Kinda upset . I thought DVC Members get all the perks?

[offtheice]

Pleeeeease don't take offense to this-but you didn't get screwed. Of course, you're disappointed, that's understandable, however, Disney announced their plans for the 5/05 celebration back in 5/04. They announced the Magical Express, I belive in late 12/04.
And if they are closing MK at 7:00, no big deal, you as a DVC member have many trips ahead of you. Didn't we all buy this for lovely Disney accomodations, and a lifetime of memories? I know I did. I didn't buy it for ''perks'' I was never promised to begin with. And the perks that we do get-like the AP discount make me pretty happy.

Thanks Athenna. Atleast your post was in an adult way and not attacking me. Some of you I wonder if you act this way away from the pc..

 

[Cruelladeville]

No one jumped on you--well, almost no one jumped on you--in a mean way, they took offense to your whining about non existent bad luck. You, my friend, have had incredibly good luck! A few years ago grad night was open to anyone, and it was awful. Kids literally hung out of the trees in front of the castle, pushed in front of you in the lines, screamed in the rides, and were horribly rude. In short, grad night was a night from HELL for anyone unfortuneate enough to be there. The parks were then closed, to minimize complaints from all the other guests. You get tons of perks as a DVC member, including $100 off each AP. I had to renew mine on Dec. 23, thus I did not get that perk. Maybe I should be complaining that you get the same perk I get, while you spent a paltry $14,000 and I spent nearly $50,000 for the same perk. It's all a matter of perspective.

 

[DebbieB]

I got hit with bad timing too. The AP discount was announced at the end of November but was not effective until 1/2/05. I had a trip planned for 12/4/04 and needed to buy new AP's so no discount. That's the breaks....

 

[tjkraz]

I had one main problem when I orginally post this. Simple, I made my travel plans too early. Next time I wont.

With all due respect, that wasn't exactly the position you took in your original post. There's nothing wrong with kicking yourself for your unfortunate timing. Cruelladeville provided an excellent example regarding the AP discount that many of us just missed by visiting late in '04 (it went into effect on 1/2/05.)

But making comments like "I though the big reason to be a member was you got perks like this ??" really is a misguided position. As many people said, there are no guarantees regarding the perks. I think few people were trying to directly insult you...rather they were trying to point out that your anger was simply a bit misdirected. Sounds like you've come to terms with that. All is well.

 

[Sammie]

I think when you post on a public forum you have to expect to get replies to your post. Some will support your opinion, others will disagree. You are entitled to be disappointed. I personally don't see anything you mentioned that would have disappointed me, but to each is own.

As to DVC and the perks, none of your listed complaints have anything to do with what you paid for. Your gripes are based on the timing of your trip, which was your choice.

I guess if you had posted "my timing of my trip stinks and I did not do my homework before timing it", others would be supportive. But to be upset with DVC is not realistic.

Hope you are able to take lemons and make lemonade and enjoy your trip.

 

[Disney Doll]

oti, first I see you are a fairly new poster, so welcome!

Unfortunately, whe you post here, you are going to get opinions, many of which may not agree with yours. The group of folks on this website are fairly well-versed in the DVC and its perks.

You certainly have the right to feel like you've been screwed somehow, but don't be upset if others don't agree with you. Most of feel like we have made a great decision in buying the DVC. The early closing of the MK while you are there...well, kind of stinks I guess, but it will enable you to enjoy something else. I probably wouldn't want to be there with a bunch of 18 year olds anyhow.

Basically your $14K got you the ability to enjoy vacations in higher end accomodations for a specified period of time. There are other perks...take a look at the member website which outlines them...some of which may work for you and some of which may not. You don't do the AP...well some of us do, so that is a perk for us. You don't do spa visits..well some of us do, so that is a perk for us. You get my idea .

My only other suggestion is to really look at the details of what you purchased and make sure that for the kind of money you spent, you are going to get what you perceive as value. For some folks, the DVC doesn't work, and believe me, if you fall into that category, there are many people who will be happy to take your $14K worht of points off your hands!!!!

And BTW, I don't say anything on an Internet BB that I wouldn't say IRL. I am not one to hide behind anything, but especially not a computer.

 

[LisaR]

The only funny thing about this post that I started was talking about the bad luck I got in planning my first trip home as a DVC member.. I see the post went in other directions with people taking my post out of context. I will not have a bad trip. I only mentioned about MK closing early because it figures the first weekened I get there is only only time to see MK due to not spending any time the rest of the trip in disneys parks.

Ps I am not bashing your post .

