DVC magic band is now Direct only

[New Mouse]

While I don't agree with the $160 price tag (or the event in general) at Hollywood Studios, can we stop saying it is just "pizza". The announcement clearly states it is not:

So if it were the entire pizza Rizzo menu would that make it any better?

 

[SL6827]

Likely an oversight along with many other things in the in person stores. Eventually they might install touch points that can just read your memberships for discounts and purchase ability.

People were buying DVC APs for the longest time and that was actually costing Disney money.

Still doesn't mean just anyone will not be able to get one though.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Still doesn't mean just anyone will not be able to get one though.

Well, if you were wandering through the Grand Cal lobby today, you could have grabbed one. All discounts accepted.

 

[SL6827]

Well, if you were wandering through the Grand Cal lobby today, you could have grabbed one. All discounts accepted.

Don't think they won't be on Ebay at some point? Or any of the other two million resell sites?

 

[DonMacGregor]

Don't think they won't be on Ebay at some point? Or any of the other two million resell sites?

Sure, but that’s the case with virtually everything Disney. I’m not sure I understand your point.

Right now, regardless of resellers, there already is an ample supply and no limitations or scarcity (actual or artificial) with regard to the bands (anyone can buy one today, from Disney), so I don't understand why anyone thinks Disney is being petty based on a single word on a single source among many to obtain the bands directly from Disney.

As I asked previously, has anyone not eligible for Membership Extras even tried to buy one on ShopDisney? Or, are we just assuming because it says “Direct” that resale owners are barred from purchasing?

 

[AstroBlasters]

Sure, but that’s the case with virtually everything Disney. I’m not sure I understand your point.

Right now, regardless of resellers, there already is an ample supply and no limitations or scarcity (actual or artificial) with regard to the bands (anyone can buy one today, from Disney), so I don't understand why anyone thinks Disney is being petty based on a single word on a single source among many to obtain the bands directly from Disney.

As I asked previously, has anyone not eligible for Membership Extras even tried to buy one on ShopDisney? Or, are we just assuming because it says “Direct” that resale owners are barred from purchasing?

I tried to add one to my cart today on ShopDisney for our upcoming March trip and it would not let me. So the answer is yes AND it is extremely petty.

 

[Nursemanit]

Sure, but that’s the case with virtually everything Disney. I’m not sure I understand your point.

Right now, regardless of resellers, there already is an ample supply and no limitations or scarcity (actual or artificial) with regard to the bands (anyone can buy one today, from Disney), so I don't understand why anyone thinks Disney is being petty based on a single word on a single source among many to obtain the bands directly from Disney.

As I asked previously, has anyone not eligible for Membership Extras even tried to buy one on ShopDisney? Or, are we just assuming because it says “Direct” that resale owners are barred from purchasing

In the thread, the first page has posts that show screenshots of the warnings.

 

[Sammie]

I have never understood why resale purchasers think that DVC doesn't need to protect their product. Resale is their competition. It is in everyone's best interest for DVC to be able to continue to sell direct contracts. I also understand the appeal of saving money buying resale.
This change to a magic band might be a testing of the ability to make it work for future items, who knows. It's no different than other restrictions to those that choose to not buy direct. I mean at this point anyone buying resale knows what to expect.

 

[Nursemanit]

I have never understood why resale purchasers think that DVC doesn't need to protect their product. Resale is their competition. It is in everyone's best interest for DVC to be able to continue to sell direct contracts. I also understand the appeal of saving money buying resale.
This change to a major band might be a testing of ability to make it work for future items, who knows.

Because resale is not their competition, 100% of the available points are sold direct. Wyndham, Hilton, and Marriott are the competition. If there was no resale market - Disney would not be able to sell at anything near 207 a point. Resale makes DVCD money in propping up the value.

 

[Sammie]

Because resale is not their competition, 100% of the available points are sold direct. Wyndham, Hilton, and Marriott are the competition. If there was no resale market - Disney would not be able to sell at anything near 207 a point. Resale makes DVCD money in propping up the value.

If someone decides to buy resale and not buy direct then yes they are their competition. Anything that prevents a direct purchase is competition. Now some will buy enough direct points to get the perks but many won't. If DVD did not consider resale to be competition they would have never made the restrictions to Riveria.
As to Wyndham, Hilton and Marriot I don't consider them competition at all to stay on Disney property at a DVC resort without going through an exchange.

 

[DonMacGregor]

In the thread, the first page has posts that show screenshots of the warnings.

