I feel like I should know this

[Basser]

I feel dumb asking this, but I am in the middle of one of those brain freeze thing. Do we get a discount on annual passes or is it just LOS passes ? Sorry for asking this, but with 22 days to go before we're "home" at OKW, I can't think of anything else.

:earsboy: :earsgirl: :wave:

[Love Tigger]

With DVC you get 10% off the LOS only. DC gives you a discount on the annual passes. Hope you have a great time!

[PamOKW]

We get 10% off the LOS passes. We get no other park discount as DVC members. (Now, you knew that). ;) ;)


We do get a small discount on PI and water park passes.

[Basser]

Thank you for the memory jog. You're right Pam I did know that (LOL).

:earsboy: :earsgirl: :wave:

[Disney Doll]

I still think we should get the Florida resident rate for passes. After all, technically we do own property in Florida.

[Firefighter Mickey]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
I still think we should get the Florida resident rate for passes. After all, technically we do own property in Florida.

And technically, the paperwork you signed specifically stated that you could not use your DVC membership as "proof" of Florida Residency.

In truth though, residency requirements are a little bit more demanding than simply owning some property in Florida.

[DVCajun]

Let's all make fun of Basser for having brain freeze!! :D

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Disney Doll
I still think we should get the Florida resident rate for passes. After all, technically we do own property in Florida.

Technically, we own a deeded interest in a LEASE. (But I wish DVC would negotiate bettter ticket discounts for us, anyway. Don't see it happening any time soon, though:( ).

[JonHM]

that we're *ever* going to get any sort of decent discounts on annual passes is if EVERY one of us contacts member services and tells them how important it is to us. They do keep track of those kinds of things, and even though they have no plans to offer us passes right now, it *cannot* hurt to keep on pleading our case to them.

members@disneyvacationclub.com

[PamOKW]

it *cannot* hurt to keep on pleading our case to them.

You're right that it can't hurt but it's also best not to get our hopes up. When the free pass program ended with no change in the discount offer, that was pretty much the handwriting on the wall. :( Of course, a FL residency discount would be terrific but I'd even settle for a free Disney Club membership and/or the equivalent discount on passes.

[JonHM]

If everyone says 'I don't want to complain and ask for it because I don't want to get my hopes up', then you're right, it will NEVER happen... Self-fulfilling prophecy. All I'm saying is that just because they've never done it up 'til now doesn't mean they won't do it in the future - but for that to happen, we REALLY need to make ourselves heard and complain to MS!

I'm not thinking it will happen tomorrow or anything, but we really do need to keep asking if we want it to EVER happen.

Seriously, they *do* keep tabs on things like this when people complain or ask for things like this, and sure, until the numbers get to a certain point, they will do nothing as they have until now. But if we keep on contacting them about it and drive those numbers up, they WILL start considering resolutions to the issue. Just because it takes time doesn't mean we shouldn't do it.

[DVCajun]

My solution is to actually become a resident! :cool:

I think that will happen before they give us pass discounts. I agree with Jon, however, in that it can't hurt to complain. And we're not children-- we can deal with disappointment.

[Firefighter Mickey]

Complain all you want, but it's not going to change anything.

First off, DVC already knows that members would like a better deal on passes - it seems like this probably comes up as a topic at every annual meeting. Plus, historically, DVC has tried to get members a better deal.

But, the last time DVC managed to negotiate a "good" deal on park passes with Disney it was very poorly received by the membership.

It's not entirely DVC's fault here anyway. There's no incentive for Disney to offer any special discounts on park passes. They already know that the reason people purchase DVC is to visit WDW, and that those people will pay the full admission media price. Threats by people to take their business to other parks (like Universal or IOA) are mainly just that, threats - Disney knows that even if you go someplace else for a day, you'll still be coming back to WDW, and will still be willing to pay for it.

[PKS44]

Firefighter Mickey is right on all points AND the "free" pass program was never a "free" pass. The Parks department did not GIVE DVC anything. Those passes were purchased by the developer to promote sales early on...with sales going well no need for that anymore...nope- unless and until DVC members actually go to the parks less there is no financial reason for Disney Parks division to do anything...and if there is no financial reason, they won't.

