Anyone backing out?

[djohn06]

OP here. After sleeping on it, we've decided to go through with our purchase. I was just really upset that we were told one thing and it changed over night. Oh well. I'm one of those people that don't mind staying at a value resort but given the current prices and the fact that they are sure to rise at an alarming rate, DVC just makes since for us. Even if this change causes current resale prices to decrease, were comfortable with what we're paying and don't plan on selling. It is what it is.

Great choice. Remember how much you are saving too by going resale. If the perks mean a lot to you, you can always do a small add on for 25 points and get your perks.

 

[djohn06]

I do not live close , but I or my family go just about anytime we want. The magic band knows everything about you while there, so I see no problem In the future it being connected to DVC memberships . Today's technology is amazing.

Except you don't need park admission to enjoy the perks there. Many perks are in DTD or at the resorts.

Maybe something electronic would be great but definitely not a MB. They still are having problems if you have multiple tickets. They have double counted me in the past on two sets of tickets for the same day.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

If the perks mean a lot to those that want resale but also want these, then after the resale is purchased, an add-on directly through DVC can be done. I would add on 25 points - that would get all the benefits with little cost compared to having to buy 160 points direct from DVC.

 

[southerngirl528]

There is certainly an expense to perform this and manage on an ongoing basis. Do youthink they want to make this any more expensive than what it really needs to be? Experience with Disney has shown there are very unlikely to do this. This is why is so much easier to grandfather and capture a point in time (i.e. Date).

Disney has already solved this issue by issuing cards to those pre 4/4.

Also, if you decide to code, how do you ID those with DVC discounts pre 4/4? It's not mandatory to stay on site to use your discount, so it will not be integrated with your magic band.

The problem is a simple one..... No coding required. Just ship cards. No ongoing maintanence. Easy Peezy.

The other way DVC is dealing with this to make the separation of who gets what is that members that joined DVC by resale on 4/01/16 or afterward will have a digital download proof of membership that looks NOTHING like a regular member card. You can tell at a glance that this is a member that bought 4/4/16 or after. Member cards are supposed to be shown for discounts and perks. When a member cannot produce a member card but only an information digital download with their member#, they will not receive certain discounts, etc. BUT that same digital proof of membership WILL prove membership to get them in TOWL (IF they are staying on property) and for pool hopping where allowed.

 

[boxer11]

I think a lot of current members aren't saying it isn't a big deal or we wouldn't be disappointed if the benefits were removed for us all tomorrow. What (I think) at least most of us are saying is that we bought because the terms of the actual contract made sense to us financially. We did not rely on any promise of additional benefits to make our decisions as we knew they could disappear or change at a moments notice. They certainly sweetened the deal but we ran the numbers and made sure the contract (which only stipulates access to a timeshare room) would save us money in the long run before committing. Since they aren't part of the contract we aren't "entitled" to them regardless of where we purchased from. Obviously I hope that Disney continues to offer them to entice new owners but I recognize that they are marketing tools and could disappear in an instant. I truly am sorry for those in the midst of a sale who did not realize those benefits could evaporate overnight. Hopefully this will help those currently looking into purchasing DVC to understand that all any of us truly "own" is access to a room at our home resort. Disney could change anything else.
ETA-everybody was speculating about why DVC sent out new member cards this year with a 5 year expiration date and that it must be to prevent those that sell their DVC contract from continuing to reap DVC discounts-however in light of this recent change it seems like it could be so they can choose who is eligible to receive them again in 5 years.

I understood what I was buying before I made the offer on my resale contract. But to cut out people that are delayed because of their own process (ROFR) is a pretty bad move. The one positive is it takes the pressure off of waiting on ROFR. If I pass great and if not, time to make a new lower resale offer on another contract.

 

[hjvigz72]

NOPE - not backing out.
Saving way more buying resale than we would have ever saved with a 10-15% discount on goods and services. (Many of which we likely wouldn't have used anyway!)
We aren't in it for perks, we're buying it for a great place to stay year over year.

I understand the feeling of being burnt that some people may be having, but there is clear language everywhere that the benefits are not guaranteed and can be rescinded at any time.

 

[Rj122988]

I was lucky because I ended up getting my member number March 29th. I still would have made the decision to buy into DVC because I enjoy spending time with my family at Disney but there is no question that if I just missed the cutoff date after waiting through the process for 2 1/2 monthsof it would have irritated me considerably.

 

[southerngirl528]

NOPE - not backing out.
Saving way more buying resale than we would have ever saved with a 10-15% discount on goods and services. (Many of which we likely wouldn't have used anyway!)
We aren't in it for perks, we're buying it for a great place to stay year over year.

I understand the feeling of being burnt that some people may be having, but there is clear language everywhere that the benefits are not guaranteed and can be rescinded at any time.

Bravo! Not only are you well-informed but realistic and can see the positives as well the shortfalls! Congratulations and Welcome Home!!!

 

[Dean]

NOPE - not backing out.
Saving way more buying resale than we would have ever saved with a 10-15% discount on goods and services. (Many of which we likely wouldn't have used anyway!)
We aren't in it for perks, we're buying it for a great place to stay year over year.

I understand the feeling of being burnt that some people may be having, but there is clear language everywhere that the benefits are not guaranteed and can be rescinded at any time.

And that is the appropriate view. Certainly to lose options is not fun, no different that the valet parking issue. The ultimate decision was the correct and only reasonable one but it was done poorly with some checking in with free valet and departing with charges and no warning.

