How else can points be applied?

[disneytraveler96]

I've read somewhere around that DVC points can be used towards Disney Cruise vacations and non-DVC resorts at WDW. What are the rules for this? Can they be used at ANY resort (Value, Moderate or Deluxe)? How does it work? Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

dvc points are generally to expensive to spend elsewhere

but yes you can book non-Dvc stays at both the deluxe and moderate resorts - you can't do the values - for a lot more than a studio at any of the DVC resorts - in some cases a 2-bedroom is less points.

you can book anytime from 11 months before to 60 days (if availability) - DVC / WDW needs time to sell your points.
I though the WDW resorts were alot less but someone says the same rules apply?

Once you have use your points for a non-DVC stay - they can't go back - in you cancel then you must use them for a non-DVC stay period.

 

[disneytraveler96]

Are there any preset charts for this year or any historical charts so I can compare? Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

you can go see the DVC points chart - just click on the link at the top DVC points Chart

but the resorts chart is only on the DVC member site (that I know about)

what resort and what time period are you interested in?

 

[disneytraveler96]

I'm not interested in any resort or period in particular. I'm not even a DVC member. I'm just weighing in the pros and cons. So I wanted to compare the DVC resort points chart with a non DVC resort point chart (if one is available). Same question for Disney Cruise. Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

here is a sample - value season - Jan 1 - feb 11, july4 - oct 1, nov2 - dec 17

Polyn
sun-thur
garden 32
lagoon 42
concierge lagoon 52

AKL
pool - 28
Savanna - 30
Delxue pool - 37
delxue savanna - 38
Concierge - 47

moderates
standard - 14
pool/water - 16

fri/sat are a lot more - so are other seasons

 

[disneytraveler96]

So it's a steal, huh? The irony of the issue is that apparently it's cheaper to use points at a BWV preferred studio than using them in a room at the Boardwalk Inn. (ie. you pay more for a room of lesser value in the same hotel).

Doesn't make the slightest sense for me. I can get a moderate for $74 on the value season using the annual passholder discount, why would I use 14 points (with a market value of $10)?

Anyway, I guess using DVC points for non-DVC resorts is out of the question.

By the way, where did you get these data? Is this information available online?

Thanks for your help, Pat.

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

Pat,

We have access to a member's only website for DVC, but it is also in our guide books. DVC would be able to provide you with a copy of the book (update) during a presentation.

As other posters have stated, it is very point costly to stay at a non-dvc resort. The $10 per point value is what members typically rent out their points for, however, once we have paid off our the cost of the points (typically $70-89), our actual cost per point is our maintenance fees. Right around $4.25. Disney needs to be able to recoup the cost of the room that you are transfering to, and they are calculated at rack rates. A rack moderate is close to $129 (before 11% tax), I think.

If you buy DVC, you should plan to primarily stay at a DVC resort to get the most bang for your points. That said, I know that dw and I will do AKL Concierge within the next couple years. Why? Because we want to, and they are our points. We will spend them how we see fit.

Good luck with your decision,

Edward

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by disneytraveler96
So it's a steal, huh? The irony of the issue is that apparently it's cheaper to use points at a BWV preferred studio than using them in a room at the Boardwalk Inn. (ie. you pay more for a room of lesser value in the same hotel).

I wouldn't necessarily call it irony. When you buy into DVC, you acquire ownership in a DVC resort. Therefore your best values occur when you use your points at a resort that are part of the program.

DVC has negotiated exchange rates at the other WDW resorts, but the "costs" are obviously not as economical as using them at a DVC resort.

You could debate the validity of the trade-in costs that DVC and WDW have negotiated, but there definitely is a logic behind it. If you were expecting to see Moderate or Value trade-in prices of 6-7 points per night, then I can understand your confusion. But the reality is that when you buy DVC you really need to plan on staying at a DVC resort to in order to best take advantage of your investment.

 

[disneytraveler96]

What about the villas at the Disney Institute? I know it's not a DVC resort, but since they are villas, maybe a similar point structure as the other DVC resorts is used? No?

 

[tjkraz]

The Disney Institute is gone. The property was almost completely rebuilt from the ground up and will reopen in about 5 months as DVC's new Saratoga Springs resort.

I believe some of the old treehouse villas are still standing, but they are not being used as guestrooms. All of the other guest rooms were demolished.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by disneytraveler96
So it's a steal, huh? The irony of the issue is that apparently it's cheaper to use points at a BWV preferred studio than using them in a room at the Boardwalk Inn. (ie. you pay more for a room of lesser value in the same hotel).

FYI - DVC does not make points rooms available at hotels connected with a DVC resort - Boardwalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club.

With all the discounts usually available at non-DVC WDW resorts, it usually makes sense to pay cash.

Another thing to consider - once you make a reservation with DVC points at a non-DVC resort, they become "reservation points". If you decide to cancel that reservation, the "reservation points" cannot be used at a DVC resort and expire at the end of the use year they were reserved in. You would have to use them at a non-DVC or lose them.

 

[Lisa P.]

Just a thought... This should not enter into the decision regarding whether to purchase (IF that's what you are considering). The points charts for the DVC resorts have stayed pretty stable over the years. However, the points charts for other hotels and locations (including WDW hotels) have changed every year, sometimes dramatically.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Without going through a long winded explanation, in many instances I find it perfectly acceptable, sometime even cost effective, to use points for non DVC stays.

Good luck with whatever you decide...

MG