Disappointed

[disneyanimal]

Below is what I have written to DVC, always been very happy with DVC, but diminishing perks are really bothering me. Annual pass holders are getting the same if not better perks than DVC member, I have been both a DVC member and a annual pass holder, but what is DVC going to take away next?


Just came came from a vacation at the Boardwalk Villas which I had no problem with, but I'm very disappointed at DVC as our perks are diminishing. There were two perks that were gone during our last visit, first it was the valet parking and the second was the golf membership that I had purchased on a prior trip. DVC members have to purchase a golf membership to get the same savings as a annual pass holder? that is ridiculous. There is a feeling of being ripped off when these perks go away, we have purchased a interest in your company but are not valued customers.

While people that only go to Disney every 10 years get free dinning and increased perks and free stuff, the ones that visit your resorts and parks multiple times a year like DVC members are getting diminishing perks, how are these people expected to feel? I do ask you do re-consider all perks you have taken away from your members and the ones you plan on taking away in the future, people make a 50 year commitment to DVC as a Disney customer and you only appreciate future customers. While marketing to new customer is understandable you cannot forget the customers that are already there.

 

[vicki_c]

Let everyone know what they say.

I personally don't have any issues -- no perks were guaranteed as part of what we purchased, so I don't see that there's any grounds for complaint.

We all purchased a real estate interest and that's what we all have received.

The every 10 years visitors are the ones that need to be lured back -- not DVC members, or in many cases, AP holders. That's why, with the economy down so much, they are getting the offers.

 

[mjy]

Below is what I have written to DVC, always been very happy with DVC, but diminishing perks are really bothering me. Annual pass holders are getting the same if not better perks than DVC member, I have been both a DVC member and a annual pass holder, but what is DVC going to take away next?

I can understand your frustration -- I'm not happy about some of the diminished perks as well -- but, at the same time, perks are just that, perks. They are not entitlements or something guaranteed. No one should ever purchase into DVC based upon the perks at the present moment because they can and often do change.

The reason I purchased into DVC was for the cheaper vacations that I could get. My ownership has more than paid for itself already. So when any perk comes my way, I think, Woo Hoo!!!! And when any perk is taken away, I get a little sad but then wait for the next perk.

Since one of the perks, thus far, is a great discount on annual passes, we can realize a lot of benefits from the passes as well.

I guess all I'm saying is, enjoy your membership in DVC for the value that it has brought to you for your vacations. Anything extra that comes our way is a plus . . . for however long or short we have it.

Enjoy!

 

[DebbieB]

The valet parking really isn't DVC's fault. Disney outsourced the valet parking and the outsourcing company did not agree to continue free DVC valet. If DVC were to keep it, they would have to charge for it through dues. That would not be fair to members who do not use it (and I did use it).

As far as "free dining", it requires a full price room purchase. What you are paying for DVC over the life of the contract does not come anywhere near full price rooms. A 1 bedroom is over $400 a night at full price. You could pay that and get "free dining".

 

[dmoore22]

Let everyone know what they say.

I personally don't have any issues -- no perks were guaranteed as part of what we purchased, so I don't see that there's any grounds for complaint.

We all purchased a real estate interest and that's what we all have received.

The every 10 years visitors are the ones that need to be lured back -- not DVC members, or in many cases, AP holders. That's why, with the economy down so much, they are getting the offers.

Ditto here. We have seen perks come and go in the nearly 10 years we've been owners. In spite of the recent changes in the level of perks the current perks are still so much more than what we had when we first bought our interest in DVC.

 

[Chuck S]

Below is what I have written to DVC, always been very happy with DVC, but diminishing perks are really bothering me. Annual pass holders are getting the same if not better perks than DVC member, I have been both a DVC member and a annual pass holder, but what is DVC going to take away next?


Just came came from a vacation at the Boardwalk Villas which I had no problem with, but I'm very disappointed at DVC as our perks are diminishing. There were two perks that were gone during our last visit, first it was the valet parking and the second was the golf membership that I had purchased on a prior trip. DVC members have to purchase a golf membership to get the same savings as a annual pass holder? that is ridiculous. There is a feeling of being ripped off when these perks go away, we have purchased a interest in your company but are not valued customers.

