Did you guys catch the new DVC announcement?

[PghLybrt]

Wait I have more!

SO what is the deal with the food plan?

Is 250 enough?

Do we have to use them or can we send family on vacation?

 

[vascubaguy]

If you go once per year, you wouldn't necessarily need to randomly pick 250 points. You'd look at where you'd stay most often and in what accomodations to determine how many points. For instance, we usually go twice a year OR we go once per year and take people with us (so we get 2 rooms). Initially we were only going once per year, so I bought 40 pts at OKW -enough points for a studio for 5 nights. We didn't care for OKW and started wanting to go more, so I did an add-on for 110 pts at SSR and sold the 40 pts contract. With 110 pts, I can go twice per year for 5 nights each and the studio runs me 55 pts. It has worked thusfar, but now I'm looking more into staying at other DVCs, specifically.. AKV and BLT. I want to stay at BLT next October in a MK view studio... that's 90 pts. I wouldn't do that every trip, but it would be nice to do every now and then. So, I'm thinking I might do a 45 pt add-on at BLT and I can pretty much guarantee being able to get a MK view room at the 11 month mark every other year. So that's why some of us do add-ons... to get what we want when we want it and not have to play with the waitlisting stuff.

Because... yes it would be difficult to get a grand villa at another resort if you had to wait until the 7 month window, especially at OKW (it would be almost impossible). I will likely be tough to get a Treehouse villa at the 7 month window if you don't own at SSR. It can be difficult to get rooms at BWV and/or BCV during food and wine festival time... and also difficult to get rooms at VWL at Christmas. Owning enough points at those places makes it easier to get what you want because of the 11 month booking advantage. However, if you don't care so much about where you stay, it doesn't matter as much.

Ok sorry to bring this up again but....you all started it!!!

Ok I have more questions if you don't mind...please.

So I have figured out we would probably do Bay Lake (250 pts) for 112 -5 a point. So the total would be $26750.00. Now I also have my yearly fee of at least $1375 (I based it at 5.50 , I don't know what it really is).

Ok so for that I could stay for at least 2 weeks (standard view studio in Jan). That would leave me with 46 points that I could carry over until next year or use.

I think I get all of that.

Now the questions.
Why would I want to add on points? Why would I want them at a different resort?

If I buy Bay Lake can I still get the Grand Villa at Old Key west? And would it be difficult to do so?

Last question ... the world passport collection, is that seriously only 124 points a week? or is that per person? (My points may be off I have an old book)

I hate to say this, I think I am starting to se the light.....if only I had 12 years ago : (

 

[vascubaguy]

Wait I have more!

SO what is the deal with the food plan?

Is 250 enough?

Do we have to use them or can we send family on vacation?

You can add-on the dining plan with DVC. You just request that they add it and you pay for it when you check-in. Everyone on the reservation for the room has to also be on the plan. There are also different levels of the plan you can get. The basic covers 1TS, 1CS, 1 snack per night.... the deluxe is 3 meals (TS or CS), 2 snacks, and a refillable mug. There is also the wine and dine plan (not as familiar with that one). So you can get it and I enjoy doing that (or the disney dining experience with the AP) because we don't get a 1br so we don't get the kitchen and I don't care to cook on vacation!

Is 250 enough? well that depends. Since you are saying you only go about once per year, it might be too much. If budget is a concern, you wouldn't want to buy more points than you need. Yes you can bank points to the next year and not lose them, but why pay for them if you'll always have "extra". If you want BLT studio with MK view once per year, you'd only need 90 pts (I think the minimum now is 160? or 150? if you buy direct from Disney). Of course, if you have the cash, the resale market is a good alternative. Cost will be much cheaper and you can get smaller contracts (25 points and up).

And yes, you can use your points however you want. You can book rooms for your family and/or friends. Some people even rent out their points. You just have to remember that although you are making the reservation for someone else, you are still responsible for the room. So if there are any damages or they somehow charge something to the room and it doesn't get taken care of, you would have to pay for it.

