Extra Pixie Dust and Anniversary Activities

[BLLB]

Let me start by saying I love my DVC, I love going to WDW. I know I purchased a timeshare and not perks. In fact, I cannot think of a perk I've really thought was all that great, although I did take advantage of the discounted park tickets and attended a Welcome Home Wednesday once.

Having said that, I think it is odd/strange/funny that they advertise "specials" for members at specific times ( Beach parties, member lounges, etc.) when you typically need to reserve your room 7-11 months before you arrive! It is just plain luck if an activity occurs when you happen to be at WDW.

I just saw an offer on Facebook for BBB and Marakesh for September. We were there this Spring, missed the lounge at Epcot.

Just an observation.

 

[Jennasis]

LOL...we are doing the Safari Spectacular in September ONLY because we stumbled on it after hearing how much fun the Tytphoon Lagoon thing was and it so happened the AK thing was happening during our already planned visit.

 

[Sammie]

It would be impossible to plan these events for over 200,000 members. I am sure they feel that regardless of when they can offer them, members will be there to take advantage of it, it just might not be you.

Also many of the events they are not given much choice as to when then can offer them, as other divisions such as parks, decide when.

 

[jiminy14]

I totally agreed with the OP. We were also there in May for 10 days and no activities were planned. We will be visiting again for two weeks in November and once again there are no activities planned. We would love to attend one of these special parties/events, but they are never available when we visit. Flights are too expensive from my area to just fly down for a long weekend. I have owned my DVC for over 20 years and have only been to the Merry Mixer a couple of times. Sometimes I wish DVC would send out a survey asking for input on the scheduling of these events.

 

[BLLB]

It would be impossible to plan these events for over 200,000 members. I am sure they feel that regardless of when they can offer them, members will be there to take advantage of it, it just might not be you.

Also many of the events they are not given much choice as to when then can offer them, as other divisions such as parks, decide when.

I agree! Just think maybe the better? alternative would be things we could all enjoy versus just happening to be there when a random event takes place. Their operation model is to advance plan vacations, but the offerings kind of contradict the model.

Again, love my Disney vacations. Just think it's funny.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO they offer the events so that they can say to prospective buyers that they have special events just for DVC direct owners.

Bill

 

[BLLB]

IMO they offer the events so that they can say to prospective buyers that they have special events just for DVC direct owners.

Bill

Good point. Didn't think of that!

 

[Sammie]

They don't seem to have any trouble selling out the events, or filling the allotted spaces. I simply think it's a case of some can hit the times and others can't.

I haven't been to any except the December ones but it doesn't bother me they are filled with other DVC guests having a great time that could go when they were offered, or where there and took advantage of it.

I am just a small part of that 200,000 and never expect them to plan around my plans. If my plans happen to fall during an event, great. If not, that is fine.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It would be impossible to plan these events for over 200,000 members. I am sure they feel that regardless of when they can offer them, members will be there to take advantage of it, it just might not be you.

Also many of the events they are not given much choice as to when then can offer them, as other divisions such as parks, decide when.

Which all makes it a little funny that these events are used as one of the reasons they are stating that people should buy direct.

 

[Sammie]

Which all makes it a little funny that these events are used as one of the reasons they are stating that people should buy direct.

Yes I agree that would not be a good reason.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think locals have a better chance of attending these special events. Especially if you don't have to have a DVC booking during the time of the event.

 

[cvjw]

We planned three Disney trips this year - all at the 11 month window. A trip in March, July and October.

When the dates for the free dvc 25 the anniversary events were announced, we realized that our dates were off by 2 days for each of the events.

We missed (or will miss) every single one of the events. Very disappointing.

If we had known the dates earlier, we could have planned our dates around them. That wasn't possible when the dates were released.

 

[BLLB]

We planned three Disney trips this year - all at the 11 month window. A trip in March, July and October.

When the dates for the free dvc 25 the anniversary events were announced, we realized that our dates were off by 2 days for each of the events.

We missed (or will miss) every single one of the events. Very disappointing.

