Was going to buy Direct, Now im not sure.. Advice welcome!

[Dean]

And this works better how?
Say we pick the 1st week of nov..
And how does this effect UY?
Sorry still a little confused....

It gives you an additional option, a guaranteed reservation. I'm not sure how they match up the UY to the fixed weeks so you'd need to check on that option. However, if the number of points are around what you're looking at and assuming you can work out the UY issue, the only downside I can think of is that I don't believe (not certain though) that you can get the micro size contracts that some like to do.

 

[DVC4FUN]

My suggestion is to buy enough at VGF for your 1 week. Then look at resale for your "stay where ever week".

I agree. Buy enough VGF points direct for your 1 week a year and buy resale for your other resort week. Keep in mind Oct - Dec is a very popular time for some resorts. BCV & BWV (especially standard view studios) you will likely need the home resort advantage for October. - December. VGF studios may turn out the same for October - December. If you plan on booking AKV value view or concierge rooms often you will need AKV as a Home resort. Other than those exceptions I would say buying SSR resale is your best deal. Especially if you can't plan your vacations more than 7 months out.

And yea I don't like using my points for cruises or anything but DVC. DVC resorts is where you will get the best value out of your points.

Several years ago I did spend 3+ nights on my points at Poly concierge though. But they were near expiring points from a resale I had just bought and before the added $95 fee. Not to mention the points require for that room were far less then.

 

[DVC4FUN]

Also keep in mind resale points can not be used for the Disney Collection which includes DCL and the nonDVC disney resorts. Also can't be used for ABD or the concierge collection. They CAN be used at any DVC resort and RCI exchanges.

 

[DVC4FUN]

Ok so a fixed week.. Locks us into one week, and how far in advance do I have to opt. Out?

Does anyone know how many points you get if you trade out?
Can they change the amount of points they give you?
Thanks

Fixed weeks I believe cost 10% more. I think they are Sunday - Sunday. So you will be purchasing the amount 1 week costs plus 10% more in points. The only time you get that extra 10% though is if you opt out of your week for the year.

I wasn't buying enough VGF for a whole week each year anyway so wasn't an option for me. But even if I was purchasing that many points I personaly would not have gone with the fixed week. I can book at 11 months fine without paying 10% more.

 

[Dean]

Fixed weeks I believe cost 10% more. I think they are Sunday - Sunday. So you will be purchasing the amount 1 week costs plus 10% more in points. The only time you get that extra 10% though is if you opt out of your week for the year.

I wasn't buying enough VGF for a whole week each year anyway so wasn't an option for me. But even if I was purchasing that many points I personaly would not have gone with the fixed week. I can book at 11 months fine without paying 10% more.

But you get 10% more points than the underlying week would be reserved directly so as long as that fits one's points needs it isn't that big a deal. I'd say 10% more for a good week for someone is worth it if they want a specific week and if you just want X points that equals 110% of a given week, then there is no increased cost over buying the same points without the fixed week. Resale points can also be used for BVTC at the present time.

 

[JimMIA]

Fixed weeks I believe cost 10% more. I think they are Sunday - Sunday. So you will be purchasing the amount 1 week costs plus 10% more in points. The only time you get that extra 10% though is if you opt out of your week for the year.

I'm not a fan of buying direct, especially at VGF prices, but I agree with Dean on the 10% premium for a guaranteed week. That's really a very small premium to pay for a guaranteed reservation, every year, at a small resort.

If you want a specific reservation during a peak period (like December, for example), you may or may not be able to get that by making your reservation at 11 months. Even if you try to reserve the minute your window opens, someone else may have already snagged your dates, or some of your dates.

Also, I don't know how much inventory there is in fixed weeks, but I would think prime weeks would be scarce. When those weeks go on the resale market, they are going to be very prized finds and I'm sure they will carry prices considerably higher than the same number of use-anytime points.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

I would buy direct I know most people say there is no value in using your points for DCL but I disagree we like having that option and have booked the 2014 transatlantic on points in our eyes it was a bargain and the cash rate through DVC for our second cabin saved us $1000 on booking direct with DCL. It's the only way we have been able to afford to cruise this year we don't regret buying direct at all. Good luck with your choice.

