Incentives

[MamaCrush]

We have already received the free DVD and The Book from DVC, and I'm ready to make my first call to ask some questions. (My Guide is Jim McCoy, for whatever that's worth...).

My question is-- are all the available incentives out there in the open right off the bat?? Or is there any negotiation/game-playing involved? In other words, if I play hard to get, will they enrich the incentives? I know that's how it's normally done in the real world, but with Disney I'm not so sure. I just really hate to strike a deal, close it and then find out I left money on the table!!

Any advice??? Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

no - the price is the same no matter how long you wait.

there is a $5 incentive off BLT if you buy a 100 or more points.

don't know about the one at AKV

Disney is not into playing those games.

which is good for the buyers. you don't feel cheated when someone else who brought in around the same time as you got a better price.

 

[disneynutz]

We have already received the free DVD and The Book from DVC, and I'm ready to make my first call to ask some questions. (My Guide is Jim McCoy, for whatever that's worth...).

My question is-- are all the available incentives out there in the open right off the bat?? Or is there any negotiation/game-playing involved? In other words, if I play hard to get, will they enrich the incentives? I know that's how it's normally done in the real world, but with Disney I'm not so sure. I just really hate to strike a deal, close it and then find out I left money on the table!!

Any advice??? Thanks!

I haven't heard of anyone negotiating a better incentive deal once they get started, BUT you can get different deals depending on where you do the deal.

Disneyland, Disney World, Doorway to Dreams, and Disney Cruises all have different incentive deals with WDW being the worst.

 

[Tara]

no - the price is the same no matter how long you wait.

there is a $5 incentive off BLT if you buy a 100 or more points.

don't know about the one at AKV

Disney is not into playing those games.

which is good for the buyers. you don't feel cheated when someone else who brought in around the same time as you got a better price.

The incentives are pretty well known and there's no haggling. It's like buying a Saturn.

1. The AKV incentive is a $8 per point credit and I believe they are still offering an initial allotment of developer points to be used at SSR (and DLV?) - the "free" allotment is equal to the number of points you buy. So while you can't use your AKV points until May 2009, you can use the developer points at any time in the next year starting immediately after you purchase.

2. I thought the BLT incentive was for new purchases of 160 points or more or member add-ons of 100 points or more?

 

[MamaCrush]

no - the price is the same no matter how long you wait.

there is a $5 incentive off BLT if you buy a 100 or more points.

don't know about the one at AKV

Disney is not into playing those games.

which is good for the buyers. you don't feel cheated when someone else who brought in around the same time as you got a better price.

That's what I hoped the answer would be! I would be kind of disillusioned if Disney stooped to those sort of tactics. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[vicki_c]

I think you will really like Jim as well (he's my guide) -- he's very upfront and doesn't play games (even though DVC doesn't do much of that in general) and a DVC owner himself!

Negotiating is what I do for a living, but I enjoyed the DVC direct purchase with no negotiating at all - I like the fairness of everyone getting the same deal.

 

[PrincessNewsie]

no - the price is the same no matter how long you wait.

there is a $5 incentive off BLT if you buy a 100 or more points.

which is good for the buyers. you don't feel cheated when someone else who brought in around the same time as you got a better price.

I know that they don't haggle, but isn't there the potential for the incentives to get sweeter? Didn't some who first bought into AKV feel burned because the incentives improved with time?

I am waiting a bit to buy to see, and I thought the general consensus was "Wait and see".

Am I wrong?

 

[disneynutz]

I think you will really like Jim as well (he's my guide) -- he's very upfront and doesn't play games (even though DVC doesn't do much of that in general) and a DVC owner himself!

Negotiating is what I do for a living, but I enjoyed the DVC direct purchase with no negotiating at all - I like the fairness of everyone getting the same deal.

We don't all get the same deal. Historically Members who bought at Doorway to Dreams or the DCL got a better deal than those who bought at the same time at WDW.

At WDW DVD feels that they have a captive buyers pool so there isn't a need to sweeten the deal. Several posters reported that the deals at DTD was so good that they flew to Chicago just to get the incentives.

If sales are down the incentives will increase. If sales are up, your are lucky to get a price point discount and a fast pass.

 

[Tara]

At WDW DVD feels that they have a captive buyers pool so there isn't a need to sweeten the deal. Several posters reported that the deals at DTD was so good that they flew to Chicago just to get the incentives.

Wow - I knew other locations offered other deals, but the DTD deals have been that good?

Can anyone provide some examples of DTD incentives? I'm curious...

 

[joech]

My DW and I flew down to DL back in May this year for Disney travel expo to get our deal. We bought 160 pts at AKV and got $8 off per pts, 220 developer pts can be used any DVC or II exchange and 2 annual passes.

 

[vicki_c]

I should have clarified - people who buy under the same conditions, in the same place get the same deals. I wasn't flying to Chicago to buy at Doorway to Dreams (DTD -- clarifying that doesn't mean Downtown Disney) or California booking a cruise! So yes, there are differences!

 

[spiceycat]

I know that they don't haggle, but isn't there the potential for the incentives to get sweeter? Didn't some who first bought into AKV feel burned because the incentives improved with time?

I am waiting a bit to buy to see, and I thought the general consensus was "Wait and see".