 

[hbrother]

Oh dear, so sorry you don't have access. If you are using a broker, they should have been sent all the details from Disney and they can share all the details with you. Here is a link to the revised Member Benefits document that is a part of all contracts:

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...formembers/memberbenefitsguide/MEADSFinal.pdf

I saw a document someone had that clearly stated that pool hopping and TOWL would definitely still be included. And I truly do not see them taking stuff like Magical Express away. That is something that is in place for anyone staying anywhere on WDW property.

Thanks for posting this. According to this I agree pool hopping etc. would not go away. The DVC rep I spoke with this morning said the resales would not have access to pool hopping, TOWL, or member lounges. Probably because no member card? He did say that the airport to resort transport would not be affected.

What the truth is, who knows at this point?

 

[Rj122988]

Idk how true this is or not, but according to a blog posted on one of the brokers website people who were in the ROFR process before the 4th will be grandfathered in. Granted there is a disclaimer claiming that they have received conflicting information from Disney.

Here is the quote from the article. I would post the link but the site won't let me.

"According to an email this morning from Membership Administration, if your contract has already been submitted to Disney for Right of First Refusal or has been approved, you will retain the benefits. The email states: “all resale contracts received for review by Disney Vacation Development, Inc. prior to April 4, 2016 will not be impacted by this policy change.”

 

[djohn06]

The other way DVC is dealing with this to make the separation of who gets what is that members that joined DVC by resale on 4/01/16 or afterward will have a digital download proof of membership that looks NOTHING like a regular member card. You can tell at a glance that this is a member that bought 4/4/16 or after. Member cards are supposed to be shown for discounts and perks. When a member cannot produce a member card but only an information digital download with their member#, they will not receive certain discounts, etc. BUT that same digital proof of membership WILL prove membership to get them in TOWL (IF they are staying on property) and for pool hopping where allowed.

Bingo. No need for a magic band.

 

[djohn06]

Thanks for posting this. According to this I agree pool hopping etc. would not go away. The DVC rep I spoke with this morning said the resales would not have access to pool hopping, TOWL, or member lounges. Probably because no member card? He did say that the airport to resort transport would not be affected.

What the truth is, who knows at this point?

So let me understand this. I buy BLT resale after 4/5. I'm paying for TOWL maintenance from my yearly maint fees, and I can't visit it? That will never happen unless Disney agrees to pay for TOWL instead of DVC BLT Owners.

In true DVC fashion, it's another half baked implementation where the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Worldwide customer service? LMAO!!!

 

[southerngirl528]

So let me understand this. I buy BLT resale after 4/5. I'm paying for TOWL maintenance from my yearly maint fees, and I can't visit it? That will never happen unless Disney agrees to pay for TOWL instead of DVC BLT Owners.

Nope. Resale buyers from 4/04/16 and after STILL WILL HAVE ACCESS TO TOWL & pool hopping.

 

[DMD2000]

Today was day 10 after our contract that was signed March 28. It was the last day to opt out and get our deposit back. In light of all the confusion and changes this week. I opted out. We lose nothing by opting out other time. We are in no hurry to buy, so we decided to wait and see how the resale market shakes out the next few months. Very disappointed and frustrated with the lack of communication from Disney and the handling of everything.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Today was day 10 after our contract that was signed March 28. It was the last day to opt out and get our deposit back. In light of all the confusion and changes this week. I opted out. We lose nothing by opting out other time. We are in no hurry to buy, so we decided to wait and see how the resale market shakes out the next few months. Very disappointed and frustrated with the lack of communication from Disney and the handling of everything.

Good move IMO. If anything, you might be able to get back in at a better price.

 

[hbrother]

Today was day 10 after our contract that was signed March 28. It was the last day to opt out and get our deposit back. In light of all the confusion and changes this week. I opted out. We lose nothing by opting out other time. We are in no hurry to buy, so we decided to wait and see how the resale market shakes out the next few months. Very disappointed and frustrated with the lack of communication from Disney and the handling of everything.

I think it is a smart decision. My ROFR was waived today we decided to go ahead. I will definitely lose money if I don't go forward. I may lose money if I do. If I'd had the option to back out unpenalized, I would have. If for no other reason than I like to know the details of this change before committing.

We had already considered a small add on. If that is allowed that might alleviate some of my concerns. If not I'll just convince myself that most of the events and lounges would be too crowded to enjoy anyway. I doubt I'd have used anything but the pass discount. I'm not even sure how likely that would be.

 

[djohn06]

Nope. Resale buyers from 4/04/16 and after STILL WILL HAVE ACCESS TO TOWL & pool hopping.

I was being a little tongue and check with my statement. The reality is we are jumping to conclusions and we don't have all of the information yet to determine if the changes are a big deal or inconsequential to many WDW visiting habits.

 

[DVCMinnie2532]

I just read the membership extras revised document and it says that now to receive any membership extras purchasers must present a valid DVC membership card along with a valid photo id.
https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...formembers/memberbenefitsguide/MEADSFinal.pdf

Where do people have the idea that resale prior to 4/6 is grandfathered in? It does not exactly read that way in this document at all that i see.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Where do people have the idea that resale prior to 4/6 is grandfathered in? It does not exactly read that way in this document at all that i see.

Per usual, Disney has not been consistent with their message. However, the one from Ken clearly stated it did not matter how you bought if you bought before 4/6. It's been linked a few times here, but I don't have it handy.