Disney Vacation Club adjusts 2010 Vacation Points charts

[tjkraz]

What is an added annoyance is the haphazard point values now - some 1 brs are the same points - some weekends are more than other resorts (comparing between WL and BCV for instance) there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it. And again - the fact that AKV GV's went DOWN during the week - and VB Beach cottages went up the full 20% - it's very random and seems to negatively effect certain resorts over other.

That simply suggests that the reallocation is based upon demand for each specific resort. If a BCV One Bedroom is more points on the weekend than a BWV Preferred One Bedroom, that tells me that historical demand has been higher for the BCV room than BWV Preferred.

 

[Disneyhappy]

We are mostly Sun-Thur members and based our original point purchase on that basis. With the change, instead of 5 nights at WDW and 2 nights at Loews Universal resort on our week long trips, it will now be 4 nights at WDW and 3 nights at Universal. As a result of this change,our family will not be spending our money on property at least one day of our week long trips.

Also, notice how they announced this after the closing window to add on a small amount of points? Members don't even have th option of trying to add on a few points to make their vacations work for them. What irriates me most is they think we are stupid by trying to sell it that members were requesting this. Just be honest with me. I may not like it but at least they would have my respect.

 

[Cindaddy]

I looked at AKV changes, though, and don't see any evidence of changes crossing over from one room size to another. There were posts which implied this had happened (i.e. "ALL of the Concierge went up", "All of the Savanna View went up", "All of the one bedrooms went up.") But when I look at the point charts, I don't see any evidence of that.

Comparing the weekly values for each room class and size, there are only variations of 1-2-3 points per night when comparing the old weekly values to the new weekly values. (Those variations are to be expected since they are lowering the points for 2 days and raising them for 5 in each weekly bucket.)

I haven't looked at all of the point charts side-by-side, but I have yet to find any evidence that suggests certain room sizes were adjusted up or down at the expense of another.

Also, this passage caught my eye in the POS where reallocation is addressed:

Most of your posts seem to be based around weekly stays. Most folks are not upset about the weekly rate (although there are some). It's the shorter or longer stays that are most affected.

 

[KLR-wlv]

That simply suggests that the reallocation is based upon demand for each specific resort. If a BCV One Bedroom is more points on the weekend than a BWV Preferred One Bedroom, that tells me that historical demand has been higher for the BCV room than BWV Preferred.

I really don't think this is based on demand - VB points went up across the board in every season. ANd BLT hasn't opened yet - so who knows about that demand? And AK GV's going down during the week in all seasons? Those are sitting empty I guess. I guess that makes me happier I cancelled the BLT contract - if it's in high demand, then they'll just continue to re-allocate points and make peak times higher and higher? So if you want to stay on NYE in a studio you better plan for that to be 150 points since it'll be pretty high demand. I would really like to see the facts on occupancy rates see how these changes line up...I think this is about an across the board re-balancing of points and has nothing to do with a 1 bedroom at one resort having more demand on Saturdays in June so we'll charge 1 point more than the same accomodations at the other resort..

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Large threads overwhelm me so I have only read a handful of posts here. That said....

At first I thought... DVC is having a hard time with so many people wanting to reserve S-T, and this would redistribute some pressure. We always book S-T because we only have 200 points. At first I thought this might make it easier to book a weekend, but now... I think it is a magical scheme (very well thought out) to cause the need for more points. I am probably saying just what dozens of other have said on this thread, but it is what I am thinking now.

 

[lugnut33]

I wonder if those 25 point resale contracts will be going up in price as that's now the only way to pick up a small contract? If a person was smart, they'd buy every single one of them they could.

 

[ashbradnmom]

Not necessarily. I have been married to the same man for 41 years and it is definately not boring. Change is not always a good thing.

I did not say change was good or bad. But it is always what is good for some is bad for others.

 

[Chuck S]

A 2 bedroom at VB in March has gone from 160 to 270 for a Sun-Thurs. That's a whopping 110 points. That's another vacation right there.

OK, so who do we write to???

I think you added wrong.

2009 chart shows 45 points a night weeknights for March
2010 shows 54

45*5 nights = 225
54*5 nights= 270
difference = 45

The weird part is ONE week in February at VB got bumped from Magic to Premier and ONE week in April bumped down from Premier to Magic...anyone know why February 21 to 28 is so special in 2010? A local event in Vero, maybe?

