Why Would You Buy Direct Anymore?

[ChipNdale8887]

If this is your dealbreaker, then maybe think long and hard. There's no guarantee that future resorts have to play nicely. Even in existing DVC rules, they can change a non-home resort fee (20% non-VGF surcharge), they can take resorts out of the system. There's no reason the next resort has to be in this system at all. Sure, maybe it will technically work, but doesn't mean it has to be 1:1 like all the other resorts have been.

RIV has shown that DVC is willing to change the rules.

They could do the exact same thing to Resale I suppose also. More reason for them to charge a non home resort surcharge to Resale than Direct.

 

[RoseGold]

Yes, future resorts *might* not play by the same rules. But it's in Disney's best interest to keep them playing by the same rules. Because switching rules undermines new direct sales.

Then we disagree. Maybe Star Wars Vacation Club isn't even in DVC, it doesn't care what DVC does. And you can trade in your DVC (Blue Card) points for Star Wars points for a modest 20% fee! (Edit: and vice-versa! Hooray!)

Then Star Wars Vacation Club has it all -- access to DVC properties, even that tired old RIV over there, as well as the future Star Wars Vacation Club properties!

I have no idea what DVC will do in 20 years, but they have a lot of power, even under existing rules, to make something that doesn't resemble current DVC.

They could do the exact same thing to Resale I suppose also. More reason for them to charge a non home resort surcharge to Resale than Direct.

No, they can't under O14 rules. They can charge non-VGF points a surcharge to stay at VGF made with non-VGF points, but they can't single out resale or SSR or whatever.

 

[CLE2WDW]

A lot of you have made some valid points but I still don’t think it justifies the extra $20-$50 per point that a direct contract in today’s market would cost. The “gotcha” on resale RIV contracts is something I’d expect from Marriott contracts not Disney. Basically I’m giving Disney $185 a point and I’d be lucky to sell my contract for $125 a point on the secondary market due to the restriction. I’m ok with being “locked out” of future resorts because personally I think future resorts are a LONG way off as Disney licks their wounds from COVID.

 

[havoc315]

Then we disagree. Maybe Star Wars Vacation Club isn't even in DVC, it doesn't care what DVC does. And you can trade in your DVC (Blue Card) points for Star Wars points for a modest 20% fee!

Then Star Wars Vacation Club has it all -- access to DVC properties, even that tired old RIV over there, as well as the future Star Wars Vacation Club properties!

They can't do that. Speaking as an attorney who reviewed my contract with real estate attorney colleagues, I can tell you with 100% certainty, they can't do that.
Yes, they can exclude SWVC from DVC, absolutely. But then it would have to be a mutual exclusion. SWVC buyers wouldn't be able to trade into DVC either. Which really wouldn't make any sense.... it would really hurt the sales of SWVC.

 

[Stargazer65]

Blue cards are pretty cool looking.

 

[RoseGold]

They can't do that. Speaking as an attorney who reviewed my contract with real estate attorney colleagues, I can tell you with 100% certainty, they can't do that.
Yes, they can exclude SWVC from DVC, absolutely. But then it would have to be a mutual exclusion. SWVC buyers wouldn't be able to trade into DVC either.

Right, so keep the exchange, like RCI. They pitch that in every sales pitch. Doesn't mean it's a good option for your points.

RCI people have been able to get some Saratoga now and then.

 

[havoc315]

A lot of you have made some valid points but I still don’t think it justifies the extra $20-$50 per point that a direct contract in today’s market would cost. The “gotcha” on resale RIV contracts is something I’d expect from Marriott contracts not Disney. Basically I’m giving Disney $185 a point and I’d be lucky to sell my contract for $125 a point on the secondary market due to the restriction. I’m ok with being “locked out” of future resorts because personally I think future resorts are a LONG way off as Disney licks their wounds from COVID.

Riviera on re-sale is selling for about $135-$145 per point. So far, the value is holding up much better than expected, better than many other resorts. AKL direct costs more than RIV direct -- But you'll lose more re-sale value by buying AKL.

 

[havoc315]

Right, so keep the exchange, like RCI. They pitch that in every sales pitch. Doesn't mean it's a good option for your points.

RCI people have been able to get some Saratoga now and then.

Yes, but that stinks both ways. DVC owners lose value by trading in to RCI, not a good use of points.

So sure, it could cost 1 million points for a DVC Riviera owner to get a studio at SWVC... and then it would also cost 1 million points for a SWVC owner to a studio at Riviera.
Not much of a selling point for SWVC....

Here is the thing --- I'm not saying Disney will never make changes. But I believe they will only make changes that are contractually LEGAL, and make sense for them financially. You keep suggesting changes that will hurt Disney financially, and are likely illegal.

 

[davedray]

AKL is a huge resort. You can almost always get rooms at the 7 month mark -- EXCEPT -- concierge and value rooms. So if you want concierge or value rooms, you should buy AKL. But if you are happy with regular rooms at AKL, you can usually do it without AKL points.

RIV -- 1 bedroom/preferred will usually be available at 7 months. But almost all standard view rooms (especially studio and 2br) will be gone ahead of 7 months. Even preferred studios can be hard to get at 7 months.

So with Riviera direct, you could still typically get good rooms at AKL, but not value or concierge.

Thanks for the input this makes sense! We are really liking the 1 BR savanna view rooms at AKL and most likely the 1BR standard view at the RIV. I think other then the restrictions at RIV, the points charts look a little expensive, that’s a little hold up for me. We want to start off with about 200-250 points.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I was able to renew my AP and they added extra months for the shutdown, taking it to April of 2022. I feel certain that the AP or something similar will return this year at some point. I also believe that the dining plan or similar will return as well.

