Membership Magic Beyond

[permavac]

The only part I object to in principle is the priority access to the lounges. I think all members deserve equal access to the lounges on a first come first served basis.

Totally agree! Other than the priority access to the lounges, the 'benefits" from paying the $99 is a value-added to any member who chooses to participate.

The priority access is actually something that is taken away from any member who doesn't pay the extra money. That is a TERRIBLE idea and I'm surprised they went that direction for so many reasons. This just has the potential to make both the members who didn't pay extra and the members who did pay POd about something that is supposed to be a fun, inclusive experience that comes with buying direct. I hope they re-think the priority access and get rid of it. They're already giving people who pay the character meet and greet. Isn't that enough?

 

[Sandisw]

So where's the value in this?

OTUP are $14 after all is said and done. The lounge access is relatively worthless and a pathetic add on their part. The annual pass for points is absurdly priced. Memory maker? I guess, but most people use their phones for photos now.

First, the $14/point for OTU points is only if you apply the full $99 to that and that alone.

The discounted tickets will have value and might work out well enough to more than offset the cost.

For points based Sorcerer pass? It’s all relative if it’s a good value because not all of use use rental rate to determine a good deal.

If it turns out to be the 80 to 95 points costs as report, I don’t think it is bad and would save me from taking $1k next year to pay for it.

Granted, this won’t make sense for everyone, but I don’t get the negativity. It’s something optional that owners c have access to and if it makes sense for them, it’s a nice option to have.

 

[Kingkonig]

Ironically, a lot of people were asking for years to have a pass similar to Universal. They were saying it was ok if it was expensive so not everyone would get it and defeat the purpose of the pass.

Seems like people like to point out Universal for things that are “better” but in reality they don’t want those things

People want things to be exclusive at exactly their price point. They want to be in the "in" group and exclude those below them, without imagining that they might not be able to afford the new shiny item. I think some people (DVC included) have a hard time coming to the conclusion that a new paid feature isn't necessarily going to be for them - especially, in my opinion, some of the podcasters. I don't think MMB is targeted towards locals, I think it is geared to people who come down once a year and the Sorcerer's pass doesn't make sense cost-wise. I also think that this pass is geared specifically towards people who can't spend a week+ at Disney, and need to do all the parks/experiences in two or three days. It doesn't matter if you can do an extra 3 days at Disney for the cost you spend on the LLP, if you cannot actually spend an extra three days at the parks.

 

[Sandisw]

Why would you not just rent out 95 points for and then use the cash.
Surely that’s better value?

I’ll answer…because dealing with a rental is not something I want to do and much easier and worth it to use it for a pass.

So, it’s not a better value because for me, the value is in the ease and flexibility of using more points that way.

 

[AstroBlasters]

And if you’re Shrek-size, you can’t fit in the seats, either.

Note to self: keep riding Peloton….

 

[Sandisw]

In this situation, is it because the night at the beginning or the end of your trip is not available initially at 7-months, so you have to buy OTU points for a “fake” night? Or is it because you cannot buy OTU points for the night that you already booked?

Let’s say I have 5 nights booked and it is within 7 months window. Now I want to change the first two nights of my 5 nights trip to AKV or SSR using OTU points and the room is available, can I call MS to buy OTU points and book these two nights, then drop the 5 nights I booked earlier to 3 nights?

After you cancel the “fake” night, what do you do with the OTU points if the night you really want never open up? I guess you have to just book another trip or rent them out before the points expire?

Is it possible to make a waitlist for the room I need and then if the waitlist goes through it will take these OTU points first?

I the waitlist list one thing that this works for because you have purchased them.

And, yes, one might buy because the night is not there, so you buy so you can stalk the website and snag it.

The other way to use it is for those that traded to another resort at 7 months but see benefit in saving some home resort points for the next year.

For example, I ended up jusing my RIV points for my January trip to book a different resort for our split stay…..if I had this option, I might choose to buy some points and switch them out because next year, I know I need a larger room for trip….so, it could be benefit.

