Park Tickets and DVC?

[jillyb]

DH and I are thinking about becoming DVC members. We just got our dream book yesterday and I didn't do a very good job of explaining to DH how this would save us money! I ended up telling him "we'll just have to talk to the guide to see how this all works".

I know that we could add the DDP and that would have to be paid in cash upon check in. Tickets, I'm assuming, would have to be purchased through Disney directly, Undercover Tourist or some other ticket outlet. Correct?

I've also thought about getting an AP for the discounts. Don't think that would help us with our reservation if we're DVC members? The cost of an AP is certainly more attractive than buying into DVC! But I guess this is more of an apples and oranges comparison.

 

[disneynutz]

DH and I are thinking about becoming DVC members. We just got our dream book yesterday and I didn't do a very good job of explaining to DH how this would save us money! I ended up telling him "we'll just have to talk to the guide to see how this all works".

I know that we could add the DDP and that would have to be paid in cash upon check in. Tickets, I'm assuming, would have to be purchased through Disney directly, Undercover Tourist or some other ticket outlet. Correct?

I've also thought about getting an AP for the discounts. Don't think that would help us with our reservation if we're DVC members? The cost of an AP is certainly more attractive than buying into DVC! But I guess this is more of an apples and oranges comparison.

You are correct on the tickets. Currently we get $100 off on the cost of an adult AP.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I know that we could add the DDP and that would have to be paid in cash upon check in.

Yes, you have to pay for the Dining Plan when you check in, but it doesn't have to be with cash. You can charge it if you'd like.

Personally, we prefer to get the Disney Dining Experience card rather than go with the meal plan. If you decide to get Annual Passes it's worth doing a comparison, based on your family's dining style/choices. We find it saves us more money than the Dining Plan does.

Tickets, I'm assuming, would have to be purchased through Disney directly, Undercover Tourist or some other ticket outlet. Correct?

Yes. You can purchase your passes through any outlet. Keep in mind that if you decide to go with Annual Passes they are discounted for DVC members ($100 off of the regular AP and $125 off of the premium AP). We start our APs on one trip and then get another trip in just before they expire. It saves us a lot of money over hopper tickets.

I've also thought about getting an AP for the discounts. Don't think that would help us with our reservation if we're DVC members? The cost of an AP is certainly more attractive than buying into DVC! But I guess this is more of an apples and oranges comparison.

Again, the APs are even cheaper for DVC members, plus you get all of the discounts they offer. We sometimes use the hotel discount when we get in on a Saturday and don't want to use points for the weekend. We'll stay somewhere else on property for that first night (and sometimes for the weekend in the middle of a 2-week stay) and the AP discount comes in handy!

Hope that helps a little!

 

[eeyore#1fan]

If you purchase your park tickets at the front desk when checking in will they be added to your room keys or will you have to have separate tickets?

 

[dvcfanatic]

Yes the tickets can be added to your room key when you buy them at the front desk. If you purchase annual passes they are not added to your room key.

 

[Lynne M]

Comparing AP discounts and DVC is definitely an apples-to-oranges comparison.

DVC is not, repeat, not, a discount program. It's a real estate purchase, and a way to prepay for villa-style accommodations. If you're comparing DVC to the cost of a cash reservation for the same villa, yes, you'll come out way ahead as an owner. If you compare it to a cash reservation for a deluxe resort, you'll probably save a good bit of money. But it's not a cheap way to vacation, and if you're comparing it to the cost of booking a value room, you'll almost certainly spend much, much more as a DVC member. It's very much a luxury purchase.

DVC makes good sense if you want the bigger rooms, and if you'll be going to WDW (or other DVC resorts) at least every 2-3 years.

 

[CraftyMouse]

Yes, the AP program and DVC is an apples to oranges comparison. DVC is a long-term investment in your vacationing future. An AP is good for one year. Keep in mind that resort room prices will continue to increase over the decades, while the points at any DVC resort can never go up. Each year the DVC membership becomes just a little bit better value for the price you initially pay.

 

[hakepb]

Yes, by buying DVC you are not entitled to any Disney treatment or discounts. The offered discounts will and do change from time to time.

However, Like any commercial establishment, as long as Disney thinks that discounts cause more people to spend more money, (There are many DVC lunch discounts which gives Disney more dinner reservations for other cash guests), Disney will continue to provide us those discounts.