Disappearing perks question

[WheatThins]

we initially purchased 300 or so points (i honestly can't remember how many) in 1997, shortly after the free passes to park program ended. in 2001 we wanted to buy more points. we went to talk to him at the sales center and he told us that we wouldn't qualify for the $100 disney bucks they were using as an incentive since we were already members. in fact, he said my kids really shouldn't have received the free mickey bar. we voted with our feet and spent the money at marriot's horizons located very near sea world. it opened our eyes quite a bit to what was outside the compound. and, the marriot incentive was a 7 day cruise for two. marriot time shares are better in some ways and worse in others. we really like having both.

 

[Dean]

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!

As noted, perks come and go and with a very few specific exceptions, should not be the reason to buy (or sell). One should only buy to stay at the DVC resorts and at least be happy if they can only stay at their home resort. The only legitimate issue IMO is that some see the way some of the changes have been handled as specific cause for concern and I can certainly see that line of thinking. DVC has definitely made some poor choices of HOW they did things the last year or two even though the actual decisions themselves were appropriate. The only exceptions I can think of right now are the two AKV issues where guests either had to be reassigned or have a lessor room due to loss of a view. In those 2 situations it was still mostly how it was done but in some aspects, also what was done. Maybe others have additional examples.

 

[mcqueengroupie]

First, let me state that I love all things Disney, and I am extremely happy to be a DVC owner. BUT.....I am getting angry of all the FREE things that Disney is doing...free dining, free nights...give me a break, we paid a ton of money, but we NEVER get to experience these perks...we pay our annual dues, no matter what, so I don't understand why DVC doesn't throw us a bone every once and while. All the free dining has destroyed the restaurants, and it makes it impossible to get ADR's. Now I hear Disney Cruise Lines is having a promo in 2010 that kids sail free with an adult...if they can afford all of these promos, why can't they give us a deal on tickets?? Something would be nice, I feel like they got my money and now they could care less!!!!

 

[famgel]

First, let me state that I love all things Disney, and I am extremely happy to be a DVC owner. BUT.....I am getting angry of all the FREE things that Disney is doing...free dining, free nights...give me a break, we paid a ton of money, but we NEVER get to experience these perks...we pay our annual dues, no matter what, so I don't understand why DVC doesn't throw us a bone every once and while. All the free dining has destroyed the restaurants, and it makes it impossible to get ADR's. Now I hear Disney Cruise Lines is having a promo in 2010 that kids sail free with an adult...if they can afford all of these promos, why can't they give us a deal on tickets?? Something would be nice, I feel like they got my money and now they could care less!!!!

I'm kind off 50/50 on this discussion, we did not go into DVC 3 yrs ago just to go the WDW. We've been able to take 2 vacations within a 12 mo period since that time. But we've also taking advantage of DL, Concierge hotel, HH, and most recently RCI timeshare, besides WDW resorts. I believe this all around view on DVC will enable you more variety and higher quality vacations. Perks are nice and I do agree that there could be more but that's not why we joined. I wanted to guarantee my family at least 2 vacations a year and experience different parts of the US, which I achieved. My kids are older and in college so I'm fortunate to have a month break inbetween Xmas and end of Jan, along with early dismissal in May (both are months are less points for WDW & HH). I believe this played a big part of our success with DVC. We did go to Maine this past summer through RCI, but I thought "Who the heck would want to go to Maine in the summer?" It's normally a winter resort and therefore easy to get ressie, but it was gorgeous up there and the whole family had a great time! This is just my view and you just need to evaluate your own family needs in order to figure out if DVC is a good fit. For us it was the best thing we've done so far!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mcqueengroupie]

I know that my DH and I are not like every other DVC owner, but we bought into DVC only for going to Disney...so our DVC is a great way for us to be able to afford to go to Disney and have some room to move around!!! I guess that is why I would love a meaningful perk, not just 15% off at some restaurants and stores, I would love something to help us go more often...isn't that what Disney is doing with their promos....getting people to the parks, I guess in the end it would be nice to be "special" to be a DVC owner, I thought it would be more exciting than your average timeshare, but in the end it isn't. I am glad we own with them though because it isn't easy to trade into Disney coming from another company...that is why we bought in!

