DVC Add-on benefits while at sea

[onberkley]

Hi,
I'm new to the boards, my wife and I will be on the Magic on August 22nd, and are considering adding points to our DVC membership. Are there any benefits to adding points while on the cruise, or are the deals the same if we just purchase them via member services?

Our home resort is SSR, so we would want to add points at that resort if possible.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

 

[Minniesgal]

Same deals (if any) on a cruise as buying at WDW.

Discounts on Aulani points at the moment.

 

[sambycat]

not an owner, but my impression from the boards and online etc... was that the cruise was the way to go for buying DVC - more perks, onboard credits etc?

 

[bobbiwoz]

It used to be that there were bargains to be had buying on board, but that does not seem to be the case any more. One reason we go to the DVC meets is that you are in a drawing for an on board credit and some nice prizes.

 

[OKW Lover]

Same deals (if any) on a cruise as buying at WDW.

Discounts on Aulani points at the moment.

We just added 100 Aulani points while on the Fantasy's 5/2/15 sailing. We got $1,100 off (which I understand is the current standard discount on land) plus an additional $500 gift card to be used on board. This gift card could be instead applied to the purchase price, effectively give you $1,600 off the cost of 100 points.

 

[bumbershoot]

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program-51703/financial-75803/pricing-a-promotions-52175

$165 per point; 100-149 points; buyer receives $500 credit plus matching set of developer's points (currently for current members.)

Our home resort is SSR, so we would want to add points at that resort if possible.

Are you sure you want to buy via DVC for an add-on for an old resort? $135 per point?

not an owner, but my impression from the boards and online etc... was that the cruise was the way to go for buying DVC - more perks, onboard credits etc?

Not anymore.

But no one can state for sure for any sailing. So the BEST thing anyone can do is have that page I linked to memorized or printed just before sailing, and to KNOW what the on-land deal is. We don't know what OKW Lover paid, so we don't know if s/he got a better deal or the same. But OKWLover will know. And that's the best part, to KNOW if you're getting a deal so you aren't suckered into something that you might have preferred to wait on.

 

[southerngirl528]

I have tons of friends that work in sales at DVC and there used to be some great deals to buy or add-on while sailing with DVC. They've pretty much put the kibosh on that. As others have said, Aulani has a good promo, but truthfully unless you live close to the west coast of the mainland, or are a Hawaii freak like me (thus the avatar of the gorgeous mtns of West Maui!), I don't think it makes much sense to buy Aulani. Beachfront resorts will always have considerably higher MF's.

And for those that do not know, Disney has not offered CM's ANY discount whatsoever to buy or add-on at VGF or the Poly Villas since their sales began. Only Aulani.

 

[onberkley]

Thank you all for the information!

Are you sure you want to buy via DVC for an add-on for an old resort? $135 per point?

It was my understanding that there limitations when adding points via resale? We have actually used most our points at hotels outside DVC (Concierge Collection). Is that still a limitation?

 

[OKW Lover]

It was my understanding that there limitations when adding points via resale? We have actually used most our points at hotels outside DVC (Concierge Collection). Is that still a limitation?

Yes, that is still a limitation. Don't look for DVC to change that anytime soon.

 

[Minniesgal]

not an owner, but my impression from the boards and online etc... was that the cruise was the way to go for buying DVC - more perks, onboard credits etc?

Hasn't been that way for quite some time

 

[bumbershoot]

It was my understanding that there limitations when adding points via resale? We have actually used most our points at hotels outside DVC (Concierge Collection). Is that still a limitation?

Yes there are limitations. So, if you want to use your points in those ways, you ARE sure you want to buy directly.

 

[cwdefouw]

Two of the three add-ons that we have done have been while we were on cruises. As mentioned they used to have great deals for cruisers. It was well known to be the best place to add-on or buy points. However for the last several years, they just don't offer those deals anymore, about the only incentive is they occasionally offer an on-board credit that can also be applied to the purchase if desired. We still usually go to the DVC member events on board as they do have a drawing for prizes, and free drinks, but that is really the only benefit left anymore.

 

[bobyetman]

On the WBPC, they were selling only Poly and Aulani. They were giving some discounts on Aulani, but none on Poly.