@@howarddamico1237 We bought direct - we wanted the whole "experience" the first time, and we've already been able to take advantage of a Guardians preview, Moonlight Magic, and the Villians Lounge -so we're happy with that. HOWEVER, when we add-on, which I'm 95% sure we will, it will be resale all the way. I'm not paying that direct premium twice for the same perks, and TBH we only had the chance to do most of that because of the timing of our trip. Who knows if we'll be there for another MM event?
The cruddy thing is that restricting resale purchases ends up hurting everybody. The thing that DVC has that sets them apart from other timeshares is the resale value. But if Disney continues to make buying resale less appealing…
I agree that the restrictions make it less appealing. The Riviera restrictions definitely hurt the resale value of those contracts. Let’s hope that they don’t continue to move in that direction. Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks for breaking this down. We’re white card. Bought BLT resale in 2021. We went in with eyes wide open about the restrictions. When we did the math, we’d have to spend so much money in merch and dining every year just to even break even for the discounts to matter. But… top of the world lounge was important to us owning at BLT. Our next trip is this fall and we’re staying at our home resort. I already know I’ll feel like a second class citizen walking by the elevator and that makes me mad. Especially since I own there. It’s like saying I can’t access my backyard. I think they’re getting really greedy. A healthy resale market is important for DVC. Otherwise, it’s no different from other timeshares and many of us would stay far away from purchasing. They need a better balance.
I agree. I think a strong resale market keeps the value high for the product overall. I really wish they would ease off on the ever-tightening restrictions.
We are blue card members and I do think it is a nice incentive. We just purchased a resale BWV contract and are just waiting on that to show up in our account. Having direct and resale has given us the best of both worlds.
Are you a blue card or white card DVC member? How do you feel about the changes over the years in member benefits? Am I overreacting to the fine print? You can find more DVC info here: ru-vid.com/group/PL1oGx7aOVSWonZw9QaL-JIFJt3BF6Voc0
If they make it pay to go every time that is definitely NOT an over-reaction…. Buuuuuut if it is just for special occasions then maybe that is not too bad.
I have both. Bought just enough to get my blue card. Then purchased my BCV thru resale. Love your video hate that Disney is making things so difficult.
Blue (grandfathered in on a resale contract at SSR from 2014) and White (recent resale at AKL) ... I have to say if I wasn't grandfathered in with a blue card I probably would not be buying any contracts,.Disney keeps taking more and more away and it's becoming unappealing. I sure miss the Magical Express and would probably start staying off property if it wasn't for the contracts I already own.
I definitely miss Magical Express. It used to be one of the big reasons I would recommend that people with young kids visit Disney World. Now without that included benefit of taking ME to the resort, the convenience factor is lower. Thank you for watching!
That Jan. 2019 one for us. I had my first resale offer get taken in ROFR RIGHT BEFORE it started. If it would have gone through I would have been able to book Riviera. Ended up buying Riviera direct though anyway. It’s a beautiful resort.
yep white card and haven't visited disney yet since. I was looking forward to visiting the top of the world lounge and it feels like it's been pulled from underneath me lol.... But oh well! Still half thinking we could buy direct at some point but it's just so expensive for just that 150 points.
The cast member who checks your eligibility at the elevator door is going to have a tough job. I have seen members take large parties of guests up the elevator. It gets crowded up there! They did need to do something.
We've only gone up to TOTWL at times of fairly light crowds, so things have been pretty calm. I'm sure at busier times, they have a lot more to manage. Thanks for watching!
We are brand new blue card holders - we decided to take the plunge after watching your videos on the new Grand Floridian rooms. Thanks so much for the info/videos - they are great!
We're now officially white card members. For me, none of the things we are missing out on are worth the difference in cost we got from resale. The only thing I am a little sad about is losing the ability to go to TOTW. In terms of the "fee," I have hopes of being able to "buy-in" to some of the blue card benefits (as has been rumored over the last few weeks).
Wondering if the fee might be a cover charge at or after a certain time, or even a food and beverage minimum in order to be up there during fireworks time to help manage the crowd.
Watching some of your videos, it seems that the more recent they become, the more DVC is forcing a direct sale instead of the resale in order to feel like a "member". My wife and I are considering buying in the next few years, so I'll be curious to see how it evolves
Yes, I think that’s an accurate assessment. The divide between direct and resale purchases/members has become wider. Even so, there’s tremendous value in resale. Thanks so much for watching and thanks for your input! 👍
I am reluctant to comment to a company for 50 years that I am having a different time trusting. I do not want to feel tricked. However, when Disney starts adding fees to a (benefit) lounge that I have to already buy the food/drinks at?!?. How else can I feel.
Yeah, it may be that that language was added because of things like the special villains event on the 8th-10th, but it also feels like it opens the door for them to add other fees and that concerns me.
Still wanting to purchase! Have not been financially able to purchase yet. We will probably buy resale. The only real perk that I think I will really miss is purchasing annual passes at the resident rate.
