What to do next? to get direct perks

[The Jackal]

There is no guarantee that WDW will offer AP’s every year for DVC. It’s a perk that can go away at anytime. It has in the recent past. Will they offer it. Probably

 

[typeamom72]

The Poly points have a lower incremental cost. I could almost talk myself into selling the existing Poly resale points and buying some direct. List them. If you get $165 for a not-stripped/not-loaded contract, you'll have about $150 after sales costs. Buying 160 new Poly points at the end of the UY is net $230--$210 if you use MB (but be sure you are comparing apples to apples---you should have used those points out of your resale contract.).

I haven’t read the other two pages yet of this discussion, and I know I’ll learn a lot when I do, but I had two thoughts:

1.I always appreciate @Brian Noble ’s perspective, and
2. I’m glad my husband isn’t on these boards because Brian doesn’t do Disney math the way I do.

 

[Girlstar30]

I would rather buy Poly sight unseen than Riv in case I didnt like it, hit to sell will be way less...

I agree with the people that say stay there and perhaps buy once you're there. Riv seemed more crowded to us than PIT believe it or not, that just depends on when you go (riv was a weekend for us, pit was a weekday) There are plenty of people that love Riv and plenty that dont. I would make sure you are one that loves it.

My family have all resale points and want direct perks, but we're not buying until we need the points. Our resale will cover our spring trip next year and perhaps we will buy right before because we need more points for a fall trip and might as well get the perks while were at it, but there's literally no point in us buying now when our trip isn't until the spring, we have the points to cover it and welcome home stays are a thing.

Id rather spend $500 extra for an ap than start with mf on points I dont need...

 

[Chili327]

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

Based on another thread "RIV selling out sometime in late 2026," Will have to somehow fit one more trip before Riv sells out.

Right, if we go with 150 poly direct. All the Poly points will be mainly used for SAP.

What negatives do you have to add for Riv? 1 downside I read is skyliner going down due to weather, and that can be a mess.

I think you need to try more resorts, in order to know what you like or don’t like about more options.

Many people love RIV, I know many other people who are underwhelmed.

I would not buy a resort that will take a huge hit on the resale market because the points fundamentally change unless you KNOW you love the resort.

I’d buy more Poly points. It will make it easier to book a 1bd at 11m at Poly when combined with your resale points and then you can modify the reservation to something different at 7m if you so choose.

Agreed, if the choice is only between RIV & Poly I’d pick poly as well.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

Thanks for all the helpful responses!

1. Wait till we visit Riv before making the decision
2. 150 Riv points might not be that useful, as it will require banking/borrowing in order to book 1-bedroom
3. 150 Poly points will be helpful, as they can be combined with the 160 resale points to book a 1-bedroom. Swap out at 7 months.
4. If we love Riv after the tour, buying 300 points and selling 160 poly might be a better idea
5. If we find ourselves with too many points, there is always the theme park view we can upgrade to. Or sell the 160 poly resale
6. @Brian Noble math is correct. But there is something about Disney math. And the fomo of not having the direct benefits. Going to lounges and tow at BLT for example.
7. We understand there is a risk that the AP benefit will be removed, but that is a risk worth taking

 

[Brian Noble]

@Brian Noble math is correct. But there is something about Disney math. And the fomo of not having the direct benefits. Going to lounges and tow at BLT for example.

You do not have to justify the purchase with dollars-and-cents. You can just decide you want it, and then buy it. That's what I did.

 

[airjay75]

How I sometimes think about my DVC purchases (just don't do it George Costanza style, while you're unemployed and living with your parents ),

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks for all the helpful responses!

1. Wait till we visit Riv before making the decision
2. 150 Riv points might not be that useful, as it will require banking/borrowing in order to book 1-bedroom
3. 150 Poly points will be helpful, as they can be combined with the 160 resale points to book a 1-bedroom. Swap out at 7 months.
4. If we love Riv after the tour, buying 300 points and selling 160 poly might be a better idea
5. If we find ourselves with too many points, there is always the theme park view we can upgrade to. Or sell the 160 poly resale
6. @Brian Noble math is correct. But there is something about Disney math. And the fomo of not having the direct benefits. Going to lounges and tow at BLT for example.
7. We understand there is a risk that the AP benefit will be removed, but that is a risk worth taking

Appreciate the breakdown so we know you actually paid attention to all the advice given. Good luck with the choice you decide to make. Look forward to seeing a trip report for you visiting RIV to aide in your decision

 

[Add-On-Itis]

Appreciate the breakdown so we know you actually paid attention to all the advice given. Good luck with the choice you decide to make. Look forward to seeing a trip report for you visiting RIV to aide in your decision

Yes. I read thru all the responses more than once. And they were all very helpful, lot of ideas and thoughts.

I will report back in April once the decision is made

 

[pzw90]

Its refreshing to see someone come in, ask for advice, and actually consider what others are saying.
Compared to the posts you see now and then where people are just looking for an echo chamber and refuse to take the advice they are claiming to seek

 

[bakerworld]

Whelp, already you have more points than us and we joined in '08 but a couple thoughts.

