What to do next? to get direct perks

[MartyParty]

That's a great question. I don't need the extra points anytime soon. Actually have plenty of points at 520 at the moment

Sharing some data points. We just finished up a Southern Caribbean cruise on the Magic. We attended the DVC meeting onboard for current owners. Here is what was shared that might relate to your situation:

• Riveria is close to selling out. No timing given but sounded like end of 2025 or early 2026. Judging from your thread responses Riveria may not be something you would choose.
• Guides mentioned a special and some available direct points for Saratoga Springs. We weren't shopping for points so didn't inquire about pricing.

If you haven't already, you might give a guide a call and see what's available outside of the usual direct offerings. Explain what you're looking to do. Even if DVC doesn't have what you're looking for, a good guide will keep an eye out for you and call if something comes up. We are BLT fans like you but gosh those direct prices for BLT are prohibitive.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Sharing some data points. We just finished up a Southern Caribbean cruise on the Magic. We attended the DVC meeting onboard for current owners. Here is what was shared that might relate to your situation:

• Riveria is close to selling out. No timing given but sounded like end of 2025 or early 2026. Judging from your thread responses Riveria may not be something you would choose.
• Guides mentioned a special and some available direct points for Saratoga Springs. We weren't shopping for points so didn't inquire about pricing.

If you haven't already, you might give a guide a call and see what's available outside of the usual direct offerings. Explain what you're looking to do. Even if DVC doesn't have what you're looking for, a good guide will keep an eye out for you and call if something comes up. We are BLT fans like you but gosh those direct prices for BLT are prohibitive.

Nothing is available that isnt publicly available. https://dvcexplorer.com/fin/m/saratogasprings_Member_DeveloperCredit.pdf

2025 sell out for RIV isnt happening. I dont follow that closely and even I know that, guides often give info they think people want to hear rather than whats the truth.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Nothing is available that isnt publicly available. https://dvcexplorer.com/fin/m/saratogasprings_Member_DeveloperCredit.pdf

2025 sell out for RIV isnt happening. I dont follow that closely and even I know that, guides often give info they think people want to hear rather than whats the truth.

They must have a lot of SSR foreclosures they need to clear out…

 

[VGCgroupie]

They must have a lot of SSR foreclosures they need to clear out…

SSR direct at this price could also lead to many more in the future as well.

 

[PolyRob]

Looking to buy direct contract for direct perks, what would you do?

Background:
Resale only with restrictions
520 points - 360 blt; 160 poly
Family of 4
1-bedroom only atm
Do not enjoy poly, feels too crowded
Have not visited Riveria
Would like the blue card for AP
Would like to buy the AP this coming April

Some thoughts:
- 1-bedroom is rather easy to get. Between Riveria and Beach Club. I would pick Beach Club for the points chart and location alone.
- Poly - have not stayed at the PIT, but did a tour there and really like it. But the crowd issue will still be there.
- So many Riv lovers on this board. There must be something special about it.

What would you do?
1) Buy 150 points at Riveria
2) Buy 200-300 points at Riveria - sell 160 poly
3) Buy 150 points at Poly
4) Buy 150 points at Riveria now, if we like staying there sell 160 poly and buy another 150 points down the road

I would not buy Riviera sight unseen. If you're concerned about the Skyliner it's your only form of transportation to two major parks.

You mentioned you like PVB IT, but Poly feels crowded. Poly really isn't crowded 24/7. PVB IT is somewhat tucked away from GCH and other Poly amenities so it can be shielded from the 'Ohana/monorail area. There are times the Riviera lobby is bustling based on the sheer size of it alone. The Riviera East elevator bank is also crazy with Topolinos guests. Not saying Riviera is bad because of this, but it can also feel crowded if the time is right. Definitely need to visit it a few times if you can't stay there before deciding.

