Better Perks

[323sarg]

Maybe its just me, but I thought that being DVC memebers our perks and benefits would really be better. Don't get me wrong, I love our membership but I thought Disney would offer more to DVC members. I don't know about you but if I had a better discounts on tickets or food, I would go more often!! They would get there discount back trust me with, two kids and all the toys we buy when we are there.

I wonder why perks or benefits are not increased? I know they do not have to give us anything, I understand that but if they would make there money back in another form why not??

 

[wdw1972]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but not only do I NOT see a reason why Disney should be giving us perks, I know that what I save on lodging is a huge amount. To me that's the only perk I need or deserve for being a dvc member. We're saving thousands of dollars over the life of our memberships - why can't that be enough

 

[twinklebug]

I think the AP discounts are very good. Of course, if you're only down there for 5 days a year buying one wouldn't be worth it.

 

[Laneychris]

I agree I would love to see more food discount, which would make me want to come more often. Food to me is the most costly item, except park passes.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Another one here who doesn't really see why we have to be offered any "perks" at all. I'll take the AP discount, but frankly, the restaurant discounts don't mean much to me. Very few timeshares offer ANY perks, so I see no reason for them with DVC either. I do think there are some benefits to Disney to offer the AP perk, since it might just keep folks in the parks more, and that is more in their pockets in the longrun.

 

[bgraham34]

I think a 10% discount on food at all sit down restaurants would be a great perk. But personally speaking spending thousands and thousands of dollars getting into the DVC how could not want more perks. I am not saying we are entitled but who can you say you dont want anymore.

 

[tjkraz]

Although I don't feel entitled to anything, I'm a little surprised they don't offer more/better dining discounts.

Particularly those who are long-time members seem to spend less and less time in the theme parks. I hear a lot of stories from those who have been with the program for a long time who often venture off-site for meals. A discount may help keep those folks at WDW a little more.

I guess Disney figures they would lose more (via discounts on meals for all members who would pay full price anyway) than they stand to gain in additional sales.

Incidentally, as I mentioned in my DL trip report, DVC Members save 10% at nearly every dining location at Disneyland. That includes even counter service locations, which are rarely discounted at WDW. As I scanned the list, the only place that stood out as not offering a discount was Napa Rose.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

while I no they dont have to offer any perks, I would like a discount on the MYW passes and offer the dining discount card, not sure what its called, the one you can buy with an AP or Florida resident rate. I think its DDE, not sure. But I would be happy with that.

 

[DebbieB]

DVC doesn't decide on their own to provide perks. They have to negotiate this with the other divisions of Disney. The other divisions have to be convinced that giving the discounts would give them a return. I think the $100 discount on AP's is awesome, that was a long time coming. It is nice at Disneyland that they give 10% off practically all food, but seasonal passholders out there get the same and full annual passholders get 15% off.

 

[Dean]

DVC doesn't have any obligation to offer perks but they do have an obligation to offer value, I think they fall down in this responsibility where points exchange options are concerned.

 

[jbrowna]

DVC doesn't decide on their own to provide perks. They have to negotiate this with the other divisions of Disney. The other divisions have to be convinced that giving the discounts would give them a return. I think the $100 discount on AP's is awesome, that was a long time coming. It is nice at Disneyland that they give 10% off practically all food, but seasonal passholders out there get the same and full annual passholders get 15% off.

That in mind, the sort of discounts/perks they offer most likely depends on WDW business in general. If things are pretty solidly booked at restaurants, and the theme parks are pretty full, why in the world would they offer discounts to entice more folks back? However, should theme park attendance and revenue be poor in 2009, I wouldn't be surprised to see some increase in perks. Historically, when did the free dining discount come on the scene? After the busy hurricane season of 2004 prompted hurricane season bookings in 2005 to fall off dramatically.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When we joined 11 years ago, there were quite a few restaurants that got discounts on the DVC perk list. The problem is, with the DDP has come a dumbing down of the menus and the quality of the food offered. They would have to improve the food quite a bit to make a measly 10% discount worth it to me.