DVC Annual Pass Discount going away?

[disneynutz]

IF they did decide to do away with this perk...Would they give notice? Or one day do you wake up and POOF - it's gone?

Until a couple of years ago, DVC used to get free valet parking. Overnight without notice, the perk was gone. Members who had valet parked thinking that it was free was told that they had to pay. Some paid some didn't.

DVC responded that the perk was provided by the valet contractor and that DVC had no control over what the contractor did.

Bill

 

[WilsonFlyer]

You didn't read the thread very well then. Not ONE single person said they bought into DVC because of the AP discount. Not ONE. No head wrapping required .

Thanks for saying so kindly what I couldn't figure out how to say so nicely.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Here's the thing...

I keep hearing people talking about the discount not being that much "in the scheme of a trip to WDW."

I disagree, and here's why. Our greatest expenditure used to be accommodations and tickets. Once an AP is purchased, we see our trips as the cost of eating and souvenirs. We can go down for a week for < $1500. Usually < $1000 for the 3 of us. Maybe that doesn't matter to Disney, but they get virtually all of it. If we don't go, they won't get it, but somebody will.

We love the parks and we go to go to the parks. We're not resort people, and I doubt that will ever change. It hasn't in 20+ years and many of those were before our DD9 was even born. We go EVERY day we're there, and more importantly, we spend money in the parks. I don't think that's insignificant.

In reality will we still go as much? Probably, but, and this is a big "but"; they will get the difference in the cost of the AP but we will go offsite to eat. Simple. We do it now some anyway. That thousand bucks is a target for us. That's why we can go. We'll still go. It's the distribution of the $1000-1500 that will have to change.

 

[Judique]

I have read most of this thread and I can't wrap my head around the fact that so many people claim to have purchased DVC for the ticket discount. That is extremely poor financial planning. I really have my doubts as to the veracity of those statements but it is more of something to complain about so you have something to whine about. Sell your points if that is what you want but don't hide behind the lloss of the discount as the reason for it. an

I didn't purchase DVC based on this discount.

Back in 2000 when I purchased, I used to buy AP's - for under $300 a year. I can't remember the exact price, but it was at the time a good deal, and I believe somewhere around $275.

Over the years, the cost of tickets has risen faster then my dues! My resort BWV (according to the Dis) was 3.94 in 2000. Now in 2014 it is 6.01 per point in dues.

The full price of a regular AP is 675.21 with tax.

So for me, I see the discount as keeping the AP price in line with my total expense package.

My DVC is long paid for, so dues, food and transportation are my basic expenses. After that comes tickets and souvenirs. Having tickets means buying food and souvenirs in the parks as opposed to outside the bubble.

 

[jillmc40]

Thanks for those that responded to my POOF question

Either way I think I just have to wait it out and upgrade. I don't know if we will still be taking long trips like this in the future (not because of discount but because we might just do long weekends) and the tickets i currently have are 10 day tickets.

 

[Littlelulu01]

I have read most of this thread and I can't wrap my head around the fact that so many people claim to have purchased DVC for the ticket discount. That is extremely poor financial planning. I really have my doubts as to the veracity of those statements but it is more of something to complain about so you have something to whine about. Sell your points if that is what you want but don't hide behind the lloss of the discount as the reason for it. an

Can’t someone purchase an AP now for $516 and activate at any time in the future? If so my plan still works and as long as the DVC discounted AP’s at $516 are still available for the next couple of weeks it will work out to my benefit.

The only way I could justify DVC purchase was if it was a small amount, did not take from our savings and gave us a benefit for several years. Otherwise the restrictions and loss of income on the $ tied up in DVC did not make financial sense for us. The AP allows for two or possibly even three visits during a years’ time but typically we would only make one WDW visit every other year and stays would only be five nights so a discount on a multi-day pass will probably benefit us more than an AP. Nice to have the option though.

The way I figure a person could purchase a small AKV contract and potentially come away after a year of ownership having the initial buy in cost paid for vs renting points if the discount on AP’s is available. For me it seemed a little more of a sound investment than tying up 15 -30k in a DVC purchase.
Example: 25 point contract with 2013 and 2014 points and no dues till 2015. Purchase for $92 per point. Total with closing costs: $2675. Discounted AP’s for a family of four: $2064. MF’s for 2015 and 2016 points: $315. Points available for two five nt studio stays during Dream season in a value studio at AKV. Value studio may get you a SV or may not but there’s a good chance you’ll end up with a SV. Total cost purchasing the 25 points, AP’s at a discount and point maint. Fees is $5054

If renting, someone may be able to secure value rooms at AKV but the times I have tried to rent only the SV are available. So those same 10 nights in a SV studio at AKV during Dream season will cost me $2380 at $14 per point. The AP’s without the discount are $2536. Total cost of renting points, AP’s without a discount is $4916.

In this scenario purchasing the low point contract with a discount on AP’s only costs $138 more compared to renting the points and purchase of the AP’s. The tables in wonderland 20% discount on food will make up the difference in one year’s time, essentially costing no more than renting points for two five night vacations.

A person could subsequently stay for five nights every other year during adventure, choice or dream seasons with those same points and the only cost of lodging would be the maintenance fees until 2057.

I know the theme park discounts and AP discounts can go away at any time but I’m betting that some form of discount on park tickets for DVC owners will continue to exist and I think it’s reasonable for me to factor in some form of a discount when deciding to purchase DVC. If there is a ticket discount offer it will be a reason for me to potentially add on, perhaps with Poly points, in the future. The AP discount is a catalyst to either add or plan additional room only vacations in addition to the stay afforded solely with current DVC points.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I still say it ain't gonna happen. I may be wrong, but I trust my sources better than some website that has no established reputation for early release news, as best I can tell.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Stitch Kingdom retweeted the rumor that was tweeted by the operator of DVCCentral.com. She also claims that the 4-day/4-park special ticket will be the only admission with a DVC discount. She says it's 90% certain. I'd take it (and any other rumors) with a grain of salt.

https://twitter.com/CentralMorgan/status/532662864679829506

I can't find it posted anywhere except this supposed twitter blip. Can somebody post a link to a credible website?

