Looking for 2005 Cruise Point Chart

[Scott5150]

We are planning on cruising in Feb 2005 and I have been searching for a point chart so that I can compare using points to paying cash. Any ideas on where to find it?

 

[RobDoc]

I don't think the 2005 DVC/DCL points chart has been released yet. You may even need to make the reservation and find out later what the actual point cost will be.

Since the 2005 cash rates have only recently been released (and not all dates for 2005 have been released at that), the DVC chart may not be complete yet- I'd think the negotiations are already taking place. Plan on using the 2004 chart as a guide for now.

Good luck!

 

[jel0511]

Doc is as always right. The 2005 point chart for DCL probably won't be available until sometime next year, and most likely after you would need it. What I mean is that you can book a Feb 2005 cruise in March 2004, and I don't think the chart will be available by then, at least the 2004 chart wasn't out that early. So, MS will make a reservation based on the 2004 chart and then your point amount will be adjusted once the 2005 chart is released. Just beware of making a ressie that way. You points will be commited to reservation status, at least the ones you've already used, and if the points do go up alot(meaning it's too much), you'll be stuck with reservation points and not DVC points.

 

[jaysue]

Probably the only thing for sure is that the points for 05 will be higher than 04

thanks
jaysue

 

[Doug Wolfe]

This may not help you very much, but I did the math for my families trip for August 2004. (Family of 5.)

The bottom line, at least for me, was not to use my points for my DCL cruise. I will pay cash for the cruise and I believe come out ahead.

I am sure others will have opinions that differ. But I say use cash.

In fact, what we are doing now is staying at Beach Club Villas for a few days on points and then taking a seven day cruise.

Good luck!

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by jaysue
Probably the only thing for sure is that the points for 05 will be higher than 04

 

[curtisjs]

I'm new to DVC, having not purchased yet but considering. I am puzzled by the discussion - I thought point values for DVC sites and cruises couldn't change from year to year, except to shift slightly from one category to another, such that the total point values are constant. Am I incorrect?

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by curtisjs
I'm new to DVC, having not purchased yet but considering. I am puzzled by the discussion - I thought point values for DVC sites and cruises couldn't change from year to year, except to shift slightly from one category to another, such that the total point values are constant. Am I incorrect?

You're half right. The points for our 7 DVC resorts can't change, well the total can't change, but individual nights or seasons can change. All other points, those for WDW resorts (not DVC), DCL points, Concierge collection, Adventure collection and II exchanges can all change. They are negotiated every year and are not tied to our value of our points, like our points are at DVC resorts.

 

[curtisjs]

Good to know; I thought it all was fixed. Two followup questions:

1) Has the relative value of the disney points changed much, in relationship to transferring to interval international or to the cruise line?

2) When I looked at purchasing DVC, it almost seemed that disney cruising wasn't such a great deal, especially considering the fact that I would be able to pay for my wife & I to cruise w/points, but must pay w/cash for my 2 kids. My sense was that my negotiating power for the best cash price for the cruise for the kids would be compromised since I had to use points for the adult fare, but that I would have to take whatever the price that disney quoted and couldn't shop around b/c I was mixing points w/cash. Is that right?

 

[Scott5150]

Thanks for all the info. I have cruised on points 3 times and paid for one with cash. For me it is all about what I want to do. I know that the cost of the cruise goes up each year since DCL is not part of DVC. I am estimating that if I cruise on points inFeb 2005, the value per point I get will be about $6.60. People say that you can rent your points for $8-$10, but you cannot rent borrowed points, and I will be borrowing for the cruise.

I look at it this way, I have invested my vacation money in DVC points, which I will have paid off in 4 years. My annual cost is about $11 per point. Once paid off, my annual cost will be about $3 per point. So I just vacation where I want to, and use the points there. We just did 10 days at Vero and had a great time. We love the MK, but with a 7 month old, it is more hassle to do Disney World, so we are doing other vacations for a few years.

Merry Christmas!

Scott

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by curtisjs
Good to know; I thought it all was fixed. Two followup questions:

1) Has the relative value of the disney points changed much, in relationship to transferring to interval international or to the cruise line?

The points required to take advantage of the non-DVC resort options have increased significantly since we joined in November, 1999. It is almost always a better value economically to rent your points and use the proceeds to pay cash for the non-DVC options. Of course that puts no value on the time and effort it takes to rent the points. IMHO, it is best to buy only enough points for use at one of the DVC resorts and to pay cash for other options.

That said, it does appear to me that exchanging DVC for some of the II options can be a very good value. You do have to educate yourself ahead of time to get the best values, though. There are several posters here who are very knowledgable in this area and very, very generous about sharing their expertise with us. If I ever wanted to exchange, I would ask for advice here first.