As others have said, perks are perks...not guaranteed. If you purchased for perks and discounts, you purchased DVC for the wrong reason.

While people that only go to Disney every 10 years get free dinning and increased perks and free stuff, the ones that visit your resorts and parks multiple times a year like DVC members are getting diminishing perks, how are these people expected to feel? I do ask you do re-consider all perks you have taken away from your members and the ones you plan on taking away in the future, people make a 50 year commitment to DVC as a Disney customer and you only appreciate future customers. While marketing to new customer is understandable you cannot forget the customers that are already there.

In reality, we as individuals, have not made a 50 year commitment, we are free to sell our ownership to someone else. And we did not purchase an "interest in the company," people that do that are stockholders, and stockholders get no perks whatsoever.

While I understand your disappointment in the loss of valet, someone has to pay for it. The question is who...the contractor, Disney, DVD or members through dues?

 

[Nikisha421]

I know perks are just perks but they do make you feel better as an owner...keep up to date and let us know what Disney has to say in response...

 

[puntagordabob]

Free valet parking isnt a huge deal for most of the resorts...however at the Boardwalk it IS a big deal when the lots are full and you have to park across the street because a zillion people sneaked their vehicles to park at the BW resort to get by the park parking fees.

 

[TisBit]

Lose of valet parking never bothered me, because I never used it and probably never would, just not the valet parking type of person I guess.

As far as the AP discounts, I know I can plan my trips to get a AP and then I have a choice of discounts, sometimes DVC beats AP, sometimes the opposite.

 

[jco_direwolf]

I have to say, the losing valet parking does bug me. It was nice I used it quite a bit.

Yes Disney outsourced it, yes DVC would have to pay though dues for it. We are a big group, thru collective bargaining we should be able to get a good rate for it.

It's like the built-in gratuity with DDE (err ummm that Tables thing) I use to tip 20+% now I do 18% on the nose, unless service is bad then I had them remove it (and tipped more like 10%, I only did this once.)

And yes I still use the Valet parking though DDE, but it's only good for 4 hours, and only if you eat at the resort. Although a lot of times they will let you ride as long as it's not over night.

johno

 

[manning]

They are not entitlements or something guaranteed. !

Exactly!!!!

 

[DISNEY FIX]

Below is what I have written to DVC, always been very happy with DVC, but diminishing perks are really bothering me. Annual pass holders are getting the same if not better perks than DVC member, I have been both a DVC member and a annual pass holder, but what is DVC going to take away next?


Just came came from a vacation at the Boardwalk Villas which I had no problem with, but I'm very disappointed at DVC as our perks are diminishing. There were two perks that were gone during our last visit, first it was the valet parking and the second was the golf membership that I had purchased on a prior trip. DVC members have to purchase a golf membership to get the same savings as a annual pass holder? that is ridiculous. There is a feeling of being ripped off when these perks go away, we have purchased a interest in your company but are not valued customers.

While people that only go to Disney every 10 years get free dinning and increased perks and free stuff, the ones that visit your resorts and parks multiple times a year like DVC members are getting diminishing perks, how are these people expected to feel? I do ask you do re-consider all perks you have taken away from your members and the ones you plan on taking away in the future, people make a 50 year commitment to DVC as a Disney customer and you only appreciate future customers. While marketing to new customer is understandable you cannot forget the customers that are already there.

Thanks. There is nothing wrong in knowing you are a good customer, letting them know that and would like to be treated as such. Let us know what happens.

