Looking to buy DVC points resell need advice

[Jkarrows]

Sorry if this has been asked but was looking to find answers to the following,

looking at buying resell 300 points at Saratoga Springs.

Have stayed there before in a one bedroom suite on the ground floor.

If your a member do you get to select room numbers or floors as we have asked for a higher floor before but always get ground floor?

Are DVC rooms different to non DVC rooms as when we stayed we saw rooms with Disney Ears on the windows which we assume are DVC rooms, ours did not have this?

Do you get the same room service?

If we buy resell do we loose being able to book Disney resorts at California, Paris, Japan and others?

Thanks guys.

 

[DizBub]

Sorry if this has been asked but was looking to find answers to the following,

looking at buying resell 300 points at Saratoga Springs.

Have stayed there before in a one bedroom suite on the ground floor.

If your a member do you get to select room numbers or floors as we have asked for a higher floor before but always get ground floor?

Are DVC rooms different to non DVC rooms as when we stayed we saw rooms with Disney Ears on the windows which we assume are DVC rooms, ours did not have this?

Do you get the same room service?

If we buy resell do we loose being able to book Disney resorts at California, Paris, Japan and others?

Thanks guys.

You can request certain sections/buildings/views/floors but requests are not guaranteed.

As far as I know there are no non-DVC rooms at Saratoga Springs since it is entirely a DVC resort as is Old Key West. All the other DVC resorts are connected to deluxe hotels. Don't know anything about the Disney Ears and what they signify.

DVC does not get regular every day housekeeping. Trash and Towel day on day 4 of your stay and a full cleaning on day 8. There may be a variation depending on the length of your stay. We don't do room service but would imagine if the resort offers it it would be the same.

You can use resale points at the DVC resorts in California, Hawaii, Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island but not in the Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, Adventures by Disney or Disney Cruise Line. Those are very expensive and not considered to be a good value. DVC points are best used at DVC resorts.

 

[Jkarrows]

You can request certain sections/buildings/views/floors but requests are not guaranteed.

As far as I know there are no non-DVC rooms at Saratoga Springs since it is entirely a DVC resort as is Old Key West. All the other DVC resorts are connected to deluxe hotels. Don't know anything about the Disney Ears and what they signify.

DVC does not get regular every day housekeeping. Trash and Towel day on day 4 of your stay and a full cleaning on day 8. There may be a variation depending on the length of your stay. We don't do room service but would imagine if the resort offers it it would be the same.

You can use resale points at the DVC resorts in California, Hawaii, Vero Beach and Hilton Head Island but not in the Disney Collection, Concierge Collection, Adventures by Disney or Disney Cruise Line. Those are very expensive and not considered to be a good value. DVC points are best used at DVC resorts.

OK, thanks, can you book Disney hotels in Paris and Japan Ect?

Would be interesting to know why some had the ears and other did not.

 

[JimMIA]

The ears appear everywhere at WDW. They have nothing to do with DVC. They're called "Hidden Mickeys" and finding them is a favorite sport of many Disney fans.

 

[disneynutz]

OK, thanks, can you book Disney hotels in Paris and Japan Ect?

Would be interesting to know why some had the ears and other did not.

Resale points can not be used in Paris or Japan, DVD placed a restriction on the use of points outside of DVC and RCI. Their goal is to increase direct sales by making the restriction seem like it's a bad thing.

Many guests decorate their windows and doors especially groups like Pop Warner, school groups, and travel groups.

Bill

 

[DizBub]

OK, thanks, can you book Disney hotels in Paris and Japan Ect?

I believe those would be considered Disney/Concierge Collection so, no.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...DVC does not get regular every day housekeeping. Trash and Towel day on day 4 of your stay and a full cleaning on day 8. There may be a variation depending on the length of your stay. We don't do room service but would imagine if the resort offers it it would be the same.....

Not quite correct. From the member site:

Housekeeping
Trash & Towel Service
For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both.

With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will:

•Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins.
•Provide fresh bathroom linens.
•Replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap.
•Replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper.
•Replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners.
•Replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.

Full Cleaning Service
For stays of eight or more nights, Full Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12, regardless of whether you're using Member-discounted cash, Vacation Points or a combination of both. With Full Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus:

•Change the bed linens.
•Vacuum and dust the Vacation Home.
•Clean the bathroom(s).
•Clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.

