Disappearing perks question

[StitchFan73]

Hello, we are on the verge of buying a DVC and have been doing a lot of homework on it. I noticed that the Valet perk has been canned and this has upset a lot of DVC owners. I was wondering what other perks have become extinct? And also does the loss of these perks make you regret buying your DVC?

Thanks for your replies!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Hello, we are on the verge of buying a DVC and have been doing a lot of homework on it. I noticed that the Valet perk has been canned and this has upset a lot of DVC owners. I was wondering what other perks have become extinct? And also does the loss of these perks make you regret buying your DVC?

Thanks for your replies!

For us PERKS have never been the reason. Still happy.

 

[MrShiny]

I think the way they did the removal of valet parking was very poor, but there are not that many perks that have been removed. Probably the biggest one was the free passes you used to get when DVC first started (wasn't a member then, but recall hearing about it). More perks have been added then removed - AP discounts, free internet access come to mind.

The perks are a very minor part of the DVC value proposition. They are nice and allow Disney to show how valued we are as members to them.

 

[StitchFan73]

For us PERKS have never been the reason. Still happy.

That's funny you say that, because they gave me the little booklet and I haven't even looked at it. But I thought maybe there were better perks that hurt more when they were lost, ones that I might not know about.

I am just curious about everyones' opinion. I believe the best answer I will get will come from DVC owners and help me in my decision

 

[adminjedi]

It is made very clear when you buy, you are buying into the rooms.
The perks are an "extra" and can change at any time.
We didn't buy DVC for valet parking, we bought for quality and location of hotels. Even without the perks, we are coming out way ahead financially on our stays having bought DVC.

Food for thought on "freebies":
In Europe the bread sitting on the table isn't free. If you eat it you have to pay for it. How come people aren't complaining about those dirty rotten money grabbing profiteering establishments? Be thankful that, while it lasts, bread is complimentary in many USA restaurants.

Translation: If you use valet parking, you may have to pay for it. However, you still get the room!

 

[wdrl]

A recurring statement that you will read on the Disboards is that perks may be nice, but they come and go, and prospective buyers shouldn't count on perks in making their decision to buy. For example, when we bought into BLT, the sales literature stated that DVC members staying at BLT will have access to the Top of the World Lounge. However, it was made explicitly clear that TOWL was not part of the DVC and Disney retained the right to change TOWL's access rules in the future.

More important than perks are the operating rules that are contained in the Declaration of Condominium and POS for each resort. These are lengthy documents, and many buyers don't spend much time reading them before they buy. But these documents explain some of the changes that Disney has the authority to make. For example, Disney can reallocate points in a resort's point charts, suspend the banking or borrowing of points, require a minimum stay of up to 5 days, and even limit members to booking only at their home resort. To date, Disney has reallocated the point charts, but some of the other more drastic changes have never occurred.

 

[BlakeNJ]

While I will miss valet parking, it was not the reason we bought. I don't think I even knew about it at the time we were shopping around. The walk from the parking lot to the lobby (from BCV or AKL) isn't too bad. If I miss valet parking, it will be for the 5 minutes I am walking from my car to my room. Being in my DVC room will make me forget that when I walk in the door!

I love my DVC more than I loved valet parking or the other perks.

 

[Lynne M]

Perks come and go all the time. Sometimes there are a bunch of perks, sometimes not so many. With the exception of the AP discount, they're of modest value - 15% at a few restaurants, free internet, a small percentage off the tours, that sort of thing.

I've often said to prospective members here that DVC is a timeshare, not a discount club. It's not about the perks. Not a one of them is guaranteed in the contract, and in fact they could all go away at any time. You are buying the right to stay at DVC resorts. Nothing more.

Buy DVC because the lodging costs make sense financially for your family. Not because of a few little discounts here and there.

 

[DMKEDM]

We bought into DVC in 2006 and still love it. Every time I get annoyed at a perk or process change and think about going back to Disney as a resort guest, I run the numbers and DVC remains a good deal for me and my family.

Having said that, there have been a LOT of really basic changes to DVC in the 3 years I've owned...some are perks, some are processes.

The dining plan is nowhere near as good as it was originally--but remains better (for my family) than not using it. I'll miss the AP discount when they take it away (and I'll bet you a hot fudge sundae they will!). I don't ever have a car at Disney, and if I did, I'd almost certainly not valet park it--but I understand the unhappiness of the people who did make use of that perk.

