Disney Min. Purchase Amount

[disneynutz]

Hopefully it is more than that. I think it's a good idea to have the lower buy in and I hope they keep it that way even when sales increase. There is a lesson to be learned here and hopefully DVC has taken note. If you don't "force" people with an "all or nothing" strategy there are so many mutual benefits to be attained. The lower buy in may help to reduce take-backs when people realize they got in over their heads with 160 point contracts (or even 100 points) and the MFs that go along with them. 50 points are good for those individuals with stars in their eyes but not so much money in their pockets. The lower points (and subsequent lower purchase amount) may spur on-the-fence individuals to take the leap because it's not that much money if you find you "made a mistake". Then, after owning those 50 points for a year, if those individuals are converted to true "DVCers" they will just keep adding on - and probably most of them directly through DVC. There is much potential for repeat business if you can hook a new customer with a limited buy-in. DVC has never had a problem attracting those with plenty of money to burn. The wider market is middle income individuals who may balk at the enormous outlay and will take more time to research... and find the resale market.

My DH and I were just discussing yesterday - if the ride photos at the end of the ride were only $5 then everyone would probably buy theirs - on multiple rides and sometimes multiple copies. Instead, they charge $20 per picture and maybe only one in ten buy them? I don't know - I guess they must have some reason behind it that I'm not seeing or maybe more people pony up the $20 than I think.

Terri

Nice thoughts but IME that isn't the way Disney works. They charge the max based on what they think they can get and they are pretty accurate. They consider their products to be premium products any they expect a premium price.

If people can't make their payments for the DVC, they foreclose or let them give back, then they resell the points, same for not paying dues. They have a department that deals with this and it just business.

We can be in a recession with park attendance down, people losing their houses and jobs and Disney still raises their prices.

Bill

 

[permavac]

...We can be in a recession with park attendance down, people losing their houses and jobs and Disney still raises their prices.

Bill

I hear that! I know what you're saying is true and I don't have any expectation that DVC is looking out for anyone but themselves and I don't really have a problem with it. Yes, to protect a luxury brand you can't be renting out $500 rooms for $50 per night, even when times are tough - that certainly dilutes your product. I don't see selling smaller point contracts quite the same though. It isn't all about protecting the bonehead who bought before realizing they couldn't afford it either - I just thought that the smaller contracts might ease the burden for both parties there. The more important point (I think) I was trying to make was nudging the individual who can afford the purchase but stops themselves because of the $10K+ upfront cost. But you are correct - once the economy is back to full swing, who even needs those middle income people? When the whales are back out, I can see DVC pulling back on the smaller point offerings. I do understand that it makes good business sense and that the smaller buy in is a marketing tool (I should say "grudging" marketing tool) to be used when money isn't flowing as freely. Still, I do hope they keep it up...

Terri

 

[Disney 24/7]

My first contact was for 50 points at BLT in October 2010. I couldn't do that 160 point contract at that time. Needless to say I have added on three times since that first contract. I had to actually ask Doorway to Dreams in New York if I they would let me buy such a small contract.

 

[luv2sleep]

I was just told by a guide that the minimum is 100 points. I bought 100 and got an extra 20 with that.

 

[Breyean]

I was just told by a guide that the minimum is 100 points. I bought 100 and got an extra 20 with that.

Congrats. I assume you bought Aulani. And you're still on the wait list for VGC, right?

 

[luv2sleep]

Congrats. I assume you bought Aulani. And you're still on the wait list for VGC, right?

Yes!!! Yay!!! So excited!

And, yes, I'm still on the waitlist for VGC! I hope it comes through soon but my guide said it could take 6-9 months. Oh well. Trying to decide how many points I need there. The point requirements are high! Even higher than Aulani!

 

[csharpwv]

When we bought in 2006 the minimum was 160.

I think Disney knows that no matter how small of a contract they sell, the VAST majority of owners are going to add on. They have the math on it, and I think it is something like 85% of owners add on.

SO, DVC is smart opening up the door to smaller contracts for first time buyers. They are willing to take that bet that the owner is going to add on.

Needless to say we bought more than 160 when we first bought. We have added on three times since then.

We have two direct contracts - AKV and BLT, and two resale contracts SSR and HHI. I inquired about buying HHI direct and it took over a week for a guide to get back to me, and at the time they didn't have anything in inventory for our UY, and since it took them so long to get back to us, I figured we might as well go ahead and buy resale - at least those folks would contact us back quickly!

We have yet to stay at Beach Club, Vero Beach, or Aulani - but we have stayed at all of the other DVC resorts.

The minimum was lowered back when the economy hit the skids - they knew if they wanted to acquire new members in the midst of a recession, they would need to provide a more economical avenue to welcome more folks 'home' in the middle of a recession.

The economic aspect of DVC is very complex. DVC has provided the WDW resort with a built in nearly guaranteed stream of steady traffic and revenue into the resorts and parks. People will use their points - they paid for them - they pay MF's - owners are going to use their points.

The capacity of the WDW has grown so much that promotions like free dining, kids stay free, and all of those other promotions were necessary to get folks traveling on what little 'disposable' in come they had. However, even in the toughest months of the recession DVC members were still hitting the resorts, visiting the parks, and buying merchandise and food.

