Disney discounts to DVC members

[Brian Noble]

I thought Walt was a pretty crappy business man, and why he went broke 3 or 4 times, Roy on the other hand..

His reach exceeded his grasp, no doubt. But it was Walt who understood that the TV show could be used as a free vehicle to advertise the films and the park---well before any other studio head got it. Not to mention the fact that the show served as the means to get ABC to underwrite the park, only to later buy ABC out of the deal before they realized what a gold mine the park could be.

He also understood the necessity of doing war films to keep the animators in the fold, rather than letting his talent go. Gabler's biography has a couple other examples.

Back to the topic at hand though: the problem has already become obvious. The only thing you have to negotiate with is the scale of the Membership. But, that's useless unless everyone can agree on what it is that they want, and clearly that's not going to happen. And, unless you use the buying power of the membership at large, Disney has zero incentive to give anything, up, because DVC Members are either already coming to the resort, using their points in a way such that someone else will come to the resort, or (unlikely) throwing away their dues, etc.

Finally, $5K is not nearly enough to cover admission for even two people for a week. It's only going to throw off about $400 per year. Your number for LOS passes is way too low.

 

[rccomputers]

It so happens that the person that I originally started this thread for happen to be over the house tonight. I asked her to read the thread and here are her comments..

My friend and dvc member has initated this discussion today. I'm visiting him tonight and have read everyone's comments. I understand what dvc has to offer. However, I feel there are many perks that are not being offered. I recently spoke to a dvc rep and expressed my concerns. They are not compliants but suggestions. She was eager to hear everything I had to say.
I certainly don't expect free nights or the Disney Dining Plan for free.

However; there are some simple, minor things that could make a big impact. I took notice during our recent stay at AKV that newspapers were delivered to guests that were non dvc members. There was one coffee packet in our room and four paper plates and plastic ware. Therefore, after one night my husband and I had to purchase the items that were free of charge across the hall.

This is absolutely ridiculous. I cannot believe we were charged for these items plus newspapers were delivered to non dvc members.
The most interesting part of this was my family was staying at another resort (non dvc members) for the first few nights. They then transfered to our hotel and said to us they felt they were treated better at Carribean Beach.

Someone stated above how nice the accomodations are. Yes, nice but has anyone noticed how the Boardwalk and Beach Club are "showing thier ware badly". We stayed at the Boardwalk and the door to the bathroom was scratched & broken. The cabinet under the sink fell off everytime we opened it. It seems like the maintenace is not being maintained with our dues.

I have had no regrets purchasing the vacation club but with the economy as it is, I believe DVC can offer more. Whether it's a newspaper, a better stocked studio or discounts to park hoppers, a little something is better then nothing.

A $100 off an annual pass is great but what if you cannot visit Disney World twice in a year???


Here ends her comments. I must say that I understan her concerns. They are minor yes. But keep in mind that we are all ambassadors for disney. We are proud owners when others don't understand. Keeping us all happy should be a priority. I am sure that very expensive car that has a squeaky wheel really can get you upset.

BTW. I am making her join DISBoards

 

[Deb & Bill]

If the hotels had the occupancy rates that the villas have, they would look a bit more worn, too. When a resort is constantly at 95% occupancy, it makes it difficult to do maintenance. And when resort guests (especially DVC members) don't report problems during their stay, these things don't get fixed.

And if you need more paper plates, etc, all you need to do is call Housekeeping and they will bring more. No extra charge.

 

[hakepb]

I consider myself a fairly cheap person, so I understand where all the "nickle and dime" (missing DVC value) stuff comes from. But, I think I am a recent enough member that I have not lost the big picture of the amazing vacations I've had because of DVC.

