DVC Point Charts for 2011 - Post chart release discussion begins on Pg 14

[maminnie]

I can only imagine that there are many, many members whose add ons have become much less useable at the 11 month window without banking/borrowing and that their points don't get them what they use to now after two point reallocations. Can't imagine why we are all upset???

My story is simple.... I didn't buy enough the first time. (Yes my fault.) I bought an add on at another resort (the original was sold out) to give me enough total points at two resorts to go a week in a two bedroom versus a one bedroom during the time of year I personally can go with my family. Worse case I had to move after two nights. I survived the first reallocation but after the second reallocation my add on can no longer get two nights at the 11 month window hence moving after one night if the 7 month window doesn't come through. Not the most desireable thing for a mother with children (my husband is great but he carries the bags I have to pack them!!!!) Two nights/three days I can accept the move and deal with it, one night is just a pain and a waist of time IMO. Is this earth shattering...no; can I bank/borrow...yes; etc. etc. (I personally like to stay current and not bank/borrow in case something unexpected happens in my families life.)

Was it all my fault for not buying a large enough amount of points with my add on to cushion these two unsuspected (but legally documented) point reallocations-YES but I can certainly be very disappointed that my second add on contract no longer works for my family the way I have come to expect. MY FAULT...but still disappointing.

I can't imagine there aren't many members in similar situations with their add ons....

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I really don't understand how DVC has any sort of baseline for a VGC reallocation, yet they have reallocated points within seasons for which the resort hasn't been open yet??
How can that be? If they knew the points were not correct, why not do it prior to selling points?

MG

Thanks for bringing this up. I tried to speak to this point in the VGC thread but when it was brought up but I got no response.

VGC and BLT have only been open a few months and yet DVC feels the need to reallocate even before they can actually see how the booking patterns go for a full year. How do they justify that one? It can't be booking patterns because there is not pattern established yet.

It seems like they knew all along that these point requirements for 2010 would change again for 2011 but you can be sure no guide ever mentioned that to a prospective member. Its hard to believe that VGC and BLT will have different point requirements for 2009, 2010, 2011

 

[kdzgon]

So what's been happening is that--with Disney's blessing--weekend travelers have been subsidizing weekday travelers. I am sorry for those who bought some minimum number of points and now don't find their weekday trips quite so much of a bargain, but am glad I don't have to subsidize their cheap stays.

Well said. ITA.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

I personally look at this from a big picture standpoint. To that end this IS an every few years change and the two years in a row should be looked at as one change. There may be minor changes going forward and some of them may make DVC not viable anymore, such is the world of timeshare.

They made changes two years in a row. This is not one change.

Dean, you can advise people to look at it as one change if you would like but that doesn't change the facts- and the fact is that changes were made two years in a row. To my knowledge, no one at DVC said after the change to the 2009 points charts that this reallocation is part of a two year process to change the points charts and the plan is to change points again in 2010 and then this one change will be complete.

 

[drusba]

They made changes two years in a row. This is not one change.

Dean, you can advise people to look at it as one change if you would like but that doesn't change the facts- and the fact is that changes were made two years in a row. To my knowledge, no one at DVC said after the change to the 2009 points charts that this reallocation is part of a two year process to change the points charts and the plan is to change points again in 2010 and then this one change will be complete.

Though nothing has been said about any future changes, DVC in my inquiries to them did concede that the current change is part of one that began with the 2010 point chart changes to shift points from weekends to weekdays.

 

[Inkmahm]

...
My story is simple.... I didn't buy enough the first time. (Yes my fault.) I bought an add on at another resort (the original was sold out) to give me enough total points at two resorts to go a week in a two bedroom versus a one bedroom during the time of year I personally can go with my family. ...

Unless there was some reason for buying at another resort, I would have purchased additional points at the "original sold out" resort through Disney. All you had to do was tell your guide how many additional points you wanted and wait a short time for them to be available.

My first purchases were at sold out resorts- BWV and VWL. The only points I bought at a current resort were the ones at AKV.

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

Though nothing has been said about any future changes, DVC in my inquiries to them did concede that the current change is part of one that began with the 2010 point chart changes to shift points from weekends to weekdays.

That is good to know. I assume that concession that you got from them was in a private inquiry and not one that they would announce on their member website.

But I still don't remember anyone from DVC at this time last year telling me that this is part one of a change that will require another change a year from now.

 

[WendyinNC]

I can only imagine that there are many, many members whose add ons have become much less useable at the 11 month window without banking/borrowing and that their points don't get them what they use to now after two point reallocations. Can't imagine why we are all upset???
...
I can't imagine there aren't many members in similar situations with their add ons....

I have a similar situation. I purchased 55 points at HHI which was enough to stay Sunday - Thursday in a 2BR every 3 years. Now this contract is worthless to me as HHI points. I'm trying to decide whether or not to sell it or just use the points at the 7 month window.

 

[chalee94]

I can only imagine that there are many, many members whose add ons have become much less useable at the 11 month window without banking/borrowing and that their points don't get them what they use to now after two point reallocations. Can't imagine why we are all upset???

