Just Back from OKW, Disney are you listening?

[Snowgod]

Disney should give us the FL residents pass rate. Will this increase ticket sales? Absolutely. Why? Because we will bring more people with us that will need passes. Is there proof or evidence of this? Yes! Why do you think Seaworld and Universal are offering these deals.
I have experience in the ski industry that started lowering rates for APs and actually increased overall ticket sales so much that they had to raise AP prices slightly to reduce overcrowding.
Disney feels that they have a superior product but that does not mean that we are a captive audience. As more of us keep pointing out, offsite attractions becomes more attractive as you bring larger groups and need to buy tickets for them.

 

[alsipd]

I never dreamed this would stir up the hornets nest it did. I was really just venting! I couldn't believe that Universal was giving a two year pass for the price of one, and that Disney isn't even blinking.
As for entitlements, Disney "owes" me nothing for my DVC purchase; and I am extremely happy with my DVC. They should however, work hard to maintain my loyalty to the Disney brand!
Most major enterprises (NASCAR is a prime example) understand that "brand loyalty" is what will sell an item in most cases, until your competition lures the customer away with major discounts and a "similar" product.
I enjoy both Universal and Disney. I typically will spend most of my time somewhere in DisneyWorld when I am in Orlando, but this Universal deal was too good to pass up. So, for the next two years I will be milking the remaining 5 days of a 7 day PHP and spending the majority of my time (and money) at Universal. Like it or not, Disney will be missing out on the majority of "MY" vacation dollars for the next two years. If many more people start to do the same, things will change for the parks and the stock.
I would like to thank everyone for their posts and their opinions. I think that is what makes this board so much fun to read .
Sorry I didn't respond before this morning, I am having BSOD issues with my computer at home.
Thank you all again............ Dennis

 

[debbiedoo]

I spoke with a disney exec about overing the dvc members at least 10% off and she had recommened that we all call MS with our suggestion. If you would like to call her directly, leave you name and number and she will get back to you. 1-407-828-4062 She had avised me that the more that call the better chance at getting this done. My call is in, and who is going to join me????

 

[goofy4wdw59]

I think I will call and express my interest in a admission/AP discount for DVC members. It's been a couple of years since I did so--I sent an e-mail.
I don't think we are suppose to encourage a petition or anything on this board, but, if you have an opinion, or a concern, it's best to let MS know.
It's in this way that they/DVC are better able to understand, meet the needs & concerns of its members.

I'm thinking that many of the folks that have no expectations beyond DVC accommodations will be ahead of me in line getting any admission discount that DVC may offer in the future... ...
ain't it the truth?

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by debbiedoo
I spoke with a disney exec about overing the dvc members at least 10% off and she had recommened that we all call MS with our suggestion. If you would like to call her directly, leave you name and number and she will get back to you. 1-407-828-4062 She had avised me that the more that call the better chance at getting this done. My call is in, and who is going to join me????

Is there an email address?

 

[goofy4wdw59]

Here is the e-mail address I used over 2 years ago...

members@disneyvacationclub.com

If anyone knows of an updated address, please advise.
Also, you may want to note your membership number on any e-mails.

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by goofy4wdw59
I'm thinking that many of the folks that have no expectations beyond DVC accommodations will be ahead of me in line getting any admission discount that DVC may offer in the future... ...
ain't it the truth?

You miss the point ( intentionally I think ) - If they offer it I'll be in line but if they don't I still have exactly what I bought when I signed on the dotted line.

 

[dpglow]

WE AS DVC MEMBERS HAVE COMMITTED TO DISNEY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND FOR THAT THEY SHOULD OFFER US A BETTER DISCOUNT THAN THE ONE THEY GIVE US ON UPH TICKETS.

While I agree with the above sentence, Disney may see it as , "hehe, they just booked a room for 40 years, we can charge em whatever we want."

 

[jarestel]

Originally posted by dpglow
WE AS DVC MEMBERS HAVE COMMITTED TO DISNEY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND FOR THAT THEY SHOULD OFFER US A BETTER DISCOUNT THAN THE ONE THEY GIVE US ON UPH TICKETS.

While I agree with the above sentence, Disney may see it as , "hehe, they just booked a room for 40 years, we can charge em whatever we want."

So where in any of the papers you signed when purchasing DVC does it guarantee us a discount on park admissions. Just curious, 'cause some of us seem to think it should be in there, but I just can't find it.

 

[Doug7856]

Originally posted by jarestel
So where in any of the papers you signed when purchasing DVC does it guarantee us a discount on park admissions. Just curious, 'cause some of us seem to think it should be in there, but I just can't find it.

Do we WANT a better discount? YES! Are we guaranteed a better discount just because we are members? NO! I think virtually all of us feel this way. Expressing our opinion to Disney is not a bad thing, especially if it is done in a positive way.

 

[CarolA]

The competion lost. I just don't like Universal that well so I will continue to pay Disney.

I did not buy expecting Disney to subsidize my tickets or anything else. I knew the going rates when I bought.

 

[Bill K]

You can have "the cat in the hat! I'll take the mouse!

