I thought if it was direct you could??

Say you buy 75 points Direct from Disney at CCV or DRR, or any other resort, only those 75 points would be able to be used to book ANY resort. The resale points you buy for any of the L14 resorts are only good for booking at the L14 resorts, and DRR resale points would only be good at DRR.

This is why your plan to buy DIRECT DRR points and then RESALE DRR points has some big issues. You would really only be able to stay at DRR.

This is why many people think that the new resale restrictions will really hurt DIRECT purchasers of DRR mostly.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I can only speak as a long time owner, since 1998, at several resorts, some direct and most resale. Over 1400 points and we just bought another 275 at OKW because that has turned into our fav resort and we don’t have points there. We have an adult disabled daughter who still loves Disney so we bring her and her best friend a couple times a year, stay for one or two weeks in at least a one bedroom and also go To aulani once a year. We rarely go to the parks anymore. I heArtily recommend dvc because of the way we use it and we cAn afford to pay cash and can afford the annual maintenance. Plus we can do other vacations too so we don’t feel stuck at Disney. It’s definitely a big financial commitment but if you feel comfortable doing it I’d personally recommend getting as many points as possible for the lowest price on the resale market. When we started buying resale there were no restrictions. And with our new OKW points we will have restrictions but they really don’t matter to us. Rivera really doesn’t appeal to us that much although we look forward to seeing it and eating in the roof top restaurant. The points there for a one bedroom for a week are more than we pay at aulani for an ocean view one bedroom even comparing the same season and timeframe. That’s crazy to me.

 

[Lumpy1106]

To answer the OP's question, get the app, "DVCCalculator". You can run through what-if's to determine how many points you will need using that. We're pretty committed to a late-summer trip when we go so it's pretty easy to see how many points we will need. If you are going to jump around and go during different seasons it will be harder, but this way you can at least see what the differences are at a glance.

On a side note, are we really going with DRR for the Riviera abbreviation? as in DuRR? I've been using RIV in my posts - not as confusing or with the obvious negative connotation IMHO.

 

[anomamatt]

I also wanted to future proof ourselves so that I wouldn't have to add on points later.

Good luck with that. ;-)

From your post, I would go with the points that equal 1 week in a 1 BR for when you usually travel. After 175-200 points, the developer credits are somewhat flat, but keep those in mind, too.

 

[anomamatt]

On a side note, are we really going with DRR for the Riviera abbreviation? as in DuRR? I've been using RIV in my posts - not as confusing or with the obvious negative connotation IMHO.

RVA is the "official" abbreviation that DVC uses.

 

[BillPA]

Wouldn't it be VDR, villas at Disney's Riviera or DRV Disney's Riviera Villas?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Very few people plan to buy and sell. Most people do think they're in it for the long term. Things can change, though. I would absolutely consider money spent on Riviera points to be a "sunk cost." Don't look at past history of prices appreciating for resale, or getting most of your initial cost back when you sell. You won't with Riviera.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Are you sure you aren't a DVC sales rep?

 

[anomamatt]

Wouldn't it be VDR, villas at Disney's Riviera or DRV Disney's Riviera Villas?

They are using RVA on all of their materials. Point sheets, etc.

With Reflections coming next, using DRR or VRD would get confusing.

 

[anomamatt]

I would absolutely consider money spent on Riviera points to be a "sunk cost." Don't look at past history of prices appreciating for resale, or getting most of your initial cost back when you sell. You won't with Riviera.

I totally agree that people should consider what if they have to sell in 5 or 10 years. Life always happens. And no timeshare, even DVC, should be considered anything close to an investment. Maybe it's a good idea to figure all DVC is a sunk cost. (I'd also add to not finance a sunk cost if I were giving financial advice, which I am not).

That said, you won't get $0 with Riviera. Even if SSR resale was SSR-only, it would not have zero value. There is always value when people want to stay at Disney World. 50% of current direct pricing, perhaps, will be the early resale pricing for Riviera.

(FWIW, I do have concerns about resale -- so I bought a guaranteed week to protect value, to some extent.)

 

[AdmrlAwesome]

Are you sure you aren't a DVC sales rep?

Hahaha...I am not. Though I'm sure it's a pretty fun job.