Is it worth it to buy a small Developer Contract for Member Cruise?

[icydog]

Background: I sold all my points in 2010. I bought most of them back from resellers but I lost those few DVC perks that came from buying directly from Disney.

But I really did like the member cruise and there's no way to get on without having a few developer points. You don't need to use your points on the member cruise but you do need to be a direct point owner. Hence, my question, is it worthwhile to buy a 25 point contract just so I can take the member cruise?

 

[lodge]

It's a totally personal thing. I wouldn't, but that's me. It would depend on cost also. Is several thousand dollars worth a higher cost cruise (the member cruises cost more)? What is your motivation about the cruise... to join family or friends? Did you do them prior and miss them now that you sold? Write it all out and see what your own typing tells you about where you stand.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I went on the Jan 10 Member Cruise & thought it was one of my best cruises ever. Yes, they cost more. I don't use/need most of the gifts, but the special guests and in this last cruise, the Broadway and Beyond show made it especially worthwhile.

Best wishes as you decide!

Bobbi

 

[Dean]

Background: I sold all my points in 2010. I bought most of them back from resellers but I lost those few DVC perks that came from buying directly from Disney.

But I really did like the member cruise and there's no way to get on without having a few developer points. You don't need to use your points on the member cruise but you do need to be a direct point owner. Hence, my question, is it worthwhile to buy a 25 point contract just so I can take the member cruise?

I agree, it's a personal decision. I would suspect there will be other benefits going forward if one has qualified points but whether it's worth the $2500 investment is hard to say though it's unlikely to be from a financial standpoint.

 

[ELMC]

Can someone please spell out the differences between a Member cruise and a typical Disney cruise? Thanks!

 

[jimim]

Can someone please spell out the differences between a Member cruise and a typical Disney cruise? Thanks!

Friends of ours do it every year now. They told us they have diff voice talents over the years and other guests from Disney.

I am prob wrong but I thought this year you had to use all points. U couldn't split points and cash? I know in the past they paid split costs cause they were short on points but I thought that changed last year or this year?

Jim

 

[bobbiwoz]

Friends of ours do it every year now. They told us they have diff voice talents over the years and other guests from Disney.

I am prob wrong but I thought this year you had to use all points. U couldn't split points and cash? I know in the past they paid split costs cause they were short on points but I thought that changed last year or this year?

Jim

There were 3 of us in my room, we all used cash.

Bobbi

 

[goofygurlie]

Hubby and I paid cash, too. I am a new member and I thoroughly enjoyed my first member cruise in January.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[LisaS]

I am prob wrong but I thought this year you had to use all points.

You can pay cash provided that some of your points were purchased directly from Disney or some of your resale points are grandfathered. If you own only resale points that were purchased after the rules changed, then you cannot go on the member cruise at all, even by paying cash.

They've changed it from a Member Cruise to a Direct Purchase Member or Grandfathered Resale Member Cruise.

 

[ToddyLu]

I do not agree with the premise that only direct DVC members have access to a member's cruise. I have written them about my feelings and they have a right to offer any kind of cruise they want.....I will just never take one...and all 210 points I have are direct. Glad the members had a good time though.

 

[jimim]

I do not agree with the premise that only direct DVC members have access to a member's cruise. I have written them about my feelings and they have a right to offer any kind of cruise they want.....I will just never take one...and all 210 points I have are direct. Glad the members had a good time though.

I don't get what the big deal is about using resale points for the member's cruise. resale people are still "members". it's almost like "you aren't cool enough to sit at this table" kinda mentality. they can say you can't use ur points cause they are resale but you would have to pay cash. that's fine with me, but not letting someone participate in a member event is just unfair i feel. i have lots of friends that go on it each year and would like to join them.

jim

 

[ELMC]

I don't get what the big deal is about using resale points for the member's cruise. resale people are still "members". it's almost like "you aren't cool enough to sit at this table" kinda mentality. they can say you can't use ur points cause they are resale but you would have to pay cash. that's fine with me, but not letting someone participate in a member event is just unfair i feel. i have lots of friends that go on it each year and would like to join them.

jim

I understand how you feel, and if it is that much of an issue for you, maybe you should but a 25 point contract direct. Perhaps that's what Disney had in mind...

 

[jimim]

I understand how you feel, and if it is that much of an issue for you, maybe you should but a 25 point contract direct. Perhaps that's what Disney had in mind...

i prop will end up doing that cause it will at least be a few more points for the future, but it just doesn't make sense to me. I understand taking places away to stay. thats fine, but taking away a member activity just cause u didn't buy from them is being told u are not a member and welcome to me. i would just like to be able to cruise with my friends that r members. it would kinda be like years ago when the wdcc conventions were still going on.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You know, though, that once you close on the small direct contract, they will change the rules and require the first guest to use points. And you won't have enough of those.

 

[ELMC]

You know, though, that once you close on the small direct contract, they will change the rules and require the first guest to use points. And you won't have enough of those.

Yeah, I thought about that too. But hey, it's their ball, it's their playground. They get to make the rules. But it's situations like this that reinforce what many on here have said...buy DVC to stay at DVC resorts (specifically your home resort) and you (most likely) won't be disappointed by any of the changes they make.

 

[DenLo]

Can someone please spell out the differences between a Member cruise and a typical Disney cruise? Thanks!

I am interested in this too. I found some information on the DVC News Website for the 2012 Member Cruise Give Aways.

And per TimK said on the DVC News that in the past

Disney artist Don "Ducky" Williams and filmmaker Don Hahn, along with some lesser known Imagineers, artists, etc.

were onboard. But sounds like it really varies from year to year.

I was wondering if these special guests give talks during the cruise? Or are they just hanging around at a party. I loved to here a lecture by Ducky Williams or even see him draw some characters.

 

[Dean]

I am on record initially as saying I didn't think DVD would block access for resale buyers using cash, reports say I was wrong. I am disappointed in DVC/DVD because IMO this crosses over the line between treating members differently related to non club issues vs treating members differently related to membership and MS functions.

 

[mnra]

We went on a members cruise and even though we got the gifts. The best thing we liked about it was the access to Disney artist like Ducky etc. Most of the stuff they gave us was nice but not really all that special.

 

[jimim]

I am on record initially as saying I didn't think DVD would block access for resale buyers using cash, reports say I was wrong. I am disappointed in DVC/DVD because IMO this crosses over the line between treating members differently related to non club issues vs treating members differently related to membership and MS functions.

this is exactly how i feel too as i stated above. our broker checked again for me the other day and members services said no resale owners can go even if paying cash.

i guess im not cool enough. i have met so many people over the years through wdcc signings and such but with wdcc pretty much done now i thought this would be a nice way to see these individuals again and spend some time with them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

this is exactly how i feel too as i stated above. our broker checked again for me the other day and members services said no resale owners can go even if paying cash.

i guess im not cool enough. i have met so many people over the years through wdcc signings and such but with wdcc pretty much done now i thought this would be a nice way to see these individuals again and spend some time with them.

That's the problem some of the time. An individual at MS will give a completely different answer than what has already been told to members by DVC management.

But did you write: No, resale owners can go even if paying cash. or No resale owners can go even if paying cash. The first says, they can go. The second says they can't.