What Is the Benefit To Buying Direct?

[Patrick N]

It's a serious question. As of today, with the current unavailability of Annual Passes, and the mega increase in the AP price when it's available again, what are the concrete benefits of a direct purchase? I understand that resale purchasers can't book Riviera and any future resorts, but what am I forgetting as a direct purchase benefit?

 

[DVChris]

You are not forgetting anything.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

To me, it's more to make sure we're grandfathered in to whatever new point structure they introduce going forward. We don't want to be locked out of the DL tower and future resorts, and IDK what shenanigans they have planned for the future, so I'm glad we're in the system. Having said that, unless the economy tanks and DVC offers some amazing direct discounts, we'd just be getting resale from here on out.

 

[Stargazer65]

You are forgetting the most incredible benefit...the blue membership card. So much better than a white card. I have both a white card and a blue card...and let me tell you, there is just no comparison. The blue card totally blows the white card away. It's the greatest card ever.

But seriously, you do get a 10% discount with it at a lot of places. How does that stack up to not having it hypothetically? You might pay $6000 more to get 150 pts Riviera direct vs resale. But after you eat $60,000 worth of Mickey Waffles at Topolino's Terrace you get all that back.

 

[Sandisw]

The benefit is the use at RIV and future resorts, along with any special events that will come along, including the Epcot Lounge. Yes, AP is not on sale today, but I don't imagine that will be forever. However, the reasons for direct points are declining so what may have made a lot of sense a few years ago, no longer does.

We will not buy resale because we enjoy stays at RIV. Had a restricted contract and it was a pain to use with my unrestricted point. So, will buy direct. We want to be eligible for any of the future discounts that do come available, but they were not the reason, just see it as a benefit.

I do know that moving forward, those with qualified points will be eligible for whatever extra benefits there are at the time. Resale owners without qualified points will for sure be left out. In most cases, its doesn't outweigh the resale savings.

But, it also depends on what resort you are looking at. Some of the popular resorts are not that much cheaper than getting direct points at a different resort. If you are not 100% in need of staying at some of those, then it could be the best of both worlds. But, it is still important to buy the resort you want to stay at!

 

[peabody58]

For us, adding on BWV Direct vs. Resale to our BLT membership (also Direct):

1. Speed and ease of transaction. [Took all of 30 minutes for eDocs to arrive. Easy, peasy.]
2. Can use your Disney VISA for 6 mts 0% [Still need to pay monthly min.]
3. Points are immediately available for booking. [We needed to book Sept 2022!]
4. Can more easily get the UY you want. [We needed to match our Sept UY.]
6. Can more easily get the number of points you want. [Only needed 100.]
7. Blue Card/Access to All Resorts if that matters. [It didn't for us as we already had a Blue Card.]
8. Welcome Home gift of 2 Fridge Magnets and a DVC Member Backpack [Results vary though].
9. Reduced back and hip pain from a lighter wallet/purse. [Already feeling a lot lighter!]
10. Because the wife said so. [Drops the mic...]

 

[Vulnox]

The point was made earlier about the spectacular blue card look over white card, but you have to act fast, as the physical cards are gone at the end of the year! Then it is down to how good of a screen you have on your smartphone as to how good the card looks.

 

[BamaGuy44]

You're correct, access to RIV and future resorts is the only worthwhile benefit. It seems Disney have moved away from the "carrot" method of enticing people to buy direct with decent benefits, going to the "stick" method of putting heavy restrictions on resale points. Personally the new and (possible) future resorts don't move the needle enough for me to pay thousands more for points. RIV is very nice though, we've stayed on rented points. If we want a few days there in the future, we'll just do that.

 

[CarolMN]

10. Because the wife said so

The very best reason and my personal favorite!

 

[OPDman]

With direct, you can also purchase a guaranteed week at those resorts where it is offered. Those are rarely available for resale.

 

[BamaGuy44]

For us, adding on BWV Direct vs. Resale to our BLT membership (also Direct):
9. Reduced back and hip pain from a lighter wallet/purse. [Already feeling a lot lighter!]

Fair point, I do get tired of all that pesky money being around cluttering up things.

 

[DebbieB]

New AP’s are not currently available, but there’s a good chance they will be back. The $400 difference between an Incredipass and a Sorcerer is big for me.

 

[RoseGold]

With direct, you can also purchase a guaranteed week at those resorts where it is offered. Those are rarely available for resale.

They come up all the time for resale. They only are available at VGF/Poly/CCV/RIV, so they will be increasingly available over time in the natural cycle of selling. The board sponsor has a drop down and has one right now.

 

[DVChris]

They only are available at VGF/Poly/CCV/RIV,

AUL as well.

 

[GBRforWDW]

This thread is great timing. Was just talking with my wife about DVC last night, she brought it up after receiving a flyer in the mail.

Let me rephrase some of the things I've seen mentioned and make sure I understand correctly.

Resale: if buying a resort built prior to Riviera, you can only book a room at other resorts pre-Riviera? Does this include Disneyland, Hawaii, Vero beach or Hilton Head?

If buying resale at Riviera, what other resorts do you have access to?

Direct purchase you can get the Sorcerer Annual pass, when available?

Resale can only get Incredi-pass, if out of state? In state can choose whichever pass works for them, of course.

