DVC Resorts question

[CharityLynn]

Ok, I know that there are DVC specific resorts, my question is this. Can you reserve another non-DVC resort with DVC points?

 

[Chuck S]

Most, but not all, regular Disney resorts can be reserved with points. However, it certainly is not the best use of points, as Disney requires a LOT of points for a regular resort vs. DVC resorts.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

The only ones you can't use points for are resorts that are partly DVC, such as BW and BC.

We used points to stayed at AKL. It was expensive point wise, but they were holding points that we needed to use. I am very glad we stayed there, but next time, I will use cash.

 

[Scoootch]

Most, but not all, regular Disney resorts can be reserved with points. However, it certainly is not the best use of points, as Disney requires a LOT of points for a regular resort vs. DVC resorts.

I totally agree

To give you an example of why : to stay in a 2bdrm villa at OKW (I'll use my home resort for an example) in early Dec. which is value season for DVC - it would cost you 22pts per night Sun.-Thurs. and 54pts per night for Fri. and Sat. nights. So it would cost you if you wanted to stay from say Sat.12/4 - checking out Sat. 12/11 218pts total. For the same exact stay at The polynesian resort in a regular Garden view room which would be the lowest amount of points to spend to stay there it would cost you 39pts per night Sun.-Thurs. and 70pts per night Fri. and Sat. nights for a total of 335pts!

117pts extra to stay in just a regular hotel room albeit at one of Disney's nicer deluxe resorts is just not worth it in comparison to being able to stay in a huge 2bdrm villa with a king size bed,laundry room,full kitchen,jacuzzi tub....the only time it's really worth it IMO is if you have points that will expire that you need to burn or loose them or if you're trying for a last minute trip and all the DVC's are completely booked up - but even then, I'd have to want to go REALLY badly to burn up my points that way .

JMO though.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Another option is to rent out points and use the cash you get to stay at at the Poly (or any other resort). Using Scootch's example of 218 points for a week at DVC, you could sell those points for $2180. If you have an AP you can usually get a garden view at the Poly for about $225 with tax (or a little more) a night. That comes out to $1575 for a week. You'd actually have money left over if you took that route.

 

[tjkraz]

You also cannot book the All Stars or PC using points.

When one buys into DVC, you acquire some ownership in the DVC resort that is your Home.

Even though the other WDW resorts fall under the same "Disney" banner, we're talking about different business units. Staying at the Contemporary or Grand Floridian is technically a trade option. DVC has to negotiate the specifics of the trade with the WDW resort group on an annual basis, and the terms tend to be less than favorable for members.

Many folks who need their "fix" at another resort will split their stay between two hotels. The point requirements for weekends at DVC resorts are 2 to 2.5 times the weekday rates. It's not uncommon for members to pay cash for a room on the weekends and use points for the weekdays.

 

[CharityLynn]

Thank you everyone for responding. We will probably do cash, we'd really like to stay at the Contemporary. My Husbands parents are actually DVC members and said something about letting them see about using points to get us a room but I'd rather not go that route if it is going to cost them alot more.

Thank you all for your input

 

[Scoootch]

Well if your heart is set on staying at the CR then you would be better off paying cash and seeing if you can apply any of the discount codes. That said though, if you haven't ever stayed at a DVC resort, I'd highly recommend you try it out You may really like it. BUT if the CR is it for you then you would be taking the correct route.