Are members really magical?

[shantay1008]

After reading various threads, and having just returned from our first WDW visit as members, I was interested in what other DVC members think of as their "position" in the Kingdom.

I personally don't feel entitled to anything more than I did when we visited WDW before we were members, although I have to admit to feeling a sense of ownership. Wow, we're really part of this, I thought on more than one occasion. And, for their part, Disney seems to encourage this attitude with the whole "Members are Magical" thing. I joined DVC to be part of the magic and to help us focus on great vacations for our family, but I don't think it was with a sense of belonging to a club. In fact, I squirmed a bit at the signs at SSR for a "secret" meeting for members. I think every guest at WDW should be treated specially, whether they're staying at the All-Stars or the Grand Floridian. Of course, I feel guilty cruising past the people standing in long lines when we use FastPass, so I may not be the best judge of any of this!

We were lucky enough to have special touches, like those cute little washcloth creatures, in our room, and when SSR goofed up on our transfer, they comped our dinner that night (and no, I didn't raise a fuss...the person who missed our bags just wanted to make it right). But I don't think that was about us being members, or anything.

So, should we expect special touches as members? Are we contributing in a significant way to the success of WDW? Again, I'm assuming that the average DVC member is a lovely person who doesn't yell at CMs and follows the rules for things like requested room views, etc.

Shannon

 

[dianeschlicht]

I guess I'm like you. I don't think we are anything other than a frequent visitor to WDW. We own a timeshare. The only thing I expect from that is that I am guaranteed a room of the size I reserved at the time and resort I reserved. I don't beleive we are entitled to any special treatment just because we prepaid our WDW vacations. Sure, it's nice to get a few perks, but they change constantly, and I don't EXPECT them. Would I be unhappy if they took away the "perks". Sure, especially if and when they take away the AP discount, but I was unhappy that I missed the free tickets too. It didn't, however, stop me from buying. Nope, the only thing SPECIAL about me is that I got to prepay my vacations to WDW at a price that was even a good deal in 1997, and is an even better one now!

 

[Daitcher]

Very interesting topic here Shantay1008. I feel both ways actually. I feel members are entitled to some special perks. DVC is a seriuos investment in the future of WDW. Membership grows daily and gives members more "buying or bargaining power". DVC is also a big factor in the resurgence of the company, well that and Lost on ABC. All of that is thanks to us, the members. This at the very least warrants some special things. Now this is where I go the other way. I absolutely hate the members who berate and talk down to staff when they don't get the room of choice, that special reservation, etc. The "But we are owners" thing really drives me crazy. Yes we are owners but cash guests deserve the same treatment as we do. Many times I've stayed at Marriott properties and had owners yelling at staff because I, a cash guest or non owner, was getting a better room than they were. So it isn't just a DVC thing here, I've seen it all over. Every guest deserves a good room, not just owners. In fact if I was running the place I'd give cash guests the best rooms in the house. Cash guests have the potential to become future owners. I hope this isn't confusing because I do feel both ways. Looking forward to others view on this.


DAVE

 

[Beca]

I know I posted a lot on the other thread, and so I probably don't need to chime in here, but I am a firm believer that you get back what you put out into the world.

For the last 3 years, I have a former student (and dear friend) who has been working as a full-time employee (a coveted job, with insurance and benefits) as an entertainer at WDW. She recently quit, and returned home (she took a job with a theatre in Arizona), but every trip we would watch her perform, and then meet her for lunch or dinner. Sometimes she would bring other performers with her, and we would get to hear them talk about their jobs.

