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

[DenLo]

Originally Posted by ELMC

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by jimim

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.

[ELMC]

From reading the posts in this thread I'm thinking that I'm supposed to be upset by this decision. Problem is, I'm not and I can't think of why I would be. I bought my resale DVC to stay at the DVC resorts (specifically BWV where I bought) and as long as they're not restricting my access there, I'm ok. But I will say that I do feel badly for others who were taken aback by this delineation between direct and resale owners for the purposes of the Member's cruise. But I think that this serves as a good reminder...buy DVC to stay at the DVC resorts (specifically your home resort) and you most likely won't be disappointed.

[jimim]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

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.

Second. Resale people can't member cruise.

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[jimim]

Originally Posted by ELMC

From reading the posts in this thread I'm thinking that I'm supposed to be upset by this decision. Problem is, I'm not and I can't think of why I would be. I bought my resale DVC to stay at the DVC resorts (specifically BWV where I bought) and as long as they're not restricting my access there, I'm ok. But I will say that I do feel badly for others who were taken aback by this delineation between direct and resale owners for the purposes of the Member's cruise. But I think that this serves as a good reminder...buy DVC to stay at the DVC resorts (specifically your home resort) and you most likely won't be disappointed.

I'm not disappointed. If I really want to do the member cruise I will buy a small direct contract. I deff don't regret buying resale. The 18 grand in my pocket says thanks too.

I do think its kinda rude though like dean said above and like u have said in this thread.

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[Cheltenham]

I never paid much attention to the member cruise - except to notice they seemed to get some fairly nice cruise gifts. I didn't realize (direct buyers and those grandfathered in at least) could pay for the cruise in cash rather than points. Is the DVC member cruise cash price much more than the regular cruise price? I take it you are paying the extra money for the special "gift" and some exclusive presentations.

[bakerworld]

Seems from reading trip reports that you cruise with Iger and peers - not sure that does anything for me but I do like the idea of knowing that all your fellow passengers are fellow DVCer's - think that would be pretty cool. When at the parks I look around and wonder who owns.

[ToddyLu]

Originally Posted by bakerworld

When at the parks I look around and wonder who owns.

I have always been pleasantly surprised when I discover them locally.

[friends with mickey]

Originally Posted by jimim

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

Each qualified member can book 2 staterooms on the member cruise so if you indeed have friends going and they did not book 2 staterooms you could go as their second stateroom. The cash payment is due upon booking so you would need to work out payment arrangements with the member booking the stateroom you would be using. The rule does not say a resale points owner cannot go on a member cruise, only that you can't make the reservation. FYI the next member cruise still has staterooms available.

[twoj]

I have read through this thread but I am still confused. Can you buy 25 points direct (after purchasing a resale) and then be qualified to make a reservation on a member cruise?

For anyone who has gone on a member cruise, are they just as fun for little kids?

[Dean]

Originally Posted by twoj

I have read through this thread but I am still confused. Can you buy 25 points direct (after purchasing a resale) and then be qualified to make a reservation on a member cruise?

For anyone who has gone on a member cruise, are they just as fun for little kids?

My understanding of the current situation is that if you did add on 25 points direct you would be eligible to reserve a DCL member cruise on cash but not points because you could only use the 25 points retail toward the cruise. I haven't been on a member cruise so I couldn't speak to the specifics that are different than a normal cruise.

[jimim]

Originally Posted by friends with mickey

Each qualified member can book 2 staterooms on the member cruise so if you indeed have friends going and they did not book 2 staterooms you could go as their second stateroom. The cash payment is due upon booking so you would need to work out payment arrangements with the member booking the stateroom you would be using. The rule does not say a resale points owner cannot go on a member cruise, only that you can't make the reservation. FYI the next member cruise still has staterooms available.

Oh that's good to know. So a non member can take part in all the talks they have with guests and such? I wouldn't have thought so. I will have to keep that in the back of my head. Thanks

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