I just had to jump in on this one.
I have been a member of MKC then DC for many years. I first learned of it through the Unofficial Guide over eight years ago when planning our first trip to the World. It has been the BEST tool to lure me to Florida. We originally came thinking this was our one trip down to WDW and we would make the most of it. Well . . . . you got us, hook, line and sinker!
Sometimes it isn't what you save in the end, but the process and perception of savings that you go through. Yes, it has most definately paid for itself every year (especially for the room deals). I am certain we would not have returned as often as we have without these discounts.
If Disney is listening, please take note. DH and DW travel with our five children . We stay for at least a week and half each time we come. We have always stayed on Disney property. Being exposed to the exceptional Disney facilities, we decided to buy in to DVC. We now have 200 points paid for, and have looked at adding more. We have addicted our children, along with us, of which one is a Pharm D and gainfully employed and will make her own trips down with her family to be in the future.
Whenever I used my card and saved 10% (which barely covers taxes on purchases) I felt like I saved a little something. We eat most all of our meals on Disney property. We save (just alittle) on our tickets. This trip, DH and DW will purchase AP's as we are planning to return within one years time frame and it makes financial sense. But we will by no means utilize these AP's anywhere near what your Florida residents will. (You win again).
But for the first time this trip, we are spending three nights at Universal. Why? Because they gave us a great deal. The CM that I spoke with actually "looked" for a special at the time we were coming and ended up cutitng my room rate in half. I can use my
AAA card for that little 10% at many places in Universal and get the feeling I'm saving a little. They made me feel wanted.
We would prefer to spend ALL of our time at Disney . . . but you keep nudging us out. In all eight trips, the closest we have come to feeling like we received a little extra or that Disney was glad we were there, was a spectacular maid we had that would make towel dolls and fix our room up special for our little girl. She LOVED it more than going to the parks and thought we should bring the maid home with us! We tipped her accordingly. I should also note we have only stayed at Moderate and above properties. Poly, DL, OKW, BC, WL, and BWV.
I have never received a postcard in the mail offering us a special discount on anything. We have never had a CM pluck our child up for anything (not even a parade). We have never had a spot reserved for special viewing of anything. We have never had a meal comped (as we saw a table beside us receive). We have had three incidents of over charging and big mistakes on our bills that I spent hours resolving (and one never was, I lost $50 on that deal). Unless we are staying on points, it is always a hassle to check-in. This last trip we actually had a room that the manager (after three hours of arguing to get in contact with) said they would never use as a guest room again as it was so unsuitable (and this was at the BC at $200 a night). After traveling by air from the middle of the country, finding unsuitable lodging on reservations that were made months in advance is disappointing to say the least. I had a very similar CM encounter at DTD WoD when we were shopping last October. The clerks were LESS than cordial about our little discount.
And now they are taking my DC away. My DVC will no longer bring me a little discount as it has in the past. These little things I appreciated very much . . . and know that the rack rates, merchandise prices, etc aren't going down in price to compensate for it! This little discount I actually did pay something for!
I have signed up for the Visa card. I am not impressed at all with the verbal discription but will wait to read the fine print when I receive it before deciding to use it at all. But Disney you blew it. We love you because your special. I don't want to deal with an outside financial institution to receive a "benefit" from you. We overcame our fear and traveled for two weeks in December immediately following the 9/11. We spent oodles of our money on you and usually got our money's worth. But I don't feel like you appreciate us at all.
We will keep our DVC as I love OKW so much. Even as we get older and may not utilize the parks as much, I could stay at OKW as it's own resort and have a wonderful week. But you have opened the door for other areas in Orlando. Universal has our attention and it didn't use to.
