DVC perks, upgrades etc when not using DVC points

[AndyMil]

Hi guys,

We have just joined as a DVC member at the VGF and my wife asked me an interesting question that I would be keen to know people's experiences...

As a DVC member when you stay at a value or moderate resort (not using your DVC) which we probably will do at times, do you still tell them you are a DVC member in the hope of maybe getting a better room or upgrade in a resort that has upgrades? Does this kind of thing happen or do Disney generally not do a lot for you?

Also, I know this might sound silly, but do Disney generally recognise you as a DVC member with things like gifts in your room when staying using your DVC? Do you get anything when you close?

The only reason I am curious is that when you go to the sales talks you get lots of really nice gifts like backpacks, portfolios, etc... Please don't think I am been greedy or taking advantage of my DVC, just curious to get a realistic expectation of what might happen when we stay!

Thanks

Andy

 

[Chuck S]

Hi guys,

We have just joined as a DVC member at the VGF and my wife asked me an interesting question that I would be keen to know people's experiences...

As a DVC member when you stay at a value or moderate resort (not using your DVC) which we probably will do at times, do you still tell them you are a DVC member in the hope of maybe getting a better room or upgrade in a resort that has upgrades? Does this kind of thing happen or do Disney generally not do a lot for you?

Also, I know this might sound silly, but do Disney generally recognise you as a DVC member with things like gifts in your room when staying using your DVC? Do you get anything when you close?

The only reason I am curious is that when you go to the sales talks you get lots of really nice gifts like backpacks, portfolios, etc... Please don't think I am been greedy or taking advantage of my DVC, just curious to get a realistic expectation of what might happen when we stay!

Thanks

Andy

You will not get upgrades or gifts, simply by your DVC Membership, even if staying on points at a DVC resort. Someone would have to pay for those things, DVC resort operations are paid by member dues. Cash resort operation and DVC operations are two completely separate things.

You can get you normal DVC perks, like discounted APs and dining discount by showing your membership card. Free onsite parking is because you are onsite, whether cash or DVC.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

.

Disney now has your money! You are not getting gifts, upgrades etc.....You are ONLY getting the right to book a place to sleep. They will not be treating you "special' (Why should they, they have your money!)

The most disappointed owners tend to be those who think "Disney is going to treat us special (or better or whatever)" They don't!

The way to be happy IMHO is to assume "room" is all you get. Then when you do get a perk (like a meal discount or AP discount) it's good not "well they should give us MORE" LOL!

 

[DebbieB]

I got a tote bag and bookbag when I bought (direct). There are occasional gifts, they sometimes send out posters if you attend a webinar or things related to sales promotions. No gifts in the rooms. The thing to keep in mind is you are an owner, not a guest. It's your "home away from home". You are getting about a 60% discount on rooms over the life of your contract so it's unreasonable to expect things like free dining. Unless it is sales related, members pay for everything in operating the resort and DVC.

 

[dallastxcpa]

You currently get a small gift when you cruise. Just a small, hey we have a sales. Office on the ship, come see us and buy more points.

 

[aclov]

They used to mail out gifts (tote bag, car plate, key chain, art work) but haven't received anything in a long time

 

[momto3pirates]

We got lanyards in July when we stayed on our points at GCV. We did have to go by several different sales desks to find one that had them in stock. Other that that we have never gotten anything, staying on points or not.

 

[dvc_john]

Sometimes there may be a special event.

The most common one is the DVC Merry Mixer party, usually once a week for the month of December.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you walk up to the check in desk at a moderate or value resort and tell them you are DVC, they will probably say " And????" Everything you want you will be paying for now. No up grades on DVC points, even if you book the Disney Collection on points (if you buy direct).

 

[Lynne M]

The gifts that you get when you're in the sales process are paid for out of Disney Vacation Development's budget. That's Disney's real estate development division. They're just little sales-enticement goodies. DVD is like any other real estate developer. They exist solely to sell DVC memberships. Once you buy, you're not dealing with them anymore.

Once you become an owner, everything comes out of a strictly controlled budget that's funded largely by your and other owners' maintenance fees. In short, if you want owners to get goodies like tote bags, your maintenance fees go up.

DVC is a timeshare - it's not an elite club that you join and then Disney gives you free stuff and upgrades and special treatment. It's simply an alternate way of paying for your lodging - nothing more.

It's a shared-ownership situation that will seem somewhat familiar if you've ever owned a condo or a co-op. We pay for the operational costs of the resort. Everything from housekeeping to utilities to landscaping comes out of our pockets.

 

[AndyMil]

hi guys,

thanks for all your replies, that does make a lot of sense. I wouldn't want gifts and things to come out of my annual dues! At least now I have a realistic idea of what happens when you stay!

thanks

Andy

 

[Dean]

Hi guys,

We have just joined as a DVC member at the VGF and my wife asked me an interesting question that I would be keen to know people's experiences...

