RUMOR: DVC lowers 160-point minimum buy-in

[DVC Mike]

Several people who have purchased at the Doorway-to-Dreams DVC sales center at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL have reported that they were able to purchase a minimum of just 100 points instead of the standard minimum buy-in of 160 points.

Apparently, this is for new members who purchase AKV. The regular $96/point ($104 - $8 discount) applies, but no additional incentives are available unless your purchase 160 points or more.

I haven't contacted my WDW-based guide to confirm this.

I wonder why Disney has lowered the minimum point purchase from 160 points to 100 points? Are their sales slowing down due to the economic situation? Are they just testing this to see what it does to sales? Are sales slow just in Chicago?

I also wonder how long before this same minimum buy-in will be rolled-out to WDW and DLR?

[tammymacb]

I saw this, too. I can't believe it ( but I can )

I think psychologically it's easier to say...10,000 vs 16,000. It's a way to free folks from their money.

Also, it will ( IMHO ) decrease the compition of the resale market. My original contract was for 100 points. If I could have gotten that number direct from Disney without the hassel, I'd have considered it.

[Laxmom]

I see your point. I would have considered it rather than go resale. Matter of fact, that is why we went resale; we didn't need that many points.

What are the percentages for people who add on after becoming members? The new marketing strategy could be to get you in the door so you want more. It could also be that Chicago is slow. If they don't offer that anywhere else, we will have the answer.

Let us know what your guide says, Mike.

[scy3000]

That would be great for me. I live in IL, an hour away from that storefront. That would greatly entice me to come on down and buy in. We have not joined yet due to cost and not really needing the 160 points at the moment.

If I can get 100 from Disney direct, then no question I would go there over going resale for our initial buy in. I like AKV and have no problem staying there....or anywhere else for that matter.

And I also would think that the lower buy in will increase the add ons from those buyers in the long run. Many will see their habits change and want/need more points, so they go back to the store and add more.

It is a great way to set the hook in my opinion.

[dvcnewgirl]

I think they will get a lot more people with the lower buy in.

[TW1]

Competition and the economy. Two strong incentives.

Odds are this is a temporary sitatuation for DVC to test the waters and keep the phones ringing, and as soon as some magic number is reached, (like 80% sold-out in preparation for BLT sales) it will be ended.

[JimP]

Off site sales lose the "vacation feel"... and are a tougher sell. I would agree this is probably a test program.

/Jim

[Mary]

Would a new owner have to go to Illinois or would they be able to do that by phone? Mary

[Cruisin]

I know a friend who sold timehsare off site, this will really help those sales people!

[Starr W.]

We're they not giving out a couple of AP's for 1st time/add-on's there a couple of months ago?

Geez if I could get a couple of AP's for an add-on I'd drive to Chicago(not far, just a really boring drive across 80/90).

[BWV Dreamin]

We're they not giving out a couple of AP's for 1st time/add-on's there a couple of months ago?

Geez if I could get a couple of AP's for an add-on I'd drive to Chicago(not far, just a really boring drive across 80/90).

Yep, you are correct. That didn't seem to hang around long did it?

[colonialtinker]

I think this has more to do with the economy and Disney testing the waters. It will be interesting in seeing if it works.

[Disney4Us]

We went to Woodfield about a week ago to see Disney's Doorway to Dreams and found it amazing. We were told that we could buy in to AK with 100 pts but no additional incentivs and the use year would be Dec 2008. However, since Kindani Village isn't built yet, we would not be able to use the points we would be buying until May 2009. The guide said May 2009 is when Kidani Village will be opening. You would also get the $8 price incentive. Our guide told us this new offer to buy in at 100 pts was due to the ecomony and was a way more people could afford DVC right now. In my honest opinion, I think Disney is trying to get people in now when they get their stimulus checks so they will have the deposit. JMO

If you have a chance to go to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg Illinois, I highly suggest it. They were wonderful and really took their time with us. Although we didn't buy DVC- YET, we will return to do our contract when the time is right. 6 more months!!! Oh, and my kids keep asking to go back because the kids room was amazing with Wii and may other top rate toys. They were also giving limited edition Mickey Ears that look like the globe and say Disney's Doorway to Dreams on them. The Guide said these Ears are only available in Schaumburg and will be collectable.

Other incentives were as follows:

If you were to buy a 160pt contract they would also give you 160 contractor points that could be used at Saratoga Springs, you get the $8 off, but again the 160pts for Animal Kingdom can't be used until AK KV opens in May.

The best buy in right now was SS with $10 off the price, 2007 and 2008 points plus a $500 Visa gift card for 160 pt contract and a use year of December.

[TW1]

Disney4Us, I hope you heard wrong, about the use of your points.

Unless I'm not clear on the new 100-point-buy-in program, points are points and can be used at any of the DVC properties. Just because KV isn't complete doesn't mean you can't stay at a DVC resort in WDW, VB or HHI.

[DVC Mike]

Disney4Us, I hope you heard wrong, about the use of your points.

Unless I'm not clear on the new 100-point-buy-in program, points are points and can be used at any of the DVC properties. Just because KV isn't complete doesn't mean you can't stay at a DVC resort in WDW, VB or HHI.

Points cannot be used anywhere until after the occupany date of the unit the points are associated with. If somebody buys points for a unit at Kidani Village, they can't book a reservation that has a date prior to the occupancy date of their unit in Kidani Village (May 1, 2009 being the date used by DVC for most Kidani Village units being sold).

[TW1]

Points cannot be used anywhere until after the occupany date of the unit the points are associated with. If somebody buys points for a unit at Kidani Village, they can't book a reservation that has a date prior to the occupancy date of their unit in Kidani Village (May 1, 2009 being the date used by DVC for most Kidani Village units being sold).

