FYI: More Cuts Coming

[GaryDis]

DVC isn't your typical timeshare. DVC is a Disney vacation every year of sorts I can see that appealing a lot more to first timers

Why would a first-timer even believe that it's not a typical timeshare, let alone decide to buy in. That's like booking your anniversary dinner at a restaurant for the following year when you're halfway through your entree and haven't even tried dessert.

 

[rteetz]

Why would a first-timer even believe that it's not a typical timeshare, let alone decide to buy in. That's like booking your anniversary dinner at a restaurant for the following year when you're halfway through your entree and haven't even tried dessert.

DVC isn't sold as your typical timeshare. They tell you right off the bat that it isn't, you can also use your points for cruises, Hawaii and Disneyland. Not many other timeshares let you go to other destinations. This is Disney, you book your restaurants 180 days in advance anyways. I can gaurantee if they let you do it 365 days in advance people would do it.

 

[mdsouth]

As I was reading through all these pages, I was thinking about the wonderful door greeter at PORFQ. So, yes the moderates did have door greeters. I took this photo on our trip in February 2016. He is such a wonderful welcome to PORFQ and what used to set Disney apart from its competitors. So sad to know that he and others like him will be losing their jobs.

 

[GaryDis]

DVC isn't sold as your typical timeshare. They tell you right off the bat that it isn't, you can also use your points for cruises, Hawaii and Disneyland. Not many other timeshares let you go to other destinations. T

I believe most timeshares let you go to other destinations. DVC works with RCI, and RCI has over 6000 resorts worldwide. That's a lot of timeshares all on the same exchange.

 

[rteetz]

I believe most timeshares let you go to other destinations. DVC works with RCI, and RCI has over 6000 resorts worldwide. That's a lot of timeshares all on the same exchange.

I really think the name Disney help a lot of the sales. Being near a Disney theme park on vacation for 50 years is something people really like.

 

[mshanson3121]

In addition to reduced MSEP and Fantasmic shows, Dream Along and JTA shows have been reduced resulting in decreased hours for the full-time CMs.

That amazes me that they would reduce JTA, considering the Star Wars craze going on... That alone says alot.

 

[mshanson3121]

DVC isn't sold as your typical timeshare. They tell you right off the bat that it isn't, you can also use your points for cruises, Hawaii and Disneyland. Not many other timeshares let you go to other destinations. This is Disney, you book your restaurants 180 days in advance anyways. I can gaurantee if they let you do it 365 days in advance people would do it.

There are many different types of timeshares, and quite honestly, Disney's isn't that spectacular or unique. My mother's time share allows to her travel around the world. They've used it for numerous places in North America (including Florida every winter), Mexico, Caribbean etc... Europe is the plan for next year.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I believe most timeshares let you go to other destinations. DVC works with RCI, and RCI has over 6000 resorts worldwide. That's a lot of timeshares all on the same exchange.

Truth. You don't HAVE to use your points at a Disney location. You can exchange your points via RCI and go to thousands of resorts around the world. A very common DVC misconception is that it's only good at Disney resorts.

Unrelated to this point, of course they market DVC to first timers but they don't expect many to actually purchase the first time. They are laying the groundwork. By the time people are paying for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th trip, they're thinking ... Maybe I should check that out. It's all about building enough recognition until people realize they've dumped thousands and thousands and DVC might be a good investment for their family.

My family purchased DVC as I was finishing up my college program and we got a significant discount. After 20 years of investing in big WDW trips, it was a no brainer for us. In fact, it's worked so well for us my family actually mad we didn't join sooner (though that discount on the buy in was a big seller perk.) I come from a family of accountants who have tracked the cost of every trip we've ever gone on down to the penny and have a record of it. It's a deal for us and my parents have never looked back.

Over the years we have used the points for Disney locations - WDW, DL, Aulani, Vero Beach, HHI - and also for trips to NYC, other California locations, Arizona and other RCI exchanges. We have never let points expire and have only banked or borrowed points for huge trips. Our points are never unused.

 

[Laz]

There are many different types of timeshares, and quite honestly, Disney's isn't that spectacular or unique. My mother's time share allows to her travel around the world. They've used it for numerous places in North America (including Florida every winter), Mexico, Caribbean etc... Europe is the plan for next year.

There is some great information on timeshare ownerhsip over on the Timeshare Users Group Forum: http://tugbbs.com/forums/

We have had a timeshare in Myrtle Beach since the 1990s and love it. Like owning a boat or a RV, it is not for everyone. My suggestion is to do your homework, take the tour, listen to the sales person and ask the questions you need answered. Then go home and think about it for a while.

 

[GaryDis]

There is some great information on timeshare ownerhsip over on the Timeshare Users Group Forum: http://tugbbs.com/forums/

We have had a timeshare in Myrtle Beach since the 1990s and love it. Like owning a boat or a RV, it is not for everyone. My suggestion is to do your homework, take the tour, listen to the sales person and ask the questions you need answered. Then go home and think about it for a while.