Hi I have the same timeframe and wanted to renew AP . Guest services is closed today... can I ask what your renewal price was ? I was trying to make a Park Reservation after April ... Thanks

 

[kanerf]

Hi I have the same timeframe and wanted to renew AP . Guest services is closed today... can I ask what your renewal price was ? I was trying to make a Park Reservation after April ... Thanks

I upgraded to the Platinum pass at the same time so it was over $400, but I don't remember the exact amount.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, but that stinks both ways. DVC owners lose value by trading in to RCI, not a good use of points.

So sure, it could cost 1 million points for a DVC Riviera owner to get a studio at SWVC... and then it would also cost 1 million points for a SWVC owner to a studio at Riviera.
Not much of a selling point for SWVC....

Here is the thing --- I'm not saying Disney will never make changes. But I believe they will only make changes that are contractually LEGAL, and make sense for them financially. You keep suggesting changes that will hurt Disney financially, and are likely illegal.

I completely agree. I don’t get the argument that DVD could stop direct points from trading and therefore, buy resale.

There are pros and cons to direct and resale. As you suggest, DVD has done nothing to ever make the points purchased through them restricted in anyway so suggesting they will create that for future resorts is, IMO, silly.

 

[Sandisw]

Hi I have the same timeframe and wanted to renew AP . Guest services is closed today... can I ask what your renewal price was ? I was trying to make a Park Reservation after April ... Thanks

I just did my renewal of my Gold AP and I paid $650.72. I had a ticket that didn’t get used in 2020 so they allowed me to put the value do that ticket toward it, so out of pocket was about $220.

 

[RoseGold]

Here is the thing --- I'm not saying Disney will never make changes. But I believe they will only make changes that are contractually LEGAL, and make sense for them financially. You keep suggesting changes that will hurt Disney financially, and are likely illegal.

How is it illegal to make a whole new vacation club, which DVC could transfer points to? And that better club with the shiny new resort is what Disney is selling. OR, use the O14 rules and change the charts for non-home resort reservations.

These boards act like the 1:1 is a given, and that's not even true in the O14 rules.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I just did my renewal of my Gold AP and I paid $650.72. I had a ticket that didn’t get used in 2020 so they allowed me to put the value do that ticket toward it, so out of pocket was about $220.

I just did my renewal of my Gold AP and I paid $650.72. I had a ticket that didn’t get used in 2020 so they allowed me to put the value do that ticket toward it, so out of pocket was about $220.

Thanks!

 

[TinkB278]

Thanks! The Main 2 resorts we are looking at are Riviera and Animial Kingdom Lodge. Riv would be direct for sure, AKL could go either way. They always say buy where you want to stay, these are the 2 places we want to stay.

I was trying to decide between the same two resorts and wanted to buy direct because it would have bugged me not being able to stay at RIV. I ended up buying RIV because of the later expiration and cheaper price direct!

 

[davedray]

I was trying to decide between the same two resorts and wanted to buy direct because it would have bugged me not being able to stay at RIV. I ended up buying RIV because of the later expiration and cheaper price direct!

If the price per point is cheeper, there is a good chance I go that route, especially if getting a 1 BR Savanna View at AKL isn’t hard at 7 months. The resale is conserning for sure, even though we are not planning to sell anytime soon, having that option is nice incase something happens.
Now our big question is do we by sooner then later, or wait to buy while we are at CBR in October.

 

[havoc315]

If the price per point is cheeper, there is a good chance I go that route, especially if getting a 1 BR Savanna View at AKL isn’t hard at 7 months. The resale is conserning for sure, even though we are not planning to sell anytime soon, having that option is nice incase something happens.
Now our big question is do we by sooner then later, or wait to buy while we are at CBR in October.

With a major caveat, I believe sooner is better than later. Why pay for a stay at CBR in October instead using your newly purchased points?!?!

Additionally, when you buy direct -- you can always buy a fully loaded contract. So say you buy a October use year.. you can get your October 2020 and October 2021 points, and really splurge on a big October trip.

My only caveat: Wait if you can't afford it. It's better to wait than to finance.

 

[davedray]

With a major caveat, I believe sooner is better than later. Why pay for a stay at CBR in October instead using your newly purchased points?!?!

Additionally, when you buy direct -- you can always buy a fully loaded contract. So say you buy a October use year.. you can get your October 2020 and October 2021 points, and really splurge on a big October trip.

My only caveat: Wait if you can't afford it. It's better to wait than to finance.

I do agree Havoc, that also sounds nice. Honestly, I figured it is too late, unless we change our dates, to get an early October, with the 50th. We booked the 2-8 before realizing that was the 50th weekend, though we wouldn’t cry if it moved back a week or so. I’d also feel a little bad, or TA has been so helpful. I also didn’t know I could get a fully loaded contract and go all out like that. And I agree, though I do think financing works for some people, we would rather avoid that. Thanks for the input. Maybe its time to e mail the guide again.

 

[havoc315]

I do agree Havoc, that also sounds nice. Honestly, I figured it is too late, unless we change our dates, to get an early October, with the 50th. We booked the 2-8 before realizing that was the 50th weekend, though we wouldn’t cry if it moved back a week or so. I’d also feel a little bad, or TA has been so helpful. I also didn’t know I could get a fully loaded contract and go all out like that. And I agree, though I do think financing works for some people, we would rather avoid that. Thanks for the input. Maybe its time to e mail the guide again.

If you purchased direct now, you could probably easily get the room you want for the 50th...

A little not-so-secret: If you purchase direct, they go out of their way to get you what you wanted for your "Welcome Home" trip. -- Your first trip. They will dig deeper into inventory, if necessary converting a cash room for your use. It's no guarantee. But we are still outside the 7 month window for October. If it were your "welcome home" trip, I think they would get you your room.