EDITED TITLE: Should DVC Owners get more Perks?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yes - I am painfully aware - but appreciate your well-intended desire to add clarity/help!
My disclosure of my circumstance was an illustration of a benefit/perk of owning DVC (discount), that I would like to see return (along with AP sales themselves) but not needing to care about how Disney makes it happen behind the scenes (in responding to another poster).

Oh I hear ya! And I don't disagree with you backend knowledge isn't quite as important to most on that respect, they just want APs back. I was more mentioning because everyone including FL residents who want a better AP are presently locked out. All of my DISer friends that have either an AP or DVC or both had current ones and renewed strongly for fear of the product not coming back any time and no one was happy about the fact that they aren't for new sale, sure if they let it lapse too long then they would have lost the renewal discount but at least they could have gotten it. Since covid APs in general are a precarious product.

I had a conversation with a person last May in line for FOP where she was just gushing to her friends about the AP program. Normally I don't ease drop but it was hard not to lol. I did interject that they weren't for sale at that point and no word if they would be in the future and if they were what type of program they would even be. Sad faces commenced but after that we ended up having a different conversation for quite a while passing the time.

 

[J-Dog]

Here's the thing though without any events just for DVC members you would say "well what's in it for me" "what perks can I get". It's one thing to say "it sucks I haven't been able to do these events" it's another to say "these are useless, unequal perks just because I haven't been able to do them"

When these events go live people jump on to reserve them. You think someone from Tampa can get there quicker but you don't take into consideration whether or not they actually got a reservation for it. Or whether or not they care to go. You're merely considering that someone can get in the car and drive but you don't take stock into the process for these events which includes registering for your spot. And being in-state in no way means you have any priority over the spot you get in line to reserve your spot.

My DVC DISer friend was well on top of things for the Guardians preview and I don't have the initial number in the queue she was but at one point she said she had 4,400 people in front of her in the queue line. That's just to get in to see which date (which I think there were two for DVC) and time was available. The AP and the DVC previews did get sold out. As far as I know Moonlight Magic is same process although I don't know sold out vs not sold out.

Okay. For argument's sake (and nothing else because this is futile at this point), if both the guy from California and guy from Tampa have equal access to "priority over the spot". And it's Moonlight Magic. On a Monday as in your previous post.

So, the guy from California has to secure his spot, make sure he has enough points (because it's likely that all or most points have already been booked at 11-months), and then take a minimum of 3 days off - 2 days for flying and one day for Moonlight Magic. And would probably need to take more days off, because Moonlight Magic in and of itself is not enough of a reason for 2 full days of flying, I'd wager, so most people would go for longer

On the other hand, you have a guy from Tampa, who has equal chance to secure his spot. But then is much more likely to have saved points to use for a single day or two-days here-and-there because it's a 90-minute drive to WDW, and he can easily book a night when it pops up on the schedule. He also needs to be able to take off the last 2 hours of his workday on Monday to make it there on time. And then MAYBE the Tuesday after that, if he gets too drunk.

Sure...Those things are equal....

 

[john7994]

Oh I hear ya! And I don't disagree with you backend knowledge isn't quite as important to most on that respect, they just want APs back. I was more mentioning because everyone including FL residents who want a better AP are presently locked out. All of my DISer friends that have either an AP or DVC or both had current ones and renewed strongly for fear of the product not coming back any time and no one was happy about the fact that they aren't for new sale, sure if they let it lapse too long then they would have lost the renewal discount but at least they could have gotten it. Since covid APs in general are a precarious product.

I had a conversation with a person last May in line for FOP where she was just gushing to her friends about the AP program. Normally I don't ease drop but it was hard not to lol. I did interject that they weren't for sale at that point and no word if they would be in the future and if they were what type of program they would even be. Sad faces commenced but after that we ended up having a different conversation for quite a while passing the time.

A definite sore spot ... as one of those members with the points/stays that could benefit from said benefit. It is what it is! And, I eavesdrop on people in line all the time - you gotta do something while standing there

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Okay. For argument's sake (and nothing else because this is futile at this point), if both the guy from California and guy from Tampa have equal access to "priority over the spot". And it's Moonlight Magic. On a Monday as in your previous post.

