A Christmas Conversation.......Points for the underpriviledged?

[rutgers1]

My wife and I sat down today to talk about the different ways that we could use our points. We'll have some extra next year, so the talk turned to whether we'll stay longer or bring some relatives with us (thus upgrading to a 2 bedroom villa).

Yet then I started thinking about how neat it would be to take someone else with me, someone who might otherwise never get to experience Disney. Of course, if I took someone from my area, the points wouldn't be enough, as the family would also have to fly to Disney and pay for their food and park tickets (which can be very expensive).

Here are my questions...
1) If there was a little bank where you could transfer a few points (as low as 10) and make them available to poor families, would you do it?
2) How would something like this be managed? Is it something that, perhaps, Disney would consider managing? How would someone apply? Who would choose who to give them to?

It is an unformed idea that is rattling around in my mind, but the idea of spreading the Disney magic is something that returns every so often. If I had my way, I'd take EVERYONE with me every year!

 

[cpdwiz]

My wife and I sat down today to talk about the different ways that we could use our points. We'll have some extra next year, so the talk turned to whether we'll stay longer or bring some relatives with us (thus upgrading to a 2 bedroom villa).

Yet then I started thinking about how neat it would be to take someone else with me, someone who might otherwise never get to experience Disney. Of course, if I took someone from my area, the points wouldn't be enough, as the family would also have to fly to Disney and pay for their food and park tickets (which can be very expensive).

Here are my questions...
1) If there was a little bank where you could transfer a few points (as low as 10) and make them available to poor families, would you do it?
2) How would something like this be managed? Is it something that, perhaps, Disney would consider managing? How would someone apply? Who would choose who to give them to?

It is an unformed idea that is rattling around in my mind, but the idea of spreading the Disney magic is something that returns every so often. If I had my way, I'd take EVERYONE with me every year!

We were SO fortunate to win our points and win our dream that I would gladly do that.....I would be worried, though, about misuse by people....And how it would be managed...I certainly would not donate points so some exec could go.....But, its a great idea....

 

[westjones]

It would be nice if there was a way that Disney would let you transfer points to a "Make A Wish" account or something like that when you have extra points. I could see us doing this if it were available.
DJ

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since transfers can only occur once a year, either in or out, I don't see how this could work. Unless DVC decided to set up the account to transfer it. Then they manage that account and I don't see them taking on the extra work. Plus I could see all sorts of members complaining because someone they knew didn't get the vacation.

Finally, DVC would rather those points just expire unused.

 

[quentina]

It would be nice if there was a way that Disney would let you transfer points to a "Make A Wish" account or something like that when you have extra points. I could see us doing this if it were available.
DJ

You can make a reservation and donate to MAW foundation. It just can't be "points" needs to be a valid date reservation.

 

[mikron]

It sounds great, but I think there are lots of cost to this for most underpriviledged people. Disney is not a cheap vacation. A free room would be the easy part. Transperation, food park tickets etc. lots of money.

If someone gets it together I would donate 2 nights in a 1- bedroom.

 

[rutgers1]

I would consider donating directly to the Make a Wish Foundation, but I actually think we could help more people if we were able to donate a smaller amount of points and have them all pooled together. For example, I wouldn't mind donating a night (however many points that is) each year. I bet a lot of other people would be willing to do that, too.

As stated by someone earlier, the problem would be getting Disney to administrate it. That might be more trouble to them than it is worth, as they probably have enough unused hotel rooms to give away if they really wanted to give them away.

 

[ohtarabell]

This is a great idea. I think many people have a couple of extra points rumbling around. You should send it to Disney as an idea. They could bundle them together and sell some ressies to pay for the tickets, planes, etc. I also agree that MAW would be perfect.

My wife and I sat down today to talk about the different ways that we could use our points. We'll have some extra next year, so the talk turned to whether we'll stay longer or bring some relatives with us (thus upgrading to a 2 bedroom villa).

Yet then I started thinking about how neat it would be to take someone else with me, someone who might otherwise never get to experience Disney. Of course, if I took someone from my area, the points wouldn't be enough, as the family would also have to fly to Disney and pay for their food and park tickets (which can be very expensive).

Here are my questions...
1) If there was a little bank where you could transfer a few points (as low as 10) and make them available to poor families, would you do it?
2) How would something like this be managed? Is it something that, perhaps, Disney would consider managing? How would someone apply? Who would choose who to give them to?

It is an unformed idea that is rattling around in my mind, but the idea of spreading the Disney magic is something that returns every so often. If I had my way, I'd take EVERYONE with me every year!

 

[JimMIA]

This comes up from time to time, and while it sounds like a great idea, it's not really feasible unless Disney decides to set something special up. If they do that, they hit the snag of having one "special" account that is given preferential treatment over other accounts. For example, they'd have to allow multiple transfers in, whereas they only allow us one transfer in or out per year. They'd also have the problem of multiple wonderful charities asking to have the same thing set up for them -- and that's a public relations nighmare for Disney.

What some members have done is to offer a reservation as a prize for a raffle or silent auction. The charity gets the proceeds, and the winner gets their vacation -- or at least the lodging for the vacation. Such a donation, incidentally, would NOT be tax deductible.