...I can't imagine there aren't many members in similar situations with their add ons....

lots of members - including me - bought in primarily for the cheaper weeknights. we are all in similar situations...but despite being frustrated last year, i understood DVC's position: if too many members are buying in primarily for the cheaper weeknights, then it unbalances the system as a whole...and thus, the reallocation became necessary.

so yes, there are lots of members who will have to adjust...and that is exactly the problem: too many members focused on using pts on weeknights.

we will all just have to adjust (or sell if it changes things dramatically for you). but the fact that there are many frustrated DVC members right now is an argument FOR reallocation, and not against it.

 

[maminnie]

Unless there was some reason for buying at another resort, I would have purchased additional points at the "original sold out" resort through Disney. All you had to do was tell your guide how many additional points you wanted and wait a short time for them to be available.

My first purchases were at sold out resorts- BWV and VWL. The only points I bought at a current resort were the ones at AKV.

If I knew then what I know now regarding TWO point reallocations in two years, that is exactly what I would have done. At the time of my add on, I personally was not familiar with the resale market and the wait for points at our original resort according to our DVC guide could have been quite a while (the original resort had sold out shortly before our add on needs).

Oh well what can you do...live and learn, deal with it, or sell.

 

[Metsoskil]

I think the problem is that Disney used to be the one company that made your feel good about parting with your money. You'd go to WDW, spend $99 to get your daughter's hair done, etc, and feel really happy about it. That doesn't happen anywhere else that I know of. It's why we all love Disney.

This point re-allocation along with other changes to DVC and WDW take some of that magic away. Now we notice what we're paying, and don't feel so good about it.

DVC/Disney have the right to do what they did. Any hopefully for them it will all work out in their favor. It certainly hasn't for me as an owner of 90 points. I'm not complaining, but I'm not smiling about it either. I've got some decisions to make about my vacations. I can't see any way that I won't spend less days at WDW on future vacations. That will mean less money for them. I guess they figure they'll make up for that loss by bringing in people on weekends. Time will tell.

 

[kdzgon]

...Maybe some day some of us can vacation more over weekends when our lives allow it....but till then...... ...

It may not be true for you (and, I'm sure a number of others) but I suspect many of us that often utilized the "Sun-Thurs" booking could indeed vacation on weekends, but the point cost was simply too prohibitive to do so via DVC, at least on points alone. I also think the "average" message board poster is much more savvy about how to best maximize our ownership thus may be more upset than the "average" DVC owner re: the recent allocations. In fact, I would suspect many a DVC owner won't even realize there has been an extraordinary reallocation.

Calculating re-allocations is a massive amount of work; I find it hard to believe it would be undertaken if the belief was the net effect would be detrimental to the majority of DVC members.

On a personal level, the changes certainly will impact us negatively if we continue to travel as we have done since we purchased in 2006 (relatively short time, but lots of trips in those few years!). However, I am looking at these changes as an opportunity to change the way we use our points.

Perhaps I am in the minority here, but I see these changes as adding flexibility rather than limitations to ownership, even if ultimately that does not materialize for me personally. Certainly it allows better opportunity to book less expensive flights and allows those within driving distance better opportunity to take long and/or more weekend trips. Trips over seven days can now include two weekends at a lower point cost; traveling on weekends for many people means less vacation time required. Are weekends busier? Yes, but life is all about trade-offs. I suspect many will be happy to add a weekend day or two or save significant airfare to trade a weekend night or two for a weekday one.

JMHO; worth price charged!

 

[photobob]

I understand there are people negatively affected, positively affected and people unaffected by this re-reallocation. I am unfortunately one of the negatively affected. I stay Sun-Thurs for two reasons, one is lower points obviously. The second reason is I photograph weddings, 99% of which are on Saturdays. When I make reservations 11 months out for Sun-Thurs I can still book a wedding on either end and still do my WDW trip. I know technically speaking the reallocations are perfectly legal and within DVC's right to do so, but i can't help but feel I have been duped a bit by the sales pitch. The big pitch is to invest your money now and you lock in today's prices. Well that may be technically correct but it sure doesn't feel that way when a five night stay has jumped by 40 points!

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

I think the problem is that Disney used to be the one company that made your feel good about parting with your money. You'd go to WDW, spend $99 to get your daughter's hair done, etc, and feel really happy about it. That doesn't happen anywhere else that I know of. It's why we all love Disney.

This point re-allocation along with other changes to DVC and WDW take some of that magic away. Now we notice what we're paying, and don't feel so good about it.

Reason#256 Why I truely hope DVC management reads these boards.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I understand there are people negatively affected, positively affected and people unaffected by this re-reallocation. I am unfortunately one of the negatively affected. I stay Sun-Thurs for two reasons, one is lower points obviously. The second reason is I photograph weddings, 99% of which are on Saturdays. When I make reservations 11 months out for Sun-Thurs I can still book a wedding on either end and still do my WDW trip. I know technically speaking the reallocations are perfectly legal and within DVC's right to do so, but i can't help but feel I have been duped a bit by the sales pitch. The big pitch is to invest your money now and you lock in today's prices. Well that may be technically correct but it sure doesn't feel that way when a five night stay has jumped by 40 points!

