Membership Magic Beyond

[J-Dog]

It’s not objecting to them being a for-profit company. It’s objecting to bad faith representation. Sure — it’s not dishonest, 1% is indeed a “special price.” But it’s not exactly honest either.

Imagine they announced a special exciting new fireworks show… huge marketing for a fireworks extravaganza. You get there, the lights dim… and they launch a single little sparkler. Show over.

You’d be disappointed.

They marketed a specially priced 5 day weekday ticket. I’d say it was pretty natural to assume there would be some significance to the discount — you’re giving up weekend use AND paying $99.

To then see literally a 1% discount — that is disappointing and even insulting. As Judge Judy said famously, “don’t pee on my leg and call it rain.”
1% off is not a specially priced ticket. It would be more sincere to say “specially priced tickets available for certain weeks”— blacking out half the year would show more good faith than a 1% discount half the year.

Agree. This whole ticket discount just feels kind of sleazy to me. Disney implied that we were getting a Mercedes and then delivered a used Geo Metro.

 

[havoc315]

Why is not considered "real"? It is money off so no matter if you were not going to buy that type of ticket or not or how small it is, it is still a "real" discount.

Yes it might not be the best for your situation since you have stated repeatedly that you would not use any of the other features of MMB.

If you were to buy the max 8 tickets on 5/26/2025, that would be a savings of $75.12 but in reality it would end up costing you more $23.88 more after paying the $99 to get MMB.

Now real world— my Trip is Thursday to Tuesday. Family of 4. Was planning a 4 day ticket.

Which will cost me $622 per ticket, and include weekends.

Now, if there had been a truly great 5-day weekday ticket, I would have considering buying it and just using 4 out of the 5 days, avoiding the parks on the weekend.

But… the meager 1% discount only works if you need exactly a 5 day ticket (no more, no less), and if you have zero desire to be in the parks on a weekend. (Really worth changing your weekend plans to save 1%?)

It certainly makes sense for you to pass.
For many others like myself I come out way ahead purchasing this.

On another note..
Yes being weekday tickets is not the best but you can now have 7 days in a park though in 2025 by Check in on Saturday and use the Free Water Park day, Sunday use the included water park from the ticket and then M-F spend day at one of the theme parks.

I think the included waterpark also has to be used on a weekday but I’m not sure.

 

[Nabas]

I think the included waterpark also has to be used on a weekday but I’m not sure.

It’s my understanding that starting in 2025, a free water park will be included on day of arrival for DVC members.

Last year’s ticket special (available to everyone) was great. For a trip in May, my adult children paid $89 per day for their 3-day non-MK ticket. I believe a 4-day ticket was as low as $99 per day.

I was expecting something like this to be offered, so a “5 day but not weekends and not much of a discount” ticket is not going to move the needle for me.

 

[New Mouse]

Intentionally beating the dead horse on this one DVC continues to go down the path to the dark side and literally is just owning a stay at a particular resort. With the current executives I wouldn't be shocked if they eliminate the ability to book at multiple resorts completely. They have truly become the shady timeshare salesmen.

 

[Sandisw]

It’s not objecting to them being a for-profit company. It’s objecting to bad faith representation. Sure — it’s not dishonest, 1% is indeed a “special price.” But it’s not exactly honest either.

Imagine they announced a special exciting new fireworks show… huge marketing for a fireworks extravaganza. You get there, the lights dim… and they launch a single little sparkler. Show over.

You’d be disappointed.

They marketed a specially priced 5 day weekday ticket. I’d say it was pretty natural to assume there would be some significance to the discount — you’re giving up weekend use AND paying $99.

To then see literally a 1% discount — that is disappointing and even insulting. As Judge Judy said famously, “don’t pee on my leg and call it rain.”
1% off is not a specially priced ticket. It would be more sincere to say “specially priced tickets available for certain weeks”— blacking out half the year would show more good faith than a 1% discount half the year.

I have not looked into the details that much but have people considered that this comes with a water park day?

How does that impact the savings? As DVC owners, we can buy a one day pass for $50…so, shouldn’t that be part of the savings too?

But, I could see how someone can make the new arrival day water park, and this water park access…which can be weekend day, work.

Arrive Sunday…use free waterpark…5 day weekly ticket…use water park on Saturday and leave late that night or early Sunday.

Again, not saying it will work for everyone, and it certainly would be more popular if the discount for the daily tickets was more…

 

[Genie+]

I think it could also work for something like my case. We’re doing a Feb 2025 trip before our AP expires March 1st, and they have photopass. If we’d like to take another trip in 2025 but not ready to commit to buying another AP until sometime in 2026, this 5 day ticket and free 30 day photopass might just do the trick.

I just find it a bit silly that they are offering discounts as part of a paid program that are worse than deals you can get through third party sellers without any sort of membership. 5 day park hopper ticket from https://www.boardwalkticketing.com/walt-disney-world-tickets is $786 for the same 2/17 start date I mentioned a few posts up. Cheaper ticket, allows weekends, and doesn't require MM Beyond

Why even include it if it's not actually a deal? Making graphics, writing the fine print, making the price tables, etc. Just why? Wasted time and effort all around

Yep. After I wrote the above statement that dawned on me. 10% off is still more expensive than the ways we typically buy tickets (like BW Ticketing). The WDW MMB ticket deal is pretty lame.

