Other than making a reservation is my DVC good for anything anymore?

[weich1001]

I bought my points from the Timeshare Store in 2008. Had a positive experience. Used the points for a ton of stays at both DVC Resorts and thru the exchange and even on the DCL (I know probably not the best decision!) many times over between 2008 to 2012.

But have not been back to Disney since November, 2012. Nothing wrong. We just started a business and we have focused all of our energies and spare time on building it.

Honestly I haven't had the time to keep up with all of the changes that DVC has made. I didn't even know the Great Movie ride was no longer! (Yes, I know I am behind the times!!!)

But now, it looks like we are going to extend a trip we are taking to Atlanta in January, 2020 and head to Disney for a week or two of much needed rest and some good old fashioned fun! But thru the DisBoards and YouTube, I am finding out (other than the ride Dumbo)...pretty much nothing is the same!

So I have come across some things regarding DVC...if you bought thru the Timeshare Store or not from DVC directly, you can no longer book on the DCL? your ID card is no longer valid to attend Special Events or get discounts for Dining? or Take Tours? Or buy an AP? And some people have said they are put into the "worst" rooms because they did not purchase from DVC directly? Is this stuff true or only true to a certain extent? Am I grandfathered thru on certain things and not others? I suppose a call to Member Services will clear most of this up...but is any of this true? Any insight would be appreciated. TY

 

[crvetter]

I bought my points from the Timeshare Store in 2008. Had a positive experience. Used the points for a ton of stays at both DVC Resorts and thru the exchange and even on the DCL (I know probably not the best decision!) many times over between 2008 to 2012.

But have not been back to Disney since November, 2012. Nothing wrong. We just started a business and we have focused all of our energies and spare time on building it.

Honestly I haven't had the time to keep up with all of the changes that DVC has made. I didn't even know the Great Movie ride was no longer! (Yes, I know I am behind the times!!!)

But now, it looks like we are going to extend a trip we are taking to Atlanta in January, 2020 and head to Disney for a week or two of much needed rest and some good old fashioned fun! But thru the DisBoards and YouTube, I am finding out (other than the ride Dumbo)...pretty much nothing is the same!

So I have come across some things regarding DVC...if you bought thru the Timeshare Store or not from DVC directly, you can no longer book on the DCL? your ID card is no longer valid to attend Special Events or get discounts for Dining? or Take Tours? Or buy an AP? And some people have said they are put into the "worst" rooms because they did not purchase from DVC directly? Is this stuff true or only true to a certain extent? Am I grandfathered thru on certain things and not others? I suppose a call to Member Services will clear most of this up...but is any of this true? Any insight would be appreciated. TY

Any restrictions that I have been put in place only applied to to contracts purchased after the Date of the restrictions put into place.

So if you bought before March 21, 2011 your points are good for everything, if after you can't exchange into the Disney/Concierge Collection

If you bought before April 4, 2016 your points qualify you for Membership Extras, thus getting a blue DVC card

If you bought before January 19, 2019 your points qualify for use at Riviera and new resorts, after that they can only be used at the L14 or if for Riviera they can only be used at Riviera.

Disney has not taken anything away from a purchaser that was given to them at the time of their purchase. They only limited future purchases from incidental benefits and more recently admitted a new resort (Riviera) to DVC with its own special sets of rules.

 

[weich1001]

Any restrictions that I have been put in place only applied to to contracts purchased after the Date of the restrictions put into place.

So if you bought before March 21, 2011 your points are good for everything, if after you can't exchange into the Disney/Concierge Collection

If you bought before April 4, 2016 your points qualify you for Membership Extras, thus getting a blue DVC card

If you bought before January 19, 2019 your points qualify for use at Riviera and new resorts, after that they can only be used at the L14 or if for Riviera they can only be used at Riviera.

Disney has not taken anything away from a purchaser that was given to them at the time of their purchase. They only limited future purchases from incidental benefits and more recently admitted a new resort (Riviera) to DVC with its own special sets of rules.

That's a HUGE relief! I was thinking of selling off ours and just buy straight from DVC to get things back in order and I was only imagining the headache that was going to be! Thank you!

 

[Katie L]

That's a HUGE relief! I was thinking of selling off ours and just buy straight from DVC to get things back in order and I was only imagining the headache that was going to be! Thank you!

Careful! Don't give them ideas for how to drive direct sales!

 

[kniquy]

And some people have said they are put into the "worst" rooms because they did not purchase from DVC directly? Is this stuff true or only true to a certain extent? Am I grandfathered thru on certain things and not others? I suppose a call to Member Services will clear most of this up...but is any of this true? Any insight would be appreciated. TY

You are lucky to have bought in prior to all the levels of resale restrictions. Your contract is as good as someone who bought direct. So you still get all the discounts for shopping, tours AP etc. You can access the member lounge at Epcot, which might be nice for you to check out seeing you haven't been in awhile. If anything there are probably more perks -with more member events. You might not be able to take advantage of them but they are there.

As for reports of "worst rooms" I think that is just bologna -- are there really any bad rooms in a DVC resort? There might be ones with longer walks but no horrendous rooms. We bought resale AK and booked a poly stay -- wonderful room and they had us joined with mu in-laws. We stayed at AK for a few nights and had a great location. So you might get people who like to complain but my guess is that those who are doing the room assignments don't check to see when and how you bought your contract.