 

[zulaya]

Valet parking...have used it a handful of times in the nearly 10 years we've been going, but have only used it at the Grand Floridian when driving for dinner. Won't miss it much.

I don't stay at BWV, but it sounds like the self-parking is a mess if everyone valets because they can't find a spot in the self-lot. If that's the case, then BWV owners, I think you need to send a note to DVC Member Satisfaction en masse.

I think the root of a lot of these problems is POOR communication on DVC's end. I don't know if they are this poor at planning ahead, or if it's a deliberate decision to give last minute notice in an attempt to stave off mass anger (obviously that didn't work), but whatever it is, they need to buck up and act responsibly.

That means giving proper notice to everyone ahead of time.

MS Advisors need to know in advance when a start date for a change is.
Members need to receive an email, in advance, of when the change is.
The member website needs to have that information, in advance, of when the change is.

Members aren't stupid. And if DVC doesn't give a clear explanation, we are free to judge for ourselves or read between the lines we think we see and come to our own conclusions.

Wouldn't it be better for them to be more upfront about it? It would definitely give them the upper hand in controlling rumor and at the very least be good customer service.

If they can send me crap about Deevy See...and I'm sorry, she's just too hokey and not even entertaining...then they can man up and send me an email about any changes happening that affect my membership (including perks) in a timely fashion.

Sorry for the minor hijack of your thread...

 

[wildernessDad]

I didn't buy in because of the perks and I won't sell my membership due to a lack of perks.

We've only been members since 2005 and I was a little disappointed to find out, at that time, that we weren't eligible for the DDP. Since then, we've gotten that... perk.

I do like the AP perk. I hope that continues. If it doesn't, I'll have to work around it, by either buying the AP at the higher cost or going to the parks less so I don't really need an AP.

 

[famsen]

My thing is, when we bought we actually were told the Perks were a great benefit of purchasing DVC. We told our guide how much we love Boma so our guide got out the Perks guide and pointed out how we would get a discount at Boma! Guess what? We never even had a chance to use the Boma discount because it was gone the next month. She also asked us about what other things we like to do and where we like to eat. She looked all those things up in the Perks book. It was definitely part of the sales pitch.
Now of course we did not make our purchase based on a 10% discount at Boma, but we did consider that we would also be able to save a little money while on vacation by being DVC members. If they ever end up taking away the annual pass discount, we may consider selling. That is a great perk that would make it really hard for us to vacation the way we like at WDW without it.

 

[Dean]

First, let me state that I love all things Disney, and I am extremely happy to be a DVC owner. BUT.....I am getting angry of all the FREE things that Disney is doing...free dining, free nights...give me a break, we paid a ton of money, but we NEVER get to experience these perks...we pay our annual dues, no matter what, so I don't understand why DVC doesn't throw us a bone every once and while. All the free dining has destroyed the restaurants, and it makes it impossible to get ADR's. Now I hear Disney Cruise Lines is having a promo in 2010 that kids sail free with an adult...if they can afford all of these promos, why can't they give us a deal on tickets?? Something would be nice, I feel like they got my money and now they could care less!!!!

Disney is not preventing you from getting those great discounts or participating with other programs. Many have put their points on hold and taken advantage of some of these programs. Often they'll use their points for other things like a larger room or extended family trip or just bank for later. Disney offering such deals does not hurt any DVC member in any way other than the utilization issue such as getting a dining reservation during free dining. You must really be angry at those of us who trade in for even less, pennies on the dollar.