Am I wrong?

different incentives - the first offer included getting your name on something that will kept in the AKV kidani lobby.

the second was bonus points.

 

[spiceycat]

My DW and I flew down to DL back in May this year for Disney travel expo to get our deal. We bought 160 pts at AKV and got $8 off per pts, 220 developer pts can be used any DVC or II exchange and 2 annual passes.

that was a nice deal!

 

[PrincessNewsie]

different incentives - the first offer included getting your name on something that will kept in the AKV kidani lobby.

the second was bonus points.

Thank you for clarifying. Kinda like what they're doing at BLT?

Do you personally think the BLT incentives will get sweeter?

 

[Colleen27]

Being completely new to this, can someone elaborate on what sort of incentives are offered at Doorway to Dreams that are better than those offered at WDW? We're in Chicago a couple-few times a year, so I'd like to know if it is advantageous to buy there instead of when we're at WDW.

 

[disneynutz]

In August '08 the Doorway to Dreams incentives were:

1. $8 off per point. You have your choice to take that off the total cost or get a gift card to use as you wish.

2. With 210 points, you get a $1000 Disney Visa gift card. You would get $500 if you purchase less than 210 points (minimum of 160 points)

3. With 210 points you get your choice of a 4-night cruise or 5-night one-bedroom at SSR or savannah view at AKV Kidani Village.

4. Three FPs per day per person during your 5-night stay to use at the theme parks.

5. Closing costs are $235 if you pay cash; $320 if you financed.


This was offered at this years DCL Members Cruise:

BLT points good until 2060, AKL points good until 2057.

1. $5 per point off of Bay Lake Towers (which is selling for $112 per point before this reduction) or $8 per point off of Animal Kingdom Lodge (which is selling for $104 per point before the production. This is good for adding on anything over 120 points.

2. For 120 point in addition to the above you get a special Mickey Big Fig Statue and a 4 night stay in the new Treehouse Villas before booking opens to the general public.

3. For 200 point add on you get a 5 night stay Savannah view at AKL in a 2 bedroom, fast passes good for your whole family for the length of stay and $250 visa gift card or $250 shipboard credit on this cruise.

4. For 270 point add on you get either a 7 night stay in a Magic Kingdom 2 bedroom at BLT (with fast passes), or if you don’t want to wait until BLT opens a 4 night stay in the Contemporary Tower, or a Cat 6 stateroom for 2 on next years Member Cruise to be held 9/13/09. This comes with a $300 visa card or shipboard credit.

5. For 360 points you get the special ABD Backstage Member Exclusive Tour on May 12,2009 for 2, or any one of 10 other ABD trips. This comes with a $400 visa card or shipboard credit.

6. For 500 points there is a 7 night stay at the Grand Wailea in Maui in an ocean view room, or the exclusive Member ABD trip to Italy on 7/20/09 or any ABD for 2. This comes with a $750 visa credit or shipboard credit.


As for the raffle prizes here is what was given away:

1) Castaway Cay Stingray Adventure
2) Wine & Cheese delivered to your stateroom and a rainforest pass for the length of the cruise.
3) $200 shipboard credit
4) Wine package for your dinner table and a bottle of the Captains special reserve.
5) A Massage on Castaway Cay
6) 7 night trade out via II

 

[thepowellslovedisney]

I spoke with my guide today about this and unless Doorway to Dreams is having a special event, the incentive is the same. Currently both Doorway and WDW are running the same incentive. (Practically nothing IMHO). On top of that, I asked how sales were and he said the last 4 weeks are the best it has ever been for DVC and not to expect any other incentives any time soon. So, I'll be waiting for an event at doorway or until we take a cruise. Maybe at that point there will be a better offer on the table. Bummer, I was really excited about BLT but the points per night are REALLY high and the cost per point is just ok. Some of the other resorts are starting to look more attractive as add-ons. It is a question of is the location really worth it.

 

[disneynutz]

I spoke with my guide today about this and unless Doorway to Dreams is having a special event, the incentive is the same. Currently both Doorway and WDW are running the same incentive. (Practically nothing IMHO). On top of that, I asked how sales were and he said the last 4 weeks are the best it has ever been for DVC and not to expect any other incentives any time soon. So, I'll be waiting for an event at doorway or until we take a cruise. Maybe at that point there will be a better offer on the table. Bummer, I was really excited about BLT but the points per night are REALLY high and the cost per point is just ok. Some of the other resorts are starting to look more attractive as add-ons. It is a question of is the location really worth it.

Look for a DTD event when the BLT model is complete. I bet they will have a big party.

 

[Golden Rose]

Jim's our guide, too, and you are definitely in good hands. He's always upbeat, he returns calls quickly, and he really does know a lot about the ins and outs of DVC.

Let me add to what everyone else has said and advise you to be aware enough of historic pricing to know when the deals offered are good. When we were first considering buying at AKL, they were offering double developers points. We waffled long enough about buying that that incentive had expired by the time we finally took the plunge. I hadn't known enough to know what a good deal it was until the opportunity was gone, and I've occasionally given myself a very hard time about it ever since.

And, yes, having seen the list of deals offered on the DVC Member Cruise, we're seriously considering booking the member cruise any year we are considering an add-on!

 

[thepowellslovedisney]

Look for a DTD event when the BLT model is complete. I bet they will have a big party.

Thanks for the heads up.