Points on Cruise TOO High?

[CaptainMidnight]

Wasn't there an increase in point required for a cuise with the new 2003 point schedule? Isn't that the real issue?

 

[gscott8075]

I have commented on this subject many times in the past.

I think what we are seeing year after year is the huge benefit of owning a DVC resort - that that point structure will not change in the 5 oops - 6 resorts. The 9-12 points it took to rent an OKW studio 5 years ago will not change 10 years from now.

We bought DVC to lock in our vacation costs. As we all know, however, only the DVC resorts are locked in. Each year, the costs of staying at Disney Hotels and the cruise have increased at a rapid clip. In retrospect, does anyone really think Disney thought that DVC would take off as it has? OKW used to be called the Disney Vacation Club - because there was only going to be one! In the beginning, people paid around $50 pp for 50 years. Next week, people will shell out $80 pp for 40 years!

The value of the point argument has many different angles. DVC trip insurance values it at $5.50. Others have given us the math divided out cash outlays over the remaining term.

The "value" of a point really can't be dictated by how much you paid for it. To wit..

If I bought a house for $200,000 eight years ago and it is now appraised at $300,000, what is the value of the house? $300,000!

If I bought a car 5 years ago for $20,000 and the blue book value is $5000, what's the value of the car? 5000 - what I paid is not relevant.

If a studio at OKW is 11 points and the rack rate for the room is $200 - does that make the value of the point $18? To me it is, however, I cannot translate the $18 into cash or use it to pay for the cruise. I do not think anyone argues that the best value for points is to use them at a DVC resort. But, if I do not want to stay at a DVC resort, this comparison offers no value except to make the case that the points should be saved.

If the value of my points on the open rental market is $9 - $10, then that's the value of a point. I can receive cash to pay for the cruise - or any other vacation option.

In my case, we used 370 points for 2 adults in June Cat 8. We paid cash for the kids. The kids rate was $200 less through DVC than through DCL. In the end, it was $5000 cash or 370 points and $1300. In this case, it was valued properly so we did it this way.

As far as the cost of the cruise - DCL is charging what the market will bear. WDW hotels cost more than other Orlando hotels. Food and park admission is higher than other parks. Prices will escalate as long as they are selling out.
is $6000 for a trip ridiculous? Absolutely. Try pricing other inclusive trips - dude ranches, etc - you will be amazed at the prices. We have found the cruise to be the best vacation we have ever taken - I know what to expect and DCL typically exceeds it every time.

I guess the sum of my comments is this - if you bought DVC for vacations and you do not have the money or do not want to use money to pay for a cruise - then use the points. You bought DVC to give yourself quality vacations. Go for it.

If the money is not the issue, then take the time to compare. I did not expect to use points for the cruise - but in my case, it paid to do so. Look at all of your options and then have the trip of a lifetime!

 

[OKWKirt]

I think mle and gscott8075 has said it best. Some have lost the fact that we purchased DVC to have wonderful vacations at our resorts at WDW, VB, and HH. Everything else is an extra benefit that can come or go over the years. Anyone who thinks DVC will lose potential members because these trades cost too many points has definitely lost the reason to belong. I think it is great that members can get $10 per point when renting them but don't put that out of perspective when comparing to using the points at non-DVC accompdations.