Ever stay at a DVC Resort and not be a member?

[Ned Land]

Are non-members entitled to all of the perks? (free valet parking, restaurant discounts, etc.)?

 

[DVCJEN]

No, you have to show your blue membership card in most cases to qualify for the "perks"

 

[vascubaguy]

Are non-members entitled to them?
No

Can non-members get the perks?
Sometimes. If you rent ressies from a member, your keycard will say member on it. Some places will only check the keycard, others ask for the blue membership card. For those that go to stay at the DVCs and are not members, I wouldn't recommend going and expecting to get the perks.

 

[Margaret West]

We stayed in the Villas at WL this past May and rented from a member. At check-in they printed "Member" on our room keys and we were able to take advantage of some of the many perks offered. My son wanted to try the golf discounts but did not have enough time to fit it in.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Only guests of members staying with the member at a DVC resort (on points) are entitled to Member Perks. I guess that is why they call them "MEMBER" perks. Anyone who pays a member for the use of the member's points is not entitled to the perks. Be prepared to show a Blue Member ID card.

 

[aubeone]

Do you still get extended hours and advance dinner reservations if you a renting points from a DVC member?

 

[Chrissi242]

yes you still get these. The perks you mentioned are WDW perks not DVC perks.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Some people "push it" and try to get DVC perks. Many get away with it. I'm just grateful to be able to rent points from DVC owners and save so much money on being able to stay at such nice places that, "why should I push it and perhaps ruin it in the process". They pay lots of money to belong and I'm sure find it worth it. Unfortunately i can't afford that at this time and am just grateful for their generosity.

You still get all the perks of Disney Resort Guests such as EMH. As an AP holder and Disney Visa holder, and with our DDE card, we get discounts on food, shopping and various other stuff, so we do well that way too. Depending on the length of your stay, at some point, I believe about 8 or 9 days, it pays to get an annual pass, then you can get the DDE for $50.00, and get 20% off on most TS meals. We also use the money from our Disney Visa rewards towards meals too. Every little bit helps us afford to go more often. Again, depending on the length of your stay you might want to check into that too.

We usually get an annual pass and DDE card and that year go about 3 times, then we don't go for about 1 year and then do the same thing over again. That way we get to go pretty often, and get the perks also.

 

[ktbugsmom]

As an FYI - my sister used some of my points for a 3 day trip to WLV and they allowed her to use the work out room for free (which I belive is a member perk, right? I normally don't work out when at Disney, since walking the parks is work out enough! ). She told them she rented points, but they did not mind. Since she told the truth - I didn't feel that was an abuse of the "perk".

 

[thelionqueen]

for our first stay from a member's points. We didn't know about any perks, nor expected any.

We valet'd at Beach Club for dinner, upon our return to our car, the valet gave us the free parking. Is this a perk? How would he know if it was a perk? We didn't show any card nor were asked any questions.

I was very grateful to have the points we got and would never abuse any privileges. Just wondering if this is a perk, and if so, why we got it?
thanks

 

[disneymom2one]

We stayed in the Villas at WL this past May and rented from a member. At check-in they printed "Member" on our room keys and we were able to take advantage of some of the many perks offered. My son wanted to try the golf discounts but did not have enough time to fit it in.

That's a shame and you're very fortunate you weren't asked to show member id (which you obviously wouldn't have). DVC perks are for DVC members. I'm not sure why you thought otherwise.

 

[stacy6552]

We stayed at OKW a few years ago on cash, not points. We didnt get DVC member perks, but we did get all the accomodations of a regualr resort guest, like daily housekeeping.....

 

[spiceycat]

yes, free valet parking at the DVC resorts is a member perk.

if you gave him your ID (room key) and it says DVC member - then you got it free - they are surpose to ask for the blue membership card - but they don't all the time.

 

[Lewisc]

When I rented points I wasn't even sure how all the discount policies operate. I simply showed my resort ID card to the waitress and asked if I was entitled to a discount. She gave it to me without any further questions.

Some of the polices just apply to DVC members, some only apply if the DVC member is actually staying on points and some of the policies such as limited maid service and the inability to purchase the meal plan apply to anyone who's staying on points.

Discounts are not a perk given by DVC. They are given by the participating restaurants and shops. A restaurant that choses to be generous with their discount policy doesn't cost DVC members anything and really shouldn't concern them.

Really not a big deal if a restaurant want to be strict or wants to be lenient in interperting the discout policy.

 

[CarolMN]

As an FYI - my sister used some of my points for a 3 day trip to WLV and they allowed her to use the work out room for free (which I belive is a member perk, right? I normally don't work out when at Disney, since walking the parks is work out enough! ). She told them she rented points, but they did not mind. Since she told the truth - I didn't feel that was an abuse of the "perk".

Use of the Health CLub for free is a perk of staying at the resort - it's not a DVC perk.

And I agree with you - if Disney (CM) says something is OK or grants the discount/perk, it is not an abuse!

Best wishes-

 

[ktbugsmom]

Thanks for that update CarolMN. I thought there was a charge per day for resort guests and that it was free for DVC members... but like I said, I am too exhausted after the parks, so I have never gotten much further than the hot tubs.

I know valet parking is a DVC perk, but I don't normally rent a car. I am trying out Magical Express this January! Hopefully that will work out.

 

[erikthewise]

Not only do you not get the perks, you must wear a red badge on your chest that says "Not a Member".

Seriously, Lewisc has it right. Each facility has the option to extend a discount as they see fit. But if you run up a $300 bill at Palio (Swan), don't be surprised if they ask to see your membership card before giving you a 20% discount!

On a personal note, I think showing your room card and asking if you qualify is the proper way. If you directly ask for the "DVC discount", you are (IMHO) claiming to be a member.

Free use of the Health Clubs was a DVC perk until recently. I think it was sometime this year when fees for guests staying at the resort were abolished.

 

[freediverdude]

The few times that I've rented points and stayed at DVC resorts, sometimes I've gotten a discount without even asking or anything, it was just automatically taken off my bill- I'm guessing because the room key had "member" printed on it. I would never claim that I'm a DVC member and demand a discount, but in cases like that, I don't feel that it's my responsibility to call the castmember back over and make them take the discount off the bill and everything. If Disney wants to come back after the fact, on checkout day, or sending me a letter after my vacation, telling me they forgot to check for a membership card, and asking if I would pay the difference, I would. But I'm not going to go through the hassle of having them retotal bills during my vacation, if they are automatically taking a discount off without asking.

 

[spiceycat]

the way the system was surpose to work.

when you had guests - they got the same discounts that DVC members got - family and friends.

if you rented they were not entitled to the discounts.

but early in DVC decided it was too hard to do this and just gave everyone everything. in those days renters even got the free tickets.

I agree with you Lewis - if the CM gives them to non-members - it is up to DVC to monitor this - they don't.

for some of the discounts we don't have to even be staying at a WDW resort.