The other thing that some members have done is to make reservations and give the reservation to Give Kids The World (another wonderful charity that provides Disney vacations for kids with life-threatening medical conditions). GKTW uses those mini-vacations for some of their volunteers who donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to the kids.

 

[ILuvCrush]

What some members have done is to offer a reservation as a prize for a raffle or silent auction. The charity gets the proceeds, and the winner gets their vacation -- or at least the lodging for the vacation. Such a donation, incidentally, would NOT be tax deductible.

The other thing that some members have done is to make reservations and give the reservation to Give Kids The World (another wonderful charity that provides Disney vacations for kids with life-threatening medical conditions). GKTW uses those mini-vacations for some of their volunteers who donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to the kids.

These are both FABULOUS ideas!! I really think that all of you have very big hearts...or else ideas like these wouldn't come to you so easily

Kudos!!


Paula

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

As Jim had said...

This comes up from time to time, and while it sounds like a great idea, it's not really feasible unless Disney decides to set something special up.

I have seen this discussion or similar, come up on a few occasions through out my years here on the DIS as well and as Jim had said, unless a foundation were setup directly from Disney or DVC it couldn't work, for many reasons.

I too would donate points to such a cause. I think many of us would, but unfortunately, I also don't think it will ever come to be.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've donated to Give the kids the World for the volunteers. Initially I was interested in donating the stay for their clients but their facilities are much better suited for their clients' special needs.

I have been very pleased with our association with GTKTW!

Bobbi

 

[crisi]

As Jim had said...


I have seen this discussion or similar, come up on a few occasions through out my years here on the DIS as well and as Jim had said, unless a foundation were setup directly from Disney or DVC it couldn't work, for many reasons.

I too would donate points to such a cause. I think many of us would, but unfortunately, I also don't think it will ever come to be.

And Disney isn't particularly interested in making it work because it would add a lot of overhead and get rid of a revenue stream (point breakage) causing dues to increase and a lot of members to get upset.

BTW, nope. We give a lot to charity - food for the foodshelves, clothes, cash, time. Disney vacations.....I can see the Make A Wish thing (and I've given money to MaW)....I cannot see someone whose kids do not have winter coats Disney vacations.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I think this type of giving is best done with someone you know or perhaps through friends or relatives.

Give Kids The World is a fantastic organization to donate reservations to for sick children. Providing a resort reservation to needy or poor families is another story. It is rather like giving someone a luxury vehicle to drive who maybe cannot afford the insurance or even gas. DVC is not all inclusive and there would be money associated costs with the resort reservation being given.

When my mother was a foster parent, we took her and her young foster child to one of our WDW vacations. It was nice to see a child enjoy a vacation who otherwise would probably never be taken there. My mother did a nice job of providing him with memories that may last his lifetime.

 

[Mississippian]

My wife and I sat down today to talk about the different ways that we could use our points. We'll have some extra next year, so the talk turned to whether we'll stay longer or bring some relatives with us (thus upgrading to a 2 bedroom villa).

Yet then I started thinking about how neat it would be to take someone else with me, someone who might otherwise never get to experience Disney. Of course, if I took someone from my area, the points wouldn't be enough, as the family would also have to fly to Disney and pay for their food and park tickets (which can be very expensive).

Here are my questions...
1) If there was a little bank where you could transfer a few points (as low as 10) and make them available to poor families, would you do it?
2) How would something like this be managed? Is it something that, perhaps, Disney would consider managing? How would someone apply? Who would choose who to give them to?

It is an unformed idea that is rattling around in my mind, but the idea of spreading the Disney magic is something that returns every so often. If I had my way, I'd take EVERYONE with me every year!

Believe it or not there are billions of people who live and die without ever going to DisneyWorld. Certainly it is not a necessity for every family to visit WDW, much less stay in a deluxe resort.

If you really want to use your points to help the underprivileged, rent them out and give the money to the poor. There are children in my wife's school who don't even have winter coats. It seems a much better use of money to buy 200 children a winter coat than it does to provide one lucky poor family a trip to DisneyWorld.

So no, I would not donate points to this effort, and find it good hearted but rather ridiculous. But they are your points and your money, so if it makes you feel better go ahead.

 

[mtmbyck]

As someone who is renting points from a DVC member in 2009, I cannot tell you how excited we are to be paying a fraction of the price for a 2 bedroom at SSR in March!! No, we are not under privildeged, and the vacation will still cost us $5K plus as we are flying, park passes, groceries and souvenirs.....but my family would never have been able to afford a 2 bedroom on property at a deluxe resort and I am so thankful. And to pay it forward...I have invited my widowed mom, purchased her flight and gave it to her for Christmas, and plan on paying for her vacation to create some memories for her and her Grandaughters.

DVC'ers, thanks for paying it forward and renting your points.

 

[Laneychris]

I love the idea of the Make a Wish foundation. It would be nice to be able to give points to them to use.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

I believe that we all personally know people who could benefit from our points. I'd rather invite deserving family or friends and make the decision who to extend free lodging to, rather than have a third party dish it out.

Understandably, most charities hand out their funds and resources based on their own criteria. Likewise, the government gives out aid and benefits to the underpriviledged based on their established criteria.

With that all said, when it comes to Disney - for us - gifting points would be our personal pleasure to do - under our own criteria.