Disney Adventures with DVC Points?

[TwoAtDisney]

If we purchase DVC membership, can we apply our DVC points to an Adventure by Disney trip? Anyone know of a website where I can find info on the # of points required for various trips?

Any comments/opinons/info on these trips is appreciated.

Thanks, Julie

 

[CMOORE185]

Yes you can use points for Adventures by Disney. The point cost has gone up dramatically over the years and it really takes alot of points. You can find the point chart on the DVC website. I have always wanted to take one of these trips but they are so expensive!

 

[erionm]

Here's the link to the 2011 Adventures by Disney point chart:
http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...dventurercollection/2011_ABD_071910_FINAL.pdf

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thank you for your responses & thanks erionm for the chart. Looks like this idea is out for us! We are thinking about buying only about 200 pts. The European trips would take 5 years worth for 2 adults!

Julie

 

[JimMIA]

Yes you can use points for Adventures by Disney. The point cost has gone up dramatically over the years and it really takes alot of points. You can find the point chart on the DVC website. I have always wanted to take one of these trips but they are so expensive!

They ARE very expensive, and even moreso if you are using points.

As a seasonal Park Ranger, the ABD's that focus on national parks crack me up. You could easily do a longer trip, have better national park experiences, and stay in the premier national park lodges inside the parks for a fraction of the cost of ABD.

 

[JimMIA]

Thank you for your responses & thanks erionm for the chart. Looks like this idea is out for us! We are thinking about buying only about 200 pts. The European trips would take 5 years worth for 2 adults!

Julie

In considering a DVC purchase, I would caution you to only evaluate it on the basis of using your DVC points for stays in DVC resorts. Anything other than that is a temporary benefit that could go away with the stroke of a pen. Things like cruises, ABD, exchanging through RCI are vastly overrated to begin with, and they could be stopped at any time. Some of these "perks" have literally gone away overnight with no notice to members.

DVC is a great timeshare. If it meets your family's needs for Disney vacations, fine. If you have to use other "benefits" to justify a purchase, it's probably not a very wise purchase.

 

[crisi]

They ARE very expensive, and even moreso if you are using points.

As a seasonal Park Ranger, the ABD's that focus on national parks crack me up. You could easily do a longer trip, have better national park experiences, and stay in the premier national park lodges inside the parks for a fraction of the cost of ABD.

ABD isn't really focusing on that though. They are focusing on "let someone else worry about the details..." And when you do that, you are going to pay a price for having someone else deal with your luggage, someone walk through your trip with you, hand you your room keys, check you into your hotel - not to mention develop the itinerary. You might need to worry your pretty little head over a few meals and how to spend an afternoon or two.

ABD trips are a fantastic experience, but they are NOT designed to be a budget vacation. And they are designed to have large appeal - Disney knows some of their guests are going to be Pooh sized and are not going to enjoy hiking through the Grand Canyon.

But I think that unless you have DVC points to burn, pay cash for ABD - and watch for deals. We went on ours for half price when the market crashed.

 

[Pakey]

They ARE very expensive, and even moreso if you are using points.

As a seasonal Park Ranger, the ABD's that focus on national parks crack me up. You could easily do a longer trip, have better national park experiences, and stay in the premier national park lodges inside the parks for a fraction of the cost of ABD.

This is true for European trips too. Heck, I did China on my own earlier this year and it was just as easy to navigate/book drivers, etc (and I can certainly check myself into my own hotels). However, having done an AbD, it's a different experience and I can understand how tentative travelers could prefer having it all taken care of. And in that case, AbD prices are not out of line with other group tour operators in the medium price range. If you want to see expensive, check out Abercrombie & Kent group tours.

To OP, when considering DVC, the only category where point levels are guaranteed to remain the same year to year are the DVC resorts. So buying DVC for repeated use outside of DVC would be a bad decision. You would be better off paying cash for any group tours if that is how you wish to vacation.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thanks. After looking at the list of trips, I don't think we would be interested in them anyway & wow, they are expensive.

BTW, Delta has $1800 round trip business class nonstop from NYC to Rome for some travel dates in Nov, Dec, & Jan. I get special updates from Thomas Cook Travel & saw coach for $528 RT. Those are bargains!

Happy travels everyone, Julie

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I have a slightly different perspective.

My husband and I have always looked at RCI or renting our points to someone as a RARE use of our points, for when or IF we ever get tired of going to Walt Disney World. (Tired of WDW...hah!)

I agree that using your points for other things is generally not good, but it beats losing your points!!! Let using points outside of DVC be the exception, and not the rule...and you'll be o.k.

Also consider, just buying enough points to cover your Disney fix!