A/P cash discount at DVC resorts?

[Inkmahm]

I'm sending in my deposit today to become a DVC member at BWV.

In the meantime, I have a question about staying at the DVC resorts. If you pay cash rather than use points, is there ever a discount for annual pass holders similar to the discounts for the resort hotels? I think it is something like $133 discount per night at the Deluxe resort hotels, but does that AP discount also apply to DVC rooms? Specifically, I'll looking at the Wilderness Lodge in April.

 

[Chuck S]

AP cash discounts do often apply to DVC rooms, they must be booked through CRO, not member services. But, as always, CRO has limited DVC inventory and the AP discounts aren't always available.

Welcome to the DIS/DVC Boards!!

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks! I'm use to calling for hotel reservations but have never tried to book a DVC room before. If they have the discounts, are they about the same as the discounts for the deluxe resorts?

In other words, would I be better off trying to rent points from someone for an April trip to the Wildnerness Lodge rather than wait to see if there is an AP discount for the end of the month?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Thanks! I'm use to calling for hotel reservations but have never tried to book a DVC room before. If they have the discounts, are they about the same as the discounts for the deluxe resorts?

In other words, would I be better off trying to rent points from someone for an April trip to the Wildnerness Lodge rather than wait to see if there is an AP discount for the end of the month?

I've done this several times with both an AP discount on a room and a DVC Member discount on a DVC room. I find that the discount given to DVC members for the villas is a bigger savings than what you'd get on a villa as an AP holder.

You may want to talk to DVC MS first and see if you can get the discount in enough time after your closing. I'm not sure if you'd have closed on your contract in time, though.

Just a thought...you can always book with an AP discount when they come available (which may not be for several more weeks if you're looking at the end of April). And if your contract closes in time, call DVC MS to see if you can get the room at a better rate with the DVC discount and then cancel the other reservation.

 

[Inkmahm]

Okay, I'm REALLY a newbie to all of this DVC stuff. I didn't even realize DVC members GOT a discount on DVC rooms if paying cash.

We should close by the end of March. I plan to buy the AP then using the DVC discount. I have a reservation at Wilderness Lodge for April 28-May 2 already with a AAA discount, but that's only 10%! Is there someplace that tells me what the DVC discount is on DVC rooms? I'd like to look up the DVC discount for paying cash for a studio at the WL.

Thanks for all your help! I think I'm going to like it here.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Okay, I'm REALLY a newbie to all of this DVC stuff. I didn't even realize DVC members GOT a discount on DVC rooms if paying cash.

We should close by the end of March. I plan to buy the AP then using the DVC discount. I have a reservation at Wilderness Lodge for April 28-May 2 already with a AAA discount, but that's only 10%! Is there someplace that tells me what the DVC discount is on DVC rooms? I'd like to look up the DVC discount for paying cash for a studio at the WL.

Thanks for all your help! I think I'm going to like it here.

Here's a sample of a discount you can possibly get:
We wanted a studio at BCV for two nights this August. I called and got:

$340.08/night rack rate
$229/night with DVC member discount
$111.08/night savings

Now mind you, we originally wanted a VWL studio but they didn't have studios available for that time period with the discount.

SINCE our original reservation we've called back and changed our reservation to four nights in a 1BR and we lucked out with being able to get VWL with a discount.


$446.00/night rack rate
$300/night with DVC member discount
$146.00/night savings

I hope this helps!
and btw...WELCOME!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Your closing seems far out, are you buying a resale? If you are buying through Disney, talk to your vacation guide, he/she may be able to secure your cash reservation through MS pending your closing.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for all the info.

Yes, it is a resale and I'm doing it through The Timeshare Store (which is how I got here...) It's 150 points at BWV starting in October. I have another trip to plan for December where I can use those points. In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out the better discounts available for the April trip I already have the WL resort reservation for.

It sounds like the DVC member discounts are pretty good at the DVC sites- an unexpected benefit of being a member! I'm thinking if the rate is about $230 per night for cash with the DVC discount for the studio, then it is not much different for the 4 nights vs. renting the 91 points needed at $10 each- $920 vs. $910.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

It sounds like the DVC member discounts are pretty good at the DVC sites- an unexpected benefit of being a member! I'm thinking if the rate is about $230 per night for cash with the DVC discount for the studio, then it is not much different for the 4 nights vs. renting the 91 points needed at $10 each- $920 vs. $910.

