Does anyone else feel this way?

[NJOGRE]

With all the free stuff disney is given away these days to get people into the parks, BUY 4 GET 3 FREE, $750 gift card to use in parks for food and etc, Free Dining Does anyone feel the should be doing something for there loyal base of DVCers. I mean we are the ones going back again and again. We are the ones there through think and thin.

Wouldn't be nice to hear from Disney and have them say, Thanks DVCers for supporting us all these years, here are some fee parks passes for your or on your next stay the dining plan is free. Or what if they give us a free Tables in Wonderland Card even if we don;t have an Annual Pass.

Its just the same old story DVCers will keep coming back so noithing free for you. Its almost cheaper and probably is cheaper for me to bank my points and use the promotions. Maybe I will do that and go on the cruise next year? Hmm thats an Idea

 

[Chuck S]

While it would be nice, we are certainly not "entitled" to those benefits. They do give us $100/$125 off APs, we don't pay full price for our rooms, like the free dining people, and overall, we are still going cheaper than most of the buy 4 get 3 free people.

Now, if you are happy spending time looking for those specials, and staying in a value resort, then DVC likely isn't the best choice for you...as you will come out cheaper than with DVC. But comparing apples to apples, a DVC resort to a Deluxe class resort, DVC will be cheaper, even with the specials...except for some limited specials offered only to those coming to WDW from Europe.

 

[Inkmahm]

If you have an AP, you are currently getting 20% off on almost all purchases at Disney. That is something that we get as the loyal customers which the one time trip people do not. While it isn't specifically DVC related, it is likely that many DVC owners have APs.

 

[NJOGRE]

While it would be nice, we are certainly not "entitled" to those benefits. They do give us $100/$125 off APs, we don't pay full price for our rooms, like the free dining people, and overall, we are still going cheaper than most of the buy 4 get 3 free people.

Now, if you are happy spending time looking for those specials, and staying in a value resort, then DVC likely isn't the best choice for you...as you will come out cheaper than with DVC. But comparing apples to apples, a DVC resort to a Deluxe class resort, DVC will be cheaper, even with the specials...except for some limited specials offered only to those coming to WDW from Europe.

BUt now include the free 7 days to the parks and the free dining that comes with it and even with the price of a moderate its cheaper.

 

[NJOGRE]

If you have an AP, you are currently getting 20% off on almost all purchases at Disney. That is something that we get as the loyal customers which the one time trip people do not. While it isn't specifically DVC related, it is likely that many DVC owners have APs.

I just came back, I purchased very little except food and I do have my TIW card my bill for just food and this is sit down dinners only and 1 breakfast at CHEF Mickeys was close to $1200 for 2 adults 2 children

Went to
Garden Grill
Portofinos
Turf Club
Yatchsmen Steakhouse
California Grill
1900 Park Fare

Breakfast
Chef Mickeys

Incl: 1 table lunch at Rainforest

 

[wdrl]

No, it doesn't bother me that Disney is offering "specials" to others. We bought into the DVC because it allows us to save money on lodging and it gives us better accommodations than what we would normally book if we were paying cash. In March, we are staying 7 nights at BLT in a Studio MK view. The rack rate for that accommodation is $4,646 w/tax. In September, we are staying 2 nights in a 1-bedroom BLT Standard view, and 5 nights in a 1-bedroom AKV Kidani Savanna view, The rack rates for that trip add up to $5,294.38 w/tax. If it wasn't for DVC, we'd only do one trip to WDW this year, and we'd probably book a regular room at a moderate like CSR or POR. It would be great if Disney offered some additional perks to DVCers, but I don't think I'm "entitled" to stuff just because I bought into the DVC. My only regret about the DVC is that we didn't buy into it sooner.