 

[tjkraz]

If that is how you choose to vacation, then more power to ya. But your plan includes missing 2 school days which we cannot do. So has nothing to do with a CHOICE on my part. As far as the rules of my kids' school we simply CANNOT do it. Not to mention the majority of sports my kids do or have done over the years (baseball, football, track & field ,soccer etc), all took place on the weekends. I couldn't have them missing practices, games and meets.

...

Also I'm an RN. I am mandated to work a large majority of weekends.

...

But, it wasn't a CHOICE and that's what you are missing here.

I don't want to beat this into the ground since it's something of a tangent...and I also hate to come across as unsympathetic. But in fairness, everything that you listed IS a "choice."

We all CHOOSE our profession. We choose where to live. We choose to have kids or not have kids. We choose to vacation in summer months or holiday periods or pull the kids out of school.

I feel your pain--really I do. I have kids who are into sports, girl scouts, etc. I live 1100 miles away. I have a relatively small number of points.

But I still cannot view this as anything other than Disney doing what it MUST do in order to balance the inequities that have arisen in the system. When the points were last reallocated, it was done to mirror demand patterns from the early 90s. Since then DVC has added tens-of-thousands of new members who have all played their own part in tilting demand at the resorts. If more people were willing to pay double points for the weekends, we wouldn't be having this discussion now. But more and more people are gravitating toward the weekdays and the entire system just cannot support that without adjustments.

As I said before, I think the communications have been atrocious and BLT owners (in particular) have a right to be really ticked-off. But on this subject of reallocation, DVC would be doing us a great disservice if they did not act and/or let public relations fears keep them from acting.

 

[toocherie]

I think the thing that would burn me up in this whole scenario is the increase in minimum add-on--I know my guide told me during my sales session that the minimum was 25 points in January 2008. I'm sure at that time none of the guides imagined that this would change. If I was one of those members who needed just a "few" extra points and it was 100 or nothing, I would be royally steamed. I am not in that situation. But I do feel your pain.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Large threads overwhelm me so I have only read a handful of posts here. That said....

At first I thought... DVC is having a hard time with so many people wanting to reserve S-T, and this would redistribute some pressure. We always book S-T because we only have 200 points. At first I thought this might make it easier to book a weekend, but now... I think it is a magical scheme (very well thought out) to cause the need for more points. I am probably saying just what dozens of other have said on this thread, but it is what I am thinking now.

Some of us have a few other 'choice' thoughts too.


Good to see ya, Rob.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I wonder if those 25 point resale contracts will be going up in price as that's now the only way to pick up a small contract? If a person was smart, they'd buy every single one of them they could.

I'm sure Disney will thru ROFR.

 

[toocherie]

Was there a typo in this statement? (see below)

I don't want to beat this into the ground since it's something of a tangent...and I also hate to come across as unsympathetic. But in fairness, everything that you listed IS a "choice."

We all CHOOSE our profession. We choose where to live. We choose to have kids or not have kids. We choose to vacation in summer months or holiday periods or pull the kids out of school.

I feel your pain--really I do. I have kids who are into sports, girl scouts, etc. I live 1100 miles away. I have a relatively small number of points.

But I still cannot view this as anything other than Disney doing what it MUST do in order to balance the inequities that have arisen in the system. When the points were last reallocated, it was done to mirror demand patterns from the early 90s. Since then DVC has added tens-of-thousands of new members who have all played their own part in tilting demand at the resorts. If more people were willing to pay double points for the weekends, we wouldn't be having this discussion now. But more and more people are gravitating toward the weekends [don't you mean weekdays?]and the entire system just cannot support that without adjustments.

As I said before, I think the communications have been atrocious and BLT owners (in particular) have a right to be really ticked-off. But on this subject of reallocation, DVC would be doing us a great disservice if they did not act and/or let public relations fears keep them from acting.

 

[tidefan]

This is the worst part of all of this imo - the fact that they raised the minimum add on points purchase just before issuing the new points charts. It really seems underhanded even if it wasn't meant to be. Flexibility is one of the hallmarks of this system and yet DVC is, in affect, funneling people into staying during the weekend. Personally this change has little affect on my plans, but I can see why those who don't normally stay during the weekends are upset.

Actually, you can still get 25 pt add-ons at AKV and SSR (and BWV, VWL, BCV, VB, and HHI if Disney has them). It is only BLT and GCV that have the 100 pt minimum add-on.

 

[LauraLea]

I wonder if those 25 point resale contracts will be going up in price as that's now the only way to pick up a small contract? If a person was smart, they'd buy every single one of them they could.

