Upset, need to vent is value still there for DVC?

[DizBub]

Also, one benefit to the expiring tickets is going to the park guilt-free on travel days. If I'm going for 5 days, the first and last are travel days and 3 days in between are park days. If I travel in the AM there and PM back home, those could be 1/2 park days. I hate to waste a non expiring on those, so getting a 5 day expiring might be better because I can go the first and last day with less guilt.

This is one of the reasons we didn't go into the parks this last trip. Since there was actually nothing new to see or do since our last trip, we just simply could not justify using the ticket. We usually just go in and wander around before we decide it's too crowded or too hot and leave.

Can't wait until we get those new APs. I know it doesn't seem to make sense but they do give you a nice sense of "freedom".

 

[dlm1017]

So, I signed on and checked again for ticket prices. I don't see an option for NON Expiring tickets??? am I looking in the wrong place??

Dana

 

[amypetecar]

You make a VERY good point.
Disney has always been expensive, but ticket price increases have been VERY aggressive the past 5-10 years.
We feel the same way.
We've been to Disney 3 times in 4 years
And just tacked on an Aulani trip 2 weeks ago.
We are ready to sit on our points for a few years.....

Rather than cruising on points, consider renting your points for $11 per point and then use the cash for any vacation you want!

 

[lovin'fl]

So, I signed on and checked again for ticket prices. I don't see an option for NON Expiring tickets??? am I looking in the wrong place??

Dana

Don't think you can buy them through Disney anymore...try UT.

 

[tfc3rid]

I take about 4-8 2 night stays every year at WDW using my point. I buy an AP and keep it up... Live about an hour flight away. Travel down there when airfare sales are in place.

I just enjoy staying at all of our options and let's not forget the option of a room in Hawaii when we want one...

DVC membership is not ever nor has it been ever meant to be inexpensive. It's an expensive buy in and an expensive annual fee... It's a luxury, not an essential item.

 

[disney junky]

Moderators please move if I have posted in the wrong forum.

I am a DVC member and wanted to get a in a quick getaway just my daughter and I. This winter has felt so long and I just need a break. I went online and looked up airfare, I have Southwest point’s so even though the prices are a bit high (spring break time) I can get flights with roughly 300.00 out of pocket. My annual pass has just expired. I am not going to renew because 1. We had not planned on going back until 2016 and 2. It was a premium pass purchased last year when it was specially priced for DVC members (however we did get 2 trips out of it) SO, (sorry long story longer) I went online to look up park passes with hoppers for us for 3 DAYS and it came out to nearly 700.00!! I was and still am in shock. For us to go for 4 nights and 3 days it will cost me 1,000 not even including any food?? Wow, how did I not see this? I am sad I know it’s not a good use of points but I may consider a Disney cruise instead even with the 95.00 charge it might just be less. I guess since I have not purchased park passes in a few years I am just in a bit of sticker shock. I know I know, I have to figure in the cost of DVC. (Our dues are 1k per year) We truly need to sit down and see if there is still value in it for my family. We have listed our smaller contract (we have 2) because we already feel we need fewer points. We would like to take a trip to Aulani and Hawaii in 2015 and have a trip scheduled to Hilton Head in May. I almost wonder if I should rent my points to cover my dues and sit on them for a bit. Is anyone feeling this way? that the value has decreased since you purchased? I love my DVC but I feel it may be more of an emotional decision to let it go than a practical one?
Sorry vent over, just feeling a bit down. It just maybe the winter blues
Dana

Last year my wife and I did just what you are talking about, except that we went to Vero Beach. We got a great deal on a rental car through Costco and had the most delightful relaxing long weekend. Just a thought. Some have suggested a non park vacation and I find that a great idea. Unless I have an active annual pass, I hate to use an entire day on a non expiring pass without getting the most from it. I'm like an earlier poster. I will buy the annual pass if I know I'm going to be able to use it twice within a year. I have bought non expiring in the past, but they have gotten really costly.

 

[disfanforlife]

So, I signed on and checked again for ticket prices. I don't see an option for NON Expiring tickets??? am I looking in the wrong place??

Dana

You can still buy them. You may just need to call to order them. I believe that they took them off the site because too many people were buying them without realizing that they didn't need them. (i.e. too confusing)

 

[dlm1017]

You can still buy them. You may just need to call to order them. I believe that they took them off the site because too many people were buying them without realizing that they didn't need them. (i.e. too confusing)

Thanks!
Would you happen to know what the price is for them? and I assume a 10 day pass is the longest you can purchase??

 

[disfanforlife]

Thanks!
Would you happen to know what the price is for them? and I assume a 10 day pass is the longest you can purchase??