 

[hematite153]

Why would I want to add on points? Because you'll get addicted to the good life (like the rest of us). We thought, "well we've been happy staying at a value, so, the studio is plenty of space". But, then, we spent 3 days in a 1 bdrm and LOVED it. No, I wouldn't want to HAVE to cook on vacation, but, my food allergies make many of the quick service places a challenge. So, having a kitchen to make simple meals in was FABULOUS. Plus, the ability to put my laundry in before heading out to a park and the switch it to the dryer before bed and have clean clothing the next day without having to babysit it, is also fantastic. (Yes, I used to just bring extra clothing, but, really I prefer carrying less.) So, now we mix and match and sometimes stay in studios and sometimes in 1Bdrms. If we had more points, we could always stay in 1 bdrms.

Why would I want them at a different resort? You can book at your home resort at 11 months and at other resorts at 7 months. So, if there is a resort you KNOW you must stay at for certain occasions, then you'll want to own points there. We've never really had trouble getting resorts other than our home resort, but, there are some high demand categories (such as OKW 3bdrms, BWV standard and boardwalk views, etc.) where I wouldn't count on it.

If I buy Bay Lake can I still get the Grand Villa at Old Key west? And would it be difficult to do so? Technically, you can. But, the chances of getting it aren't likely.

Last question ... the world passport collection, is that seriously only 124 points a week? or is that per person? (My points may be off I have an old book) I think that at a FEW resorts in their smallest rooms you are correct. However, the world passport collection is fairly non-standardized so I wouldn't count on this. My calculations (which I did with 3-4 different properties) were that if I wanted to go to most of these places I'd come out ahead by renting my points and then booking them for cash. But, the point rental market hasn't been keeping pace with hotel rate inflation so this may not still be true. I certainly wouldn't recommend buying into DVC if your primary intention is to trade out. However, you will be able to go lots of other places using your DVC points if you choose to do so.

SO what is the deal with the food plan? The food plans are the same as the ones available to guests who've booked through CRO. But, in order to book the DDP or the DxDP as a package through CRO you must purchase at least a 1-day park ticket and there's a minimum number of nights that you must be staying. As a DVC member staying on DVC points at a DVC resort you can book the DDP or DxDP for any length of stay (although you must purchase it for every night of your reservation) and you do not need to purchase a park ticket. You can also add it to the reservation on relatively short notice (but it must be before check-in).

Is 250 enough? Maybe. I'd take a look at your wdw travel patterns in the last few years and your expected plans for the next couple of years and try to work it out. Some people work it out precisely for XX nights at resort YYY. Some people like to have a round number somewhere near their calculations. If you do decide to round, I'd round up since most people end up finding new ways to use points.

Do we have to use them or can we send family on vacation? You can send anyone you want on vacation. If you start sending lots of people with different surnames on vacation every year they'll check into whether you might be trying to rent commercially. But, if they are friends and family members (and possibly the odd renter) then you are welcome to use your points for their vacations.

 

[padalyn]

You can add-on the dining plan with DVC. You just request that they add it and you pay for it when you check-in. Everyone on the reservation for the room has to also be on the plan. There are also different levels of the plan you can get. The basic covers 1TS, 1CS, 1 snack per night.... the deluxe is 3 meals (TS or CS), 2 snacks, and a refillable mug. There is also the wine and dine plan (not as familiar with that one). So you can get it and I enjoy doing that (or the disney dining experience with the AP) because we don't get a 1br so we don't get the kitchen and I don't care to cook on vacation!

Is 250 enough? well that depends. Since you are saying you only go about once per year, it might be too much. If budget is a concern, you wouldn't want to buy more points than you need. Yes you can bank points to the next year and not lose them, but why pay for them if you'll always have "extra". If you want BLT studio with MK view once per year, you'd only need 90 pts (I think the minimum now is 160? or 150? if you buy direct from Disney). Of course, if you have the cash, the resale market is a good alternative. Cost will be much cheaper and you can get smaller contracts (25 points and up).

And yes, you can use your points however you want. You can book rooms for your family and/or friends. Some people even rent out their points. You just have to remember that although you are making the reservation for someone else, you are still responsible for the room. So if there are any damages or they somehow charge something to the room and it doesn't get taken care of, you would have to pay for it.

Also - if you want the food plan, you have to notify DVC 48 hours before the start of the reservation.

