Invite to Member Homecoming

[tinker925]

I realize this is a bit off the track of this topic but the Member Cruise has been mentioned many times and I'm wondering if it is something that is done every year? Around what time did it take place the last time? It sounds fabulous . . . Thanks.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by WDWLVR
If you call this a rip-off isn't that putting down those who are going to it?

Since the comment concerns an event, not a person, I don't understand how it can be inturpreted in such a personal manner.

Following that logic, anyone who posts about trouble finding a pool chair, a bad meal at Olivia's or otherwise gives a less than enthusiastic trip report would be deliberately tying to ruin other DVCers vacations.


It's OK to occasionally take off the Mickey goggles and look critically at all aspects of the DVC program.

 

[MarkRG]

Originally posted by tinker925
I realize this is a bit off the track of this topic but the Member Cruise has been mentioned many times and I'm wondering if it is something that is done every year? Around what time did it take place the last time? It sounds fabulous . . . Thanks.

It was a one time deal, and it was wonderful! I could describe it for hours on end in a post, but I'd be better just giving you the link:

Click here to read about the S.S. Member Cruise!

Oh, I do hope they do another at some point, we'd drop all other plans to go.

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora
Following that logic, anyone who posts about trouble finding a pool chair, a bad meal at Olivia's or otherwise gives a less than enthusiastic trip report would be deliberately tying to ruin other DVCers vacations.

In order for someone to post about bad meals, etc they would have actually had to have gone to WDW to discover these things, not just sit at home and make claims based on no actual experience with which to base it on. I don't think it's fair to characterize something you have no first hand knowledge of.

 

[sgtpet]

sgtpet - If anyone is doing a personal attack it is you. If you call this a rip-off isn't that putting down those who are going to it? Doesn't matter to me at all. I didn't care about your opinion on the Member Cruise and I don't care about it on this issue. The reason I suggested you sell your points is that just about every time I see a post from you it seems that you are unhappy with DVC. If I was unhappy I would sell - plain and simple.

What? This is getting to the point of where I would have to make personal attacks. C'mon, how is criticizning an event a personal attack on you? I would love to talk to you about this off these boards if you really think so. It is obvious that you do care. You would not have suggested for me to sell my points.

Let me reiterate again I am unhappy with the events and the disney collection trades. I love my DVC resorts that I have stayed at, and will stay at for the next 38 years.

Why can't I criticize without it getting personal? I just want the program to be the best and just it could be.

I am glad the member cruise was wonderful. I hope all that attend the Member Homecoming have a wonderful time.

I just cannot justify the value of these. If you can have fun.

J Fedora, thanks for always being a voice of reason.

 

[Boo]

I have no problem justifying the cost of the event, and we do plan to have fun!!

Is it expensive- yes, no argument there. Especially since we had to pay for a four year old and a 20 month old who won't even be attending the Epcot night event- we have fairy godmothers reserved for that, an extra $60 expense.

When we got our invite back in December, I excitedly told DH I wanted to rebook our early May vacation for the Homecoming. He asked if it was a better "deal" than purchasing our passes, paying for a couple dinners, etc. I laughed and said 'Of course not- but when has going to DisneyWorld ever been an exercise in saving tons of cash? But listen to what they have planned...'

We don't go to WDW more than every other year. We do a lot of trades and concierge. I personally don't have a problem with the value of these either. We've been to places there is no way we would have gone to if not owning DVC.

The way we look at it, what we save in accomodations by having DVC lets us enjoy other activities we wouldn't do if just paying hotel rack rates. We look at our vacations as time to go and experience different things. Sometimes we get off cheap- sitting on the beach and just enjoying the surf, reading a book. Other times it's more expensive. But like everyone else we see these vacations- inspite of some of the costs- as time to reconnect and enjoy things as a family.

So what is a rip off to some, is to us a chance to see WDW in a different way than previous trips, a chance for some extra special magic in this vacation. A chance for DH (who works unbelievably hard all year so that I can stay home with the kids) go to an event and be treated with a little extra special pixie dust.