 

[Dean]

I would buy direct I know most people say there is no value in using your points for DCL but I disagree we like having that option and have booked the 2014 transatlantic on points in our eyes it was a bargain and the cash rate through DVC for our second cabin saved us $1000 on booking direct with DCL. It's the only way we have been able to afford to cruise this year we don't regret buying direct at all. Good luck with your choice.

Your choice of course and you can do as you like, I'm simply addressing the question, not your choice. However, I have never seen a situation where using points for a cruise saved that type of money unless someone undervalued their points or their initial investment. Usually to get positive numbers you've got to ignore the initial investment's Time Value of Money and/or value the points at just the dues payments or something similar like taking dues plus initial investment and dividing by RTU remaining. Rarely I've seen break even situations compared to the true value of a point but it's generally because someone missed the early booking discounts. That's not to say it's NEVER happened but even if it did, it's clearly a unique exception and not something one can expect to happen going forward.

I'm not picking on you but this is a very important issue for any new buyer to consider, which is the topic here. There are no current reasonable reasons to buy retail to use for ANY exchanges long term other than the "I want it" one which we all have the right to. Back when the difference were 15-20% and the prices were lower, it really was simply choice because if one couldn't afford the extra 15-20%, they likely couldn't afford DVC at all, but those days are gone and even on 100 points at SSR the difference is in excess of $6K between the 2. In addition, to buy for cruising, one has to compound the mistake and buy more points at the higher price making DVC retail for the extra points more than double resale and cash for the exchange options. With the current sales realities where resale is roughly half retail, simply paying for the option is not reasonable if one is buying those resorts for anything other than a VERY small contract. As I noted, there are reasonable considerations for buying retail but very few and to have qualified points is not one of them, just a bonus if other parameters drive them to retail.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Your choice of course and you can do as you like, I'm simply addressing the question, not your choice. However, I have never seen a situation where using points for a cruise saved that type of money unless someone undervalued their points or their initial investment. Usually to get positive numbers you've got to ignore the initial investment's Time Value of Money and/or value the points at just the dues payments or something similar like taking dues plus initial investment and dividing by RTU remaining. Rarely I've seen break even situations compared to the true value of a point but it's generally because someone missed the early booking discounts. That's not to say it's NEVER happened but even if it did, it's clearly a unique exception and not something one can expect to happen going forward.

I'm not picking on you but this is a very important issue for any new buyer to consider, which is the topic here. There are no current reasonable reasons to buy retail to use for ANY exchanges long term other than the "I want it" one which we all have the right to. Back when the difference were 15-20% and the prices were lower, it really was simply choice because if one couldn't afford the extra 15-20%, they likely couldn't afford DVC at all, but those days are gone and even on 100 points at SSR the difference is in excess of $6K between the 2. In addition, to buy for cruising, one has to compound the mistake and buy more points at the higher price making DVC retail for the extra points more than double resale and cash for the exchange options. With the current sales realities where resale is roughly half retail, simply paying for the option is not reasonable if one is buying those resorts for anything other than a VERY small contract. As I noted, there are reasonable considerations for buying retail but very few and to have qualified points is not one of them, just a bonus if other parameters drive them to retail.

I really thank you and everyone else for all the information.. We don't want to make a choice we will regret later on..

We really want the GF. We have ALWAYS loved this hotel..
And although have never stayed there, we have seen the rooms, walked the grounds, ate in the restaurants..
And even tho we like the view of the fireworks a little better at the Polly, will to trade that for the resort we love..

We can afford to buy direct, but not sure if that meant we should..

I do like the idea of buying a week GF, and possibly buying another week on resale at a different resort.. Does that mean I can combine those points at 7 mo?
My DH look at some other Resales and has a question

yes they may save 6k-9k but you lose years off the contract... 50 year contract at GF vs. a 30 something year contract. When you price out your buy in, in years. It doesn't seem to save that much..