Never did these kids have anything bad to say about guests, and if we "pushed" them for dirt, everyone of them said, "Well, if you look for bad guests you can find them, but we get to perform at WDW....who's looking for the bad?" And yet, they ALL had stories of interactions with guests that had "touched their hearts" or made them laugh. They LOVED what they did, and they loved the chance to be a part of the magic. At one of our trips, our friend asked us when we would be dining at character meals (she started as a character in the college program). I told her, and then EVERY single meal we went to, when the characters asked my dd her name (she has a very unusual name), they all replied, "Oh, we've been expecting you!!!" Some of the characters came by and gave her extra "gifts"...it was amazing!! Then, one day we met the same Mary Poppins in the park that we had seen at the GF b'fast, and from across the walkway, we hear, "Princess Ireland, wait!!!" Mary came over, gave her a hug and posed for pics again (she was on her way back to the backstage area). My dd thought she was the most special girl EVER!!!

When I bring something to an especially nice CM, some may consider it "ingratiating" myself to them, but I look at it as "being part of the magic" of WDW...almost like completing the circle...making some CM's day as much as so many of the CM's have made ours. I would like to form relationships with some of the CM's. I really enjoy seeing the same CM's every trip, and having them remember my dd's name (and, sometimes even mine). That truly makes me feel like I am coming "home"!!!



Beca

 

[mickeysbestfriend]

To be honest, I'm a newbie at DVC, but I do feel special. Very special in fact. DVC was the last piece of the Disney puzzle for me. Now I get to stay at resorts that I was sooo envious of others staying at for years. If I'd had the guts ten years ago...well...I wouldn't have had to stay at the Disney budget hotels just to ensure I was on property. I'm already formulating plans now to be there for the 50th anniversary celebration.

Other than a few whiners that seem to complain about anything less than perfect, the members I have met have been marvelous. They are always in a good mood and just happy to be home.

I take the view that if a room I am assigned to is less than perfect, someone who stayed in the room before me didn't respect the property. I treat the rooms like I would my own at home. If something is wrong, I let them know and the CM's are always willing to remedy the situation.

As far as the perks go, anything they give is just a bonus. I have an AP, DDE, golf membership, Disney Visa and now the DVC. If they'd give stockholders a perk or two..I'd be in heaven!

 

[Disney Doll]

I like to think that DVC does some special things for is members because we had the faith in the company to invest in it. And that's nice of them, and I appreciate it, and to some extent, they are right.

I agree though, that I hate that attitude of "expectation" that some folks have...and they aren't all DVC members. You know, the folks who you'll hear say "I paid a lot of money for this vacation, and I expect "this" (whatever "this" is) to happen". As if the rest of us are at Disney for free!!

So do I expect a little something extra because I made an investment...yes I do, and they give it ot me in terms of some discounts etc. that "regular" travellers don't get. But do I expect someone else to take a back seat to my needs or desires?? No.

 

[rogerram]

Every guest deserves a good room, not just owners. In fact if I was running the place I'd give cash guests the best rooms in the house. Cash guests have the potential to become future owners. I hope this isn't confusing because I do feel both ways. Looking forward to others view on this.

If you were to give the best rooms to the cash guests, then you would never get anyone to buy. No incentive at all.

 

[WDWLVR]

Well I've been accused of wearing Disney colored glasses before but yes I believe that Members are Magical. Now do I believe we as DVC Members deserve special benefits? No I don't but I love that we do get some. What I really mean is that almost all of the DVC Members I've met "get" the magic of Disney. They are happy to be there and happy to be DVC Members. Whether it is on the DVC cruises, or at Member Homecoming, or smaller DVC events - I've always met great people who love Disney as much as we do. So to me Members are Magical!


small disclaimer - I do live in the real world and have met some less than magical members as well but they are the minority!

 

[jarestel]

I think so. AP discounts, dining discounts, and free valet parking are all examples of things that make DVC members a little bit different from frequent, but non-DVC, visitors to WDW. Granted, these things may not be permanent perks, but for the moment we are certainly "entitled" to take advantage of them if we so wish.

Of course it goes without saying ( so we shall say it over and over ) that entitlement doesn't mean insisting on getting our every wish and whim fulfilled by DVC. All it means is that DVC members are, in fact, entitled to certain perks and privileges that others may not be. So that's kind of magical, IMO.

