High Point Owners

[chetcroc]

SpaceMountain77 - remember glass half full.

disneynutz - I don't thing I would call the Dream and old ship. It is one of Disney's newest. But, you may be on to something if the bookings were looking poorly on this ship during this time of year. However, the DVC take-over of this ship took place a few months ago. Hardly enough time to gauge paying capacity.

Thanks guys.

 

[disneynutz]

SpaceMountain77 - remember glass half full.

disneynutz - I don't thing I would call the Dream and old ship. It is one of Disney's newest. But, you may be on to something if the bookings were looking poorly on this ship during this time of year. However, the DVC take-over of this ship took place a few months ago. Hardly enough time to gauge paying capacity.

Thanks guys.

You are correct about the Dream, I was thinking of the Magic and Wonder. The Dream is currently fitted for 3 and 4 days sailings, I wonder if that is one of the reasons.

FYI - Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney and the DVC are all under the same executive at Disney, Karl Holz.

Bill

 

[DeeCee735]

I understand your point of view, although I don't necessarily agree with it.
There are people who have owned and been coming to Disney multiple times a year with DVC membership since 1992. (not us, we bought in 2000).

Frequent flyer perks don't go by how much more you spend with an airline, but how much more you fly, right? Hotel reward level's don't go by how much your room costs, but how many times in a year you stay in that particular chain, no? One could stay, for instance, in a Residence Inn at $119 a night or a $500 a night Marriott, but still achieve a higher level based on how often they do so in a year. Perhaps I am incorrect?

Long time owners, on the average, may have spent more time and money in the parks, and on MF. Why should a person with 1000+ points be given more advantages or perks of membership than a person with a few hundred who may have owned for a lot longer and may very well visit more frequently?

I don't see how Disney could single out owners of more points, as opposed to length of ownership or more frequent visits. We only have 400 points, but we're in Disney with DVC membership 3/4 times a year, and most of our vacation $$$ are spent in Disney, whereas another owner regardless of whether or not they own 1000+ points may well be spending their vacation time and money outside of Disney, trading out through RCI.

JMHO

Enjoy your membership

 

[supersnoop]

No "perks" funded by membership dues could legally be bestowed on a "VIP" class. The resort's association is actually a non-profit organization wholly owned and operated by it's members. That's why there are very little special perks or effort to build a better experience. Anything offered costs every owner more money.

DVD, the developer who builds and sells the units, can offer perks if they want. And they do. But those perks are for people who buy directly through them.

Even though DVD still has a lot of influence and control over DVC, there are specific restrictions in the organization's legal documents that prohibit DVD from making changes to the DVC program that would prejudice any class of owner.

Remember, DVD wants to sell you something. The Walt Disney Company wants you in the parks. DVC just wants to maintain the property and keep the owners satisfied.

 

[chetcroc]

DeeCee735 - Excellent point about length of time of ownership. That should be considered in the mix because of your commitment to the program early on. As for the hotel and airline comment - remember, you still have to spend money to purchase the ticket and pay for the room. And with the Hilton brand, the more expensive the room and property, the more points you get for your stay. A Hampton Inn gets you less points that a Hilton Garden Inn or Hilton Hotel. So money has to be spent to get the points or perks. Same at Disney.

Supersnoop - perks are already provided. Just not at a level expected by higher point (500 or more) owners. Heck, valet parking used to be included and that was eliminated - why? Meal plans are tiered to offer those who spend more on a specific meal plan will get more food options and perks (golf, boating, etc.).

 

[tjkraz]

As others have said, former DVC President Jim Lewis was working on a perk program of this nature. Although exact details were never revealed, one interesting aspect allowed owners to participate via their own point holdings AND purchases they referred. So even if the threshold was set as some high level like 1000 points, members who would never dream of buying so many could still achieve VIP status by referring other buyers to DVC.

DVC even asked owners for feedback on naming this "VIP" club:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-pr...718-dvc-surveys-members-on-potential-new-club

The program would have to be funded by Disney Vacation Development--not from member dues. Probably with funds diverted from the current cash referral program (in which many owners cannot even participate due to local laws.)

As for the success / value of the program, file that under "the devil is in the details." The better the perks, the more successful it would be. But also the more potential it has to offend non-participating members.

The key would be not taking anything away from the whole, or otherwise disenfranchising one group in favor of another. For instance, I could not see them giving "VIP" members favorable room booking perks.

I personally envisioned things like a preferential line at check-in or a free additional room cleaning during their stay. In the pre-MagicBand days, some of those immediate use FastPass vouchers seemed like a no-brainer.

Are these perks enough to sway some members to buy additional points? Yes, probably. If you're at 450 and additional perks kick-in at 500, I suspect it would definitely be worth consideration. Not every member in that situation would buy the extra 50 points but some would.

Is this enough of a turn-off to convince people NOT to buy into DVC? Doubtful. There are varying levels of VIP treatment already in place throughout the Disney resorts and theme parks. I cannot imagine someone thinking "DVC sounds like a good fit for my family but I'm not buying on philosophical grounds because those 200 points aren't enough to get me the extra FastPasses."