I feel for you Bob. We tend to drive down on Saturday and either stay north of Orlando or at a value/moderate on our first night because we are getting there late.

I have not been willing to spend weekend points for a resort when we get their as 6 or 7 pm on Saturday night.

I'm thinking that Friday night on our way out...just became much more appealing though!

 

[MiaSRN62]

maminnie : can I bank/borrow...yes; etc. etc. (I personally like to stay current and not bank/borrow in case something unexpected happens in my families life.)

Maminnie...while I realize you are not too keen on banking/borrowing, it actually might be your best bet. At least until this allocation thing maybe turns back around a little ? In the next couple of years, some of the resorts will probably see a much higher demand for weekend stays (now that points are lower---can't help but think this is going to really attract more local Members) and in 2-3 years DVC may turn the tables again. But till then, I plan on banking/borrowing. I own 125 points each at AKV and BLT. I will just stay at one resort every other year and utilize the B&B system to utilize my points to the best I can. I wish you luck. I'm sure you'll figure out something that can work for your family. Happy trips to you !

Maria

 

[drusba]

Unless there was some reason for buying at another resort, I would have purchased additional points at the "original sold out" resort through Disney. All you had to do was tell your guide how many additional points you wanted and wait a short time for them to be available.

My first purchases were at sold out resorts- BWV and VWL. The only points I bought at a current resort were the ones at AKV.

Yes, I have had a series of inquiries into MS (who then sends them on to management who then gets back to me either by email or phone) since the change and I am still waiting for some additonal answers to some questions. They did not say anything last year about a planned two year change but it is making sense now because of the 20% max rule -- they cannot change any given night more than 20% up or down in any given year without putting it to a member vote. The changes that have now been made over two years exceeed a total of 20% and thus they chose to take two years to do such a total and thus avoid the 20% max rule.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Yes, I have had a series of inquiries into MS (who then sends them on to management who then gets back to me either by email or phone) since the change and I am still waiting for some additonal answers to some questions. They did not say anything last year about a planned two year change but it is making sense now because of the 20% max rule -- they cannot change any given night more than 20% up or down in any given year without putting it to a member vote. The changes that have now been made over two years exceeed a total of 20% and thus they chose to take two years to do such a total and thus avoid the 20% max rule.

I did not realize that the combined two year changes exceeded 20 percent? What was the percentage closer to?

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Yes, I have had a series of inquiries into MS (who then sends them on to management who then gets back to me either by email or phone) since the change and I am still waiting for some additonal answers to some questions. They did not say anything last year about a planned two year change but it is making sense now because of the 20% max rule -- they cannot change any given night more than 20% up or down in any given year without putting it to a member vote. The changes that have now been made over two years exceeed a total of 20% and thus they chose to take two years to do such a total and thus avoid the 20% max rule.

Last year, in light of how many studios had a reallocation up to the max, I guessed another reallocation was coming this year. Which brings up the question, how many reallocations this year were at the 20% max? If it ws a significant number, we may be in for more changes in the near future. -- Suzanne

 

[MiaSRN62]

I understand there are people negatively affected, positively affected and people unaffected by this re-reallocation. I am unfortunately one of the negatively affected. I stay Sun-Thurs for two reasons, one is lower points obviously. The second reason is I photograph weddings, 99% of which are on Saturdays. When I make reservations 11 months out for Sun-Thurs I can still book a wedding on either end and still do my WDW trip. I know technically speaking the reallocations are perfectly legal and within DVC's right to do so, but i can't help but feel I have been duped a bit by the sales pitch. The big pitch is to invest your money now and you lock in today's prices. Well that may be technically correct but it sure doesn't feel that way when a five night stay has jumped by 40 points!

I do understand how you feel Bob.
The one thing I am satisfied with was our decision to sell OKW last June. Points there for our usual stay from 2009 to 2011 jumped 50 points ! While OKW is a nice resort and we had enjoyable stays there, I certainly don't feel it's "on par" as a resort such as AKV which is 5 points LESS for our usual stay in a standard view villa.
OKW 5 weeknights in 2 bedroom Magic = 200 points
AKV 5 weeknights in 2 bedroom (Standard) Magic = 195

The savanna view is 50 points more. But when comparing the same week/same size villa at OKW and AKV, I use the standard view because I feel that's more on an equal level. So it's actually less points at AKV and that amazes me. Like I said, OKW is a fine resort, but not worth the extra 50 points it would have cost us to stay there in 2011 (and 30 extra points for 2010) for us personally. One of the main draws for OKW used to be the lower point value. I was able to feel like I could accept some of the things that OKW didn't offer that other DVC resorts did for the lower points. Not now....at least in Magic season. And BWV standard view is only 5 points more per week as well over OKW.


Maria