Anyone know why Disney Club is ending?

[magsmouse]

I have been a disney club member for several years and loved the benefits- discounts, magazine etc. Now my membership has ended and I cannot renew! Anyone know why it ended or if something will take its place?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Because Disney can make more money by people using the Disney Visa card from Bank One.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Because they chose to end it.

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Because they chose to end it.

Exactly!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by disneychrista
Exactly!

Glad you see the "obvious" in this.

 

[magsmouse]

Sorry if I offended anyone with my "obvious" question, just wondering if anyone knew of any thing would take its place.

 

[mad4themouse]

Disney has never given an "official" reason for ending the Disney Club. Perhaps it was not profitable for them or maybe they will be introducing some other type of marketing strategy in 2004.

As far as a replacement is concerned, the only way to get any discounts in the future (as things stand right now) would be to either have an AP or a Disney VISA card.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by magsmouse
Sorry if I offended anyone with my "obvious" question, just wondering if anyone knew of any thing would take its place.

Not offended in the least. What took it's place, so to speak, is a Bank One Visa. Pretty lame, IMHO.

 

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by magsmouse
Sorry if I offended anyone with my "obvious" question, just wondering if anyone knew of any thing would take its place.

Magsmouse,
When I read the subject of this thread-- I was thinking exactly what Deb & Bill said (Because Disney can make more money by people using the Disney Visa card from Bank One.)....

The following is taken from the Disney Club Web site
(Questions About the Closing of The Disney Club)
Why is The Disney ClubSM program ending?
Ending the program was a difficult decision; however, after assessing Guest needs, we felt strongly that we could deliver stronger promotional offers through other methods.

How long has the Club been in existence?
The program was initially launched October 2000.


I really got a big kick out of Disney saying the program was initially launched Oct 2000 because I have been a Disney Club member for over 10 years. I figured they got that date from when they "improved" the Disney Club and charged everyone a membership fee (where before, it had been free for most people through Employer groups-- ).

Anyway, the Disney Visa card is supposed to take the place of the Disney Club.
-DC

 

[kfeuer]

I'm with you OP, I'm very sad this is ending. The Visa discounts don't come close to what we've gotten w/ the Disney Club. Just wanted to let you know that they've been letting people renew through 12/31/03 (you'd have to pay a pro-rated membership fee). I did this is February and it was totally worthwhile since we're going to DW next month.

 

[NancyIL]

In the past, AAA room-only discounts were about the same as DC discounts. I don't know if there will continue to be AAA discounts in the future. For what it's worth - I love my AAA membership.

 

[DebbieB]

I really got a big kick out of Disney saying the program was initially launched Oct 2000 because I have been a Disney Club member for over 10 years.

It was Magic Kingdom Club before that.

 

[disneysteve]

Yep, Magic Kingdom Club began in the 70's if I'm not mistaken. It used to be a free employee benefit offered to companies. Then they came up with the Gold club that you had to pay for. Then they switched over to the most recent incarnation that everyone had to pay for (see a trend).

Now, they've taken away a 10% discount card and replaced it with a 1% rebate credit card.

Do you really need to ask why they stopped the club? Obviously, they did it to save money and further alienate their best and most loyal customers.

Steve

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I had a Magic Kingdom card a couple of years ago. I went to the Disney store to purchase 1000.00 worth of passes. They told me I could use it for that one purchase and then they would take it from me even though I had another 6 months on it.


As my husband always says if Disney finds out something is a value to the consumer they will either take it away, or make it smaller and charge more. I was really upset this year when I saw the great fruit salads they offered at the Flame Tree Grill in Ak since I had gotten something else. I told my husband that I would get one when we returned next year and he said no way. It is too good for them to keep it on the menu. We have a 5.00 bet it will be gone and I am bakning on him winning.

 

[MK Familystone]

Hi ALL!

I was a Magic Kingdom CLub member for mannnnnnny years.
As a family, we have stayed at WDW resorts over 13 times in a 14 year period, fluying out of the New England Area.

Until the Disney Club replaced the MKC there was no record of our visits or stays.

If you remember in the last few years a post card in the mail would offer discounts and had a specific code which you would use on you reservation.
The post card I received was for my DAD, who I made a res and stayed with him at the Disney Inn / Shades of Green in 1987.

I was rippin, I called All the Disney Res, Club, and etc. numbers inquiring why I was not on the mailing list.

They informed me that they were just starting a DATA BASE , AND HAD NO RECORD OF ME, only Florida Residents, which my DAD was.
Second, with the MKC and Disney Club cards discounts were a plus, but could not use as a credit card, so we did get a Disney Charge Card but because of the limitation of the use at Disney property only and not regular retail not much use was on the account, so they cancelled me for the reason of lack of use.

So in Summation:
The New Disney Visa would fill my needs with discounts and ability
to charge any where , rewards for charging plus discounts.
READY:
Disney now has me in the DATA BASE, know my visits to any Disney Resort or Retail Property anywhere in the world and
ever buying habit I charge on the Visa card!

MARKETING!, MARKETING!, MARKETING!

Sorry being so long!

ENJOY!

"THE MAGIC HAPPENS!"


PS: Maybe I'll get a post card some day with MY NAME on It.