DVC discounts after the demise of Disney Club

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Dean , I agree with you. But a word of "warning". Gail takes everything "personal" for some reason, so be carefull. Especially on the " http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/edoom/Smoker.gif" topic.

Wrong again. I just, all to often, fall for your bait.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Wrong again. I just, all to often, fall for your bait.

Gail , I don't have any problem discussing any issue with you.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Dean,
I do see your point and do agree, but, until such time that it happens, I am totally content with what I have.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Dean,
I do see your point and do agree

 

[ralphd]

It seems to me that the demise of the DC is tied to the introduction of the new Disney Visa card. Think that is where you are going to find the replacement DC benefits, plus (maybe) some new benefits. Guess we will get an answer to that question by the end of the year.
I don't see a relationship between the demise of the DC and any DVC benefit.
Agree with Gail and Dean on the DVC benefits. We know what benefits we were going to receive when we signed up, but it would be nice to see some enhancements.

ralphd

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Agreeing with both Gial and Dean, I know what I bought, and that's what I'm getting. DVC are beautiful resorts, which happen to have a theme park nearby. That much being said, without the DC discount, I will not be buying annuals. With no annuals, I will spend more time and $$$ at Universal, etc.

Being a DVC memeber, I could care less - I still be a beautiful resort setting and a great vacation, al beit with less time at Disney venues. Being a Disney shareholder, the short sightedness bothers me all the more. Sees like a captive audience being let free....

 

[walter]

I just think that a little more incentive should be available to DVC members to continue the relationship between the owners and Disney. With so many other things to see, and Orlando being located close to other major events, people may visit other venues more often and just use their DVC resort as their vacation "base". We will be travelling to OKW the first week in Dec. before cruising the second week. With visiting WDW so many times since 1997, the cost of a pass for the week is not in our best interest. Therefore we will visit Sea World (buy one day, get one free), maybe visit Busch Gardens, but will try to attend the annual owners meeting on that Thursday.

 

[sumessefui]

I agree that when we purchased DVC we were only promised a great place to stay until 2042. At my age that will be for the rest of my life. As the ticket prices go up, however, I think it would be nice to have at least a nominal discount. There are many times we only want to go into the parks to shop or eat, so we will not waste a day unless we have an AP. If there is no decent discount for DVC members on an AP we will not get one. While many do not like OKW because of it's percieved remoteness I find it a great base to go other places, which we will do more of as time passes.

 

[gmboy95]

let us understand history....I am quite sure that disney exists on the property it does, and is allowed to do what it does, because the people of florida in the form of the state legislature provide the backing to do so (building permits, infrastructure assistance, tax breaks etc...etc...)....this is why florida residents should now, and always recieve preferential treatment. The people of florida have been gracious enough through their elected representation, to allow this wonderful place to be built.

i am from the boston area...we have not been able to build a new babseball stadium for 30 years, and probably wont for another 30....disney in its present form would NEVER exist in a state like mine the politicians would eat it alive.

 

[Kathy C]

I bought something at the Disney Store on Saturday and when I handed the cashier my DVC card, she made the comment that she didn't think DVC would still offer store discounts once the DC went away. Don't know if she really knew something or was speculating.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I'd like some meat with my gravy

 

[anniet]

They are giving you small potatoes instead!

 

[raidermatt]

ralphd makes a good point... the Disney Visa card may carry some discounts with it. I know, not the same as the "all inclusive" Disney club...

Personally, I'm happy with what I have, and am getting what I paid for.

I do think that, in general, Disney has gotten away from thinking long term, and instead focuses more on immediate profits. Its not that they are the only company to do this, but that's not really a valid reason for moving away from a strategy that built a very loyal following.

That doesn't mean they SHOULD offer AP discounts (or other ticket discounts) to DVC members, but it does seem like it would help significantly to keep up the goodwill, which is extremely important to Disney's long term success.

