|
|
Post by fuzzylogic on Aug 27, 2024 8:22:45 GMT -5
That's an awful mistake. What would happen if you moved forward and didn't get a blue card and were trying to resolve that later? I'm glad it's at least figured out now. Tough decision. I'll put this out there -- if you did buy Riviera, I'd be willing to buy your second year of points (the 2024). And your buy-back would be $4500 not $3000 since they'd be taking 150 points off you.
|
|
|
|
Post by sephorin on Aug 27, 2024 12:05:35 GMT -5
We're weighing two totally different options now. 100 points AUL resale, saving a ridiculous sum of money and just not getting benefits. Or spend the money, RVA for 150 points, getting the perks. The difference is roughly $17,000. That's a LOT of annual passes before break even. Oops.  Well, it's too bad that the original deal won't work. I remember when I bought my 75 points direct, I was in a hurry because DVC was increasing the minimum direct points needed for perks soon. It's up to 150 now? That is a lot of direct points to buy just for perks. I am not sure what I would do in your situation. Probably wait and see what happens in the future. Still wishing you the best!  |
|
|
|
Post by sephorin on Aug 27, 2024 12:14:41 GMT -5
Oh, one more thing. If you do end up buying Aulani resale, consider a subsidized contract. There may not be very many of those out there anymore, but if you can find one the dues will be quite a bit lower. (Of course, the upfront cost will probably be higher.)
|
|
|
|
Post by baymaxfan on Aug 27, 2024 12:58:54 GMT -5
Yeah, running the numbers for RVA because AUL is such a bad deal direct. I'm pretty disappointed with my DVC guide. Accidents happen and all that but I was pretty clear that the entire purpose of the phone call was to see how I can lock in DVC perks. After the $3,000 rebate and a cash incentive of roughly $1500, I'm coming up with $178 / point direct. Not much higher than I would pay resale. We won't get the 11 month booking at AUL, but I checked and saw for myself plenty of rooms at 7 months. RVA has lower dues. We looked at Wilderness cabins, but the dues are absolutely ridiculous. We're weighing two totally different options now. 100 points AUL resale, saving a ridiculous sum of money and just not getting benefits. Or spend the money, RVA for 150 points, getting the perks. The difference is roughly $17,000. That's a LOT of annual passes before break even. You can get AUL at 7 months at many times during the year, but usually not the lowest priced room. I've been to AUL many times and usually cannot get the hotel or standard view (which I'm usually not wanting anyway) at 7 months. Ocean view studios and 1 bedrooms are usually available at 7 months except for the holiday seasons and June (point requirements increase in July so easier to get). |
|
|
|
Post by tomandrobin on Aug 27, 2024 13:06:31 GMT -5
We're weighing two totally different options now. 100 points AUL resale, saving a ridiculous sum of money and just not getting benefits. Or spend the money, RVA for 150 points, getting the perks. The difference is roughly $17,000. That's a LOT of annual passes before break even. What you can not put a price on is the perks that membership brings, but only if you take advantage of them.
We go WDW a lot, 8-10 times a year. So for us, having the Blue Card is important to us. But if you don't take advantage of the perks that come with the Blue Card, it really does not matter.
Here is a link on the DVC Member website showing what you gain/lose by buying direct/resale.
I am sure not all of those things on the list apply to you, but how many do and are important to you.
|
|
|
|
Post by brp on Aug 27, 2024 13:23:16 GMT -5
We're weighing two totally different options now. 100 points AUL resale, saving a ridiculous sum of money and just not getting benefits. Or spend the money, RVA for 150 points, getting the perks. The difference is roughly $17,000. That's a LOT of annual passes before break even. What you can not put a price on is the perks that membership brings, but only if you take advantage of them.
There can definitely an element of FOMO to this where the perception exceeds the actual use. I've been guilty of that in a few cases in various travel perks where I paid more to get a perk than I got out of it...in some cases quite a bit more. Very psychological in some of these cases.
Cheers.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitecrane on Aug 28, 2024 10:21:56 GMT -5
I'll put this out there -- if you did buy Riviera, I'd be willing to buy your second year of points (the 2024). And your buy-back would be $4500 not $3000 since they'd be taking 150 points off you. I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly - sell Disney my 2023 points ($3000), and sell you my 2024 points ($1500)?
|
|
|
|
Post by fuzzylogic on Aug 29, 2024 7:35:13 GMT -5
I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly - sell Disney my 2023 points ($3000), and sell you my 2024 points ($1500)?