I use my points all over the place. I have gifted them, rented them etc...

Also - I just got my new AP, the cost was almost 100 less using the DVC discount, I also got a discount on a rental car, and I always consider the savings on wine, since with a fridge one can actually keep food in the room without spoilage.

The resorts are NOT hotel rooms. Even a studio has a fridge, microwave, sink and toaster. The 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and villas have full kitchen with washer and dryer. Also a whirlpool tub (yummy!). With the studio the washer dryer is in a community area. There are usually private pools for the villas only (cuts down on the overcrowding) and often a smaller "back door" entrance to that area.

The villas are at most of the park resort areas. Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West. Now Bay Lake will be opening soon.

I still think it is the best puchase I have made. This ensures I will take vacations. I really consider Food & Wine, The Star Wars Weekends, Pin Trading Events, and other special events as simply a reason to head back to WDW. I pay air and food and car - otherwise it is already paid for in my mind.

 

[vascubaguy]

Also - if you want the food plan, you have to notify DVC 48 hours before the start of the reservation.

I use my points all over the place. I have gifted them, rented them etc...

Also - I just got my new AP, the cost was almost 100 less using the DVC discount, I also got a discount on a rental car, and I always consider the savings on wine, since with a fridge one can actually keep food in the room without spoilage.

The resorts are NOT hotel rooms. Even a studio has a fridge, microwave, sink and toaster. The 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and villas have full kitchen with washer and dryer. Also a whirlpool tub (yummy!). With the studio the washer dryer is in a community area. There are usually private pools for the villas only (cuts down on the overcrowding) and often a smaller "back door" entrance to that area.

The villas are at most of the park resort areas. Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West. Now Bay Lake will be opening soon.

I still think it is the best puchase I have made. This ensures I will take vacations. I really consider Food & Wine, The Star Wars Weekends, Pin Trading Events, and other special events as simply a reason to head back to WDW. I pay air and food and car - otherwise it is already paid for in my mind.

Good point about the washer/dryer (even for the studios). We always stay in a studio (for now at least), but we take powders etc to wash. Although I don't like the idea of washing clothes while on vacation, it really helps cut back on how much we need to pack. We can go throw a load in the washer, take a dip in the pool, go toss them in the dryer, go for another dip (or get in the hot tub) and poof... all done. Having the 1br would be nice to have the stuff in the room, but... we haven't tried the 1br yet so I have become a 1br snob yet.

 

[hematite153]

Also - if you want the food plan, you have to notify DVC 48 hours before the start of the reservation.

Thanks for adding this. I knew there was a deadline, but, I didn't remember what it was.

Good point about the washer/dryer (even for the studios). ..., but... we haven't tried the 1br yet so I have become a 1br snob yet.

Watch out! The 1bdrms become addictive really quickly--especially if you don't like doing laundry while on vacation because they make it SO much easier.

 

[padalyn]

Thanks for adding this. I knew there was a deadline, but, I didn't remember what it was.



Watch out! The 1bdrms become addictive really quickly--especially if you don't like doing laundry while on vacation because they make it SO much easier.

Unfortunately with the weight and quantity restrictions on luggage, one is forced to do laundry. I used to pack enough clothing for the whole trip and a few extra pieces - no more. Now I pack about 4 or 5 days worth and wash...eewww. Oh well.

 

[PghLybrt]

Thank you all so much....although without you I may have never really looked at DVC..........

I am sure i am going to have a hundred and two other questions so I thank all of you.

 

[hematite153]

Unfortunately with the weight and quantity restrictions on luggage, one is forced to do laundry. I used to pack enough clothing for the whole trip and a few extra pieces - no more. Now I pack about 4 or 5 days worth and wash...eewww. Oh well.

Yes. Hence my love of the 1bdrms where I don't have to plan a day (or at least a couple of hours) around laundry.

We stayed at ASMus on our last trip and although laundry by the pool wasn't that big an issue...hang out, swim, eat a snack, etc....it was still a much less fun way of hanging out at the pool and a pain to schedule into the right part of the trip.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We are cool with paying for the luggage and NOT doing laundry. The studio works fine for us, although if I had a bunch of extra points I would probably bump up to a 1 br. (Right. Extra points. )

I am thrilled to have a concierge studio at AKV for next summer so we can have snacks/drinks in the lounge AND clean towels & housekeeping every day without paying extra.

