Will the addition of the Dining Plan make point rentals even more Desirable?

[LIFERBABE]

I was just reading another thread where the poster was eligible for a discounted Deluxe Resort room but because the room was discounted, they were not eligible for the MYW dining plan.

The MYW Packages have always been the most affordable/feasible for Value and Moderate Resorts. A Deluxe Resort Package has always been in the thousands.

Now with DVC adding Dining, it is basically possible to have a discount and Package features without paying rack rate for the room. Plus you dont need to purchase a ticket. Maybe this is why we have not received details yet, as they work out the competitive (CRO vs. Rentals) issues.

Will this lead to a price increase on point rentals? The money saved by renting points at a Deluxe Resort would more than pay for the Dining Plan, making it free for those that were planning to go deluxe anyway.

Who wouldnt give up housekeeping for free meals? Even if they paid for daily housekeeping, the savings would still be significant.

Im just rambling but all this is running thru my head. I normally don't get into much about the point rental price debate, but could this be the catalyst to spark rental rates?

We have always said you cant compare point rental costs to rack rate, but now with the Dining Plan addition, you can, because the only way to stay deluxe with dining is to pay rack.

 

[DisFlan]

Hmm - interesting question. I guess we'll have to wait and see. DVC might be able to limit dining plan access to non-member guests staying WITH a member. I dunno. But I definitely see your point.


DisFlan

 

[NMW]

Interesting. I suppose Disney could limit the dining plan to only DVC members or guests staying with a member, thus excluding renters altogether. Of course, this would also exclude members who "give" their points to family or friends. They could also limit it to family members who reside with the DVC members the way they do the AP discount. Of course then they could have some people on the reservation that are not on the dining plan and that would be confusing for all involved. I don't know, I guess we have to wait and see. I don't plan to rent my points, so it doesn't effect me. I'm just happy to finally be able to buy the plan.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I'll be surprised if there is a limitation on dining plan participation for DVC stays. I'm assuming that Disney has agreed to offering this opportunity to the DVC because they profit from it, presumably improving their restaurant utilization. I don't see why they would then reverse course and place a limit on which DVC stays would be eligible. Two particular features of the plan: you must purchase it for the entire length of your stay and for all the individuals staying in your room/villa. This includes paying the adult price for children 10 and older. Looks like a sure-fired way to increase revenues.

The Magical Express airport transportation is another example of a Disney investment that pays off through increased on-site spending. Many visitors will not be renting a car since they'll use the free airport transportation. This keeps them on site, increasing the use of WDW facilities.

Ralph

 

[VLee]

We are scheduled to make our next trip in late January. Can anyone tell me where I may get more detailed information on the Dining Plan for DVC? When it goes into effect? and the costs?

Some of our party already have an AP.

Thanks.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Beach Club Resort $2424.32 (wdw.com site)
Sept 3-8, 2006 5 nights Sun -Thur
Standard view Deluxe room
2A and 2C (ages 6 and 8)
MYW Dining Plan
1 Day Base Ticket (minimum purchase to qualify for package status, even if AP holder)

Beach Club Villa studio $600 to $720 ($10-$12ppt for 60 points)
Sept 3-8, 2006 5 nights
2A and 2C
MYW Dining Plan $500 total for 5 nights ($35 per Adult $10 per child incl tax)
No ticket purchase required (Great for AP holders or FL residents)

Total $1100 to $1220

Add daily housekeeping $25x5 nights=$125

That's just at 50% off at $10 per point!

Even with a package code, I have not seen Deluxe resort packages discounted anywhere close.

 

[DebbieB]

We are scheduled to make our next trip in late January. Can anyone tell me where I may get more detailed information on the Dining Plan for DVC? When it goes into effect? and the costs?

Some of our party already have an AP.

Thanks.

It doesn't start until April stays.

 

[Dean]

I too doubt there will be limitations on being able to get the plan, IF it happens. The real question is whether it will be the same price. I'd also suspect yes but we shall see.

 

[DebbieB]

I too doubt there will be limitations on being able to get the plan, IF it happens. The real question is whether it will be the same price. I'd also suspect yes but we shall see.

I thought they announced at the annual meeting that it would be the same price.

 

[Dean]

I thought they announced at the annual meeting that it would be the same price.

IF so I didn't hear that (a price was announced), but I'd expect it to be the same. Even if Disney wanted to make it more, I doubt they'd confuse the issue to do so in this situaiton. At this point I'm still not convinced it's going to happen, at least by April. We shall see.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Hmm - interesting question. I guess we'll have to wait and see. DVC might be able to limit dining plan access to non-member guests staying WITH a member. I dunno. But I definitely see your point.DisFlan

Or, they may have you show your blue card, which would weed out the renters.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think DVC wants to turn off renters, they are potential future members.

