A couple of questions

[bookgirl2632]

Okay, it might be more than a couple.

We're looking to become DVC Members sometime in the next year. I've done all the research, so I think I know most of the ins and outs of it. Now I'm trying to figure in what our extra costs might be.

What do most DVC Members do? Do you purchase Annual Passes or not? I would think it would be beneficial, especially since you might be going twice in the same year or for lengthy stays. Not to mention the fact that it provides some discounts around the World.

Also, do you use the DDP or the DDE? I love the DDP and can't imagine not getting it. But I could see where using the DDE would be good on short trips. While the idea of a kitchen in the villas is appealing, I don't I'd use it for anything but breakfast or lunch. I like my TS meals too much!

I guess I'm just looking for some of your experiences about what works and what doesn't. Thanks for any feedback you can give me.

 

[drusba]

We own at BWV. We have APs. However, we have had them since long before DVC (I am one of those "Charter" members meaning we first bought them near the time APs first came into existence). We consider the AP ideal because (a) it is lower cost for us; (b) we go three times a year, and (c) it provides some discounts that are helpful, e.g., 30% off for golf including early tee times (DVC has a discount program but it applies to only after 10 am times), 10% off the Disney store in Downtown Disney.

We use DDE but not DDP. This results from our own cost analysis comparing the two based on what we usually do with dining; the DDE is more economical for our habits. You should do the same analysis because the cost difference really is not dependent on how long you stay. In about 11 years we have never cooked in the unit (we usually get a 2BR). We are more "hotel" type vacationers, relying on going out or room service. We also get daily maid service

 

[pilferk]

Okay, it might be more than a couple.

We're looking to become DVC Members sometime in the next year. I've done all the research, so I think I know most of the ins and outs of it. Now I'm trying to figure in what our extra costs might be.

What do most DVC Members do? Do you purchase Annual Passes or not? I would think it would be beneficial, especially since you might be going twice in the same year or for lengthy stays. Not to mention the fact that it provides some discounts around the World.

Also, do you use the DDP or the DDE? I love the DDP and can't imagine not getting it. But I could see where using the DDE would be good on short trips. While the idea of a kitchen in the villas is appealing, I don't I'd use it for anything but breakfast or lunch. I like my TS meals too much!

I guess I'm just looking for some of your experiences about what works and what doesn't. Thanks for any feedback you can give me.

The answer to all those questions is....it depends.

For ap's....if you're going to travel more than once a year, for a total of 7 days or more, it's better to do AP's. That's when the MYW with ONLY no expiration becomes VERY close to the DVC AP price...300 vs 334..add park hopping to the MYW and you're at 338.

In addition, the AP will get you the opportunity to buy the DDE card for another $65. Keep in mind, too, you only need ONE AP holder to get the DDE card (though that means that person has to be present at every meal).

If you tend to eat a TS EVERY day, and will even make limited use of the CS meals and snacks, DDP is a good deal. bicker (one of the dis regulars), somewhere, has a spreadsheet showing a good monetary breakdown. You can always pay OOP for the remainder (and if you have the DDE card...even better) of TS meals you decide to eat (lunches and breakfasts are cheaper than dinners). For us, on our upcoming first trip home, we're going with the DDE. But we plan to use our kitchen for a couple dinners, do limited CS, and will do breakfast in our room all but 2 days. Working the numbers, THIS trip the DDE, with it's 20% discount, is the better deal for US. You may want to sit down with the menus at allears.net and do the figuring to see which will work best for you (remember, DDP includes tax and tip...so figure that in...and DDE includes 20% off on EVERYTHING, including adult beverages).

 

[dianeschlicht]

We buy APs, and the DVC discount was a welcome thing for us. We have used both the DDP and DDE, and like the DDP when it is just the two of us, but have saved a lot with the DDE card when it involves a group. We have also successfully used both at the same time.

 

[mbhoxsie]

We don't get the APs because we only go to the parks once or twice a trip...

Since we spend a lot of our time at the resort, we also usually don't get the DDP..

 

[Jimbo]

In addition, the AP will get you the opportunity to buy the DDE card for another $65. Keep in mind, too, you only need ONE AP holder to get the DDE card (though that means that person has to be present at every meal).

Are you sure about that? When I purchased my DDE card, I had the only AP in our household. The CM that I was working with asked me if I wanted a second one for my wife, and I said sure. So we each had a card. This was 2 years ago, I think, so it may be obsolete info.

One other benefit of the AP is that you can visit a park for just a couple of hours and not feel like you've wasted a day. This works well for DVCers, I think. Since we visit WDW so frequently, we don't feel the need to spend long days in the park like we used to.

 

[pilferk]

Are you sure about that? When I purchased my DDE card, I had the only AP in our household. The CM that I was working with asked me if I wanted a second one for my wife, and I said sure. So we each had a card. This was 2 years ago, I think, so it may be obsolete info.

So I was told. They'll only issue the card in the name of the AP holder.

Has anyone heard otherwise, recently?

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Are you sure about that? When I purchased my DDE card, I had the only AP in our household. The CM that I was working with asked me if I wanted a second one for my wife, and I said sure. So we each had a card. This was 2 years ago, I think, so it may be obsolete info.

DDE used to provide a second card at no charge. As of last year (I think) the policy changed & a second card costs $25.