Basic purchasing info?

[Raya]

Is there a sticky somewhere that would have basic purchasing info?

Our situation is: 2 adults. We do a 2-3 night stay every October at a different resort. Every other year we go on a 'big trip' overseas. I'm trying to understand if I can just buy points (not at a specific resort) since we don't have a favorite. Also we'd prefer to stay at the main buildings rather than in an apartment style room. And it'd be great to get the skinny on how easy it is up convert points to ABD.

So maybe 4 stickies?

 

[chalee94]

Our situation is: 2 adults. We do a 2-3 night stay every October at a different resort. Every other year we go on a 'big trip' overseas. I'm trying to understand if I can just buy points (not at a specific resort) since we don't have a favorite.

no. DVC is a real estate interest in a particular property. if you own at SSR, you can book SSR at 11 months out but no other resort till 7 months out...and the same with all the other resorts. other resorts might be available at 7 months out, but they might not.

Also we'd prefer to stay at the main buildings rather than in an apartment style room.

it sounds like DVC is not for you. once there is a DVC resort attached to the main building, you cannot use DVC pts to book the main building. (you can use pts to book the BWV but not the BWI - for the BLT but not the contemporary.) this plan is not an option.

And it'd be great to get the skinny on how easy it is up convert points to ABD.

if you pay extra to buy directly from disney, you have the option to trade for ABD. but trading out of the DVC system is a pretty bad deal, usually.

a 5 night ABD trip to california will run 750 pts for 2 adults. an 8 night ABD trip to italy runs about 1400 pts for 2 adults.

 

[vicki_c]

if you pay extra to buy directly from disney, you have the option to trade for ABD. but trading out of the DVC system is a pretty bad deal, usually.

a 5 night ABD trip to california will run 750 pts for 2 adults. an 8 night ABD trip to italy runs about 1400 pts for 2 adults.

And just to put that in context, my family owns 160 points. That's how many we get per year and you could use 3 years at one time with careful planning (we never do that). So, I could never afford for my whole family to do an ABD trip using points, or even just me and my husband.

 

[Raya]

And just to put that in context, my family owns 160 points. That's how many we get per year and you could use 3 years at one time with careful planning (we never do that). So, I could never afford for my whole family to do an ABD trip using points, or even just me and my husband.

Thanks for the context! I'm still pretty confused by points. About how many points per night is a deluxe resort in value season? Or are there too many factors to figure that out? I guess a better question is, does your 160 Points get you a trip each year?

 

[chalee94]

Thanks for the context! I'm still pretty confused by points. About how many points per night is a deluxe resort in value season? Or are there too many factors to figure that out? I guess a better question is, does your 160 Points get you a trip each year?

here are the point charts:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/DVCpoints.shtml

160 pts might get you about 10 nights per year in a studio (like a hotel room) with a savanna view at AKV.

160 pts might get you about 9 nights per year in a studio with a lake view at BLT next to the MK.

if luxury means space and amenities, 160 pts might get you about 7 nights per year in a 1BR (1000 sq ft with a separate living area, full kitchen, washer/dryer and jacuzzi) at OKW.

(all are ballparks for lower cost seasons.)

 

[vicki_c]

Thanks for the context! I'm still pretty confused by points. About how many points per night is a deluxe resort in value season? Or are there too many factors to figure that out? I guess a better question is, does your 160 Points get you a trip each year?

Chalee already addressed it by giving you the charts link, but I will give you my specific current example:
I just reserved a studio (least # of points) at SSR (One of the lower point resorts) for the week before Easter 2014 (one of the highest points required times). It was 159 points. If we keep that, I would have 1 point left to bank into next year.

What we will most likely do though is switch to a 1 BR at Old Key West which will cost me about 2 years worth of points.

I agree though, based on what you posted, you don't sound like the best candidate for DVC.

 

[Raya]

I agree though, based on what you posted, you don't sound like the best candidate for DVC.

Yeah, I think you're probably right. It's too bad though, you guys get some nice perks!

 

[AmyB2006]

Yeah, I think you're probably right. It's too bad though, you guys get some nice perks!

???? We do? Enlighten me.

 

[Raya]

???? We do? Enlighten me.

Recognizing that everything I know might be 'sales talk' and not reality:
pool hopping
discounts on tickets
discounts on dining
information about new rides/events before it becomes available to the general public

 

[nalajms]

Recognizing that everything I know might be 'sales talk' and not reality:
pool hopping
discounts on tickets
discounts on dining
information about new rides/events before it becomes available to the general public

- Pool hopping is limited to certain pools at certain times (Stormalong Bay is not part of the list).
- Discounts on tickets - yes, slight discount on Mickey's Halloween & Christmas tickets, and annual passes. But not on other tickets.
- Discount on dining - some places DVC members get 10% off but it's mostly for lunch on weekdays
- Info - I get more from the boards than from DVC

 

[vicki_c]

Recognizing that everything I know might be 'sales talk' and not reality:
pool hopping
discounts on tickets
discounts on dining
information about new rides/events before it becomes available to the general public

Pool hopping, yes, within limits. My family has never bothered.
Reduced price APs only. Not tickets other than select nights at the hard ticket parties.
Dining, some places and some times. Generally like the AP dining discounts, not that great. I'm not sure I've ever used the DVC dining discount but we purchase a Tables in Wonderland card.
Information? No, I don't think we get that in advance.

 

[River Country]

 

[LisaS]

Yeah, I think you're probably right. It's too bad though, you guys get some nice perks!

Perks come and go so you should not purchase DVC for the perks.

When I joined DVC there was no discount on any park tickets. Then they created the DVC Member AP priced $100 less than a regular AP. Great! Just recently they made it an even better deal by offering it at $125 less than a regular AP. However that deal could be pulled at any time. It's not in the contract.

And to illustrate how quickly perks can disappear, DVC members used to get free valet parking. Then one day they pulled the perk with no advance notice. Members who parked their cars with valet the previous night were told they would be charged the following day because the perk no longer existed.