DVC Member Perk - Lifetime Pass for Purchase

[stopher1]

Ive been going to Disney World since it opened, 50+/- times in 39 years, (I stopped counting) I've earned a lifetime pass!

I think I have too... I've been to WDW 52 times since 1991 with an AP for 3+ years; and DL the visits are well over a thousand based on growing up and living 30 minutes or less from the place for more than 29 years of my life. Having worked there played a part in that count too, sure...but honestly more visits came from having an AP at DL for 19+ years and going over for lunch or dinner, daddy/son afternoons for a ride or two and ice cream, multiple visits every time I'm out there now... yeah - I've "earned" one too.

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Ive been going to Disney World since it opened, 50+/- times in 39 years, (I stopped counting) I've earned a lifetime pass!

I completely agree! Since we're dreaming here, if you've visited over 50 times, Dis will give you an honorary lifetime pass!

 

[SamSam]

I completely agree! Since we're dreaming here, if you've visited over 50 times, Dis will give you an honorary lifetime pass![/QUOTE


That would be too fantastic! I'm sure we've visited over 100 times, so I would be so for this! Dreaming is fun.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I completely agree! Since we're dreaming here, if you've visited over 50 times, Dis will give you an honorary lifetime pass!

I'd be in on that one!!! heck, I don't think I'd have that far to go!

 

[Goofy DVC]

How about a 10 year pass? I would be interested in that. Also, wouldn't the price of a lifetime pass have to be tied to your age? I would think a pass for a 6 yr old would be more than a pass for a 60 yr old.

 

[Mert]

I think it would be great but of course the price ? However I've never known why Disney hasn't offered a pass that comes along with the fees of your DVC purchase and the amount of members of your immediate family. I have been a member for close to 10 years and are constantly hearing people saying their staying in Disney but have little or no plans of going into the parks because of the cost so their going other places. Disney should be making more of an effort to keep the money on the property. Another reason fo Lifetime Passes

 

[taaren]

How about a 10 year pass? I would be interested in that. Also, wouldn't the price of a lifetime pass have to be tied to your age? I would think a pass for a 6 yr old would be more than a pass for a 60 yr old.

Totally agree with this. I can't see Disney selling a "lifetime" pass just because its uncertain how long a lifetime is and inflation is steady, but not necessarily predictable. As someone mentioned before we are a captive audience. A 10-year makes a lot of sense though, basically to 'lock in' todays rates, which is essentially what DVC does. Alternately I could see a Pass that was tied to your DVC membership that was non-transferrable: ie, your membership expires in 2042 or 2060, so does your Pass, etc. If you choose to re-buy into DVC you can re-buy your Pass at the rate they're charging at that time. Can't not have an end-date though - otherwise they would have made DVC points a deeded entity and not a 50 year lease.
I'd pay $4-5K for even a 25 year pass though. Better than buying AP's every years, or trying to figure out 'spacing' our trips to maximize them like we have been. Not that I mind, but would love the alternative of prepaying passes at a "reasonable" (for Disney) rate.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I would settle for free Sam Adams refills. I don't want to wait, or even get in line though. They would need to wheel a tapper behind me.

MG

 

[Mert]

Does anyone know if Disney or these other locations ever read the posts on these web-sites. With the recent posting rule changes I've been on this site more and have read alot of practical ideas, I'm just wondering if any of these ideas get back to the folks that might make changes.

 

[KPOP]

I don't think there is anyway that I'd be able to afford something like this - unless DIS priced it at 4-5x the annual pass..I'd have to skip it....

 

[dianeschlicht]

Does anyone know if Disney or these other locations ever read the posts on these web-sites. With the recent posting rule changes I've been on this site more and have read alot of practical ideas, I'm just wondering if any of these ideas get back to the folks that might make changes.

Absolutely they read here!

I like the idea of a 5-10 year option too, but I really doubt a lifetime pass will every come to pass. Sorry for the pun.

 

[Mert]

Certainly glad to hear that, I know it would be impossible for Disney to answer every thread but they really should think about representives setting up a specific POST SITE where they can pick and choose what they answer so you know that they are aware of issues and what if any action their taking.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Certainly glad to hear that, I know it would be impossible for Disney to answer every thread but they really should think about representives setting up a specific POST SITE where they can pick and choose what they answer so you know that they are aware of issues and what if any action their taking.

They would never post or answer here mostly because they are forbidden from doing so. That does not mean they don't monitor it though!

 

[mjc2003]

I would settle for free Sam Adams refills. I don't want to wait, or even get in line though. They would need to wheel a tapper behind me.

MG

I agree. I would find carbonated perks quite attractive.

