cheaper tickets for dvc members

[pkicinski]

We have been a dvc member since 92 and have loved every minute. Everytime we go to a member update, someone asks about getting dvc members better ticket prices at the disneyworld. Each time, the rep. says it''s the ticket division of disney who is in charge of this and not dvc sales. There are 70,000 members. If we could get a writein campaign going to Disney to allow dvc members to buy tickets at Florida resident cost, we may be able to get something going. Think about it! Presently, Florida residents can get 4 day tix to the parks for $109. Let's start spreading the word and writing! It certainly can't hurt and may help us all.

A longtime dvc member

 

[DebbieB]

It came up again at the member meeting I attended for BWV last month. Same answer, it is out of their control. They are well aware that members would like ticket discounts, specifically Florida Resident. They said they continue to work on it. What would burying them with letters accomplish? You would be telling them something they are already well aware of. They are selling out DVC resorts faster that they can build them, what is their incentive to give ticket discounts?

 

[antnee]

Ok maybe not letters, but maybe a petition of some sort. We need to voice our opinions. I know they are seeling faster then they can build but that doesnt mean they should take care of the people who have already invested

 

[July]

I have to agree! I think giving DVC members specials on tickets like the Florida Residents would be a great thing. As a Florida Resident I take advantage of the 4 day pass. Living in Florida and Disney right around the corner 4 days is perfect. For DVCers it would be too. Time at Disney, time at the resort, time doing other stuff. JMO

July

 

[dianeschlicht]

Instead of sending these to DVC/DVD, how about finding out who is and how to reach the ticket divisions person and sending to them? That puts it right in the right person's hands. If all 70,000 wrote (highly unlikely), they might take a look anyway! I would think letting them know that we don't all go to the parks all the time anymore because of teh prices might help. It would point out that on-site rooms are being booked, but some are not using the parks because there is not a good price option.

 

[vernon]

Diane, a very good point, but I think they already know.

Until the ticketing division realise their are $$s for them in this, it ain't going to happen. I have no doubt that overall Disney would make more money. The problem, as I see it, is that for ticketing it's likely a small/moderate increase in revenue, but it is a gamble for them. The benefits would go to the restaurants and shops in the themeparks. as the various divisions within the company are competeing for "kudos" from upper management ( he whose department posts the best figures gets the next move up) it's unlikely that the manager of ticketing will offer the food and bev manager a free leg up to the promotion and salary increase.

IMHO it's a money spinner for the company , but the internal jealousies and squabbling between departments mean this is unlikely unless upper management take a "statigic decision" and push this through.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You're probably right, Vernon, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[wdwstar]

If you think it will help COUNT ME IN, its worth a try, if you can post the info, i think some of the 70,000 might take 5 mins. out and send a letter or two. we wont know if we dont try! lets stick together like neighbors

 

[spiceycat]

okay someone tell me if I am wrong - but I though with the new division - we are now part of the hotels and tickets - the same department before than refused to give us better discounts....

So I really though that the DVC division would have alot more pull now.....

Am I wrong?

 

[sgtdilbert]

From a business perspective, I just don't see how giving DVC members a discount on ticket media is benificial to Disney. They have a captive audience in DVC members, that are self-described Disney affecienados. If I were in charge of ticketing, that's the last group of people I'd give discounts to.

I think the only way you'll get Disney to change their minds is to show them that while on vacation at DVC that you aren't going to patronize the parks and go elsewhere. While there may be a vocal few who may decide to do this, I doubt that you'll find even close to a majority of members that are willing to spend their time over at Universal and not visit any of the Disney parks.

s.

 

[Donny55]

We too, have brought this request to deaf ears many times since 1999 when our Parks Admissions Program expired. No one is listening.

However, if you look at our bills when we check out, we are not spending what we were when we were going to the Parks everyday.

The discounts to DVC members make perfect sense if someone would listen. We frequent the Parks on off hours when crowds are lighter, we bring family and friends who pay full price. We really do use the Parks in a very similar way to Fla residents.

Until we get these discounts, we are not going to the parks.

We stayed at Disney 14 nights in 2003, we went to the Magic Kingdom once. No EPCOT, AK, or Studios. We always found other ways to be entertained.

