Member Benefits

[Bexx]

I agree with you SueOKW. I'm fully aware that I bought into DVC for the great accommodation and not on the off chance that Disney might give me discounted park entry in the future - great as it would be IF it happened. But I just wonder how many figures the credit card bill will be after a stay at Disney in the distant future!! If I feel it's a problem I will tailor the holiday cost to suit me and if that means only going to the park once or twice during our stay then that's what I will do. Mind you, I'm not so sure Disney would appreciate that!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

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.

I definitely don't want to sound snippy here, but what makes you think members should be entitled to anything more than they contractually agreed to?

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?

Yes, there are referal dividends to members who refer and the person who was referred buys, however, your state has to allow it. It is something that Disney cannot control. Some do, some don't. CT does not. But, because I truly love the DVC I refer just because I want "to share the Magic".

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You are right Gail, DVC sales staff often lie.

Or..............mislead. But, name me one saleperson anywhere that does not do that. IMHO, if it is not in writing, it does not exist.

 

[ehagerty]

I made the same suggestion in a letter to Disney about 3-4 years ago - when the "free passes" wound down for the year 2000. It was not based on the assumption that I thought I was "entitled" to something based on the sales cycle. I "made my case" based on the assumption that Disney should make it attractive / easy for the DVC members to spend as many days in the park as possible, since I am sure they know about how much each human spends per park, per day. I didn't get a reply.

Be that as it may:
1. I have always known Disney to be responsive to their customers. Sometimes they need a "critical mass" of customer opinion before they make a change (I.e., Early Entry restitution), but they will change if enough people complain. So I would encourage petitioning Member Services to review the request.

2. Member Serivices will also provide benefits the members want - so we need to convince them to do a survey of all benefits to see what the members really want. I, for one, agree with a previous poster that I would sell my points and pay cash for an alternative vacation because I don't find the vacation exchange cost-beneficial - so they could do away with the vacation "trade" costs. However, that would probably impede their sales people in that a component of "flexibility" wouldn't be able to be cited in the sales cycle. Who knows, perhaps a survey would establish that the majority of the members prefer the vacation exchange program over cheaper park passes. Perhaps only we dedicated, die-hard, Disney vacationers are looking for ways to spend more time and money at Disney.....

3. Although the Annual Pass program could offer any discount program they want, we may have to assume that the costs associated with being able to participate at the Florida resident rate will be absorbed by the VC and passed along in the membership dues. How would you vote on that one? Well, if put to a vote, we might find out who cares (a survey would be cheaper).

4. In short, I would recommend Disney do someone objective research into the following:
4a. If the discount rate was available, would it project into additional park and restaurant dollars - or just be a loss to the Annual Pass fees?
4b. If members drove the benefits program, would this benefit be one of the ones selected?

5. One thing I noticed about the Annual Pass program (this year) is that it is very difficult to deal with. I extended my annual passes this past year on the condition that it would be based on "365 days from first use" rather than the new rules of annual expiration. I managed to talk someone into this on the condition that it would be the "last time". I asked that a note be made on my file so that I would not have to go through great gyrations at the renewal ticket booth, since I wasn't planning to return for a year (this was done Aug 2001 for Aug 2002). Well, it didn't surprise my that it was trouble at the gate - they eventually found the file, but the message wasn't clear enough to facilitate what was negotiated). It took two full days for the Manager of Guest Services at the BW to straighten out this out with the Annual Pass people (of course, he made sure we had interim passes in the meantime).

My point - as stated in my letter to them 3 years ago - was that the various departments, each with their own objectives, fail to leverage synchronicity among departments and programs. To me, offering the VC members the annual pass at FL resident rates was a "no brainer". Sure, the Annual Pass revenue would dip, but it should be more than made up by the money spent in the parks - that might be spent outside the parks otherwise. Surely someone (internal to Disney) should be able to validate whether this business assumption is valid!! I my opinion, it would be in the best interests of VC members services to expedite the study. Imagine being able to offer members a valuable benefit just because research validated a business assumption!

