Member Homecoming - I don't get it...

[zulaya]

DH thinks this may have been a last minute thing on the part of DVC. I mean with BCV's opening, they didn't have this big Member Homecoming. I know there were special things the day of, but not a luncheon for members to buy in on.

With the success of the Member Cruise (from what I understand the whole ship sold out quickly), someone probably looked at the opening of SSR as an opportunity to do another Member Event. Like, "Hey, SSR is opening, let's do the next Member Event then and tie it in." Someone probably said something along those lines and this event got thrown together. It may not have been completely planned 11 months out. DH's opinion is that it was thrown together. It kind of makes sense with the timing of the invitation.

 

[disneyberry]

Originally posted by joepoe
Boy do we agree. We are huge Disney fans and DVC owners, and this whole "offer" was frankly kind of insulting. Pay big bucks to go to a marketing event.

exactly how i feel.
makes me feel like i've been tricked... "DVC Members are magical"...
yeah... sure...

 

[fireplug]

My wife and I both thought this would be a very good time unfortunately it will not fit into our current vacation plans for 2004. If they schedule something else I hope they do announce it sooner. So those of us who do their planning in advance would be able to go also. As for the cost, oh well it is the price they put on it. If I want to go that is what it will cost. I personnally think MOST of the clothing at WDW is outragously priced. But if I want something I will pay for it. I think there are a lot of costs involved in putting on such an affair. Those that attend should pay for it not the DVC members that do not. For those that think Disney is sticking it to DVC as some kind of "cash cow" where should the money come from to put on something like this? Or should Management cut back on things and cheapen the experience to the point that it would have no value to do?

Steve

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by fireplug
But if I want something I will pay for it. I think there are a lot of costs involved in putting on such an affair. Those that attend should pay for it not the DVC members that do not.

If you look at the individual events involved, I think the prices just don't add up to the fees being charged:

2 Day PHP
E-Ticket Night at Epcot
Illuminations Dessert
E-Ticket Night at MK
Dinner at MK
Lunch at SSR

Disney only charges $12 pp for E-ticket nights at MK. Figure the park pass is probably (generously) valued around $120. That means one would be paying about $150 per person for a couple of meals and the Illuminations dessert party.

Their offer of $250 per person for AP holders is even worse. Deduct the E-ticket prices and you're paying $226 for the two meals and dessert party.

I don't think anyone believes that a portion of the cost should be absorbed by DVC (dues). It just seems that things are priced even higher than one would typically expect from WDW.

In the end, the laws of supply and demand will likely prevail. Sounds like quite a few people here already signed up. The capacity for the event was reported to be around 4000 members. If they get that many people, we can probably expect similar events in the future at similar prices.

Even at the exhorbitant prices, I did consider attending myself. But in the end, the AP holder pricing really turned me off (knocking off a mere $50 for a pass that is easily valued at $100-120). And, given that I already had a May trip planned for different dates, I really didn't feel like changing my plans due to the tardiness of the notice from DVC.

In fact, I haven't even received the announcement from DVC about this event. If it weren't for this board, I wouldn't even know about it.

 

[LIFERBABE]

When WDW has scheduled Enights, do they have Fireworks and Spectro for those nights also?

I've never attended an enight so not sure what is included.

 

[Like to Dis]

We will be there during the entire event (10 of us altogether at BWV) , but will not be attending.... We are AP holders and just find the pricing outrageous (and we just came back from Mickey's Very Merry X-mas Party)...... But one thing we do want to know is where can we purchase 2 day passes for $50.00, I'm buying them!!!!!!!!!

 

[trishy]

We'd like to go - but unfortunately we don't have money to burn

at this time. $50 for passes - DVC pricing is sure out of whack sometimes...

 

[Tigger1]

When I first heard of this event I was surprised it is the same time we will be there. Then I saw the price and did some number crunching, for nearly the same price I can purchase 7-day hopper passes with four days for water parks.

I have seen many parades, and have been to several e-nights.
I going for the 7 day hopper pass. Dinner served after fireworks at magic kingdom is late for me. I going for the 7 day hopper pass.

One thing not mentioned above is the free pass to Disney quest or pleasure island. Still not enough for us to go for the events.

What about those members who bought into Saratoga Springs. If they are staying at the resort during those night will they be allowed to the opening ceremonies? Could you imagine making the big purchase and already having reservations but not be able to afford the event ticket a christmas time. I would be upset if I was there and was told I could not watch the opening ceremonies. Maybe current guest will be allowed to view.


Do you think that there will be a regular e-night at Magic Kingdom as usual on that Tuesday (it is at Epcot that night for the event)? My family is counting on it.

Tigger
Tigger

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by Tigger1
What about those members who bought into Saratoga Springs. If they are staying at the resort during those night will they be allowed to the opening ceremonies?

From the DVC website:
"The Grandest Opening of Them All" at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Thursday May 27, 2004
We'll take you back to the 1800s for an old-fashioned Founder's Day celebration, Disney style. Members will enjoy VIP Access to the Grand Opening ceremony and festivities, plus a special lunch with your Disney Vacation Club neighbors.

So it seems we're paying for the "VIP Access" and the lunch.

And for those who sincerely wonder if there's anything they've missed, here's an informative post (by MarkRG) about the last DVC Member Event - the Member Cruise

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think the $12 e-night ticket is reflective of what DVC has to pay to keep the parks open for 3 extra hours each night. They are having a DJ party in Future World. They are having a private run of Spectromagic. I'm sure what they have to pay WDW for this is huge and it's only being divided by approx 4,000 people. I do think it is overpriced, but I would throw more than $12 in for each of these as a base.

I wonder what these meals will be? For that many people eating lunch or dinner at once, it seems to me it would have to be a buffet.

There will probably also be member merchandise included, like the cruise.