DVC perks!

[Sheilaniccum]

Hello everyone, I have a question or maybe a comment to see what other DVC members think. We recently made a trip to WDW and used our DVC for the first time. We were handed our Perks pamphlet with our discounts, which I thought could have been better. Later in the trip, our 8th day out of 10, we learned that there was such a thing called "The Tables of Wonderland", which gave us 20% off at most of the restaurants. Unlike being a DVC did not give you a discount at most restaurants. This would have saved us alot more money if we would have known about this little perk before our 8th day, since this year we did not purchase a dining package. We did indeed save money but the Tables of Wonderland would have saved us alot more. It would be nice if when you check into the resort and you are a DVC member that they would tell you these things. At least we think that. What do you think? Is there more little secrets that we dont know that we should? We are making another trip down next year. Any suggestions would be nice. It also seemed like if you were an Annual Pass holder that you got more discounts then what you do if you are a DVC member. For what we pay to be apart of this great organization it would be nice if we would get better discounts then an Annual pass holder.

 

[Kidanifan08]

The TIW card is listed on the homepage of the DVC member website. The member website is probably the best resource for learning about the various perks available to DVC members.

We love the TIW, although we also have an AP, so we get it for $75, instead of the DVC rate of $100. The AP is a great DVC member perk if you are able to get two trips within the same 12 month period.

I agree, it would be nice if the front desk would discuss the TIW at the time of check-in, but I would think most would need to spend some time reviewing the benefits of TIW before buying it on the spot. Since it costs $100, one would need to spend a minimum of $500 just to recoup the cost of the card. I suspect there are a number of DVC members who may not hit that, so it would be a time consuming sell for the front desk, considering that the majority of members probably would not buy it. It already seems like it takes too long to check-in.

 

[DizBub]

Hello everyone, I have a question or maybe a comment to see what other DVC members think. We recently made a trip to WDW and used our DVC for the first time. We were handed our Perks pamphlet with our discounts, which I thought could have been better. Later in the trip, our 8th day out of 10, we learned that there was such a thing called "The Tables of Wonderland", which gave us 20% off at most of the restaurants. Unlike being a DVC did not give you a discount at most restaurants. This would have saved us alot more money if we would have known about this little perk before our 8th day, since this year we did not purchase a dining package. We did indeed save money but the Tables of Wonderland would have saved us alot more. It would be nice if when you check into the resort and you are a DVC member that they would tell you these things. At least we think that. What do you think? Is there more little secrets that we dont know that we should? We are making another trip down next year. Any suggestions would be nice. It also seemed like if you were an Annual Pass holder that you got more discounts then what you do if you are a DVC member. For what we pay to be apart of this great organization it would be nice if we would get better discounts then an Annual pass holder.

Hello and Welcome!!

You need to spend more time here. You'll learn all sorts of good things.

 

[vicki_c]

I don't think they sell TiW cards at the resort, so there doesn't seem to be much point in them taking the time to plug it with guests.

DVC members weren't even permitted to buy it until this year or late last year, only FL residents or AP holders. I'm sure many at the resort check-ins know nothing about it.

I agree - if you want to know what the current perks are, check the member website, then you can follow up by looking in the book you get a check-in (since perks do change).

As for DVC vs. AP - it is what it is. For DVC members that have been around a while, you will see that many of us are very happy with the current perks because for the most part, they are better than they have been in the past with only 1 notable exception (we lost free valet parking a few years ago). We just received an additional discount on APs - now we receive $150 off the price of an AP, which is huge for those of us with APs.

As a new member, I think you should give up your ideas that we should be treated better than anyone else - AP holders, infrequent guests, etc. - you will just end up disappointed. Enjoy the perks for what they are - a limited time bonus that could change by your next trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... Later in the trip, our 8th day out of 10, we learned that there was such a thing called "The Tables of Wonderland", which gave us 20% off at most of the restaurants. Unlike being a DVC did not give you a discount at most restaurants. ....

Where did you find out about TIW? Was it in Portable Perks? Or did you hear about it somewhere else?

 

[zavandor]

TIW is a relatively new perk for members, maybe it's not yet in the Perks pamphlet because they have to finish the old run before printing new one with the new perk

 

[ct_chris]

Under Member Peaks page at DVCmember.com there is a pdf entitled

Special Member Privileges at the Walt Disney World® Resort
July–December 2012 (pdf)
http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...formembers/perks/PortablePerks-WDW-062512.pdf

TIW is listed on the top of page 3.

 

[tjkraz]

For what we pay to be apart of this great organization it would be nice if we would get better discounts then an Annual pass holder.

As a consumer that's an easy impression to walk away with. Problem is Disney views it a little differently.

To Disney, they are offering 50 years worth of deep discounts on accommodations in return for that up-front payment. In the long run, you could save 60-70% vs someone who is not a DVC member. With those sorts of savings, Disney doesn't really feel DVC members are owed anything additional.