 

[ohanafamily]

DVC sales staff often lie.

I know that this may sound weird, but my guide didn't lie or mislead. He actually told me not to buy in. I decided I really wanted it, and we have been going back (a lot) ever since. I asked about the Florida residency deal (becauase weren't we getting a deed to property in Florida?) and was told point blank that this wasn't a part of the DVC. NO MISREPRESENTATIONS WERE MADE. If your guide was not open and honest with you, report them, and ask for another, more honorable, guide.

as far as wish list goes, I would love it!!!!!

 

[ford family]

Well, as long as nobody is being snippy I'll add my thoughts.

There is no sense of "entitlement" here but there is the whiff of a business opportunity for WDW.

There is strong anecdotal evidence that an increasing number of DVC members are going "home" as usual but spending less time in the parks.

How many people now systematically cut out the first and last day from their UMP to reduce costs. We do now although, in the past we would have checked in at 7pm at the BWV and headed straight into Epcot for dinner and Illuminations and the shops etc etc. Similarly, we used to visit one of the parks in the last morning before heading for MCO. Now we head for the Florida Mall.

As the children get older and we holiday without them, we plan to use the DVC just as accommodation, not going into the parks at all except for one or two days. Thus a five day hopper could last three years.

All this would change if WDW recognised that they have a captive audience that will make a much greater use of the parks and the dining facilities if adequately incentified.

If they cannot see a financial rationale for this then they won't change their pricing structure. But if they don't change, neither will we.

ford family

 

[Zurg]

Originally posted by SueOKW
..We've now added 2 days at Universal staying on site (at Universal) - where they offer front-of-the-line passes for on-site guests. That perk can't be beat!

As a Disney shareholder, that is a strong argument to give DVC members a better deal to stay on Dsieny ground rather than let incremental cash flow across town.

 

[Sallieanne]

THE FORD FAMILY FROM THE UK HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD - AS OUR KIDS GROW UP WE DON'T USE THE PARKS AS MUCH - ITS ONLY THE RESTAURANTS ETC THAT LURE US TO THEM, SO DISNEY LOSES OUT!! WHILST WE WILL SUFFER SPENDING $100 ON A MEAL FOR 4 IN A PARK WITH A VALID PASS, WE WOULDN'T DREAM OF DOING IT IF WE HAD TO PAY PARK FEES ON TOP!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

ohanafamily
My guide, who is still there, btw, never mislead me into thinking that DVC would get anything after the passes "died" in 12/99.
Since I did buy unseen, I did have a LOT of reading to do and a lot of phone communication with my guide. I recently ran across my lists of questions for this guide and was amazed at the patience of this person. LOL. I literally have pages of them.
I wrote down all the answers and recently reread them, no where did this person misguide me. So, perhaps there are a few honest salespeople out there after all.

This is in no way meant to say that no one else was misinformed.

 

[Bexx]

How come sometimes what you want to say never comes out right?!

I would actually be happy to petition with others for more benefits, but I am aware I can't assume I should have them as a DVC member and am thinking out my future plans accordingly! (Sitting on the fence, or what!)

But I do think loyalty is very important thing and should be encouraged. As DVC members we are certainly showing that to Disney - they are assured of our money every year, after the initial, and certainly not modest, purchase of our points. I do feel that they are taking away decent benefits bit by bit and with the points needed for a stay anywhere else rising each year, where will it end?

Just a bigger discount on a choice of different passes would show they care!

 

[ohanafamily]

I also remember something about it being a Florida State Subsidy for local residence (the discounted admission), If that is the case maybe we could argue that our annual fe pays taxes to FL as our agent?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Originally posted by Bexx
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?

Exactly the point.
The public deals with this every year, why not DVC owners?
Wasn't this thought of when we bought into DVC?
Why should we get special favors not available to anyone else?
If folks don't go with older kids, why would discounts help?
There are MANY outlets for discounted tickets.

If you were a member of the public staying or not staying at WDW, would you want other people to get special deals you weren't eligible for? Fair is fair.

