$445 A NIGHT for GCH!! Are they serious?

[papamouse1]

That's because people were only staying on the weekdays and leaving when it got more expensive on the weekends so DVD had to make some adjustments to encourage people to stay the weekends! In your case you are doing the first week in August... Monday-Saturday 4 week nights and 1 weekend night:

2010:
4 week nights @ 46 points per night(ppn) = 184
1 weekend night @ 80 ppn = 80
Total for your 5 nights = 264

2011:
4 week nights @ 52 ppn = 208
1 weekend night @ 64 ppn = 64
Total for the same 5 nights = 272

While in your situation it may look like the price went up, if you calculate it out for the whole week the total in 2010 = 390 points... in 2011 it is 388! The first week in August actually got cheaper by 2 points over last year.

We won't open up this debate again (has been kicked to death) but just to clarify.. for those who traveled and stayed Sun-Thu, the overall cost for staying in ANY Disney resort rose by about 25% in just the last 2 years. And even though the speculation that this adjustment was made to compensate for travel trends (which absolutely makes sense), Disney has still not released any info, numbers, or explanation for the adjustment... we are all just speculating as to why.

But in the end, DVC has stabilized now (not hardly any difference now between weekend/weekday rates) and the "overall" points as you mentioned have remained constant as they promised they would.

But the reality is that even though the weekly points needed won't change, the actual cost stay does fluctuate. Fact is if you stay exactly 7 days for your stay, you are pretty much the same today as 3 years ago. If you stay less than 7 AND both weekend days are part of your stay, you may save a little. If you book more than 7, or less than 7 with weekdays (or only 1 weekend day) stay it absolutely does cost you more every time in every resort than it did 3 years ago... so in essence, it can cost you more today than last year, so you are right blackjack...

We just happen to be in a situation because of our jobs, that traveling on weekends and staying weekdays is how we normally have to do it, but we have just gotten creative to help compensate for the added expense for us to vacation at Disney. We would still buy into DVC today if given the choice today... we love it!

 

[kyra's mommy]

Well thank you for the compliment. Not doing bad for an old man. That pic was taken a couple of years ago when I was 58.

Jack

You're welcome.

 

[nunzia]

..and another clarification..although what was quoted about DVC above was correct, beginning with resales purchased after March 20, resale DVC points will not be allowed to be used for anything outside DVC resorts (Cruises, Disney Collection, etc) Just an FYI.

 

[CrazyDuck]

We won't open up this debate again (has been kicked to death) but just to clarify.. for those who traveled and stayed Sun-Thu, the overall cost for staying in ANY Disney resort rose by about 25% in just the last 2 years. And even though the speculation that this adjustment was made to compensate for travel trends (which absolutely makes sense), Disney has still not released any info, numbers, or explanation for the adjustment... we are all just speculating as to why.

But in the end, DVC has stabilized now (not hardly any difference now between weekend/weekday rates) and the "overall" points as you mentioned have remained constant as they promised they would.

But the reality is that even though the weekly points needed won't change, the actual cost stay does fluctuate. Fact is if you stay exactly 7 days for your stay, you are pretty much the same today as 3 years ago. If you stay less than 7 AND both weekend days are part of your stay, you may save a little. If you book more than 7, or less than 7 with weekdays (or only 1 weekend day) stay it absolutely does cost you more every time in every resort than it did 3 years ago... so in essence, it can cost you more today than last year, so you are right blackjack...

We just happen to be in a situation because of our jobs, that traveling on weekends and staying weekdays is how we normally have to do it, but we have just gotten creative to help compensate for the added expense for us to vacation at Disney. We would still buy into DVC today if given the choice today... we love it!

Wow, that's a lot to say... I was just trying to point out that, unlike a typical hotel room, the room rates for DVC rooms won't change as a whole. If the points needed for a room go up on one night they have to do down on some other night. Points as a whole will not go up 5% or 10% every year like regular hotel rooms do... A typical hotel room at GCH may cost $400 a night right now but in 20 years it may cost $1500 a night. But a week in a 1 bedroom villa that costs 400 points now will still cost approximately 400 points 20 years from now!

 

[Dobie]

Originally Posted by kyra's mommy
I know this is a little off topic but blackjackdelta you're pretty cute.

Family friendly board, guys, no flirting allowed!

 

[kyra's mommy]

Originally Posted by kyra's mommy
I know this is a little off topic but blackjackdelta you're pretty cute.

Family friendly board, guys, no flirting allowed!

Haha. I thought I might be busted for that one... but I had thought it for so long I figured I might as well say it. lol.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Haha. I thought I might be busted for that one... but I had thought it for so long I figured I might as well say it. lol.

Loving it!

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

Originally Posted by kyra's mommy
I know this is a little off topic but blackjackdelta you're pretty cute.