 

[PghLybrt]

I am thrilled to have a concierge studio at AKV for next summer so we can have snacks/drinks in the lounge AND clean towels & housekeeping every day without paying extra.

So if I book concierege i still get mousekeeping everyday! Now that is good to know.



OK so Hi!! its me again with more questions

By looking at this it would seem to me that we would want to spend a week by ourselves every other year (so a 1 bed room) then maybe every other year take someone with us (so a two bedroom) them maybe every three or four years take a family group. We do that now and just get a mess of hotel rooms.

What I am wondering is should I get points at 2 different resorts? And how would that work?
Every year I can see us staying at Bay lake (that is very us) but with the family group it would be 750 points! Now animal is only around 520. SO if I got 250 in bay lake and 50 in animal ….does that make sense?

Oh I do not know what I am even thinking anymore.

 

[PghLybrt]

Ok me again..... ( I should really think before posting )

Someone told me that if I have a referral that the person who referred me might get some kind of bonus or something? Any truth to that and if so does anyone want me to use them (in a purely platonic way )? If so pm me because I have not called on contacted dvc yet.

************ I got one Thank you everyone************

 

[dan and scott]

So glad Dan and I purchased 10 yrs ago at the BW when the "getting in" was good!!---our initial purchase was around $9,600.00----I can't beleive that the "buying in" cost hovers around $17,000-$18,000.00 now!!
The 525 points we have just could not justify the price we would have to pay today. If we were to buy into the membership today I think we would be asking ourselves as much as we love disney --is the $$$$worth it
DVC has truely brought us some ultra vacations -Disneyland Paris, 2007Westbound Trans Atlantic Disney Magic, and the 2005 Eastbound Panama Canal to name a few. we just completed our 16th sailing on the Magic last week.
The Bay Towers are awsome so maybe we will buy into if we elect not to do an extension of years on our contract at BW. we will just see what is more $$$ feasable to buy in or to extend the contract?

It is amazing since the the 10yrs in which we have owned how DVC has ballooned from 30,000 members to over 300,000. It was very elite to own when we joined and most castmembers did'nt know what DVC was.

Scott

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Yes, concierge at AKV comes with daily housekeeping. I have a towel "thing", so clean towels every day are a HUGE deal to me. I never use a towel more than once. Be advised there are only 5 2 bedroom lock-off units in concierge, so if you are booking a studio you have AT BEST a 1 in 5 chance of getting one. If any of the units are booked as a 2 bedroom then that is one less studio to compete for.

Your referring member MAY be eligible for a $200 bonus, but I am not that member because TX residents are not eligible.

Something about the owning points at 2 resorts is confusing me, and I think you need to ask DVC directly to make sure you have correct info. I was under the impression that you only have the 11 month "home" advantage up to the number of points you own at that resort. For example, if you own 50 pts. at AKV then you can only book 50 pts. worth of nights at the 11 month mark and you have to wait to book the rest when the 7 month window opens because the rest of your points aren't AKV points. If that is true then owning at 2 resorts isn't THAT advantageous.

 

[Saxton]

So if I book concierege i still get mousekeeping everyday! Now that is good to know.



OK so Hi!! its me again with more questions

By looking at this it would seem to me that we would want to spend a week by ourselves every other year (so a 1 bed room) then maybe every other year take someone with us (so a two bedroom) them maybe every three or four years take a family group. We do that now and just get a mess of hotel rooms.

What I am wondering is should I get points at 2 different resorts? And how would that work?
Every year I can see us staying at Bay lake (that is very us) but with the family group it would be 750 points! Now animal is only around 520. SO if I got 250 in bay lake and 50 in animal ….does that make sense?

Oh I do not know what I am even thinking anymore.

I own at 3 different resorts and you can use points at other resorts but the important thing to remember is that you can only use that resort's points at the 11 month window. For example, I own 150 at AKV so I can book using those 150 points at the 11 month window for AKV - this comes in handy if you're interested in concierge. Let's say I wanted to book 3 rooms for family and friends at AKV and it went over my 150 points - I could still do it but since I would have to use points from either my OKW or BWV contracts then I would have to do it at the 7 month window. So you can book 11 months in advance at your home resort and 7 months in advance at any other resort. I hope I explained that clearly!