#whereshercredibility

 

[chalee94]

i'll admit i caved and went ahead and purchased an AP with the discount last week at the parks that i'm planning to activate next year...

 

[brelyt]

I still say it ain't gonna happen. I may be wrong, but I trust my sources better than some website that has no established reputation for early release news, as best I can tell.

I tend to agree. At most I see them not offering the AP for purchase year round, but occasionally, like the PAP this year. This method seems to create sales quickly and brings with it an activation window that guarantees Disney room reservations. The panic of not knowing if it will be the last...

 

[chalee94]

...and brings with it an activation window that guarantees Disney room reservations.

not sure about this part at all.

APs make it easier to stay offsite for one thing (since they include free parking at the parks).

also, DVC pts have an expiration date, so it's not as if disney is worried that DVC owners won't be using their pts for a few years. (and if we don't, they can take the available inventory and rent it for cash.)

like all perks, the AP discount is at risk to go away. hopefully, it won't go anytime soon but we'll see.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney tracks the habits of all guests even DVC. They know how many park days we use, and they will offer admission media that stimulates additional park venue sales while increasing media revenue.

With MB POS and location tracking, they now know more than ever what we do and how much we spend and that is why they spent 1.5 billion on the technology.

Bill

 

[Faline]

We bought the annual pass because we knew we were going twice in a year's time. But, because we have the annual pass, we have gone three times within a year, and are considering a fourth. We don't always buy the AP, only if we absolutely know we are going to go twice in a year. The extra trips were shorter notice trips. If I can't get the discount, I probably won't plan to go more than once/year. That uses up my points. So the extra trips really net disney a lot of extra money in food, merchandise, even hotel, etc. I am not as upset as a lot of people. It just means that I will travel somewhere else for my extra trips.

 

[DizDaD7]

This would be a crushing blow to DVC, IMHO, and many would sell, including us. If you have enough points to make multiple trips per year, it is highly likely that you put yourself in this situation because of the APs.

I know no perk is ever promised, but this would be a deal breaker to us. 4 days and only one park all day? You gotta be kidding me! Ain't no way. Not us.

Buy the discounted ticket,and then upgrade to whatever many days u need when you get there. Problem solved. Its nice to have these perks, and I'll miss them as well, ut any money u save with the 4 day pass, will be money saved when you upgrade it.

Just sayin.

 

[LauraLea]

Buy the discounted ticket,and then upgrade to whatever many days u need when you get there. Problem solved. Its nice to have these perks, and I'll miss them as well, ut any money u save with the 4 day pass, will be money saved when you upgrade it.

Just sayin.

Except the terms on the 4 day pass does not allow upgrading.

Laura

 

[CarolMN]

Buy the discounted ticket,and then upgrade to whatever many days u need when you get there. Problem solved. Its nice to have these perks, and I'll miss them as well, ut any money u save with the 4 day pass, will be money saved when you upgrade it.

Just sayin.

If you choose to upgrade the special $199 4-Day ticket, you will get a credit equal to what you paid for the ticket. So no savings.

 

[supersnoop]

Except the terms on the 4 day pass does not allow upgrading. Laura

The terms specifically allow upgrading to an annual pass, but there is no cost benefit.

 

[ludari]

I do not like the inconsistencies between DVC AP discounts between WDW and DLR. And now with the possibility of losing the DVC AP discount at WDW in not happy. I would suggest if you are a DVC member to write an email (link provided on the bottom of the DVC member page when you log in) to voice your concerns, likes and or dislikes. I did and received a phone call from DVC member services who said they would forward my comments to the proper person(s). I feel the more us members that state what we want as members the better chance we have to getting or keeping those discounts we want and like.

 

[DebbieB]

I do not like the inconsistencies between DVC AP discounts between WDW and DLR. And now with the possibility of losing the DVC AP discount at WDW in not happy. I would suggest if you are a DVC member to write an email (link provided on the bottom of the DVC member page when you log in) to voice your concerns, likes and or dislikes. I did and received a phone call from DVC member services who said they would forward my comments to the proper person(s). I feel the more us members that state what we want as members the better chance we have to getting or keeping those discounts we want and like.

The thing to keep in mind is it's not DVC's sole decision. They negotiate with other departments within Disney for these discounts. It's in the other department's control. They know members want discounts, they don't need members writing to tell them that.

I think the issue with DL is DVC only has 50 rooms that are almost always 100% full. The parks department probably doesn't see the need to offer highly discounted tickets.

I talked to member satisfaction 2 or 3 months ago about the discount offered on D23 silver memberships. You were not eligible if you already had the worthless free membership. The cm who called me said she understood but they didn't make the rules, D23 made the rules.

 

[supersnoop]

I do not like the inconsistencies between DVC AP discounts between WDW and DLR. And now with the possibility of losing the DVC AP discount at WDW in not happy. I would suggest if you are a DVC member to write an email (link provided on the bottom of the DVC member page when you log in) to voice your concerns, likes and or dislikes. I did and received a phone call from DVC member services who said they would forward my comments to the proper person(s). I feel the more us members that state what we want as members the better chance we have to getting or keeping those discounts we want and like.

Please remember that this is a still an unsubstantiated rumor from a completely unqualified source.