 

[davidhr]

I think some people (DVC included) have a hard time coming to the conclusion that a new paid feature isn't necessarily going to be for them

I always say this. I see a lot of people on the internet always asking “can someone explain me why I need to get this? I don’t see the value!” When they already answered it. If you don’t see the value, you don’t need to get it. Move on.

 

[Sandisw]

This!

Also IMHO, Disney’s announcements this week could be a case study in marketing fatigue. I barely had a moment to decipher LLP before they rolled right into MMB.

It’s just too much all at once - even for someone who is squarely in their target demo.

Really question their overall strategy…

Completely different divisions and having had a child who worked for Disney in marketing, they don’t really deal with each other in the way one would think.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

Since you are familiar with Universal, would you say it is more spontaneous and less planning-oriented than Disney?

Like others have said, all the Disney news this week is daunting. I feel like there is so much planning now for Disney, that it is arduous and not spontaneous. I miss old times when you would decide in the morning which park to visit first.

As others have noted, yes it’s easier, particularly with EP at a premier hotel.

Look, I have 4 kiddos under 7. My twins are old enough and tall enough to ride the big stuff, and my younger two have very different needs. We need to have the flexibility to ride rides quickly and on our own terms, otherwise my wife and I are separated all day long!

Universal is much more affordable at giving us that flexibility than Disney. Not to mention, UO APs are 60% less for us (blockout dates work just fine for our summer travel schedule).

 

[MyDogTink]

As others have noted, yes it’s easier, particularly with EP at a premier hotel.

Look, I have 4 kiddos under 7. My twins are old enough and tall enough to ride the big stuff, and my younger two have very different needs. We need to have the flexibility to ride rides quickly and on our own terms, otherwise my wife and I are separated all day long!

Universal is much more affordable at giving us that flexibility than Disney. Not to mention, UO APs are 60% less for us (blockout dates work just fine for our summer travel schedule).

I admire you and your wife! We have one child, age 5, and we can't get out of our own way. I will definitely research Universal. I would also like to try Seaworld. I am hoping we get less park-intense and hang out more at the resorts.

ETA: If I could get my Owners Lockers delivered to Universal hotels, Universal would definitely be a consideration.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Not an expert, but familiar with this process. There are different ways of seeing this. Normally, US RESIDENT means at minimum a permanent resident visa (the famous green card), but depending the business, people with temporary work/student visas might be considered residents even if they aren’t permanent residents.

For tax purposes it’s a bit different and more broad because the government wants its money, a US PERSON it’s pretty much anyone that spends a considerable amount of time in the US and it’s required to get at minimum a ITIN to report to the IRS or file taxes.

Thanks.

But I’m still a bit clueless about how Disney treats it.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Why would you not just rent out 95 points for and then use the cash.
Surely that’s better value?

Income tax does come into play there.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Completely different divisions and having had a child who worked for Disney in marketing, they don’t really deal with each other in the way one would think.

Agreed - but that’s my point. Companies larger than Disney with business units that operate independently from one another depend on a centralized Marketing and Comms function to integrate messages across verticals…especially when those verticals have the same target audience.

 

[Kingkonig]

Income tax does come into play there.

Income tax, knowledge of a rental market, desire to deal with the hassle (yes, even if the board sponsor helps mitigate the hassle by acting as a broker, it is still a lot more work than just spending the points). While many people want to maximize their membership and "win" against Disney, there are plenty of people who don't really care as much. They spent the $15k 20 years ago and are more than happy to just use their points in ways that make more sense for their family. While some can maximize returns over time and treat it as a real investment, others may just feel that once they've broken even, the rest is just play money. Why get worked up over a few hundred dollars in missed profits?

 

[davidhr]

Thanks.

But I’m still a bit clueless about how Disney treats it.

My guess it’s unlikely a person will be considered resident with just a ITIN. They’ll need to provide some documentation or ID that verifies a US address.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Income tax, knowledge of a rental market, desire to deal with the hassle (yes, even if the board sponsor helps mitigate the hassle by acting as a broker, it is still a lot more work than just spending the points). While many people want to maximize their membership and "win" against Disney, there are plenty of people who don't really care as much. They spent the $15k 20 years ago and are more than happy to just use their points in ways that make more sense for their family. While some can maximize returns over time and treat it as a real investment, others may just feel that once they've broken even, the rest is just play money. Why get worked up over a few hundred dollars in missed profits?