[drusba]

Firefighter Mickey said:

"But, the last time DVC managed to negotiate a "good" deal on park passes with Disney it was very poorly received by the membership."

I believe you might be referring to those passes that you could buy giving you a five day pass for four separate years to be used within 5 years, and that raises some curiousity questions:

1. Do they still exist?

2. Did anyone ever buy them?

[PamOKW]

Jon -- I've been pushing DVC since the time AK opened and they didn't offer us any option to visit outside of a full price one-day ticket but every other option (like AP holders) were given ways to see the park. I'll express my opinion to them that a discount would be a real incentive and maybe if we get enough demand they will listen. But, after 4+ years of waiting for a new discount program I've naturally pretty much thrown in the towel. ;)

[pluto109]

I would rather have front of the line priority..as dvc members...this would not cost disney one dime:)

[dznefan]

Maybe we could show our DVC membership cards like they show hotel cards at Universal. Sounds good to me. This should not be like fast pass have a time to come back. Just show your card and walk on in. Yes!:)

[dznefan]

Front of the line access sounds like a great idea. Maybe we could show our DVC membership cards like they show hotel cards at Universal. This should not be like fast pass and have a time to come back; should Just show your card and walk on in. Yes!:)

[dznefan]

Sorry computer got stuck.

[JonHM]

has been discussed to death on the Theme Park Boards, and the consensus seems to be that FOL would not work logistically at WDW - waaaaaay too many people it would apply to, it would gum up the works tremendously. It works at Universal on a completely different scale.

PamOKW, *exactly*!!! You personally have been bugging them for 4 years, I personally have been bugging them for 1 year, but they're not going to listen to only a few of us. What I was trying to say (though not very eloquently :) ) is that if ALL of us on the DVC Board on the DIS sent at least ONE e-mail to member services specifically complaining and requesting an annual pass on the same price level as the FL resident pass, THEN we would start to be heard. It needs to come to them in NUMBERS, that's all I was trying to say.

[CarolMN]

IMHO, even if every DVC member asked for better park ticket discounts, it wouldn't make any difference UNLESS there is a financial benefit to Disney.

I've read lots of anecdotal evidence on this board that purports to "prove" Disney would be better off if they discounted park admission to DVC members. But a Company as sophisticated as Disney no doubt has lots of actual data on DVC members' spending habits. (If you charge back to your room, they know lots and lots about where and what you spend). If that data indicated they could benefit financially from discounting park admission to DVC members more than they currently do, a program would already be in place.

I'm not associated with any Disney employees, but it makes sense to me that the LAST thing Disney would want to do is discount theme park admission. (Other than AAA and the DC,which we pay to join, there really aren't any discounts and those are only about 5%). If discounting park tickets would bring in more profits for them, why haven't they done it in the past? This isn't the first recession we've had in this country. Why didn't they do it last fall? There were and have been lots of deep discounts for the on site hotels, but NOTHING ever for the parks.

If someone asks me if I'd like theme park discounts (other than the 10% we now enjoy on UPH), of course I will say yes. I just don't think a campaign by DVC members will have that result if Disney has data that says it won't make them more $$. And I think that they do.

JMHO. YMMV.

[Firefighter Mickey]

Originally posted by drusba
Firefighter Mickey said:

"But, the last time DVC managed to negotiate a "good" deal on park passes with Disney it was very poorly received by the membership."

I believe you might be referring to those passes that you could buy giving you a five day pass for four separate years to be used within 5 years, and that raises some curiousity questions:

1. Do they still exist?

2. Did anyone ever buy them?

Last I heard, the passes had been discontinued due to poor sales (big surprise). I'm sure that a few people purchased them, but if what I read about them not being available any longer was correct, then obviously not enough. Really, they weren't that good of a deal as I recall from a few analysis posted on this board. I think people would have been much better off just purchasing 4 5-day parkhoppers. Since passes never expire, such a purchase would basically be a hedge against future price increases (which happen every year).

