AP Holder Poll?

[tjkraz]

I've seen it reported here that DVC is claiming only 13% of its members are AP holders.

Does anyone recall recently being asked by DVC if they have APs???

I can't think of any way that they would automatically know. Yes, they could tell how many purchase the UPH or even a hopper at check-in. But if you don't buy passes at check-in, they would have no way of knowing if you were using a Hopper, AP, or not even visiting the parks at all.

 

[dyingtodisney]

I have never been asked by Disney about my AP status- however I have only been a member since Sept of this year

I did buy AP's for my family last week to take advantage of the triple rewards offered in Dec. from the Disney Visa.

 

[RobDoc]

They can do a cross-check on names/addresses pretty easily thru Disney's database to get the statistic.

I'm surprised the % is that low, based on polls/comments on this board, but will assume the number to be accurate for the entire membership.

Hopefully, that number will serve as a bargaining tool for DVC when negotiating with Theme Parks for more DVC perks.

Stay Tuned!

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
They can do a cross-check on names/addresses pretty easily thru Disney's database to get the statistic.

Duh! Good point. Didn't think of that.

Wonder if the numbers could be skewed by people who don't continuously renew their APs. I bought AP vouchers, and intend on redeeming them in May '04. So our passes will run through May '05. Then we will definitely not renew until our next trip--could be fall of '05 or maybe not until '06. So, if DVC does any sort of analysis in June '05, we wouldn't be showing as AP holders.

Also, I wonder if they make any accommodations for owners who might just have contracts at Vero or HH. Sure, there's a chance they use their points at WDW resorts, but probably not with the same frequency as those who own on-site.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

My guess is that they used statistical research methodology to question a scientific sample of DVC members. Even with a ralatively small sample, the results can be accurate to within 2%.

I'm not surpirsed that only 13% of DVC members are AP holders. Consider the DVC members who:

• Don't know about APs.
• Don't know the trick of taking two consecutive years' DVC stays within the same 12-month period -- once at the beginning of the period, and once near the end.
• Might be aware of the trick, but don't know whether or not they'll be in a position to return within 12 months.
• Use their points for Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Concierge Collection, World Passport Collection, etc., often enough that they really don't need that many WDW theme park admissions.
• Stay at WDW DVC resorts, but don't go to the park every day, so Hoppers are a better value.
• Only own 150 points, so DVC stays are fairly short.
• Like the many choices that an UMP (length-of-stay pass) provides.
• Consider APs to be too expensive.

It is clearly in Disney's interest to greatly increase that percentage of DVC members who are AP holders. An AP holder has a much greater incentive to spend money on-site at WDW, rather than wandering to off-site attractions, shops, and restaurants.

Let's hope that this research leads to a new DVC Member Annual Pass -- with discounts or dining credits or free "plus" features or other incentives to get DVC memebers to buy.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

When I first read the 13% figure I was surprised as well. But one important thing is that it would increase if a discount was offered. Many DVCers buy the UPH because of the discount. I would think the same would happen if there was a discount on the AP. It would seem to be in Disney's interest to have more DVCers buying APs.

HBC

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

13%... That sounds low, but could be accurate considering all the items listed in Horace Horsecollar's post. I wonder what the percent is for UPH? I would hope that most of DVCers could do the math to determine their breakeven for APs / PAPs.

The Disney Club Discount on APs (currently only discount on APs for non-military / non FL residents) expires on Dec 31st, 2003. I wonder if they will add that as a benefit for either next year or for 2005.

As DVC owner (BCV mind you) and AP holder, we love the ability to go to a themepark for dinner without "wasting" a day on our passes our first, last, middle resting days. While there is a lot of money to be made by WDW on selling UPH passes, I would think that the AP Holders might return more often and spend more money on little mini trips. A UPH is overprices for a mini mid-week or long weekend trip.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
They can do a cross-check on names/addresses pretty easily thru Disney's database to get the statistic.

Ah, but our membership is under our NY address and my married name.

