JWhiz
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2017
I think this is more a member services questions, but it probably also related in part to the purchasing DVC forums too. It's not necessarily a typical situation and let me preface it by saying that ultimately I will be talking to Member Services too, but was curious if anyone here had experience with it too.
I am one of those whose first DVC purchase was via resale. It was a great purchase and no regrets, particularly as prices have increased since, but unfortunately I didn't pursue DVC until after there was a direct purchase requirement to be eligible for membership extras (perks, benefits, whatever else folks call them from time to time). So I quickly suffered from a case of "add-on-itis" and within the first year I purchased a 25 point contract directly from Disney to be a full-fledged, blue card-carrying DVC member.
I had done a lot of research prior to purchasing DVC, but in retrospect I was still a newbie in knowledge of how to evaluate contract decisions the best. I knew I needed 25 points to become eligible for membership extras. Looking at the more reasonable contracts to purchase at that time, I focused more on Epcot/DHS area as the Bay Lake resorts were more expensive. I thought with Galaxy's Edge and changes to both parks coming, it made sense (this was 2017). I gravitated to Boardwalk because of its lower cost than Beach Club, lower point room options, and it just fit more my personal style. So I purchased, got my blue card, that rest was history. What I didn't contemplate at that time in the "purchase of benefits" was that Boardwalk was a shorter term contract, which meant since my benefits were now tied to a specific contract and not just grandfathered in in perpetuity, there was a limit to them (now only 19 years left). Had I thought in those terms I would have likely spent a bit more and bought something with a longer contract like Bay Lake Tower. But at the time, money was tighter, I didn't think things through completely, and wasn't really worried about 25 years down the road at that point. (Some/many might say it's not worth worrying 19 years down the road now!)
Flash forward to 2023, DVC has continually risen the threshold to qualify for extras and even though I've had two subsequent direct purchases from Disney, neither has been enough separately nor together to qualify me without the Boardwalk contract. Today I have 85 direct purchase points besides the 25 from Boardwalk, so with the current threshold being 150 points, I assume I would need to purchase 65 points more direct (before the threshold is raised again) to qualify without the Boardwalk contract.
I've also stayed at Boardwalk a few times now, and it's really not my vibe. In fact, I almost dislike it somewhat as it's a reminder of a "wrong" decision and a place I don't really want to stay. I'd like to sell the contract, but absolutely don't want to lose my extras. I know for some that may not be important, but I like having the discounted annual pass or access to Moonlight Magic.
To make a long story short (too late), I was wondering if others had experience essentially changing how they qualify for the membership extras. Obviously for anyone who purchased originally prior to 2016, it's a moot point. You qualify regardless of direct or resale. I'm assuming my extras/benefits are tied to one contract until I have 150 points directly purchased besides those to actually "re-qualify", but I don't even know if this is a thing. I'd like to consider buying 65 points direct and selling the 25 points, but there is no way I would do that unless I'm absolutely sure I would retain my membership extras.
As I said, ultimately I know I need to ask Member Services, but frankly I'm a bit worried about the quality of response I would get there, and whether it depends on when and who I talk to someone. So I thought I'd rather float it here, where folks have always been helpful, and see if anyone had some first hand experience (or even anecdotal experience).
Any thoughts and discussion would be appreciated.
I am one of those whose first DVC purchase was via resale. It was a great purchase and no regrets, particularly as prices have increased since, but unfortunately I didn't pursue DVC until after there was a direct purchase requirement to be eligible for membership extras (perks, benefits, whatever else folks call them from time to time). So I quickly suffered from a case of "add-on-itis" and within the first year I purchased a 25 point contract directly from Disney to be a full-fledged, blue card-carrying DVC member.
I had done a lot of research prior to purchasing DVC, but in retrospect I was still a newbie in knowledge of how to evaluate contract decisions the best. I knew I needed 25 points to become eligible for membership extras. Looking at the more reasonable contracts to purchase at that time, I focused more on Epcot/DHS area as the Bay Lake resorts were more expensive. I thought with Galaxy's Edge and changes to both parks coming, it made sense (this was 2017). I gravitated to Boardwalk because of its lower cost than Beach Club, lower point room options, and it just fit more my personal style. So I purchased, got my blue card, that rest was history. What I didn't contemplate at that time in the "purchase of benefits" was that Boardwalk was a shorter term contract, which meant since my benefits were now tied to a specific contract and not just grandfathered in in perpetuity, there was a limit to them (now only 19 years left). Had I thought in those terms I would have likely spent a bit more and bought something with a longer contract like Bay Lake Tower. But at the time, money was tighter, I didn't think things through completely, and wasn't really worried about 25 years down the road at that point. (Some/many might say it's not worth worrying 19 years down the road now!)
Flash forward to 2023, DVC has continually risen the threshold to qualify for extras and even though I've had two subsequent direct purchases from Disney, neither has been enough separately nor together to qualify me without the Boardwalk contract. Today I have 85 direct purchase points besides the 25 from Boardwalk, so with the current threshold being 150 points, I assume I would need to purchase 65 points more direct (before the threshold is raised again) to qualify without the Boardwalk contract.
I've also stayed at Boardwalk a few times now, and it's really not my vibe. In fact, I almost dislike it somewhat as it's a reminder of a "wrong" decision and a place I don't really want to stay. I'd like to sell the contract, but absolutely don't want to lose my extras. I know for some that may not be important, but I like having the discounted annual pass or access to Moonlight Magic.
To make a long story short (too late), I was wondering if others had experience essentially changing how they qualify for the membership extras. Obviously for anyone who purchased originally prior to 2016, it's a moot point. You qualify regardless of direct or resale. I'm assuming my extras/benefits are tied to one contract until I have 150 points directly purchased besides those to actually "re-qualify", but I don't even know if this is a thing. I'd like to consider buying 65 points direct and selling the 25 points, but there is no way I would do that unless I'm absolutely sure I would retain my membership extras.
As I said, ultimately I know I need to ask Member Services, but frankly I'm a bit worried about the quality of response I would get there, and whether it depends on when and who I talk to someone. So I thought I'd rather float it here, where folks have always been helpful, and see if anyone had some first hand experience (or even anecdotal experience).
Any thoughts and discussion would be appreciated.
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