Palmer Group to Manage Golf Courses - Is this then end of DVC Golf Memberships?

[Shamus]

The Arnold Palmer Group is taking over management of the 5 Disney Golf Courses.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-...y-golf-arnold-palmer-20110824,0,1710954.story

Is this leading to the end of yet another long time DVC "Perk"?

 

[Dizny Dad]

Talk to Claire . . .

 

[LauraLea]

Actually the DVC perk is not near as good as it use to be. DH has really given up playing the Disney courses because of the high cost of playing them anymore - and the courses were usually empty.

DS is a golf pro and over the last few years has questioned WDW courses business plan. He actually sees this change as a good thing.

Laura

 

[Simba's Mom]

So sad! I really hope the DVC golf discount continues. We're a couple where DH thinks that WDW is a golf resort with theme parks there to keep the "non-golfers" busy every day while he golfs. One thing I wonder about is if the new managing group has any relation to Arnold Palmer himself. He lives in Orlando and has a golf resort (Bayhill) that DH loves in Orlando. It would be so great if their golf course became part of the Disney offerings. Right now you can only play there if you're staying at that resort. But I'm probably dreaming.

 

[psac]

I thought the impact would be changing all the beverages on the courses to half ice tea and half lemonade.

 

[NashKat]

I thought the impact would be changing all the beverages on the courses to half ice tea and half lemonade.

Yeah, but that is a good thing. I love that stuff half & half

 

[Golden Rose]

I hope they don't get rid of some sort of DVC golf discount entirely, but I can see how this might lead to it. My DSF actually dislikes most of WDW, and only really enjoys the golf and some of the restaurants. He thinks the golf, without the discounts, is too expensive, but is reasonable enough with the DVC golf badge. His vacations with us are generally never park intensive; maybe he will go into the parks with us one or two days a year, but he loves the golf. I honestly think that without the golf perk, he is less likely to be willing to join us on vacation. It and the free internet are the only perks he uses.

In a strange way, it would make us less likely to add-on, since one of the main reasons we need more points right now is because we have been bringing people along with us every trip. (We share a contract with my DM, and if my DSF is less interested in visiting WDW, then she'll certainly be less interested in adding on.) It's funny, because DH and I don't golf, but since my DM and DSF do, it's an important perk for our family.

We bought well knowing that perks were not guaranteed, and it wouldn't be a disaster if it went away, but it would almost certainly mean fewer visits from some members of our family.

 

[Halle]

So sad! I really hope the DVC golf discount continues. We're a couple where DH thinks that WDW is a golf resort with theme parks there to keep the "non-golfers" busy every day while he golfs. One thing I wonder about is if the new managing group has any relation to Arnold Palmer himself. He lives in Orlando and has a golf resort (Bayhill) that DH loves in Orlando. It would be so great if their golf course became part of the Disney offerings. Right now you can only play there if you're staying at that resort. But I'm probably dreaming.

It's been reported that Arnold Palmer will be overseeing the project.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I hope they don't get rid of some sort of DVC golf discount entirely, but I can see how this might lead to it. My DSF actually dislikes most of WDW, and only really enjoys the golf and some of the restaurants. He thinks the golf, without the discounts, is too expensive, but is reasonable enough with the DVC golf badge. His vacations with us are generally never park intensive; maybe he will go into the parks with us one or two days a year, but he loves the golf. I honestly think that without the golf perk, he is less likely to be willing to join us on vacation. It and the free internet are the only perks he uses.

In a strange way, it would make us less likely to add-on, since one of the main reasons we need more points right now is because we have been bringing people along with us every trip. (We share a contract with my DM, and if my DSF is less interested in visiting WDW, then she'll certainly be less interested in adding on.) It's funny, because DH and I don't golf, but since my DM and DSF do, it's an important perk for our family.

We bought well knowing that perks were not guaranteed, and it wouldn't be a disaster if it went away, but it would almost certainly mean fewer visits from some members of our family.

What is a DSF? Just curious.

Darling son's fiancee; Darling son's father; Darling son's friend; Darling sister's fiance?

 

[drusba]

So sad! I really hope the DVC golf discount continues. We're a couple where DH thinks that WDW is a golf resort with theme parks there to keep the "non-golfers" busy every day while he golfs. One thing I wonder about is if the new managing group has any relation to Arnold Palmer himself. He lives in Orlando and has a golf resort (Bayhill) that DH loves in Orlando. It would be so great if their golf course became part of the Disney offerings. Right now you can only play there if you're staying at that resort. But I'm probably dreaming.

Palmer is not an owner of the Arnold Palmer Golf Management Co. and instead is paid for use of name and being a spokesman. Bay Hill is not one of the courses included in the management company's business. Where Arnold Palmer will likely be involved is in the redo of the Palm course and possibly some improvements to others as it appears that will involve his course design company of which he is an owner and remains directly involved.

I too fear this is the end of DVC discounts and possibly AP discounts and any other Disney discounts. The management company will likely have its own form of discounts (it already does for all its member golf courses for those who pay to be members) and Disney may have input into discounts but I am guessing part of the deal is that the management company has final say on price to be charged and any discounts.

 

[Laurabearz]

What is a DSF? Just curious.

Darling son's fiancee; Darling son's father; Darling son's friend; Darling sister's fiance?

I was thinking the same thing... lol

Add us to the list of we hope they keep the discounts

 

[Granny]

What is a DSF? Just curious.

Darling son's fiancee; Darling son's father; Darling son's friend; Darling sister's fiance?

I'm guessing Dear Step Father.

 

[disneynutz]

Valet service was outsourced and Members lost that perk, only time will tell if the same thing happens to the golf discount.

As long as they don't change my Fantasia or Winter Summerland courses I will be happy.

Bill

 

[hakepb]

Valet service was outsourced and Members lost that perk, only time will tell if the same thing happens to the golf discount.

As long as they don't change my Fantasia or Winter Summerland courses I will be happy.

Bill

It may be similar, but I think a discount is a different scenario than a free service.

There are several non-Disney owned restaurants like Rainforest Cafe that offer DVC discounts.

Now the golf courses are competing with Disney Parks for money. I think it would be smart to offer DVC discounts if they want more golfers (especially since some own properties on LBV), but we do not know how they will spend their marketing money.

 

[MikeNY]

Does anyone know if the courses will remain Disney "branded" (i.e. merchandise, etc) now that Palmer is taking over their management?

I can't say that I've played them very often, but one of my favorite stops while in WDW is to one (or more) of the pro shops for a new golf shirt.

Mike

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm guessing Dear Step Father.

Thanks Granny!

DH and I are blessed with step Mothers.

So...and step FATHER never crossed my mind.

 

[Dan Murfman]

I enjoy the Disney courses and used the discount a bunch of times. But there are just too many good courses around WDW that if it went away I don't think I would even miss it. The only thing I would miss would be the round trip cab to and from the Disney course.

 

[Golden Rose]

What is a DSF? Just curious.

Darling son's fiancee; Darling son's father; Darling son's friend; Darling sister's fiance?

Granny was right.

Step Father.

Sorry for the confusion.

He's not on our DVC membership, but my DM is and buys the DVC golf badge (or whatever they're calling it that year equivalent), and the two of them play golf together throughout our vacations. He thought he didn't like WDW until I started planning their trips. I book them tee times for at least every other day of the trip, and meals at our favorite (usually signature) restaurants, and now he regularly asks when we're all going back to WDW together.