For me, the most upsetting change was the waitlist rules. The new rules really hurt my family. My son can't (won't?) commit to most of our Disney trips months in advance--when we first bought in he was a college student; now he's a law student...he simply doesn't know months in advance that he can/will want to go...but I desperately want any Disney trips he winds up able/willing to take...it used to be that between being flexible and day-by-day waitlists I could piece together last-minute vacations, even during busy times like spring break. No more. It may be that the new limit of two wait lists, that cannot be day-by-day, and must accommodate booking categories, work for most DVC members, but it doesn't work for us. That was a real loss to me and my family. Having to give up those last minute (generally 8-6 weeks out) opportunities to go to Disney w/my son hurts.

So, for me--the problem isn't any one perk or process changing, it's that the "parade of changes" is fairly constant. I've come to the conclusion that you really cannot count on Disney/DVC for anything beyond the villa that they promise in the POS. If you know that walking in (I did, but didn't really realize it) you may be fine.

I still love Disney and I still love experiencing Disney via DVC...but I don't like the constant pace of rules and perks changes. In other words, I like DVC a lot less now than I did when I first bought in...but still like it enough that I'm not planning to sell any time soon. But I like it enough less that I've decided to not add on (again), and as a result will skip a trip I would have taken under the old rules.

I do think the issue is "expectations." So much of the appeal that caused me to buy has changed or gone away.

On the other hand, I need to be fair: when I bought in, I had to pay $9.95/day for internet access (an absolute must for me; ability to work via computer is what lets me go!)...now, I don't have to pay that fee. That was huge positive change. Almost makes up for my new inability to piece together last-minute trips.

Good luck w/your decision.

 

[DVC Mike]

It is made very clear when you buy, you are buying into the rooms.
The perks are an "extra" and can change at any time.
We didn't buy DVC for valet parking, we bought for quality and location of hotels. Even without the perks, we are coming out way ahead financially on our stays having bought DVC.

Yep!

 

[Longhairbear]

Financially, DVC was the best thing we have done for our vacations to WDW, and DLR. And probably better for Disney, as we now stay overnights at the villas at the Grand Californian.
Mentally, and physically we come back from vacations relaxed now. We spend less time running around the parks for rope drop, getting on attractions, dinner reservations etc. We sleep in, cook our own meals when we want them, or go out have a fine dining experience we wouldn't normally do. We sip coffee in the morning, not gulping it, because housekeeping wants to do our room. We pack less clothes, and carry less luggage to the airport, because we have a laundry in room. We spend at least one day, just staying in the room, reading, napping, or go for a walk around the resort, and exploring everything. We have taken an afternoon just riding all the boats, for free, around the canals by the Swan/ Dolphin/ BWV. We have cocktails poolside at VWL while our laundry is in the wash back in the room, and watched everyone come back on the boat from late hours at MK. Or check email for free on our laptops. We never rent a car, so we have never used the valet. We do use the discount for our WDW annual pass. But we bought the room, not the perks.
DVC is the best thing we have done for Ourselves.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It is made very clear when you buy, you are buying into the rooms.
The perks are an "extra" and can change at any time.
We didn't buy DVC for valet parking, we bought for quality and location of hotels. Even without the perks, we are coming out way ahead financially on our stays having bought DVC.

Food for thought on "freebies":
In Europe the bread sitting on the table isn't free. If you eat it you have to pay for it. How come people aren't complaining about those dirty rotten money grabbing profiteering establishments? Be thankful that, while it lasts, bread is complimentary in many USA restaurants.

Translation: If you use valet parking, you may have to pay for it. However, you still get the room!

Not only the bread, but if you have a glass of water in a restaurant in Conpenhagen, that's $2!

I figured we would lose free valet parking ever since valet parking was outsourced. I had used it mostly at BWV and I do hope DVC addresses the self parking situation there. We have had trouble finding a parking space in the lot many times.

Bobbi

 

[eliza61]

Hello, we are on the verge of buying a DVC and have been doing a lot of homework on it. I noticed that the Valet perk has been canned and this has upset a lot of DVC owners. I was wondering what other perks have become extinct? And also does the loss of these perks make you regret buying your DVC?

Thanks for your replies!

My standard answer is this. Am I happy I brought in, with out a doubt. would I recommend DVC to some one else. No Way.

My vacations are an "overall" experience. Sure I know I did not buy specifically for the perks but they "enhance" my overall enjoyment of any vacations. When I go to the airport there is a difference in the perception of a flight if skycaps handle my luggage rather then me checking them in myself.

For me it's not only dvc it's cutbacks all around Disney that are making my "experience" less and less magical. For example.

-mediocre dining. sure I don't go to disney specifically for restaurants but having subpar food or mediocre offerings does effect my vacation
Couple that with cutbacks in park entertainment and rising ticket prices and dues...

sure I didn't buy in for the valet but I used it every day and once again it was great to simply pull up at the WL at the end of a long hot day and walk right into the lodge. So once again my "magic" is diminished.

see what I mean.
I have had fabulous vacations at the mouse world and I'm probably not going to sell my points but we are taking a break from Disneyworld.
I'm due back to Orlando for my anniversary but I'm staying at the Waldof Astoria.

