DVC has lost focus

[matthew517]

Does it seem that recently DVC has lost its way. It seems to me the focus is no longer on its members and the Disney way but on making the most money it can. Recently we have seen the benefits decrease. To where there is no real advantage being a DVC member. The prices have gone up at a increased level that is unjustified. It seems pure greed is taken over at DVC.
The member cruise last year was a disappointment. Disney cruise line was great the DVC part was lacking. The incentives were a slap in the face.

Us DVCers come to WDW on a regular basis and spend alot when we come. DVC has forgotten that.
They sell rooms for cash when they tell us their full. We are not paying dues so they can sell the rooms to cash customers.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I cannot help but wonder how many DVC properties will be built in Florida. After the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian open, there will be 8 DVC properties at Walt Disney World. If DVC keeps building, there will be more DVC properties than deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World. Actually, just one more DVC property is needed to surpass the current deluxe resort count.

This past weekend, while at WDW, I could not help but wonder if the company hopes the resort will have more DVC members than cash guests.

 

[burnsoc]

Disney does sell rooms for cash when there are no DVC rooms. There are two separate inventories, Disney retains about 4% of each resort and rents rooms that DVC members have traded into Disney for other vacations such as cruises and Adventures By Disney. Those rooms should not be available to DVC members because they are not part of DVC inventory. It has nothing to do with greed, it's the way the system works. I have been a member for 11 years and have seen benefits come and go. When you sign the contract benefits should not be part of the decision because they are not part of what you're purchasing. Benefits are to be considered only a perk. Frankly the benefits levels have stayed pretty consistent. One benefit that I use that wasn't available when I purchased is the discount on AP's. The addition of the ability to purchase the TIW card when you don't have an AP or are a Florida resident was a nice addition to the benefits as well.
DVC is not a not for profit business. As with all businesses they will charge as much as the market will bear. Maybe you've lost some of that magic feeling you had when you purchased, but DVC hasn't changed. The member cruise has always been like a floating advertisement for add ons. I have done two and the fun I had meeting other members is why I went on.

 

[WsPrincess]

This past weekend, while at WDW, I could not help but wonder if the company hopes the resort will have more DVC members than cash guests.

I think at the end of the day, Disney would not mind this. DVC members are locked in. We can't easily decide to vacation elsewhere like cash guests since we have made a financial commitment to DVC. I hope that this is just a bump in the DVC road since I am a new member and want to believe Disney is always special no matter how you get there (DVC or cash)

 

[Sandisw]

Does it seem that recently DVC has lost its way. It seems to me the focus is no longer on its members and the Disney way but on making the most money it can. Recently we have seen the benefits decrease. To where there is no real advantage being a DVC member. The prices have gone up at a increased level that is unjustified. It seems pure greed is taken over at DVC.
The member cruise last year was a disappointment. Disney cruise line was great the DVC part was lacking. The incentives were a slap in the face.

Us DVCers come to WDW on a regular basis and spend alot when we come. DVC has forgotten that.
They sell rooms for cash when they tell us their full. We are not paying dues so they can sell the rooms to cash customers.

Remember, the rooms that are being sold for cash are not available for points because:

1. They are part of the inventory that DVD still owns--they retain ownership of 2 to 4% (I think) of each resort. Think of it as those rooms being already booked by another owner with their own points.

2. They are rooms that another member traded for a non-DVC option.

3. Breakage inventory--rooms not booked by members 60 days out from arrival--my understanding is that sometimes, these rooms can get gotten back.

 

[Chuck S]

The member cruise last year was a disappointment. Disney cruise line was great the DVC part was lacking. The incentives were a slap in the face.

Apparently, the resorts are currently selling well enough that "incentives" are not needed. Incentives are simply sales tools, nothing more. Like coupons in the grocery store, if the products are selling well, you don't see coupons for that product.

Disney, like all publically traded corporations, have a responsibility to their stockholders, to be maximize profits when possible. DVC Member are not stockholders, they are timeshare owners. Remember it wasn't lack of "magic and foresight" that got Eisner booted, as some would have you believe. Eisner was given a no confidence vote and was ultimately kicked to the curb because Disney stock prices, dividends and profits were down. That is all wall street cares about.

 

[tjkraz]

Recently we have seen the benefits decrease. To where there is no real advantage being a DVC member.

Which benefits??

I know free valet parking was lost 3-4 years ago over a contractual issue with the service provider (NOT a Disney decision) but I'm struggling to think of other perks that have been lost recently.

The prices have gone up at a increased level that is unjustified. It seems pure greed is taken over at DVC.

If people are still buying, I don't know how we can say prices are unjustified. Each DVC property has a limited number of points available. If Disney can successfully find buyers at $150, they'd be foolish to sell for $120.

The member cruise last year was a disappointment. Disney cruise line was great the DVC part was lacking. The incentives were a slap in the face.

That's been a recurring theme among frequent cruisers. It will be interesting to see what happens this year. DVC has apparently had trouble filling the ships for the two scheduled member cruises. Hopefully this will prompt them to reconsider the quality of the member cruises.