Respectfully, I do not think that is the case. DVC is a form of currency to members and depending on particular circumstances in a year, one way to "cash in" may be better than another for that particular member. Having choices is a good thing. Personally, I would not cash in points for an AP, but knowing I can rather than renting potentially expiring points gives me and other members another way to preserve the value of those points.

The first time we bought DVC was 1996, but I don't consider that when I think about what is coming down the road this year and next and how to best use points.

 

[RachaelA]

As others have noted, yes it’s easier, particularly with EP at a premier hotel.

Look, I have 4 kiddos under 7. My twins are old enough and tall enough to ride the big stuff, and my younger two have very different needs. We need to have the flexibility to ride rides quickly and on our own terms, otherwise my wife and I are separated all day long!

Universal is much more affordable at giving us that flexibility than Disney. Not to mention, UO APs are 60% less for us (blockout dates work just fine for our summer travel schedule).

Once they add EU to their passes though, I think it’s going to be a lot similar in pricing to Disney. But I do love that I can buy seasonal passes for Universal as an out of state resident. We switch between Seasonal and Power passes depending on when our spring break dates fall every year.

 

[Kingkonig]

Respectfully, I do not think that is the case. DVC is a form of currency to members and depending on particular circumstances in a year, one way to "cash in" may be better than another for that particular member. Having choices is a good thing. Personally, I would not cash in points for an AP, but knowing I can rather than renting potentially expiring points gives me and other members another way to preserve the value of those points.

The first time we bought DVC was 1996, but I don't consider that when I think about what is coming down the road this year and next and how to best use points.

Oh I'm not trying to paint every member with a broad brush - there absolutely are many who treat their points as gold. I don't think I ever would spend points on an AP either, but it does help to know that if I ever bank them and can't move them past a year, I can use them on a Sorcerer's pass instead of letting them die. My thought when buying though is that I'm purchasing a very expensive toy, and that I don't want to spend more time maximizing values from it and squeezing every last dollar from the purchase as possible. I want to enjoy my toy.

Another thing to think about that I didn't realize is that in setting relatively low values for the points in the experiences/add-ons, is that they do inadvertently set a price floor for rentals. If Disney values the points at an exchange rate of ~$10, that also sets the floor for these rental companies at ~$14 (after commissions and taxes).

 

[CastAStone]

I am surprised that they haven't created tiers of direct ownership yet. 150 points for the "base" set of perks, and extra benefits for those who own more. This would not exactly be groundbreaking; pretty much every other timeshare developer does this.

That was rumored by an “insider” last year but so far crickets. I asked him about it maybe 6 months ago and he said as far as he knew they were still researching it. But I think it’s fully possible that that became this.

Granted, this won’t make sense for everyone, but I don’t get the negativity

The lounge thing negatively impacts direct owners who now will have to pay to ensure they actually get their prior benefit.

Losing perks at the drop of a hat is of course is one of the risks of buying direct (and why I discourage most people from doing so) but I think that stinks.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Oh I'm not trying to paint every member with a broad brush - there absolutely are many who treat their points as gold. I don't think I ever would spend points on an AP either, but it does help to know that if I ever bank them and can't move them past a year, I can use them on a Sorcerer's pass instead of letting them die. My thought when buying though is that I'm purchasing a very expensive toy, and that I don't want to spend more time maximizing values from it and squeezing every last dollar from the purchase as possible. I want to enjoy my toy.

Another thing to think about that I didn't realize is that in setting relatively low values for the points in the experiences/add-ons, is that they do inadvertently set a price floor for rentals. If Disney values the points at an exchange rate of ~$10, that also sets the floor for these rental companies at ~$14 (after commissions and taxes).

Rent on disboards! You set the price. I have never had anything but a great experience.