My husband and I were just on a
disney cruise with our kids. My husband went to the DVC meeting and became very interested about the membership. We love disney but don't see ourselvess going there every year. what we loved about the membership is the ability to go to other resorts all over the world. I have been reading postings and my head is swimming. I hear no one talking about the other non disney resorts out there. Are they good accommodations. Can you get reservations easily? I also hear a lot about your buy in hotel. I thought you could get reservations at any disney property it didnt matter where your buy in was. Currently 160 points is 22,000. maintence fees are 1800. Anyone who can give some feedback it would be very helpful. We have 10 days to decide.
We have used our points to go to Princevalle, Kauai, Hawaii for a seven night ocean view condo.
We have also used our points to go on a 7 day Disney Wonder cruise.
We have made reservations at other DVC resorts other than our home resort under the 7 month window.
Yes, it can be done. But even though we have done all of your concerns successfully, I would say that we were lucky and willing to be flexible. When I called Member Services for the Hawaii trip, I said that my first choice was to go to Hawaii but anything on the West Coast I would consider. At the time, MS actually had two resorts to choose from on the island of Kauai but not on any other Hawaii island. I took an additional chance, hung up the phone and researched both resorts. Then, I called back and luck was still with us, the resort we preferred was still available.
With our reservations to WDW under 7 months, we were willing to have a split stay (moving from one resort to another during the same trip).
As you read through the posts, you are going to bump into a whole segment that has figured out a formula that it isn't a good value to use your points anywhere other than at a DVC resort. When we decide to use our points, we factor in the costs to travel there and back and the food, tickets and other costs associated with traveling. Since we live in California, flying to Florida is not an option every year. When we went on our cruise, we were able to drive down to L.A., go to
Disneyland for two days, and then go to the cruise. That trip was actually several thousand dollars cheaper than going to WDW on our points between not having to pay for five on a plane and the tickets to get into the WDW parks for several days.
Even Kauai was 'cheaper' for us even though we had to fly. We found that the cost of food was about the same as where we live in the Bay Area and we found Costco on the island. Our activities were not as expensive as going to a park each day at WDW either.
You need to keep in perspective that there are hundred of thousands of DVC members using their points in every way imaginable and only 3000+ here giving our
opinions.
My biggest concern for you is that with 160 points, you are going to be more limited in what you can do. An example would be that Kauai cost us 160 points but we were able to bank the remainder of our points to go to a larger trip the following year (I think it was part of the points that went to our cruise). I am also concerned that you find it expensive. Yes, it is but when it is an overriding concern is probably when you shouldn't do it.
Good luck with your decision.