2) When I looked at purchasing DVC, it almost seemed that disney cruising wasn't such a great deal, especially considering the fact that I would be able to pay for my wife & I to cruise w/points, but must pay w/cash for my 2 kids. My sense was that my negotiating power for the best cash price for the cruise for the kids would be compromised since I had to use points for the adult fare, but that I would have to take whatever the price that disney quoted and couldn't shop around b/c I was mixing points w/cash. Is that right?

When you book a cruise through MS (use points for at least one person in the cabin), you do not negotiate the cash price for others in the same cabin. You must accept the prices that MS/DVC negotiated. In some cases, the cash prices offered by travel agents or the DCL itself are better values, especially if there are special perks/added benefits that are not included when you pay with points. OTOH, for some cruises (usually those in peak seasons), points can be a better value. You really have to do the math for the specific cruise you are considering. Also, you cannot book all categories of cabins with points and you cannot book sooner than 11 months ahead of time. That might mean the particular cabin you want will not be available to you on points or will be gone before your booking window even opens. Considering all that, IMHO, it's better to pay cash for DCL, and buy only the points you think you'll need to stay at the DVC resorts.

To sum it up - Members get the best value for their points by using them to stay at a DVC resort.

HTH answer your questions.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by curtisjs
Good to know; I thought it all was fixed. Two followup questions:

1) Has the relative value of the disney points changed much, in relationship to transferring to interval international or to the cruise line?

2) When I looked at purchasing DVC, it almost seemed that disney cruising wasn't such a great deal, especially considering the fact that I would be able to pay for my wife & I to cruise w/points, but must pay w/cash for my 2 kids. My sense was that my negotiating power for the best cash price for the cruise for the kids would be compromised since I had to use points for the adult fare, but that I would have to take whatever the price that disney quoted and couldn't shop around b/c I was mixing points w/cash. Is that right?

Things change from year to year. In general, most options have increase significantly over the years and were never a good deal to start with. The exception that comes to mind is the HAL cruises which has went down though I think in line with the cash prices for Alaska. Certainly DCL, DC, CC, etc has done nothing but increase overall. Compared to the cash value of points, none are a good deal. II has increased in most areas as well though you must look at the individual situation to judge. II is likely the best deal of the bunch but even then you must look at the specifics. Most trades with II are still a downtrade.

 

[curtisjs]

So my sense of things is that really nothing except actually staying on one of the 4 disney properties sites are that good of a deal. I envisioned us staying at beach club in their 1 or 2 bedroom units once every 3 years or so, and cruising every 2-3 years on disney, but sounds like it might not make good sense to buy timeshare given the poor trades for II and other options.

 

[Scott5150]

When I bought into DVC 6 years ago, I made sure that I purchased at a location that I would be happy going back to every year for 50 years. That is why I did not buy at Vero - I love to go to Vero once in a while, but I made sure that I purchased at a resort (OKW) that I could go to every year.

No, when I go elsewhere, it is a bonus. If I can get in at the Boardwalk, I do it sometimes. But when I want to make a big reservation, I usually need that 11 month reservation window to get what I really want.

Scott

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by curtisjs
So my sense of things is that really nothing except actually staying on one of the 4 disney properties sites are that good of a deal. I envisioned us staying at beach club in their 1 or 2 bedroom units once every 3 years or so, and cruising every 2-3 years on disney, but sounds like it might not make good sense to buy timeshare given the poor trades for II and other options.

Personally I think you have come to the right way of thinking. Buy DVC to stay there. You could still buy DVC, just only buy the points you need to stay at the DVC resorts. Also be aware that any of the other options could evaporate tomorrow.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by curtisjs
So my sense of things is that really nothing except actually staying on one of the 4 disney properties sites are that good of a deal. I envisioned us staying at beach club in their 1 or 2 bedroom units once every 3 years or so, and cruising every 2-3 years on disney, but sounds like it might not make good sense to buy timeshare given the poor trades for II and other options.

The opinion about poor trades and relative value hinges on how members chose to value their DVC points.

In my case, since I've already saved more than I spent joining DVC with the way I've used my points ( I reached a breakeven point over 5 years ago), I choose to value them exactly what they cost me each year. Since I own at OKW and HH- the value of each point to me is less than $4. Using that valuation, most of the non-DVC options are still a good deal and are certainly easy to book thru MS- even the cruise.

Some have chosen to value their points much higher and are also correct with that valuation, since value is truly relative. I might be able to rent points for much higher than $3.68 apiece (which is what I will pay for 2004), but since I have no intention of renting any points, their value to me is exactly what they will cost me for the year.

If you are considering DVC mostly to exchange, there are certainly less costly ways to accomplish that goal. If you intend to use your points at a DVC resort only every 3 years, the payback on the initial cost will perhaps take too long to realize any cost efficiency.

Enjoy!