Interesting. Sorry I missed that bit of trivia. I was always under the impression points were points. Thanks for enlightening me!

[HauntedPirate]

This sounds like a test by Disney to measure the current interest in 100-point memberships.

[diva452]

Sounds to me like a sign of the economic times. Here are some stats that might be affecting this.

as of 3/31 4.5% of all mortgages were in default (Wall Street Journal, Equifax):coffee2:
national average of a gallon of gas in April and May is $3.97 (AAA):coolcar:
The Fed has lowered rate for the 7th time since September (Federal Reserve):coffee2:
S&P500 profits are 25% lower today than a year ago on a trailing 1 yr basis (Barron's):coffee2:

This could be a trend. I wonder how the economy will affect the sales of the upcoming GCV and Hawaii?

[Starr W.]

Sounds to me like a sign of the economic times. Here are some stats that might be affecting this.

as of 3/31 4.5% of all mortgages were in default (Wall Street Journal, Equifax):coffee2:
national average of a gallon of gas in April and May is $3.97 (AAA):coolcar:
The Fed has lowered rate for the 7th time since September (Federal Reserve):coffee2:
S&P500 profits are 25% lower today than a year ago on a trailing 1 yr basis (Barron's):coffee2:

This could be a trend. I wonder how the economy will affect the sales of the upcoming GCV and Hawaii?

Heard the CEO's of Marriott and Starwood this morning on CNBC(no timeshare talk) but they are seeing slowing in business travel, as well as weekend stays(ie leisure travel). Thanks to Russian and Middle Eastern travelers things are holding up in "entry points" to the US, NYC, LA and Orlando. Rest of the country seen decreases in bookings.

If anyone has been following the saga of the November park hours(not posted yet), I think they are being held back more to get a better idea of bookings, than some "special" celebration that isn't completely planned. That explanation seems to have calmed the crowd over at the DIS Theme Park board. :goob:

[Disney4Us]

I forgot who asked me the question above, but yes, that is how I understood the guide. I even asked again to clarify. She said if we purchased the 100 pt contract that we would not be allowed to use the points until after Kidani Village opened. She said not even at other DVC's. She said it would benefit someone that was buying into DVC now and wanted to take their first vacation after May 2009.

For us it really wasn't that great of a deal. 100 pts for us is nothing as far as points go since we would have to stay in 2br for our family of 6. I also have seen really good deals with resale if you wanted to start the process now and travel next year. This 100pt offer isnt that great.

On another point- The guide said she thought DVC was going to have a prince increase soon. I also questioned the contempory villas and she said nothing has been anounced and wouldnt be for some time. She also believed it would be A LOT more expensive. She said Disney could start the points at that resort much higher and is really expecting it.

Just passing on what I was told.

[Mary]

I know of several people from Ireland who are considering buying in at this time as the pound is worth so much more than our dollar right now. Perhaps that will keep dvc sales strong (not just my friends obviously!!) Mary

[greenban]

Competition and the economy. Two strong incentives.

Odds are this is a temporary sitatuation for DVC to test the waters and keep the phones ringing, and as soon as some magic number is reached, (like 80% sold-out in preparation for BLT sales) it will be ended.

Absolutely correct! Nail on the head accurate!

Plus it keeps monthly payments <$180.00.

These special purchasers had to sign additional documentation acknowleding they would not qualify for an II weekly trade each year.

Was it coincidence that the short stay II *ON-LINE* booking became available just before the point minimum was dropped?

-Tony

[tomandrobin]

These special purchasers had to sign additional documentation acknowleding they would not qualify for an II weekly trade each year.

Was it coincidence that the short stay II *ON-LINE* booking became available just before the point minimum was dropped?

-Tony

Great reasoning! I totally missed the connection of those two changes. Too busy planning for my upcoming trips.

[Mickeyfan0805]

This is interesting, and I would agree probably temporary. If it became long-term, however, I would echo the question I read earlier as to what such a reduction would do to the resale market. The ONLY reason we bought resale is that we wanted to buy-in with fewer than 160 points. Had we been able to get our 120 point contract through DVC directly, we would have done it in a heartbeat. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[kimberh]

Points cannot be used anywhere until after the occupany date of the unit the points are associated with. If somebody buys points for a unit at Kidani Village, they can't book a reservation that has a date prior to the occupancy date of their unit in Kidani Village (May 1, 2009 being the date used by DVC for most Kidani Village units being sold).

This is correct, but the 11 month window is now open and running. It is time to make reservations for those points.

[carolina_yankee]

This is correct, but the 11 month window is now open and running. It is time to make reservations for those points.
Kidani Owners (well, AKV owners) will have a home resort priority window, but it may not be 11 months for the opening. They have to be sure they'll meet their deadlines first. But they will give at least a month's exclusive window. (I think this happened when Jambo House opened. Owners had a 7 month window, and everyone else had a 6 month window the first year).

If you're going to use your points elsewhere, the 7 month window for a May 1, 2009 check-in doesn't open until October 2, 2008 (since it's based on check-out date.)

Dirk

[kimberh]

Kidani Owners (well, AKV owners) will have a home resort priority window, but it may not be 11 months for the opening. They have to be sure they'll meet their deadlines first. But they will give at least a month's exclusive window. (I think this happened when Jambo House opened. Owners had a 7 month window, and everyone else had a 6 month window the first year).

If you're going to use your points elsewhere, the 7 month window for a May 1, 2009 check-in doesn't open until October 2, 2008 (since it's based on check-out date.)

Dirk

I excepted a transfer for Kidani points last week, Member services told me that the points were good for a reservation that I was making at Jambo house since it was after May 1st. I actually own at Jambo House. There was more life in my points, than the points I excepted the transfer for, so MS gave me the option of which points to use. This is the 11 month window I was referring too. Hope I didn't confuse things.