free dining

[dianeschlicht]

Are you actually saying that DVC gives rooms away, with or without discounts, as thats what it says above, so if that is true then why cant they offer owners upgrades first,
i.e. studio to 1 bd 1bd to 2bd, surely that cant be fair to owners, if and its a big if, it is DVC giving these discounts.

Actually, your quoted portion is not completely correct. It is not DVC who must decide on the discounts etc.. It's CRO or Disney vacations. They are the ones who now own the inventory that was traded out. It is they who need to recoup the price. The DVC owner "paid" for the trade in points, and now CRO (Disney) must recoup that cost however they see fit. DVC is completely out of the equation at this point. DVC can't give you what they don't have or no longer own.

 

[DebbieB]

Are you actually saying that DVC gives rooms away, with or without discounts, as thats what it says above, so if that is true then why cant they offer owners upgrades first,
i.e. studio to 1 bd 1bd to 2bd, surely that cant be fair to owners, if and its a big if, it is DVC giving these discounts.

As Diane said, DVC no longer owns those rooms. CRO needs to get these empty rooms filled. Most of the time, discounts are the only way. I think the rack rates are high anyway, not just DVC but all Disney resorts. By having them high, it gives room to discount and people think they got a good deal.

I don't think DVC wants to open the can of worms of offering members room upgrades. If they did, there would be questions of how members are chosen for upgrades. It's more complicated with owners of a timeshare vs guests of a hotel.

 

[crisi]

The other issue with upgrades is that if they happen regularly, you'd sell fewer points. People would book a studio hoping to get a free upgrade to a one bedroom. It would be like the cruise line - where a whole lot of people book the cheap cabins, knowing that as the cheap cabins fill, upgrades happen. It isn't a good strategy if you really WANT a veranda (and can pay for one), but its a great strategy for "I'd be happy with this porthole room."

Always remember that Disney is first and foremost a business. Profit maximization is not only a goal, but a responsibility that legally have to their shareholders.

 

[crisi]

Also, remember that DVC members are in it for the long haul. Sometimes there are great bargains. Sometimes there aren't. This is one of the reasons some of us say "if you only are doing this to save money, you might end up disappointed." DVC offers the ability to be able to have some ability to plan the cost of your lodging. But sometimes, cash is going to be the better deal for your situation. And sometimes, DVC is going to be the better deal. Generally, when the economy sucks, DVC members aren't getting a very good deal - if they are in it only for monetary purposes and have travel flexibility. When the economy is good, discounts dry up, and the code hunters start complaining. Then DVC looks like a really good deal.

 

[katdralion]

In the UK, the 45% discount on SSR & OKW plus free dining promotion has been running for 6 years (I think) and is showing no signs of being discontinued. It also runs for most of the year. As an OKW owner I also feel it has devalued our membership and makes me less inclined to stay there as I don't feel I am getting value for money on my points. Free dining for a family on a 3 week stay is a huge saving, especially if the kids are over 9!

 

[katdralion]

Also, "saving money" is the ONLY reason to buy into DVC, after all isn't that how it was sold to us - a way to save up to 70% on the cost of future accommodations!

 

[going/again]

In the UK, the 45% discount on SSR & OKW plus free dining promotion has been running for 6 years (I think) and is showing no signs of being discontinued. It also runs for most of the year. As an OKW owner I also feel it has devalued our membership and makes me less inclined to stay there as I don't feel I am getting value for money on my points. Free dining for a family on a 3 week stay is a huge saving, especially if the kids are over 9!

Finally another poster who understands.

 

[going/again]

Actually, your quoted portion is not completely correct. It is not DVC who must decide on the discounts etc.. It's CRO or Disney vacations. They are the ones who now own the inventory that was traded out. It is they who need to recoup the price. The DVC owner "paid" for the trade in points, and now CRO (Disney) must recoup that cost however they see fit. DVC is completely out of the equation at this point. DVC can't give you what they don't have or no longer own.

I thought that was the case, the quote wasn't mine, this is what's so confusing
one person says one another something else.

 

[RDP]

We chose to bank our point this year because the combination of paying cash, getting the free DDP and the flights and discounted park tickets was better value for money than using points, buying flights, paying for the DDP and park tickets separately! We will recoup some of the 'value' in DVC next year as we will be able to stay in larger accommodation.

 

[jackieleanne]

Now thats a good offer. Too bad I don't live in the UK. If I did and I owned DVC I might consider renting out my points and using the cash to stay at one of those resorts.

I'm still happy to have my 1bd, washer and dryer, kitchen, hot tub and AP discount. I bought into DVC for the long haul. Discounts may not be here forever especially if the economy ever recovers.

Just thought I'd reply as a UK guest to actually put my point across that yes we are getting that discount but do you know how much it actually costs us for the full holiday it's costing us £3000 or $4774 to come next year for our 14nights at SSR and that's with the discount this cost is before you add anything like souvenirs etc. As others have said it also takes us atleast 9 hours to get across the Atlantic.

 

[going/again]

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I don't think DVC wants to open the can of worms QUOTE]

Sorry but they opened the can when they let people who have paid $85 dollars a night at a value, then give them a 1 bedroom at a resort I am paying the upkeep for.