They sell rooms for cash when they tell us their full. We are not paying dues so they can sell the rooms to cash customers.

As other posters pointed out, that has always happened and it's largely a byproduct of DVC members choosing to use their points outside of the DVC system.

This past weekend, while at WDW, I could not help but wonder if the company hopes the resort will have more DVC members than cash guests.

I'm sure Disney sees benefits in a healthy mix of DVC members and cash guests. However, many guests are unwilling or unable to make the sort of investment DVC requires. And the count of DVC rooms at WDW is still only about 15-20% of all Disney-owned accommodations. When you factor in park guests staying off-site, locals, etc., DVC members are still not a huge segment of the parks' typical guest population.

 

[luv2sleep]

I am new to DVC (should be closing soon). What was DVC's 'focus' and was it different from the focus of other timeshares?

 

[Brian Noble]

It seems to me the focus is no longer on its members and the Disney way but on making the most money it can.

I'm pretty sure that, as a for-profit entity, this has always been the "focus".

This past weekend, while at WDW, I could not help but wonder if the company hopes the resort will have more DVC members than cash guests.

Well, the 9/11 travel slump scared them---very very badly---and from what I've read some in Burbank are a little spooked about the possibility of oil prices spiking, sharply increasing airfares and cutting down the number of people wiling to fly on vacation as well. So, the "locked in" nature of DVC owners is a nice hedge on their risk.

There was clearly a conscious decision to go this route. Until AoA got started, Disney had not begun construction of a single cash room anywhere, and in fact had converted cash rooms at AKL and CR to DVC rooms.

 

[marie1981]

Just to say that I am a very happy DVC member.

People often say that Disney ignore us because we are 'locked'. You know, we are alway free to sell our contract if we feel that DVC is not for us anymore.

As per the fact that we spend a lot while vacationning at Disney, it would be interesting to make a study on that.

Personally, I do coking in my unit so I go to the restaurants less than a cash guest.

Also, since I go to Disney more often, I do not buy much souvenirs anymore. How many Mickey plush do I really need ??

For the Perks, I am very happy with the annual pass discount.
We the recent increase, we now save near $300 for both of us, this is a nice perk !

 

[burnsoc]

I am new to DVC (should be closing soon). What was DVC's 'focus' and was it different from the focus of other timeshares?

DVC's "focus" has always been the same as other timeshares, to sell more memberships. Being on this board for many years I see people who after several years into their DVC membership lose that "pixie dust" feeling they had when they purchased. Some people buy in thinking that they're getting into some kind of elite Disney club, when all they are actually purchasing is a real estate interest. I researched for two years several timeshares before making my DVC purchase, and I've been a satisfied DVC member for 11 years now. If you understand what you're purchasing is accommodations at a DVC resort and any other benefits you use through DVC are just a perk of membership, you'll probably be satisfied with your purchase. Good luck and enjoy your DVC!

 

[disneynutz]

Does it seem that recently DVC has lost its way. It seems to me the focus is no longer on its members and the Disney way but on making the most money it can. Recently we have seen the benefits decrease. To where there is no real advantage being a DVC member. The prices have gone up at a increased level that is unjustified. It seems pure greed is taken over at DVC.
The member cruise last year was a disappointment. Disney cruise line was great the DVC part was lacking. The incentives were a slap in the face.

Us DVCers come to WDW on a regular basis and spend alot when we come. DVC has forgotten that.
They sell rooms for cash when they tell us their full. We are not paying dues so they can sell the rooms to cash customers.

IMO there has been a shift at DVD/DVC. Years ago we did feel like we were in a club, then a funny thing happened, DVD/DVC under Jim Lewis became a real money maker for Disney when other business units were having trouble. DVD/DVC grew, projects were green lighted and additional profits were expected. Lewis was given the title of President, exchange companies were changed, a $95 fee was assessed, rules and policies were changed as were some point charts.

MS had trouble keeping up with the growth, DVD/DVC moved into a custom built building, SSR, AKV, THV, BLT, and Aulani were built. DVD opened up remote sales sites, commissioned Realtors in key States, DVD commissions were changed for Guides and ASA's and DVD reached out and started hiring sales people from other timeshare companies.

As the pressure to increase profit increased, BLT costs had to be cut so the quality of interior hard goods were cut as was the HVAC system design. Aulani came to be when it was discovered that Disney Management had set the dues too low. Sales were halted and several Disney Executives were fired including President Lewis.

A new to DVD Vice President with a Disney marketing background was brought on board under a reorganized DVD to clean up the mess and get DVC sales back on track.

DVD makes their money on selling new projects, not resales, not taking care of owners. They will always toss us a bone or two but they know that they have a Disney customer for the life of the contract. If you had limited resources and only so many hours in the day, who would you cater to, the guest who will come to your resort no matter what, or the guest paying cash who may not come back?

That's my take on things.

