210 developer points and 10% off vs. 4-night cruise

[coolblu007]

Hello All -

I am very new to DVC. In fact, I don't have my member number yet, but its on the way

We are about to purchase 210 points at Bay Lake Tower, with a Febuary use-year. I have 2 choices for incentives:
1) 210 developer points to be used at Saratoga Springs before Aug-3-2009 + 10% corporate discount on the cost of the 210 BLT points.

2) 4-night cruise to be used by 2010 of category 8 or 9. (No 10% corporate discount).

BTW, for the free cruise, our children are small (ages 3 and 1 currently) so I'm not sure if they would appreciate a cruise as much as we would.

Can someone offer advice as to which incentive is more attractive?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Hello All -

I am very new to DVC. In fact, I don't have my member number yet, but its on the way

We are about to purchase 210 points at Bay Lake Tower, with a Febuary use-year. I have 2 choices for incentives:
1) 210 developer points to be used at Saratoga Springs before Aug-3-2009 + 10% corporate discount on the cost of the 210 BLT points.

2) 4-night cruise to be used by 2010 of category 8 or 9. (No 10% corporate discount).

BTW, for the free cruise, our children are small (ages 3 and 1 currently) so I'm not sure if they would appreciate a cruise as much as we would.

Can someone offer advice as to which incentive is more attractive?

Thanks in advance!!

Congrats on your membership.......I would take which ever incentive works best for your family....if you do the cruise in 2010 your kids would be 4 & 2.....so a bit older or can you use the developers points by 8/3/09.

 

[maburke]

I would investigate carefully before taking the cruise with such little ones. I'm a big fan of WDW for even little bitty kids, but I found the cruise harder. This was a few years back, but the activity centers for the kids on the cruise were for kids 3 and up and potty trained. We were very disappointed to find that the childcare for our 1 year old was at VERY limited times, was limited space (so first-come first-served) and we ended up not being able to go on the one excursion that we had really planned on (scuba dive).

If I were you, I'd take the $ discount and do the cruise when the kids are older. The 10% alone is probably what you'd pay cash for the cruise, and you'd get the developer points besides.

 

[thelionqueen]

I would definitely take the points and the discount, no doubt!

 

[anna08]

I hope I can be of help - I am a recent purchaser of BLT points AND just came back 10 days ago from a 3 day Disney cruise with our 1 and 3 year olds (almost 2 and 4). I would definitely take the points and the 10% discount!! Many reasons - the 210 points add up to one great vacation at WDW (either big villa or lengthy stay), the discount is significant, and we were so disappointed in our cruise. We are huge Disney fans and based on all my research, I thought a cruise would be a great way for us to experience Disney in a new, exciting way.
Our cruise had bad weather, couldn't dock at Castaway Cay, and because so many recommended NOT going into Nassau with small children, we had essentially 3 days at sea. Apparently there are many times a year that Castaway Cay is not accessible, and the boards (and Disney) just say, so sad, too bad. I realize this is a safety issue, but I was surprised that Disney didn't offer great alternatives to their programming. If other posts have been correct, the "freebie" cruise dates are all Jan/Feb and during hurricane season, which are the risky times.
Well, we found the toddler and younger programming VERY lacking, especially given the sad weather circumstances. The one half day that we could spend in the pools, our youngest was only be able to play in a splash zone as a health mandate for those still in swim diapers. This tortured our 1 year old and meant that we spent pool time as two separate parent/child units and not together having fun. Extra showings of Bolt and High School Musical 3 were not really helpful for us. Cast members seemed tired and uninspired.
We were assigned late dinner and with the little ones, that meant 3 nights of grumpy hungry kids, to the point of making grumpy parents. And THEN you get to all go to sleep in one room together (or not if you have a hard time sleeping with a talking 1yo in your bed). We were in a category 4 room but the verandah was of minimal enjoyment with bad weather.
Normally our kids travel well, and we love to take them along, but we definitely decided that DVC stays are better vacations for us.
Sorry to be so gloomy, but I just feel strongly about sharing our experience with you. Either way, maybe someday our kids will meet and play at the BLT pool!! Good luck with your decision -

 

[JW9DVC]

Where is the 10% discount from? Justin

 

[Cmbar]

We are just about to purchase. Is this a new incentive?? I thought it was 112 a point less $5 so making it 107 per point. Then you could choose either the cruise option or the SSR points to be used by OCTOBER 3. When did they change the date on the SSR and is the 10% option in addition to the $5 off? Can you still get the cruise and the $5 off. I am confused. Would you mind breaking down your options into dollars?? Thanks so much!

 

[tammymacb]

You'd come out better financially with the DPs and discount. Cruises are not selling and if you watch, you can get a great deal ( especially with such young kids )

I booked 3 nights on the Wonder for May- 4 people, myself, DH, DD 12 and DDs friend 12 and paid only $947.

