Gold Pass

[KAT4DISNEY]

But you might be okay. The Gold Pass is not a discounted Platinum Pass. It's is a pass that costs less because it has blackout dates, not because you're a DVC Member.
Now, the Gold Pass is only available to DVC Members and Florida residents. Is a resale buyer a DVC Member???

MG

How many times are we going on for this MG?

(really need that poke in the side smiley)

New resale buyers are getting a message that they get TOTWL, DVD's for free although they are removing the DVD players and also all the Pool hopping they want to the pools it's allowed at. Nothing else is listed. More than one has asked MS who has said they need to prove themselves eligible when activating which has always been the procedure for DVC passes. There seemed to be a few that got cards by accident shortly after the resale rule change but DVC seems to have corrected that. One could always try but I suspect that the typical response will be they need to pay to get one of the non-restricted passes.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

How many times are we going on for this MG?

(really need that poke in the side smiley)

New resale buyers are getting a message that they get TOTWL, DVD's for free although they are removing the DVD players and also all the Pool hopping they want to the pools it's allowed at. Nothing else is listed. More than one has asked MS who has said they need to prove themselves eligible when activating which has always been the procedure for DVC passes. There seemed to be a few that got cards by accident shortly after the resale rule change but DVC seems to have corrected that. One could always try but I suspect that the typical response will be they need to pay to get one of the non-restricted passes.

Not sure... and I'm not sure why I care as it doesn't affect me. But I did read convincing arguments on a seperate thread a few months back.

A few minutes ago I googled "membership extras", and got a PDF file that looked like part of the purchase documents. There was no mention of gold passes as membership extras. It did mention "discounted" passes.

Again, I'm not saying one way or another is correct, but rather you never know. Everything I've read leaves plenty of wiggle room for DVC to swing whichever way they want.

MG

 

[ScubaCat]

I believe when you go to guest services to activate the ticket you will need to present your "blue" member card which you do not get with a resale purchase after 4/4/16.

We definitely had to show a blue card and the CM at guest services verified the address on everyone's ID before activating our gold passes.

Ahh... one person reported it. It must be Gospel because as we all know Disney is super duper consistent.

MG

Well, I heard it from a bus driver, so that's case closed as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We definitely had to show a blue card and the CM at guest services verified the address on everyone's ID before activating our gold passes.



Well, I heard it from a bus driver, so that's case closed as far as I'm concerned.

Lol!!! Good one!!

Question is, if someone showed a white digital card.... ??

Who knows?
In addition it has been rampantly reported that most ticketing CM's are vastly under trained (just reading all the ticketing / bridging fiascos).

MG

 

[Wakey]

I agree it is left intentionally vague. It is also true (I posted it) that the white digital pass now specifically says resale buyers get TOTWL, DVD and Pool hopping.
But I don't think that is the whole story and can see Graceys point, here's why.
There is no doubt that getting a discount on a Platinum pass is a perk that is restricted to direct buyers, it's a discounted ticket. But is buying a pass (Gold) that is a special DVC (and Fla resi) pass also a restricted perk as there is no discount given on the ticket face value, it is just something open to 'members' ? That is potentially different.
For example, as a resale buyer I can book the DVC only cruise as a member, because I am one. I just cannot pay points for it (wouldn't want to) but as a DVC member I can book and pay cash. I can as a DVC member register early for the Disney run events by the looks of it. Various other things I can book, but some I cannot.
So I'm not 100% sure. However the wording re Gold pass is unclear and if Disney allow you to buy and pay for it via the link, isn't a contract formed at that point?
Clear as mud..... Unfortunately because I'm from UK when I click on buy pass it just takes me to UK site and I only get the options for 14 day ultimate ticket etc (which is a great deal at the moment discounted to £299, or about $375 tax included for what is a 14 day Platinum pass- hope they have it still on offer in 2018, think it is to entice Brits given poor exchange rate), unfortunately when I go to add dining plan it wants me to pay in $ and not UK rate which is also discounted by $16 a day. I'll have to try logging on via VPN from a US server and see if it takes me to Gold pass page....

