Can anyone help me understand DVC? My husband and I are thinking about becoming DVC members. These are the questions we have.

1. Do DVC members get a discount to purchase park hopper tickets and if so how much?
2. Has anyone purchased the dining plan as a DVC member. We currently have the dining
plan for our vacations as non DVC member of 1 snack 1 table 1 counter. Can this plan
be purchased and how much does it cost?
3. Do DVC members get discounts for restaurants like Raglan Rd. Jiko, etc.and what is the
discount.
4. Is it better to buy an annual pass even though you may only use it twice. We live on the
westcoast.

Hi Testrack-We are DVC members and members do receive a discount on Annual Passes for everyone who lives in their household. Depending on which type of Annual Pass you choose will determine the savings. You save $100-$125 per pass. DVC members do get to purchase the dining plan as long as you are staying in a DVC resort during your trip. The DVC dining plan is identical to the one you're purchasing now and costs the same which is around $38 a day. There are several restaurants DVC members receive 10%-20% discounts. Some discounts are restricted to lunch or breakfast only but rules vary from restaurant to restaurant. Members also receive shopping discounts too. There is a benefits list in our membership literature which outlines many locations offering discounts. As far as whether you should purchase an AP for 2 trips a year really depends on the number of days you will be staying each trip. I recommend an AP in case you have extra points available and decide to take a quick 3rd trip. Hope this helps.

Check out this thread (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=77129) for general questions about DVC basics. There are links to a couple of good articles from MousePlanet in that thread, as well.