Have I missed something???

Isn't BLT the only resort that has a minimum of 100 pts for an add on? You can still add on 25 points everywhere else. Right?

Laura

 

[anna08]

I had thought that Sun - Thurs points were less simply because the parks/WDW hotels have significantly less volume during the week, and this was good incentive to bring a loyal number of consumers into the parks on those days. I really don't see in this economy and with some of the 100pt addon minimums that DVCers will add points to get their same vacation. I think they will simply stay fewer days and that is bad for Disney. Anyone agree? Don't know how to set up a poll, but would be interesting to poll if people will..
1. stay fewer nights
2. add on points
3. stay somewhere else (ie Universal..)
4. try to transfer in the points to make up the difference
5. stay the same, makes no difference
6. stay more nights, it's a benefit b/c i'm a weekender

If it confirmed fewer nights, maybe Disney would pay attention...

 

[epcotwanderer]

If that is how you choose to vacation, then more power to ya. But your plan includes missing 2 school days which we cannot do. So has nothing to do with a CHOICE on my part. As far as the rules of my kids' school we simply CANNOT do it. Not to mention the majority of sports my kids do or have done over the years (baseball, football, track & field ,soccer etc), all took place on the weekends. I couldn't have them missing practices, games and meets. Heck, my son's football coach didn't even like him missing practice if he was sick. He wanted him there and sitting in the stands if he was sick.
Also I'm an RN. I am mandated to work a large majority of weekends. Right now I work every other.....but for many years I worked 3 out of 4 weekends every month. So how can you imply what works for you will work for others ? I can't have my kids missing school and sports. Sorry. Yep....I simply just CHOSE to spend more points than you had to since you had the luxury of vacationing in low season. I just enjoyed using up more points.....that's it...........personally I would have MUCH preferred to travel in low seasons which are less hot and crowded in FL and escape the winters of PA. But, it wasn't a CHOICE and that's what you are missing here.

It's a very cavalier attitude to simply state that I "choose" to vacation in the summer. Uhhhh....maybe I have a very valid and unmovable reason for this ? Oh...and yeah...I do believe MA is further than PA (thank you)

I admit that scheduling between everything isn't always easy but we find a way to do it (with football, baseball, basketball, cheerleading and gymnastics). I am sorry you can't make this change work for you and your family. But you can always choose to sell if these changes are not inline with your families needs anymore.

 

[tjkraz]

Most of your posts seem to be based around weekly stays. Most folks are not upset about the weekly rate (although there are some). It's the shorter or longer stays that are most affected.

I understand that.

What I was addressing is a different issue--the question of whether DVC has increased the WEEKLY cost of a single room at the expense of another.

I really don't think this is based on demand - VB points went up across the board in every season.

Where do you see that?

Beach Cottage Adventure Season: 429 (2009), 433 (2010)
Ocean View Inn Dream Season: 118 (2009), 118 (2010)
Two Bedroom Magic Season: 327 (2009), 325 (2010)

(Just pulled those at random. Yes there are minor variances but that's just because there are 2 weekend nights and 5 weekday nights--you can't charge fractions of points so they had to round up or down.)

ANd BLT hasn't opened yet - so who knows about that demand?

I suspect it was pretty easy to make guesses based upon aggregate information for the other resorts.

And AK GV's going down during the week in all seasons? Those are sitting empty I guess.

Probably. They have been open for about 1 1/2 years now (70-80 weeks) so that should be enough info to draw some conclusions.

 

[highlander]

I need some clarification on VWL. I stay a week using my 270 point contract each year. Now I need 272? Will DVC sell me 2 points or do I need to borrow? This doesn't seem like a well thought out move. Or maybe it's a way to stimulate add ons.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Love the Disboards ! I haven't been on for a while. Soon as i got the DVC update email I checked it and headed right here ! I thought, "they will already be well into analysing it...

A few days ago I did some planning for 2010. Now I re ran the numbers and it looks like the changes don't do much. As we usually stay over a week we always have at least two weekend nights. The various options that I was running have us saving a few points on each one. We resort switch and consequently one of the options with Vero in it has us saving around 10 points.

It may change our habits. Sometimes we head home on the Saturday morning to avoid another high points night.

For us, making the weeknights less of a point cost is beneficial.

As far as being informed how points could change, our guide did a good job of that and we knew that something like this was very possible. He explained that the points stayed the same for the year overall.