What if…

[melissa70]

The biggest benefit is the ability to buy the sorcerers pass which is way cheaper than the incredipass if you would be buying that otherwise, especially for a family of 4 or larger and the access to the restricted resorts. The lounges while nice are not as big of a deal at World as they are at Disneyland (Disneyland has restrooms and is large with indoor and outdoor seating) and not worth buying over just for that. The discounts are similar to what you would get with the AP or free tier Disney credit card. The moonlight magic events are tough to coincide with when you actually want to go and then you have to get in. Owning where you want to stay especially if trying for a lower cost view room is highly important to us.

do you think buying direct is worth using those points to stay at otherwise restricted resorts only? This is what I really struggle with. The rest is just noise.

 

[Patmcpsu]

That lounge could close tomorrow and we would have no recourse, just keep that in mind.

DVC has been playing favorites with direct buyers for a while now, while doing everything they can to undermine resale. The fact they just built a new lounge in MK is a good indication that they won't me taking them away anytime soon.

I see no reason why DVC would take away direct perks, unless they were selling direct contracts so fast that they couldn't keep up with demand. As I mentioned in another thread, DVC seems to be having the opposite problem, and should be looking into new ways to incentivize direct sales.

 

[Wedgeout]

AKV is all about the holidays too. Might say..”not my thing” but for the majority of the membership, IT IS! Oh boy..wish I could get a whole week in whatever category I wanted during that time.

 

[muppets3d]

If getting enough points to get a blue card to book restricted resorts means you have to sell off a contract, then you have your answer.

Just make sure you're okay with the money lost and the number of points you'll have after the dust settles.

I don't know that I'd buy SSR. I'd buy a resort with a longer expiration, assuming you plan to keep these direct points for the long haul. But the SSR deal is certainly a pretty good one.

As of today, you pretty much need to own at Riviera to book resort view studios. Availability of them is very spotty at 7 months. 7 month availability of preferred view is decent. They have declared so few rooms into DLH and CFW that availability is spotty there at 7 months as well. Speaking for myself, I've tried to book DLH a few times and all I've ever been able to get is a few nights in a handicapped accessible studio. Everything else is gone. But I haven't been checking religiously, just when I've been interested in traveling to DLR.

 

[airjay75]

I think the biggest benefit of direct points, by far, is the ability to use them at RIV/CFW/VDH/LSL and beyond. And RIV dues are both pretty reasonable and have had some of the lowest year over year percentage increases of any resort. The points chart, especially for resort view rooms and as compared to the Poly tower, is pretty reasonable.

But, as I recall, you have not stayed at RIV. So, here’s what I would do if I were you. Rent points to book 1 night there on your next Disney trip and see what you think. RIV may sell out by the end of the year, but I don’t think it’s selling out before then. You have some time. And the incentives there, because it is an actively selling resort, will continue with each incentive period. There may even be a final sales push to get it out over the summer with some pretty good incentives.

I don’t think I’d go for 200 SSR points after looking at all the incentives available on 150 RIV points.

 

[airjay75]

And, if RIV isn’t for you, wait for LSL.

 

[muppets3d]

DVC has been playing favorites with direct buyers for a while now, while doing everything they can to undermine resale. The fact they just built a new lounge in MK is a good indication that they won't me taking them away anytime soon.

I see no reason why DVC would take away direct perks, unless they were selling direct contracts so fast that they couldn't keep up with demand. As I mentioned in another thread, DVC seems to be having the opposite problem, and should be looking into new ways to incentivize direct sales.

I tend to agree but all I'm saying is, don't buy direct to get access to benefits that are not in black and white in your contract. They're essentially handshake agreements that could go away at any time.

Buying direct to be able to book Riviera and future resorts with those direct points is a good reason to buy direct.

 

[Sandisw]

I can tell you that I have bought and sold contracts over the years because I decided I wanted something else.

If you do decide to sell, please do not mention that on the boards, as we don’t allow that!

 

[melissa70]

Buying direct to be able to book Riviera and future resorts with those direct points is a good reason to buy direct.

That is my main reason for wanting direct.

 

[Wedgeout]

The to the point answer is; you recently bought that AKV contract and bought it for a reason. A good choice. Good price. It’s a keeper. Can’t be looking at all the other “what if & won’t do that, don’t need because” muck.

