Member Benefits

[Cisco]

I wanted to see what other DVC members think about the subject of member benefits (or lack of).

Below is a copy of an email I sent to DVC earlier today. The more I research the options for FL residents (discount ticket prices) the more annoyed I get that we (DVC members) don't have the same perks. I wanted to post this in the hope others share my thoughts and, if enough of us ask, we might get Disney to loosen the rules:


We love (even adore) the DVC program but my wife and I feel the 'perks' given DVC members after the initial purchase are few and far between.

Earlier today, I completed a DVC on-line survey (for which I was apparently randomly selected) and in it suggested DVC members be given the same opportunity to purchase discount admission tickets as FL residents. If a home resort is anything other than Hilton Head, seems to me the owner is 'technically' a FL property owner. Being eligible to buy the 'Florida resident seasonal pass' or other tickets at a discount would enhance our Disney experience and add tremendous value to our ownership. It would also be an added sales tool for your marketing group.

In our case, we've spent over $22K with you folks over the last 15 months. Considering this amount, it seems to me that asking for the same ticket options you offer standard FL residents is a reasonable and prudent request.

Thanks for your consideration. I humbly await your reply.

 

[ohanafamily]

I asked the same question to no avail. It seems that while we have a deed to property, we do not actually reside in the state. (good thing too, they might try to tax us!) but seriously, I asked my guide and he told me that this deed does not make us a florida resident. The Fl perks are to try and fill up the park with locals who would not otherwise come. With the discontinuation of the DC card, I think it would be a nice perk.....Write a letter...

 

[Granny]

Cisco....

Welcome to the DIS boards. Glad to have you here posting your thoughts and opinions.

This subject has come up from time to time, and while we all agree that additional discounts would be great, I think most believe that Disney already "has us" and feel that we will purchase admissions no matter what.

Personally, we are switching from an AP this year to a PH plan next year. We plan on being at a DVC resort for 11 days or more, but won't spend as much time in the parks. Fortunately, the resorts and non-park aspects of Disney and Orlando still make for a wonderful vacation!

Good luck!

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by ohanafamily
I asked the same question to no avail. It seems that while we have a deed to property, we do not actually reside in the state.

Before this turns into another "lively discission" about whether or not DVC members should be considered residents of the state of Florida, allow me to point something out: We're not dealing with a question of whether or not we meet the legal definition of Florida resident. (I think it's safe to say that we don't, except for those DVC members who actually live in Florida.)


It's just an issue of whether or not Disney sees a business value in extending the Florida resident discounts and special Florida programs to groups whose members generally don't meet the legal definition of Florida resident. If Disney wanted to, they would simply say, "Florida Resident Benefits, for legal residents of the state of Florida, plus Disney Vacation Club members, AAdvantage Platinum card holders, and people with pierced belly buttons." In other words, Disney could offer these benefits to whomever they wanted (as long as it didn't involve some sort of illegal discrimination).

So the question is, what would be the business value to Disney? Would DVC members buy substantially more tickets -- or simply pay less for the tickets they would have bought anyway?

 

[ohanafamily]

Hey, Werner Weiss Cool Website!!!!!

I was just echoing the party line when I asked the same questions.

I don't think that they will do it; they are cutting out the DC card, which was another way of discounted admission. No, I think that we (DVC members) are thought of as a captive audience that will pay any price for admission. I do not agree with this philosophy, but they seem to be focussing on saving money, and discounting prices to a group that will pay does not seem to be in the current mind-set. Maybe Rusolo will change this?

One can only hope...

 

[Cisco]

Thanks, guys. I figured this subject has been covered many times but I'm relatively new to this board. It may be a dead horse but I'm taking my turn to to beat it! (Step aside Michael Jackson!)

My main point wasn't to say DVC members are FL residents but that we've spent a "chunk of change" in that state. The more I think about it, the more I feel I'm 'due' this benefit. I don't think Disney would be discriminating if they gave DVC members this benefit.

Werner, I'd be real upset if a belly piercer got it))

 

[Dean]

As I've said many times, I feel Disney should extend the same perks to DVC members it gives away to other groups like FL residents. Since I live it FL it wouldn't affect me any, it's just the right thing to do. Still, the issue of how much we paid isn't really relavent as we didn't pay that to the company responsible for the parks management and finances therein. I'm sure DVC would love to offer us park pass disounts, the same discounts as the Disney Dining Experience, etc.

The reality is that the current discounts offered to DVC members are about as good as it's ever been assuming you don't include the park pass incentives for purchase at OKW. Personally I would like to see more realistic points exchange options for DCL, DC, CC and the like.

 

[Richyams]

As I say repeatedely, constantly and ad nausium, The Golden Handcuffs(Free passes) kept us in the park every single day. over seven trips and nearly 80 days at OKW with free passes, we ventured off property for exactly two days. We only got six passes with the GV, we nearly always had more than six and even buying one to three tickets at regular(usually kids) prices never kept us out.

Dinner in Epcot, a breakfast the last day, things that you wouldn't burn a day on a pss for, become easy.

We have Fl Res passes now, but even when we go with family from out of state, and they all are, we spend WAY fewer days in the parks. When we move out of state, five day hoppers for our twelve night trip with a day or two left over will become the norm.

I really believe that their dis-incentive, high pass prices, combined with people who go all the time and have seen everything many times, takes a much larger toll from their bottom line than a 20-50% discount on all entry media would.

 

[MdmMim]

My post may not be too popular here, but here goes.
I purchased DVC to have my accommodations paid for the next few decades...nothing more. I paid little attention to any perks, because I figured they were not permanent. I knew I would have a wonderful room waiting for me upon my arrival, and no bill for it upon my departure.