 

[Muushka]

I just went to the thread about adding on at BCV before the price goes up. As I read it I thought about this thread.

We have 225 points and visit at least 2 times a year. Why don't we need or want more points? Because we spend at least 3 days of the 8 or so at Universal. We each have an annual pass (for which we paid $99, with vouchers (that begin first use, not at anniversary) that will keep us at their park for the next 3 years). With this annual pass comes excellent discounts on meals and gifts. In addition to the great park passes, we stay on sight at really wonderful hotels. AND get front of the line access.

So, while at Disney, we visit the parks sparingly, relax, and pretty much eat in our villa or go off site. While at Universal, I buy souvenirs, eat at restaurants on site, and appreciate the fact that they appreciate us.

Should DVD give us a discount?? It would make sense, but we have certainly found a pleasant alternative to visiting their parks.

 

[trainfun]

This need not be an "entitlement" vs a "what we contracted for question.

DVC and Disney Corp are in business to make money. I agree that there is anecdotal evidence that DVC members whose kids are now older are spending significantly less time in the parks.

I think this is a survey that needs to be done by DVC. They should survey DVC members who joined before 1997 and find out what the trend on in-park days is.

If the anecdotal evidence holds up, then it would be financially advantageous for Disney corp to offer significant admission discounts.

I do not expect nor believe I am entitled to significant discounts because I am a DVC member, but if offering the discounts makes economic sense for all involved, then we all win.

I think the thing we should be advocating is that DVC do the research that will answer the question of whether or not this would be financially advantageous to all concerned.

Finally, a discount that Disney corp. made a multi-year commitment to (say 5- 10 years) would also be a powerful sales tool, though apparently DVC doesn't seem to be having any sales difficulties at the present.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by ohanafamily
I also remember something about it being a Florida State Subsidy for local residence (the discounted admission), If that is the case maybe we could argue that our annual fe pays taxes to FL as our agent?

The DVC paperwork that you signed to purchase specifically excludes ownership of DVC as a qualifier for Florida residency discounts at Disney. That makes any argument similar to the one you propose moot.

 

[DeeP]

We have 225 points and visit at least 2 times a year. Why don't we need or want more points? Because we spend at least 3 days of the 8 or so at Universal. We each have an annual pass (for which we paid $99, with vouchers (that begin first use, not at anniversary) that will keep us at their park for the next 3 years). With this annual pass comes excellent discounts on meals and gifts. In addition to the great park passes, we stay on sight at really wonderful hotels. AND get front of the line access.

I am not trying to start an argument or a debate but whenever I read posts like this I am always confused/amazed. You are still paying for your DVC membership for days that you are not using to stay at a DVC resort but instead are now paying additional money to stay at a Universal hotel, so that is the first additional expense, then you are paying $99.00 for an annual pass for Universal that you are getting 6 visits(3 days, 2 trips per year) from so that is an additional $16.50 per person per day to go to Universal which comes out to $8.25 per day per park--(Correct me if I am wrong but Universal APs are $99.00 per year not $99.00 for 3 yrs), then you are still paying for park hoppers or whatever type of admission tickets you are using to get into Disney parks, plus you are paying for gas, possibly a rental car, and tolls to drive from WDW to Universal. If you bought an Annual Pass at WDW at the new rates it would cost you $24.44 per day per person--which comes out to $6.11 per person per day per park, which is a saving of $2.14 per person per day if you average out each AP according to cost per person and the number of parks you have access to. 4 Disney parks vs 2 parks at Universal. If you went to Disney parks everyday of your trip -( 8 days each trip, 2 trips per year). You would eliminate paying for a hotel room at Universal since you have already prepaid your DVC accomendations, you would eliminate the additional cost of Universal passes, the additional money for rental car, gas, etc. Also AP holders get substantial savings on WDW restaurants and shopping at certain DTD stores and if you buy a voucher instead of renewing your AP from year to year the voucher is turned in for an AP that begins from the first day you use it and is good for one full year. Disney does not have front of the line access so that you would lose but really if you do the parks early in the morning or go to the non early entry park, etc you can handle getting on the attractions quite easily with very little wait time. Maybe I am looking at something wrong but I honestly can not see where paying for a DVC membership and using it for just a place to sleep and relax and then going to Universal and paying for admission there to only 2 parks, hotel rooms there etc, etc is such a savings. Let alone the fact that for me it would hold no interest because although I like Universal once every 4 years is enough Universal for me, Universal is nice but can't compare to the Disney parks. Also I would never spend 1.5 - 2 weeks per trip at Universal like I do at WDW, and I do this at WDW 3-4 times a year and still love it. To each his own though.