So when you look at what DVC has done - it's no wonder that the bean counters at DVC are more than eager to pull members in at a lower point value - they can literally bank on those members adding on.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush - a 50 point member is a bird in the hand. Once that 50 point member realizes how amazing the 'villa life' is - they are going to call their guide to add on, or buy resale (especially if resale prices continue to tank).

Anyway - DVC is selling 50 point contracts to new members, and they have been for several years now. They would rather make a small sale than no sale at all!

 

[Breyean]

Yes!!! Yay!!! So excited!

And, yes, I'm still on the waitlist for VGC! I hope it comes through soon but my guide said it could take 6-9 months. Oh well. Trying to decide how many points I need there. The point requirements are high! Even higher than Aulani!

You are following a similar path we did last year. We added on at Aulani, then wait listed for VGC. First time it took about 4 months. I tried to buy resale and was ROFR'd twice while waiting. Then they announced the price increase and we were still on the list, but we added another points request to the bottom of the list to lock in the old price. The first one came through shortly thereafter, and the second about a month later.

I think now, though, there aren't that many VCG resales being offered, so the wait could be longer.

You have a June UY, right? We do too. I saw a listing yesterday for a 210 point June UY VGC contract with about 170 2011 points banked and all 2012 points - it was already marked as sold when I first saw it. Maybe Disney will ROFR it and you'll move up the list. Unless you were the buyer, then I hope it passes!

 

[dianeschlicht]

No - the minimum for a new member is 50 points.

Terri

WOW! When we purchased the minimum was 210, but we purchased 230. I really think Disney is shooting themselves in the foot by allowing full membership with just a 50 point buy in. No wonder they are cutting perks!

 

[ELMC]

WOW! When we purchased the minimum was 210, but we purchased 230. I really think Disney is shooting themselves in the foot by allowing full membership with just a 50 point buy in. No wonder they are cutting perks!

It's interesting that you say that. In your opinion, what is the downside of allowing "full membership" with just a 50 point buy in?

 

[luv2sleep]

You are following a similar path we did last year. We added on at Aulani, then wait listed for VGC. First time it took about 4 months. I tried to buy resale and was ROFR'd twice while waiting. Then they announced the price increase and we were still on the list, but we added another points request to the bottom of the list to lock in the old price. The first one came through shortly thereafter, and the second about a month later.

I think now, though, there aren't that many VCG resales being offered, so the wait could be longer.

You have a June UY, right? We do too. I saw a listing yesterday for a 210 point June UY VGC contract with about 170 2011 points banked and all 2012 points - it was already marked as sold when I first saw it. Maybe Disney will ROFR it and you'll move up the list. Unless you were the buyer, then I hope it passes!

That would be awesome! I highly doubt it though. I was told there are people who want any use year on the list. Yes, I got a June UY contract.

 

[Breyean]

That would be awesome! I highly doubt it though. I was told there are people who want any use year on the list. Yes, I got a June UY contract.

Yes there are new members who don't have a preference of even current members who don't care if they get a different UY, so they w/b added into any calculation of where your request stands.

I used to call my guide and bug him anyway.

It WILL happen, so patience and good luck to you. You'll have many years to enjoy using those points and the wait now will be worth it.

 

[jockotaco]

Yes!!! Yay!!! So excited!

And, yes, I'm still on the waitlist for VGC! I hope it comes through soon but my guide said it could take 6-9 months. Oh well. Trying to decide how many points I need there. The point requirements are high! Even higher than Aulani!

We were on the waitlist for VGC and it came through in about 4-5 weeks. We purchased 125 points and am already looking to add on 125 at Aulani.

 

[GOOFY D]

We just attended a DVC presentation on the Disney Fantasy and they said the minimum purchase for AKV was 160 points. They said the normal cost was $130 (going up to $135 in July). With all the incentives, the price for a 240 point contract was around $106 per point.

 

[Sammie]

So we have some saying 50, some saying 100 and 160, so what is the min. now.

 

[disneynutz]

So we have some saying 50, some saying 100 and 160, so what is the min. now.

It might differ depending on where you buy, who your Guide is, and the time of the month.

Bill

 

[DVCMikey]

So we have some saying 50, some saying 100 and 160, so what is the min. now.

I just remember when we first bought they said the min amount was 150. You can add on for smaller, but I can't see how you can buy in with just 25 or 50 pts. Doesn't make much sense.

 

[Missyrose]

I just remember when we first bought they said the min amount was 150. You can add on for smaller, but I can't see how you can buy in with just 25 or 50 pts. Doesn't make much sense.

It's possible to make 50 points work if you're only planning on getting a studio every other year (or every three years). But yes, as an initial buy-in, 25 points would be an awfully tough thing to make work.

 

[Tunseeker1]

It's possible to make 50 points work if you're only planning on getting a studio every other year (or every three years). But yes, as an initial buy-in, 25 points would be an awfully tough thing to make work.

50 points work for a studio every year for 5 nights depending on season at

OKW
BWV
AKV
VB
HHI

and you could always buy 60 or 65 points to stay longer

 

[DenLo]

50 points work for a studio every year for 5 nights depending on season at

OKW
BWV
AKV
VB
HHI

and you could always buy 60 or 65 points to stay longer

Not only is the season a factor, but the villa type is quite limited. Both BWV, standard view; and AKV, value are have a limited number of villas in those categories and often difficult to book unless you own at those resorts and take advantage of the 11 month window.