Am I the only one annoyed by the "free upgrade" happening?

[dvcnewgirl]

I'm annoyed.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I do think the upgrades have struck an emotional chord. I too understand what is happening, but I still get kind of chafed when the person that is upgraded refers to themselves as "cash paying" like points arent good enough! LOL!

I'd be cash paying too, if all I had to pay was $89!!

And I do understand the need to want to know everything about a resort especially when it is so new, but now some are worried about things they werent too worried about 2 weeks ago, like transportation, Im sorry, I've stayed at POP and stood at the "bus corral" in the heat and had 3 busses load before we got on. The beds, again at POP, those are the smallest beds ever, DH and I couldnt even sleep together in the same bed it was so small (or my butt is really big, well it is, but thats not the point ) but now worried about the comfort of the sleeper in their 1 Bedroom, and last but not least the best sections to stay in. Many of whom were refunded for their Value preferred upgrade, but now expect the choice locations at SSR.

As someone who will be spending almost 400 points and $400 dollars (1 weekend cash night) on our 1bedroom in a few days, and we wil probably end up in the Carousel, I'd rather not think of it.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, and If I had a trip to SSR during this time, I would want to be completely ignorant of all of this, because as a member that may have several inconvenient consequences during this time, I may not be very rational or fair in my distribution of blame.

I am happy for those that were upgraded and I truly wish them all magical vacations, but as a member, I understand the feelings of being snubbed even if that is not the case or intention.

MEMBERSHIP IS MAGICAL

 

[MsAmerica]

No you are not the only one annoyed with the DVC upgrades out there, especially after I went to the resorts board and heard how excited the non members are about getting coffee, laundry detergent and as many towels as they want replenished each day with their daily housekeeping. Oh and don't forget they are paying barely anything a night AND getting free dining.

Sorry, I don't believe most people appreciate the value in what they are getting as I have seen free dining in action the past two Augusts and see the value people put on "nothing".

People, because of human nature, rarely value free.


JMO

MsA

 

[MinnieGirl33]

The beds, again at POP, those are the smallest beds ever, DH and I couldnt even sleep together in the same bed it was so small (or my butt is really big, well it is, but thats not the point )

Thanks liferbabe! I needed that!

Many of whom were refunded for their Value preferred upgrade,

I know! Talk about adding insult to injury!

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, and If I had a trip to SSR during this time, I would want to be completely ignorant of all of this, because as a member that may have several inconvenient consequences during this time, I may not be very rational or fair in my distribution of blame.

 

[Sammie]

As usual LIFERBABE summed it up well, while I might not have. I guess its the ignorance is bliss thing with me and I try to stay away from the comments that rub me the wrong way.

Just don't read the reviews when these guests get back and are upset they did not get the room they wanted.

I was not aware at the beginning of your comments you were going at the same time. Can't say I would want to be there then either.

 

[Deb & Bill]

There is competition for the pool chairs all the time. And those are mostly members and renters you are competing with. You should have seen all the eagle eyes at Typhoon Lagoon last week. As soon as you started gathering your stuff together to leave, someone was already swooping down to claim your space as theirs. So don't get your panties all in a twist. Relax, you're going back again next year. These poor people will have to go back to the Values.

These upgrades are only for about a two week period. I'm glad that they are getting money for SSR and OKW. Something is better than nothing. I just want these upgraded people to take care of my home. I'm sure they will.

I got GF a few years ago - seven nights for the price of four and it included the tickets. So we paid about what we would have paid at a moderate, but got the GF Sugarloaf Concierge. What a deal.

What is really funny is all the people with reservations at the values who aren't getting an upgrade. Now those are some really angry people.

 

[Caskbill]

So much for the "Membership is Special" spews that the sales people made when we first purchased.....

 

[Sammie]

So much for the "Membership is Special" spews that the sales people made when we first purchased.....

I am afraid with the current leadership that feeling is fast fleeting in place of " lets build more, sell more and the heck with the current members."

For the first time ever, we are considering getting rid of some of our points.

 

[LIFERBABE]

As usual LIFERBABE summed it up well, while I might not have. I guess its the ignorance is bliss thing with me and I try to stay away from the comments that rub me the wrong way.

Just don't read the reviews when these guests get back and are upset they did not get the room they wanted.

I was not aware at the beginning of your comments you were going at the same time. Can't say I would want to be there then either.

Sammie that is going to be a very trying time
If you are the least bit sensitive about your home, start thickening up the skin Wait till someone who was upgraded comes here and complains and compares your home to a Value (and will most likely prefer the Value! LOL!!) We are gonna have to shake that one off.
I think the best thing about SSR and OKW are they are dedicated DVC's and the majority of the people there "get it"

Oh and the comments about SSR being soooo spread out and they were upgraded from a resort with over 3K rooms!!: SSR is Big for a DVC resort but is dainty compared to the values.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I tell my kids all the time that they need to pay more attention to what they are doing & less attention to what everybody else is doing.

