Are there always incentives?

[CarltonFamily5]

Hi guys...

From your experience, are there always some sort of incentives going on? We're looking to buy in at BLT and cant decide if we should go ahead and purchase before the current incentives expire 3/28 (confirmed by my guide this morning) or if we should hold out and see if something better comes along after these expire.

We aren't planning on vacationing again til late this year at the earliest and more likely not until next year so we do have time but I just wondered what your thoughts were on the current incentives.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts,
Robin

 

[Sandisw]

I think that Disney will always offer incentives. The big question is whether or not the new one will work out better or worse for your specific situation.

For some, the cruise incentive was a big plus for some but the developer points worked for me (which I was still able to get even though the cruise was being offered).

I don't think you need to worry about BLT selling out in the next year. The only thing you have to remember is that reservations start 11 months out for members and at 7 months out for non-members.

Depending on when you are planning a trip, you want to be sure you don't buy and then find out there is no availability for your time period. You may want to consider that when timing your purchase.

The other piece to remember is that points for BLT are being offered in 2009. Depending on the UY you are picking and when you buy, you could end up with both incentive points and current points.

For example, if you wait and buy in July 2009 and chose a February UY, you would not only be given your BLT 2009 points (which you could bank) but would also qualify for incentives. Then in February 2010, you would get the next allotment. If your trip next year falls after February, you would have two years of points to use.

Just something to think about!

 

[CarltonFamily5]

Thanks Sandi! Great things to think about!

 

[WelovMickey!]

I think that Disney will always offer incentives. The big question is whether or not the new one will work out better or worse for your specific situation.

For some, the cruise incentive was a big plus for some but the developer points worked for me (which I was still able to get even though the cruise was being offered).

I don't think you need to worry about BLT selling out in the next year. The only thing you have to remember is that reservations start 11 months out for members and at 7 months out for non-members.

Depending on when you are planning a trip, you want to be sure you don't buy and then find out there is no availability for your time period. You may want to consider that when timing your purchase.

The other piece to remember is that points for BLT are being offered in 2009. Depending on the UY you are picking and when you buy, you could end up with both incentive points and current points.

For example, if you wait and buy in July 2009 and chose a February UY, you would not only be given your BLT 2009 points (which you could bank) but would also qualify for incentives. Then in February 2010, you would get the next allotment. If your trip next year falls after February, you would have two years of points to use.

Just something to think about!

Ok I have to go slow, excuse me So your saying if I buy in July I can choose the UY Feb. Get those points for this year and get new points in Feb. 2010 even if we bought in July?

 

[Sandisw]

Ok I have to go slow, excuse me So your saying if I buy in July I can choose the UY Feb. Get those points for this year and get new points in Feb. 2010 even if we bought in July?

Yes, if they have the Feb UY still available. You can ask them for whatever UY fits your needs.

I will say that most of the sales that people have done so far (according to my guide) have been for February UY so at some point, those won't be available. But they sell other UY's as well such as March.

I really don't think that they will run out of points for some of those Winter UY's anytime soon.

It would work the same way right now for AKL. If you bought points now and wanted to have a Fall UY (ie: September, October), you would get 08 points--since we are in that UY right now, and then get your 09 points when it happens.

That is why some say, when adding on, you benefit from adding on around 8 months into your UY--you get the current points, bank them, and then your new ones come 4 months later. As I said, Disney has to have the points still available (since they only sell so many in a UY) but if they want to make a sale, and have those points, they will give it to you.

 

[WelovMickey!]

It would work the same way right now for AKL. If you bought points now and wanted to have a Fall UY (ie: September, October), you would get 08 points--since we are in that UY right now, and then get your 09 points when it happens.

