DVC owners more entitled?

[stopher1]

I've really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on this issue (and I hope that everyone has been able to gather that I was not using the word "entitled" in a negative matter - - maybe it would have been better to ask if DVC members expect or hope for better vacations...).

I didn't... but I have encountered several non-DIS DVC'ers who DO feel that they are entitled to more for some reason based on their "membership in an exclusive club" (their words, not mine), like it's some sort of special access level or something like that.

I suppose though, when you think about it, DVC is much more exclusive than say Marriott or Hilton's timeshares based pure numbers...but I'm no expert in their size. And not everyone is willing or able to hand over the thousands of dollars to purchase a DVC membership, even if they are willing to hand it over to Disney incrementally for this, that or another trip to the World or Disneyland. So I guess it's a bit exclusive that way, too.

 

[malonefamily]

While I have no special expectations of castmembers, I do expect the same level of Disney magic as a traditional resort guest (as if I was staying at the Yacht & Beach Club, as I did my first trip). It would be a big mistake to take DVC members for granted... dues are still a major expense, combined with park tickets and expensive meals, they only have a fraction of the money they'll get from me over the next couple decades! If Disney parks or service declined dramatically, I'd sell my ownership interest (or even give it away if the resale market was in ruins) and just be glad not to have to pay dues, etc. any longer. That scenario on a large scale would be a disaster for Disney.

I think Disney knows that DVC represents their very best and most eager customers, similar to the Apple fans who wait in line when a new iPhone is coming out... you try to harness their energy and nurture it. I think perks are in Disney's business interests, and will continue for years to come... not because we are entitled to them, but because nobody represents more potential $$ for our favorite mouse than families like the ones on this board. I think Disney does (just) enough to nurture the DVC community, but they'd be wise to do do more over time, not less.

 

[stopher1]

I never have liked the argument though about Disney having our money so why should they have to do more for us. Core customers are what keep a business going and should never be disregarded or assumed to be safe from leaving as a customer.

As long as DVC and the broader Walt Disney Co don't do something that's just so plain stupid and totally wrong for their total business and marketshare (I don't know, something like shuttering the parks perhaps, or some other major thing) - those core customers who have skin in the game, like us, will continue to go and spend some money on their product - vacations, entertainment and enjoyment.

You are right, however, that they should hopefully not be taking us for granted because it IS harder and more expensive to re-gain a lost customer than earning a new one. When it comes down to it though, they know that we'll be back based on our membership purchase, or we'll find another way to use the points that we acquired and take care of the MF obligations that come with them (either by renting them out or selling the membership outright). Which certainly is a very real possibility if the level of maintenance and quality were to disinegrate to the point of some of the disatrous RCI resorts my FIL has invited us along to through the years. With that in mind, my DW for years said she never wanted a timeshare - til we finally discovered together what DVC was like. Not that DVC is perfect, but there IS a level of quality expectation out there, within my own house for goodness sake.

Once there, even if we don't spend a dime in the parks and shops and restaurants while on property, our dues will cover the necessary expenses of operating and maintaining the resort(s). So to arc back to it, yes, they already have our money, or at least a portion of it up-front, since MF's go on for the life of the contract vs. the initial purchase price. They truly don't need to incentivize us to return in the future in the same manner that they do the general public going once in a decade or so. Certainly it woud be nice if they did offer some sort of additional perks or incentives over what they offer now, but that would just be gravy on an already nice situation. The real incentive for me (and my family) is a well-maintained resort collection that we can choose to use for many years to come, not having to worry about whether or not there is some special deal to make an other-wise very expensive cash vacation/resort more affordable for my family of 5 - an expensive propostion no matter where we go. That in itself is a nice incentive for us - and then throw in the fact that the resorts happen to be located very near to our favorite theme parks on both coasts, makes it all the better.

 

[circhead]

I thought for sure this post was going to be about the sense of entitlement to more perks and discounts than many DVCers seem to have!

For me, being a member hasn't taken my expectations to the next level (which implies "higher" to me), just to a different level. I don't expect more magic, more thrills, etc. I expect less stress, less hurrying, less go-go-go. It's about my mindset about vacationing going from "wonder when the next trip will be...better do X, Y and Z cause it may be a while before we're back" to "there's always next time." Heck, even my 7yo son already has mastered this - on our trip last week he skipped several things saying "I'll just do them in December instead." We just had one of our best WDW trips ever, and that was due in large part to more relaxing together in our room, more chilling and exploring the resort, and less getting up early for rope drops and such.