Family friendly board, guys, no flirting allowed!

Don't tell my wife but I have a thing for Jasmine...

 

[funatdisney]

Loving it!

Jack

Now, now Jack. How many times have you been married? I am just saying....

As for the point adjustments that DVC made this year (where the points required for a weekend night went down and the weekday night went up) it was good and bad for us. We usually book a 3 night stay in a one bedroom sometime during Monday to Friday during the last week of October. This year that same number of nights went form 102 to 117 points. BUT.. I was able to get a Dec 18 to Dec 21 two bedroom for 169 points. In 2010 those same nights, same room required 228 points! Much less points were required than last year. That folks is the week of Christmas, a high season time. So in way it "hurt" us and in another way made what normally would require me to bank or borrow my points for a bigger room during a premier time possible without cutting into our annual vacation time. (We go to the GCH at least two to three times a year that is why we bought into DVC.)

 

[blackjackdelta]

Now, now Jack. How many times have you been married? I am just saying....

As for the point adjustments that DVC made this year (where the points required for a weekend night went down and the weekday night went up) it was good and bad for us. We usually book a 3 night stay in a one bedroom sometime during Monday to Friday during the last week of October. This year that same number of nights went form 102 to 117 points. BUT.. I was able to get a Dec 18 to Dec 21 two bedroom for 169 points. In 2010 those same nights, same room required 228 points! Much less points were required than last year. That folks is the week of Christmas, a high season time. So in way it "hurt" us and in another way made what normally would require me to bank or borrow my points for a bigger room during a premier time possible without cutting into our annual vacation time. (We go to the GCH at least two to three times a year that is why we bought into DVC.)

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I understand the point stabilization and for the most part how DVC works, but being a renter and writing the check there is a bit of a difference between 10 and 11. Because of work(2 jobs) vacation time is restricted via contract. I have 1o weeks of vacation accured and will get cashed for 8 in July. Trust me I will enjoy the 1 bedroom Villa in August.

Jack

 

[papamouse1]

Wow, that's a lot to say... I was just trying to point out that, unlike a typical hotel room, the room rates for DVC rooms won't change as a whole. If the points needed for a room go up on one night they have to do down on some other night. Points as a whole will not go up 5% or 10% every year like regular hotel rooms do... A typical hotel room at GCH may cost $400 a night right now but in 20 years it may cost $1500 a night. But a week in a 1 bedroom villa that costs 400 points now will still cost approximately 400 points 20 years from now!

Yep... well said.
Which is why I think that even though there ARE changes in DVC that can decrease the value to an individual based on their usage and needs, in the end DVC will always be a great deal IMO... IF you can afford the initial outlay.

We take a different view than a lot of people about the initial investment as well. We don't worry about calculating in the first point purchase expense to calculate our "value"... we figure we will use it until we pass it on to kids and they use them as part of their inheritance

 

[Snurk71]

Not to turn this into too much of a DVC thread, but...

As another poster highlighted out, the point requirements from a trip one year to the next can change some. Most large point differences will occur with a change in seasons or including/excluding weekends (weekends are still more than weeknights and from low to high season can almost double for some room categories). But I would also expect VGC points will cost more for rent than other DVC points in the future, as I think the demand for 11 month booking window at VGC will become more and more valued with the small size of the resort (there's been plenty of people getting rooms at 7 months early on).

So if the average DVC point rents for $10/pt, SSR might rent for $9/pt and VGC might rent for $12/pt.

Just sharing a little more...

 

[CrazyDuck]

So if the average DVC point rents for $10/pt, SSR might rent for $9/pt and VGC might rent for $12/pt.

Just sharing a little more...

Possibly but I think they have already taken the value of the resort into consideration when comin up with the initial points chart which is why VGC has one of the highest point schedules. The cheapest studio you can stay in at SSR is for 13 points per night. At VGC it That same studio will cost you 17 points! Thus the value of the points more or less remains the same no matter where you own, with the only variable being the booking window.

 

[funatdisney]

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I understand the point stabilization and for the most part how DVC works, but being a renter and writing the check there is a bit of a difference between 10 and 11. Because of work(2 jobs) vacation time is restricted via contract. I have 1o weeks of vacation accured and will get cashed for 8 in July. Trust me I will enjoy the 1 bedroom Villa in August.

Jack

I will say that the one bedroom villa is worth every penny. I have yet to have a bad room. Every room I have had so far has had a great view. The details and the design of the rooms are just beautiful. The option to have a quick breakfast before hitting DL whether you want to make MM or go in late morning is priceless. I do feel at home when we vacation at the VGC. It is one purchase that I have yet to regret.

