Mickey Math

[chriskre]

what is a portal mini? and is BG - Bluegreen?

A portal is an entry way into RCI that the developers have for those who own in other systems like BG, HGVC, Wyndham, Worldmark etc.
You log in thru their corporate account into RCI and you book using your mini systems points instead of TPU's or RCI points.
The inventory is pretty much the same although I have noticed lag times with the different portals at times. I'm not sure if the inventory is being held back for each system or if there is some timing issues with visibility. I know that with HGVC there are quality filters in place to prevent an HGVC owner from booking down in quality and being dissatisfied with the exchange. That can be a negative if you want to go somewhere that does not have gold crowns but is a primo location.

[chriskre]

what kinds of incentives does Disney offer that drop the price from the low 100's to 86?

They will sometimes throw in current years points or in my case it was actually a cash credit off the purchase price. Of course they recorded the sale at full price which is a bit misleading. I'm not sure why they do that but whateverrrrrr.

They will also offer a discount on the points price with a deadline if you purchase a minimum number of add on points. I think the minimum is something like 100. They usually don't offer any incentives for smaller contracts.

I know if you want to purchase in a sold out resort you can get it at a discount thru them and I imagine they will ROFR someone to get you what you want. I think that may be why we don't see much rhyme or reason to ROFR at times.

so your MF's were lower buying direct versus resale???

I think he was referring to the fact that the resort was newer so the MF's are lower than buying cheap points at say Vero or HHI but having much higher MF's.

[littlestar]

To the original poster - I'd definitely consider the length of the contract on where you end up buying. Of course, if you have your heart set on Beach Club during certain times of the year, it might be best to own some points there. But Beach Club Villas does expire in 2042.

I think overall the best "deal" on resale is Saratoga Springs or an extended contract at Old Key West if you are just looking at price, dues, length of contract, and being a WDW located resort. Having said that, some day my parents will deed their Beach Club points back to me when they no longer travel and I will be happy to take the points - LOL

[chriskre]

To the original poster - I'd definitely consider the length of the contract on where you end up buying. Of course, if you have your heart set on Beach Club during certain times of the year, it might be best to own some points there. But Beach Club Villas does expire in 2042.

I think overall the best "deal" on resale is Saratoga Springs or an extended contract at Old Key West if you are just looking at price, dues, length of contract, and being a WDW located resort. Having said that, some day my parents will deed their Beach Club points back to me when they no longer travel and I will be happy to take the points - LOL

I know I'll be in my 80's when my membership expires.
Who knows what will have become of Disney by then.

I know that my niece and nephew really have little desire to go to Disney anymore.
They much prefer SeaWorld and Universal for the coasters.

Of course they will go with me to Vero though cause that is more "adult".

[pnappleprincess]

Thanks to everyone for all of the feedback. This is very informative. The notion of the portal minis though is very intriguing. I will have to learn more about that.

I sincerely doubt that VGF is going to be personally worth it - even after any incentives. Not to mention, I would not be crushed if I could not stay there (disclaimer: i reserve the right to completely change my mind after i see it). I think it makes more sense to look at BLT or BCV resale or maybe SSR. Now, if we were talking Poly......

Every time I crunch the Figment Financials, I keep coming back to renting. We went last month and did a combo stay of BLT 2 bedroom (still cannot believe i got that) and SOG for less than our MF. The time before that was a combo stay of Hilton and Bonnet Creek for wayyyyy less than MF. Although the current premium annual pass renewal perk they are offering for DVC members is pretty sweet!!

[chriskre]

DVC can't just be a financial decision.
You definitely have to sort of let that pixie dust cloud your vision and just say, what the heck, I want to be a part of Mickey.
That's kinda how I ended up owning.
I knew about exchanging but in all honesty it was such a mystery and I didn't want to fuss with it at the time since I had not mastered II and still really don't do too well in II.

Now that they are in RCI, I think it's definitely easier but still ya gotta work at it.
Owning DVC is soooooooo much easier. You just log in and book something.
There is always something available somewhere even if it's SSR.
I think that's why so many just take the plunge.
If I wanted to go this weekend, I could.
Most exchangers can't say the same unless they are extremely lucky.
You'd be surprised how often I just take off because I own and they make it easy.
Of course I could just as easily stay off site too but sometimes it's just not the same.

[pnappleprincess]

@chriskre I totally agree. For us it is definitely NOT the same!!!! We love Bonnet Creek, but there is just something about that pixie dust that makes us pay that little bit more when we can.

Not to mention the little things. Like when we took my daughter for the first time, they gave her a pin that said "1st Visit" and the rest of us pins that said Celebrating. And everywhere we went they called her princess. Not to mention - we did Magical Express for the first time. We live in Georgia, so we typically drive. And yes, it was magical. A lot of people complain about how long it takes etc. But not having to lug suitcases around MCO with a 9 month old is priceless.

If DVC were the only way to stay on property, we would have taken the plunge years ago!

[Hobbitess]

You'd be surprised how often I just take off because I own and they make it easy.

Trying not to be jealous, here. I comfort myself with the knowledge that, if we lived within an eight hour drive of Orlando, DVC would be a much bigger temptation. So staying put is saving us money, right?