Because of "bonus points" we did an extra Disney trip and tried Christmas festivities the first time, absolutely loved it, so we made that our normal big trip the next year. This year, we tried MNSSHP and F&W, and were absolutely stunned with AKV. (btw we are members and got a paper every day, but I'd never expect it again, I thought it was a courtesy because the Dow did the first huge drop) But, the biggest bonus happened in the Summer when we realized we had valid AP's and could use points, so we flew out for a weekend getaway at WDW (it "only" cost us air and food)!!!!

DVC did throw us a "bone" in 2008, which means we do get a better value than the paper and coffee, we get free, high-speed Internet, which costs more to cash reservations than those other items...

With DVC, I have had extraordinary vacations that I otherwise would never do. I do not feel "nickle and dimed" at all.

 

[CarolA]

IMO

As long as Disney has a 4/3 deal, DVC is not worth it. The 4/3 promo will not last forever, while DVC is locked in for 40-50 years so DVC is worth it in the long run

But right now, you are correct the deals (4/3) are so good, it is cheaper to go through Disney Direct. Also, that is why you are seeing points being rented for $10 and less. Even at $10pp it is tough to justify renting when with the 4.3 deal you can pay the same through Disney direct

But with this short term, comes a great buying opprotunity. Market is flooded with resales and Disney cant keep up ROFR

Disclaimer: I am an avid renter but not owner of DVC. Would buy it, but I would have to finance it and I cant make that justification right now in my life

Have your priced out the 4/3 deal at a Deluxe?

Savings on the "ticket" almost $10!!! Try not to spend that all in one place at Disney LOL! Ticket cost $233.

Studio room cost at BCV (or standard room at the same resort) in early January $1,340 or $191 a night (plus tax)

Now I love my DVC, but....I don't think Disney pricing is in line with reality.

Renting points for the same 7 days at $10 a point costs you $1,040. The gate ticket price for a 7 day ticket $242. Cost $1282. Hmm... that 4/3 deal's a "Deal"? You just paid $291 over your rental cost.

And for most of us the "average" cost of our villa per night is less then $191 a night. I figured out a few years ago my average cost per night at OKW was way down, (amortizing the initial cost over the the total number of nights stayed plus the annual dues cost per year over the nights stayed that year)

Yes, the deal is better if you go value, but while folks on here see the "value" price and complain "we ain't gettin' no discount" in truth most of them wouldn't book value. They would wind up at higher priced "deals". So going through Disney Direct makes sense if you are going "down" in accomodations. If you go Deluxe or DVC then it makes no sense. And the "savings" decrease even farther when you get past early Jan and Disney "ups" the price on those rooms.

 

[Brian Noble]

Here ends her comments.

And they do seem reasonable. Heck, even at my low-rent Wyndhams, I can ask for more laundry detergent, and they'll just bring some by. On the other hand, I don't get a midweek trash and tidy at most of them.

But, it's important to recognize that none of these changes would come for free. They would all be reflected in higher dues. Perhaps not much higher, true, but any costs in operating the resort (including paper delivery, etc.) have to be paid for by the Members. They could be refurbished more often, as well, but that too would be paid for by the Members.

Believe me when I say that the folks getting that "free" newspaper each morning are paying dearly for it.

At the end of the day, a timeshare isn't a hotel. Disney's variants are closer to hotels than most, for a variety of reasons. But, still DVC has made many decisions similar to more traditional timeshares, including no daily housekeeping and a pay-for-service model for consumables.

 

[rccomputers]

So it seems that we are finally getting to the meat of the issue.

If a comparison is acutally done. The deals are not better then what we get as members, Discounts and bonuses are just that bonuses. Not to be expected but taken advantage of where possible.

As for some, as I read relpies, disney is almost a cult and can do nothing wrong. It is a shame that some can't see from all sides of an issue and can only chant the company line.

Others have the ablility to see right through to the issue and address it clearly and concisely.

I have always been of the opinion to ask for something, you just might get it. If not you still have the option of keeping the original deal. Does not mean that you do not like what you have already.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I still think there would be a possible advantage to creating the buying group. Just have to find a way to make it beneficial.