So, the guy from California has to secure his spot, make sure he has enough points (because it's likely that all or most points have already been booked at 11-months), and then take a minimum of 3 days off - 2 days for flying and one day for Moonlight Magic. And would probably need to take more days off, because Moonlight Magic in and of itself is not enough of a reason for 2 full days of flying, I'd wager, so most people would go for longer

On the other hand, you have a guy from Tampa, who has equal chance to secure his spot. But then is much more likely to have saved points to use for a single day or two-days here-and-there because it's a 90-minute drive to WDW, and he can easily book a night when it pops u on the schedule. He also needs to be able to take off the last 2 hours of his workday on Monday to make it there on time. And then MAYBE the Tuesday after that, if he gets too drunk.

Sure...Those things are equal....

Yup they are equal. You assume way too much about people just based on where they live.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

A definite sore spot ... as one of those members with the points/stays that could benefit from said benefit. It is what it is! And, I eavesdrop on people in line all the time - you gotta do something while standing there

I love to people watch but haven't ease dropped too much but lol you're right something has to pass the time!

 

[john7994]

Yup they are equal. You assume way too much about people just based on where they live.

I have to admit - I resonate a little with what J-Dog is saying. I live in Atlanta - which is a little more accessible than California (but I don't resemble needing an extra day because I was an enthusiastic celebrator - not at ALL - ever). But in taking an example from 2022 where I was at WDW 4 times (Jan, May, July, and September) because I can drive down over a long weekend - none of the stays lined up with the seemingly randomness or limited nature of Moonlight Magic or the DVC preview of Guardians (which is another example of a perk that you had to wait in a queue for on top of limited dates/times) - missed it by a half-day (my drive down) on my stay.

So yes, to the cohort of DVC, Florida Residents - there is somewhat of an advantage - but to those just out of distance range AND lets keep in mind short-term availability of DVC Resorts in the nearer term dates that were just announced (same for the guardians preview - and yes @Sandisw I remember you got a preview and snagged a resort day). Its a bit of an "empty benefit/perk" to try and make all the stars align just right. Again, I get that they can't have moonlight magic 50 times a year - or previews for weeks at a time - but it still feels a bit "hollow". And even the execution of the ride previews was laughable - I got my guardians DVC preview email 20 mins after the queue opened ...

I suppose I could try and plan for the July/September dates - but they are at Animal Kingdom or HS. All first-world problems to be sure - but I get the general point thats being made.

 

[J-Dog]

Yup they are equal. You assume way too much about people just based on where they live.

Well, I'm not "assuming" that it take 90 (or less) minutes to drive to WDW from Tampa and 8 hours to fly from California. That right there is a huge difference.

Maybe you're right - I'm "assuming" the guy from California doesn't have a Star Trek-style transporter.

 

[J-Dog]

I have to admit - I resonate a little with what J-Dog is saying. I live in Atlanta - which is a little more accessible than California (but I don't resemble needing an extra day because I was an enthusiastic celebrator - not at ALL - ever). But in taking an example from 2022 where I was at WDW 4 times (Jan, May, July, and September) because I can drive down over a long weekend - none of the stays lined up with the seemingly randomness or limited nature of Moonlight Magic or the DVC preview of Guardians (which is another example of a perk that you had to wait in a queue for on top of limited dates/times) - missed it by a half-day (my drive down) on my stay.

So yes, to the cohort of DVC, Florida Residents - there is somewhat of an advantage - but to those just out of distance range AND lets keep in mind short-term availability of DVC Resorts in the nearer term dates that were just announced (same for the guardians preview - and yes @Sandisw I remember you got a preview and snagged a resort day). Its a bit of an "empty benefit/perk" to try and make all the stars align just right. Again, I get that they can't have moonlight magic 50 times a year - or previews for weeks at a time - but it still feels a bit "hollow". And even the execution of the ride previews was laughable - I got my guardians DVC preview email 20 mins after the queue opened ...

