Hi all. I'm a many months lurker who finally made a bona fide account here last week, and intends to make a direct purchase of 300 points at Riviera - tomorrow. I wanted to list all the things I think I have learned from you - tell me if I'm missing something big!
1. First and foremost, my husband and I are viewing this as a toy, not an investment. (Or as I like to say, "an investment in fun.")
2. I am fully aware of the resale restrictions on Riviera.
3. We go to Disney at least once every year, and my husband and I genuinely love it. It's not just a "when our kids are young" thing for us. (Our kids are 10 and 13 right now.)
4. We can plan our vacations 11 months in advance.
5. We know that the only thing guaranteed for the life of the contract is our lodging, any other direct benefits are gravy. We also don't get mad mad when things at Disney-at-large change (eg. LLMP and that sort of ongoing evolution)
6. We have considered the cost of dues over the life of the contract.
7. We looked at resale vs direct from many different angles, including a mixture of both to start. But we want Riviera, and we want this many unrestricted points from the get go. (One stay at the Riviera is what sent my lifelong love of Disney into hyperdrive and 15 months later I've made a screen name in full tribute, so...yeah. It's gotta be Riviera.)
8. Number of points: I've seen differing views on this here and elsewhere. 300 is a number that will get us at least a 1BR (family of four), Preferred, during Spring break (travel period 6), for 5 nights which is our usual length of stay - with 40+ points left over. So it's technically more than we need (which I've seen some people advise against), but it also leaves wiggle room for playing around with the points, which is important to me. I don't want to purchase and have immediate addonitis. (I know, some of you will tell me it's coming for me no matter what I purchase at the start!) (And I believe you.
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9. We are not financing, but we are using credit cards (and paying them back immediately) to maximize rewards bonuses and miles.
10. We are taking advantage of Magical Beginnings and the Dream It Forward referral credit.
11. I understand how Use Year works, home booking window, points charts, points in holding, etc.
12. We are planning to sign tomorrow (Feb 3) and use the 10 day window to redraw if Feb 11 incentives somehow turn out to be on our side even after the $10/pt price increase (and our guide knows that this is the plan).
13. We have stayed on rental points twice (with another rented visit coming up next month), so we have experienced and know what to expect with DVC lodgings, housekeeping, etc.
Edited to add #14: We are breaking it up into two 150 pt contracts.
Anything else...? I know there's many more bits of DVC wisdom I have gleaned from you all so far, but I think this sums up what is most important to know and consider before purchasing, yeah?
1. First and foremost, my husband and I are viewing this as a toy, not an investment. (Or as I like to say, "an investment in fun.")
2. I am fully aware of the resale restrictions on Riviera.
3. We go to Disney at least once every year, and my husband and I genuinely love it. It's not just a "when our kids are young" thing for us. (Our kids are 10 and 13 right now.)
4. We can plan our vacations 11 months in advance.
5. We know that the only thing guaranteed for the life of the contract is our lodging, any other direct benefits are gravy. We also don't get mad mad when things at Disney-at-large change (eg. LLMP and that sort of ongoing evolution)
6. We have considered the cost of dues over the life of the contract.
7. We looked at resale vs direct from many different angles, including a mixture of both to start. But we want Riviera, and we want this many unrestricted points from the get go. (One stay at the Riviera is what sent my lifelong love of Disney into hyperdrive and 15 months later I've made a screen name in full tribute, so...yeah. It's gotta be Riviera.)
8. Number of points: I've seen differing views on this here and elsewhere. 300 is a number that will get us at least a 1BR (family of four), Preferred, during Spring break (travel period 6), for 5 nights which is our usual length of stay - with 40+ points left over. So it's technically more than we need (which I've seen some people advise against), but it also leaves wiggle room for playing around with the points, which is important to me. I don't want to purchase and have immediate addonitis. (I know, some of you will tell me it's coming for me no matter what I purchase at the start!) (And I believe you.
)9. We are not financing, but we are using credit cards (and paying them back immediately) to maximize rewards bonuses and miles.
10. We are taking advantage of Magical Beginnings and the Dream It Forward referral credit.
11. I understand how Use Year works, home booking window, points charts, points in holding, etc.
12. We are planning to sign tomorrow (Feb 3) and use the 10 day window to redraw if Feb 11 incentives somehow turn out to be on our side even after the $10/pt price increase (and our guide knows that this is the plan).
13. We have stayed on rental points twice (with another rented visit coming up next month), so we have experienced and know what to expect with DVC lodgings, housekeeping, etc.
Edited to add #14: We are breaking it up into two 150 pt contracts.
Anything else...? I know there's many more bits of DVC wisdom I have gleaned from you all so far, but I think this sums up what is most important to know and consider before purchasing, yeah?
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