I answer the question "Why give the discounts to members" This way....

When we are not in the Parks, we are having a good time and spending our hard earned money offsite.

Does this make sense to you?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I also do not see an advantage to WDW for further DVC discounts

1) Annual Passes
. . . many DVCers already buy AP's or PAP's
. . . they jostle schedules to take advantage of the AP's
. . . some take the next year vacation a week earlier to gain use
. . . with a discount, WDW would just lose revenue

2) Park Hoppers
. . . folks who buy Hoppers will still buy Hoppers
. . . this would just be reduced revenue, instead of added

3) UPH
. . .we already receive a discount on UPH passes
. . . further discounts wouldn't help sales

4) It isn't as easy as it sounds
. . . where would a ticket discount actually help WDW?
. . . if we want more discounts, then we NEED to make a case
. . . if we come up with a case, then maybe it can go to WDW
. . . they do not operate on emotions, but business reasons
. . . remember, this needs to be a BUSINESS CASE
. . . needs to be proof that reduced tickets mean more money

 

[Stelson]

Hey, just thinking like the addict I am, but if given a discount on park passes one could afford to go more often. If one wants to go more often, they will need more points.

The reason to give discounts is to compel someone to buy something they don't usually or buy more of something they do buy already, right? Yes, as addicts, most DVC will go to the parks without discounts, however, give the incentive, the DVCer will likely go more often. IMHO

 

[SamS]

Antnee - I couldn't help but notice your "Let it snow" quote. Be careful what you wish for! I too am a teacher, and last year I thought we were going to have to shorten our first trip home in June because of snow make-up days. Fortunately I factored that possibility in and allowed a week grace period between the last teacher day and the beginning of our vacation. Again this winter I'm a bit apprehensive because we are supposed to arrive in "The World" on June 13th; last teacher day is the 4th. Wish me luck!

 

[LisaR]

I have to disagree with those of you that say there isn't any incentive for WDW to offer DVC members a ticket discount. As a DVC member, my family does not go to the parks as often as we did before we were members. I can't believe we are the only family that has changed our ways.

Before becoming members, we went to WDW to do all the theme parks. A trip wasn't complete unless we did all the parks. I guess there was that feeling that we might not come back in the near future so we better see everything. Shortly after we joined DVC, we became AP holders. Although we got our moneys worth from those tickets, we didn't renew. While the parks are part of WDW we found so many more things to do. This last trip was an 11 night trip. We went to the parks 4 times. While money isn't the only reason we don't go to the parks as often, it does factor in to some degree. However, if the passes were more reasonable, then I could see us going to the parks more often and just not staying as long. We loved the AP because we could pop into a park, ride one ride, eat dinner and leave. However, the cost of 4 AP's for 2 hours of park time just wasn't worth it to us. If we were able to get a good deal on an AP we would buy one again in a heartbeat. More time in the park means more money spent at WDW. Until then, there is a ton of stuff to do both in WDW and outside of the world.

Lisa

 

[spiceycat]

Lisa I agree - I certainly don't go to the parks as often as I did when DVC members got free tickets - not even close - every trip I made an effort to do to the parks - now - will this March trip we will definitely go one day that is all.

I have annual passes for both Sw and US/IOA - the SW I kept - US/IOA I haven't activiated it yet - waiting for Thanksgiving....

the DVC resorts are lovely - there is plenty of stuff to do there - I see this as an opportunity to enjoy your resort instead of going to the parks every day.

 

[BJK]

i understand the desire for a discount, i would love one too...

but unless you somehow show disney that there is a financial incentive for them in this, it makes no sense to give us a discount...

you put somthing on sale if and only if you aren't selling enough of it at full price..

well, has dvc ever had a problem selling ?? it sure doesn't seem so....so the idea that a discount to the parks would entice people to want to buy more points to make more frequent trips, or the idea that it would make dvc more attractive overall seems silly....

the points sell as fast as they become available as it is...

and i also have to believe, despite some of the posts here, that the percentage of people that go to WDW for a week or more, and then don't patronize the parks because the tix are priced too high is exceedingly small....

people, think about it.....if all you wanted out of a resort was the pool and some golf courses, you can pick hundreds in florida alone, and thousands around the world for a far reduced price....

people vacation at WDW because of the parks.....
the parks are jammed with people every day....
the points sell out very quickly....
there is no incentive for disney....

the reason people in florida get a discount is due to the fact that disney can be something they do all the time...
they live there, so they can go whenever they want, and disney wants them in the door as often as possible, buying souveniers and food and the like....

when we come to WDW, we're travelling there once, maybe twice a year....and the reason we go is because of the parks....