But that isn't what your original post was about. You didn't talk about your "bad luck in planning" your first trip home. You talked about how you got "screwed" and how things "sucked." The way your first post was written made it sound as if it was DVC's fault that you were missing some things. Yep, that ticked some of us off because it is very obvious that it isn't DVC's fault but your own planning mistakes. Instead of recognizing that your first post sounded a little off and maybe you should re-word it, you go on the defensive. You say we are all bashing you when all you wanted to talk about was your "bad planning." Sorry, but I see two very different posts from your original and this one that I quoted.

Lisa

 

[offtheice]

No one jumped on you--well, almost no one jumped on you--in a mean way, they took offense to your whining about non existent bad luck. You, my friend, have had incredibly good luck! A few years ago grad night was open to anyone, and it was awful. Kids literally hung out of the trees in front of the castle, pushed in front of you in the lines, screamed in the rides, and were horribly rude. In short, grad night was a night from HELL for anyone unfortuneate enough to be there. The parks were then closed, to minimize complaints from all the other guests. You get tons of perks as a DVC member, including $100 off each AP. I had to renew mine on Dec. 23, thus I did not get that perk. Maybe I should be complaining that you get the same perk I get, while you spent a paltry $14,000 and I spent nearly $50,000 for the same perk. It's all a matter of perspective.

First of Cruel , there is some that jumped on me. The problem with posting something is people really dont know what your true feelings.I was trying to get a feel about finally making your first trip home and missing out on somethings. unlike many people on here that have the money , I can only make trips every yr in half to two yrs.. I had problems at disney before when i was a paying customer and never did one thing about it because I knew I was lucky to be back at a great place again. Geez my trip two yrs ago, I fell and fractured my ankle at which disney bent backwards to take care of me. It worked because I never sued them..

 

[offtheice]

But that isn't what your original post was about. You didn't talk about your "bad luck in planning" your first trip home. You talked about how you got "screwed" and how things "sucked." The way your first post was written made it sound as if it was DVC's fault that you were missing some things. Yep, that ticked some of us off because it is very obvious that it isn't DVC's fault but your own planning mistakes. Instead of recognizing that your first post sounded a little off and maybe you should re-word it, you go on the defensive. You say we are all bashing you when all you wanted to talk about was your "bad planning." Sorry, but I see two very different posts from your original and this one that I quoted.

Lisa

My orginal post below:
To start off we finally are making our first trip home after being a DVC member for almost a yr now. So let me start by stating I feel like I really got screwed.
To start we make the ressie and buy the airline tickets back in Nov because I had the money then and plus it was dirt cheap for 75bucks rd trip
Then I find out they are starting the big 50 yr party may 8th so I was like ,well that sucks, but i can deal with it.See we are down there from april 21 to may 2. Then I find out that they are offering free travel from the airport to disney .. That made me upset. I miss out on that and cant afford to go back home until the end of 2006.
Now I find out that the two weekeneds we are there ,they are closing MK at 7 because it is highschool weekened, at which they are opening the parks back up for highschoolers. So I am ok maybe they will allow DVC Members the chance to purchase those tickets.. NOPE. Unless your there with a Highschool student , we cant.
I though the big reason to be a member was you got perks like this ??
________________________________________________________________
I stated i felt screwed because disney never mentioned that the free travel discount until after i made my orginal plans and bought tickets. If you and others feel you have to attack me because of something I admitted ,then have fun. Its always easy to sit behind a damn pc and rip someone. Again it was fact in the point that my first trip home finally after being a member for a yr and everyone kinda went the other way.

 

[offtheice]

oti, first I see you are a fairly new poster, so welcome!

Unfortunately, whe you post here, you are going to get opinions, many of which may not agree with yours. The group of folks on this website are fairly well-versed in the DVC and its perks.

You certainly have the right to feel like you've been screwed somehow, but don't be upset if others don't agree with you. Most of feel like we have made a great decision in buying the DVC. The early closing of the MK while you are there...well, kind of stinks I guess, but it will enable you to enjoy something else. I probably wouldn't want to be there with a bunch of 18 year olds anyhow.

Basically your $14K got you the ability to enjoy vacations in higher end accomodations for a specified period of time. There are other perks...take a look at the member website which outlines them...some of which may work for you and some of which may not. You don't do the AP...well some of us do, so that is a perk for us. You don't do spa visits..well some of us do, so that is a perk for us. You get my idea .

My only other suggestion is to really look at the details of what you purchased and make sure that for the kind of money you spent, you are going to get what you perceive as value. For some folks, the DVC doesn't work, and believe me, if you fall into that category, there are many people who will be happy to take your $14K worht of points off your hands!!!!

