Buy Four Get.....

[DizneyNutz]

I know as DVC members, we are ALL FORTUNATE to have what we have and be able to do what we do, and I for one am honestly thankful!

I am however discouraged by the type promos that WDW does to get folks in there. Right now the "buy four, get three, and a 200.00 gift card" infuriates me. When was the LAST TIME DVC MEMBERS were offered incentives such as that????

Granted, we get discounts on certain activities, dining and shopping...do the math folks, with a Disney CC you can just about do as good, as far as "discounts" go. Granted, WDW is VERY willing to offer you "discounts" to add on....and spend THOUSANDS more than you've already spent, and let's face it, we TRUE DIE HARD DISNEY LOVERS HAVE WILLINGLY (at least in our case) spent THOUSANDS and continue to spend every month and on every vacation we take.

Flame me if you must, but I'd LOVE to get a $200.00 gift card, or even "free dining" once every 5-10 years!

I think the last "gift" we got, other than the BEAUTIFUL print, and "bonus dollars" to add on, was a refrigerator magnet.

Sign me, discouraged....it kind of hurts to see this type stuff done for folks that DON'T spend the kind of $$ we do with WDW. While I am sincerely THANKFUL that anyone that wants to go to WDW can go, as I've been there, wanting to go, couldn't afford it, investing in DVC was/is a HUGE comittment to us, and remains just that, dues every month, saving for airline fare, etc., so to me, WDW could remember us "DVC'ers" a little better, since WE are what has helped make it possible to build EVERY SINGLE DVC RESORT:upsidedow

[cigarboo]

It's deals like this that makes DVC maybe not such a great deal for folks on the fence as far as considering joining. Just remember though, Disney is a business. They are not offering the deals because they want to make it more affordable for people who don't spend as much at Disney as DVCers. The deals are because they are trying to fill rooms. Bookings are down and they need to stay in business. DVC folks already pay for the rooms and are a "guaranteed" group. The rest are folks who may or may not come. Disney's costs are mostly fixed, so they want to fill up the parks and fill up the hotels. DVC folks don't ride the wave of bad economy and good economy pricing. Don't worry, in a couple of years, bookings will be up and room prices will rebound...that will probably make you feel like you're getting a deal again.

[Dean]

I don't have a problem with it but it does emphasize the fact that DVC might not be as good a deal as it could be otherwise. IMO, one needs a 20% discount compared to usual promotions to justify ownership. Still, one needs to look beyond the special deals and look at the big picture. Owning less DVC points and taking advantage of the better promotions might be the best of all worlds for DVC.

[DizneyNutz]

Oh no, make no mistake, I feel like we got a good deal, in fact, I know we got a good deal, and I TRULY LOVE WDW, and am so THANKFUL to be a DVC Member, I just wish WDW would spread it around a little, it cost the DH and I the same thing to fly, eat and play as it does everyone else.

Gas, groceries, etc. cost the same too, so we're all hurting, some more than others, and thankfully, we are blessed to still be able to pay our bills and live pretty good, but it's a stretch right now to come up with the extra $$ for the cost of a trip to WDW. Tickets alone could set you back a mint.

Just venting, hoping my DVC family understands.....

[Dean]

Just venting, hoping my DVC family understands.....I do understand but I don't really agree. Disney is not doing this to reward but to induce people to attend and spend money. Technically DVC is a separate company. IMO, the question is whether owning makes sense given these type of promotions. It really doesn't for many including many that are very happy with owning. I wouldn't turn down any freebies but don't expect them and doubt they'll ever be offered other than as a sales incentive.

[Lynne M]

Discounts such as the 4/3 package aren't thank-you gifts for spending a lot of money, and they're not given just to be nice. They're bait - incentives for people who weren't otherwise coming to WDW to book a trip.

A discount of that size is an indicator that bookings are down a lot, because it's a big gamble on Disney's part - that guests will come and spend more on food, tickets and souvenirs than they saved on their package.