If we had known the dates earlier, we could have planned our dates around them. That wasn't possible when the dates were released.

What a bummer. We missed the member lounge by a month or so..2 days is so much worse. Ugh.

 

[keaster]

We planned three Disney trips this year - all at the 11 month window. A trip in March, July and October.

When the dates for the free dvc 25 the anniversary events were announced, we realized that our dates were off by 2 days for each of the events.

We missed (or will miss) every single one of the events. Very disappointing.

If we had known the dates earlier, we could have planned our dates around them. That wasn't possible when the dates were released.

We only did one trip this year, March break (so early/mid March), unfortunately there were no DVC anniversary events planned during that time and the lounge at Epcot was not open yet.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We're lucky this year, we hit a Typhoon Lagoon event, an Animal Kingdom one and a Merry Mixer. It was only after 12 years of membership that we made it to a condo meeting, that was last year. Two years ago we got invited to a premier movie event, one that was held when we had reservations. We do not live near Chicago or anywhere else they have had off site events. I personally think they do a good job of spreading special events around. Most, but not all years we've hit a Merry Mixer, even though we always go in December.

Bobbi

 

[BLLB]

We're lucky this year, we hit a Typhoon Lagoon event, an Animal Kingdom one and a Merry Mixer. It was only after 12 years of membership that we made it to a condo meeting, that was last year. Two years ago we got invited to a premier movie event, one that was held when we had reservations. We do not live near Chicago or anywhere else they have had off site events. I personally think they do a good job of spreading special events around. Most, but not all years we've hit a Merry Mixer, even though we always go in December.

Bobbi

Clearly, I need you to pick my vacation dates! That's awesome!

 

[Duchie]

We have owned for over 15 years and our travel dates have never coincided with any member special events. This time we were lucky because we were able to adust our dates to accommodate the Safari Spectacular. So I'm curious to see what this one is like.

 

[BLLB]

Love the 25th anniversary pins they just announced. But, only being sold on-property. Bummer.

 

[fishermouse]

It would be impossible to plan these events for over 200,000 members. I am sure they feel that regardless of when they can offer them, members will be there to take advantage of it, it just might not be you.

Also many of the events they are not given much choice as to when then can offer them, as other divisions such as parks, decide when.

We've managed to hit a couple of them. a night at MK and a we saw OZ in 3d at Epcot before it opened. plus a few parties.

 

[tjkraz]

We are definitely seeing a philosophical change in DVC event planning.

The holiday mixers have been a staple dating back to at least 2004. Our family is rarely able to visit in the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas window, so I've been openly resentful of that event for many years now. Why should members who visit during that period have access to the one recurring member event on the calendar? Why can't I have a special event during my May visit or July visit?

With the events we've seen added in 2015 and 2016, I think DVC is moving in the right direction. Including the Mixers, Beach Bash and after-hours theme park access, DVC has scheduled WDW events on 13 of the 52 weeks in 2016. That's 25% of the year. Much better than the 4 weeks of member mixers that recur every December.

If these events are being funded by dollars previously earmarked for Welcome Home Wednesdays, so much better. I guess that's what members need to ask themselves: would they rather have a modest weekly event like WHW or more elaborate events which may only coincide with your trip dates every 3-4 years? Would you rather be guaranteed a free baseball cap and rice krispie treat (in exchange for 2 hours of your time) or roll the dice on a free evening at the Magic Kingdom?

Any events held at WDW will certainly favor locals. But the same was true of the Welcome Home Wednesdays and the mixers. Part of the reason that DVC decided to move away from WHW was that it had become such a magnet for locals. There was a contingent that would attend almost every week, claiming their free refreshments and door prizes, while entering contests for larger items. Since many trivia questions were eventually recycled from previous events, they had an advantage in the contests for beach towels, gift baskets and larger items. DVC merchandise that was won would probably get flipped onto eBay for a profit.

When taking sign-ups for these special events, DVC has required hotel reservations on some occasions. Or they've given those with hotel reservations an earlier window to book. I would hope these policies are being used in cases where attendance is severely limited.