I know not everyone could afford this, and I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea- but for those of you who are going, I look forward to having fun with you

 

[gmboy95]

As a disclaimer let me say that I LOVE EVERYONE HERE!!!!!!.....Now let me say that I think the member homecoming is a SHAMEFUL RIP-OFF...If I could afford it I am sure it would be fun....but to me this is a simple cost benifit analysis, and I simply believe that we are getting far less bang for our buck....and for all the prople who dont understand why people like me get upset about events like this, I would say the following;

As DVC members we have decided to make a commitment to Disney that allows them to have most of the benifit (money), up front. I am no business Major, but i do know that this translates into big bucks for them down the road. I beleive that disney does not do nearly enough to return the faith that we have all shown them by investing significant amounts of money into something that we all knew had no real investment value, and where happy to do so......I pay $3000 a year to the Patriots for 4 season tickets, and each year we are given some sort of appreciation day or a special place to sit during training camp. We are often given first dibs on events at the stadium such as a concert or an off season event. This is not much, but it has a tangible value....I feel that at disney i pay for everything through the nose.....I think this event may have been nice if it i felt it where priced at a break even point for disney, but once again i am afraid that is not the case...money will be made from DVC members again, and for this I feel it is shameful, and i think Disney missed an opportunity

 

[MarkRG]

Gee, tell me again where any of THAT was on the following post quoted exactly from page 2 of this thread.

Originally posted by sgtpet
It's a ripoff folks. Big money for nothing particulary special. DVC is not impressive when it comes to these things.

You yourself have said you won't go to the events. WE have, and yes, It is priced a bit unfairly for large families. But you didn't say that. You simply just slammed the whole idea of it.

We are saying the facts DO stand for themselves, DVC has delivered on the last member event, and I expect this one won't be a letdown either. And that is not just blind Disney following, it is backed up by evidence.

CLICK HERE FOR THE S.S. MEMBERS CRUISE SCRAPBOOK

And, to repeat myself:
We get a deal simply by getting a room superior to even the deluxe resorts for a price that is lower than they will ever have. And that price will never go up for us for the length of time we own these points. THAT is our 'deal'.

I have real issues with people who go out of their way to slam DVC when they do something nice, simply because they have some issue with what they do that is probably unrelated. Yes, it costs money, Disney owes up NOTHING. It is a buisness, first and foremost, not a charity organization.

You don't like these special events? So? Nobody is twisting your arm to go. They're not mandatory, and it costs you nothing for them to hold it. I personally would never expect these kinds of events for some incredibly low price.

 

[gmboy95]

I think, respectfully of course, that you are missing the point. As i stated in the post before yours. i am sure that these events are fun.....The problem is simply the cost...I find it hard to understand why disney continues to host events like these where profit seems to be the motive...it would be nice to have disney occasionaly host one of these events on a break even proposition

The best example of the argument that is being advanced would be as follows......I really love Fleetwood Mac, and wanted to go see the show last year in Massachusetts. the tickets where priced at $100 a piece face value. I am sure i would ahve had a wonderful time at the show....But the price made it a shameful rip-off.

I think you are personalizing this far too much. I am sure you will have a blast, but I would hope that you know that there are many DVC families who are simply priced out of having the same good time, and to me that is ridiculous

 

[gmboy95]

oh and by the way.....as i finished my last post I just cant help myself but to say your quote that this is not a "charity" is straight up insulting....I own 300 points, and go to work every day like everyone else to support my family. i dont need any "charity"....We are all entitled to our opinions. Not all of us have drank the Disney Kool-Aid here.....I dont think you accomplish much when you decide to lecture people.... It is an opinion!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MarkRG]

gmboy95, I'm sorry, I was not replying to anything you said, just what was quoted in my post. I own 400 points and do work very long hours to earn the money to go on vacations too. I have not drank any 'Disney kool-aid' and honestly you're not the one I am bothered about. You actually gave a well thought out answer, and I respect it. The people who just blindly slam something just to do so are the ones who do bother me.

And Disney IS a buisness and are not in the buisness of operating at a loss. And how would any one of us even know how much it costs to:

a) Operate MK for a number of hours past closing, including running a parade, offering dinner and providing other enhancements to the evening.

b) Operate Future World part of Epcot past closing, run a dj hosted party, and a special dessert buffet.