There's simply no valid financial reason for Disney to give us a discount of that size. Sure, they want us to come to the parks and spend money, but we already have a big, built-in incentive as DVC members: We already paid for the lodging. If we don't go, we effectively lose money. So why would they give us hundreds of dollars in discounts?

Sure, it would be very nice of them to do that. Financially speaking, it would also be pretty stupid of them to do it. Businesses give discounts to get you to spend money, not because you spent money.

A $100 dollar discount to encourage the purchase of APs is a good example. For them, it's a small amount of money, very low-risk. For members, having an AP makes it easier for us to justify taking an extra trip every now and then. So it works well as bait, and they still come out ahead because we're likely to spend more than $100 in food and souvenirs on that extra trip.

The odds that we'd somehow spend enough to offset free dining, or free tickets.....not good at all.

[Deb & Bill]

What about all the newer DVC members who got bonus points just for signing on the dotted line - one free vacation? Some got double developer points. What about those people who took the DVC tour - gift cards for free dining (one meal, though). That's enough to make me mad. Oh, wait, I only paid about $50 a point for my first contract. About half what the new members are paying. And I only got lemonade and cookies when I signed on the dotted line.

These are nothing more than enticements. They already have you. They don't need to entice you to come to WDW and spend your money. But if they don't fill the rooms, they don't need all the housekeepers and bell services and servers, desk clerks, etc. They could decide to shut down parks earlier in the day, entire days. Or just close down attractions, like Fantasmic, Illuminations, Spectromagic, etc. Disney is out to make money and if it takes a little money to make a lot of money, they will do it.

[Scott]

Do DVC members have an advocacy group that allows them to throw their weight around (so to speak)? Seems to me that with the size of your group, Disney would want to keep you happy. And I don't buy the argument that they already have your money, therefore, they don't need to entice you to spend. DVC members can choose to go to other parks and/or spend their money on groceries...unlike other WDW hotel guests. Plus, DVC people are probably Disney's best and cheapest marketers! Not trying to be a rabblerouser, but a lot of folks seem upset by these incentives to non DVC folks and I'm wondering if Disney really started to ignore its DVC base if there were options for DVC owners.

[disneynutz]

DVDs job is to sell contracts. Once a contracts sold, it's sold for good unless DVD buys it back or it's foreclosed on. They may lose family "A" as a member but they have to sell to family "B" to leave the DVC.

That's one reason that the emphases is place on getting new members and not on maintaining them.

[Deb & Bill]

I'd bet 90-95% of DVC owners who stay in one bedrooms or larger almost ignore the ornaments in the kitchen. A lot of members get the APs, and, thereby, also get the Tables In Wonderland card to get discounted dining.

The best way to vote is with your feet, but if a member doesn't use their points, it doesn't hurt DVC in any way.

A really disgrunted member can sell those points, but someone else will eventually buy them and be a happy member.

If DVC wasn't a money making deal for Disney, there wouldn't be three resorts under construction waiting to open.

[jlewisinsyr]

Short term losses versus long term ones...to Disney, room discounts are the first, and DVC reductions are the latter.

[nickspace]

Better perks would lure more people to join DVC and in this economy coupled by the number of units Disney has to sell in BLT it would be a good move. Why not build your base as large as possible? Better perks would help build that base. I am sure there are many people who don't become DVC members because the perks are not very good.

In my opinion a small discount at a restaurant is nothing to get excited about. I like eating at home most of the time so having a kitchen at a Disney resort was huge. Park discounts and not just AP discounts would really motivate people to buy.

If the perks appealed to a larger base of people more would join.

[Deb & Bill]

Perks are not what new members are looking for. There have always been perks. DVC used to give discounts on length of stay tickets. I'd bet DVC members can get a similarly discounted ticket from resellers. They can't get a discounted AP from anyone but DVC. Perks are the frosting on the cake.

Potential new members see "Free DVC vacation" ie, developer points and they get stars in their eyes. They see "MK view" at BLT and they get that checkbook out. DVC is expensive. And not every one can afford it. Perks do not reduce the price of points.