My thoughts exactly. My family all know ther will be another trip. We have been DVCers for 9 years now - and the ability to relax and enjoy WDW that being DVCers has given us is priceless.
We can take our time - not stand on line - we'll be back maybe next time the wait will be acceptable. We will linger over things we never would before. I don't do sun - so going to the parks at 3 or 4 in the afternoon is perfect. I don't feel like I have to spend every minute of every day to get my money's worth or even go in every day - I'll be back.

DVC has changed WDW into being a relaxing vacation not a marathon.

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

I was told I would get access to the second level of the magic kingdom, and I better get it!

I am "Entitled" to magical vacations thru 2057.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

A different perspective...

I think it's made me just the opposite, unfortunately. It wasn't my intent but it is what it seems to have turned in to.

When I'm at a DVC resort, I feel like I'm treated like "Oh. One of those that's already paid. No new money in this guy." I'm seriously considering dropping all my DVC shirt wearing at WDW (parks) for this very reason too. I think I was treated better before we bought in.

Maybe the quality of service just started dropping at the same time we bought. I don't know but something happened.

I'm still glad I bought into DVC and will likely add-on but right now, I actually feel like I'm the lowest form of life at WDW and especially the parks. I'm hoping it will get better given my investment.

Maybe it's just me. I hope so. Here's hoping my trip home to AKV Kidani in 5 weeks will change my mind.

 

[Tara]

I'm still glad I bought into DVC and will likely add-on but right now, I actually feel like I'm the lowest form of life at WDW and especially the parks. I'm hoping it will get better given my investment.

Maybe it's just me. I hope so.

Maybe - I certainly haven't experienced anything like that and at least one of us was wearing a DVC hat all week last week.

 

[Sully]

As being heavily invested in DVC, over 1000 points, I do feel entilted to well operated resorts. This past February we had smoking in the room issues with a neighbor at SSR and I had to see a manager twice. I did explain to both managers my concern on how the resort was run and lack of action on their part with my real estate investment. Seeing DVC members do not get a lot of perks, we are entitled to resorts that are extremely well run.

 

[5forDiz]

Well maintened & clean resorts that's our expectation ( and would be our expectation as well when paying cash at any non-DVC resort whether that be on property or at any other non-Disney vacation destination we decide to visit ). Anything else that may be offered with DVC (ie AP discount, etc.) is welcome but not anything we count on. We got into DVC for the opportunity to stay in villas, travel to WDW more often & to invite family and friends along if we'd like too and to enjoy a slower, relaxing pace at WDW. Is DVC perfect ? nope, but any "glitches" we've expereienced so far have not been significant enough to burst our bubble

 

[goldilocks_63]

Sometimes we have those magical moments... and sometimes not...

So to cure the blahs, I try to do something nice for someone else - either a CM or guest.

Once I gave a kid a pin from our lanyard that they admired, another time gave us a dining reservation that we didn't really need and the other family was desperate, or pay forward unused fastpasses.

I can enjoy the magical moment thru others eyes, and it reminds me it's the people that make the magical moments.

So go make some magical moments for others, and see the pixie dust fly....

Some may magically get sprinkled back your way as well....

Goldi

 

[5forDiz]

Sometimes we have those magical moments... and sometimes not...

So to cure the blahs, I try to do something nice for someone else - either a CM or guest.

Once I gave a kid a pin from our lanyard that they admired, another time gave us a dining reservation that we didn't really need and the other family was desperate, or pay forward unused fastpasses.

I can enjoy the magical moment thru others eyes, and it reminds me it's the people that make the magical moments.

So go make some magical moments for others, and see the pixie dust fly....

Some may magically get sprinkled back your way as well....

Goldi

Great post

ITA

 

[Disneypirate85]

Sometimes we have those magical moments... and sometimes not...

So to cure the blahs, I try to do something nice for someone else - either a CM or guest.

Once I gave a kid a pin from our lanyard that they admired, another time gave us a dining reservation that we didn't really need and the other family was desperate, or pay forward unused fastpasses.

I can enjoy the magical moment thru others eyes, and it reminds me it's the people that make the magical moments.

