What promotion/perk could prompt you into taking an unplanned WDW vacation?

[kid-at-heart]

What DVC perks would prompt you to schedule an unplanned vacation to WDW? I know Disney has used promotions such as free dining or pin codes, etc to entice visitors to visit and spend their money at WDW. What promotion/limited time perk do you think would entice DVC members to visit since we do not need to rent rooms for cash?

We just returned from an impromptu trip. At first “I” was going to go for just a couple of days during my spring break. Then we realized our daughter’s school was having an in-service day and would have a holiday so the “I” changed to my daughter and I planning to go for three days. Then I checked the member’s site for non-park things to do and noticed DVC members were being offered 35% off Cirque du Soleil tickets. My spouse has wanted to see this show for years and it was always outside of our Disney budget. Thus our three day trip for two turned into a six day trip for three – all because of the 35% discount on Cirque du Soleil tickets. My cheap trip ended up costing us a lot of money. It was worth it.

 

[alldiz]

free park tickets or free dining

 

[fijidoc]

A park opened for the day to DVC members only or like they do with seasonal parties and have it open to only members at night. Close park down at 4 or 5 pm to non DVC members and keep park opened into evening hours for DVC members only.


I know it will never happen but you asked what would prompt an unscheduled visit. For that it would have to be pretty big I think.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Disney tends to promote other days, (don't get me started) but how about these days . .

Polite Day - If you are rude or run over my foot with your #@%# stroller you get ejected from the park.

EVC Free Day - No electric carts anywhere, especially loading onto the Bus.

Smoke Free Day - A day when no one smokes, even in the designated smoking areas.

English Day - ¿Tengo que explicar?

DVC Appreciation Day - Another one I shouldn't have to explain.

Before I get flamed, I am referring to only one day per year. Sure, we can have a Spanish Day, French Day, Smoking Day, Freeloader Day, etc, too.

Just let me know when they are so I can pick and choose the days I participate.

You asked . . . . .

 

[bwvBound]

"Point specials": The occasional opportunity to book DVC resort stays using fewer points than normal. These specials may be based on "last minute availability," internal RCI exchange or other reservation promotions.

Just this morning I booked an unplanned trip for Oct. The "prompt" was a finding a 3BR Grand Villa (SSR) available through RCI using other timeshare. It was too much for me to resist. I booked it and will plan my life around it.

 

[n2mm]

Merchandise discount of 35% or more, no exclusions (they actually did this one 2 years ago and I made a quick 3 day trip down and dropped a ton of $$).

 

[Mtnman44]

free airfare

 

[iwrbnd]

free park tickets or free dining

That would get me there TODAY!

 

[stitch'sgirl]

A park opened for the day to DVC members only or like they do with seasonal parties and have it open to only members at night. Close park down at 4 or 5 pm to non DVC members and keep park opened into evening hours for DVC members only.


I know it will never happen but you asked what would prompt an unscheduled visit. For that it would have to be pretty big I think.

We went to the grand opening of Saratoga Springs back in May 2004. The entire weekend was filled with member events including the evening hours for DVC members only. The first night was Epcot, and then I thinkthe next was the Magic Kingdom. There were special things at the park each night, and lots of character greets. Each night we came back to our rooms and there was a special pin and announcement about what the next day's schedule would be. It was great fun--I don't understand why they haven't done this with any of the resorts after SSR. It was similar to what is done on the Member Cruise - but unfortunately, the timing of the Member Cruise doesn't work when you have a school-age child. DVC needs to mix it up and bring back the grand openings!!

 

[iwrbnd]

A park opened for the day to DVC members only or like they do with seasonal parties and have it open to only members at night. Close park down at 4 or 5 pm to non DVC members and keep park opened into evening hours for DVC members only.


I know it will never happen but you asked what would prompt an unscheduled visit. For that it would have to be pretty big I think.

My husband had a conference in Orlando and Universal Studios did this for them. It wasn't that great because they cut down on staff and amount of rides going. We waited in really long lines!

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

What promotion/limited time perk do you think would entice DVC members to visit since we do not need to rent rooms for cash?

Realistically... I dont see any promotions other then general public offerings enticing us (paying cash like all) since we, as dvc owners, have the 11/7 and the rule of 4 to live by. Most promotions are based on resort availability being high and predicted park utilization being low which doesnt really apply in the DVC world as we tend to plan further out and most resorts are booked to capacity (or close to) most of the year without promotions. And unlike most, park days are not essential to many dvc'ers.

