Just Back from OKW, Disney are you listening?

[pax_65]

I don't understand why Florida residents are treated differently from DVC members. The same AP discounts should apply to both.

When I signed my DVC contract, it was made clear to me that I was purchasing real estate. As a DVC member, I own property in the state of Florida. That I own a Disney timeshare should be MORE reason for Disney to take good care of me, not less.

As the prices have increased over the past few years, Disney is getting LESS cash out of my pocket. We are cutting down on trips and staying entirely on points to use them up (in the past we paid cash in Disney hotels for a few days so we'd have enough DVC points for another trip). To save money we're eating in Disney less often. We're looking at options outside of going to the parks - Universal, etc... staying at Hilton Head or Vero... or even trading our points to go somewhere non-Disney.

It all seems foolish to me... if Disney made me a good deal on the AP I'd happily go back to my old ways and spend my time (and $$$) on Disney property.

Jon

 

[OneMoreTry]

DVC members don't deserve discounts. NEITHER DO Florida residents.

Disney provides discounts because of supply and demand. FL residents represent LOTS of people who live CLOSE and who've probably been to WDW numerous times. So prices need to drop a little to entice them back.

To me, this is similar to DVC members. When the average DVC member has been back off and on for 10 to 15 years, off site recreation will look better and better. I think Disney is smart enough to monitor our on site purchases and consider discounts if it might benefit them.

If DVC members stick with Disney parks exclusively WITHOUT discounts, Disney won't give us discounts. Why should they? It won't be because we deserve them or whine. It'll be because we're taking our money elsewhere.

(PS. I'm not saying we should boycott. I'm not saying we SHOULD take our money elsewhere. Just giving my view of why Disney might discount.)

 

[Chuck S]

Couldn't the same be said of Marriott or Fairfield owners? After all, they actually "own" their resorts forever, DVC resorts end in 2042 or 2054.

And legally, DVC owners don't own LAND in Florida, they own a portion of a real estate interest in a land LEASE (hence the end dates), and taxes are simply passed through as part of our dues...standard practice for most commercial leases.

If we were "residents" we would also be able to vote in LBV municipal elections, (Yes, they have them, a very select group of people are actually "residents"), Orange County elections and Florida State elections.

They are Florida RESIDENT passes, not FLORIDA REAL ESTATE OWNERS passes.

That is not to say that Disney couldn't create a discount specifially for DVC, but legally we are NOT Florida residents.

 

[pax_65]

Originally posted by Chuck S
That is not to say that Disney couldn't create a discount specifially for DVC, but legally we are NOT Florida residents.

I understand that, but I think the conditions that face both Florida residents and DVC members are similar - both have been to Disneyworld countless times and are unlikely to pay top dollar to do so again.

Then again, OneMoreTry may be correct - maybe if it was so similar they would offer DVCers a discount. Maybe DVCers are so Disney crazy they will pay any price to get into the Magic Kingdom again.

But not me. I'm looking at other options and spending less $$$ in Disney these days. It costs nothing to stay on points and lay by the pool!

Jon

 

[Tagrel]

As a DVC owner, Disney owes me nothing more than the great DVC units it provides. But that works both ways. I owe DVC my yearly dues, and that does NOT include my being chained to Disney owned parks, restaurants and stores.

So there will be trips to offsite parks, restaurants and stores. As we visit Orlando more and more, we will be trying new things, and going new places. Our park time will decrease as the kids grow up, want different experiences, and that is a good thing.

As per supply and demand, Disney will do what it feels is the best business decision for maximizing profit. I will decide what is the most logical use of my families vacation budget. Currently, that means weekends off site enjoying other parks, stores and restaurants. We happen to love Universal, Citywalk and are really looking forward to trying Seaworld this year. And we'll be using up some old Park hoppers for the time we do spend on property. If there had been a discount on APs, I would almost certainly have renewed after last year, but by planning some great offiste days, I only needed to get the 4 day hoppers. Saved a ton!

So complaining about it will never accomplish a thing. Only when it hits Disney's bottom line will any changes occur.

