Lack of perks...

[disneynutz]

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

You aren't suppose to spend time in your room, you are suppose to be out spending money and buying stuff to take home.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

We watched a whole lot of TV when we were there in June. Casey Anthony on every channel, all day long. Got me hooked.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

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.

EXACTLY!! Well spoken...typed!

 

[Sandisw]

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.

Which is why DVC is not for everyone. For our family, DVC made sense in the financial long run--even given the current promotions and without perks.

But, that is not the case for everyone and if you find that your vacation style works best with the flexibility of remaining a cash guest, that is great!

The worst thing someone can do is buy DVC thinking it is going to provide them with X, when in fact it really provides them with Y. The fact that you have researched it and found it doesn't suit your needs means you have done what all prospective buyers should do--weighed pros and cons and came to the right decision for you.

 

[dmoore22]

I think we already get some good perks & discounts. The discount on APs, the free in room internet, the ability to book a dining plan for only a portion of our stay and the 20% dining discount at the Swan & Dolphin restaurants are my favorites. I also like the Merry Mixers, the occasional discounts on Cirque de Soleil shows, the special times for DVC members and pass-holders to try new attractions and the online shopping discount.

Of course, I wouldn't say no to more, LOL.

Free dining seems to be the one discount promotion that new DVC'rs miss the most. I personally think that in the future, the frequency & number of those promotions will significantly decrease. Already, they are blocking more times of the year that used to be offered and I believe (but can't prove) that the number offered in each time period has also decreased. I was happy to see that they are announcing the offers much closer to the arrival dates than in the past. Selfishly, I want a chance to book my "must have" ADRs before the free dining guests book them all up!

I agree. The perks we receive now are much better than what was available when we first bought into DVC. It does seem that when a perk has been discontinued it is replaced with one that is much better than the one it has replaced. For example just think back to the days before there was an AP/PAP discount.

 

[carlbarry]

I agree it would be nice to have more perks. On the other hand, I've booked Aulani for January (only my 3rd DVC stay), and I'm very happy that:
1. My cost per night is less than 1/3 of the rack rate ($425!!!)
2. As a DVC owner I get free parking, a savings of $25 per day

 

[Corinne]

We watched a whole lot of TV when we were there in June. Casey Anthony on every channel, all day long. Got me hooked.

We did too!

 

[dmoore22]

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

Perhaps if Disney would use every channel it owns rather purchasing from its competitors to generate a savings that could be transferred to DVC in the form of perks. I know, I know, That would never happen.

 

[leanne2255]

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

Here, here- I agree! Too many promo channels and not enough other TV to watch. I do enjoy spending some relaxing time in the room and it would be great to have something decent to watch. It's kinda like Vegas- they don't want people in their rooms, they want them in the casino.

 

[leanne2255]

What I really miss is the free valet parking. I refuse to pay the $12.95 per day to park at BWV. I have to think that the valet employees are making a lot less money in tips since I'm not the only one who no longer valet parks. Seemed like such a petty thing to take away but I'm sure there were some financial incentive somewhere to do so.

 

[Dean]

What I really miss is the free valet parking. I refuse to pay the $12.95 per day to park at BWV. I have to think that the valet employees are making a lot less money in tips since I'm not the only one who no longer valet parks. Seemed like such a petty thing to take away but I'm sure there were some financial incentive somewhere to do so.

A large reverse financial incentive. Parking for DVC members was going from free to full price and it would have been paid for by owners at only those resorts with valet parking. The decision to remove it was a no brainer given those realities.

 

[icydog]

So, we have been DVC members for about 3 years now and while I don't regret it...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. For instance, the new free dining plan, the visa meet and greet, the higher annual pass discounts at stores and restaurants...I feel as though Disney knows they have us so why give us anything. I mean the "welcome home" greeting is nice, but a little more would be great.
Listen, I will always be a Disney fan, but throw me a bone...anyone feel the same or know why?

What NEW Free Dining Plan and What Store Discounts are you talking about? I am not being flip, I really don't know. Thanks

 

[DVCPAT]

What I really miss is the free valet parking. I refuse to pay the $12.95 per day to park at BWV. I have to think that the valet employees are making a lot less money in tips since I'm not the only one who no longer valet parks. Seemed like such a petty thing to take away but I'm sure there were some financial incentive somewhere to do so.

