DVC cruise not so bad????

[dotterson]

My hubbie pointed out the following -- "February 2nd - 6th, 2003 for a 4-night S.S. Member Cruise with 2 days at Castaway Cay." Could we possibily be getting an 'extra day' here? It depends on what time they leave, no? Think about it: the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. You're really getting 5 days, no? That's if you leave early and come back later...

Just a thought. We can't go, but maybe that makes the points and cash a little more reasonable...

I agree if it's the typical 'leave late and arrive early,' it's not so swell...

I hope they decide on other "benefits" too. Seems like they would be smart to give more details. (OR... they were waiting to see what kind of reaction they got!)

Hope they do better next time... April was a better time for us...

d

 

[sgtpet]

I was confused but there are no extra days, just extra cost for 2 castaway cay days and because it is oh so "SPECIAL".

 

[dotterson]

It doesn't seem so swell if you leave at 5PM, huh...?

Well, I think if people want to go, they can. So far, I'm not to impressed either!

thanks for the thoughts!

d

 

[SlyHubby]

Since DVC is "chartering" the boat, and I assume it is a fixed price to them, what happens if they don't get the attendance they want? Could be nice for the cruisers - being on a half-empty ship, but what about the costs? DVC is still paying full price to charter the boat. Might they lower the points/cost as the sailing date nears if they are not filled to capacity?

I actually don't believe they are going to come anywhere near filling the boat, and I think that the points/costs were based on the assumption that they aren't going to sell out - less people=higher cost each. If by some miracle they do fill the boat, then it's just more money to Disney.

In this period of poor corporate performance during the economic slowdown, I think that DVC is one of the few bright spots for Disney - it is one of their cash cows. As others mentioned - 2 days at castaway = an extra day that you are locked in to giving all of your spending money to Disney. It is an extra day that Disney has you.

I am convinced that as sailing time draws near, they will be giving incentives to fill what they have not sold. Whatever they take in will be worth it for them - think of all the points they will retire and can take DVC rooms to put up for cash. Getting you on the cruise makes you use your points for less value, and then they are going to rent out the DVC rooms at retail rates. Further, where points at properties get you a room (with as many people as you want in there), on the cruise, points are needed for each person - again, wiping out megapoints with one swat. This has win, win, win written all over it for Disney - and entirely at the expense of DVC members who go for this. There is some hotshot MBA in a backoffice at Disney/DVC that came up with this idea. I'm sure it is just one of many experiments to see how to get more money out of DVC members.

This cruise is "special" only because that is the way they are marketing it and would like all of the gung-ho folks to perceive it. Even better, is that these folks repeat the fact that it is "special" - you are doing just as they would like. Pavlov's dog right here on the messageboards - that's why folks are being told it is special 4 and 5 times in the short email messages they are receiving or when they call to get info.

In my mind, it's just like the artificial way that they keep the DVC price/point inflated. It's all perception. As time goes on, I become more and more skeptical of Disney and the whole DVC "concept". We are definitely selling once the price/point tops out. That's one thing that Disney/DVC did not see coming (as you can plainly see by reading the offering statement) - that DVC resales would be so incredibly simple and there would be a very liquid resale market.

sgtpet, I'm with you on this one. But, personally, my feeling is that if people want to go on an overpriced cruise because it is perceived to be "special", that's their choice. The same way you have people overpaying for any product you can name, it's no different here.

You know, I have a couple of Beanie Bears that are for sale - and the price is only $1000 a piece! Why are they so expensive ... well, they're special. Why are they special you ask? Well, they're just special.

 

[DVC1996]

I went on the last DVC Members Cruise in April and, believe me, you don't want to miss the opportunity to go if you have the points available. It is one of the best vacations I have ever experienced. Besides lots of free gifts ( caps, T-shirts, langyards, etc) we were also treated to two fabulous receptions for DVCers only. There were drawings for door prizes just about every day. The biggest prize was free dues for one year. BUT....as I have mentioned in another thread, the best part was being with other DVCers because we all had so much in common. It was great FUN and we were treated like royalty. DVC mangagement commented at the beginnning of the cruise that they could have easily filled the whole boat but apparently had only been given a certain number of cabins. It was suggested by a member that we should take over the ship next time Another comment was that they wish we could spend more time at Castaway Cay. I think some members were wanting to spend the night Well.....I was so excited when I learned about this cruise because it looks like DVC management has listened to the wishes of their members and WE ARE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE SHIP! The only sad news is that we are point poor and February is a bad month for us If you have the points/cash available, then I strongly urge you to do this trip!! You will definitely have a blast and another memorable Disney vacation