And BTW, I don't say anything on an Internet BB that I wouldn't say IRL. I am not one to hide behind anything, but especially not a computer.

I do alot of reading. Next you want my points. I can sell them . I will double the cost since there is such a demand.200 pts at bwl.. Sounds good ? Next I have no problems with opinions. I deal with opinions every day of my work life. IT was the context that Some here posted on a simple post. While some here seem well rounded about DVC And so on , there are others who just seem to complain or whine as you refer. I make a post bascially talking about how my first trip home and somethings didnt go my way.. Geez, I thought thats what this board was for?? I am a 35 yr old male, trust me I am happy .. I just had my third child and finally got Daddys little girl. Was I upset having two boys before? Nope. Just like I will be happy to finally get my 2 yr vaca in april..

Ps I could care less about 18 yr old kids , i just wanted to see mickey longer..

 

[Beca]

Geez my trip two yrs ago, I fell and fractured my ankle at which disney bent backwards to take care of me. It worked because I never sued them..

Wow, in 2002 it was all over the national news that the Norwalk Virus was invading Disney cruise ships. They were actually advising that people cancel their cruises because of the danger of the virus (the Norwalk was an especially "potent" virus).

I thought it was a "water on the cruise ships making people sick" kind of thing. So, we packed up my 1yr old dd, and we we went to WDW. I didn't realize the virus had been transported to the parks by guests who did the "land and sea" package. Well, 3 days into our 6 day vacation. My dd had to be rushed into a hospital emergency room, and then driven by ambulance across town to a pediatric hospital because the Celebration hospital didn't have a "pediatric internist" on staff...and, the hospital was really worried about my dd. They released us from the hospital in just enough time for us to fly home with the promise that my dd would go straight to her pediatrician to see if she needed to be "re-admitted" to the hospital in Phx.

I was a "little" upset that we could not get a refund for our MVMCP tickets, as those were our Christmas gifts from friends. But, never once did I think of "suing" Disney, or expect special treatment from them.

I really don't mean to "attack" you...but, it sounds like you look an awful lot at the "negatives". I'm just so glad that my dd recovered, and that we had wonderful medical care when we were down there. All in all...we are VERY blessed!!!



Beca

 

[offtheice]

was a "little" upset that we could not get a refund for our MVMCP tickets, as those were our Christmas gifts from friends. But, never once did I think of "suing" Disney, or expect special treatment from them.

I really don't mean to "attack" you...but, it sounds like you look an awful lot at the "negatives". I'm just so glad that my dd recovered, and that we had wonderful medical care when we were down there. All in all...we are VERY blessed!!!

Beca . that was my whole point. At no time did I. Do you think many think like us? Your kidding if you do.

 

[twinscandc]

Okay.....I'm not a member of DVC, but I'm renting points on our upcoming trip to check things out, etc.....

I've been reading this thread and it makes me think of my "real" job - I do a lot of conflict resolution.....

Offtheice.....

I think why people got upset with your thread was because you seemed to be blaming DVC for your problems.....that's it....

The title of your thread was: "Kinda upset...I thought DVC Members get all the perks"

What does that tell the other people around here....You seemed to be blaming DVC for things out of their control.....

Enjoy your upcoming trip and congratulations on your recent addition to your family!!

 

[kathyseb]

I think once you are in DVC for a while, you will find that you can afford to make more trips. Or at least that is what happened to us.

My husband and I are far from rich, but since we go to WDW three times a year, we actually spend less money. One trip we spent less than $500 and did not feel like we cut corners. Of course, if you add children to that mix, the prices goes up.
We drive down, takes us two days. So in addition to the money we spend once we get down there is the hotel room on the way down and then way back, which we charge.
We normally eat out at Unos one night and have enough leftovers to take back to the room and eat a second night. Same with Chevys,
We stay away from the overpriced restuarants, like Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood. If we are going to spend a lot of money on a dinner, we want to go somewhere we can not go to back home.
By making so many trips in a small amount of time, you find you do not buy as many things. I mean, my husband and I love Disney, but does the rest of our family? No, they do not, so we have tried to steer away from buying them things that they will not use or display.

Since joining DVC, we eat breakfast in our room.

So as time goes by, you may find you can afford more trips.

When WDW celebrated their 25th Anniversary, we fell into the same boat as you. We were there about a month before the celebration started. I was bummed out. At that point in our life we were going to the World about once a year or maybe twice a year. So when we found out we missed the 25th party, we bought an annual pass and went back for the party right before it ended. With the annual pass, you already have your ticket into the park and with DVC, the room is already paid for. So all you need is money to get down there and spend while you are there.
Enjoy your time down there. Where will you be staying? This will be our first stay at the Boardwalk.