 

[colonialtinker]

I figured we would lose free valet parking ever since valet parking was outsourced. I had used it mostly at BWV and I do hope DVC addresses the self parking situation there. We have had trouble finding a parking space in the lot many times.
Bobbi

I agree , It is extremely difficult to find parking at the BWV. I really think that they should let us use our keys and park in the valet parking area, as that area always seems to have available parking spaces.

 

[edk35]

No regrets here!! We have been members going on 3 years and the perks are nice but not a deal breaker for us.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

There are a ton of posts on the DIS right now about how DVC keeps taking away our perks. I'm not sure why. Valet parking is the only meaningful perk we've lost. The flip side is we've gained free internet recently.

The free passes weren't a perk. They were a sales incentive.

DVC switched from discounts on length of stay passes, but replaced that with a better discount on annual passes. This is probably the only other meaningful change.

Restaurants come and go. Overall, they are as good now as ever.

Keep in mind as you read this board preparing to buy in, that the DIS has a bit of a Chicken Little Complex. Any change will illicit tons of posts on how we are doomed, DOOMED!

Things change. Some do make things worse. But there are tons of positive changes too.

 

[jodifla]

There are a ton of posts on the DIS right now about how DVC keeps taking away our perks. I'm not sure why. Valet parking is the only meaningful perk we've lost. The flip side is we've gained free internet recently.

The free passes weren't a perk. They were a sales incentive.

DVC switched from discounts on length of stay passes, but replaced that with a better discount on annual passes. This is probably the only other meaningful change.

Restaurants come and go. Overall, they are as good now as ever.

Keep in mind as you read this board preparing to buy in, that the DIS has a bit of a Chicken Little Complex. Any change will illicit tons of posts on how we are doomed, DOOMED!

Things change. Some do make things worse. But there are tons of positive changes too.

You know, I used to agree with this. But I just sent DVC member "satistfacation" an email detailing that while I was very happy with my purchase 13 years ago, I've stopped recommending ethusiastically to others.


The way this latest change hasn't been communicated to us is appalling. Changing it while members are already there is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!

And there have been a lot of questionable dumbing down of DVC in the last few years, including:

$95 booking fees
The gutting of the concierge collection
The change in the banking rules, which are a nightmare for us -- they don't work with our vacating style at all and mean that now we don't have a good use year

And those are just the ones that come to the top of my head.

So DVC now has a member who has gone from "DVC is the best thing ever" to "Well, it USED to be good."

 

[rcchello]

I love DVC even with the changes.

The best perk that they have added for the people who can use it is the discount on the annual passes. I remember when there was no discount and the members asked for years and we finally got it. It still might go away.

A couple of points - The free entrance to the parks for early DVC owners was specifically given out til the year 2000. It was not taken away, it just ended in 2000 when it was supposed to.

The Dining changes have nothing to do with DVC. The Dining plan is the same whether you are DVC or not - the only difference is that DVC people do not have to have to pay for a room to get it. Also what they serve in restaurants has nothing to do with DVC.

Most perks are of the type that do not cost DVC anything except the time to negotiate with others to provide them to us. Vendors ( usually other Disney companies/ restaurants in Hilton Head) will offer DVC members discounts. On occaisons these vendors do not see enough additional business to continue offering the discount, so they are no longer offered.

If people read the prospectus given out when they are buying they would understand what they are actually buying and what might go away. DO NOT BUY FOR THE PERKS - They may go away!

 

[tgropp]

I realize that the perks are not guaranteed , but you never like to lose something that you had. I love my DVC and my vacations but in all honesty, I can see the magic slipping away compared to my first stays. It was almost like a privelige to be able to afford a Disney vacation. There was not free dining and other promotions. If you wanted to go, you paid for it. And the magic was amazing. It is still good but I do not think that the new generation of Disney visitors will be dedicated to take an annual Disney vacation like visitors from the past. There has been numerous cutbacks and of course stockholder greed that I feel is diminishing the Disney expeirences from the past. But that is JMHO

 

[Kris10luvsDisney]

Our DVC purchase has been a wonderful experience for our family, and like pp'ers said we don't regret it for one second. We definitely didn't buy b/c the perks were so great. In fact in 2006 when we bought in, there really weren't any perks that were all that interesting to us. (we never rent a car, and don't go to WDW more than 1x/year to justify buying AP's). We crunched the numbers and found that the room accommodations that DVC affords us is well worth the purchase price. If we ever end up using a perk, well that's just the cherry on top!! (that being said we have used our DVC discount to buy tix to the MVMCP, and that was nice).