Could it just be the resale he is looking at or is that the trade off for buying resale?

Also a few more quick questions:
We the point prices at GF are $155 , But the add ones are $150 with closing
After looking up closing cost seem to be cheaper if buying in 50 point sets.


if we go direct.... can we do this? (Closing costs are ones reported here on dis)
Buy 100 points at $155 per point with closing cost at $277
Then buy 3 or 4 50 add ons at $150 with closing cost of $121
Would this be cheaper, or is there a hidden cost?
Since we have two kids, we like the idea of being able to spilt it, should anything happen to us.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... 50 year contract at GF vs. a 30 something year contract. ....

Where do you plan to be in 50 years?

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Where do you plan to be in 50 years?

At Disney with my kids and grandkids ;-)
I'm only 26, DH is 30 this year..
With any luck, we will get use all 50 years!

There are lots of variables. trying to think what life will be like in 50 years, Let alone the million of things that could happen.

We know we are taking a risk, with any timeshare..
But out of all of them, we both feel Disney is going to be here and have good standards in 50 years..

 

[Missyrose]

I really thank you and everyone else for all the information.. We don't want to make a choice we will regret later on..

We really want the GF. We have ALWAYS loved this hotel..
And although have never stayed there, we have seen the rooms, walked the grounds, ate in the restaurants..
And even tho we like the view of the fireworks a little better at the Polly, will to trade that for the resort we love..

We can afford to buy direct, but not sure if that meant we should..

I do like the idea of buying a week GF, and possibly buying another week on resale at a different resort.. Does that mean I can combine those points at 7 mo?
My DH look at some other Resales and has a question

yes they may save 6k-9k but you lose years off the contract... 50 year contract at GF vs. a 30 something year contract. When you price out your buy in, in years. It doesn't seem to save that much..

Could it just be the resale he is looking at or is that the trade off for buying resale?

Also a few more quick questions:
We the point prices at GF are $155 , But the add ones are $150 with closing
After looking up closing cost seem to be cheaper if buying in 50 point sets.


if we go direct.... can we do this? (Closing costs are ones reported here on dis)
Buy 100 points at $155 per point with closing cost at $277
Then buy 3 or 4 50 add ons at $150 with closing cost of $121
Would this be cheaper, or is there a hidden cost?
Since we have two kids, we like the idea of being able to spilt it, should anything happen to us.

Yes, if your VGF and XXX contracts have the same UY, they will be considered one membership at seven months out. If they have different UYs, then it gets a little more complicated.

Only BCV, BWV, VWL and non-extended OKW end in 30 years. SSR goes until 2054, AKV until 2057 and BLT till 2060.

 

[Dean]

I really thank you and everyone else for all the information.. We don't want to make a choice we will regret later on..

We really want the GF. We have ALWAYS loved this hotel..
And although have never stayed there, we have seen the rooms, walked the grounds, ate in the restaurants..
And even tho we like the view of the fireworks a little better at the Polly, will to trade that for the resort we love..

We can afford to buy direct, but not sure if that meant we should..

I do like the idea of buying a week GF, and possibly buying another week on resale at a different resort.. Does that mean I can combine those points at 7 mo?
My DH look at some other Resales and has a question

yes they may save 6k-9k but you lose years off the contract... 50 year contract at GF vs. a 30 something year contract. When you price out your buy in, in years. It doesn't seem to save that much..

Could it just be the resale he is looking at or is that the trade off for buying resale?

Also a few more quick questions:
We the point prices at GF are $155 , But the add ones are $150 with closing
After looking up closing cost seem to be cheaper if buying in 50 point sets.


if we go direct.... can we do this? (Closing costs are ones reported here on dis)
Buy 100 points at $155 per point with closing cost at $277
Then buy 3 or 4 50 add ons at $150 with closing cost of $121
Would this be cheaper, or is there a hidden cost?
Since we have two kids, we like the idea of being able to spilt it, should anything happen to us.

