Guests visiting you at DVC

[CarolAnnC]

The usual WDW rules do not apply in this case so unless you got this info from MS, it is not rellevant to the situation. I just reread the last written rules we've been given as DVC members which is the 1/1/01 Member Guidelines.

Dean, I am not aware that there are two sets of rules for purchasing UMP's. In fact, the LOS program was redesigned a few times since January 1, 2001, and I have only seen the written guidelines for UMP's as it pertains to WDW park admission. If there is a separate UMP available for DVC Members, with different "rules" then this is news to me. It is not something that I have seen written up on recently, and I only know my own conversation that I had today with CRO.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by CarolAnnK
Dean, I am not aware that there are two sets of rules for purchasing UMP's. In fact, the LOS program was redesigned a few times since January 1, 2001, and I have only seen the written guidelines for UMP's as it pertains to WDW park admission. If there is a separate UMP available for DVC Members, with different "rules" then this is news to me. It is not something that I have seen written up on recently, and I only know my own conversation that I had today with CRO.

Look at the written rules of the Members Benefits Guidebook dated 1/1/01. It's on page 8 and 9. A number of people have reported purchasing UMP only for a portion of their party as late as the last 3-4 months so I must assume nothing has changed from what was written then. Either by design or by default, a number of "rules" are applied differently to DVC members than other WDW guests. This can be good or bad depending on specifics. I personally think it's very risky relying on CRO info when evaluating ANY aspect of a DVC stay using points.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I personally think it's very risky relying on CRO info when evaluating ANY aspect of a DVC stay using points.

Dean, we pride ourselves here on the DIS as providing the most accurate information possible to our DIS posters. It would also be "risky" relying on second and third hand information, then arriving at a DVC Resort and being very disappointed if not allowed to buy UMP for only a portion of the registered party.

I will tell you this. At one of my OKW stays, I was informed that the then "LOS" (currently UMP) had to be purchased for all members of my party, which I ended up doing. Yes, I was allowed to drop a day off, but had to purchase for all the family members registered.

I am awaiting a response from Member Services regarding this issue and I will pass it along here when I receive it.

 

[Regina]

I asked about this when we were staying at OKW in December. I explained that all but one of us had AP's.

They told me that DVCer's do not have to get UMPs for everyone. I was going to get one UMP for DD's friend, but the other problem was that she was arriving midway through the trip. The couldn't start it on her arrival date. It had to be the entire length of the reservation, not her personal start date.

As a matter of fact, I just called the front desk at OKW and they confirmed that's exactly right. If some of you have AP's, and other's need UMPs, no problemo.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Look at the written rules of the Members Benefits Guidebook dated 1/1/01. It's on page 8 and 9.

I have the most recent DVC Member Benefits Guidebook dated 01/01/03 right here in my hands.

There is a section devoted to the Unlimited Park Hoppers, but absolutely no where is it written that they do not have to be purchased for the entire party.

Now I understand how folks like Regina here, do find out exceptions are made, or how "unwritten" rules are sometimes applied. But I wanted to make it clear here that it is not written down anywhere in the latest edition of the DVC Member Benefits Guidebook.

What does that mean? Well that means that you may get the person Regina did when you call, or you may get the person who I dealt with at OKW. It obviously can and may vary.

But be aware that on page 8 of this latest edition it states "Use of the admission media purchased through this program is subject to all terms and conditions set forth on such admission media."

Those terms and conditions were posted by me earlier on this thread. So be aware, that you may get lucky, or you may not.

 

[Dean]

Carol, the rules would have to state it is required for the entire party to qualify rather than the reverse. I would agree that info about DVC and DVC stays from CRO and this board are not 100% but I can tell you I'd take the collective info from this board 10 to 1 over CRO and even most of the time over the front lines at MS. IF they're not allowed, it will not be the number of people compared to the party size but the question of "the entire stay". I'll be interested in hearing what MS tells you but even then they are not directly in the loop. A contact to the front desk at particularly OKW would be the ticket. Regina's experience has been the norm and I've heard it I bet 50 times and I've never heard of anyone being turned away because it wasn't the entire party. If you do a search, I bet you can find threads on the topic.

