Interested in DVC

[ErieCruiser08]

Hello,
We recently sailed on the Magic and listened to the DVC presentation. If we were to buy into DVC onboard we would have gotten developer points for BLT (basically they would match however many points we bought--and we had to use those developer points within the next 2 years). Also, they we going to give us $5 off per point to use towards our down payment. AND--if we bought at least 220 points, we would have gotten $500 on-board credit to use on our cruise--the cruise we were on at the moment. Sounded like a great deal to us!!! However--we needed more time to think and since we were unsure, we decided it was best to wait to buy until we crunched numbers at home. Well, now we are looking into another Disney cruise next year and once we figured things out, it would be worth it to buy into DVC prior to sailing so we can use points to sail.

So, (getting to the point now, lol...) my question is: Has anyone booked over the phone and gotten any special deals/promotions? Does anyone know how long they will be offering BLT developer points?

Any input would be appreciated
Thanks!

 

[Lynne M]

Using DVC point for cruises is a generally a poor value. If you plan to cruise on points often, be sure to study the point charts and compare the cost to a cash booking. There is also a $95 fee every time you make a reservation outside of the DVC system.

DVC works well and provides value for those who primarily use their points at DVC resorts.

 

[disneynutz]

The incentives change all the time depending on how well sales are going. I would think that in this economy we will be seeing some pretty good deals for a long time to come.

 

[maburke]

Hello,
We recently sailed on the Magic and listened to the DVC presentation. If we were to buy into DVC onboard we would have gotten developer points for BLT (basically they would match however many points we bought--and we had to use those developer points within the next 2 years). Also, they we going to give us $5 off per point to use towards our down payment. AND--if we bought at least 220 points, we would have gotten $500 on-board credit to use on our cruise--the cruise we were on at the moment. Sounded like a great deal to us!!! However--we needed more time to think and since we were unsure, we decided it was best to wait to buy until we crunched numbers at home. Well, now we are looking into another Disney cruise next year and once we figured things out, it would be worth it to buy into DVC prior to sailing so we can use points to sail.

So, (getting to the point now, lol...) my question is: Has anyone booked over the phone and gotten any special deals/promotions? Does anyone know how long they will be offering BLT developer points?

Any input would be appreciated
Thanks!

I agree with the PPs, that it usually doesn't seem like the best value to use your points to cruise on a regular basis. Having said that, though, the current incentives include a free cruise for 4. So you should check into the dates that that is available, and if they match when you want to go next year, buying now would mean your cruise is free. (Instead of developer points; you don't get both.)

 

[ErieCruiser08]

Is that free cruise promotion offered to new contracts? I wasn't sure if it was only offered to those already existing that were just adding points?

Thanks everyone for your advice so far!

 

[Lynne M]

Just wanted to add a link to this thread:

Confused about cruise points

It has a good comparison of the cost of cruising on points vs. cash.

 

[DeeCee735]

Is there a possibility that you could call a guide and ask if you would still be able to get the same incentives offered on your cruise, stating the reasons you mentioned for not buying there and then, but wanting to buy in now that you've had the chance to crunch the numbers?

Cant hurt to ask, right?

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Is there a possibility that you could call a guide and ask if you would still be able to get the same incentives offered on your cruise, stating the reasons you mentioned for not buying there and then, but wanting to buy in now that you've had the chance to crunch the numbers?

Cant hurt to ask, right?

I was thinking the same thing. Stranger things have happened.

 

[ErieCruiser08]

Just wanted to add a link to this thread:

Confused about cruise points

It has a good comparison of the cost of cruising on points vs. cash.

Thanks for posting this link. It was very helpful in understanding why it isn't always the best value to use points for a cruise.

 

[mecllap]

Erie -- if you are most interested in cruising, DVC may not be a good option for you. I'm new to DVC, and have been doing lots of studying up on it lately -- and it doesn't look like a good use of DVC points (it takes a lot of points to cruise). The Disney cruises have been expanding their itineraries, but still are somewhat limited, as well.

The general advice with DVC, is "buy where you want to stay" and "only buy DVC if you're going to WDW every year or two."

It was likely a good decision not to buy while you were on your cruise -- you will be able to get some incentives if you buy a large number of points direct from Disney, and if you buy resale at a resort you're interested in, you may save a fair amount of money.

So, please read a lot of the DVC threads, and then call and talk to a guide about incentives if it looks like it will work for what you want.

 

[ErieCruiser08]

IF we buy into DVC, we will most likely go to WDW every year or two. But another big reason for us to join would be to go other places in the world--other than Disney world/resorts. We would probably want to use points and go to Europe or other US destinations. We figured it would be a good way for our future children to see the world. Basically we would most likely spend our points equally between DVC resorts and other destinations.
Opinions?

 

[maburke]

Is that free cruise promotion offered to new contracts? I wasn't sure if it was only offered to those already existing that were just adding points?

Yes, it's for new contracts as well, at slightly higher point numbers. (For example, 3-day cruise is the incentive for 100 add-on points, but 160 new contract points.) Sorry I don't have the link to the thread, but the details are here on the board somewhere.

 

[backyardponder]

ErieCruiser08: As you lurk around these boards, you will discover most folks feel using points outside the DVC resorts are not a good use of points. Your annual fees for points are approximately $5 per point (less at BLT, but likely to go up). If you just look at the annual fee times number of points needed plus $95 per reservation, you can probably do a lot better booking without points.

On incentives: DVC is opening a Doorway to Dreams in New York City area. I'm not sure when they are doing this. My guess is the incentives given there will be better than other incentives elsewhere.

Depending on the incentives which interest you, and resort you want, many buy via resale. We bought resale and did much better than buying from DVC even with incentives.

Good Luck!

 

[phyllisnnj]

IF we buy into DVC, we will most likely go to WDW every year or two. But another big reason for us to join would be to go other places in the world--other than Disney world/resorts. We would probably want to use points and go to Europe or other US destinations. We figured it would be a good way for our future children to see the world. Basically we would most likely spend our points equally between DVC resorts and other destinations.
Opinions?

I suggest only buying enough points for your DVC resort stays. Don't lock all of future vacation dollars into a timeshare. Use cash for all of your other vacation options. Give yourself the flexibility to take advantage of the best travel deals available for your desired destination.

Also read "If you knew then what you know now?" - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2088247