Direct is not a good choice if selling a solid resale contract to switch out. That’s why we go resale to start. Some stay with it completely, others did it to save on a resort we really like, then pick (like what you are deciding how..where to purchase the qualifying golden egg contract that makes me feel special, wanted, & a “real” part of the membership club.

 

[Girlstar30]

I wouldnt sell in such a short amount of time to get something else. Youre already established at AKV and going to lose money so how much of a loss will negate the $150 pp is what i would figure out first.

Id rather sell my akv points and use them to put the down payment on the direct ssr but thats just me Do MB and get some money back too to help pay that thing off too. Just do the 150 points for blue card and some unrestricted.

To me, being direct is worth it. I love going to the lounge and looking forward to the fun member offerings. But the goal is to have more points, not less so that wouldnt be a move id make personally.

 

[melissa70]

The to the point answer is; you recently bought that AKV contract and bought it for a reason. A good choice. Good price. It’s a keeper. Can’t be looking at all the other “what if & won’t do that, don’t need because” muck.

Direct is not a good choice if selling a solid resale contract to switch out. That’s why we go resale to start. Some stay with it completely, others did it to save on a resort we really like, then pick (like what you are deciding how..where to purchase the qualifying golden egg contract that makes me feel special, wanted, & a “real” part of the membership club.

Do you think buying direct to be able to book at otherwise restricted resorts is worth it? Assuming I will also keep AKV

 

[Carouselofplanning]

There’s a lot of sales-y math being flung around to make sense of this move.
Selling points to buy less points reduces the stay quality in some way (length, room type, resort, view). New resorts have inflated point charts. Yeah you can use direct points there but they won’t go as far and you’ll be looking to buy more points in no time which throws off the “do it!” math being thrown around here anyway. If you can bite the bullet and replace your resale points with a sale and a direct purchase that is the bare minimum to consider from a workable construct on booking stays you are accustomed to going forward. Even then you’re still probably light on points on new resort charts, but it’s better than consciously reducing your points in the swap.

 

[Wedgeout]

Do you think buying direct to be able to book at otherwise restricted resorts is worth it? Assuming I will also keep AKV

Of course it is. I have one resale contract (BCV). Rest direct. There are times you will go “oh crap” can’t use those points to book one of these newer spots. Only with my direct.

You will want to stay at these newer spots with your own DVC points. It’s a feeling all will have thoughts of. Some just control that urge & realize there are plenty of great places to book, without going to the promoted latest & greatest.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I think this is a case of people on the boards generally know what they are talking about and advice should be taken, jumping all in at max speed right away is not a smart decision and leads to this type of scenario and many said take it slower. Selling isnt free, there are high fees involved. I think you you are still much too new to the DVC ecosystem to make this choice right now. Just like your mind has already changed on owning AKV it might change when the next round of shiny new incentives comes around.

Keep what you have, own the product, learn the product, take more visits to understand what will be the best option long term.

 

[melissa70]

I think is a case of people on the boards generally know what they are talking about and advice should be taken, jumping all in at max speed right away is not a smart decision and leads to this type of scenario and many said take it slower. Selling isnt free, there are high fees involved. I think you you are still much too new to the DVC ecosystem to make this choice right now. Just like your mind has already changed on owning AKV it might change when the next round of shiny new incentives comes around.

Keep what you have, own the product, learn the product, take more visits to understand what will be the best option long term.

You are right, of course! Now to control my urges…150 per point for direct.. it’s a good deal

 

[VGCgroupie]

You are right, of course! Now to control my urges…150 per point for direct.. it’s a good deal

It is. I haven't been around DVC too long compared to others (May of 2024). I came along not long after the VGF fire sale. And I was here for the OKW fire sale. This isnt a once in a lifetime incentive, there will be more. I know how hard it to resist buying DVC both direct and resale.

 

[Stargazer65]

Do you think buying direct to be able to book at otherwise restricted resorts is worth it? Assuming I will also keep AKV

I think so. We stay at different resorts all the time and don't want to be completely shut out of some. We're half direct and half resale. We used our direct points to stay at Riviera, and we want to try out CFW at some point soon, and whatever other restricted resorts come down the road.

 

[muppets3d]

Do you think buying direct to be able to book at otherwise restricted resorts is worth it? Assuming I will also keep AKV

Which restricted resort do you really want to stay at that you can't currently?

 

[melissa70]

Which restricted resort do you really want to stay at that you can't currently?

Riviera and the upcoming Lakeshore Lodge

Also- could always use more points