WHAT TO EXPECT AS A DVC MEMBER AND DCL?

[disneynutz]

People have all kinds of opinions about whether it is a Gould use of points or not for a cruise. We have taken several cruises with and without points. You simply need to do the math. For instance, we are taking a 5 night west coast cruise and when I did the math, each point was worth about $23 at the time I booked it. While this may be an exception to the norm, I know I would not have been able to rent my points out for that cost, so it was worth it.

Good point, there may be variables which affects the norm. I think that most of us who post that points should only be used for DVC stays are attempting to educate readers that just because something is possible, it doesn't mean that it's a good deal. Disney has such a strong emotional following that I am amazed at how many guests have told me that Disney wouldn't offer it unless it was a good deal for guests.

Bill

 

[bumbershoot]

I thought that since we booked thru DVC, all ressies are made thru them but if they're just going to go thru DCL, I might as well call them directly?

If you're changing the reservation itself, you go through DVC (and will pay another $95 fee).

When making things like Palo reservations, seeing about a cabana, and the rest of the things that happen at 120 days out (for PIF concierge), you do that directly with DCL. NONE of that involves a phone call.


Not sure what a DVC-booked DCL email looks like, but for fun, check the entire text of your emailed confirmation(s). The times we booked concierge (not through DVC though) the shoreside concierge phone number was right there in the email.


Shoreside concierge will send you an email at some point before 120 days. They tell you when you can respond with requests (palo on this night, cabana reeservation, spa services, etc). Do that by email at 12:01am on the day they tell you to. Expect an auto-response! If you do not get an auto-response, I'd stay up and do it yourself on day 120 just after midnight Eastern time. (I didn't get an autoresponse, I had a feeling it was not all well, I booked the cabana myself, getting VERY lucky...when I re-sent the email with a note added to it, that was the first time they saw my email)

You should get DVC SWAG gifts in your room and at the gatherings.

If swag means "cotton DVC hats, fake Tervis mugs, a plastic in-sand cup-holder (OK that was useful), and things like that, OK.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I checked confirmations emails and there is no mention of an email address or phone number for shore side concierge. Darn it! You would think it would of been sent or in that information.

 

[Mickey4me!]

Booking DCL on points will cost more than renting out your points and paying cash. There isn't always inventory available in all categories when booking through DVC.

Not always true. We've sailed 7 times with 6 of those using points. Our upcoming B2B works out to $20.81 per point and we've never had an issue with category. I usually "trial" book on the DCL site to see which cabins are available and pick the cabin number I prefer and maybe one backup. When I call DVC, I give them my requested cabin number and have always gotten my first choice. DVC has access to the same inventory that is on the DCL website. We have also reserved concierge with points. I believe you can only book the lowest level concierge with points but I'm not sure. With the cost of DCL going up, I think the blanket statement that "it's not a good use of points" is no longer valid.

 

[disneynutz]

Not always true. We've sailed 7 times with 6 of those using points. Our upcoming B2B works out to $20.81 per point and we've never had an issue with category. I usually "trial" book on the DCL site to see which cabins are available and pick the cabin number I prefer and maybe one backup. When I call DVC, I give them my requested cabin number and have always gotten my first choice. DVC has access to the same inventory that is on the DCL website. We have also reserved concierge with points. I believe you can only book the lowest level concierge with points but I'm not sure. With the cost of DCL going up, I think the blanket statement that "it's not a good use of points" is no longer valid.

DCL apparently has plenty of inventory currently but if that changes Disney will restrict DVC like they did just a few years ago. DCL was blacked out for DVC for almost a year. I don't believe that I have seen any posts where using points saved the member money compared to paying cash. If that has changed posting your reservation specifics would help educate me.

Bill