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

[Tinkaroo]

For me, this is about our membership as a whole. What types of improvements are we really looking for? How does my feeling about my membership affect my add-on plans?

Should rooms be assigned based on when they are booked? Should home resort priority mean anything at the 7 month window? Should all members get priority over non members?

Should the free ddp be extended to DVCers (when offered) provided we buy park tix? (Mind you, we use DDE not DDP so this really has no effect on us but I think the point is, should it be an option)

Should there be a best rate policy in effect for members (even if it means the inability to link ressies)?

Is increased membership really in our best interest right now? While increased membership means new resorts it also means more competition for that space & less quality control (imo). Should the focus be on the making the existing product as fabulous as it can be & striving for a 100% guest satisfaction rate? Wouldn't that increase the value as much as additional locations would?

What do you think? (Have I strayed too far? It's all related in my mind but..)

My "Membership" is not feeling very "Magical" right about now but I am glad to have this forum to freely express that.

First of all, I want to extend congratulations to those that received the upgrade that have posted on this thread - I don't think the intent of this thread was to gripe about you personally, nor to draw any broad generalizations about Disney guests, based upon the resort they booked. You received a wonderful opportunity, and I hope you enjoy and respect SSR (or OKW) just as much as all of us as owners do.

I do like your comments/observations, MinnieGirl, above, as this situation does have me thinking about the relationship between DVC and WDTC overall. I do agree that we as DVC members should be treated as what we are - owners.

Don't get me wrong - I am very appreciative of the perks I already receive as a DVC member - discount on AP's, dining, services, recreation, etc. However, I do think that DVC could extend us a few more perks in the area we actually all bought into - resort ownership.

I personally think it would be great if rooms are assigned as they're booked, and I do believe DVC members as a whole should receive preferred accomodations at each DVC resort, vs. those Disney guests paying cash. I do think that oh-so-tiny $$$ investment I made entitles me to the better villa than Joe Blow who booked through CRO for a one-time stay. My parents own at a Marriott property in Hawaii, and I know for a fact that the owners get preferred locations throughout that resort, while those few cash reservations get the left-overs. Some might gripe that a guest is a guest is a guest - but I'm a member, and that's a big difference.

I'm also in agreement that I hope DVC doesn't grow, just for growth's sake. I know it's a huge money-maker for Disney, and they like to turn a profit just as much as everyone else. However, I thought long and hard before plunking down my hard-earned cash, and one of the main reasons we bought DVC is because it is Disney - and Disney to me means quality and customer service. If I ever begin to question the quality of my investment, not to mention how I'm being treated as an owner of a "piece of the magic", I would have no qualms selling my points.

Despite what Disney may think, I am not a sure thing.

 

[lisaviolet]

Ok, I hope I am making the right decision to post here. I was one of the lucky ones able to upgrade. I was not part of a group that one family out of 4 or 5 got a pin code. I understand how you feel, I would be upset also. I do feel like some are taking advantage of the situation, I even got an email asking me to say that this family was part of a grand gathering with me, (I didnt do it.)

DH and I had decided to take a week for my birthday and go to Disney. I was excited to be able to spend a week with my husband at Disney, I didnt care about where so we booked ASMo. I had told DH that when we went I wanted to look into DVC, and he agreed to look into it. I feel like that this "magic" that was given to us will actually help me get him to buy. I hope to have a great trip and I hope to be a member when I come back if not then hopefully soon, and this is what I think Disney had in mind

Congratulations. Have a great time. And.... Happy Birthday.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

lisaviolet -- I feel like you and I are stalking each other today!

NikiM20 -- A DVC membership would be an excellent birthday present!

 

[DVC Grammy]

Please don't flame me..................

I wonder how the AKL Concierge "regulars" are reacting to DVCers now being able to stay there? (Will we be considered "DVC Clampetts"? )

Today, when I got our Concierge reservation I was as thrilled as I imagine the "upgradees" were!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Please don't flame me..................

I wonder how the AKL Concierge "regulars" are reacting to DVCers now being able to stay there? (Will we be considered "DVC Clampetts"? )

Today, when I got our Concierge reservation I was as thrilled as I imagine the "upgradees" were!

