Any other DVC members have code withdrawl?

[SamSam]

jacksmom, go to http://www.mousesavers.com/index.html, she lists all the latest codes and the costs per night at each resort.
You can also check on the DIS Resort forum. Good luck!

 

[Terry S]

The codes are available right her on the DIS. Here is the link. http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/code1.htm You can call WDW at 407-WDISNEY. The codes are not always around, this year has been unusual.

 

[erikthewise]

Tee--hee! That's why we joined at near-minimum points -- so we could still have the joy of using an occasional code! Besides there are so many of the other resorts we haven't tried yet, it would be a shame to give them up entirely!

So we're spending 5 days at BCV, and a couple days at AKL using a code! Best of both worlds.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Codes shmodes!!!

I'll take planning with points any time!

 

[Lesley]

As much as I'd love to have enough points to stay at DVC whenever I want and to use points for Disney Collection resorts....well, we have 200 points. That's it for the time being (though in the future we plan to double that....at least!) We bought thinking that we'd alternate studio stays with 1br stays...and now we've decided we'd like to do more 1br and 2br stays!

We like the other resorts, even though living without a full kitchen gets difficult once spoiled by DVC. We had planned to stay at the Polynesian for a few nights in December and were waiting to get a good rate....so I booked it yesterday at $179! Same rate I got in 2000 with a postcard. We're going to MVMCP one of the nights we'll be there, so the convenience can't be beat! And we've decided to try the luau too!

Though codes/discount rates aren't the be all, end all like they used to be for us....we appreciate them. Our rule is "never pay rack rate". And as erikthewise has said....there are so many other resorts to try! I think that Dec. will be our first trip where we won't be trying out a new resort!

Oh and btw..I was told AP rates for that time come out on Sunday...but the code rate was better! Great cm at CRO worked hard for me yesterday!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't get it.

If code rates are a better deal than points, why do people buy DVC? After all, there are always codes if you are patient.

When my wife and I bought DVC, we figured everything we wanted to do (cruise, Poly Concierge, VB, VWL 2br, ect...), and planned enough points to do this twice a year. We then compared this price to our average PAP rate we get at The Poly, and DVC came out ahead.

I highly doubt we will do anything "cash" again.

That being said, we did not buy DVC for price, but rather lifestyle.

 

[erikthewise]

Codes are generally a better deal than points on non-DVC resorts. If you never want to stay at non-DVC resorts, or you're not interested in using your points efficiently (lifestyle not price, or enough points you don't need to worry about it), then you don't need to worry about codes.

As to why people buy DVC rather than just using codes, I think the short answers are
-- They want to stay in DVC resorts! Codes are not better here.
-- DVC membership pays for itself after a certain number of years.
-- Resort rates, even with codes, will continue to increase.
I bought DVC for these reasons in spite of being a big code fan.

What follows is directed at those who DO sometimes want to stay at non-DVC resorts, and ARE interested in using points efficiently. Others can ignore it.

If you examine the 2002 point charts for non-DVC WDW resorts, the weekday points are a pretty good match for rack rates if points are valued at $10 each. I know not everyone agrees with this valuation but the match is too good for coincidence; I think DVC must have had it in mind when making the charts. (I know that DVC seasons do not exactly match resort seasons and this muddies the issue somewhat.)

This means that if rates well below rack rates are available, cash is the better option. What do I mean by this? Let's look at an example.

If one stays at the Polynesian resort Garden View in Value/Adventure season, the rack rate is $299 + 11% tax = $331.89. It requires 31 points (weekdays), and this comparison yields a value of $10.71 per point. Not bad.

But suppose that instead you compare to a code rate of $179 + 11% tax = $198.69. This comparison yields a value of $6.41 per point. Most of us like to think our points are worth more than that, so you may want to pay cash in this situation and save your points until you can get a better value for them, e.g. when staying at a DVC resort.

Weekends are even worse, as the same room requires 56 points, so comparison to rack rate yields $5.93 per point, and comparison to code rate yields $3.55 per point, perhaps not even covering annual fees.

 

[colleen costello]

Hey Terry! I am "official" now -- I can post, so here goes.

We used points to stay at BCV July 1-4, then OKW July 4-8. I couldn't use points any earlier than that as BCV wasn't open for business. I was half packed by May and ultimately convinced DH to leave a day early. I "shopped around" and found a code for Coronado Springs. We enjoyed a night there for $114 (no view guaranteed but we lucked into a great view of a quiet pool) and had a lovely evening together before the "real vacation" began.

Coronado Springs was really nice, but since I had never been there before, I might never have tried it but for the "sale." I also would not "waste" points on an extra night -- it doesn't seem worth it when you can get a room at such a good rate. My goal is to spend MORE time with Mickey, not save money. I want to get all the value I can out of my points, so I think "add-ons" like ours are a good idea!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by erikthewise

...If one stays at the Polynesian resort Garden View in Value/Adventure season, the rack rate is $299 + 11% tax = $331.89. It requires 31 points (weekdays), and this comparison yields a value of $10.71 per point. Not bad.

But suppose that instead you compare to a code rate of $179 + 11% tax = $198.69. This comparison yields a value of $6.41 per point. Most of us like to think our points are worth more than that, so you may want to pay cash in this situation and save your points until you can get a better value for them, e.g. when staying at a DVC resort...

Erik, I completely understand your thought process. I suppose the difference in opinion is, as you said, I put a different value on points. I figure approx $5.55/point. This is point cost divided by 40, plus the cost of todays annual fees.

I just booked three days Poly Concierge for 190 points. One night was a weekend. This would be the average equivelent of $351.50/night (including the weekend night). It should be noted that this has NO TAX! With the tax taken out, this would be a room rate of $316.67 for Poly Concierge. The cost of just weekdays, would be the equivelent of $250/night.

I think this is a good rate for Poly Concierge. JMO!

 

[colleen costello]

Hi guys. I am trying to see if my new icon is appearing... bear wiht me!

 

[Jacksmom99]

Thanks for the links and info everyone. I think that I would only take advantage of codes for a good deal on a weekend night or for a special occaision. We go down on our anniversary every year and usually have at least one grandparent with us. DH and I are planning to sneak away for one night by ourselves next year He really wants to stay in the Contempory Tower so I'll keep an eye on the codes when they come out for next summer. Other than that I could never part with my DVC stays. I love them!!!!!

 

[Terry S]

Hi Again Colleen and welcome to the DIS!