Membership Magic Beyond

[Sandisw]

But you also have to keep in mind that you are saving $901 cash, not $1K, because this thing costs $99 to allow you the privilege of using points to pay for the AP.

Okay, the cost of the new Sorercer Pass is $1063.94, so I did a little rounding when I went to $1k....but your right, it will save me $964.65, which I think you get the point.

However, if someone can take advantage of the OTU points, and the 5 day ticket discount, that $99 gets applied to those savings as well. The point is, whether its ssaving me $964 or $1k, its still allowing me to keep that money for something else.

And, that is why this has the potential to meet the needs of owners in different ways. If the cost of the pass in points comes to what has been reported, then it is a definite for me, because my trips to WDW in 2025, due to my daughter getting married, are not going to be as frequent,...which means I won't need all my points....great way for me to use them up.

 

[Sandisw]

It’s not a nice option to have. It’s a gateway to put every benefit behind the paywall. I can’t believe I have to keep saying this.

For you, its not nice. For me its great. I am okay with enhanced benefits for a fee. And, I would be perfectly fine if we end up in a situation where all benefits require a fee.

Why? Because benefits are perks that can come and go at anytime, just like a lot of things out there that go up in price....and if it gets to a point that having benefits costs more than I want to spend, then I enjoy my DVC the same way without them because I bought with the idea that these are extras, and nothing more.

Shouldn't everyone be able to decide how to view changes?

 

[TinkAgainU]

Doomsday speculating is a favorite activity for many.

The sad part is, with Disney prices, they're not always wrong.

 

[New Mouse]

Which would you rather, if the choice were offer the benefits for $99 or don't offer at all?

I'm also in the don't offer at all camp. Save the money spent developing and running this for something worthwhile.

 

[tx911]

I'm also in the don't offer at all camp. Save the money spent developing and running this for something worthwhile.

It will be money made, not money spent, from Disney's perspective

 

[New Mouse]

For you, its not nice. For me its great. I am okay with enhanced benefits for a fee. And, I would be perfectly fine if we end up in a situation where all benefits require a fee.

Why? Because benefits are perks that can come and go at anytime, just like a lot of things out there that go up in price....and if it gets to a point that having benefits costs more than I want to spend, then I enjoy my DVC the same way without them because I bought with the idea that these are extras, and nothing more.

Shouldn't everyone be able to decide how to view changes?

How is getting benefits for a fee better than getting benefits without a fee? For anyone

 

[tx911]

https://dvcfan.com/general-dvc/hey-disney-can-we-stop-the-money-grab/

The "Beyond Amazing" perks in this article are exactly the kind of thing I would NOT like if they were put behind a paywall.

Things like Moonlight Magic and room booking advantage should be equally available to all members, IMO.

 

[lowlight]

I don't know but I have never had to wait to get into the Epcot lounge any time we have visited. But, its not just the lounge, its everything that people are pointing regarding this.

You and I live different lives. You never have trouble booking stuff, getting in limited capacity places, etc. I don't think I've ever been to the lounge since assigned and not had a wait of at least 15 minutes. I've traveled every season, but I usually tour that area of Epcot around pre-lunch to mid afternoon, so maybe you are there at much less busy hours.

For those people who don't buy Genie+/LL, you ever have that feeling when you're standing in a no shade, humid and hot hour long outdoor queue with kids getting progressively whinier and you see people strutting by in the Lightning Lane? Now you get to experience that same feeling being a DVC member and watching people stroll right up while you wait in a secondary line despite being a "blue card" member. DVC-Y becoming DVC-Why.

 

[tx911]

You and I live different lives. You never have trouble booking stuff, getting in limited capacity places, etc. I don't think I've ever been to the lounge since assigned and not had a wait of at least 15 minutes. I've traveled every season, but I usually tour that area of Epcot around pre-lunch to mid afternoon, so maybe you are there at much less busy hours.

For those people who don't buy Genie+/LL, you ever have that feeling when you're standing in a no shade, humid and hot hour long outdoor queue with kids getting progressively whinier and you see people strutting by in the Lightning Lane? Now you get to experience that same feeling being a DVC member and watching people stroll right up while you wait in a secondary line despite being a "blue card" member. DVC-Y becoming DVC-Why.

DVC-Why, DVC-Whine, and finally, DVC-Bye

I do wish they would stick to benefits that don't affect other members who choose not to purchase. Like ticket discounts, OTUP discounts, and such.

 

[lowlight]

DVC-Why, DVC-Whine, and finally, DVC-Bye

Yes, I'm obviously on step 2.5.

 

[tx911]

Yes, I'm obviously on step 2.5.

The Kubler-Ross stages of DVC membership

 

[Genie+]

Basically this offering is rewarding loyalty to those who regularly spend for this kind of stuff anyway.

There are alot of people here who say this is a no-brainer to purchase because they would spend extra money similar to one of these perks regardless. Whether it’s Memory Maker, OTU, Character Meal, etc. This $100 program is a bonus to them. It also helps less experienced owners get acquainted with more components of WDW trips.

Yes they are blocking this behind a $100 paywall. Tables in Wonderland was blocked behind a paywall too. So is Wicked Wind Down. You want a guaranteed table? You pay $60 each, but it a comparably good value compared to what else exists.

 

[broncofan]

For you, its not nice. For me its great. I am okay with enhanced benefits for a fee. And, I would be perfectly fine if we end up in a situation where all benefits require a fee.

Why? Because benefits are perks that can come and go at anytime, just like a lot of things out there that go up in price....and if it gets to a point that having benefits costs more than I want to spend, then I enjoy my DVC the same way without them because I bought with the idea that these are extras, and nothing more.

Shouldn't everyone be able to decide how to view changes?

