Bad Policy - DVC discounts on Tours

[cbonewjersey]

I tried to argue with the CM as nicely as I could but got nowhere. I have a 2BR reservation for August at BLT. We will be 6 people in the one room, including my Mom and Aunt. They want to take Keys to Kingdom Tour while we do TL, but because I won't be on the tour with them, I can't get the discount - and yes I'm paying for it. Everything about this reservation and vacation is DVC but I or my wife has to be present for any perks. Just doesn't seem right.

 

[kenny]

As annoying as it is and I agree it would frustrate me too the discounts are only for dvc members. I couldn't get my parents dvc aps just because they were staying in my dvc room

I assume it works the same with dining discounts. I think you need to show your member card to get them

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just about all the member perks require the member to be there with the guest. Read the Public Offering Statement. It's in there.

When you purchase the DVC APs, you must be related and live at the same address. You have to provide a drivers license showing the same address. If your parents live with you, they should be able to get the discounted AP. But you'll have to be there to activate it if they are not on the contract with you.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Does anyone have a Disney CC to get the discount?

 

[cbonewjersey]

You're right of course. I understand it in general, and certainly for things like PAPs and TIW savings, the member should have to be there and the rules are good. But at very little cost to Disney some of this could be relaxed and be more in the spirit of the magic. So if 2 members bring their grandkids who live in different homes, they can't get the discounts on the Wild Animal Trek, for example, if they don't go along. It's 10%, so maybe $20 in that example - I think if the people are in my room on my reservation, and I pay for it all and I book the tours, it should apply. I know it won't change, but it would pay off more than it would cost in my opinion.

 

[CarolMN]

You're right of course. I understand it in general, and certainly for things like PAPs and TIW savings, the member should have to be there and the rules are good. But at very little cost to Disney some of this could be relaxed and be more in the spirit of the magic. So if 2 members bring their grandkids who live in different homes, they can't get the discounts on the Wild Animal Trek, for example, if they don't go along. It's 10%, so maybe $20 in that example - I think if the people are in my room on my reservation, and I pay for it all and I book the tours, it should apply. I know it won't change, but it would pay off more than it would cost in my opinion.

I'm sure it won't make you feel any better, but it's the same way for annual pass holders. They can't get discounts for family members or guests in their AP-discounted room unless the pass holder is present, either.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I don't think its a "Bad Policy" but the fact that the discounts are for the DVC members, not just for anyone staying in their room. Same with the restaurant discounts, Top of the World, the DVC Member is asked for their Blue DVC Membership ID and KTTW card. "DVC Member" is not always shown on the KTTW card any more, hence requiring now the ID cards.

These discounts are not mandatory and change from time to time. But, then again I am one of the "the glass is half full" people of the world.

Hope you can work it out with perhaps a member accompanying them on the tour.

 

[awilliams4]

You're right of course. I understand it in general, and certainly for things like PAPs and TIW savings, the member should have to be there and the rules are good. But at very little cost to Disney some of this could be relaxed and be more in the spirit of the magic. So if 2 members bring their grandkids who live in different homes, they can't get the discounts on the Wild Animal Trek, for example, if they don't go along. It's 10%, so maybe $20 in that example - I think if the people are in my room on my reservation, and I pay for it all and I book the tours, it should apply. I know it won't change, but it would pay off more than it would cost in my opinion.

I suspect it is one of those scenarios where people exploited (one child getting a child AP so the entire party can get 10% off merchandise so no more child APs) it or that people exploit so many things that Disney is pushed to draw a line in the sand on most all discounted subjects now.

In these scenarions, I don't blame the company, I blame my neighbor, my co-workers, my in-laws....i.e., I blame people for causing all the rules our culture now lives with.

 

[cvjw]

Same with getting the Disney Visa discount on tours. Last year, I booked the KTTK tour for my Mom and son as a combined birthday present. Because I wasn't taking the tour with them, I could not get the Disney Visa discount. Stinks, but that's just the way it is.

 

[disneynutz]

You're right of course. I understand it in general, and certainly for things like PAPs and TIW savings, the member should have to be there and the rules are good. But at very little cost to Disney some of this could be relaxed and be more in the spirit of the magic. So if 2 members bring their grandkids who live in different homes, they can't get the discounts on the Wild Animal Trek, for example, if they don't go along. It's 10%, so maybe $20 in that example - I think if the people are in my room on my reservation, and I pay for it all and I book the tours, it should apply. I know it won't change, but it would pay off more than it would cost in my opinion.