We are a Blue Card Member with the 150 points we bought direct at The Polynesian. our resale Polynesian are restricted. Later be bought 125 points at Animal Kingdom but that was before the restrictions for using them at "non legacy" resorts. Our BLT contracts were purchased resale and they are restricted and unable to be used ot Rivera or any future resorts. We stayed at Riveria one time and loved it but having restrictions can take some juggling if we want to stay at Riveria again. I certainly hope that the new Polynesian addition will be the same Condo Associated.
I have been looking at both resale and direct. I currently have neither. I’m not sure I would buy either after watching this. Too many restrictions that lower the resale value of your initial purchase…. Not good. .
Buying 2 resales - Was going to get 150 points at VGF but as a single traveler the 200 new "studios" that are just regular hotel room layouts turned me off. I really don't want a second queen bed taking up space in the room. Since I only go 1 week a year I don't care about the annual pass. I also don't care about lounges - I will be getting a small resale at BWV and Poly so I can just go back to my room if I need a break. As far as RIV - I am not into the "tower" style hotels and I don't want to rely on the Skyliner - so I bought BWV - better to have 18 years in BW where I can walk home after fireworks.
It sounds like you have really good grasp on what you need in your resort and what your priorities are. That's great! I think BW is a great choice. It's hard to beat the convenience of walking back to the room. I would love to stay at BW or BC on New Year's Eve some day! Thanks for watching!
Good afternoon Jenn @Magic is in the Music! Great video as always! I spoke with my DVC Direct guide today to purchase at Grand Flo! The incentives end on July 13, 2022! Yes, as someone has said previously, the 150 point buy-in is expensive!🥴🤢🤑🤑🤑 I have 10 days to think it over! Now, after seeing your video, I have even more reasons to think about it! 🤔 💰
Blue card. Disappointed that we can’t just stop at top of the world without a dinner reservation or hotel reservation since we only live an hour away. That’s my understanding. I may be wrong about that?
My understanding is that you need to have a hotel reservation on property in order to access TOTWL. I don't actually think a dinner reservation at the Contemporary would even get you access, unfortunately. On the other hand, you could always go to the lounge at California Grill. Thanks so much for watching!
Oh, nice! Grand Californian is wonderful (and not a bad investment, either considering how much the price has increased!). Best wishes and thanks for watching!
I feel like I would want full blue card benefits and would want access to all resorts past, present, and future. Therefore, when I buy I will most likely be buying enough direct points to get all that. Sigh.
@@TheMagicInTheMusic exactly! There's also an intangible feeling of belonging and owning something that makes you so happy. You mentioned that in an earlier video and I think that is an important part of what you're buying. I'd want to be sure I got access to all the things that make me feel part of something! Thanks for all your awesome videos!
We’re white card Members, who only owns resale. We have found if we talk to the right guest relations cast members, we have gotten certain benefits that are “DVC Blue Card” only… I am not completely bothered by being a white card member, because the free benefits don’t affect us that much… I do wish we could get the cruise benefits, but that’s really about it. Generally when we’re asked if we’re DVC, we don’t end up “proving” our status, anyway. I do appreciate this comprehensive list, though! The top of the world Lounge thing does actually upset me. It feels like a breech of contract, actually.
Thanks for another great video! My DW and I are still debating DVC although it’s really only one of us debating lol. We like the theming of AKL along with points chart the best. My concern is that she is a very picky eater. Is there good food for her there or is there another resort you would recommend considering?
Hmm... that's a tough question. We LOVE the food options at AKV, particularly at Jambo House. It really depends on what kind of "picky eater" she is. I consider myself to be somewhat picky, but I still find things that I love at all of the restaurants. I'm picky in the sense that I don't care for spicy food, so I don't really like the Port Orleans food options as much, but I love the flavors at AKV. I would just take a look at the menus for the AKV food locations and see what she thinks.
Hey! I love your video. I agree with you that all of these rules are really confusing. I have a question for you. I just bought a direct contract for Riviera. I am looking at a couple of resale contracts, as well, but I have questions. For example, if the use year is the same, do the direct and resale points all go into one basket that I can use at any resort, and if the direct and resale contracts have different home properties, can both be booked at 11 months out at the home resort? Someone had said that the resale points could only be booked at 7 months out. I hope my question makes sense. Thanks.
Congrats on your new contract! You can combine points at the 11 month booking window if they are at the same home resort, whether they are resale or direct.
If your contracts are at DIFFERENT home resorts, the only way you can book BOTH sets of points simultaneously at the 11 month window for ONE of those resorts, is if you bank one of those set of point for a year You can use points from both contracts at the seven month window simultaneously with no banking required
@@artthefatman5404 Can we explore what you said first? If I have two separate contracts, say both are resale...and one happens to be Riviera...banked points from the non-riviera can be used for Riviera at the 11 month window (given both contracts are in the same use year)??
Hi, Jenn. We did direct 150 for our first purchase in order to have all of the blue card benefits and to avoid the resale restrictions should we sell in future. Hopeful the annual passes will open again! Does ND stand for Non-Direct or No Discount? Who knows?!? Love the color of your drapes!
