Why do DVC members think they are different?

[Ed T]

What is it with some DVC members? Why do they think because they have bought into the DVC that they are to get special benefits, privileges, special considerations, etc. Sure there are certain benefits we are given as members with new benefits introduced and old ones taken away. When I bought in 1994 I didn't buy because I thought I was to be given any special treatments. It was about vacationing at Disney and locking in a room rate for the next 42 years. It was about having the flexibility to go other places using points. I was forcing me to plan a vacation because time with my family was important. I don't understand members constant complaints about losing this and not getting that. Why can't you be happy with what you have without needing more? When you bought in were their guarantees place on any benefits? Sure I loved getting free passes until 1999 everytime we visited WDW and stayed at OKW but did I complain when they took it away. Think about why you bought into the DVC and stop all the complaining.

ED
DVC 1994

[Pluto4President]

:smooth:

[chris1gill]

Hi Ed,

I think the answer to your question is pretty simple... It's human nature to try to push the envelope past what you were promised... You just expect more and more to be given to you...

As for me, I'm just darn pleased with the resort experience & everything else is gravy!!! :D

[Rock'n Robin]

I'm happy with just the 10% discount at TDS!:D Aren't we all that easy to please?
Robin M.
Poly 6/2000
BWV 6/2001
Poly 12/2001 5 weeks!!!
BWV/VWL 7/2002

[wdwnut]

nicely said Ed. isn't a question of is the glass half full, half empty, twice as big as it needs to be, or what glass? it's all in the attitude.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Ed,
Good going!!!!! I completely agree with everything you said. :)

[DVCDAVE]

I think we are different. We have all committed a financial stake in the resorts future, and we are only trying to protect our financial interest and our vacation interest. I wouldn't have been to pleased if I bought a timeshare interest in Atlantic City or Conney Island in 1940, just to watch them empty over the next 30 years, would you ????? Its human nature to hurt a little if something gets taken away, nothing wrong in that. I would be more worried if we were all silent sheep who didn't care what happened at our favorite vacation spot, then I would know I was in the wrong crowd.

enough said......

[chris1gill]

DVCDAVE, you said it yourself, you bought in with a financial stake with the Resort (BW/OKW/VWL/VB or HH) You did not buy in to the Walt Disney World Resort Themeparks. Like it or not DVC gives you absolutely no guarantee of any perks at all in relation to Disney World. You are only guaranteed the resort you bought into... That is it. I think we've all gone in with our eyes wide open as to what it is we bought... If they for whatever reason have to take perks away, that's just the way it goes. Am I relatively happy about it? Not really... But it's all laid out in black and white in the membership guidebooks.... They owe us absolutely nothing more than the best hotel/Villa stay...

[Aurora2000]

I am with Robin!


I am a happy camper as I am !


Robyn

[Snow Shoe]

I've never been much of a complainer on things. The DVC perks of years past that are now gone, were not the reason for us buying int DVC. The primary reason for us buying into DVC was we like to go and vacation at Disney, and DVC locked in a constant room rate for years to come. It also provided us with a means to travel to other places in the U.S. and the world. Just this past summer we all went tp DLP for a week, something we couldn't have done very easilly before DVC. I'm very happy with what we have now. However things can always be improved.

[DVCDAVE]

CHRISS1GILL, you are right, it was spelled out in black and white, and I did read the documents. But, like we both agree, we plopped down our hard earned bucks in this property. That does give us the right to gripe if we don't like they way they runn things at the parks....why you ask? well the parks ARE THE DRAW and are an important part of the value we have all bought in to. They know it, I knew it when I bought, and if you didn't, your fooling yourself about the reasons you bought. I can't speak for you, but I WILL be screaming bloody murder if they decide to bulldoze the parks and start building oil refineries around my resort just because it puts more $ in Eisners pockets.

Disney, like it or not, will have to put up with our complaints, as we ARE all in bed together down there.

[Jimbo]

I think the people that get the most upset are generally new members. This includes some that still haven't taken their first DVC vacation. I think a lot of this is simple buyer's remorse. DVC is a pretty big financial commitment, and it's natural to second guess yourself. Then when <i>anything</i> changes, you are liable to overreact. And I do feel that a lot of this can be called overreacting.

There's a couple of 'old timers' that are worked up (see the recent "Clout" thread), but by and large long-time owners seem to be OK with what's going on. For example, I've seen bad bus service, then seen it get better, then worse, then better again, etc. Many of us, I'm sure, think "this too shall pass." Newer owners haven't gotten to that stage... but they will!

I'm definitely not trying to point fingers, and this is just my personal opinion on this.

[sgtdisney]

Disney doesn't 'owe' DVC members anymore than what was written down in black and white when we signed our contract. However, it would be in Disney's best interest, as well as the DVC member's, to offer some extras for their best customers. Don't misunderstand, I don't 'expect' anything, however I would think Disney would want DVC members to stay on property, in the parks and at the restaurants. We have been members for almost ten years now. Now that we go to Orlando more frequently, we don't spend as much time in the parks or even in the on property restaurants. We are having fun exploring all of Orlando. If we had some incentive to spend more time on property we probably would. Since we don't have to do marathon park runs anymore we don't. I know we spent almost all our time in the parks when we had the free passes. Don't get me wrong I do not, and would not ever expect to get free admission again. It's just, for us and this is my opinion, there is not any real incentive to spend our entire trip on property doing only Disney when Orlando has so much to offer. In a way, it is nice actually, we have seen a lot of Orlando and find we really enjoy the area.