There has already been a regular here a couple months back, and it wasn't pretty.
She thought we were taking over her resort, concierge or otherwise. It seemed to me she thought we DVCers were sort of Disney newbies, or at least newbies to AKL.

MG

 

[nbodyhome]

But they are advertising hard and it is only the beginning of summer. They are counting on a lot of last-minute bookings from folks wanting to take advantage of free dining...and they know that the last 2 weeks of August will be more popular than Sept. as much of the country does not go back until after Labor Day.

So, they just want to make sure they can accommodate these late-planning folks.

The free dining promotion was popular for a few days - but not after that. Everyone who was waiting for it called on the first few days, though of course some booked after that.

There are only 10 more days to book the free dining package - and quite frankly, there isn't much left for late August. There are FULL priced rooms left, but Disney hasn't released more value resort rooms for the promotion that I've seen. There aren't going to be last-minute free dining calls, the last day for booking it is June 24th.

 

[Sammie]

Please don't flame me..................

I wonder how the AKL Concierge "regulars" are reacting to DVCers now being able to stay there? (Will we be considered "DVC Clampetts"? )

Today, when I got our Concierge reservation I was as thrilled as I imagine the "upgradees" were!

Actually yes there was that discussion and I understand the concerns.

But then I also think the the BCV and VWL had some negative impact on those resorts and I love my DVC membership. I just hope DVC learned from past mistakes.

 

[CapeCodFam]

Wow. This thread grew fast. I actually read every post.

My conclusions are:

Chuck S is quite possibly the most educated DVCer. I am constantly in awe regarding his knowledge and level-headed responses. ..Something to strive for..

DVC told me what I'd be getting for my investment and it's still true.

I'm addicted to WDW, DVC, and the Dis.

Unfortunately, in the years I've been on the Dis, there is always backlash how some promotion/perk/etc. irks members who can't make use of it. While some arguments are quite eloquent, I feel it's still "No good deed goes unpunished". I might be in the minority on this one. But, I just wish everyone could be happy when Disney sprinkles some magic on someone else even when there is nothing in it for yourself.
Flame away.

 

[cobbler]

I am only through page 2 but here goes.

If I didn't read the boards, I would have no idea this was going on so I try to remember that

While yes it does irk me a bit (unless all those upgraded are put in the Carosel section ) I try to remember that I will be back to those wonderful accomodations. And many of those upgraded will not be because either they don't travel to Disney as much, or they just don't have the means to stay and afford membership.

We all know how hard it is to go from a one bedroom to a studio, just think how hard it will be for people to go from a one bedroom back to a value!!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I am not a Clampett.

I don't know why that struck me as being so funny but it did!

Once again, my issue is with the WDW/DVC relationship & the DVC/membership relationship not the folks getting the upgrade.

Have a good time.

 

[beacher]

What I am annoyed at is Disney's apparent greed. To a small degree for the marketing reasons behind the upgrade, but mostly because they're opening up more inventory to sell value rooms during the free dining dates. From the restaurant boards, it seems there is no restaurant availability anytime during free dining - yet I see new promotions every few days (Travelocity e-mail, JetBlue promotion, I've seen a few new ones). How disappointed those people will be when free dining means "only if you can find it". How disappointed I am in Disney for continuing to use it as a hook.

 

[keys2kingdom]

The one poster who was upgraded to a studio at OKW but wasn't happy with it finally did me in. She called and called and nagged and nagged CRO until she got a 1-bedroom at SSR for her $82. *sigh* Like Sammie, I am done with those threads.

OMG I'm so glad I haven't been reading any of those threads, that would have sent me over the edge for sure. Why must people always want more, more, more......

I'm beginning to think that reading the DIS is negatively affecting my outlook, perhaps I should just drop off of here and enjoy my membership in ignorant bliss.....

 

[fishermouse]

I am only through page 2 but here goes.

We all know how hard it is to go from a one bedroom to a studio, just think how hard it will be for people to go from a one bedroom back to a value!!

Think this sums it up pretty good it's simply a marketing tool to sell DVC. Don't know why that bothers so many. These are rooms that would be rented out anyway. They are not taking rooms that could otherwise go to members, they're not allowed to. They could easily fix the overbooking of resturants by not accepting reservations more than 1 week out.