Honestly I'll be more surprised if this concept is NOT revived someday. DVC cannot be getting much mileage from its current referral program. There are too many owners excluded and the rewards are not sufficient to motivate owners to really campaign for new buyers.

Offer some real, tangible perks from which "VIP" members could benefit for years to come. Assuming participating is based upon direct purchases only and I think that would alter some purchase / add-on philosophies as well.

 

[DeeCee735]

DeeCee735 - Excellent point about length of time of ownership. That should be considered in the mix because of your commitment to the program early on. As for the hotel and airline comment - remember, you still have to spend money to purchase the ticket and pay for the room. And with the Hilton brand, the more expensive the room and property, the more points you get for your stay. A Hampton Inn gets you less points that a Hilton Garden Inn or Hilton Hotel. So money has to be spent to get the points or perks. Same at Disney.

Supersnoop - perks are already provided. Just not at a level expected by higher point (500 or more) owners. Heck, valet parking used to be included and that was eliminated - why? Meal plans are tiered to offer those who spend more on a specific meal plan will get more food options and perks (golf, boating, etc.).

Hi. Valet is no longer free because Disney contracted it out. It used to be run by Disney, no longer. At least that's my understanding of it.

As far as more money spent for hotels and airlines, yes with some like Hilton the higher the rates the more points you get, however, it's still based on frequency. If a person stays 50 nights a year in a $100 a night hotel, it's $5000, but if someone stays 20 nights a year in a $250 a night hotel for the same $5000, you may not achieve the same level. I believe this is more like a Marriott program. Could be wrong, but I am a Marriott rewards member and sometimes while on the road we may stay at a courtyard, while others could be in a resort and spa, I do believe it's the amount of times per year that push our level. If I look at my account online it will tell me how many more nights (not points and not $$ amount) I need to reach the next level. Points is another thing.

But again, I do understand your point of view, I just don't think it's ever going to happen with DVC. I do believe what DVC does do is target higher income level's by offering "special member events" (like the new dining events) at $165+ per person. There's no meal my DH will ever consider for that amount of money....me, well I'm a little different, but that's another matter altogether.

So I think we will see things offered for a fee for all different budgets and vacation types, as we are already seeing.

Again....enjoy your membership!
Whether it's 160 points, 400 points or 2000, DVC Rocks!

 

[tjkraz]

Heck, valet parking used to be included and that was eliminated - why?

Disney offered free valet parking when valet was handled in-house by their own staff.

In the mid-'00s WDW outsourced the valet parking business. The vendor who took over valet parking services honored the free service for members for about 3 years. Then it was discontinued at the valet company's insistence. Disney had nothing (directly) to do with the free service ending.

(Incidentally, word is that the perk might have stuck around if so many members didn't think "free" meant they were exempt from tipping the valet attendants.)

After the free offering ended, DVC had discussions with them about a reduced-price service and considered subsidizing it with annual dues. But ultimately they decided it was better to let the owners who actually used valet pay for it rather than forcing everyone to share the bill.

 

[drusba]

A tier system is something for which you can never say never. Under Jim Lewis there was not only the late 2008 survey, but in late 2010, he indicated one would be coming sometime in 2011. But it was never defined except for mention thereafter that it may apply to members who brought in new purchasers. It never showed up in 2011 and then in Aug 2011 Lewis and a couple other DVC officers were canned because of an Aulani fiasco -- estimated dues upon which initial sales were based and represented were determined to be way too low and Disney actually had to redo the submission and stop sales for a while. Claire Bilby then became head of DVC and a tier system has not been mentioned since. The only "tiering" that actually occurred in Lewis' watch was the denial of much of the Disney Collections, a perk, to resale purchasers. If they were going to do it based on point totals it would likely also be applicable to perks for which DVD has the discretion to provide or not provide. I perceive the biggest barrier to having a tier system is not so much any of the arguments made above but actually involves more Disney/DVD's historical inability (cheapness) to offer valuable perks to anyone. It took about 10 years of member begging for Disney to finally offer AP's at a discount (and you can easily bet that the margin on APs is so high that a large profit is still being made with the discount price). As some quipped when the tier system was being discussed when Lewis was still around, the likely perks that would be offered would be something like free fastpasses for Swiss Family Treehouse and that only if they thought the cost of priniting such FPs was not too high.

 

[chetcroc]

Everyone - The posts today have been very informative and proves my point that this is needed and recognized as a possible avenue for providing greater service and perks to owners. It sounds like this issue needs to be placed on Claire Bilby's radar. If it was considered in the past, why not reconsider it now? I know I have been accused of being naïve as a relatively new member (which I am - 2010). But, my points have allowed extensive travel with DVC and I quickly recognized issues related to how DVC members are treated. I have requested certain room views only to arrive and find my view not to be what I requested. Once I complained - guess what - the room view I wanted magically appeared. I have learned from resort management that DVC does a horrible job of communicating with the resort about DVC member requests.

Now Disney Cruise Line does a much better job recognizing a DVC member and I have very little to complain about concerning their service.

