DVCNews Debates: Non-DVC point usage

[Tim Krasniewski]

It is often said that using Disney Vacation Club points for cruises and other trades outside of the eleven DVC resorts is not the best value. On a dollar-for-dollar basis, points go much further when used toward stays at DVC resort hotels. Nevertheless, many owners will still use their points toward non-DVC options for a variety of reasons.

Topic: Do you use DVC points for booking non-DVC destinations? Why or why not?

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[sharonuk]

Never used for non-DVC destination, but when we purchased DH was initially sold on the fact that we could use elsewhere if we wanted. However, it is probably highly unlikely that we will do this due to the vast number of points needed. It is something that we would have to consider very carefully depending on where we wanted to go. For example, destinations in Europe (France etc.) for us would just be silly, as it is so close to the UK we could travel cheaper using £s.
DH is less 'Disney fanatic' than me, but there still remains other destinations he would enjoy such as HHI and Aulani. He would also enjoy a cruise, but I understand this too can be mega points.

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Rather than use my points elsewhere, I simply bought an additional TS thru Starwood. I consider it my UnDisney resort. That said, the only place I've used it is Orlando.

For us, WDW and the surrounding area offer everything we want in a vacation. Knowing the area like the back of our hand just adds to the Relaxation Factor.

I think before I'd trade out thru RCI or II, I'd just rent my Disney Points and pay cash going somewhere else and with full membership in II, the Getaway program offers incredibly low prices resort stays virtually anywhere in the world (the real world).

[danandnan]

We have been DVC members since 2001 we travel to WDW on an average of twice a year since becoming members. Of course being retired we are more flexable.
Four yrs ago we traded out and did a week at Treasure Island and enjoyed it.
Since then we have cruised Disney Cruise Lines 5 times number 6 coming in Aug and all this using points. We have never had any problems

[KNWVIKING 2.0]

Of course being retired we are more flexable.

Really ? I don't think I'm half as flexible as I was 20 years ago.

[athenna]

I haven't stayed anywhere using my DVC points for a non-DVC, but I'm at some point I'm sure I will....I want to cruise eventually, so we may use points for at least one of us..I'll do a couple of nights at a non-DVC @ WDW for the honeymoon, before moving to a DVC....Now, of course with the new resale rules, when I eventually get my BWV contract, I can't use those points outside of a DVC

[steelers1933]

We have used our points for a 3 night cruise. We had "developer points" we acquired with our initial purchase. This was our first cruise and we really enjoyed the experience so we will likely do another one in the future. However, I think we would likely pay cash versus using the points. We don’t think using the points is a bad thing. We just happened to have all of our points wrapped up in other WDW and Aulani plans over the next 4-5 years. So we have no “extra” points to use or rent for now. Using the points may not be the best value but if the money is already wrapped up in vacation and you don't feel like going through the process of renting then why not…..

[kellybcv]

Never used my points for anything other than staying on property. Nice to have the option but really doubt I'll use it. Since I live in TN, I don't get to go to WDW as much as I'd like. So, when we go(1-2 times/yr), we don't want to go anywhere but to the World

[brennam]

We've used our points to do a cruise and are planning to do the Alaskan cruise next summer using points as well. It certainly contained the sticker shock of a full cruise amount. (We are actually going to do part points and part cash for this one.)

You can also get a point savings if you rebook a cruise within a few days of getting back from one. (they don't have a computer system DVC can hook up to.)

Being a DVC member on the cruise was really great though! We got phonecalls for free stuff constantly and we got a pretty little jewelery box left in our room as well from DVC. Not to mention you can attend a meeting to get an opportunity to add points for a much cheaper price.

Never used our points for other items then that though. We have another time share(Club Intrawest which is a DVC concierge collection) that we trade RCI trips with. Compared with our other time share to book a vacation through RCI is actually cheaper with DVC points, but what our time share has is a last minute choice option, 45 days out, which only costs 40 points versus the 150 pts for booking a year out. It would be nice if DVC did the same.

[moneyhappy]

We have used our points for 4 cruises and looking into ADB. I have no desire to be at WDW year after year and loved the flexibility that DVC gave me over other timeshare companies. I look at this way, why should I pay more money for a vacation if I have already installed a large sum with DVC.