I suppose I could try and plan for the July/September dates - but they are at Animal Kingdom or HS. All first-world problems to be sure - but I get the general point thats being made.

I agree completely.

I'm not arguing AGAINST Moonlight Magic, because it absolutely is my choice of how far I live from WDW, which does make it an empty perk for me, and other people certainly like those perks.

I just think DVC could come up with more equally-accessible perks than that.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I have to admit - I resonate a little with what J-Dog is saying. I live in Atlanta - which is a little more accessible than California (but I don't resemble needing an extra day because I was an enthusiastic celebrator - not at ALL - ever). But in taking an example from 2022 where I was at WDW 4 times (Jan, May, July, and September) because I can drive down over a long weekend - none of the stays lined up with the seemingly randomness or limited nature of Moonlight Magic or the DVC preview of Guardians (which is another example of a perk that you had to wait in a queue for on top of limited dates/times) - missed it by a half-day (my drive down) on my stay.

So yes, to the cohort of DVC, Florida Residents - there is somewhat of an advantage - but to those just out of distance range AND lets keep in mind short-term availability of DVC Resorts in the nearer term dates that were just announced (same for the guardians preview - and yes @Sandisw I remember you got a preview and snagged a resort day). Its a bit of an "empty benefit/perk" to try and make all the stars align just right. Again, I get that they can't have moonlight magic 50 times a year - or previews for weeks at a time - but it still feels a bit "hollow". And even the execution of the ride previews was laughable - I got my guardians DVC preview email 20 mins after the queue opened ...

I suppose I could try and plan for the July/September dates - but they are at Animal Kingdom or HS. All first-world problems to be sure - but I get the general point thats being made.

It's not that I don't understand where they are coming from it's that the events are still open to everyone. There are difficulties that exist for everyone but it doesn't take away that there are still plenty of out of staters that do make it to these events. I don't think it's an empty perk as a general thing, I think that's a personal opinion based on one's own circumstances but when the discussion was about all DVC members and what perks they should have someone's personal opinion on whether they find it workable to them isn't the point. That's why I pushed back. Just because 1 person doesn't find it works for them doesn't mean it's a bad perk. Like Chuck mentioned they haven't been able to go but they were happy other members were. I think the only way you'd be able to say the events are worthless for DVC members on a general level is if you had the stats that for all these events those living within close proximity as defined by a very quick drive to WDW dominate in numbers of attendees across time.

Those who have flexible work schedules IMO have the best or those who are retired and thus have no constraint on that. And that is not something that assigned to state lines (or a 90min drive to Orlando).

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well, I'm not "assuming" that it take 90 minutes to drive to WDW from Tampa and 8 hours to fly from California. That right there is a huge difference and hardship.

Maybe you're right - I'm "assuming" the guy from California doesn't have a Star Trek-style transporter.

No the assumption you're making is that being closer to WDW automatically means you are available to do any events. You're assuming they have more availability and someone out of state doesn't. What my point was is you don't know these characteristics of someone. Originally your complaint was about work schedules and getting the time off. My DISer friends living here in the middle of the country one couple is retired (own DVC and both are AP) and one couple both of them work remote (own DVC, wife is an AP). In fact one of them the wife is in a few days going to WDW for a workcation for 10 days by that I mean she will work virtually during the day visiting the parks at night. You were talking about the perks for all DVC members but this is just one that doesn't work out for you.

 

[john7994]

It's not that I don't understand where they are coming from it's that the events are still open to everyone. There are difficulties that exist for everyone but it doesn't take away that there are still plenty of out of staters that do make it to these events. I don't think it's an empty perk as a general thing, I think that's a personal opinion based on one's own circumstances but when the discussion was about all DVC members and what perks they should have someone's personal opinion on whether they find it workable to them isn't the point. That's why I pushed back. Just because 1 person doesn't find it works for them doesn't mean it's a bad perk. Like Chuck mentioned they haven't been able to go but they were happy other members were. I think the only way you'd be able to say the events are worthless for DVC members on a general level is if you had the stats that for all these events those living within close proximity to WDW dominate in numbers of attendees across time.