 

[dvc deernut]

FUNNY I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY BUT NOW THAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED IT. IM A DISNEYFILE, I HAVE A DISNEY ROOM, I ENJOY SPENDING MONEY AT DISNEY. I WAS IN GRAPHICS FOR 30 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS ADMIRED WALT AND WHAT HE HAS DONE. I TRY TO DO ALL THE BACKSTAGE TOURS BECAUSE IM NOT ONLY INTERESTED IN THE ATTRACTION I ENJOY THE HOWS AND WHYS. I ENJOYING SPENDING MONEY AT DISNEY. I ALSO THINK DISNEY IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD AT MARKETING AND HOW TO RUN THINGS. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO THE PARKS AND SPEND MONEY. WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS DISNEY IS ALSO A BIG BUSINESS AND HAS TO FIND WAYS TO GET MORE PEOPLE COMING BACK. ITS LIKE ANYTHING ELSE THEY WOULDNT HAVE TO OFFER THESE PACKAGES IF THERE RESORTS WERE FULL. BUT, I KIND OF AGREE WITH YOU.
WE DO THE MEMBER CRUISE EVERY YEAR, WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO GET ON. WE ENJOY IT SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH. VERY SPECIAL IF YOUR A DISNEYFILE LIKE ME. BUT IF YOU TAKE AWAY ALL THE GLITZ OF THE CRUISE, SPECIAL GUESTS ON BOARD AND EVENTS DVC HAS A ROOM THERE FOR YOU TO BUY MORE POINTS.
2 CRUISES AGO WE BOUGHT 250 MORE POINTS BRINGING OUR TOTAL TO ALMOST 600, THEY GAVE US A FREE MEMBER CRUISE THE FOLLOWING YEAR ON AN UPPER BALCONY.
MAYBE IF YOU OR SOMEBODY CALLED HEAD OFFICE OF DVC AND TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THAT I WOULD ASSUME YOU WOULD GET ANSWERS. LIKE ANYTHING ELSE IF NO ONE SAYS ANYTHING NOTHING GETS CHANGED.
WELL I BETTER GO PUT ON MY DISNEY MICKEY WATCH, MY COAT WITH ALL THE DISNEY PARKS EMBROIDERED ON THE BACK AND GET IN MY VEHICLE WITH DVC STICKERS ON IT, MICKEY ANTENNA BALL AND ALL THE WINDOW STICKER PEOPLE 2 ADULTS, 2 CHILDREN , A DOG and 3 CATS ON BACK WINDOW AND RUN MY ERRANDS .

 

[dvc deernut]

I forgot to mention we bought in in 1998 and wish we bought in earlier also. I dont want anyone to think i was complaining.

 

[casper]

It doesn't really bother me. I look at it as though I have more choices. Just because I own DVC doesn't mean I have to stay there when I go to Disney. If the "free tickets" and "free dinning" look like a great value to me, I will book with them and get it (then I can bank points for next years use). But truthfully, I have never done that. Why? Staying at my home resort is just too enjoyable.

 

[bwvBound]

It doesn't really bother me. I look at it as though I have more choices. Just because I own DVC doesn't mean I have to stay there when I go to Disney. If the "free tickets" and "free dinning" look like a great value to me, I will book with them and get it (then I can bank points for next years use). But truthfully, I have never done that.

Ditto!

 

[JimmyJam838]

They do give us $100/$125 off APs

Only at WDW do you get that amount off. Us Disneyland folks only get $20 off APs. And if you are doing a renewal, you don't get anything off.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want the free deals from Disney, you can always pay for those directly from Disney. Those are only offered to stimulate Disney's economy anyway. You drink the Kool-aid on one of those freebie deals and then they have you hooked. Before long you are paying over $100 a point for DVC.

 

[bumbershoot]

We bought in despite knowing about those deals. Doesn't bother me.


And when you read the analysis of some of those deals (especially the gift card one), it's not THAT great a deal anyway.



(OH how I hate that drinking koolaid reference...the origin is so ugly)

 

[sweetdana]

I have used AP dis, and free dining. I will look at each trip and go with which ever works the best at the time. Sometimes there promos are AWESOME. Sometimes I mix 1/2 trip one and then the other.