 

[Fellowship9798]

I too doubt there will be limitations on being able to get the plan, IF it happens. The real question is whether it will be the same price. I'd also suspect yes but we shall see.

Just to add something, I've talked with Member Services and asked for details about the Dining Plan since I have some renters who really, really want this. The person on the other end basically only had two official things to say so far:

1. The price is $37.99 per person per day
2. The plan must be booked for all people in the room for the entire lenth of stay
3. The plan can be booked or added to existing reservations in January for stays starting in April


I also asked if there was tax on top of the $37.99, and she said no, the tax and tip are included in the price. I don't think she was actually answering my question about whether the $37.99 was taxable, but instead if I had to pay tax at the restaurant after I eat. Oh well.

I also asked if there would be any restriction on people staying on points without the DVC member present (ie guests or renters) not being allowed to book the plan. She said she didn't see any reason why there would be. Again, this wasn't really a definitive confirmation, but a good sign for those wanting the plan for renters or guests.

The only firm information so far are points 1, 2, & 3 above. All else is speculation so far. We'll just have to wait patiently to see what rules are laid out in the coming weeks.

 

[crisi]

I don't think DVC wants to turn off renters, they are potential future members.

Yes, but they want to make BUYING as opposed to renting attractive. If I can get all the benefits of being a DVC member as a renter for $10 a point - or buy SSR for $92, I'm all over renting. I enjoy my DVC membership, but renting at $10 is starting to look like a better deal.

 

[JimMIA]

To answer your original question -- "Will the addition of the Dining Plan make point rentals even more desireable? -- Yes, of course it will.

I don't think we need to do any sophisticated financial gymnastics -- all we need do is go back and look at the numerous posts from potential renters asking if the dining plan is available to renters. The lack of a dining plan in the past has caused some potential renters to abandon the idea of renting, so I'm sure this will help.

I also think the enhanced desireability, plus the dues increases, will raise the rental prices. Renting is a better deal than it was, costs have increased -- both of those should contribute to higher pricing.

 

[eliza61]

Yes, but they want to make BUYING as opposed to renting attractive. If I can get all the benefits of being a DVC member as a renter for $10 a point - or buy SSR for $92, I'm all over renting. I enjoy my DVC membership, but renting at $10 is starting to look like a better deal.

Happy Holidays All!
I'm not sure if having a meal plan or not would factor into my decision to not buy. In my case, I was renting points year after year & figured with the way our family travels over the long run, owning was the way to go. I also take advantage of the other perks (we've used our points for vacations in NYC, Washington DC, London and the disney cruise.) Has any one done a Renting/buying cost analysis over a long period of time (say 10 years)?

 

[DisFlan]

I don't think DVC wants to turn off renters, they are potential future members.

Yup. Making it available to renters is probably a good marketing move.

We're all pretty well acquainted with DVC's computer limitations. I have doubts about how well they'd be able to separate or monitor which DVC guests staying with points can get the DP and which can't. It'll likely be "if you stay on points, you can get it". Anything else would be confusing and prone to errors.

DisFlan

 

[Lewisc]

The last few room discount offers allowed you to add dining. Dining wasn't discounted but you got the same discount on the hotel room.

The only issue is passes. MYW Dining guests have to purchase at least a one day base ticket even if they own an AP. There have been several posts saying Disney may start allowing guests who book an AP discounted room to purchase MYW Dining without having to purchase an, uneeded, pass.

Since Disney relaxed the rules for DVC I'd expect a similar change for AP discounted rooms.

I don't think it'll have a significant impact on the decision to rent points vs staying in a resort.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

...
I also asked if there was tax on top of the $37.99, and she said no, the tax and tip are included in the price. I don't think she was actually answering my question about whether the $37.99 was taxable, but instead if I had to pay tax at the restaurant after I eat. Oh well.
...

Since there is no tax charged on the purchase of the current dining plan (at $35/adult, increasing to $37.99 on January 1), there is no reason to expect there to be tax charged on the dining plan when purchased through DVC. In other words, the $37.99 is not taxable (which makes sense, since this would constitute paying tax on a price that already includes a portion allocated to sales tax as well as a portion allocated to the tip).

Ralph

 

[Cinderpals]

It surely makes sense for us to purchase an AP every year since the only reason for us to consider a magic your way ticket was to get the dining plan. I love DVC ownership, and I think that this is one extra perk that will make any DVC trip to Walt Disney more attractive.