While I'm grateful for the info, let's not create a huge tangent. The issue here was the extent to which WDW markets to first-timers versus repeat visitors.

 

[Csaks]

This pretty much affirms my decision to delay a return to WDW for the foreseeable future. If they up prices this year on top of the cutbacks in services and entertainment, that will cement it

Our thoughts exactly. Going to Orlando in two weeks, for two weeks and the closest we will get to Disney is Downtown. Universal and other things are getting our vacation money this trip. 5 years ago I would have never imagined coming to Orlando and doing anything but WDW. The bean counters and maximizing shareholder value rule the roost these days. In the process they are losing something that made Disney something more than just another theme park. Can't even put my finger on what "it" was that made Disney different but after our last trip neither of us were clamoring to go back like we had in the past.

 

[Redcon1]

Breaking News: Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs will now be Snow White and the 5 Dwarfs
Happy and Sneezy were given their walking papers. Happy was let go because he became sad when he heard about his chipmunk friend Dale getting the pink slip. And we cannot have a Sad and Grumpy dwarf. Sneezy was let go do to the cost of the Kleenex's he used.

Just trying to bring some humor into this sad situation.

Actually it's 4 dwarfs.

Dopey is running the company now.

 

[sugarbobbin]

Rumored on the FP+ board is that due to the cuts (or ROL) that they're ending Wishes and Illumination FPs. Can anyone confirm this?

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wishes-fp-ending.3483037/

 

[hiroMYhero]

Rumored on the FP+ board is that due to the cuts (or ROL) that they're ending Wishes and Illumination FPs. Can anyone confirm this?

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wishes-fp-ending.3483037/

Illuminations had been showing no available FPs for April 19th but they may be available again. My 60-day window closed when I checked out of CSR so I can't check FPs.

Definitely no Wishes FPs beginning April 19th.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Rumored on the FP+ board is that due to the cuts (or ROL) that they're ending Wishes and Illumination FPs. Can anyone confirm this?

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wishes-fp-ending.3483037/

This isn't really confirmation because I know that wishes fastpasses aren't always available at 60 days (sometimes they seem to pop into the system later).

I was able to get a wishes fp for the beginning of my mid April trip but it was not an option for the end of my trip. It wasn't sold out, it just wasn't there.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Our thoughts exactly. Going to Orlando in two weeks, for two weeks and the closest we will get to Disney is Downtown. Universal and other things are getting our vacation money this trip. 5 years ago I would have never imagined coming to Orlando and doing anything but WDW. The bean counters and maximizing shareholder value rule the roost these days. In the process they are losing something that made Disney something more than just another theme park. Can't even put my finger on what "it" was that made Disney different but after our last trip neither of us were clamoring to go back like we had in the past.

This just proves how so many people have different opinions (and I totally respect your opinion.) We went just this January and had one of our most magical trips. I've been going regularly for more than 30 years and my parents have gone since it opened. This year was top 3 for us.

I've been to Universal/IOA once and there's not enough that appeals to our group of 9 there that could keep us busy like WDW can.

Here's the thing about upcoming cuts. I could care less if there's two Fantasmics or not. There weren't always two shows. I could care less if they drop the Wishes FP area, that didn't always exist. This can be said for so many of the things they will cut. Stuff that didn't even exist before. We fell in love with WDW long before so many things even existed.

Next trip, I'll go with an open mind as usual and judge the cuts for myself.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Illuminations had been showing no available FPs for April 19th but they may be available again. My 60-day window closed when I checked out of CSR so I can't check FPs.

Definitely no Wishes FPs beginning April 19th.

I think I'll see wishes that night and see how many other people realize the fastpass areas are up for grabs now.

 

[JimmyV]

How, exactly, does eliminating FPs for Wishes and/or Illuminations save any money? And if it does save the company money, can it be enough of a savings to make any sort of difference? Are we talking about cutting back one hour each from the schedules of 10 employees who make $9/hour for a total of $90 per day, or is there some other significant savings that I am not seeing? I could see how eliminating Wishes would save tens of thousands of dollars per day, but I can't see how eliminating a FP for it saves anything that approaches $1,000. I must be missing something.

 

[rteetz]

Rumored on the FP+ board is that due to the cuts (or ROL) that they're ending Wishes and Illumination FPs. Can anyone confirm this?

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wishes-fp-ending.3483037/

Wouldn't be surprised.

 

[rteetz]

How, exactly, does eliminating FPs for Wishes and/or Illuminations save any money? And if it does save the company money, can it be enough of a savings to make any sort of difference? Are we talking about cutting back one hour each from the schedules of 10 employees who make $9/hour for a total of $90 per day, or is there some other significant savings that I am not seeing? I could see how eliminating Wishes would save tens of thousands of dollars per day, but I can't see how eliminating a FP for it saves anything that approaches $1,000. I must be missing something.

You don't have to schedule a CM to stand there and check people in for the viewing area, that's the only thing I can think of.