If you want to compare to Passholder discounts, it helps to realize that Annual Passes are sold by the same division which runs the theme parks. Its very easy for them to grant discounts on dining and merchandise since that's their own turf.

DVC is a separate division. It may seem natural to view Disney as one big organization with a single mind but in reality it's many different divisions looking out for their own turf. DVC actually has to negotiate (and beg, and plead) with Parks & Resorts management in order to obtain discounts. Unfortunately they cannot unilaterally decide to offer additional perks.

 

[DebbieB]

DVC offers a big discount on annual passes, I think the cheaper TIW is an incentive to buy one.

 

[Antonius215]

My DW and I got the TIW card last year and we loooove it. As Florida residents we do get to Disney a few times a year, but it paid for itself on our first trip. My only regret is not knowing about it sooner!

 

[rock_doctor]

deleted

 

[Deb & Bill]

TIW is a relatively new perk for members, maybe it's not yet in the Perks pamphlet because they have to finish the old run before printing new one with the new perk

Under Member Peaks page at DVCmember.com there is a pdf entitled

Special Member Privileges at the Walt Disney World® Resort
July–December 2012 (pdf)
http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc...formembers/perks/PortablePerks-WDW-062512.pdf

TIW is listed on the top of page 3.

Uh, that's why I asked the OP where she found out about TIW. Whether she found it in Portable Perks which every member gets when they check in and should read when they check in. Or some other way.

 

[k3chantal]

I don't think they sell TiW cards at the resort, so there doesn't seem to be much point in them taking the time to plug it with guests.

DVC members weren't even permitted to buy it until this year or late last year, only FL residents or AP holders. I'm sure many at the resort check-ins know nothing about it.

I agree - if you want to know what the current perks are, check the member website, then you can follow up by looking in the book you get a check-in (since perks do change).

As for DVC vs. AP - it is what it is. For DVC members that have been around a while, you will see that many of us are very happy with the current perks because for the most part, they are better than they have been in the past with only 1 notable exception (we lost free valet parking a few years ago). We just received an additional discount on APs - now we receive $150 off the price of an AP, which is huge for those of us with APs.

As a new member, I think you should give up your ideas that we should be treated better than anyone else - AP holders, infrequent guests, etc. - you will just end up disappointed. Enjoy the perks for what they are - a limited time bonus that could change by your next trip.

Vicki: When I read the OP I don't read a plea to be treated better than anyone else. She would just like to be communicated better with by DVC and for this part of Disney to hold themselves to the high standards of customer service Walt would want them to give. This is fair. Just because we have all committed to giving Disney our money for the next 50 years does not mean that customer service should be less. Part of the allure of membership is the "Welcome Home" and feeling like you are participating in something special. Because of the cost of this timeshare, it is something not everyone can afford. Disney should court us. You never know when more points will be purchased.
I found out about the TiW card from these boards and yes, I do go to DVC.com but it didn't 'click' that this would be something I would like to purchase until I read it on this website. Perhaps, if when you checked in, the CM said, "Don't forget to look over your perks,there are new ways to save some money' as they quickly lifted the pamphlet up and then back into the folder that would direct not so savvy owners to take a longer look.

I have been to WDW many times; this last trip there we took a detour and went to Universal for the first time and spent one night on their property. I must say I was MUCH more impressed with the staff at the Royal Pacific than at Kidani where I had just spent six nights. The Royal Pacific staff were amazing and practically tripped over themselves to make sure we were happy and knowledgable about their hotels and parks. I left that experience feeling like Disney has strong competition.

 

[DizzyStitch]

I have been to WDW many times; this last trip there we took a detour and went to Universal for the first time and spent one night on their property. I must say I was MUCH more impressed with the staff at the Royal Pacific than at Kidani where I had just spent six nights. The Royal Pacific staff were amazing and practically tripped over themselves to make sure we were happy and knowledgable about their hotels and parks. I left that experience feeling like Disney has strong competition.

I was just at Royal Pacific this past June and I agree they do so much for you. I just wish I liked the parks better. My kids were so tickled when a girl came around offering chilled towels. We had no idea what to think since we have never experienced this kind of stuff.

 

[Dean]

Hello everyone, I have a question or maybe a comment to see what other DVC members think. We recently made a trip to WDW and used our DVC for the first time. We were handed our Perks pamphlet with our discounts, which I thought could have been better. Later in the trip, our 8th day out of 10, we learned that there was such a thing called "The Tables of Wonderland", which gave us 20% off at most of the restaurants. Unlike being a DVC did not give you a discount at most restaurants. This would have saved us alot more money if we would have known about this little perk before our 8th day, since this year we did not purchase a dining package. We did indeed save money but the Tables of Wonderland would have saved us alot more. It would be nice if when you check into the resort and you are a DVC member that they would tell you these things. At least we think that. What do you think? Is there more little secrets that we dont know that we should? We are making another trip down next year. Any suggestions would be nice. It also seemed like if you were an Annual Pass holder that you got more discounts then what you do if you are a DVC member. For what we pay to be apart of this great organization it would be nice if we would get better discounts then an Annual pass holder.

