DCL on points?

[Olaf]

What's the draw here? It doesn't seem like all that great of deal when you look at the numbers.

DCL is always have special rates for various seasons, and there's always early booking. The FL resident rates are incredible, but of course those aren't available to everyone.

Granted, I haven't taken a really hard look at these numbers. Maybe I'm missing something?

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[familyfun86]

DVC offers special points for promotional periods as well. We are going in October in a family suite on the 7 day cruise for 488 points. In addition we are getting a $250 ship board credit. This was a better deal than our original plan of going for a 3 day cruise in february.

 

[TooExcited]

I agree. We are going on the fall special in November--family of 4 staying a deluxe stateroom w/Verandah for 396 points. We would never (or at least not so soon) have been able to take our family on such a nice vacation if we did not buy into DVC. I think it is a GREAT deal!!!

Oh yes, we are getting a $150 shipboard credit, too.

 

[Olaf]

Here's my problem with using points for cruises. The special is during the Fall, this is a slower time for DCL and they've always had pretty good special then.

May is a slower time too. They are currently running a special on the 7-night cruise for cruises between Apr 28 - May 19. These numbers are for Cat 11, but they normally offer discounts up to Cat 5. You would have to call and get those numbers. Adults can travel, two to a cabin for $899 (not including taxes), and children for $499.

Now if I were a DVC member and had booked ny cruise for May using 148 pts, per person and 78 for a child, I'd be a little ticked right now.

Maybe I'm missing something, but it doesn't seem like a great value to me. Time will tell. It will depend what kind of specials they come out with in August for the Fall cruises.

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[RobDoc]

As with many DVC programs, the best use of our points is usually at DVC resorts. Some of the Concierge Collection resorts do offer some reasonable values and the cruise does have some reasonable deals at times, but many of the programs are offered as an option..rather than a bargain.

It is up to us as members to decide which offerings are best suited to our needs. DVC does provide a medium to utilize our membership in a variety of ways. Not all are cheaper than paying cash (vs. using points which could be "spent" at a DVC resort), but they do create a choice. Choose wisely!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[Dean]

It will be unusual that using points at none DVC locations will be a reasonable option from a financial standpoint. In general, I consider anything that gives me less value than $8 pp to be not worth it unless the points are distressed. I've never PERSONALLY seen a CC, Disney Collection, DCL that would have met that criteria. That's not to say it doesn't happen, I'm sure it does. As noted, DCL will have cash specials for that time of the year as well. 396 points is $4000 and I suspect a family of four can secure the same reservation by cash for $3000 or less for the same time frame. The one thing about the special this fall is that the points costs are for a range of rooms, IT MAY BE that if you can get the top level rooms for the grouping, you may do much better compared to cash.

To be fair, there are those that want to buy DVC, use it for vactions PERIOD and never think about the cost again; that's ther prerogative. Also there may be times when there are points you can't bank or use. Or you may hit a holiday or special event where there would be no other specials. I don't know if most locations would block DVC during these times, I suspect come would and others not.

Dean

 

[Olaf]

The only reason I started this thread was to address the issue of the value of points on DCL. I'd seen several people, both here and on the Cruise Board, remark on the great deal they were getting from DVC on the "Set Sail" offer. I took a look because I was interested in cruising. I'm aware of the value of DVC on site properties compared to other venues.

When Disney advertises a special on their cruises, they typically state the lowest fair, ie. cat 11. They will also have special rates all the way up to Cat 5, they just cost more. You have to ask for these, they normally don't volunteer the info. You will not get these rates when seeking a quote online either.

We're interested in doing a cruise. I checked this morning. A Cat 6 Adult ticket with insurance on special will cost you $1502.75, child $548.75. You must book this rate by Mar 31. Points for May in those catagories will run you 203, and 78. We're FL residents, the current FL special for May is Cat 6 Adult $953.75, child 353.75, insurance included. That's a terrific rate, and I don't think it's fair that it's only available to FL residents, but that's a whole other topic.