Oohh ok wait Question! If I have DIRECT Riviera and RESALE AK can I COMBINE them for a big stay at Riviera ? I know you said you can't use resale contracts to book at Riviera but what if you have direct at Riviera?
The only way you could use the resale points at Riviera is if it was an OLD resale contract that you had purchased before January 2019. Yes, you could combine your Riviera and AK Resale points for stays starting at the 7 month window, just not at Riviera or Disneyland Hotel.
Hi Jen, thanks again for the ever informative contents! I just made an offer on the resale market for animal kingdom now awaiting to pass Rofr.. (cross my fingers) 😂 I am planning to buy Riviera with direct and get 150 pts. Can I still use my AK pts to combine booking at Riviera for longer nights?
Hi there! I'm so glad you've found our videos to be helpful. Fingers crossed on that resale contract. While you can combine points at different resorts to book stays within the 7 month window, resale points cannot be used at Riviera, so unfortunately, your AK resale points would work everywhere except Riviera and other future new resorts. But if you pick up a Riviera direct contract, that would give you a good chunk of points to use there.
At this point, would you agree there seems to be very little additional benefits to buying direct in terms of perks. I know it’s a much easier process than waiting for ROFR, but without AP discounts I can’t see any true incentives.
I think it depends on where you want to stay. If it's important to you to stay at the newest resorts - Riviera and the future Disneyland Tower, it IS worth buying direct. In fact, it's the only way to go if you want to be able to use them at ALL of the DVC resorts and all future resorts. On the other hand, if that's not important to you, then I do agree that the benefits are few. Thanks so much for watching!
I am unquestionably a white card member with my two resale contracts, one of them restricted points at Riviera. I personally don't care about any of those member benefits. I could not have afforded these contracts direct and that's that. They can keep TOTWL. This is ridiculous. There's so many great lounges at WDW, two of them on the monorail loop, Trader Sam's and Enchanted Rose. I'm also happy drinking on my balcony. Personally, I don't like BLT and I think the villain's lair theme is weird. It feels strange that TOTWL is the only commercial establishment in the entire building. It just feels like the apartment building I live in. I knw you're supposed to think of it as part of the energy at the Contemporary, but it's clearly a separate building. Just not my thing. Thanks for trying to unpack all of this for us, Jenn!
I have mixed feelings about the villain theme. We did the Club Villain event several years ago at HS and it was GREAT!!! We would love for it to come back again. So the thought that there could be elements of club villain at TOTWL is appealing to us, but like you said... it doesn't exactly feel like it fits at BLT, either. I guess we'll see how it is when they reopen this weekend. Thanks so much for watching. Best wishes!
I can understand where you're coming from... until I look up the hotel rates - not just at Disney but anywhere. EVERYTHING has gotten so much more expensive. Any time I have to book a hotel elsewhere, I'm glad to have my DVC points to use. But the initial buy-in has definitely gotten pretty steep! Thanks so much for watching!
I have a question - what happens to owners that own deeded weeks at specific resorts? We just use II exchange to exchange to other DVC resorts or are we restricted to what we own, thus can't exchange to other DVC resorts?? Thanks
DVC is a points-based system, so there are no deeded weeks. When we reach our booking window, we can use our points to book stays. As long as the dates are available and we have enough points, we can book. We can book at 11 months before the check-in date at our "home" resort and 7 months before the check-in date at other DVC resorts.
This shows yet again how consumers are being screwed with these "one party has all the power" contracts. Contracts are supposed to be be two party agreements. When one party has the power to change the terms at a whim with no repercussions, it is not valid. DVC should have to abide to the terms of the contract originally given at the time of purchase. It shouldn't matter who now owns the contract. If Disney doesn't want to extend benefits to the new owners of a resold contract they can buy back the contract with ROFR. Otherwise, they should be forced to abide by the terms of the original contract. This is just a sneaky way of committing fraud. Says a lot about Disney doesn't it?
I understand why they are creating more restrictions for white card members. The cost of direct vs resale is so drastic that they have to give you some reason to buy direct
Question - I currently own a resales contract. If I purchase a direct contract at a different resort, do I get to use blue card perks when staying at my resale resort?
Yes, if you purchase 150 points or more direct from DVC, you become eligible for full member benefits. You would be able to access all of those benefits, regardless of how you had booked your stay. The benefits are connected to the member. Thanks for watching!
Yes, that should be possible (at least it has been in the past). You’ll definitely want to reach out to a DVC guide to confirm. Thanks so much for watching! 😎
It will be interesting to see if they change the note about Top of the World lounge or not. Sounds like we will find out soon when it reopens. Thanks for watching!
So I’m a blue card member with 125 points bought direct at the GF. If it’s been raised to 150 points minimum requirement for blue card, will I be downgraded to a white card?
I always like to fantasize and consider buying in DVC, but it sounds like a total ripoff unless you got in direct before DVC started restricting everything. You may as well but a house on Golden Oaks for 2 million and put down 10%. LOL Great video for breaking it all down for us!
Yeah, it’s gotten complicated and it’s definitely not the right fit for everyone. I like your Golden Oaks idea! Sounds like fun! Thanks so much for watching!