 

[MouseOfCards]

For example, as a resale buyer I can book the DVC only cruise as a member, because I am one. I just cannot pay points for it (wouldn't want to) but as a DVC member I can book and pay cash. I can as a DVC member register early for the Disney run events by the looks of it. Various other things I can book, but some I cannot.
So I'm not 100% sure. However the wording re Gold pass is unclear and if Disney allow you to buy and pay for it via the link, isn't a contract formed at that point?
Clear as mud..... Unfortunately because I'm from UK when I click on buy pass it just takes me to UK site and I only get the options for 14 day ultimate ticket etc (which is a great deal at the moment discounted to £299, or about $375 tax included for what is a 14 day Platinum pass- hope they have it still on offer in 2018, think it is to entice Brits given poor exchange rate), unfortunately when I go to add dining plan it wants me to pay in $ and not UK rate which is also discounted by $16 a day. I'll have to try logging on via VPN from a US server and see if it takes me to Gold pass page....

My understanding is that any contract purchased via resale after March 2011 would NOT qualify to even book the DVC member cruise. Has this changed?

 

[Wakey]

My understanding is that any contract purchased via resale after March 2011 would NOT qualify to even book the DVC member cruise. Has this changed?

Yes you are right- I have done some more research and for 2017 it says in the small print members paying cash have to have bought at least 1 contract direct. Mmmm, but it looks like you can book it on the website as a resale buyer, and I read a whole post from a resale buyer recently saying he had booked and gone on it. Wonder if its possible to slip through the net on the Cruise? Not that I'd be going on it, but it rather defeats the point I was trying to make about the Gold Pass! The whole things a bit of a mess, and very confusing, exactly what Disney wants I imagine. I would like to hear a report from someone who has tried to get a Gold pass resale and either got it or failed. As stated, given there is no specific statement that you cannot get the Gold Pass, and it allows you to buy it, if they refuse to give it to you on production of your white card, I think you could kick up a real stink. Worst I suppose would happen is they'd give you your money back? The one good thing is Disney have at least clarified us 'Resalers' can get in TOTWL!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Not sure... and I'm not sure why I care as it doesn't affect me. But I did read convincing arguments on a seperate thread a few months back.

A few minutes ago I googled "membership extras", and got a PDF file that looked like part of the purchase documents. There was no mention of gold passes as membership extras. It did mention "discounted" passes.

Again, I'm not saying one way or another is correct, but rather you never know. Everything I've read leaves plenty of wiggle room for DVC to swing whichever way they want.

MG

It could be interesting to hear how it went if you were able to test it out. Just jump back in!

I do think they have enough to say they cover it even if in that section it just has the statement about discounted passes and not access to certain special passes. The intention seems pretty clear first with this statement on the website: .... To receive any Membership Extras, purchasers must present a valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card along with a corresponding valid photo ID. Disney and Concierge Collections options are not available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc. after March 21, 2011, and, effective April 4, 2016, Members who do not purchase an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Development Inc. will not have access to Membership Extras.

And all passes are listed under the Member benefits section. Also at least a couple people have reported that they see a statement about only being eligible for the 3 things I listed above.

 

[Wakey]

Th

It could be interesting to hear how it went if you were able to test it out. Just jump back in!

I do think they have enough to say they cover it even if in that section it just has the statement about discounted passes and not access to certain special passes. The intention seems pretty clear first with this statement on the website: .... To receive any Membership Extras, purchasers must present a valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card along with a corresponding valid photo ID. Disney and Concierge Collections options are not available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc. after March 21, 2011, and, effective April 4, 2016, Members who do not purchase an ownership interest directly from Disney Vacation Development Inc. will not have access to Membership Extras.

And all passes are listed under the Member benefits section. Also at least a couple people have reported that they see a statement about only being eligible for the 3 things I listed above.

The white virtual membership card and a statement definately state resale have access to TOTWL, Pool hop and dvd rental. This is the only things that are positively listed and on the white card. I just completed resale this week.
Clicking on member benefits and more it tells you if the offer is excluded for resale. Specifically stated as excluded when you go on the offers is:
20% off merch
Moonlight Magic events
Cruise when looking at T&Cs (although possibly you can book but it is sold out)
Golf discounts.
And a few others.
However there is no such statement on things such as Lion King tickets, the restaurants listed at 10% discount, discounts on tours such as Keys To the Kingdom.
As I'm in UK I cannot see US WDW passes but I can see Disney Land passes and it says member price is $599 plus tax. This is not specifically stated as excluded.
Basically its a mess. However the only one I'm interested in is TOTWL and that is specifically stated as included now for Resale, do I'm happy.

