Lack of perks...

[Kate3456]

DVC was originally sold as a second home and thus the phrase "welcome home". Additionally I am happy that you enjoy the annual pass discount but perks have definitely diminished. Those of us that bought into DVC originally enjoyed the included park tickets, pool hopping, parking, member lounges, etc.... DVC is becoming more like a "Disney" timeshare ala Bonnet Creek and less like a second home.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My goodness, don't you know you can go to over 500 different places as a perk of your DVC membership?

 

[tjkraz]

The reality is that Disney Vacation Club is a separate business entity from Disney Parks & Resorts. DVC has to negotiate with P&R for most member perks, and they don't value DVC member business above and beyond other park guests.

As others have pointed out, most of the perks we get are token gestures. "Free" Internet is actually funded by member dues. It's my understanding that DVD pays some stipend to Parks & Resorts to fund the Annual Pass discount. The AP discount is a nice sales perk and it helps feed add-on point sales so there is a clear benefit to DVD for facilitating that discount.

Beyond that, there simply doesn't exist any high level executive who has both the authority and inclination to champion the cause of DVC members. The only thing DVC execs can do is try to convince the theme park overlords that THEY have something to gain by offering a discount to members. Most times that manifests itself in the form of 10% dining discounts (at struggling locations) plus modest reductions on boat rentals, tours, etc.

 

[LarryM]

As was stated above Disney already has our money so they don't have to entice us with discounts. For these perks DVC has to negotiate with the other parts of the company and do you really think they are going to play hardball with itself?

 

[Sammie]

DVC was originally sold as a second home and thus the phrase "welcome home". Additionally I am happy that you enjoy the annual pass discount but perks have definitely diminished. Those of us that bought into DVC originally enjoyed the included park tickets, pool hopping, parking, member lounges, etc.... DVC is becoming more like a "Disney" timeshare ala Bonnet Creek and less like a second home.

I would say it is more like a second home, not many homes come with anything other than ownership of the home. I think many want to be treated like a Disney resort guest and that is not going to happen.

 

[Chuck S]

I know we get free internet as DVC members. I guess the Hilton and Marriott resorts I stay at outside of Disney are not "high end" hotels, as they offer it for free as well. Would offering high speed internet really lure customers?

Location, location, location. Again, charging for High Speed internet is not at all uncommon. Remember that internat services are included in the price for the room nights of the guests at those resorts, and included in dues for their respective timeshare owners. InterContinental Hotels do charge for internet services, as do many others. Disney can do whatever they wish for the cash guests. DVCers have those costs as part of the dues (and I would hope we are able tp pay less than $10 per room per day in our dues). They likely have negotiated a reasonable rate with the provider.

 

[tjkraz]

I know we get free internet as DVC members. I guess the Hilton and Marriott resorts I stay at outside of Disney are not "high end" hotels, as they offer it for free as well. Would offering high speed internet really lure customers?

Couple days ago I booked a stay at a Marriott in suburban Atlanta. Hotel charges $12.95 per day for Internet service.

 

[chalee94]

I would say it is more like a second home, not many homes come with anything other than ownership of the home. I think many want to be treated like a Disney resort guest and that is not going to happen.

i agree with this.

[curmudgeon]but i wish they'd stop telling the resort guests "welcome home." [/curmudgeon]

 

[Brian Noble]

I know we get free internet as DVC members. I guess the Hilton and Marriott resorts I stay at outside of Disney are not "high end" hotels, as they offer it for free as well.

In general, the higher the room rate, the less likely internet access is included, and the more expensive it gets.

I'm staying at the Westin St. Francis later this week, just off Union Square in SF. Internet there is $15/day. They also charge $12/day for the fitness center.

 

[gonzalj1]

I can't help but wonder why there aren't that many discounts or perks as all DVC members have basically INVESTED about 55 years into their parks and adventures. ...anyone feel the same or know why?

Pretty simple really....

Discounts are provided to entice people to come and spend money on site. DVC members are pretty well locked in to regular visits... No business reason to give us discounts.

