Better perks at DLR

[vakamalua]

Just returned from using points at the DLH in California for three nights after a Princess coastal cruise. We were very pleasantly surprised at the dining and shopping perks for DVC there. I think it included at least 10% off at every restaurant in the three hotels and two parks and most of the ones in DTD. Lots of shopping discounts too. We even stopped in one of the counter service places in DL for a soda and got a discount! And we didn't have to show our DVC card like WDW now since it was on our KTTW card.

As the perks at WDW continue to erode with the massive influx of DVCers at WDW, it was nice to be somewhere where we felt 'welcomed home.'

 

[melk]

Glad to hear that. We are planning our first visit next year, great to get some discounts, especially with a family in tow. Anyplace in particular you would recommend?

 

[lilpooh108]

Yup...agreed. We live on the West Coast and have DLR APs and of course our DVC membership. This is why I can't bring myself to pay for the TIW card....since all of our DLR discounts here are "free."

 

[lilpooh108]

Glad to hear that. We are planning our first visit next year, great to get some discounts, especially with a family in tow. Anyplace in particular you would recommend?

Bengal Barbeque is a counterservice next to the Indy ride. It has grilled meats (like meat on a skewer, grilled bacon and asparagus). Yum.

Most of the restaurants in DLR and even those in DTD will give 10% discounts. Even Wetzels' Pretzels I believe.

 

[Brian Noble]

This has been true for the Annual Passholders on both coasts too---for many years, at least. Disneyland gives a blanket 10%=15%ish depending on pass type, while WDW is much more targeted.

My theory: Disneyland does this because it is so darn easy to go "outside the berm" to eat or shop that the 10% is a useful tool to get people to eat or shop with Mickey. At WDW it practically requires a passport and visa to find a non-Disney place.

 

[DebbieB]

The opposite is true of annual passes. At WDW, members get $100 off, at DL it's only $20 off.

Deluxe AP's (with blackout dates) also get the 10% off dining & purchases at DL. Full AP's get 15% off. So it's not an exclusive DVC perk.

 

[TLPL]

And the food in DLR is much better than WDW also. More selections, more discounts!

 

[Brian Noble]

Don't get too wrapped up in that 10% discount.

1/3 lb cheeseburger + regular drink at DLR (Hungry Bear):
$9.49 + $2.79, -10%: $11.05
Sales tax 7.75%
Total cost: $11.91

1/3 lb cheeseburger + regular drink at WDW (Pecos Bill's):
$8.69 + $2.59: $11.28
Sales tax: 6.5%
Total cost: $12.01

Savings: one thin dime. Don't spend it all in one place.

 

[lilpooh108]

Savings: one thin dime. Don't spend it all in one place.

Funny...I usually agree with your other posts, but not this one. Ten free cents per dollar is still ten free cents. It's better than paying money for the TIW card to save twenty cents.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Don't get too wrapped up in that 10% discount.

1/3 lb cheeseburger + regular drink at DLR (Hungry Bear):
$9.49 + $2.79, -10%: $11.05
Sales tax 7.75%
Total cost: $11.91

1/3 lb cheeseburger + regular drink at WDW (Pecos Bill's):
$8.69 + $2.59: $11.28
Sales tax: 6.5%
Total cost: $12.01

Savings: one thin dime. Don't spend it all in one place.

It would be better if the prices were identical. Last year we were at WDW in May and then I was at DL in June. It cost .75 cents more for my frozen Strawberry bar at DL!
The cart CM almost had to pick me up off the pavement. However the discount is very nice to have if DL is where you're going to be.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Don't get too wrapped up in that 10% discount.

1/3 lb cheeseburger + regular drink at DLR (Hungry Bear):
$9.49 + $2.79, -10%: $11.05
Sales tax 7.75%
Total cost: $11.91

1/3 lb cheeseburger + regular drink at WDW (Pecos Bill's):
$8.69 + $2.59: $11.28
Sales tax: 6.5%
Total cost: $12.01

Savings: one thin dime. Don't spend it all in one place.

double post

 

[GoofItUp]

I was still glad to get the 10% off while at DLR. It's true that there's not a lot of difference in price from DL to WDW, but I expect things in CA to be more expensive than FL. The fact that I can use my discount and get equal pricing is a plus for me.

 

[ACDSNY]

The opposite is true of annual passes. At WDW, members get $100 off, at DL it's only $20 off.

Deluxe AP's (with blackout dates) also get the 10% off dining & purchases at DL. Full AP's get 15% off. So it's not an exclusive DVC perk.

I wish the AP discount would be better at DL.

I was still glad to get the 10% off while at DLR. It's true that there's not a lot of difference in price from DL to WDW, but I expect things in CA to be more expensive than FL. The fact that I can use my discount and get equal pricing is a plus for me.

I agree, the sales tax alone makes CA higher than FL.

 

[dahwolf]

TIW is a great value, (FOR MY FAMILY! NOT ALL) even with a cost attached. We were just there in Sept. (WDW) (Total of 7 people) 7 nights and 20% off Food & Alcohol is huge! 3 beers for me, 3 capt'n for the Mrs., 3 beers for my father in Law, and 2 glasses of wine for my mother in law, plus the $150 food portion at the Wave Restaurant for the 4 adults and 3 kids. Total bill was about $250 for just that one meal. With the TIW they do the 18% gratuity automatically, which saves us too, as We are always atleast 20% tip folks pending if the waiter / waitress goes above and beyond.

10% on $150 food only.
or
20% on $250 food and alcohol.

I think you know what I would prefer.

I just think every discount is unique to ones habits. For us We love having our large 1 to 2 bedroom rooms, but We love to eat out and dine out. Character breakfasts every morning for the little ones, etc. I prefer 20% as apposed to 10% It only took me to dinners to pay for the card this past year, and We ate at 5 restaurants for dinner alone this past trip, and 6 character breakfasts.

And by the way we will be back there again in January for the same duration, so you tell me how good the TIW card is....... (For my family)
Again Perks and discounts are nice, but I hope you all did not buy DVC for perks and discounts that are clearly stated to not be guaranteed / subject to change. Other than your deed calling out the specific ownership to that resort with "X" amount of points per year, that is what you have.

 

[Brian Noble]

Ten free cents per dollar is still ten free cents.

But, the prices are higher at Disneyland, so it is much closer to a wash than you'd think. This is like either offering an every day price of $3.60, or charging $4.00 and giving a 10% "discount".

It's better than paying money for the TIW card to save twenty cents.

Depends on how much you spend in total. The bottom line is...well, the bottom line.

 

[vakamalua]

The issue is that you get the discount at EVERY restaurant at the hotels and parks not just the measly few at WDW so you are saving money with every transaction.

 

[dsneygirl]

It would be better if the prices were identical. Last year we were at WDW in May and then I was at DL in June. It cost .75 cents more for my frozen Strawberry bar at DL!
The cart CM almost had to pick me up off the pavement. However the discount is very nice to have if DL is where you're going to be.

Just got back from DL and ice cream bars are now $4.50. Most food was more expensive. Bottled water and pop was for sure.

But it was great to save on TS and character meals.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just got back from DL and ice cream bars are now $4.50. Most food was more expensive. Bottled water and pop was for sure.

But it was great to save on TS and character meals.

I better prep DH for that price!

 

[dsneygirl]

I better prep DH for that price!

Dh noticed when he got a fountain pop and it was over $3 he said "I don't think it's that expensive at WDW" I purposely took a pic of the Ice cream cart sign because I knew it was over $4 at WDW and it's only $3.50. But overall most of the counter service food was better IMHO.