And that's all any of us really want, is for you to be able to make the best decisions possible which takes education and toning down the emotions a lot. I get the impression you've still got a lot of emotions involved toward GF. In general it's a far better with DVC to underbuy on resort and points for most situations. As for Length of contract, there is some value there but really not much for an extra 10 years of GF compared to say SSR. In reality whether owning late is a good or bad things depends on a lot of variables that we don't have any info for right now. My thought is that owning DVC during a time of contraction with such an infrastructure may not be a good thing and OKW is likely to be the poster child for this issue.

There's more to it than just the upfront cost. There are yearly dues that are more plus the lost income on that difference. I think GF is a great choice for some but those mostly who plan to stay there most trips and that buying something else and adding GF is usually best for the rest. There were a lot of people who bought BLT just because it was the hot new resort and who convinced themselves that they'd make up the difference in lower dues, predictably things are working out for many of them the way they planned.

IF you are able to get the contracts under one master, they are easy to combine at 7 months but there are always ways to do so. I think the mistake you're husband is making, one that many do, is he's simply taking the up front price and dividing by the number of years, that's not really a valid approach for either contract for several reasons. In this case you can simply put the difference into a financial calculator and see what the total would be at the end of the RTU. Since you're be planning to make either contract work for your Disney vacations, you could invest the entire amount and not touch it in this situation. If you end up buying both, I'd suggest you buy the resale first and then consider adding on later, it'll flow much better.

 

[bakerworld]

As a person who has only bought direct, I think you're in a perfect position for the resale market.

I'd wait 'til after Feb. 15 which is the deadline for annual dues. My thinking is that several GF resales will pop. You might want to touch base with some of the resale vendors so they know your trigger-happy and finance solid.

Personally, I'd wait even longer for the Poly but I've never been big on GF. Stayed there and found it kinda ... snif snif

 

[Deb & Bill]

..Only BCV, BWV, VWL and non-extended OKW end in 20 years. ....

28 years - 2042.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

And that's all any of us really want, is for you to be able to make the best decisions possible which takes education and toning down the emotions a lot. I get the impression you've still got a lot of emotions involved toward GF. In general it's a far better with DVC to underbuy on resort and points for most situations. As for Length of contract, there is some value there but really not much for an extra 10 years of GF compared to say SSR. In reality whether owning late is a good or bad things depends on a lot of variables that we don't have any info for right now. My thought is that owning DVC during a time of contraction with such an infrastructure may not be a good thing and OKW is likely to be the poster child for this issue.

There's more to it than just the upfront cost. There are yearly dues that are more plus the lost income on that difference. I think GF is a great choice for some but those mostly who plan to stay there most trips and that buying something else and adding GF is usually best for the rest. There were a lot of people who bought BLT just because it was the hot new resort and who convinced themselves that they'd make up the difference in lower dues, predictably things are working out for many of them the way they planned.

IF you are able to get the contracts under one master, they are easy to combine at 7 months but there are always ways to do so. I think the mistake you're husband is making, one that many do, is he's simply taking the up front price and dividing by the number of years, that's not really a valid approach for either contract for several reasons. In this case you can simply put the difference into a financial calculator and see what the total would be at the end of the RTU. Since you're be planning to make either contract work for your Disney vacations, you could invest the entire amount and not touch it in this situation. If you end up buying both, I'd suggest you buy the resale first and then consider adding on later, it'll flow much better.

We are very well aware of annual dues.. I was more asking about at the time of closing? And if buying add ons is possible at this time as well
It would work better in our situation.. Maybe buy 100buy in at the GF with 2 50 add ons.. And hold off on the other 100-150 points and see if we want to do resale?

We are still unsure about resale
DH and I don't really like the restrictions, I'll have to look more into them.. And we still REALLY want to buy at the GF
Maybe its emotional.. We just want a home resort we are going to love, not one I always have to worry about switching our points with.
We just don't see spending this kind of money if we are not going to like the home resort. This was a main reason we did not buy in when AKV & BLT were built.

The only other resort we would like is the boardwalk, but only because its close to our two fav. Parks.. We have never even seen the inside.
But between the age of the contract and limitation disney puts on resale.. It's just has us worried.



