Waiting for return of APs to buy DVC?

[Disney102015]

We've been looking into DVC for a while now and rented points to take a "scouting trip" a few months ago. We're ready to buy, but balking at the idea of buying DVC before APs are sold again. The goal would be to start using our points right away, maybe taking 2-3 more trips within the next year - but we just paid for 5 day tickets for our last trip, and the cost of paying for individual tickets for each trip REALLY adds up (vs. the cost of buying an AP to cover an entire year of trips using our points).

Just curious if anyone else is in the same boat, waiting to buy until there is some news about AP sales resuming. (To clarify...I'm not even talking about the DVC Gold Pass, since I know that DVC discounts are not guaranteed. I am just talking about ANY type of AP!)

 

[gkrykewy]

That’s a sensible perspective but I wouldn’t let that hold you back if you’re otherwise ready- I expect they’ll be back pretty soon, if in a different form/package of offers.

 

[kilik64]

Unless you are going to go more than say 10+ park days within a calendar year, the AP wont save you anything on park tickets really if you are buying at the non dvc/non fl resident rate (which who knows what that will be when they do come back).

Honestly, i wouldnt factor that in to my cost analysis of dvc buying or not buying.

 

[andyc83]

I bought last June and waiting for the AP perk as well to return.

 

[CarolynFH]

How long are you willing to watch DVC purchase prices rise, whether direct or resale? I'm in the camp of believers that APs will be sold again in the future, but we don't know when that will be. I also think that when APs are available to everyone again, the prices for them will be higher than they are now. So you might be hit with double whammy - a higher price to buy into DVC as well as a higher price for your APs, whether a DVC discount price or full price.

 

[andyc83]

How long are you willing to watch DVC purchase prices rise, whether direct or resale? I'm in the camp of believers that APs will be sold again in the future, but we don't know when that will be. I also think that when APs are available to everyone again, the prices for them will be higher than they are now. So you might be hit with double whammy - a higher price to buy into DVC as well as a higher price for your APs, whether a DVC discount price or full price.

Oh it didn’t stop me from buying!
But I’m still just waiting for the AP’s!

 

[Paul Stupin]

I’m waiting for APs too, but have bought a number of contracts, both direct and resale, over the past year. The longer you wait the more dvc prices might rise.

 

[robinb]

I’m waiting for APs too. I would go ahead and buy now and make the best out of things.

 

[RichVIII]

Something else to consider is there is squat availability till the end of fhe year. If you think you might want to enjoy right away, you may also be disappointed. With a glut of COVID points, the 50th and a return of travel makes it tough.

 

[Bjaiken77]

The price of an AP is going to have to become super high for me not to buy one. I know how I am - I’ll sit in my hotel room and wonder whether or not I’m getting enough value for buying a day pass each day. Forget that - I’m on vacation. I want to be able to go into the park even if it’s only to go to Epcot for dinner. Keeping my mind quiet is worth the cost.

 

[andyc83]

The price of an AP is going to have to become super high for me not to buy one. I know how I am - I’ll sit in my hotel room and wonder whether or not I’m getting enough value for buying a day pass each day. Forget that - I’m on vacation. I want to be able to go into the park even if it’s only to go to Epcot for dinner. Keeping my mind quiet is worth the cost.

Ha! I’m with you 100%!

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

We bought DVC this year and have trips booked. We're 100% doing WDW at Christmas but our spring and summer trips will be at the Universal parks if AP's don't return by Christmas. I'm not spending $10k+ on tickets and photopass over the next 12 months. Disney needs to do something for DVC in terms of AP's/tickets.

 

[Bjaiken77]

We bought DVC this year and have trips booked. We're 100% doing WDW at Christmas but our spring and summer trips will be at the Universal parks if AP's don't return by Christmas. I'm not spending $10k+ on tickets and photopass over the next 12 months. Disney needs to do something for DVC in terms of AP's/tickets.

I’m in the exact same boat. Frustrating.

 

[Yinn]

We've been looking into DVC for a while now and rented points to take a "scouting trip" a few months ago. We're ready to buy, but balking at the idea of buying DVC before APs are sold again. The goal would be to start using our points right away, maybe taking 2-3 more trips within the next year - but we just paid for 5 day tickets for our last trip, and the cost of paying for individual tickets for each trip REALLY adds up (vs. the cost of buying an AP to cover an entire year of trips using our points).

Just curious if anyone else is in the same boat, waiting to buy until there is some news about AP sales resuming. (To clarify...I'm not even talking about the DVC Gold Pass, since I know that DVC discounts are not guaranteed. I am just talking about ANY type of AP!)

That's certainly one way to look at it. Here's another..would you go anyway?
If APs never came back. How often would you go to Disney?

If the answer is never, then I could see putting off the purchase. But if the answer is that you'd go anyway, just not as frequent, well each of those trips have lodging cost that could be put towards your DVC purchase.

 

[Pluto1976]

The longer you wait the more dvc prices might rise.

This is what is getting me right now and certainly seems to be the case.

 

[Disney102015]

Thanks all!! You’ve given me some different perspectives to think about! Either way, fingers crossed APs return soon!

 

[MainStreetMouse]

We have been DVC members for a long time. Some years we banked our points and would use them the following year along with the current year points. It gave us a good 4 weeks at Disney World. On those years we purchased annual passes and would make several trips.

This year we are banking our current year points and using last years banked points. We will be in our DVC unit for 15 nights. Because of no annual passes we plan to visit the parks just a few days, and will venture out to see other attractions around Orlando. We also plan to spend more time by the pool. Our vacation will change. We are making the best of it and to be honest are actually looking forward to getting out and exploring to see what else the area has to offer.

I can understand your frustration. A 10 day ticket might work for some staying a couple weeks but it you have a few trips planned throughout the year it can get costly and that is why we will only be making one trip rather than several.

I get it, we buy into DVC to stay on property and visit the parks. Buying DVC might not be the best thing for some who want to make multi trips and visit the parks until or if the bring back annual passes for DVC members. Unless you are willing to spend extra on tickets each trip, buying DVC may not be a good decision right now.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... The goal would be to start using our points right away, maybe taking 2-3 more trips within the next year - but we just paid for 5 day tickets for our last trip, and the cost of paying for individual tickets for each trip REALLY adds up (vs. the cost of buying an AP to cover an entire year of trips using our points).
...

Be aware that finding days open anytime within the next six or seven months might be difficult. So if you wait until APs are available, you might not find any DVC availability.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

AP's will be back - it is really the Only benefit to buy direct - and that is Only if you go multiple times per year or stay longer than 10 days

 

[RoseGold]

I will be listing some contracts at the end of the year if APs don't come back.

I do still believe they are coming back in the fall.