 

[Dean]

Ahh... one person reported it. It must be Gospel because as we all know Disney is super duper consistent.

MG

Not at all. What we do have is lots of info to suggest this is not accessible to unqualified members based on reasonable interpretation of the info available, MS communications (3rd hand) and at least one report of someone who bought and was not allowed to activate (3rd hand). I wouldn't be surprised if we had some of each the next year or so where some WERE allowed to activate and others are not. You could buy back in resale to try to prove your point if you want.

 

[Uncranky Donald]

Question: If I go with both a resale and direct DVC member card to activate my AP Gold pass in June, would this not end the debate? If I present the resale card first? I'm very intrigued, is that how this test can be safely done, cuz I will be in that very situation on my upcoming trip.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Question: If I go with both a resale and direct DVC member card to activate my AP Gold pass in June, would this not end the debate? If I present the resale card first? I'm very intrigued, is that how this test can be safely done, cuz I will be in that very situation on my upcoming trip.

You have one of each? From different UY's or how did that happen?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Question: If I go with both a resale and direct DVC member card to activate my AP Gold pass in June, would this not end the debate? If I present the resale card first? I'm very intrigued, is that how this test can be safely done, cuz I will be in that very situation on my upcoming trip.

No it wouldn't... one needs to look no further than the ticket bridging threads to see the mass chaos among ticketing CM's.

MG

 

[Dean]

Question: If I go with both a resale and direct DVC member card to activate my AP Gold pass in June, would this not end the debate? If I present the resale card first? I'm very intrigued, is that how this test can be safely done, cuz I will be in that very situation on my upcoming trip.

Unfortunately with Disney you can get different answers from different people and at different times. I'm certain we'll see some of both but the end result will be a non qualified owner is not eligible.

 

[Uncranky Donald]

You have one of each? From different UY's or how did that happen?

One direct, one resale, two different UYs. Don't many people have the same scenario though? Say I go to activate and "happen" to show the resale member card first, if they accept it then resale owners are good to go,(or a CM messed up I get it) if they say nope they aren't and I show them the direct DVC card and I am fine. Ehh, whatever, I was just trying to understand why it's such a mystery at this point in time.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

One direct, one resale, two different UYs. Don't many people have the same scenario though? Say I go to activate and "happen" to show the resale member card first, if they accept it then resale owners are good to go,(or a CM messed up I get it) if they say nope they aren't and I show them the direct DVC card and I am fine. Ehh, whatever, I was just trying to understand why it's such a mystery at this point in time.

You could try. It would give an actual experience report which is rare likely because the DIS is a small subset of total membership. Like others I don't know if it provides a definite answer for two reasons. One - I do think that the CM's now use the computer system to verify eligibility although not positive and if they don't then what happens could just depend on the training of the CM and would still vary from one to the other and two - if they do use the computer system DVC might have some sort of link between the two memberships to you as a common owner of a qualified and an un-qualified membership. So it might recognize you as qualified using the resale number via a connection to the direct. If it came up using the resale number you could always ask the CM how they verified.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

What puzzles me is why does the website let a resale purchaser even start the buying process of the Gold?
I know Disney's IT isn't the best, but this one seems pretty easy. They do it just fine when distinguishing resident passes on the regular website. Press "Tickets for All Guests" and the resident options disappear. Plus the site apparantly knows to print a white card vs blue.

MG

 

[GoofyMitchell]

I'm going to buy the Gold Pass and see what happens. I'll make sure to have enough money to buy the Platinum if they won't let me pick it up. We are going to buy them for our June trip. I'll report back then and let you guys know what happened.

 

[Dean]

What puzzles me is why does the website let a resale purchaser even start the buying process of the Gold?
I know Disney's IT isn't the best, but this one seems pretty easy. They do it just fine when distinguishing resident passes on the regular website. Press "Tickets for All Guests" and the resident options disappear. Plus the site apparantly knows to print a white card vs blue.

MG

Still I suspect it's IT related rather than purposefully messing with resale buyers.

 

[erionm]

Still I suspect it's IT related rather than purposefully messing with resale buyers.

I agree.

I'm an associate member (so no direct benefits at all), but the DVC pricing shows up when I log on to MDE. Apparently, all MDE sees is that I have a Club ID assigned and not my actual member type.