 

[jagson]

Perks come and go, but recently there's been a shift towards the red. Valet parking and reduced golf fees were 2 big ones; and I haven't seen any perk(s) to replace them; not new incentives to prospective buyers. Does this affect the way you vacation, spend your time and money? I won't play golf on property, won't eat at restaurants on property, and will eat more meals in the room. So, won't need TIW, anymore. Somedays I've gotten through a whole at Disney, and spent very little. Bottomline, the more, and better the perks, the more I spend. In this economy Disney has to cutback, and so do we. As the economy brightens up, and Disney lightens up on the perks, then so will I lighten up my purse strings. Disney's behavior is a gauge to my behavior. If they see a trend downwards in DVCers' support financially, it might influence their purse strings to open up and restore perks. Theirs is a business decision that impacts my finances, if I so choose. My response to their decision, magnified several hundred thousand times, would certainly open their eyes, and hopefully influence better business decisions. Studies show that people spend more when they sense a good bargain, and the happier the customer, the more they spend.
How say you?

 

[ToddyLu]

Perks come and go, but recently there's been a shift towards the red. Valet parking and reduced golf fees were 2 big ones; and I haven't seen any perk(s) to replace them; not new incentives to prospective buyers. Does this affect the way you vacation, spend your time and money? I won't play golf on property, won't eat at restaurants on property, and will eat more meals in the room. So, won't need TIW, anymore. Somedays I've gotten through a whole at Disney, and spent very little. Bottomline, the more, and better the perks, the more I spend. In this economy Disney has to cutback, and so do we. As the economy brightens up, and Disney lightens up on the perks, then so will I lighten up my purse strings. Disney's behavior is a gauge to my behavior. If they see a trend downwards in DVCers' support financially, it might influence their purse strings to open up and restore perks. Theirs is a business decision that impacts my finances, if I so choose. My response to their decision, magnified several hundred thousand times, would certainly open their eyes, and hopefully influence better business decisions. Studies show that people spend more when they sense a good bargain, and the happier the customer, the more they spend.
How say you?

I still say I bought into DVC strictly for the deal on a SV room at AKV, onothing more. If we get a good deal on an AP, OK, if it was gone tomorrow I would still buy park tickets and Park Hopper. If DDP went away we would pay OOP for food. I do not base my Disney experience on food that I get on property. I certainly understand and appreciate your logic--but I bought DVC for a room not perks.

Please know that I am just responding to you and in no way mean to be disrespectful--but we all have an opinion, right.

Yes there are shifts in the economics of Disney as a business based on how money is spent. I still get my room at AKV with SV if I have enough points....period.

 

[Dean]

Below is what I have written to DVC, always been very happy with DVC, but diminishing perks are really bothering me. Annual pass holders are getting the same if not better perks than DVC member, I have been both a DVC member and a annual pass holder, but what is DVC going to take away next?


Just came came from a vacation at the Boardwalk Villas which I had no problem with, but I'm very disappointed at DVC as our perks are diminishing. There were two perks that were gone during our last visit, first it was the valet parking and the second was the golf membership that I had purchased on a prior trip. DVC members have to purchase a golf membership to get the same savings as a annual pass holder? that is ridiculous. There is a feeling of being ripped off when these perks go away, we have purchased a interest in your company but are not valued customers.

While people that only go to Disney every 10 years get free dinning and increased perks and free stuff, the ones that visit your resorts and parks multiple times a year like DVC members are getting diminishing perks, how are these people expected to feel? I do ask you do re-consider all perks you have taken away from your members and the ones you plan on taking away in the future, people make a 50 year commitment to DVC as a Disney customer and you only appreciate future customers. While marketing to new customer is understandable you cannot forget the customers that are already there.

Two points. One that perks come and go and are not guaranteed. The other is that someone else getting a perk at the same level as a DVC member is not hurting the DVC member in any way. Of course you could purchase an AP using the golf membership price as a discount.

 

[rigsby25]

Perks come and go, but recently there's been a shift towards the red. Valet parking and reduced golf fees were 2 big ones; and I haven't seen any perk(s) to replace them; not new incentives to prospective buyers. Does this affect the way you vacation, spend your time and money? I won't play golf on property, won't eat at restaurants on property, and will eat more meals in the room. So, won't need TIW, anymore. Somedays I've gotten through a whole at Disney, and spent very little. Bottomline, the more, and better the perks, the more I spend. In this economy Disney has to cutback, and so do we. As the economy brightens up, and Disney lightens up on the perks, then so will I lighten up my purse strings. Disney's behavior is a gauge to my behavior. If they see a trend downwards in DVCers' support financially, it might influence their purse strings to open up and restore perks. Theirs is a business decision that impacts my finances, if I so choose. My response to their decision, magnified several hundred thousand times, would certainly open their eyes, and hopefully influence better business decisions. Studies show that people spend more when they sense a good bargain, and the happier the customer, the more they spend.
How say you?

