DVC - Are we a family or becoming a hierarchy?

[TinkAgainU]

When my family first bought into the whole DVC concept 10ish years ago, part of the magic was the "family" and "welcome home" magic of the experience that we knew would last for generations. With the new resort restrictions, and now rumors of a paid "Diamond Level of DVC" it seems the equality feeling is disappearing. I've always been astounded that the 1,000+ points people are the first to help the newbies buying their first contract - to the point where I've almost been brought to tears at the kindness of our Disney family. I can stop for a cup of coffee, and find two random strangers bonding completely over their shared Disney magic - and their talk of their children's children "inheriting" these memories.

I hope I'm not the only one saddened by another "level" of have and have-nots in our Disney family. I for one, will NOT be excited about any "Diamond Level" additions strictly on an enough is enough basis

 

[Brian Noble]

I definitely get where you are coming from. But, on the other hand, DVC owners were always the "haves" vs. many many other Disney guests.

 

[TinkAgainU]

I definitely get where you are coming from. But, on the other hand, DVC owners were always the "haves" vs. many many other Disney guests.

Agreed, even the people who can "go" to Disney are in the "haves" category now, vs when Disneyland was so low-income friendly.

My point is the idea of buying something to be inherited where I wonder if my kids will be treated like second class DVC family is a Real concern at this point of Disney's reimagining of DVC. // For example, a friend looking at Riviera had the same concerns - asking the salesman if Disney was restricting current owners of DVC regarding Riviera, why would they not restrict the Riviera people from using the next DVC project - the salesperson's "Disney would not do that to direct buyers" was REALLY weak in view of how Disney elected to start treating DVC owners as different Classes already, adding more Classes seems to be the new Disney DVC model. A slippery slope indeed.

 

[RivShore]

What is this diamond level you speak of? I try to keep up with new DVC threads and have seen nothing on it. Any links to details?

 

[TinkAgainU]

What is this diamond level you speak of? I try to keep up with new DVC threads and have seen nothing on it. Any links to details?

Here is an older link referencing it in our dvcfan section of disboards ... https://dvcfan.com/2022/06/19/rumor-disney-vacation-club-considering-paid-member-perks-program/

 

[tom1944]

At that price I expect most DVC owners would make the purchase.

We only plan to go a week a year and in comparison, to the cost of the week that fee is negligible.

 

[hglenn]

At that price I expect most DVC owners would make the purchase.

We only plan to go a week a year and in comparison, to the cost of the week that fee is negligible.

Same... which is exactly why I think it will be much higher than that...

 

[DonMacGregor]

Agreed, even the people who can "go" to Disney are in the "haves" category now, vs when Disneyland was so low-income friendly.

I don't totally disagree, but growing up in Anaheim, there were always many families in the OC who couldn't go to Disneyland. Many times, the kids may have been, but not the parents, only because they went with a school group or with another family. Many of those families actually lived in the shadow of Disneyland, in some of the lower income neighborhoods in Garden Grove and Santa Ana.

ETA: And by growing up, I mean in the 70's and early 80's.

 

[tom1944]

Same... which is exactly why I think it will be much higher than that...

And that would be per person not per contract?

 

[RivShore]

Here is an older link referencing it in our dvcfan section of disboards ... https://dvcfan.com/2022/06/19/rumor-disney-vacation-club-considering-paid-member-perks-program/

Thanks! I do remember reading about that back then and considered it nothing but speculation. I think there are a few things Disney is looking at around subscription type models (like an Amazon Prime), and maybe this was one of them. But its all wild speculation at this point, unless you have seen something new on it?

 

[Sandisw]

Agreed, even the people who can "go" to Disney are in the "haves" category now, vs when Disneyland was so low-income friendly.

My point is the idea of buying something to be inherited where I wonder if my kids will be treated like second class DVC family is a Real concern at this point of Disney's reimagining of DVC. // For example, a friend looking at Riviera had the same concerns - asking the salesman if Disney was restricting current owners of DVC regarding Riviera, why would they not restrict the Riviera people from using the next DVC project - the salesperson's "Disney would not do that to direct buyers" was REALLY weak in view of how Disney elected to start treating DVC owners as different Classes already, adding more Classes seems to be the new Disney DVC model. A slippery slope indeed.

The thing to remember is that all that they have done is for the purpose of helping direct sales and make resale purchases appear to be a lesser product.

It would not help DVD sell points to limit the points bought from them.

Having said that, the power to do that exists today. All they have to do is dissolve BVTC and people could be stuck at their home resort. Now, that would be a difficult hill for them to climb, but the point is that when you buy, you are only guaranteed to trade to other DVC resorts as long as your home resort stays part of BVTC.

In terms of future, I do think we will consider things that make being an owner of direct points have more than those that go resale.

