Member perks kinda weak

[wulfekamp]

I was just over at the member site looking at perks. Is it me or our there a lot fewer than there use to be? Very few places to eat. At some parks there was but one listed. Very few shopping discounts except down town disney. I was very disapointed. Kind of reminds me of their Christmas party done on the cheap.

[d-r]

with the dining plans and free dining, the restaurants don't have to put out incentives to get ppl to come in (those discounts were from the restaurants, not dvc). It is the opposite, lower quality and higher prices.

[CarolMN]

If they still have the discount on the AP and the 20% discount on most meals at most of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants, I'm happy.

I don't remember ever having shopping discounts at the WDW parks.

[Tozzie]

I don't know about other people but I didn't look nor consider perks when I purchased DVC, what I looked at was what my room at AKL cost me for Sun-Thur and what it would cost me to purchase DVC and it was a no brainer. Perks are nice and a surprise when they happen but not something I expect.

[twinklebug]

I don't know about other people but I didn't look nor consider perks when I purchased DVC, what I looked at was what my room at AKL cost me for Sun-Thur and what it would cost me to purchase DVC and it was a no brainer. Perks are nice and a surprise when they happen but not something I expect.

I'm with you, I didn't buy into DVC for the perks and really hadn't heard of them. Now if they took away the DVC AP discounts I'd be upset as that AP gives me an excuse to return several times per year. :rotfl: When I bought in last year we were already Full Price AP holders so I haven't had the chance to get that discount but am looking forward to it.

The only DVC perk I've used to date was the discount at RFC last year for one meal.

[dianeschlicht]

I don't know about other people but I didn't look nor consider perks when I purchased DVC, what I looked at was what my room at AKL cost me for Sun-Thur and what it would cost me to purchase DVC and it was a no brainer. Perks are nice and a surprise when they happen but not something I expect.

I totally agree, and if the only perk was the AP discount, I'd still be happy.

[jco_direwolf]

I have been posting in another thread where this was brought sorta already brought up.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31860363&postcount=157

johno

[Chuck S]

If they still have the discount on the AP and the 20% discount on most meals at most of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants, I'm happy.

I don't remember ever having shopping discounts at the WDW parks.

I don't think there ever were shopping discounts in the parks, maybe in California, as I remember my MKC card getting in-park discounts at Calif. Adv., but not at WDW.

WDW did used to give some shopping discounts and ticket media discounts to MKC card in some of the resort specialty clothing shops at the deluxe resorts, but not at the normal resort general stores like we have at DVC. Of course, the MKC was discontinued years ago.

[DisDaydreamer]

I guess we've been perk blind... just don't shop much or eat out when staying at DVC. We have never even pool hopped. I couldn't ever have named any of the perks over the last 11 years we have owned except for pool hopping.

[jco_direwolf]

I will admit, I almost never spend more than about $10 at WDW without saying "Discount for DVC, AP, DDE/TiW, library card?"

The answer is normally no... but every once in a while.

I also admit that I keep a list of items, mostly SKUs, on my iPhone for things that are likely available at World of Disney. Since there is a AP/Visa discount there.

Also I use my DVC to get the DVC Pins... I don't know if DVC pin access is considered a perk :)

johno

[Disneypirate85]

We bought into DVC for nicer accomodations, more space and quite honestly to get the heck away from SA travel groups in July (1 of our dedicated time of year trips). We knew of DVC members perks before we purchased and just considered all those options as a "Bonus" for purchasing DVC. Sure it would be nice to have more "Perks" and we would use them, but all in all we are content with what we have, WAY BETTER ACCOMODATIONS...
Beside if we wanted some of the freebie stuff we would just book cash stays and bank the points...Shawnpirate:

[wulfekamp]

When we first started there were a lot of places you could eat that gave 10% DVC discount. I was just shocked that there seem to be so few now. We were considering a second trip this year and not doing DDP just eating at the places offering a DVC discount. Doesn't seem thats a option at this point.

[Deb & Bill]

Just get a Chase Disney VISA and you can get shopping discounts at WOD (AP also has discount there).

[Tozzie]

When we first started there were a lot of places you could eat that gave 10% DVC discount. I was just shocked that there seem to be so few now. We were considering a second trip this year and not doing DDP just eating at the places offering a DVC discount. Doesn't seem thats a option at this point.


DVC and Disney Parks and Resorts are seprate companies and DVC can't just say poof you have a discount, everything is at the mercy of the other company. The DDP could be taken away at any time, just like any of the other perks. I firmly believe that the reason they don't offer discounts on any other ticket except the AP is to get members to go more often.

[Tozzie]

Just get a Chase Disney VISA and you can get shopping discounts at WOD (AP also has discount there).

I have had a Chase Disney Visa since the begining and the discounts are better with the visa than with DVC or AP, for instance the tours are 15% off for DVC members but 20% off with the Disney Visa, if you pay for it with the Visa.

[jco_direwolf]

DVC and Disney Parks and Resorts are seprate companies and DVC can't just say poof you have a discount, everything is at the mercy of the other company. The DDP could be taken away at any time, just like any of the other perks. I firmly believe that the reason they don't offer discounts on any other ticket except the AP is to get members to go more often.

I believe the DDP was negotiated by DVD on our behalf. And the DDP program has a contract to provide it. So I don't think it can just be taken away, I suspect if it does disappear we'll have fair notice.

I could be wrong about this, but as I recall when DDP was added there was something in the announcement that it would be available at least though some date, ie the end date of the contract.

johno

[Chuck S]

I believe the DDP was negotiated by DVD on our behalf. And the DDP program has a contract to provide it. So I don't think it can just be taken away, I suspect if it does disappear we'll have fair notice.

I could be wrong about this, but as I recall when DDP was added there was something in the announcement that it would be available at least though some date, ie the end date of the contract.

johno

I don't recall seeing an end date, only a start date.

Disney historically has made offers like the DDP only financially advantageous for a few years, then they either drastically change the program (as we saw when they dropped appetizer and tip) or simply discontinue them.

[decarop]

DW and I don't eat in our room very often. Sometimes just a quick bite for breakfast. We prefer to eat out when on vacation.
Our trip down first week of May we purchased APs and a TIW as we've already made our plans for our second trip this year.
Found that we managed to pay for the TIW card with the discounts we got eating at restaurants Downtown and the resorts. Paid for itself.
The "signature" restaurants in the hotels like the Swan & Dolphin (Il Mulino & Blue Zoo) don't take any discount card. Food was outstanding but costly.

For my money it's a good deal, but I didn't buy into DVC for the perks. I love the resorts and am very pleased with our stays there. Been goiong to the DVC for more than 10 years now and still look forward to every trip with the anticipation of a child. My wife thinks I'm weird. She's probably right. After all, who knows me better than her after being together for more than 55 years.

[rkwier]

I don't know about other people but I didn't look nor consider perks when I purchased DVC, what I looked at was what my room at AKL cost me for Sun-Thur and what it would cost me to purchase DVC and it was a no brainer. Perks are nice and a surprise when they happen but not something I expect.

I agree completely. We bought DVC for high quality lodging and affordable vacations for years to come. Perks did not even enter the equation. If they are offered and we can take advantage of them, great. If not, that is fine also.

[circhead]

I don't know about other people but I didn't look nor consider perks when I purchased DVC, what I looked at was what my room cost and what it would cost me to purchase DVC and it was a no brainer. Perks are nice and a surprise when they happen but not something I expect.

We bought into DVC for nicer accomodations, more space .....Sure it would be nice to have more "Perks" and we would use them, but all in all we are content with what we have, WAY BETTER ACCOMODATIONS...
Beside if we wanted some of the freebie stuff we would just book cash stays and bank the points...Shawnpirate:

I agree completely. We bought DVC for high quality lodging and affordable vacations for years to come. Perks did not even enter the equation. If they are offered and we can take advantage of them, great. If not, that is fine also.

I'm in agreement with this completely. We were a family of 5 (almost empty nesters :yay:) we needed more space. To be able to come in from a day out and make a cup of tea can't put a price on that. :worship:

[JimMIA]

I actually think we have more perks now than we had when we bought five years ago...but we seldom use them. We formerly used DDP, but not now. The Florida Resident seasonal pass is $100 cheaper than the DVC member AP and it meets our needs perfectly.

Like many others, we bought DVC exclusively for accommodations at DVC resorts and don't really care much about anything else. If I had to choose, I'd rather see DVC do a better job of housekeeping than worry about perks.

