Is it worth it to buy a small Developer Contract for Member Cruise?
 

Background: I sold all my points in 2010. I bought most of them back from resellers but I lost those few DVC perks that came from buying directly from Disney.

But I really did like the member cruise and there's no way to get on without having a few developer points. You don't need to use your points on the member cruise but you do need to be a direct point owner. Hence, my question, is it worthwhile to buy a 25 point contract just so I can take the member cruise?

It's a totally personal thing. I wouldn't, but that's me. It would depend on cost also. Is several thousand dollars worth a higher cost cruise (the member cruises cost more)? What is your motivation about the cruise... to join family or friends? Did you do them prior and miss them now that you sold? Write it all out and see what your own typing tells you about where you stand.

I went on the Jan 10 Member Cruise & thought it was one of my best cruises ever. Yes, they cost more. I don't use/need most of the gifts, but the special guests and in this last cruise, the Broadway and Beyond show made it especially worthwhile.

Best wishes as you decide!

Bobbi:goodvibes

I agree, it's a personal decision. I would suspect there will be other benefits going forward if one has qualified points but whether it's worth the $2500 investment is hard to say though it's unlikely to be from a financial standpoint.

Can someone please spell out the differences between a Member cruise and a typical Disney cruise? Thanks!

Friends of ours do it every year now. They told us they have diff voice talents over the years and other guests from Disney.

I am prob wrong but I thought this year you had to use all points. U couldn't split points and cash? I know in the past they paid split costs cause they were short on points but I thought that changed last year or this year?

Jim

There were 3 of us in my room, we all used cash.

Bobbi:goodvibes

Hubby and I paid cash, too. I am a new member and I thoroughly enjoyed my first member cruise in January.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

You can pay cash provided that some of your points were purchased directly from Disney or some of your resale points are grandfathered. If you own only resale points that were purchased after the rules changed, then you cannot go on the member cruise at all, even by paying cash.

They've changed it from a Member Cruise to a Direct Purchase Member or Grandfathered Resale Member Cruise.

:sad1: I do not agree with the premise that only direct DVC members have access to a member's cruise. I have written them about my feelings and they have a right to offer any kind of cruise they want.....I will just never take one...and all 210 points I have are direct. Glad the members had a good time though.

I don't get what the big deal is about using resale points for the member's cruise. resale people are still "members". it's almost like "you aren't cool enough to sit at this table" kinda mentality. they can say you can't use ur points cause they are resale but you would have to pay cash. that's fine with me, but not letting someone participate in a member event is just unfair i feel. i have lots of friends that go on it each year and would like to join them.

jim

I understand how you feel, and if it is that much of an issue for you, maybe you should but a 25 point contract direct. Perhaps that's what Disney had in mind...

i prop will end up doing that cause it will at least be a few more points for the future, but it just doesn't make sense to me. I understand taking places away to stay. thats fine, but taking away a member activity just cause u didn't buy from them is being told u are not a member and welcome to me. i would just like to be able to cruise with my friends that r members. it would kinda be like years ago when the wdcc conventions were still going on.

You know, though, that once you close on the small direct contract, they will change the rules and require the first guest to use points. And you won't have enough of those.

Yeah, I thought about that too. But hey, it's their ball, it's their playground. They get to make the rules. But it's situations like this that reinforce what many on here have said...buy DVC to stay at DVC resorts (specifically your home resort) and you (most likely) won't be disappointed by any of the changes they make.