 

[cdotla]

As someone who has had the thought of joining DVC in the back of my mind for future, let me say that I feel your pain on this one.

Over on the Dis Resort thread I discovered people in Value Resorts staying the same time as me in a Moderate were getting free upgrades but no one from the Moderates were getting upgraded.

Even though I knew this had to be because the Values had obviously sold out whereas the Moderates hadn't, I still was bummed that people who were paying less than me were getting the upgrade. My thought was, why can't they be bumped to moderate until it sells out and then bump moderates to OKW? Then everybody gets an upgrade and is happy.

Now that I know the story from the DVC member perspective, Wow! I really have nothing to complain about!

 

[3DisneyKids]

I don't know why that struck me as being so funny but it did!

Once again, my issue is with the WDW/DVC relationship & the DVC/membership relationship not the folks getting the upgrade.

Have a good time.

I'll second that! I can't imagine anyone being mad at the lucky folks who get the upgrade. Our frustration here lies with being upset with "the system."

If they are going to give away free stuff (and I consider things such as daily Mousekeeping as being given free stuff), then they ought to be giving that free stuff to the folks who actually own the resort.

And while I state that DVCers are likely not angry and the recipients of the upgrades, I wonder if there will be issues because these folks are not aware of DVC policies. DVC is quirky if you have only stayed at regular hotels and resorts and have never stayed at a TimeShare before. I imagine folks will innocently, unknowingly, take towels from the pools, etc. without realizing that it is a hot button issue, etc.

Or even something like pool hopping. Folks may think that since they are staying at a DVC resort that they can then pool hop.

Time will tell, I guess.

I will be there that week, though staying at AKV , but I will be at SSR for a few hours on business. I am going to pay attention to crowding. I have been at SSR when it was at or near capacity and still felt quiet and spacious--would have never known that is was packed! I am hoping it will have the same feel this time as well. I would hate for members who booked many months ago to end up being crowded out their own pools, etc.

 

[mello]

I would imagine the people most "frosted" over the upgrades are those who didn't get them and are still staying at the values during that same time.

Here's a possible "silver lining"...............say a bunch of these upgraded folks decide to buy into DVC (which is probably the hoped-for outcome of Disney's "largesse"), a large surge of buyers could hasten the need for the next DVC!

CRV, DLV, anyone........................?

 

[mello]

It's not the discounts or the upgrades that are bugging me. I think my annoyance with the upgrades stems before they started. My issue comes from the way DVC does the room booking. I am not a supported or Room Ready. To make the 11 month booking window more beneficial they need to block the room off when you book. This will give Members a leg up at their home resort. After the 7mo window, every Member for themselves. After that, give CRO and upgrades what is left.

Instead with the Room Ready policy, there is a good chance these upgrades will get a Members request and that Member will be placed somewhere else. Yes it will be still be at the Resort, etc. But Members should have some type or privilege at their Home Resort.

Besides the the room issue, I have zero issue with the whole upgrade program.

-Matt

I don't have any problem with the upgrades either. I've had a good time sharing in their excitement. But I am totally on board with the idea of members getting priority for room requests at their own resort, or at least a system where the earlier requesets get priority over later requests.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Okay, I finally read the whole thread (whew!). I have a comment. Perhaps part of the Disney logic on this is that, if they're finishing POP soon (or at least announcing it), maybe they hope to put suites in there, like they did with one of the AS (forgive me, it's early, don't remember which one...). If they did put in suites, this is a great way to get POP fans addicted to suites! It sure would be tough going back to a standard room--some might buy DVC, sure. Either way it helps Disney's bottom line in the long run. And we all know, Disney is a company that's designed to wring the last dollar out of everyone they can. And they're really, really good at it!

 

[southgal]

We have "frozen" points from when we had to cancel due to all the smoke last month (med reasons) - y'know, points that have to be used by end of sept (UY Oct) and can only book 60 days out kind. We have vacation time 2 weeks in sept, starting on the 9th. That is our only chance to use them. Will we now not be able to get SSR or OKW for a few days then?! Aargh!!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I believe its 8/26 - 9/1 or thereabouts.

We will be in OKW 8/24 - 8/31.