The one thing I can say I'm sure of that isn't exactly cheap.

Again, I do say it is priced unfair to families. I do not disagree on that. but commests of the kind of 'It's a ripoff' with nothing else said will get my dander up, as that is being talked down to, with exactly zero experience/information to back it up.

 

[gmboy95]

Simply stated it is "all about the money".....my only point is that that we all did not win some special Disney DVC lottery. Disney continues to build these resorts because they make a bunch of money on them....You cant look at this as making money or losing money......sometimes giving you clients something at a cut rate price or even (perish the thought) free...you avtually end up making money for the organization....why are drinks free in a casino....why do time shares give away free nights or cut rate nights to prospective clients...It is obvious that disney is having a tough time selling this idea, hence the second invite.....if it where priced better maybe i go, and so goes all the money i would spend in the parks, at the resort, on souveniers, on golf....do you see what i am talking about......also dont you think an event like this that DVC may price at a lower level would be a great time for them to build goodwill and to sell some of those SSR points.

Again i say it is much more complicated then just supporting DVC...my whole position is that Disney should have as much enthusiasm for you as you do for it, and in doing so I would say, would make them money in the long term....I cant spend my money at disney if i am not AT disney

 

[MarkRG]

That, I do not disagree with at all, gmboy95.

 

[garylpn]

we will be at bcv 5/23-5/26, we did not plan this around mh, now we face the hard decision to do this or not, i truly appreciate both pro and con rational thoughts, and btw we are double income, no kids, (hate that dink acronym), so the family cost argument against is quite right, it is not family priced,
as ap holders who go to wdw 2x a year and always renew, i feel ap break is not very good deal, BUT i have to consider, we first lost all rational thought when it comes to the world in 89 when we honeymooned at the poly last week of october
is there a possibility of a memorable event? some large sprinkling of the proverbial pixie dust?, or just perhaps a chance to interact face to face with fellow dvc
so here i sit, still not certain, perhaps i'll just leave it up to dw, i've found she has a pretty good nose for these things, she's picked out some pretty good wdw things in the past, including becoming dvc
gary
a son of a son of a sailor

 

[sgtpet]

gmboy95, thanks for understanding. markrg, i assume you are upset at my comments, well i hope you have a great time and find the value in this event. i happen to not see that benefit and find it a rip off.

i get their the saturday after the homecoming. i will be more than happy to discuss one on one that differences of opinion should be welcomed not slammed.

i will be at bcv. see ya then.

 

[MarkRG]

Nope, sorry, won't be there. One saturday(the one before MH) is more than enough for us points wise, will be halfway home by then.

And I am not upset with you any longer. I have said my piece and given my information, you have said yours, and all the others can decide for themselves what is worth it or not.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by MarkRG
That, I do not disagree with at all, gmboy95.

Ditto

 

[cgcw]

Originally posted by WDWLVR
I do think the Homecoming is more an adult activity and I know others are leaving their kids at home or putting them in the clubs for the evening.

Our guide checked into this for us by calling the Marketing Department to check whether or not it was strickly tailored towards adults. The response?? If the kids can handle the late night of the evening, they will DEFINATELY have a good time. Our guide did not elaborate as to what that will entail but I trust her good judgement.

We will be attending along with our DS4 & DS9. Go ahead, call us crazy for spending the money. However, I'm certain we will have a BLAST!

 

[Desperado]

Ah, this explains the other post.

 

[WDWLVR]

Originally posted by cgcw
Our guide checked into this for us by calling the Marketing Department to check whether or not it was strickly tailored towards adults. The response?? If the kids can handle the late night of the evening, they will DEFINATELY have a good time. Our guide did not elaborate as to what that will entail but I trust her good judgement.

We will be attending along with our DS4 & DS9. Go ahead, call us crazy for spending the money. However, I'm certain we will have a BLAST!

Cindy - you were one of the ones I thought was putting the kids in the clubs. If you think they will have a good time that's great. I see you leave for one trip tomorrow - enjoy!