Those who have flexible work schedules IMO have the best or those who are retired and thus have no constraint on that. And that is not something that assigned to state lines (or a 90min drive to Orlando).

We really aren't that far apart to be honest - I get all of it - but the "feeling" of it being "empty" resonates because poor old me doesn't get to take advantage - a first world problem as I mentioned - I absolutely don't begrudge others that can - Well done them! I don't think @J-Dog does either - his problem is deeper and wrapped into his hatred of #pizzarizzzo - but that's a whole different issue

 

[J-Dog]

No the assumption you're making is that being closer to WDW automatically means you are available to do any events. You're assuming they have more availability and someone out of state doesn't. What my point was is you don't know these characteristics of someone. Originally your complaint was about work schedules and getting the time off. My DISer friends living here in the middle of the country one couple is retired (own DVC and both are AP) and one couple both of them work remote (own DVC, wife is an AP). In fact one of them the wife is in a few days going to WDW for a workcation for 10 days by that I mean she will work virtually during the day visiting the parks at night. You were talking about the perks for all DVC members but this is just one that doesn't work out for you.

Exactly. I am giving reasons why it doesn't work for me, and why I suspect that those reasons apply to many people. I don't really have any evidence other than suspicion. And my own experience. And John's post above.

You haven't given any evidence as to why I'm wrong other than a few anecdotal reports of "people you know".

I'm not sure why you are so against me suggesting a different approach to a new perk? It's all hopeful/theoretical anyway.

 

[J-Dog]

We really aren't that far apart to be honest - I get all of it - but the "feeling" of it being "empty" resonates because poor old me doesn't get to take advantage - a first world problem as I mentioned - I absolutely don't begrudge others that can - Well done them! I don't think @J-Dog does either - his problem is deeper and wrapped into his hatred of #pizzarizzzo - but that's a whole different issue

LOL! I don't hate Pizzarizzo! It's.....okay. I just think it was tacky of DVC to use a notoriously...ummm....mediocre restaurant for it's holiday thing. Maybe that's the only restaurant that Disney would give them.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Exactly. I am giving reasons why it doesn't work for me, and why I suspect that those reasons apply to many people. I don't really have any evidence other than suspicion. And my own experience. And John's post above.

You haven't given any evidence as to why I'm wrong other than a few anecdotal reports of "people you know".

I'm not sure why you are so against me suggesting a different approach to a new perk? It's all hopeful/theoretical anyway.

You could go find the Guardians preview threads if you'd like if you can find them.

And please give me the respect to not put quotations on my DISer friends.

I'm not against you suggesting a different approach but with these events I don't know what you're wanting to change. As is they are open to everyone so the only way I see you adjusting it is to just remove them entirely and I didn't see the point in that when it clearly works out. I certainly wouldn't see equal as making events only for out of state.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We really aren't that far apart to be honest - I get all of it - but the "feeling" of it being "empty" resonates because poor old me doesn't get to take advantage - a first world problem as I mentioned - I absolutely don't begrudge others that can - Well done them! I don't think @J-Dog does either - his problem is deeper and wrapped into his hatred of #pizzarizzzo - but that's a whole different issue

I do want to mention you're totally right about the e-mails. That was all over the place for everyone. Some people got them hours late and of course they were gone by then then there was issues with confirmation e-mails although I don't remember if that was more an issue with AP previews or DVC ones but it was probably both lol.

But that doesn't surprise me because it's Disney itself. There was that recent e-mail supposedly sent to just D23 members. I have the free membership and got one but there were mixed results. Some didn't get the e-mail. Some thought it was just Gold members, IDK but yeah it was not streamlined.

 

[john7994]

LOL! I don't hate Pizzarizzo! It's.....okay. I just think it was tacky of DVC to use a notoriously...ummm....mediocre restaurant for it's holiday thing. Maybe that's the only restaurant that Disney would give them.

Don't be trying to clean it up now - you are on permanent record - the internets forget nothing ...
Its likely the only place that no one was in (haha) - but more likely - its a pretty big venue too. Eats your pizza and be happy you even got the option!