Whereas, our Florida seasonal passes are under our second home in Miami and under my maiden name to boot.

Yes, lucky us.

We would totally fall off the database radar.

 

[JimC]

I wonder if their computer systems communicate with each other. Look how difficult it is for making certain PS reservations.

 

[Shamus]

Originally posted by JimC
I wonder if their computer systems communicate with each other. Look how difficult it is for making certain PS reservations.

Most data minning (research) is actually done on idependant systems where the data is imported from the other data sources. In this case the AP data and DVC Ownership data would be brought into a third system and cross referenced.

]Originally posted by SleepyatDVC
Ah, but our membership is under our NY address and my married name.
Whereas, our Florida seasonal passes are under our second home in Miami and under my maiden name to boot.

If the data researchers had any experience they would have likely tried matching Names with SSN or DOB before going to addresses. ( I believe the AP applications ask for DOB not sure about SSN.) Addresses are very inconsistantly entered and change much to often.

Shamus

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by FriendsOfEeyore
I would hope that most of DVCers could do the math to determine their breakeven for APs / PAPs.

So would I, but don't forget that we DIS folks tend work a few more of the angles than average attendees - many of whom value other things more than cost reduction. For example, in a DIS DVC thread discussing AP vs UPH, one poster said:

Although I just love having everything on one card and being able to go anywhere at anytime I want (if the price difference was under a couple of hundred dollars total I'd consider it for the convenience, but it's not)

No offense to that poster intended - until DVC, my DW, DS and I were package folks too! My point is only that not everyone spends as much time doing math for cost savings, determining how best to reschedule Housekeeping and making every ressie at the 11/7 month windows as DIS DVCers do.

 

[poohj80]

We have friends who have owned DVC since the beginning and who helped convince us to become members. They didn't have to think about APs because when they joined, park passes for 10 years where one of the incentives. They thought others who joined after them also received passes but pro-rated for the length of time until that 10 year mark was reached. Therefore, I would assume a lot of DVC owners didn't need APs for the longest time due to this deal.

 

[dvc_john]

I was at the VWL annual meeting. They mentioned the 13% figure, and said they got it by random surveys. They said that cross-referencing the DVC info with the annual passholder info wasn't done, and that it would not be legal to do so.

 

[DeeP]

We have had APs for years, way before we were DVC members, matter of fact way before DVC even existed we had APs.
The only DVC resort that came with free passes was OKW, since we were not interested in buying into that resort we never had free passes through DVC so we have continued to have APs over the years.
For me APs are a no brainer, I get many, many days usuage out of my AP. However I do not in anyway think of my AP as somehow connected to my DVC membership. I would have an AP whether I was a DVC member or not.
BTW, I have never been asked any info regarding my AP by DVC but they would have a hard time tracking us also since some stuff is under our FL address and some under our NJ address.

 

[Doc and Family]

I guess not all DVCers take as many trips as a lot of us seem to do. With a break-even point of about 8 days admission, those of us who make more than one trip a year buy the APs. We have been averaging about 20 days/yr, which makes the AP a no brainer. The added advantage of going into a park at night without feeling like we are wasting a day is a plus.
But for those who vacation every other year, the UPH discount is probably the better deal.
Still, I wish they would offer event only tickets for those of us with APs.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The only DVC resort that came with free passes was OKW, since we were not interested in buying into that resort we never had free passes through DVC so we have continued to have APs over the years.

Actually, the passes were not being offered by the time BWV came on board. We joined OKW about that time, and were not able to get passes.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
Actually, the passes were not being offered by the time BWV came on board. We joined OKW about that time, and were not able to get passes.

The free passes were being offered at OKW when I first looked into DVC since it was right after OKW opened. However since OKW did not appeal to me and I did not feel as though it was worth the money it cost for a membership, I was not able to ever get free passes through a DVC membership since I chose not to join at that time but instead waited until BWV opened.
The point I was orginally making is my family and I have had APs for many years prior to DVC even opening and we do not even think of our APs as being linked or connected to our DVC membership in anyway.