35% off at DL with LLMP… now that is a much better proposition.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Been pretty clear, it’s up to 10% certain dates. Most popular weeks, it’s 1%.

I never buy memory maker.
Next trip is around Memorial Day.

Regular 5 day ticket— $679.36
Under MMB, it is $670.

A savings of 1.3%






Those are separate benefits, that indeed work for many people.

The 1.3% discount can’t even be considered a real discount— as it only applies if you want exactly a 5 day ticket, and only if forfeit weekends. (Imagine if they said… “free soda included on trips to Disney World”— but then when they release details, the entitlement is just 1 sip of sparkling water, between the hours of 4:30 am and 5:00am, on the 14th hole of the golf course. Woohoo, free soda on Disney trips!)

It would literally be a better deal if they just gave you a flat 1.3% off tickets.

On the days I looked, Spring Break… it was much more than that. So, I completely disagree with your 1% on most popular weeks.

I’m also not comparing the pricing to tickets from: buyticketshereipromisethisisnotascam.com

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yep. After I wrote the above statement that dawned on me. 10% off is still more expensive than the ways we typically buy tickets (like BW Ticketing). The WDW MMB ticket deal is pretty lame.

35% off at DL with LLMP… now that is a much better proposition.

The biggest upside is being able to use discounted Disney Gift Cards to stack with the Disney savings. Most 3rd parties do not take Disney Gift Cards. I’ve never been able to get a 3rd party price even close to what I save using Disney Gift Cards.

 

[Dfoerch]

I’ve never used OTUP. Can any one explain how it works? My understanding is that you have to book with all you buy at one time for an upcoming stay. If you cancel, they go into holding. One question I have is can you buy them, even though you have enough points to make the reservation w/o them and just keep your regular points for another stay? Or do you have to need them to complete a stay?

 

[VGCgroupie]

I’ve never used OTUP. Can any one explain how it works? My understanding is that you have to book with all you buy at one time for an upcoming stay. If you cancel, they go into holding. One question I have is can you buy them, even though you have enough points to make the reservation w/o them and just keep your regular points for another stay? Or do you have to need them to complete a stay?

Yeah I’m new to the whole OTUP game. I would really like a thread that has all the rules and in outs of DVC that would be amazing. DVC does a poor job of making all the rules easy to find. I’m open to starting one and keeping it updated if others would find it useful and if the DVC experts would help get it started.

 

[havoc315]

I have not looked into the details that much but have people considered that this comes with a water park day?

How does that impact the savings? As DVC owners, we can buy a one day pass for $50…so, shouldn’t that be part of the savings too?

But, I could see how someone can make the new arrival day water park, and this water park access…which can be weekend day, work.

Arrive Sunday…use free waterpark…5 day weekly ticket…use water park on Saturday and leave late that night or early Sunday.

Again, not saying it will work for everyone, and it certainly would be more popular if the discount for the daily tickets was more…

Definitely not saying that the "deal" doesn't benefit anyone.
If you already were planning on a Sunday to Saturday trip, were already planning on doing waterparks on the weekend days -- Then you now save 1%-10%.

But I dare say the majority of guests were not planning exactly that. For most guests, they would need to change their plans in order to take advantage of this ticket offer. Either add days or take fewer days, adjust weekends/weekdays, etc.

So if you have to contort your plans in order to take advantage of the "deal" -- It's hard to rationalize contorting your plans to save 1%. I'd have trouble rationalizing contorting my plans to save 5%. Even 10% is borderline.

When I heard a new specially priced ticket -- I was expecting a much bigger discount, because this ticket is specifically designed to benefit Disney, even at a much bigger discount. It steers guests from weekends to weekdays, thereby spreading out crowds. It requires a 5 day ticket. So with enough incentive, you'd have people who were only planning on a 3 day ticket deciding to get the 5 day ticket.

I get that Disney is a for-profit corporation. My problem isn't that Disney was "stingy." It's that this is a poorly thought out product. There are a whole host of ways they could have designed this program (and ticket offers), that increase profits for Disney AND increase perceived value for guests.
A flat 20% discount on tickets over 4 days, for example. Or let MMB members purchase Disney Pirate Pass.
Offer MMB members to buy the Disney Dining Plan at 10% off. (that would definitely increase profits for Disney, it would lead to a lot more dining revenue from DVC members). Refillable soda mugs at 50% off for MMB members when staying on-site.
10% off the price of Premier Pass, subject to availability, for MMB members.

Each of these things would probably actually increase revenue and profits for Disney, while creating a lot of perceived value for MMB members.

 

[TCRAIG]

You can always just cancel you reservation after it’s made then you get those OTUP back.

Yup - I’ve done that many times - but the 7 month rule still applies and you can’t use them as a ‘modification’ to an existing 11 month reservation to free up those points - so sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t..