 

[katdralion]

Just thought I'd reply as a UK guest to actually put my point across that yes we are getting that discount but do you know how much it actually costs us for the full holiday it's costing us £3000 or $4774 to come next year for our 14nights at SSR and that's with the discount this cost is before you add anything like souvenirs etc. As others have said it also takes us atleast 9 hours to get across the Atlantic.

As a DVC owner I'm paying a lot more than that just for my annual dues and flights. And I still have to pay for the dining plan and passes on top! We paid a lot of money up front to buy into the DVC. What was the point, when we can buy a package to exactly the same accommodation for less money?!?!

 

[rondesj]

I was taught if someone is giving you something free--Watchout it's going to cost you more some where else in the deal.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I am doing Free Dining next August. I have a seven night package booked for 5 people.

Simply put.. The cost for me to purchase the dining plan and the passes for all 5 of us( priced as 3 adults and 2, over 10 year olds) Then adding the price of dining is more money than if purchased seperatley.
So we have a 7 night package w/free dining will stay 2 nights in that room and then are moving into a 1 bedroom for the rest of our stay. My 23 year old daughter will than get the free dining room all to herself.

Works out for me.

 

[castleri]

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I don't think DVC wants to open the can of worms QUOTE]

Sorry but they opened the can when they let people who have paid $85 dollars a night at a value, then give them a 1 bedroom at a resort I am paying the upkeep for.

The rooms these people get belong to a different inventory and the upkeep fees are paid by that branch of the company if I understand correctly., They are NOT coming out of the member inventory of rooms.

 

[castleri]

As a DVC owner I'm paying a lot more than that just for my annual dues and flights. And I still have to pay for the dining plan and passes on top! We paid a lot of money up front to buy into the DVC. What was the point, when we can buy a package to exactly the same accommodation for less money?!?!

This is why so many on the DIS suggest that people do their homework before purchasing. If you had put all these numbers down and looked at them before you bought you may have made a different decision. The only thing any of us really purchased was a right to book reservations in very nice resorts at a deeply discounted rate because we prepaid them when we purchased and agreed to pay maintenance fees to assure they remain very nice places to stay. Anything other than that is a bonus.

You may also have made the same decision you did thinking that these "special offers" could go away at any time. If you book a package you are paying for everything that is included although coming from the UK you get more disocunts than those of us who live in the US. I don't know who can buy a package here in the US that would provide the DVC accommodation, tickets and dining for less than I can do it using my points and buying the DDP if I wished to use it (which I don't because the TIW card works so much better for the way we eat) Plane fares should be the same whether you own DVC or not so they shouldn't even come into the equation. As others have suggested rent your points and use the cash to book a package or sell the whole contract and you won't have to feel like you are being taken advantage of any longer. You can just book those special packages every year with your dues money that you don't have to pay.

 

[crisi]

Also, "saving money" is the ONLY reason to buy into DVC, after all isn't that how it was sold to us - a way to save up to 70% on the cost of future accommodations!

In general, I don't believe sales people. Especially when they use words like "up to."

 

[Chuck S]

Also, "saving money" is the ONLY reason to buy into DVC, after all isn't that how it was sold to us - a way to save up to 70% on the cost of future accommodations!

I agree that saving money on similar accommodations in the long term is the primary reason for purchasing any timeshare, including DVC.

And I agree that for UK visitors, DVC ownership may not be the best way to do that. However, those in the UK can certainly offset the cost by renting out their points to US residents, then taking that cash and purchasing one of the discounted packages, in fact, they'll likely make a little money on the deal...similar to the way US owners rent their points, then pay cash for the cruise. Potential UK owners traveling on those discounted packages should do the math before purchasing to see if DVC ownership makes sense for them.

US owners, on the other hand, do regularly save up to 70% off the cost of accommodations, as those 45% deals are not offered here. This is especially true for those of us that purchases OKW many years ago in the $50 per point range. Our membership paid for itself years ago.

DVC isn't for everyone, not even for everyone in the US. It depends upon your individual vacation habits, size of your family, regular travel destinations, and comparing that to the cost you usually pay. The final decision lies with the purchaser.

 

[dianeschlicht]

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I don't think DVC wants to open the can of worms QUOTE]

Sorry but they opened the can when they let people who have paid $85 dollars a night at a value, then give them a 1 bedroom at a resort I am paying the upkeep for.

You lost me there. If Disney OWNS the rooms they updated those value people to, they are indeed paying upkeep at "our" resort. They do indeed pay for what they own. It's no different than you or I using our points to stay at BWV or BCV. WE don't "own" there, but we certainly can enjoy staying there on someone elses dime. Perhaps you are thinking we should no longer be allowed to do that either? I don't stay at non-home resorts often, but I certainly like the option to do so. What if those of us who own AKV felt that we no longer wanted those who pay lower dues on their home resorts to stay at ours? As far as I see it, the arguement would be the same.

The bottom line is if you want flexibility, you need to accept these things.

 

[katdralion]

This is why so many on the DIS suggest that people do their homework before purchasing. If you had put all these numbers down and looked at them before you bought you may have made a different decision.

We bought in 1998, these deals weren't available then, if they had been we would not have bought. I don't think it's so easy to rent or sell from the UK. I wouldn't know how to even start. There certainly wouldn't be a market in the UK and even if there was, it's not what we bought in for. I bought in on the promise of up to 70% off future accommodation so we were guaranteed a great holiday, I don't want the hassle of hiring lawyers and renting points to strangers every year. We are considering selling but the price isn't great and again it's a hassle.