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

[byoung]

Doesn't bother me. Those are not rooms that were taken away from members. Those are Disney rooms or unsold inventory. I'm sure DVC will pick-up additional members cause of this special promotion.

I agree here.

 

[2 princes 1 princess]

The logical side of my brain is in total agreement with all the "doesn't bother me bit" folks.

The other side feels that's fine for rack or AP rates but $85 for a $370 (rack) PLUS daily mousekeeping PLUS free ddp???

I guess I just feel insulted.

I agree. My head says it doesn't upset me, but my heart says "I'M ticked!"

I want to not be bugged by it because it sounds logical but We paid a lot to be members. The value people are not. I know I know they're not taking our rooms, it still gets to me.

 

[TDC Nala]

Doesn't bother me at all.

If the values are overbooked they have to put people where the space is - and it looks like that is SSR and OKW.

And I bet Disney is looking to perhaps get some new DVC members out of it.

I'm at Pop over Labor Day and didn't get offered the upgrade - wonder if that's because I'm already a member.

 

[castleri]

Originally Posted by MinnieGirl33
The logical side of my brain is in total agreement with all the "doesn't bother me bit" folks.

The other side feels that's fine for rack or AP rates but $85 for a $370 (rack) PLUS daily mousekeeping PLUS free ddp???

I guess I just feel insulted.

I agree with that ----

Doesn't bother me at all.




If the values are overbooked they have to put people where the space is - and it looks like that is SSR and OKW.

And I bet Disney is looking to perhaps get some new DVC members out of it.

I'm at Pop over Labor Day and didn't get offered the upgrade - wonder if that's because I'm already a member.

The big IF is whether they are actually overbooked or if they are freeing up rooms so they can be booked again. I would rather they had put some pricing out there in line with the moderates or deluxes with the free dining if they wanted to fill the SSR and OKW CRO rooms and leave the vaule reservations as they are. All in all as long as it doesn't have a negative impact on members who booked at 11 months getting their requests or negatively impact MFs I guess we should just be happy for those who got the upgrade and hope it affects only the DVD/CRO bottom line and not the DVC one.

I was wondering the same thing about DVC members who might be booked at POP during the time that these upgrades have been offered. I don't know if that info is available to the CRO reservation system.

 

[TDC Nala]

Oh well, I'm with whoever said that people have many unreasonable expectations regarding room requests. I have gotten so I don't care where my room is as long as I get a room. But I do have a friend who wants to stay in a certain section (this is at POP) and she'll wait or do whatever's necessary to get that section.

At any rate they apparently wanted to open up availability at the values, not the HAFH resorts...I guess they have had a lot of people wanting to book at the values, and for whatever reason didn't think they'd fill up OKW and SSR at their regular prices.

 

[AnnaS]

Doesn't bother me. Those are not rooms that were taken away from members. Those are Disney rooms or unsold inventory. I'm sure DVC will pick-up additional members cause of this special promotion.

Without getting off topic - this statement brought back a question I have always wondered - who keeps track of the number of rooms that are actually rented by members and allowed by CRO? (Auditors? - but how do we know? Annual reports?) Just an innocent ?

 

[Aisling]

Nevermind.

 

[Lady V]

ok-I have been thinking about this and I am sorry if I came across rude to anyone who recieved the upgrade. I am truely happy for you and hope you all have a wonderful time. I know when I was a little kid we couldn't even afford to stay on property and if my parents had been offered this chance they would have been so excited. I can imagine how thrilled my mom would have been to see me in the nice pools and all.I hate to think of ruining anyones excitment. the fact is this: I am blessed to be able to go so often and I am also very happy for everyone who is getting to go whether on points or with this amazing upgrade. Hopefully I can say a hearty "WELCOME HOME" to some new owners after this!!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

One question?

If you and yours booked a studio and was upgraded to a GV free of charge, would that be annoying?

I really don't think sarcasm is necessary.

As I have stated repeatedly, this has nothing to do with the people who received the upgrades but the fact that I feel taken for granted by DVC & WDCo.

If it were offered to me I'd "grab & go", as it were.

