What if…

[Disney.dad]

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.

I really feel like to get the max benefit out of it I would buy Riviera or Poly or wait for Lakeshore. I know it costs a little bit more but priority really matters for the less point resort view studios at Riviera and for now for the studio rooms in the tower at Poly. You will have less drive off the lot depreciation buying at Poly at the moment than any of them. We own Riviera resale, Direct Disneyland Hotel and resale and direct at Poly and resale Grand Floridian for our Disney world resorts. For a nice 3 sleeping surface fairly reasonable points chart nice resort the Riviera resort studios are hard to beat for a contract with a longer expiration. We definitely wanted our direct for the priority at Disneyland hotel for 1 and 2 bedrooms which is very needed there and to be able to use at future resorts as we have Riviera well covered with resale.

 

[muppets3d]

Riviera and the upcoming Lakeshore Lodge

Also- could always use more points

But you said you want to sell 300 to buy 200. So in what world does that mean you'll have more points?

 

[melissa70]

I know it costs a little bit more

I feel like it costs a lot more…50 per point adds up when it’s 200 points. I definitely don’t need Home advantage at Riviera.. I would just like the option to stay there and the others

 

[melissa70]

But you said you want to sell 300 to buy 200. So in what world does that mean you'll have more points?

Yeah, in my craziness and confusion I have decided to keep my resale contracts. So now I’m just trying to control myself and not buy anything.

 

[disneylandtour]

I’m seriously considering selling my 300 AKL points to buy 200 direct SSR points. Am I crazy, is this possible, should I do it?? Not that I like SSR over AKL but I can see now there is no reason to own at AK when it is pretty easy to book anytime. And I would like direct points. How easy is it to sell?

The best reason to own at AKL is either for the Value Studios or Club Level. If you don't use those then yes, there are better options--especially considering the high dues at AKV. If you use either of those regularly, it's worth it. I'm in Value Studios maybe two or three times a year. So it's worth it.

 

[Genie+]

All things considered - What if you sold your 300pts resale AKV for 200pts direct SSR? I know you are thinking about what parts are getting upgraded… but where does that put you for future DVC purchases?

You’re likely to want to at least get back to previous point total.

And likely consider if home priority matters in that decision.

At that point you’re holding your SSR and BLT, so is an active direct resort still going to interest you? Good chance I think. And when comparing resale options to active direct, it’s either the savings aren’t great or you’re taking on heavy restrictions.

My point is if there’s good odds you’ll just end up buying more direct later because interest in active resorts, is it worth making the change today that results in 100 less points?

If you make this switch today, what are the chances your next purchase will be: Resale? Direct?

Because if it is direct, might you regret off loading your AKV?

 

[melissa70]

might you regret off loading your AKV?

I think so. At the end of the day, I’m looking for more points not less. I just think this is a very good deal to get some direct SAP points. I feel as if it’s pretty substantial ..$50 less per point than the others.

 

[airjay75]

I definitely don’t need Home advantage at Riviera.

I’ll just repeat my earlier advice. Stay there a night and see what you think. If you don’t like it, maybe you don’t really even need direct points right now. If you love it, you might regret later not buying RIV points while it was still in active sales. And, as I said earlier, if you have home resort priority there, and you like resort view, your points will go further than if you owned direct somewhere else.

 

[atthebeachclub]

I still think Polynesian is a better deal, even though it costs more. Longer contract, more desirable location. If you wanted to sell for a blue card in Florida, I would look there.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Also, the biggest benefit of direct is to use your points at all resorts. Sorcerers Pass and lounges are very nice, but could easily change.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I feel like it costs a lot more…50 per point adds up when it’s 200 points. I definitely don’t need Home advantage at Riviera.. I would just like the option to stay there and the others

You might find that it's less expensive to buy a cash stay or rent from an owner at Riviera and other new resorts rather than flip a resale contract for a direct. If you find that you love Riviera and need to stay there regularly, you'll want to own there instead of SSR anyway.

 

[smileyanna]

Fear of future regret is a bad reason to buy.

There are tradeoffs and good arguments. If fear is the main driver of swapping your contracts, then I concur with the advice to just hold off making a decision and use your new points.

You need to know if point total is more important to you than access to unrestricted resorts. Figure that out and don’t be so afraid of future-you.

 

[Canchaser143]

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

It's hard.... I will forever have FOMO from the VGF fire sale, but it was the right choice for me since I was waiting (ever so patiently) for VDH. Just because it's a good deal doesn't mean its the best deal for you!

 

[VGCgroupie]

It's hard.... I will forever have FOMO from the VGF fire sale, but it was the right choice for me since I was waiting (ever so patiently) for VDH. Just because it's a good deal doesn't mean its the best deal for you!

VGF fire sale was an actual fire sale. This SSR is just a good sale, no fire involved. I have FOMO over the VGF fire sale. If only I had taken to the DVC area of the boards sooner.

 

[heelphan]

I am buying 200 direct at SSR (you saw my post on the other thread). I've had 160 resale points at SSR for about 2 years now. Reason 1a to buy direct is access to all resorts and future resorts, but reason 1b is access to Sorcerer pass. We were going to renew our Incredipass and this will save me $2000 on that renewal. In addition, it saves even more money (about $2300 for a family of 4) if you let your annual pass lapse and buy it new again without the renewal discount. This is concrete savings that we will have. I know they can drop that at any time but the only time it's been dropped in the past was the unprecedented times of the Covid era.

Reason 2 was we needed more points anyway and I've been shopping resale contracts.

I'm OK with SSR over Poly direct because I will save about $10,000 but also Poly's point charts are high. Getting home resort advantage there doesn't mean much if my points can only get 4 nights there and I can get 6 nights at some of the other resorts. Also, as I've mentioned in the other thread, we have yet to have the discipline to book 7-11 months out. We've stayed most anywhere we've wanted to stay at less than 7 months. Starting in 2042, while anyone that has resale points will no longer be able to book BWV, BCV or BRV (because in all likelihood they will have been made restricted after their expiration dates) we will still be able to use those resorts with our direct points, which makes it even more important to grab some while the price is low.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

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.

I came here thinking say just that. OP - if you haven’t stayed, do that if possible. I was also on the fence with RIV for the same reasons, and now would be completely content only staying there every trip - we love it.

 

[Makai]

Ha no I don’t even drink soda..it’s about the restrictions. And maybe the access to the lounges especially the one at Bay Lake where I own but can’t go to the lounge

I am buying direct for the Blue Card for the same reason (VDH). Maybe a little FOMO too, but mainly the unrestricted points for new resorts. On my last two trips I was surprised how many places rejected my Disney VISA discount when dining out, so on this last trip to Disneyland I tracked my expenses and saved around $50 in discounts not covered by the Disney VISA. May seem small but over time these extra Blue Card discounts will add up. I didn’t know how much I would enjoy the exclusive lounges too!