My point is, if you're willing to wait, you can get a good deal on a cruise. Points for cruises, is rarely a "good deal." Especially in the off-season. The "Set Sail" offer really only makes DCL with points competitive. It's hard to make a good comparison at the moment. May is in a higher season for the cruises. Fall is low seaon, I expect the FAll special to be even better that this May special. But, I could be wrong.

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[familyfun86]

Dear Olaf

I agree with you that you probably could get a better deal with some research. That assumes that a person would have the 3-5K that would be needed to go. We are a family of 5 and are forced to go into a cat 5. We are spending 2 weeks this june at OKW and would not have had this kind of cash to go on the cruise too. We happened to have a bunch of points this year to use due to a new baby last year. Given that, I guess on what a family's particular situation is. I thought that I read somewhere on one of the boards of a member getting points refunded back after they had booked due to a subsequent special. Don't know all the details though.

 

[Towncrier]

I agree with Doc. The best use of points is at a DVC resort. But my wife would not agree to spending cash on a Disney cruise. I ended up convincing her that we could better spend the cash on a DVC resale and use the points for a cruise. In her mind, that was a much better route for us. She just loves telling her friends that we only spent $75 for our cruise (and 725 points!!!). But in her mind, the points are already paid for.

 

[Olaf]

Family Fun,

I wish I were in your position, i.e., points to burn. I can see where the cruise would be a good option for your family. We just signed, so I don't picture being there for quite some time.

Five people in a Cat 5. Even if number 5 is a baby, that's going to be cozy. You probably already know this, but the only difference between Cat 5 & 6 is the deck. They are the exact same room. I actually prefer to be lower, a little cheaper and less sway.

Steph
DL - 1966
DL - 1970
WDW - 1973 - Contemporary
WDW - 1975 - Day trip
DL - 1988 - Day trip
WDW - 1993 - CBR
WDW - 1995 - SOG
WDW - 1997 - SOG
WDW - 1999 - SOG
WDW - 2001 - SOG & PO

 

[familyfun86]

Dear Olaf:

Made a mistake earlier. we are staying in a family suite (cat 4). Yes Bringing 3 kids (11,5,1) when we go so it will be quite a zoo! No choice though, Disney says need to have a bed for everyone. We have stayed in a cat 10 previously and really found it to be comfortable ( Of course prior to the baby coming!). We are just lucky this year with our points. We didn't really travel much last year when we had the new baby so have a bunch of points to use. Not that I'm complaining that much since I have a chance at an extra treat this year!

 

[Minnie*Mouse]

After visiting the DCL board and this one, I found out that Fall Fantasy rates are out. I called MS and they credited us 68 points and gave us a $150. shipboard credit! So, given the $75. exchange fee, they are actually giving us $75.

I guess I think the same way as Towncrier's wife--we've paid the points...so it's just costing us $75., well not in this case!

 

[penguincruiser]

Sure I can probably get a better deal by looking around etc. But I look at it that I have the points, I've paid for them and I can use them for all sorts of things. This was also my reasoning when buying; I'm pre-paying my vacations and they can be anything DVC offers.

I'm not going to throw my points away, some of the concierge and even DLP I find very expensive but it's all relative.

Another thing that helps for me is the exchange rate, I don't have to worry about it for $75, but for $1750 it makes a difference

And of course I don't always have the cash to spend on the vacation, but I do have the points. Or the points will give me more than I would be willing to spend. If I did the cruise on cash it would be the cheapest cabin, now I'll spend the extra points for a verandah.

Just my 2 cents.

JJ Penguin

"The Bear Necessities of life will come to you"

'74 WDW offsite
'96 DLP Santa Fe
'96 WDW offsite
'98 WDW offsite
'98 DLP Sequoia Lodge
'99 WDW Dixie Landings, Wilderness Lodge
'99 DCL Disney Wonder
'00 DLP Newport Bay
'01 WDW first time DVC at Old Key West!