We used to say that the only thing that ever comes down is the rain but maybe that isn’t the case with timeshare purchase at Disney Vacation Club (DVC). Historically, DVC has increased its minimum joining point’s requirement over the years:
- February 2018: Raised to 75 points.
- September 2019: Raised to 100 points.
- October 2020: Raised to 125 points.
- June 2021: Raised to 150 points
However that may all have changed. Back in April a leaflet stared to do the rounds, originally picked up at the Grand Floridian, see below:
From this it would appear that the hike in points announced has been reversed. Naturally this has had many posing the question, why? Well we think we can say that this isn’t simply out of the kindness of the DVC board of Directors, there is some commercial logic behind the move.
The global financial crisis is still with us so luxury items such as timeshare ownership may have to be placed on the back burner, but if the entry level cost can be lowered maybe the enticement may be too hard to resist. TCA have said on a number of occasions that in the USA, entry level timeshare is around $20,000. By lowering the entry level point’s requirement to 100, DVC can now sell membership for $21,700. Although apart from the above leaflet DVC haven’t published any other information or even confirmed the deal. No doubt from an accommodation point of view the lower entry level will still allow bookings across all resorts, however there is a small catch.
The catch
To benefit from the perks associated with membership, the minimum point requirement is still 150, which would bump the cost up to $32,500. The question would be “are the additional perks worth an extra $10,800?” Naturally, Disney and theme parks go hand in hand, whilst DVC accommodation is fabulous it’s still the draw of Mickey Mouse and friends that gives DVC its pulling power. From this it may be concluded that the additional “perks” are mostly theme park related.
It’s no secret that Disney discounts are hard to come by! Full point’s members are offered a range of benefits which at the time of writing are:
- Discounts on theme park entry tickets
- Disney Sorcerer Pass and Incredi-Pass: DVC members and Florida residents can receive a discount on these two particular Walt Disney World Annual Passes (subject to pass availability).
- Disney After Hours and Party tickets: DVC members can get discounted ticket prices for special events held at Walt Disney World, such as Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Your tickets may also allow for earlier event entry, depending on the details of the ticket you purchase.
- Blizzard Beach tickets: DVC members can save $20 on the purchase of Blizzard Beach tickets.
Another benefit is free entry to VIP lounges at EPCOT which offers an air conditioned lounge with free soda fountain soft drinks and snacks. The same is available at the top of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
DVC members also receive 10 to 20 percent off dining and merchandise and those savings are available throughout Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, all theme parks, Disney Springs and the Downtown Disney District. Certain members’ only events and Disney after dark are also thrown in.
Value for money?
Bearing in mind that the new entry level points will barely get you a one week stay at a DVC resort, an extra $10,800 expenditure will take an awful long time to offer a real payback. True that more points will buy more holiday you get so it’s not all about the perks.
If you are a family with young children and you decide to spend your whole stay visiting various Disney theme parks, the extra cost may seem to offer value. That said, the additional cost in the main only offers discounts with very few worthwhile freebies so overall expenditure will still be high.
To grab the extra 50 points required between entry level and full membership, the resale market may be the best way to go as points can be acquired with as much as a 50% discount. However, before purchase checks should be made with DVC as to whether resale points earn all the benefits. Historically, travellers who buy DVC resales are excluded from using certain portions of the Member Getaways Program and benefits as described above also extra hours at the parks, dining discounts, and access to Disney Cruises or international resorts.
TCA comment
As we stated at the beginning of this article, DVC is no charity. Reducing entry level cost by a third makes membership that much more affordable but as we have seen this excludes a lot of the benefits that come with full membership. Also worth mentioning is that DVC membership maintenance fees are calculated on a points owned basis, so the more points owned, the more the annual maintenance fee. To obtain full membership the cost rises by 33%, logic dictates that maintenance fees will equally rise by 33% higher than the new entry level offer.
Overall, TCA consider DVC to be one of the best and fairest developers but nevertheless they are still a business and as such need to make profits. It’s good to see that Disney are responding to the financial dilemma many find themselves in, but to get the full Disney experience this offer falls a bit short of the mark.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk