Mad at the Disney Club!

[jeank74]

While everyone is receiving great news from Disney about the code, I am kinda mad at the Disney Club because of the code....

My trip will be in October this year. As claimed on the Disney Club website, DC rate is only available for Nov and Dec, and only limited amount of DC rate would be applied to trips in October. Since my travelling date is very close to the Halloween time, I guess I am not entitled to DC rate.

Nevertheless, my lovely Dreams Unlimited Agent, Rob, still got me more savings from the rate that I received from DC earlier in March. :p But the saving is from the codes that are available to the general public. Since I don't buy stuff from Disney Stores, now I regret that I joined Disney Club.....

Does any other DC member feel the same way as I do? Let's vent!
:mad:

[disneyhottie]

I have found that AAA gives us the same discounts as the Disney Club.We recieved a better rate at BWI thru AAA then with Disney Club.You can also use AAA at restaurants and recieve 10% off total bill.I agree,I think that we should get better discounts with Disney Club!:smooth:

[magic teacup]

I'm not hoppin' mad or such but I agree I thought maybe that would be a good system to go with. I also have a 'disney princess daughter' sooooo I make use of the disney store outlet section online. I don't feel it will be a wasted investment for me. Some of the restaurants will give a discount if you show the DC at the World don't they?? maybe you won't feel cheated if that is true? It looked today like across the board, the general public rates were cheaper than with DC. *maybe they need a well written e-mail from you*?:smooth:

[Granny]

I justify Disney Club membership with the savings on the AP's. Anything else I get is gravy!

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Well, I did not renew my DC membership. When I buy new AP's (maybe the end of next year), I'll probably sign up just for the discount on the AP's.

[epcotfan]

I quit my membership with the Disney Club this year. I was able to get bigger discounts using codes available to the general public or through Amex. I hated having to pay upfront with Disney Club and prefer making my ressies through CRO. DC was ALWAYS late with my Disney Magazine and the discounts at the Disney Store are useless for me. Even the crappy coupons they sent were worthless SINCE THEY WERE ALWAYS LATE! They had usually expired by the time we got them!

[Trekker]

DC works for us because we shop at DS and online.

Also discount at DTD and the reduced price for APs.

I would not get it for the discount on rooms and packages - it does not pay IMO....

[gepetto]

We buy it because of the discounts we get buying the 4 AP's.

[StrwLady]

When I first joined the Disney club in Feb 2001 I was dissapointed. I felt the only page you could access on the Disney Club benefist was misleading regarding the hotel savings. So I thought I would be hard pressed to break even. But in March 2001 when i purchased AP's for the first time I ended up getting my money back (when I joined the DC I didnt know I was going to purchase AP's). I then found that make many purchases from the Disney Store and Disney Store Online ( always catching a sale :) and Im thinking my family and friends are getting tired of disney themed presents :) ).

I can see where you might see its not worth the membership fee.

Now I find some people that I know are starting to see less incentives for buying the AP's since for the past year the discounts for anybody have been better then the AP rates. If you are on the fence of the AP's breaking even or if you are not sure you will make more then one trip in a year why buy the AP if you can feel confident that good rates for the general public will be offered.

[jeank74]

Thanks for your encouragement...

Perhaps I will buy AP just right before my DC memberhsip is about to expire......

[gepetto]

Originally posted by StrwLady
If you are on the fence of the AP's breaking even or if you are not sure you will make more then one trip in a year why buy the AP if you can feel confident that good rates for the general public will be offered.

We buy AP's because we go a lot...lately the codes have been as good or better than the AP rates.

[JDY]

I agree with Granny...

I make my money back when purchasing APs. Any other savings is great!

[kimmar067]

...does anyone know the price of adult and child 5-day Plus PH tickets for Disney Club members?

[AngKWhite]

I also thought about not renewing my membership but I've decided I probably will. Last year I more than recouped the membership price with the savings from National and AP's. Before I got the membership, I paid for the Disney Magazine, and probably would again if I didn't have membership. So, I figure the membership is really the 30 bucks or so minus what I would pay for the magazine. That little bit can easily be saved from discounted purchases here and there.

[Tesabat]

This page has a list of prices for various tickets - both regular and disney club. It still says 2001 because WDW did not raise ticket prices this year.

http://www.wdwig.com/ticketchart.htm

[Poohbear123]

Yes, I agree with you, Jean. I wasn't going to re-join this year, but I did, and WILL NOT re-join next year. I REALLY do not USE the card that much, and Hardly ANYONE accepts it anymore. Plus DTD you have to buy 25.00 worth of stuff in order to save.:rolleyes: I get better codes with Mousesavers and DON'T have to go through the Travel Club!:mad:

[BrianD]

I think the DC is worth it if you shop at the Disney Store or through the Disney Catalog fairly often. If you're joining just for the resort discounts, then unless you are traveling during peak season, then it is NOT worth it.

[Jen D]

I got it for resort discounts, but wasn't impressed with the discounts. However, I found that it paid for itself with the purchase of our park passes (6 Day php; 2 adult, 1 child.) Add to that a few Disney store trips- not many, we're not big merchandise people-- and it ended up saving us a little money. I haven't renewed yet, but I probably eventually will before my next trip; just for the park discounts.