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

It's really a perception issue. Something that Disney should be well aware of.

If I feel that Disney is giving me a special perk in the form of a park pass discount, I'm going to "feel" better and be happier during my visits to the parks. And you know what they say about happy customers. DVCers visit the parks frequently, and only for a few hours at a time. Hardly makes hoppers a value. there should be other options for DVCers. Disney views DVCers as the ultimate cash cow/captive audience. It's up to us to show them otherwise.

BTW, If Disney is offering FL residents a deal to encourage them to visit the parks because of their proximity to the parks, they'ld be better off giving a discount to GA residents rather than FL residents who live in Key West.

 

[vernon]

Put me in the group that spends less time at Disney parks because their is no break on the APs. If they offered the same discount as Florida residents, and don't forget our DVC resort is our "home away from home" as DVC sales bumph never ceases to tell us, I would spend a lot more time in Disney parks.

Currently I would estimate that for a 2 week stay on WDW I would buy a 5 day hopper plus. I'd use the ticket over 2 years and spend 2 or 3 days at the main theme parks and a trip at the water parks each year. The rest of the time I'd visit IOA, US or make a lot of use of the great deals SW/BG offer for their combined AP. With an AP I would pay more per year for ticketting and I would spend maybe 7-8 half days in the main Disney parks instead of 3 whole days and at least 3 half days at the waterparks. I would eat at least once ( probably sit down full service meals) on each day and buy a couple of drinks. I would probably use the World showcase restaurants (particularly if staying at BCV or BW) a couple of times, just entering Epcot for that reason.

I would estimate that from my parties Disney would be better off to the tune off $150 per person in ticketing and another $300 in food and beverages. It's also more likely that I'd buy other services (toys,clothes,film etc ) in WDW parks should they be required. It's also more likely that if I spend the majority of the day at WDW themeparks even if I eat outside the park there is a good chance I'll eat at oneof the WDW hotels as opposed to driving off site. some trips I may even decide not to rent a car then Disney would get 100% of my spending money. At present I doubt they get more than 30%. While I conceed that on ticketting I may be unusual and that Disney MAY find that the have as many members that would spend less on tickets as they have spending more I have no doubt that overall they would benefit massively overall on food and drink.

As DVC members get established I think it's likely they will start to look around Orlando to try different experiences. When they do' they'll start realising there are many other ways to entertain your family that are comparable to WDW but a hell of a lot cheaper. If you want "bang for your buck" look off site.
Previously I think WDW could rely on new(ish) members coming on board retaining their previous holiday habits, as the proportion of new members reduces ( because the overall number of members growing) there will be more people feeling they don't need to do the same parks year in year out to the same degree they once did.

 

[DJGifford]

I am a new member to DVC...just last August were lucky enough to buy points at the BWV...I, because I am new to it and have 3 children will be sure to frequent the parks...all of them each visit...

I can see both sides of the coin here...Do they figure that the DVCers are already there so why offer them a discount? This makes sense...but it is our "home away from home" and we do pay taxes on our portion, so in this sense I do feel that we are entitled. I figure we will be doing the LOS pass when we go in April...My parents are coming with us and I haven't figured out what they will be doing yet...they certainly don't want to spend alot of time in the parks, but they will want the otpion to come into a park and go as they please...

I would really like to see more discounts...at the stores would be nice...more for the principal that we are getting something nice for our $.

I will say that my uncle went down last Christmas time and did get a rental car through MS and he saved $400! That is just amazing. His own price quote had been $600 for 10 days and MS got it for $200 for the same minivan and time frame....soooo there are discounts

Although...I don't usually get a rental car...I am hoping to frequent the dining establishments that offer a discount. I do need to start getting my list of these ready.

Sorry so long...but...maybe we should work on other discounts as the ticket one seems to be a moot point.