 

[DSNY FN]

We spend 2 weeks a year at WDW and we do not rush we go to the beach a few times and to Sea World etc. We only eat out about 2 times a week if that and eat in our room for breakfast and pack lunches it has been like this since before we owned DVC so it isn't like they are getting any less of our money. I do not care if we get a discount mind you we usually get a buy 1 get 1 half price Canadian deal every year on the 7 day hoppers but they expire so we just buy normal 7 day hoppers and every other year AP's.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Chuck S
Why would you expect Disney to sell annual passes cheaper than a 4 Day Park Hopper? If you go to the park 8 or more days per year, an AP is the way to go. And while you and your family may be perfectly happy going to Universal, and eating off-site...that is not why most of us take our vacation time and go to Florida to stay at DVC. Would I like to see a DVC discount on APs at least equal to the old Disney Club discount? Absolutely... but for us, just because Universal is cheaper, it is like comparing apples to oranges. Your local Six Flags surely offers season passes in the $40 to $70 range, that is a lot cheaper than Disney, and a LOT closer...I've been to SF Fiesta Texas twice in my life. I never plan to buy a season pass there.

Besides, why do we DVC members "DESERVE" a super deal on park passes, we already have a super deal on on-site accomodations...of course, I guess I could spend three or 4 times the amount I spend on annual dues to spend the same amount of time in a delux room instead of a 1 bedroom.

Of course we "DESERVE", it. After all, signing a contract and getting exactly what we paid for is NOT enough. We are the entitlement mentality here.


As to Universals great deal, it could be free and I would not set foot in that park. Been there twice, two times for free, and never again. It is dirty, no crowd control just plain UGH.
Sea World, well, they could double the price of annuals and I would happily go. Wonderful place.

 

[leanne2255]

Originally posted by 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?

This is definitely true for us. Before DVC, if we were there 3 days, everyday at the parks. Not so much anymore. We're taking days off from the parks and spending it relaxing at the resort. Plus with the price of passes, I need to make the 5 day Park Hopper last for at least 2 trips.

 

[jweiss]

What REALLY frustrates me, is that Disneyland and Disney World are not interchangeable. We go on the cruise, we are DVC members, we have Disneyland AP passes, and have to pay full price ofr WDW passes... There is something very wrong with that picture. I mean, really, how many people are going to go to both....

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I think those of you taking pot shots at Universal or at the entitlement mentality have missed the point of the original poster.

They enjoyed Universal. It didn't cost them much. They will now be more inclined to explore non-Disney options (and believe me there are a lot of them). Every time they take a day to spend money at a company that is not disney its money that isn't going to support my stock.

Perhaps Disney should consider tossing DVC members a bone they can actually chew on. The Magic Kingdom Club discount for AP's or even something less...5%. I suspect more extensive dining discounts would make more sense. I have to agree with Arminnie that AP's are detrimental to people staying in the parks longer so I'm not sure discounts on those would be beneficial to Disney. Discounts on the PHPs on the other hand might be useful.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't know how APs are detrimental to Disney...

if there is a very rainy day during our visit, we stay in our room...if the weather clears later, we often go into EPCOT for a full service meal, spending upwards of $75. If we had PHPs, I would NOT burn a day for dinner, and would simply either get a light snack at the snack bar, or go off-site, eat, and do a little shopping at Publix.

 

[Dan Murfman]

I really don't feel I'm entitled to any discount because I know what I bought. But in the same token 2 of the last 3 times I've been down I haven't stepped foot in a park. Before joining DVC I never played golf down there. It always seemed to expensive to play so I didn't. Through DVC we're offered a good discount and now you can't get me off the courses. I figure in the next 37 years I'll go down enough that I don't have to hit the parks everytime. But if they want to give us a better discount on an AP I'm sure I would jump on it. But in the meantime I'll be on the golf course and the wife will be at the spa or at the pool in the day. And at night will hit a restaurant at one of the resorts or DD. And every other year when we bring guests with us will buy some Park Hopper.

 

[5infam]

From jweiss

What REALLY frustrates me, is that Disneyland and Disney World are not interchangeable. We go on the cruise, we are DVC members, we have Disneyland AP passes, and have to pay full price ofr WDW passes... There is something very wrong with that picture. I mean, really, how many people are going to go to both....

I'm with you all the way jweiss!!! We are in the same boat. I bought 5 day PHP for 5 of us, then came home and had to renew my Disneyland passes for the 5 of us - this really stinks!!!!!

I still haven't heard anyone address why Disney can't sell to us for the price they sell to brokers, or at least what we pay the brokers for tickets...anyone care to take a shot?