I think this brings up a fascinating point - some of the angst expressed here, including by me, is really an indication of the strong emotional connection that Disney and Disney Parks has historically made with people. There are dozens of companies that have disappointed me over the years. I don't spend a single second of my life thinking about any of those companies.

But Disney and DisneyWorld? I have a whole bunch of fantastic memories and warm feelings about past trips. I don't get those anymore (everyone is different, but for me it's the stress and cost of LL vs the frustration of standing in lines that move slowly while LL guests pass you by). Engaging here is maybe almost a form of coping with the loss of what those Disney trips used to be for me. On the other hand, I tend to engage sporadically and sparingly - because I absolutely don't want to spread negativity for people who still love the experience and for whom the experience is still pure magic. And I'm hanging on to my DVC - planning to use at Aulani and HH, maybe for a Universal trip.. and still hoping that the magic will come back for me too!

 

[zackiedawg]

No question that the longer you've been going to Disney World, the more often you go per year, and the more of a Disney 'fan' you are, the more you're going to notice and probably dislike the changes where everything moves behind a pay wall. Specifically because of what Disney World used to be - there simply was no comparison for us of Disney to other theme parks - the complete immersion, attention to detail, meticulous theming, and the service, friendliness, and perks that you got back then compared to today is night and day. It might almost be more acceptable if some of those old perks and benefits simply went away in changing times, but somehow it's more disappointing to see that those things are still there, but require additional spending to access them. When ticket prices and stays have already gone up well past inflation on their own, AND things that used to be included with that price no longer are, it sticks in our craw a little more. Ironically, it's not about the actual money - it really is more on principle. I could afford all of the paywall perks, but somehow I just can't justify in my mind paying extra when those things would have been free in Disney of yesteryear.

And the funny thing is that Disney really is losing a lot of good money from some real devoted long term fans and just trying to make it up from newbies and one-time visitors. It might pay off in the short term, but really seems it will hurt them in the long term. Some of those 1-big-trip folks might never be back, or not for many years - someone like me, if you restored all those free perks i used to get, and kept me happy, would be there 4, 5, even 6 trips a year, spending for DVC, AP, and $100+ per person dinners, cocktails, behind the scenes tours, boat and cart rentals, and so on - probably upwards of $7-8K per year PER PERSON. The less I enjoy my time in the parks, the more I tend to walk around a few hours, mostly skip the too-long lines, head back to my room, drink and eat my own food I brought with me, ride some free transportation around to wander through some resorts, drop down to 1 or 2 nice dinners instead of 4 or 5, and go home. I spend far less when I don't have nice long enjoyable days in the parks. Over-1-hour standby lines and waitlists to get into a DVC lounge will definitely reduce my time in the parks! No free valet impacts me wanting to drive over to a nice restaurant. And I'm constantly wondering what will go behind a paywall next...pay $100 a year to have the privilege to make ADRs sooner than everyone else? Pay $100 a year to have the privilege to get a 10% discount on meals or shopping? $100 a year for free resort parking? $50 a year to send you a free DVC magnet?

 

[CastAStone]

Things like Moonlight Magic and room booking advantage should be equally available to all members, IMO.

Moonlight Magic needs access increased, not decreased.

It’s such a Lucy-and-the-football “perk” for most owners.

 

[Genie+]

And I'm constantly wondering what will go behind a paywall next...pay $100 a year to have the privilege to make ADRs sooner than everyone else?

Pay $100 a year to have the privilege to get a 10% discount on meals or shopping?

$100 a year for free resort parking?

$50 a year to send you a free DVC magnet?

The big difference between all of these and this is the value to me. I’d skip paying for these because none of them matter enough at that price to us. This MMB for $100 does.

 

[2010dvcfan]

Maybe I don't know the true definition of the word "perk" but to me that's an added benefit for something I already paid for. It's always been made clear to me that "perks" can come and go at any time but never has my guide informed me that this perk could go away unless you purchase it back from DVC???? AP discounts were a common practice when I bought in to DVC, now if I want a 5 day weekday park pass at a discount I need to pay a fee.

If DVC wants to eat up member points by offering AP purchases then that's great, allow that flexibility but why charge for it, priority access to lounge, what' s next priority access to moonlight magic parties?

Maybe a fee to pay if you want a 12 month booking priority, or perhaps, pay a fee to be able to book longer then 7 days out?

I'm sorry I don't see this as adding anything but frustration to already increasingly confusing product. I hope I am wrong with negativity but I don't see the Disney corporation of today offering anything to anyone that is not making them more money then they appear to be offering to save us in the end.

I'm afraid this introductory product is the tip of the ice berg.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I feel like if they had left out the lounge access priority this would have been much much less controversial. Everything else is new, lounge is an existing benefit and they should've just left it alone or added it next year when the shock of a new program wears off.

 

[DonMacGregor]

AP discounts were a common practice when I bought in to DVC, now if I want a 5 day weekday park pass at a discount I need to pay a fee.

OK, I'm confused. Truly discounted AP's have been gone for years, and discounted tickets (they aren't 5-day "passes", they're date based multi-day tickets) were never a guaranteed perk (they were random, limited time offerings like increased merch discounts).

Today, we can purchase a Sorcerer Pass (not a discount, but a reduced-price product relative to the Incredi-Pass, albeit with a handful of blockout dates). With the MMB, we can still purchase a Sorcerer Pass (including the purchase with points option) AND get discounts on date based multi-day tickets.

 

[tx911]

I feel like if they had left out the lounge access priority this would have been much much less controversial. Everything else is new, lounge is an existing benefit and they should've just left it alone or added it next year when the shock of a new program wears off.

Right, just keep the "perks" member-neutral.