No option for adding packages at DVC

[candizfan]

Does it bother anyone else that you can't add packages to DVC rentals?

I would love to add the dining package but was told they can't do it. I asked a lot of different people and they all say the same thing... they are working on it.

How long have they been working on it? Do you think they will ever allow it. One cast member told me the DVC is actually owned by someone other than Disney! Is that actually true?

JM

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Does it bother anyone else that you can't add packages to DVC rentals?
JM

Doesn't bother me. I knew going in that as a DVC member I was going to be treated different than the rest of the resort guests in many ways. I think we get a lot of perks that they don't also.

 

[CarolMN]

This is JMHO:

I believe that we will be able to add packages to DVC point stays sometime next year. Apparently, we have to wait until the DVC reservation system is upgraded. At that time, it will work in a manner that is compatible to that of CRO/WDWTC. I really do believe that the existing reservation system is the main reason packages are not offered right now. That said, I do not expect that the price of the packages/add ons will be the same for DVC as they are for CRO/WDWTC.

Best wishes -

 

[dianeschlicht]

I suspect Carol is right, but packages are not something I am interested in. This is a timeshare, and as such, I purchased it so I could have deluxe accommodations with a full kitchen etc. like a vacation home. If I wanted a package, I would have decided to stay in the value resorts. I prefer to have breakfast and snacks in the unit and splurge on one main meal at one of the many nice sit down restaurants on site. The dining plans don't seem to be flexible enough for me anyway.

 

[candizfan]

I love the great room for a good price too. Value resorts were never my thing.

We don't eat in the room much. The fridge, microwave, coffee maker are about all I need right now. I don't know that I will need a full kitchen in the near future. If I wasn't planning to go to the parks most days, then it would be great. But there is just so much I want to do, that I don't have time or interest in cooking.

I am glad to hear that it may be only a year or so before we can add the packages. It was good to hear it may be at least coming some time.

When you say the price won't be the same for DVC, do you think it will be more for DVC owners?

Thanks for the input - this is fun.

JM

 

[CharlesTD]

We don't use dining packages they are of no concern to us we cook most of our meals we only eat 2 meals a week out when we are there for 2 weeks.

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip)...
When you say the price won't be the same for DVC, do you think it will be more for DVC owners? ........

Yes, I do.

FWIW, I'm thinking the dining add-on package will be a points-based deal rather than a "pay extra $$" deal. If so, DVC will probably continue to value our points around $5 each - same way they do for stays at one of the non-DVC options. So if the dining cost $35 per adult per day, I expect DVC members would be paying 7 points per adult for the package. If there are 2 of you staying in a studio, that would double the cost of a stay in most seasons.

Now remember, this is all SPECULATION on my part, so don't get mad at me!!!



Best wishes -

 

[dianeschlicht]

Carol, when DVC had the dining options in the past, it was a cash agreement. They quit doing it quite a few years ago, I suspect because folks didn't use it much. It was a dining/fun package that included bike or boat rental if I remember correctly.

 

[slk537]

We just decided to splurge on a trip in September for DS's birthday (shhh...it's a surprise for him!!! ) and since we're already booked for a points trip at Thanksgiving and wanted to save the leftover points for May, we decided to do the AP rate thing. But then we saw the free MYW dining option and so we're definitely splurging by booking a 4 night package at the Polynesian with the free dining (and one day tickets). I am so excited to try this, I can hardly wait! We used the DDE on our last trip and got to try so many more restaurants and save money - this is just another (and more obsessive planning) way to do it!

We LOVE our DVC. We love being able to have breakfast in the room and the ability to throw a frozen pizza in the oven and have ice cream from the freezer and drinks from the fridge. But we also love experiencing WDW restaurants and I love preplanning... We're also excited that we can use DS's table service meals for us and pay cash for him (with the DDE discount?) and use his TS meals for the adult meals so we can do even more.

I would love to see DVC give us this option...I know many wouldn't take it, but we probably would. And I will be eternally grateful for the free dining offer now, because it was the way I talked DH into going back to WDW again between trips instead of DLR (we'll do that next year hopefully, but I really really really am homesick... )

Jenn.

PS - DS, the birthday boy to be, is standing here and wants me to add some pictures to this, so here goes...thank goodness he can't read yet!

 

[magicmouse2]

I would actually prefer a dining package, as we eat out alot and it would save us money and be more convenent to use the package. It would also take out the hassle of counting costs. DH is against eating at most table service restaurants inside WDW as he feels they are overpriced (apart from Ohana and Crystal Palace). Its ok for him his meals at home are table service 365 days a year

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Yes, I do.

FWIW, I'm thinking the dining add-on package will be a points-based deal rather than a "pay extra $$" deal. If so, DVC will probably continue to value our points around $5 each - same way they do for stays at one of the non-DVC options. So if the dining cost $35 per adult per day, I expect DVC members would be paying 7 points per adult for the package. If there are 2 of you staying in a studio, that would double the cost of a stay in most seasons.

Now remember, this is all SPECULATION on my part, so don't get mad at me!!!



Best wishes -

When I first read your post I was outraged! Then I quickly became interested. I think its maybe the $5 per point thing that gets me. We can get more than that with 7 points ($35) and they can get WAY more than that when they buy them back from us. But if they were to give us a better deal closer to 5 points per night I would be very interested in an almost totally prepaid trip. I know that averages out to $7 a point and the going rate on this board is $10, but there is also the hassle/risk factor. But like you said, this is all speculation. I think if and when they offer it, it would be a cash offer and not based on points anyway, but interesting to think about.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree that you would have to pay cash for it. Somewhere in the rules it says that points are strictly for securing accomodations. If they used points, then DVC would have points to rent out to pay for the meal costs. Not something they would want to get into.

I for one don't buy systems problems as the main reason for not having the plan available for DVC members. I think the problem is they can't swing a deal with the other WDW departments. When you get the meal plan as part of a package, you usually pay full price for the room. So WDW uses the dining plan as part of selling an entire package. You may get more out of it than the $35 per person per day but they are making money on the rest of the package so it balances out. If they offered it to DVC members, there would be no balancing it out with other package items.

 

[mbb]

Yes, I do.

FWIW, I'm thinking the dining add-on package will be a points-based deal rather than a "pay extra $$" deal. If so, DVC will probably continue to value our points around $5 each - same way they do for stays at one of the non-DVC options. So if the dining cost $35 per adult per day, I expect DVC members would be paying 7 points per adult for the package. If there are 2 of you staying in a studio, that would double the cost of a stay in most seasons.

Now remember, this is all SPECULATION on my part, so don't get mad at me!!!



Best wishes -

Good speculating, Carol

I can see the Rent/Trade Board now...
"Available for rent: dining points" ... how much do you think they'll go for...??

LOL!