My questions are:
1). Should this be happening?
2). If yes, then should it be happening the way it is?
3). How is this affecting overall member morale?

There was a time when DVC was not entitled to purchase DDP. Thanks to members voicing their opinions we now all have that option.

If this is becoming the norm (2nd year this has happened) then I'd like to see a DVC discount on DDP during free dining periods, a "best rate" policy for members paying cash & member priority for room assignments. JM2c.

 

[mousiemom]

Thank you!! I am one of the fortunate ones who received the free upgrade and I am so thankful for that. I have probably spent $16,000 in Disney over the years my family and I have been going. We are annual pass holders this year so we are lucky enough to go 6 times. Gosh, that means we only had to pay for a 1 day base ticket and the price for a value resort so we really are getting a deal w/the free dining too. Just being on the disboard, I have picked up on so many good deals this year. I feel very fortunate. But everyone is saying it couldn't had happen to a better person that loves disney so much. My family and I are looking forward to our stay @ SSR. We will take good care of your home and we cannot wait to get back to POP! We are a family that has so much fun together and especially, when we are in disney world we have fun no matter where we stay! We are going to have a magical time each and every trip we go on! But the other 3 trips this year we have ressies @ POP!
Mousiemom

 

[mousiemom]

Thanks Sammie!!! I'm just thankful to stay @ SSR and I don't care which bldg., etc. No, I will not be saying free upgrade too loud while I'm there cause there are a lot of upset folks at this DVC resort! We're going to enjoy every moment of our vacation and get back to POP at the end of Sept.
Mousiemom

 

[Sammie]

I really don't think sarcasm is necessary.

As I have stated repeatedly, this has nothing to do with the people who received the upgrades but the fact that I feel taken for granted by DVC & WDCo.

If it were offered to me I'd "grab & go", as it were.

My questions are:
1). Should this be happening?
2). If yes, then should it be happening the way it is?
3). How is this affecting overall member morale?

There was a time when DVC was not entitled to purchase DDP. Thanks to members voicing their opinions we now all have that option.

If this is becoming the norm (2nd year this has happened) then I'd like to see a DVC discount on DDP during free dining periods, a "best rate" policy for members paying cash & member priority for room assignments. JM2c.

I don't think Drake was being sarcastic, he made a legitimate point. That at times people get upgrades and others don't. And none of us would turn it down because others were left out.

As to your questions:
1. I just do not see any problem with it. It is not DVC inventory so as a member it does not affect me.
2. Not sure what way you are referring to.
3. My morale is great, I am fine with others getting a little pixie dust. Usually when I am happy for others, something good happens for me.

But I think a point many are missing is that for some reason they don't think that due to the cost of the room that these guests bought from Disney they are entitled to the accommidations at DVC.

I find it no different from someone having a 50 point membership and having access to every perk that DVC offers and someone that has a 1000 point membership.

 

[Chuck S]

I really don't think sarcasm is necessary.



My questions are:
1). Should this be happening?
2). If yes, then should it be happening the way it is?
3). How is this affecting overall member morale?

1. Why not, they aren't DVC rooms they are using, they are Disney/CRO/Developer room to do with as they please.

2. Again, they are Disney rooms, not DVC rooms...so what difference does it make to YOU how they choose to use them?

3. Potential members should have read the documents prior to their purchase. These are not DVC rooms, so therefor should have no effect whatsoever on "morale." This is a one time uprade for most of these people, we get the benefits of using DVC anytime we wish, as long as there is availability. Those upgrade rooms would not have been available to DVC members, whether they were "upgrades" or not. A better question would be why does what Disney chooses to charge for one of THEIR rooms seem to make a personal difference to you?

Surely Disney would rather fill all the rooms, even with upgrades, rather than having their rooms sitting empty.

 

[Granny]

I've refrained fromt this thread for about as long as I could, but thought I'd jump in since it doesn't appear to want to go away.

I purchased DVC and have some pretty straightforward expectations:

- I expect the villas to be clean and in good condition when I arrive
- I expect good, professional experiences with MS when calling for reservations, transactions or asking questions
- I expect the amenities at the DVC resorts and attached regular resorts to be kept in first class condition (pools, restaurants, gyms, etc).
- I expect Disney to continue to properly maintain the parks and upgrade the attractions from time to time. Not part of my DVC contract but an expectation I have.

