Do you think DVC would let members who have a few points left over donate them?

[yeahdisney]

Do you think DVC would be interested in letting members donate their odd left over points into something like Make a Wish? And let someone from Make a Wish make the reservation with the points for the families getting the gift? Would that or has that even been discussed at the members meeting in December?

 

[Chuck S]

That is a nice thought, but DVC has not, so far, allowed that. And, it would not be "free." There would be a cost to DVC for the personnel to transfer the points, and book the reservation, that would be shared by the membership...thus I really don't see it happening.

 

[disneynutz]

I discussed this subject with Jim Lewis last month and he seemed interested. He had his assistant take my contact information and said that he would be getting back to me. I haven't heard anything yet.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

I discussed this subject with Jim Lewis last month and he seemed interested. He had his assistant take my contact information and said that he would be getting back to me. I haven't heard anything yet.

Bill

He was just being polite. This is extra work, effort and cost to DVC and they aren't going to do anything for free.

 

[disneynutz]

He was just being polite. This is extra work, effort and cost to DVC and they aren't going to do anything for free.

I thought that maybe with his ego, he would jump at the chance to issue a press release on how he is donating DVC stays to special groups.

Bill

 

[CarolAnnC]

I don't think DVC will get involved with this either. First there is no tax advantage to either the DVC Member, nor to DVC, for donating individual stays. IRS laws only allow that if the entire DVC membership is donated.

Plus, Disney right now lets their Resort rooms stay empty, if they are unoccupied, rather than donate them either.

 

[Cruelladeville]

We wouldn't be donating the points for a tax write-off...OK, that wouldn't be our first thought. The thing is, so many of us have points that just end, when our new use year begins. I have 14 points in holding that will run out in about 3 weeks. It would be so nice to give them to Make a Wish, and if several of us donated a few points here and there, a lot more sick kids would be able to go to Disney World. It seems like such a waste for those points to just slowly die away, when they could do so much good. All the airlines manage to let us frequent flyers donate some of our points to charities. it seems like Disney could manage it, too.

 

[silmarg]

You would think with Disney being supposedly so philanthropic (give a day, get a day) that donating points to Make a Wish (or wherever) would be a no brainer.

 

[Chuck S]

We wouldn't be donating the points for a tax write-off...OK, that wouldn't be our first thought. The thing is, so many of us have points that just end, when our new use year begins. I have 14 points in holding that will run out in about 3 weeks. It would be so nice to give them to Make a Wish, and if several of us donated a few points here and there, a lot more sick kids would be able to go to Disney World. It seems like such a waste for those points to just slowly die away, when they could do so much good. All the airlines manage to let us frequent flyers donate some of our points to charities. it seems like Disney could manage it, too.

You would think with Disney being supposedly so philanthropic (give a day, get a day) that donating points to Make a Wish (or wherever) would be a no brainer.

Again, this would not be without some costs that would be passed to the general membership. And with a one transfer per use year rule, it likely isn't possbile to legally make exceptions for one entity (Make a Wish) without allowing unlimited transfers for members. Remember, timeshare operations fall under different laws and are regulated by the state.

 

[Dean]

A member could do this on their own by hosting the reservation in their account. I doubt DIS or DVC would allow any advertising of such though.

 

[eliza61]

A member could do this on their own by hosting the reservation in their account. I doubt DIS or DVC would allow any advertising of such though.

We donated our points one year at a beef and beer fundraiser. My neighbor, that livves across the street were a couple (sarah and Dave) with 3 small kids. Dave was killed by a teen with no license who swiped his dad's work truck, ran a red light and t-bone Dave on the drivers side.

We donated 5 days worth of points. We coordinated with the winning bidder on booking the vacation.

 

[disneynutz]

Again, this would not be without some costs that would be passed to the general membership. And with a one transfer per use year rule, it likely isn't possible to legally make exceptions for one entity (Make a Wish) without allowing unlimited transfers for members. Remember, timeshare operations fall under different laws and are regulated by the state.

With all due respect Chuck, Disney pretty much does what they want and has ways around everything if it benefits the Mouse.

They created their own Government entity to bypass outside Government regulation and they post all DVC sales as Theme Park revenue to improve their balance sheet for the financial analysts.

If they saw a public relations or tax benefit to helping us donate points, they would probably be doing it already.

Bill

 

[Chuck S]

With all due respect Chuck, Disney pretty much does what they want and has ways around everything if it benefits the Mouse.

They created their own Government entity to bypass outside Government regulation and they post all DVC sales as Theme Park revenue to improve their balance sheet for the financial analysts.

If they saw a public relations or tax benefit to helping us donate points, they would probably be doing it already.

