Disney's Latest Discounts Have Me Thinking DVC

[silmarg]

I am a sucker for a deal.

But we go to WDW so often that DVC should be considered.

That said. I find the offers of the past few years (buy 4 get 7 with a discount card or free dining) made the buying a DVC equation less attractive.

This past trip we got the free upgrade to SSR (from POP) - and SSR was very nice and would not mind to have it as a home resort (but then again we got daily mousekeeping - so it was not a true DVC experience... I will have to convince DW that we can live w/o daily mousekeeping).

That said, I think I conviced myself after this trip I should buy into DVC with a small (say 100-150) SSR resale contract and use it every 2nd or 3rd trip - or if we go to DLR (as I rould rather not stay on Harbor Blvd - and paying cash to stay on site is crazy expensive). My rationale on the small contract was to use the good discounts, but use DVC when those deals are not so compelling ot if we go during the times of year they dont offer deals.

But the latest free dining (where values get the counter service meal plan, but the other resorts get the better meal plan) or the latest buy 4 get 3 free (where u need to buy 6 day park pass) is signaling to me that maybe I should lean more towards DVC. In all the recent deals we always get 1 day passes as I can get discounted tix from work, have military relatives, or have APs from time to time. So the watering down of the discounts and assuming the economy is turning around... maybe I should go for a contract that I will use most all the time (like 250 or so pts).

Anyone else thing these watered down discounts is pushing the needle back in DVCs direction?

I wish I could just make up my mind!

 

[Big Kid]

fwiw, I too have a sense that the economy is turning around, making me think that DVC will not be any cheaper than it is today for several years to come. I haven't been a fan long enough to have a good feel for the trend in package discounts, but I'm sure that once the occupancy-rate-o-meter hits the green then meaningful discounts will be sooo last week. The rise in BLT's price sure looks like a leading indicator to me ...

 

[disneynutz]

The best exercise that you can do is work the numbers. I just looked at the 4+3 that is about to be released and when you compare a DVC Studio 4+3 and ownership, owning will pay back in a few years. The more you vacation, the faster the pay back.

 

[Sandisw]

One of the thing that I love about having DVC is that I no longer have to wait and hope for either discounts or pin codes.

I do think that as the economy gets better, the deals for Disney will not be as good and I think you are seeing it with the newly announced deals--not as good as last year.

Once those dry up and are not coming out so often, DVC becomes a very attractive option for those that visit WDW on a regular basis.

If you know that you will be going back a lot, then I would definitely think about getting an SSR resale.

Good luck!

 

[helenk]

One of the thing that I love about having DVC is that I no longer have to wait and hope for either discounts or pin codes.

I do think that as the economy gets better, the deals for Disney will not be as good and I think you are seeing it with the newly announced deals--not as good as last year.

Once those dry up and are not coming out so often, DVC becomes a very attractive option for those that visit WDW on a regular basis.

If you know that you will be going back a lot, then I would definitely think about getting an SSR resale.

Good luck!

I second this!! I am so glad that I bought into DVC. I booked a studio at the AKV for this December long before they extended the free dining, because I did not have to wait for any of the deals. I like the feeling of knowing that I can book my solo trip each December and a larger family vacation every other year without worrying about the cost of the room. Plus I can stay in a deluxe villa and not have to pinch pennies.
If for some reason I want to add a trip and have no points, then I'll check out any deals that Disney may offer.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

In FEb 2002 I paid $172 a night at the Contemporary in a Garden Room-- went to book the same room in 2006 and they wanted $450 plus 12% tax

The incentives have been awesome the last few years, but since we have school age kids and take then out of school in Feb to do a 2 week Florida trip every year, I can never take advantage of them. Free dining is always in Sept and last year we had to go to Disney in April due to a special program my DD's were involved in and the buy 4/get 3 excluded the week we went.

I remember how the other parents were telling me that their accomodation at the Deluxes were about $3500 for the Week and I was think-- Its only costing me $939 in MF and I get to stay in a one bedroom with a washer and dryer and full kitchen

Deals will come and go, but once the economy is better they will be harder to come by. My DVC is paid for so I only have to pay MF. If you look at all the smart people who bought into OKW and got free park ticket for years and add up what they have save you could probably but 300 points at the BLT. DVC will save you money over the long term.

I'm sure there will still be deals, but I think paying $939 a year and staying at the BW in a one bedroom for 7 days is a great deal too. I save money on breakfast and lunch and nothing is better then coming home to your own suite! With ice cold beverages and your own balcony!! PRICELESS

 

[papertraveller]

Tink-n-Belle, I second that. We ran the math based on our week at the Poly (with free dining no less) but the more we looked at DVC, the more it made sense for us. We'll have covered our costs in four years of vacations, but rather than one vacation a year, by a bit of judicious point use we can get two. And as you note, with a full kitchen (just for breakfast and snacks, 'cause we're not cooking!) and the luxury of in-suite laundry, we won't be missing daily mousekeeping. BLT here we come!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I am a sucker for a deal.

But we go to WDW so often that DVC should be considered.

That said. I find the offers of the past few years (buy 4 get 7 with a discount card or free dining) made the buying a DVC equation less attractive.