Pay As You Play
With Pay As You Play service, you'll be provided with the following amenities free of charge at the start of your stay. After that, you may purchase more for the following fees:

•Toiletries Package, $5.00 - 1 facial soap, 1 bath soap, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner, 1 shower gel
•Coffee Package, $3.00 - 1 package of coffee, 8 sugars, 8 creamers, 8 artificial sweeteners
•Towel Package, $6.00 - 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
•Laundry Detergent (only in One-, Two-, and Three-bedroom Vacation Homes), $1.00 - 1 box

Additional Full Cleaning Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $30.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $45.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $60.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $75.00 per day requested

Additional Trash & Towel Rates:

•Studio/Inn Room - $15.00 per day requested
•One-Bedroom - $20.00 per day requested
•Two-Bedroom - $25.00 per day requested
•Three-Bedroom - $35.00 per day requested

Room Change Fees:
Room change fee will apply for Member requested room changes after check-in for a different view or room location.

•Deluxe Studio - $30
•One-Bedroom Villa - $45
•Two-Bedroom Villa - $60
•Three-Bedroom Grand Villa - $75

Note: Rates are subject to change

 

[Jkarrows]

The ears appear everywhere at WDW. They have nothing to do with DVC. They're called "Hidden Mickeys" and finding them is a favorite sport of many Disney fans.

These were on the windows of every room above ground floor at Saratoga Springs so not hard to find.

 

[Jkarrows]

Many guests decorate their windows and doors especially groups like Pop Warner, school groups, and travel groups.

Bill

These were not added by groups these we not only on windows but also on the front of the walls outside rooms on rooms above ground floor and were part of the door number.

 

[Jkarrows]

Could I by some points direct from Disney to get the full Disney use and then buy extra points from a resell broker and use the extra points on the full Disney experience or do they not allow this?

 

[kenspidey]

Could I by some points direct from Disney to get the full Disney use and then buy extra points from a resell broker and use the extra points on the full Disney experience or do they not allow this?

Nope, the points are tracked separately. Once a resale point always a resale point. I own both direct and resale points.

 

[Jkarrows]

Nope, the points are tracked separately. Once a resale point always a resale point. I own both direct and resale points.

Ok thanks was surprised on resell you can not book disney California hotels and so us orlando resorts, thought you could book those.

Shame you can not buy direct and top up the points.

 

[JimMIA]

Ok thanks was surprised on resell you can not book disney California hotels and so us orlando resorts, thought you could book those.

You can use resale points at ALL DVC resorts. There are currently twelve, 8 of which are at WDW. The other four are at Vero Beach, FL, Hilton Head Island, SC, the Grand Californian at Disneyland, CA, and Aulani on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Shame you can not buy direct and top up the points.

Disney is many things...but stupid is not one of them.

 

[kenspidey]

Ok thanks was surprised on resell you can not book disney California hotels and so us orlando resorts, thought you could book those. Shame you can not buy direct and top up the points.

This really shouldn't detract you from buying resale.... You can sell the points to David's and book with cash and be way ahead.

 

[Lynne M]

Could I by some points direct from Disney to get the full Disney use and then buy extra points from a resell broker and use the extra points on the full Disney experience or do they not allow this?

Make sure you check the point charts for the 'full Disney experience' (non-DVC resorts, cruises, ABD) before you decide that not having access to those options is a bad thing.

And understand that even if you buy direct, the right to use them could go away at any time, or the point cost of using them could go out of the affordable range. Whether you buy direct or resale, what you are purchasing is the right to stay at DVC resorts, subject to availability, for the life of the contract. Anything else - access to non-DVC options, discounts, perks, etc, could change substantially or go away at any time.

 

[zavandor]

The point charts to book Paris or Tokio rooms with points are awful.
Let's make an example.

From 12/4 to 12/8 (4 nights) at the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris, you would pay 362 points. It includes only room and breakfast, but not tickets.
Tickets are so expensive at DLP, that buying a 4 days tickets is more expensive than an annual pass (crazy, I know). An annual pass for two adults would be about $420 . And add to that a $95 fee to book (every time you use your points outside of DVC resorts you need to pay that fee).
And if you have children, add an annual pass for them too, $210 each.