There area couple cool perks... but the only one of real value to my family are the AP discounts. And when you think about it that discount is only meant to keep us onsite as much as possible when we're there. After all, most people would think, "I bought these APs I might as well use them as much as possible." It works with us. We only leave DW property to buy groceries.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...[curmudgeon]but i wish they'd stop telling the resort guests "welcome home." [/curmudgeon]

 

[breakin2]

I know many people say that the lack of perks isn't a big deal and that Disney has no reason to offer them because you've already "bought in." However, as a potential DVC member, it's a turn-off for me. I'm probably not buying into DVC because I have more freedom now to book when I can get free dining or one of their giant percentage discount deals. That fact that there aren't many perks has sort of convinced me to stay away from DVC.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm probably not buying into DVC because I have more freedom now to book when I can get free dining or one of their giant percentage discount deals.

That is your prerogative. However, free dining is almost never a better deal than owning DVC at resale prices. 40-45% off *can* be, but generally only during quirky times (mostly late July and early August) when the CRO cash calendar is relatively low, but the DVC point calendar is relatively high.

The fundamental premise of DVC has always been the same: you commit to long-term vacationing with Disney by paying for a big chunk of your lodging up front, and in exchange Disney gives you a reasonable discount on that lodging.

 

[tjkraz]

I know many people say that the lack of perks isn't a big deal and that Disney has no reason to offer them because you've already "bought in." However, as a potential DVC member, it's a turn-off for me. I'm probably not buying into DVC because I have more freedom now to book when I can get free dining or one of their giant percentage discount deals. That fact that there aren't many perks has sort of convinced me to stay away from DVC.

And I'm sure there are others who share that mindset. Problem is, for each of you who refuse to buy due to lack of perks, there are dozens more who buy anyway. If Disney did increase the volume of member perks, ALL would ultimately share the benefits.

For example, let's assume you would be swayed by a 20% across-the-board dining discount at WDW. Such a perk would successfully earn your business and undoubtedly that of a few other new buyers. But in the meantime, tens-of-thousands of existing members members would also share in that benefit. There are something like 3500-5000 DVC villas on property now with a max occupancy of 4+. We're talking 15,000 - 20,000 Walt Disney World guests every single day who would suddenly be paying 20% less for their meals.

What Disney has to consider is whether the gains (additional DVC point sales) truly outweigh the losses (dining revenue.) If the math doesn't work in Disney's favor, it's not worth it to offer extra discounts in that manner.

All of that said, if you're doing a true apples-to-apples comparison of cash stays with promos vs. DVC, there is virtually no chance you are making out better with those promos. Buying DVC and paying cash for things like dining plans or TIW will cost far less than Deluxe resort stays plus "free dining" or any other promo.

 

[JWG]

Do people have the same discount expectations of Marriott and other timeshare sellers that theyndo DVC? Discounts and perks are nice, but not part of a timeshare opportunity.

Most things can be done via discount just by getting the Disney Visa.

 

[Dziactor]

I would love more perks, happy with the AP discount.

 

[photobob]

Perks come and go, the DVC AP is very nice. I can't imagine that for many considering buying in that lack of perks would be a deal breaker. I bought in because it made financial sense for us in the long run, not because I might get a 10% discount on a hot dog!

 

[DVCPAT]

I know many people say that the lack of perks isn't a big deal and that Disney has no reason to offer them because you've already "bought in." However, as a potential DVC member, it's a turn-off for me. I'm probably not buying into DVC because I have more freedom now to book when I can get free dining or one of their giant percentage discount deals. That fact that there aren't many perks has sort of convinced me to stay away from DVC.

Disney should call it a timeshare or DVT. The word “club” does suggest benefits, discounts and other perks for membership. Although I have no regrets for buying into DVC back in 1999 for $57.00 a point, I wouldn’t buy into Disney in 2011.

I was surprised to get an annual pass discount at the Beach Club less than one week from my check in date last week. I think free dining and room discounts will be very easy to come by in the future. Also, Disney tends to give better service to rentals and non DVC resorts are better maintained.

 

[Dean]

I know many people say that the lack of perks isn't a big deal and that Disney has no reason to offer them because you've already "bought in." However, as a potential DVC member, it's a turn-off for me. I'm probably not buying into DVC because I have more freedom now to book when I can get free dining or one of their giant percentage discount deals. That fact that there aren't many perks has sort of convinced me to stay away from DVC.

IF those issues are enough to drive yo away, you are likely not a good candidate for DVC anyway.

They can call it what they want but it's still just a nice timeshare. Any reasonable person who does any sort of investigation will know that.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

I would just like to have a better selection of cable news TV channels to watch for the time you spend in the room.