Looking to Buy DVC through Resale - Questions About This Page:

[DilBrooksmom]

So after talking to a DVC rep in 2007 and deciding not to buy, then regretting it ever since then, I'm finally trying to decide to make the leap.

I've been looking at resale points though, versus through Disney for a couple of reasons. I was interested in Aulani and some of the incentives that they were offering, but realized that even though I've never been to Hawaii and want to go, I don't necessarily want to go every year (airfare costs, etc), and don't think it makes that much sense for that to be our home resort. I'm also not a huge fan of the GF, and didn't want to necessarily pay the rates for the Poly.

So, after browsing some resale sights, and liking the lower rates per point, I'm considering either buying at OKW (simply because of the low rates you can get, which could then afford me more points), or the Wilderness Lodge, because the rates are also lower there (not as low as OKW), but it's also our favorite Disney hotel by far, so have WL as our home resort seems like he best option for us.

I'm looking to get a minimum of 250-350 points, and have found a few options. I've been trying to do research, but it's a bit overwhelming. The main thought that I have now is that I probably wouldn't want to pull the trigger until the September or early October time frame. If I did that, a couple of the resales I'm looking at actually have 2015 points left, which I'd love to use from after Christmas through early January, then use the 2016 points for Aulani next summer. I can see the points charts on various sites, so it looks like I'd have enough points to book at OKW after Christmas, and again at Aulani next summer depending on how much I bought, but I have no idea if they'd even be available? I don't want to buy in just to find out I can't use the 2015 points because there's nothing available. and by then my understanding is that they couldn't even be banked for 2016? Any ideas on whether OKW would be available for a studio or 1bd from Dec 26th - Jan 4th (approx), or if Aulani would be available next summer for a non-home resort owner? Would I even have my points transferred to me for a Christmas stay if I wait to buy until Sept or Oct?

Any other advice? Is buying through resale generally safe?

[tjkraz]

Resale contracts can receive an offer at any time. Honestly you're getting a bit ahead of yourself if you are looking at specific contracts now but not intending to buy for another 2-3 months. Nothing wrong with scoping things out but expect availability of specific contracts to change day-to-day.

Buying a resale is a lengthy process due to all of the paperwork which must be traded between various parties and the fact that Disney is often in no hurry to complete the transfer. You're looking at a bare minimum of 90 days from the acceptance of an offer until you are recognized as the owner of the points. Using your timeframe, if you have an offer accepted on September 1, you probably will not be able to make a reservation until at least December 1.

There is absolutely no chance of you getting a room in late-December '15 / early-January '16 with points purchased that late in 2015. New Year's Eve is the single most in-demand night of the entire year. Buying now puts you in good position to book a room for 12/31/2016 at 11 months. Even now--more than 5 months before the end of the year--not a single DVC resort has any Studio or One Bedroom villas available 12/31/15.

Points can be banked anytime in the first 7 months of the Use Year. So the banking deadline all depends on the Use Year of the specific contract.

If you buy a contract with a February Use Year, you have until August 31 to bank. If you buy an October Use Year you have until the following April 30 to bank.

As for Aulani, booking at 7 months is very hit-and-miss during summer months and around any major holiday. Demand for rooms tends to exceed the supply available. And whenever that's the case, some people are unsuccessful in getting what they seek. Only thing you can do is plan to jump online right at 7 months and try to book something. Ultimately it's a numbers game. If there are 40 people hoping to book a Studio and only 10 Studios available, 30 people will come away disappointed. (Those are purely ficticious numbers, of course.)

Flexibility tends to be the key with Aulani. Start trying to book the earliest set of dates you are willing to travel. If you can't get a room with your first choice of check-in date, keep trying. Eventually you may grab something.

Bottom line: Don't purchase any airline tickets until you have the room secured first!

Hope that helps get you started. Good luck.

[Hugmonster]

Also keep in mind when the contracts you are buying will Expire. For example I own at Saratoga Springs and my contract points expire January 31, 2054.

A contract for OKW ends January 31, 2042.

Just something else to keep in mind if you plan on passing these to your children.

[KimandMark]

I would not buy a contract based on my ability to vacation over the next year or two. Buying DVC is getting you those vacation options for YEARS to come, so buy based on other long range factors:

-price over all
-number of points you think are useful for your family
-home resort (if WL is your fave then buy there, always buy where you want to stay most often)
-use year (if banking deadlines mean anything to you, we are very flexible with vacations and this did not matter for us as much).

I bought resale and specifically purchased a pretty drained account because it was less money, the difference was greater than the price of our vacation that year, so it made sense. We also determined a somewhat long range vacation strategy---we go two-three times in a calendar year with APs (these trips are 51 weeks apart, so it's sort of like an annual trip). Then we take a year off of APs and Disney, then repeat.

You are making buying a long term vacation plan--plan long term for it!

[DilBrooksmom]

Thanks everyone! Still haven't quite decided to do it, but still shopping around! Hopefully soon! Appreciate the info!

[arcticteacher]

What are the perks you loose when buying a resale? You can't use resale vacation club points for the Disney Cruise, can you?

[chezp]

Originally Posted by arcticteacher

What are the perks you loose when buying a resale? You can't use resale vacation club points for the Disney Cruise, can you?

No you can't. It's not just the cruises. You can't use your points for the Disney Collection, which includes stays at Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland and also Adventures by Disney. If you want to go to Disneyland at some point, it's also worth knowing that the only option you'd have with resale would be the Grand Californian Villas, as they are a DVC resort and they can be tough to get into. You wouldn't be able to stay in the main Grand Californian Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier.