Has DVC always offered developer points when a new DVC opens?

[dudleydog]

Have they always given "freebie" points when a new resort starts sales and it is a year or 2 before the resort is finished? Wondering if they will when BLT opens. I know the board shows alot of interest in buying there, but we are a small % overall. In this economy, I wonder if DVC will offer any incentives, pts when BLT starts b/c we know the price will be an all-time high.

 

[drusba]

Developer points are a fairly new sales tool for DVC and were really first used only a year or so ago. As to BLV, they likely won't need them to generate sales; however, if they begin selling a long time before BLV opens they may do it so that the buyers can use points (the developer points) at other resorts during the time before BLV opens.

As to historical incentives, be aware OKW through part of the 90s had only one incentive -- free park tickets until 1999. BWV, VWL and BCV never had any incentives including no price discount. The price discount for any WDW resort, meaning certain dollars off the asking price per point, started with SSR although even in its first year or so there was none. VB and HH had a price discount during the late 90s and early 2000s until those sold out.

 

[tjkraz]

Developer points are a fairly new sales tool for DVC and were really first used only a year or so ago.

Developer's Points were also used as an incentive back around 2004 when they were in pre-sales mode for incomplete buildings at Saratoga Springs.

BWV, VWL and BCV never had any incentives including no price discount.

I don't believe that's true. For many years they offered a "Magical Beginnings" discount program under which new members could sell back their first year's points in return for a discount of $8-10 per point. While it wasn't an across-the-board reduction in retail pricing, it was still a viable means for reducing the up-front payment.

The price discount for any WDW resort, meaning certain dollars off the asking price per point, started with SSR although even in its first year or so there was none.

SSR has always had incentives available. At its first offering the price was $89 per point less a $10 promotional discount.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't believe that's true. For many years they offered a "Magical Beginnings" discount program under which new members could sell back their first year's points in return for a discount of $8-10 per point. While it wasn't an across-the-board reduction in retail pricing, it was still a viable means for reducing the up-front payment.

Some early purchasers at VWL and BWV may also have had the option, if they were currently cash Disney resort guests, of having the cost of their current stay (up to $5K?, maybe $2.5K) applied as their down payment or deducted from the cash price. That incentive didn't seem to last too long.

Early purchasers of OKW and VB received freee park admission when staying on points at OKW through year 1999. It was free tickets for 1/2 the capacity of your room...studio and one bedrooms received 2 passes, 2 bdrms got 4 passes, and GV 6 passes.

 

[jarestel]

For many years they offered a "Magical Beginnings" discount program under which new members could sell back their first year's points in return for a discount of $8-10 per point. While it wasn't an across-the-board reduction in retail pricing, it was still a viable means for reducing the up-front payment.

This was true at VWL when we originally purchased way back when VWL was the new kid on the block. We didn't take the discount since we wanted the points so I don't remember exactly what the buy-back price was for those first years' points.

 

[marnietch]

I am still new to the DISboard and, although I am a DVC member, I am having problems with the acronyms. What is BLT mentioned in the beginning of this thread? When is it opening?

 

[cseca]

This was true at VWL when we originally purchased way back when VWL was the new kid on the block. We didn't take the discount since we wanted the points so I don't remember exactly what the buy-back price was for those first years' points.

If I remembered correctly the buy back was $10/pt for each BWV and WLV when we bought them way back in 2000 and 2001.

 

[Chuck S]

I am still new to the DISboard and, although I am a DVC member, I am having problems with the acronyms. What is BLT mentioned in the beginning of this thread? When is it opening?

BLT = Bay LakeTower

A name on file with the state of FL for the new tower next to the Contemporary.

 

[spiceycat]

When is it opening?

best guess late 2009 or 2010 - probably 2010. they haven't started on the inside. heck they aren't through with the outside.

 

[CarolA]

Just a thought, when AKV was first put on sale we did not get developer points. There are a LOT of posters who think that the first offer was not as good as the later offers due to this. I did buy the first offer and am fine as it was a tiny bit cheaper and I could not use the developer points anyway. (And I don't rent LOL!)

 

[RobDoc]

As noted, Developer Points are the most recent sales incentive used by DVC.

The original incentive offered for a DVC purchase was the "Park Admission Program" which provided park passes for early purchasers at OKW and VB. Those owners received the passes for stays thru the end of 1999. That incentive ended in early 1996 prior to the opening of HH and BWV.

After sales had begun for BWV another incentive was offered where guests staying on cash could apply a portion of their costs for that trip to reduce their purchase price of DVC - in return for their first year's points. This was later expanded to include any purchase (whether staying onsite or not) and was called Magical Beginnings. The amount applied was $10 per point - in exchange for the first year's points - but in most cases the Use Year being sold was within about 5 months - so those new members still received points a few months later.

Over time, the amount of the incentive was varied for different resorts - at one time both VB and HH had a $15 incentive for purchase. I believe that every resort thru SSR has been eligible for Magical Beginnings including OKW before it's sellout of the "elevator" buildings. With SSR, the Developer Point incentive (in one form or another) was introduced and has been used since in some form - including the "Double" Developer Points offered at both SSR and AKV in the past year.

 

[bookswin]

When DVC opened its Doorway to Dreams "store" outside Chicago last August, there were killer deals to be had.

Most generous was with purchase of 200 points:

1. $8 off each, so $96.
2. 400 developer points for one-time use.
3. 2007 points available immediately.
4. Could borrow 2008 points immediately.
5. No dues for 2007.
6. 10% down and spread the rest over 3 months with no interest.

I was on that deal like a "duck on a june bug." My wife and I each should have got one. If I remember right, you had to be at the "store" within a few days in person to get this offer. I heard about some folks flying here to sign.