Torn Between SSR (Resale) and VGF (Direct)

[TheHauntedMark]

Hello all!

My wife and I are confident that we want to purchase DVC, as we travel to WDW at least once per year. We are in our 30s with a 6-month old. I have an opportunity to buy 200 points to SSR resale for $95/pp, pending it passes ROFR. This is obviously much cheaper than 200 direct at VGF, which comes in around 34K with MB. We have also looked at purchasing 150 points at VGF which is closer to the 25K mark. Typically, we travel to WDW for 7-8 nights once per year, however we may increase that down the road. I am aware of the non-guaranteed perks, resort restrictions, and 30 vs. 41 years left on the contracts. I am SO torn on what the better option is. Throw some wisdom this way!

Thanks all!

 

[E2ME2]

Hello all!

My wife and I are confident that we want to purchase DVC, as we travel to WDW at least once per year. We are in our 30s with a 6-month old. I have an opportunity to buy 200 points to SSR resale for $95/pp, pending it passes ROFR. This is obviously much cheaper than 200 direct at VGF, which comes in around 34K with MB. We have also looked at purchasing 150 points at VGF which is closer to the 25K mark. Typically, we travel to WDW for 7-8 nights once per year, however we may increase that down the road. I am aware of the non-guaranteed perks, resort restrictions, and 30 vs. 41 years left on the contracts. I am SO torn on what the better option is. Throw some wisdom this way!

Thanks all!

Tough decision, with many variables.
I don’t have enough information to weigh in, maybe you can elaborate on your situation and why there are only these 2 resorts in the balance???

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

Get VGF 150pts now while it's still actively being sold (vs higher price during sold-out status, if even possible) and on these incentives. You can always pick up more pts with resale SSR later, but direct VGF is a closing window of opportunity. Then you'll also have blue card (if you keep the 150 VGF, of course).

 

[TheHauntedMark]

Tough decision, with many variables.
I don’t have enough information to weigh in, maybe you can elaborate on your situation and why there are only these 2 resorts in the balance???

The dues are very close, which is why I initially was drawn to them. Initially I would have said SSR, but with the VFG incentives it has me thinking between the two of them. I no doubt like VFG more, but the analytical part of my brain is having a hard time getting over the price difference....

 

[intamin]

Can't go wrong either way IMO. The way I'd think about it is do you want VGF to be your MK area resort? I personally like diversifying my DVC portfolio which is why I have an Epcot/HS area resort (RIV), Animal Kingdom (AKV), Hawaii (AUL). Obviously it's completely unnecessary to diversify this much and for most people 1-2 home resorts works just fine. If you want VGF to be your MK resort, I'd buy it now. Like @LittleBitGoofy said you can always pick up resale SSR down the line. The good thing about resale SSR is it can be used to help supplement trips if you like doing split stays. I use my Aulani points as sleep around points for WDW to supplement my Riviera and Animal Kingdom points. I'm more of a fan of the Polynesian but I don't want to be locked out of the tower so I'm waiting for the announcement regarding association and that will be my MK area resort. If you think VGF is the one for you though then it's a great time to buy direct.

 

[Cfabar1]

you could come up with what a point cost per year is, and then add the dues to that and figure out which one is cheaper....

at the end of the day its also an emotional decision. VGF you can hold longer, does that matter to you? also, resale post 2042 will likely limit which resorts you can stay. do you care where you stay at disney? that factors in as well.

 

[E2ME2]

The dues are very close, which is why I initially was drawn to them. Initially I would have said SSR, but with the VFG incentives it has me thinking between the two of them. I no doubt like VFG more, but the analytical part of my brain is having a hard time getting over the price difference....

OK
Do you like VGF $15K more than SSR??
Point charts will also require more piints per stay. Is VGF hard to get at 7 months??
(I don’t know, having no interest staying there). SSR is always easy to get. If you like VGF that much more, and if 7-Months is hard to get, then I would grab VGF Direct while the price is attractive, and take advantage of the perks, most notably the lack of usage restrictions.

