I have read most of this thread and I can't wrap my head around the fact that so many people claim to have purchased
DVC for the ticket discount. That is extremely poor financial planning. I really have my doubts as to the veracity of those statements but it is more of something to complain about so you have something to whine about. Sell your points if that is what you want but don't hide behind the lloss of the discount as the reason for it. an
Cant someone purchase an AP now for $516 and activate at any time in the future? If so my plan still works and as long as the DVC discounted APs at $516 are still available for the next couple of weeks it will work out to my benefit.
The only way I could justify DVC purchase was if it was a small amount, did not take from our savings and gave us a benefit for several years. Otherwise the restrictions and loss of income on the $ tied up in DVC did not make financial sense for us. The AP allows for two or possibly even three visits during a years time but typically we would only make one WDW visit every other year and stays would only be five nights so a discount on a multi-day pass will probably benefit us more than an AP. Nice to have the option though.
The way I figure a person could purchase a small AKV contract and potentially come away after a year of ownership having the initial buy in cost paid for vs renting points if the discount on APs is available. For me it seemed a little more of a sound investment than tying up 15 -30k in a DVC purchase.
Example: 25 point contract with 2013 and 2014 points and no dues till 2015. Purchase for $92 per point. Total with closing costs: $2675. Discounted APs for a family of four: $2064. MFs for 2015 and 2016 points: $315. Points available for two five nt studio stays during Dream season in a value studio at AKV. Value studio may get you a SV or may not but theres a good chance youll end up with a SV. Total cost purchasing the 25 points, APs at a discount and point maint. Fees is $5054
If renting, someone may be able to secure value rooms at AKV but the times I have tried to rent only the SV are available. So those same 10 nights in a SV studio at AKV during Dream season will cost me $2380 at $14 per point. The APs without the discount are $2536. Total cost of renting points, APs without a discount is $4916.
In this scenario purchasing the low point contract with a discount on APs only costs $138 more compared to renting the points and purchase of the APs. The tables in wonderland 20% discount on food will make up the difference in one years time, essentially costing no more than renting points for two five night vacations.
A person could subsequently stay for five nights every other year during adventure, choice or dream seasons with those same points and the only cost of lodging would be the maintenance fees until 2057.
I know the theme park discounts and AP discounts can go away at any time but Im betting that some form of discount on park tickets for DVC owners will continue to exist and I think its reasonable for me to factor in some form of a discount when deciding to purchase DVC. If there is a ticket discount offer it will be a reason for me to potentially add on, perhaps with Poly points, in the future. The AP discount is a catalyst to either add or plan additional room only vacations in addition to the stay afforded solely with current DVC points.