An end to DVC perks?

[disneynutz]

Disney Theme Park Profit Up Again!
Higher operating income at our domestic operations was due to increases in guest spending and volumes, partially offset by higher costs. Guest spending growth was primarily due to increases in average ticket prices at our theme parks and cruise line, increased food, beverage and merchandise spending and higher average hotel room rates. The increase in volumes was primarily due to attendance growth at Walt Disney World Resort and sales of vacation club units at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, partially offset by lower attendance at Disneyland Resort. Profit at the division expanded to $566 million, on a 13 percent rise in sales.

Why offer discounts and perks when DVC sales are making Disney so much money?

Your thoughts?

Bill

 

[hakepb]

Consumers love paying more if there are perceived discounts.

Look at JCPenny. They almost went under when they took away discounts and went to an actual lower price model. Consumers are weird, they would prefer seeing higher prices with occasional "discounts"

I think Disney will continue to raise prices and continue to offer DVC (and other) "discounts"

 

[DenLo]

The current perks helped Disney theme parks have record profits.

 

[disneynutz]

The current perks helped Disney theme parks have record profits.

In the case of DVC, does a perk that costs Disney really increase profit? DVC owners will vacation perks or not.

The membership magic program and member cruises gives members perceived perks while having them pay for the activity.

I keep thinking about the DVC insider who reported that the DVC referral program was discontinued and the comment made in the meeting was that "DVC owners will still refer new buyers so why are me paying them?"

Bill

 

[DISNEYSC]

I'm a new DVC member so I really don't know this- but what perks do they offer that costs them money? Discounted Annual Passes and the Holiday Mixer I know but the other ones I can think of are mostly "free" to them like advanced bookings to races. Would love to learn more.

 

[DisneyDiva2006]

I'm a new DVC member so I really don't know this- but what perks do they offer that costs them money? Discounted Annual Passes and the Holiday Mixer I know but the other ones I can think of are mostly "free" to them like advanced bookings to races. Would love to learn more.

What is the Holiday Mixer and what does it cost?

 

[disneynutz]

I'm a new DVC member so I really don't know this- but what perks do they offer that costs them money? Discounted Annual Passes and the Holiday Mixer I know but the other ones I can think of are mostly "free" to them like advanced bookings to races. Would love to learn more.

Discounted AP's doesn't really cost them, they still make some money, just not full price.

The mixers are paid for with our dues and my guess is that DVC is paid to cover all costs, Disney pays nothing out of pocket.

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

What is the Holiday Mixer and what does it cost?

Info and dates are on the member website. It is held inside Epcot on certain dates during the Christmas season.

Bill

 

[joannjoe]

Discounted AP's doesn't really cost them, they still make some money, just not full price.

The mixers are paid for with our dues and my guess is that DVC is paid to cover all costs, Disney pays nothing out of pocket.

Bill

I'm all in for a discount on Any day ticket prices

 

[kid-at-heart]

We have been members for many a year and due the the price increase in tickets, food, entertainment, etc. we have changed the way we vacation at Disney. We used to visit the parks every day and eat out twice a day. Now we spend most of our time tooling around the resort and enjoying "off-campus" activities, we now cook most of our meals in our villa, we spend our days walking along the trails and visiting with friends. "Now" we tend to spend only a day or two in the parks and eat out only a couple of times per trip (a 7-10 day trip) because it is no longer cost effective for us. The parks are fun but we can have more fun visiting Yellowstone, or Hollywood, or Mexico, or.... and when we visit these other places, we end up paying about the same for our "other place" vacation as we do for our Disney vacation.

 

[Anal Annie]

If they do away with all the perks like discounted AP's then trading out to RCI would be a more attractive option for some of us. We could just stop going to WDW so often and choose to spend our dollars somewhere else. If we didn't get a deal on the AP's or some sort of merchandise / meal discounts I am sure we would choose to vacation elsewhere more often. There is nothing to keep us at Disney...

 

[disneynutz]

If they do away with all the perks like discounted AP's then trading out to RCI would be a more attractive option for some of us. We could just stop going to WDW so often and choose to spend our dollars somewhere else. If we didn't get a deal on the AP's or some sort of merchandise / meal discounts I am sure we would choose to vacation elsewhere more often. There is nothing to keep us at Disney...

DVC controls our RCI access. I am sure that if trades increased, they would put a stop to it.

Bill

 

[Anal Annie]

DVC controls our RCI access. I am sure that if trades increased, they would put a stop to it.

Bill

Don't you think the opportunity or ability to trade out is a selling point for some buyers? If they eliminated that then they would lose the whole timeshare appeal.

 

[bababear_50]

Info and dates are on the member website. It is held inside Epcot on certain dates during the Christmas season.

Bill

And I for one do not see this as a "Perk" when you have to pay the cost of a Park visit ($103.31) to attend a "Member Merry Mixer".

 

[gdrj]

And I for one do not see this as a "Perk" when you have to pay the cost of a Park visit ($103.31) to attend a "Member Merry Mixer".

$103 is a Red Herring. I don't think Most if any pay $103 to attend the Merry Mixer. I do think that many attend that are either on vacation and have park passes or have AP's.

 

[bababear_50]

IMHO
The Christmas Member Merry Mixer should go back to being held outside of the Parks,
Boardwalk Atlantic Dance Hall.
It should be open (Free) to all DVC members regardless if they have a Park Pass, AP (both of which they paid for) or not.
Edited to add
: it is no longer LISTED as a Perk on the DVC site
it is now listed as a "Member Experience".
Hugs Mel

 

[disneynutz]

Don't you think the opportunity or ability to trade out is a selling point for some buyers? If they eliminated that then they would lose the whole timeshare appeal.

IMO Disney uses trades as an added benefit that is smoke and mirrors for their sales team. They will pick the trading company that makes Disney the most money, it was II, then a restricted RCI and now a less but still restricted RCI. Most buyers just hear that you can use your points all over the world for wonderful vacations without knowing any details.

They don't have to eliminate it, just place additional restrictions, they already started charging a $95 fee for use to use this perk.

Bill

 

[wdrl]

DVC controls our RCI access. I am sure that if trades increased, they would put a stop to it.

Bill

Not necessarily. I don't understand the economics of timeshare system exchanges, but here is what I assume: For every DVC family that trades out of DVC (and doesn't go to Disney), there is another family that is trading into DVC (and going to Disney). And its possible that these non-DVC families trading into DVC are making an infrequent visit to Disney, which might mean they will spend more on souvenirs, meals, and other things than the average DVC family that is trading out. If my assumptions are correct, then Disney may be quite willing to see more RCI exchanges.

 

[disneynutz]

Only Disney knows the numbers and today more than ever everything is numbers and profit driven. Disney has teams of people who spend all day, everyday looking for ways to increase the bottom line by modifying programs, perks, and prices.

Bill

 

[going/again]

Is the merry mixer not held just outside international gateway, so a ticket is not needed?