 

[my4kids]

If you were to give the best rooms to the cash guests, then you would never get anyone to buy. No incentive at all.

I guess that 70% discount over rack wasn't your incentive? You just wanted better rooms?

 

[byoung]

I also don't feel entitled to anything more than I did when we visited WDW before. Yes feeling a sense of ownership, feels good. The perks we get owning DVC are good. I relax a lot more on visits now. Donn't have to see every thing at once. I know that I will be returning soon. I'm glad that I made the decision to buy.

 

[WOW]

We don't feel entitled to anything being DVC Members but when they give us the $100 discount on annual passes, I am very thankfull!! They only thing we expect is that the resorts are in very good shape and that the accomodations are clean and comfortable. Just like we would expect them anywhere. We already know that 99% of the CM's are great and if someone is having a bad, well guess what!!!! We all have them. We love our DVC and think that it is the best investment we ever made. It has given us the opportunity to be with friends and family in the parks and in the Villas......and that is priceless. Trust me on this one, we have lost 4 family members in the past year and everyone is so thankfull that we spent many vacations together in WDW and that wouldn't have happened without DVC. The WDW memories we have of our departed loved ones becomes sooooo much more important. Those are the really MAGICAL MOMENTS made by Magical Members.

 

[crisi]

If I wiggle my nose, will the dishes get done. That's what I was hoping for.

Guess not.


I think DVC gives me what I paid for - nice accomodations at a controlled price. We certainly feel smart when we use our DVC points to stay at the BW in a nice two bedroom unit.

The magic doesn't come until my husband and I realize that the kids are sleeping in a different room.....

 

[Bichon Barb]

If I wiggle my nose, will the dishes get done. That's what I was hoping for.

Guess not.


I think DVC gives me what I paid for - nice accomodations at a controlled price. We certainly feel smart when we use our DVC points to stay at the BW in a nice two bedroom unit.

The magic doesn't come until my husband and I realize that the kids are sleeping in a different room.....

 

[Daitcher]

If you were to give the best rooms to the cash guests, then you would never get anyone to buy. No incentive at all.

Well since cash guests are such a small percentage, there would be plenty of good rooms left for members. My general point is that eveyone is entilted to a good view/ good location regardless if they are a member or not. Some get the perfect location, some don't. Don't think that the great 10th floor oceanfront view I just got at the Marriott Aruba Surf Club didn't peak my interest a little in the program. Hey, where they enticing me with that great iew? Great thoughts here by the way. Members we've met have been magical for the most part.


DAVE

 

[gothmommie]

If magical means we get coupons and reduced room rates sure! That's plenty magical. (though I do love that welcome home)

Otherwise I don't expect any special treatment from when I was a cash guest. Clean room, polite service and deliver what you say you will. Simple. In return I will always be polite, smile, and treat the villa I inhabit with care and respect even if others have not.

 

[Daitcher]

If magical means we get coupons and reduced room rates sure! That's plenty magical. (though I do love that welcome home)

Otherwise I don't expect any special treatment from when I was a cash guest. Clean room, polite service and deliver what you say you will. Simple. In return I will always be polite, smile, and treat the villa I inhabit with care and respect even if others have not.

Aren't you the one who read the riot act to a manager over requets not being met and a dirty room? If it isn't you I apologize. Seems you have some making up to do with future stays.


DAVE

 

[debbiepump]

Boy, your visit was 'magical' for what you got! I've never felt nor feel I should be treated any different. The only time I've felt I was singled out for being a DVC member was my first trip 'home' and I asked a CM if we received the paper daily at our doorstep. Was told I (yes, somehow ME who was on their first trip home) voted not to have a paper delivered any longer.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If non-members were always given the best room, then when they became members, the first thing they would do would gripe about their terrible room.

 

[gothmommie]

Aren't you the one who read the riot act to a manager over requets not being met and a dirty room? If it isn't you I apologize. Seems you have some making up to do with future stays.


DAVE

And I'm rude?