Magical Beginnings Incentive

[maburke]

I was thinking of adding on when we're at WDW next month. This incentive isn't worth it. Does Disney think we can't do the math? Donald Duck taught us well years ago when he did that cartoon... Mathematics... (remember the Golden Triangle??)
Bad move, Disney!

Donald in Mathmagic Land!!!! An all-time favorite for us mathematicians! And it just came out on DVD!!! (Yes, I did pre-order it so it would be delivered on the first day, thanks for asking.)

http://www.disneystore.com/-donald-in-mathmagic-land-dvd/p/1247165/13679/

 

[Cmbar]

Sure, we all want to pay a lower price for our points. But even at $100, or $105, or $120, a DVC membership can be financially viable. The way I look at it, I pay good money to walk around at mid-day in the heat and humidity of Florida, stand 50 minutes in a line for a ride that lasts 3 minutes, pay twice as much for food than I would at home, and go ga-ga when I see a mouse dressed up as a Jedi Knight. If that isn't idiocy, what is?

Obviously I included myself in the idiocrsy! I also bought BLT but at a price of "only" $99. I will say that if I hadn't waited for the incentive I would have bought resale for a much better cost analysis though. Of course I understand DVC pays but only if you intend to go to Disney as often as we Disneyaholics do!

I am just surprised that Disney is able to get away with the very high prices and the very high cost of points at the new resorts. But I guess they are selling and the resort looks amazing so no complaints here... Until they mess with the points again and I can't take the same trip I paid for this year. Or until they raise those MF's fees to comprable to BCV or BWV or any of the others. With the way Disney is running this business I don't doubt we will be in for an increase.

 

[toniosmom]

If you do some very simplistic math a DVC membership, even at $120/point, could pay for itself in about 6 trips. For example, in March 2010 I have reservations for a week in an MK-view studio at BLT that will cost me 183 points. If someone buys into DVC today and paid $120/point, the initial cost for that stay is ($120 x 183) = $21,960. MF costs on those 183 points would be ($3.67 x 183) $671.61 a year. If you go to the Disney website and check the cash price of a BLT studio with MK view for one week in March, the cost is $4,646.00 with tax. So if we keep the math simple and ignore inflation costs, lost opportunity costs, lost investment revenue, etc., after 6 years a member would have paid $25,989.66 ($21,960 purchase price + 6 years of MF), while 6 week-long stays would have cost ($4,646 x 6) $27,876.00, resulting in a "savings" of $1,886.34.

I just priced out the 2BR Savannah View I have booked next March at AKV for the week. Over NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! And that's just the room -- no food, no park tickets. Nothing. That money would have paid for more than half of a new membership. So glad I bought in when I did. I'm happy.

 

[DenLo]

I just priced out the 2BR Savannah View I have booked next March at AKV for the week. Over NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! And that's just the room -- no food, no park tickets. Nothing. That money would have paid for more than half of a new membership. So glad I bought in when I did. I'm happy.

I realize as DVC members we like to justify buying into the DVC, but many of us would never have rented a room that costed $9000. We would have economized and gone moderate or if we had too large of a family considered the Ft. Wilderness cabins. But we are DVC members and we think just like you! What a savings!

 

[DenLo]

I used Magical Beginnings when I bought in 1999. At the time, points were $65 and there were no other incentives. You could sellback up to 150 points for $10/point. I bought an April use year in September, so I sold back the 150 and banked the other 100.

I think that is the difference in the Magical Beginnings in the 90's and now. Perhaps we've gotten used to the idea if we wait Disney will come up with a better incentive.

So we have a Dec UY and if I do an add on with a Dec UY I would get 08 points. So if I do this it means I won't get points until Dec 2010? What about maintence fees? Would I have to pay them? Of course if I financed them I am sure they would want their payments for them right away. Its so not worth it.

For a December use year I would think you'd be eligible for '08 and '09 points. I don't know whether one or both years of points would be eligible for the Magical Beginnings sell back. I would think that if you could sell back both, then you would have to wait until Dec 2010 for points. And you are right, who would want to wait so long for their first trip to WDW!

 

[WDWBOB1]

I wouldn't mind adding on a 25 point contract with this incentive. Has anyone heard if there's a minimum point level for this promotion?

 

[toniosmom]

I've been thinking about this. If you use this "promotion" to buy BLT, you would be giving up 2009 points. If you use it to buy at AKV or SSR, then you would be giving up 2008 AND 2009. So, for BLT, it may be worth it, rather than paying $120/point, especially if you just want a small add-on.

I'm wondering -- if you can't get the 2009 points -- are you responsible to pay 2009 MF's? Now THAT would be a better deal. Anyone know the scoop?

 

[Cajun28]

Doesnt sound like a magical beginning to me!

LOL...that's exactly what I thought when I first read about the incentive. I think it's funny that they're calling it Magical Beginnings and then delay the "beginning" until 2010.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

OP - was it a minimum amount of 50 pts you had to add on for this promo or would you get it for smaller add on's?

