DCL Question

[DISNEY*lover]

Hello ladies and gents. I have a crazy question. For the DCL, is that all inclusive (meaning food, drinks, shows, etc. are free)?

I also noticed in fine print there's a $95 charge to reserve our stay. What's this for? That's kind of crazy dishing out thousands of dollars and we have to pay an additional $95/reservation.

 

[vicki_c]

The $95 fee is paid any time you use points and trade out to a non-DVC property -- so a Disney hotel that's not DVC, an RCI location or the cruise.

But on the cruise, most things are included except for tips and alcoholic beverages (and of course things like souvenirs, photos, excursions).

 

[Donna M]

You'll only pay that $95 if you use points for the trip.
The spa is also extra along with Palo, the signature restaurant.
Room service is free except for the tip.

 

[DISNEY*lover]

Thanks. I hope we get a little booklet of info in the mail after we book it. This first time planning as a DVC member is kind of confusing.

 

[vicki_c]

You really should do a comparison between paying cash for the cruise and renting out your points and see what makes the most sense.

Generally, you can rent your points for around $10 each. In most cases, doing that and using that rental income to pay for the cruise in cash is a better deal.

Cruising takes a ton of points! I just looked quickly and it looks like a 3 night cruise in the lowest level of stateroom available, in value season is 67 points per person. So for 2 people, you would be using almost 140 points for that 3 day cruise. I don't know the equivalent cash price for that same booking, but I'm guessing it's less than $1400.

So just make sure you know what you're doing before you book it (and the points shown in the points charts for the cruises are only for 1 person, not for a cabin). And don't forget to add the $95 that you originally asked about.

The best economical use of DVC points is stays in DVC resorts.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And don't forget that should you have to cancel that DCL trip that you booked on points, you can't use those points for anything other than another non-DVC Disney trip. They become reservation points and can only be used outside of DVC (and I think RCI).

 

[chepic]

Hello ladies and gents. I have a crazy question. For the DCL, is that all inclusive (meaning food, drinks, shows, etc. are free)?

I also noticed in fine print there's a $95 charge to reserve our stay. What's this for? That's kind of crazy dishing out thousands of dollars and we have to pay an additional $95/reservation.

FYI, you can bring alcohol on board with you. We brought our own vodka, used the soda fountain soda, and saved a bundle on the bar bill.

Cheryl