 

[coolblu007]

Thank you all for the helpful advice. For those of you who are curious, the corporation that I work for has a (new) deal with Disney that provides an additional 10% discount on the initial contract. I am required to provide a proof-of-employment letter in order to obtain the 10% off. My guide did not know about this initially, and told me about it the next day after he had reviewed some company memos in his email.

So, here is how the cost breaks down for each option:
OPTION 1
Rack rate = $112/point
10% discount = -$11.20
$5/point incentive = -$5.00
Total = $95.80/point + Developer points for SS

OPTION 2
Rack rate = $112/point
$5/point incentive = -$5.00
Total = $107/point + cruise (3, 4 or 7 nights depending on the number of points you buy)

As far as the expiration date of the developer points, I'll need to double-check. I thought I heard my guide say that they will expire in August, however, I may have had that date confused with the opening date of BLT.

BTW, based on the input here, we decided to take the first option.

 

[Cmbar]

Thank you all for the helpful advice. For those of you who are curious, the corporation that I work for has a (new) deal with Disney that provides an additional 10% discount on the initial contract. I am required to provide a proof-of-employment letter in order to obtain the 10% off. My guide did not know about this initially, and told me about it the next day after he had reviewed some company memos in his email.

So, here is how the cost breaks down for each option:
OPTION 1
Rack rate = $112/point
10% discount = -$11.20
$5/point incentive = -$5.00
Total = $95.80/point + Developer points for SS

OPTION 2
Rack rate = $112/point
$5/point incentive = -$5.00
Total = $107/point + cruise (3, 4 or 7 nights depending on the number of points you buy)

As far as the expiration date of the developer points, I'll need to double-check. I thought I heard my guide say that they will expire in August, however, I may have had that date confused with the opening date of BLT.

BTW, based on the input here, we decided to take the first option.

WOW! I would have taken the discount. OK can you tell us who you work for?? I didn't know there was any such thing as a Discount other than to people with Cast members in their family. You are so lucky to have had the option.... I want that option!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[brmiller]

Not sure which is the better option, but 10 days ago I was offered only the DP and 5$ per point as incentives. Did you do something special to get the 10% and the DPs?

 

[Raivyn]

So are soooo better off taking the discount and the DPs....we took a 3 day cruise early in Jan, and were disappointed. We would have enjoyed 3 extra days in WDW instead.

You can eventually use your points for a cruise anyway; not the best use of points, but is always an option.

Cash is king...

 

[jgus]

We're in the process of buying BLT, but the cruise isn't want we wanted. I just want the cheapest per point for BLT. How do you get the extra 10% off. I don't care about cruise or DP's (no time to use).

 

[wendypooh]

just subbing for the answer - we are getting ready to buy - haven't talked to anyone just yet........... but still want to know all "offers" or incentives they are giving to others!!!

 

[mecllap]

I booked 3 nights on the Wonder for May- 4 people, myself, DH, DD 12 and DDs friend 12 and paid only $947.

How did you do this -- care to share? Is that to Castaway Cay?

 

[coolblu007]

I didn't actually ask about an additional 10% discount when I was with my guide. My guide called me about it the following day after I told him that I was "on the fence" about buying. He had my business card, and told me that my company (which I choose not to disclose) has a corporate discount with Disney. I asked if other companies had a similar agreement with Disney, and he said that some big, global technology firms have such a deal (e.g. Hewlett-Packard, Digital).

You can ask your guide if there are any additional incentives if you work for these kinds of corporations. Naturally, he asked me afterwards to "refer" as many co-workers as I could...

Good luck to everyone who's about to buy... I really think that in this market, playing a little "hard to get" can be in your benefit - especially if you don't need the points right away. Even though you'll always hear "Disney doesn't negotiate" - I think that it doesn't hurt to try...

 

[Farmboy90]

I didn't actually ask about an additional 10% discount when I was with my guide. My guide called me about it the following day after I told him that I was "on the fence" about buying. He had my business card, and told me that my company (which I choose not to disclose) has a corporate discount with Disney. I asked if other companies had a similar agreement with Disney, and he said that some big, global technology firms have such a deal (e.g. Hewlett-Packard, Digital).

You can ask your guide if there are any additional incentives if you work for these kinds of corporations. Naturally, he asked me afterwards to "refer" as many co-workers as I could...

Good luck to everyone who's about to buy... I really think that in this market, playing a little "hard to get" can be in your benefit - especially if you don't need the points right away. Even though you'll always hear "Disney doesn't negotiate" - I think that it doesn't hurt to try...

I hope Oracle is one of them. I just emailed my guide to ask. I'd love a discount like that when I add on at VGC in another month or so.