Just Back from OKW, Disney are you listening?

[DSNY FN]

We all bought DVC for the accomodations and the eas of use I did not buy it for a discount on passes or dining we have never actually used our membership for dining discounts. A discount would be nice but I am not looking for one anytime soon. We buy 7 day hoppers and every other year an AP.

 

[arminnie]

I love my AP, but it actually doesn't keep me in the parks - quite the opposite.

Because I have an AP I don't feel bad about stopping in at a park for a few hours and then going off site to do other things (like shop). I probably eat at resort restaurants, in the room, and offsite more than I eat in the parks.

I went to Universal once about 6 years ago. Maybe I'll go again sometime, but I never have time to do all that I want no matter how often I go.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

I continue to wish (and, basically "dream") that we will one day get a decent discount for an AP...I've shot for the stars...
I personally think that 20% discount for DVC members would be just about right.
Disney could limit/restrict this as they need to...
PLEASE throw us a treat here...PLEASE!

 

[DebbieB]

I would be happy if they extended the 10% off on UMP's to annual passes and park hoppers. Anything is better than what we get off now on AP's - NOTHING!

 

[PKS44]

What would make more sense for Disney is to follow the DVC model--as it has been so successful...why are our Disney accomodations cheaper thru DVC? Because we PREPAY for many many years before we use the place...they get the money up front---they should offer DVC members a similar offer on admission passes--maybe charge NOW for annual passes for 7 of the next 10years...but price it at some discount compared to buying 7 annual passes....they can figure out how much so they still make a boatload and keep their loyal customers happy and onsite...they get lots of money up front and DVC members who choose get a "discounted" pass....they sort of tried this but it was not well thought out--it was something like $750 for a pass that could be used for 4 days once a year 4 times in the next 5 years....no no no --it will need to be a more annual pass sort of thing....but it could be done...

 

[Mickey527]

I have a WDW AP and a Universal AP. I love coasters and some of the rides at Universal, but I love the Disney feeling much more.
I know that if Universal began their own DVC type of resorts I wouldn't buy into that because although the park is fun, I have much more confidence in Disney.
I do wish they would give DVC members better discounts on our AP's. I would even appreciate the same rate as FL residents., because although not full time residents, we do own a portion of property. Peggie

 

[5infam]

I agree with those that say that they did not buy DVC for "the discounts" but I think that most people feel that we layed down a significant amount of money upfront for accomidations, and this would be a nice reward in return. Discounts shouldn't be limited to the overpriced UPH anyway, and should be opened up to all passes. Since I have to book so far in advance to make sure I get a room, I have plenty of time to search around and find cheaper park tickets anyway, so why buy from Disney. However, if they were more in line with what I can get elsewhere, than I would buy from them. I think that as members, we should get some additional perks as part of our membership. I know they don't have to do it and we would probably pay their fees anyway, but the more I save on tickets, the more I have to spend on souveniers, food, etc.

 

[donmil723]

I agree that it would be nice to have a discount on APs and PHs but we bought DVC because we really like the accomodations and amenities at the BCV. This past March my DD and I bought a 2 day US/IOA pass with no expiration and spent one night at the Royal Pacific Resort. We only used one day on the pass (might use the other day in 10 years or so) and was not impressed with RPR either. I'm sorry, but Disney is going to get my money even though it is more expensive. We spend most of our time at the resort pool though with only 1 or 2 park days each trip but that is our choice and doesn't have anything to do with the cost of park admission.

Donna

P.S. A good deal doesn't always mean less expensive. Sometimes its about the quality received for the amount paid. I happen to think Disney provides quality entertainment, service and accomodations for my dollar!

 

[Laurabearz]

We, too, would like to see WDW come up with better deals on passes for DVC'rs... but we bought into DVC for the accomadations.... the parks (WDW's 4 and US/IOA and Sea World and Space Center and so on and so on) are an added, but not nessasary, vacation recreation.

I have a WDW AP and ALL of us took advantage of US buy one year get one year for $169. pp THe rest of the family has 7 day PHPlus passes that will carry us thru the next two years....

If ticket prices ever become prohibitive... so be it. Lots of other stuff to do in Central Florida!

