Shannon and Pete welcome a new co-host Jake to the show, and Chad pops in for this episode. We discuss the minimum number of points new members must accumulate is 125 to unlock the membership extra's programs from DVC. We have some news from California that essentially states Disneyland won't reopen as a theme park for many months; however, Disney is opening DCA for shopping and restaurants as a trial. And finally, the team shares their thoughts on the friendship boats returning.

DVC Newscast by My DVC Points Podcast was made possible through financial support from the DVC dream team:

DVC Resale Market - Industry Leader in DVC ResalesDVC Rental Store - DVC Point Rental and Swap PartnerMonera Financial - Exclusively Financing DVC ContractsPatreon supporters in the My DVC Points VIP Producer Club.

DVC New Purchaser Minimum Raised to 125 Points

According to Disney Vacation Club’s website, 

“Effective October 19, 2020, to obtain a Disney Vacation Club Membership Card, Members must accumulate a total of at least 125 Vacation Points purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc.” DVC Member Website

If you’re a first-time buyer, you will now need 125 vacation points to qualify for Membership Extras, which includes access to the Epcot Member Lounge, Member-exclusive events, and the ability to trade your points for Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney vacations.  

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/membership/costs/

DVC Shifts from Selling Active Inventory Properties to Sold Out Resorts.  We saw some $5 and $10 per point incentives on sold out  

Disneyland Reopening Update

After going back and forth with the State of California, the State released reopening guidelines for theme parks on Tuesday morning.  

According to California Health and Human Services, they must wait until their counties enter tier 4 ("minimum risk") with less than 1 case per 100,000 residents and a positivity rate under 2%. Currently, Orange County, where Disneyland is located, falls in the "substantial" risk tier (the second-worst of the four levels).

“We have proven that we can responsibly reopen, with science-based health and safety protocols strictly enforced at our theme park properties around the world. Nevertheless, the State of California continues to ignore this fact, instead of mandating arbitrary guidelines that it knows are unworkable and that hold us to a standard vastly different from other reopened businesses and state-operated facilities. Together with our labor unions, we want to get people back to work, but these State guidelines will keep us shuttered for the foreseeable future, forcing thousands more people out of work, leading to the inevitable closure of small family-owned businesses, and irreparably devastating the Anaheim/Southern California community.”Statement form Ken Potrock, VP of Disneyland Resort

Disney California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street Opening for Shopping & Dining Only

Disneyland’s California Adventure will be opening up Buena Vista Street as an expansion of the Downtown Disney District for shopping and dining purposes only in November - according to Disneyland officials. The following are the shopping and dining options in Buena Vista Street:

Dining

Carthay Circle LoungeFiddler, Fifer & Practical CafeSmokejumpers GrillTrolley Treats

Shopping

Elias & Co.Julius Katz & SonsKingswell Camera Shop

It has still not been confirmed whether Disneyland Park will be opening up Main Street, USA as part of the expansion.

Friendship Boats Resuming Crescent Lake Operations November 1st 

After nearly 8 months, the Friendship Boats on Crescent Lake will be resuming operations on November 1st. Friendship Boats offer service between the Epcot Resorts, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and International Gateway. 

The operating hours will be:

Hollywood Studios - 1 hour before open