FDP NOT available to DVC?

[Sammie]

The main reason is DVC is "not" Disney Resorts. Disney Resorts offer a "package" where if you are willing to pay them full rack rate without a discount on the room and buy tickets they will throw in dining, during certain times of the year during less than peak times.

I truly do not see why anyone would think that DVC and a Disney resort package are in any way related.

 

[KimRaye]

Let me know how your room at the AS compares to your brothers.

If he is staying at VWL, BCV, BWV or BLT - let me know how the "commutes" compare.

You may be paying for meals next trip.

Bob, I totally understand your logic here. I wouldn't even BEGIN to compare our rooms. I was just trying to find out why FDP was NOT available to DVC people who clearly have $$ invested and should also enjoy the freebies, that's all - IMHO.

As for me, non-DVCer, I DID change my ressies, flights, resort, the whole sha-bang - to get an extra day, free dining, lesser resort for $231 more for a week-long stay. I thought I did good!

I KNOW I traded-off/down but, we want to go!

 

[KimRaye]

Robin, you are fueling his fire now!

Very sneaky

SEE what I mean, Robin?! (I'm the 'sister' of 'blame my sister')

Thanks again everyone! I really didn't mean to step on ANYONE'S toes or cause problems. I truly just wanted to know.

I can almost certainly guarantee that this will be our ONE AND ONLY value stay, besides my first trip, to CBR, which was value back then! Stayed there again after it was upgraded to mod. How so? (another discussion ). Also stayed DVC at OKW. Also the Swan. Also offsite (never again). So, I know the resort differences. I just wanted to know more about the DVC plusses and minuses. Sorry, but thanks!

 

[KimRaye]

I truly do not see why anyone would think that DVC and a Disney resort package are in any way related.

Call me ignorant! Sorry. DVC stands for DISNEY vacation club, right? DISNEY resort packages are also DISNEY, right? Again, pardon my confusion.

If nothing else here, I was trying to STAND UP for DVCers and the lack of FDP for them/you! Geesh. Just wanted some insight/info.

Thanks

 

[DebbieB]

The main reason is DVC is "not" Disney Resorts. Disney Resorts offer a "package" where if you are willing to pay them full rack rate without a discount on the room and buy tickets they will throw in dining, during certain times of the year during less than peak times.

I truly do not see why anyone would think that DVC and a Disney resort package are in any way related.

I would not say they are "not in any way related". After all, DVC members can BUY the same dining package. Members on points stays just don't qualify for this particular special offer. The OP asked an innocent question.

 

[crisi]

Call me ignorant! Sorry. DVC stands for DISNEY vacation club, right? DISNEY resort packages are also DISNEY, right? Again, pardon my confusion.

If nothing else here, I was trying to STAND UP for DVCers and the lack of FDP for them/you! Geesh. Just wanted some insight/info.

Thanks

Big corporations are divided into smaller companies or divisions. Sometimes those companies are divided further. Sometimes companies form divisions that don't even share ownership (i.e. joint ventures). So for Disney - you have a collection of companies that form Disney's movie division (Pixar, Touchstone, Buena Vista pictures), all separate companies with their own responsibility for profit and loss, forming one division.

DVC and DVD (Disney Vacation Club and Disney Vacation Development - the construction and sales arm) are two separate companies. They, along with several other companies, form the Theme Parks and Resorts division. I believe Tokyo Disneyland is an example where there isn't even complete Disney ownership - its a Joint Venture between Disney and a Japanese company.

(I think all this is right, its been a while since I've really looked at a Disney Annual Report).

With each company responsible for its own profit and loss, and each division also reporting in separately, there is very little incentive for one division to simply "give" another division something. In this case, WDW to give DVC "free" dining.

 

[Dean]

We see this question fairly often. To me it raises two questions. Whether some people understand the nature of a timeshare ownership and whether even owning DVC is right for some (or owning less points and doing some stays on cash). I have no problem with asking or hoping for every discount and benefit you can think of, it's when it's expected and people get upset not being included that it crosses the line, IMO.

 

[Lynne M]

Call me ignorant! Sorry. DVC stands for DISNEY vacation club, right? DISNEY resort packages are also DISNEY, right? Again, pardon my confusion.

If nothing else here, I was trying to STAND UP for DVCers and the lack of FDP for them/you! Geesh. Just wanted some insight/info.

Thanks

I don't think anyone was aiming fire at you for not understanding DVC; we all realize that you're not a member, and there's no reason that you would know the strange intricacies of timeshares.