We feel like we get even more value from being a DVC own when we dont go to the parks.... HA HA free room (well pre paid) and nothing else from us this trip.

 

[profdsny]

As a DVC member for 8 years, and a frequent visitor to WDW, I have to defend Universal. We went for the first time last December, and stayed 'on site' there. We were not prepared to like it. But we were crazy about it. First off, while dw and I are not thrill ride people, our 3 kids are. They had a fabulous time. And, by staying at Portofino resort, we had the 'head of the line' rights. Head of the line is for those who stay at a Universal resort, and makes fast-pass look like standby. You are directed right to the front, even past fast-pass as I recall. In December, after Christmas, we would spend less than 15 minutes from the time we walked up to the line to the time we exited. For us with the young child (11) we would watch as she got on, and wait not very long for her to get off the ride/attraction.
I don't know what their year is like, but Christmas season sure was busy. And yes, they had parades.
They also had a lot of restaurants, places to eat, watch, see, etc. And very clean. And discounts at the restaurants.
Believe me, going in expecting the worst (only went because the kids wanted to do the coasters) we had no complaints at all.
And the Portofino hotel was great, everything a Disney hotel is.
As far as passes? We had the AAA pass that gave you 5 nights for the price of 2. Couldn't beat that. Oh, the hotel was, I think, $189 a night. Can't get a deluxe resort at WDW during that week for that price.
Maybe there are a lot of differences between WDW and UN. but we will be spending more of our $$$s there on future trips and less at WDW.

 

[eileenfk]

Originally posted by karebear1

Originally posted by Bexx

"At the risk of sounding totally naive, could someone please explain to me why a park hopper ticket at DL, is so much cheaper than at WDW? I realise that there are more parks and water parks etc at WDW, but a person can only be in one place at any given time!?! "

This has to do with getting people to spend more time in Disney Land then they otherwise would.
I think they once offered 5 days for the price of 3.

If I am on a 5 day vacation to the area, after 3 days at DL I might decide to go to SeaWorld, Universal or Legoland, or maybe the beach. However, if I can spend additional days at DL, with no additional ticket cost, I am more likely to stay there. If I spend that time in DL, I am more likely to be spending additional money there on such things as food and stuff.

One day at DL is about the same as one day in WDW. A 2 day ticket is close to the same price as WDW. However, the three day ticket is cheaper, and the 5 day ticket is only 5 dollars more then the 3 day ticket.
It takes 2-3 days to see most of DL. Therefore, to keep people there longer, they charge very little for anything beyond 3 days.

One can easily spend 6 days in WDW and feel rushed if they are trying to see everything.

Eileen

 

[nydizfan]

Your preaching to the wrong choir here.....

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm just curious. How many of you feel that the more often you go to WDW, the less time you spend in the parks? We've been 4 times now. And since we've bought DVC, it seems that the pressure is off, so to speak, to get to the parks every day! In fact, there may be days we just don't go to them. Maybe a day trip elsewhere. I see us seeing more of the sights in Florida as compared to when we stayed in a 'regular' resort at WDW and had PH passes. Any thoughts?

 

[jarestel]

Well, Disney isn't really the "Sam's Club" of theme parks and demanding admission discounts because of our investment in DVC just seems a little over the top. It seems a bit weird to say "I'm going to Disney, but I'm not doing Disney while I'm there". Isn't that why we purchased in the first place? I know, the resorts are great, blah, blah, blah, but if they weren't at WDW, how many of us would have bought them? I'm not defending Disney's ticket policies, and I would certainly be more than happy to use a ticket discount that worked for me, but it seems to me if you're going to stop going to the parks because the prices are too high, maybe not enough thought went into the initial decision to buy DVC.

That's my .02 ( with discount, comes to .015 )

 

[rbuzzotta]

To answer goofy4tink, the more we go to WDW the less we visit the parks................

For our 2 week stay in July/August we only plan to do the water parks and IOA and SeaWorld (possibly).

We bought for the accomodations, not the parks. WE are not commandos. We used to eat out every night but after last summer are choosing to eat in and off site alot this summer.