Promotions (that will never happen) that would entice me to go would be:

Free Park Admission- LOS (length of stay)
Free Dinning - LOS
Free Airfare (with business partnered airlines)
4 for 7 deal (book 4 nights on pts, get 3 nights at a non-dvc resort free)
Free Round of Golf for 4, w/ 2 carts
Free dinner for 2 at V&A's
Free 3 day DCL (for 2) with 14 consecutive days stay on points (would extend a trip more then entice an additional trip)

 

[Simba's Mom]

"Point specials": The occasional opportunity to book DVC resort stays using fewer points than normal. These specials may be based on "last minute availability," internal RCI exchange or other reservation promotions.

Just this morning I booked an unplanned trip for Oct. The "prompt" was a finding a 3BR Grand Villa (SSR) available through RCI using other timeshare. It was too much for me to resist. I booked it and will plan my life around it.

That would work for me! I also like the free airfare, but I don't see how that could be a DVC perk. And since I have an annual pass, the free park tickets would only work if I was "between" annual passes. A last minute "points special" would really be nice.

 

[stitch1094]

For my family, the cost of airfare, park tickets and dining are all approximatley the same. So if any one of those three were "free", then we would jump at it.

I also like the DVC magic hours idea.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I like the idea of free airfare, or I'd even pay for a direct flight out of Montgomery. I know its only a 9 hour drive, but give me $79 airfare out of Montgomery, and I'm there.

Since getting APs, we've threatened many times to take advantage of some of the last minute AP rates at the value resorts, and eat CS, or even take sandwiches. DH doesn't want to stay at less than a moderate resort, and have at least 1 TS per day. Plus, he'd have to fly on a quick get away. (Did I say its just a 9 hour drive?)

My idea of the quick get away is fast and cheap. His quick get away is luxurious and expensive. SO, we don't go!

I also like the idea of using points for airfare.

 

[cseca]

Free upgrade from DVC AP to Premier AP with free TIW card

for those freebies I'll do both unplanned WDW AND DL trips

 

[kid-at-heart]

Free upgrade from DVC AP to Premier AP with free TIW card

for those freebies I'll do both unplanned WDW AND DL trips

Oooo, me too!

 

[cj9200]

We were not planning a trip over the summer but when I found out the Main Street Electrical Parade was coming back, I had to see it. Stupid to spend all that money for a parade? Maybe, but DD has not seen it and it is full of memories for me.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

As much as we'd like to try one, we've never done a grand villa because it would mean giving up several years of vacations for that one big week. However, if DVC would have occassional "holidays" from the normal rules -- allowing me to take a hundred points or so from the next 3 or 4 use years for a special booking -- I'd jump at the chance to book a grand villa.

Heck, it would probably work in their favor. We were happy as clams in studios for our first few trips -- until we tried our first stay in a one bedroom. Then we got our first case of addonitis.

 

[kid-at-heart]

We were not planning a trip over the summer but when I found out the Main Street Electrical Parade was coming back, I had to see it. Stupid to spend all that money for a parade? Maybe, but DD has not seen it and it is full of memories for me.

Not stupid. It will be a memory for you and your daughter. I remember seeing it (or something similar) in Disneyland many, many years ago. We had headed for CA immediately after exams (college - UW - Seattle) to see the Dead. Jerry ended up in the hospital the day we arrived so the concert was cancelled. We and a thousand or so other Deadheads headed to DL to spend money (I was not/am not a deadhead but my bf of the time was so we would spent summers touring...). I had forgotten about the Electrical Parade. I was very impressed with it. I would like my DD to see it. Perhaps when I take her and her gaggle of friends to Disney ...

 

[keishashadow]

What DVC perks would prompt you to schedule an unplanned vacation to WDW? I know Disney has used promotions such as free dining or pin codes, etc to entice visitors to visit and spend their money at WDW. What promotion/limited time perk do you think would entice DVC members to visit since we do not need to rent rooms for cash?

not a traditional DVC perc or promo...free DP & SWAir deserve the credit from me.

FDP offer last Dec. convinced me to visit for a 'bonus' 5 day getaway the end of July to disney/universal onsite & another week @ a moderate in Dec.

our annual point allotment was banked/rented/given to family. Even so i feel we came out ahead after crunching the numbers (especially as i had some flight credits to useand found cheapo flights in july)

it was nice to vist twice & enjoy the FDP, but i do look forward to next trip home in Oct all the same.