Anyone who buys DVC for the perks is foolish because the perks don't last. They change all the time. Buy DVC for the prepaid (except for the continuously rising dues) ;uxury lodging it provides.

[TDC Nala]

They don't need to offer us incentives like that. We're going to come anyway.

I'd rather they brought Pleasure Island back than gave me free stuff.

[dallastxcpa]

In 2003 they were offering a very similar package called the Fairy Tale package. We participated and rented a 2 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk for 4 nights and received 3 nights free (including park tickets). Even so with the money I payed for that week in July I could have easily paid for half of the 150 point I bought less than a year later at SSR. :scared1:

So I say let the cash guests have their one time incentive to vacation. I know that every year for the next 45+ years at least once a year I will have a wonderfully magical vacation. :wizard:

[lugnut33]

Honestly, the 4+3 isn't much better than getting a bounceback discount. I stayed at POFQ during the summer for the same price as they are charging now.

Honestly, I'm glad I only have 120 points because I can decide to not use the points for a year and use a hotel if the prices are right. Although this year, I will use the points because I need a two bedroom. If I had a ton of points I'd be forced into using them.

[rogerram]

actually, not making DVC members feel slighted because the perk are not as good as a cash paying guest can also hurt them. If they annoy the members, then these people(members) in turn can give their opinions to possible future members. I would think that a member feeling they are not treated equally because" Disney already has them" is a dangerous thing. It can bring out negatives. When asked by someone about DVC and the response is "I love it, but you can get as good of a deal with discounts regularly ,without shelling out big bucks for the initial investment" might hurt the sales.

Throwing the members a bone once in a while can go a long way.

[cigarboo]

just remember folks, these are unusual economic times. It's not like a deal like the buy 4/get 3 free comes around every year. The last time was after 9/11, almost 8 years ago. If you're depending on these kinds of deals as deals good enough to come to Disney, then you'll have to be hoping for a lot of bad times. And you'll be waiting a long time between each trip.

I agree, if you are flexible with your travel times, Disney seems to offer a lot of good deals during their slower periods. But, if you have to travel during peak times/school holidays, there still aren't many great deals. I think for this ongoing 4/3 offer, it excludes the 2 weeks around Easter, which is my spring break and also ends just when my school year ends. I'm sure Disney is aware that the more deals they offer, the harder it would be to sell DVC. A business have to weigh the risks. It's even a risk for Disney's reputation to be offering such a huge discount as they would like to keep to their triple D motto: Disney Doesn't Discount. But times are tough. They need to keep making money. All that magic comes with a big price tag.

But I do understand the need to vent...

[bwvBound]

I am however discouraged by the type promos that WDW does to get folks in there. Right now the "buy four, get three, and a 200.00 gift card" infuriates me. When was the LAST TIME DVC MEMBERS were offered incentives such as that????Well ... I tried to book a 4/3 promotion for my visit in January. If the promotion price was competitive with my point costs -- why not? Pay cash for the visit and use my points later.

What I found is that I couldn't make the promotion work for my visit. There was no availability at the resorts I'd accept (Dolphin, Swan, Yacht Club or Boardwalk Villa/Inn) for my dates using the 4/3 offer. The system did offer my dates using a "10 days of play" promotion -- but the rates were far more expensive than using my points. (Package consisting of 10 room nights plus park tickets for 2 exceeded $5000; my room on points runs closer to $1900 using [current MF + pro-rated purchase price].) Promotions come with lots of tricky restrictions?!?

Bottom line: I'm happy with my DVC reservation at BWV booked and locked in waaaaay back in June. :thumbsup2

[TDC Nala]

Well ... I tried to book a 4/3 promotion for my visit in January. If the promotion price was competitive with my point costs -- why not? Pay cash for the visit and use my points later.

What I found is that I couldn't make the promotion work for my visit. There was no availability at the resorts I'd accept (Dolphin, Swan, Yacht Club or Boardwalk Villa/Inn) for my dates using the 4/3 offer.