 

[chainkid]

The loss of most perks didn't bother me but the loss of valet parking isn't sitting well since i own at boardwalk and self parking is horrific there. I bought when points were much less than they are now and have had alot of wonderful trips but i no longer have the Disney bug and would not advice anyone to buy in at these prices. I have recently thought about selling my points or at least some of them because my kids no longer want to go. My extended family doesn't care to go anymore mainly because not much has changed in the parks and most are bored. they still love the location of the boardwalk and the fireworks but not enough to dedicate a week of their hard earned vacation. Obviously Disney magic is alive and well and they continue to sell out resorts but the changes overtime have diminished the magic for me.

 

[Dean]

The loss of most perks didn't bother me but the loss of valet parking isn't sitting well since i own at boardwalk and self parking is horrific there. I bought when points were much less than they are now and have had alot of wonderful trips but i no longer have the Disney bug and would not advice anyone to buy in at these prices. I have recently thought about selling my points or at least some of them because my kids no longer want to go. My extended family doesn't care to go anymore mainly because not much has changed in the parks and most are bored. they still love the location of the boardwalk and the fireworks but not enough to dedicate a week of their hard earned vacation. Obviously Disney magic is alive and well and they continue to sell out resorts but the changes overtime have diminished the magic for me.

I own at BWV and have stayed there more than anywhere else other than possibly OKW plus we always go there once or twice every trip even when not staying. I don't think the parking is bad at BWV. It's not as close as it is for BCV but it's easier to get a spot and it's no further than it is at VWL to the villas.

 

[dizneyfan23]

I own at BWV and have stayed there more than anywhere else other than possibly OKW plus we always go there once or twice every trip even when not staying. I don't think the parking is bad at BWV. It's not as close as it is for BCV but it's easier to get a spot and it's no further than it is at VWL to the villas.

It would help some at BWV if the security guards (all of them) would make 100% sure that if you are parking there, that you are actually staying there.

 

[dis-happy]

I own at BWV and have stayed there more than anywhere else other than possibly OKW plus we always go there once or twice every trip even when not staying. I don't think the parking is bad at BWV. It's not as close as it is for BCV but it's easier to get a spot and it's no further than it is at VWL to the villas.

Glad you stated this, as it closely mirrors my experience. We self park for our BWV stays and pretty much leave the car most days, seeing as you can walk to two parks (Ep and DHS) and take the bus to MK since it's easier than driving, parking, etc.

The only place we've ever done valet parking is at GF, using the DDE card.....that self parking is a bit of a hike, perhaps comparable to the across the street BW parking (missing caskbill's gps distances here for true accuracy).

 

[mcqueengroupie]

[

QUOTE]Originally Posted by Dean Disney is not preventing you from getting those great discounts or participating with other programs. Many have put their points on hold and taken advantage of some of these programs. Often they'll use their points for other things like a larger room or extended family trip or just bank for later. Disney offering such deals does not hurt any DVC member in any way other than the utilization issue such as getting a dining reservation during free dining. You must really be angry at those of us who trade in for even less, pennies on the dollar.
Yesterday 03:59 PM

[/QUOTE]

I never said that Disney is preventing me from doing anything. If I wanted to stay in a hotel room, I wouldn't have bought in, but I didn't, I wanted room for my entire family. What you do with your points is your business, this discussion was about the lack of perks within DVC. I was agreeing with most of the posts who are saddened about the lack perks given to DVC owners. Hey, I always say when I receive a FED EX package from DVC, they could have sent me an e-mail, and saved me some dues money with all the mass mailings they do. I love Disney, and I love to hear the magical words uttered to me...."Welcome Home"...I, like many other people here, would like to see something special done for the owners...that's all....Now with that being said, do I think this will happen?? No I don't, but that doesn't mean I hate disney and will never go back....We are counting the days till we go...I was just writing my feelings down...no need to get insulted....

 

[CarolAnnC]

This has evolved into another valet parking perk discussion, and since we have our main thread already on the topic, this one is closed. Thanks all..