To answer your question, it really comes down to the difference between hotels and timeshares. Hotels need to offer discounts and freebies because they're competing for your vacation dollar, or trying to entice you to take a vacation to their destination.

Timeshares are a totally different animal - you actually own a piece of a resort, and you've in essence pre-paid for many years of lodging. It's a real estate purchase, and there generally aren't discounts involved. I think DVC gives more discounts than most timeshares, no doubt because of that corporate relationship with the theme park division.

The discounts we get are small ones, on tickets and shopping, restaurants, golf, etc. We're never going to get something like free dining, because there's just no reason for the theme park side of the house to give us hundreds of dollars of free food. We're not giving them any money for our lodging. They'll never make that money back from us, and they don't need to lure us to WDW.

So, don't worry, we're not being cheated.

 

[Sammie]

Call me ignorant! Sorry. DVC stands for DISNEY vacation club, right? DISNEY resort packages are also DISNEY, right? Again, pardon my confusion.

If nothing else here, I was trying to STAND UP for DVCers and the lack of FDP for them/you! Geesh. Just wanted some insight/info.

Thanks

Sorry, did not mean to ruffle your feathers, you are not ignorant, nor did I say you were. Simply explaining that Disney is a huge company with many different aspects.

Kinda like if you book a room at a Marriot you do not have priviliges to any thing at another Marriot across town.

Just trying to share some insight and info on how Disney works.

Peace.

 

[BevS97]

It does amaze me how you can never criticize Disney without being told you are insane! I am a pretty huge Disney fan, but I have to wonder about the numbers in this situation.

I like in the UK, so maybe my options are different, but we have a trip planned in August and here are the numbers as I have worked them out.

Currently, on the UK Website, I can book a studio at Old Key West which is a DVC resort,

the cost for one week is

£1,493.00 to pay cash

This includes tickets and free dining.

Or,
I could spend 98 points
plus £856 for tickets
and £561 for DDP (3 adults, 1 child = $910)

That's £1417 for the DVC option.

So, I am saving £80 by using my DVC, or around $130.


I realised I've used multiple currencies here, my intention is not to confuse, just to present the reality of my situation.

 

[crisi]

We see this question fairly often. To me it raises two questions. Whether some people understand the nature of a timeshare ownership and whether even owning DVC is right for some (or owning less points and doing some stays on cash). I have no problem with asking or hoping for every discount and benefit you can think of, it's when it's expected and people get upset not being included that it crosses the line, IMO.

The same two questions occur to me often. And the timeshare question more often during the purchase process or when people are renting points. We here so often that DVC is such a good value because its a "Deluxe Hotel" - which isn't doing the people who don't understand the distinction any favors.

I think its the nature of DVC to appeal to people who like to "save money" - but a certain number of those people like to have the process of saving money repeated over and over again - even if "free dining" ended up costing them more in the end, the thrill of getting free dining is giving them value. Similar to how some members get a thrill out of "owning" part of Disney or the words "welcome home."

 

[Dean]

The same two questions occur to me often. And the timeshare question more often during the purchase process or when people are renting points. We here so often that DVC is such a good value because its a "Deluxe Hotel" - which isn't doing the people who don't understand the distinction any favors.

I think its the nature of DVC to appeal to people who like to "save money" - but a certain number of those people like to have the process of saving money repeated over and over again - even if "free dining" ended up costing them more in the end, the thrill of getting free dining is giving them value. Similar to how some members get a thrill out of "owning" part of Disney or the words "welcome home."

Hence the need to understand the product including how changes may affect you before one is comitted.

 

[KimRaye]

I would not say they are "not in any way related". After all, DVC members can BUY the same dining package. Members on points stays just don't qualify for this particular special offer. The OP asked an innocent question.

Thank you!

 

[KimRaye]

The same two questions occur to me often. And the timeshare question more often during the purchase process or when people are renting points. We here so often that DVC is such a good value because its a "Deluxe Hotel" - which isn't doing the people who don't understand the distinction any favors.

I think its the nature of DVC to appeal to people who like to "save money" - but a certain number of those people like to have the process of saving money repeated over and over again - even if "free dining" ended up costing them more in the end, the thrill of getting free dining is giving them value. Similar to how some members get a thrill out of "owning" part of Disney or the words "welcome home."