• We vacation nothing like we did with tweens/teens.
• Our original focus for DVC homes has changed dramatically. I get what you mean about buying direct for the perks because the perks tipped our scale back in '08. I'd go with the old 'buy where you wanna stay' now because predicting the future is impossible.
• Over the years I've seen people, wildly pro-DVC/Disney, hit a saturation point. They'll go away for a bit, try again but they're done. Read about life changes that caused people to leave/sell their DVC, to rejoin and are disenchanted with the current DVC.
• I don't know how much you're leaning on your kids opinion but I will offer that out of our 3 kids only 1 really likes Disney, with another liking WDW for a Floridian vacation, and the last totally 'whatever'. As our youngest says, she's been going to WDW her whole life but she enjoys the resorts and the Springs night life. Conversely, when we told the 'kids' that we planned to sell in '28 they decided that they wanted us to keep the contracts as they'll be in the mid to late 60's when the contracts expire so they'll get plenty of Floridian Resort Vacations between '28 and '58/'59. We added them to all the contracts so when we're done they can easily take them over.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

Whelp, already you have more points than us and we joined in '08 but a couple thoughts.

• We vacation nothing like we did with tweens/teens.
• Our original focus for DVC homes has changed dramatically. I get what you mean about buying direct for the perks because the perks tipped our scale back in '08. I'd go with the old 'buy where you wanna stay' now because predicting the future is impossible.
• Over the years I've seen people, wildly pro-DVC/Disney, hit a saturation point. They'll go away for a bit, try again but they're done. Read about life changes that caused people to leave/sell their DVC, to rejoin and are disenchanted with the current DVC.
• I don't know how much you're leaning on your kids opinion but I will offer that out of our 3 kids only 1 really likes Disney, with another liking WDW for a Floridian vacation, and the last totally 'whatever'. As our youngest says, she's been going to WDW her whole life but she enjoys the resorts and the Springs night life. Conversely, when we told the 'kids' that we planned to sell in '28 they decided that they wanted us to keep the contracts as they'll be in the mid to late 60's when the contracts expire so they'll get plenty of Floridian Resort Vacations between '28 and '58/'59. We added them to all the contracts so when we're done they can easily take them over.

Good luck with your decision.

- They are not selling direct at where I want to stay now. I would like BC or BLT direct. I wouldn't pay $280 a point direct at BLT either.
- Yea I showed my wife this post and the main pro and cons of PVB / RIV.
- She does not like Riveria. Resale restriction (esp I would need 300 points instead of 150). If Riv and BC 1 bedroom are both available we will pick BC even if the point chart is the same. And most of the time BC 1 bedroom is available when we go.
- 1 bedroom even resort view at Riv is easy to get. (bank and borrow from direct points)
- 1 bedroom resort view is hard to get at PVB.
- So right now it's most likely PVB direct.

 

[Chili327]

They are not selling direct at where I want to stay now. I would like BC or BLT direct. I wouldn't pay $280 a point direct at BLT either.

Where is it that you want to stay?? Grand Californian?

 

[AstroBlasters]

- They are not selling direct at where I want to stay now. I would like BC or BLT direct. I wouldn't pay $280 a point direct at BLT either.
- Yea I showed my wife this post and the main pro and cons of PVB / RIV.
- She does not like Riveria. Resale restriction (esp I would need 300 points instead of 150). If Riv and BC 1 bedroom are both available we will pick BC even if the point chart is the same. And most of the time BC 1 bedroom is available when we go.
- 1 bedroom even resort view at Riv is easy to get. (bank and borrow from direct points)
- 1 bedroom resort view is hard to get at PVB.
- So right now it's most likely PVB direct.

You’ll be very happy with direct Poly points. A true Walt Disney World icon…..

 

[Girlstar30]

- They are not selling direct at where I want to stay now. I would like BC or BLT direct. I wouldn't pay $280 a point direct at BLT either.
- Yea I showed my wife this post and the main pro and cons of PVB / RIV.
- She does not like Riveria. Resale restriction (esp I would need 300 points instead of 150). If Riv and BC 1 bedroom are both available we will pick BC even if the point chart is the same. And most of the time BC 1 bedroom is available when we go.
- 1 bedroom even resort view at Riv is easy to get. (bank and borrow from direct points)
- 1 bedroom resort view is hard to get at PVB.
- So right now it's most likely PVB direct.

I had the same issue i really wanted blt and I had no idea id be buying 3 contracts at the time. Thats why we ended up going resale first. If it was more on sale/with incentives we very likely would have bought direct blt

 

[Add-On-Itis]

Where is it that you want to stay?? Grand Californian?

Oh I thought I already had it in there.

But I would buy BLT direct if it had a lower direct price. Something like $205 a point after discount, before MB.

I would buy Beach Club v2 direct.

 

[Chili327]

Oh I thought I already had it in there.

But I would buy BLT direct if it had a lower direct price. Something like $205 a point after discount, before MB.

I would buy Beach Club v2 direct.

Well if you ever do get your Grand Cal points, don’t use them in WDW.!!

 

[airjay75]

I still think it’s worth giving RIV a good look to decide whether you like it since you’ve only seen it on the Skyliner and you know you’re not a fan of the crowds at the Poly. You may ultimately decide you just want some direct SAP points, and Poly is clearly the better option for that. But, if planning to keep the points for the long-run, I’d rather have them at a resort I love than based on theoretical resale value 15-20 years from now if at all possible. You may well not really love RIV either, but worth a look to be sure.

 

[eticketplease]

It was at the World Showcase entrance coming from BW. My wife had to go in there to activate her DVC AP and asked about my ability to upgrade my multi-day park ticket to the DVC AP.

Thanks for the info.

That stinks as we have been able to upgrade our tickets to the DVC AP in the past.

 

[eticketplease]

How I sometimes think about my DVC purchases (just don't do it George Costanza style, while you're unemployed and living with your parents ),
View attachment 1022229

It sure looked like he was loaded though if you looked at his wallet though