Yes times are rough! Not that this has anything to do with perks, but my husband and I just came back from a February vacation with no hotel charges under our door. We've never done that before. And the trip before this one - we didn't even go to the parks. Just the pool. We stop at the grocery store and the liquor store before we check in. I would like to hear more about the golf perk. My sister in law purchased a golf membership thing on our DVC membership in October. Can she use it this October, or is it no good anymore?

 

[fishermouse]

While non DVC AP holders may be getting a golf discount they also paid $100. more for the AP.. I always use TIW it is a much better discount than AP or DVC.. Where TIW is not accepted I usually will pull out all my AP and DVC the waiter/waitress will tell me which they accept and which is a better discount, somretimes I resort to AARP, whatever works NO complaints from me I really don't use many of the perks other than the AP discount, the AP perks are better than most DVC perks. you need an AP to buy the TIW. Have to keep us buying AP's we already paid for the DVC..

 

[Disneyhappy]

We did not buy in fo the perks but I must agree that the perks have continually diminished over our last 5 years of membership. I also noticed a decrease in quality over the last 5 years as well. The good news is the decrease has not hit the level that we would sell our points but it has played a factor whenever we consider adding points to our original contract.

The perk with the diminishing value is the AP discount. AP prices continue to go up but the DVC AP discount remains at $100. Granted, a $100 discount is definitely better than nothing but if the discount kept up with the AP price increases, the discount would be around $125 (I haven't done the math on this in awhile so correct me if I am wrong).

A PP mentioned they go off site to eat. We started to do this more frequently when we felt the quality of the WDW restaurant offering decreased with the popularity of the Dining Plan. We still enjoy some of the restaurants, especially when we are hosting first time guests. Before, we ate exclusively on site. I am not worried that Disney is missing our money because their guests enjoying the dining plan is more than making up for our few paltry dollars in comparison.

 

[jco_direwolf]

Two points. One that perks come and go and are not guaranteed. The other is that someone else getting a perk at the same level as a DVC member is not hurting the DVC member in any way. Of course you could purchase an AP using the golf membership price as a discount.

I agree that anything not listed in the contract is not guaranteed. However, we (DVC) are a large group, and we should be able to bargain with the companies that support Disney.

I would like to see DVD/DVC put a little effort into that for us. As a block of people I would think getting better rates wouldn't be that hard. They keep dropping perks like the valet parking, and saying it's because members want it or to keep the fees down. Well let us know how much you saved us in fees or tell us what "member focus group" didn't want the perk? I have to say I'm very suspect of those excuses. I don't think we need to vote on everything, I really want the association to make the calls. But how about some transparency. We are all adults, they don't have make up reasons.

Reminds me of a few years ago when the company I was working for at the time sent out an email to the whole company explaining they surveyed every other company in the area, and since none of them where closed on Patriots Day, we wouldn't be closing either. Well we all came in and the building parking lot was EMPTY, this is in downtown Cambridge there are never any parking spots. If someone made a call and said "we don't want to close for patriots day" then just say so.

johno

 

[smjj]

I understand the OP's concerns. I am sure we all understand they are not a gurantee as many here keep reminding us but... During our sales pitch the sales person made a big deal about them and how we are getting these and the rest of the world is not. now we did not buy for the perks but they were mentioned many times to us. when they start to disappear, it just makes one think, gee whats next and why did they make such a big deal about them. it just lowers the sale to that of a guy selling used cars and tells you whatever. We will continue to enjoy our membership but please folks stop making excuses for Disney everytime they remove a perk expecially when they use there same perks as a selling feature...smjj