This past trip we got the free upgrade to SSR (from POP) - and SSR was very nice and would not mind to have it as a home resort (but then again we got daily mousekeeping - so it was not a true DVC experience... I will have to convince DW that we can live w/o daily mousekeeping).

That said, I think I conviced myself after this trip I should buy into DVC with a small (say 100-150) SSR resale contract and use it every 2nd or 3rd trip - or if we go to DLR (as I rould rather not stay on Harbor Blvd - and paying cash to stay on site is crazy expensive). My rationale on the small contract was to use the good discounts, but use DVC when those deals are not so compelling ot if we go during the times of year they dont offer deals.

But the latest free dining (where values get the counter service meal plan, but the other resorts get the better meal plan) or the latest buy 4 get 3 free (where u need to buy 6 day park pass) is signaling to me that maybe I should lean more towards DVC. In all the recent deals we always get 1 day passes as I can get discounted tix from work, have military relatives, or have APs from time to time. So the watering down of the discounts and assuming the economy is turning around... maybe I should go for a contract that I will use most all the time (like 250 or so pts).

Anyone else thing these watered down discounts is pushing the needle back in DVCs direction?

I wish I could just make up my mind!

I agree op. When I saw the latest round of discounts and that now CRO is requiring the purchase of a 6 day tix, to get a few days free, it did not seem like a deal at all! I never thought the packages were great deals compared to DVC points and cash but now Disney is really hitting the pockets because a 6 day tix is not cheap! So slight discount on the room and no discount on the DDp and no discount on thetix. That's less than 20% in most cases.
Im glad we have DVC. We dont chase deals anymore and we dont have to jump thru CRO hoops to save a few dollars.
I believe next year will be a good year for the travel industry and WDW prices will increase to recoup all they lost this year. many that skipped vacations this year due to the economy will take vacations next year and prices will increase.

 

[DenLo]

Hey, if you DW really wants daily Mousekeeping you can always buy it. It's not cheap--$50 a day for a 2 BR and $45 (I think) for a 1 BR. That will increase your expenses quickly. Hey I can make my bed even on vacation.

Sure you can get deals now, but what are the odds for the future. Have you noticed over the years how much more you are paying for your room at WDW? Also you can't really compare the cost of staying at a value or moderate to staying at a deluxe villa. The closest comparison is a deluxe resort. But keep in mind that many of the villas are still larger rooms than many of the deluxe resorts. What most of us look at is the future. How much will it cost us to stay at WDW in 3 years? And how many years will it take us to recoup our investment in the DVC? Usually 4 to 7 years of trips, or less if you go more frequently.

However, even after saying all the above, until your DW is ready to commit, you'll be paying whatever Disney is charging for the rooms. And as soon as the economy picks up and more people make reservations w/o incentives then, bye-bye discounts!

BTW, you are smart to consider resale. Definitely a good value. But always check to see if Disney has a better deal. You can often see what Disney is offering on these boards or DVCNews.com.

 

[CarolMN]

This thread is making me smile! Guess I'm used to the threads asking the opposite question - why buy DVC when Disney is offering such good discounts? Free Dining, Buy some get some free, Upgrades, etc. etc.

But my answer is the same. Discounts come and discounts go. DVC locks in the lodging discount. It's not for everyone, but if the numbers work, then go for it.

 

[edk35]

For every penny you continue to sink into CRO ressies.....those same pennies could be paying toward/for a DVC contract. There are some awesome resales right now. DVC ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!

 

[msabol01]

This thread is making me smile! Guess I'm used to the threads asking the opposite question - why buy DVC when Disney is offering such good discounts? Free Dining, Buy some get some free, Upgrades, etc. etc.

But my answer is the same. Discounts come and discounts go. DVC locks in the lodging discount. It's not for everyone, but if the numbers work, then go for it.

Carol says it best, you're trying to compare short term savings in a down market, to long term (up to 50 years) savings over varying markets. I agree right now that DVC doesn't look like a strong savings when compared to current package deals. But once the economy recovers those deals to fill rooms will go away.

If you plan a frequently visiting WDW then DVC is still the best offer.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Owning DVC doesn't mean you have to pass up on any of the "deals" as they come and go. You can always do a combination trip of a free dining plan stay followed up by your DVC stay. You can also bank your points to the following year and take advatage of the current deal. Just don't "over buy" the number of points, that could make it difficult to use all of them before they expire, or prevent you from taking advantage of the current deals.

 

[brenalexacamp]

I am almost at the 30 day mark to pass on my dvc ! I see the deals and think-cool- and I think Disney will always run some type of promotion, good economy or not.

Would I rather have 3 nights free and 3 park days free? HMMM- I am paying cash for my dvc-so that leaves me in a superb room for my vacations for the next 40 years!!
which also makes me closer to the parks-we stayed with my friend last time at Boardwalk- you would think I died and went to heaven- a room is a room is a room-BUT getting on a boat outside your door to be in Epcot in 5 minutes-PRICELESS and when me and my son(that has down syndrome) got on the bus for MK-we were the ONLY ones! priceless!!

maybe my dh will love it too -I have been 3 times without him-he likes it but is happy to stay home-I am planning a nice trip in May with some friends that own dvc. He is getting excited-golf, espn club, me telling him we are coming back, you don't haqve to go commando the whole vacation! I may be creating a monster!