Frustrated with member benefits

[KAT4DISNEY]

Since we moved I don't get the Files in any sort of timely fashion.

Facebook had a link to the Mother's Day thing yesterday. Link said booking would be today the 17th but the body of the message said booking was on the 23rd. Fyi.

Does that get a

Or a

 

[Wakey]

Like others have correctly said, all perks are not even paid for by DVC. They are paid for by DVD, the company that sells and markets timeshares. They don't pay for any of them (including Moonlight Magic, Soarin Tour, Epcot Members Lounge) out of the goodness of their heart. Every one is marketing for selling new timeshares to other people. That's the only reason any perk is given. You didn't buy a single perk, you bought exactly the same contract as every resale buyer. That's why when you bought direct you signed a disclaimer saying you were not buying based on perks and they can be taken away any time. When you use a perk, you are not getting something free in a real sense (albeit you do get something obviously and that's a boon) but you are participating in DVD'a marketing exercise. That's why I bought resale and saved $12000.
Enjoy your trip and try to concentrate on what you bought: nearly 50 years of discounted vacation accommodation. Cheers.

 

[skier_pete]

I understand and feel your frustration, but the PPs are right - it's all about selling timeshares. So things like the Soarin' Tour - the benefit to DVC is that it exists, not that it can accommodate everyone that wants to do it. Even so, they couldn't possibly make it big enough to accommodate all the members that would want to do it. If they had 90 people instead of 20 people, their are still 1000s of people that get shut out.

IMO - perks like that should be looked at as bonuses - if you are lucky enough to be there and get into one, then great. We were very lucky in February that we were ther e for one of the Moonlight Magic events and got to experience it, and it was amazing. If we ever get to go again...fantastic...if not, well that's the way it goes! The only member perks worth getting excited about are the discounts of merch and dining and APs. Even the Epcot member lounge, if it's still open the next time we go, great, but if it's not, oh well.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

OKay, OP. You can book your Mother's Day Brunch tomorrow.
https://secure.cdn3.wdpromedia.com/...mothers-day-brunch/DVC-Mothers-Day-Brunch.pdf
When & Where

• Date: Mother's Day—Sunday, May 14, 2017
• Time: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
• Location: Fantasia Ballroom at Disney's Contemporary Resort, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

Pricing

• Adult (Ages 10 and Up): $53.95 (plus tax and gratuity)
• Child (Ages 3 to 9): $29.95 (plus tax and gratuity)

Reservations
Booking begins Thursday, March 23, 2017. Reservations are required. Space is limited, so be sure to book early. Call Member Services at (800) 800-9800.†

Full payment at the time of booking—with a credit card guarantee—is required.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to avoid surrendering the full payment.

Important Information:

• Valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card and photo ID required at check-in.
• Guests must be 21 years old with a photo I.D. to consume alcohol.
• Disney Dining Plan entitlements cannot be used for this experience.
• Culinary Magic Experiences are not eligible for any additional special offers or discounts, including the Disney Vacation Club Member 10% food and beverage discount.
• Please allow ample time to travel to your event destination.
• Party size limit of 16 guests.
• Menu items, pricing and hours are subject to change without notice
• Guests under age 18 must be accompanied by a paying participating parent or guardian
• Food allergies must be noted at time of booking.
• Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

 

[River Country]

Okay, rant a bit. I am a member, bought Poly thru Disney. Last year we went 15 days, everything I tried to use my membership on I could not either because the days where wrong or everything was booked.
Tried soaring tour booked both Wednesday's. Tried to book cruise for wishes, booked thruout our stay. Tried to book Mother's Day, sold out. Tried to book typhoon, one week off. Okay no problem.

Booked 16 days this year, tried to book soaring tour, nope not available. Tried to book paint around the world, no availability, and it came out the day I tried to book for our weeks. Tried to book Mother's Day brunch, no availability. Wanted moonlight experience but none happening during our stay.

When they only have something once a week, and only allow 10 or 20 people in like soaring and paint the world, and they have 200000 members, I feel a little ripped off when I can't get any benefit from being a member.

Okay rant over. But really 10 people a week, with 200000 members, why say they are benefits. Only if you know a cast memBer who can book for you 180 days out, 3 minutes before the window opens.

Welcome Home

 

[bumbershoot]

Facebook had a link to the Mother's Day thing yesterday. Link said booking would be today the 17th but the body of the message said booking was on the 23rd. Fyi.

Booking begins Thursday, March 23, 2017.

Body of the message for the win.

Hope the op kept reading here or at least kept checking!

 

[KAMLEM]

The one perk we always use is the DVC discount at meals, 10-20% at each meal can add up.

 

[JessLCH]

The first year it was offered we did the DVC member Thanksgiving dinner in Contemporary ballroom. The food presentation, offerings and quality were so-so at best and the atmosphere was like a corporate banquet lunch It also cost a small fortune. We go every year at Thanksgiving but will not go back to a DVC banquet meal. It really was not a "perk." We had some great Thanksgiving meals at Artist Point and California Grill.

 

[skier_pete]

The first year it was offered we did the DVC member Thanksgiving dinner in Contemporary ballroom. The food presentation, offerings and quality were so-so at best and the atmosphere was like a corporate banquet lunch It also cost a small fortune. We go every year at Thanksgiving but will not go back to a DVC banquet meal. It really was not a "perk." We had some great Thanksgiving meals at Artist Point and California Grill.

Yeah- seems to me a lot of these "special events" are just overpriced gotchas. I do have to say the "Moonlight Magic" events that they are doing this year are definitely an exception. The one in MK earlier this year was wonderful. I could see them using these events to drive members to book during "off-peak" times, but the dates of the one we went to (Feb 24th) was definitely not "off-peak".

 

[freediverdude]

I would try to use some of the benefits that you're more likely to get to use without much trouble, like go up to the Top of the World lounge one night, use the member lounge at Epcot (it's really nice and something they didn't have to do), and who knows maybe pool hop or do some activities that they offer in one of the community halls or something. And don't forget all our discounts!

Those other things like the meals and events are things everybody has trouble getting and are hit or miss, kind of like getting a Frozen fastpass or a meal in the castle.

 

[Wakey]

Yeah- seems to me a lot of these "special events" are just overpriced gotchas. I do have to say the "Moonlight Magic" events that they are doing this year are definitely an exception. The one in MK earlier this year was wonderful. I could see them using these events to drive members to book during "off-peak" times, but the dates of the one we went to (Feb 24th) was definitely not "off-peak".

Suspect they aren't bothered when members book. It's not DVC running these, it's the timeshare seller, DVD, it's all marketing. Suspect the biggest driver is when DVD can rent the park the cheapest or lowest impact on Disney cash customers (spending in parks)