25 points direct for a first timer?

[krazy4crusing]

Do you think that Disney would sell us 25 points direct? They will sell us 50 although the guide cautioned that we can't do much with only 50 points, we explained that this would not be our final purchase and that we will be buying more in the future. Our goal is 200 + points but we want a tiny direct contract to allow us to book the DVC cruise with cash. A resale contract won't allow us to make that booking.

If you buy direct are there closing costs?

Thanks.

 

[DizBub]

Yes, there are closing costs when buying direct. Less than resale though. Closing costs on 60 point add-on was $141.44.

I haven't ever heard of a 25 point contract for a new direct buyer. Minimum used to be 160, then 100 and I've even heard of 50. 25 is the minimum for a direct add-on for existing members.

If you are able to do this, please come back and let us know.

 

[Msmithmd]

If I were you I would buy a "real" contract size resale at a few less points than you think you need total, then add-on the 25 point contract direct to attain your member cruise goal.

Even banking and borrowing combined yielding 75 points per three years, you don't get much in terms of a DVC booking. And paying the maintenance fees every year, for a vacation every three, seems like it would be kind of a downer.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I am usually very "pro" to buying small contracts.

However, I think 25 points is just too few.

Imagine that you have banked and borrowed and you are finally taking your long awaited trip with your 75 points...and you get the "I can't get out of bed" flu 2 days before you leave.

IF you must, make sure you take your trips early in your use year. I would also choose OKW or BWV as your home resort so that you can get the most bang for your buck.

One other thought...What if you have points left over...like a 68 point reservation...are you ok with losing 7 points?

PS - I think getting 50 points is totally cool as long as you understand banking and borrowing and are interested in staying in studios.

 

[DisK]

I asked my guide this last week and he said the minimum for a new member is 50 points.

 

[disslot]

Do you think that Disney would sell us 25 points direct? They will sell us 50 although the guide cautioned that we can't do much with only 50 points, we explained that this would not be our final purchase and that we will be buying more in the future. Our goal is 200 + points but we want a tiny direct contract to allow us to book the DVC cruise with cash. A resale contract won't allow us to make that booking.

If you buy direct are there closing costs?

Thanks.

Why would you buy just 25 points direct? Start off with a RESALE of 50-100 for the same price, then circle back and get points direct.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Are you sure you can't go on the member cruise paying cash if you have resale points? I could see where you couldn't use your points, but not go??

Secondly, is it really worth the trouble of buying real estate to get on the member cruise? Your premise seems a little wacky.

I may want to meet Jon Bon Jovi, but I'm not moving to New Jersey to improve my chances.

 

[Sur]

Resale points can't be used to qualify as a member for a DCL member cruise. If you can afford it, do as our friends did- buy a small resale to qualify as an existing member, then add on your 25 points, then resell the original resale. They made a profit because resales prices increased.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

DVC is best used for staying at DVC resorts.

Is your sole purpose of purchasing DVC is to get on the member cruise?

 

[krazy4crusing]

So after speaking to a guide who originally told us we could buy 25 points on a first contract we were disappointed to find out that we are not able to make our "Master Contract" smaller than 50 points.

My only reason for buying a direct contract is for the benefit of going on the member cruise this August. (its waitlisted however so we may not get on it anyway) I can not take vacations during the school year and so the August date was very attractive. I believe that the DVC member cruise is usually held in September which won't work for my vacation schedule.

You can not go on this cruise if you buy resale so that is why we are looking for a tiny contract right now. It really is simply a "foot in the door" purchase. Our goal is to buy a larger 200 point resale contract within the year but the 25 point contract would have given us 4 nights this year (75 points altogether by banking and borrowing) and the possibility of getting on this cruise. It sounds really interesting and I would love to hear the presentation from the various CMs on board.


Anyway we are going back to the original plan, 200 resale points for our master contract with a 25 point direct add on contract later We love WDW and DCL so being able to enjoy both of these is our ultimate goal, WDW with points and DCL with cash and the benefits of being DVC onboard

 

[PacoDF]

What are the differences of a "member cruise" over a "regular cruise"??

 

[DizBub]

What are the differences of a "member cruise" over a "regular cruise"??

From what I understand the member's cruise is more expensive than a regular cruise. They used to give special gifts to the members every day but I hear that this has pretty much stopped or they are giving out less.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What are the differences of a "member cruise" over a "regular cruise"??

Everyone on the cruise is a member or a guest of a member. They have special member events on board the ship.

 

[PacoDF]

Everyone on the cruise is a member or a guest of a member. They have special member events on board the ship.

And why is that so atractive that a lot of people is trying to get on board a member cruise? (even spending a extra lot of money to do so...)

 

[nabi]

The special events...there are guest speakers/demonstrations by big time Disney people that are hard to come by otherwise.

 

[krazy4crusing]

The DVC member cruise is different because it is chartered and only accessible to DVC members. The tips are included in your sailing which is part of why the fare is higher than a regular cruise. They bring in Dis Execs and Imaginears etc.. to do seminars etc... They give each cruiser a ton of Disney themed merchandise and other gifts. There are also great incentives for purchasing add on contracts ie onboard credits and free cruises etc... As total cruise addicts this is an event our family would really like to experience. You can only go on this cruise if you buy direct. That being said, your direct points do not have to be used to book the cruise so a small contract will still get you an opportunity to pay cash and get on board. In terms of popularity the cruises sell out on the day they open for booking and the wait times for MS to get a reservation are very very long.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I enjoy member cruises a lot, and I am bringing a friend who never has cruised before on the one in August.

FYI some of the things, people, events that make MCs so special can be found on some of the longer regularly scheduled DCL cruises. Stacia Martin was on the East Bound Transatlantic cruise last year, as was the Actress/Singer who was Ursula on Broadway, and an ABC person talking about shows and scheduling. So, you do not have to go on a MC to experience SOME of the special things on a MC. However, except for Stacia Martin who ALWAYS puts on a great presentation, those other activities pale when compared to what I have seen on the MCs. We had 4 Broadway stars on January 2013s cruise and they put on a performance that was a true Broadway production IMO!

If you really want to go on a MC, then do buy what you have to direct. The extra money is not that great, relative to the number of years, MF's fee and other DVC expenses. However, you can get some of the same experiences on longer DCL cruises, and perhaps at D 23 events.

Some members do not think a MC is worth the extra cost, never mind now having to buy direct.

Best wishes to you, whatever you decide!

Bobbi

 

[DizBub]

The DVC member cruise is different because it is chartered and only accessible to DVC members. The tips are included in your sailing which is part of why the fare is higher than a regular cruise. They bring in Dis Execs and Imaginears etc.. to do seminars etc... They give each cruiser a ton of Disney themed merchandise and other gifts. There are also great incentives for purchasing add on contracts ie onboard credits and free cruises etc... As total cruise addicts this is an event our family would really like to experience. You can only go on this cruise if you buy direct. That being said, your direct points do not have to be used to book the cruise so a small contract will still get you an opportunity to pay cash and get on board. In terms of popularity the cruises sell out on the day they open for booking and the wait times for MS to get a reservation are very very long.

Since going on the member's cruise is important to you, you should contact a guide and buy 50 SSR points direct. Price for a new buyer is $130 per point, $6500 plus closing costs run about $125. VGF would be $155 per point, buying SSR would save $1250.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Alternately, buy some resale and then add on 25 points direct.

 

[chrisaman]

Where did u hear if you buy resale u can't go on the members cruise? U can't use ur points but u can still go. U just have to be a member