They probably aren't offering for the Dolphin or Swan - those are not Disney resorts and you can't book a Disney package at them. That would have narrowed your choices way down.

[bwvBound]

They probably aren't offering for the Dolphin or Swan - those are not Disney resorts and you can't book a Disney package at them. That would have narrowed your choices way down.Both Dolphin and Swan showed up on the results list (started from the Special Offer search page). It wasn't until you tried clicking all the way through [Check Availability] that they dropped out. I would have gladly accepted a chance to revisit the Yacht Club ... I've been too many years in a row at the Boardwalk. ;)

[TDC Nala]

That's interesting - that you can book a package at Swan/Dolphin through Disney - they still dont' allow the dining plan though I assume.

[n2mm]

I also book the resort promotions and save my points. It does take a little getting use to staying at a regular resorts. Just this morning I booked the Disney Holiday Shopping Getaway pin offer that came out for AP holders. I'm paying $49 a night at a value for 2 nights and getting a 35% discount on all shopping. I figured I could get some of "my" Christmas gifts. I really struggled whether I wanted to do this or not. It would be great if DVC members were given a bonus shopping timeframe during the holidays. I wasn't sure I wanted to do this promotion until someone recently came back and said you could use it everywhere and on collectibles, that convinced me. I'll finally pick up some of the DVC stuff I've had my eye on. It's like being a CM for a couple of days and not having to do the work for it. (Hubby use to be a CM, so I really miss the discount.) I do wish they would offer a few special limited perk for DVC members, like reduced dining or an increased shopping discount. It doesn't have to be a permanent perk, just a little something extra, esp when we see lots of incentives be mailed out. Even today there is a buzz out that there are new pin promotions for free dining that is from April to June. Now I might be tempted if I got one of those.

[DebbieB]

I usually stay in a 1 bedroom. Considering the rack rate is over $400 per night, I think we are getting a better deal than buy 4/get 3 free. My original purchase was at $65 per point (1999) and my maintenance is about $1300 a year (250 points). I can stretch my 250 points into about 11 nights per year in a 1 bedroom, which would rack for over $5,000. The problem is our discount is spread out over many years, not instant like 4/3 so it's harder to see.

[DisDaydreamer]

And I only got lemonade and cookies when I signed on the dotted line.

We did our contract by mail... didn't even get lemonade and cookies :sad2: It does kind-of ruffle my feathers when I see all these people getting hundreds and hundreds of developer points and gift cards. But that's marketing.

But if they don't fill the rooms, they don't need all the housekeepers and bell services and servers, desk clerks, etc. They could decide to shut down parks earlier in the day, entire days. Or just close down attractions, like Fantasmic, Illuminations, Spectromagic, etc. Disney is out to make money and if it takes a little money to make a lot of money, they will do it.

Very well said. They are just trying to bail themselves out and save some jobs while keeping attractions running. Makes good sense to me. :teacher:

I guess if I wanted I could rent out my points and take advantage of this particular promotion too. But then I don't get to stay in a DVC resort.....

[CraftyMouse]

Flame me if you must, but I'd LOVE to get a $200.00 gift card, or even "free dining" once every 5-10 years!

No flames from me, but I will say that it makes no sense to me to be complaining about not getting something you were never promised. As DVC members we have gotten exactly what we paid for...great accommodations on Disney property at a fantastic price. Sure, there are deals for the regular resorts right now. But over the long haul of a DVC membership we're still making out so much better. I'll take my 50 years of membership over the random discount or gift card any day.

[johde]

I understand the OP comments. There are things they could do that might be good for business be good relations with DVC members. For example, they could offer the ticket portion for the 4 day get 3 free. Giving DVC members 3 extra days would not cost Disney much (about $12 a ticket) and it might convice members to spend more days on Disney property instead of venturing off to Universal or Sea World.

