Tell me about using your points for cruises or WDW resort rooms

[cwnhokie]

We are still exploring every angle before making our decision on DVD. How do you use your points for cruises or rooms? Do you reserve it just like the villas? I'd love to hear your experiences with this.
Chrissy

 

[Jhalkias]

You can reserve a cruise, or regular rooms at Non-DVC resorts. In order to do that, you will pay a $75 reservation charge. Points charts are updated yearly for the cost and availability of either option.

The only discouraging part of this is that points (for the cruise at least - been a while since I looked up non-DVC rooms) keep going up every year. We have cruised with points and cash, and there are advantages to both, although most do not feel you get full value for your points when using them to cruise.

Once you stay in DVC accomodations, I would doubt that you would want to stay in a hotel room at a WDW resort - even a deluxe resort. The only reason may be for the experience of staying at a resort like the Contemporary if you have not stayed there before, or really loved it. DVC accomodations are far superior, and much more comfortable!

Good luck on the decision - we did it almost 5 years ago, and have added on twice since then!

John

 

[crisi]

Probably most of us don't. The best use of points is at DVC resorts. I own enough points to go every other year - we pay cash to cruise when we cruise. Other people rent their points to cruise. Points for non-DVC options can go up every year. As can the reservation charge.

DVC can be a great deal for some types of travelers. It isn't a great deal for cruising or staying at Disney in non-DVC resorts. That doesn't mean its a bad idea, but it isn't a good value.

 

[Jhalkias]

Crisi,

I agree, but it is nice when people ask you how much you paid for the cruise saying $75!

John

 

[Muushka]

Frugal me uses points at DVC villas only. Cash for cruises.
Happy planning!

 

[y2khardtop]

We used points to stay at the Grand Floridian, and while the accomodations aren't as equipped (kitchen etc), we enjoyed staying at such a nice place.

My wife liked it a lot, I prefer the DVC condo units, especially BWV & BC

 

[Dean]

You'd be better off buying less DVC points and paying cash for the other options.

 

[cobbler]

If you go to a Disney non-DVC deluxe like the GF or Poly there is no exchange fee, just the points to stay there.

We are planning our next 4 vacations to stay at Cont, GF, AKL and Poly on points. I know it isn't the "best" use of points but its what we want to do and because that is one of the things that appealed to us when buying DVC. Besides we know we will get very spoiled in a one bdrm villa and not want to go back to the standard hotel room so we are getting these out of the way first.