I know I need to take my own advise.

This is our first Aug. as kids are getting older & with a visit to the world every 3-4 months we need to minimize the time out of school as much as possible.

I was fine dealing with the difference in park crowd level, after all, we don't spend but a few hours a day at the parks anymore anyway. Aug is not a typically busy time for DVCers so I thought, "Ahhh, at least the resort will be quiet (relatively speaking) & we can lounge the days away at the OKW pool. All I wanted was a nice relaxing trip.

Then they announced free ddp again. OK, knew it was coming, but lived in the land of denial.

Now, this??? I feel like my DS13... "(tsk) Ugh! Ya' know...that is so not fair" (in my best teenager-y whiny voice). Or, "TISNF" for those who appreciate the text message commercial!

My intent for this thread is to discuss the member benefits or lack thereof. Thanks to all for engaging in an adult conversation & not turning this into a debate about socio-economic status.

 

[CapeCodFam]

Hope this helps: Remember that feeling when you bought a piece of your favorite vacation spot and reveled in knowing you were going to save up to 70%?

That's still true.

I wouldn't worry about other people. Jealousy will give you an ulcer.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

So much for the "Membership is Special" spews that the sales people made when we first purchased.....

You know what? That sums it up pretty well.

Not feeling very special right now.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

It is hard hearing about upgrades since I haven't ever been upgraded from a studio to a one-bedroom etc but.....

Some of these guests may be enjoying their 'once in lifetime' stay in a DVC unit....I know that we enjoy our stay two to three times a year...until 2048, hopefully.

I know, I will try not to let it ruin our enjoyment of vacations we still put hard earned cash into... I will try to happy for their good fortune....

 

[castleri]

I wonder why they upgrade the value reservations to SSR and OKW and not the moderates. If they hope to sell based on these upgrades it seems that they might consider aiming for the group who is willing to spend more to begin with. Of course maybe during free dining the key is to stay at the values for the biggest bang for the buck so that doesn't come into play. I also think that upgrading some of the "points reservations" from studio to 1 BR and then using the studios for the value to DVC upgrades might be another option. The upgrades to 1 BR could be done as room ready at check in for those staying in a studio. It would take some of the sting out for the DVC members - maybe----but then those that didn't get that upgrade would be unhappy. Guess there is no easy answer until they figure out how not to overbook the value resorts to begin with. I had originally thought to book a value resort for our trip in Sept and then just couldn't do it after walking around one of them while there in December so we are at SSR (studio)and OKW(2 BR) and will be paying for the dining plan. I certainly would appreciate an upgrade from studio to 1 BR for the SSR part but will be happy to be at WDW and even more so to know that I will be at a DVC resort every time I go there for the rest of my life.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Well, I try to remember this although it's hard when there is good fortune...very easy when there isn't. If you switch with the winner of the upgrade, then you have to switch everything with them As Goofy said...it may be a once in a lifetime trip.

I posted somewhere else that we were upgraded to AKL when POFQ closed. It was awesome and for Disney they made cash off me...however, that was the last trip my step mom will ever be able to take with us ever due to health issues. I'd pay rack rates plus some if she could go with our family again.

 

[gkrykewy]

Is this just an SSR thing, or are people being sprinkled throughout the DVC resorts?

 

[bfila]

I just posted a related message over on the Planning board. I'm trying to not be unhappy about the free upgrades.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19168024&postcount=61

Bonnie

 

[mwehttam]

I wouldn't worry about other people. Jealousy will give you an ulcer.

I don't think jealousy is playing a part in most members disappointment in these upgrades. I know a few joked about it but that's what I think they were, jokes.

What is boils down to is that we members have spent tens of thousands of dollars to be part of something we all love for the next 40+years. We all feel very protective of our investment.

As for the rooms, I say send all these upgrades to the Carousal section, the least desired section of SSR away from everything. Leave me and the other Members the room requests that we want, deserve and have payed for.

-Matt

 

[DVCPAT]

Is this just an SSR thing, or are people being sprinkled throughout the DVC resorts?

It’s OKW and SSR…. annual pass discounts were also offered. You can’t blame Disney for wanting to fill empty rooms. It also opens up room inventory at the moderates.

 

[lisaviolet]

No, I'm not upset in the least because it's CRO inventory. In fact, I'm happy for their good fortune. They must be thrilled. I can only imagine how exciting that must be.

As far as overcrowding and room requests. Are people upset because they chose SSR at that exact time of the year to use their points because you thought the resort would be low occupancy? Therefore better chance of getting room requests and pool chairs. I'm trying to understand. Ie. if Disney did sell out of their own inventory in other ways (AP discounts, reg. cash rates) and it was crowded would you feel the same way? No sarcasm. Just curious.