DVC Membership Magic Limitations?

[LadySarathano]

Current resale owner, in process of purchasing direct. Surprised by the amount of documentation regarding Membership Extras and Membership Magic Beyond, which requires our signature. I had the understanding that all Direct / Blue Card members (according to requirements at time of purchase) would qualify for whatever benefits / discounts / etc. are currently offered. Of course I understand that nothing is actually guaranteed and anything can be changed or taken away at any time. But the wording on the last page of this section of documentation has me a bit concerned:

On page 7, it states, "The incidental benefits described in this Statement are offered to prospective purchasers of the vacation ownership plan. These benefits are available for your use for a period of three (3) years or less after the first date that the vacation ownership plan is available for your use. The availability of the incidental benefits may or may not be renewed or extended. You should not purchase an interest in the vacation ownership plan in reliance upon the continued availability or renewal or extension of these benefits."

This statement makes it seem as if we would only qualify for the next 3 years, inferring that such benefits are linked to our date of purchase rather than just having made the purchase, which is a very different proposition. It seems this document was last revised October 3, 2024 - so this seems to be a recent change, perhaps more closely referencing the Membership Magic Beyond program, but definitely written as encompassing the entire Membership Extras document. I have a question out to my guide, but haven’t seen this discussed yet. Would I have limitations on my directly purchased DVC membership that my friend who purchased direct in 2022 does not?

 

[kes601]

On page 7, it states, "The incidental benefits described in this Statement are offered to prospective purchasers of the vacation ownership plan. These benefits are available for your use for a period of three (3) years or less after the first date that the vacation ownership plan is available for your use. The availability of the incidental benefits may or may not be renewed or extended. You should not purchase an interest in the vacation ownership plan in reliance upon the continued availability or renewal or extension of these benefits."

I'm no lawyer, but it gives them an out if they can no longer offer them. For example, there was a couple of year period where there was no option to purchase the sorcerer's pass for DVC members. Also, we used to get a pretty good discount on the incredipass, but that perk disappeared.

ETA: Another example could be, let's say a third party restaurant currently offers a discount, next time negotiations are going on they may not come to an agreement.

 

[Brian Noble]

This statement makes it seem as if we would only qualify for the next 3 years

I don't think it materially changes anything. None of the Membership Extras are guaranteed at all, for any length of time. This is just more language that supports that possibility.

In practice, the Membership Extras are a reasonably meaningful marketing tool, so I expect that there will be something like them going forward. What exactly? Who knows.

 

[CraigInPA]

There was a time when Membership Extras included park admission. That went away a LONG time ago. Likewise, there was the free bus service from MCO that went away during the pandemic. Airline check-in? Went away during the pandemic when the company that provided it went bankrupt. DVC includes language like you've quoted to allow them flexibility to get out of offers that they cannot affordably offer going forward, or offers where a third party ceases operations.

 

[LadySarathano]

I don't think it materially changes anything. None of the Membership Extras are guaranteed at all, for any length of time. This is just more language that supports that possibility.

In practice, the Membership Extras are a reasonably meaningful marketing tool, so I expect that there will be something like them going forward. What exactly? Who knows.

My concern is specifically with the 3 year reference, as well as the dating on the revision. Are they creating a new category of buyers (direct within last 3 years) or similar? Like how resale members before a certain date are grandfathered in. I have concerns to have purchased a lower class of benefit eligibility compared to those who purchased prior to Oct 3, 2024.

I was surprised so much was spelled out in the Membership Extras document as relates to the Beyond program, so perhaps it’s just to not box them into providing those specific benefits. But even then it’s a rolling 3 year period based on whenever someone purchases and signs those documents. A specified end date would make more sense.

 

[Brian Noble]

There is no evidence that that is actually happening, and I'm pretty sure the 3-year language has been there a while---I remember it coming up back when APs were not being sold, so it definitely pre-dates the 10/24 update.

Plus, it's not even three years. It's three years or less.

 

[LadySarathano]

I'm pretty sure the 3-year language has been there a while---I remember it coming up back when APs were not being sold, so it definitely pre-dates the 10/24 update.

Thank you, I couldn’t find a related discussion on prior language. This makes me feel better. Will comment if / when I receive an answer from my guide as well.

 

[tjkraz]

There was a time when Membership Extras included park admission. That went away a LONG time ago.

Not true. Free park admission was a purchase incentive. It was a bonus offered circa 1991-1992 when Disney wasn't sure if the concept would take off and OKW was the only resort. The agreement stated it would end December 31, 1999. So even people who received that bonus could only use it for about 8 years.

Free theme park admission has never been a blanket perk offered to all DVC Owners.

 

[Sandisw]

My concern is specifically with the 3 year reference, as well as the dating on the revision. Are they creating a new category of buyers (direct within last 3 years) or similar? Like how resale members before a certain date are grandfathered in. I have concerns to have purchased a lower class of benefit eligibility compared to those who purchased prior to Oct 3, 2024.

I was surprised so much was spelled out in the Membership Extras document as relates to the Beyond program, so perhaps it’s just to not box them into providing those specific benefits. But even then it’s a rolling 3 year period based on whenever someone purchases and signs those documents. A specified end date would make more sense.

That language is taken straight from the FL statues and why it is included.

The reason it is spelled out in the detail that it is is to ensure owners understand these are not part of your contract and they can end at any time if DVD decides to end it.

It’s why there is no date because you are guaranteed thee years or less…which is how they wrote it in the law.

While DVD has already grandfathered owners when they change requirements, they don’t have to do so.

 

[LadySarathano]

That language is taken straight from the FL statues and why it is included.

This is helpful context, thank you!

 

[LadySarathano]

Here was the response from my guide:
“I understand the wording may seem scary and awkward and we may need to speak over the phone for clarification. But now that you've purchased directly from Disney you will have the exact same benefits as your friend who also purchased directly from Disney in 2022. We advertise that many places as well. We just don't guarantee that we will have the exact same member benefits in the future that we do now. That's all they're referring to. I've been here since day 1, believe it or not, and we're always, tweaking, adding and changing our member benefits based on member feedback etc.

Hope that helps. I’m here for you and happy for help.”