I think maybe if Could understands the restrictions on Resales better...

From what we understand..
You can only use resale points for DVC properties and trade with RCI..
Can you use resale points in DL or Hawaii?

You still get all the discounts AP? paying cash for resort room, and DCL?

Thanks everyone

 

[Dean]

We are very well aware of annual dues.. I was more asking about at the time of closing? And if buying add ons is possible at this time as well
It would work better in our situation.. Maybe buy 100buy in at the GF with 2 50 add ons.. And hold off on the other 100-150 points and see if we want to do resale?

We are still unsure about resale
DH and I don't really like the restrictions, I'll have to look more into them.. And we still REALLY want to buy at the GF
Maybe its emotional.. We just want a home resort we are going to love, not one I always have to worry about switching our points with.
We just don't see spending this kind of money if we are not going to like the home resort. This was a main reason we did not buy in when AKV & BLT were built.

The only other resort we would like is the boardwalk, but only because its close to our two fav. Parks.. We have never even seen the inside.
But between the age of the contract and limitation disney puts on resale.. It's just has us worried.



I think maybe if Could understands the restrictions on Resales better...

From what we understand..
You can only use resale points for DVC properties and trade with RCI..
Can you use resale points in DL or Hawaii?

You still get all the discounts AP? paying cash for resort room, and DCL?

Thanks everyone

If you want GF, buy it and enjoy it. But to buy because you're uncomfortable with resale, a non risky situation done correctly, wouldn't seem reasonable. I'd suggest you wait if that's the main reason for GF plus I still get the impression you're enamered with GF with no real basis otherwise for tha decision. Regardless, take your time and make your best decision, I'm thinking you should wait a few months while all of this sinks in.

While you may have an emotional attachment to the items restricted by resale, you are losing essentially nothing of value currently. Just buy less points and pay cash for those times you'd do otherwise.

 

[disneynutz]

We are still unsure about resale
DH and I don't really like the restrictions, I'll have to look more into them.. And we still REALLY want to buy at the GF
Maybe its emotional.. We just want a home resort we are going to love, not one I always have to worry about switching our points with.
We just don't see spending this kind of money if we are not going to like the home resort. This was a main reason we did not buy in when AKV & BLT were built.

The only other resort we would like is the boardwalk, but only because its close to our two fav. Parks.. We have never even seen the inside.
But between the age of the contract and limitation disney puts on resale. It's just has us worried.

Hello again.
IMO until the honeymoon phase is over you really don't know what you like. You may like the GF but the DVC units aren't the GF, they are at the GF, use the same common facilities but it's DVC. The rooms are very nice, the lobby beautiful but DVC is DVC and based on every other DVC resort, the villas will soon show wear and service will be less after DVD taken it off their active list.

We bought a fixed week there only because we wanted a guaranteed 1 bedroom, lake view, during the first week in December. We also wanted to lock in the points that will not change. Disney might change the required points required for a stay but not for a fixed week.

Bill

 

[Missyrose]

28 years - 2042.

Typo, thanks

 

[chalee94]

We are still unsure about resale
DH and I don't really like the restrictions, I'll have to look more into them..

have you looked at how many pts it would cost to trade out for a cruise or ABD trip or a night at POFQ, for example?

they talk about "restrictions" to confuse newbies. if you just like having extra (and very expensive) options, that's fine. but there's no real value there.

And we still REALLY want to buy at the GF

if you really want to stay there, that makes sense to me. so long as it fits your budget, buy where it makes you happy and book early.

From what we understand..
You can only use resale points for DVC properties and trade with RCI..
Can you use resale points in DL or Hawaii? You still get all the discounts AP? paying cash for resort room, and DCL?

aulani in hawaii and VGC at DL are DVC properties and you can stay there as a resale buyer. other options are out, that is true.

you still get the same discounts for APs and dining, etc. all of those discounts can go away at any time for both direct and resale purchasers.

there is a 25% DVC discount for DVC rooms only (same housekeeping schedule as a points stay) and that is available for resale buyers as well as direct. (AP discounts are typically better IMO.)