Based on what you currently own and your desire to stay in one-bedrooms plus get discounted Sorcerer passes (I can't blame you, this is my favorite direct perk too) I say go for 150 PVB direct. You can easily combine it with your PVB resale and book resort view one-bedrooms in the tower with your home resort booking period. If you decide you want a different resort under 7-months it's easy to swap the entire reservation like @AstroBlasters mentioned. Otherwise you may need to book a split stay which you stated your wife hates in order to hold a week in a one-bedroom or book a studio and then try to modify that up with the other contract.

You didn't mention what your UY is. I would also say that could factor into the purchase plan. If you want to take Magical Beginnings with a March UY I wouldn't wait until April. Buy in February.

 

[airjay75]

I’ll just offer some additional perspective as someone who decided they quite like RIV and went all in. I’d be pretty bummed if I waited until LSL came along, didn’t love it, and wished I had gotten RIV direct, but now it’s sold out and quite expensive and my only options are a nearly sold out PIT and LSL. I think it’s worth trying to form an opinion about RIV before it sells out. And, no, it’s not selling out in 2025. So, I think you have time. As @PolyRob mentioned, worth considering when your UY begins to potentially take full advantage of magical beginnings if you want to.

I know you said your wife doesn’t like split stays. What about just one night at either the beginning or end of your trip? Maybe that would be easier because then you wouldn’t need to unpack and get settled.

One other thought on the APs. I’m pretty sure if you decided to buy direct on the same trip as you wanted an AP, and you just purchased tickets that week, they could apply the cost of those tickets toward an AP. So, maybe just buy tickets, then if you did decide to buy direct, convert to the Sorcerer Pass, and if you don’t but still want an AP, convert to the Incredi-Pass. That way you have flexibility on whatever you decide and don’t have to let that drive the decision beforehand.

 

[Brian Noble]

That way you have flexibility on whatever you decide and don’t have to let that drive the decision beforehand.

That's a really good idea.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I’ll just offer some additional perspective as someone who decided they quite like RIV and went all in. I’d be pretty bummed if I waited until LSL came along, didn’t love it, and wished I had gotten RIV direct, but now it’s sold out and quite expensive and my only options are a nearly sold out PIT and LSL. I think it’s worth trying to form an opinion about RIV before it sells out. And, no, it’s not selling out in 2025. So, I think you have time. As @PolyRob mentioned, worth considering when your UY begins to potentially take full advantage of magical beginnings if you want to.

I know you said your wife doesn’t like split stays. What about just one night at either the beginning or end of your trip? Maybe that would be easier because then you wouldn’t need to unpack and get settled.

One other thought on the APs. I’m pretty sure if you decided to buy direct on the same trip as you wanted an AP, and you just purchased tickets that week, they could apply the cost of those tickets toward an AP. So, maybe just buy tickets, then if you did decide to buy direct, convert to the Sorcerer Pass, and if you don’t but still want an AP, convert to the Incredi-Pass. That way you have flexibility on whatever you decide and don’t have to let that drive the decision beforehand.

Yeah I think making a strong effort to visit RIV prior to deciding is key. I have a feeling OP wont love it, but may not hate it either. But I don't know OP very well so there's that.

RIV lobby feels busy, but in a much different way than how Poly feels busy. Poly feels like non guests there for the Poly experience. RIV feels like guests utilizing whats great about RIV, all the great food/coffee options.

 

[airjay75]

RIV lobby feels busy, but in a much different way than how Poly feels busy. Poly feels like non guests there for the Poly experience. RIV feels like guests utilizing whats great about RIV, all the great food/coffee options.

