Fall/Early Winter 09/30/25 Incentives Released

[Girlstar30]

Aside from feeling lousy about all the people furloughed or laid off, my thought has been: maybe I'm driving to Florida in December for my week there.

I dont want to get into politics on here of course, so all im saying is, I hope they can work something out asap and my heart goes out to fed workers possibly effected and those needing essential services, I cant imagine all the stress they must feel

 

[disneylandtour]

I dont want to get into politics on here of course, so all im saying is, I hope they can work something out asap and my heart goes out to fed workers possibly effected and those needing essential services, I cant imagine all the stress they must feel

Agreed. I think it's fine to talk about the shutdown (as it's happening) and to consider how financial pressure might affect individuals and the DVC sales models for direct and resale. But opinions about who is mostly to blame probably don't belong here, as that would be partisan.

 

[Girlstar30]

Agreed. I think it's fine to talk about the shutdown (as it's happening) and to consider how financial pressure might affect individuals and the DVC sales models for direct and resale. But opinions about who is mostly to blame probably don't belong here, as that would be partisan.

 

[PolyRob]

Fire sales will get you in cheaper always but you never know if a fire sale will happen. I can see waiting for one if you aren't really sure you want to buy but if you know you want to buy then I agree it will just get more expensive in the future.

I wasn't around back then... does anyone know the reasoning behind the VGF fire sale?

There was lots of speculation. The top two that come to mind were a final push before PVB IT went on sale since they're neighbors and DVC getting called out by the CFO on the investors call contributing to lower revenue due to a decline in sales.

 

[PolyRob]

Sales have been so luke warm this year I'm not sure we'll have a "real" base increase, especially on the Cabins. I can see something along the lines of the Kohl's model. Put out a high retail price then immediately discount it by X% to create the illusion of a sale. But I think sales are fairly sluggish right now. Now add in: government shut down (and another round of federal layoffs) and also unpaid TSA and unpaid flight controllers, which will lead to sick-outs then long lines at airports and not-the-safest flying conditions. If this shutdown is still around in a month--and that is an "if"--this likely will lead to cancelled winter vacations in Florida which leads to a smaller and more stressed potential customer pool for DVC. That is, I think DVD is in a difficult position in selling what is essentially a luxury product (deluxe timeshares) to a primarily middle class audience this winter. DVD historically has lagged in adjusting to the economy, but I do think we're moving toward that point. I don't think these discounts will show up in 2025, but early in 2026, maybe. But again, only one person's opinion.

All fair points. That's how VGF became so low at 150 points. We had a lot of fun new discount terms like "Vacation Points for Life of Membership Credit," "Additional Developer Credit," and "Welcome Home."

I think you're right that nothing happens this year. Summer direct sales seemed to be decent so I do fear a base price increase is around the corner. Maybe we'll see some more creative sales tactics like discounted tickets/APs, "free" stays, etc that have happened in the past.

 

[Genie+]

Vacation Points for Life of Membership Credit

The way that sounds... Has anyone tried to resell one of these yet?

We bought 145pts and received 5 free via this incentive for a total of 150pts, basically a credit for $1,085. At 200pts the credit was for 10pts/$2,170. Plus the other incentives

The wording sounds as if 5 points might not carry over to my resale buyer if we sold

 

[VGCgroupie]

All fair points. That's how VGF became so low at 150 points. We had a lot of fun new discount terms like "Vacation Points for Life of Membership Credit," "Additional Developer Credit," and "Welcome Home."

I think you're right that nothing happens this year. Summer direct sales seemed to be decent so I do fear a base price increase is around the corner. Maybe we'll see some more creative sales tactics like discounted tickets/APs, "free" stays, etc that have happened in the past.

I see people saying that there have been drastic promos. When I look at historical promos everything that has been given lately has also been given in the past at some point. Not everyone remembers those promos and assumes Disney must be hurting if they offer a 40% AP room discount.

 

[Cfabar1]

As long as Disney is happy with cash rates at Polynesian I suspect they'll be in no hurry to sell... And even though sales might not be where they want, Polynesian is still the best selling of the resorts...

RIV and VGF would flip based on how good the incentives were... and I believe the flip was done because GF is unable to command the (arguably ridiculous) prices they charge on cash rates... even in a time with revenge economies...

 

[Girlstar30]

I have never seen PIT villas available to book woth cash, I wonder if that will change as more rooms become available

 

[MilesofSmiles]

I haven’t seen this mentioned yet but for this incentive cycle they’ve introduced $1000 credit for Castaway Club members. These are the current member add on sheets my guide sent me for Riv, VDH, and Poly. He also confirmed no Disney visa offers this cycle, D23 Gold (free with my Dis+ subscription) gives $500 off.

Riviera Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

Villas at Disneyland Hotel Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

Polynesian Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

 

[VGCgroupie]

I haven’t seen this mentioned yet but for this incentive cycle they’ve introduced $1000 credit for Castaway Club members. These are the current member add on sheets my guide sent me for Riv, VDH, and Poly. He also confirmed no Disney visa offers this cycle, D23 Gold (free with my Dis+ subscription) gives $500 off.