Recently I had book 6 nights in a 1- bedroom with points and 4 nights connected with an AP dis for 96$ a night at FQ. Then . . rented someone else's points at 8$ a point.. bringing a studio at BW to about 90$ a night.

Promos are good.. but then again, renting someone elses poins at 8$ - or 9$ a point, puts a 1 night at the BW WAY below a moderate. I would totally taking walking dis from Epcot over a discounted park ticket.

Having/researching options at the time works the best and having the option to bank is awesome. I think this is the best way.

Also if you took the discount on the 1-bedroom at the BC, no way does it turn out better with Disney Promos than the actual cost of the points divided out. I think the points run about 10$ between MF and today's resale price. (or renting). It is only cheaper if you consider say a moderate promo to a studio at high season.

 

[danielle782001]

I forgot to mention we bought in in 1998 and wish we bought in earlier also. I dont want anyone to think i was complaining.

No worries...I get a bit frustrated too...But we do love the accomadations for DVC so we still feel good about the purchase...But I agree it would be nice (not expected) to receive a little something in the way of (maybe a discount on the dining plan during free dining) deal for being a loyal financial supporter and vistor to WDW...

Just a quick story...We own DVC and my best friend does not....We went at the same time during Thanksgiving...We had turkey dinner together...She was on free dining and I got just a bit upset for a moment when I thought we had the same meal and one family got it for free...NOT FAIR...But then I remembered that she was is in a crowded studio and had to go to bed when her kids did....Not us, we had tons of space with a room for the kids to sleep and for the adults to stay awake...And I came home with no dirty clothing...So it is all relative

 

[dmoore22]

No worries...I get a bit frustrated too...But we do love the accomadations for DVC so we still feel good about the purchase...But I agree it would be nice (not expected) to receive a little something in the way of (maybe a discount on the dining plan during free dining) deal for being a loyal financial supporter and vistor to WDW...

Just a quick story...We own DVC and my best friend does not....We went at the same time during Thanksgiving...We had turkey dinner together...She was on free dining and I got just a bit upset for a moment when I thought we had the same meal and one family got it for free...NOT FAIR...But then I remembered that she was is in a crowded studio and had to go to bed when her kids did....Not us, we had tons of space with a room for the kids to sleep and for the adults to stay awake...And I came home with no dirty clothing...So it is all relative

Comparing the Disney incentives to DVC is like comparing apples to oranges. We have, on occasion used the AP discount to stay in moderate for a split stay with our DVC but, generally it seems to be timing. Most of the attractive incentives are offered during times when neither my DW or myself can take time off from work. DVC plus AP plus TIW ends up being more economical for us compared to the incentives available when we can travel to WDW.

 

[House_of_Mouse Fan]

It doesn't bother me at all. We bought DVC for the long-term and these incentives will likely come to an end once the economy improves.

 

[mom of princessx2]

Our friends just asked me the same thing. They are going when we go next month and they got the 4/3 deal.
I wouldn't give up my DVC for any of the specials they are offering but I am glad that the specials are allowing others to enjoy Disney that may not be able to without a discount.

 

[JohnnyB2]

During slow times or down years I understand Disneys need for promos and incentives.I would rather see the buy 4 get 3 days free or the $750 promo than the free dining,as IMHO find it harder to get the sought after ADRs.Also with free dining it appears to be more people making ressies every where in case they might be at a different park that day.I know this is not everyone who does this,The other promos I have no problems with

 

[franandaj]

The only thing I don't like about the Free Dining Promo is that it makes it harder to get ADRs. If you think about it from what I've heard, when you stay at the value resorts, you get the quick service dining plan. It's not until you stayed at the Moderate did you get the regular dining plan. I would never use the DDP just because it wouldn't work for us, so my only bother with this promo is that it affects me adversely.

I have no problem with Disney giving away incentives to get people to come to the parks and stay at the hotels. Especially if it takes people out of the DVC resorts, then hopefully I'll have a better chance at getting a room at a resort other than my own at 7 months!