I agree with this completely. I also think lobby busyness doesn’t really bother me too much because I am just not someone who really sits in a lobby for any length of time. I feel like I judge busyness more by whether I can find some chairs at the pool and how long lines are to get food or drink and/or can I find somewhere to sit without too much trouble. Do things feel relaxed and enjoyable or am I always scrambling to find my way into another line and planning ahead to beat the crowds? For me RIV has stood out in all those regards. I’m sure it won’t always be perfect, but the size of the resort combined with the the fact that it isn’t a destination the way the monorail resorts are makes me feel good about it for the long term.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I’ll just offer some additional perspective as someone who decided they quite like RIV and went all in. I’d be pretty bummed if I waited until LSL came along, didn’t love it, and wished I had gotten RIV direct, but now it’s sold out and quite expensive and my only options are a nearly sold out PIT and LSL. I think it’s worth trying to form an opinion about RIV before it sells out. And, no, it’s not selling out in 2025. So, I think you have time. As @PolyRob mentioned, worth considering when your UY begins to potentially take full advantage of magical beginnings if you want to.

I know you said your wife doesn’t like split stays. What about just one night at either the beginning or end of your trip? Maybe that would be easier because then you wouldn’t need to unpack and get settled.

One other thought on the APs. I’m pretty sure if you decided to buy direct on the same trip as you wanted an AP, and you just purchased tickets that week, they could apply the cost of those tickets toward an AP. So, maybe just buy tickets, then if you did decide to buy direct, convert to the Sorcerer Pass, and if you don’t but still want an AP, convert to the Incredi-Pass. That way you have flexibility on whatever you decide and don’t have to let that drive the decision beforehand.

Can you apply an active ticket to a DVC discounted AP? I don’t trust Disney technology on that one….

 

[PolyRob]

Can you apply an active ticket to a DVC discounted AP? I don’t trust Disney technology on that one….

Yes, you can as long as the ticket hasn't been used during a pass blockout date and the ticket has not expired yet. You get the value of what the ticket was worth with Disney on the date you purchased it. Disney no longer price bridges.

This won't be an issue with an April trip since the Sorcerer blockout dates are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and NYE.

OP will need to make park pass reservations for everyone in the family if they do upgrade during the trip and want to enter the parks prior to 2pm. This shouldn't really be an issue either for a resort guest unless Disney announces something new that happens to open that week and passes are gobbled up.

 

[airjay75]

I was going to say that I think if you become a direct DVC member during your stay and you go to Guest Services before your last theme park entry day, they’d be able to do it. That is, say you had a 5-day ticket, then you need to go to guest services prior to using that 5th day. Being onsite might make it easier. My understanding is the key would be doing it before your last park entry day.

 

[PolyRob]

I was going to say that I think if you become a direct DVC member during your stay and you go to Guest Services before your last theme park entry day, they’d be able to do it. That is, say you had a 5-day ticket, then you need to go to guest services prior to using that 5th day. Being onsite might make it easier. My understanding is the key would be doing it before your last park entry day.

Yes, a ticket can be modified up until the park closes on the last day it's used.

OP could wait until tapping in the very last day if they don't want to make park pass reservations.

 

[PolyRob]

Also important to note regardless of when you upgrade a ticket the AP start date is the first day you used the ticket. Not the day you upgraded to the AP.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Yes, a ticket can be modified up until the park closes on the last day it's used.

OP could wait until tapping in the very last day if they don't want to make park pass reservations.

Guest Services told us they could only upgrade to regular APs and not the DVC AP… that had to be done through DVC MS…. not the case?

 

[airjay75]

I also have a feeling a guide could find a way to get this done if it was needed to close the sale. I feel like my wife might have asked this question back in April and I think the guide said no, but only because our ticket had already expired. My memory is fuzzy though.

 

[PolyRob]

Guest Services told us they could only upgrade to regular APs and not the DVC AP… that had to be done through DVC MS…. not the case?

Was this Guest Relations at a WDW park, TTC, DS, etc or when you call the 1-800 number? Phone ticketing CMs should route you to MS.

Once you start using a ticket Guest Relations at WDW is who you would be dealing with. If you were told that in a park I would have politely asked to speak with a supervisor. That frontline CM was misinformed.

Not all CMs are created equally and it's unfortunate that training is inconsistent. This was true even before the pandemic. When price bridging was a thing people would be told all different prices depending on who they spoke with for the AP. Some CMs knew what they were doing and others did not. It's only gotten worse.