So go make some magical moments for others, and see the pixie dust fly....

Some may magically get sprinkled back your way as well....

Goldi

We too try to "pay it forward" MANY times DW and I have given our Fastpass to another couple or waited a little bit longer for a ride to allow someone else to go ahead. Being a Member We know "we will be back"! There is no rush for us, We stop and talk more to CM's or at a DVC kiosk, see someone looking in the book and see if they have any questions we can help with or offer encouragement. Many times I have refered potential members to this very site to help them figure it all out. Do we feel entitled, well not really, but we do feel we have a vested interest in Disney and DVC to do well and if we can help just the smallest amount, well then it was worth it.... good discussion....Shawn

 

[tjkraz]

I know that as Disney guests, we feel pretty darn entitled to wonderful, magical, jaw-dropping vacations. I was wondering, though, if you think that we (as DVC owners) take our expectations to the next level?? Do you think that the DVC community, particularly the DIS DVC community, expect too much of ourselves and our vacations?? I know that I have officially donned the DVC rose-colored glasses and I expect vacations from here on to be just amazing and wonderful now that I've joined DVC (when, in reality, I know that I'm probably setting myself up for failure).

Anyone care to discuss?

(Didn't read all of the other posts so maybe I'm just echoing others.)

When people join DVC and become frequent return guests, one of the first things that happens is they become more attuned to changes at the parks and resorts (or lack thereof.) A family on their first trip or a return trip after 5 years isn't going to notice nearly the number of things as someone who visits 1-2 times per year.

Some people feel they should be entitled to more perks and benefits. Or just special treatment by Cast Members. Pretty shocking the first time you see someone pounding their fist at the front desk and spouting "I paid twenty thousand dollars to buy DVC and I deserve to get ______!!!!"

This isn't exclusive to DVC but I see more and more people who seem frustrated at the park crowds and think Disney should do something about that. The simplest conclusion is that some folks in this group began to frequent WDW in the years immediately following 9/11 when attendance was down. Disney isn't about to build a fifth theme park just to thin out the crowds in parks.

People who frequent forums like the DIS are in another category because we run the risk of letting others' reports taint our opinions. If you read this forum just a couple times per week you will see dozens of posts about housekeeping issues between your own visits. But when you consider that there are are about 3000 DVC guests rooms, a couple of reports per week is a drop in the bucket. Some seem to use this as evidence to suggest that conditions are deteriorating but the problem is 10+ years ago we didn't have a forum for sharing those opinions.

If I could offer one piece of advice to new members it would be to not fall into the trap described above. Reading the forums is fun and you can't help empathizing with people. But don't automatically assume a report of one dirty room (or 10 or 100) means that your room will be dirty. Don't take comments about one rude CM to mean that all of them hate DVC members.

If you were a frequent Disney guest before buying DVC, I expect your experiences to continue as in the past. Some trips will have more "magic" than others. If you only took a couple of trips before buying, realize that some trips will be more "magical" than others. Expecting certain minimum standards at the resort is completely understandable. Don't be a silent complainer--report any maintenance or cleanliness issues and get them resolved! But with 150,000 people at WDW on any given day, don't expect to always be selected to be Grand Marshall in the daily parade or to open a theme park.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Hmm....in some ways, I look at this in the opposite way.

I suppose, probably since DVC makes me a frequent visitor to WDW, that my expectations have lowered somewhat. Since I've been 5 times in the past 4 years and will continue in that trend for the next 40 or so years, I'm WAY more forgiving if my vacation isn't amazing, wonderful, magical, etc....

For instance, our June '08 trip was flawless; service was amazing, pixie dust everywhere. Dec '08? Not so much. Crowds were much heavier than anticipated, staff were overworked and service suffered. Am I upset? Nope. I think to myself "better luck next time" because I know there will BE a next time.....If our Dec '08 trip was our "once in a lifetime" trip, I would have been super upset by a lot!

Disney is a business staffed by humans and businesses AND humans aren't always perfect.

I also think that DVC vacationers, and DIS DVC-er's in particular, are not your average traveler. We are EXTREMELY well-informed about Disney's policies and give a lot of care and planning to our travel plans and habits. With that kind of information, should come a little patience.....

Ditto for us, I couldn't have written it better myself, right down the the no-so-great Dec '08 trip .