Beyond those items, I have no demands of Disney. They want to give away DVC resort rooms, or even DVC memberships (yes, they're doing that too!!) then why on earth would I care?

If Disney meets my expectations listed above, my morale is good. If they want to give us AP discounts, access to DDP, ME and other perks that's great too.

Many people belong to other timeshares. Do they get upset when those timeshares offer free accommodations to prospective purchasers? I don't know, but my guess is that those members accept it as no big deal.

My opinion only...YMMV.

 

[MEM]

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.

I own at 3 DVC resorts and we booked Pop for two weekend nights to save points before 9 days at VWL. I don't understand how I was even able to book Pop (just a week ago, for August) if Pop is over-booked and they have to offer free upgrades to SSR and OKW?

And yes, count me among those who are annoyed by the free upgrade, free dining, free daily mousekeeping deal...

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I believe the upgrades were offered just so they would have more rooms available to book for fairly last minute reservations such as yours, MEM. I feel certain any rooms freed up from the upgrades went back into the inventory as non-discounted and were not available a second time for anyone booking free DDP. It appears they just wanted more value rooms available for people that are still trying to book summer travel.

 

[Chuck S]

I believe the upgrades were offered just so they would have more rooms available to book for fairly last minute reservations such as yours, MEM. I feel certain any rooms freed up from the upgrades went back into the inventory as non-discounted and were not available a second time for anyone booking free DDP. It appears they just wanted more value rooms available for people that are still trying to book summer travel.

Exactly...people were apparently wanting to book the value resorts. By shifting some existing reservations into SSR and OKW, they free up those value rooms to be booked again.

Otherwise, the folks looking for value class rooms may stay offsite, and the SSR OKW rooms would remain unused, remember this is still "off-season" for Disney World. Either way, it has no direct impact on DVC members...they were not DVC rooms in the first place. I don't understand the resentment.

 

[BroganMc]

I just have a few points/questions:

1) Why are those getting free upgrades suddenly worried they'll be mistreated? This is a members-only thread in an anonymous members-only discussion forum debating the feelings of members toward decisions made by their program managers. I can't believe anyone will know how you got there or what you're paying.

2) I think people have forgotten that OKW and SSR are large resorts that do not guarantee room locations. That means that on check-in day everyone from advance booking owner to last minute cash guest gets to evenly compete for rooms. The early birds tend to get the best choices.

3) Owners do not get upgrades in room types, nor do they get daily maid service. The member-discount on rooms is also 2-3 times as much as a room at the value resorts and does not include daily maid service.

4) Other timeshare promos do exist but at a higher daily rate and an obligation to attend a sales promo. No such thing is apparently happening with the upgrades.

5) SSR has unsold property, in the newer sections of the resort (Grandstand and Carousel). So if those are the only rooms being used as overflow then members wishing to stay in Congress Park, Springs and Paddocks shouldn't be fretting over anything.

Ultimately, I'm just thinking it's a sweet deal for the value guests, better than anything I've been offered as a member. But with daily maid service and free food, I highly doubt it will give those guests an accurate picture of what membership offers. And lastly, I think this all just highlights the problems posed by the non-guarantee of room locations at these resorts.

It's a great deal for CRO guests, but it's also a program that seems to devalue membership. Or to use an old addage my mom had, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" In this instance, the milk offered up to non-members comes warmed with a big plate of freshly baked cookies. Meanwhile owners have to go out and milk the cow, but at least they get a starter pack of cookie dough every 4 days.

 

[BroganMc]

I don't understand the resentment.

Room location preference. Fix that and the resentment goes away with the competition.

At Marriott, as an owner I can call ahead and pick my exact unit. At Disney I can't even talk to the folks blocking out my HA room to be certain I have what I need.

 

[Anthony1971]

The flip side to all of this is if a lot of the people upgraded buy in DVC builds more resorts giving us more options and further guarantees Disney will not drop its ROFR policy keeping the price high and giving us the option to sell and recover most to more of what we paid in the event we had to sell.