We love RIV and want access to future resorts and whatever perks and benefits exist so for us, they have already worked the way DVD wanted them to work.

 

[RoseGold]

With the new resort restrictions, and now rumors of a paid "Diamond Level of DVC" it seems the equality feeling is disappearing.

"Equality feeling" has been gone a long time. There are like six tiers of DVC now, depending on what you bought when. That's the point of the resale restrictions.

That's a completely different issue than gutting the Blue Card, which DVC has decided is better for the mouse. I can absolutely see the Blue Card turning into a upsell card, I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. And sure, add in a Diamond Card. People already paid five figures for a Blue Card, lets see what they'll pay for a Diamond one.

Disney has been pretty clear about how much it values your Blue Card and your "perks."

 

[TinkAgainU]

Thanks! I do remember reading about that back then and considered it nothing but speculation. I think there are a few things Disney is looking at around subscription type models (like an Amazon Prime), and maybe this was one of them. But its all wild speculation at this point, unless you have seen something new on it?

I've not heard anything new so maybe this theory is shelved. I hope so, I'm not a fan of add-ons for things that were available when people bought DVC originally. That said, I'm not immune to paying for add-ons lol. I just think the more nickel and dime it gets, the less magical as an inheritance the product looks.

 

[Cfabar1]

I’d be surprised if this is pursued anytime soon. I could be wrong, but the additional revenue would be minimal to Disney.

I could imagine a “point-washing“ scheme that DVD developed. And I think it could potentially be very lucrative for them as well…. That’s where I’d focus my energy if I were them, not on this penny pinching approach.

 

[AstroBlasters]

When my family first bought into the whole DVC concept 10ish years ago, part of the magic was the "family" and "welcome home" magic of the experience that we knew would last for generations. With the new resort restrictions, and now rumors of a paid "Diamond Level of DVC" it seems the equality feeling is disappearing. I've always been astounded that the 1,000+ points people are the first to help the newbies buying their first contract - to the point where I've almost been brought to tears at the kindness of our Disney family. I can stop for a cup of coffee, and find two random strangers bonding completely over their shared Disney magic - and their talk of their children's children "inheriting" these memories.

I hope I'm not the only one saddened by another "level" of have and have-nots in our Disney family. I for one, will NOT be excited about any "Diamond Level" additions strictly on an enough is enough basis

That report was from June/July of last year, back when “he who shall not be named” was running things.

I personally wouldn’t worry about it unless we get some updated reporting.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

My cold cynical heart says DVC isn’t a family. DVC, and Disney as a whole, is a business that weaponizes joy to make money.

The magic of DVC isn’t DVC itself. DVC is a rather inflexible accommodation prepayment. The magic really is in the people, as you’ve said. The kindness of strangers on this board who happen to share a love of Disney. The hard work of Cast Members at the resorts and the parks. The willingness of our loved ones to suspend disbelief and all financial sense to go to Disney and make memories together.

I don’t know if “DVC Prime” or “Diamond Level Status” is coming. But as long as the resorts and parks make my daughter happy, we will go. We will pay what we can, for whatever is available, as long as it’s worthwhile to us.

And if or when we no longer consider visits to be worthwhile to us, then we will make a business decision too.

 

[RivShore]

I’d be surprised if this is pursued anytime soon. I could be wrong, but the additional revenue would be minimal to Disney.

I could imagine a “point-washing“ scheme that DVD developed. And I think it could potentially be very lucrative for them as well…. That’s where I’d focus my energy if I were them, not on this penny pinching approach.

Yes, blue card upgrade fees for resale points I could see. And it would be near 100% profit, since there's very little cost associated with it.

 

[tjkraz]

If you want to maintain that optimism, the first step is to ignore things that haven't actually happened yet. Plans change all the time. Rumors do not pan out. "What if" survey concepts are quickly discarded.

There's nothing wrong with altering your opinion of disney / DVC based upon changes that actually occur. But when you get emotionally invested in rumors, it adds to the sense that things "keep getting worse and worse" without that actually being the case.

Rumors of a VIP tier of DVC date back more than a decade. So far, nothing has ever been implemented. Do yourself a favor and don't give it a second thought until the day arrives when something like that is announced.

 

[TinkAgainU]

" Disney ... weaponizes joy to make money. "

I'm still having trouble processing this line lol. You have a way with words! I always said Disney magically gets into my bank account by way of my heart.

 

[heynowirv]

I’d be surprised if this is pursued anytime soon. I could be wrong, but the additional revenue would be minimal to Disney.

I could imagine a “point-washing“ scheme that DVD developed. And I think it could potentially be very lucrative for them as well…. That’s where I’d focus my energy if I were them, not on this penny pinching approach.

Shhhhhhhhhh....They have ears