Bill

Disney/DVC still must abide by FL Timeshare laws. They may be a local government through Reedy Creek for tax, fire and emergency services, buy they are still governed by Florida state laws. And some of those timeshare laws do not allow a timeshare company to do things with points for entity, like Make a Wish, that they do not allow for all members, like ignoring the transfer rules.

 

[ToddyLu]

If you would like to make a charitable donation there is a charity in the Orlando area called "Give Kids the World". They have a downscaled amusement park on location. THe cool thing is that this place has many duplexes (like 60 I think) on site where families come from all over the world to visit central Florida because it is a sick child's wish. The family comes into the Duplex for a week free of charge and there are welcome baskets with sodas and snacks and activities for the kids. You can donate money or crayons to them and they will accept it, they provide a list on-line I believe. There are lots of volunteers who help out with this project. They can get a child and family there within 24 hours if needed so the child gets a wish. DH and I are looking into this as our charity and just have not decided how we want to help. Just an idea if you are wanting children to experience Disney, Universal, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney/DVC still must abide by FL Timeshare laws. They may be a local government through Reedy Creek for tax, fire and emergency services, buy they are still governed by Florida state laws. And some of those timeshare laws do not allow a timeshare company to do things with points for entity, like Make a Wish, that they do not allow for all members, like ignoring the transfer rules.

Without knowing what the Florida Timeshare laws are, we don't know what is controlled by Florida and what is controlled by Disney.

They can change point allocations, reservation rules, banking rules, which they recently have. I don't remember us voting on any of these. Even if a change requires a vote, Disney is who votes. The Member meeting last month cracked me up when the Disney employees voted on our behalf. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house.

Someone at Disney decided that SSR Members needed a new pool, what was that all about? A new pool in more important than a decent counter service menu at OKW, when OKW has a full kitchen that could be used to prepare the food.

Seems like Disney does what they want, when they want, unchecked.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Someone at Disney decided that SSR Members needed a new pool, what was that all about? A new pool in more important than a decent counter service menu at OKW, when OKW has a full kitchen that could be used to prepare the food.

Seems like Disney does what they want, when they want, unchecked.

Bill

Why does OKW need a counter service place? Goods to go is fine. If you want more options, don't stay at OKW. It's been okay since 1992 when they opened the place.

They already decided that OKW needed a slide at the pool a few years ago and the members had to pay for the improvements and for the increased staffing required. We don't need to pay for more improvements for other members to use.

 

[Chuck S]

They can change point allocations, reservation rules, banking rules, which they recently have. I don't remember us voting on any of these. Even if a change requires a vote, Disney is who votes. The Member meeting last month cracked me up when the Disney employees voted on our behalf. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house.

Someone at Disney decided that SSR Members needed a new pool, what was that all about? A new pool in more important than a decent counter service menu at OKW, when OKW has a full kitchen that could be used to prepare the food.

Seems like Disney does what they want, when they want, unchecked.

Bill

But, I would assume that you knew about the voting rights and board set up before you purchased. It was certainly in the documents. If I'd found it to be such a negative thing, I would not have purchased.

As far as the counter service at OKW, I agree it is lacking. But, we used to be able to order from Olivia's menu at Good's to Go. For the loss of that ability, I would blame the DDP, and some members insisting that they be able to use Counter Service credits, rather than lay the blame on the DVC Board. The board, and DVC in general, likely had nothing to do with that decision, as DVC does not control the stores or food services. They are operated by Disney, not DVC.

In general, counter service has been lacking at all the Deluxe class resorts. We are just starting to see that improve, with the remodel at Captain Cook's a few years ago and the 4th floor at the Contemporary.

If you really want to discuss the quick service venues, pool slides, and voting rights, you may want to start a new thread, as this thread's topic is donating extra points to designated charities.

 

[Simba's Mom]

They already decided that OKW needed a slide at the pool a few years ago and the members had to pay for the improvements and for the increased staffing required. We don't need to pay for more improvements for other members to use.

And if we all remember, the membership had voted on the addition of the pool slide a few years before it happened, and the vote was to not add a pool slide. I think dizneynutz had it right in saying that "Disney does what they want, when they want.."

 

[Chuck S]

Except that Disney/DVD, not the membership, paid for the pool upgrade construction at OKW. Members do have to pay for upkeep and staffing. In fact, there is language in the POS to specifically allow DVD/Disney to upgrade the resort amenities at their expense and discretion, with the membership paying the upkeep and staffing.

 

[hematite153]

There are threads on here with Wish trippers planning and I made contact to try to donate a night with extra points last year. It takes more work than if DVC would centralize it, but, it is doable.