Bill

 

[luv2sleep]

DVC's "focus" has always been the same as other timeshares, to sell more memberships. Being on this board for many years I see people who after several years into their DVC membership lose that "pixie dust" feeling they had when they purchased. Some people buy in thinking that they're getting into some kind of elite Disney club, when all they are actually purchasing is a real estate interest. I researched for two years several timeshares before making my DVC purchase, and I've been a satisfied DVC member for 11 years now. If you understand what you're purchasing is accommodations at a DVC resort and any other benefits you use through DVC are just a perk of membership, you'll probably be satisfied with your purchase. Good luck and enjoy your DVC!

This is how I see it. I've been researching Hawaii timeshares for a while. I've been on a couple of timeshare tours and have talked to several timeshare agents (Marriott, Four Seasons and Starwood). DVC seemed like the best fit. I only look at it as a timeshare though and nothing more. Like most businesses, DVC seems to be all about business and money. They will do what's best for them, not for me no matter how it appears. It's just a business. I bought at Aulani and am happy and excited with my purchase.

 

[matthew517]

I am happy with my DVC.
What I am talking about the unjustified price increases is based upon this. In 1992 the pp was around $46. Then in 2007 AK was selling for 94. In 2008 the price was 98. Last year it was 120. This year 140. I hear GF will be 200.

This is what im talking about greed.
In 15 years from 92 to 07 it went up less than $50. In three years it has risen $50. And it looks to go up another 50 in a year. I understand DVC is in it for profit. But 100 price increase in less than 6 years is excessive.

In 92 we got park tickets as a benefits.

 

[matthew517]

How many grandvillas at BLT? If they only offer 4 percent to cash how do they rent out several Grandvillas for cash?

How many Grandvillias at AKKV? Let's say there are 50. When I was last there 5 were filled by cash paying families I spoke to at the pool. That is 10%. There were very few DVC owners at the pool. The majority were cash paying customers. I have no problem with this if the rooms are open. But I know a few DVC members that tried to get in AKKV and couldn't.

 

[BLTLDZ]

Just to say that I am a very happy DVC member.

People often say that Disney ignore us because we are 'locked'. You know, we are alway free to sell our contract if we feel that DVC is not for us anymore.

As per the fact that we spend a lot while vacationning at Disney, it would be interesting to make a study on that.

Personally, I do coking in my unit so I go to the restaurants less than a cash guest.

Also, since I go to Disney more often, I do not buy much souvenirs anymore. How many Mickey plush do I really need ??

For the Perks, I am very happy with the annual pass discount.
We the recent increase, we now save near $300 for both of us, this is a nice perk !

I agree with this 100%. DH & I became members in 2008. We have never looked back or regretted our decision. We alsp enjoy the perks of the discounted AP's. The ONLY downside is that it is REALLY hard for me to convince DH to go anywhere else!!!!

 

[matthew517]

I was wrong in saying they lost focus their focus is and will always be making money. I haven't lost the magic. I have and will continue to vacation with Disney. I've been going to WDW since it opened.
I really enjoy DCL.

 

[matthew517]

I go almost every year and spend about 6 to 7 k. I eat in the restaurants. I know there are at least 1000 people like me. We generate 7 million a year every year.
I the past year I have gone on a DCL cruise on points gone to WDW AK for a week on points and have a cruise in Sept for 7 nights on cash. I will have spent 15k at disney in the past year and with my dues its close to 20k. How many cash customers do that? Do I think Disney needs to reward their DVC members yes. I purchased Busch Gardens 2 year 2 park tickets for Williamsburg. I get free parking, 10% off everything in the parks. It was cheaper than a 4 day park hopper @ WDW. It would be nice of Disney did the 10% for DVC members on everything.

 

[Tara]

Does it seem that recently DVC has lost its way. It seems to me the focus is no longer on its members and the Disney way but on making the most money it can. Recently we have seen the benefits decrease. To where there is no real advantage being a DVC member. The prices have gone up at a increased level that is unjustified. It seems pure greed is taken over at DVC.
The member cruise last year was a disappointment. Disney cruise line was great the DVC part was lacking. The incentives were a slap in the face.

Us DVCers come to WDW on a regular basis and spend alot when we come. DVC has forgotten that.
They sell rooms for cash when they tell us their full. We are not paying dues so they can sell the rooms to cash customers.

Incentives were a slap in the face? That sounds like how dare they not give me the sale price I think is justified? Really?

They are a business out to make money. They will price their products accordingly at levels they believe the market will bear. CLEARLY they are pricing them correctly as the points are selling. If the points don't sell, they'll offer different incentives...maybe you won't be so offended by those.

As for price increases being excessive...again, it's their market. If prices were excessive, people wouldn't pay them. Another way to look at it is, "Wow, DVC was a steal 6 years ago! I'm glad I got such a terrific deal!" No one is forcing anyone to buy points or add on.

As for selling rooms for cash, DVD maintains some stock to do this. No, you aren't paying your dues so they can rent those rooms...your dues are unrelated to those rooms.

 

[DebbieB]

The annual pass discount was recently increased 49% ($100 to $149).

I've been a member for almost 13 years and have no complaints. Probably because I know what I bought into and don't expect more than that.