Questions by a new memeber

[SJUGuy]

In my many past years going to disney we have stayed in various resorts and always purchased the discovery magic package. We like this package because we are able to eat at the restaurants of our choice for free. Is there any way now that I am a vacation club memeber to purchase these packages while I am staying in disney's Villas. And if not how do I convinse someone that the vacation club is worth while anyway. Thanks for the input

SJUguy

 

[JonHM]

many others here could answer this question far better than I, but let me offer my 2 cents. First, we researched these packages about six months ago, and your describing it as being able to eat "free" at a restaurant of your choice is not *quite* accurate. The cost of the packages, if you calculate it out, comes out unfavorably. Not really a very good deal at all. It is very *convenient*, and *feels* like you're getting a good deal, but it varies somewhere around the break even point - and if you don't use all of the points that come with your package, you could easily wind up on the negative side of break even.

The strengths of DVC have *nothing* to do with meals at Disney World Restaurants, although there often IS a DVC discount at quite a few restaurants on property. There are LOTS of great things about DVC to convince people to purchase that have nothing to do with paying for meals.

If you're trying to convince someone that DVC is worthwhile, just let them SEE the accomodations, and take the DVC tour. If they are good candidates, they will probably see fairly quickly for themselves that it is worthwhile. We stayed in the Grand Floridian in early June, before we knew about DVC, and although the GF is the 'flagship resort' of WDW, the DVC accomodations simply *blow it away*. Tons of space, full kitchen, laundry, jacuzzi - AND all pretty much inflation proof for the next 40 years. Why someone would need 'free' meals on top of this is a bit beyond me...

 

[Basser]

No you can't use Dinner Packages while staying on points. However, if you do the math you'll find that you will save money this way. The Dinner Packages are over priced and you never can never eat enough to equil the price you paid for the package. I have done both and found I saved money by paying as I go.

 

[SJUGuy]

Like I said, I have just joined and what i am trying to do right now is explain the benifits of doing this vacation club to a co worker that travels to Disney every year. One of his favorite parts is using his package wishes for meals at restaurnats. I have never seen the encredible benifit of this, especially since it is only my wife and I that go. We have done the numbers and it works out a little more favorably for a family of 5 like him. So I was just wondering if you are able to buy these packages anyway.

SJUguy

 

[JonHM]

Well, does he like to stay in moderate or deluxe accomodations? Or does he love to stay at the All Stars resorts?

Here are just a few advantages that you could throw at him:

1) SPACE for a family of 5 to stretch out and relax.

2) the kitchen facilities mean a) that you could save considerable money eating just breakfast in, even if you only did it once on the trip, and b) that you could reheat leftovers from those restaurants that he loves to go to.

3) the laundry facilities within the room mean that they could actually pack considerably LESS clothing, and just do a few loads of laundry in the middle of the trip. Considering how many bags they probably carry with a family that large, I would think that that is a big bonus.

If he DOES like to stay in moderates or higher, AND he likes to go every year, then he is *definitely* a great candidate for DVC. Why not give him the address of this page and have him check it out, and throw any questions that he has out to the group? I'm sure everyone here will treat him right.

 

[drusba]

DVC actually did have the meal package but it was discontinued a couple years ago. Apparently not enough were using it because DVC member's generally know that it is cheaper to pay per meal than to buy the package. You may start by explaining to him to first forget about DVC. Then tell him the following: if you skipped those packages and did room rental, ticket buying, and meal buying as separate items and bought them through or at Disney with no discount, and still did everything at WDW you have done before, you will spend less money than you pay for the package. Go looking for a discount (which usually apply outside the packages and to room rental only) either with an Annual Pass, Disney Club membership, AAA, or with other available discount programs, and you will still be able to do everything you want to do and spend likely $150 to $250 per person less per trip. In fact, your statement that you have done it with 2 but he has 5 and it works out better for him should actually be the opposite. With only two adults you can possibly break even if you use everything in the package. Once you throw kids into the mix, forget it, you will lose money because you are spending often the adult price on them in that package (if they are 10 or over) and they won't spend as much on things you need to do to make the package work out--like large meals with alcohol. If, by the time you explain the above to him, he is not convinced that his love for those packages is something which he should seriously consider giving up, then there is no hope that he will change and no reason to go on and try to explain DVC.

 

[SJUGuy]

Thanks for all the input.....I am trying to talk him into it. But if not at least you all have made me feel better about joining......

SJUguy