Use Points Anywhere????

[KAK]

If we buy into the DVC can our points be used at any resort like the Poly or GF or just the DVC Resorts??

Thanks Much!!!
KAK

 

[ellenmiele]

You can use your dvc points at any of the deluxe or moderate resorts. But the points needed per night are generally a little more than at a dvc resort. And there are many other hotels and vacation options around the US and around the world that you can use your dvc points for.

 

[Caskbill]

Points can be used at most resorts. They cannot be used at the Value resorts, nor can they be used at a resort which has a DVC resort as part of the complex. I.E., You can't use points at the Boardwalk Inn, because the Boardwalk complex has the Boardwalk Villas. Same applies for the Beach Club hotel, and for the Wilderness Lodge hotel.

That said, using points at regular WDW hotels does not give you anywhere near the value you get when using points at a DVC villa. For example if you want to go to food and wine fest in October, a regular hotel room at the Grand Floridian is 46 points/night weeknights, and 83 points/night weekends. And that's for a Garden view. Lagoon view is 55 points/night and 99 points/night respectively.

In October, you can get a 2-B/R Standard view at the BWV's for 24 points/night weekdays, and 58 points/nigh weekends. A boardwalk view in a 2-B/R villa goes for 32 points/night weekdays and 61 points/night weekends.

If you want apples to apples, a Standard View BWV Studio (The closest there is to a regular hotel room, but better since it has the sofa, kitchenette, etc) is 9 points/night weekdays, and 21 points/night weekends.

 

[newfamilyman]

I am attending a sales presentation on February 5th and will probably hear more about this topic then, but are the concierge hotels not affiliated w/Disney also similarly not the best use of points? It seems like 28 points/night for the Grand Californian, which I know is still a Disney property, doesn't seem like such a great deal compared to what it would cost for if you paid with cash, not points.

 

[CarolMN]

I am attending a sales presentation on February 5th and will probably hear more about this topic then, but are the concierge hotels not affiliated w/Disney also similarly not the best use of points? It seems like 28 points/night for the Grand Californian, which I know is still a Disney property, doesn't seem like such a great deal compared to what it would cost for if you paid with cash, not points.

IMHO, using points for anything other than the DVC resorts and a few trades via II is not a good economic value. Only the DVC resorts have the prices (in points) "locked in". All of the other options are renegotiated each year - with very few eceptions, the points cost for non-DVC resorts and activities have gone up every year.

Does that mean you should not use your points for non-DVC options? No, it just means you are paying (pretty dearly IMHO) for the convenience of having MS make your arrangements. I chose to do that to stay at DL this year to attend the 50th. I know I could have paid cash and come out better by renting my DVC points, but I chose to pay for the convenience of having MS do it for me. Quick, easy & expensive, LOL! It's the first time we've used points outside the DVC resorts and it's probably going to be a long, long time before we do it again, if ever.

Don't buy DVC with the intent of regularly using your membership for non-DVC options - there are less expensive timeshares to buy if that's your intent. Buy a smaller contract - only the amount of points that you think you will use at the DVC resorts.

Best wishes -

P.S. Re the "locked in" comment. The total number of points to reserve all the rooms at a particular DVC resort cannot change. However, DVC can reallocate the points for that resort between seasons, unit types, days of the week, etc. if they so choose to balance demand. This has occurred only once - at OKW not too long after it opened. Some days in Adventure season went up, but other days elsewhere went down. Other than that, the only times of the year that change on a regular basis are the weeks surounding Easter and the days around Thanksgiving (because those Holidays are not fixed by date).

 

[mickeywho?]

Do DVC owners receive any discounts for deluxe or moderate rooms? If we use point Sun - Thurs and then move to a resort for the balance of the week what are the options. Are we limited to certain hotels and types of rooms to qualify for a discount?

 

[mickeywho?]

bump!

 

[CarolMN]

There are no special discounts for DVC members at any of the non-DVC resorts.

If you have an AP or PAP (many DVC members do), you can check with CRO/WDWTC to see if there are any AP/PAP discounts for the resort and dates you need. Sometimes there are also discounts for AAA members. As you probably know, discounted rooms are limited in number and not always available.

Best wishes -