Would you buy several small contracts or fewer large contracts?

[itsrichardash]

Does anyone have a strong opinion on whether or not it's best to split your points into smaller contracts, or just have them all under one?

I want to eventually have 200 points or so, but would rather not spend that much upfront, so I split the first 100 points into a 50-point contract and two 25-point contracts. I understand any savings gained from resale are likely lost due to the multiple sets of closing fees, but I figured it would be easier to dump three smaller contracts vs one larger contract.

Does anyone else do this? Would I have been better served to just get a larger 100-point contract at AKL and add on other resorts later?

 

[Cfabar1]

My sense is you’ll pay more for them, but you can sell them later. If having multiple resort availability matters, I could see the benefit, you can play around with banking and borrowing to get in to multiple resorts over those years.

I think it is easier to get rid of small contracts. Yes you pay more in closing fees, but especially with where prices are going, you might still end up ahead of buying direct.

Another option would be buy an initial small point resale contract, and then buy the rest of your points with existing owner incentives at DVC.

Good luck!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It's probably a good news/bad news question! When buying (resale), smaller contracts tend to be more expensive because they can be popular as add-on points. But if you even resell a small contract, yours could be worth more, too. The idea of buying what you can afford now and adding on later makes sense to me. One thing I would be sure of, though, is I would have all the small contracts with the same UY. It can make reservations cleaner going forward.

 

[crisi]

Smaller contracts aren't just more expensive per point, you also pay closing cost on each purchase, and they are harder to find. It wouldn't be something I would go to the bother for or generally recommend, but you did and it worked for you.

 

[Nursemanit]

if buying direct - get one 150 , and then chunk it out into 50-100 point bundles. They only charge $250 in extra closing and you will want to keep your 150-point blue card contract till you are ready to leave DVC altogether.

If buying resale - larger contracts are cheaper to buy - yes you won't get the high price of a 50-point but you also did not pay the high price of a 50-point contract. As mentioned, the closing costs are very high so I would only pay that once.

 

[AC168]

Resale I’d go at least 100 points per contract but not over 400.

 

[Lorana]

For the most part, I bought many small contracts, rather than large contracts -- I have one 168 point BRV which was my first resale contract (back when we thought our 127 direct and 168 resale would be our only ones!), a 120-point AKV, and 3 118-point CCV which are Guaranteed Week contracts. Otherwise, almost all of our other contracts are 100 points or less, with many 50 points. Our reason for doing so was that it was easy to add 50-point resale in cash as we needed them, but also it would make it very easy for us to downsize in small amounts in the future if we decided we didn't need so many points. With large point contracts, you have to sell the entire contract, and they are often harder/take longer to sell and go for less per point when selling than small point contracts.

 

[RoseGold]

Unless you just really need a hair more with the other contracts, I don't see the point of a 25 point contract. It flips the math, with how high closing and $/point is. I'd just rent points if all I can afford is 25. I'd stick to buying around 100ish.

100 is a good spot where it's easy to buy or sell, and it isn't a crazy $/point like the low value contracts. 100 points is no problem to dump.

 

[macman123]

Whenever I have bought direct, I have broken into 50 point contracts. Its $250 per contract, but I also do not take the title insurance. I did that with Riveria and VGF2. Each one of those I got 200 points total.

 

[Sandisw]

if buying direct - get one 150 , and then chunk it out into 50-100 point bundles. They only charge $250 in extra closing and you will want to keep your 150-point blue card contract till you are ready to leave DVC altogether.

If buying resale - larger contracts are cheaper to buy - yes you won't get the high price of a 50-point but you also did not pay the high price of a 50-point contract. As mentioned, the closing costs are very high so I would only pay that once.

Just to add that if someone is buying direct as a new buyer, they will not let you split the first contract into units smaller than 150 points.

 

[itsrichardash]

Thank you everyone for your replies! I am realizing I should have probably just bought the 100-point contract initially, and added on later, rather than going about it the way that I did. I suppose at the end of the day I'm only out the extra closing costs and a higher per-point cost, but I'll still enjoy AKL regardless.