I TRULY don't won't to belabour this point, or my original question but, since I haven't asked my brother or any of you, WHAT DOES DVC COST?!?! I realize there's a 15-20-25-30 year factor here but, when you all consider the lesser trips you MIGHT take in future years, IS IT worth it? I mean, you're all paying for DVC all these months & years right? Are you factoring this in to your trip totals $$ also?

Again, please, I'm NOT trying to ruffle feathers! I KNOW there are DVC gatherings to promote this very idea - I just WANT TO KNOW!

Maybe I need to attend one of those gatherings, at Woodfield Mall, in Schaumburg, IL?

I appeciate all the cordial replies and info so far!

 

[Dean]

I TRULY don't won't to belabour this point, or my original question but, since I haven't asked my brother or any of you, WHAT DOES DVC COST?!?! I realize there's a 15-20-25-30 year factor here but, when you all consider the lesser trips you MIGHT take in future years, IS IT worth it? I mean, you're all paying for DVC all these months & years right? Are you factoring this in to your trip totals $$ also?

Again, please, I'm NOT trying to ruffle feathers! I KNOW there are DVC gatherings to promote this very idea - I just WANT TO KNOW!

Maybe I need to attend one of those gatherings, at Woodfield Mall, in Schaumburg, IL?

I appeciate all the cordial replies and info so far!

Kim, the costs include the upfront costs, yearly fees, lost opportunity costs on those $$$, interest for some, risk that you can't pay in the future and the fat you're somewhat locked in to DVC for those trips. The benefits are that you can travel to DVC resorts. YOU have to decide how the costs and benefits fit in your situation. DVC is great for some, poor for others and in between for many. From a $$$ standpoint, if you go light or neutral on weekends, standing on property has a real value to you and you only use those points at DVC (not exchange options, DCL, etc); DVC can be great value. It is the best value for S-F currently, I doubt that will change. It is also the best $$$ value for studios but a 2 BR comes close comparing to 2 regular rooms. A 1 BR is the worst value next to the 3 BR from a $$$ standpoint. Obviously there are other factors than dollars but the $$$ must make sense for those other factors to come into play, IMO. You may want to take a trip to DVC on points maybe as a rental to see how it goes and feels.

 

[Crystal_27]

no look at this disney always has so many deals and room discounts that when you use maybe a pin code to book or one of the deals then add the dining on at regular cost you probably end up at the same final price as when you pay rack rate for the room and add on this so called free dining..

This is exactly what happened with us when we priced the cost of our "bounce back" discounted room price with that of free dining. We ended up coming out ahead with the discounted room rate (by a couple hundred dollars) opposed to getting free dining. Now, with DVC, I'll be doing the happy dance every year when I only have to pay for park tickets and the dining plan -- those cash payers can have their free dining with their over-inflated room costs.

 

[crisi]

I TRULY don't won't to belabour this point, or my original question but, since I haven't asked my brother or any of you, WHAT DOES DVC COST?!?! I realize there's a 15-20-25-30 year factor here but, when you all consider the lesser trips you MIGHT take in future years, IS IT worth it? I mean, you're all paying for DVC all these months & years right? Are you factoring this in to your trip totals $$ also?

Again, please, I'm NOT trying to ruffle feathers! I KNOW there are DVC gatherings to promote this very idea - I just WANT TO KNOW!

Maybe I need to attend one of those gatherings, at Woodfield Mall, in Schaumburg, IL?

I appeciate all the cordial replies and info so far!

For some people, yes. For other people no. For us, yes, its been worth it. We like to stay on property, we like having two rooms - and DVC is about the only affordable way for us to do that in a style we want (we aren't Family Suites sort of people).

Also, there is more than money at play here. If its about getting the best deal possible - no it isn't. But we can afford to blow a little bit of money for things like the kids in their own room. And we can afford the commitment.

I think Mary's Mousesavers analysis is pretty good:

http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html#dvc

 

[Sammie]

DVC is not the least expensive way to see Disney but it is the least expensive way in my opinion, to always stay in a 2 bedroom villa.

By the end of December we will have taken 3/5night trips and if I had paid rack rate that cost would have been over $9500.

We were lucky to buy in when points were under $65 and pay cash for our purchase.

So yes for the accommidations that we stay in, we have saved money.

 

[Dean]

DVC is not the least expensive way to see Disney but it is the least expensive way in my opinion, to always stay in a 2 bedroom villa.

On property yes, Disney in general in a 2 or 3 BR, no.

 

[KimRaye]

I think Mary's Mousesavers analysis is pretty good:

http://www.mousesavers.com/dvc.html#dvc

Thanks crisi! Gonna read up on this!