Are DVC offering free points to use within a year after signing AKL

[angel659]

Hiya

I went on a DVC tour with friends in August. I was told that Disney were offering something like 320 points to use within a year. It would end in August. My dh is coming with me to the DVC tour to buy AKVillas. He loves the idea of it.

My dilemma is this.

If they are not offering the free points then I would book a 14 night stay with free dining in August. This has to be booked by November.

If they are still offering free points then I will book AK Villas in August instead.

Please help.

 

[Claire L]

I think it is now only single points ie if you buy 160 get 160 to use within a year, buy 200 get 200 to use within a year etc. But if you have already been on a DVC tour I am sure you have to commit within a set time to get the incentives, I may be wrong though.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

Just to add that incentives are changing quite rapidly, I got double developer points in July but it went to single in September and may end althogether at some point.

Claire

 

[wilma-bride]

Michelle, the other thing to consider is that if you buy in December, you will be only 8 months away from when you want to stay. It is a possibility that you may not be able to get the reservation you want at AKV, by the time you have closed on your purchase, as you will be near the 7-month mark when non-AKV owners can book also.

 

[Claire L]

Michelle, the other thing to consider is that if you buy in December, you will be only 8 months away from when you want to stay. It is a possibility that you may not be able to get the reservation you want at AKV, by the time you have closed on your purchase, as you will be near the 7-month mark when non-AKV owners can book also.

If you wanted to use developer points they can only be used at the 7 month window anyway.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

You also need to consider which use year fits in with your travel plans best. On your recent trips an June UY would be good but there may not be many left. Chances are you would get your 07 UY points which you could bank for 08 and use three sets of points in one go ie single developer points, 07 UY and 08 UY, so having a total of 480 pts to use for next August. I am sure you could get a 1 br savanna at 7 months, but you could always use the 07 and 08 points, work out how many you need over and above the developer point and book that portion before the 7 month window and then use all the developer points for the remainder.

Just checked and 2 weeks 1 br savanna view is 468 points!

Claire

 

[angel659]

Thanks Claire and Joh

We are planning to return in Oct 09. We were going to use 07 allocated points and 08 points. My dh was wondering if the developer points was worth while us doing this instead of free dining plan, because we want to go in Oct 09 as well.

 

[Claire L]

If you buy in December then it depends where your UY is a to if your 07 points would expire before your 09 visit, so if developer points were included it may work out better to use next year. Unless you were to rent out your 07 UY points.

Claire

 

[CarolAnnC]

I would recommend looking at the overall vacation needs you have rather than just basing the DVC purchase on one particular vacation.

It is a long term commitment, and you should make sure it meets your particular needs for the long term.

I will say, though, that if you frequently visit WDW for 14 days at a time, then that money spent could be going towards your DVC. Good luck in your decision!

 

[Claire L]

If you plan on buying and want the single developer points then why wait until you go back? The exchange rate is very good at the moment.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

I will say, though, that if you frequently visit WDW for 14 days at a time, then that money spent could be going towards your DVC. Good luck in your decision!

Thats why we bought in July as we then put our October accommodation money towards the DVC payment

Claire

 

[angel659]

My husband wants to see the apartments before hand. We are going anyway in December for our family trip. It sounds like it will be worth us going next year by using the single developer points, plus our 07 points? We would be asking for our dues to be paid in Feb. This allows to some time to save up for them after paying the deposit.

 

[Claire L]

My husband wants to see the apartments before hand. We are going anyway in December for our family trip. It sounds like it will be worth us going next year by using the single developer points, plus our 07 points? We would be asking for our dues to be paid in Feb. This allows to some time to save up for them after paying the deposit.

Dues are always due in January regardless of when or where you bought, although if put on a credit card that would allow you extra time to pay in. I also get the feeling Single Developer Points will no longer be on offer by December, so you may lose out, especially if you know you want to purchase.

Claire

 

[angel659]

Dues are always due in January regardless of when or where you bought, although if put on a credit card that would allow you extra time to pay in. I also get the feeling Single Developer Points will no longer be on offer by December, so you may lose out, especially if you know you want to purchase.

Claire

Thats my worry, which is why I am torn between booking free disney dining in Aug and then use 07 and 08 points for a two week stay in Oct 09.

 

[Claire L]

Thats my worry, which is why I am torn between booking free disney dining in Aug and then use 07 and 08 points for a two week stay in Oct 09.

