What about the Disney Perks? Part III: Perk Alternatives

What about the Disney Perks? Part III: Perk Alternatives

So you're thinking about purchasing DVC through us instead of going direct with Disney. Good choice. But you're probably wondering about those perks you'd miss out on. Are Disney's "Membership Extras" really worth paying 40% more? We covered what these perks are in our first post and whether they make financial sense in the second. Now let's talk about how you can get similar benefits while still saving thousands on a resale purchase.

Annual Passes

Here's the big one. Direct DVC members who bought at least 100 points get special pricing on Disney Annual Passes. That's a real perk if you're going multiple times a year.

But here's what Disney won't tell you. You can buy about 12 non-discounted Platinum Annual Passes for what you'd save purchasing resale versus direct. Think about it. A 200-point contract at Riviera direct from Disney runs about $32,000. We'll sell you the same contract for around $21,000. That's $11,000 in savings right there.

Current Platinum Annual Pass runs about $1,400. Even without the DVC discount, you could buy passes for seven or eight years with that savings. Most people don't keep their DVC that long anyway.

But if you want those Annual Pass discounts without going direct, here are your options:

• Florida residents get the same Gold Pass pricing as DVC members. If you can establish Florida residency, you're golden.
• Florida residents also pay the same as direct DVC members for Platinum passes.
• AAA members can snag discounts on Platinum Plus passes. Not as good as the DVC discount, but something.

Annual Passholder Benefits

Once you've got that Annual Pass, you're getting 10% to 20% discounts at shops and restaurants throughout the parks. Same discounts the direct DVC members get.

You'll also get invited to exclusive Annual Passholder events. Sometimes these are actually better than the DVC member events because there are more passholders than DVC members, so Disney puts more effort into them.

Other Discounts

Not ready to commit to an Annual Pass? I get it. Here's what else you can do:

• Get the Disney Visa credit card. It's free and gives you 10% off merchandise purchases over $50 plus 10% off dining at select locations.
• The Visa also gets you into character meet-and-greets at Hollywood Studios and Epcot. Your kids won't care whether you bought direct or resale.
• Military discounts can save you serious money on park tickets. Same with Florida resident pricing.

Look, I've been doing this for 25 years. We've closed over 8,000 DVC contracts. The math is simple. purchase resale through DVC Sales, get an Annual Pass, and you're ahead by thousands while getting 90% of the same perks.

Most of our clients at Saratoga Springs or Old Key West end up spending their savings on extra Disney trips anyway. That's real value.

Ready to stop paying Disney's markup? Browse our current inventory or give us a call. We'll walk you through exactly what you're getting and what you're not. No sugar-coating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are some alternatives to traditional Disney Vacation Club perks?

You can get most of the same benefits through Annual Passes, Disney Visa cards, and Florida resident discounts. Early park entry, dining discounts, and all the resort amenities come with every DVC contract, whether you buy resale or direct. The big difference is you'll save $10,000 to $15,000 going resale.

Q2: Do DVC resale buyers miss out on any major Disney perks?

The biggest thing you'll miss is the Annual Pass discount and some member-exclusive events. But honestly? Those events are usually overcrowded and the food isn't great. You're better off using your savings for a nice dinner at California Grill. Your DVC points work exactly the same whether you bought from us or Disney.