DVC Member discount for cash rooms

[married@wdw]

Hi guys! I didn't have a chance to call member services today, but I'm wondering...how do discounts for rooms paid for with cash work? Do we only get them on DVC rooms or can we get a discount anywhere on property? How much is the discount usually?

We don't usually play games with the weekend nights on a trip, but we're going with some crazy friends and changing hotels three times so we can check out hotels we've never stayed in before. We're covering with points a Thursday night at SSR and a Sunday and Money night a Boardwalk (we got a Boardwalk View so we're all excited about that) and they're paying cash for the Friday & Saturday, hopefully at Wilderness Lodge. We currently have a full-price, which was surprisingly only $199/night (much cheaper than other Deluxes -- even Animal Kingdom Lodge came up higher and I thought they were always the same). We have APs and are hoping that discount will come through, but in the meantime, I'm hoping to lessen our friends' burden if I can. The more we save them, the better our meals will be!

Thanks!

 

[sheryl0521]

Discount on DVC rooms (only DVC hotels, not all rooms) is 25% off the rack rate - if available. The discount is not always available. Perhaps someone else can explain when it is available vs. when it isn't.

I have gotten the discount during high volume times like President's week in February, then I have had to pay full rack rate during non holiday times in October.

Enjoy!

 

[DebbieB]

I've been able to get a cash discount room at OKW the past 3 years for early May for a Friday and/or Saturday night with no problem.

Be aware that a Boardwalk view cannot be reserved for cash.

 

[tjkraz]

The cash discount is only available when DVC predicts that it will not be able to rent all units to members wishing to stay on points.

Also, when a room is booked on DVC points the member must be staying in the room. In other words, you cannot book more than one room using the cash discount for a single night.

 

[senecabeach]

I was wondering the same thing too ??

I am planning a solo trip..flexible with Aug, Sept, ...

Im real new to this AP..and.. just ordered my DVC AP ( which I never had before).

Guess...Im now waiting for my AP voucher to arrive..then..call for the ressie (using my AP voucher#)??

Do other discount codes come out..room or studio?? Are they usually better than for DVC AP??

What do you think about getting a DDE for 1 ??

Any thoughts out there would be appreciated??

 

[tjkraz]

Guess...Im now waiting for my AP voucher to arrive..then..call for the ressie (using my AP voucher#)??

You need to wait for AP discount codes to be released. We usually receive an email notice the day before, but you won't be able to register for those notifications until you have your actual AP (not the voucher.) Until then, watch Mousesavers.com and the resorts board here for postings.

The current codes cover dates from 4/17/05 to 7/4/05.

Some rooms are in very short supply at the AP rates (particularly DVC rooms), so you need to call quickly after the codes are released to have the best shot at your desired resort / room class. Also note that while DVC rooms can be booked at AP discount rates, a CRO booking and a DVC booking cannot be "linked" together, meaning you will definitely have to check-in twice and may have to switch rooms during your stay.

Actually booking a room is simple. You don't even need to have the AP in your hands when you call--CRO will only ask for the discount code. The requirement is that you simply show the AP when you check-in at the resort to guarantee the discount. If you haven't redeemed your voucher by the time you check-in, they will either accept just the voucher as proof or (worst case) ask that you return with the actual AP in 24 hours to prove that you did purchase it.

Do other discount codes come out..room or studio?? Are they usually better than for DVC AP??

They also have discounts for AAA, FL residents, and even codes that do not require an AP. But, AP codes seem to be the best.

What do you think about getting a DDE for 1 ??

The breakeven point is $250 of purchases at eligible restaurants. So, if you will spend more than that in a year's time, it's worth the purchase. Make sure you check out the list of eligible restaurants. Most, but not all sit-down establishments at WDW are included.

 

[Scoootch]

Guess...Im now waiting for my AP voucher to arrive..then..call for the ressie (using my AP voucher#)??

Actually, you can call now and book your room...if an AP code is available ask for it and they will book the room with the AP code. The AP is required upon check-in at the resort for verification that you are eligible for the AP Discount but you won't need it until check-in so you can book with the discount now and just show the AP when you arrive and check in Also, if it's too early for the AP codes to be out yet and you're booking for say next Oct. for example, you can book the room now at rack rate and when the AP codes are released, call back and have them add the code and they'll adjust your rate

Do other discount codes come out..room or studio?? Are they usually better than for DVC AP??

On occassion they do have discount codes for the DVC resorts...you need to ask when you call to book. As for "are they better than the DVC member discount though?" You need to call both CRO and find out what the rates are with a code and call MS and find out if and what's available and how much? and then compare. Sometimes DVC has the better rate and sometimes CRO does.

The biggest things to keep in mind though are these:
If you book cash through MS with the DVC discount IF AVAILABLE they can LINK your reservation together with you points reservation and you most likely will not have to check out and then back in again if you are reserving the same room in the same resort and won't have to move. If However, you book the same room at the same resort with cash though via CRO, MS and CRO have 2 different inventory systems and because of this you'll have to almost definetly check out and then back in and though they will note on both systems if you ask them to about both ressies, they will not guarantee that you won't have to move.

Also, as mentioned, if you are booking with the DVC Member cash discount (not that this applies to anyone traveling solo but for general info.) the member is required to be staying in that room so you cannot book a room with the member discount for friends or family if you won't be staying with them or book a 2nd room for someone else.

What do you think about getting a DDE for 1 ??

If you'll be eating out for your entire trip and the discounts are figured to be more than the $50 you'll pay for the card then you can't go wrong. From what I understand, you can use the card in the food courts too....you need to figure out how often you'll be eating out and how much you'll most likely spend though.

HTH's

 

[sheryl0521]

Be aware that a Boardwalk view cannot be reserved for cash.

So true! We could have had a Boardwalk view this past February, but I wanted to pay cash for the weekend nights and I was told I could not. Quite a bummer.

 

[caskar]

I have use both AP discount and DVC discount. AP has been better in the past then DVC members discount. When I have used AP, I didn't need an AP number when making the reservation and at check in they never asked to see my AP. But, I wondered if Disney couldn't just cross check that in the computer system since a person with an AP provides their address.

 

[senecabeach]

GOSH... How can I sincerely "THANK ALL of YOU" for your tips and wonderful information???

:thewave: Much Appreciated !! :thewave:

WOW... to ALL !!!