I really am not a DVC or Disney hater - quite the contrary - I am in for the long-haul with the Mouse. - In fact, I am in WDW all next week - where I will just miss Moonlight Magic in Epcot by a week .... *sigh* Of course, I made my reservation for this trip a year ago like a normal person

 

[CarolynFH]

Maybe that's the only restaurant that Disney would give them.

You’re probably right, you know.

And I’d love more perks too, even though we’re getting more now than during the early years of our membership.

 

[keishashadow]

I guess for us what made it deluxe was the locations and that can never change.

Golden rule of real estate

Okay, well first of all, Moonlight Magic and Tron previews don't really cater to DVC owners who live far away and don't go for multiple weekends every year. So those are worthless to many or us.

Not to sound harsh, that could very well be designed as an attempt to cull the herd vying to attend. even off all who can easily attend, there is a finite number of slots.

And all that with less than 11-months' notice - what are the chances of getting a full week or 2 somewhere? These "perks" cater to the DVC-owner that visits for 2-3 days multiple times per year, rather than the person who visits for 2 weeks every other year.

I was able to snag 4 nights in an OKW studio the first week of March over two days of stalking before the moonlight magic email went out. It will likely be cancelled if we do a bonus trip in February instead (in order to attempt to attend one of the Epcot events). I really had no desire to go that time period prior to the release. Yep, they snagged me! Of course, I’m easy to convince to take another trip to work my AP.

You are correct in that there was nothing available DVC for the 2 Feb dates when i looked Will be a CRO trip to hang with the cheerleaders at the values…going full circle to the push point of us buying DVC in first place.

How many DVC-owners from far away from Florida are making a special, short-notice trip to WDW and paying cash for a room? Not me.

If your argument is that DVC is happy with these perks because they are well-attended, then I agree. My point is that these particular perks do not cater to all DVC owners equally, in the way that a DVC-discounted theme park ticket would.

I’ll venture as many people that are moved by the offer to jump thru the hoops? Admittedly, probably a small percentage.

don’t take it personal. Just appears marketing isn’t all that interested trying to reach your particular demographic with this Moonlight Magic. My guess is it‘s designed to tweak the interest of ’new’ purchases:

*FOMO with those on the cusp as to whether to buy resale or direct

or

*those fresh out of points, thinking it just might be time to add on more to have some points in reserve for bonus trips.

what does strike me odd is they permit non-DVC resort guests to attend. Adds so many more into the potential pool. believe that is set to counter objections to those member who find no room at the DVC inn.

DVC is flexible. One size surely doesn’t fit all. you may find your usage morph as your circumstances change. we used DVC far differently when we first bought in via a small resale. Then slowly added on both thru DVC & resale over the years once we realized it worked for our needs. Combine it with increasing vacation time, then early retirement & lots of planning…we get to enjoy our happy place! Everyone has their own story

BTW, i’d like to see discounted multiday tix available to buy for my guests. Guessing whatever budget is set, it probably wouldn’t cover the discounting of multiday tix for the number of DVC members who would respond. Especially, since the halt of AP sales. Nor would it necessarily churn any more sales, i.e. The bottom line.

 

[john7994]

I do want to mention you're totally right about the e-mails. That was all over the place for everyone. Some people got them hours late and of course they were gone by then then there was issues with confirmation e-mails although I don't remember if that was more an issue with AP previews or DVC ones but it was probably both lol.

But that doesn't surprise me because it's Disney itself. There was that recent e-mail supposedly sent to just D23 members. I have the free membership and got one but there were mixed results. Some didn't get the e-mail. Some thought it was just Gold members, IDK but yeah it was not streamlined.

Its a systemic problem ... I am D23 gold - didn't win the lottery with that queue even though their preview date would have worked for me, Don't have the AP as previously mentioned - so wasn't even an option ... wah wah wah ... I throw money at t he Mouse and the little thief just laughs at me Makes me want to go to Universal to pout, have a butterbeer, and give dirty looks to all the Gryffindor cosplayers (not really on that last one) ...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

T

you may find your usage morph as your circumstances change.

That is an excellent point