[danicaw]

We bought cause we love to vacation at Disney - we have gone every year since our honeymoon and it makes sense.

We are virtually happy campers...only virtually, cause we aren't at Disney now.
;)

Less than a year til were home again

[Bennet]

My biggest complaint is we don't have enough points to go as often as we want (I think that would be move in permanantly)

If nothing ever changed they would never fix journey into your imagination.

So far every DVC trip has been great! Look forward to years to come. May even meet some of you there!

[Dean]

I absolutely come down on both sides of the fence on this one. I did buy an interest and feel that has been mostly (but not totally) provided. Remember that many members were "promised" things like "substantially equivilent replacement for the free passes" and other things. While I would agree that these were not in writing and the person should have made certain it was, it still leaves a bad taste in their mouth. I also think it's NOT unreasonable to expect WDW to extend the same or even better perks to DVC members that it gives to other large groups like FL residents and since I'm a FL resident, I'm not asking for anything extra for myself. I would never buy a car at full MSRP and don't intend to spend full price for anything I don't have to. I don't feel that asking or even expecting a discount or other perks is wrong. Why else belong to a "club" in there are no benefits. The club should negotiate benefits for it's members when possible and can frequently do so with little or any cost to the club.

[loribell]

Well, I may be in the minority of new members but I am very happy with my purchase and as Jimbo says I haven't had my first trip home. I do have some regrets though and some second thoughts, but not what many may think.

I deeply regret that on my families first trip with the children in 1993 that we did not ask how much and assumed it was very expensive. Yes it is alot of money, but I have spent alot of money on howard johnson's, holiday inn's, etc.. That is money that could have already paid for my membership in a wonderful, magical place.

My other regret is that I only bought 240 points. I have had a terrible time not adding on already. I think about it every day and hopefully I can hold out to add on at BCV. But I am going to need to use a lot of restraint! Somebody help me please. I too have become addicted.

While extra's, like bigger park discount's, would be nice I don't expect it. I bought so I could stay on site and for no other reason. I am perfectly content with my purchase. Okay not perfectly I want more points and it would be nice if Oklahoma wasn't so far away. I would probably take a trip every 2 - 3 months if I didn't have to drive for 2 days just to get there. Does any body think they might pick up Disney World and move it closer for me!?!

[raidermatt]

I think its more in just how the "complaint" is presented. There's nothing wrong with asking Disney for extra perks, and pointing out to them you would become even more loyal if they gave a 10% discount on passes for instance. Or that the more they give, the more likely you will be to avoid selling if times get tight.

But to just go off on a rant about not getting implied benefits doesn't really do any good, and just irritates others.

If we feel strongly enough about something, we'll let Disney know. And each in our own way. Personally, I've found I get better responses by just presenting a rational case. I may not ALWAYS get what I want, but if I'm justified, I usually do.

[trishy]

DVCDAVE has it correct - we would NOT have bought the DVC if the parks were not there. The ONLY reason we bought into DVC is because of the parks. We simply wanted a reasonably priced place to stay while we vacation AT THE PARKS. Also, I agree that sitting idly by while changes are made that pertain to our out of pocket expenses (i.e. perks taken away) can only result in MORE out of pocket expenses. I feel it is our duty as DVC'ers to be vocal on what we like, as well as dislike - it's called communication. I think it's a very small handful of DVC'ers who are actually "ranting". Most are vocal for the benefit of us all. I'd like to thank them now - :D THANK YOU :D

[Granny]

Originally posted by Dean
I absolutely come down on both sides of the fence on this one.

Man, that's got to hurt! :eek:

[imgoingtodisney]

LOL Granny

[MinnieMe2]

We are comparatively new members, having bought last April. We made our first trip home last summer, but it was our eleventh trip to the World (yep, we should've bought years ago). We bought because we knew ourselves well enough to finally admit that we'll be going back and DVC is a way to budget our stays. I don't feel Disney owes us anything, I'm just delighted that we have a lovely place to call 'home' when we visit. The parks have seen many changes thru the years, rides have come and gone, parades have been repeatedly revamped, heck, there was even that birthday cake/castle thing! At no time did any of these changes make us feel that we should stay away. And now, we're at war. It would be foolish to think things aren't to get worse before they get better. All the more reason to treasure our family time at the World, which we intend to continue, without complaint. In fact, last night DH decided we should add another 50 pts., so we're in the process of doing just that :D :D :D !!!

[Snowgod]

Bought DVC so I would have a good reason to spend my vacations at WDW and stay in a room with a big bathroom and a Kitchen.:smooth:

[Aurora2000]

yes Snowgod and a bit more elbow room! Though That kitchen is just a decoration for me!!!!!!!