Thats it! I am sold. I have been betting around the bush for 2 and a half years now for DVC! I can't stand it any longer

 

[Uferlives]

Sandisw (or anyone who understands this), can you elaborate on your point regarding Use Year? I'm trying to better understand this "two-for-one" concept. Would it apply right now, or would I need to wait until July to purchase at BLT? In other words, could I buy an add-on at BLT right now, in March, request a February UY, and get Feb. 2009 points assigned and then get my points allotment again in February 2010, and at the same time get the current cruise incentive that they are offering. I am not trying to be obtuse, but why would I NOT do that. Do I get to pick my UY, or does DVC assign it? If the downside is that I would pay dues on these points for both 2009 and 2010 that is fine-- bring it on. I'll trade dues for points any time (and do every year on my current BCV). If the downside is that my contract will expire in 2049 instead of 2050 (or whatever-- not sure how long the BLT property interests run), again, bring it on. Anyway, can you help me out of my muddled and confused state? Much appreciated.

 

[Sandisw]

Sandisw (or anyone who understands this), can you elaborate on your point regarding Use Year? I'm trying to better understand this "two-for-one" concept. Would it apply right now, or would I need to wait until July to purchase at BLT? In other words, could I buy an add-on at BLT right now, in March, request a February UY, and get Feb. 2009 points assigned and then get my points allotment again in February 2010, and at the same time get the current cruise incentive that they are offering. I am not trying to be obtuse, but why would I NOT do that. Do I get to pick my UY, or does DVC assign it? If the downside is that I would pay dues on these points for both 2009 and 2010 that is fine-- bring it on. I'll trade dues for points any time (and do every year on my current BCV). If the downside is that my contract will expire in 2049 instead of 2050 (or whatever-- not sure how long the BLT property interests run), again, bring it on. Anyway, can you help me out of my muddled and confused state? Much appreciated.

Yes, BLT is giving 2009 points. So, when you buy this year, you will get 2009 points. If they are still selling February UY, then you would get those points (to be used after BLT opens in August), you would get the incentive that goes along with the number of points you buy (right now, the cruise or developer points with a member referral), and you would get your points in 2010. Also, since BLT does not open until August, you will only pay dues from August - December for 2009, if your UY is before August. If you choose a UY after August, then you only pay for the months that you have their points (ie: October UY would only pay MF for BLT in 2009 for 3 months since they don't get the points for BLT until October).

When you call Disney, you can ask for whatever UY you think is going to be best for you. If Disney has points available for that UY, they will let you buy them. They do not tell you which ones you have to buy but there is a limit in how many points Disney will sell for each UY.

The contracts expire in 2060 for BLT. I am not sure if that means that the last set of points will be given in 2060, or in 2059. Regardless, everyone will get their last years points and they will be good for a year from that date.

Hope this helps!

 

[KS_Girl247]

I think they offer them pretty often its just a matter of which one you want to take advantage of. Good luck with the decision.

 

[Howdy Doodat]

related question -- are the deals they offer any better if you go take the tour than they would offer over the phone? i think i've seen enough pictures, and don't really want to take an afternoon out of my vacation to go take a tour.

 

[sshd]

To the best of my knowledge the offers are the same, in person or over the phone. If you know what the current offers are, which you can find on this board well spelled out, have those in hand when you call. If they don't offer it, ask about it.

 

[WelovMickey!]

related question -- are the deals they offer any better if you go take the tour than they would offer over the phone? i think i've seen enough pictures, and don't really want to take an afternoon out of my vacation to go take a tour.

We felt the same way too but when they offered a $25 a gift card for everyone in our group that went (including our children) on the tour. It was worth the time. You get paid to go! That was in 2007. I think they are giving more then $25 now. 2 years later we are owners of the fabulous Bay Lake Tower!!! Oh and it doesn't really take that long maybe 1 1/2 - 2 hrs if I remember correctly.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was just talking with a DVC guide on Monday, and he said that the incentives (for all three...AK, BLT, and GCV) expire on the 25th, unlike what the OP's guides said...

 

[hopare]

I just spoke with our guide and he said the current incentives expire on the 28th. He also said that if we get the paperwork and "conveniently hold onto" it to see the new incentives that would not be a problem. They will still honor the cruise because we started paperwork before the 28 or if we decide to chage to the newer incentives that would be fine also. he said it is not unusual for people to hold onto the paperwork for a few weeks. And we can cancel at no cost. So I got the paperwork rolling.....