dvc perks?

[twinscandc]

On the verge of taking the plunge into DVC. I have yet to find what perks we will get after doing so. I heard we get a discounted annual pass but thats it. Also, does DVC ever give bonus points or things to new purchasers to make the purchase more attractive. Thanks for any help.

Mark

 

[Chuck S]

There is almost always some promotion being offered by DVC (if you buy direct, not resale) to make the purchase more attractive. I think they are offering Double Developer Points right now, meaning tat the first year you get extra points the first year, or $10 off per point.

There are shopping and dining discounts that can (and do) change frequently. You will receive a list of current discounts when you check-in.

Valet parking, at DVC resorts that offer the service (not OKW or SSR) is complimentary. You still have to pay at regular WDW resorts.

By far the best perk currently offered is the AP discount.

 

[JimMIA]

You are confusing "perks" and incentives.

Incentives are inducements to purchase DVC points directly from Disney. There are currently two -- one at SSR, and a different incentive at AKV. I believe the SSR incentive is $10 off the price and AKV is a choice between $8 off the price or developer points. They were offering double developer points, but I don't know if that is still in effect. Don't take my word for it; get the current incentive info directly from your guide.

Perks are benefits of membership which all members get. As far as perks are concerned, for a buying decision, I would assume that there are zero perks. That's not currently true, but the reason I say that is perks come and go at the stroke of a pen. What we enjoy today could be gone tomorrow, so don't consider those in making a decision to buy.

The best advice I can give you in purchasing DVC is to buy it solely for using your points at DVC resorts and research all of the available options to determine what is best for your family. These two threads may be helpful to you:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1576226
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=778634

 

[starwood]

Just remember that perks come and go. They can offer new ones at any time and can take away old ones whenever they want. So don't base your decision to buy on the perks.

 

[Dean]

The perks are fluff and can be taken away at any time. Only buy if doing so without the perks makes sense. The only exceptions would be for those that are very savvy and where only 2 or 3 years of the perks would pay for their membership such as someone who usually goes a lot but usually stays off site, those who put a lot of people on a small deed to take advantage over a larger group of people or maybe those that live in the area and visit a lot and the free valet has a significant value to them.

 

[Slakk]

The perks are fluff and can be taken away at any time. Only buy if doing so without the perks makes sense. The only exceptions would be for those that are very savvy and where only 2 or 3 years of the perks would pay for their membership such as someone who usually goes a lot but usually stays off site, those who put a lot of people on a small deed to take advantage over a larger group of people or maybe those that live in the area and visit a lot and the free valet has a significant value to them.

I have to admit the valet perk is probably my favorite!

 

[crisi]

But since you asked, DVC members CURRENTLY get a nice discount on APs - but ONLY for APs and ONLY for immediate family residing in the same house. (For us, we are still better off with hoppers - there has been one year where an AP made sense for my husband).

There have always been some restaurant discounts, though the hours and restaurants haven't always been ideal.

There has been an on-again off again Cirque discount, never available when we want.

Valet parking is free, but you have to tip - and often have to argue the charge off your room bill.

DVC members can purchase a golf discount card that can be used by your entire foursome. I believe you generally break even with four rounds (by yourself or one foursome).

Some people really don't like that we aren't "rewarded" for our membership and every year when "free dining" or its equalvent is announced the boards get a few members who want to know why we don't get the "deal of the day" - if deals are important to you, that is a mark against DVC ownership - we get our deal when we lock in the price of our room + increasing maintenance.

 

[JimMIA]

The other "perk" that nobody's really mentioned yet is DDP. We can currently purchase DDP without the room rate and park ticket requirements that regular hotel guests face. However, with the recent changes in DDP, the plan is much less attractive for all and no longer beneficial for many.

DDP and free valet are actually the only perks we've used. We bought the discounted AP one year, but that proved to be a mistake -- the Florida seasonal pass is $100 less than the DVC discounted AP.

 

[Pirates4me]

One of the perks that we enjoy is the fact that oour bank account is reduced every 15th of the month so we don't have that nasty task of counting our money! Just kidding. No I really mean it, no I'm just kidding. We bought the annual pass last year and we actually got three vacations out of it. Saved a ton o'money over the usual hopper ticket price. For me, I'm still not totally sold on the idea but as you might have guessed, my wife is. Heading to somewhere in April 2008 for our 4th DVC vacation.

 

[wildernessDad]

I would not make a decision to purchase or not purchase DVC based on perks, as they are subject to change. If, for example, the 100 dollar-off perk on annuals went away tomorrow, would that dissuade you from purchasing it?

 

[Anal Annie]

We bought this past winter for the purpose of being able to stay in "deluxe" accomodations for the next 47 years. The resort prices were going to price us into the value resorts before long & we thought "Oh how will DS ever be able to afford to take HIS family?!" This I would call an incentive. Now, perks - we decided to spring for the PAP this for this Aug. when we went down as we also plan to go down for 3 n. pre-cruise next summer. Have you priced how much park hoppers are if you only buy 3 days worth?! The AP was definitely the way to go for us.

THEN after our Aug. trip, we decided we really should try to squeeze one other trip in inbetween so we're going down for 4 n. in January simply because we already have our AP's - but we're also OUT OF POINTS ALREADY! So we were able to book a stay at VWL with the DVC member cash discount - so regardless of whether or not they come out with an AP discount, which would be a perk of the AP, we still got 25% off the room rate! That's a perk!