[allshookup]

just remember folks, these are unusual economic times. It's not like a deal like the buy 4/get 3 free comes around every year. The last time was after 9/11, almost 8 years ago. If you're depending on these kinds of deals as deals good enough to come to Disney, then you'll have to be hoping for a lot of bad times. And you'll be waiting a long time between each trip.

I agree, if you are flexible with your travel times, Disney seems to offer a lot of good deals during their slower periods. But, if you have to travel during peak times/school holidays, there still aren't many great deals. I think for this ongoing 4/3 offer, it excludes the 2 weeks around Easter, which is my spring break and also ends just when my school year ends. I'm sure Disney is aware that the more deals they offer, the harder it would be to sell DVC. A business have to weigh the risks. It's even a risk for Disney's reputation to be offering such a huge discount as they would like to keep to their triple D motto: Disney Doesn't Discount. But times are tough. They need to keep making money. All that magic comes with a big price tag.

But I do understand the need to vent...

ITA & exactly what I was going to say. The reason we finally bought DVC is because we like to go during the holidays sometimes & it's almost impossible to get any kind of discount at that time. After paying rack rate to stay in a tiny hotel room, we took the bait & bought DVC & I never regretted it for a second.

I usually stay in a 1 bedroom. Considering the rack rate is over $400 per night, I think we are getting a better deal than buy 4/get 3 free. My original purchase was at $65 per point (1999) and my maintenance is about $1300 a year (250 points). I can stretch my 250 points into about 11 nights per year in a 1 bedroom, which would rack for over $5,000. The problem is our discount is spread out over many years, not instant like 4/3 so it's harder to see.

That too! I never thougt I needed extra room, washer & dryer & kitchen till I had one & now I'm so spoiled that I find it very difficult to stay in a regular hotel room. I could never afford a one bedroom even with a discount if I didn't have DVC!

We did our contract by mail... didn't even get lemonade and cookies :sad2: It does kind-of ruffle my feathers when I see all these people getting hundreds and hundreds of developer points and gift cards. But that's marketing.



Same here! No cookies & lemonade for us at signing either! :laughing:

But I do have to agree with the OP, that it would nice if they'd offer us loyal die-hard fans a little more than a discount on AP tickets & show tickets & free cookies & lemonade at their little get-togethers, but I'm not holding my breath! http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Others/sick-183.gif

[lugnut33]

I just think it would be nice if they let DVC members have like 20% off all merchandise and food if they present their member card and key to the Kingdom.

[TDC Nala]

I just think it would be nice if they let DVC members have like 20% off all merchandise and food if they present their member card and key to the Kingdom.

Forget that. Then they can't talk us into buying Tables in Wonderland when we get the AP with the discount.

[Dean]

I just think it would be nice if they let DVC members have like 20% off all merchandise and food if they present their member card and key to the Kingdom.I've always said DVC should go after better deals and discounts for DVC members. This includes better deals on DC, DCL, etc. But it assumes DVC is willing to argue for it and in the case of things like the CC or DC, offer the ones that will deal and leave off the ones that don't. Take HH DVC. The list of discounts there is maybe 20 where for Marriott it's almost 2 pages 12 or 14 point size.

[TK Brown]

This might be a little off topic...but when I saw the 4/3 deal, I thought it was a great deal. but then I did a little research. For 7 nights at POP in Jan 2009, adding park hoppers and DDP (basic plan), it came out to $1820 for @ adults and 1 child. We went in Jan 2008 (before joining DVC) and using AAA and the Disney Visa discount, it was $1643. Im no math major, but this isnt such a great deal after all, to me at least. Which is why im so happy to be in DVC.

[David Raguso]

Maybe im getting greedy but its tough to swallow that there are so many low rates, packages, freebees for regular people and not for DVCers

However DVCers how spend thousands of dollars on club membership get so little back. Are there special offers im missing? anyone else feel the same way?

Im sure disney sees that club members can more likely afford disney visits but at the end of the day the economy is affecting us all and the people who shell out the big cash and a lifelong commitment should be getting a break as well.