[DVCDAVE]

Quote CHRISSGILL;

"If they for whatever reason have to take perks away, that's just the way it goes. Am I relatively happy about it? Not really... "

I am not happy about it either, I am glad we agree on that. However I believe our difference lies in the fact that I am more tollerant in allowing others to express themselves. For most members the cash committment they made is a major one, not chump change. When things get taken away under the guise of September 11th, yet the parks are full and the lines are long, it kind of makes one wonder about the competance of management (the same management that runs our resorts).

Members have a right to express their opinions, both good and bad about DVC and their Disney experience. MOST of the threads posted on this board are overwhelming positive about both DVC and Disney. Every few months there seems to be a dramatic shift in one policy or another that seems to affect a group and they get vocal. Good for them, hear them out, good for you, if you are perfectly happy !! God help us all, if we are just indefferant sheep.

IMHO we should be concerned about the Park's health, guaranntee or not. It is the reason the DVC resorts are there, it is why we go, and it is a reason directly or indirectly why we bought. If you don't see the connection, then consider this, before the parks were there, your resort was either a swamp or an orange gove.

[spruce]

What perks are we talking about here? e-nights, early entry? Every WDW onsite guest lost these things due to a shrinking economy.
I wonder if the DVC Mickey Flag pins could be considered a "perk"
Are we talking white towels instead of peach ones? How about placemats or colored shower curtains, Sea shell knick-knacks or even newspapers? What perks are we talking about?
I still get 5 star resort accomodations on site, I can still pool hop, I get a 10% LOS pass discount, a quarterly magazine, discounts for golf, some resturants and even Disney Quest.
It's not my nature to push and push till I get more, I work for what I have, and am proud that I earned the things that I have. If Disney feels it is in their best interest to give us an AP discount, they will. I got what I paid for and then some.
If the parks close down, then I made a bad investment, but then, a timeshare isn't an investment. It's prepaid condo for x number of days, that's all......spruce

[Ed T]

DVCDave I think you are over reacting. Disney is not going anywhere. The entire economy is going through a strange turn of events. The economy has been so good for many years people seem to forget what it was like back in the early 80's. Do you remember when mortgage rates were near 19 and 20%. Disney owes you nothing. YOu viewed the product, you hopefully did your homework about the product, made a very good decision in buying the product and will have many years of enjoyment with the product. Nothing was promised to you beyond that. Perks come and perks go. It's business plain and simple. I'm not sure when you signed up but I can say that since I signed up in 1994 more benefits have come our way then taken away. I'm not just talking DVC but all of Disney.
Selling out is an option? I bet you'll make some money.


Ed

[chris1gill]

So eloquently put Ed T!! DVC has lived up to its obligation and far exceeded what they had to give us. This isn't a debate about the parks, it's a debate about DVC, and so far we really haven't lost all that much!!!

[Dean]

Originally posted by Granny


Man, that's got to hurt! :eek: Have you seen that street luge commercial? Nough said! LOL.

[Dean]

I have something to add and while it doesn't apply that much to to the way this thread is going, it does apply to the original question about DVC members feeling they are different.

DVC members tend to view themselves as a member of a club rather than as timeshare owners. For this reason, DVC members as viewed as outsiders and stuckup by a large segment of the timeshare world. While I'm sure many members on this site are different, I bet if you went to WDW and asked around at one of the DVC resorts, you'd find that more than half of the members don't even think they own a timeshare. I'm sure the EXTRA $95 charge that DVC adds to the exchange costs doesn't help our status with other timeshare owners either.

[DVCDAVE]

ED T quote; "DVCDave I think you are over reacting. Disney is not going anywhere."

Quite honestly I am not over reacting, in fact I have far more invested in Disney stock then I do in the 550 points I own in DVC. I have far more concern over the 50% plung in the value of the Disney stock than EE or any perk right now. Fact: the Dow, and S&P HAVEN'T plunged anywhere near 50%, and their credit rating has been downgraded to A- from AA. FACT: a major shareholder, the Bass brothers, dumped the Disney holdings about a month ago, and they held their stock for over 15 years.

My final word on this is, ANY prudent person should be concerned over both the management, and financial condition of their committment in DVC or any Disney holding. One thing I do know is that I will NOT be voting in favor of ANY items on the Disney proxy when it comes around again, Ei$ner and his team must go.

[sumessefui]

Before we joined the DVC we always went to WDW on the vacation plan. You would send them your life savings several months in advance, and when you arrived you had a room in the Poly with concierge service and all meals,activities, addmissisions, boats on the lagoon, etc. paid for. Also there were several nice gifts in the room when you arrived. Since it was so expensive we only did it every 3 years. Each time we went the price went up and the perks went down. The room gifts slowly went away, the vouchers for the bellman and valet parking disappeared. Then the concierge service became an extra charge.
So as can be seen, Disney taking things away from their "best" customers is nothing new. That is the reason we joined the vacation club, and we are quite happy. For us things like EE are not important since we joined DVC, but for others I can see their concern. Jerry