I agree….I would tip the valet dropping off and picking up. Valet now has skeleton crew that had to take a dramatic pay cut. It’s surprising that resort restaurants don’t offer free valet for restaurant patrons.

Another unexpected benefit from eliminating free valet is the empty valet parking lots. If you stay at the BWV and get a room at the far end of the resort, you can park in the empty valet spaces. The new parking area is so close, I didn’t use bell services which saves more money in tips.

 

[Dean]

I agree….I would tip the valet dropping off and picking up. Valet now has skeleton crew that had to take a dramatic pay cut. It’s surprising that resort restaurants don’t offer free valet for restaurant patrons.

Another unexpected benefit from eliminating free valet is the empty valet parking lots. If you stay at the BWV and get a room at the far end of the resort, you can park in the empty valet spaces. The new parking area is so close, I didn’t use bell services which saves more money in tips.

Your choice of course. Tipping on pick up only is the industry standard. I don't think I've seen a site (other than DIS) that states both ways. Some in the last couple of years have started to list drop off as an optional choice and even that is somewhat new.

 

[NJOGRE]

I just want 1 more perk.

The ability to purchase a TABLES IN WONDERLAND CARD without being an annual pass holder.

Plan simple I would spend more $ if I had one then the DP.

 

[Dean]

I just want 1 more perk.

The ability to purchase a TABLES IN WONDERLAND CARD without being an annual pass holder.

Plan simple I would spend more $ if I had one then the DP.

IMO, this is something they should have done years ago. It makes too much sense not to have done so.

 

[EriLee]

What NEW Free Dining Plan and What Store Discounts are you talking about? I am not being flip, I really don't know. Thanks

The ddp that is free when you buy a 5 night vacation through Disney, and ap discounts at the world of Disney store for example (I know there are others I just can't remember). Every time I go there and have a purchase I have to use an ap to get a discount. Not sure why DVC can't have one too!?

 

[thelobstershanty]

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?

I agree!!! Just take a drive on I95, even the most no frills and thread bare places have free internet, for goodness sake! The southern state hotels even give you free breakfasts!

 

[Chuck S]

I agree!!! Just take a drive on I95, even the most no frills and thread bare places have free internet, for goodness sake! The southern state hotels even give you free breakfasts!

The same could be said of many airports. San Antonio and Cleveland are two that I've traveled through that have free access. Chicago Midway and Nashville charge $7.95, even if you are on for only a couple of minutes.

Generally, I've seen many of the more expensive hotels charging for internet. I've stayed at one recently that charged $1.50 per phone call even if you called an 800 number and used a phone card and $13 per day for internet. Most hotels in Vegas charge a mandatory $10 to $20 per day additional "resort charge" per day for internet and phone.

So the internet charge at Disney is certainly nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[crisi]

So, we have been DVC members for about 3 years now and while I don't regret it...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. For instance, the new free dining plan, the visa meet and greet, the higher annual pass discounts at stores and restaurants...I feel as though Disney knows they have us so why give us anything. I mean the "welcome home" greeting is nice, but a little more would be great.
Listen, I will always be a Disney fan, but throw me a bone...anyone feel the same or know why?

Why is pretty easy....every time you come up with a "Disney should" idea pretend you are a manager at Disney trying to sell the idea to Senior Management. Answer these questions - how much will this cost to implement? How much to maintain? How much will this cost us in lost revenue? How much will this gain us in revenue? What is the margin on the revenue we will gain and loose? Disney is a corporation, as such, its purpose is to make money. You won't have the answers to these questions, but you can take some guesses. If you can't add revenue in excess of cost, your idea will get shut down.

For instance - Magical Express. That has got to be a pretty expensive program to "give away for free" - but Disney now has their hotel guests "stranded" on property. They can charge more for restaurants. Sell more dining plans. They don't share their revenue stream with Sea World or Universal. Guests staying a week on property frequently end up adding "pluses" to their tickets. Plus, they can add the cost of the "free" service into hotel room costs where the rack rate is much higher than for similar hotels off property. In the end, it really ends up "costing" Disney very little (and they further control their costs by contracting out the service), but has a significant revenue add.

Some things - like free internet for DVC members cost Disney very little to run - but giving up the revenue stream from the hotel side for the internet access at this point might be a bigger deal. Or it might not be. If it isn't, then Disney will eventually just give it away.