Riviera Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

Villas at Disneyland Hotel Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

Polynesian Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

I will add these to the top. So it seems doing the members cruise isnt required.
@DoubleBaconBLT

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

The way that sounds... Has anyone tried to resell one of these yet?

We bought 145pts and received 5 free via this incentive for a total of 150pts, basically a credit for $1,085. At 200pts the credit was for 10pts/$2,170. Plus the other incentives

The wording sounds as if 5 points might not carry over to my resale buyer if we sold

Huh. Completely forgot about that. I think my fire sale points are the very last ones I would sell, but now I’m curious if they’d take the 5 points from my 100pt contract or my 50pt contract.

I see people saying that there have been drastic promos. When I look at historical promos everything that has been given lately has also been given in the past at some point. Not everyone remembers those promos and assumes Disney must be hurting if they offer a 40% AP room discount.

I mean, they aren’t offering 40% discounts out of the goodness of their heart…it’s definitely an indicator that it’s harder for them to fill rooms at rack or even 25% discounts right now. I haven’t followed Disney World long enough to know where the line for drastic is…but it’s notably more “generous” than anything available in 22-24.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I mean, they aren’t offering 40% discounts out of the goodness of their heart…it’s definitely an indicator that it’s harder for them to fill rooms at rack or even 25% discounts right now. I haven’t followed Disney World long enough to know where the line for drastic is…but it’s notably more “generous” than anything available in 22-24.

They have offered 40% off 3 out the last 4 years.
https://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

They have offered 40% off 3 out the last 4 years.
https://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

Huh, and one of the years was in the holiday season too!

I’m nearly certain I read commentary this was a broader sale than usual (more categories, more room availability) but I haven’t followed pricing closely ever and even less closely since we bought DVC—but I remember that a number of people here commented it brought some of the crescent lake rooms close to the cost of renting points or even less!

 

[MilesofSmiles]

I will add these to the top. So it seems doing the members cruise isnt required.
@DoubleBaconBLT

My guide only asked if I had ever been on a Disney cruise. It did not matter that it was more than 15 years ago and definitely not a members cruise.

 

[juliebee]

I haven’t seen this mentioned yet but for this incentive cycle they’ve introduced $1000 credit for Castaway Club members. These are the current member add on sheets my guide sent me for Riv, VDH, and Poly. He also confirmed no Disney visa offers this cycle, D23 Gold (free with my Dis+ subscription) gives $500 off.

Riviera Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

Villas at Disneyland Hotel Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

Polynesian Offer for Members with Special Offer Discount and Castaway Club Offer

Is the "incentive value" Magical Beginnings where you sell back your first year of points? or is that something else and you can still subtract Magical Beginnings?

 

[VGCgroupie]

Is the "incentive value" Magical Beginnings where you sell back your first year of points? or is that something else and you can still subtract Magical Beginnings?

Magical Beginnings isnt factored into the sheets on the links above

 

[Sandisw]

I have never seen PIT villas available to book woth cash, I wonder if that will change as more rooms become available

They have been! They go fast though!!

 

[MilesofSmiles]

Is the "incentive value" Magical Beginnings where you sell back your first year of points? or is that something else and you can still subtract Magical Beginnings?

The $1000 incentive is the Castaway Club. The $500 is the D23. Magical beginnings on top of this would take $20 a point off at 150 or more points. So 150 points would be $185 under these incentives + MB.

 

[2jimmyh]

New old member here. lol. We just completed the DocuSign on a new direct purchase 150 points at the POLY. DVC added the new points to my account before we even finished the DocuSign or actually made the down payment off my Disney visa. I am actually paying cash but running all the payments through my Disney visa so I get the points. The Disney Quality assurance team sent me a link so that I can make multiple payments with the Disney visa and as I pay it off, I can add a second and then a third payment which will finalize my total without going over my credit limit. I just have to have it all paid off within 60 days I think but will actually be finished in 30.

Details: We currently own 250 points at Saratoga “resale”. I had my guide, send us the “online tour“ email on 29 September, which locked in the last promotion. When the 30th came, the promotion was worse. So we told the guide obviously, we would go with the prior offer. My discount ended up being $35,250 less $2750 including the $15 per point welcome home weeks reduction and the $500 D23 discount which left $32,500. We chose to Bank the 2025 points and not take advantage of MB. We also decided to add our two adult children to the deed so everyone can enjoy the direct benefits going forward that made sense for us since we travel most of the time together anyway with boyfriend‘s girlfriend‘s cousins, etc. I also added my two adult children to the old deed for Saratoga. It only cost $200 and it made sense to do it all at the same time as purchasing the new Points at the Poly.

Just wanted to say thank you to the members of this group for the assistance with all the purchase incentive information. That strategy of using the 10 day right of rescission was a strong suggestion as it gave us the opportunity to preview the new incentives while still being able to lock in the old ones.