Bottom line - All DVC members need more of the 3-P's and this should be communicated to DVC management.

 

[drusba]

^Claire Bilby is now also gone (effective February 2013) and was transferred to Paris. She seemed to be someone who was actually trying to get more real benefits for members. It was during her short reign that we got the 10% discount on any merchandise purchased at WDW stores as a DVC member and the $399 PAP. Many suspected she was transferred for being too nice to members. Ken Potrock is now at the helm and by my count he has yet to do anything special for members except demonstrate the ability to eloguently characterize worthless perks as having value.

 

[tjkraz]

Everyone - The posts today have been very informative and proves my point that this is needed and recognized as a possible avenue for providing greater service and perks to owners.

Not sure I agree that anything has been "proven."

Sure, everyone likes extra perks, discounts, whatever. But we aren't the ones who are digging into our pockets to make those perks materialize. Disney's entire theme park operation has been doing a pretty good job of gouging customers for the last few years with price increases and service reductions, basically playing a game of Chicken with guests and daring them not to show up. And so far, they are still reporting record attendance.

Meanwhile DVC owners are a captive audience who must spend their points.

There's some benefit to keeping a group like DVC content...but even Disney has limits to its generosity. Recent offerings like the Premium Annual Pass discount, spa specials & marathon savings are at least on par with the best Members have ever received.

Point is, we can talk about ways in which Disney / DVC may benefit from better treatment of members...but we can only do so in the abstract. We aren't paying the bills for those extra perks. Such programs won't materialize until Disney deems them necessary.

Bottom line - All DVC members need more of the 3-P's and this should be communicated to DVC management.

Been happening for years.

What members believe they "need" and what Disney/DVC is willing to give are two different things.

 

[tasha99]

I am a brand new member. Sure, I'm a peon with only 75points, but this is my opinion: Before increasing perks I hope they get the basics up to par. 30 minutes to talk to a rep is ridiculous.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

I am a brand new member. Sure, I'm a peon with only 75points, but this is my opinion: Before increasing perks I hope they get the basics up to par. 30 minutes to talk to a rep is ridiculous.

Yesterday, at 9:03 am, the wait was already 45 minutes

 

[CocosMeme]

Just curious - We own 600 points and do not consider ourselves "high point" owners. We have enough to go 2-3 times a year - we stayed in a studio once and will never again. I am totally spoiled with at least a 1 bedroom. We squeezed in 4 trips last year, and will probably not do it again. 2-3 is perfect for us. I personally do not feel that we deserve any perks over those who have smaller points to use. Just sayin...

 

[tasha99]

I am a brand new member. Sure, I'm a peon with only 75points, but this is my opinion: Before increasing perks I hope they get the basics up to par. 30 minutes to talkg to a rep is ridiculous.

 

[papertraveller]

Ken Potrock is now at the helm and by my count he has yet to do anything special for members except demonstrate the ability to eloguently characterize worthless perks as having value.

Totally agree. Feels like nothing but platitudes.

 

[jimim]

I see it happening someday, Disney does not treat people as equals. They have different resort levels with different amenities at the different levels. Magic Bands are free to resort guests and soon AP holders while off-site guests will be paying $15.00 each for their Magic Bands. Club Level guests get extra perks and so do Disney credit card holders, the list goes on. Bill

the perks cardholders and club level guests get are no where near what the op has in mind I think.

I would never buy more points for priority for ADR's like someone mentioned. I have never had a problem getting exactly what I want and at the time I want and forcthe number if people I need. You have to throw front of the line treatment for me to start bellying up for crazy amounts of points and even them having dvc I really don't need that type of treatment cause we travel. 3 or more times a year now. Maybe would be nice when I take friends with is or my patents. Bit other than that unlimited fast passes and such doesn't do it for me.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[lah3hh]

First I am thrilled this topic is back for discussion!

I am probably part of the minority of DVC owners who LOVE the thought of a tiered point system/loyalty program. In today's world of loyalty and keeping people in your corporate alliance I feel it is the way to go. I don't feel it should be done in a way to penalize folks who are not at certain levels but to provide incentive to stay loyal to DVC and ultimately Disney plus I bet they would see an increased add ons for folks close to the next level. If they made the additional perks very enticing for the different tiers, people will buy. Build it and they will come!!!

I just attended a sales session with Hilton Grand Vacations and heard their pitch. They referenced their 'exclusive' level and what they do for them. If other well known timeshare offers appreciate and show their appreciation to those who have the largest spend with them...why can't DVC/DVD/Disney do this!!! It almost made me slightly regret my money spend with Disney instead of Hilton or some other reputable well known timeshare company.

I think it is time Disney puts some type of tiered loyalty program based on points which ultimately equals money spend!

 

[SuperRob]

There already is a tiered system (direct vs. resale, large accommodations requiring more points) and that's as far as I'd ever want to see them go. I quite enjoy the fact that my 60 points bought direct doesn't get me treated any differently based on the number of points I have, other than not getting to book larger rooms. But we only bought 60 points because we don't NEED more either, having no kids and no plans to.