 

[Muushka]

DeeP

While I appreciate the effort you have gone thru to try to understand what it is that we do and why we do it, trust me, it works for us. I could go into the fact that weekend points are so high that we never did stay at DVC weekends only, or the fact that we really like rollercoasters and enjoy IOA a lot more than the Disney parks, or the fact that AFTER we purchased at DVC their AP policy changed and is no longer cost effective for us, or the fact that the discounts at USF for AP holders are better than the Disney AP discounts, or the fact that we actually enjoy visiting 2 different theme park resorts in 1 trip. I could go on, but I won't.

And yes, the AP at USF are $99 a year, not for 3 years. Sorry if I mislead anyone. But the fact remains that for $600 we have AP for three years for 2 adults. This would be $2400 at Disney.

By the way, what is wrong with checking into a beautiful resort (DVC) and just relaxing? We work hard all year long, and it is, after all, a vacation, right?

Just wondering, have you ever stayed on site at USF?

 

[DeeP]

Whatever works for each family is great but what I object to is when people post of how although they have paid and continue to pay for their DVC membership they do not go to Disney parks because they feel as though they should get more Disney discounts on park admissions. Yet they save so much money by instead going to Universal which is gives them additional hotel expenses, 2 less parks etc., etc. When you do the actual breakdown of $, the savings is no where near what some would like for you to believe.
Again I am not trying to start an argument but have you ever considered selling your DVC membership? There are many other timeshares that are much closer to Universal, that are just as nice as DVC resorts, just as relaxing as a DVC resort and even more relaxing than some of the busier DVC resorts such as BWV and BCV and are much cheaper than owning a DVC membership. I can not understand why anyone would pay a premium price for a DVC membership if they wish to spend the majority of their time and money off of Disney property. You could be in a location much more convenient to Universal at a much lower price. The reason DVC is the highest priced timeshare in the area is because it is ON Disney property and you have the convenience of the Disney parks, entertainment, restaurants, etc. But why pay for something if you don't use it?
BTW, I have been to Universal many times over the years but have never stayed at one of their hotels, mainly because 1 day at Universal is more than enough for me but maybe someday I will stay at a Universal hotel but definietly not for more than 1 night. There is just not enough there nor does it have the quality of Disney for me to want to spend more than 2 days of my time or money at Universal, or Seaworld or any of the other Orlando attractions besides WDW. As I said before to each his own. Enjoy!

 

[Muushka]

Again, I thank you for your interest in my timeshare choice and how I spend my vacation, but as I said previously, it does work for us.

It is funny, we have finally resigned to the fact that Disney is not going to give DVC members a break on admission prices. We have found for us, an alternative to Disney parks and find that we enjoy them more than we expected to and it is STILL not right in the minds of some. I give up. I will not address this issue of DVC discounts again. It is not worth the hassle.

 

[DeeP]

It is funny, we have finally resigned to the fact that Disney is not going to give DVC members a break on admission prices. We have found for us, an alternative to Disney parks and find that we enjoy them more than we expected to and it is STILL not right in the minds of some.

What is NOT right is portraying such substantial savings by going to alternative parks vs Disney when it just isn't so once you look at the whole picture!!!!!!!! Enjoy your vacations no matter where you choose to spend them, I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just being honest, but I could care less where you choose to spend your vacation time or money.