I think you'd get more than that if you went with 150. Wouldn't the buyback be $4500? Then you can rent out your 2024 points (to me or anyone else) or use them. You're down to the wire here. Probly have to move by tomorrow if you do anything! |
|
|
|
Post by whitecrane on Aug 29, 2024 9:24:03 GMT -5
I think you'd get more than that if you went with 150. Wouldn't the buyback be $4500? Then you can rent out your 2024 points (to me or anyone else) or use them. You're down to the wire here. Probly have to move by tomorrow if you do anything! Actually, the Sept use year ship has already sailed. We're now in October which is fine. So, the credit is $20 / point. They don't offer it at all on a purchase of 100 points ( another miscommunication). I think my guide pivoted to selling me on the benefits of buying 150 points without saying in plain english that I would have to buy the 150 and not the 100. Buying 100 was actually his original suggestion. I think he misspoke, but anyway here we are. But if they did offer the buyback, it would be $2,000 based on $20 / pt. October works better for us than Sept because the only place we would go in Septl is BWV for F&W festival anyway  . We're going to WDW on 09/23, so if we do buy RVA, we'll do it in person. I'll squeeze him for a fastpass or maybe they still give out free ice cream at the welcome center in SSR. Either way, we are getting something for it. 
I haven't rented points in a while. Looks like I could fetch anywhere from $15 - $20 for them. That's good to know. I was eyeing the member perks page. They do seem a bit watered down. 10% off dining would be substantial, but we already get that with annual passes or often Disney VISA. I know you get 10% at AUL w/ Disney VISA. I should probably learn more about the member only events and things like that. We really wanted to do Epcot Afterhours one year but weren't eligible. It doesn't seem they're doing much at the moment though.
|
|
|
|
Post by henrycpa on Aug 29, 2024 10:10:49 GMT -5
Full Disclosure, I have not read all the other posts so I may be duplicating comments.
Are you on East Coast or midwest? If so, how many times would you actually visit Aulani vs a WDW stay?
I say this because I am finding AUL fairly consitently avaialble at 7 months or even under so not sure rental of points will be too easy vs renting extra points at WDW.
As for the benefits of direct purchase I do find value in our AP purchases and discounts. I do not find value in trade of points into DCL or the hotels. Rental is better option.
So, have you looked at WDW points direct and can you get same or even better incentives so prices is similar to the AUL? If so, I would add on at WDW resort rather than AUL. At worst you have points easier to rent and at best you have points that do not expire in 2042 that offer you benefits.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitecrane on Aug 29, 2024 18:50:26 GMT -5
So, have you looked at WDW points direct and can you get same or even better incentives so prices is similar to the AUL? If so, I would add on at WDW resort rather than AUL. At worst you have points easier to rent and at best you have points that do not expire in 2042 that offer you benefits. Yes, if we do this we would now be buying RVA. Thank you though, it was very reassuring to know AUL is available at 7 months. We're on the East coast and have been doing DIS 2x-3x a year and love Hawaii so much we thought we'd keep going once a year or bank them and go every 2 years. But with the high dues and easy availability and the fact that AUL isn't located well (in our opinion it's 30 minutes drive from literally anything you want to do) we will be looking at WDW points. |
|
|
|
Post by brp on Aug 30, 2024 6:02:47 GMT -5
So, have you looked at WDW points direct and can you get same or even better incentives so prices is similar to the AUL? If so, I would add on at WDW resort rather than AUL. At worst you have points easier to rent and at best you have points that do not expire in 2042 that offer you benefits. ...and the fact that AUL isn't located well (in our opinion it's 30 minutes drive from literally anything you want to do)... Yes, Aulani is very poorly situated. We went to visit the area when we were on Oahu and realized that we will never again do this. Simply no reason to be at Aulani with so many other, better, locations.
Cheers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kerri jo on Sept 7, 2024 20:01:18 GMT -5
The location is one of the reasons we love AUL. We go often and get around the island quite a bit, though. Turtle Bay or HNL are great for visits but not where I want to call "home" while on the island. Totally based on personal preference, nothing more.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitecrane on Sept 26, 2024 8:59:15 GMT -5
I'm in the process of doing my e-sign for 150 points at Riviera now. After all incentives and Magical Beginnings buyback, $178 / pt. Fair, in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
Post by sephorin on Sept 26, 2024 12:52:39 GMT -5
Best of luck with your purchase! Enjoy those new points!
|
|
. We're going to WDW on 09/23, so if we do buy RVA, we'll do it in person. I'll squeeze him for a fastpass or maybe they still give out free ice cream at the welcome center in SSR. Either way, we are getting something for it. 