 

[5infam]

quote from jarestel:

It seems a bit weird to say "I'm going to Disney, but I'm not doing Disney while I'm there". Isn't that why we purchased in the first place?

I hear exactly what you are saying here. On my last visit we had 2 off days (out of 9) with no parks, and to be perfectly honest, the parks were calling us on those 2 days. If for nothing else, we would have loved to go into Epcot for a meal or 2 on those days (we stay at BWV). Which is why I don't think it is over the top to give DVC members some sort of better discount on park admission, as it will only keep us in the parks longer. As I mentioned earlier, Disney is selling admission tickets to ticket brokers who in turn sell to the public for less than what Disney charges us. Why couldn't we get the same deal the brokers get, or at least get it for the price the brokers sell to us? Disney doesn't seem to be complaining about brokers because they sell to them. Now I know that brokers buy in bulk, but I also think they could reserve just as many tickets for DVC members (since we have so many members now, and more to come with SSR). To regulate this, they could tie this into how many people were in your room, and that is all the tickets you could buy. I would even be willing to pay for it at the 11 month window when I make my reservation. I just don't see this as unreasonable as Disney would be rewarding their best customers.

 

[Chuck S]

Do we go to the parks less? No, but now rather than rushing from attraction to attraction we take time to relax and really enjoy it. We've been members since 1992, and have had at least two 9 or 10 day vacations at OKW every year since then. We try to do one new thing every year (Cypress Gardens, KSC, USF, whatever)...but Disney parks are our preference. Also, if e weather is bad, we don't feel like we have to venture out into the pouring rain and trudge through a park. APs work well for us. But I would LOVE to see a 10% on all park media, including APs, and not just the UPH. and 10% on AP renewal. This would certainly be in line with what was offered through Magic Kingdom Club/Disney Club...and seems reasonable considering most DVCers would rarely, if ever, take advantage of AP room discounts at regular resorts.

But most certainly to go around rudely demanding perks from WDW just because we own DVC is counterproductive.

 

[goofy4tink]

Well Chuck, you sound just like us!! That's exactly how I feel. Do I think/demand that I should get a discount on all passes? No, but is sure would be nice. Just a measly little 10% would do. It is nice to just be able to amble around the parks with out feeling like if I don't hurry, I'll be missing something. THat's my favorite thing about DVC.

 

[Donald-n-Daisy]

As a DVC member I wouldn't complain about better discounts for park passes. I think it would be well received by all the members and would actually benefit Disney with more $$ being spent on food, souvenirs, etc. With that said, my wife and I did not buy onto DVC for the "perks" other than the wonderful accommodations, proximity to the parks, and the ability to exchange for other locations.

The initial post in this thread mentioned the 2 year pass at Universal for approximately $180 (incl tax). Now while I admit that's a good deal you must take a few things into account.

Unless you live close enough to make multiple trips in a year, the breakdown goes something like this.

2 years visiting 2 parks at 1 day each . = 4 park visits

(Disclaimer: I have been to both parks and enjoyed all the attractions, but I wouldn't spend more than 1 day at either one)

So, $180 divided by 4 park visits is $45 per day.
Admitted that's a slightly better discount than Disney but not earth shattering by any means. You can buy a 4 day park hopper at your local Disney store for $215 which gives you four parks, and unused days never expire.


That's purely from a monetary standpoint. I won't get into the Disney vs Universal debate b/c the two are very different experiences. Anyway thats my long winded 2 cents worth.

Looking forward to my trip next week!

 

[Mickmse2002]

Do I wish I had a DVC discount on AP's? You bet.
Does it make economic sense for WDW to do this for DVC? Not yet.

As has been previously stated, DVC gets us our pre-paid accomodations, which means a stated commitment on our part to use the resorts we have purchased a lease for. That does not mean we HAVE to patronage other Disney companies in the process, but the overwhelming majority of us do so, be it the parks, restaurants, recreational activities, etc. From a business standpoint there is no compelling reason for DVC to negotiate an AP rate discount with WDW because many, if not most, of us buy them now. It may save US money but would cost WDW in the long run. Until such time as WDW sees a dramatic drop in patronage by DVC members there is no compelling reason for them to discount our attendance.