[Deb & Bill]

Those are only ways to fill up empty rooms. They already have our money. Our rooms are already filled whether we use our points or not. But if the other resorts aren't filled, there is no need for Illuminations every night, no Spectro Magic four times a week, no need for Wishes every night. Etc.

These are not "thanks for being a nice customer". These are "we're getting a little desperate from all the holiday cancellations".

Bank your points and pay cash for a nice little 4+3 trip. Use double the points next year for a big blowout vacation.

[ranthony]

This might be a great time to try out one of the non-DVC resorts as a 'regular Joe'.

Bank your points and make that reservation at the Poly, or rent your points (although deals like these may make renting tougher) and use the cash to book one of these promotions and have extra cash to spend on your meal plan or travel costs.

Look at it as an opportunity, not a 'cold shoulder'.

[eliza61]

I guess I'm the weird one out the box. I generally don't go around saying "look what some one else got". I purchased DVC for the long haul, I based in on the fact that with or without promos I love disney and want to keep travelling there.
The economy is bad, disney is doing what they need to do to keep profit margins up (since I am also a stockholder I'm happy with this). Right now baragins can be found in 10 years who knows. I'll still be enjoying my dvc.

[CraftyMouse]

Maybe im getting greedy but its tough to swallow that there are so many low rates, packages, freebees for regular people and not for DVCers

However DVCers how spend thousands of dollars on club membership get so little back. Are there special offers im missing? anyone else feel the same way?

Im sure disney sees that club members can more likely afford disney visits but at the end of the day the economy is affecting us all and the people who shell out the big cash and a lifelong commitment should be getting a break as well.

Not another one.

You are comparing apples to oranges.

While these packages look great, they really aren't that much of a deal. You get about 40% off of your room (also possible with an AP) and $10 off of your MYW pass. It really isn't a huge savings.

And remember...if you want to, you are welcome to take advantage of the new promo. It is a way to fill unreserved WDW resort rooms. Just book a package and pay cash instead of using your DVC points. You are as welcome to do so as anyone else.

You are getting exactly what you signed up for with DVC. None of us have any right to expect any sorts of discounts, simply because the economy is bad. DVC works differently than the regular resorts. They don't need to fill empty, unsold rooms as the rooms are, essentially, sold out year round. DVC and WDW are separate entities. WDW is offering a promo that it feels is necessary. DVC does not have the same need.

As I said in another thread...people need to stop seeing what they don't have and focus on what they do have. We have DVC memberships that will save us far more money, over the years, than any once-in-a-while promos.

[allshookup]

There's a lot of threads about this lately, so I know DVC'ers aren't happy to see all these "deals" & it looks like we get nothing. However, like CraftyMouse said, those "deals" aren't as great as they make them out to be. It's the same with free dining. Yes it's free, but you're paying rack rate & buying park tickets to get it. To really figure out if it's a great deal, find out with the room discount is at the resort you would want to stay at & what the dining plan would cost vs paying rack rate & free dining. Not to mention the park tickets vs discounted AP.

Plus as others have mentioned, these "deals" come & go, and when times are good, those discounts get harder & harder to find. Believe me I know, because I got tired of chasing those deals which is why we bought DVC. And I don't know about you, but I couldn't afford a one bedroom villa, if I didn't have DVC & now that I'm used to that accomodation, it would be really tough to stay in a regular hotel room, deal or not.

Not that I don't understand the need to vent or wish there were more discounts, yes times are tough for everyone, but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture & compare the savings we get over a lifetime compared to these occassional "deals". ;)

[yaawgmoth]

I have been reading alot of this online and have spent time thinking of what each side has had to say.
I agree with all sides. Yet I wander if those of you complaining about having the chance to buy 4 get 3 free are looking at this objectively.
Each point you purchased was one you spent time thinking about, agonizing over and really considering if you had the money and how you would spend it. If you want to, you have options with your points. Spend them and go on vacation, or sell them.
You have a piece of the magic in which you hold part of the wand. People who are signing up to come get something free, are in essence getting nothing free. Disney has to pay for its employees, buildings and other costs. IF the rooms are empty, then the parks are empty and the concept gets ruined.
Basically, Disney is offering to people a chance to come see the magic and be part of it, just long enough to spend a boatload of money.
Many of the people coming still have to buy tickets to get into the park. For a Family of 4 for a week this just became a $2000 investment.
What do you get for $2000? As a DVC member you already get the 40% discount on the rooms and you get a %20 discount on your AP.