You are quite welcome. $735.95

 

[DizBub]

You are quite welcome. $735.95

Could I ask where you found this price? Is this including tax?

I found the price for a 10 day non-expiring park hopper to be $755.01 on UT.
$43 off adult gate price. I believe tax is included.

Expensive either way.

 

[disfanforlife]

Could I ask where you found this price? Is this including tax?

I found the price for a 10 day non-expiring park hopper to be $755.01 on UT.
$43 off adult gate price. I believe tax is included.

Expensive either way.

I found it on UT - perhaps I have an outdate price list that I was looking at.

 

[dlm1017]

I found the price for a 10 day non-expiring park hopper to be $755.01 on UT.
$43 off adult gate price. I believe tax is included.

Forgive my ignorance but what is "UT"?

Another question, can anyone use the non-expiring park hopper? For example if my daughter uses 3 days for one trip can my husband use the remaining 7 days for a future trip?

 

[tjkraz]

Forgive my ignorance but what is "UT"?

Undercover Tourist

Another question, can anyone use the non-expiring park hopper? For example if my daughter uses 3 days for one trip can my husband use the remaining 7 days for a future trip?

No. Disney park tickets are non-transferrable. And now with the MyDisneyExperience website / app, tickets are permanently linked to a single individual's user profile. After the first use, they can only be used by the one individual.

 

[lovin'fl]

Forgive my ignorance but what is "UT"?

Another question, can anyone use the non-expiring park hopper? For example if my daughter uses 3 days for one trip can my husband use the remaining 7 days for a future trip?

Undercover Tourist website
They use fingerprints, so no you cannot share.

 

[Greysword]

Consider flying to the West coast for some Disneyland magic one year. You can use your points to stay at the Grand Californian resort (or the Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier hotel if your points are not resale), and use this as a base to visit the parks and the surrounding area.

Of course, you can use your points to trade into RCI for a stay elsewhere.

Value is a tricky things, since it is extremely personal. I hope you find some value with your points, as Disney does try to afford many options.

 

[tgropp]

For me, DVC is the only way that I can afford to go to Disney. My family of seven people were at Disney from Dec 18'th to the 29'th and we used up 564 points for 11 nights in a 2 BR unit. I figured that the maintenance fees would be around $3,500.00 but if I were to pay cash rack rates to Disney, the cost would have been a staggering $15-$16,000.00. It took many visits to WDW to wake up to DVC but now with my childrens spouses and grandchild in the picture, there would be no family WDW vacations if I was not a DVC member.

 

[PoohsFan1]

How about a no park trip? Enjoy the pools, downtown Disney, etc.
Or, look into a 10 day no expiration with water park option. That can last you years and may be the most economical solution.

I second the no park trip . We haven't done it personally but would love to do one some day, especially if we had limited funds. There is still a ton of magic and things to do (for cheap) outside of the parks .

 

[Dean]

But even then, expiring tickets only break even at day 5, right? Anything less than 5 days and you are better off with 10 day non's.

Obviously one needs to look at the specifics. In general terms I think the 10 day non expiring is best for those that use a day here and there and those that take advantage of the minor park add on options. As for normal parks for say 2 trips totaling 10 days vs one 10 day non expiring, you'll pretty much come out ahead or at worst, break even for any combination of days. If you get to 3 trips equalling 10 days, it depends but usually the 10 day will be better. The other component that can be better on the longer ticket is the park hopper option. Of course right now there are specials to get an extra park day on the shorter tickets. My point was to question the options and get people to actually look at what they're doing. Simply assuming the 10 day non expiring pass is best might be wrong or it might be best in that specific situation.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I understand what you are saying. In 2008, we bought 4 10-day NE Park Hoppers w/WPM. We paid about $2200. We have used them for several trips since we go to WDW every other year and use only 1-2 days per trip. I have only one day left on mine and was shocked to see that the same ticket has gone from about $550 to $750 in just six years. Yet my income hasn't gone up! Even though we get really good use of our tickets I am worried that if the prices continue to climb like they are that Disney trips may become a thing of the past for us. I bought into DVC hoping to one day be able to take my kids and grandkids. Now not so sure it will be possible.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

How about a no park trip? Enjoy the pools, downtown Disney, etc.

Personally, I think this is a great option for Animal Kingdom Villas. Aside from the pools, there are numerous activities offered during the day, at no cost. From cultural experiences to animal enrichment programs, one can easily spend a day appreciating the wonders of the Lodge and furthering his/her cultural understanding.

Mini-golf, bowling and resort architectural tours are just some of many other activities offered at a lower or no cost.