increase in points for cruise

[kelly22]

I am alarmed at how the number of points to take a cruise or stay at a non-Disney hotel has increased. We have been DVC members for a short time. One reason we were interested in purchasing the time share was the flexibility offered. We hoped to use our points to take a cruise and to exchange them to travel to other resorts. It seems that the points required to do optional things increases each year which makes our time share less valuable.

 

[StevieD]

Given that part of the value proposition for DVC is the ability to "lock in" your vacation expenses to protect against inflation, it doesn't surprise me a bit that non-DVC use of points is getting more "expensive" (i.e. more points required). Isn't that's what is expected? I know that when I started evaluating DVC, I found that most DVC'ers had based their decision, in part, on the fact that WDW hotel rooms were increasing anywhere from 4% to 8% per year! Since our only ownership is in DVC (not the Cruise line or other hotels), one would fully expect those to gradually get more and more expensive.

I know...it still doesn't make one feel good about it. But I don't see how Disney could limit inflation of cruise line or non-DVC hotel costs just for DVC members.

 

[mistermouse]

These types of "exchanges" are not currently stable for a number of reasons. The one discussed most often is the current soft demand for on-site lodging. Because on-site demand is low, DVC is not able to recoup the appropriate amount of $ by renting out a member's accomodations. To avoid costly discrepancies, DVC now needs more of our points to cover the costs of our non-DVC Disney stays. Unfortunately, the discounted rates available to many at this time is not part of the negotiated contracts DVC has with other WDW resort properties (or the Cruise Line).

Theoretically, the points required for the Disney Collection and Cruise line should remain relatively stable. As lodging inflation increases, DVC should be able to recoup the inflated rate as well when renting out member inventory to cover costs. Maybe the point charts will be adjusted downward when things stabilize in the future?

 

[Doctor P]

We were disappointed in the points increase, also. It priced us out of the cruise on points...until we added on at BCV so that we would have enough! Perhaps its just a great marketing tool for add ons.

 

[Eeyore2U]

I think we need to look at the analogy that we bought into DVC, not DCL or Disney Resorts. These exchanges are no different the ones to II or Concierge Collection.

I tihnk it has been stated on this board, these trades aren't a good use points.

 

[Richyams]

I agree that the theoretical relationship of the value of points for a cruise or other stay should be pretty steady. I also agree that the reason for the rise is soft demand for on site accomodations.

The cruise points have gone down in the past, pretty substantially as I recall. I expect that they will go down again in the future.

 

[BWVDenise]

I hope Rich is right!