DVC Sales Down

[TisBit]

I finally watched the infomercial and 3/4 of it was about using your membership non DVC locations. Even though there was really small printed disclaimers, the information was really misleading showing a family vacationing in England, Hawaii, and other locations. Without knowing better, people watching are lead to believe that the DVC provides all inclusive vacations with only a point purchase. It also made me feel that if I didn't buy a ownership interest, I am a horrible parent and husband who doesn't want to have wonderful vacation memories with my family.

Bill

I don't think this is "misleading" anymore than any other timeshare talking about trading to other resorts. I think DVC has tapped the WDW frequent visitor market pretty well and are probably getting more potential buyers rejecting because they don't want to spend every vacation at WDW.

Regardless of the financials, trades are possible, just like with any RCI resort...often times you might be able to book on cash for the cost of the trade fees.

 

[DenLo]

I watched this informerical and realized it was a repeat of one that ran last spring. One woman (the one who's three generation family was at WDW) posts here on the Disboards and mentioned here on the Disboards that her family was selected for this ad. Disney had repeatedly made their ads to show how DVC can be used for more than DVC stays. The new ad campaign is 500 Kingdoms or something like that. I don't think that's much different that other timeshares and not all of them have international properties.

Maybe I won't use my points for anything other than a DVC stay, but in 5 years or 15 years I might want to do something different so I hope than the exchanges are always there and are viable for me to use.

 

[ValpoCory]

It also made me feel that if I didn't buy a ownership interest, I am a horrible parent and husband who doesn't want to have wonderful vacation memories with my family.

Bill

I got the same exact feeling. And the subtle mortality references were a nice touch.

 

[Brian Noble]

I was surprised at how much of the infomercial was focused on non-WDW travel.

The "Only Disney Will Do" crowd is mostly tapped out---habitual WDW vacationers have already been (over-)exposed to the product, and have either bought, or decided to pass.

That means DVD has to now appeal to the new or casual visitor. And, for those folks, the prospect of "only the theme parks forever" isn't nearly as interesting as it is for The Faithful.

 

[dizfan]

Here are some informal numbers. Using a very small sampling of contracts (start and end of July 2010 and July 2011). The price per point paid is off slightly, but I didn't feel like going through several pages of contracts to determine the actual prices.

2010 OKW $90/pt, SSR $90/pt, AKV $112/pt, BLT $120/pt
July 2010 $22,657,332

2011 SSR $99/pt, AKV $120/pt, BLT $135 (some $130 and some $140 so I averaged to $135)
July 2011 $24,635,205

I used Wil's (wdrl) numbers for the resorts that sold more than 2000 points in a month).

My math or sample pricing could be off (because I did this quickly)but it appears July 2011 was a better month for DVD than July 2010.