I go to WDW at least twice a year (one trip for 12 days, another for 4 weeks), I have an AP, and I visit the parks almost everyday, even if only for an evening stroll through Epcot. I never go offsite for any reason--my vacation is totally Disney.

The way I see it, I don't need anything more from WDW, nor do I expect anything--except my room.

Just thought I'd share another point of view on this.

 

[Richyams]

The one flaw to that reasoning for a lot of people is that many buyers were promised something permenant. Promises like "substantially equal", "Very generous" and others were used by DVC sales staff for several years in the begining.

 

[lehrsj]

Disney doesn't do any perks unless it translates into more dollars on the bottom line. I soppose how one would project the dollars is difficult.

My family is coming down in June for a 10 night stay. This is 12 or so from California, Illinois, and Ohio. (I live in Orlando) They will generally be spending about 3 days in the parks, using a 7 day park hopper plus ticket. The rest of the days will be used the next trip. They've been here before and seen it all. 3 Days is enough.

But... if the annual pass was available at the FL residents rate, a good portion of them would probabaly get that pass and go to the park almost every day. That AP would probably lure some of the family back for a second trip before the pass expired, staying somewhere other than DVC. This is more $$$ for Disney.

'Perks' also generate good will. Good will means that more members talk up the DVC and maybe that translates into more members.

But I guess the numbers just don't add up for Disney.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by MdmMim
My post may not be too popular here, but here goes.
I purchased DVC to have my accommodations paid for the next few decades...nothing more. I paid little attention to any perks, because I figured they were not permanent. I knew I would have a wonderful room waiting for me upon my arrival, and no bill for it upon my departure.

I go to WDW at least twice a year (one trip for 12 days, another for 4 weeks), I have an AP, and I visit the parks almost everyday, even if only for an evening stroll through Epcot. I never go offsite for any reason--my vacation is totally Disney.

The way I see it, I don't need anything more from WDW, nor do I expect anything--except my room.

Actually you're not really saying anything different than anyone else. With the possible exception of the free OKW passes where I have no doubt that a "substantially equivilent replacement" was touted, none of us expect or demand more than you state. What we suggest or would like to see varies from person to person. In my case, I live in FL so I have access to everything I'd "suggest" DVC offer to members. I think the points exchange options are a joke so I avoid them. I'd rather rent out my extra points and pay cash for other options, but that's my decision. DVC isn't holding a gun to my head, at least not yet. You can certainly feel free to avoid any of the perks and discounts now offered since you don't think DVC should provide anything else.

 

[Sallieanne]

I ALSO THINK DVC MEMBERS SHOULD QUALIFY FOR DISCOUNTED PASSES - AS FOR MAKING BUSINESS SENSE - WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE PEOPLE (LIKE US) THAT WOULD USE THE PARK RESTAURANTS MORE (PARTICULARLY EPCOT AS IT IS NR BWV & BCV) IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT YOU NEED A PASS TO ACCESS THEM? WE HAVE VENTURED OFF SITE TO EAT MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS

 

[Bexx]

Does anyone else actually worry about this, or is it just me! We've bought into a timeshare in a place where the main attractions are theme parks. For which we have to buy passes, which cost more and more each year. I love visiting the parks, but even now I'm carefully weighing up the difference between the passes - cost per day, am I getting my money's worth? What is it going to be like 20 years from now? I know it's pyschological and that, all being well, we should be earning enough money to cover it, but spending several thousand dollars just to get a family into some theme parks for a fortnight is going to seem a heck of lot of money. I suppose we could just sit in our very nice villa, annoying housekeeping as they clean around us!! It would be wonderful if Disney could offer some incentive to DVC members in years to come, we would certainly visit the parks a lot more and eat there too, but I can't say I expect it to happen.

 

[ohanafamily]

I stand behind what I said originally, I wish they would give us the incentives, but the current administration doesn't seem to see the plusses behind the $$$$$. I don't think that this will happen. I do agree with the choir though...

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

There are better than 30 discounts listed for DVC members.
While it would be nice to have something other than the UMP or LOS or whatever it is called, we don't. I was never ever promised anything after the expiration of the free passes, some were, some were not. Unless it was/is in writing and part of a sales contract or stated by someone who is/was in a position to add these and sign off on them, then they are nothing more than a sales pitch or hearing something you wanted to hear.

I am in total agreement with MdmMim here. We bought a timeshare, nothing more. Read the contract.

 

[Cisco]

I know what's in the contract, was never promised anything extra by anyone, and have no problem with all this. However, does it hurt to ask for extended benefits?

 

[Richyams]

You are right Gail, DVC sales staff often lie.

I agree completely.

They tell people whatever they want to hear. Five, six or seven in a room, substantially similar free pass replacement, etc, etc.

 

[Two Eeyores]

This is an interesting thread. I happen to agree that DVC members should be entitled to a few more "perks"... at leaset the same as those for FLA residents.

What about referrals? once a year, or so, we get mailings with postcards to give to prosepctive members. Are there any rewards for referring someone who buys in?

 

[SueOKW]

Personally - - my deal is that with 6 people, we need to use our PH days wisely... ticket prices are really high! We are finding hanging out at OKW is a lot less expensive and certainly more relaxing than hot parks at mid-day.

So - for the 7 days we stay at OKW - we go to parks for 4 of them. Saves us a lot of money (tickets, trinkets, food) and guarantees we relax as well as "do" the Disney thing.

We've now added 2 days at Universal staying on site - where they offer front-of-the-line passes for on-site guests. That perk can't be beat! (although we never miss e-ticket night!)

So - my ultimate goal is to stay out of the WDW parks as much as possible to save $$ and energy. And if that's ok with them and they offer no incentives, then it's ok with me too!