New DVC Discount on APs effective 6/3/12

[DoctorK]

The word on the mouseowners.com forums is that the new DVC discount on new annual passes will be $149 effective 6/3/12. If true, it appears to be an attempt to offset the fact that children's APs will be the same price as adult APs, and it essentially eliminates the price increase for DVC members.

I haven't seen this confirmed officially yet but I thought I'd pass along rumor and innuendo, since that's always appreciated.

Update - confirmed:

This is definitely confirmed now. It shows $425 online (for both 3-9 and adult) for a new AP for DVC members.

[vicki_c]

There was a mistake post on DVCmember.com last week and it also showed a ~$150 discount for DVC members on APs. They pulled that quickly - it was some kind of an "oops" - but I'd say that just lends support to the $149 mentioned above.

[MichaelColey]

I'm trying to figure out what to do here. We're planning on getting APs in December and taking at least a few trips during the following year. We are DVC owners (25 point contract, mainly just for this discount!).

So if I'm reading it right, the (pre-tax) prices for passes with the AP discount are currently $419 for adults and $386 for kids.

After the increase, it looks like it'll be $474 for either (with the current $100 discount) or $424 for either (if the discount goes to $150).

Based on that, I think I'm going to buy the vouchers for the kids passes right now (saving $88 or $38 each!!!) and wait until December to get the adult passes (hopefully only a $5 difference).

How do the vouchers work? Online, it's only showing me the option for "Will Call". Will they still have everything on file when I show up in December (or in April, when my youngest turns 3, or later)? Will I be able to get part of them in December and one in April?

[wendycooper]

I received cards that are exchange certificates that allow you to turn them in to purchase your annual passes. You can hold them for as long as you want. We had them sent to us. I am not sure why it would only allow you to redeem them at will call.

[vicki_c]

1 - the price is confirmed at $425 for new APs for DVC members.

2 - I read a number of posts on the DISboards today saying only will call was being allowed. Might be some kind of temporary glitch, but that's what others are saying.

You should be fine doing will call at least for the 1st batch - not sure if you would have trouble with the other one months later (meaning when you pick up the first ones, I assume they're going to try and give you all of them). Maybe when you get your APs for the first batch, you could ask them to give you a voucher for the other one. I really have no personal experience in any of that, since we've never done will call.

I went ahead and purchased 4 Undercover Tourist tickets this evening that we will use to upgrade to DVC passes sometime in the future. We have no trips planned right now, but it's saving us almost $50 per AP, plus when it's time to upgrade our APs will be about 75% paid for, so less out of pocket at that time.

[vicki_c]

You should be fine doing will call at least for the 1st batch - not sure if you would have trouble with the other one months later (meaning when you pick up the first ones, I assume they're going to try and give you all of them). Maybe when you get your APs for the first batch, you could ask them to give you a voucher for the other one. I really have no personal experience in any of that, since we've never done will call.

I saw an idea that seems to fix this problem. Purchase the APs in separate transactions. That will give you separate receipts for the will call office, one receipt for the ones you need soon, and one for the one you need in the future. Then you shouldn't have any trouble picking them up separately in the future.

[MichaelColey]

Great suggestion. Wish I would have seen it before I ordered. :)

I'll contact Disney tomorrow and see what they suggest. I'm sure they'll be able to work it out.

If nothing else, maybe we can focus on Disneyland (and perhaps Disneyland Paris) until April (when our current DL APs expire) and then get WDW APs.

[MichaelColey]

1 - the price is confirmed at $425 for new APs for DVC members.

This is definitely confirmed now. It shows $425 online (for both 3-9 and adult) for a new AP for DVC members.

Sure makes DVC ownership even more valuable. I bought a small 25 point contract resale recently (under $2k upfront, about $125/year in maintenance fees), and will now save nearly $800 (after taxes) every time I buy APs for our family of 5.

[DoctorK]

Sure makes DVC ownership even more valuable. I bought a small 25 point contract resale recently (under $2k upfront, about $125/year in maintenance fees), and will now save nearly $800 (after taxes) every time I buy APs for our family of 5.

We bought a 110 point contract a couple of years ago, and the AP savings was part of our calculation. However I run the numbers, though, it doesn't make financial sense for us to add on. If we ever need more points, renting them (for around $10/point) will prove to be better than owning and paying $6/year in MFs. In fact, we probably would have been best served with a tiny contract like yours!

[vicki_c]

Sorry Michael that my idea didn't come earlier! I figured it was too late.

[MichaelColey]

No, I'm glad you shared even though it was too late for me!

Doc, that's exactly why we went with the 25 point contract.

[Triciari]

I so want a $25 point contract!

[MichaelColey]

There are two or three major DVC resale sites. Just Google and you can find them pretty easily.

You can either watch their public listings for a cheap 25 point contract to pop up, or give them a call and tell them what you're looking for and they'll call you when they get one.

I see a listing for a 25 point contract under $2000 pop up about twice a month.

Keep in mind that 25 points is basically only enough for about 2 nights in Studio, and you'll pay about $125 per year in Maintenance Fees for 25 points. I used my first 25 points (plus 24 that I rented from a friend who also owns DVC) to get 1 night in a 2BR at Aulani.