 

[Dfoerch]

Yup - I’ve done that many times - but the 7 month rule still applies and you can’t use them as a ‘modification’ to an existing 11 month reservation to free up those points - so sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t..

So why wouldn’t someone take advantage of the OUYP that come at half price with the MMB? Seems like you woudl just use them for one of your stays and then do what you want with your regular points-use/rent/bank.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I don't need the ticket discount because we have AP's/MK's, but we do typically avoid weekends. Since I can take whatever days off I like, it would be stupid for me to spend more points on Friday or Saturday nights for zero benefit. We usually visit Sunday through Friday. I'm sure there are other people who avoid weekends in order to save points wherever possible (especially those working within a tighter budget), and for those people, especially those going to DL, a multi-day discounted weekday pass is actually perfectly aligned with their travel strategy.

Like everything else, not every discount/benefit is going to appeal to everyone, but if you see a combination of benefits that exceed the $99 cost of MMB, then the offer may be good for you. If it doesn't, then no skin off anyone's nose.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Definitely not saying that the "deal" doesn't benefit anyone.
If you already were planning on a Sunday to Saturday trip, were already planning on doing waterparks on the weekend days -- Then you now save 1%-10%.

But I dare say the majority of guests were not planning exactly that. For most guests, they would need to change their plans in order to take advantage of this ticket offer. Either add days or take fewer days, adjust weekends/weekdays, etc.

So if you have to contort your plans in order to take advantage of the "deal" -- It's hard to rationalize contorting your plans to save 1%. I'd have trouble rationalizing contorting my plans to save 5%. Even 10% is borderline.

When I heard a new specially priced ticket -- I was expecting a much bigger discount, because this ticket is specifically designed to benefit Disney, even at a much bigger discount. It steers guests from weekends to weekdays, thereby spreading out crowds. It requires a 5 day ticket. So with enough incentive, you'd have people who were only planning on a 3 day ticket deciding to get the 5 day ticket.

I get that Disney is a for-profit corporation. My problem isn't that Disney was "stingy." It's that this is a poorly thought out product. There are a whole host of ways they could have designed this program (and ticket offers), that increase profits for Disney AND increase perceived value for guests.
A flat 20% discount on tickets over 4 days, for example. Or let MMB members purchase Disney Pirate Pass.
Offer MMB members to buy the Disney Dining Plan at 10% off. (that would definitely increase profits for Disney, it would lead to a lot more dining revenue from DVC members). Refillable soda mugs at 50% off for MMB members when staying on-site.
10% off the price of Premier Pass, subject to availability, for MMB members.

Each of these things would probably actually increase revenue and profits for Disney, while creating a lot of perceived value for MMB members.

I agree that the program would be much better if it included weekends or at least a separate option that included weekends and that it will have the impact of having people shift their vacation days…. or at least their park days.

This is one reason I am interested to see if the tickets can be upgraded to be extended or include weekends once purchased.

 

[TCRAIG]

So why wouldn’t someone take advantage of the OUYP that come at half price with the MMB? Seems like you woudl just use them for one of your stays and then do what you want with your regular points-use/rent/bank.

Because - you can’t use them for any stays at 11 months and you can’t use them on an existing reservation either - it has to be a new reservation made at 7 months or less…
I’ve used them plenty of times…

 

[tjkraz]

Maybe I have low expectations, but I never thought the park ticket discount would be very substantial given the once-per-year fee of $99. If I buy 4 tickets in a year and receive an added $25 each of savings and/or value, I'm break even. The Disneyland ticket discount is MUCH better than I anticipated.

Sure DVC could have tried to blow our doors off with some great first year perk and lose a bunch of money on MMB. But that doesn't mean a whole lot in the long run if years 2, 3 and beyond see progressively worse discounts and progressively higher prices.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Maybe I have low expectations, but I never thought the park ticket discount would be very substantial given the once-per-year fee of $99. If I buy 4 tickets in a year and receive an added $25 each of savings and/or value, I'm break even. The Disneyland ticket discount is MUCH better than I anticipated.

Sure DVC could have tried to blow our doors off with some great first year perk and lose a bunch of money on MMB. But that doesn't mean a whole lot in the long run if years 2, 3 and beyond see progressively worse discounts and progressively higher prices.

The Disneyland one has me seriously questioning renewing my MK this year….

 

[Dfoerch]

Because - you can’t use them for any stays at 11 months and you can’t use them on an existing reservation either - it has to be a new reservation made at 7 months or less…
I’ve used them plenty of times…

I guess I’m thinking too much of my own situation. We go 3-4 times a year. So at least one, if not two, are 7 months. Sounds like I’d be able to take advantage of them each year.

 

[havoc315]

So why wouldn’t someone take advantage of the OUYP that come at half price with the MMB? Seems like you woudl just use them for one of your stays and then do what you want with your regular points-use/rent/bank.

You wouldn’t take advantage if you book prior to the 7 month window.

For me — for most trips, the rooms I want are gone by 7 months. (2 bedroom standard lock off during Christmas week, is my most common room type).

It does seem if you’re book at 7 months, as long as you have no expiring points you need to use, you may as well get OTUP.