As a DVC member when you stay at a value or moderate resort (not using your DVC) which we probably will do at times, do you still tell them you are a DVC member in the hope of maybe getting a better room or upgrade in a resort that has upgrades? Does this kind of thing happen or do Disney generally not do a lot for you?

Also, I know this might sound silly, but do Disney generally recognise you as a DVC member with things like gifts in your room when staying using your DVC? Do you get anything when you close?

The only reason I am curious is that when you go to the sales talks you get lots of really nice gifts like backpacks, portfolios, etc... Please don't think I am been greedy or taking advantage of my DVC, just curious to get a realistic expectation of what might happen when we stay!

Thanks

Andy

However, some of the discounts and benefits can be helpful when not staying at DVC or even on property. Dining and shopping discounts are applicable as is the pass discount. There are a few others depending on where you stay and what you use.

 

[crisi]

If you walk up to the check in desk at a moderate or value resort and tell them you are DVC, they will probably say " And????" Everything you want you will be paying for now. No up grades on DVC points, even if you book the Disney Collection on points (if you buy direct).

There have been some persistent rumors in fact that DVC members as a group are not among the most well loved guests by CMs. And I can see that. We visit enough that we often know the systems, processes and policies better than the CMs. We sometimes have a sense of ownership that comes off as entitlement. And it won't take Andy too long before he's standing behind someone at the front desk and hears the words "I paid $20k for DVC, you should..." followed by a completely unreasonable request.

I'd keep my mouth shut and my DVC card in my pocket when checking into a cash room.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

There have been some persistent rumors in fact that DVC members as a group are not among the most well loved guests by CMs. And I can see that. We visit enough that we often know the systems, processes and policies better than the CMs. We sometimes have a sense of ownership that comes off as entitlement. And it won't take Andy too long before he's standing behind someone at the front desk and hears the words "I paid $20k for DVC, you should..." followed by a completely unreasonable request.

I'd keep my mouth shut and my DVC card in my pocket when checking into a cash room.

You don't think cast members appreciate being berated by folks shouting 'we paid thousands of dollars' or "we own part of this place'. LOL

 

[twoj]

I actually think there are some perks, maybe because I'm a newer member:
1. Significantly cheaper accommodations
2. Greeted with Welcome Home
3. Discounts at restaurants
4. Discounts on merchandise
5. Welcome home Wednesday at boardwalk or member party at AKL
6. AP discount

I am not someone who expects to be treated like royalty as a member and I have found CMs more than friendly toward me and my family. I find them even more friendly when I pull out the card for a discount!

 

[Sammie]

There have been some persistent rumors in fact that DVC members as a group are not among the most well loved guests by CMs. And I can see that. We visit enough that we often know the systems, processes and policies better than the CMs. We sometimes have a sense of ownership that comes off as entitlement. And it won't take Andy too long before he's standing behind someone at the front desk and hears the words "I paid $20k for DVC, you should..." followed by a completely unreasonable request.

I'd keep my mouth shut and my DVC card in my pocket when checking into a cash room.

Exactly, when checking in to the Yacht Club for one night prior to our DVC stay I opened my wallet to get my ID and my DVC card slipped out as I had it out earlier to get my Annual Pass at Downtown Disney. The CM actually said, with the most disgusted look on her face, "oh no, are you one of .... them?"

 

[StinkyPete&Jessie]

We have stayed on points more than 30 times since becoming DVC members. CMs were never disrespectful and service was always the same as when staying on cash. We have had CMs go out of their way to make our stay memorable.

The only time I have seen a CM say anything slightly negative was when a bell hop brought up our two very heavy owners lockers. I can't say I blame him because its not part of Disney. I tipped him appropriately and he was very appreciative.

 

[crisi]

I'm not saying CMs are disrespectful or that you don't get the same service - not being respectful gets you fired. I'm saying that if I were checking into POR on cash, I wouldn't mention DVC, I'd check in trying to be "Joe Average" guest. Because the CM has power they can exercise for good and evil that you don't know about in room assignment - and can very respectfully give you an inconvenient room out of prejudice. It could potentially work to your favor - you could get a great room from a CM who wants to reward DVC members - but I wouldn't purposely show my hand to influence one way or the other.

 

[Dean]

You don't think cast members appreciate being berated by folks shouting 'we paid thousands of dollars' or "we own part of this place'. LOL

Not only is the entitlement mentality alive and well with DVC members as a group, it seems to be above the norm in expectations and penetrance (%). We've seen many reports that suggested CM felt DVC members were a difficult group to deal with.

 

[crisi]

Not only is the entitlement mentality alive and well with DVC members as a group, it seems to be above the norm in expectations and penetrance (%). We've seen many reports that suggested CM felt DVC members were a difficult group to deal with.

On the plus side, we aren't cheerleaders or Brazillian Tourist Groups