As a family, if we buy direct, can everyone get the Sorcerer pass? Or only if your name is on the contract, meaning kids and possibly spouse not eligible?

Resale not grandfathered into points, so theoretically, Disney could have a different point structure for direct vs resale stays?

Resale not included in special events like DVC after hours in the park party's they had pre-pandemic, no lounge access for dvc lounges, etc?

Thanks all!

 

[JETSDAD]

This thread is great timing. Was just talking with my wife about DVC last night, she brought it up after receiving a flyer in the mail.

Let me rephrase some of the things I've seen mentioned and make sure I understand correctly.

Resale: if buying a resort built prior to Riviera, you can only book a room at other resorts pre-Riviera? Does this include Disneyland, Hawaii, Vero beach or Hilton Head? Yes, all resorts pre-Riviera.

If buying resale at Riviera, what other resorts do you have access to? Only Riviera

Direct purchase you can get the Sorcerer Annual pass, when available? Yes

Resale can only get Incredi-pass, if out of state? In state can choose whichever pass works for them, of course. Correct

As a family, if we buy direct, can everyone get the Sorcerer pass? Or only if your name is on the contract, meaning kids and possibly spouse not eligible? You can buy for family members within your household.

Resale not grandfathered into points, so theoretically, Disney could have a different point structure for direct vs resale stays? Point charts are the same for everyone.

Resale not included in special events like DVC after hours in the park party's they had pre-pandemic, no lounge access for dvc lounges, etc? Correct...except so far resale has been allowed access to Top of the World Lounge

Thanks all!

 

[RoseGold]

Resale not grandfathered into points, so theoretically, Disney could have a different point structure for direct vs resale stays?

This is more complicated than that. I'm talking about buying resale now, grandfathered resale is its own complicated discussion.

RIV and on can exclude you.

O14 resorts can set charts for non-home points. Example. BLT could charge 20% more for non-BLT points, but it couldn't charge more for just resale or just SSR contracts.

Future resorts may or may not have to follow any of these rules or even be part of BVTC, which is the DVC point exchange. RIV has made it clear Disney is willing to change the rules in big ways.

 

[Lorana]

With direct, you can also purchase a guaranteed week at those resorts where it is offered. Those are rarely available for resale.

They come up all the time for resale. They only are available at VGF/Poly/CCV/RIV, so they will be increasingly available over time in the natural cycle of selling. The board sponsor has a drop down and has one right now.

I'm not sure I'd say that having 1 GW for sale out of the hundreds of contracts listed on their website counts as "coming up all the time." If you don't want VGF, FW#44, with an Aug UY, then you're still out of luck. Purchasing direct means you get the FW you want, at the resort you want, for the UY you want (provided that FW is still available to be sold).

For me, the benefits are:
- AP discounts. Yes, I know they're not available now, but they will be again, and that access to Sorcerer's pass is a big savings
- Ability to use the points at any resorts now and in the future
- Discounts. 10% at dining isn't much, and overlaps with some of my AP and Visa discounts, but it does include some places those do not (and means I can get the discount but charge my dinner to a CC that earns more rewards than my Disney Visa). The 20% discount at resort gift shops is also nice. It's not a reason to buy direct, but it's a bit of icing on the cake.
- Access to member's only special events, previews, etc. We don't often get to take advantage of them, but it's nice when we can!
- Ability to use points to book special members only cruises, Starcruiser, and other events where you MUST use direct points to participate
- While this is a terrible use of points - it's better to rent out and pay cash - we do like that should we choose to, we can use points to book Disney Cruises and ABDs.

 

[GBRforWDW]

This is more complicated than that. I'm talking about buying resale now, grandfathered resale is its own complicated discussion.

RIV and on can exclude you.

O14 resorts can set charts for non-home points. Example. BLT could charge 20% more for non-BLT points, but it couldn't charge more for just resale or just SSR contracts.

Future resorts may or may not have to follow any of these rules or even be part of BVTC, which is the DVC point exchange. RIV has made it clear Disney is willing to change the rules in big ways.

That makes sense, thanks for clearing that up

 

[DaveNan]

Another interesting point.
While the official documented DVC wording states only direct buyers get the membership benefit of discounts on merch and food at participating locations.....
Pre Covid - 75% change you would get the discount with no direct membership, just a "white card would work"
The last year.. seems more like 90% chance of getting the discount per posts with a white card.
The future? Who knows. DVC is going to a new virtual membership card in 2022, which some feel may close this loophole

AP discount
Pre-Covid - Most CM's seemed to follow the rules consistently. Very few non direct/grandfathers owners claimed to get the DVC AP (Gold) on the boards.
When they started selling them again 3-4 months ago, non direct owners were getting the Sorcerer AP 100% at guest services, pretty regularly if they called the AP 800 number, and rarely if they called the DVC 800 number.
The future? who knows? I wouldn't bank on it, but also don't be surprised if you fork over the cash for direct to get this benefit and then hear others are getting it without having a "blue card".

Having 150 direct points qualifies an owner for these benefits under the current rules. In recent practice, having any points does. Buying direct "guarantees" these benefits as long as they stay in place (which is not guaranteed contractually). Have resale only, one might get you these benefits, but they should not be expected.