Thinking of purchasing

[LorieDisneyLover]

We've been thinking of purchasing DVC.

We would probably be purchasing a minimum amount of points at this time ... maybe 160 or 200 -- which is not enough for the vacation we normally book with our family size. So, it would necessitate having a 'cash' reservation also.

Question: I think I remember being told DVC members get a discount on rooms ... what is that discount? and is that like all other discounts where there is a 'limited' amount of them available? or is it a given if the room is available?

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Yes, there is limited availability, and unless things have changed recently, the discount is 25 percent. There is also tax on it, which is ridiculously high (around 12 percent).

Congrats on your decision!

 

[CarolMN]

DVC members can get a 25% discount of rack rates for reservations at the DVC resorts. These are limited in number and not always available.

Other options you could consider -

Getting another member to transfer points into your account. Once the transfer is complete, the points are yours to use. Each membership may have one transfer per use year, either into the account or out of the account, but not both in the same use year. Transferred points may be banked, but they do retain their original use year and home resort tags.

Borrowing or banking. This may not work if you go every year.

One time use points. You may purchase up to 24 one time use points in a single transaction from Member Services for $15/point. These points may only be used after the 7 month window has opened.

Getting cash reservation through DRC and putting notes on both the DVC & DRC reservation asking not to have to change rooms. Usually you will not have to change rooms if you do this properly, but you may have to check out and back in again between the cash and points reservations.

Renting a few days from another member and linking the reservations together so you do not have to change rooms or do the check out and back in routine. The other member will control that part of the reservation until you check in so there is a bit of a risk when you go this route. Problems have been very rare with renting reservations from this sight,but there have been a few. Just do your homework and use common sense and you will be fine.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I was really hoping the discount was a 'given' and not limited .... oh well ... still thinking.

 

[littlestar]

Don't forget about the Annual Pass discount for DVC members (if you buy Annual passes). We sometimes add an extra day or two with an Annual Pass discount on a DVC stay.

 

[Sandisw]

Well, one thing you can do is use your DVC every other year and then stay on cash reservations on those off years, even if you had to book through Disney.

If you bought an AP and plan your trips only 51 weeks apart--like we do--you could get two years out of one pass.

And, my understanding, is Disney typically offers an AP discount for rooms so giving you another option for discounted pricing.

Good luck!

 

[whatsup]

DVC members can get a 25% discount of rack rates for reservations at the DVC resorts. These are limited in number and not always available.

Other options you could consider -

Getting another member to transfer points into your account. Once the transfer is complete, the points are yours to use. Each membership may have one transfer per use year, either into the account or out of the account, but not both in the same use year. Transferred points may be banked, but they do retain their original use year and home resort tags.

Borrowing or banking. This may not work if you go every year.

One time use points. You may purchase up to 24 one time use points in a single transaction from Member Services for $15/point. These points may only be used after the 7 month window has opened.

Getting cash reservation through DRC and putting notes on both the DVC & DRC reservation asking not to have to change rooms. Usually you will not have to change rooms if you do this properly, but you may have to check out and back in again between the cash and points reservations.

Renting a few days from another member and linking the reservations together so you do not have to change rooms or do the check out and back in routine. The other member will control that part of the reservation until you check in so there is a bit of a risk when you go this route. Problems have been very rare with renting reservations from this sight,but there have been a few. Just do your homework and use common sense and you will be fine.

Are the 24 one time use points per year OR one time use the length of the contract?

 

[ToddyLu]

Per year, in one transaction only. So we purchased 9 points for an upcoming trip but will not be able to purchase 15 more points. We can do this again in our 2011 UY until they decide to take this perk away.

 

[Dean]

We've been thinking of purchasing DVC.

We would probably be purchasing a minimum amount of points at this time ... maybe 160 or 200 -- which is not enough for the vacation we normally book with our family size. So, it would necessitate having a 'cash' reservation also.

Question: I think I remember being told DVC members get a discount on rooms ... what is that discount? and is that like all other discounts where there is a 'limited' amount of them available? or is it a given if the room is available?

Generally for this situations it's better to use your points only when possible including borrowing. Then on off years you can do non DVC trips, stay off property of use other available discount programs which will often be a larger discount and provide more value than the DVC cash option. Still, it might be helpful when you almost have enough, as the ability to purchase extra one time points might be at times. However, if you truly know you need more points and plan to pay the cash anyway to round out the trips, you might be better off buying more points initially even if you have to wait a while to do so. Also, you might consider compromising on the home resort and go resale rather than limiting yourself to retail, even if you plan to finance (which I always recommend against).