 

[goofy4dvc]

Hi, offtheice. I have an idea of how you're feeling. I have been more than disappointed at the bad timing of my vacations to WDW. It seemed that every time I booked a ressie and airfare, DVC announced something wonderful for members that was just prior to our arrival or just after our departure. In fact, we've been members since 2000, but have never been to a member event, because of the "hit and miss" timing. However, we finally made it on the September Member Only Cruise. We are so excited. I would never cruise in September, so I'm a little apprehensive, but hoping it will work out great.

We missed seeing the 75 Mickey InspEARation statues. They were supposed to be there when we were there last May, but they left early to tour the US.

We missed the May member event because we already had ressies for earlier that month.

And just recently I found out that we will be missing the member event in the clubhouse at Cracker Jack Stadium during a couple of spring training games. We already had room and airline booked for a week in between the two games. Our whole trip is to go to spring training games, so this really disappointed me.

There were other times also , but you get the picture. Disney has a habit of announcing events and not giving a whole lot of advance notice. They announced the member cruise way earlier than usual and that's probably the only reason I was able to work it into our schedule. You'll find that they announce special events fairly often. Sometimes you will be able to attend and many times you won't. But, that happens to ALL of us, more times than not. It bothered me more the first few years as a DVCer, but I've accepted that I will miss some events and functions, but there will also be some that will work into our schedule. We plan to be DVC members for a very long time so we have years to enjoy some of those of member events and park functions.

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time if you don't let your disappointments overrule your enjoyment. Good luck.

 

[MDonley]

Well OTI, I sympathize with your issues. If you search my posts, yoou'll see that I've had some myself. I do hope that, when you return, you take time to tell us about your experiences ... what you did instead of having to brave the crowds of kids, etc. It seems that other than the Flower and Garden Festival, you seem to have found a loop hole. You've found one of the few times that Disney isn't holding something to clean out your piggybank. I'm very sure that by the next time you make it down there (2006), that they'll have another celebration in the works. They can't be planning a 35th anniversary of the opening of MK can they? After all, EPCOT does stand for "Every Pocketbook Cleaned Out Thouroughly!"

As for only having magic hours for High School kids ... I'd want to be sound asleep when they finally do return to the resort so I wouldn't have to listen to the noise in the halls. Besides, we always liked to stay away from MK on weekends ... my big feet and strollers don't get along in the park.

If you look for the good things in being a DVC member , the disappointment will disappear ... 'cause we can always say, "We'll do better next year!"

 

[Dean]

Well dean unlike many on this board , I could care less about what room I got . I bought DVC for one main reason. Its a good deal and when I cant use the points , I've had no problems renting out my points. I had one main problem when I orginally post this. Simple, I made my travel plans too early. Next time I wont. Just like The next time I wont even post another starter thread on this board. Pack of wolves I see. God I cant wait to meet all of you some day . REally makes me and the wife feel good to see all the love out there of other DVC Members.. lol

You may want to reread your OP. And you may want to reconsider, there is a wealth on info on this board. But it is not a good place to whine about not understanding the product or post things like they should tell you it was gay weekend or the like. DVC usually doesn't know this info and certainly aren't likely to offer it even if they did know. I'd doubt they knew at the time about the transportation or many of the other issues you raise.

In several of your other posts, you mention how much you spent, how rich everyone else is, and essentially how you can barely afford DVC. I hope things go well for you but it sounds like you are in a precarious situation.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I am a 35 yr old male

Wow, I'd have never known it from your language.

 

[offtheice]

When WDW celebrated their 25th Anniversary, we fell into the same boat as you. We were there about a month before the celebration started. I was bummed out. At that point in our life we were going to the World about once a year or maybe twice a year. So when we found out we missed the 25th party, we bought an annual pass and went back for the party right before it ended. With the annual pass, you already have your ticket into the park and with DVC, the room is already paid for. So all you need is money to get down there and spend while you are there.
Enjoy your time down there. Where will you be staying? This will be our first stay at the Boardwalk.


Hey kathy .. Yea I was kinda bummed about it but like you said as time goes on I will get to see other things.. Oh well . We are staying at the boardwalk for the first time along with old key west. We orginally had the trip planned to stay in the boardwalk all 14 days,but split it up when my family wanted to come. So we where able to more for the pts by splitting it up..

 

[offtheice]

Wow, I'd have never known it from your language.

lol tough guy?? again the tough guy syndrom behind the pc..