To buy now or later?

[ldmohnke]

We are planning a trip with our three sons (10, 8, 4) to Disney World this October (better rates and Fall break for the kids). Haven't booked anything yet -- just waiting for those good deals to come out! My husband would love to take the kids on an Alaskan cruise some year (something I wasn't too keen on). I figure it would just cost way too much money! Then I found out that Disney offers an Alaskan cruise starting next year. I'm just wondering if we should look into joining DVC before our trip this year to take advantage of the accomodations in October and then take a couple years to bank some points and use towards a cruise. I guess I would rather use the $11K that it would probably take for a cruise and put that towards at DVC. (????) We're not the type to go to Disney EVERY year, but we usually spend at least $3000+ a year on vacations. Anybody have any thoughts on this? Thanks for your help!

 

[Crystal_27]

Well, let me start out by saying that buying into DVC with the intention of uisng it at DCL often is probably not the best way of maximizing the value of DVC. With that said, though, if you opt to buy in, the points are yours to do with what you wish, and if you are willing to use 2+ years worth of points to go on a cruise, the system is definitely designed to allow you to do so. In terms of when you should buy, keep in mind that the banking window for DVC resorts has been open to all home and non-home resorts for October, so you may find some difficulty in getting a reservation at this stage in the game (unless, of course, you are able to convince a Guide that you won't buy unless he is able to get you your desired reservation, which may or may not be successful). Also, you mentioned that your family does not go to Disney every year. With banking and borrowing, that means that you can buy half as many points as a typical vacation would cost, and just bank your points so you can go every year. What that means, though, is that you would still be obligated to pay maintenace fees on your "off" year, and it also means that your chances of having enough points for a cruise (which are very point intensive) are unlikely, and you would probably have to pay cash for some members of your party. Since you seem to be in the early stages of researching DVC, my advice is to continue to do so until you are confident that you know all of the ins and outs of the system. And, of course, The DIS is a great resource as to all things DVC. Either way, good luck!

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

We are planning a trip with our three sons (10, 8, 4) to Disney World this October (better rates and Fall break for the kids). Haven't booked anything yet -- just waiting for those good deals to come out! My husband would love to take the kids on an Alaskan cruise some year (something I wasn't too keen on). I figure it would just cost way too much money! Then I found out that Disney offers an Alaskan cruise starting next year. I'm just wondering if we should look into joining DVC before our trip this year to take advantage of the accomodations in October and then take a couple years to bank some points and use towards a cruise. I guess I would rather use the $11K that it would probably take for a cruise and put that towards at DVC. (????) We're not the type to go to Disney EVERY year, but we usually spend at least $3000+ a year on vacations. Anybody have any thoughts on this? Thanks for your help!

If you think DVC is right for you and you will end up becoming members then I suggest buying into DVC before your next vacation. The sooner you can start using your points the quicker DVC will pay for itself.

Jason

 

[ldmohnke]

Thanks for the input! Yeah, I have been told that I could probably use some points maybe to use on a couple of people in our party for the cruise, but to use cash for the kids.

My research continues and we may just hold off until next year, but like I said, if we're heading out this fall we could actually start using it. Have to get my husband 100% on board first. He's still ifffyyy about the whole thing. We may just hold off and wait for the deals to come for the fall months and find a resort then.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the input! Yeah, I have been told that I could probably use some points maybe to use on a couple of people in our party for the cruise, but to use cash for the kids.

My research continues and we may just hold off until next year, but like I said, if we're heading out this fall we could actually start using it. Have to get my husband 100% on board first. He's still ifffyyy about the whole thing. We may just hold off and wait for the deals to come for the fall months and find a resort then.

You can pay cash for the kids, but it will be the DVC negotiated price for the kids and that isn't what you might pay through DCL. It seems like cash prices for guests on DCL through DVC aren't really all that good.

 

[robertdangelo]

No better time than the present!

 

[es45]

You can pay cash for the kids, but it will be the DVC negotiated price for the kids and that isn't what you might pay through DCL. It seems like cash prices for guests on DCL through DVC aren't really all that good.

Do you happen to know how much more it is through DVC? Not looking for an exact amount, maybe a percentage. Thanks!

 

[ldmohnke]

Do you happen to know how much more it is through DVC? Not looking for an exact amount, maybe a percentage. Thanks!

So are you all saying it actually will cost more for the kids if we went through the DVC to book a cruise then through Disney?

 

[es45]

So are you all saying it actually will cost more for the kids if we went through the DVC to book a cruise then through Disney?

Sounds like it. I didn't realize this either. Anyone have an idea how much extra it costs?

 

[Crystal_27]

So are you all saying it actually will cost more for the kids if we went through the DVC to book a cruise then through Disney?

That actually was not my experience (the cash price we were quoted from MS for our child was actually a bit less than what was on the DCL website), but I believe that the DVC rates are on a cruise-by-cruise basis. The best thing to do is to call MS and find out the specific details for your particular cruise.

 

[dbs1228]

Also check with DCL because I have found OFTEN with cruises the " rates" on the website are not always what is being offered when you call. I have gotten great discounts by calling direct or going through my travel agent (which I was a travel agent for many years so I know to check out different resources) If DVC is discounting a cruise chances are DCL is also discounting that same cruise, at least that has been my experience.

Good luck!

 

[dbs1228]

posted twice sorry