Who really pays these prices?

[nyck]

I have been a DVC owner since 2003, but I really never check to see how much some of these resorts would be if I paid cash. Today I was curious and looked to see how much a OKW 2 bedroom would be if I booked just the room online for May 2-7 (which I have booked with my points now). It would cost $3853 That is CRAZY!!! I thank myself everyday that I bought BCV and SSR when I did, because I could never afford to stay in these nice of accommodations if I had to pay rack rates. Even at 20% I couldn't afford that. And I usually stay at BCV, which is $1000 more than OKW! Thank you DVC!!

 

[kristie03]

Agreed!!! I like to always check the cash values of my stays...it makes me happy EVERY time that I"m not paying that!

 

[vicki_c]

I paid cash at Christmas for a BCV studio for 2 nights - no discount. It was painful. However, we got upgraded to a 2 BR, so that was good!

 

[skunk]

Just an FYI, I just checked Travelocity for your dates:

Two Bedroom Villa - Special Offer
Limited Time Offer - Save 35% off $685.99

$445.89 + tax = $2,530.10 total.......still too much for me

 

[DizDays]

I keep a running total of what all my DVC trips would have cost. It makes me thankful for DVC every time.

 

[com_op_2000]

I keep a running total of what all my DVC trips would have cost. It makes me thankful for DVC every time.

I did this for the first three years. I recouped my cash DVC amount in less than that, if I had paid rack rates. Free vacation stays ever since is how I look at it.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

My 7-night trip to AKV this past October would have cost us almost $7000! We just about broke even on that one trip! I LOVE DVC!!!!

 

[TLPL]

But seriously, do some people actually pay that price in cash?? I always thought it's just for show to make use DVC members feel better.

 

[Sammie]

Yes people pay rack rate. Not as much now that Disney is throwing discounts out left and right, but they did in the past.

And definitely for suites and such and some DVC locations, especially the grand villas, and treehouses.

 

[Sammie]

My 7-night trip to AKV this past October would have cost us almost $7000! We just about broke even on that one trip! I LOVE DVC!!!!

$7000 for lodging, did you book the Presidential suite?

 

[buzz5985]

But seriously, do some people actually pay that price in cash?? I always thought it's just for show to make use DVC members feel better.

Several years ago while I was at HHI, I had also booked a 2 BR for my DS. While she was checking in there was a couple checking in that she heard the total cost of what they owed - it was about $2700. My DS - she never goes anywhere - says to me - gee wonder how long they have been here for. I told her probably just a week. I think her jaw almost hit the floor.

I look at it this way - I surprised DH and DS with Patriots tickets. $170/ticket. $40 to park. $100 food. Almost $500 for a couple of hours of entertainment. It was the most agonizing money I have ever spent. LOL That would pay for dinner at Jiko and Fulton's Crab House next summer!!!!

Janis

 

[Dizny Dad]

I keep a running total of what all my DVC trips would have cost. It makes me thankful for DVC every time.

I also keep a Disney Log, showing not only the DVC contract costs, & MFs, but also airline tickets, annual passes, and food during the trip. I also keep a column showing the rack rates that I wouuld have paid for the trip. I then have two running totals; one showing the actual cash outlay, another that removes the DVC stuff and adds in the rack rates that would have been paid. It allows me to see the break even point approaching and makes me thing that it all makes financial sense.

It is all just a game. DVC is an emotional thing anyway. You either get it or you don't.

 

[CaskPeg]

We as DVC owners live a "charmed experience" when coming to WDW. When we bought originally in 1993--it was the best thing available....we toured and bought the same day at OKW. We later purchased more at SSR and have enjoyed that location for all its benefits. People from other countries get a good cash deal and are willing to pay...thus the "rack room rate" for prime season. Just one more reason to be a loyal DVC owner!
Enjoy the Magic! Cask Peg

 

[kristenrice]

Back in 2001, I was a completely ignorant Disney newbie. I hadn't been there since 1988 and I wanted to plan my own trip as an adult. My DH (BF at the time) and I invited my parents to come along so we could split the costs. Well, we knew we wanted to stay onsite and only really knew about the CR, Poly and GF since those were the only one's built in 1988. So, we'd budgeted about $250/night for our lodging. (That was for each couple, not total) and we were pleased with an OKW 2BR that included the full kitchen, laundry room and jacuzzi tub. We got it for the "bargain price" of $3600 for 7 nights in February.

So, yes, there are the uninformed folks (like we were) who don't know any better and blindly pay the rack rate without knowing any better.

 

[sean-1966]

double post

 

[nyck]

I didn't think people paid those prices either till I was in line at the front desk and saw it first hand. I wish I had that kinda cash, I would buy more points! I wish I would have started a log of how much the rooms would cost for the stays I have had. I know I have already broke even with BCV since I pretty much always book a 2 Bedroom there if I have 4 or more people.

I have said on other posts that I wouldn't pay $130 per point for this now, but after the prices I just saw, I will have to take back what I said. I am thankful that I bought my points for $76 for BCV and $90 something for SSR, but if I didn't have either and wanted to travel as much as I do now, I would buy DVC again, but not as much as I have now since I couldn't afford 500 points at $130

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

$7000 for lodging, did you book the Presidential suite?

No. We stayed in a concierge studio on the first night. I can't remember the exact rack rates but it was around $600/night. Then we moved to a 2 BR savanna view room at Kidani for the next 6 nights which was around $1000/night. With those kinds of rates, it's easy for a week stay to really add up!

 

[tgropp]

We were at the VWL in a 2 BR for 7 nights over Christmas. The rack rate was $1,180.00 plus tax. The total would have been almost $9,000.00 with tax but only cost me 347 points which would be around $1,875.00 in maintenance fees. No way would I spend $9,000.00 cash for 7 nights lodging.

 

[nolanboys]

Disney does offer some nice room discounts frequently, but never around the holidays. That was a deciding factor for us buying into DVC. As the kids get older, we can only travel during Christmas Break and Spring Break. The price of rooms are ridiculously expensive. They did have a room only discount for our spring break this year. Even with the 35% discount, we're ahead over $2000. I'm sure that number will be much bigger when we go for NYE in 2012. I know you have to figure in the buy in amount, but we are on our way to recouping all our money and I love to be able to plan a trip without the constraints of when they are offering a deal.

 

[ADP]

For as long as I've been going to Disney World there's always been some kind of discount offered. I'd never pay rack rate. Worst case is you buy an AP (more than what you'd pay for a regular ticket) and get the 20 to 30% off AP discount with the one AP. That savings alone could pay for the cost of your AP, plus all the discounts you get with it during your trip. AAA is a good option too. Sometimes doing it this way is better than a package discount with tickets and dining.