AP Promo at Disneyland

[nunzia]

My friend just got back from DLR and went through the DVC presentation.
She was told that if she purchased with 48 hours (they were offereing SSR), they would get Premium Annual passes at DLR for a year after first use, and either $1,600 off or 160 extra points to use first year. Then if you bought within 72 hours you would only get the $1,600 or 160 points. They got a $100 gift card for their time. (wonder if they'll let me go to the presentation even though I'll be a member through resale by then..probably not..) There was also mention of the Founders Program, which give those people the right to purchase DGC 2 months early.
Anyway, the DVC gal didn't seem to really talk up the DGC villas. She did point out the only benefit to owning at a particular resort was the 11 month window (big benefit IMO). She did not give any indication when the DGC would go on sale, and the only suggestion of points value was that it 'probably' would be comparable to AKV (I wonder if that means different points for different views..probably). She did seem to think that the annual dues would be high, since property taxes in Orange County CA were so high.
My friend brought back the little perks books for me from both resorts and 10% looks pretty standard on almost everything which basically covers tax. (discount on up to party of 8)
I think that's about it. My friend and her husband decided not to buy in, which I thought was odd since she goes to DLR as least once a year and has for at least 10-15 years. She doesn't like WDW..we are both trying to figure out why so many people love it.

 

[Chuck S]

She doesn't like WDW..we are both trying to figure out why so many people love it.

Thanks for the info on the purchase offers at DL. As to why folks love WDW...I grew up in the greater LA area, and DL was (and is) a special place. in fact , I remember when DL was closed on Mondays and Tuesday in the winter. It is more "intimate" than WDW simply because of its size. I also like Cal Adv, but it needs to expand.

But, living in TX now, where I am basically 1/2 way between both parks, I do see the attraction for WDW. In CA, you have other nearby venues that offer much of what WDW (as a whole) offers. You have the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park instead of Animal Kingdom. The Sea Worlds are comparable to each other, as are the Universals (although I think CA wins). But with WDW you get the best parts of all those SoCal attractions in one location in the 4 Disney parks, without having to drive all over...and Disney Transportation to and from each park.

For DL, you fly into one of several airports, (Long Beach, John Wayne, LAX, Burbank, Ontario) then rent a car, and drive from Universal City to San Diego to get all that WDW offers. In Orlando, you fly into the airport, and not Disney provides free shuttle busses to the resorts, too. Then throw in EPCOT as an added bonus, as there is nowhere in SoCal that I know of that has a World Showcase type thing.

 

[drag n' fly]

Wow when we bought AKV in November in DL we got zip zero no pressure whatsoever for timelines etc. It was all casual no pressure. We got lots of GCV Villa info.
We bought 225 points at AKV, and received 2 free annual passes to WDW or DL, 8 bucks off a point, 160 developer points, 100.00 gift card.
We are on the list to add on however customer service better significantly improve at GC before they are open for selling or we are holding out for Hawaii. We prefer DL for the park experience (no buses) and WDW for the resort experience.

 

[50 years Too!]

Wow when we bought AKV in November in DL we got zip zero no pressure whatsoever for timelines etc. It was all casual no pressure. We got lots of GCV Villa info.
We bought 225 points at AKV, and received 2 free annual passes to WDW or DL, 8 bucks off a point, 160 developer points, 100.00 gift card.
We are on the list to add on however customer service better significantly improve at GC before they are open for selling or we are holding out for Hawaii. We prefer DL for the park experience (no buses) and WDW for the resort experience.

I think this sums it up perfectly: DL for the park experience, and WDW for the resort experience.
I much prefer WDW because I love the total experience, not just the parks.
We took my nieces to WDW and they kept saying how much better DL is!
I know that they were comparing MK and DL.

 

[dwelty]

She did seem to think that the annual dues would be high, since property taxes in Orange County CA were so high.

I live in Southern California. The property tax rate here is actually lower than many other states. Like other states it is a percentage of the value of the property. So the reason the taxes are higher in Orange County California than Orange County Florida, is simply because the property is worth more. However, property tax is such a small part of annual dues that I do not think this will be a major factor at GCH. Additionally, Transportation, a large line item in your annual dues at WDW, (much higher in fact than property taxes) will be almost non existent in California since you can walk to both parks from the resort. Property insurace is also lower overall becaues there are no risks of Hurricanes here. Yes we have earthquakes, but due to stringent building codes here, modern structures (built since 1979) historically sustain minimal damage in even major quakes. Salaries are higher at the Disneyland Resort, so they will affect dues. I think all and all annual dues will be similar to the resorts at WDW.