Watch it, DVC is addicting.

 

[Saxton]

If you haven't done so already you might want to download a program to do a bunch of "what if" scenarios. I use DVC Planner from Caskbill, here's the site:

http://www.caskbill.com/

It let's you put in different dates and accomodations so you can estimate how many points you would need.

 

[padalyn]

So if I book concierege i still get mousekeeping everyday! Now that is good to know.



OK so Hi!! its me again with more questions

By looking at this it would seem to me that we would want to spend a week by ourselves every other year (so a 1 bed room) then maybe every other year take someone with us (so a two bedroom) them maybe every three or four years take a family group. We do that now and just get a mess of hotel rooms.

What I am wondering is should I get points at 2 different resorts? And how would that work?
Every year I can see us staying at Bay lake (that is very us) but with the family group it would be 750 points! Now animal is only around 520. SO if I got 250 in bay lake and 50 in animal ….does that make sense?

Oh I do not know what I am even thinking anymore.

The questions are no problem, I must have asked at least this many.

I have found that having points at multiple resorts isn't really a big deal. The major difference is the booking window. by this I mean: at your "home" resorts you can make a reservation 11months from the date of check out. If you are planning on traveling at high occupancy times (like F&W or Christmas) than this makes an impact. What they don't really talk about is that ALL the reservation points have to be at that resort - not SOME. So, when I booked my 3 reservations at BCV for the next 2 weeks, I had to use points from last year, this year and next year. ONLY BCV points could be used.

Now, I also make reservations at outside my "home" resort - I can make them 7 months from the date of check out.

This is from the member website:
1. All reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. You have exclusive access to request reservations using your Home Resort Vacation Points at your Home Resort 11 to eight months in advance of the check-in date. If, at a later date, you wish to use Vacation Points from another Disney Vacation Club Resort, you cannot "switch out" the Vacation Points.

3. You may request reservations at all other Disney Vacation Club Resorts as far as seven months before your check-in date.

4. In order to take advantage of the Home Resort Priority, all Vacation Points being used to make the reservation must be associated with your Home Resort.

5. Other booking guidelines apply when making reservations for The Disney Collection, World Passport Collection, Concierge Collection and Adventurer Collection.

So, depending on how far out you book your trips, this may or may not impact you. I seldom use the 11month booking window. I find that there are usually rooms available somewhere in the system. There is also a thing called a Wish List - if you want a room at, let's say Wildnerness Lodge around the beginning of June. Well, this is high time, and hard to get - but don't own at Wilderness Lodge. One makes a reservation where there is space and tells the agent to put in a wish list for Wilderness Lodge. Until 7 days before arrival they will keep trying to get you into the room you want, inside of 7 days one just has to call every day to see if something has come up. I was in this exact situation a few years ago, got to SSR to check in, and was told my reservation had been moved 3 hours before!!! So, I got back in my car and went to Wilderness Lodge. (HOORAY!!)

I hope this helps a little....

keep asking....no question is trivial - the answers help you make informed decisions.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Ah ha! Saxton and padalyn have confirmed what I thought about booking with points from different resorts. Useful info to have!

IF we ran across a resale contract of 50 points or less for a great price we might buy it, just to bump up our total points. (But not at HH because the dues are so high it outpaces the difference in point cost in just a few years.) It seems to me that SSR almost ALWAYS has rooms available, so if we had points on a small contract I feel pretty confident we could book a studio at SSR at the 7 month mark. We might have other choices, too, but almost certainly SSR.

 

[PghLybrt]

You all are so much help!

However everytime you answer i have another question.

So i get now I would really want all my points one place. Now what if (for example) I only get 200 a year and want the grand villa at Bay lake? It is over 750 points, so even if i use my points for 3 years i will not have enough. So do i just pay the difference or do I not even consider getting it? And if I can get it can I book it still 11 months in advance?

I only go in their slow season because that is also my slow season. Summers are out of the question as is holidays.