About the only perk I would really care about would be some sort of preferential Fast Pass for DVC or all onsite guests. It would cost nothing and would be a BIG benefit to us.

[DebbieB]

See this thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2181721

BLT is selling out faster than expected. Why would they need to give more member perks?

[Tara]

See this thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2181721

BLT is selling out faster than expected. Why would they need to give more member perks?

So true. I just don't get why people complain about perks at all...

[wulfekamp]

What does BLT selling out fast have to do with us getting perks? It fills wdw bank account but not much for us. What I was saying is there use to be more places to eat that offered 10% discount off a meal. When we started it was kind of a shock if they didn't offer something. I guess if you never had something you wouldn't miss it.

[DebbieB]

What does BLT selling out fast have to do with us getting perks? It fills wdw bank account but not much for us. What I was saying is there use to be more places to eat that offered 10% discount off a meal. When we started it was kind of a shock if they didn't offer something. I guess if you never had something you wouldn't miss it.

Because they don't need to use them as a selling point for either new members or add-ons for current members. They don't give perks to be nice, they want there to be a return for them. What's in it for DVC? WDW doesn't seem to have a problem filling restaurants, so what's in it for them to offer discounts?

[Chuck S]

please remember, it is NOT actually DVC that is offering the dining discounts. It is the restaurant that is offering the discount to DVC Members, to increase traffic and sales. The same reason Kraft, Birdseye and Coca-Cola offer grocery store coupons...to increase sales.

If a restaurant is busy, especially now with the DDP...and profitable, there is no incentive for the restaurant to offer a DVC discount.

[Tara]

If a restaurant is busy, especially now with the DDP...and profitable, there is no incentive for the restaurant to offer a DVC discount.

Exactly...and I'm betting if they did offer a perk like a discount on the dining plan, there'd be plenty of complaining about how hard it is to get ADRs.

I would MUCH rather see Disney build more restaurants than spend a single penny offering more discounts as perks - a discount is no good if it's difficult or a hassle to use.

[wulfekamp]

Good grief. I was just making a observation that there are less than when we joined. And that it surprised me. And disappointed me. I didn't mean to cause a stur. Can we just drop it. I promise to keep my observations to myself from now on.

[DebbieB]

I'd love for there to be more perks but look at it realistically. I've been a member almost 10 years and really don't notice a big difference. We have the $100 AP discount that we didn't have when I bought, which is huge to me because I've had APs every trip since 1998.

[Dean]

I believe the DDP was negotiated by DVD on our behalf. And the DDP program has a contract to provide it. So I don't think it can just be taken away, I suspect if it does disappear we'll have fair notice.

I could be wrong about this, but as I recall when DDP was added there was something in the announcement that it would be available at least though some date, ie the end date of the contract.

johnoThere are no guarantees built in. They could stop it tomorrow if they wanted but realistically the earliest it could likely cease is Jan, 2010. It's unlikely to stop for members alone but it could change such as requiring a 3 day min.

[decarop]

Remember the "OLD DAYS" when those who first opted in for OKW got 5 years of "FREE" park admissions.
That's a perk I could live with again.

[Tara]

Good grief. I was just making a observation that there are less than when we joined. And that it surprised me. And disappointed me. I didn't mean to cause a stur. Can we just drop it. I promise to keep my observations to myself from now on.

I can understand why you're miffed, but with all due respect, this is a discussion board, and it is unrealistic to think you can post something and it NOT be discussed, just as it's unrealistic to think everyone will see things just as you see them. I hope that doesn't stop you from posting your thoughts and opinions.

[Chuck S]

Remember the "OLD DAYS" when those who first opted in for OKW got 5 years of "FREE" park admissions.
That's a perk I could live with again.


It was more than 5 years. :) We bought in 1992, and the passes were given to us until December 31, 1999. Assuming they were available ever since the resort opened in October 1991, that was 8 years of passes for 1/2 the cpacity of the room. If you stayed in a studio, or one bedroom you got 2 LOS passes, 2 bedrooms got 4 passes and GVs 6 passes. :banana:

But that was a sales promotion, much like the developers points given today, not a "perk." The promotion ended in 1996, so those that purchased after that did not receive passes, even if they stayed at OKW before 1999.