Not that I agree with all Disney policies but where do you draw the line?

Disney is in business to make money, they advertise magic, and we love the idea of magic and escaping from the real world but it is a business. It's also true that if you give people an inch, many will take a mile. "I bought the tickets for the soccer club so they should all be discounted".

Bill

 

[Sammie]

If they did not have restrictions, believe me people would abuse the policy and they know that. Disney used to be more lax with this until they were taken advantage of.

 

[dbs1228]

When you purchase the DVC APs, you must be related and live at the same address. You have to provide a drivers license showing the same address. If your parents live with you, they should be able to get the discounted AP. But you'll have to be there to activate it if they are not on the contract with you.

I have order a discounted AP for both my DD's who are not on my contract and got a "will call" number. They both were able to pick the AP pass up when they went to WDW without me. I was told that they had to bring a copy of my DVC card and a copy of my license and had to show I.D. to pick it up which they did and had no problem.

 

[kenny]

I have order a discounted AP for both my DD's who are not on my contract and got a "will call" number. They both were able to pick the AP pass up when they went to WDW without me. I was told that they had to bring a copy of my DVC card and a copy of my license and had to show I.D. to pick it up which they did and had no problem.

Did their Id show they lived at your address? My guess is yes. If not then I don't think they should have been given passes as you need to reside in same house

 

[disneynutz]

[/B]

I have order a discounted AP for both my DD's who are not on my contract and got a "will call" number. They both were able to pick the AP pass up when they went to WDW without me. I was told that they had to bring a copy of my DVC card and a copy of my license and had to show I.D. to pick it up which they did and had no problem.

Some CM's bend the rules, others don't know them. What happens today might not happen tomorrow.

Bill

 

[twinklebug]

You could always drop your spouse from your membership and add your mom -- oh, I did not just say that.

 

[dbs1228]

Did their Id show they lived at your address? My guess is yes. If not then I don't think they should have been given passes as you need to reside in same house

Yes of course they live at home that is why they needed to show their ID (and have my license for proof of address) sorry I just figured people would assume that since its the rule! And both DD's traveled in different years - received the same exact info from the 3 CM's I spoke to when inquiring/purchasing the AP's. We did this in 2010 and 2012!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

But at very little cost to Disney some of this could be relaxed and be more in the spirit of the magic.

Problem is there are always people trying to take advantage and "work the system".

Like many things, a few can/have spoiled it for all.

 

[Dean]

It seems reasonable to expect the member to both be present and paying for the tour or item to get the discount. The AP is not a good example because there are family members who are expressly allowed to purchase on their own if they meet other criteria.

 

[Chuck S]

Actually, according to a notation in the POS (which can change at Disney's whim), guests of the member are supposed to receive the same perks as the member. That is one reason there is a designation between "guest" and "renter" in the POS.

I'm thinking that the change is due to a few things.

1) The room keys no longer showing DVC Member.
2) Marketing to make the membership somehow seem more exclusive.
3) The failure of fellow DVC Member to notify Member Services if it is a rental (as required in the POS) and telling those renters that they get all the perks. No doubt there were a few confrontations between CM and DVC Renter about the owner telling them they get the benefits.

So Disney just made it a requirement that the owner partake in the activity to receive the discounts.

 

[Dean]

Actually, according to a notation in the POS (which can change at Disney's whim), guests of the member are supposed to receive the same perks as the member. That is one reason there is a designation between "guest" and "renter" in the POS.

I'm thinking that the change is due to a few things.

1) The room keys no longer showing DVC Member.
2) Marketing to make the membership somehow seem more exclusive.
3) The failure of fellow DVC Member to notify Member Services if it is a rental (as required in the POS) and telling those renters that they get all the perks. No doubt there were a few confrontations between CM and DVC Renter about the owner telling them they get the benefits.

So Disney just made it a requirement that the owner partake in the activity to receive the discounts.

Going from memory (dangerous I know) I think the wording is that guests may be offered any perks but I'm not aware of any "perk" that would be formally stated as applying to more than just the member unless Disney says so like the AP discount, which they could easily change. For things listed in the resort POS, it's not easy to change to take away from the group, the multi site POS is a different story.