50 pts or less contracts?

[dianeschlicht]

DH and I were talking about this thread last night, because after reading the "Dreams" book and talking bunches, we've decided to go forward with buying a small resale and starting from there.


And we realized that the BIGGEST "perk" that people who start more properly with 160 point is that they get to spend much MORE time, or in a much BIGGER place than we will! I mean, you own 160 somewhere, you get a week in a one bedroom in adventure season at OKW. We get 3 days! (and have a point leftover) Right there the 160 point owner is getting more than we are.


I will say, however, that when I found out you could pay cash for a cruise, BUT be recognized as a DVC member and get a little get-together and maybe some pins, we thought that was a nice little bonus! But we found that out AFTER looking into this.

The other unwritten perk in a normal sized contract is the ability to trade out. Not many of us utilize that, but it IS there if we want it. It might be interesting to do a poll here to find out the average number of points folks own here on the DIS. I'm going to guess the average among DIS/DVC board folks is going to be significantly higher than 160.

 

[ebenmax]

The other unwritten perk in a normal sized contract is the ability to trade out. Not many of us utilize that, but it IS there if we want it. It might be interesting to do a poll here to find out the average number of points folks own here on the DIS. I'm going to guess the average among DIS/DVC board folks is going to be significantly higher than 160.

A poll or thread was done awhile back because I remember being in shock and SO jealous of the amount of points people have on these boards. But I will keep dreaming. . .

Ellen

 

[Dean]

I'm not disagreeing that some people can use a small contract to get discounts on stuff they would have pruchased even without the discount, but I imagine for every person like you guys there are a few more who are buying things they wouldn't have just because of the discounts.

If Disney felt small contracts were hurting them they would do something about it. I just doubt that a) It is hurting them and b) they are going to do something about it.

I doubt there are small contract owners not getting a good value unless you count add ons against them. I think smaller contract owners squeeze every point more than almost anyone else. Plus the perks become a larger percentage of their benefit compared to their overall investment. But there's no doubt that there is only a smallish group of people that would come out if buying MOSTLY for the perks.

[Slight Topic Drift Warning] As far as giving more perks to Owners of more points I also doubt they would do that. Part of the Disney Magic is that once you enter their world they make everyone feel that they are treated equal - and I think that is a huge part of their success. Obviously, if you have a lot of money to spend on vacation Disney will make sure that there are plenty of outlets to spend it. What is important is that if you don't have much money to spend you are never made to feel like you are a second class guest. Nothing can ruin a magical vacation like being made to feel like an unloved stepdaughter.

Marriott gives multiple week owners an extra month plus to make reservations if they are concurrent or consecutive weeks. BG gives both a reservation advantage of either 1 or 2 months plus other cancellation and various benefits. I don't think we'll see anything from DVC along those lines but it wouldn't totally surprise me.

 

[Janet Hill]

As an owner of a small contract, I can say that yes I did purchase it in part for the perks (we do go to Disney about 3times a year). The discount on the APs for our family far exceeds our dues. Most of our trips to Disney are by trading in. We never travel peak season so this has not been a problem. I did not want the significant outlay (nor could I do it) for a large contract and I certainly would not even consider financing a vacation club purchase. To me one of the best perks is that if I want to book a direct stay, I can rent points and not a reservation (it much more convenient to cut out the middle person).