I’m aware of that. My question was whether or not anyone actually tried to buy one. The ShopDisney page is notorious for errors.

 

[Nursemanit]

I’m aware of that. My question was whether or not anyone actually tried to buy one. The ShopDisney page is notorious for errors.

Literally has screenshots of people getting error messages telling them it is only for direct - but why read the thread ?

 

[Nursemanit]

If someone decides to buy resale and not buy direct then yes they are their competition. Anything that prevents a direct purchase is competition. Now some will buy enough direct points to get the perks but many won't. If DVD did not consider resale to be competition they would have never made the restrictions to Riveria.
As to Wyndham, Hilton and Marriot I don't consider them competition at all to stay on Disney property at a DVC resort without going through an exchange.

DVC made their money on 100% of resale points sold. You can not sell a product twice. DVC could buy them back and resell at a profit but they put very little to no effort into doing that - as evidenced by the tiny fraction of sold out resorts sold by Disney vs the new.

 

[kes601]

So if it were the entire pizza Rizzo menu would that make it any better?

How hard is it to understand it IS NOT the Pizzerizzo menu. They are using Pizzerizzo for the event. They are not serving Pizzerizzo food.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I’m aware of that. My question was whether or not anyone actually tried to buy one. The ShopDisney page is notorious for errors.

*Professional Shopper* here... We had lunch yesterday at Topolino's so it was a perfect test. I went in the gift store and asked for the new DVC magic band. The CM showed me where they were and didn't say a word about being qualified to buy. So I brought it to the counter and she never asked about discounts. I then asked if only DVC Direct Blue Card owners are able to buy this and she told me anyone can buy this and went on to tell me "they don't tell us anything". She wrang up my DVC discount and that was that. I had my phone in my hand (discount) but she waved it away.

 

[Sandisw]

*Professional Shopper* here... We had lunch yesterday at Topolino's so it was a perfect test. I went in the gift store and asked for the new DVC magic band. The CM showed me where they were and didn't say a word about being qualified to buy. So I brought it to the counter and she never asked about discounts. I then asked if only DVC Direct Blue Card owners are able to buy this and she told me anyone can buy this and went on to tell me "they don't tell us anything". She wrang up my DVC discount and that was that. I had my phone in my hand (discount) but she waved it away.

Maybe the restriction on shop Disney is more to allow only direct to buy from home vs resale having to do onsite?

 

[New Mouse]

How hard is it to understand it IS NOT the Pizzerizzo menu. They are using Pizzerizzo for the event. They are not serving Pizzerizzo food.

Thats like saying you are going to a private event at McDonalds but you expect them to serve grass fed filet.

I guarantee you some if not all of the pizza menu will be there. Will it be the only thing? No they will probably have a special cupcake.

 

[Sandisw]

DVC made their money on 100% of resale points sold. You can not sell a product twice. DVC could buy them back and resell at a profit but they put very little to no effort into doing that - as evidenced by the tiny fraction of sold out resorts sold by Disney vs the new.

But why does this even matter when it comes to them deciding to put restrictions on things based on resale vs direct.

They began this attempt to make the two products different in 2012, with the change to membership extras in 2016.

Just not sure why people would care what they do when it comes to offering something when it comes to membership extras.

If they want to have special merchandise for those who are eligible, so be it.

Obviously, though, it appears to be a shop Disney restriction right now and not the parks.

 

[Sandisw]

Thats like saying you are going to a private event at McDonalds but you expect them to serve grass fed filet.

I guarantee you some if not all of the pizza menu will be there. Will it be the only thing? No they will probably have a special cupcake.

Except the announcement specially says that it will include holiday food offerings inspired by holidays around the world.

So, until the event happens, they have indicated it will not be that menu.

Now if you don’t believe them, fine, but it is not advertising it as being that locations menu.

 

[Nursemanit]

But why does this even matter when it comes to them deciding to put restrictions on things based on resale vs direct.

They began this attempt to make the two products different in 2012, with the change to membership extras in 2016.

Just not sure why people would care what they do when it comes to offering something when it comes to membership extras.

If they want to have special merchandise for those who are eligible, so be it.

Obviously, though, it appears to be a shop Disney restriction right now and not the parks.

Because it is petty and counterproductive - and it detracts from the value of the product as a whole. Why not let someone who wants a DVC magic band purchase one online? Why spend time modifying the shop Disney website when you have not fixed the 2FA? ( and I don't agree with the different staff different divisions BS)

If someone feels special because you purchased direct then they need to work on actually accomplishing something in life.