 

[goofy4wdw59]

You miss the point ( intentionally I think ) - If they offer it I'll be in line but if they don't I still have exactly what I bought when I signed on the dotted line.

I think that you may have intentionally missed the point . You will get exactly what you bought...when you signed...IF you DON'T express an opinion or suggestions for change. If you have no expectations or need for change, so be it.
There is always room for improvement, in anything. It's better to make your opinion known, in a positive way, to DVC. Aren't there any areas of DVC that you feel need improvement? If not, that's OK. If you have made any suggestions, I may not think that your suggestion is as important as mine, but I encourage you to do it.
I'm sure DVC is open to receiving members imput.
I personally don't feel "entitled"--I'm hoping that DVC will take note (INMO, what many members feel) that an admission discount would be very much appreciated--A positive move for DVC overall. You yourself say you'll be right in line for it...maybe part of the silent majority?

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by alsipd
Like it or not, Disney will be missing out on the majority of "MY" vacation dollars for the next two years.

Ummm....sorry, but if you sank a minimum of around $12,000 into DVC recently, then Disney already HAS the majority of your vacation dollars.

 

[crisi]

I personally don't feel "entitled"--I'm hoping that DVC will take note (INMO, what many members feel) that an admission discount would be very much appreciated--A positive move for DVC overall. You yourself say you'll be right in line for it...maybe part of the silent majority?

The question is, however, does it make business sense for Disney overall? While I, as a DVC member, would love additional discounts, it may not make financial sense to Disney.

I believe it was Vernon who pointed out Disney divisions do not necessarily act in concert. DVC has to negotiate a pass discount with a different division.

I'm not convinced a discount would add to Disney's bottom line - although it might. Discounts need to be made up in additional spending. As Disney's park restaurants tend to be pretty full - there isn't a lot of lost opportunity cost in not having us in those restaurants. So its snacks and souveniers where we need to make up the difference - and DVC members are pretty savvy. Possible, yes. Likely -- I've yet to be convinced. Plus there is a cost involved in having you in the park - energy costs, labor costs, longer lines reducing customer satisfaction for someone who paid $50 for their day.....

 

[goofy4wdw59]

crisi, I don't disagree with what you're saying. The mystery is, does giving DVC members an admission discount add to Disney's bottom line? It may or it may not? and we don't know for sure.
It can't hurt to let DVC MS know what we are thinking.
I began reading the DVC board in 2001 and remember reading several threads about conversations with CMs and DVC guides that went something like, DVC was a big money-maker for Disney, great profits, etc. A person would have to be working "in-the-know"-- in a Disney financial dept to know for sure just what the bottom-line/profit numbers are.
Because no one really knows for sure? (anyone work in one of the Disney financial dept(s)?) let's assume, for example, that DVC was and continues to be somewhat of a money-maker for Disney. IMHO, I would think that DVC/Disney could work out some kind of discount deal for the DVC member. Obviously, they don't HAVE to, but, it sure would be nice "Walty" thing to do. The last thing I would want is an admission discount that was somehow being charged back to us through our fees, etc.
Maybe they don't feel the need to move on it if members are content with the way things are. All I'm saying is...if you are interested in a DVC member discount, let them know...it can't hurt.

 

[5infam]

I'm not quit sure that I completely understand some on this thread that seem to be more than happy to pay full price for something. Yes, we all bought accomidations only. Yes, we all knew what the ticket price was when we bought. Yes, Disney does not have to give us anything. And yes, we are not entitled to get a discount just because we own DVC. But someone please tell me why you want to pay full price? Maybe it is just my frugal nature, but if I can get a lower price for something, I'll take it. So the next time you want to pay full price on tickets, send me the money, and I will go to a broker and buy your tickets. You will be happy because you got the privelage of paying full price, and I will be happy to make a few bucks on the deal

Seriously though, there is nothing wrong with getting a discount and there is nothing wrong with asking (not demanding) for one. If you don't ask, you don't get. So I will be sending in my e-mail in a friendly manner. It can't hurt.

 

[crisi]

Well, I'm not interested in getting a bargain if it means getting a lower quality product or if it means impacting my stock price.

Getting a deal is great, but it comes from somewhere. Eisner's pockets? Not likely. Bathrooms cleaned less often? Well, that seems to be where the cost cutting has hit. Stock prices? Yep, we've seen it there too.

Now, as I've said, its possible discounts would result in higher levels of spending and be a net gain for Disney, but maybe not.

 

[mgkkgdm]

Everyone agrees that a discount would be nice, But we certainly
cannot demand it just because we own DVC memberships.

 

[5infam]

Well, I'm not interested in getting a bargain if it means getting a lower quality product or if it means impacting my stock price.

crisi,

I understand your point, but Disney has a lot of discounts. FL Residents, package discounts, codes, and sales to ticket brokers that allow them to make a profit and undercut Disney prices. The bottom line is, if discounts didn't help Disney in the long run, then they wouldn't do them at all. Even we DVC members get a discount, however, I consider it a very poor discount because you can easily buy a cheaper option without the discount. My message to DVC is thanks for the discount on UPH, but how about a discount on a pass more members might use, like on PHP's or AP's.