The bigger picture is that DVC will stay and you will get to come to the Magic for a 50 year period. Many of these people paying 2k to enter the parks will spend another 2k for the week and go home, with just memories. Am I being slightly :dance3: sure...but Disney counts on the family of 4 to spend its money, regardless of where it is spent.

Last thought, when they are at Disney they are captive. Get wet, buy a towel. Get hungry, buy food. Better to get them to Disney and get their money than to let them stay home and get nothing.

Thanks for letting me have my 2c...

[DisFlan]

We're playing "Joe" next year. We grabbed the bounce back for next fall at SSR (30% room discount and free dining). It doesn't make me value our DVC less. We'll be back on points in 2010, and I know that with DVC we won't be hit with the rising cost of rooms like the "average Joe" is likely to be.

As noted, this is an unusual year, but as a rule "Joe" only gets a break once in a while, and (hurricane-free-dining aside) some of them aren't really that great - or predictable.



DisFlan

[DW2DH&DS]

The 4/3 promo doesn't bother me. As for incentives for DVC...we get fliers in the mail several times throughout the year for promos, perks or special price points offers. The way my DH and I see it is we have prepaid our lodgings for the next 50 years...a for the long haul investment. But not just for WDW. We live in SOCAL so we use our points for DL as well. We also use the points for non Disney vacations such as skiing in Tahoe; and this coming spring to ski in Utah. I see people complaining about WDW. I don't see anybody saying "hey, who says we have to use our points for WDW? Let's try someplace new this time!" Like the PP mentioned...we spent some time considering our purchase. We didn't do it just for Disney. We did it or the opportunity to use our points worldwide. Heck, we have them for the next 50 years. I for one am going to enjoy the fact that I am lucky enough to have points instead of whine about it. JMHO

[Dean]

Maybe im getting greedy but its tough to swallow that there are so many low rates, packages, freebees for regular people and not for DVCers

However DVCers how spend thousands of dollars on club membership get so little back. Are there special offers im missing? anyone else feel the same way?

Im sure disney sees that club members can more likely afford disney visits but at the end of the day the economy is affecting us all and the people who shell out the big cash and a lifelong commitment should be getting a break as well.What about the people who pay full price for busier times or when specials are not so plentiful, they're likely thinking how good the DVC people have it. The truth is that the resorts have to pay their own way. There is no where to legitimately take money from to sweeten the pot for DVC members. IMO, this is a fundamental issue of owning timeshares and such posts prove one does not understand what's involved with ownership. A more legitimate post would be whether it's worth owning and whether one should sell and go to the specials instead.

[gray52]

Just remember that DVC'ers have the same opportunities to take advantage of deals offered to the general public. Our family just decided to bank our points for the year and take advantage of the 4/3 deal. It will allow us to vacation this year as we would have anyway and gives us either an extended vacation next year or allow us to take more people. I'm somewhat certain that there's a very limited number of spots for the 4/3 deal... POFQ and POR are both sold out of the 4/3 deals... so we were told when we called back to make a change.

I really really don't need a king sized bed! :rotfl:

[las3888]

I know as DVC members, we are ALL FORTUNATE to have what we have and be able to do what we do, and I for one am honestly thankful!

I am however discouraged by the type promos that WDW does to get folks in there. Right now the "buy four, get three, and a 200.00 gift card" infuriates me. When was the LAST TIME DVC MEMBERS were offered incentives such as that????

