DDP and DVC question

[ChipnDaleRule]

Just a quick question,if we were to buy points for DVC are we entitled to the free dining option thats currently running when booking?
And can someone point me in the direction of discounts available to DVC owners.
Thank you DISers

 

[smcabee]

DVC and Free dining do not go together. You must purchase a non-discounted cash reservation to get free dining. You can add the dining plan for the current price to an existing DVC stay on points. As far as perks go, they are listed on the members website, not sure if they are out in the wild on the internet. I would imagine that any lists that may be out there are outdated anyway as the perks and discounts change from time to time.

 

[vicki_c]

The biggest perk that exists right now is $100 off on an AP.

 

[Lynne M]

Don't consider discounts when deciding whether or not to buy in. There are none in the contract, they're more or less given at the whim of some third party.....Disney Parks, various shops and restaurants, etc. They come and go all the time. That AP discount could disappear the day after you buy.

Your DVC contract gives you the right to stay in your home resort, subject to availability. That's what you're buying. Anything else is subject to change.

Stays on DVC points are not eligible for any of the CRO/WDTC discounts like free dining, 4/3 deals, etc.

 

[TisBit]

As already mentioned, there is no free dining with DVC, just like you cannot combine a discount room code with free dining.....DVC is seperate booking, so unless you do a cash room, don't expect any further discounts with DVC.

As with perks, there are a number of restaurants that may offer 10-20% off on lunch or dinner, the AP discount, etc. I am sure you could probably find the list of discounts/perks with a google search, but again, as mentioned don't use these to decide about DVC. All discounts/perks are subject to change or elimination, while it is unlikely they would eliminate all perks, they will most likely change over time. You should consider only the room costs to determine if membership is good for you and be willing for anything else to change.

 

[TDC Nala]

Sorry, no free dining for DVC.

Free dining isn't a reward for frequent guests, it's a carrot on the stick to convince guests to book full-price rooms with park tickets in traditionally low-occupancy periods. They're trying to pull in people who wouldn't ordinarily go to WDW. That doesn't fit DVC members.

If occupancy picks back up, there won't be so many free dining offers. The ones they're doing now have already been altered so they're not AS good a deal as they were. (The OP, being British, should also consider that the free dining offers for British guests are in some ways more extensive than those for US guests, but if occupancy picks back up who knows what the fate of those will be)

 

[palaemon]

The biggest perk that exists right now is $100 off on an AP.

Actually (at least for me) the biggest perk is free high speed Internet.

I can get an annual pass and stay 14 nights. I've saved $100 off the price of an annual pass.

If I stay 14 nights, I save $140 on Internet.

 

[Greysword]

Who needs free dining when we have a full kitchen! Plus if you act now, we'll even throw in a full sized washer and dryer! <cue The Price is Right music>

Restaurants are crowded and underwhelming, especially when visited frequently. Being able to relax, make a quick meal while relaxing in the villa, and having a full meal with friends and/or family at our pace makes the kitchen much more enticing than the DDP. Besides, it saves us money!!

Please keep in mind that the overall mentality (I think) of DVC owners is take things at WDW at a more lieisurly pace; because, you'll be back...guaranteed. Being able to fix a nice breakfast (or a quick bagel and juice), pack a bunch of snacks and old water for the day, return for a nice lunch and nap/swim/TV/internet break, fix a nice dinner, then head back ito the park is my family's favorite part of DVC.

Although outdated (last year), this website has a list of perks:

http://www.arondaparks.com/DVC Perks.htm

I think pool hopping is an under-utilized perk DVC members have that CRO guests do not.

- Chris

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Who needs free dining when we have a full kitchen! Plus if you act now, we'll even throw in a full sized washer and dryer! <cue The Price is Right music>

For me personally, DDP takes all the pressure off me on the holiday.I cook EVERY day at home.After doing DP the last three trips i would find it hard no t to.

I did not know that about pool hopping.Very interesting.Does that include Stormalong Bay?

 

[DenLo]

I did not know that about pool hopping.Very interesting.Does that include Stormalong Bay?

No, SAB is excluded from pool hopping, same for the pools at BLT and AKV/AKL.

Here's a copy of the Pool Hopping Rules:


DVC Member Website - April 15, 2010
http://dvc.disney.go.com/dvc/member/perk/memberPerkDetail?id=MemberPerkDisneyPoolHoppingDetailPage Note: Link requires login to MS website.

Pool Hopping Information
Whenever you are staying on your Membership at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, Disney's Old Key West Resort, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney's Vero Beach Resort, or The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, you and any Guests staying with you, are permitted to use most of the other Disney Vacation Club and Walt Disney World® Resort hotel pools (in addition to the pool at the resort hotel at which you are staying) if they are not at capacity. If the pool you are visiting reaches capacity, you may be asked to leave in order to accommodate Guests of that resort hotel. Please check with a Host or Hostess at the Front Desk of the resort hotel you wish to visit before you go to find out about pool-access availability. You must present your current "Key to the World" card with your "DVC Member" designation on it to use the other resort hotel pools.


Pool hopping is not available at Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Uzima Pool and Samawati Springs Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and the leisure pool at Disney's Beach Club Villas. There are no exceptions to this policy. As a reminder, during times of high occupancy, please be mindful of the limited number of pool chairs available, and refrain from leaving towels or personal items on unoccupied pool chairs.


Resort hotel pools may become unavailable from time to time due to capacity limitations. Due to the high occupancy that is expected, Disney Vacation Club Members and any Guests staying with them may not pool hop during the following dates*:


February 14-20, 2010 (Sun – Sat)
March 27 – April 10, 2010 (Sun – Sat)
May 28 – 31, 2010 (Fri – Mon)
June 27 – July 5 (Sun – Mon)
Sept 3 – 6, 2010 (Fri – Mon)
Nov 22 – 28, 2010 (Mon – Sun)
Dec 12, 2010 – Jan 2, 2011 (Sun – Mon)


*Other restricted dates may be added based on projected pool capacity

 

[AlwaysDreamofDisney]

Unfortnuately, you can't get the free DDP as other have stated.

Keep in mind if you are NOT renting a car the groceries at BLT were very expensive. We purchased 2 boxes of cereal, a container of milk, and 2 containers of juice and spent 50 dollars. I'm glad we had the DDP as we made sure we ate at the really nice (but not 2 meals) restaurants and this made up for the daily cost of the DDP.

We also have kids that HATE to leave the parks so we were able to eat in the parks and keep going until closing!