On the other hand, if you use your 362 points in December in a Standard view studio at AKV, you could book the whole month of December for the same number of points! 4 nights against 4 weeks!

But maybe you really want to go to Paris. Using points is still a bad option.

I've just priced the same stay on the UK website (it can be used to book also from the USA). It's $1900 and it's a package that includes tickets for lenght of stay! And children under 7 go free (free breakfast and free tickets).

If you take your 362 points and rent them, you could use a service like David's (a sponsor of these boards) and easily get $11 per point. It's $3982.
If you rent them yourself you could get even more, but I'm using David's rate because it's really convenient, they do most of the job for you.

Using your points for Disneyland Paris, you would pay:
$3982 (the money you don't get from renting) + $95 (booking fee) + $420 (annual passports) = $4497
Compare it to $1900 cash.

It is THAT bad using points for external exchanges.

Now I've compared the point chart to a very good cash offer on the official website (2 nights free for 2 paid). In other periods or for other hotels your mileage may vary, but not much, because there is always an offer for Disneyland Paris (they struggle to fill in the hotels).

Buy DVC if you plan to use the points for DVC resorts. The real value is there.

 

[Jkarrows]

You can use resale points at ALL DVC resorts. There are currently twelve, 8 of which are at WDW. The other four are at Vero Beach, FL, Hilton Head Island, SC, the Grand Californian at Disneyland, CA, and Aulani on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Disney is many things...but stupid is not one of them.

Thank you and yes I guess I was pushing it.

 

[Jkarrows]

The point charts to book Paris or Tokio rooms with points are awful.
Let's make an example.

From 12/4 to 12/8 (4 nights) at the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris, you would pay 362 points. It includes only room and breakfast, but not tickets.
Tickets are so expensive at DLP, that buying a 4 days tickets is more expensive than an annual pass (crazy, I know). An annual pass for two adults would be about $420 . And add to that a $95 fee to book (every time you use your points outside of DVC resorts you need to pay that fee).
And if you have children, add an annual pass for them too, $210 each.

On the other hand, if you use your 362 points in December in a Standard view studio at AKV, you could book the whole month of December for the same number of points! 4 nights against 4 weeks!

But maybe you really want to go to Paris. Using points is still a bad option.

I've just priced the same stay on the UK website (it can be used to book also from the USA). It's $1900 and it's a package that includes tickets for lenght of stay! And children under 7 go free (free breakfast and free tickets).

If you take your 362 points and rent them, you could use a service like David's (a sponsor of these boards) and easily get $11 per point. It's $3982.
If you rent them yourself you could get even more, but I'm using David's rate because it's really convenient, they do most of the job for you.

Using your points for Disneyland Paris, you would pay:
$3982 (the money you don't get from renting) + $95 (booking fee) + $420 (annual passports) = $4497
Compare it to $1900 cash.

It is THAT bad using points for external exchanges.

Now I've compared the point chart to a very good cash offer on the official website (2 nights free for 2 paid). In other periods or for other hotels your mileage may vary, but not much, because there is always an offer for Disneyland Paris (they struggle to fill in the hotels).

Buy DVC if you plan to use the points for DVC resorts. The real value is there.

OK did not think of it that way, was only thinking Paris as were UK based and can hop on a train and be there in 2 hours, have been there before, was also thinking of Japan as it may be different to experience the culture ect.

 

[Msmithmd]

OK did not think of it that way, was only thinking Paris as were UK based and can hop on a train and be there in 2 hours, have been there before, was also thinking of Japan as it may be different to experience the culture ect.

Unless and until DVC builds a resort at DLP, unfortunately the DVC product is a terrible vehicle to access that location. Agree with the PP that at any TWDC property outside of the USA, you're far better simply paying with cash.

It would get pretty interesting if DVC did decide to open a resort in France, Tokyo, or another non-USA location...here's hoping that some of their execs are thinking the same thing!

 

[disneynutz]

Unless and until DVC builds a resort at DLP, unfortunately the DVC product is a terrible vehicle to access that location. Agree with the PP that at any TWDC property outside of the USA, you're far better simply paying with cash.

It would get pretty interesting if DVC did decide to open a resort in France, Tokyo, or another non-USA location...here's hoping that some of their execs are thinking the same thing!

IMO Aulani hasn't sold or booked as expected, I don't think that they will build outside of WDW for awhile.

Bill