Sold on renting points, but curious about ticket/meal plans

[Paul Moberg]

Hi Again,

After speaking to many friendly DVC owners on this site, Amy & have decided to rent points from an owner for our wedding/honeymoom at WDW. This will definately save us some $$$ and provides us with a much bigger room for our dollar.

My questions are these:

1) How do DVC members handle park tickets? Do the same ticket packages that are offered to regular resort guests apply or is something different offered. If I'm renting points, can I purchase my tickets in advance, so I can have everything ready when we arrive?

2) Amy & I were at WDW the 1st week in September this year, and stayed under the Discovery Magic plan. Although we didn't really need all the perks it offered, it was nice to be able to eat everywhere on the property (except for V & A's) and not have to worry about the check, as it already taken care of by the plan. Since this plan also covers accomodations, obviously I wouldn't use it for my wedding, since I will be using rented points. Any suggestions for a plan that excludes accomodations, but includes a flexiable meal plan?

Thanks,

Paul

 

[RobDoc]

You may purchase admission tickets in advance thru CRO or at the Disney Store. You may also purchase UPH passes at check-in at the resort, but DVC members have no meal plan options available to them.

If you make reservations at a DVC resort thru Disney, you can get the packages you mention, but these are not available thru members.

Enjoy!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Even though it is nice not having to worry about paying for each meal, I think you will find that if you do everything a la carte, that you come out better costwise. I have always found that packages end up costing more in the long run. You can always charge everything to the room and then settle up once at the end of your stay.

You can also buy tickets at your local Disney Store. At this time, tickets there are a a little cheaper than at the gate at WDW.

 

[mchess1]

It is definately worth it to rent points! As far as dining, I have purchased the Disney Dining Experience Card. If you are a Disney Club member the cost is $55.00. If not it is $60.00. This gets you 20% off meals for a party up to 6 at most Disney dining establishments for one full year. If you are staying at the resorts and don't plan on cooking and you are staying for more than a few days, it is so worth it. It works in most of the restaurants in the parks and the resorts. In addition, it gets you 50% off admission for 2 at Pleasure Island, which is already an $11.00 savings. I highly recommend Ohana if you have not already eaten there! Have a great Honeymoon!

 

[Paul Moberg]

mchess1,

Where do you get the Disney Dining Experience Card? Is it through The Disney Club, as I hear that they are phasing that out?

Thanks,

Paul

 

[CarolMN]

The Disney Dining Experience is a great deal, but it is only available to Florida residents (proof of residency is required). You can read all about it over on WDWIG:

http://www.wdwig.com/dde.htm

 

[fkj2]

If you plan on returning to WDW within a one year time frame, you may be better off to purchase an Annual Pass for park admissions.

About the food, I don't know but we've found that if you plan on two meals a day (that's pretty filling for us), it's probably cheaper than the plans. For example, doing a brefex or late afternoon lunch or dinner rather than all three meals. Also, sometimes we just do a pastry from the bakeries and then a large meal later in the day.

 

[mchess1]

Sorry Paul,
Did not mean to get you excited! I love the plan. Wish you could enjoy it as I do.

 

[goofymomof2]

Do DVC members get a discount on the UPH pass when they buy them at ck in. We are scheduled to be there the week before Christmas & are trying to get everthing together.
Thanks,
Shannon

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by goofymomof2
Do DVC members get a discount on the UPH pass when they buy them at ck in.

We sure do! That has not changed with the recent changes in DC/advance purchase discounts. We cannot purchase UPH in advance with the DVC discount, but it is still available at check-in.

Enjoy!

 

[goofymomof2]

Doc......What kind of discount do we get. We will be there 6 nights but only need 5 days. Will they let us buy the 4 night/5 day passes?
Thanks,
Shannon

 

[RobDoc]

The resort CM's have always allowed us to drop either first or last day from the passes...and usually allowed us to drop both. The discount is 10% for DVC members staying at DVC resorts.

 

[goofymomof2]

Thanks Doc....Thats what we were hoping for. We have a day left from June that we wanted to use. So maybe that will let us
drop those days.
Thanks,
Shannon

 

[Paul Moberg]

Thanks for all of the info!

If I am renting points from a DVC member, would I still be entitled to the 10% ticket discount? To confirm, this is only at check-in and you can't apply the discount in advance?

thanks

Paul

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Paul Moberg
Thanks for all of the info!

If I am renting points from a DVC member, would I still be entitled to the 10% ticket discount? To confirm, this is only at check-in and you can't apply the discount in advance?

Paul, technically this discount only applies to the member but experience has suggested that guests and renters have gotten it consistenly as well. You can get the pass and hope you get the discount but there are no guarantees. They have consistenly allowed one to drop the first and/or last day of the UMP but are not required to do so. The DVC discount cannot be applied to advance purchases.

There was a program previously where you could purchase meals in conjunction with a DVC stay but that program has since been eliminated. DVC members do also get discounts at some of the restaurants. As a renter you are not technically supposed to get these but if your room key says member, you will be able to. You can ask a member to send you a list for advance planning and they will give you the list at checkin if they feel you're eligible.

 

[Paul Moberg]

Interesting point...will DVC actually change a room key designation from "Member" to "guest"? Will they actually know that I am renting points?

Thanks

Paul

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Paul Moberg
Interesting point...will DVC actually change a room key designation from "Member" to "guest"? Will they actually know that I am renting points?

Thanks

Paul

Unlikely!

 

[goofymomof2]

The one time that we rented points before buying in our key card read member.
Shannon