(It would also allow them to charge a tad more for DVC, but that's another story...)

 

[Lyndarella]

Don't forget that at one time park passes WERE part of the DVC benefits. That is why I think I should get 'em!

Is the Disney VISA something new or not? Where can I find info on its benefits?

 

[raidermatt]

Don't forget that at one time park passes WERE part of the DVC benefits. That is why I think I should get 'em!

Technically, they were a sales incentive.

I just think it would be a smart long-term business decision for Disney as a whole to provide a little more in the way of discounting for their more "committed" customers. Besides the benefit of increasing demand for DVC, it would increase committment/loyalty to the company overall, which benefits not only WDW and DVC, but the other parks, films, The Disney Channel, retail, etc.

Is the Disney VISA something new or not? Where can I find info on its benefits?

Yes, it is new, in fact, so new that its not available yet. And as far as I know, the benefits haven't been published either. All I know is its a rewards type card, meaning you will earn "points" for purchases that can be used for Disney stuff. What that stuff will be (merchandise, park tickets, resort stays, etc) I don't know.

Its also a pretty good bet that there will be some discounts at WDW and maybe DLR, since the AMEX relationship has been terminated. But again, not definite yet.

The card is supposed to be available 1Q '03.

 

[CrayzeeDiz]

I'm sorry for getting Florida Residents up at arms but are you complaining about tourism. Outside of the tax benifits your state gets from us "tourists" there have been thousands of jobs created. The Florida economy would not thrive without the " toutrist" cash coming in. I dont think asking for a reasonable discount for a DVC member is wrong. DVC members pump millions into Floridas ecomony every year. And DVC members pay property taxes as do Florida residents. Stop your whining in Florida; If you dont like it there you could move up here to Boston ... Its 33 degrees outside. I understand I signed a contract for a "timeshare" and that Disney has no obligation to give me a discount but they dont have an obligation to give any discounts to Florida residents either. Its just good buisiness sense. I spend about $4000 a year at Disney World. I dont think too many Florida Residents can claim that. Oh and by the way Your welcome for the patronage Florida.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by CrayzeeDiz
...(snip).... but they dont have an obligation to give any discounts to Florida residents either. ...(snip)...

Actually, I think Disney does have such an obligation. IIRC, Disney agreed to provide certain benfits/discounts to residents of FLorida in return for some "concessions" (not sure what they were) when WDW was first being built. Perhaps someone more familar with the specifics will post details for those who may be interested.

IMHO, discounts are seldom something a business gives to a group of people out of the goodness of its "heart". Discounts are given in return for a benefit to the business - usually an anticipated increase in revenue/profit. Until/Unless Disney sees that offering a discount to DVC members will result in an increase in revenue/profit, there will not be any discounts offered.

No one on this board has any valid data that would suggest a park admission discount for DVC members will increase Disney profits. What we have is several posters who say they would spend more if such a discount were offered. Since I believe Disney knows very well where its revenue comes from, I can only infer that their actual data (spending habits of DVC members) suggests otherwise.

All that said, I would love additional discounts, especially one on annual passes similar to those offered to Florida residents. If they were offered, I would take advantage of them. I'm not holding my breath wating, though.

JMHO. YMMV.

 

[walter]

I agree with the others that have posted that it would be nice to have a better discount on park passes (maybe I will bring that up at the OKW/DVC meeting in December). But to all those Florida residents that think otherwise, park discounts and NO STATE INCOME TAX thanks to "visitors" like us!

 

[JVSJr]

Food for thought, if you own DVC property in Florida and they say "Welcome Home" when you arrive, then why won't Disney consider owners as residents?

I know it really won't work, but how about a break for the owners.

I live in FLA and I buy a seasonal FL resident pass.

OKW owner!

 

[CrayzeeDiz]

Yeah;

I'm with JVSjr. Great take on it... We are tax paying citizens of Florida too.......

Hee Hee