 

[mgkkgdm]

Many of you are missing the boat here...

Would a AP discount be very much appreciated, SURE
Do we deserve it, NO WAY

Our discount is on our accomodations, figure out what your yearly
cost of DVC is (annual dues/monthly payment) then figure out what the cash value of your next trip home would be, not to mention that we own our real estate stake until 2042.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see the value in the DVC.

We bought our membership knowing that it was something that our whole family could enjoy for years to come. Our kids can use our points for spring break 2016, our 25th wedding anniversary in
2021, not to mention the first trip with the grandkids in 2026.

Half of the fun is just being there, one of my sons favorite things is when the guard says Welcome Home, go figure.

 

[JWimberley]

What I have always thought is that as DVC members we should be getting the Florida resident rate. I mean for crying out loud, they sold us property, we have a deed, we pay taxes to the county and emergency service district, how can you say that an apartment dweller in Coco Beach is more deserving of a 25% discount than we are?

Joshua

 

[vernon]

Until Disney becomes convinced they will increase revenue by offering a better discount, it ain't going to happen.

Even then it needs someone with a bit of vision as far as "the big picture" is concerned. The areas that stand to profit are restaurants and retail, the area that would bear any loss (although IMHO it would actually increase sales) would be ticket sales. The competition between divisions within Disney make it unlikely, IMHO, that the director in charge of ticket sales is going to give a "free leg up" the Disney corporate ladder to his immediate competitors in retail and restaurant divisions.

I'm 100% convinced that if Disney put DVC membership on the same deal as Fl residents it would increase earnings for WDW overall, and I'm about 70% certain that it would increase earnings from ticket sales as well, unfortunately greed and fear or missing out on a promotion by boosting another divisions figures mean it's going to be a struggle to get the company to take that leap of faith.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

FWIW I didn't say AP's were detrimental to Disney. Obviously the offer the advantage of encouraging multiple trips in one year. I said they were detrimental to people staying in the parks. It's too easy to spend 3 hours in the parks and go do something else. Three hours usually doesn't get much in the way of purchasing done in that location unless you specifically went into the park for the purpose of dining.

The last time I had the AP I figured out that my total time in the park wasn't any different than if I'd bought a six or seven day hopper...so in the future I'll buy the hopper and just manage my time better.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Personally, I don't see it as a competition thing between Disney and Universal for us. I have no wish to go to Universal, though I would like to visit Seaworld again. It's just not our kind of place. What it is for us is how many days are Disney park days and how many days do we just hang around the resort or drive out and visit other areas of central Florida. As Disney passes increase in price, we will spend less days in the parks and more days doing other things (but not going to Universal). It really would be nice if Disney were to give a better pass discount to DVC owners. They need to realize that since we do go often, it is not as big a deal for us to go to the parks every visit.

 

[OneMoreTry]

What ski resorts learned about annual passes may be applicable. About 5 years ago a ski resort in Idaho went out on a limb and sold SUPER CHEAP seasonal passes. Their income rose tremendously and lift lines didn't increase.

Why? Because those buying the seasonal lift tickets either didn't really go more often or spent less hours per day spread over more days.

So now most resorts sell seasonal passes at large discounts.


If we had annual WDW passes, we would probably spend about the same amount of time in the parks -- more days but less per day. We would enjoy that MUCH more.

If we did spend extra time it would be shopping and eating and just walking around enjoying the atmosphere -- Eg. World Showcase! Epcot festivals. Etc.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by WolfpackFan
Personally, I don't see it as a competition thing between Disney and Universal for us. I have no wish to go to Universal, though I would like to visit Seaworld again. It's just not our kind of place. What it is for us is how many days are Disney park days and how many days do we just hang around the resort or drive out and visit other areas of central Florida. As Disney passes increase in price, we will spend less days in the parks and more days doing other things (but not going to Universal). It really would be nice if Disney were to give a better pass discount to DVC owners. They need to realize that since we do go often, it is not as big a deal for us to go to the parks every visit.

And that is the real crux of the situation. I am sure Disney knows the touring habits of all of us. Every time we charge a meal to the room, or use a credit card, or enter a park, they know. If the park attendance was seriously dropping from DVC members, I am quite sure they would be looking at a discount. My guess is that most folks are going to the parks at least part of each trip. And don't forget all those folks who are renting! It makes it look like DVC memebers ARE frequenting the parks.