Granted, we get discounts on certain activities, dining and shopping...do the math folks, with a Disney CC you can just about do as good, as far as "discounts" go. Granted, WDW is VERY willing to offer you "discounts" to add on....and spend THOUSANDS more than you've already spent, and let's face it, we TRUE DIE HARD DISNEY LOVERS HAVE WILLINGLY (at least in our case) spent THOUSANDS and continue to spend every month and on every vacation we take.

Flame me if you must, but I'd LOVE to get a $200.00 gift card, or even "free dining" once every 5-10 years!

I think the last "gift" we got, other than the BEAUTIFUL print, and "bonus dollars" to add on, was a refrigerator magnet.

Sign me, discouraged....it kind of hurts to see this type stuff done for folks that DON'T spend the kind of $$ we do with WDW. While I am sincerely THANKFUL that anyone that wants to go to WDW can go, as I've been there, wanting to go, couldn't afford it, investing in DVC was/is a HUGE comittment to us, and remains just that, dues every month, saving for airline fare, etc., so to me, WDW could remember us "DVC'ers" a little better, since WE are what has helped make it possible to build EVERY SINGLE DVC RESORT:upsidedow


I sympathize with you...I feel much the same way. I understand all the rationalizations about costs, busines, etc. and I am not looking for more. I am feeling a little extra peeved since I just added on at BLT when it was announced and NOW they announce the developer's points. I understand they are running a business, but it's human nature to feel disappointed in missing out on something. For me it was just bad timing. I will still go to Disney, and have a great love of Disney. And I do agree; I don't think the offer is the greatest package. It took a long time for DH and I to buy into DVC because we travelled in the 'hey-day' of discount codes...when they were plentiful and really good deals. I don't find the deals all that great in comparison to those days. At any rate, I have always felt that the DVC offers were pretty ho-hum.

[hakepb]

I seem to be recalling in the last year:
DVC members started getting free internet at WDW
DVC Golf membership became a lot more desireable
PAP owners get free golf (instead of PI)?
DVC announced 2 new unique WDW stay experiences for the future (BLT and THV)

DVC members really got the shaft this year. :lmao:

[Doug7856]

I am a bit surprised that Disney doesn't do more to keep DVC members spending during their visits. I just checked the "perks" on the member web site and I was surprised that there is no discount for lunch & dinner at Artist Pallet at SSR as there has been in the past.

It seems that it would be easy to offer discounts to spend while there. Due to the frail economy, our pockets will be mostly closed during our Thanksgiving trip.

[hakepb]

I am a bit surprised that Disney doesn't do more to keep DVC members spending during their visits.

I do believe that is a very valid point.

So far, they've offered 2 more discounted MVMCP days. You are going in a time sandwiched between "free dining" periods, so I would not expect much in a need for more dining customers.

FWIW DDE/TiW has a 20% SSR AP dining discount

[adminjedi]

Hello - the current perks are for Value Resorts. YUK! If someone wants a "good deal" there that is fine with me. IMHO there is a huge difference in quality and it is worth the price I paid for points to stay at the Villa resorts. Just my style I guess - "glamping" at the THV doesn't thrill me either.

[bwvBound]

Just my style I guess - "glamping" at the THV doesn't thrill me either.LOL! We have different definitions of glamping! I am glamping when I've parked my RV on a level pad with hookups. I'm pretty comfy at that point ... and hoping that THV is still a huge step up from my RV.

[5forDiz]

Hello - the current perks are for Value Resorts. YUK! If someone wants a "good deal" there that is fine with me. IMHO there is a huge difference in quality and it is worth the price I paid for points to stay at the Villa resorts. Just my style I guess - "glamping" at the THV doesn't thrill me either.


Buy 4/get 3 deal can be booked for all resort categories not just value level resorts ( based upon availability of course) just want to mention this in case there are others here reading this thread who might want to possibly consider taking a second look at the moderate & deluxe levels.

There was a post on another thread I can't seem to track down now that said the savings are better realized at the moderates & deluxes. I haven't taken a real close look at this :confused3 but imo it seems $200 gift card is what really gives this deal its 'worth'.

:)