I also don't recall a section of either of the last 2 guidebooks that go into detail on the other member perks like golf discounts, UMP, waterpark discounts and the like. The last thing we got that did that was the document I referenced.

 

[Regina]

I just called the front desks of the Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk. I said that I was a DVC member staying on points and that, while most of us have AP's, we'll have a guest who will need an UMP.

Without a moment's hesitation the CM said not a problem. We can get UMP's for as many of us who need it.

My curiosity got the best of me because I know that I've read of DVC members doing this in the past. I also wanted to know if the CM's at the resorts that are both DVC and Non-DVC would have a different take on this.

Maybe it used to be the policy, but it sure doesn't look to be that way now.

I hope all of you appreciate the long distance calls I made on your behalf!

Have a good one!

 

[DisneyPhD]

For us personally is does apear that getting the 5 day hopper (the only one that actually saves you a little $) and saving the extra days is the best plan for us. I called MS and added my in-laws names to the room and am heading over the to the local mall for the passes this afternoon.


While they do have a bill that may quailify them for FLA resident, the only discount I could find was a seasonal pass and they only need 2 days this year, so I don't think that will work. If they ever want to stay for more then 4 that should work perfectly for us.


Thanks for all the input!!!!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

DisneyPhd, I am glad you were able to find a solution that best suits your needs. That is the beauty of having so many ticket options at WDW! Enjoy!

Regina, as I acknowledged above, I did not doubt for a minute that your experience was a positive one, just as mine was not. But the bottom line is that it is not written into the Member Guidebook that DVC Members have different perks with purchasing the Unlimited Park Hoppers admissions which results in varying experiences for the members at times.

I also don't recall a section of either of the last 2 guidebooks that go into detail on the other member perks like golf discounts, UMP, waterpark discounts and the like. The last thing we got that did that was the document I referenced

All of this is included, Dean, in the DVC Members Guidebook dated 01/01/03. Perhaps MS will send you a copy if you request one.

Carol, the rules would have to state it is required for the entire party to qualify rather than the reverse.

It does state that the Unlimited Admissions are subject to all terms and conditions. Perhaps you missed this part of my previous post, so I will reprint it for you:

But be aware that on page 8 of this latest edition it states "Use of the admission media purchased through this program is subject to all terms and conditions set forth on such admission media."

Those terms and conditions were posted by me earlier on this thread. So be aware, that you may get lucky, or you may not

 

[RobDoc]

While it would certainly provide a secure feeling to have all permutations possible listed in our guidebook, that's not likely to happen.

As CarolAnnK has stated, the usual policy regarding UMP is that all guests in the room must purchase the passes. This is certainly true with WDW travel packages (Dreammaker).

In the case of DVC, there are certainly some "unwritten" rules that are allowed. Some seem to be left to interpretation of the individual CM involved and some are more universally offered by all DVC CM's. In light of this, it is perhaps best to be prepared to find a different policy while actually at the resort, but I'd still suggest challenging the CM or ask them to question a supervisor in some instances.

Personally, we have been able to purchase UMP for guests travelling with us on many occasions without having to include those in our party with AP's. In my case, I have never had to challenge the CM, as the UMP's were offered for those who needed them only. I have also been allowed to drop 1st and last days from the same passes, without any opposing argument- but am aware that some have been unable to do so.

It's best to be aware of the stated policy, but also to be aware of what deviation has been allowed in actual practice.

Good Luck!

 

[Dean]

Carol, the info on the website is simply a reprint of the 01 info an hasn't been changed at all other than the date. It does not state that the UMP must be bought by all in the party but obviously they could change it at any time. They will give themselves an out in case they wanted to change it or discontinue it. You're the only person I've ever heard of being confronted with this issue of the many, many times it's been discussed here, I'm sorry that happened. I can assure you the rule is different for DVC as Regina documented by calling 2 DVC resorts. Whether it's in writing explicitly saying this is OKW at this point is irrelavent. With so detailed a set of rules, I'm sure they would have included this restriction if they had intended it. Please post what MS says also.