[MJames41]

When I originally got the Magic Kingdom Card, I got it for the discounts on the rooms. Then they changed it to the Disney Club. I wasn't really sure if I should get it when I did (and then it was a 2 year deal), but am I ever glad I did. I renewed this year not because of the deals on the rooms, but because of the discount on tickets and at the Disney Store. We get the membership back in the cost of the tickets. Next year we probably won't have any trips (my daughter will be in college), but I'll still probably renew. I probably spend enough in the local Disney Store(s) to pay for it - even if I don't, knowing it's in my pocket gives me a good excuse to browse.

Of course, this isn't to say that I wouldn't love to have more discounts.

[BrianD]

MJames41 - I don't mean to digress from the topic of this thread, but after looking at your signature I have to say that you put the HOP in Resort-hopping!!! ;)

[ralphd]

We save much more than the annual DC membership cost on passes and other purchases.
The membership is worth it for us!

ralphd:D :D :D :D

[TimonTracy]

I am very happy with the Disney Club Card - Love that 800 #, used it for lots of calls yesterday.

So far with the Disney Club, I have gotten....
+ $50 credit on 9/28 cruise
+ Saved $395 on WL package for 12/4 to 12/8 (All other codes were taken, but after DC/DISSavers rebate it will be 908.62 for 2 adults, 5 day UHP and standard view)
+ $50 credit on 12/8 cruise

Works for me !!

[DancingBear]

Agree that resort discounts aren't worth it now with the codes becoming available, but:

Disney magazine is fun to get, gives me my fix
We shop at Disney store occasionally, such as for last year's Pooh bumblebee halloween costume for my DS (he was just too damn cute!)
We will use it at Downtown Disney during our December visit
We will probably use a couple of the restaurant discounts during our visit
We will probably play mini golf and take the 15% discount
We may use the 20% off golf rates if we don't get better through SoG or Emerald Club
The 800 number

I'll be keeping our membership for all of this.

[ozziewags]

Don't forget there is a good discount for the golfers too. I got it for the tickets and the golf discounts.

Carol

[kimmar067]

...thanks for the link!!!;)

[slstorey]

Just had to reply to this.

I completely understand your frustration. I can always find better deals on packages and hotels than what the Disney Club Card offers through a little research and this wonderful DIS Board - not to mention all the friendly and generous people who visit it.

But . . .

I love the deal we got on our Annual Pass using this card. And DH & I more than get our money worth with our discounts at the Disney Store, although I wish we could use the coupons they occasionally hand out with it. Plus the 800 # is wonderful when you don't want a huge phone bill.

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by disneyhottie
I have found that AAA gives us the same discounts as the Disney Club.We recieved a better rate at BWI thru AAA then with Disney Club.You can also use AAA at restaurants and recieve 10% off total bill.I agree,I think that we should get better discounts with Disney Club!:smooth:

You can use AAA at any restaurant at WDW for 10% off? That's good to know!!!!

[MickeyMonstersMom]

How often does the Disney Magazine come out? I joined several months ago, and just realized we've received only one or two issues.

Lori

[jewelray]

Monstermom I think there are only 4 issues a year actually for spring summer fall & winter.

I have a question though since I just joined the disney club and my dd being 9 yr old now isn't really into wearing too much disney clothes I'm wondering if even though I'm a DC member can I still use the regular codes that come out to book a room because I'm a single mother and need all the help I can get. We are planning a trip this April 2003 and I am planning on some good codes coming out and thought if there weren't any I could always rely on the DC. Do the regular codes supercede the DC and can we use it in addition or in place of the DC??? Any answers are appreciated.




1998/ POR
2002/ CSR
2003/ ?

[MickeyMonstersMom]

jewelray, it is my understanding that you can use any codes you want. I've read of people who first booked using DC discounts and then changed to a better code when it came out later. That is my plan for next time - I'm also a single mom and understand the need to find savings wherever you can!

Thanks for the magazine info. too!

Lori

[jewelray]

MickeysMonstersMom, thanks for your answer to that ? because I definitely don't want to lose out on better codes next time. PM me if you'd like to chat some more.




Julie

[BrianD]

Originally posted by SnackyStacky

You can use AAA at any restaurant at WDW for 10% off? That's good to know!!!!

I pretty sure that's not true...:rolleyes:

[maxie]

I understand as we got at better deal with a code than our DC membership on hotels. But we save $50 on PHP plus savings on miniature golf, some restaurants, discount on DQ will be about $20 worth. It turned out to be not as great of savings as I though but still worth the $ I think.

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by BrianD


I pretty sure that's not true...:rolleyes:

Not that I'd be trying to use it at Victoria & Albert's. (I don't have enough credit references for a PS at V&A :p) Someone earlier posted that you could use it at restaurants... is there a list anywhere of those which will give that discount?

[DancingBear]

Mousesavers.com doesn't list any AAA discounts on restaurants, even though she has info on AAA discounts on hotels and tickets.

[SnackyStacky]

Hmmm....I guess I'll give AAA a call. :)