On one hand, all we bought was a timeshare and I think the membership has essentially proven they can't be satisfied so DVC and Disney don't try all that hard to do so in some areas. OTOH, I've posted several times over the past couple of years that we do non DVC trips and timeshares as well and I almost always find the effort and service to be much better everyone compared to DVC. We've been at 3 Marriott's 1 Bluegreen and 1 DVC resort thus far this year and find that comparatively we were treated better and more responsiveness at all compared to DVC. NOT that DVC was bad, just that in comparison, the others were even better.

I've come to the conclusion that it's related to 2 areas. One, that the others care about their ratings both compared to other club resorts and in II (RCI). The other is that the other companies rely on members for sales and DVC does not or assumes those that will buy will buy anyway. The other companies actively invite current members to tour again and try to get them to buy additional holdings.

 

[bumbershoot]

For what we pay to be apart of this great organization it would be nice if we would get better discounts then an Annual pass holder.

We get amazing rooms for decades. That's far more than an AP holder gets!

To Disney, they are offering 50 years worth of deep discounts on accommodations in return for that up-front payment.

Luckily this is exactly how I see it, too.



I found out about TIW while researching my trip on my own. TIW only became a DVC perk in, I'm going to say, March of this year. We bought it in 2010 with our APs, on our first trip to WDW; the info is out there, you just have to look, not rely on a timeshare company to give it to us.

 

[vicki_c]

Vicki: When I read the OP I don't read a plea to be treated better than anyone else. [\QUOTE]

Oops messed up iPad quoting! Sorry about that.



Anyway, she did say in her post that it would be nice if DVC members were offered more than AP holders. That's what I was responding too. I think the OP disappeared anyway.

 

[tjkraz]

I have been to WDW many times; this last trip there we took a detour and went to Universal for the first time and spent one night on their property. I must say I was MUCH more impressed with the staff at the Royal Pacific than at Kidani where I had just spent six nights. The Royal Pacific staff were amazing and practically tripped over themselves to make sure we were happy and knowledgable about their hotels and parks. I left that experience feeling like Disney has strong competition.

Universal's hotels are owned and operated by the Loews hotel chain. You won't find many Hidden Mickey's but the quality of the staff and accommodations are well beyond Disney in most regards.

This "strong competition" has existed for years...and if you expand your travel horizons you'll find even more hotels with superior service. Disney still provides above average service IMO but they aren't anywhere near the top of the pack.

These days Disney's greatest advantages are the physical proximities of its resorts to the theme parks and the questionable perceptions of guests. Again, Disney still does a decent job but they are hardly the be-all, end-all when it comes to the hotel experience.

 

[k3chantal]

Universal's hotels are owned and operated by the Loews hotel chain. You won't find many Hidden Mickey's but the quality of the staff and accommodations are well beyond Disney in most regards.

This "strong competition" has existed for years...and if you expand your travel horizons you'll find even more hotels with superior service. Disney still provides above average service IMO but they aren't anywhere near the top of the pack.

These days Disney's greatest advantages are the physical proximities of its resorts to the theme parks and the questionable perceptions of guests. Again, Disney still does a decent job but they are hardly the be-all, end-all when it comes to the hotel experience.

My travel horizons are expanded and by my using one example of another hotel chain this should not give you the impression that I have a limited experience with traveling with Disney being my only outlet.

My original statement more clearly stated is that Disney needs to improve their customer service when working with DVC members. Some may be happy to JUST receive their home resort at discounted prices in the future as members but for others the fact that these are being sold as deluxe resorts should mean something. Part of that something is fantastic customer service. If they are to consider themselves DELUXE resorts; their service needs to be what I imagine Walt designed and it isn't currently consistently there.

I do agree with you that its their proximity to the parks that keeps people coming back and 'feeling' as if they have something over the top wonderful.

 

[tjkraz]

I do agree with you that its their proximity to the parks that keeps people coming back and 'feeling' as if they have something over the top wonderful.

That was pretty much my point.

I've stayed at numerous Loews hotels across the country and many other chains. The quality of service provided at their Universal locations is no surprise, nor is it anything new. And Disney fans (myself included) don't seem inclined to change their habits in response to superior options available elsewhere.

Disney's service is above average in some areas and merely average in others. The hotels are nicely themed but not necessarily top-of-the-line.

As long as they have that on-site advantage (which they always will) and the perception of being more "magical" than other locations not designed by teams of Imagineers, there really isn't any incentive to improve.