I believe I will add my direct points in multiples of 50 as I can pay for them in cash as another user suggested, that's a great idea! Hopefully I can get them added before they raise the minimum for the blue-card benefits.

I appreciate everyones thoughtful responses <3

 

[tom1944]

What does the blue card get you?

I read discounts on dining but is it significant enough to pay the premium price?

 

[itsrichardash]

What does the blue card get you?

I read discounts on dining but is it significant enough to pay the premium price?

The only incidental benefits that I’m interested in acquiring are the ability to access top of the world lounge and moonlight magic events. I believe most of the other benefits are similar to annual pass benefits if I understand everything correctly

 

[tom1944]

The only incidental benefits that I’m interested in acquiring are the ability to access top of the world lounge and moonlight magic events. I believe most of the other benefits are similar to annual pass benefits if I understand everything correctly

I will have to read up on those

 

[Sandisw]

What does the blue card get you?

I read discounts on dining but is it significant enough to pay the premium price?

There are two aspects to owning direct points. Direct points can be used at RIV and future resorts, It most likely will include VDH and could even include the Poly towers and others to come about.

If DVD continues with the restriction for resale, then in 19 years, then you are looking the 2042 location, like BWV and BCV, being off limits.

Those you buy at least 150 direct points right now are also eligible for membership extras, whatever they are. Resale is locked out and has been since 2016.

Membership extras are incidental benefits and not guaranteed. They can be changed or eliminated at any time.

Right now, DVC owners get shopping and dining discounts, access to Epcot Lounge, ToTWL, and other special events like Moonlight Magic and things like the specjal food and drink at some of the MVMCP.

The biggest perk is the ability to purchase the less expensive DVC Sorcerer Pass. Those are currently suspended so not a perk at the moment, but when sales resume, it can be a nice benefit if one can take advantage. There have also been times when DPEP has offered DVC owners special ticket deals as well..

Of course, there are other ways to get discounts but some. Like Disney Visa has a minimum purchase.

 

[Cfabar1]

For those of us who are younger, it seems like 150 direct points really is a necessity. My plan is to basically purchase 2042 resorts resale and direct points So I don’t have to worry about having limited options. I think 2043 and beyond is going to be a very scary time for resale people unless they are committed to staying at their home resort. You’ll be competing with everyone at 7 months, but only able to access some of the places available. I feel it will make staying outside of your home resort very unpleasant.

 

[itsrichardash]

For those of us who are younger, it seems like 150 direct points really is a necessity. My plan is to basically purchase 2042 resorts resale and direct points So I don’t have to worry about having limited options. I think 2043 and beyond is going to be a very scary time for resale people unless they are committed to staying at their home resort. You’ll be competing with everyone at 7 months, but only able to access some of the places available. I feel it will make staying outside of your home resort very unpleasant.

That's a great point I did not consider. I am definitely going to be doing the rest of my contracts direct

 

[Royal Consort]

Those you buy at least 150 direct points right now are also eligible for membership extras, whatever they are. Resale is locked out and has been since 2016.

Membership extras are incidental benefits and not guaranteed. They can be changed or eliminated at any time.

It was fascinating to see DVC's response to members complaining about the lack of perks at the recent condo association. Members were essentially informed the only real benefit is discounted room rates (contractually correct). But whoah, what an advert for resale! I wonder how many guides were internally screaming as they attempt to differentiate direct. Interesting this is how management perceives the product.

 

[Sandisw]

It was fascinating to see DVC's response to members complaining about the lack of perks at the recent condo association. Members were essentially informed the only real benefit is discounted room rates (contractually correct). But whoah, what an advert for resale! I wonder how many guides were internally screaming as they attempt to differentiate direct. Interesting this is how management perceives the product.

Maybe but the fact that they were honest with owners is refreshing, especially when they have to negotiate many with others. Too many times people complain that they mislead people.

But, having said that, there is no indication that DVD wants to eliminate the perks and are working to offer at least some special events etc.

And yes, they may be small, but I do think they want to be Able to recognize owners

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

What does the blue card get you?

I read discounts on dining but is it significant enough to pay the premium price?

If you go to WDW often and don't go during Thanksgiving or Christmas week, you can purchase a discounted annual pass similar to a Florida resident.