Member Homecoming?

[SEC]

I am considering purchasing the member homecoming tickets, but I am not sure it is worth the money. Has this type of event been held before? If so, did it meet your expectations?

 

[DrTomorrow]

In 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 .....

 

[jarestel]

We're going, but to tell you the truth, there isn't a lot of information about what you actually get for the money. So far about all I can gather is we'll get a couple of extra hours in the parks at night and a get together at SSR. So on the surface it doesn't sound like much for what we are paying. DVC did sponsor a cruise last year or the year before but I didn't go on that, though most posts I've read concerning the cruise were favorable. As I said, we are going and hoping it will be good.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
In 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 .....

To the OP, the only other similar event was a DVC-hosted cruise. Most people that attended (from what I have seen) will tell you that it was a wonderful event and well worth the money.

With the Member Homecoming, we couldn't justify it. $500 (for DW and I) for a couple of E-Ticket nights and a lunch at SSR. No thanks.

The big "X-Factor" seems to be the "surprises" promised (but undefined) in the marketing materials. I guess if they handed out $200 worth of shirts, hats, pins, etc. to all participants, it may start to cost-justify. But I put the $500 back in my pocket and figure we'll buy whatever souvenirs we choose while at the DVC resorts.

It's hard to put a price on the type of exclusive access the event promises--members-only Spectromagic, exclusive access to TT, MS and presumedly some of the MK rides. But I think the price they DID attach to this is just too high for our liking.

 

[WDWLVR]

Originally posted by SEC
I am considering purchasing the member homecoming tickets, but I am not sure it is worth the money. Has this type of event been held before? If so, did it meet your expectations?

No DVC has never had a member homecoming before.

DVC did have a member cruise last year that DH and I went on. Did it meet our expectations? Met and exceeded!

With that as our base we have signed up for member homecoming as well. I believe it is worth it. Others don't for various reasons. Only you can judge if it is right or wrong for you.

If you are going, or if you'll just be at WDW on the 25th, we do have a meet scheduled at Epcot that day. Hope you can join us.

 

[David in Manassas]

Whatever you decide...decide quick because they are mailing out the tickets 45 days before the event..so that is real real soon..might even be too late, but it won't hurt to try..

David (just dad an 19 yo son going to member homecoming!)

 

[MarkRG]

Yes, but that doesn't make it as a deadline. I think you can still get in on it even after that point, as that's just when they are mailing out the tickets to whoever has already bought them.

And among the unannounced things we did recieve the last time was a limited edition Steamboat Willie china teapot that with the others easily covered what we paid in. If you want to see what else we did get(I don't have apic of the teapot, sorry) the last time, here, have a look: Click HERE for the SS Member Cruise

BTW, we are having a DIS meet there too, all are welcome.

Click HERE for the DVC Member Homecoming thread

 

[garylpn]

we decided last week to do the homecoming, based primarily on positive posts referencing members cruise, we were not yet dvc for cruise, bought in 4/03, we did get a little price break as ap holders, figured that plus ap renew break lowered our costs by about $180 off initial cost of homecoming so we went for it
i expect some kind of pleasant surprises, wdw has always come through the times i've been there and involved in something besides standard park hopping
and it still beats being at a job

 

[Cmadsen]

We're reasonably new DVCer's and I have to confess I'm looking forward to the event. I think we have to keep in mind that even keeping the parks open longer for us is going to cause quite an expense so we're not necessarily looking to "get" a lot of things. It will just be fun to meet some of you great people and relax for a few days. Guess we're pretty easily amused.

And I'm sure the turnout will have some effect on whether Disney offers more events, don't you think?

Hope to see you there!

 

[sgtpet]

C'mon already I think you already know.

Moooooooooooo!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

As a DVCer and a frequent visitor to WDW you will likely experince many of the "MH special events" during your routine vacations, without paying large cost for the MH event. We just returned from our PMH ("personal member homecoming") trip last week, and there were about 50 people in Liberty Square to see the Spectro parade. Seemed like a private showing parade to me. You can mix and mingle with other DVCers just by hanging out at a DVC resort pool. Good luck with your decision.

 

[BobH]

It seems to me that if an event is to be "special" for a the "dvc" group it would offer some significant" extras and not simply charge more money for a few extra hours in the park. Especially since it seems that one of the highlights of the event is the opening of Saratoga Springs. You really wind up paying regular park prices and then some. I assume the real reason for the homecoming is that they are looking to create interest in the new resort I think they could offer a discount on park tickets or something more to show member appreciation. At least for people in my economic bracket they have gone over the top on this one. I don't think it is a good value for the money.

 

[lillasmom]

I thought about going until I found out that all the DVC resorts were sold out. No trip for me.

 

[DrTomorrow]

The OP asked if it is worth the money. If a cost.benefit.analysis is needed to answer that question, then they should wait until the first MH is held to see exactly what benefits the attendees actually received.

OTOH, if they're looking for the chance to participate in the one.time.only.first.ever Member Homecoming, with whatever perks, souvenirs, extra.park.hours, meals, parades, mementos, etc. - and warm, fuzzy, pixie.dust feelings - that come with it, then they should go for it.

For if you took every cubic inch of every acre of Walt Disney World and crushed it up until it was dust, you could sift though it until your children were grandparents, yet you'd never find the fun, the dreams and, yes, the magic that some of us see in Disney.

 

[floridafam]

I'm anxious to hear about how the first MH goes.

We thought about it and decided not to go. We were scheduled to go to Vero Beach and just couldn't think of anything that could top the time at our favorite resort.

I'm sure it will be nice. At first, I was upset about the cost but I'm slowly starting to think differently. I think it will be nice to have the parks to ourselves and get the chance to see other DVC members.

I hope they continue to do events like this. I think it adds to the membership and makes people happy. I'm sure DVC will fine tune the next event based on the feedback they receive for this first one (hopefully)