Unless you get a December UY, there is no guarentee you will, then the 07 points will have expired by Oct 2009.

I would advise against a December UY for you as the majority of your holidays appear to be August to December and therefore a December UY would give you little flexability if you needed to change plans as you would need to bank points by I think July. A June UY would work best for your travel plans IMHO.

Claire

 

[wilma-bride]

Michelle, I really think your best bet would be to book the free dining for next year as you're obviously not completely sure what is going to work best for you.

The other alternative would be to do a comparison of costs. Get a quote for the free dining for the 5 of you, then calculate how much it would cost for you to do the trip and stay at DVC. Obviously, don't forget to factor in the cost of the dining plan on top for however long you're planning to stay at DVC.

Unfortunately, as DVC members, free dining is never something we're going to be offered so, if you think the all-inclusive type of plan suits your family's vacationing habits better then maybe DVC isn't right for you.

 

[angel659]

Michelle, I really think your best bet would be to book the free dining for next year as you're obviously not completely sure what is going to work best for you.

The other alternative would be to do a comparison of costs. Get a quote for the free dining for the 5 of you, then calculate how much it would cost for you to do the trip and stay at DVC. Obviously, don't forget to factor in the cost of the dining plan on top for however long you're planning to stay at DVC.

Unfortunately, as DVC members, free dining is never something we're going to be offered so, if you think the all-inclusive type of plan suits your family's vacationing habits better then maybe DVC isn't right for you.

Thanks Joh, but this free dining would be a one off because I am trying to get dh out there next year aswell. I thought the free dining would push him into saying yes.

We love disney and only want to stay on disney property. We will be going every other year until both my husband and I have finished our training. My daughter is 8 soon and she will be wanting her own room. DVC is our best option. We love idea and it will fit in with our needs. I am desperately trying to find a deal that is soooo good my dh wont be able to turn down. He is keen on disney as I am.

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks Joh, but this free dining would be a one off because I am trying to get dh out there next year aswell. I thought the free dining would push him into saying yes.

We love disney and only want to stay on disney property. We will be going every other year until both my husband and I have finished our training. My daughter is 8 soon and she will be wanting her own room. DVC is our best option. We love idea and it will fit in with our needs. I am desperately trying to find a deal that is soooo good my dh wont be able to turn down. He is keen on disney as I am.

Michelle, you need to do the same as I did - take him to Deb and Matt's house, ply him with beer, bring Kev, Tam, Tony and Theresa in on it, make him read all the literature, promise the Earth - and ta da

Seriously, if Gary can be persuaded, pretty much anyone can - he is so not into Disney at all and even he could see how much money it would save us (him) in the long run.

I know exactly what you mean about wanting to get him back there next year. I think you really need to separate out the free dining next year from any plans you have to buy DVC, though. Given that you won't be buying until December (at the earliest), I would make your plans for next year based on not being owners and then, if you do buy, you can look at plans for further ahead.

If DH wants any advice, needs persuading or just wants to talk it through with someone who has just taken the plunge, give me a shout

 

[angel659]

Some good advice Joh. Thank you.

I will have a chat with dh tonight and see what he wants to do. I know he has cleared the credit card for our December trip for the deposit. He has scheduled in a date when we will go and see the DVC in December. He also keeps looking at the points and working out how many points we will need as a family. He has said he wants to buy AK and perhaps have a week at AK and a week at BCV. He loves the idea of being so close to Epcot. Looks positive.

I think we worked out last night if we bought in December. Then we would be able to use 08 and borrow 09 points if we wanted to go next year. As both of us agreed October is the best time we like go we love halloween over there. We thought we use the DVC for Oct 09 and free dining for 08. That way we wont be borrowing any points.

To be completely honest with you I know Bruce will want to go next year at Animal Kingdom next year and not Port Orleans for free dining. He will love the rooms like Claire and I did. Which is why I dont want to book the free dining plan, when I know Bruce will love Animal Kingdom Villas. I hope this makes sense. I know what I mean, but for some reason I have writers block today. Cant quite put my words onto paper

 

[Claire L]

Don't forget of you do get 07 points, which is quite likely esp if you buy soon, you can bank them and use them with 08 points and still have 09 points to borrow if you need to for next October! Although I will say BCV is very popular during October and you really need to own there to be able to get a room.

Claire