It would be less risk involved compared to point rental -- unless of course you really know the DVC member you're renting from.

Best of luck to you!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Please keep in mind that DVC member cash discounted rooms are quite limited and not always available. DVC only makes them available if it determines that not all of the rooms will be reserved by members using points. DVC does not announce availability - you have to call and ask. The discounts seem to be more available on Friday and Saturday nights than they are for Sunday through Thursday nights.

The cash discounts (when available) are 25% off rack rate and are only available at the DVC resorts. The member must be staying in the room to get the discount - you cannot reserve a cash discounted room for someone else.

Best wishes -

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks! That 25% off info helps me quite a bit.

My reservation is for a Fri, Sat, Sun and Monday night so maybe I'd have a good shot at getting the discount.

 

[vbarry]

Can you get an AP discount if you are not a DCV member and who do you call to try and do this??

Is it better to just rent points or make the reservation and try to use the AP like we do with the resorts???

 

[CarolMN]

Can you get an AP discount if you are not a DCV member and who do you call to try and do this??

Anyone who wants an AP discounted room at one of the DVC resorts has to book through CRO/WDWTC, even DVC members. In my experience, there are not many AP discounted rooms available for the DVC resorts - except SSR (because it isn't sold out yet and the Developer rents out unsold rooms for cash). If you combine a cash (booked via CRO/WDWTC) reservation with a points reservation, you may have to change rooms. At a minimum, you will have to check out and back in again. If the discount is large enough, it may be worth it to you.

Is it better to just rent points or make the reservation and try to use the AP like we do with the resorts???

You'd have to do the math for your situation - depends on when you go, how much the rental costs vs the size of the discount. Some people also factor in the fact that CRO cash reservations get daily housekeeping and DVC points reservations do not and that CRO reservations are less risky and have more favorable cancellation policies than do the private rentals from DVC members.

Best wishes -

 

[WithFaith50]

Here are some sample member discounted rates for BWV:

With 25% DVC member discount
Boardwalk Villas (add 11.5% tax)


Value Regular Peak Holiday
Studio $229 $259 $311 $356
1-Bedroom Villa $308 $349 $405 $454
2-Bedroom Villa $431 $559 $709 $803
3-Bedroom Grand Villa $1,046 $1,196 $1,343 $1,515

2006 Seasons
Value Season: 1/1 - 2/15, 7/5 - 10/4, 11/26 - 12/19
Regular Season: 4/23 - 7/4, 10/5 - 11/25
Peak Season: 2/16 - 4/22
Holiday Season: 12/20 - 12/31

 

[Judique]

Okay, I'm REALLY a newbie to all of this DVC stuff. I didn't even realize DVC members GOT a discount on DVC rooms if paying cash.

We should close by the end of March. I plan to buy the AP then using the DVC discount. I have a reservation at Wilderness Lodge for April 28-May 2 already with a AAA discount, but that's only 10%! Is there someplace that tells me what the DVC discount is on DVC rooms? I'd like to look up the DVC discount for paying cash for a studio at the WL.

Thanks for all your help! I think I'm going to like it here.

If there is a DVC discount available on a DVC room, it is 25% of the rack rate.

So far, AP rates are not out for the end of April. They are only available in a limited amount on some properties until April 8th. When you purchase your AP or your AP voucher if you get one before going to WDW, you can check online for AP rates at the Disney site. They allow you to enter the numbers on your AP and shop for discounted rooms. I'm busy watching for AP rates for after April 8th right now, as I am looking to extend my vacation beyond the points I have available as well. Enjoy and welcome home - soon!

 

[circhead]

I've been a dvc member for 5 years now and never realized that there were discounts offered to dvc members on the dvc resorts. Would you have to book it through ms or cr. I'm about to kick myself because I've always either shortened my trip or moved to another resort because I didn't realize this was a benefit.

 

[DebbieB]

I've been a dvc member for 5 years now and never realized that there were discounts offered to dvc members on the dvc resorts. Would you have to book it through ms or cr. I'm about to kick myself because I've always either shortened my trip or moved to another resort because I didn't realize this was a benefit.

If you want the 25% member discount, you have to book through MS. Keep in mind it's not always available.

 

[circhead]

Thanks for the info. I very much appreciate it.