 

[TheHauntedMark]

you could come up with what a point cost per year is, and then add the dues to that and figure out which one is cheaper....

at the end of the day its also an emotional decision. VGF you can hold longer, does that matter to you? also, resale post 2042 will likely limit which resorts you can stay. do you care where you stay at disney? that factors in as well.

You should see my spreadsheet lol

Cost per year pp with dues (which of course will change) is $11.03 (SSR) vs. $11.93 (VGF). I get that I am to the point of trying to put value on the emotion part of this, which is why I came to the boards.

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

Point charts will also require more piints per stay.

This is a good point about VGF and a challenge if you're planning to stay at VGF in bigger than a studio for very long.

I've started to look at these incentives as a way to get effectively direct SAP that I can keep for 40 years, have my blue card, and then book elsewhere that's cheaper.

 

[LittleBitGoofy]

You should see my spreadsheet lol

Cost per year pp with dues (which of course will change) is $11.03 (SSR) vs. $11.93 (VGF). I get that I am to the point of trying to put value on the emotion part of this, which is why I came to the boards.

90 extra cents/pt/yr to have unrestricted, blue-card enabling points that last 10 years longer. That's good value.

And if you ever down the road decide to get APs, then that 90 cents savings gets wiped out between the Incredi and Sorcerer passes. Of course, there's no guarantee that perk stays available down the road, but if it does and you go for an AP... From my spreadsheeting efforts, the SSR SAP was more expensive in the annual going-twice-year totals than VGF direct that let us get Sorcerers.

 

[intamin]

You should see my spreadsheet lol

Cost per year pp with dues (which of course will change) is $11.03 (SSR) vs. $11.93 (VGF). I get that I am to the point of trying to put value on the emotion part of this, which is why I came to the boards.

How often are you able to book further than 7 months out from a trip? Do you even want to stay at VGF? Is there another resort you'd rather stay at consistently? This is a vacation. If this is going to make or break your vacation I wouldn't fret over the extra 90 cents per point.

 

[TheHauntedMark]

OK
Do you like VGF $15K more than SSR??
Point charts will also require more piints per stay. Is VGF hard to get at 7 months??
(I don’t know, having no interest staying there). SSR is always easy to get. If you like VGF that much more, and if 7-Months is hard to get, then I would grab VGF Direct while the price is attractive, and take advantage of the perks, most notably the lack of usage restrictions.

VGF is harder to get at 7 months, especially a studio as I understand it. I will rent a car most times I visit, so SSR transportation isn't an issue for me.

This is a good point about VGF and a challenge if you're planning to stay at VGF in bigger than a studio for very long.

I've started to look at these incentives as a way to get effectively direct SAP that I can keep for 40 years, have my blue card, and then book elsewhere that's cheaper.

We mostly stay in a studio, if I wanted a 1BR, I would stay somewhere else where the point charts are better.

90 extra cents/pt/yr to have unrestricted, blue-card enabling points that last 10 years longer. That's good value.

Very valid, and its the 11 years difference in contract length that makes up this math.

 

[TheHauntedMark]

How often are you able to book further than 7 months out from a trip? Do you even want to stay at VGF? Is there another resort you'd rather stay at consistently? This is a vacation. If this is going to make or break your vacation I wouldn't fret over the extra 90 cents per point.

We are able to book further than 7 months out right now with our jobs; of course, that can always change. Yes, we would like to stay at VGF but honestly we are just happy to be at Disney when we are there, so I cannot think of any deluxe I would say no to.

 

[intamin]

We are able to book further than 7 months out right now with our jobs; of course, that can always change. Yes, we would like to stay at VGF but honestly we are just happy to be at Disney when we are there, so I cannot think of any deluxe I would say no to.