 

[marynvince]

By being a dvc member, i am already conditioning my kids to the frequent Disney trips. I think the lifetime pass would complete their transformation and perpetuate the tradition.

Requirements of a lifetime pass is the ownership of DVC, could even be tied to number of points. If DVC is sold, pass is no longer valid. Each year when dues are paid a new pass is issued.

Cost of lifetime pass $100 * number of years remaining on contract. For me I would have to buy 6. That puts about $20,000 in Disney's pocket today.

I think it could work from a financial standpoint on Disney's part. It would also offer me an incentive from a savings standpoint as well as encourage more trips with park visits. As my kids get older it also makes DVC ownership attractive to them. Then they will get their kids into the expectation of Disney and the Disney family grows....

 

[Mert]

My answers are directed towards DVC members. The other night while on the Boardwalk i was sitting next to the DVC sales cart. A young couple chatted with the salesman for a while and seemed very interested in buying. The young lady asked the salesman several questions about the perks to the parks and the only one he could mention was the annual pass. As a member i felt like i should almost speak up and tell them how much my family loves being a member and how it turned out to be the right choice. But i was disappointed about the topic of disney not helping out on getting dvc members into the parks. Now from a realistic point of view why would they if they already have me there and i got what i paid for. My answer is, and as i've mentioned before. I went there with my three children. We brought in our own food, and drinks, we went to outside parks and the only real spending we did in disney was at the resturants we recieved discounts. I think disney really should think about this situation because i'm sure i'm not the only one. I think they should make a better effort to keep my money on thier property. Because i may be showing how i saved some money but have no doubts I spent quite a bit just not in disney. Perhaps when buying into the dvc plan they can offer an upgrade, or two plans one with park access one with out. Thank you for reading this, sorry about typos.

 

[mjc2003]

By being a dvc member, i am already conditioning my kids to the frequent Disney trips. I think the lifetime pass would complete their transformation and perpetuate the tradition.

Requirements of a lifetime pass is the ownership of DVC, could even be tied to number of points. If DVC is sold, pass is no longer valid. Each year when dues are paid a new pass is issued.

Cost of lifetime pass $100 * number of years remaining on contract. For me I would have to buy 6. That puts about $20,000 in Disney's pocket today.

I think it could work from a financial standpoint on Disney's part. It would also offer me an incentive from a savings standpoint as well as encourage more trips with park visits. As my kids get older it also makes DVC ownership attractive to them. Then they will get their kids into the expectation of Disney and the Disney family grows....

I think that a 5 or even 10 year would make some sense, depending on price, but I would not buy a lifetime pass, especially with your example where it could not be sold, or would be invalid if we sold our points. Reason being, life is too uncertain and things could change tomorrow. If I shelled out 15-20k and lost my job tomorrow, and we couldn't afford to keep the points in a year, I'd really be kicking myself.
Additionally, $20,000 invested very modestly would give a 4% return which would pay for 2 AP's annually. I'm much rather have that $20,000 and put it to work to pay for these things then give it to Disney all right now.

I find the concept of a 5 year pass to be quite appealing. If 5 years of AP's would be about $2100, maybe they'd make it about $1700-$1800. I might do that.

 

[sweetdana]

I think a family pass for 10K for 15 yrs or something would make more sense. But more than 10K out of pocket.. even on say a 2yr payment plan, I wouldn't think most would be able to afford it, or consider it. Even making room for "add- ons little ones". This would assist Dis prob with family vacation being outta like for say a 4 kid family.

I love the tied to your points idea, that would be good on both sides.. Maybe even a min # of points..

IE with 200 points. You qual for 15 yr family at 10K. But at 100 points it is only for 10 yrs.

I would think about 10K for a long period of time, is about the breaking point for a family. I can say more than that and I'd be out for sure. 10K.. I would consider.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I love the thought but my sentiments are that it will be a very cold day in a normally very hot place before we ever see anything even resembling anything beyond a one year pass. Like all the ideas. Ain't gonna happen, though, and I think we all know it deep down inside.

Be very weary when companies start giving too much away. There's usually a very good reason they're doing it and it's usually for a very bad reason.

 

[smcabee]

My answers are directed towards DVC members. The other night while on the Boardwalk i was sitting next to the DVC sales cart. A young couple chatted with the salesman for a while and seemed very interested in buying. The young lady asked the salesman several questions about the perks to the parks and the only one he could mention was the annual pass. As a member i felt like i should almost speak up and tell them how much my family loves being a member and how it turned out to be the right choice. But i was disappointed about the topic of disney not helping out on getting dvc members into the parks.

Ive actually gotten about 3-4 referrals doing this. I saw some interested folks one day and told them about how much we enjoyed being members and asked them to consider using me as a referral if they chose to buy and didnt already have a referral.