As far as members complaining - just a note if I recall correctly, it's the policy of this board that it will not be used as a platform to generate a negative campaign toward Disney (or at least that was the policy, I assume that it still applies). So, something for people to keep in mind as they make their "call to arms."

In any event, I still don't think it would matter how many people complain. People whine and moan about this all the time, people write letters to MS and speak up at the annual meetings and nothing has changed (with the single exception of the passes that no one seemed to purchase). Heck, one member even called up Universal Studios and negotiated a 10% discount for DVC members (which I don't think is still available) just to spite Disney. Did it have any impact? No, none at all.

There is simply no reason for Disney to offer significantly discounted passes to DVC members.

[goofy4wdw59]

I totally agree with you JonHM!!

I think the NUMBERS would make a difference--someday. The more members that express an interest in a park pass discount, the better. What's the worst that could happen--things will stay the same! ;) :)

Yeah, I think it's time for me to send another little note...:p

[llp479]

Another Illinoisan chiming in...

Our guide told us when we were there in February that DVC was "trying" to negotiate a "better" deal for us. I would be happy if we got the same deal as DC gets, so I could quit buying that.

[Bojo]

A question from a "newby".

Has Disney ever allowed DVC members to use points to purchase park passes?

This would make sense to me.

[PamOKW]

Has Disney ever allowed DVC members to use points to purchase park passes?

No they haven't. This idea has come up on these boards before. I'm not sure whether it would be possible for them to do this. The points are designated as the means by which we book accomodations. I'm not sure whether they could legally be used any other way. It might also get too complicated for them to provide this service.

[Regina]

Firefighter, just to clarify, we have always endorsed discussions, whether negative or positive. That's what makes these boards what they are.

We simply don't allow the boards to be used to start a campaign. It leads to all sorts of problems.

We're all members and we all know how to express our opinions. (That's for sure.;) )

As far as my opinion goes, I'd love to see a better pass discount, but the contract that I signed is what it is. I can't go back and change the wording that I agreed to.

[Bojo]

Originally posted by PamOKW


No they haven't. This idea has come up on these boards before. I'm not sure whether it would be possible for them to do this. The points are designated as the means by which we book accomodations. I'm not sure whether they could legally be used any other way. It might also get too complicated for them to provide this service.

It may become complicated, but DVC could charge additional points for LOS passes included with your reservation couldn't they? It could be similar to the options you have when staying at any Disney resort.

[Firefighter Mickey]

Originally posted by dvcreg
Firefighter, just to clarify, we have always endorsed discussions, whether negative or positive. That's what makes these boards what they are.

We simply don't allow the boards to be used to start a campaign. It leads to all sorts of problems.


My comment was in reference to one of the posts on page 1 of this topic which was basically a call for all DVC members that visit this board to send email to member services regarding this issue. Vote early and vote often.... If that's not an attempt to start a campaign, then I guess I need to see a definition of what is.

[eva]

I love the FOL concept for DVC members. I think that it would definitely create even more interest in DVC. Can you imagine, your standing in line for 30 minutes waiting for TOT and a group walks right up and gets right on. I'm sure someone would be asking what is going on. (They do that all the time with FastTrack.) I guess that I better be careful or someone will call me an elitist. But I think that it would be a great selling tool. Universal does it to sell their resort rooms.

[DVCajun]

Queing up will start getting pretty complicated-- there's the regular "standby" line, the "fastpass" line and the "FOL" line for DVCers.

Of course, being a DVCer, I'm all for it! :D

[Alice Sr.]

I'm thinking that the majority of AP holders are DVC members, and WDW feels (we as AP holders) are already getting a steep discount on park admission. I would think that the majority of people going to WDW for vacation that aren't DVCer's will purchase hoppers or LOS.

Alice

[CaptainMidnight]

We are DVCers who have never purchased AP passes. I'm not sure the analogy applies to us.