 

[Snurk71]

Possibly but I think they have already taken the value of the resort into consideration when comin up with the initial points chart which is why VGC has one of the highest point schedules. The cheapest studio you can stay in at SSR is for 13 points per night. At VGC it That same studio will cost you 17 points! Thus the value of the points more or less remains the same no matter where you own, with the only variable being the booking window.

Looking at the resorts, the point charts have gone up with each newly built resort over the years - so BLT, VGC, and Aulani are all the highest compared to say OKW. I don't think that will impact the rental rates as much as the demand for the newer resorts and the need for the 11 month booking window - that's what I think will drive the per point rental premium - the booking window. Scan the DVC rental board and see feedback from David's rentals and you'll see that BLT and VGC rent for a higher per point dollar value than SSR because of the booking window at these new, high-demand resorts. Everyone knows you can always get SSR (generally), so SSR points are less valuable because they're really only 7 month booking points (generally).

So you're going to get double-socked at VGC as a renter (if you want the booking window) - the room requires more points (in relation to WDW rooms) and the per point cost will be more than a WDW resort.

 

[papamouse1]

Looking at the resorts, the point charts have gone up with each newly built resort over the years - so BLT, VGC, and Aulani are all the highest compared to say OKW. I don't think that will impact the rental rates as much as the demand for the newer resorts and the need for the 11 month booking window - that's what I think will drive the per point rental premium - the booking window. Scan the DVC rental board and see feedback from David's rentals and you'll see that BLT and VGC rent for a higher per point dollar value than SSR because of the booking window at these new, high-demand resorts. Everyone knows you can always get SSR (generally), so SSR points are less valuable because they're really only 7 month booking points (generally).

So you're going to get double-socked at VGC as a renter (if you want the booking window) - the room requires more points (in relation to WDW rooms) and the per point cost will be more than a WDW resort.

Well, I decided to look at info you mentioned and David's site says he rents points for all resorts for same price ... $13
In the DVC rent forum, GCV points were renting as low as $9.50 and as high as $12. The same price range could be said of new and old resorts... AKV, BCV, BLT... even SSR.

Your theory makes some sense, however the current rental market does not reflect any marketable higher value for GCV over others. It may someday, but the numbers today just don't seem to show it

 

[kyra's mommy]

Well I had to change my dates since my Uncle passed away and we are going to attend his memorial during Spring Break.

My husband and I decided to change our dates and go at the end of February for 5 days. I also decided to Priceline our hotel, which I do quite a bit but this is by far the best deal we have ever received. Now I know it's NOOOOO comparison to the GCH but for me it's a smart purchase. We got the 3* Holiday Inn Anaheim on Walnut st. for $38 a night/ $225 for our entire stay. I think I'm one of those people who loves getting a deal, it's more exciting then staying at the best hotel in town. I feel victorious and I know Suze Orman would be proud- haha.

Just thought I'd share and maybe inspire anyone thinking of trying something different.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Well I had to change my dates since my Uncle passed away and we are going to attend his memorial during Spring Break.

My husband and I decided to change our dates and go at the end of February for 5 days. I also decided to Priceline our hotel, which I do quite a bit but this is by far the best deal we have ever received. Now I know it's NOOOOO comparison to the GCH but for me it's a smart purchase. We got the 3* Holiday Inn Anaheim on Walnut st. for $38 a night/ $225 for our entire stay. I think I'm one of those people who loves getting a deal, it's more exciting then staying at the best hotel in town. I feel victorious and I know Suze Orman would be proud- haha.

Just thought I'd share and maybe inspire anyone thinking of trying something different.

Good Job! It is most satifying when you get a great deal like you described. It is not all about the GCH it is about the experience you get/have and that you feel good about your stay.

Jack

 

[kyra's mommy]

Aww thanks Jack! I'm thrilled. Someday I'll try the buying points thing... probably for WDW though. I'll have to get all your advice on how that works.

 

[monami7]

Well I had to change my dates since my Uncle passed away and we are going to attend his memorial during Spring Break.

My husband and I decided to change our dates and go at the end of February for 5 days. I also decided to Priceline our hotel, which I do quite a bit but this is by far the best deal we have ever received. Now I know it's NOOOOO comparison to the GCH but for me it's a smart purchase. We got the 3* Holiday Inn Anaheim on Walnut st. for $38 a night/ $225 for our entire stay. I think I'm one of those people who loves getting a deal, it's more exciting then staying at the best hotel in town. I feel victorious and I know Suze Orman would be proud- haha.

Just thought I'd share and maybe inspire anyone thinking of trying something different.

No offense to Suze or to Kyra's mommy and just to say that we have stayed at CCI MANY times and it is just fine. However when sitting in the 3 inch thick lounge chairs out by the pool at DGC I these thaoughts could not be farther from my mind! LOL
It is all in what you are willing to pay for I guess. Maybe it would have been better to have never stayed at DGC!