Trading into DVC through an exchange company

[JBCP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JBCP]

Hi. I was curious if anyone knows--if you trade into a DVC property through an exchange company like II or SFX, how does that affect getting your park tickets, etc? Are you still eligible for all the special discounts and/or perks you would get if you were a DVC owner and you made your reservations through Disney? I was think specifically of things like when they have free dining. If I were able to trade into Disney during a free dining period, could I take advantage of that?

Thanks!
Julie

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

DVC members get a discount on annual passes. DVC is very strict with it. We've always had to show our blue DVC membership card and State I.D./License and only members of our household with the same address were eligible. We also get a discount on special event tickets - like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, etc. (and you have to be a DVC member to get it and they are strict with it). We don't get a discount on Magic Your Way tickets (you'd be better off to buy that through your local AAA or other ticket discounter).

Free dining has nothing to do with DVC. Free dining is a promotion offered through Disney (usually during hurricane season to fill rooms). You have to pay rack rate for a room and are required to purchase at least a one day Disney ticket/pass to get it.

Exchangers into DVC can buy the dining plan - it's around $38.99 a day for adults and I can't remember the child price ($10.99?). If you buy the dining plan, everyone on the reservation (staying in the room) has to buy it for the full 7 day exchange. You don't have to buy a pass/ticket to add the dining plan to a DVC reservation. We never eat enough food at on site Disney restaurants for it to be worth it for us. Exchangers into DVC are required to pay a $95.00 resort service fee. You can set up priority dining reservations, schedule Magical Express from the airport, etc., as an exchanger. Of course, the DVC resorts get the same on-site perks as the cash paying guest at Disney resorts - extra magic hours, bus transportation to the parks/downtown Disney/waters parks, package delivery, etc.

[JBCP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JBCP]

Thank you so much!

Julie (considering DVC in addition to my regular timeshare, because it does seem to be an entirely different kettle of fish)

[littlestar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close littlestar]

A good site to learn about DVC is over on the Dis boards. Here's a link:

Disney Vacation Club - The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com