DVC member discounts

[disney1474]

We are new members (May 07) and very happy we joined and look forward to many fabulous vacations. I just wish members would get discounts on multiple day passes instead of just on AP's. We can't go more than once a year so an AP isn't worth it.
My friend works for ESPN here in CT. and he gets 50% off hotels and free park passes! It would be great to get free passes but I know Disney is a business... but how about $100 off a 7 or 10 day pass? What do all you think?
I think we should all join forces and present DVC "higher ups" with this proposal!

 

[drag n' fly]

What a great idea! We live in Alberta and with three kids cannot get down more than once a year. We rented points before we purchased so we have two trips in 08 but normally would only take one for now. We bought in November and would love a discount on those passes!

 

[disrailfan]

DW, DD and I usually go only once a year. We just plan the trip the next year with the idea that it falls within the one year of the AP. That way we typically get 14-18 days out of a set of AP's.

This is the best option we have. We actually prefer this way and were buying AP's even before we were getting a DVC Discount.

 

[tjkraz]

My friend works for ESPN here in CT. and he gets 50% off hotels and free park passes! It would be great to get free passes but I know Disney is a business...

ESPN is owned by The Walt Disney Company. Your friend is essentially a Disney Cast Member. The free passes and hotel discounts are simply employment benefits--the same way that your employer offers to pay a portion of your healthcare cost and gives you a handful of days off each year with pay.

...but how about $100 off a 7 or 10 day pass? What do all you think?

The Annual Pass discount is the best ticket discount members have ever had available. It's also the most popular ticket discount program with members. No, not everyone can take advantage of it, but the same can be said for any benefit program.

Prior to the AP discount, the only ticket perk offered was a reduction on the cost of the Length of stay pass. And the discount was quite small--only like $20-30 off of the price of a week's admission.

The AP discount serves a dual purpose for Disney--not only is it a nice perk for members but it also encourages additional trips. If you take more trips, you need more points.

Disney already knows that not everyone can benefit from an AP discount without changing their travel habits. I wouldn't discourage you from sharing your comments with them, but this certainly isn't a case where they have simply been short-sighted in not offering MYW price reductions.

 

[Chuck S]

If I remember correctly, it was 10% off the Length of Stay pass. The Length of Stay pass was discontinued when the current Magic Your Way pass was introduced.

Like Tjkraz has said, the current AP discount is the best DVC has ever offered.

 

[tjkraz]

If I remember correctly, it was 10% off the Length of Stay pass. The Length of Stay pass was discontinued when the current Magic Your Way pass was introduced.

I think you're right.

We bought the LoS passes once and I think it was in the $270-300 neighborhood.

If I remember correctly, members really didn't get a full 10% discount when comparing to cash guests. Those booking thru CRO could buy their LoS in advance and get a discount. Their discount was somewhere in the neighborhood of 4-6% for the pre-purchase.

DVC wasn't equipped to handle advance purchases. The only way for us to get the LoS was to buy at the front desk. Thus the 10% discount came off of the full "gate" price. So when comparing to cash guests, our net member discount was only about 5%.

 

[TAKitty]

We are new members (May 07) and very happy we joined and look forward to many fabulous vacations. I just wish members would get discounts on multiple day passes instead of just on AP's. We can't go more than once a year so an AP isn't worth it.
My friend works for ESPN here in CT. and he gets 50% off hotels and free park passes! It would be great to get free passes but I know Disney is a business... but how about $100 off a 7 or 10 day pass? What do all you think?
I think we should all join forces and present DVC "higher ups" with this proposal!

I agree with you. I have often thought that if no one says anything then how could it ever change. I have an AP because I go more than my family to WDW. I usually buy 10 day non-exp tickets for the kids and my Dh.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I agree with you. I have often thought that if no one says anything then how could it ever change. I have an AP because I go more than my family to WDW. I usually buy 10 day non-exp tickets for the kids and my Dh.

Same boat. I use the AP discount for me, get 10-day non expiring tix for the kids, and we use my brother's free passes for me DH. Like the OP's friend, my brother works for ABC so he gets free passes....and lucky us....he never goes! So we are the happy recipients. However, it is usally about 8 days/year worth (I think each employee gets 2 one-day tickets per quarter).

As an executive, he also gets a Main Entrance Platinum Pass which is an AMAZING deal. It is basically an AP for him and 3 guests who happen to be with him. Yup, it gets 4 people into all the parks for a whole year. The catch is that he, as the employee, has to be physically there and going into the parks as well. And like I said, he never goes...talk about a WASTE!