If that's the case, is there another Magic Kingdom resort you'd rather own at than VGF? If not, then direct VGF seems to be a good fit. The extra dollar per point for VGF seems like it is worth it for you to have unrestricted points so that you can use them at any and all new resorts, have the extra 10 years and be able to book some coveted studios. If you decide you don't want to spend that many points at VGF, just switch to SSR and save during one of the years.

 

[PolyRob]

VGF is harder to get at 7 months, especially a studio as I understand it. I will rent a car most times I visit, so SSR transportation isn't an issue for me.


We mostly stay in a studio, if I wanted a 1BR, I would stay somewhere else where the point charts are better.


Very valid, and its the 11 years difference in contract length that makes up this math.

A car at SSR won't help much accessing MK. You would need to park at TTC. VGF would offer a walking path, be 1 stop away via monorail, and have the smaller boat shared with Poly.

A MK resort with a child that young is invaluable. Think of the nights you can watch fireworks or the water pageant from your resort. Post lobby refurb there should be a character buffet returning and you have monorail access to 2 additional character meals. You can quickly hop back from MK for an afternoon break. I am probably biased as a VGF owner, but it would be the clear winner to me.

 

[Sandisw]

My number one advice is to buy a resort you prefer if you have one.

The ohther unknown is that a new resort may come along that you fall in love with and find yourself locked out of it with resale points.

The VGF deal is a pretty great deal for getting direct points good everywhere and access to membership extras, whatever those may be

If VGF tips the scale above SSR, I think it’s the way to go.

We never though something could replace BLT as our top resort and then RIV was built.

That, and VGF is where we split stay all the time and have long sold some of the others we owned to have 11 month advantage at each.

I agree with the other poster who said when you calculate the extra of x years, you are spending more to make but gaining a lot of potential benefits!

 

[intamin]

A car at SSR won't help much accessing MK. You would need to park at TTC. VGF would offer a walking path, be 1 stop away via monorail, and have the smaller boat shared with Poly.

A MK resort with a child that young is invaluable. Think of the nights you can watch fireworks or the water pageant from your resort. Post lobby refurb there should be a character buffet returning and you have monorail access to 2 additional character meals. You can quickly hop back from MK for an afternoon break. I am probably biased as a VGF owner, but it would be the clear winner to me.

So.. I have to ask.. do you own Poly as well or is your name fake news?

 

[bakerworld]

We've always been able to book into SSR. We used a bunch of holding points (can only book 60 days from arrival) last year at SSR over the 4th of July. IMO VGF is worth it with the current promotion, longer contract (better resale value) and, the way things are going, access to Blue Card DVC membership.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

You don’t say if you are financing your purchase or if you have the savings to pay outright. While all the other points made have merit, you are a young family and will have a lot of years of child raising expenses ahead of you. If you have to finance I would go with the cheaper option and pay it off, then if you are still financially able to add on do it then. There will always be opportunities, new resorts, changes in perks, etc. Remember the cost of where you stay is only one part of your overall cost to go to Disney. As your child(ten) get older their ticket costs and food costs will add more to the expense.

 

[WDWFERN]

The ohther unknown is that a new resort may come along that you fall in love with and find yourself locked out of it with resale points.

I was having the same debate adding SSR or AUL points resale in order to stay at AUL or in the MK area resorts at 7 months. (We currently own direct at RIV). Even with the great incentives, resale is still significantly less expensive…..

BUT, we hope to own our points for a long time and maybe even pass to our kids. Each time I decide to just go with resale due to the savings, I think if Poly tower, or any new resorts that might be built with restrictions that I can’t even imagine yet, I know I would be disappointed if I couldn’t use points toward a stay there if it looked like a place I would really like.

Even though resale is a great deal, it still is a huge investment. The investment is one our family cuts back in other areas of life to afford, so this is our one big splurge. So, for me, I think I might be sad to spend that amount of money, but not be able to use it if there is a future resort I would be locked out of. It is also more difficult for us to use our direct RIV points with resale points, so for me this was enough to tip me to a direct purchase.

Good luck! At least it is a fun diversion to spend hours thinking over and cranking spreadsheets out about!