If they allowed it on 25-50 pt's then it may not be such a bad thing since there haven't been incentives for anything under 50 pts. and the better incentives didn't start until 100. Also, since you don't receive any points until 2010 I'm guessing you don't pay any maintenance fees which could potentially mean an equivalent of another $1.60 +/- off if you bought now.

If you only needed a small add on at AKV and didn't need the points immediately it would be a way to get a discount. But for a larger purchase it's unlikely it's a good thing unless you didn't need points right away and wanted to purchase before a price increase AND didn't want to deal with renting out the 09 points. It seems to me like an equivalent of an additional $6.60 off/pt for any UY that wasn't also going to receive '08 points. Not an incredible deal but I could see that it might work for a some people.

 

[gkrykewy]

I've been thinking about this. If you use this "promotion" to buy BLT, you would be giving up 2009 points. If you use it to buy at AKV or SSR, then you would be giving up 2008 AND 2009. So, for BLT, it may be worth it, rather than paying $120/point, especially if you just want a small add-on.

For most AKV use years, there aren't any contracts available for purchase that would include 2008 points -- and not just because it's September. August UY points that included 2008 sold out in March, for example.

 

[wdrl]

I've been thinking about this. If you use this "promotion" to buy BLT, you would be giving up 2009 points.

Unless I am mistaken, the Magical Beginnings Incentive is only available for purchases at AKV. BLT is not included in this offer.

 

[chatchdvc]

Donald in Mathmagic Land!!!! An all-time favorite for us mathematicians! And it just came out on DVD!!! (Yes, I did pre-order it so it would be delivered on the first day, thanks for asking.)

http://www.disneystore.com/-donald-in-mathmagic-land-dvd/p/1247165/13679/

THANK YOU! I have been looking for this for years!
I just ordered mine.

 

[DisOwl]

I am a newbie considering buying into the DVC. Right now, the incentives for BLT are not that attractive -- only $5 off per point. According to a guide I spoke with at DVC, he stated that he does not anticipate any new incentives for BLT as DVC is trying to slow down sales at this property.

I am beginning to think that it might be worth waiting to buy BLT through resale, rather than from DVC. Any thoughts, guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wdrl]

I am a newbie considering buying into the DVC. Right now, the incentives for BLT are not that attractive -- only $5 off per point. According to a guide I spoke with at DVC, he stated that he does not anticipate any new incentives for BLT as DVC is trying to slow down sales at this property.

I am beginning to think that it might be worth waiting to buy BLT through resale, rather than from DVC. Any thoughts, guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you can be patient, I'm sure that you'll end up with a resale contract that will be cheaper than buying direct from Disney. Right now, there are very few BLT resale contracts on the market, but that number should climb, albeit slowly, in the next year or so. Keep in mind that you still might have to wait to find a resale that has the Use Year you want, the number of points you need, and the price you are willing to pay. Not to mention that a resale contract may be stripped of some or all of the current or next year's points, so that will delay your vacation plans even more. And don't forget that once you find a good resale, Disney may step in and exercise ROFR, in which case you'll have to start all over. Only you can decide whether the time spent waiting for a resale contract is justified by the anticipated price-per-point savings.

My advice is for you to call a reputable resale company, such as the Timeshare Store (a sponsor of this board), and talk to an agent. Tell them what you are looking for, and they can explain the entire resale process. They can also alert you if and when a resale contract becomes available that meets your needs. Needless to say, I also recommend you continue reading the disboards. There are lots of very informative DVC members who can share their perspectives and experiences with you.

Good luck!

 

[DisOwl]

Thanks for the input!

 

[Sandisw]

I am a newbie considering buying into the DVC. Right now, the incentives for BLT are not that attractive -- only $5 off per point. According to a guide I spoke with at DVC, he stated that he does not anticipate any new incentives for BLT as DVC is trying to slow down sales at this property.

I am beginning to think that it might be worth waiting to buy BLT through resale, rather than from DVC. Any thoughts, guidance would be appreciated. Thanks.

Definitely get yourself on the email lists of some of the resale brokers. A 100 point BLT contract just went up this week at $98.00 per point (showed sale pending within hours) so they will go quick when they show up.

But, I agree, the current incentive is not worth it and would certainly wait to buy BLT.

good luck!

 

[DisOwl]

Thanks for the advice! I have found this board to be very helpful and appreciate the depth of information that is available.

 

[TLSnell1981]

A 100 point BLT contract just went up this week at $98.00 per point (showed sale pending within hours) so they will go quick when they show up.

But, I agree, the current incentive is not worth it and would certainly wait to buy BLT.

good luck!

I'm surprised it lasted that long.

 

[henri + katie's mum]

I bought 50 pts at AKV last month (8/24/09) and paid $99 per point through DVC. I also got 50 2008 points which I was allowed to bank. They were for my Dec UY.

My deal was way better than what they're offering now. I guess the new "incentive" could work for some people, but it sounds like stepping backwards to me.