 

[weich1001]

You are lucky to have bought in prior to all the levels of resale restrictions. Your contract is as good as someone who bought direct. So you still get all the discounts for shopping, tours AP etc. You can access the member lounge at Epcot, which might be nice for you to check out seeing you haven't been in awhile. If anything there are probably more perks -with more member events. You might not be able to take advantage of them but they are there.

As for reports of "worst rooms" I think that is just bologna -- are there really any bad rooms in a DVC resort? There might be ones with longer walks but no horrendous rooms. We bought resale AK and booked a poly stay -- wonderful room and they had us joined with mu in-laws. We stayed at AK for a few nights and had a great location. So you might get people who like to complain but my guess is that those who are doing the room assignments don't check to see when and how you bought your contract.

It's good to know the perks are still place! I have often thought about adding on and buying straight from DVC or even selling my points completely off and buying straight from DVC...but with us having the business now, we don't get a chance to go anywhere, so why bother! But both of us are really looking forward to a few days away...finally!!!

And regarding the DVC rooms...so true, I have stayed in many and never had a bad one yet!

 

[CarolynFH]

One thing that has changed is that resorts book up more quickly than they used to at the 7-month window, especially from about mid-September until after marathon in January. So you might want to book your home resort now, to make sure you have a room, and then see what’s available at 7 months if you’re looking to switch.

 

[bumbershoot]

And some people have said they are put into the "worst" rooms because they did not purchase from DVC directly?

Where have you read or heard this??

 

[ScubaCat]

And some people have said they are put into the "worst" rooms because they did not purchase from DVC directly?

This is not true.

But thru the DisBoards and YouTube, I am finding out (other than the ride Dumbo)...pretty much nothing is the same!

Actually Dumbo is in a different location now, too. And there are 2 of them. That's not really the point of this, but I just thought I'd give you a heads up anyway.

 

[SL6827]

And some people have said they are put into the "worst" rooms because they did not purchase from DVC directly?

Well this resale buyer got put into a room that was literally 3-4 minutes from the Carriage House at SSR last week. And it wasn't a preferred room.

 

[sleepydog25]

One thing that has changed is that resorts book up more quickly than they used to at the 7-month window, especially from about mid-September until after marathon in January. So you might want to book your home resort now, to make sure you have a room, and then see what’s available at 7 months if you’re looking to switch.

This is a point worth repeating. The primary change you'll find in terms of DVC is that it gets harder each passing year to book inside your 11-month point with the possible exceptions being an owner at either SSR or OKW. Some resorts during some seasons fill up right at the 11-month point and are nearly impossible to book at 7 months. Even what used to be slower seasons are now getting where they fill up more quickly than before. All that to say, that you might need a bit more planning for future trips. Oh, and if you haven't been in awhile, realize there are no actual slow seasons anymore. You may get a day or two here and there where the crowds are manageable, but overall, expect it to be busy. Between running events, festivals, and opening new "lands" (e.g., Pandora), Disney has fulfilled their dream to overstuff the parks. Enjoy your trip!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And some people have said they are put into the "worst" rooms because they did not purchase from DVC directly?

Nah - every room has to be occupied. Where they are put is just luck of the draw.

 

[weich1001]

Where have you read or heard this??

Heard It: Directly from associates I previously worked with who I now consider friends, who are DVC Members

Seen It: Different boards, blogs etc... referencing DVC trips

 

[weich1001]

This is not true.



Actually Dumbo is in a different location now, too. And there are 2 of them. That's not really the point of this, but I just thought I'd give you a heads up anyway.

Great, now I won't even be able to find poor Dumbo!!!

 

[weich1001]

One thing that has changed is that resorts book up more quickly than they used to at the 7-month window, especially from about mid-September until after marathon in January. So you might want to book your home resort now, to make sure you have a room, and then see what’s available at 7 months if you’re looking to switch.

If we go, it won't be until after MLK weekend...so I would think we should be fine.

 

[weich1001]

Well this resale buyer got put into a room that was literally 3-4 minutes from the Carriage House at SSR last week. And it wasn't a preferred room.

How was SSR? I have stayed there a couple of times - never had any complaints - but now I see they are starting some renovations this year - is it showing it's age or was it as pristine as you would expect from any DVC resort?

 

[SL6827]

How was SSR? I have stayed there a couple of times - never had any complaints - but now I see they are starting some renovations this year - is it showing it's age or was it as pristine as you would expect from any DVC resort?

I loved it. But I will admit, if I had been put in Carousel section it might not have been that great, therefore I will always book preferred going forward. The room was just fine, I thought. The bed and sofa bed were uncomfortable, which will be "taken care of" after the refurb. But other than that, it was awesome. I thought the resort was just beautiful, and I would have got that from any area we would have been in. In the Grandstand section we had the shampoo and such on the wall inside the shower. Nice, but you really have to pump numerous times to get enough supply to use. Guess they have to do that because there are some who would pump out the whole bottle. But that did kinda suck there.

I learned a lot from seeing the resort first hand. Just how big it really is. I have yet to visit my home resort, lol.